The extended Budget Session of Parliament adjourned sine die after the Opposition blocked the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, which aimed to provide women's reservation. The Bill, linking women's reservation with the delimitation exercise, failed to pass in the Lok Sabha. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accused the Congress of an anti-women mindset. The session concluded with a symbolic rendition of all six stanzas of Vande Mataram in the Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha achieved nearly 110% productivity, while the Lok Sabha recorded 93% productivity, indicating a productive session despite the legislative setback.
The extended Budget Session of Parliament was adjourned sine die following the defeat of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill.
The Bill, which sought to implement women's reservation, was blocked by the Opposition due to its linkage with the delimitation exercise.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju criticized the Congress for opposing the women's reservation measure.
Exam Points
The Bill blocked was the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister: Kiren Rijiju.
The issue of 33% women's reservation in Lok Sabha and State legislatures has come full circle, with the government's attempt to operationalize it immediately failing. The Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, 2023 (Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam) mandated a three-step process involving a fresh Census and delimitation before implementation. The government's 2026 Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, which sought immediate implementation based on the 2011 census, failed to pass. The Opposition continues to demand the removal of the Census and delimitation requirement from Article 334A(1) for immediate implementation, highlighting the persistent delay.
The 33% women's reservation issue remains unresolved due to the failure of the 2026 Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill.
The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (106th Amendment Act, 2023) requires a fresh Census and delimitation for its operationalization.
The government's attempt to bypass these steps for immediate implementation using the 2011 census figures failed in the Lok Sabha.
Exam Points
Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, 2023 is also known as Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.
Clause (1) of Article 334A of the 106th Amendment mandates a three-step process (Act into force, fresh Census, delimitation).
The proposed 2026 Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill sought to amend Article 334.
India's ongoing Census self-enumeration portal briefly displayed Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh as "Medog," a town in China. A retired Indian Air Force officer first raised the concern, highlighting the sensitivity of such territorial depictions. The Registrar-General and Census Commissioner of India quickly acknowledged and resolved the issue, stating it was raised with the map services provider. India has consistently rejected China's attempts to rename places in Arunachal Pradesh, reiterating that the state is an integral part of India and that such actions cannot alter the undeniable reality of its territory.
The Census of India's self-enumeration portal mistakenly showed Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh, with a Chinese name, "Medog."
The error was promptly identified by a retired IAF officer and subsequently resolved by Census officials.
India maintains a firm stance against China's attempts to rename places in Arunachal Pradesh, asserting the state's integral status.
Exam Points
Town affected: Pasighat, East Siang District, Arunachal Pradesh.
Chinese name displayed: Medog.
The issue was raised by Group Captain Mohonto Panging Pao (retired).
Iran has once again closed the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global oil transit waterway, in retaliation for the continued U.S. blockade of Iranian ports. This escalation follows a brief reopening and comes amidst ongoing tensions and failed negotiations between Iran and the U.S. Iran's joint military command declared full control over the strait and warned of continued blockades as long as U.S. sanctions persist. The move threatens to deepen the global energy crisis and reignite conflict, with both sides accusing each other of miscalculations and blackmail, as a fragile ceasefire approaches its end.
Iran has re-closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil transit route, in response to the U.S. blockade of its ports.
The closure, following a brief reopening, escalates tensions and threatens global energy markets.
Iran's military asserted full control over the strait, vowing to maintain the blockade until U.S. sanctions are lifted.
Exam Points
Strait of Hormuz: Crucial waterway for roughly one-fifth of the world's oil.
The Israeli military announced the establishment of a "Yellow Line" demarcation in southern Lebanon, similar to the one dividing Gaza, following a 10-day ceasefire agreement with Lebanon and Hezbollah. Israeli forces reported striking militants who violated the ceasefire by approaching the line, asserting their right to self-defense despite the truce. This development comes after six weeks of conflict and ongoing negotiations to consolidate the ceasefire, ensure Israeli troop withdrawal, and resolve border disputes. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun emphasized the crucial nature of direct negotiations with Israel to achieve these goals.
Israel has established a "Yellow Line" demarcation in southern Lebanon, akin to the one in Gaza.
This line aims to separate Israeli forces from territory where militants operate, even during a ceasefire.
Israeli forces engaged militants violating the ceasefire by approaching the "Yellow Line," citing self-defense.
Exam Points
The "Yellow Line" was established in southern Lebanon.
A similar "Yellow Line" divides Gaza into two zones: one under Israeli military control and one under Hamas control since October 10.
Israel and Lebanon agreed to a 10-day ceasefire on Thursday.
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