LEGAL NEWS
Recent Developments in Indian Politics: A Deep Dive into the Judiciary-Executive Tensions
• Rising Tensions Between the Judiciary and Executive: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has raised concerns over a recent Supreme Court ruling that sets a deadline for the President to approve state assembly bills, igniting debates on potential judicial interference in executive functions.
• Article 142 of the Indian Constitution grants the Supreme Court the power to issue orders that are necessary for ensuring "complete justice," which can sometimes extend beyond the scope of existing laws or fill legal gaps.
• Judicial Authority to Ensure Justice: Under Article 142(1), the Court can issue binding orders across the country to ensure justice, even if there is no existing law to guide its decision-making, thus providing the judiciary with significant discretionary power.
• Enforcement of Court Orders: Article 142(2) allows the Court to summon individuals, request documents, and punish contempt, providing mechanisms for the enforcement of its orders and enhancing its authority.
• Key Cases Involving Article 142: The Supreme Court has invoked Article 142 in major decisions such as the 2024 Chandigarh mayoral election, where it declared the rightful winner following evidence of electoral fraud, and the 2019 Ayodhya verdict, where it resolved the land dispute with significant rulings on land allocation.
• In its April 8 ruling, the Court instructed that the President must act on bills passed by the Tamil Nadu assembly within a specified timeframe, raising questions about the balance of powers between the executive and judiciary.
• The ruling has sparked a broader debate on the separation of powers between the different branches of government, particularly on how judicial intervention in executive matters might upset the delicate balance of authority.
• Boundaries of Article 142’s Power: While Article 142 grants substantial authority to the Supreme Court, its powers are not limitless. The Court’s decisions must still align with the Constitution and cannot supersede existing laws, acting as a safeguard against judicial overreach.
APPOINTMENTS
Recent Appointments of Secretaries in Indian Government Ministries
• Arvind Shrivastava has been appointed as the Secretary of the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, where he will lead the country’s revenue and taxation operations.
• Anuradha Thakur is set to take over as Officer on Special Duty in the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, playing a key role in managing economic strategies and policy matters.
• Samir Kumar Sinha has been appointed as the Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, where he will oversee the growth and regulation of the aviation sector.
• Santosh Kumar Sarangi, the current Director General of Foreign Trade, will now lead the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy as Secretary, focusing on advancing renewable energy policies.
• Nikunja Bihari Dhal has been named the Secretary of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, where he will handle the management of parliamentary processes and legislative activities.
• Vandana Gurnana will step into the role of Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Employment, where she will oversee labor policies and employment welfare programs.
• A Secretary to the Government of India is a senior official who heads a ministry or department, responsible for the execution of policies and administrative affairs.
• The Secretary acts as the principal advisor to the minister, offering guidance on both policy decisions and the administrative management of the ministry or department.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Aryabhatta: A Milestone in India's Space Journey – 50 Years of Exploration
• On April 19, 2025, Aryabhatta, India's pioneering satellite, celebrated 50 years since its launch in 1975, marking a historic moment in the country's space exploration efforts.
• The satellite was named after the ancient Indian mathematician and astronomer Aryabhata, reflecting India's rich legacy in science and astronomy.
• Aryabhatta was developed by ISRO and launched from Kapustin Yar, Russia, with valuable support from the Soviet Union, demonstrating the importance of global partnerships in space endeavors.
• Udupi Ramachandra Rao, the visionary project director, played a central role in Aryabhatta's creation. His contributions were pivotal to India's space ambitions before his passing in 2017.
• The satellite’s mission was focused on advancing knowledge in areas such as solar physics, aeronomy, and X-ray astronomy, marking a significant step forward in India’s space research.
• Aryabhatta was a polyhedral structure with 26 sides, measuring 1.4 meters in diameter and weighing 360 kilograms. It was equipped with solar panels on 24 of its 26 faces.
• Although it only operated for five days due to electrical issues, Aryabhatta still provided crucial data and helped ISRO gain vital experience in satellite operations.
• Aryabhatta's successful launch placed India among the world’s elite space-faring nations, making it the 11th country to send a satellite into orbit and laying the foundation for the country’s future space missions.
BOOKS AND AUTHORS
Launch of "Sanskriti Ka Paanchva Adhyay" – A Compilation of PM Modi’s Speeches on Culture
• The book “Sanskriti Ka Paanchva Adhyay”, a collection of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speeches on India’s culture, was unveiled in New Delhi.
• Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avdheshanand Giri, the revered head of the Juna Akhara, was the distinguished figure who launched the book.
• Harivansh, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, presided over the event and praised PM Modi for his commitment to safeguarding India’s cultural heritage, traditions, and spiritual values.
• Shri Ram Bahadur Rai penned the foreword for the book, providing an insightful introduction to its contents, while Dr. Prabhat Ojha compiled the speeches.
• The book was published by Prabhat Prakashan, contributing to the preservation and dissemination of India’s cultural legacy.
NATIONAL NEWS
Introduction of New Rules for Radar Speed Measurement to Boost Road Safety
• The central government has introduced updated regulations for radar-based speed measurement systems under the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011, aiming to enhance road safety.
• According to the new rules, all radar speed measurement devices must undergo verification and receive a stamp from Legal Metrology authorities to ensure their accuracy and compliance.
• These regulations are designed to guarantee that radar equipment is properly calibrated, transparent, and meets legal standards, thereby fostering greater public trust and ensuring integrity in traffic enforcement.
• The new rules will come into effect on July 1, 2025, marking a significant step towards safer and fairer road practices.
• A key objective of the rules is to create a more consistent and equitable traffic enforcement system, aligning with international standards like OIML R 91 for the industry.
• Radar devices, which use advanced technologies like Doppler radar, will now be required to provide precise vehicle speed measurements, helping to improve overall traffic safety.
Establishment of 11th CoBRA Battalion for Anti-Terror Operations in Jammu and Kashmir
• The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is setting up its 11th CoBRA battalion to conduct specialized anti-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in remote and forested areas.
• This new battalion aims to address the recent surge in militant activity in the Jammu region.
• CoBRA, a specialized CRPF unit, is trained in jungle and guerrilla warfare techniques. Initially formed to combat Naxalite insurgents, it has now been adapted to counter-terrorism operations.
• The announcement was made by CRPF Director General Gyanendra Pratap Singh during the 86th Raising Day celebrations in Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh.
• The formation of the battalion was initiated under the direction of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, highlighting the strategic importance of the new unit.
• While some CoBRA units had been deployed to Kashmir for training exercises in 2023, they had not participated in actual operations at that time.
• At present, regular CRPF units handle anti-terror operations in the Kashmir valley, with additional support from the CRPF’s Kashmir valley Quick Action Team.
STATE NEWS
Maharashtra's New Language Policy for Schools
• Maharashtra has rolled out a revised language policy, making Hindi a mandatory third language for students in Classes I to V.
• The new rule applies across both Marathi and English medium schools.
• This policy change is in line with the guidelines set by the National Education Policy 2020.
• Previously, only Marathi and English were required languages for students in Classes I to IV.
• The aim of this policy is to foster multilingual learning from an early age, encouraging students to develop proficiency in multiple languages.
