The Supreme Court questioned whether English qualifies as a non-indigenous language while hearing a challenge against CBSE's three-language formula. The petition contested CBSE's policy requiring students to study three languages, including one non-indigenous. The court examined if English, widely used in India for centuries, still remains "non-indigenous." Petitioners argued the policy burdens students, especially in non-Hindi states. The bench sought responses from CBSE and the government, raising broader debates on language policy, linguistic diversity, and educational autonomy in India's multilingual framework.

Comedian Samay Raina faced backlash after his YouTube show "India's Got Latent" featured controversial jokes involving minors, disabilities, and women. Clips went viral, sparking public outrage and FIRs in multiple states. This raised key constitutional questions: Does Article 19(1)(a) protect offensive comedy? Where do "reasonable restrictions" under Article 19(2) apply? Critics argued obscenity and decency laws were violated, while free speech advocates warned against censorship. The case reignited debate on comedy's legal boundaries in India.

Palestinian envoy Abdullah Shawesh expressed strong support for India's bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, stating that India carries "strong political weight" globally. He emphasized India's significant role in international affairs, its large population, growing economy, and contributions to global peace. Shawesh highlighted that India deserves representation reflecting its stature. This backing aligns with growing international support for UNSC reform, as the current structure, established post-WWII, is seen as outdated and unrepresentative of today's geopolitical realities.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has highlighted that goods vehicles, though comprising only 1.2% of NCR's total vehicle fleet, contribute a disproportionate 3.3% of particulate matter emissions. This significant pollution footprint has prompted the panel to shift focus toward regulating the goods transport sector. Measures under consideration include stricter emission norms, promoting cleaner fuel alternatives like CNG and electric trucks, and phasing out older polluting commercial vehicles. The move aims to curb Delhi-NCR's worsening air quality crisis.

The Jharkhand High Court has stayed the Hemant Soren government's order cancelling examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) and Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC). The state government had earlier scrapped these exams citing allegations of irregularities and paper leaks. Thousands of candidates who had appeared for these competitive exams challenged the cancellation, arguing it was arbitrary and violated their rights. The HC found merit in the petitioners' arguments, putting the cancellation on hold until further hearing. This is a major relief for lakhs of aspirants who faced uncertainty over their futures. The court directed the government not to take any coercive action and scheduled the matter for detailed hearing. The decision has sparked political debate, with the opposition accusing the Soren government of playing politics with students' careers.

India and Japan have strengthened their defence partnership by signing a landmark maritime security pact amid growing concerns over China's aggressive military posture in the Indo-Pacific region. The agreement enhances joint naval exercises, intelligence sharing, and interoperability between both nations' maritime forces. This pact reflects their shared commitment to maintaining a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific order. Both nations, part of the Quad alliance alongside the US and Australia, aim to counter China's expanding naval presence, territorial claims in the South and East China Seas, and its Belt and Road influence.

# NTA Overhaul: Major Changes in Examination System

Following controversies surrounding NEET-UG 2024, including paper leak allegations and irregularities, the government announced a comprehensive overhaul of the National Testing Agency. A high-level committee recommended key reforms: adopting a hybrid mode (online and offline) for exams, conducting NEET multiple times a year to reduce one-attempt pressure, implementing encrypted question papers with real-time monitoring, and strengthening security protocols at exam centers. The panel also suggested restructuring NTA's leadership with domain experts, establishing grievance redressal mechanisms, and ensuring transparent result declaration with normalization procedures for multiple sessions.

