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Prime Minister Modi Champions the North-East at Rising Northeast Summit 2025 At the Rising Northeast Investors Summit 2025 held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi , Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the unparalleled diversity and potential of North-East India . Addressing the summit, PM Modi stated, “From trade to tradition, from textiles to tourism – the North-East is the most diverse part of our diverse nation.” He praised the region's rich strengths, saying: It is a hub of bio-economy and bamboo Known for tea production and petroleum resources A source of sports talent and skilled workforce A rising centre for ecotourism and organic products A powerhouse of energy PM Modi referred to the region as "Ashtalakshmi" , invoking the eight forms of the goddess of wealth, highlighting each state's readiness for investment and leadership . He reiterated that the development of Eastern India, particularly the North-East , is crucial for building...

Introduction: A Landmark Moment in Indian Fintech In a significant regulatory milestone, Jaipur-based fintech company Getepay has received final authorization from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as an online Payment Aggregator (PA) under the RBI’s payment regulatory framework. This development positions Getepay as the first company from Rajasthan to obtain this prestigious license, reinforcing its role as a critical player in India’s digital commerce and financial inclusion narrative. Merchant-Centric Model from Inception Since its establishment in 2016 by fintech entrepreneur Pravin Sharma , Getepay has been focused on providing integrated payment and commerce solutions to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and micro-merchants across India. The platform currently serves over 1.5 million merchants , including: Kirana shops Micro-retailers E-commerce stores Educational institutions Service providers Small-scale manufacturers Its missio...

Centre Argues Waqf Is Charitable, Not an Essential Part of Islam During the ongoing constitutional challenge to the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 , the Central Government on Wednesday submitted to the Supreme Court of India that the concept of Waqf —though rooted in Islamic tradition— does not constitute an essential religious practice under Islam . Appearing for the Union of India, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta addressed a bench comprising Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih , stating: “Waqf is an Islamic concept. But it is not an essential part of Islam. Waqf is nothing but charity in Islam, and charity exists in every religion.” Waqf Boards Discharge Secular, Not Religious, Functions The Solicitor General emphasized that Waqf Boards perform only secular functions such as: Property management Register maintenance Auditing of accounts He argued that the administration of religious property falls under secular regulatory power...

Background: Challenges to the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 A batch of petitions was heard by the Supreme Court of India on Tuesday challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 . Petitioners, including prominent senior advocates, alleged that the amendments are designed not to protect but to capture Waqf properties via a non-judicial mechanism , violating fundamental rights of the Muslim community. Key Argument: "Non-Judicial Process to Capture Waqf Properties" Appearing for the petitioners, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal contended that the amended Act empowers government officers, rather than courts, to decide property disputes related to Waqf land. He specifically criticized the provision allowing officers above the rank of Collector to adjudicate whether Waqf properties encroach on government land. According to Sibal, this bypasses judicial safeguards and allows properties to be confiscated before any adjudication, effectively stripping...

Introduction India’s air defence capabilities have reached a new pinnacle of efficiency and precision, as recently demonstrated during heightened hostilities with Pakistan. The Indian Army showcased the exceptional performance of its early warning radar systems , indigenously developed Akashteer command system , and upgraded L-70 Air Defence Guns , claiming a 100% success rate in intercepting and neutralising enemy drones, UAVs, and aircraft. Early Warning Radar System: The First Line of Defence An Indian Army soldier, while speaking to ANI, emphasized the critical role played by the early warning radar of the air defence system . This radar is regarded as the most modern of its kind , equipped with long-range detection capabilities. “It has the ability to search and detect enemy targets—drones, UAVs, or aircraft—from a long distance,” the soldier said. The radar system detected incoming aerial threats and relayed the target data to the fire controller , which then guided th...

