Student Suicides Hit Record 13,892 in 2023, NCRB Reports 65% Decadal Rise, SC 2025 Directives on Mental Health

SC Recognises Student Mental Health Under Article 21 in Sukdeb Saha (2025); NEET Paper Leak Tests Institutional Responsibility

The Supreme Court has expanded the right to life (Article 21) to include student mental health, holding institutions responsible for student suicides under Sukdeb Saha v. State of Andhra Pradesh (2025). The NEET paper leak of 2026 becomes the first major test of this new constitutional principle, forcing the state to move beyond individual controversies toward structural reform in examinations and recruitment.

4 Student Suicides in 3 Weeks at IITs Prompt Call for Integrated Early-Warning System

Rising student suicides in IITs (four in three weeks) reveal that existing reactive counselling and wellness measures are insufficient. The article advocates an integrated early-warning system involving faculty, peers, and parents, along with flexible academic assessments to prevent distress from becoming irreversible. This is a key topic for social justice and governance sections in exams.

Paper Leak Crisis: NTA, NEET-2026 Reconduct, CBI Closure Reports, PEIF Framework

Despite the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, repeated paper leak crises in NEET and UGC-NET have led to cancellations, reconducts, and CBI closure reports with no prosecutable evidence of conventional leaks. The article calls for a shift from post-crisis response to institutional prevention, proposing a Public Examination Integrity Framework (PEIF) and a White Paper by the Nilekani committee.

NFSA Amendment Replaces 35 kg AAY Rations with 7 kg Per Capita, Cuts 80% for Solo Women

The proposed amendment to the National Food Security Act (NFSA) replaces the 35 kg monthly household ration for Antyodaya (AAY) families with a per-capita system of 7 kg per person (capped at 35 kg). This will drastically cut entitlements for 53% of AAY households (those with fewer than 5 members), hitting the poorest hardest — especially 1 million single women, mostly widows, who will lose 80% of their foodgrain.

SC Flags CBSE Three-Language Policy for Class 9 from July 2026, Cites Student Pressure & Teacher Shortage

The Supreme Court has raised concerns over the CBSE's three-language policy for Class 9 students, emphasizing the need to avoid burdening children. The Court questioned the implementation timeline, teacher availability, and the starting class, suggesting an expert committee to address issues. The policy aligns with NEP 2020.

AP Pedestrian Safety Policy 2026: SC Recognises Right to Walk, 36,526 Pedestrian Deaths in 2024, Section 198A Fine

The Supreme Court recognized the right to walk on footpaths as a fundamental right. Andhra Pradesh became the first state to notify a pedestrian safety policy, mandating audits, removal of encroachments, and a Rs 1 lakh fine under Section 198A MV Act for infrastructure failure causing death. With 1 in 5 road deaths being pedestrians (36,526 in 2024), this policy is a landmark for urban governance and social justice.

FSSAI Proposes Red Pictorial Warning Labels on Front-of-Pack for Foods High in Fat, Sugar, Salt: Affidavit in SC

FSSAI has proposed red hexagonal warning labels on the front of packaged foods high in fat, sugar, or salt, to be implemented in phases. This follows Supreme Court observations on public health and aims to empower consumers with simple, prominent information. The proposal exempts single-ingredient foods like ghee, honey, and edible oil.

FSSAI Proposes Red Hexagonal Warning Labels on Packaged Foods in Two Phases

FSSAI has accepted in its Supreme Court affidavit to implement red hexagonal warning labels on packaged foods high in fat, sugar, or salt. The move comes after years of debate and will be rolled out in two phases, with Phase I covering products high in at least two of the three nutrients and Phase II extending to products high in any one. This aligns with global trends, with Chile seeing a 24% drop in sugary drink consumption after similar warning labels.