**सुप्रीम कोर्ट का अहम फैसला:** सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने कहा कि माता-पिता अपने बच्चों को प्रॉपर्टी से बेदखल कर सकते हैं, खासकर जब बच्चे उनकी देखभाल न करें या अपमान करें। कोर्ट ने हाईकोर्ट का फैसला पलटते हुए कहा कि बुजुर्गों की बढ़ती उम्र का मतलब यह नहीं कि उन्हें असुरक्षा और अपमान सहना पड़े। वरिष्ठ नागरिकों को अपनी संपत्ति पर पूरा अधिकार है। यह फैसला वरिष्ठ नागरिक अधिनियम के तहत बुजुर्गों के अधिकारों को मजबूत करता है और बच्चों की जवाबदेही तय करता है।

India's top B-schools are overhauling curricula to align with the booming startup ecosystem. Institutions like IIMs and ISB now offer courses in entrepreneurship, venture capital, design thinking, and emerging tech like AI. Incubation centers, startup funding, and mentorship programs are being integrated into MBA programs. Students increasingly prefer founding ventures over traditional corporate placements. Industry collaborations, experiential learning, and flexible specializations are replacing rigid models, ensuring graduates are equipped to innovate, lead disruption, and thrive in India's dynamic entrepreneurial landscape.

Experts are offering one of the world's rare crash courses dedicated to the conservation and preservation of ancient papyrus manuscripts. The intensive program trains participants in handling, restoring, and caring for these fragile artifacts, some thousands of years old. With few specialists globally, the course aims to address the critical shortage of trained conservators. Attendees learn techniques to stabilize deteriorating papyri, prevent further damage, and digitize texts for future study, ensuring these invaluable historical records survive for generations.

In **Bangalore Water Supply & Sewerage Board v. A. Rajappa (1978)**, the Supreme Court's 7-judge Bench defined "industry" under the Industrial Disputes Act using a **triple test**: systematic activity, cooperation between employer and employees, and production/distribution of goods and services. This broad definition included hospitals, clubs, and even charitable organizations. However, a **9-judge Bench** was later constituted to reconsider this expansive interpretation, as it brought sovereign/governmental functions under "industry." The larger bench aimed to **modify and narrow** the definition, excluding professions, clubs, cooperatives, and institutions performing sovereign functions like defense and judiciary. Despite deliberations, the modified definition was never formally notified, creating ongoing legal ambiguity about what constitutes an "industry."

The Supreme Court has urged the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to reconsider and potentially relax existing noise limit restrictions on firecrackers ahead of the Diwali festival. The court's suggestion comes amid demands from firecracker manufacturers and traders who argue that strict regulations have severely impacted their livelihoods and the industry. Currently, CPCB enforces noise caps on firecrackers to curb pollution and protect public health. The court asked CPCB to balance environmental concerns with cultural traditions and economic interests while reviewing the norms.

The NCLT imposed ₹15 lakh in costs on SpiceJet and aircraft maintenance firm Aviator ML for attempting a last-minute settlement after prolonged insolvency proceedings. Aviator ML had filed an insolvency petition against SpiceJet over unpaid dues for maintenance services. Despite lengthy hearings and judicial time spent, both parties sought settlement at an advanced stage, wasting tribunal resources. The NCLT criticized this approach, directing ₹10 lakh from SpiceJet and ₹5 lakh from Aviator ML as costs, payable to the PM CARES Fund. The tribunal emphasized that courts' time is valuable public resource and parties cannot misuse insolvency proceedings as a pressure tactic for recovery before settling conveniently.

On India's Independence Day, a school in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, was sealed after a video went viral showing students performing a dance wearing burqas during the celebration. The video sparked outrage on social media and drew attention from authorities. Officials deemed the act inappropriate for a national celebration. The district administration ordered the school sealed and launched an investigation. The school management faced scrutiny for allowing the performance, which critics called communally provocative. Authorities took strict action to address the controversy.

**EB1A Visa Experts Urge Professionals to Prepare Before October Reset**

Immigration experts are advising high-skilled professionals to prepare their EB-1A (Extraordinary Ability) green card petitions before the U.S. government's new fiscal year begins in October, when visa quotas reset. Each fiscal year brings fresh visa allocations, potentially improving approval chances. The EB-1A category targets individuals with extraordinary achievements in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. Experts recommend gathering strong evidence of national/international recognition, published work, and significant contributions early to file promptly when new slots open, avoiding backlogs that build later in the year.