LEGAL NEWS

Uniform Civil Code (UCC) – Supreme Court Observations

• The Supreme Court of India reiterated support for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) to address complexities in personal laws.

• The case challenged provisions of the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937 for alleged discrimination against Muslim women in inheritance.

• The Court warned that striking down personal laws may create a legal vacuum, especially in succession matters.

• It emphasised that UCC requires legislative action, not just judicial intervention.

• UCC means one common law for all citizens governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption, etc.

• Article 44 directs the State to strive for a Uniform Civil Code (non-justiciable).

• Goa follows a form of UCC under the Portuguese Civil Code (1867).

• Uttarakhand became the first post-independence state to pass UCC law (2024).

• Arguments in favour: promotes gender justice, equality, secularism, and uniform governance; supported in cases like Shah Bano Case (1985).

• Arguments against: concerns over religious freedom (Articles 25–26), diversity, minority rights, and social unrest.

• Way forward: build social consensus and prioritise removal of discriminatory practices, especially affecting women.

STATE NEWS

“Lake and Air Watch” Initiative – Gujarat

• Gujarat plans to launch the “Lake and Air Watch” initiative for environmental monitoring.

• The programme targets urban environmental management and pollution control.

• Air quality systems will be installed in 152 municipal areas.

• It will also cover 17 municipal corporations across the state.

• The project will be implemented by the Gujarat Urban Development Mission.

• It will monitor lake conditions and track urban air pollution levels.

• Systems will be integrated across departments for coordinated governance.

• An integrated digital platform will collect and analyse environmental data for better decision-making.

SMART Tool for Sanitation Monitoring – Delhi Cantonment

• The Delhi Cantonment Board launched the SMART (Swachhata Monitoring & Automated Reporting Tool).

• The platform aims to improve sanitation monitoring and civic service delivery.

• It enhances transparency, accountability, and efficiency in civic operations.

• The tool replaces manual reporting issues like delays and fragmented data systems.

• It enables automated data collection and streamlined reporting processes.

• Provides real-time monitoring across departments like sanitation, horticulture, civil, and electrical.

• A centralised dashboard tracks performance indicators for better decision-making.

• Works on a four-tier monitoring system involving CEO, Officers, ASIs, and Supervisors for effective oversight.

DEFENCE

INS Trikand at Mauritius National Day

• INS Trikand participated in National Day celebrations of Mauritius.

• The event marked the 58th National Day on 12 March.

• The ship reached Port Louis on 11 March ahead of the celebrations.

• The parade was held at Champ de Mars.

• A marching contingent, naval band, and onboard helicopter from the ship participated.

• The deployment is part of India’s mission in the South-West Indian Ocean Region.

• The ship is commanded by Sachin Kulkarni.

• The visit aims to strengthen maritime cooperation and interoperability; the ship was commissioned in 2013 and built in Russia.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE

Global Conference on Women in Agri-Food Systems 2026

• Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the conference in New Delhi.

• The Global Conference on Women in Agri-Food Systems 2026 will run for three days.

• Theme: “Driving Progress, Attaining New Heights.”

• The event is held at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research convention centre.

• It was attended by Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

• ICAR DG M. L. Jat highlighted its link with International Year for Women Farmers 2026.

• The year 2026 has been declared by the United Nations.

• The conference aims to promote gender-inclusive agricultural policies and technological innovation.

MISCELLANEOUS

India’s Foodgrain Growth & Govt Initiatives

• Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that India’s foodgrain production has risen by about 44% in the last decade.

• Total foodgrain output has reached a record ~357 million tonnes.

• India has become the world’s largest rice producer, surpassing China.

• Pulses production increased from 19 million tonnes to around 26 million tonnes.

• The Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhanya Yojana has been launched for balanced crop growth.

• The scheme is being implemented in 100 districts across the country.

• It was noted that West Bengal has not implemented the scheme despite selection of districts like Purulia, Darjeeling, Alipurduar, and Jhargram.

• The Centre provided fertiliser subsidy of about ₹1.86 lakh crore to support farmers and boost production.