Strategic Trade Response to Political Developments in Bangladesh India’s recent move to restrict land port imports from Bangladesh marks a significant shift in regional trade dynamics. This decision follows emerging political and ideological concerns emanating from Bangladesh—particularly the rise of secessionist narratives such as 'Greater Bangla' and 'Sultanate Bangla' that allegedly incorporate parts of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Northeast India. Foreign affairs expert Robinder Sachdev labelled the move a “strict response” to these ideological provocations and called it a necessary action in light of India’s current geopolitical tensions with both Pakistan and Bangladesh. “It is high time for India to be strict,” Sachdev remarked, highlighting that such movements inside Bangladesh cannot be ignored as mere fringe ideas. Key Trade Restriction Measures Enforced by India On May 17, 2025, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, under a directive from the Directorate Gen...

Justice B.R. Gavai Takes Oath as the 52nd Chief Justice of India On May 14, 2025, Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai was sworn in as the 52nd Chief Justice of India at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office in a solemn ceremony held at the Ganatantra Mandap. Justice Gavai succeeded Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who retired on May 13. The 64-year-old will serve as CJI for over six months, with his term concluding on November 23. A Historic Appointment: Dalit Representation at the Apex Justice Gavai's appointment is historically significant, as he becomes only the second person from the Dalit community to rise to the position of Chief Justice of India. The first was Justice K.G. Balakrishnan in 2007. His elevation is seen as a moment of both pride and progress in a country still grappling with deep-rooted social inequalities. From Slums to Supreme Court: Early Life and Education Born on November 24, 1960, in the Frezarpura slum of Amravati, M...

Weekly FPI Investment Trends Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) made a significant comeback to Indian equity markets this week. Between May 13 and May 16 , FPIs infused a net investment of ₹4,452.3 crore , according to data released by the National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) . The highest single-day inflow of the week was recorded on Friday , with ₹5,746 crore pumped into Indian equities. However, the week was not consistently bullish, as Tuesday saw a net outflow of ₹2,388 crore , hinting at some profit booking or cautious sentiment from foreign investors. May 2025 FPI Performance So far in May 2025 , FPIs have invested a total of ₹18,620 crore in Indian equity markets, marking a strong reversal in foreign investment behavior. These inflows are largely attributed to: Stabilizing global financial conditions Steady domestic growth forecasts Optimism surrounding India's general election outcomes Despite these positive signs, FPIs remain net sellers for...

Background: Presidential Reference under Article 143 In a significant constitutional development, the President of India has invoked Article 143 of the Constitution to seek the Supreme Court’s advisory opinion on the issue of timelines for granting assent to state legislature-passed bills. This move comes in the wake of the Supreme Court’s landmark April 8, 2025 verdict , which attempted to establish fixed time frames for the President and Governors to approve or act upon bills passed by state legislatures. The Trigger: SC's April 8 Verdict on Gubernatorial Delays The issue originates from the case State of Tamil Nadu vs. Governor of Tamil Nadu & Anr. , where the Tamil Nadu Government challenged the delay by the Governor in granting assent to several bills passed by the state assembly. The Supreme Court, citing the absence of a specific timeline under Articles 200 and 201 , invoked Article 142 to direct the President and Governors to act within three months on such ...

Sensex and Nifty Rally on Positive Global Cues Indian equity indices rebounded sharply on renewed optimism over a potential India-US trade deal and favorable global cues. The BSE Sensex surged 1,200.18 points , or 1.48% , to close at 82,530.74 , while the Nifty 50 climbed 395.20 points , or 1.60% , ending the day at 25,062.10 . This rally came after a subdued start to the trading session, where the Nifty 50 briefly dipped to an intraday low of 24,494 before staging a strong recovery past the psychological 25,000 mark , reaching a high of 25,116 . Broad Market Participation Signals Strong Sentiment Market breadth was overwhelmingly positive. Out of all the traded stocks, 2,511 advanced , 1,302 declined , and 139 remained unchanged , indicating broad-based buying interest across the board. Among the top gainers on the NSE were: Hero MotoCorp JSW Steel Trent Tata Motors HCL Technologies On the volatility front, the India VIX (a measure of market volatility) fe...

