Trial in Absentia (BNSS)Trial conducted without the accused being present.Allowed under Section 356, BNSS only when the accused has been declared a Proclaimed Offender. Proclaimed OffenderA person who evades arrest and fails to appear despite court notice, and is therefore formally declared by the court as an absconder.This declaration enables trial in absentia.
SC Hearing on Stopping Cash Donations to Political Parties | Political Funding UPSC Current Affairs
Context • SC agrees to examine a petition seeking ban on all cash donations to political parties, including those below ₹2,000.• Aim: strengthen transparency and close loopholes used for routing unaccounted money.• Notice issued to Election Commission, Union Govt, CBDT, and major national parties. Legal Provision Involved Section 13A – Income Tax Act, 1961 A special provision granting tax exemption to political parties subject to conditions like maintaining audited accounts. Clause (d) of Section 13A • Allows parties to accept cash donations up to ₹2,000.• No mandatory disclosure of donor identity for these small donations.• Petition challenges its legality and transparency deficit.
Natural Farming in India
Why Natural Farming Matters Government Push for Natural Farming Key Challenges and What India Must Do Way Forward: Promote region-specific agroecology research and digital monitoring.
Childcare Workers
Evolution of Childcare Policy in India Challenges Faced by Childcare and Anganwadi Workers Recent Initiatives to Recognize Childcare Workers Policy Measures and the Way Forward Conclusion Investing in childcare workers and early childhood systems is essential for social equity, women’s empowerment, human capital formation, and inclusive growth. Recognising childcare as a public good, not an informal service, can transform the lives of millions of children and caregivers, strengthening India’s long-term development trajectory.
Abraham Accords
Overview Key Elements Strategic Significance in West Asia Opportunities for India Challenges
Tribunals in India
Key Features Constitutional & Legal Framework Major Types of Tribunals Issues and Challenges Reforms Needed
UNSC reforms no longer an option but a necessity: Modi at IBSA meet
What is IBSA? (India–Brazil–South Africa Dialogue Forum) IBSA is a trilateral grouping of:• India• Brazil• South Africa Key Features • Formed in 2003.• A coalition of three large democracies, from three continents—Asia, South America, Africa.• Focuses on South-South cooperation, democracy, development, inclusive growth, and global governance reform. Modi’s Points in the Article • IBSA is not just a group of three countries, but a unique platform connecting three continents, three democracies, and three major economies.• IBSA can provide a message of unity, cooperation, and humanity in a fragmented world.• He proposed institutionalising an IBSA NSA-level meeting to strengthen security cooperation among the three nations.
PM calls for global compact on AI to prevent misuse
Summary
Safe processing matters more than zesty flavours
1. Rising distrust in India’s food system • Frequent adulteration scandals and poor hygiene have made consumers cautious about both packaged and street foods. 2. Street food hygiene remains a major challenge • Investigations (e.g., Chennai pani puri case) show widespread contamination, unsafe water use, and poor cooking practices.• Informal vendors operate with minimal oversight, leading to inconsistent safety standards. 3. Packaged foods have a structured, science-based system • FSSAI regulations ensure traceability, labelling, transparency, and standardized processing.• Techniques like pasteurisation, vacuum sealing, and aseptic packaging reduce microbial risks and extend shelf life. 4. Health-conscious consumer trends • Demand for transparency and safe ingredients is rising.• Industry is responding with healthier product portfolios and micronutrient fortification. 5. Informal sector poses the biggest food safety risk • ORF estimates ~100 million food-borne illness cases and ~1.2 lakh deaths annually in India.• Majority originate from informal vendors—stalls, carts, and roadside eateries. 6. Unsafe practices worsen risks • Reuse of cooking oil, adulterated ingredients, contaminated water, and improper waste disposal are common.• Such practices cause outbreaks that often go unreported. 7. Government efforts to formalise and train vendors • FSSAI and municipal bodies run hygiene training, certification drives, and “Clean Street Food Hub” initiatives.• Aim: improve food handling, storage, and waste management. 8. Need for strong regulatory commitment • Packaged foods show that structured systems work; similar investment is needed for informal foods.• Ensuring food safety must be treated as a public health priority, not sentiment.
Former CJI: opinion in Presidential Reference does not overrule a judgment
Summary A Presidential Reference opinion (Article 143) is advisory and CANNOT overrule or invalidate a prior Supreme Court judgment.It may interpret or clarify the law, but only Parliament can change the law, and only a future judicial ruling on merits can overturn a previous judicial decision.
