General Awareness

LAW AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS - December 2024

Dec 2024

Feb 08, 2026

Judiciary diversity: since 2014, 170 women judges appointed to High Courts; six to Supreme Court

Since 2014, 170 women judges have been appointed in India's High Courts, including 96 in the last five years and six in the Supreme Court. Appointments to the Supreme Court and High Courts are governed by Articles 124, 217 and 224 of the Constitution, which do not provide caste or class reservations. Under the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP), proposals for Supreme Court judges come from the Chief Justice of India, while proposals for High Court judges come from the Chief Justice of the respective High Court. The government has urged due consideration for candidates from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes and women to enhance social diversity.

Total women judges appointed in High Courts since 2014: 170.
Women judges in last five years: 96; Supreme Court appointments: 6.
Constitutional articles guiding appointments: 124, 217, 224.
MoP assigns initiation of Supreme Court and High Court proposals.
Government policy emphasises diversity including women and marginalized groups.

Jan 31, 2026

Supreme Court ties menstrual health to right to life; orders school facilities

The Supreme Court has declared menstrual health a fundamental part of the right to life under Article 21. The Bench directed all States and Union Territories to provide free sanitary pads, toilets, water, and disposal facilities in every government and private school within three months. The Court said menstrual hygiene management is inseparable from the right to live with dignity, noting that lack of facilities results in humiliation and exclusion for menstruating girls. Justices J. B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan emphasized dignity must be realized in everyday conditions, not left to chance.

Judicial holding: menstrual health is part of Article 21
Directive: free sanitary pads, toilets, water, disposal in all schools
Timeframe: three months to implement
Ruling: MHM linked to right to live with dignity
Justices: J. B. Pardiwala, R. Mahadevan

Jan 30, 2026

UP to mandate Aadhaar-based biometric authentication for property registration

Uttar Pradesh has announced that Aadhaar-based biometric authentication will be mandatory for property registration from February 1, 2026. The rule requires biometric verification of executants, parties, and witnesses using Aadhaar e-KYC and e-signatures, with successful authentication necessary to complete the registration. The move aims to curb land fraud and enhance governance in land deals. Other related measures include digitisation of property records and increased use of digital signatures. Officials emphasize that the changes will improve transparency and reduce disputes in registrations across sub-registrar offices.

Aadhaar biometric authentication mandatory from Feb 1, 2026.
Biometric verification for executants, parties, and witnesses.
Aadhaar e-KYC and e-signatures to be used in deed registrations.
Intended to curb land fraud and enhance transparency.
Includes digitisation of property records and governance improvements.

Jan 28, 2026

Uttarakhand enacts UCC amendment ordinance

Uttarakhand implemented an amendment ordinance to reform the Uniform Civil Code provisions, introducing multiple changes including stronger penalties for coercion and fraud in marriages and live-in relationships. The Uttarakhand Uniform Civil Code (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026, was enacted after Governor Gurmeet Singh (retd) gave assent to amendments proposed to the 2024 UCC framework. The move aims to modernise civil law within the state and align personal laws with evolving social norms. Critics note legal and constitutional questions, while supporters say amendments promote gender equality and clearer protections.

Ordinance enacted January 26, 2026; Governor approved amendments.
Targets coercion and fraud in marriage and live-in relationships.
Part of Uttarakhand’s UCC reform of 2024 framework.
Divides opinion on constitutional implications.

Jan 18, 2026

Karnataka amends land revenue law for Coorg land records

Karnataka approved amendments to its land revenue framework to modernise Coorg’s Jamma Bane land records. The Karnataka Land Revenue (Second Amendment) Act, 2025 was assented on 7 January, with gazette notification the following day. The aim is to streamline ownership data, reflect generational transfers, and reduce clerical errors that hinder land administration. Officials say the change will improve transparency for Kodava communities while aligning with digitisation efforts across the state’s land governance system.

Policy: Karnataka Land Revenue (Second Amendment) Act, 2025
Assent date: 7 January 2026
Region: Coorg (Kodagu district)
Purpose: modernise land records, reduce errors
Impact: improved governance and transparency

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