Patna HC Mandates Hearing, Fixed Timelines for Remission; 30-Day Appeal, 14-Yr Custody Rule

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.

Tamil Nadu Issues Advance Medical Directives Guidelines 2026 for Passive Euthanasia

Tamil Nadu has issued the Tamil Nadu Advance Medical Directive Guidelines, 2026 to operationalise passive euthanasia and strengthen patient autonomy at the end of life. The guidelines follow Supreme Court directions in Common Cause and Harish Rana vs Union of India, requiring States to establish medical boards and custodians for Advance Medical Directives. This is a landmark state-level health governance step with direct UPSC and State PSC relevance.

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 Stops Assam Teacher Appointments Under Provincialisation; Cites Articles 14, 16, 21A & 254

The Supreme Court on September 8, 2026 restrained Assam from appointing or absorbing teachers in schools and colleges under the provincialisation scheme, in response to a PIL challenging the 2017 Act. The petition argues that the scheme allows entry into government service without fair, transparent and competitive recruitment, violating Articles 14, 16, 21A and 254. This is a high-yield case combining constitutional law, teacher eligibility and Centre-State legislative overlap.

SC Rules Cinema Halls Private Property, Upholds Food Pricing Freedom in Multiplexes

The Supreme Court's 2023 ruling in KC Cinema vs JK holds multiplexes as private property, allowing owners to set food prices and ban outside food. Despite public outcry over exorbitant prices (popcorn ₹340-₹570), the Legal Metrology Department can only check MRP compliance, not fix prices.

Telangana HC Disqualifies MLA Under Tenth Schedule for Contesting Lok Sabha on Congress Ticket

Telangana High Court set aside the Assembly Speaker's order rejecting disqualification petitions and declared BRS-turned-Congress MLA Danam Nagender disqualified from April 23, 2024. The case reinforces the Tenth Schedule's anti-defection law: contesting a Lok Sabha election on another party ticket without resigning from the original party amounts to voluntarily giving up membership. This verdict is crucial for UPSC Polity as it clarifies the Speaker's role and limits of judicial review.

Parliament Passes Mines and Minerals Amendment Act 2026 Overriding SC Ruling, Extinguishes Rs 2 Lakh Cr Dues

The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026 restricts states from imposing specified levies on mineral rights and extinguishes ~Rs 2 lakh crore in unpaid dues. Mineral-rich states like Odisha and Jharkhand oppose it as a blow to federal fiscal autonomy, potentially losing thousands of crores annually. This reverses the financial impact of a landmark 2024 Supreme Court ruling that had empowered states to tax mineral-bearing lands.

7 Years After Article 370 Revocation: J&K Still Awaits Statehood, Per Capita Income Ratio Falls to 76.6%

Seven years after the revocation of Article 370 and the loss of statehood, Jammu and Kashmir continues to face economic decline, high unemployment, and heavy-handed security measures. Despite Supreme Court advice to restore statehood, no timeline has been set. The article highlights the need for accountable governance through an elected administration, as the current Lt Governor-led rule lacks democratic accountability.