LEGAL NEWS
Clean Slate Doctrine under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016
• The Supreme Court, in the Ujaas Energy judgment, clarified that the Clean Slate Doctrine extinguishes claims, but not necessarily every legal consequence arising from the facts underlying those claims.
• The Clean Slate Doctrine is a key principle under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016, ensuring that a successful resolution applicant acquires the corporate debtor free from past liabilities not included in the approved resolution plan.
• The doctrine is primarily based on Section 31 of the IBC, 2016, under which an NCLT-approved resolution plan is binding on all stakeholders, including government authorities.
• Its objective is to provide the corporate debtor a "fresh start", free from pre-existing debts, penalties, and liabilities, thereby encouraging effective insolvency resolution and attracting investors.
• In Committee of Creditors of Essar Steel India Ltd. v. Satish Kumar Gupta, the Supreme Court held that all claims not included in the approved resolution plan stand extinguished, and no fresh proceedings can be initiated on such claims.
• In Ghanashyam Mishra and Sons Pvt. Ltd. v. Edelweiss Asset Reconstruction Co. Ltd. and Arun Kumar Jagatramka v. Jindal Steel and Power Ltd., the Court reaffirmed that government authorities and other stakeholders cannot pursue excluded claims after approval of the resolution plan.
• In Ebix Singapore Pvt. Ltd. v. Committee of Creditors of Educomp Solutions Ltd. and Vaibhav Goel v. Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax, the Court ruled that all stakeholders are bound by the approved resolution plan, and no belated claims can be introduced after NCLT approval.
• The doctrine promotes the finality of the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP), maximises value for creditors, and strengthens confidence in India's insolvency framework while balancing the interests of all stakeholders.
NATIONAL NEWS
India's 16th Census (2026–27)
• India's 16th Census is being conducted in two phases during 2026–27, after being postponed from 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The Census of India is conducted under the Census Act, 1948, by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (RGCCI) under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
• It is India's first fully digital census, enabling self-enumeration through a mobile app and the official census portal.
• West Bengal launched its digital self-enumeration from 1–15 August 2026, while the House Listing and Housing Census phase began nationwide on 1 April 2026.
• After self-enumeration, house-listing and field verification in West Bengal will be conducted from 16 August to 14 September 2026 by census enumerators.
• The self-enumeration portal is available in 16 languages, allowing households to submit census information digitally.
• The 2027 Population Census will include caste enumeration, marking the first nationwide caste count since 1931.
• Kolkata Municipal Corporation planned participation from 700 government schools and 300 private schools to promote awareness and support digital census activities.
NCC Cyclothon 2026
• The National Cadet Corps (NCC) organised Cyclothon 2026 on 2 August 2026 in New Delhi to commemorate 79 years of India's Independence.
• The event started and concluded at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, featuring a symbolic 79-km ride by 79 NCC cadets.
• The flag-off ceremony was led by Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, M.C. Mary Kom, and Leander Paes.
• The National Cadet Corps (NCC) is a tri-services youth organisation under the Ministry of Defence, with Army, Navy, and Air Force wings, functioning under the National Cadet Corps Act, 1948.
• The event was organised under the theme “Clean India, Green India, Fit India.”
• It was linked with major national initiatives including TB Mukt Bharat, Swachh Bharat, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, and Har Ghar Tiranga.
• Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, located in New Delhi, is a prominent sports venue named after hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand.
• The cyclothon promoted physical fitness, environmental conservation, road safety, responsible citizenship, discipline, unity, and national service, reflecting the core values of the NCC.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Republic of Naoero (Formerly Nauru)
• The Pacific island nation of Nauru officially adopted the name Republic of Naoero on 31 July 2026, following a constitutional amendment passed in May 2026.
• President David Adeang confirmed the name change, and the United Nations was formally notified on 26 June 2026 to update its official records.
