The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to grant an interim stay on Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla's decision to recognise the "merger" of six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs with the rival Shiv Sena faction led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The apex court, however, agreed to hear the challenge to the Speaker's decision after two weeks. The petition was filed by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Arvind Sawant, who termed the merger "ex facie unconstitutional, illegal and perverse." The circular issued by the Joint Secretary of the Lok Sabha Secretariat recognized the purported merger.
The Supreme Court refused an interim stay on the Lok Sabha Speaker's decision regarding the merger of Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs with the Shinde faction.
The court agreed to hear the challenge to the Speaker's decision after two weeks.
The petition was filed by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Arvind Sawant, challenging the merger as unconstitutional and illegal.
Environmentalists and activists have raised concerns that the Supreme Court-appointed committee's online consultation process for the Aravali hills excludes rural communities. They argue that the online mechanism, relying on email or Google forms, is not accessible to non-literate and technology-savvy rural people who are most directly impacted. The committee, formed on May 25, is tasked with reviewing the Centre's report on the definition and delineation of the Aravali hill range and must submit its report by August 31. Activists also criticized the 21-day feedback window as insufficient for meaningful participation from diverse communities.
Environmentalists criticize the online consultation process of the SC-appointed Aravali panel for excluding rural communities.
The online mechanism is deemed inaccessible to non-literate and technology-savvy rural populations.
The committee's mandate is to review the Centre's report on the definition and delineation of the Aravali hill range.
Exam Points
Committee formed on: May 25
Report submission deadline: August 31
Organizations mentioned: Pan-India Adivasi Samanvay Manch Bharat, Stand With Nature, Ridge Bachao Andolan
The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) met in Delhi and, noting poor rainfall in the Cauvery basin, directed Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to strictly confine the use of their present water storage to drinking purposes. The CWMA, which monitors the implementation of Cauvery water release as per the Supreme Court's verdict, warned against using water for other purposes like irrigation. It observed that the current storage in reservoirs could only meet drinking water requirements and expressed confidence that judicious use would prevent shortages. The situation will be reviewed by the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee on July 28.
The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) directed Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to use existing water storage only for drinking purposes.
The directive was issued due to poor rainfall in the Cauvery basin, indicating a distress year.
Karnataka had released less water than prescribed to Tamil Nadu in June and July.
The death toll in the Sikkim tunnel disaster rose to 15, with rescue operations continuing for the remaining 10 workers. The accident occurred on July 20 at 1:04 p.m. in the under-construction head race tunnel for the Teesta State-VI Hydroelectric Project at Samardung in Namchi district. NHPC reported that 25 personnel were trapped after a sudden release of suspected methane gas caused an explosion. Rescue efforts are challenged by rainfall and accumulation of mud and water inside the tunnel. The NHPC announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹5 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased.
The death toll from the Sikkim tunnel disaster has reached 15, with rescue operations ongoing for 10 trapped workers.
The incident occurred at the Teesta State-VI Hydroelectric Project due to an explosion caused by suspected methane gas.
Rescue operations are hampered by adverse weather conditions and debris inside the tunnel.
More than 47 lakh voters, representing 8.48% of Karnataka's electorate, have been flagged for possible deletion from the electoral rolls during the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) exercise. This data was released by V. Anbu Kumar, the Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka. The flagged electors fall under the ASDDO category: Absent, Shifted, Dead, Duplicate (Already Enrolled), and Others. These cases will undergo further verification by Booth Level Agents (BLAs) and Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) before any final decision on deletion is made. The draft roll will be published on August 17.
Over 47 lakh voters in Karnataka have been flagged for potential deletion from electoral rolls.
This figure accounts for 8.48% of the State's total electorate.
The flagged voters fall under categories like Absent, Shifted, Dead, Duplicate, and Others (ASDDO).
This editorial discusses the recent Sikkim tunnel disaster, where 15 workers died due to a methane gas explosion, and links it to previous incidents like the Meghalaya coal mine explosion and the Uttarakhand road tunnel collapse. It highlights the inherent perils of underground work in India's difficult terrains, especially in environmentally fragile zones like the Himalayas. The editorial questions whether risks were properly assessed, and if safety protocols like gas detection and ventilation were in place. It calls for a thorough, independent review of whether environmental clearance conditions for such projects are strictly met, emphasizing that these disasters are not isolated misfortunes but systemic issues.
The Sikkim tunnel disaster, caused by a methane gas explosion, underscores the dangers of infrastructure projects in fragile Himalayan regions.
