The Central government argued in the Supreme Court that the 'right to vote' is a statutory right under Section 62 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, while 'freedom of voting' is a fundamental right under Article 19(1)(a). This distinction arose during a petition challenging Section 53(2) of the RPA, which allows declaring candidates elected unopposed without a poll. Petitioners argue this prevents voters from exercising the NOTA option, thereby violating their right to express dissatisfaction. The Centre maintains that the right to vote is subject to statutory limitations and is not an absolute constitutional right.
The Centre argues the right to vote is a statutory right conferred by Section 62 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
Freedom of voting is categorized as a species of the right to expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.
Section 53(2) of the RPA 1951 is being challenged for potentially violating the voters' right to exercise NOTA in uncontested elections.
Exam Points
Section 62 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951
ISRO Chairman announced that the first Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) developed by a private consortium led by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) is scheduled for launch in February 2026. This initiative marks a major step in privatizing India's space technology and production. Currently, Indian industry contributes 80% to 85% of systems for major missions like LVM-3 M5. The goal is to transfer at least 50% of PSLV production directly to the industry consortium to enhance India's global competitiveness in satellite launches and space applications.
A consortium led by HAL and L&T has produced the first privately developed PSLV rocket.
The launch is part of a broader strategy to involve Indian industry in 50% of PSLV production.
Over 450 Indian industries and 330+ start-ups are currently contributing to the national space programme.
The Supreme Court is reviewing the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, specifically Section 4(iii)(C)(II), which restricts surrogacy to couples who do not have any surviving child. A couple facing 'secondary infertility' challenged this, arguing it violates their reproductive choices. Currently, exceptions are only made if the existing child has a life-threatening disorder or is mentally/physically challenged. The government argues surrogacy is not a fundamental right and involves the use of another woman's body. The Court is considering whether these restrictions amount to an unreasonable limitation on the reproductive autonomy of citizens.
Section 4(iii)(C)(II) of the Surrogacy Act 2021 restricts surrogacy to childless couples.
Secondary infertility refers to the inability to conceive after previously birthing children naturally.
The Court recently relaxed age specifications for surrogacy for couples with frozen embryos.
Amidst rising wealth inequality and automation-driven job insecurity, there is a growing call for Universal Basic Income (UBI) in India. India's Gini coefficient stands at 75, with the top 1% holding 40% of national wealth. UBI is proposed as a periodic, unconditional cash transfer to provide economic security and bypass administrative inefficiencies of targeted welfare. While funding is a major concern (estimated at 5% of GDP), pilot studies in Madhya Pradesh showed improved nutrition and school attendance. A phased rollout for vulnerable groups is suggested as a practical implementation strategy.
India ranks 4th globally in income inequality according to the Press Information Bureau.
Automation could displace up to 800 million jobs globally by 2030, making UBI a potential safety net.
UBI aims to provide a floor of economic security, restoring consumer demand and dignity to unpaid labor.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has excluded Assam from its nationwide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. This decision stems from the unique legal status of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam, governed by Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955. The 2019 NRC process, monitored by the Supreme Court, concluded with the exclusion of over 19 lakh people but remains administratively stalled. The article argues that a parallel citizenship verification through SIR in Assam would create legal conflicts and risk social unrest in the state's fragile socio-political environment.
Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955, creates a distinct citizenship regime specifically for Assam.
The 2019 NRC in Assam cost over ₹1,600 crore and involved the verification of 3.30 crore applicants.
The Supreme Court recently upheld the constitutional validity of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act.
Exam Points
Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955
NRC Conclusion Date: August 31, 2019
Number of people excluded from Assam NRC: 19,06,657
The Registrar-General and Census Commissioner of India has launched two mobile applications—Digital Layout Map (DLM) and Census 2027-House-list—for the trial phase of the 16th Census. This will be India's first-ever digital census. A self-enumeration portal is also being tested, allowing citizens to submit details online. The apps enable enumerators to collect data on housing amenities and geo-tag households using coordinates. This transition from paper-based to digital collection aims to improve data accuracy, ensure faster processing, and provide enhanced monitoring of the census exercise scheduled for 2027.
The 2027 Census will be India's first digital census, utilizing mobile apps for data collection.
The Digital Layout Map (DLM) app replaces manual paper sketches with digital geo-tagging of households.
Self-enumeration facility allows residents to submit details online prior to enumerator visits.
Exam Points
Census Year: 2027
Apps: Digital Layout Map (DLM) and Census 2027-House-list
The Supreme Court ruled that arrested individuals must be provided with the grounds of arrest in writing and in a language they understand. This mandate is rooted in Article 22 of the Constitution, which requires informing the arrested person of the reasons for their detention. The court specified that these grounds must be supplied within a reasonable time, and at least two hours before the individual is produced before a Magistrate. Failure to comply with this requirement renders the arrest and subsequent remand illegal, necessitating the immediate release of the person.
