2024 Kallakurichi Hooch Tragedy: Justice Gokuldas Commission Holds Police, Excise Officials Responsible, Report Tabled in TN Assembly

Dalits Account for SC Population 32% in Punjab – Remittances Drive Social & Political Assertion Ahead of 2027 Assembly Polls

Punjab’s Dalits (SC population ≈32%, highest among Indian states) are leveraging foreign remittances (especially from Dubai, UK, US, Canada) to build mega-religious complexes like the Shiromani Shri Guru Ravidass Mandir, marking a shift from historical marginalisation. With the 2027 Assembly polls approaching, all major parties (Congress, BJP, AAP, SAD) are aggressively wooing this one-third voter base, making this a key social/political force in Punjab.

Tamil Nadu Budget 2026: ₹8,393 Cr for Higher Ed, New Law College in Madurai, NEET Abolition Push

Tamil Nadu's revised budget allocates ₹8,393 crore to higher education, establishing a specialised Government Law College in Madurai (2027-28, 300 seats). The Finance Minister also urged NEET abolition, announced the ₹2,000 crore Vetri Laptop Scheme, and launched TN-SUDAR for 1 lakh integrated hostel beds via a ₹3,200 crore PPP model. Key for exams: state education policy, NEET debate, and public-private partnership models.

Himachal HC Holds Surrogate Mothers Entitled to 180 Days Maternity Leave Under CCS Rules

Himachal Pradesh High Court ruled that commissioning mothers via surrogacy cannot be denied maternity leave, even if the state has not adopted the Centre's 2024 rules. The court reaffirmed that motherhood cannot be distinguished by the method of birth, setting a binding precedent for the state.

MahaRERA Strikes Down Builder's Unilateral Cancellation Clause, Orders Interest from Oct 2023 Under RERA Act

MahaRERA has declared illegal a contractual clause that allowed a builder to unilaterally cancel a flat allotment via Power of Attorney, reinforcing statutory safeguards under the RERA Act. The developer was ordered to pay interest for delayed possession from October 1, 2023. This ruling is a key example of regulatory protection for homebuyers and a must-know for exams covering RERA, consumer rights, and state-level governance.

Kerala HC Upholds 4% Disability Quota in Promotions, Sets Aside Contempt Interim Order

Kerala High Court has upheld the 4% disability quota in promotions, confirming the Kerala Administrative Tribunal's 2022 order in favour of an employee with 40% benchmark disability. It, however, set aside the tribunal's 2024 interim contempt order, ruling that positive directions cannot be issued in contempt proceedings. The judgment reinforces Supreme Court precedents in Siddaraju and Leesamma Joseph.

Bombay HC Rules Community Health Volunteers Entitled to Minimum Wage Under 1948 Act

The Bombay High Court has ruled that community health volunteers working for the BMC are entitled to minimum wages under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, rejecting the argument that their honorarium exempts them. This judgment strengthens labour rights for contractual and volunteer workers, an important topic for UPSC labour jurisprudence and social security.

Andhra Pradesh: CM Naidu Announces 34% BC Reservation in Local Body Polls, Direct Mayoral Elections

Andhra Pradesh government has increased BC reservation in local body polls from 20% to 34% in rural areas and 33.33% in urban areas, fulfilling a 2024 election promise. It also introduces direct elections for mayors. This is a significant state-level policy on political representation for Backward Classes, relevant for Polity and Social Justice.

Karnataka HC: Any Individual Caring for Family is a Homemaker, Gender-Neutral Term

The Karnataka High Court has delivered a landmark ruling defining 'homemaker' as a gender-neutral term covering anyone, including working professionals, who cares for family. This judgment, arising from a motor accident compensation case, has significant implications for how courts value unpaid domestic work and calculate compensation for homemakers.