The Supreme Court has ruled that prison authorities who abuse disabled prisoners will be penalized under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta directed all States and Union Territories to amend their prison rules to ensure assistive devices, specialized medical care, and enhanced family visitation rights for disabled inmates. The order stems from a plea highlighting the deaths of activists G.N. Saibaba and Stan Swamy, whose health deteriorated due to inadequate prison facilities. The court emphasized that disabled prisoners deserve the same dignity and rights as free disabled persons.
Prison authorities are now liable for penalties under Section 89 of the RPwD Act for abusing disabled inmates.
States and UTs must modify prison manuals to include provisions for assistive devices and specialized medical care.
The court highlighted the 'double punishment' faced by disabled prisoners: their conviction and the lack of accessibility.
Exam Points
Section 89 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.
Fines for first offense: ₹10,000; subsequent offenses: ₹50,000 to ₹5 lakh.
The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), comprising India, the U.S., Australia, and Japan, has issued a joint statement condemning the recent terror incident near the Red Fort in Delhi. During a meeting of the Quad Counter Terrorism Working Group in New Delhi, the partners called for bringing the perpetrators, organizers, and financiers of the attack to justice. They urged all UN member states to cooperate in the investigation. The meeting focused on expanding cooperation to combat terrorism in all its forms, including cross-border terrorism, emphasizing a unified global stance against extremist violence.
The Quad partners unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
The meeting of the Quad Counter Terrorism Working Group was held in New Delhi.
The grouping called for international cooperation under the UN framework to prosecute those behind the Red Fort blast.
Exam Points
Quad members: India, USA, Australia, and Japan.
Event: Quad Counter Terrorism Working Group meeting in New Delhi.
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah announced that implementing a circular economy model in the dairy sector will increase farmers' income by 20% over the next five years. Speaking at the inauguration of Banas Dairy’s bio-CNG and fertilizer plant in Gujarat, he emphasized generating extra income through waste-to-wealth initiatives. This includes producing biogas and organic fertilizer from cattle dung and harvesting leather from cattle that die naturally. The initiative aligns with the 'White Revolution 2.0' goals, providing dairies with the necessary finance and technology to adopt sustainable practices and diversify their product range.
The circular economy model aims to increase dairy farmers' income by 20% by 2030.
Waste products like cattle dung are being converted into bio-CNG and organic fertilizers.
The initiative is part of the 'White Revolution 2.0' launched by the Prime Minister.
Exam Points
Target: 20% income increase for dairy farmers in 5 years.
A study by the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) across seven Indian states highlights that women face unique and amplified health risks due to rising temperatures. In high Heat Vulnerability Index (HVI) districts, 70% of women reported symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, and gastrointestinal discomfort. Beyond physical health, heat stress leads to mental distress, reproductive health issues, and significant wage losses, particularly for those in informal work. The report notes a strong correlation between extreme heat and increased household tensions or domestic violence, urging for gender-specific heat preparedness strategies in climate policies.
Women in high HVI districts experience severe physical symptoms and reproductive health disruptions during peak heat.
Nearly 97% of surveyed women reported wage losses exceeding ₹1,500 during summer months.
Extreme heat is linked to a 38% increase in domestic violence and heightened psychosocial stress.
Exam Points
Study conducted by: M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF).
States covered: Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bihar, Odisha, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu.
Data: 70% of women in high HVI districts reported heat-related symptoms.
A civil society network, Just Rights for Children (JRC), has targeted 38 high-risk districts in Rajasthan to eradicate child marriage through community efforts and legal interventions. This initiative complements the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development's 100-day intensive awareness campaign. While the national average for child marriage is 23.3%, Rajasthan stands at 25.4%, with some districts like Chittorgarh and Bhilwara exceeding 40%. The drive involves mobilizing gram panchayats and religious leaders to pass resolutions against the practice, aiming to align with the UN Sustainable Development Goal of eliminating child marriage by 2030.
The drive focuses on 38 districts in Rajasthan where child marriage prevalence is significantly high.
The Union Ministry has launched a 100-day nationwide movement to end child marriage by 2030.
Gram panchayats and municipal wards are being mobilized to pass formal resolutions against the practice.
Exam Points
Rajasthan child marriage prevalence: 25.4% (NFHS-5).
High-risk districts: Chittorgarh and Bhilwara (over 40% prevalence).
President Vladimir Putin’s 30-hour visit to India, his first since the Ukraine invasion, focused heavily on economic cooperation and the 'Development of Strategic Areas of India – Russia Economic Cooperation till 2030.' Key outcomes include a 'Labour Mobility Agreement' to address Russia's workforce shortages and MoUs in the fertilizer and maritime sectors. While no major defense deals were announced, the visit reaffirmed the 'dhruva tara' (pole star) stability of the bilateral relationship. India maintained its 'strategic autonomy,' balancing ties with Russia while negotiating a free trade agreement with the U.S. and navigating Western sanctions.
The visit prioritized economic roadmaps over new defense procurement or nuclear cooperation announcements.
A Labour Mobility Agreement was signed to facilitate Indian skilled workers moving to Russia.
India reiterated its stance on the Ukraine conflict, calling for peace and dialogue while maintaining neutrality.
Exam Points
Agreement: Development of Strategic Areas of India – Russia Economic Cooperation till 2030.
Trade Goal: Over $60 billion of the $69 billion trade is currently in oil procurement.
Specific Pact: Labour Mobility Agreement for 3 million job vacancies in Russia.
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