Preliminary Examination
Paper-I: Current Events of National and International Importance
Paper-II: Current Events of State Importance and Important Government Schemes and Programs
Karnataka includes root canal treatment underAB PMJAY-CM’s ArK scheme
Context: In a move aimed at improving access to dental care and reducing avoidable tooth loss, the Karnataka government has approved the inclusion of root canal treatment (RCT) under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana-Chief Minister’s Arogya Karnataka (AB PMJAY-CM’s ArK) scheme.
- A Government Order (GO) issued provides for the addition of specific procedure codes for root canal treatment under the Dental and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery specialty of the scheme.
- The root canal treatment is undertaken to treat infection or inflammation of the dental pulp. If left untreated, it can spread to surrounding tissues, leading to complications such as abscess formation and eventual tooth loss. Officials said the decision is expected to benefit a large number of patients who currently opt for tooth extraction due to the high cost of root canal treatment.
- 2 procedures notified
- The order includes two categories- root canal treatment for anterior teeth and posterior teeth- which have been classified as Complex Secondary Procedures (2B) under the scheme.
- The Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust (SAST), the nodal agency that facilitates the scheme, has been directed to adopt Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) Tier-3 (non-NABH) rates.
- Accordingly, the package rate has been fixed at ₹1,360 for anterior teeth and ₹2,040 for posterior teeth, inclusive of all consumables and procedure-related costs.
- Addressing the gap
- At present, the scheme covers 12 procedures under dental and oral surgery, but does not include root canal treatment. The inclusion follows a proposal submitted by the SAST. Officials noted that preserving natural teeth helps maintain chewing function and avoids the need for costlier interventions.
- Cap on cases
- The government has capped the benefit at 50,000 cases or a financial outlay of ₹5 crore, whichever is lower. The approval has been granted under powers delegated to the Health Department to include new procedures within a specified budget ceiling. The standard guidelines of the AB PMJAY-CM’s ArK scheme will apply to these procedures.
Main Examination
Paper-I: Essays
Essay – 1: Topic of International/National Importance
Essay-2: Topic of State importance/Local Importance
Paper-II: General Studies 1
‘India’s FY 27 growth outlook cut to 6.6%’
Context: The World Bank has revised downwards India’s growth outlook for 2026-27 to 6.6% from 7.2%, citing the impact of the war in West Asia on household and government consumption, as well as on industrial activity.
- The India Development Update report by the World Bank said that “in the absence of the conflict”, India’s GDP growth was projected at 7.2%, a reflection of better-than-expected growth in 2025-26, “strong initial momentum” in the fourth quarter of that year and a “broad pro-growth reform agenda”.
- “Growth is now projected at 6.6% in FY27, reflecting headwinds from the Middle East conflict — assuming an extended disruption in global energy (oil and gas) supply till end-2026,” the report said.
- The India Development Update report is a companion to the South Asia Economic Update 2026. That report had projected growth in South Asia to slow to 6.3% in 2026 from 7% in 2025.
- The World Bank’s Acting Director for India Paul Procee noted that there are things that can be done to boost growth. “Boosting private sector-led growth will be critical to strengthening economic resilience and supporting more young people to enter the workforce,” Mr. Procee said.
- The report said that industrial activity is expected to slow to 7.5% in 2026-27 from 8.8% in the previous year. It said that the manufacturing sector — especially electronics, automobiles, and other tradable goods — will prop up industrial growth.
- “However, higher input costs and decreased export demand from the Gulf region will weigh on overall industrial growth,” the report said. “Business services are likely to be impacted by the global economic slowdown and higher input costs will adversely impact food and accommodation services.”
Paper-III: General Studies 2
Government notifies CAPF law; families protest, say it undermines rights of forces
Context: On a day when the families of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel protested at the Rajghat against the passing of the CAPF (General Administration) Bill, 2026, by Parliament on April 2, the President gave it her assent. Subsequently the CAPF, General Administration Act, 2026 was notified in the Gazette of India.
- The Act stated that in all CAPFs, 50% of the total posts in the rank of Inspector-General, at least 67% in the rank of Additional Director-General and all posts in the rank of Special Director-General and Director-General shall be filled by IPS officers on deputation.
- Till now, such postings were done based on executive orders. The Act will negate a May 23, 2025, Supreme Court order which asked the Home Ministry to “progressively reduce” IPS deputation in CAPFs up to the rank of I-Gs in the next two years.
Paper-IV: General Studies 3
Paper-V: General Studies 4