A year after the enforcement of new criminal laws, Tamil Nadu is actively working on proposing further state-specific amendments. The State government had already sent a first list of proposed changes in January, focusing on the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Currently, it awaits a report from a one-man committee led by retired Madras High Court judge M. Sathyanarayanan, constituted to examine the laws and suggest amendments. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had previously contended that the Union government's laws contained errors and were enacted without adequate consultation with states, despite criminal law being on the Concurrent List.
Tamil Nadu is preparing additional state-specific amendments to the new central criminal laws, following an initial list sent in January.
A one-man committee, headed by retired Madras High Court judge M. Sathyanarayanan, was formed to review the new laws and propose state amendments.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had previously criticized the Union government for enacting the laws without State concurrence, despite criminal law being on the Concurrent List.
Exam Points
The three new criminal laws are Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam.
Criminal law falls under Concurrent List III of the Indian Constitution.
A one-man committee led by retired Madras High Court judge M. Sathyanarayanan was constituted by the Tamil Nadu government.
The article reviews eight years of Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India, acknowledging its success in unifying the market, enhancing economic efficiency, and significantly boosting national revenue, with collections reaching ₹22.08 lakh crore in 2024-25. However, it highlights a major shortcoming in public health, specifically tobacco taxation. Since GST implementation, there have been no significant tax increases on tobacco products, leading to increased affordability and undermining public health goals. The current tax burden on tobacco products remains well below the WHO recommendation of 75%. The article advocates for raising GST rates on tobacco to the peak 40% and increasing specific excise duties to reduce consumption and boost revenue.
GST has successfully unified India's market, improved economic efficiency, and significantly increased national revenue since its introduction in 2017.
A major flaw in the GST regime is the lack of significant tax increases on tobacco products, which has made them more affordable and hindered public health efforts.
The current tax burden on tobacco products is significantly lower than the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended 75% of the retail price.
Exam Points
GST was introduced in India on July 1, 2017.
Gross GST collections reached ₹22.08 lakh crore in 2024-25.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a 75% tax burden on tobacco products.
Pakistan has called upon India to resume the normal functioning of the Indus Waters Treaty, which New Delhi has held in abeyance since May. This appeal follows a recent decision by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which Pakistan claims validates the treaty's operational status. India, however, has consistently refused to recognize the proceedings at the Permanent Court of Arbitration. Pakistan initiated these proceedings due to objections over certain design elements of India's Kishenganga and Ratle hydropower projects. India rejects the 'supplemental award' and maintains its stance that the arbitration process is not recognized.
Pakistan has urged India to reactivate the Indus Waters Treaty, which India has kept in abeyance since May.
Pakistan refers to a recent decision by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague as confirmation of the treaty's validity.
India has consistently refused to recognize the arbitration proceedings initiated by Pakistan regarding its hydropower projects.
Exam Points
The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) was signed in 1960.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague is involved in the dispute.
The dispute concerns India's Kishenganga and Ratle hydropower projects.
Following insights from 'Operation Sindoor' regarding the need for enhanced precision surveillance, the Union government has fast-tracked the launch of 52 dedicated surveillance satellites. These satellites aim to provide round-the-clock monitoring of coastlines and land borders, with a particular focus on the Pakistan and China borders and the Indian Ocean Region. Under the SBS-III programme, ISRO will manufacture and launch the first 21 satellites, while private companies will handle the remaining 31. The new satellites will integrate artificial intelligence (AI) for smarter decision-making and improved performance, with the first set expected to be launched by 2026, enhancing India's self-reliance in surveillance.
India is accelerating the launch of 52 dedicated surveillance satellites to bolster precision monitoring of its borders and coastlines.
This initiative stems from the lessons learned during 'Operation Sindoor', which highlighted critical surveillance needs.
The SBS-III programme involves ISRO launching 21 satellites and private companies launching the remaining 31.
Exam Points
52 dedicated surveillance satellites are being fast-tracked for launch.
The initiative is a result of observations during 'Operation Sindoor'.
The SBS-III programme, approved in October last year, has a budget of $3.2 billion.
The article explores the role of Geographical Indication (GI) tags in preventing cultural misappropriation, prompted by Prada's use of Kolhapuri chappals designs. It defines a GI tag as intellectual property identifying goods with distinctive qualities linked to their geographical origin, serving as a powerful marketing tool for rural development and cultural preservation. While India has 658 registered GI-tagged goods, GI rights are primarily territorial, meaning there is no automatic international protection. The article highlights historical instances of exploitation of Indian traditional knowledge, such as Basmati rice, turmeric, and neem, by global corporations, underscoring the need for mechanisms like expanding the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library to prevent future misappropriation.
Geographical Indication (GI) tags identify products whose unique qualities are linked to their geographical origin, serving as a marketing tool and preserving cultural knowledge.
GI rights are primarily territorial, implying that protection is limited to the country or region where the tag is granted, without automatic international recognition.
India possesses 658 registered GI-tagged goods, but its traditional products and knowledge have historically faced exploitation and cultural misappropriation by global entities.
Exam Points
India currently has 658 registered GI-tagged goods.
The legal protection for GIs in India is based on the TRIPS Agreement (1995) and the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, which came into force in 2003.
Past cases of misappropriation involved Basmati rice (Ricetec Inc.), turmeric (University of Mississippi), and neem (U.S. Department of Agriculture and W.R. Grace).
Read more
Read it. Retain it. Recall it.
Get spaced-repetition flashcards, daily quizzes and offline access — free on Android.