The Kerala Cabinet has approved the draft Kerala Forest Amendment Bill, 2025, which seeks to amend the Kerala Forest Act, 1961. This legislation empowers the Chief Wildlife Warden to order the immediate killing of wild animals that attack or injure individuals within residential areas. Notably, this is the first time an Indian state has introduced such an amendment. The bill aims to bypass time-consuming procedures in the existing Central Act, removing the requirement for Union government permission to declare animals in Schedule II as vermin in specific conflict scenarios. It also includes provisions to promote sandalwood cultivation on private land.
The Chief Wildlife Warden is now empowered to order the killing of animals attacking humans in residential zones without prior Union government approval.
The bill amends the Kerala Forest Act of 1961 to streamline response times in human-wildlife conflicts.
It specifically targets animals listed in Schedule II that pose an immediate threat to life.
The Calcutta High Court is hearing petitions challenging the forest clearance for the ₹81,000-crore Great Nicobar Island development project. The Tribal Affairs Ministry has requested to be removed from the list of respondents, arguing that the implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, falls under the jurisdiction of the Union Territory administration. Petitioners allege that provisions of the FRA were violated, specifically regarding the consent of tribes for diverting 13,000 hectares of forest land. The project includes a trans-shipment port, airport, power plant, and a new township, raising significant environmental and tribal rights concerns.
The project involves the diversion of approximately 13,000 hectares of forest land in Great Nicobar.
Petitioners claim the consent of local tribes was not properly obtained as per the Forest Rights Act 2006.
The Tribal Affairs Ministry contends that the No-Objection Certificate (NOC) was issued based on facts from the island administration.
An analysis of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data for 2024-25 shows that approximately 56% of India's outward Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is directed toward low-tax jurisdictions, commonly known as tax havens. Countries like Singapore, Mauritius, and the UAE alone account for over 40% of the total outward FDI. Experts suggest that while these destinations offer tax advantages, Indian firms also use them as strategic platforms for global expansion and to attract international investors. The trend has intensified in the current fiscal year, with low-tax jurisdictions accounting for 63% of total outward FDI in the first quarter.
Singapore, Mauritius, and the UAE are the top destinations for Indian outward FDI.
Out of ₹3,488.5 crore in outward FDI, about ₹1,946 crore went to low-tax jurisdictions.
Firms use these jurisdictions for tax efficiency and as hubs for investing in third countries.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has notified the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, along with new Rules and Orders. This legislation replaces several colonial-era laws, including the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920. A significant change is granting Foreigners Tribunals (FTs) in Assam the powers of a first-class judicial magistrate, allowing them to issue arrest warrants. The rules also mandate the recording of biometric information for all foreigners and require educational institutions to report the academic performance and conduct of foreign students to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO).
Foreigners Tribunals in Assam now hold the powers of a first-class judicial magistrate.
The new law replaces the Passport Act of 1920 and the Registration of Foreigners Act of 1939.
Educational institutes must provide semester-wise reports on foreign students' academic performance and conduct.
Recent reports from the World Health Organization (WHO), including the Mental Health Atlas 2024, reveal that over 1 billion people worldwide live with mental health disorders. Despite the high prevalence, global government spending on mental health remains stagnant at just 2% of health budgets. In India, the situation is critical due to a severe shortage of professionals, with only 0.7 psychiatrists per 100,000 people compared to the WHO recommendation of 3. Stigma and lack of funding for community-based programs continue to hinder progress, even as the economic impact of depression and anxiety reaches $1 trillion annually.
Over 1 billion people globally suffer from mental health disorders like anxiety and depression.
Suicide claimed an estimated 7,27,000 lives in 2021, remaining a leading cause of death among youth.
India faces a significant shortfall with only 0.7 psychiatrists per 100,000 population.
Exam Points
Mental Health Atlas 2024
2% of total health budgets spent on mental health globally
India's mental health budget ~₹1,004 crore (FY 2025-26)
A study published in the Journal of Virology by researchers at the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) has found that Indian strains of HIV-1 show varying resistance to broadly neutralising antibodies (bNAbs). While these strains were effectively neutralized by bNAbs targeting the V3 glycan on the viral spike protein, they resisted antibodies aimed at the V1/V2 apex. This research highlights the challenge posed by the high genetic diversity of HIV in India and suggests that region-specific antibody cocktails may be necessary for effective prevention and treatment strategies.
Indian HIV-1 strains are sensitive to bNAbs targeting the V3 glycan but resist V1/V2 apex-targeting antibodies.
The genetic diversity of HIV makes it difficult for a single bNAb to neutralize all variants.
Researchers propose using a three-antibody cocktail (BG18, N6, PGDM1400) to overcome resistance.
Exam Points
Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI)
In September 2025, Nepal experienced a massive youth-led uprising triggered by a government ban on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. The protests, driven by Gen Z activists without traditional political affiliations, led to the resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli. An interim government has been formed under former Supreme Court Chief Justice Sushila Karki. The movement challenged the established political 'musical chairs' between major parties and demanded new leadership. However, the dissolution of Parliament has sparked a constitutional crisis, with questions raised regarding the legality of the move under Article 76(7) of Nepal's Constitution.
The 2025 uprising was largely coordinated through social media platforms like Instagram and Discord.
Protesters demanded an end to the political dominance of the CPN-UML, Nepali Congress, and Maoist-Centre.
Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki was appointed as interim Prime Minister to conduct elections by March 2026.
The Delhi High Court has observed that when two adults enter into a consensual sexual relationship or choose to live together, they must accept responsibility for the consequences of that decision. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma stated that a party cannot retrospectively label the relationship as sexual assault after it turns sour. The court quashed a rape case against a man where the complainant alleged sexual intercourse under false promises of marriage. The court noted the complainant was aware of the man's married status from the beginning, indicating the relationship was consensual.
Adults in consensual relationships must take responsibility for the outcomes of their choices.
Relationships cannot be painted as crimes of sexual assault retrospectively after a breakup.
The court emphasized that awareness of a partner's marital status negates claims of 'false promise of marriage'.
The Supreme Court is set to deliver a verdict on petitions seeking a stay on the implementation of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. Petitioners argue that the Act facilitates a 'creeping acquisition' of Muslim properties and encroaches upon the minority community's right to freedom of religion. They specifically highlight concerns that the Act would invalidate 'unregistered waqf-by-users,' many of which lack formal deeds. The government defends the legislation as a necessary measure to counter rampant encroachment on public and private properties and to bring transparency to Waqf administration.
The Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025 was cleared by Parliament in early April 2025.
Petitioners claim the law violates the right to freedom of religion and targets minority properties.
A key issue is the status of 'waqf-by-users' which lack formal documentation.
Exam Points
Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025
CJI B.R. Gavai
Article 25 and 26 of the Constitution
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