SC to Refer to Larger Bench on Whether Written Grounds of Arrest Are Mandatory

SC in Vihaan Kumar Reinforces Arrest Safeguards: Informing Grounds Mandatory Under Article 22(1), BNSS 2023

SC in Vihaan Kumar v. State of Haryana (2025) held that every arrested person must be directly and meaningfully informed of the grounds of arrest, and failure violates Article 22(1) and Section 50 CrPC (Section 47 BNSS). The verdict also links an unconstitutional arrest to illegal subsequent remand and reiterates Article 21 dignity. For exams, remember the case, the CrPC-to-BNSS section mapping, and the Arnesh Kumar arrest guidelines.

SC Reduces Mandatory Legal Practice to 1 Year for Entry-Level Judicial Exams (May 2025–Mar 2027)

The Supreme Court has relaxed its earlier May 2025 verdict that mandated three years of legal practice for law graduates to appear in entry-level judicial service exams. Now, only one year of practice is required for exams notified between May 25, 2025 and March 31, 2027, but selected candidates must undergo a one-year traineeship and a one-year structured clerkship. This is a significant policy shift affecting thousands of young lawyers and law graduates preparing for the judiciary.

SC 9-Judge Bench Rules BWSSB Triple Test Not Binding for IRC 2020 Section 2(p)

The Supreme Court's 9-judge bench has held that the landmark 1978 'Triple Test' for defining 'industry' under the ID Act will not be a binding precedent for interpreting the identical provision in the new Industrial Relations Code, 2020. This could weaken worker protections just as more workers move to the private sector post-liberalisation.

SC Strengthens Article 22 Safeguards: Violation Invalidates Arrest, Re-Arrest Requires Judicial Approval

The Supreme Court has declared any violation of Article 22(1) or 22(2) as rendering an arrest unconstitutional. This landmark ruling mandates that re-arrest of such an accused requires prior judicial approval, reinforcing fundamental rights against arbitrary detention. For UPSC aspirants, this is a critical update on constitutional safeguards and judicial interpretation of Article 22.

Justice Liberhan Commission: Babri Masjid Demolition Was a Well-Planned Civil Conspiracy

Justice Manmohan Singh Liberhan, head of the one-man Commission of Inquiry into the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition, passed away. His 2009 report concluded the demolition was a meticulously planned civil conspiracy involving RSS, VHP, Bajrang Dal, BJP, and Shiv Sena — a finding he never retracted despite the 2020 CBI court acquittals.

SC Proposes Exempting Current Class 6 from Three-Language Policy; Centre Seeks More Time

The Supreme Court has proposed exempting the current Class 6 batch from the mandatory three-language policy, suggesting implementation from January 1, 2027. The Centre has sought more time to decide, while the court has asked for details on teacher availability and infrastructure.

SC Upholds Telangana MLA Danam Nagender Disqualification Under Anti-Defection Law (Tenth Schedule)

Supreme Court upheld the disqualification of Telangana MLA Danam Nagender for defecting from BRS to Congress. The court rejected the 'ghar wapsi' argument, reinforcing that voluntarily giving up party membership under the Tenth Schedule cannot be condoned by claiming regret. This judgment reaffirms judicial review over Speaker's decisions in anti-defection cases.

Mahanadi Water Dispute: Odisha-Chhattisgarh CMs Meet July 30, 2026; Tribunal Gives Final Chance by April 20, 2026

After a decade-long legal battle, the Chief Ministers of Odisha and Chhattisgarh met on July 30, 2026 under Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil to resolve the Mahanadi water dispute amicably within three months. The Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) had earlier given a final opportunity on April 20, 2026 for a consensus, failing which it would proceed with adjudication. This is crucial for understanding inter-state river water disputes, cooperative federalism, and the ISRWD Act, 1956.