LEGAL NEWS

Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026

• The Lok Sabha passed the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 on 3 August 2026, increasing the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court from 34 to 38 judges, including the Chief Justice of India (CJI).

• Article 124 of the Constitution of India provides for the establishment and composition of the Supreme Court and empowers Parliament to determine the number of judges by law.

• The Bill was introduced by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on 20 July 2026 and replaces the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026, promulgated in May 2026.

• The Ordinance had increased the strength from 33 to 37 judges (excluding the CJI), while the new law raises the total strength to 38 judges (37 + CJI).

• The amendment aims to address the growing judicial workload, with the Supreme Court having 92,101 pending cases as of 1 January 2026, and to improve the timely disposal of cases.

• The Supreme Court of India, inaugurated on 28 January 1950, hears constitutional matters, civil appeals, criminal appeals, and Special Leave Petitions (SLPs) under Article 136 of the Constitution.

• Parliament had earlier passed the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, 2019, increasing the sanctioned strength from 31 to 34 judges (30 to 33 excluding the CJI).

• Key Fact: The Chief Justice of India is included in the total sanctioned strength, and Parliament can alter the number of Supreme Court judges through ordinary legislation, without requiring a constitutional amendment.

APPOINTMENT

Vice Admiral Manish Chadha Appointed DGNO

• Vice Admiral Manish Chadha, AVSM, VSM assumed charge as the Director General Naval Operations (DGNO) of the Indian Navy on 3 August 2026.

• The DGNO is responsible for maritime security, fleet deployment, operational planning, and strategic naval operations.

• A Communication and Electronic Warfare specialist, he was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 1 July 1991 after graduating from the 78th NDA Course, Khadakwasla.

• His command assignments include CGS-05, INS Veer, INS Kirpan, INS Mysore, and he also served as Naval Attaché in Moscow.

• He previously commanded the Maharashtra Naval Area, Gujarat, Daman & Diu Naval Area, and served as Commandant, Indian Naval Academy (Ezhimala).

• He received the Vishisht Seva Medal (2017) and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (2025) for distinguished service.

• Key Facts: Indian Naval Academy – Ezhimala, Kerala; NDA – Khadakwasla, Maharashtra; INS Mysore is a guided missile destroyer.

Willie Walsh Appointed CEO of IndiGo

• Willie Walsh assumed charge as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IndiGo on 3 August 2026, succeeding Pieter Elbers, who resigned on 10 March 2026.

• IndiGo, the operating brand of InterGlobe Aviation Limited, is India's largest airline by fleet size and daily operations, with over 430 aircraft and around 2,200 daily flights.

• The airline serves more than 95 domestic and 40 international destinations, making it one of the largest aviation networks in Asia.

• Before joining IndiGo, Willie Walsh served as the Director General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) until 31 July 2026.

• His aviation career spans over four decades, including leadership roles at Aer Lingus, British Airways, and International Airlines Group (IAG).

• As CEO, he will oversee strategic planning, airline operations, network expansion, commercial strategy, customer experience, and international growth.

• IATA (International Air Transport Association) is the global trade association representing airlines and promoting safe, secure, and efficient air transport worldwide.

• Key Facts: Aer Lingus is the flag carrier of Ireland, British Airways is the flag carrier of the United Kingdom, and InterGlobe Aviation Limited is the parent company of IndiGo.

Vishwesh Negi Appointed India’s Ambassador to Iran

• Vishwesh Negi, an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer of the 2002 batch, was appointed as India’s next Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran on 3 August 2026.

• Before this appointment, he was serving as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), New Delhi, and is expected to assume his post in Tehran shortly.

• The Ambassador of India to Iran heads the Embassy of India in Tehran and represents India in bilateral political, economic, strategic, cultural, and consular affairs.

• India–Iran relations encompass energy security, trade, maritime cooperation, connectivity projects, regional security, and people-to-people exchanges.

• Chabahar Port, located in south-eastern Iran on the Gulf of Oman, is a strategic project that provides India with access to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan.

• West Asia is a region of major strategic importance for India due to energy imports, the Indian diaspora, maritime security, and economic partnerships.

• The Indian Foreign Service (IFS), established in 1946, is one of India’s premier diplomatic services responsible for managing foreign policy, diplomatic missions, and international relations through the Ministry of External Affairs.

• Key Facts: Tehran is the capital of Iran; Rudra Gaurav Shresth served as India’s Ambassador to Iran from May 2023 until this appointment.

