Archives (PRELIMS  Focus) Anti-Defection Law Category: Polity and Governance Context: The Legislature Secretariat of Telangana has summoned four more MLAs of the Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) who are facing charges of defection to the ruling Congress.             About Anti-Defection Law: Evolution: In post-Independence India, frequent defections led to political instability. The phrase “Aaya Ram, Gaya Ram” became popular in the 1960s after a Haryana MLA switched parties multiple times in a single day.  To address this issue, the Anti-Defection Law was introduced as the Tenth Schedule to the Constitution through the 52nd Constitutional Amendment, 1985.  Objective: It aimed to stop political defections for personal gain. It applies to both Parliament and State Assemblies.  Amendment: The 91st Amendment Act (2003) amended the anti-defection law by scrapping the one-third split provision, allowing mergers only if two-thirds of a party’s members agreed, and disqualifying defectors from holding ministerial or paid political posts until they are re-elected.  Grounds for Disqualification:  A member voluntarily gives up party membership (can be inferred from conduct, not just resignation).   A member votes or abstains from voting against the party whip can lead to disqualification.  A legislator can further be disqualified if he is an independently elected member and joins a political party.  A nominated member is disqualified if they join a political party after six months of becoming a legislator.  Exceptions to Disqualification: A party can merge with another if two-thirds of its legislators agree, with no disqualification for those who merge or stay.  No disqualification for Speaker/Chairman/Deputy Chairman resigning from the party to remain neutral.  Deciding authority: Disqualification cases are decided by the Speaker/Chairman. There’s no legally binding time frame for the Speaker to decide on disqualification cases, allowing for strategic delays. Judgements by SC: In Kihoto Hollohan vs Zachillhu (1992), the SC ruled that the Speaker’s decisions are subject to judicial review. This means Courts can intervene in the Speaker’s decision if there’s mala fide intent, procedural lapse, or constitutional violation, ensuring fairness and transparency. In Keisham Meghachandra Singh vs The Hon’ble Speaker Manipur Legislative Assembly & Ors (2020), the SC directed Speakers to decide defection cases within 3 months and suggested an independent tribunal to ensure neutrality and speed. The SC noted that delaying disqualification proceedings violates the intent of Tenth Schedule and undermines trust in the Speaker’s office by failing to uphold the standard of timely decision-making. Source: The Hindu QS Asia University Rankings Category: Miscellaneous Context: China has overtaken India as the most-represented location in the QS World University Rankings: Asia 2026, according to the rankings released this week. About QS Asia University Rankings: Nature: The QS Asia University Rankings is an annual regional assessment that evaluates Asia’s leading higher education institutions based on academic reputation, employability, research productivity, and international outlook. Released by: It is compiled by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), a UK-based higher education analytics firm, known globally for its QS World University Rankings. Objectives: To benchmark Asian universities using globally comparable indicators. To highlight academic excellence, innovation, and research impact in the region. To promote quality, global competitiveness, and collaboration in Asian higher education. About QS Asia Rankings 2026: The top 10 positions in the 2026 rankings were dominated by universities from Hong Kong, Singapore, and China. While India added 132 universities and institutes to the list this year, taking its tally to a record high of 294, China added 259 institutions, bringing its total to 394. Seven Indian institutions feature in the top 100, with the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, ranked highest at 59. China has 25 universities in the top 100, while India retained the same number of institutes in the top 100 as last year. Source: The Hindu APEDA Category: Polity and Governance Context: APEDA, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, has facilitated the first export consignment of 12 metric tonnes of Fortified Rice Kernel (FRK) from Chhattisgarh to Costa Rica. About APEDA: Establishment: The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) was established by the Government of India under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act, 1985. Nodal ministry: It functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Headquarters: Its headquarters is located in New Delhi. Secretariat to NAB: It also functions as the Secretariat to the National Accreditation Board (NAB) for the implementation of accreditation of the Certification Bodies under National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) for Organic exports. Objective: APEDA is mandated with the responsibility of export promotion and development of the scheduled products viz. fruits, vegetables and their products, meat and meat products, poultry and poultry products, floriculture and floriculture products, herbal and medicinal plants, etc. Conducting surveys and studies: It looks after the development of industries relating to the scheduled products for export by way of providing financial assistance or otherwise for undertaking surveys and feasibility studies, participating through subsidy schemes. Inspection of slaughterhouses: It carries out inspection of meat and meat products in slaughterhouses, processing plants, storage premises and improving packaging of the scheduled products. Composition of APEDA Authority: The APEDA Authority consists of the following members namely: A Chairman appointed by the Central Government The Agricultural Marketing Advisor to the Government of India, ex-official One member appointed by the Central Government representing the Niti Aayog Three members of Parliament of whom two are elected by the House of People and one by the Council of States Eight members appointed by the Central Government representing respectively, the Ministries of the Central Govt. Source: PIB Vijayanagara Empire Category: History and Culture Context: One hundred and three punch-marked gold coins dated to Vijayanagara era were found in a earthen pot around 10 kms from Jamunamarathur village atop Jawadhu Hills in Tiruvannamalai. About Vijayanagara Empire: Foundation: According to tradition, the founders of the Vijayanagara Empire belonged to a family of five brothers who were feudatories of the Kakatiyas of Warangal. Founded in 1336 by Harihara I and Bukka Raya I of the Sangama Dynasty, Vijayanagara became a prominent cultural and political centre in