LEGAL NEWS
Supreme Court Calls for Reform in Land Compensation Disputes under the National Highways Act
• On 23 July 2026, the Supreme Court of India observed that it is prima facie inappropriate for bureaucrats to decide land compensation disputes under the National Highways Act, 1956.
• A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, urged the Union Government to amend the law and appoint judicially trained adjudicators for such cases.
• The National Highways Act, 1956 is the principal Central legislation governing the declaration, acquisition, development, and maintenance of National Highways in India.
• The Court noted that, unlike other land acquisition laws, compensation disputes under the National Highways Act are not decided by judicial authorities, placing affected landowners at a disadvantage.
• Land acquisition compensation generally includes the market value of the land, along with statutory benefits such as solatium and interest in cases of delayed payment.
• The Bench observed that land located along National Highways often commands a higher market value than interior agricultural land, making fair compensation especially important.
• The Court also pointed out that in several cases, farmers were denied solatium and interest until relief was granted through judicial intervention.
• The Union Government informed the Supreme Court that it is actively considering amendments to the National Highways Act, 1956, and the Court has decided to await the government's final decision on the proposed reforms.
Union Cabinet Approves New Anti-Paper Leak Bill, 2026
• The Union Cabinet approved a new Anti-Paper Leak Bill on 24 July 2026, which is scheduled to be introduced in Parliament during the Monsoon Session.
• The proposed legislation aims to strengthen measures against paper leaks, impersonation, and other unfair practices in public examinations, including competitive entrance and recruitment tests.
• It is expected to supplement or amend the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which is the existing central law dealing with examination fraud.
• The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 came into force on 21 June 2024 and provides for imprisonment and penalties of up to ₹1 crore for offences involving unfair means.
• The proposed reforms have been prompted by recent paper leak incidents, particularly those associated with the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).
• To ensure quicker disposal of examination fraud cases, the government has established fast-track courts, while authorities have also conducted retests in cases where large-scale irregularities affected candidates.
• Examination security measures include encrypted question papers, sealed transportation, biometric verification, and enhanced monitoring at examination centres.
• After Cabinet approval, the Bill must be passed by both Houses of Parliament and receive the President’s assent before becoming law.
APPOINTMENTS
Viswanathan Anand Becomes Interim President of FIDE
• Five-time World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand assumed charge as the Interim President of FIDE (International Chess Federation) on 24 July 2026.
• Anand took over after FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich temporarily suspended his duties following European Union and Swiss sanctions.
• FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs), founded in 1924, is the global governing body for chess, responsible for world championships, player ratings, and international chess titles.
• Viswanathan Anand, India’s first Grandmaster (1988), was elected FIDE Deputy President in August 2022.
• Anand announced that he will not contest for re-election as Deputy President but will continue to support Arkady Dvorkovich’s campaign in the upcoming FIDE elections.
• Arkady Dvorkovich, FIDE President since 2018 and former Deputy Prime Minister of Russia (2012–2018), was included in the European Union’s 21st sanctions package related to the Russia–Ukraine conflict.
• The next FIDE Presidential Election is scheduled to be held in September 2026 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, where member national chess federations will cast their votes.
• FIDE presidential elections are conducted through voting by national chess federations, while international sanctions can restrict the official functions and international activities of sanctioned office-bearers.
Naresh Pal Gangwar Appointed Secretary, Department of Higher Education
• Naresh Pal Gangwar, a 1994-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Rajasthan cadre, was appointed Secretary, Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education on 23 July 2026.
• He replaced Vineet Joshi, who was transferred as Secretary, Department of Panchayati Raj, as part of a 13-secretary-level reshuffle approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
• The Department of Higher Education functions under the Ministry of Education and is responsible for higher education, technical education, central universities, institutions of national importance, and related policy matters.
• The Ministry of Education has two departments—the Department of Higher Education and the Department of School Education and Literacy.
• The Indian Administrative Service (IAS) is one of the three All India Services constituted under Article 312 of the Constitution of India, and officers may serve the Union Government on central deputation.