NATIONAL NEWS

Glaw Lake Declared India’s 101st Ramsar Site

• Glaw Lake in Lohit district, Arunachal Pradesh, was designated as India’s 101st Ramsar Site on 3 August 2026, becoming the first Ramsar wetland of Arunachal Pradesh.

• The lake is located within the Kamlang Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary in the Eastern Himalayas, a globally recognised biodiversity hotspot.

• Ramsar Sites are wetlands of international importance designated under the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty adopted in 1971 at Ramsar, Iran. India became a party to the Convention in 1982.

• With the inclusion of Glaw Lake, India’s total Ramsar Sites increased to 101, up from 26 sites in 2014.

• Glaw Lake is a high-altitude freshwater lake fed by perennial mountain streams and supports rich biodiversity, including over 150 tree species and 49 orchid species.

• Wetlands provide vital ecosystem services such as groundwater recharge, flood control, fish breeding, carbon storage, and habitat for migratory birds and aquatic biodiversity.

• The Eastern Himalayas are recognised as a global biodiversity hotspot, extending across India, Nepal, Bhutan, and China, and are home to numerous endemic and threatened species.

• Key Facts: Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab are among the Indian states with the highest number of Ramsar Sites, while orchids are considered important indicator species of healthy mountain ecosystems.

Draft Proposal for Mandatory Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) Communication Systems

• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) issued a draft notification in August 2026 proposing mandatory Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication systems in new vehicles under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.

• Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication is a wireless technology that enables vehicles to exchange real-time information such as speed, position, direction, and braking status, helping prevent collisions beyond the driver's line of sight.

• The proposal applies to Category L (two- and three-wheelers), Category M (passenger vehicles), and Category N (goods vehicles).

• The rollout is linked to AIS-230, the Indian Automotive Industry Standard for V2V communication systems and Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) applications.

• Phase I: From 1 October 2027, vehicles in Categories L, M, and N that are equipped with V2V systems must comply with AIS-230 standards.

• Phase II: From 1 October 2028, all newly manufactured vehicles in Categories L, M, and N must be fitted with AIS-230-compliant V2V communication systems.

• The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) exempted the 5.875–5.925 GHz frequency band from licensing on 10 June 2026, facilitating V2V deployment and Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) applications.

• The draft amendment is open for 30 days of public consultation, after which the Government will finalise the rules for nationwide implementation.

Commemorative Postage Stamp on Satish Gujral

• The Department of Posts released a commemorative postage stamp on 3 August 2026 to mark the birth centenary of Satish Gujral, renowned Indian artist, sculptor, and architect.

• The stamp was unveiled at Bikaner House, New Delhi, by Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia.

• Satish Gujral (25 December 1925–2020) was a leading figure of Indian modern art, known for his contributions to painting, sculpture, mural art, and architecture.

• The stamp features Satish Gujral’s 2010 acrylic-on-canvas self-portrait, one of only four self-portraits created by him during his lifetime.

• The stamp was designed by Anuj Kumar based on a proposal submitted by Raseel Gujral Ansal, Gujral’s daughter and co-founder of Raseel Gujral Art Legacy (RGAL).

• An exhibition of limited-edition commemorative stamp collectibles is being held at Bikaner House from 4–9 August 2026, featuring a 25-stamp set and a Centenary Master Edition of 100 stamps.

• India Post issues commemorative stamps to honour eminent personalities, national events, institutions, and significant anniversaries.

• Philately is the study and collection of postage stamps and postal history, while commemorative stamps are special issues released for a specific person, event, or theme.

DEFENCE

4th Tri-Services Future Warfare Course (2026)

• Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General N.S. Raja Subramani inaugurated the 4th Tri-Services Future Warfare Course on 3 August 2026 at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi.

• The four-week course is organised by Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) in collaboration with the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS).

• The programme brings together officers from the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force, along with participants from academia, strategic think tanks, defence industry, start-ups, MSMEs, and research institutions.

• The course focuses on future warfare technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), cyber warfare, autonomous systems, information warfare, space technologies, and data-driven decision-making.

• It aims to enhance jointness, interoperability, and integrated operational planning among the three armed services to address emerging security challenges.

• HQ IDS functions under the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and promotes tri-service integration, joint planning, and defence coordination.

• CENJOWS (Centre for Joint Warfare Studies) is a premier defence think tank that undertakes research on joint warfare, military strategy, and national security.

• The course supports defence modernisation, innovation, and capability development by integrating the armed forces with industry, MSMEs, start-ups, and research institutions, strengthening India's preparedness for future conflicts.