• Naoero is the indigenous name of the island, while Nauru is a colonial-era adaptation. Citizens are now referred to as dei-Naoero, and the country code remains NRO.
• The renaming aims to preserve the Nauruan language (dorerin Naoero), which UNESCO classifies as severely endangered.
• Republic of Naoero is a single-island sovereign republic in Micronesia (Central Pacific Ocean) with a population of about 12,000.
• It is the third-smallest sovereign state in the world by area (about 21 sq km), after Vatican City and Monaco.
• The country has no official capital city; Yaren District serves as the administrative centre, and the Australian dollar (AUD) is its official currency.
• The Republic of Naoero is a parliamentary republic, with the President serving as both Head of State and Head of Government.
APPOINTMENT
Varsha Ashok Aglawe – Director General, Geological Survey of India (GSI)
• Varsha Ashok Aglawe assumed charge as the 54th Director General of the Geological Survey of India (GSI) on 31 July 2026, becoming the first woman to head the organisation in its 176-year history.
• She succeeded Asit Saha, who served as Director General from 27 July 2024 to 31 July 2026.
• Established in 1851, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) is India's premier geoscientific organisation under the Ministry of Mines, headquartered in Kolkata.
• GSI is responsible for geological mapping, mineral exploration, mineral resource assessment, and exploration of critical and strategic minerals.
• Varsha Aglawe joined GSI in 1992 after serving in the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) and was previously Additional Director General & Head of the Eastern Region, Kolkata.
• She is a specialist in Palaeontology (study of fossils) and Palynology (study of pollen, spores, and microscopic organic remains) and contributed to identifying the Salbardi–Ghorpend area as a new dinosaur nesting site.
• She has emphasised critical mineral exploration, including lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, and rare earth elements, to strengthen India's mineral security.
• Under her leadership, GSI will also focus on offshore mineral exploration, advanced laboratory infrastructure, and geoscientific research supporting clean energy and strategic industries.
AWARDS
Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026
• National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval received the Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026 on 1 August 2026 in Pune, Maharashtra.
• The award was presented by the Lokmanya Tilak Smarak Trust on the 106th death anniversary of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah presenting the honour.
• The Lokmanya Tilak National Award is an annual award carrying a memento, citation, and a cash prize of ₹1 lakh.
• Ajit Doval, a 1968-batch IPS officer, is the longest-serving National Security Adviser of India and heads the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) under the Prime Minister's Office.
• During his career, he has played a key role in counter-terrorism, strategic intelligence, border security, and major operations such as the Doklam standoff and Balakot air strike.
• Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak (1856–1920) was a leading freedom fighter, nationalist leader, and editor of Kesari and The Mahratta.
• Tilak is remembered for the slogan "Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it." and for his significant contribution to India's freedom movement.
• The National Security Adviser (NSA) is the principal adviser to the Prime Minister on national security, strategic affairs, and coordination of intelligence and security agencies.
DEFENCE
Exercise ROTOR CLAP III (2026)
• The Indian Air Force (IAF) concluded Exercise ROTOR CLAP III at the Pokhran Field Firing Range, Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) on 1–2 August 2026.
• It was the third edition of the rotary-wing exercise, themed "Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (Counter-UAS)", focusing on helicopter-based counter-drone operations.
• The exercise included live firing of missiles and rockets and tested the detection, tracking, identification, and neutralisation of unmanned aerial threats.
• Participating platforms included AH-64 Apache, Mi-25/35 gunships, HAL Prachand (Light Combat Helicopter), Chinook, Mi-17, and Dhruv helicopters.
• The exercise evaluated operational concepts, tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) for responding to emerging drone threats in combat scenarios.
• Counter-UAS refers to technologies and operational methods used to detect, track, identify, and defeat hostile drones and unmanned aerial systems.
• HAL Prachand, developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is India's indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) designed for high-altitude warfare.
• Pokhran Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, is one of India's premier military testing and live-fire training ranges for armed forces exercises.
