The Supreme Court urged the Election Commission (EC) to accept Aadhaar and Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) as identity documents for the special intensive revision of Bihar's electoral list, emphasizing "mass inclusion" over "en masse exclusion." The EC resisted, citing easy forgery of these documents. However, the Court, comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi, argued that any document can be forged and that Aadhaar and EPIC carry a "presumption of correctness," with Aadhaar having an authentication system. The Court questioned the EC's logic of not evaluating claims based on these documents when other "indicative" proofs are accepted.
The Supreme Court directed the Election Commission to prioritize "mass inclusion" in the Bihar electoral roll revision.
The Court advocated for accepting Aadhaar and EPIC as valid identity proofs, despite EC's concerns about forgery.
Justices emphasized that Aadhaar and EPIC have a presumption of correctness and Aadhaar has an authentication system.
Exam Points
The case involves the special intensive revision (SIR) of the electoral list in Bihar.
Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi were part of the bench.
The EC initially listed 11 'indicative' documents, excluding Aadhaar and EPIC as conclusive proofs.
A recent controversy has reignited the debate over the scope of medical activities for AYUSH practitioners, particularly their right to prescribe modern medicines and perform surgeries. Historically, the Bhore Committee (1946) favored modern medicine, but protests led to the Committee on Indigenous Systems of Medicine (1948), which linked Ayurveda to Hindu nationalism. The Indira Gandhi government enacted the Indian Medicine Central Council Act (1970), later replaced by the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Act (2020), recognizing AYUSH. The core issue remains the interpretation of Rule 2(ee) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, regarding who can prescribe modern medicine, with the Supreme Court in 1998 ruling against Ayurvedic practitioners prescribing allopathic drugs.
The debate centers on AYUSH practitioners' scope, including prescribing modern medicines and performing surgeries.
Historical committees like Bhore (1946) and Committee on Indigenous Systems of Medicine (1948) shaped the recognition of traditional medicine.
Legislation like the Indian Medicine Central Council Act (1970) and the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Act (2020) formally recognized AYUSH systems.
Exam Points
Bhore Committee (Health Survey and Development Committee) was formed in 1946.
The Indian Medicine Central Council Act was enacted in 1970, replaced by The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Act in 2020.
Rule 2(ee) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, defines "registered medical practitioners."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Tamil Nadu highlighted the Chola dynasty's legacy, focusing on their enterprise in trade, sovereignty, water management, tax collection, and democratic processes. While commemorating Rajendra Chola I's maritime expedition and the construction of the Brihadisvara temples, the article emphasizes the practical lessons from Chola administration. The resilience of Chola temples offers insights into seismic-resistant building techniques. The Cholas' water resource management in the Cauvery delta is particularly relevant for addressing contemporary flood and scarcity issues. The article also calls for analyzing the functioning of grassroots-level democratic bodies, drawing parallels with the Chola era, to address current administrative flaws.
The Chola dynasty's legacy extends beyond grand temples to include significant administrative acumen.
Chola-era water management, particularly in the Cauvery delta, offers valuable lessons for modern resource management.
The structural stability and seismic resilience of Chola temples provide insights for contemporary building techniques.
Exam Points
The event commemorated 1,000 years of Rajendra Chola I's maritime expedition and the construction of the iconic temple (likely Brihadisvara Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram).
The 73rd and 74th Amendments to the Constitution relate to local bodies.
India's judicial system faces a severe backlog, with over 5 crore cases pending across the Supreme Court, High Courts, and district/subordinate courts. This "justice delayed is justice denied" scenario is exacerbated by structural bottlenecks, procedural delays, and systemic constraints, including inadequate infrastructure, staff, and lack of effective case management. Civil cases, especially at the district level, experience the longest delays, with only 38.7% resolved within a year. A significant cause is the persistent gap in judicial strength, with the judiciary functioning at 79% capacity, far below the 1987 Law Commission's recommendation. Alternative dispute resolution mechanisms like Lok Adalats show promise, having resolved over 27.5 crore cases between 2021 and March 2025.
India's courts are burdened with over 5 crore pending cases, indicating a significant challenge to timely justice.
Delays are attributed to structural bottlenecks, judicial vacancies, and lack of effective case management.
