Vikash Kumar is currently pursuing a BA.LLB from RNB Global University, Bikaner, and is in his 5th year. Read More
Beneficial insights for Judicial exams, UPSC CSE, and State PCS exams.
- Maharashtra Logistics Policy 2024: Aimed at accelerating the growth of the state’s economy, the Maharashtra government announced a policy which seeks to generate revenues of more than Rs. 30000 crores and create around 5 hundred thousand employment opportunities within the logistics sector in a period not exceeding five years.
- India AI Mission: To promote the India AI plan, the government of India made a move to procure 1,000 GUPs aimed at accelerating AI computing infrastructure within the country to bolster the efforts of the budding entrepreneurs, researchers, and public agencies.
- Grain ATM in Odisha: To improve the food distribution under the National Food Security Programme, the state launched its first Grain ATM as part of the Annapurti scheme. This initiative is an addition to the improvement of food security scaffolding.
- Electricity Export Rule Changes: Rules about electricity export have been amended by the government in order to shield Indian corporations from covenants that are not political in nature, in Exporting countries like Bangladesh.
- PMAY-U Housing Scheme: The Cabinet of the Union approved the modification in “Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) – Urban”. This program is aimed at housing approximately 1 crore urban poor and middle-class households.
- New Railway Projects: Eight new railway projects costing Rs 24,657 crore have been sanctioned with the objectives of enhancing the infrastructure and lowering the carbon foot print.
- National Rankings: The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru along with the Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad (IITH), performed exceptionally well in the NIRF 2024, with the former perennial in the top five gender ranking.
- Waqf Boards Amendment Act Debate: The major changes to the Waqf Boards Act of 1995, created political controversy where it was feared that the changes would interfere with the management of religious lands by the Muslims.
- Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill 2024: This bill was brought forward by the central government to enhance the governance of banks and widen the spectrum of options available to their customers, with a focus on reinforcing the financial sector of the country.
- New Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh: In order to manage the ever-dwindling tiger population in the state, the government sanctioned the establishment of the Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla tiger reserve. It is the 4th such Tiger Reserve in the State of Chhattisgarh.
- Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Full Union Budget in the Budget session of Parliament.
- Annual Budget:-
+The Budget is an annual financial report sent by the Central Government showing the budget and revenue for the upcoming year. The budget is mentioned in our Constitution as “Annual Financial Statement” under Article 112.
(1stApril 2024 onwards) and the specified expenditure between 1st and 31st March 2025. - Constitutional Morality – Speaking at the National Judicial Academy, the CJI emphasized the “rule of constitutional law”, which paves the way for respect for diversity, encourages unity and harmony patience. It is a system of principles and values that guide people to judge right and wrong, and influence behaviour and decision-making, based on the principles of ethics, morality, ethics and behavioural leadership. The basic principles, values and ethics, ensure that the administration and the legal process comply with the standards of democracy, justice, fairness and justice of the Constitution. . It was first created in the twelve-volume work “History of Greece”. In other words, citizens are free to criticize those in power while abiding by the rules of the constitution. Although the term constitutional law is not explicitly used in the Constitution of India, it is written in depth in many of its sections, namely preamble, rule of law, social justice, due process, right to equality, freedom of expression and personal liberty.Supreme Court Report on Constitutional Law: Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973): In Kesavananda Bharati case, the Supreme Court laid down “simple procedural principles”, holding that the basic features of the constitution cannot be altered or destroyed by amendment.
Indira Nehru Gandhi v. Raj Narain (1975): In this case, the Supreme Court dealt with the issue of electoral fraud and election fraud. The Court emphasized the importance of leadership in law is ensuring fair and transparent administration, upholding the principle that senior officials are not above the law.
S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994): The Supreme Court reviewed the use of Article 356, which allows the central government to dismiss state governments. The court said that these practices must be in accordance with the constitution, and that laws must be enacted in accordance with the tradition of democracy and not for political purposes.
In the 2015 Krishnamurti case, the court said that the rule of law is essential for good governance. It is important to ensure that governance practices reflect the values and ethics enshrined in the constitution.
Puttaswamy vs Union of India (2017) – The Supreme Court of the Union of India has upheld the concept of Aadhaar while imposing restrictions to protect identity. The judgment emphasizes the need for the administration to adhere to legal values and respect privacy of the citizens of India.
