Prelims Current Affairs includes Human Rights Day, Death Anniversary of Alfred Nobel, World’s Youngest FIDE-Rated Chess Player, Private Member’s Bill to Amend the 10th Schedule, Shyok Tunnel – Ladakh, Rohtang Pass.

IMPORTANT DAYS

1. HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

Celebrated every year on 10 December.
Aim: To protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of all people.
Established On: 1948, when the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly.
Purpose: Promotes dignity, equality, and justice for everyone globally.

2. DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF ALFRED NOBEL

10 December marks the death anniversary of Alfred Nobel, founder of the Nobel Prizes.

ABOUT ALFRED NOBEL

Birth: 21 October 1833
Death: 10 December 1869
Profession: Scientist, inventor, industrialist, philanthropist
Major Invention: Dynamite and other explosives
Legacy: Founded the Nobel Prizes awarded for excellence in sciences, peace, literature and economics

SPORTS

3. WORLD’S YOUNGEST FIDE-RATED CHESS PLAYER

Current Context: Three-year-old Sarwagya Singh Kushwaha from Madhya Pradesh has become the youngest officially FIDE-rated chess player in the world.

ABOUT THE ACHIEVEMENT

Age: 3 years, 7 months and 20 days
FIDE Rapid Rating: 1572 (above minimum 1400 rating threshold)
Significance: Youngest child to earn an official rating in International Chess Federation records

ABOUT FIDE & CHESS RATING

FIDE: International Chess Federation, global governing body for chess rankings and tournaments
FIDE Rating: International measure of a player’s skill level
Requirement: Competitive games against already-rated players
Importance: First step towards titles like FIDE Master, International Master, and Grandmaster

POLITY

4. PRIVATE MEMBER’S BILL TO AMEND THE 10TH SCHEDULE

Current Context: A Private Members’ Bill has been introduced in the Lok Sabha to amend the Tenth Schedule to allow Members of Parliament to vote independently without strict party whip control.

ABOUT THE PROPOSAL

Objective: Frees elected representatives from rigid party-driven voting, enabling better law-making
Focus: Reducing “whip tyranny” and promoting democratic debate

WHY WHIP IS NEEDED UNDER 10TH SCHEDULE

• Prevents unprincipled defections for personal benefit (Aaya Ram–Gaya Ram politics)
• Ensures stability of governments
• Maintains party discipline on major legislative matters

CRITICISM OF WHIP

• Restricts free expression and representative mandate
• Converts MPs/MLAs into rubber stamps
• Has not fully prevented political horse-trading or instability

ABOUT WHIP

• Official direction by political parties to their legislators for voting
• 10th Schedule (1985): Disqualification if voting against party direction
• No constitutional or statutory status for the office of Whip
• 170th Law Commission Report: Recommends use of whip only for government-survival matters

PLACE IN NEWS

5. SHYOK TUNNEL — LADAKH

Current Context: Defence Minister inaugurated 125 border infrastructure projects, including the Shyok Tunnel in Ladakh.

ABOUT SHYOK TUNNEL

Location: Durbuk–Shyok–Daulat Beg Oldie (DS-DBO) Road, eastern Ladakh
Type: 920-metre cut-and-cover tunnel built by Border Roads Organisation

SIGNIFICANCE

• Provides all-weather connectivity to the strategically crucial Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) outpost near LAC
• Reduces risks from heavy snowfall, avalanches, and extreme weather conditions

HIMACHAL NEWS

6. ROHTANG PASS

Current Context: Rohtang Pass witnessed fresh snowfall after weeks of dry and warm weather in Himachal Pradesh.

ABOUT ROHTANG PASS

Elevation: Around 3,978 metres (13,050 feet)
Range: Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas

CONNECTIVITY

•  Part of Manali–Leh Highway (NH-3)
•  Links Kullu Valley with Lahaul & Spiti Valleys

GEOGRAPHICAL IMPORTANCE
Watershed divide between Beas River basin (south) and Chandra River (north)

HISTORICAL NOTE
Name means “pile of corpses” due to extreme weather dangers like avalanches and blizzards

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