LEGAL NEWS
Supreme Court Launches ‘Mediation for Nation’ to Address Judicial Backlog
• With India’s courts burdened by over 5 crore pending cases, the Supreme Court has launched a national effort to encourage mediation as an effective alternative to litigation.
• Under the leadership of Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justice Surya Kant, the initiative titled ‘Mediation for Nation’ was officially rolled out to promote faster, amicable dispute resolution.
• The campaign spans 90 days, from July 1 to September 30, 2025, covering all tiers of the judiciary—from Taluka-level courts to High Courts.
• Key institutions including the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and the Mediation and Conciliation Project Committee (MCPC) are coordinating the nationwide drive.
• High Court Mediation Committees in each state will monitor implementation, while District and Taluka Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) will manage local execution.
• The program advocates for mediation as a people-friendly, affordable, and relationship-preserving form of dispute resolution.
• Backed by the Mediation Act, 2023, this initiative aims to build public confidence in collaborative conflict resolution.
• The campaign’s broader goal is to unclog the judicial system, improve access to justice, and promote social cohesion across communities.
• By encouraging dialogue over confrontation, ‘Mediation for Nation’ seeks to redefine India’s approach to justice in the 21st century.
APPOINTMENTS
Sub-Lieutenant Astha Poonia Becomes Indian Navy’s First Woman Fighter Pilot
• Sub-Lieutenant Astha Poonia has created history by becoming the first woman fighter pilot in the Indian Navy.
• She achieved this milestone after successfully completing the Basic Hawk Conversion course.
• Alongside Lieutenant Atul Kumar Dhull, she was awarded the prestigious ‘Wings of Gold’ at INS Dega, Visakhapatnam, on 3rd July 2025.
• The ‘Wings of Gold’ badge symbolizes a pilot’s official qualification as a Naval aviator.
• The ceremonial honour was presented by Rear Admiral Janak Bevli, ACNS (Air), during the graduation event.
• While women have served as helicopter and maritime reconnaissance pilots in the Navy, Astha is the first to be inducted as a fighter pilot.
• Her achievement marks a significant step toward greater gender inclusion in frontline combat roles within the Indian Navy.
Air Marshal S Sivakumar Takes Charge as AOA at Air Headquarters
• Air Marshal S Sivakumar, VSM, has taken over as the new Air Officer-in-Charge Administration (AOA) at the Indian Air Force headquarters in New Delhi.
• He was commissioned into the IAF’s Administration Branch in June 1990, beginning a distinguished career spanning more than three decades.
• His academic credentials include an MBA in HR Management from Pondicherry University and an MPhil in Defence & Strategic Studies from Osmania University.
• With 35 years of service, he has held numerous pivotal command and staff roles at both operational and strategic levels.
• Before assuming his current role, he served as Director General (Administration) at Air HQ.
• Known for his professionalism, he has contributed to strengthening the administrative backbone of the Indian Air Force.
• For his exceptional dedication and service, he has been honoured with the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM).
• His appointment reinforces leadership continuity and operational efficiency within the IAF’s top administrative framework.
SPORTS
President Droupadi Murmu Kicks Off 134th Durand Cup with Trophy Flag-Off
• President Droupadi Murmu flagged off the three prestigious Durand Cup trophies—the Durand Cup, Shimla Trophy, and President’s Cup—at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhawan, marking the ceremonial start of the 134th edition of the tournament.
• Known as Asia’s oldest and the world’s third-oldest football competition, the Durand Cup trails only England’s FA Cup in global football history.
• The flag-off ceremony witnessed the presence of high-ranking defence personnel including CDS General Anil Chauhan, Army Chief Gen. Upendra Dwivedi, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, and Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi.
• Lt. Gen. RC Tiwari, head of the Eastern Command and Patron of the Durand Cup Organising Committee, also graced the occasion.
• NorthEast United FC, the reigning champions, lifted the trophy in 2024 by defeating Mohun Bagan Super Giant in a thrilling final.
• The upcoming 134th Durand Cup is scheduled from 23 July to 23 August 2025, and will be hosted across six venues in five Indian states—West Bengal, Assam, Jharkhand, Meghalaya, and Manipur—for the first time in the tournament’s history.
• After the ceremony, the trophies will embark on a promotional tour, visiting cities across the host states to build excitement and local engagement for the event.
Sudhanshu Mittal Retains Top Post in KKFI, Global Vision for Kho Kho Set
• Sudhanshu Mittal has been re-elected as the President of the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) after the successful polls in New Delhi.
• Upkar Singh Virk was appointed as the new General Secretary, alongside a newly formed executive panel with multiple vice presidents and joint secretaries.
• Ashwini Bipin Patil and Monika will voice the concerns of players as representatives of the Athletes Commission.
• Mittal reaffirmed his commitment to expanding Kho Kho's presence nationally and globally.
• The sport is now active in 58 countries, with a push to grow its reach to 90 nations by the end of 2025.
• There is strong hope for Kho Kho’s inclusion in the 2030 Asian Games and eventually in the 2032 Olympic Games.
• The elections signal a renewed focus on strengthening grassroots and global promotion of this traditional Indian sport.
STATE NEWS
Puducherry Leads National Efforts in TB Elimination
• Puducherry has emerged as a top performer in India’s National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP), showing remarkable progress in combating the disease.
• Since 2015, the Union Territory has witnessed a 136% rise in TB testing, reflecting a major boost in surveillance and diagnostics.
• Over the past decade, Puducherry has achieved a 59% decline in TB incidence, placing it among the leading regions in TB control.
• Forty villages are expected to be declared TB-free in 2025, a steep jump from just eight in the previous year.
• A media tour organized by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is currently underway to showcase Puducherry’s success.
• A 10-member media team, led by Dr. Manisha Verma (Addl. DG, PIB), is visiting various TB control initiatives across the UT.
• The region uses advanced molecular diagnostics like CBNAAT and Truenat to test nearly 100% of presumptive TB patients, improving diagnostic speed and accuracy.
• The NTEP, formerly RNTCP, was renamed in 2020 to highlight the goal of eliminating TB in India by 2025 under the Government’s health mission.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES
Dr. Jitendra Singh Launches 'Shrishti' Digital Studio and Tea Lounge at IIPA
• Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the 'Shrishti' digital studio and the new 'Sahkar' Tea Lounge at the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) in New Delhi.
• Developed by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, ‘Shrishti’ aims to enhance digital training and e-learning for public servants and researchers.
• He released a key publication titled “Public Administration in India”, highlighting insights on governance reforms.
• The Minister engaged with participants of the 51st Advanced Professional Programme in Public Administration (APPPA), which includes officers from various services.
• The APPPA programme, active since 1975, has now been revamped under Mission Karmayogi to focus on competency-based learning and practical exposure.
• Modern modules like Design Thinking, iGOT, and on-field training have been integrated into the programme structure.
• Dr. Singh emphasized the SPARSH portal as a milestone in defence pension reforms, ensuring quick and transparent redressal for ex-servicemen.
• He underlined the government's move toward a citizen-first approach, echoing PM Modi’s vision of 'Sabka Prayas' for inclusive governance.