Shayara Bano vs Union of India (2017) – In this case, the Supreme Court challenged the current practice of instant triple talaq,i.e. “Talaq-e-Biddat” saying that the practice violates the law of equality and justice and does not provide voluntary support. We work for gender justice and equality.
Navtej Johar vs Union of India (2018) – It struck down Article 377 of Indian Penal Code. Thereby, decriminalizing consensual same-sex relationships. Ethics evolves with social change, reflecting changes in norms and values. Ability to reform legal structures to ensure they remain current and effective, and to promote fairness and social justice in a modern society is very important.
- KERALA’S WAYANAD LANDSLIDES – Ecologist Madhav Gadgil, has termed the disaster in Wayanad a man-made tragedy, attributing it to the failure of implementing vital ecological guidelines.Landslides are a geological phenomenon that involves the surprising and fast motion of a mass of rock, soil, or debris down a slope below the have an effect on of gravity. Landslides, generally, occur in areas having characteristics like Steep terrain consisting of hilly or mountainous regions, Presence of joints and fissures or areas in which floor runoff is directed or land is closely saturated with water.
In Kerala, almost half of of the land location – 49.7% of the entire landmass — is prone to landslides, in line with an assessment done by the Geological Survey of India (GSI). The place’s heavy rainfall and the slope of the Western Ghats make regions like Wayanad specifically prone.
- DEMAND FOR SEPARATE “BHIL PRADESH” – The participants of the Bhil tribe have once more demanded a separate ‘Bhil Pradesh’. The Bhil community has been annoying that 49 districts be carved out of the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra to establish a New Bhil Pradesh.Bhil social reformer and spiritual chief Govind Guru first raised the demand for a separate nation for tribals back in 1913. This was after the Mangarh massacre, which occurred six years earlier than Jallianwalla Bagh and is often referred as the “Adivasi Jallianwala”. It noticed masses of Bhil tribals being killed by using British forces on November 17, 1913, inside the hills of Mangarh on the Rajasthan-Gujarat border. Post-Independence, the demand for Bhil Pradesh was raised again and again.
The Bhil tribal community specially is living in Rajasthan, western Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and northern Maharashtra. Some households have migrated to different states like Tripura for jobs in tea gardens. It is believed that the term ‘Bhil’ emerged from the Dravidian language phrase “billu” meaning bow and arrow.
- GRAM NYAYALAYA – The Supreme Court (SC) has sought a complete report from States and High Courts at the status quo and functioning of Gram Nyayalayas. The Gram Nyayalayas Act of 2008 was aimed to decentralize justice and de-clog courts. However, about 450 of the 16,000 planned Gram Nyayalayas have been set up, with most effective around 300 operational.The backlog of over 4 crore cases in trial courts is exacerbated by way of the insufficient range of functional Gram Nyayalayas, hindering efforts to lessen judicial congestion.
The Supreme Court is worried that the slow progress in organising Gram Nyayalayas impedes the goal of providing timely and low priced justice to rural populations. States and High Courts have till now not submitted required affidavits on the fame of Gram Nyayalayas, indicating a lack of compliance and dedication. States like Jharkhand and Bihar have resisted putting in Gram Nyayalayas in tribal areas due to conflicts with neighborhood or traditional customary lawss.
Section 3 of the Gram Nyayalayas Act does not mandate the compulsory establishment of Gram Nyayalayas. The establishment of Gram Nyayalayas was encouraged by the Law Commission of India in its 114th Report, emphasizing the need for a judiciary accessible to rural groups. Confusion has grown in people’s minds due to overlap with other specialized courts at local levels. Decreased necessity due to the establishment of normal courts at the Taluk level. Low consciousness and reluctance among stakeholders, such as police officials and lawyers. Insufficient preliminary finances and recurring fee guide from the Central Government.
- WIRELESS NETWORK ARCHITECTURE IN THE RURAL INDIA – The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has recently approved wireless network architecture for affordable broadband access in rural areas of the country, developed at IIT Bombay.
- CONSTITUTION ASSASSINATION DAY – The government decided to comply on June 25 every year as ‘Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas’.On June 25, 1975 former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency in the country, which lasted until 21 March 1977. There was a widespread suspension of fundamental rights for citizenship, detention and arrest of opposition leaders and criticism and censorship of the press.
