FCRA Amendment Rules 2026 Notified: Multiple Fees per Activity/State, Ban on Political Content on NGO Platforms

MMDR Amendment 2026: Section 9D Restricts State Taxes on Mineral-Bearing Land, Federal Row

The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026 introduces Section 9D, which restricts states from imposing taxes, cesses, or levies on mineral rights and mineral-bearing land without central approval. This centralizing move has sparked a federal controversy, as mineral-rich states like Odisha and Chhattisgarh argue it undermines their fiscal autonomy and ignores the 2024 Supreme Court judgment that recognized their taxation power over minerals.

SC Quashes NEET Protest FIRs Under Article 142, Orders Compensation Policy for Suicide Victims

Supreme Court used Article 142 to quash all FIRs registered against NEET protesters across India, while ordering compensation policy for families of students who died by suicide. This judgment underscores the balance between protest rights and criminal liability, and the government's commitment to address exam leak issues.

AP High Court Declares Three-Capitals Petitions Infructuous; Amaravati Now Sole Capital Under AP Reorganisation (Amendment) Act 2026

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has deemed all petitions against the proposed three-capitals model as infructuous after Parliament amended the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, making Amaravati the sole capital by law. This ends a long-standing political and legal battle, with implications for state governance and federal structure.

Rajya Sabha Passes Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill 2026, Raising Judge Strength to 38

The Rajya Sabha has cleared the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, raising the apex court's sanctioned strength from 34 to 38 judges, including the Chief Justice of India. The Bill replaces a May ordinance, but Opposition MPs questioned the ordinance route and highlighted the persistent diversity deficit in judicial appointments. This is a high-yield Polity topic for Prelims and Mains, with concrete data on SC/ST/OBC/minority/women representation and judiciary infrastructure.

SC Seeks Clarity on 'Majority Within Political Party' Amid Shiv Sena Split; Hearing Continues

The Supreme Court is hearing the Shiv Sena faction dispute and has raised the need for a clear definition of 'majority within a political party.' This case has major implications for anti-defection law and the balance between political party control and legislative majority, a key topic for polity and governance exams.

SC Directs Disconnection of Power/Water for Non-Compliant Bulk Waste Generators Under SWM Rules 2026

The Supreme Court has empowered District Collectors to order temporary disconnection of power and water supply for Bulk Waste Generators (BWGs) that fail to comply with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026. This landmark directive also mandates integrating waste management education into school and college curricula, making students 'household-level supervisors' for rule implementation.

Patna HC Rules Religious Freedom Under Article 25 Subject to Public Order and Morality

Patna High Court holds that the right to profess and practise religion under Article 25 is not absolute and can be restricted for public order, morality, and health. This reiterates the essential religious practices doctrine and clarifies that constitutional protection does not extend to every mode of exercise. A plea for 300 devotees in a religious procession in Siwan, Bihar, was dismissed citing past law-and-order incidents.

SC Rules BCI Cannot Discipline Law Students; Manipur Ethnic Violence Toll 306 Dead, 49 Missing Since 2023

A landmark Supreme Court ruling clarifies that the Bar Council of India (BCI) has no disciplinary authority over law students, limiting its powers under the Advocates Act, 1961 to registered advocates only. Meanwhile, Manipur's Home Minister disclosed in the Assembly that 306 people have been killed and 49 are missing in ethnic violence since May 2023. These two developments carry significant weight for UPSC Polity and Social Issues sections.