The Supreme Court intervened in the Tamil Nadu Governor case, granting deemed assent to 10 State Bills that had been pending since 2020. The Bench clarified its action was to resolve an "egregious situation" and not to overrule previous judgments. Attorney General R. Venkataramani argued that the Governor was within his powers under Article 200 to withhold assent and was not bound by the Council of Ministers' advice. A Presidential Reference is currently questioning the SC's power to impose three-month deadlines on Governors, with the A-G contending that Article 142 cannot supplant substantive law or violate the Constitution's basic structure.
The Supreme Court intervened in the Tamil Nadu Governor case to resolve a situation where State Bills were pending since 2020.
The Attorney General argued that the Governor's power to withhold assent under Article 200 is discretionary and not bound by the Council of Ministers' advice.
The SC clarified its action was not meant to overrule previous judgments but to address a 'glaring' factual situation.
Exam Points
Supreme Court's intervention in Tamil Nadu Governor case regarding 10 State Bills pending since 2020.
Article 200 of the Constitution grants Governors power to assent or withhold assent to State Bills.
Article 142 of the Constitution grants the Supreme Court extraordinary powers to do complete justice.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that India-China bilateral relations face an "important opportunity" to reset ties, acknowledging the negative impact of the 2020 Galwan clashes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced he would meet President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's summit in Tianjin, China, aiming for "stable, predictable and constructive ties." National Security Adviser Ajit Doval noted an "upward trend" in recent months. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized the need for troop withdrawal from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and raised the issue of cross-border terrorism from Pakistan.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed optimism for resetting India-China ties, acknowledging past setbacks like the Galwan clashes.
Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to meet President Xi Jinping at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China.
India seeks "stable, predictable and constructive ties" with China, which are seen as beneficial for global peace and prosperity.
Exam Points
24th meeting between Special Representatives on India-China boundary question.
Prime Minister Modi to meet President Xi Jinping at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China.
Reference to the 2020 Galwan clashes and the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
In a historic decision, the Karnataka State Cabinet approved a new reservation matrix for Scheduled Castes (SCs), slicing the existing 17% reservation. Dalit Right (Holeyas) and Dalit Left (Madigas) groups will each receive 6% internal quota, while Lambani, Korama, Koracha, Bhovis, and 59 other smaller communities will be allotted 5%. This decision aims to bring closure to a three-decade-old struggle for internal reservation among SCs, following the Supreme Court's allowance for such provisions. An ordinance will be promulgated after the Monsoon session to implement these changes.
Karnataka Cabinet approved a new internal reservation matrix for Scheduled Castes (SCs) within the existing 17% quota.
Dalit Right (Holeyas) and Dalit Left (Madigas) groups will each get 6% internal reservation.
Lambani, Korama, Koracha, Bhovis, and 59 other smaller communities will receive 5% reservation.
Exam Points
Karnataka State Cabinet approved internal reservation for SCs from the total 17% quota.
Dalit Right (Holeyas) and Dalit Left (Madigas) groups to get 6% each.
Lambani, Korama, Koracha, Bhovis, and 59 other communities to get 5%.
Kerala is set to be officially declared India's first fully digitally literate State on August 21. This milestone marks the successful completion of the first phase of the Digi Kerala project, a grassroots initiative implemented across all local bodies to bridge the digital divide. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will make the formal declaration. The State, which achieved total literacy in 1991, is presenting another model for the country through this digital literacy achievement.
Kerala will become India's first fully digitally literate State.
The declaration is scheduled for August 21.
This achievement is a result of the first phase of the Digi Kerala project.
Exam Points
Kerala to be declared India's first fully digitally literate State on August 21.
The achievement is part of the Digi Kerala project.
Health officials in Kozhikode, Kerala, have detected the presence of Naegleria fowleri, the amoeba responsible for primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rare and severe brain infection. The amoeba was found in a well at the home of a three-month-old child currently undergoing treatment for PAM. Samples from water bodies on the premises of two other infected individuals, a 40-year-old man and a recently deceased nine-year-old girl, have also been sent for testing. An awareness drive and fever survey have been initiated among those who used water from the affected well.
Naegleria fowleri, the amoeba causing Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), has been detected in a well in Kozhikode, Kerala.
PAM is a rare but severe brain infection.
A three-month-old child is currently being treated for the infection.
Exam Points
Naegleria fowleri is the amoeba causing Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM).
This article pays tribute to M.S. Swaminathan, highlighting his pivotal role in India's food self-sufficiency during the 1960s Green Revolution. It extracts key lessons for future scientific development, emphasizing the need for international collaboration, reduced bureaucratic control, and political leadership that listens directly to scientists. The article notes that Subramaniam's support was crucial for funding trials of new wheat seeds, which faced initial resistance. It also points out that while the Green Revolution was a success, environmental issues from excessive water and fertilizer use remain unaddressed, and India's agricultural research funding and quality lag behind China.
M.S. Swaminathan was instrumental in India's food self-sufficiency during the Green Revolution in the 1960s.
Key lessons include fostering international scientific collaboration and reducing bureaucratic hurdles for research.
Political leadership, exemplified by C. Subramaniam, must directly engage with scientists on complex technical issues.
Exam Points
M.S. Swaminathan, known as the 'Father of the Green Revolution' in India.
Green Revolution achieved food self-sufficiency in India in the 1960s.
Lal Bahadur Shastri and Indira Gandhi supported the import of new wheat seeds.
