Punjab & Haryana HC Directs Quarterly DPC Meetings Under Article 14 & 16, Declares Consideration for Promotion a Fundamental Right

Punjab & Haryana HC Directs Regularisation from 2003 Under Article 14 Equality Clause

The Punjab and Haryana High Court reinforced the principle that administrative inaction cannot strip a worker of accrued rights under a valid regularisation policy. The court ordered the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board to regularise a daily-wage employee from 2003, applying Article 14's equality mandate. This judgment is crucial for understanding labour jurisprudence, the concept of 'model employer', and the enforceability of government policies.

SC: Right to Walk on Demarcated Footpaths is Fundamental Right under Article 19(1)(d) & Article 21

The Supreme Court declared the right to walk on demarcated footpaths as a fundamental right under Articles 19(1)(d) and 21, prioritizing pedestrians over motorized vehicles. It has now directed all states and UTs to respond on implementation, making it a high-yield topic for Prelims (constitutional articles, dates) and Mains (urban governance, fundamental rights).

Punjab Refuses Consent for HC Chief Justice Appointment; MoP Breach Raises Judicial Appointment Process Concerns

Punjab's refusal to consent to Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra's appointment as Chief Justice of Punjab & Haryana HC exposes a loophole in the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP) for judicial appointments. The episode underscores the need for defined timelines for state responses in judicial appointments, a key issue for UPSC Polity and Governance.

SC Directs Uniform Policy for Demolition & Rehabilitation of Unauthorised Homes Under Article 21

The Supreme Court has ruled that the state's power to demolish unauthorised constructions must be balanced with the duty to rehabilitate affected families, invoking Article 21 (right to dignity, shelter, livelihood). The court directed the Union and State governments to consider formulating a uniform demolition and rehabilitation policy.

ECI Voter Roll Integrity Crisis: Right to Vote vs Software, Form 6 Changes Under Scrutiny

An Indian Express investigation reveals that two Election Commissioners objected to key decisions on electoral rolls, raising constitutional questions about the right to vote being subordinated to software and bureaucratic rules. The article, written by RJD MP in Rajya Sabha, warns against the 'bureaucratisation of citizen’s right to vote' and highlights the 97 Goa voters left out due to software limitations.

SC Revises Interim Stay, Preserves Allahabad HC Quashing of NSA Detention Under Article 21

The Supreme Court revised its September 23 interim order, restricting the stay to only certain strictures and costs against the Noida DM, thereby preserving the Allahabad High Court's landmark quashing of a DU student's NSA detention. The case also raises serious questions about the SC's roster system and 'out-of-turn' listing, making it a critical study point for judicial review, preventive detention safeguards, and constitutional procedures.

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.

NEET-UG Reform: Two-Stage JEE Pattern Under Active Consideration, Govt Tells Supreme Court

The Centre informed the Supreme Court that it is actively considering shifting NEET-UG to a two-stage format on the JEE (Mains & Advanced) pattern. The final decision will await recommendations from the Nandan Nilekani-led High-Powered Task Force on exam reforms. This is crucial for medical aspirants as it could change the entire exam structure and enhance security against paper leaks.