The Supreme Court referred the question of whether prolonged incarceration and trial delays can override stringent bail curbs under anti-terror laws like UAPA to a larger Bench. This decision aims to ensure "parity, consistency and institutional fidelity" in applying precedents. The court also granted six months of interim bail to two accused in the 2020 Delhi riots case. The reference addresses a "perceived conflict" between a May 18 judgment, which held that prolonged incarceration can "melt down" bail embargoes, and an earlier January ruling. The court emphasized the need to balance societal interests with accused rights.
The Supreme Court referred the question of UAPA bail curbs and prolonged incarceration to a larger Bench.
The reference aims to resolve a conflict between recent judgments regarding the application of Section 43D(5) of UAPA.
The court granted interim bail to two accused, Abdul Khalid Saifi and Tasleem Ahmad, in the 2020 Delhi riots case.
India's economy started the financial year 2026-27 tepidly, with the Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) showing a modest 1.7% growth in April. This slowdown, predating the West Asia crisis, suggests systemic domestic issues rather than transient external factors. Growth averaged 2.8% in FY 2025-26, down from 4.5% in FY 2024-25. Only steel, cement, and electricity sectors grew in April 2026, while crude oil and natural gas contracted for consecutive months. Lower fertilizer output and potential below-normal monsoon further indicate a grave prospect for the Indian economy, despite sustained government-propelled construction activity.
The Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) recorded a modest 1.7% growth in April 2026, indicating an economic slowdown.
The slowdown is attributed to systemic domestic issues rather than solely external factors like the West Asia crisis.
Crude oil and natural gas sectors have shown consecutive months of contraction, raising concerns about energy output.
Exam Points
ICI growth in April 2026: 1.7%.
ICI average growth in FY 2025-26: 2.8%.
Crude oil and natural gas contracted for 16 and 22 consecutive months respectively.
Recent conflicts highlight a shift towards cyber operations alongside conventional military action, raising questions about legal accountability. While international law principles like the prohibition on the use of force (UN Charter Article 2(4)) and state responsibility apply to cyberspace, establishing the threshold for an internationally wrongful act is difficult. Key challenges include attribution, as cyber operations are secretive and routed through multiple networks, making legal proof difficult. The lack of appropriate forums, states' avoidance of litigation to prevent escalation, and complex evidence further hinder accountability, leading to a growing mismatch between frequent cyber incidents and rare legal consequences. India needs to actively shape cyber norms given its reliance on digital infrastructure.
Cyber operations are increasingly integrated with conventional military action, posing challenges for international legal frameworks.
Establishing the threshold for what constitutes an internationally wrongful act in cyberspace is a major difficulty.
Attribution of cyber attacks to specific states is complex due to their secretive nature and routing through multiple jurisdictions.
Exam Points
Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter prohibits the use of force.
Budapest Convention on Cybercrime and United Nations Convention against Cybercrime are international instruments.
International Court of Justice (ICJ) requires state consent for disputes.
India and Cyprus have elevated their bilateral ties to a strategic partnership, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasizing "respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity," interpreted as support for Cyprus regarding Northern Cyprus. The two nations also signed a roadmap for defence cooperation, with Cyprus interested in buying Indian defence items. Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides presented Cyprus as an entry point for India's wider relationship with the EU. Discussions included Cyprus providing transhipment facilities for global traffic affected by the U.S.-Israel war and energizing the IMEEC project, aiming to restructure eastern Mediterranean security.
India and Cyprus have upgraded their bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership.
A roadmap for defence cooperation was signed, with Cyprus showing interest in Indian defence products.
India's stance on "sovereignty and territorial integrity" is seen as support for Cyprus concerning Northern Cyprus.
Following the WHO's declaration of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, the Indian Centre has instructed all States and Union Territories to strengthen surveillance, hospital preparedness, and rapid response systems. Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava highlighted the need for adequate preparedness due to growing international trade and travel, despite the low current risk to India. States are asked to intensify surveillance under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), identify isolation facilities, ensure trained personnel and PPE, and reinforce infection prevention and control practices in healthcare settings.
The Centre has directed all States and UTs to strengthen Ebola surveillance and preparedness.
This directive follows the WHO's declaration of an Ebola outbreak in DRC and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
States are advised to intensify surveillance under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) for individuals with recent travel history to affected regions.
Exam Points
WHO declared Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
Union Health Secretary: Punya Salila Srivastava.
Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP).
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