Previous incidents like the Meghalaya coal mine explosion and Uttarakhand tunnel collapse highlight systemic risks in underground work.
The editorial questions the adequacy of risk assessment, gas detection, and ventilation safeguards in such projects.
This editorial highlights a new threat to global shipping in the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb, following Iran's reported instruction to Houthis to close the Strait if the U.S. attacks Iran's power plants. It draws parallels with the 2024 Red Sea crisis, where Houthi attacks disrupted global shipping, forcing vessels to reroute and impacting economies. The article emphasizes that this new situation is more unpredictable, with potential dire consequences for India's economy, which is already reeling from the Strait of Hormuz crisis. It proposes that India, in collaboration with France and Japan, should proactively build a naval taskforce to deter attacks and secure the Strait, ensuring "freedom of navigation" and "respect for maritime rules and norms."
A new threat to shipping in the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb, potentially involving Houthi attacks, poses significant risks to global trade.
The situation is compared to the 2024 Red Sea crisis, which caused major disruptions and economic impacts.
India's economy would be severely affected, especially after the Strait of Hormuz crisis.
Exam Points
Strait of Bab el-Mandeb: Between Yemen and the Horn of Africa
Strait of Hormuz: Between Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman
Operation Prosperity Guardian: Launched by U.S. and allies (Dec 2023) in response to Red Sea attacks
This data point analysis reveals that the enrollment of Children With Special Needs (CWSN) in Indian schools has remained stagnant over the past eight years, despite initiatives to increase their participation. According to UDISE 2025-26 data, 21.66 lakh CWSN were in schools, a figure that is less than 30% of the 2011 Census data for disabled children. Using NFHS-5 data and population estimates, it's estimated that only 22% of CWSN are enrolled in schools. The analysis also shows a significant drop in CWSN enrollment at higher schooling stages and a persistent gender disparity, with girls comprising only about 43% of enrolled CWSN. Underreporting due to outdated disability categories in schools is also a concern.
Enrollment of Children With Special Needs (CWSN) in Indian schools has been stagnant for eight years.
Only an estimated 22% of CWSN are enrolled in schools, significantly lower than the total population of disabled children.
Enrollment drops sharply at higher stages of schooling for CWSN.
Exam Points
Source of data: Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) 2025-26, NFHS-5, Census 2011
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that stable and cooperative India-China relations are essential for fostering a "multi-polar Asia" and a "multi-polar world." During a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Manila, Jaishankar emphasized that peace and tranquillity in border areas are a prerequisite for normal ties. He acknowledged recent steps towards normalization, including resumed direct flights and the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, and highlighted the importance of predictability in supply chains and fair market access. Separately, in a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Jaishankar expressed strong concern over the safety of Indian seafarers following a Russian projectile strike in the Black Sea.
EAM Jaishankar emphasized that stable India-China relations are vital for a multi-polar Asia and world.
Peace and tranquillity in border areas are a prerequisite for normal bilateral ties.
Recent normalization steps include resumed direct flights and the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra.
The Press Information Bureau (PIB) clarified provisions of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 (FCRA), addressing concerns from minority institutions, particularly Christian bodies. The PIB stated that the 'designated authority' would manage assets created from foreign contributions only if an NGO's FCRA registration lawfully ceases, and places of worship would retain their religious character by law. The authority's vesting powers are initially provisional, with full restoration if registration is renewed. Orders of this authority are subject to revision and appeal before the District Judge. The government also clarified that many cancellations are administrative, not necessarily indicating wrongdoing, and that the FCRA law covers various entities beyond just NGOs and religious organizations.
The government clarified the FCRA Amendment Bill, 2026, regarding the designated authority's powers over NGO assets.
The designated authority will only manage assets created from foreign funds if an NGO's FCRA registration lawfully ceases.
Places of worship will retain their religious character by law, even if assets are managed by the authority.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) bulletin for July stated that the Indian economy successfully navigated external uncertainties and supply chain pressures, maintaining momentum through June. This resilience is attributed to healthy demand conditions and robust performance in both industrial and services sectors. Despite global economic uncertainties, supply chain disruptions, and fragmented trading relationships, India remains among the fastest-growing major economies. While industrial and services indicators remained firm, the bulletin noted "uneven" southwest monsoon, but anticipated that comfortable food-grain stocks would mitigate any impact on food inflation.
The Indian economy has shown resilience against global external uncertainties and supply chain pressures.
