The Supreme Court dismissed a plea challenging caste enumeration, stating it's not within its domain to decide if caste enumeration should be part of Census 2027. The court emphasized that any government must know how many people are backward and need welfare, making caste data a matter of policy. The Chief Justice highlighted that the exercise included systematic enumeration of only Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes until the 2011 Census, with the first phase of enumeration in Census 2027 already held. This decision reinforces the government's prerogative in data collection for welfare schemes.
The Supreme Court rejected a plea challenging caste enumeration, stating it is a policy matter for the government.
CJI Surya Kant emphasized the need for data on backward populations for effective welfare policies.
Systematic enumeration in the Census traditionally covered only Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes until 2011.
Exam Points
CJI Surya Kant made the statement.
The case relates to the upcoming Census 2027.
The Census 2011 was the last to include systematic enumeration of only SCs and STs.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni elevated India-Italy relations to a "Special Strategic Partnership" during Modi's multi-nation Europe trip. Both leaders reiterated the call for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia. Key outcomes include a "Defence Industrial Road Map," an MoU on cooperation in critical minerals, and an agreement for agricultural research. The partnership aims to strengthen cooperation in trade, technology, defence, clean energy, and mobility of skilled workers. They also agreed to work on trilateral initiatives with African partners in areas like DPI, agriculture, and healthcare.
India and Italy have upgraded their bilateral ties to a "Special Strategic Partnership."
A "Defence Industrial Road Map" and an MoU on critical minerals were signed.
Cooperation will be enhanced in trade, technology, defence, clean energy, and mobility of skilled workers.
Exam Points
PM Narendra Modi and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni were involved.
Agreements include "Defence Industrial Road Map" and MoU on critical minerals.
PM Modi received the Agricola Medal for 2026 from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
A 73-year-old woman in Kerala died from primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rare but lethal central nervous system infection. The infection is caused by Naegleria fowleri, a free-living amoeba found in freshwater, lakes, rivers, and poorly maintained swimming pools. The woman developed symptoms like fever and headache on May 6 and is suspected to have contracted the infection by washing her face with water from a canal. Following her death, local health authorities initiated superchlorination of water sources, including wells, to prevent further spread.
A woman in Kerala died from Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM).
PAM is a rare and lethal central nervous system infection.
It is caused by Naegleria fowleri, a free-living amoeba found in freshwater bodies and poorly maintained pools.
Exam Points
The disease is Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM).
The causative agent is Naegleria fowleri.
The incident occurred in Nellikuzhi, Kothamangalam, Ernakulam district of Kerala.
The Supreme Court, in the Syed Iftikhar Andrabi vs National Investigation Agency case, reaffirmed the principle that bail should be the rule, even in UAPA cases. The ruling emphasized that the right to personal liberty and a speedy trial cannot be subservient to Section 43-D(5) of the UAPA, which makes bail difficult. This judgment disapproved earlier two-judge Bench rulings (Gurwinder Singh and Gulfisha Fatima) that diluted the principle set by a three-judge Bench in K.A. Najeeb (2021), which held that UAPA's rigours "melt down" if trial conclusion is unlikely within a reasonable time and substantial incarceration has occurred.
The Supreme Court granted bail in the Andrabi case, emphasizing personal liberty and speedy trial.
The ruling clarifies that Section 43-D(5) of the UAPA cannot indefinitely deny bail if trial is delayed.
It reinforces the K.A. Najeeb (2021) judgment, which stated that UAPA's stringent bail conditions can be relaxed under certain circumstances.
Exam Points
Case: Syed Iftikhar Andrabi vs National Investigation Agency.
Act: The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), specifically Section 43-D(5).
India is preparing for its first digital Census in 2027, aiming for a credible and accurate enumeration. The process involves pre-testing questionnaires and methods to ensure data quality and address challenges like low literacy and lack of digital access in some areas. The Census will collect data on housing, population, and socio-economic indicators. The article highlights the need for robust planning, training of enumerators, and addressing issues like data quality, privacy, and potential fraud to ensure the success of the digital census, which is crucial for policy formulation and resource allocation. This shift aims to improve efficiency and data reliability.
India is moving towards its first digital Census in 2027.
Pre-testing of questionnaires and methods is crucial for data quality and addressing field challenges.
The Census aims to collect comprehensive data on housing, population, and socio-economic aspects.
Exam Points
The next Census is planned for 2027.
It will be India's first digital Census.
The Census will use mobile applications for data collection.
An analysis of India's justice system budgets across 11 high-GDP states reveals a disproportionate allocation towards policing (over 80% of justice-related funds) compared to the judiciary, prisons, and legal aid. This indicates a system focused on enforcement and surveillance rather than access, adjudication, or rehabilitation. The judiciary receives less than 1% of state budgets despite high caseloads, and legal aid, crucial for marginalized individuals, is severely underfunded, leading to limited reach and inadequate representation. The report highlights the need for recalibration of budget priorities to align with constitutional mandates for an accessible and people-centred justice system.
India's justice system budget is heavily skewed towards policing, receiving over 80% of funds.