The 38th Amendment Act of 1975 also made a statement on national emergency immune from judicial review (this was later removed by the 44th Amendment Act of 1978). This day will be a reminder of the enormous contribution made by all those who endured the inhuman pains of the Emergency in 1975.
- PRADHAN MANTRI SCHOOLS FOR RISING INDIA (PM-SHRI) SCHEME – Union Government Freezes Funds in Punjab West Bengal and Delhi under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), as these three states refused to participate in PM-SHRI system.The aim of the program is the transformation of existing state-run schools to model schools. The scheme is for existing primary, secondary and higher secondary schools run by the central government and state and local governments across the country. 19. MONEY BILL ROUTE FOR CONTENTIOUS AMENDMENTS – The Supreme Court of India agreed with the list of petitions doubting the Money Bill path taken by the Centre contested amendments in Parliament.
The Money Bill case was referred to the Supreme Court in 2019 in the case of Roger Mathew Vs. South Indian Bank Ltd. • The question is whether such changes could be approved as Money Bill, bypassing the Rajya Sabha, under Article 110 of the Constitution.
- MUKHYAMANTRI YUVA KARYA PRASHIKSHAN YOJANA – The Maharashtra state government will spend Rs 5,500 crore on Mukhyamantri Yuva Karya Prashikshan Yojana internship program for unemployed youth.This scheme was announced in the Maharashtra State Budget 2024–25 and it aims to increase the employability and skills of the youth and prepare them for the competitive labour market.
It includes a six-month internship and a stipend a structure designed to support trainees based on their education and skills. Interns will be paid monthly scholarships through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
- COLOMBO PROCESS – India chaired its first session as Colombo Chair Process at the meeting at the level of permanent representatives at Geneva. It consists of 12 member states from Asia, primarily the country of origin of migrant workers.It facilitates management consultation foreign employment and contract work.
- SMART CITIES MISSION EXTENDED TILL 2025 – The Union Government has expanded Smart Cities Mission (SCM) until 31 March 2025. It is an initiative of the Union for Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry, launched in 2015.The mission is operated as a centrally sponsored programme to support cities that provide basic infrastructure, clean and sustainable environment and provide decent quality of life to its citizens through ‘smart solutions”.
100 cities have been selected to be developed as smart Cities through a two-round competition for five years.
- FINANCIAL SERVICES INSTITUTION BUREAU – Financial Services Institution Bureau (FSIB) recently selected Challa Sreenivasula Setty as the next chairman of State Bank of India (SBI).FSIB is an autonomous body of the Government of India responsible for recommending appointments, extensions, and termination of members in the boards of specific high-level institutions. It was created as a replacement for the Banks Board Bureau(BBB).
- DIGITAL BHARAT NIDHI – This was started by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) through draft rules for operation of Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), Union government to increase telecom connectivity in rural areas.Digital Bharat Nidhi was established through Telecommunications Act 2023.
It Replaces earlier Act Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF). USOF is a fund of funds generated by 5% Universal Service fee charged to all telecom fund operators on their adjusted gross income (AGR). The money raised through the USOF would be used to fund telecommunications expansion networks in remote and rural areas where the private companies hesitate the offering of their services.
- MSP DEMAND FOR MAKHANA (FOX NUT) – Makhana (in Hindi) Fox nut & Gorgon Nut (in English). The Bihar government has urged the Centre to declare the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for makhana.
- STATE OF INDIA’S INFORMAL ECONOMY – According to the data of Annual Survey of Unincorporated Enterprises (ASUSE), the informal sector of India is facing challenges as about 16.45 lakh jobs have been lost over the last seven years.
- INDIA’S E-VEHICLE (EV) POLICY – The government plans to expand its electric vehicles (EVs) policy to include return benefits for previous investors. Previously, the incentives were only available to new local residents facilities established within three years of approval.
- DURAND CUP TOURNAMENT – Asia’s oldest and third oldest football tournament in the world: The inaugural edition was held at Shimla in 1888, originally known as the Army Cup and was exclusively for the British Indian Army troops. It is Named after Sir Henry Mortimer Durand, the founder of the company tournament.