Article 22 of the Constitution mandates that no person shall be detained without being informed of the grounds of arrest.
Providing grounds in a language not understood by the accused does not fulfill constitutional requirements.
Grounds must be provided in writing at least two hours prior to production before a Magistrate.
Exam Points
Article 22 of the Indian Constitution
Bench: Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice A.G. Masih
Time limit: 2 hours prior to Magistrate production
Recent developments suggest a potential end to the decades-long global moratorium on nuclear testing. While the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) of 1996 has not formally entered into force, major powers have largely observed a moratorium. However, Russia recently de-ratified the treaty, and discussions in the U.S. indicate a possible return to testing to bolster nuclear deterrence. Such a move by the U.S. or Russia could trigger a domino effect, pressuring China, India, and Pakistan to resume their own nuclear tests, thereby upending the global non-proliferation architecture.
The CTBT (1996) prohibits all nuclear explosions but has not entered into force due to lack of ratification by key states.
Russia de-ratified the CTBT in 2023, citing the need to mirror the U.S. stance.
The U.S. has conducted the highest number of nuclear tests (1,030), followed by the Soviet Union (715).
Karnataka has introduced a landmark policy providing one day of paid menstrual leave per month for women employees in both government and private sectors. This makes it the first state to cover both sectors, following Odisha and Bihar which have similar policies for government employees. The policy aims to recognize menstrual health as a legitimate workplace issue and aligns with constitutional principles of affirmative action. While widely praised, some experts express concerns about potential workplace bias and the need for broader sensitisation to prevent discrimination against women taking such leave.
Karnataka provides 12 days of paid menstrual leave annually (one day per month).
The policy applies to government offices, educational institutions, factories, and private firms.
It is based on recommendations from a committee chaired by Dr. Sapna, involving extensive consultations.
The article critiques the candidate nomination process under the Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1951, highlighting how procedural technicalities often overshadow actual qualifications. Returning Officers (ROs) possess significant discretion to reject nominations for 'defects of a substantial character,' which can be arbitrary. Recent high-profile cases where candidates were eliminated before polling underscore the need for reform. Proposed solutions include a digital-by-default nomination system for automatic validation and a mandatory 48-hour window for candidates to rectify minor errors, ensuring that the right to contest is not unfairly curtailed.
Sections 33 to 36 of the RPA 1951 govern the nomination and scrutiny process for elections.
ROs often reject nominations for minor errors in affidavits or no-dues certificates, which should be rectifiable.
The Supreme Court in Resurgence India vs. ECI (2013) held that ROs must ensure all columns in affidavits are filled.
Exam Points
RPA 1951 Sections 33-36
Resurgence India vs. Election Commission (2013) case
The Indian government has repatriated 270 nationals who were forced to work in cybercrime syndicates in Myawaddy, Myanmar. These individuals, including 26 women, had fled to Thailand before being flown back by the Indian Air Force. Investigative agencies are now questioning them to uncover the operations of these transnational scam networks and identify the recruitment links within India. The situation highlights a growing trend of human trafficking where Indian youth are lured with job offers only to be coerced into conducting online scams.
270 Indians were rescued from cybercrime hubs in Myawaddy, Myanmar, following military operations.
The Indian Air Force operated special flights from Chiang Mai, Thailand, to Hindon airbase.
Agencies are investigating how these scam centers operate and how they recruit young men and women.
Exam Points
Number of repatriated nationals: 270
Location of scam centers: Myawaddy, Myanmar
Repatriation route: Chiang Mai (Thailand) to Hindon airbase (UP)
A report in The Lancet highlights a critical surge in maternal deaths in Afghanistan, attributed to the Taliban's restrictions on female education and employment. With girls banned from studying beyond grade 6, the training of new midwives and nurses has ceased, leading to a severe shortage of skilled birth attendants. Afghanistan now has one of the world's highest maternal mortality rates, with 638 deaths per 100,000 births. The report emphasizes that restricting female health workers is not just a healthcare issue but a significant human rights violation with fatal consequences for women.
Afghanistan's maternal mortality rate stands at 638 per 100,000 births, among the highest globally.
Taliban bans on female education (nursing and midwifery) have crippled the long-term healthcare system.
Only 36.3% of mothers in Afghanistan receive postnatal care within two days of delivery.
Exam Points
Maternal mortality rate: 638 per 100,000 births
Postnatal care rate: 36.3%
Source: The Lancet correspondence
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