India's Ministry of Finance released a draft Climate Finance Taxonomy to mobilize climate-aligned investments, prevent greenwashing, and clarify contributions to mitigation, adaptation, or transition. The article proposes a robust review architecture, including annual reviews for timely course correction and recurring five-year reviews aligned with India's Nationally Determined Contributions and global stocktake. It emphasizes legal coherence with existing laws (Energy Conservation Act, SEBI norms, Carbon Credit Trading Scheme) and international obligations, ensuring clarity and enforceability. The taxonomy's success hinges on transparent review, stakeholder engagement, and accessibility for all sectors, including MSMEs and the informal sector.
India's draft Climate Finance Taxonomy aims to guide climate-aligned investments, combat greenwashing, and clarify contributions to climate goals.
A two-tiered review mechanism is proposed: annual reviews for course correction and five-year comprehensive reviews aligned with national and international climate commitments.
The review must ensure legal coherence with Indian laws like the Energy Conservation Act and SEBI norms, and international obligations.
Exam Points
India's draft Climate Finance Taxonomy released by the Ministry of Finance.
Proposed review cycles: annual for course correction, five-year for comprehensive reassessment.
Alignment with India's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and global stocktake process.
As India and China commemorate 75 years of diplomatic engagement, this article advocates for reimagining their relationship beyond modern state boundaries, drawing inspiration from ancient Nalanda. Nalanda served as a historical hub for intellectual and cultural exchange, where ideas flowed freely, fostering peace and dialogue. The authors argue that contemporary political complexities have narrowed academic and people-to-people connections, hindering mutual learning in areas like food security, infrastructure, and democratic decentralization. They urge India to adopt a "Nalanda way" – an approach of curiosity, compassion, and dialogue – to overcome current paranoia and build a steadier, more respectful relationship with China.
The article suggests drawing inspiration from ancient Nalanda to foster deeper India-China relations beyond modern political complexities.
Nalanda historically facilitated significant intellectual and cultural exchange between India and China, promoting dialogue and mutual learning.
Current diplomatic engagement is hindered by political complexities, limiting academic and people-to-people connections.
Exam Points
India and China commemorate 75 years of diplomatic engagement.
Reference to ancient Nalanda University as a historical hub for India-China exchange.
Chinese monks like Faxian, Xuanzang, and Yijing journeyed to India for learning.
India continues to face a persistent stunting crisis, with 37% of children under five stunted in June 2025, a marginal improvement from 38.4% in 2016, falling short of the 'Mission 25 by 2022' target. The article highlights a complex web of contributing factors, including teenage pregnancies, poor maternal and child nutrition, anaemia in mothers and children, inadequate breastfeeding practices, and unsanitary conditions leading to open defecation and unsafe water. Education levels of mothers also play a crucial role, with children of uneducated mothers being significantly more stunted. The consequences extend beyond physical height, affecting cognitive skills, employability, and perpetuating intergenerational deprivation.
India has made slow progress in reducing child stunting, with 37% of children under five stunted in June 2025, missing the 'Mission 25 by 2022' target.
Key factors contributing to stunting include teenage pregnancies, poor maternal and child nutrition, and high rates of anaemia in women and children.
Inadequate breastfeeding practices, especially due to C-sections and working mothers, negatively impact infant health.
Exam Points
POSHAN Abhiyaan launched in 2018 with a target to reduce stunting by 2% points annually.
'Mission 25 by 2022' aimed to bring stunting down to 25% by 2022.
Stunting rate: 38.4% in 2016 (NFHS 4), 35.5% in 2019-21 (NFHS 5), 37% in June 2025 (Poshan Tracker).
Former Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna informed a Joint Parliamentary Committee that the proposed Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, commonly known as the 'One Nation, One Election' Bill, grants "unfettered discretion" to the Election Commission. He argued that Clause 5 of the proposed Article 82A, allowing the EC to postpone Assembly polls, could lead to indirect President's Rule and violate the federal structure and Article 14. Four other former CJIs have also flagged legal infirmities. Justice Khanna stated the Bill fails to meet its objective of reducing policy paralysis, as the Model Code of Conduct would still apply during premature dissolutions.
The proposed 'One Nation, One Election' Bill (Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024) grants "unfettered discretion" to the Election Commission.
Former CJI Sanjiv Khanna warned that Clause 5 of proposed Article 82A could lead to indirect President's Rule and violate India's federal structure and Article 14.
Several former Chief Justices of India have identified legal infirmities in the proposed legislation.
Exam Points
Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, also known as 'One Nation, One Election' Bill.
Proposes to insert Article 82A and amend Articles 83 and 172.
Former CJI Sanjiv Khanna, U.U. Lalit, Ranjan Gogoi, Jagdish Singh Kehar, and D.Y. Chandrachud raised concerns.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to introduce three Bills in the Lok Sabha to establish a legal framework for the removal of the Prime Minister, Union Ministers, Chief Ministers, and State/UT Ministers who are arrested and detained for 30 consecutive days on serious criminal charges (punishable by five years or more imprisonment). The Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, along with the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2025, aim to address the current lack of constitutional provision for such removals. The objective is to uphold constitutional morality and public trust, ensuring ministers' conduct is beyond suspicion.
Three new Bills will be introduced to create a legal framework for removing the Prime Minister, Union Ministers, Chief Ministers, and State/UT Ministers.
Removal applies if they are arrested and detained for 30 consecutive days on serious criminal charges (punishable by five years or more imprisonment).
The Bills aim to address the current absence of constitutional provisions for such removals.
Exam Points
Three Bills to be introduced: Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025; Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2025; Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
Proposed removal for ministers arrested and detained for 30 consecutive days on charges punishable by 5+ years imprisonment.
Aims to amend Articles 75, 164, and 239AA of the Constitution.
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