Healthy demand and robust performance of industrial and services sectors contributed to sustained economic momentum.
India remains one of the fastest-growing major economies globally.
Exam Points
Source: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) bulletin, July edition
Economic indicators: Industrial and services sectors remained firm
U.S. President Donald Trump announced a two-year window for generic pharmaceutical companies to establish manufacturing facilities in the U.S., threatening tariffs of up to 200% on imported products thereafter. This move, aimed at reducing dependence on overseas supply chains, has significant implications for India, which is a major exporter of pharmaceuticals to the U.S. Indian drugmakers warned that such high tariffs would ultimately increase medicine costs for American consumers. While some companies are exploring options, large-scale relocation is challenging due to global supply chain reliance. India is the largest supplier of affordable generic medicines to the U.S., accounting for nearly 47% of all generic prescriptions dispensed.
Former U.S. President Trump proposed tariffs of up to 200% on generic drugs imported after August 2028, aiming to boost domestic manufacturing.
Indian pharmaceutical companies, major exporters to the U.S., warned that these tariffs would significantly increase medicine costs for American consumers.
India is the largest supplier of affordable generic medicines to the U.S., accounting for nearly 47% of all generic prescriptions.
Exam Points
U.S. President: Donald Trump
Tariff proposal: 100% after one year, 200% thereafter (effective August 1, 2026)
India's pharma exports to U.S. (2025): $9.7 billion (37.7% of total pharma exports)
The United States is set to announce a landmark deal with Saudi Arabia to help establish a civilian nuclear program in the kingdom. This agreement, valued at billions of dollars for the U.S. nuclear industry, comes amidst Washington's ongoing tensions with Iran over its nuclear program. A provision in the 30-year deal could allow U.S. companies to build a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia. However, U.S. lawmakers from both parties and Israeli officials have voiced opposition due to fears that Saudi Arabia could eventually develop nuclear weapons. The Trump administration is expected to formally sign and announce the deal.
The U.S. plans to announce a landmark deal with Saudi Arabia for a civilian nuclear program.
The agreement is expected to bring billions of dollars to the U.S. nuclear industry.
A key provision might allow U.S. companies to build a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia.
Exam Points
U.S. President (at time of announcement): Donald Trump
Duration of deal: 30-year
Concerns from: U.S. lawmakers (both parties), Israeli officials
A group of Nobel laureates, AI scientists, and religious leaders signed the 'Rome Declaration for an Unarmed and Disarming Peace,' calling for an international treaty to ban autonomous systems from accessing nuclear launches. The declaration highlights the existential threat posed by AI in warfare, especially when integrated with nuclear weapons. It warns that AI-driven systems compress decision-making windows, replacing human judgment with computational guidance, and could lead to unintentional retaliation due to misinterpretation or algorithmic false positives. The declaration emphasizes the need for mandatory meaningful human control, responsible development, and verifiable disarmament, asserting that human ethical responsibility must never be outsourced to AI.
The 'Rome Declaration for an Unarmed and Disarming Peace' calls for a treaty to ban autonomous systems from accessing nuclear launches.
AI in warfare poses an existential threat by replacing human judgment and compressing decision-making windows.
Misinterpretations or algorithmic false positives by AI could lead to unintentional and catastrophic retaliation.
Exam Points
Declaration: 'Rome Declaration for an Unarmed and Disarming Peace'
Signed on: July 16
Inspired by: Pope Leo XIV's encyclical Magnifica Humanitas
A report by the environmental monitoring network MapBiomas indicates that forest fires in the Brazilian Amazon fell to a historic low in 2025, after peaking the previous year. The burned area nationwide was also the smallest since 2018. This reversal from the critical situation of 2024, when an unprecedented drought and man-made fires engulfed the rainforest, is attributed to a delayed rainy season and reduced deforestation. The report also noted a "psychological factor" among communities in controlling outbreaks. While the Cerrado savanna continued to burn at similar rates, the report warns of a potential "super El Nino" this year, which could increase the risk of forest fires.
Forest fires in the Brazilian Amazon reached a historic low in 2025, reversing the critical trend of the previous year.
The reduction is attributed to a delayed rainy season and decreased deforestation.
Community awareness and efforts also played a role in controlling fire outbreaks.
Exam Points
Source of report: MapBiomas (environmental monitoring network)
Burned area in 2025: 3.1 million hectares (smallest since 1985)
President of Brazil: Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (pledged to eradicate deforestation by 2030)
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