Civil cases, particularly at the district level, experience the longest resolution times.
Exam Points
Over 5 crore cases are pending across all court levels in India.
The judiciary functions at 79% of its sanctioned capacity.
The 1987 Law Commission recommended 50 judges per 10 lakh population, while India has 15-19.
Tamil Nadu and Kerala urged the Supreme Court to dismiss a Presidential Reference seeking clarity on timelines for the President and Governors to clear State Bills. Both states argued that the reference is "misleading" and an "appeal in disguise" against the Court's prior authoritative pronouncements, particularly the Tamil Nadu Governor case. They contended that the Constitution does not permit the Supreme Court to sit in appeal of its own judgments, nor can the President vest appellate jurisdiction through such a reference. Citing Article 143, the states asserted that the President can refer a question of law only if the Supreme Court has not already decided it, which is not the case here as powers under Articles 200 and 201 have been subject to multiple judgments.
Tamil Nadu and Kerala challenged a Presidential Reference on the grounds that it seeks to revisit settled legal questions.
The states argued that the Supreme Court cannot review its own judgments through a Presidential Reference.
They cited Article 143, stating that the President can only refer questions of law not yet decided by the apex court.
Exam Points
The Presidential Reference concerns the powers of the President and Governors under Articles 200 and 201 of the Constitution.
Article 143 of the Constitution grants the Supreme Court advisory jurisdiction.
The 1993 Reference in the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal case was cited as a judicial precedent.
The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite has been mounted on a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) for its scheduled launch from Sriharikota. This 2,392-kg earth observation satellite will be injected into a 743-km sun-synchronous orbit, marking the first time a satellite observes Earth with a dual-frequency synthetic aperture radar (NASA's L-band and ISRO's S-band). With a five-year mission life, NISAR will use SweepSAR technology to scan the globe, providing all-weather, day-and-night data at 12-day intervals. Its applications include detecting ground deformation, ice sheet movement, vegetation dynamics, sea ice classification, and disaster response, with commissioning expected within 90 days post-launch.
The NISAR satellite, a joint mission between NASA and ISRO, is set for launch on a GSLV.
It is a 2,392-kg earth observation satellite designed for a 743-km sun-synchronous orbit.
NISAR will be the first satellite to use a dual-frequency synthetic aperture radar (L-band from NASA, S-band from ISRO).
Exam Points
NISAR stands for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar.
It will be launched by a GSLV-F16 rocket from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
The satellite weighs 2,392 kg and has a mission life of five years.
The Union Environment Ministry has notified the Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025, establishing a legal framework to address chemically contaminated sites. These sites, historically dumped with hazardous waste, lacked regulation. Under the new rules, district administrations will report "suspected contaminated sites," followed by a preliminary assessment by a State Board or reference organization within 90 days. A detailed survey will then confirm contamination, and a reference organization will specify remediation plans. Responsible parties will bear the clean-up costs, with criminal liability under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (2023) for contamination causing loss of life or damage.
New Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025, provide a legal structure for managing contaminated sites.
District administrations will identify and report suspected sites, followed by assessment by State Boards or expert organizations.
Responsible parties will be identified and held accountable for remediation costs.
Exam Points
The new rules are called the Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025.
They are notified under the Environment Protection Act.
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (2023) will be used for criminal liability.
A new study reveals that India has the largest number of slum dwellers—over 158 million—living in flood-prone areas, primarily concentrated in the Ganga river delta. Globally, 33% of informal settlements in the Global South (445 million people) are in flood-exposed regions. The study highlights that low-income households are often forced into floodplains due to cheaper land, despite the high risk. This disproportionate exposure is exacerbated by failing infrastructure and lack of drainage. The findings underscore the urgent need for human-centric risk management strategies, community collaboration, and skill improvement in sanitation and waste management to enhance resilience, aligning with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
India has the highest number of slum dwellers (over 158 million) residing in flood-prone areas, mainly in the Ganga river delta.
Globally, 33% of informal settlements in the Global South are exposed to floods.
Low-income populations are often pushed into floodplains due to affordability and lack of other viable options.
Exam Points
Over 158 million slum dwellers in India live in flood-prone areas.
The study was published in Nature Cities in July.
The UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have a 2030 deadline.
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