📜 Background: Supreme Court’s April 8 Verdict On April 8, 2024, the Supreme Court of India delivered a significant ruling in the case involving the Tamil Nadu Government vs the Governor , setting specific deadlines for the Governor and President to decide on pending state legislation . This decision was perceived as a move to curb executive delay in state lawmaking processes. However, this directive faced a constitutional rebuttal from President Droupadi Murmu , who has now formally questioned the legal validity of imposing such deadlines through judicial orders. 🏛️ President Murmu's Constitutional Standpoint In her response, President Murmu asserted that neither Article 200 nor Article 201 of the Constitution prescribes any timelines for the Governor or the President to act upon state Bills. Article 200: Role of the Governor This provision allows the Governor to: Grant assent to a Bill, Withhold assent, Return the Bill to the state legislature (if it is no...

Background of the Case On May 15, 2025, the Supreme Court of India expressed serious concern over the categorization of transgender persons as “risky” blood donors , questioning the constitutional validity of Sections 12 and 51 of the Blood Donor Guidelines, 2017 . A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh was hearing a petition filed by Thangjam Santa Singh , a Manipur-based transgender and social activist, challenging the blanket ban on blood donation by transgender individuals, men having sex with men (MSM), and female sex workers . These guidelines, issued by the National Blood Transfusion Council (NBTC) , classify these groups as “high risk” for infections like HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C . Supreme Court’s Observations on Discrimination The Supreme Court questioned the constitutionality and fairness of these guidelines, particularly the blanket exclusion of the entire transgender community . The bench remarked: “Are we going to brand all transge...

📈 CPI May Rise Despite Stable Food Prices A recent report by the Union Bank of India (UBI) forecasts a possible increase in Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation in the upcoming months. This prediction is based on two primary drivers: Rising global gold prices Ongoing international tariff wars Even if food prices remain stable , the cost of non-food essentials , especially precious metals like gold, is expected to put upward pressure on inflation. 🥦 April 2025 Retail Inflation Hits Six-Year Low According to inflation data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation on May 13, 2025 , India's retail inflation (measured by CPI) for April 2025 dropped to 3.16% , down from 3.34% in March. This marks a six-year low , largely due to price reductions in: Vegetables Pulses and related products Fruits Meat and fish Personal care and effects Cereals and cereal-based products The overall decline in April CPI represents an 18 b...

A Graceful Exit from the Apex Court Justice Sanjiv Khanna , the 51st Chief Justice of India (CJI) , formally retired from office on Tuesday, May 14, 2025 , marking the end of a distinguished judicial career. Known for his clarity, humility, and unwavering commitment to the law, Justice Khanna was given a warm farewell by fellow judges, senior advocates, and members of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA). In his farewell speech, Justice Khanna stated, "This morning, as the robe was hung for the final time, the weight of responsibility lifted from my shoulder... I have no mixed feelings. I am simply happy." Reflections on Judgeship and Responsibility Speaking at the SCBA event, Justice Khanna, now 65, expressed a sense of relief and gratitude , emphasizing the burden that comes with judgeship and the emotional significance of retirement. He shared: "It was only after donning the robes of a judge that I truly understood the weight of the responsibility bes...

🔹 Flight Cancellations Announced by Air India On Tuesday, May 13, 2025 , Air India officially announced the cancellation of two-way flight operations to and from the following eight airports : Jammu Leh Jodhpur Amritsar Bhuj Jamnagar Chandigarh Rajkot The airline posted a statement on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, stating: "In view of the latest developments and keeping your safety in mind, flights to and from Jammu, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh and Rajkot are cancelled for Tuesday, 13th May." Air India further assured passengers that they are closely monitoring the situation and will provide timely updates as operations resume in the coming days. 🔹 IndiGo Follows with Six Airport Cancellations Following Air India's decision, IndiGo Airlines also issued a travel advisory cancelling its flight operations for May 13, 2025, at the following six airports : Jammu Amritsar Chandigarh Leh ...