LEGAL NEWS

Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill 2025 Referred to Joint Parliamentary Committee

• The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025 was introduced in the Lok Sabha and now sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for detailed review.

• The bill focuses on empowering universities and higher education institutions to foster academic and administrative excellence.

• It aims to enhance teaching, learning, research, and innovation across the higher education sector.

• The legislation proposes a transparent system of accreditation and autonomy to promote institutional excellence.

• Several MPs requested broader discussions, which led the government to refer the bill to the Joint Parliamentary Committee.

• Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju highlighted the move as a step for wider consultation and holistic review.

• The bill emphasizes self-reliance, reskilling, and upskilling to prepare students for future challenges.

• It seeks to develop critical thinking, innovation, and youth empowerment, creating a strong talent pool for India’s progress.

IMPORTANT DAYS

Vijay Diwas 2025 observed on 16 December

• Vijay Diwas is observed annually on 16 December to honour India’s decisive military success in the 1971 Indo-Pak war.

• The year 2025 marks 54 years since this landmark victory.

• The conflict concluded on 16 December 1971, leading to the birth of Bangladesh as an independent nation.

• The war was triggered after Pakistan launched air attacks on 11 Indian air bases on 3 December 1971.

• Indian armed forces achieved victory after a brief but intense 13-day military campaign.

• At the time of the war, Indira Gandhi was serving as the Prime Minister of India.

• The surrender of Pakistani forces in East Pakistan remains one of the largest military capitulations after World War II.

• In Bangladesh, the same day is celebrated as “Bijoy Dibos”, commemorating liberation from Pakistan.

APPOINTMENTS

Raj Kumar Goel Takes Charge as Chief Information Commissioner

• Raj Kumar Goel was formally sworn in as the Chief Information Commissioner at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

• President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath in the presence of senior constitutional authorities.

• The ceremony was attended by Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan and MoS (Personnel) Jitendra Singh.

• A 1990-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre, Goel has a long administrative career.

• He retired as Secretary, Department of Justice, under the Ministry of Law and Justice.

• Earlier, he served as Secretary (Border Management) in the Ministry of Home Affairs.

• The Central Information Commission functions under the RTI Act, 2005, with a Chief and up to 10 Information Commissioners.

• The Chief Information Commissioner is appointed by the President on the recommendation of a high-level committee and holds office for three years.

Pankaj Chaudhary Takes Over as BJP Uttar Pradesh President

• Pankaj Chaudhary has been chosen to head the BJP’s Uttar Pradesh unit.

• The announcement was made in Lucknow by Union Minister and BJP election in-charge Piyush Goyal.

• Leadership transition was marked by outgoing chief Bhupendra Chaudhary handing over the party flag.

• Chaudhary is a seven-term Lok Sabha MP representing the Maharajganj constituency.

• He is presently serving as Union Minister of State for Finance at the Centre.

• His appointment is viewed as a strategic move to deepen the party’s connect with OBC communities in the state.

• Simultaneously, elections for the BJP National Council were concluded in Uttar Pradesh.

• The state elected 120 members to the National Council, which plays a key role in choosing the BJP’s national president.

SPORTS

Team MRF Tyres Clinches 2025 FIA European Rally Championship Title

• Team MRF Tyres won the 2025 FIA European Rally Championship team title.

• The award was presented at the FIA Awards Gala, marking the season’s conclusion.

• Arun Mammen, Vice-Chairman and MD of MRF Ltd., represented the team and received the trophy.

• The team delivered consistent performances across diverse rally terrains throughout the season.

• This victory marks MRF Tyres’ third European Rally Team Championship, following wins in 2022 and 2023.

• The season highlighted MRF Tyres’ competitive edge and technical excellence in international rallying.

• The achievement reinforces the team’s reputation as a leading force in motorsport rally championships.

MISCELLANEOUS

Commemorative Stamp Released in Honour of Emperor Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II.

• A special postage stamp celebrating Emperor Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II Suvaran Maran was unveiled in New Delhi by Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan.

• The Vice-President highlighted the government’s sustained efforts to promote Tamil heritage, culture, and language.

• He referred to cultural initiatives such as the Kashi Tamil Sangamam as examples of national-level recognition of Tamil traditions.

• The stamp release was described as part of a broader effort to honour prominent Tamil rulers and historical figures.

• Emperor Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II was acknowledged as one of the notable monarchs of ancient Tamil Nadu.

• He belonged to the Mutharaiyar dynasty, which served as feudatories under the Pallava rulers.

• The Mutharaiyars governed central Tamil Nadu between the 7th and 9th centuries CE.

• Suvaran Maran, also known as Shatrubhayankar, was later defeated when Vijayālaya Chola captured Thanjavur, marking the decline of Mutharaiyar power.