SC Clarifies Life Imprisonment Means Imprisonment for Entire Life, Not Automatic Release After 20 Years

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.

NTA Gets CISF Security Cover After NEET Paper Leak; CBI Chargesheet Reveals Lapses

Following the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak that triggered nationwide protests and the resignation of the Union Education Minister, the NTA is shifting to a new office with CISF security cover. The CBI chargesheet highlights systemic lapses, including lack of frisking and CCTV monitoring, which allowed the leak. A high-powered task force under Nandan Nilekani has been set up to recommend exam reforms.

SC Directs Removal of Unauthorised Structures on National Highways Within 60 Days After 34 Deaths

Following 34 road deaths in two accidents in Rajasthan and Telangana, the Supreme Court has directed all states to remove unauthorised structures within the Right of Way on National Highways within 60 days. Maharashtra has issued an ultimatum to its urban bodies to comply, as the SC warns of summoning Chief Secretaries of defaulting states.

CVC Report: 7,229 CBI Corruption Cases Pending Trial, 409 Over 20 Years

The CVC's annual report reveals a massive backlog of corruption cases investigated by the CBI, with over 7,200 pending trials and 14,083 appeals/revisions pending in higher courts. This highlights systemic delays in the criminal justice system and raises governance concerns that are highly relevant for civil services and judiciary exams.

Centre Overhauls NTA with CISF, AI Monitoring & HLCE Reforms After NEET-UG Leak

The Centre is overhauling NTA after the NEET-UG paper leak by implementing HLCE recommendations, deploying CISF, adding AI monitoring, and restructuring leadership. This impacts exam integrity for millions of aspirants and introduces key bodies like K Radhakrishnan Committee and Nandan Nilekani Task Force – high relevance for governance and education policy.

ECI's Special Intensive Revision Deletes 13 Crore Names, Overhaul Demanded After SC Ruling

The Election Commission's press note after internal discord over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is mere damage control, leaving lakhs of deleted voters without redress. This editorial exposes deep flaws in the electoral roll revision process and demands reconstitution of the ECI to safeguard democratic integrity.

SC Clarifies BNSS Section 187(2): Police Custody Available in Parts Up to 15 Days in 40/60 Days

The Supreme Court in State of Andhra Pradesh vs Suda Suresh Veera Venkata Naga Raju held that Section 187(2) BNSS allows police custody to be granted in parts, not exceeding 15 days in aggregate, during the first 40 or 60 days of detention. It also clarified that Section 38 BNSS does not entitle an accused to continuous physical presence of a lawyer throughout interrogation. This judgment expands investigative flexibility under the new criminal procedure code.

Parliament Passes Tribunals Reforms Bill 2026: National Tribunals Commission, 5-Year Tenure After SC Directive

Parliament has passed the Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026, establishing a National Tribunals Commission and fixing tribunal members' tenure at five years. The law follows the Supreme Court's November 2025 judgment that struck down the 2021 Act, in a long-running tussle over tribunal independence and executive control.