India and China held their 25th Special Representatives' (SR) talks in Beijing, focusing on advancing border delimitation negotiations, strengthening border management, and promoting cross-border cooperation. NSA Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized maintaining peace and tranquility in border areas. Both sides acknowledged progress in resuming institutional mechanisms and working towards common understandings on border issues. Doval noted the relationship is 'steadily returning to normalcy,' while Wang Yi stressed learning from history and resolving differences for a 'Dragon-Elephant Dance' relationship, highlighting the global significance of India-China ties, especially ahead of the BRICS Summit.
The 25th Special Representatives' talks focused on advancing border delimitation and strengthening border management between India and China.
Both nations stressed the importance of maintaining peace and tranquility in the border areas for stable bilateral relations.
NSA Ajit Doval indicated that the relationship is 'steadily returning to normalcy,' with a positive direction from top leaders.
Exam Points
The 25th round of Special Representatives' talks took place in Beijing.
India was represented by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.
China was represented by Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
The Allahabad High Court ruled that wearing a headscarf is not an 'essential religious practice' in Islam, dismissing a Muslim student's petition to wear hijab with her school uniform. The court stated that the dispute primarily concerned compliance with institutional dress code rather than freedom of faith. It highlighted that previous wearing of a scarf does not create an enforceable right to compel the school to change its uniform policy. The judgment relied on precedents from the Bombay and Karnataka High Courts, reinforcing that conformity to institutional discipline is essential and reasonable, and not every religious practice automatically receives constitutional protection.
The Allahabad High Court held that wearing a headscarf is not an essential religious practice for Muslim women in Islam.
The court emphasized that the case was about compliance with institutional dress code, not an infringement of religious freedom.
Previous wearing of a headscarf does not establish an enforceable right to alter school uniform policy.
Exam Points
The ruling was made by the Allahabad High Court.
The student's petition invoked fundamental rights under Articles 14 and 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.
The court relied on judgments from the Bombay High Court and Karnataka High Court.
The article highlights the ongoing debate on transparency in judicial appointments, advocating for greater openness in the collegium system to strengthen public confidence and ensure merit. It criticizes the collegium, a judicial creation, for its opacity, lack of eligibility matrix, and unknown assessment methodology. Concerns about nepotism, dubbed 'Uncle Judges,' are prevalent, with a significant percentage of judges having familial links. The article argues that constitutional values of equality and equal opportunity, applied to other public appointments, should also extend to the highest constitutional offices, proposing a transparent framework with advance vacancies, open applications, and reasoned recommendations to enhance public trust.
The collegium system for judicial appointments lacks transparency, with no clear vacancy notifications, eligibility matrix, or assessment methodology.
Concerns about nepotism, or 'Uncle Judges,' are significant, with a notable percentage of judges having familial links to former judges.
The Supreme Court's own record on disclosure has regressed, with reasons for elevation no longer published since November 28, 2024.
Exam Points
The collegium system was established through the Second Judges Case (1993) and expanded in the Third Judges Case (1998).
Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution guarantee equality and equal opportunity in public employment.
The MediaOne judgment (2023) held that sealed-cover secrecy is 'antithetical to a transparent and accountable system'.
The youth vote, particularly among 18-29 year olds, is increasingly influencing electoral outcomes, though young voters are often among the least active electorates. Their preferences vary significantly across states and elections. While political change is primarily driven by new and first-time voters (18-21), the BJP's support among young voters has seen a decline since 2015, with Congress and regional parties gaining ground in many states. Youth participation in protests and movements also reflects broader issues beyond electoral politics, indicating a dynamic and evolving political engagement among India's youth.
Young voters (18-29) are a dynamic part of India's electoral landscape, with varying participation and preferences across states.
Political change is primarily influenced by new voters (18-21) and first-time voters.
The BJP's support among young voters has declined since 2015, while Congress and regional parties have gained support.
Exam Points
Youth voter turnout is highest in the youngest age group (18-21).
BJP's support among young voters declined from 51% in 2015 to 33% in 2026 (for the 18-21 age group).
The article references specific state elections like West Bengal (2021, 2026), Uttar Pradesh (2017, 2022), Uttarakhand (2017, 2022), Bihar (2020, 2025), Punjab (2017, 2022), Tamil Nadu (2021, 2026), and Delhi (2015, 2020).
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