• Before this appointment, Naresh Pal Gangwar served as Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
• His educational qualifications include a B.Tech in Electronics and Communication, an M.Tech from IIT Delhi, and an M.A. in Economics from the University of Rajasthan.
• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) is responsible for approving the appointment, transfer, and posting of Secretaries and other senior officials in the Government of India.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
India's 8th Trade Policy Review at the World Trade Organization (WTO)
• India concluded its Eighth Trade Policy Review (TPR) at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva on 24 July 2026. The review covered India's trade policies from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2025.
• The Trade Policy Review Mechanism (TPRM) is one of the three core functions of the WTO, along with trade negotiations and dispute settlement, and periodically reviews the trade policies of WTO members.
• The Indian delegation was led by Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal. During the review, India received 1,094 written questions from 44 WTO members, while 68 members made interventions.
• Discussions focused on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), customs modernisation, trade facilitation, MSME integration into global value chains, the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, tariffs, Quality Control Orders (QCOs), import substitution, and trade remedies.
• WTO members welcomed India's acceptance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, adopted at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference in June 2022, which aims to curb harmful fishing subsidies.
• India's merchandise and services exports reached US$ 863.1 billion in FY 2025–26, marking a 6.3% increase compared with FY 2021–22.
• The WTO Secretariat identified key challenges for India, including high trade costs, regulatory complexity, infrastructure gaps, and barriers to deeper global integration, while referring to India's Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
• The WTO headquarters is located in Geneva, Switzerland. The organisation came into force on 1 January 1995 under the Marrakesh Agreement, and India is a founding member of the WTO.
STATE NEWS
Karnataka to Develop Semiconductor Park at KWIN City
• Karnataka is developing a 200-acre Semiconductor Park at KWIN (Knowledge, Wellbeing and Innovation) City near Bengaluru, with operations targeted to begin by December 2026.
• The park will support the entire semiconductor value chain, including chip manufacturing, packaging, testing, design, prototyping, certification, and exports.
• Over the past two years, the state has approved ₹23,000 crore in investments in the semiconductor and Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) sectors, expected to create over 3,500 high-skilled jobs.
• Major investment commitments include Lam Research (₹15,901 crore), Applied Materials India (₹4,851 crore), and Bharat Semi Systems (₹2,342 crore).
• Karnataka plans to integrate Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) into the semiconductor supply chain to strengthen domestic manufacturing and vendor networks.
• The state is also preparing the Karnataka Aerospace and Defence Policy 2026–31, focusing on electronic warfare systems, e-VTOL aircraft, embedded software, and space technologies.
• Karnataka is expanding international collaboration with Luxembourg and Japan to attract investment and technology partnerships in the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing sectors.
• Bengaluru, already a leading technology and aerospace hub, is expected to play a central role in advancing India's semiconductor ecosystem through the KWIN City project.
SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE
International Type 1 Diabetes Summit 2026
• The International Type 1 Diabetes Summit 2026 will be held in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, from 30 July to 1 August 2026. The summit was unveiled at the Constitution Club of India, New Delhi, on 23 July 2026.
• The summit is being organised through a collaboration involving The Friends of Mewar, Breakthrough T1D, and the William J. Clinton Foundation.
• Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin, requiring lifelong insulin therapy, regular blood glucose monitoring, and continuous medical care.
• The three-day event will bring together endocrinologists, healthcare professionals, policymakers, researchers, and patient advocates from India, the United States, and Australia.
• Key themes include equitable Type 1 diabetes care, insulin access, diabetes technology, mental health support, and digital innovation in diabetes management.
• The summit supports the recognition of Type 1 diabetes in children within India's national health policy framework, focusing on diagnosis, treatment, and access to essential medicines.
• Type 1 diabetes differs from Type 2 diabetes as it is primarily an autoimmune disorder rather than a condition mainly caused by insulin resistance. Insulin, first used clinically in 1922, remains the standard treatment.
• Diabetes technology includes continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems, insulin pumps, and digital glucose-tracking tools, while the host city and dates for the 2027 International Type 1 Diabetes Summit will be announced during the concluding session in Jodhpur.
