General Awareness

LAW AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS - March 2024

Mar 2024

Dec 24, 2025

Central government appoints three new ASGs for Supreme Court

The Central government notified the appointment of three Senior Advocates as Additional Solicitors General (ASGs) to represent the government before the Supreme Court. Appointments: Devinder Pal Singh, Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar, and Anil Kaushik, for a three-year term or until further orders. Ravindra Kumar previously served as a Rajya Sabha member (2018-2024) from the Telugu Desam Party. The notification, issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, emphasises continuity in legal advocacy before the apex court and aligns with regular constitutional appointments.

Three new ASGs appointed for Supreme Court: Devinder Pal Singh, Ravindra Kumar, Anil Kaushik.
Term: three years or as otherwise directed.
Ravindra Kumar is a former Rajya Sabha member (2018-2024).
Notification issued by the Personnel Ministry.
Ensures continued government representation in the Supreme Court.

Dec 20, 2025

Karnataka Passes India’s First Anti-Hate Speech Law

The Karnataka Assembly passed the country’s first anti-hate speech legislation, the Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, in December 2025. The law prescribes penalties including fines up to ₹1 lakh and jail terms up to seven years for repeated offences. Home Minister G. Parameshwara said the pre‑existing ten‑year repetition period was reduced to seven years. The bill defines hate speech as expressions that incite injury, disharmony, or enmity against individuals or communities and seeks to balance free speech with public order. The passage signals a major shift in India’s approach to regulating hate speech while addressing concerns about safety and social harmony.

Karnataka passes first anti-hate speech law in India.
Penalties: up to ₹1 lakh fine, up to seven years’ imprisonment for repeated offences.
Definition includes speech that incites enmity or hatred; focus on public order.
Government cites balance between free speech and safety.

Dec 19, 2025

India reaches a tipping point in POCSO case disposal in 2025

India reported a historic improvement in handling child sexual abuse cases under the POCSO Act. Courts disposed of 87,754 cases in 2025, surpassing 80,320 new registrations. The disposal rate rose to 109 percent, according to the report ‘Pendency to Protection: Achieving the Tipping Point to Justice for Child Victims of Sexual Abuse’ by C-LAB for Children. The finding signals progress in judicial efficiency and child protection services, though advocates caution that continued efforts are needed to reduce pendency and ensure justice for victims across states.

Disposals: 87,754 in 2025 vs 80,320 registrations
Disposal rate: 109%
Source: C-LAB for Children report
Impact: progress in POCSO case handling
Note: ongoing need to reduce pendency further

Dec 17, 2025

Vedanta demerger approved by NCLT Mumbai into five entities

The Mumbai bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on 17 December 2025 approved Vedanta Limited’s demerger scheme, enabling the group to reorganise into five distinct, sector-specific entities. The order, issued by Judicial Member Nilesh Sharma and Technical Member Charanjeet Singh, permits the scheme under Sections 230 to 232 of the Companies Act. The separation will involve Vedanta Aluminium Metal, Talwandi Sabo Power, Malco Energy, and Vedanta Iron and Steel, along with their shareholders and creditors. A detailed order has not yet been uploaded on the NCLT website. The move aligns with Vedanta’s corporate restructuring strategy.

NCLT Mumbai approves Vedanta demerger into five entities.
Order under Sections 230-232 of the Companies Act.
Entities include Vedanta Aluminium Metal, Talwandi Sabo Power, Malco Energy, Vedanta Iron and Steel.
Shareholders and creditors to be affected by the restructuring.
Formal order not yet uploaded on NCLT website.

Lok Sabha passes Repealing and Amending Bill, 2025

The Lok Sabha passed the Repealing and Amending Bill, 2025, providing for the repeal of 71 Acts and amendments to four Acts. The repeals include the Indian Tramways Act, 1886; the Levy Sugar Price Equalisation Fund Act, 1976; and the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (Determination of Conditions of Service of Employees) Act, 1988. The bill also updates terminology for registered posts and amends the Disaster Management Act, 2005, to rectify drafting issues. The measure aims to streamline obsolete laws and modernize administrative procedures, consistent with parliamentary efficiency and governance reforms.

Repeals 71 Acts; amends 4 Acts under the bill.
Notable repeals: Indian Tramways Act, 1886; Sugar Fund Act, 1976; BPC Act, 1988.
Amends: General Clauses Act, Civil Procedure Code, and Disaster Management Act.
Updates terminology for registered posts.
Aims to simplify and modernize the legal framework.

Dec 14, 2025

Supreme Court Justice P. S. Narasimha to Chair Reconstituted AI Intelligence Committee

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has reconstituted the Artificial Intelligence Committee of the Supreme Court, signalling a continued focus on integrating technology into the justice system.
The reconstituted committee will be chaired by Supreme Court Justice P. S. Narasimha.
The other judges part of the reconstituted committee are:
Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, Chief Justice of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh
Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V, Judge of the High Court of Kerala
Justice Anoop Chitkara, Judge of the High Court of Punjab & Haryana
Justice Suraj Govindaraj, Judge of the High Court of Karnataka
The reconstituted committee aims to continue to provide strategic guidance and oversight on initiatives involving the adoption, development, and deployment of artificial intelligence technologies across the Supreme Court and the subordinate judiciary.

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