Supreme Court Declares Zero Tolerance for AI-Generated Fake Judgments, Directs Bar Council for Guidelines

Article 124(3) Provision for 'Distinguished Jurist' as Supreme Court Judge Remains Unused Since 1950

Article 124(3) of the Constitution allows appointment of a 'distinguished jurist' as a Supreme Court judge, but this provision has never been invoked in 76 years. Justice Ujjal Bhuyan recently questioned this non-use, highlighting the lost opportunity for legal academics to contribute to the judiciary. This is a key constitutional issue for UPSC with potential for both prelims facts and mains analysis.

Supreme Court to Examine Proportionality of Facial Recognition System in Delhi Protest

The Supreme Court will examine the proportionality of facial recognition technology used by Delhi Police during a student protest, raising critical questions about privacy, surveillance, and the balance between security and civil liberties. This has implications for the legal framework governing biometric surveillance in India.

Vitraya Tech Moves SC for CBI Probe into Health Data Breach by Competitors

A health insurance firm, Vitraya Technologies, has petitioned the Supreme Court alleging a coordinated cyber attack by competitors led to a massive data breach of sensitive customer information including Aadhaar and medical records. The company claims the Punjab Police registered an FIR after a six-month delay in a 'mechanical' manner, failing to investigate the named perpetrators. The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Centre, CBI, and Punjab government, making this a significant case on data privacy, corporate cybercrime, and investigative accountability.

Delhi Police Affidavit in SC: Facial Recognition Identifies 2,873 Criminals at Jantar Mantar Protest

Delhi Police has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court defending its use of facial recognition technology during the Jantar Mantar protest, claiming it only identifies individuals with prior criminal records. The SC is hearing petitions alleging excessive force. This case is crucial for understanding the legal framework around surveillance technology and privacy rights in India.

Supreme Court Directs FSSAI to Set Timeline for FoPL Phase-II High Fat-Sugar-Salt Warning Labels

The Supreme Court has asked FSSAI to provide a scientifically justified and clearly defined timeline for the second phase of Front-of-Package Labelling (FoPL) that warns about high fat, sugar, or salt in packaged foods. The court warned that without a deadline, implementation could be indefinitely postponed and also flagged gaps in label design and school-level nutritional literacy. The next hearing is scheduled for September 10.

Cabinet Approves Rs 23,731 Cr GOBARdhan Scheme; Rajya Sabha Clears Rs 54,067 Cr Appropriation Bill

The UPSC Key article covers multiple critical topics: the Rajya Sabha cleared the Appropriation Bill for Rs 54,067 Cr excess expenditure, the Cabinet approved the Rs 23,731 Cr GOBARdhan scheme to boost CBG production, and new high-resolution images of the Sun's surface were captured. Also includes data on road safety Good Samaritans, school consolidation, and ethanol policy.

Supreme Court Directs RBI, States, CBI on Digital Arrest Scams: SOP, Kill Switch, ₹18 Cr Restored

The Supreme Court issued interim directions to combat digital arrest scams, including RBI SOP for banks, operationalization of grievance redressal and money restoration modules, and examination of a 'kill switch' for calls. The court noted a decline in reported fraud but stressed continued vigilance. This is crucial for understanding judicial activism in cybercrime and institutional coordination.

SC Directs AG & SG Oversight on BCI Policy Decisions, Pro-Tem Chairperson Appointed

The Supreme Court has intervened to ensure institutional integrity of the Bar Council of India by mandating that the Attorney General and Solicitor General oversee major policy decisions until fresh elections. This is crucial for UPSC Polity and Governance as it tests judicial oversight of statutory bodies, the role of law officers, and the functioning of the BCI. The case also highlights issues of tenure, financial management, and conflict of interest within the BCI.