LEGAL NEWS

Supreme Court Directs EC to Accept Aadhaar as 12th Document for Voter ID in Bihar SIR

• The Supreme Court has instructed the Election Commission to recognize Aadhaar as the 12th valid document for identity verification during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, aiming to improve voter inclusivity ahead of Assembly elections.

• This direction addresses concerns over genuine voters being excluded due to limited documentation options, especially after reports of BLOs refusing Aadhaar as proof.

• Although Aadhaar is accepted for identity verification under the Aadhaar Act, 2016, the court reaffirmed it cannot be treated as proof of citizenship, which falls under constitutional procedures.

• The Election Commission is now required to revise its instructions, ensuring BLOs accept Aadhaar and clarifying its use in official communication to avoid confusion on the ground.

• With over 99.6% of Bihar's voters already verified, Aadhaar provides an important fallback for those who lack traditional documents like passports or birth certificates.

• The EC still holds the authority to verify the authenticity of Aadhaar, considering concerns around potential misuse or forgery of the card.

• Despite the ruling, some officials continue to reject Aadhaar, prompting further legal scrutiny; the Court will monitor the issue in upcoming hearings to maintain the balance between security and accessibility.

APPOINTMENTS

C.P. Radhakrishnan Becomes 15th Vice President of India After Clear Win in VP Election

• NDA nominee and current Maharashtra Governor, Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan, was elected as the 15th Vice President of India, succeeding Jagdeep Dhankhar, who stepped down.

• He secured victory by a margin of 152 votes against opposition-backed candidate and former Supreme Court judge B. Sudershan Reddy of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc.

• Out of 781 eligible voters, 767 MPs participated, with 752 valid votes and 15 declared invalid, confirming a high turnout.

• The election process was carried out in a peaceful, fair, and transparent manner, as per official reports.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first to cast his vote, setting the tone for high-profile participation.

• Senior leaders across parties, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Sharad Pawar, were among those who voted.

• Born in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, Radhakrishnan began his public life as a student leader, later rising through the political ranks.

• He has held gubernatorial posts in Jharkhand, Telangana, Puducherry, and Maharashtra, building a wide administrative and political profile over the years.

STATE NEWS

Uttar Pradesh Unveils ‘Anokhi Duniya’ – World’s First Ceramic Waste Park

• Uttar Pradesh has launched Anokhi Duniya, the first park globally built entirely from ceramic waste.

• The park is located in Khurja, Bulandshahr—India’s renowned ceramic hub—and is expected to open by September 2025.

• Developed on a two-acre area, the project follows a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

• Over 80 tonnes of ceramic waste were transformed into artistic displays, showcasing Khurja’s ceramic legacy.

• The initiative supports the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme, promoting local industry and craftsmanship.

• Around 100 ceramic artworks, including 28 large installations made from broken pottery, highlight the creative reuse of waste.

• The park also aligns with the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, encouraging sustainability through innovation and art.

AWARDS

2025 Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan and Wetland Awards Highlight India's Environmental Achievements

• Union Minister Bhupender Yadav presented the 2025 Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan and Wetland Cities Recognition Awards in New Delhi, celebrating top-performing cities under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).

• Indore led among large cities with a perfect 200-point score, winning ₹1.5 crore and earning a Guinness World Record for planting over 16 lakh trees and promoting eco-friendly transport.

• Jabalpur ranked second with 199 points, awarded ₹1 crore for its waste-to-energy initiatives and urban green spaces, while Agra and Surat shared third with 196 points, receiving ₹25 lakh each.

• In the 3–10 lakh population category, Amravati topped with a full score and ₹75 lakh, followed by Jhansi and Moradabad, while Alwar secured third place and was recognized as a first-time awardee.

• Among cities with populations under 3 lakh, Dewas took first place with 193 points, followed by Parwanoo and Angul, with cash prizes distributed for outstanding air quality improvement.

• The Environment Ministry announced plans to extend the survey to ward level, aiming to increase community participation in air quality management and urban environment initiatives.

• As part of the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" campaign during Seva Parv (Sept 17–Oct 2), the government will plant 75 crore trees and create 75 urban forests under the Nagar Van Yojana.

• Indore and Udaipur were declared Wetland Cities under the Ramsar Convention, as India’s Ramsar site count grew to 91 wetlands covering 1.36 million hectares, now the largest in Asia and third globally.

DEFENCE

Indian Armed Forces Join Multinational Exercise ZAPAD 2025 in Russia

• A 65-member Indian Armed Forces team, led by the Kumaon Regiment, is participating in Exercise ZAPAD 2025 at the Mulino Training Ground in Russia from 10 to 16 September.

• The delegation includes 57 Army, 7 Air Force, and 1 Navy officer, representing all three branches of the Indian military.

• ZAPAD 2025 is a large-scale multilateral military drill focused on conventional warfare and counter-terrorism operations in open terrain.

• The exercise involves company-level joint missions, highlighting coordination in real-time battlefield conditions.

• Key operations include tactical planning, coordinated drills, and use of specialised weaponry to improve combat readiness.

• The exercise promotes interoperability among participating nations, sharing of strategic approaches, and the integration of modern technologies.

• India's participation is expected to strengthen defence ties with Russia, building trust and enhancing bilateral military cooperation.