Legal Current Affairs for 18 April 2026

It is a protected area established in 1979.
Location: Located on the Chambal River near the tri-point of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
Important species: Gharial (critically endangered), Crocodiles, Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle, Ganges river dolphin.

Increases the strength of the Lok Sabha: From the existing 543 members to 850 members (815 from states and 35 from UTs).
Amend Article 334A: Allow implementation of one-third women’s reservation in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies immediately after delimitation.
It was introduced through 106th Constitution (Amendment) Act, 2023 (Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam).
Amend Article 82: Bill proposes to delete the third provision of Article 82, which mandates that the next delimitation exercise shall be undertaken based on the first Census conducted after the year 2026.
This will enable delimitation to be carried out using Census data available before the 2026–27 Census.

It aimed to repeal and replace the Delimitation Act, 2002.
Delimitation Commission (DC): Union Government to constitute the DC, which will be chaired by a person who is or has been a Judge of the Supreme Court.
It specified that the delimitation would be based on the latest published census at the time of the Commission’s formation, meaning the 2011 census would be used.
The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 extends similar changes to Delhi, Puducherry and Jammu and Kashmir

Launched: In 2014 as a Central Sector Scheme.
Objectives: (Refer infographic).
Administered by: Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Geographical Scope and Priority Areas: strategically important and water-rich but underdeveloped regions, particularly North Eastern Region and Indus Basin in Jammu & Kashmir / Ladakh.
These basins are prioritised due to their importance in National water security, Cross-border water management, Flood control and erosion management and Ecological stability.
Institutional Structure: two broad components-
The Brahmaputra Board: for basin-level planning and flood management in the North Eastern Region.
Investigation of Water Resources Development Scheme (IWRDS): implemented through
Central Water Commission (CWC): undertakes surveys, investigations, and preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for water resource projects such as Indus, Brahmaputra basins.
National Water Development Agency (NWDA): focuses on water resource planning at the national level, particularly under the Interlinking of Rivers (ILR) programme.

They are terrestrial insects that feed on the feces of large herbivores.
Navigation: Certain dung beetles navigate at night using the Milky Way, moving in straight lines while rolling dung balls.
They rely on polarised light patterns and the diffuse glow of the night sky rather than individual stars.

It is a statutory trust set up to boost mineral exploration in India, especially for deep-seated and critical minerals.
Established: under Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
Objective: Accelerate and strengthen mineral exploration.
Funding Mechanism: a levy equivalent to 3% of the royalty paid by holders of mining leases .
Governance structure
Governing Body: Headed by Union Minister of Mines.
Executive Committee: Headed by Secretary, Ministry of Mines.

It is a disputed atoll in the SCS, claimed by both China and the Philippines as part of their territory.
Strategic importance: Located along major sea lanes with rich fishing grounds and potential resources.
Other disputed islands in the SCS: Paracel, Spratly Island, etc.

It is a time-bound intervention under the Export Promotion Mission (EPM).
Objective: Help Indian exporters deal with high freight costs, rising insurance premiums and war related export risks.
Nodal and Implementing Agency: ECGC Ltd. (Formerly Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India Ltd.), wholly owned by Government of India (Ministry of Commerce & Industry).
Key Features
MSME-Focused Assistance: Ensuring reimbursement support for High logistics costs and surcharges.
Export Cycle Coverage: For End-to-end support for shipment planning, Insurance etc.