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Current affairs — 13 September 2026

2 prelims-relevant stories, each distilled into quick facts — with a 2-question quiz at the end.

Geographyred-sea-chokepoint

The Houthis vs Saudi Arabia | The new lords of the Red Sea

The Houthis’ control of Yemen’s Red Sea coastline and Bab el-Mandeb has strengthened them as a territorial and naval force. The group’s rise followed its 2014 capture of Sana’a, war with a Saudi-led coalition from 2015, a 2022 ceasefire and renewed escalation that disrupted a maritime corridor carrying roughly 12–15% of global trade.

Source published PrelimsAI reviewed/published
Read the original report from The Hindu — International (opens in a new tab)

Prelims pointers

  • The Houthis took control of Sana’a in 2014; Saudi Arabia formed a coalition and declared war against them in 2015.
  • A 2022 ceasefire between the Houthis and Saudi-backed forces allowed the group to consolidate in northern and northwestern Yemen.
  • In early September 2026, the Houthis captured Mokha, Dhubab and Perim Island, extending control into the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
  • Bab el-Mandeb connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, while the Red Sea links Asia and Europe through the Suez Canal.
  • The Red Sea normally carries roughly 12–15% of global trade, making control of its southern chokepoint strategically significant.
Polity & Governancecivil-service-neutrality

Govt. employee quitting to fight polls can’t seek reinstatement: Rajasthan High Court

The Rajasthan High Court held that a government employee who voluntarily resigns to contest an Assembly election cannot seek reinstatement merely after losing. It upheld the CAT’s ruling that electoral defeat was neither a compelling reason nor a material change under Rule 26(5) of the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021.

Source published PrelimsAI reviewed/published
Read the original report from The Hindu (opens in a new tab)

Prelims pointers

  • The Rajasthan High Court dismissed a writ petition by former North Western Railway Senior Auditor Neeraj Bishnoi.
  • A Division Bench of Justice Inderjeet Singh and Justice Sandeep Taneja upheld the CAT Jaipur Bench order dated February 27, 2026.
  • The petitioner had resigned to contest the 2023 Rajasthan Assembly election from Ratangarh as a Bahujan Samaj Party candidate.
  • The Court held that electoral defeat was neither a compelling reason nor a material change under Rule 26(5) of the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021.
  • Rule 3(1)(vii) of the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964 requires political neutrality; the Court upheld the finding that party candidacy violated it.

Today's quiz

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Question 1 of 2

Consider the following statements: 1. Bab el-Mandeb connects the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. 2. The Red Sea route normally carries roughly 12–15% of global trade. Which is/are correct?

Answer key

Take the quiz above first. This key is for revision after you finish.

  1. Q1

    Consider the following statements: 1. Bab el-Mandeb connects the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. 2. The Red Sea route normally carries roughly 12–15% of global trade. Which is/are correct?

    (C) Both 1 and 2

  2. Q2

    Consider the following statements: 1. The case concerned Rule 26(5) of the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021. 2. The Court treated electoral defeat as a material change in circumstances. Which is/are correct?

    (A) 1 only

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