LEGAL NEWS

Supreme Court on Governor’s Assent to State Bills: April 2025 Verdict and Its Reconsideration

• In April 2025, the Supreme Court ruled in State of Tamil Nadu vs Governor of Tamil Nadu to address delays by Governors in assenting to State Bills.

• The judgment sought to prevent indefinite inaction, allowing courts to intervene where assent was unreasonably withheld.

• It was welcomed by several States as a move to protect legislative authority and federal balance.

• The ruling viewed prolonged silence by constitutional authorities as a cause of policy stagnation and democratic erosion.

• Soon after, the Court revisited the issue while responding to a Presidential Reference (Special Reference No. 1 of 2025).

• The Constitution Bench held that fixed timelines and deemed assent lack explicit constitutional support.

• It reaffirmed the discretionary role of Governors and the President under Article 200, even if delays occur.

• Although advisory opinions are not binding, the Reference significantly diluted the safeguards introduced by the April verdict.

NATIONAL NEWS

India’s First Wildlife-Safe Highway Initiative on NH-45, Madhya Pradesh

• The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has launched the country’s first wildlife-friendly road on National Highway-45.

• The project aims to minimise animal–vehicle collisions while aligning highway development with conservation goals.

• It covers a 2 km ghat stretch within an 11.96 km corridor passing through the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve.

• The route lies close to the Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary, making it a vital passage for animal movement.

• A major innovation is the use of table-top red thermoplastic markings, inspired by Dubai’s Sheikh Zayed Road.

• These 5 mm thick raised red surfaces alert drivers and reduce speed naturally in wildlife-sensitive zones.

• To support safe crossings, 25 wildlife underpasses have been constructed along the highway.

• Additional safeguards include an eight-foot-high guiding fence and speed detection systems to promote cautious driving.

Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve to Join India’s Cheetah Conservation Network

• Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh is set to be developed as a cheetah habitat before the next monsoon.

• The decision was announced by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav following the positive outcomes of earlier cheetah relocations.

• The move comes after the successful introduction of African cheetahs at Kuno National Park.

• The state cabinet has granted in-principle approval for preparing the reserve for cheetah conservation.

• Located at Nauradehi in Sagar district, the reserve will strengthen wildlife diversity in the region.

• It will become Madhya Pradesh’s third cheetah site, after Kuno National Park (September 2022).

• The second cheetah habitat was established at Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary in April 2025.

• Currently, Kuno hosts 28 cheetahs and Gandhi Sagar has two, with eight more cheetahs expected from Botswana in January 2026.

AWARDS

PM Narendra Modi Receives Ethiopia’s Highest Civilian Honour

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred Ethiopia’s top national award, marking a milestone in India–Africa relations.

• He became the first serving head of state or government globally to receive this distinguished honour.

• The award, titled “The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia,” was presented in Addis Ababa.

• The ceremony took place at the Addis International Convention Centre and was hosted by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali.

• The honour recognises Modi’s role in deepening political, economic, and people-to-people ties between India and Ethiopia.

• India–Ethiopia relations have a strong foundation in education, capacity building, and long-term development cooperation.

• Accepting the award, PM Modi dedicated it to the 140 crore people of India and expressed gratitude to Ethiopia.

• The conferment reflects India’s expanding engagement with Africa and leadership within the Global South.

Indian Film Homebound Advances in the Oscars 2026 Race

• The Indian film Homebound has entered the shortlist for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards.

• The film is directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, marking a significant achievement for Indian cinema.

• Homebound is among 15 selected films that have progressed to this advanced stage of Oscar consideration.

• The shortlisted entries represent diverse cinematic voices from countries across the globe.

• Inclusion in the shortlist is a key step toward securing a final Oscar nomination.

• The shortlist serves as the basis for eligibility in the final nomination round.

• The official Oscar nominations will be announced on 22 January 2026.

• The 98th Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on 15 March 2026.

SPORTS

Gold Medal Triumphs at the 68th National Shooting Championships, New Delhi

• Manu Bhaker and Simranpreet Kaur Brar emerged as gold medallists at the 68th National Shooting Championship Competitions.

• The prestigious event was conducted at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range, New Delhi.

• Manu Bhaker clinched the senior women’s 25m sports pistol title with a commanding performance.

• She scored 36 in the final, finishing four hits ahead of the competition.

• Divya T. S. (Karnataka) took silver, while Anjali Choudhary secured bronze in the senior category.

• In the junior women’s 25m sports pistol event, Simranpreet Kaur Brar claimed gold with an impressive score.

• Simranpreet topped the junior final by registering 39 points, reflecting her consistency.

• The victories gained added importance as Manu Bhaker is a double Olympic medallist, while Simranpreet is also the ISSF World Cup Final 2025 gold winner.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE

Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine – New Delhi 2025

• The second edition of the WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine began on 17 December 2025 in New Delhi.

• It is being jointly hosted by the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India.

• The summit is a three-day global gathering bringing together policymakers, scientists, practitioners, indigenous knowledge holders, and civil society representatives.

• Its central focus is on building inclusive, balanced, and sustainable healthcare systems worldwide.

• The theme for this edition is “Restoring Balance: The Science and Practice of Health and Well-being.”

• This summit builds on the foundation laid by the first Global Summit held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, in 2023.

• It seeks to enhance international recognition and integration of Traditional Medicine in modern healthcare frameworks.

• Guided by the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034, the summit features over 170 experts across 25 sessions, examining people-centered care and planetary health.