PM CARES Fund Donations Surge 592% to ₹480 Crore, Only 0.1% Spent in FY 2024-25

SC Dismisses Plea to Abolish Hanging; PM CARES Fund Donations Jump 592% to ₹480 Crore in 2024-25

Today's news highlights key developments for exam aspirants: the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of execution by hanging but left the door open for a government review; the PM CARES Fund disclosed a massive 592% jump in donations to ₹480 crore but spent only 0.1% of it; and the SC sought a government response on a standardized probe for paper leak cases. These stories cover constitutional law, transparency in public charities, and governance reforms.

PM CARES Fund: Donations Fall to ₹479.96 Cr, Spending Hits 5-Year Low of ₹87.85 Lakh

PM CARES Fund donations dropped to ₹479.96 crore in FY 2024-25, while spending fell to a five-year low of just ₹87.85 lakh, mostly on the PM CARES for Children Scheme. The fund's closing balance, however, hit an all-time high of ₹8,452.06 crore, raising questions about the pace of fund utilization.

PM CARES Fund: Donations Fall to ₹479.96 Cr, Balance Hits Record ₹8,452 Cr; No Questions in Lok Sabha

PM CARES Fund, a public charitable trust set up in 2020 for COVID-19 relief, saw donations plunge to ₹479.96 crore in FY2024-25 while its closing balance hit a record ₹8,452.06 crore. Spending fell to a five-year low of ₹87.85 lakh. The PMO has informed Lok Sabha that questions on PM CARES, PMNRF, and NDF are not admissible under parliamentary rules as they are funded by voluntary contributions, not from the Consolidated Fund of India.

Delhi Govt to Repeal B&B Act 2007, Table 3 Bills & 2 CAG Reports in Monsoon Session

The Delhi government is set to repeal the 2007 B&B Act, introduce three new Bills including a Right to Services law, and table two CAG reports in the upcoming Monsoon Session. This comes after a tragic fire at a B&B facility killed 23 people, prompting a shift from a registration-based to a self-certification-based regulatory framework for bed-and-breakfast establishments.

CAG Report Flags 89% of 512 Non-Suburban Railway Stations Deficient in Minimum Essential Amenities

CAG audit reveals that over 89% of 512 surveyed non-suburban railway stations lack Minimum Essential Amenities (MEA) like drinking water, fans, and toilets. Even premier stations such as New Delhi, Howrah, and CSMT are deficient, exposing systemic gaps in maintenance and monitoring despite Railway Board norms since 1952.

SC Upholds NCTE Notice: TEIs Must File Annual Appraisal Reports Under RTE Act

The Supreme Court has upheld the authority of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) to require all Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs) to file annual Performance Appraisal Reports. This judgment reinforces the regulatory power of NCTE, links the RTE Act's academic authority provisions, and expands the concept of 'duty-bearers' to include TEIs and NCTE itself. For exam aspirants, this is a key case in education governance, statutory interpretation, and fundamental rights.

SC Seeks Replies on NRC ID Cards: 3.11 Crore Await Documents, 19 Lakh Excluded

The Supreme Court has directed the Centre and Assam government to respond to pleas seeking issuance of identity cards to 3.11 crore people included in the National Register of Citizens (NRC) 2019, while another 19 lakh excluded persons await the appeal process. This case is critical for exam aspirants as it tests knowledge of the Citizenship Act, NRC process, and Assam Accord provisions.

CAG Audit Flags Rs 6,603 Cr Cost Overrun and 22.72% Revenue Shortfall in Bengaluru Metro

CAG report reveals serious planning failures in Bengaluru Metro, with cost overrun of over Rs 6,600 crore and ridership far below projections. This highlights issues in urban infrastructure planning, PPP models, and accountability of public enterprises – key for UPSC GS3 and state PSC exams.