INDIA SLIPS IN PRESS FREEDOM RANKINGS
Why in news? The latest survey of the global body, Reporters Without Borders, that shows India dropping two places on the global press freedom index ranking to 142nd place in the list of 180 countries. India’s neighbours — Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka — are ranked higher in the list. Claims and details on India’s Press […]
PLAN TO EXTEND CAT OPPOSED
Why in news? There was opposition against the decision to extend the jurisdiction of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Chandigarh, to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to hear the cases of employees for redress. Why were they against it? Shifting of all pending service-related matters from both wings of the High Court in […]
NEET APPLIES TO MINORITY COLLEGES: SC
Why in news? The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) is mandatory for admission to medical colleges run by religious and linguistic minority communities, the Supreme Court held on 29th April 2020. The court dismissed arguments made by the managements of several minority-run medical institutions that bringing them uniformly under the ambit of NEET would be a violation […]
NITI AAYOG QUESTIONS IEP’S TERROR RANKING OF INDIA
Why in news? A report compiled by Niti Aayog has questioned the methodology adopted by an Australian based institute – Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP)- to rank India as the seventh worst terrorism affected country. This IEP’s report has put India ahead of conflict-ridden countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Sudan, […]
UN WARNS OF A ‘HUMAN RIGHTS DISASTER’
Why in news? The UN rights chief warned on 27th April, that countries flouting the rule of law in the name of fighting the novel coronavirus pandemic risk sparking a “human rights disaster”. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights called upon countries to refrain from violating fundamental rights “under the guise of exceptional or emergency measures”. […]
PRIVACY CONCERNS DURING A PANDEMIC
Introduction quote The greatest danger to liberty lies in insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well-meaning but lacking in due deference for the rule of law. – Statement of the Supreme Court in a previous judgement. Extent of Powers to stop a Pandemic On one side of the argument, a pandemic is an existential threat […]
VIRTUAL, YET OPEN: IMPROVING JUDICIAL PROCESSES
Why in news? Amidst the national lockdown, the Supreme Court and several other courts have been holding virtual proceedings. A question of concern to the Bar is whether virtual courts have become the “new normal” and whether it means a move away from the idea of open courts towards technology-based administration of justice without the […]
THE SCRIPT OF DISRUPTION AND A NEW ORDER
Introduction: The Disruption The COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented, involving as it does far too many variables. Pandemics have often changed the world and reshaped human society. Empires have collapsed. There is already concern that a diminution in human values could occur, and with this, the concept of an international community might well cease to exist. […]
SHRI SURESH N. PATEL TAKES OATH AS VIGILANCE COMMISSIONER
Why in news? Shri Suresh N. Patel took oath as Vigilance Commissioner on 29th April 2020. Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) is an apex Indian governmental body created in 1964 to address governmental corruption. The CVC became a Statutory Body with the enactment of CVC Act, 2003. The CVC is an independent body, free of control from […]
ASSAM’S BTAD MIGHT SEE GOVERNOR’S RULE
Why in news? The COVID-19 pandemic may earn Governor’s rule for the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) in Assam. The State’s Governor is the constitutional head of the BTAD that falls under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and is administered by the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC). Why Governor’s rule? Elections were scheduled to be […]