Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam 2023: Women's Reservation Linked to Delimitation and Census Under Articles 81, 82, 327, 328

SC Quashes All NEET Protest FIRs Under CJI Surya Kant; Raises Selective Justice Issue on Right to Peaceful Protest

The Supreme Court quashed all FIRs against NEET student protesters, affirming the constitutional right to peaceful protest. However, the editorial raises concerns about selective justice, noting that cases against factory workers, CAA protesters, and farmers remain pending, potentially criminalizing dissent based on the protester's identity.

Supreme Court Expands to 38 Judges: Diversity Deficit Exposed as Women Only 4.15%

Parliament passed the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, adding 4 judges to the apex court (strength now 38). However, the article underscores a glaring lack of diversity: women constitute only 4.15% of all SC judges ever appointed, and caste representation in High Courts remains abysmally low. For exam aspirants, this links directly to the collegium system, judicial appointments, social justice, and pendency crisis.

Govt to SC: Only Parliament Can Extend Creamy Layer to SC/ST; Cites Article 341, E V Chinnaiah Case

The government has told the Supreme Court that extending the creamy layer principle to SC/ST is a policy decision for Parliament alone. This reaffirms that reservation for SC/ST is based on historical social criteria, not just economic status, and the creamy layer concept currently applies only to OBCs.

Allahabad HC: Public Employment is Public Trust; Unlawful Appointments Under Articles 14 & 16 Cannot Be Protected

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that public employment is a public trust, and appointments secured through deceit, misrepresentation, or abuse of judicial process cannot be protected. The court upheld the termination of a teacher whose appointment was found unlawful, and ordered recovery of salary and benefits received under interim court protection, reinforcing the constitutional mandate of equality under Articles 14 and 16.

President Murmu Assents to Anti-Paper Leak Bill: 5-10 Years Jail, ₹50 Lakh Fine, Fast-Track Courts

President Droupadi Murmu has given assent to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, introducing stricter punishments (5-10 years jail, fines up to ₹50 lakh for individuals, ₹10 crore for organized crime) and mandatory fast-track courts for trials within 3 months. This comes after NEET 2026 paper leak protests.

Census 2027 Questionnaire: 14 New Questions, 8 Link to NPR, Trigger CAA-NRC Controversy

The Census 2027 questionnaire has reignited the CAA-NRC controversy by including 8 questions from the NPR schedule, raising concerns over privacy and citizenship verification. This is crucial for exams as it tests understanding of the NPR, NRC, CAA linkage, and constitutional provisions on citizenship.

2026 Amendment Penalises Disruption of Vande Mataram Singing (Up to 3 Years Jail); Bijoe Emmanuel Case Protects Silent Dissent

The 2026 amendment to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act gives Vande Mataram the same criminal protection as the national anthem, but it does not compel singing. The Supreme Court's Bijoe Emmanuel ruling protects the right to remain silent if participation conflicts with conscience. This has implications for freedom of religion (Articles 25-26) and freedom of speech (Article 19(1)(a)).

FCRA Amendment Bill 2026: Foreign Funding Limits, NGO Data, and Domestic Philanthropy Gaps

The government's proposed FCRA Amendment Bill 2026 tightens foreign funding rules, vesting assets in a designated authority upon cancellation. With 22,496 NGO registrations already cancelled, the article analyzes whether Indian domestic philanthropy (₹1.43 lakh crore) can fill the gap, making it a critical governance and polity topic for exams.