The judiciary and legal aid are significantly underfunded, hindering access to justice.
This reflects a system prioritizing enforcement and surveillance over adjudication and rehabilitation.
Exam Points
Study covered 11 high-GDP States.
Policing accounted for over 80% of justice-related allocations.
Judiciary budgets were less than 1% of total State budgets.
The Union government, through a common affidavit from the Ministries of Environment, Jal Shakti, and Power, informed the Supreme Court that no new hydroelectric projects will be permitted in the upper reaches of the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi river basins in Uttarakhand. This decision excludes seven already commissioned or substantially built projects. The rationale for allowing these seven to continue includes substantial public and private investment, their location outside the Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone, and no flagging by expert bodies. The government cited cumulative impact of dams, seismic fragility, and past disasters like the 2013 Kedarnath floods for its hardened stance, rejecting even five projects previously under consideration.
The Union government has decided against permitting new hydroelectric projects in the upper Ganga river basins in Uttarakhand.
This stance was communicated to the Supreme Court via a joint affidavit from three ministries.
Seven existing or near-complete projects are exempt due to investment and environmental assessments.
Exam Points
Ministries involved: Environment, Jal Shakti, and Power.
River basins: Alaknanda and Bhagirathi in Uttarakhand.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held comprehensive bilateral discussions with South Korea's Minister of National Defence Ahn Gyu-back in Seoul. Both sides agreed to expand defence cooperation across various sectors including industry, maritime security, emerging technologies, logistics, and military exchanges. Several MoUs were signed to deepen cooperation in defence, cybersecurity, and training exchanges, further broadening the India-South Korea strategic partnership. Two significant MoUs focused on future-oriented projects like self-propelled air defence systems and directed energy weapon systems, with a strong 'Make in India' focus, reflecting growing convergence in strategic visions.
India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited South Korea for bilateral defence talks.
Both nations agreed to expand cooperation in defence industry, maritime security, and emerging technologies.
MoUs were signed for defence, cybersecurity, and training exchanges, enhancing the strategic partnership.
Exam Points
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met South Korean Minister of National Defence Ahn Gyu-back.
MoUs were signed for defence, cybersecurity, and training exchanges between India's National Defence College and Korea National Defence University.
Two significant MoUs are on self-propelled air defence systems and directed energy weapon systems.
The Supreme Court sought a response from the Centre and States on a plea highlighting the lack of uniform excise laws across States, leading to deceptive packaging and promotion of cheap alcohol. The Chief Justice emphasized the need for a clear, uniform, and harmonious definition of terms like "bottle" and "juice" in excise laws. The petition argued that liquor packaged as "juice" poses health risks, increases ease of smuggling, and contributes to public consumption, especially among juveniles. The court noted that such packaging makes it difficult to distinguish liquor from actual juice, leading to public health concerns and inflation worries.
The Supreme Court has raised concerns about the lack of uniform excise laws across Indian States.
The court called for a clear and consistent definition of terms like "liquor" and "bottle" in excise laws.
Deceptive packaging of cheap alcohol as "juice" poses significant public health risks, especially for juveniles.
Exam Points
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant made the observation.
The petition was filed by Vipin Nair, representing Community Against Drunken Driving (er-NGO).
The issue relates to excise laws and packaging of liquor.
Rules for the new rural employment guarantee scheme, "Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin)," are expected to be released by July 1. The Centre informed a parliamentary standing committee that 25 states have already allocated funds for the program. The scheme aims to ensure equitable distribution of resources and will introduce new smart job cards with a face-recognition feature for transparency. The Central government will determine the state-wise normative allocation of funds based on objective parameters, replacing existing job cards with new ones. This initiative seeks to improve accountability and streamline benefits for rural employment.
New rules for the "Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin)" scheme are set to be released by July 1.
The scheme aims to provide rural employment guarantees and ensure equitable resource distribution.
New smart job cards with face-recognition features will be issued to enhance transparency and accountability.
Exam Points
Scheme name: Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin).
Rules to be released by July 1.
The committee was headed by Congress leader Saptagiri Ulaka.
The Indian rupee depreciated by 16 paise to close at a fresh lifetime low of 96.86 against the U.S. dollar. This fall was primarily driven by elevated global crude prices and inflation worries stemming from the West Asia crisis. The rupee opened at 96.89, touched a record low of 96.95, and settled at 96.86. The previous session saw a 50 paise tumble. Factors contributing to the rupee's weakness include a strong dollar and surging U.S. treasury yields, with 30-year yields rising to a two-decade high and 10-year yields to a 16-month high, leading to global market sell-offs.
The Indian rupee hit a fresh lifetime low of 96.86 against the U.S. dollar.
Elevated global crude prices and the West Asia crisis are stoking inflation worries, contributing to the depreciation.
A strong U.S. dollar and surging U.S. treasury yields are also major factors.
Exam Points
Rupee settled at 96.86 against the U.S. dollar.
It depreciated by 16 paise on Wednesday.
U.S. 30-year treasury yields rose to a two-decade high.
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