LEGAL NEWS

Supreme Court on Women’s Reservation Act

• The Supreme Court questioned the delay in implementing the Women’s Reservation Act, calling women the nation’s “largest minority” and seeking a clear explanation from the Centre.

• Despite forming 48.4% of India’s population, women hold under 15% of Lok Sabha seats and only 13% in State Assemblies, placing India 141st globally in female parliamentary representation.

• The 106th Constitutional Amendment mandates 33% reservation for women in Parliament and State Assemblies, but activation is tied to the next Census and delimitation exercise.

• The petitioner argued that this condition is unnecessary, noting that earlier amendments like the 73rd and 74th (local bodies reservation) took effect without such prerequisites.

• Justice Nagarathna stressed that political equality is a constitutional promise, and highlighted that women remain significantly underrepresented even after 75 years of independence.

• The Bench questioned why reservation should wait indefinitely when no clear timeline exists for the Census or delimitation, both pending since 2021.

• The plea urged the Court to remove the delimitation-linked clause in Article 334A of Indian Constitution, so that the 33% reservation can be enforced immediately.

• Reference was made to other amendments—such as SC/ST promotion quota (77th Amendment) and EWS reservation (103rd Amendment)—that were implemented without delays.

• The Court noted that equal political participation is essential for genuine democracy, supported by Articles 15(3) and 39(a) of Indian Constitution, which empower the State to uplift women in public life.

• Experts warn that without a timeline, implementation could drag on, and recommend temporary reserved constituencies so that women’s reservation can begin before the next general election.

IMPORTANT DAYS

National Education Day 2025 observed on November 11.

• India observes National Education Day on 11 November to honour Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s birth anniversary and his contributions to shaping modern Indian education.

• The day was officially introduced in 2008 by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (now Ministry of Education) to promote awareness about the importance of learning.

• Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, born on 11 November 1888 in Mecca, later moved to Calcutta and became a prominent scholar, freedom fighter, and education reformer.

• He served as Independent India’s first Education Minister (1947–1958) and played a central role in expanding scientific, technical, and cultural education.

• Azad laid the foundation for major national institutions such as the UGC, IITs, IISc, and important cultural bodies including Sahitya Akademi, Lalit Kala Akademi, and Sangeet Natak Akademi.

• His policies focused on strengthening universal education, promoting research, and building institutions that would support India’s long-term development.

• For his lasting impact on nation-building, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1992, India’s highest civilian honour.

NATIONAL NEWS

Strengthening Legal Aid Delivery Mechanisms in India

• The Prime Minister stressed the need for “ease of justice”, highlighting that legal services must be accessible, affordable, and inclusive for all citizens.

• Legal aid, rooted in Article 39A, ensures free legal help to those who cannot afford it, promoting equality before the law.

• The system was formalized under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 (implemented in 1995), inspired by Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer’s vision.

• A nationwide structure of NALSA–SLSA–DLSA–Taluk committees delivers legal representation, mediation, and awareness, having resolved over 8 lakh cases in the past three years.

• Digital platforms such as Tele-Law (active in 1.3 lakh CSCs) have enabled remote consultations, providing 45 lakh+ legal advice sessions since 2017.

• The Nyaya Bandhu initiative (2019) links more than 11,000 pro bono lawyers with financially weak litigants for court representation.

• The Mediation Act, 2023 promotes community-based dispute resolution, aiming to settle nearly 70% of minor civil and family cases outside courts.

• As part of the e-Courts Mission, 80,000+ Supreme Court and High Court judgments have been translated into 18 regional languages to remove linguistic barriers.

• Legal literacy campaigns, including 2,500+ awareness drives by universities, NGOs, and paralegal volunteers, are expanding public understanding of legal rights across rural India.

RANKING AND INDEX

Mumbai Named Asia’s Happiest City for 2025

• Mumbai has topped the 2025 Time Out City Life Index, emerging as the happiest city in Asia after a survey of over 18,000 people across major Asian metros.

• It ranked above Beijing, Shanghai, and Chiang Mai, securing the No. 1 position in overall happiness.

• The city earned exceptional scores for community spirit, joyful living, nightlife, and its lively street-food culture.

• Mumbai’s Bollywood influence, cultural diversity, and social vibrancy were highlighted as major contributors to residents’ happiness.

• Iconic local foods such as vada pav and other street delicacies were credited for enhancing the city’s everyday charm.

• The Time Out City Life Index, run annually by UK-based Time Out, measures cities on happiness, culture, food, affordability, sustainability, and social connection.

• The 2025 survey positions Mumbai as a city where lifestyle, community warmth, and cultural energy combine to create a strong sense of well-being.

SPORTS

Arshi Gupta Becomes India’s First Female National Karting Champion

• Nine-year-old Arshi Gupta from DPS Faridabad made history by clinching the 2025 FMSCI National Karting Championship (Micro Max) at Bengaluru’s Meco Kartopia.

• She became the first girl ever to win a national karting title in the 21-year history of the Indian Rotax series.

• Arshi competed in the 8–12 age category, racing against both boys and girls to secure the top spot.

• Trained by Rohit Khanna of Leapfrog Racing, she has rapidly emerged as one of India’s most promising young motorsport talents.

• She also earned the distinction of becoming the youngest Indian female to receive a National Karting License.

• Arshi represented India on the international stage at the Asia Pacific Championships in Sri Lanka, marking another major milestone in her career.

Samrat Rana Wins Gold at ISSF World Shooting Championship 2025

• Indian shooter Samrat Rana clinched the gold medal in the men’s 10m air pistol event at the 2025 ISSF World Shooting Championship held in Cairo.

• He edged past China’s Hu Kai by a slim margin of 0.4 points, securing a score of 243.7 against Hu Kai’s 243.3.

• At just 20 years old, Rana has been trained and mentored by his father, playing a major role in shaping his shooting career.

• Rana had earlier showcased his talent by winning two gold medals at the 2022 Junior World Championship, marking him as a rising star.

• India celebrated another victory as Varun Tomar claimed the bronze medal in the same event.

• The twin podium finish marked a significant achievement for Indian shooting, boosting the nation’s presence on the global stage.