- ABHINAV BINDRA AWARDED “OLYMPIC ORDER” – Ace shooter and the 1st Individual Olympics Gold medallist Abhinav Bindra was awarded the Olympic Order for his outstanding contribution to the Olympic movement.He is the first Indian to receive this prestigious award.
- NIPUN BHARAT MISSION – The Union Government recently launched NIPUN (National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy) Bharat Mission.
- HENLEY PASSPORT INDEX-2024 – According to the latest Henley Passport rankings Index, the Indian passport is now ranked 82nd, allowing Indians to have visa-free entry to 58 countries.
- REGIME CHANGE IN BANGLADESH – Recent exit of Bangladesh’s Prime Minister from power could jeopardize India-Bangladesh relationships and affect growing trade ties, restricting the movement of people and goods etc. between the two countries.
- WAQF (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2024 – The Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju presented the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. This is bill no. 109 of 2024 in Lok Sabha in the monsoon session of Parliament.The bill seeks to amend the Waqf Act, 1995 (earlier Wakf Act, 1995). It targets to rename the Act as the “Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995”. The bill proposes complete amendments to enhance administration and control of waqf properties.
- LATERAL ENTRY INTO CIVIL SERVICES – In August 2024, UPSC advertised 45 posts for Lateral Entry, the largest such recruitment through Lateral Entry till date. However, the process faced criticism, especially for the lack of reservation for SC, ST and OBC candidates.In response to political pressures, the Union government requested to UPSC for the cancellation of this recruitment drive with emphasis to ongoing discussions on fairness and transparency in lateral entry process.
The meaning of lateral entry into the civil services is referred to – The recruitment of experts from the private sector, academia or other non-governmental sectors directly into middle and higher positions in ministries and department of the Union Government.
- SUB CLASSIFICATION OF SC/STs – A seven-judge bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud rules by a 6-1 majority in the case of State of Punjab vs Davinder Singh, 2020 allowing state governments that they may/can create sub-classifications under SC and ST groups for the purpose of reservations.This decision overturned the 2004 judgment in the EV Chinnaiah case against the State of Andhra Pradesh case stating earlier that such sub-classifications are inadmissible and not permitted to states.
The Supreme Court issued a landmark verdict, enabling partial classification SC and ST. The court held that the partial classification was permissible to ensure that the benefits of affirmative action are achieved to the best for the most disadvantaged sections within these communities. It also suggested implementing “Creamy Layer” formula within SC & ST groups reservations.
- TOURISM SECTOR IN INDIA – The Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI), 2024 published by the World Economic Forum (WEF) reported India is ranked 39th among 119 countries. It said Indian Travel industry has grown by “leaps & bounds” in the last decade.In the previous index published in 2021, India was ranked 54.
India’s results showed improvements in three important areas: prioritizing travel and tourism, safety and security and health and hygiene.
In 2022, 975 million international tourists visited the world. India contributed 14.3 million international tourists to these arrivals, representing 1.47% of global tourism inbound market.
- INDIA-UKRAINE RELATION – The historic visit by PM Modi was the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ukraine since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1992.
- AUKUS NEW DEAL – Australia had signed a deal to allow the exchange of nuclear secrets and material with the United States and Britain.AUKUS is a trilateral defense and security partnership.
The agreement is effective until December 31, 2075, with any party able to exit with one year’s written notice. Enhancing deterrence and defense capabilities in the Indo-Pacific.
- GLOBAL SOUTH SUMMIT – The Third Voice of the Global South Summit (VOGSS) was held virtually on August 17, 2024, under the theme “An Empowered Global South for a Sustainable Future.”Hosted by India, this summit aimed to unite developing nations in addressing common challenges such as climate change, global governance, health, and economic inequalities.
The term “Global South” refers to a grouping of countries primarily located in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Oceania. These countries are often characterized by their developing economies, histories of colonialism, and a shared set of challenges, such as poverty, economic inequality, and political instability.
The Global South contrasts with the “Global North, ” which typically includes the wealthier, more industrialized nations of North America, Europe, and parts of East Asia.
- NEW RAMSAR SITES – Recently Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary and Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu along with Tawa dam in Madhya Pradesh has been recognized under the Ramsar Convention, bringing the total to 85.
References
- THE INDIAN EXPRESS
- DRISHTI IAS
- DAINIK BHASKAR
