The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, has issued formal notices to all States and the Union government regarding a Presidential Reference. The reference seeks clarity on the powers of the President and Governors in granting assent to State Bills, a matter affecting the entire country. The court will address questions on whether judicial powers extend to imposing timelines on these constitutional authorities under Articles 200 and 201, and the scope of Article 142 in substituting constitutional powers. This follows a previous judgment where the court deemed a Governor's actions illegal for delaying assent to Bills.
The Supreme Court has issued notices to all States and the Union government on a Presidential Reference concerning the powers of the President and Governors.
The reference seeks clarity on imposing timelines for assent to State Bills and the extent of judicial powers under Article 142.
The issue affects all States and the entire country, with the Supreme Court committed to answering the President's questions.
Exam Points
Presidential Reference made under Article 143 of the Constitution.
Articles 200 and 201 deal with the process of Governors granting or withholding assent to Bills.
Article 142 grants the Supreme Court power to pass any decree or order necessary for doing complete justice.
Tamil Nadu has achieved the second position in the country for per capita Net State Domestic Product (NSDP), according to figures released by the Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. The State's per capita NSDP stood at ₹1,96,309, significantly higher than the national per capita net national income (NNI) of ₹1,14,710 at constant prices for 2024-25. The Tamil Nadu government attributes this achievement to its efficient administration and visionary welfare programmes implemented since 2021, despite not receiving new welfare programmes or sufficient funds from the Union government.
Tamil Nadu secured the second rank nationally in terms of per capita Net State Domestic Product (NSDP).
The achievement is based on figures published by the Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
The State's government credits efficient administration and welfare programs for this economic milestone.
Exam Points
Tamil Nadu's per capita NSDP: ₹1,96,309 (at constant prices for 2024-25).
National per capita NNI: ₹1,14,710 (at constant prices for 2024-25).
Figures released by National Statistical Office under Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
The Karnataka government is drafting a new law, the Karnataka Devadasi (Prevention, Prohibition, Relief and Rehabilitation) Bill, to replace the existing four-decade-old legislation from 1982. The proposed law aims to strengthen efforts against the Devadasi system by eliminating the need for a father's name in official documents and recognizing the right of a Devadasi's child to identify their father through DNA tests, ensuring property and inheritance rights. It also proposes increasing the jail term for those abetting the practice from three to five years, addressing a long-standing demand for comprehensive rehabilitation.
Karnataka is developing a new law to replace the 1982 Devadasi (Prohibition and Dedication) Act.
The new legislation will remove the requirement for a father's name in application forms for children of Devadasis.
It will include provisions for paternity tests and grant property and inheritance rights to children of Devadasis.
Exam Points
Existing law: Karnataka Devadasi (Prohibition and Dedication), 1982.
Proposed law: Karnataka Devadasi (Prevention, Prohibition, Relief and Rehabilitation) Bill.
The article highlights a growing geopolitical contest between India and China over Buddhism, particularly in the Himalayan region. China views Buddhism as a tool of statecraft, aiming to dominate Tibetan religious life by controlling reincarnations and promoting its version of Buddhist diplomacy. India, traditionally hosting the Dalai Lama, has recently begun to engage more strategically with Buddhism as a tool of influence, promoting its heritage and funding pilgrimage circuits. The looming succession of the 14th Dalai Lama, with China vowing to appoint its own, is a critical point that could reshape geopolitical allegiances in regions like Ladakh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nepal, and Bhutan, making soft power a hard power.
A significant geopolitical contest is unfolding between India and China over the influence of Buddhism in the Himalayas.
China uses Buddhism as a tool of statecraft, controlling religious institutions and the process of reincarnation, particularly for "Living Buddhas."
India is increasingly engaging with Buddhism as a strategic tool, promoting its heritage and funding pilgrimage circuits.
Exam Points
The 14th Dalai Lama is expected to turn 90 in July.
China formally asserted state sanction for "Living Buddha" in 2007.
India has hosted the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan exile government since 1959.
Following the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar as Vice-President due to health reasons, the Election Commission is mandated to immediately announce an election to fill the mid-term vacancy. The Constitution does not provide for a method of succession for the Vice-President's office in cases of death, removal, or resignation, necessitating a fresh election. Until a new Vice-President assumes office, the Deputy Chairman will preside over Rajya Sabha proceedings. The Vice-President is elected by an electoral college comprising members of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, through a system of proportional representation by single transferable vote and secret ballot, where each vote has a value of one.
The Election Commission must immediately conduct an election to fill the Vice-President's office due to a mid-term vacancy.
The Constitution does not provide for succession in case of resignation, death, or removal of the Vice-President.
The Vice-President is elected by an electoral college consisting of members from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
Exam Points
Jagdeep Dhankhar, 74, resigned as Vice-President.
Article 66 (1) of the Constitution governs the election of the Vice-President.
Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Rules, 1974, specify nomination procedures.
A social audit commissioned by the Union government revealed that over 90% of workers who died in sewer and septic tank cleaning in 2022 and 2023 lacked safety gear or Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits. Out of 54 deaths examined, 47 workers had no equipment, and only a few had minimal gear like gloves or gumboots. The audit also found that in 27 cases, workers' informed consent was not taken, and in 45 deaths, agencies lacked equipment readiness. These findings highlight the severe lack of safety protocols despite the government's declaration that manual scavenging has ended, prompting the launch of the NAMASTE scheme to address hazardous cleaning.
A social audit found that 90% of workers who died in sewer cleaning incidents in 2022-2023 lacked safety gear.
Informed consent was not obtained from workers in a majority of the cases, and agencies lacked equipment readiness.
Most workers were contracted personally or individually, rather than being formally employed.
Exam Points
Social audit commissioned by the Social Justice Ministry.
54 sewer deaths in 17 districts across 8 States/UTs were examined.
150 people died due to hazardous cleaning in 2022 and 2023.
A trade deal between India and the U.S. continues to face a deadlock as the August 1 deadline approaches, primarily due to disagreements over agriculture and automotive components. India is firm on protecting its domestic farmers by resisting the opening of its agriculture sector to imports, while the U.S. is keen on this, viewing it as a precedent for future deals with the EU and Japan. Another key hurdle is the U.S.'s reluctance to reduce import duties on automotive components. Officials anticipate a potential last-minute surprise announcement from President Trump, similar to past deals with Indonesia and Vietnam, even as India aims for a broader Bilateral Trade Agreement later this year.
The India-U.S. trade deal remains stalled primarily due to disagreements on agriculture and automotive components.
India is resisting opening its agriculture sector to protect domestic farmers.
The U.S. is reluctant to reduce import duties on automotive components.
Exam Points
August 1 deadline for a 'mini deal'.
Talks are now aimed at a broader Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) by September or October.
The U.S. President mentioned is Donald Trump.
Read more
Read it. Retain it. Recall it.
Get spaced-repetition flashcards, daily quizzes and offline access — free on Android.