Madras HC Upholds ₹2.09 Cr EPF Liability for 700 Beedi Rollers, Defines 'Employee' Under EPF Act 1952

Madras HC Directs TN Chief Secretary to Form Panel on POCSO, Juvenile Justice Gaps

The Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to form a committee of Home, Health, and Law Secretaries to address systemic gaps in implementing the POCSO and Juvenile Justice Acts. The court made key suggestions including gender-neutral application of POCSO, avoiding criminalizing consensual adolescent relationships, and establishing protocols for medical termination of pregnancy and child witness deposition rooms. This is crucial for UPSC aspirants as it touches upon child rights, judicial activism, and state governance.

Madras High Court: Physical Features Cannot Determine Scheduled Caste Status

The Madras High Court has ruled that physical appearance, skin colour, height, and language cannot be used to determine Scheduled Caste status, setting aside a denial based on such 'look tests'. This judgment reinforces the legal principle that caste status is determined by birth, conversion, and community acceptance, not by subjective physical characteristics. It is a significant affirmation of constitutional safeguards against discrimination.

Madras HC Rules Child Can Claim Reservation Through Mother, Rejects Patrilineal Caste Tracing

The Madras High Court has ruled that a child can claim Scheduled Caste (SC), Most Backward Class (MBC), or Other Backward Class (OBC) reservation benefits through their mother's nativity if the child is born and brought up in that community, rejecting the 'patriarchal society' argument. This landmark judgment links the core of reservation to social disadvantage, not lineage, and has direct implications for the interpretation of equality under Articles 14, 15, and 16 of the Constitution.

Madras HC Upholds Speaker's Decision to Drop Disqualification of 21 AIADMK MLAs Under Tenth Schedule

Madras High Court dismissed a PIL challenging the Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker's decision to drop disqualification proceedings against 21 AIADMK MLAs who had defied the party whip and voted for the TVK government. The Court ruled that a political party can condone its members' voting against the whip within 15 days, even if the initial complaint sought disqualification under both paragraphs of the Tenth Schedule.

SC Upholds Clinical Establishments Rules 2012: Price Range Fixing Under Article 47

The Union Health Ministry defended the constitutional validity of the 2012 Clinical Establishments Rules before the Supreme Court, arguing that price regulation of healthcare services is essential to fulfill the mandate of Article 47 (DPSP). This is a key case for understanding the balance between fundamental rights (Article 19(1)(g)) and reasonable restrictions in the interest of public health.

SC Upholds NCTE Notice: TEIs Must File Annual Appraisal Reports Under RTE Act

The Supreme Court has upheld the authority of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) to require all Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs) to file annual Performance Appraisal Reports. This judgment reinforces the regulatory power of NCTE, links the RTE Act's academic authority provisions, and expands the concept of 'duty-bearers' to include TEIs and NCTE itself. For exam aspirants, this is a key case in education governance, statutory interpretation, and fundamental rights.

SC Upholds EC's SIR, Citizenship Under MHA; 13 Crore Deletions, Aadhaar Alternative Proposed

The Supreme Court upheld the EC's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which deleted over 13 crore names, but clarified that citizenship determination is solely under the Ministry of Home Affairs. This raises critical debates on voter rights, due process, and the viability of Aadhaar-based verification as a cost-effective, inclusive alternative to house-to-house surveys.

Allahabad HC Upholds Mandatory Govt Service Bond for Subsidised PG Medical Education

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that doctors who pursue subsidised PG medical education cannot evade the mandatory two-year government service bond, even if there is administrative delay in providing posting. The court held that the bond ensures availability of doctors in government hospitals and protects patients' right to life under Article 21.