General Awareness

LAW AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS - January 2025

Jan 2025

Jun 23, 2026

Rani Durgavati University Bharat-certificates Move Noted on India-Bharat Change

Rani Durgavati University in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, became the first university to replace 'India' with 'Bharat' on academic certificates. President Droupadi Murmu conferred degrees during the university’s 36th convocation. The change applies to marksheets, signboards, and official communications. The decision aligns with broader moves to standardize naming conventions across government and academic documents. University authorities stated that the Bharat designation reflects national identity and is intended to be adopted in other institutions over time. This shift underscores the ongoing conversation about language and nomenclature in official India.

Institution: Rani Durgavati University, Jabalpur, MP.
Change: 'India' replaced by 'Bharat' on certificates and related documents.
Occasion: 36th convocation; President Murmu conferred degrees.
Scope: applies to marksheets, signboards, official communications.
Context: aligns with national identity and nomenclature discussions.

Jun 22, 2026

Bimal N. Patel elected ITLOS judge for 2026–2035

Professor Bimal N. Patel has been elected as a judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) for the 2026–2035 term. He was India's candidate for the post. ITLOS resolves disputes concerning the interpretation and application of UNCLOS. Patel’s election strengthens India's representation in international maritime law institutions and highlights ongoing cooperation between India and global legal bodies. ITLOS judges serve nine-year terms, and Patel will sit among judges from various nations, contributing to maritime jurisprudence and ocean governance on issues such as freedom of navigation, resource exploitation, and environmental protection.

Patel elected as ITLOS judge for 2026–2035.
India’s candidate for the post; strengthens maritime law presence.
ITLOS deals with UNCLOS interpretation and application.
Nine-year term for ITLOS judges.
Enhances India’s role in international ocean governance.

Jun 18, 2026

Allahabad High Court rules juvenile conviction cannot bar passport issuance

In a June 2026 ruling, the Allahabad High Court held that a conviction recorded during minority cannot automatically prevent a passport. The court stressed rehabilitation and reform as central to juvenile justice, noting that mistakes made in childhood should not create a lifelong stigma. Citing the Juvenile Justice Act, 2000, the court indicated that records of a juvenile offence should not permanently bar travel, although ongoing proceedings may still be considered in passport decisions. The judgment safeguards the mobility rights of individuals who were convicted as juveniles and signals a shift toward a fresh-start approach in travel documentation for young offenders.

Ruling issued in June 2026 by Allahabad High Court
Juvenile conviction not an automatic passport bar
Emphasis on rehabilitation and fresh start
Reference to Juvenile Justice Act, 2000
Protects mobility rights of juveniles convicted earlier

May 28, 2026

Assam passes Uniform Civil Code Bill, 2026

The Assam Assembly on 27 May 2026 passed The Uniform Civil Code Bill, 2026, establishing a single civil framework for all residents. The 126‑member House approved provisions governing marriage, divorce, inheritance and live‑in relationships, including a ban on polygamy and mandatory registration of marriages within 60 days and live‑in relationships within 30 days. Deliberate non‑compliance could attract a fine of up to Rs 10,000. The Bill reflects ongoing national debates on family law reforms and aims to harmonise personal laws within the state.

Date of passage: 27 May 2026
Polygamy banned; marriages must be registered within 60 days
Live‑in relationships must be registered within 30 days
Fine for non‑compliance up to Rs 10,000
Aims for a uniform civil code within Assam

May 26, 2026

Supreme Court strengthens bench with more judges

The Supreme Court of India will function with an increased sanctioned strength of 38 judges, including the Chief Justice of India. Excluding the CJI, the number of judges rises from 33 to 37. The expansion, enacted through the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, is aimed at reducing pendency and improving access to justice. Legal experts say more judges can help handle constitutional matters and complex appeals more efficiently. The move signals a strengthened judiciary capable of addressing rising caseloads and upholding constitutional governance. The change aligns with broader efforts to enhance judicial capacity and public confidence in the system.

Sanctioned strength increased to 38 judges including CJI.
Excluding CJI, judges rise from 33 to 37.
Aims to reduce pendency and improve access to justice.
Implemented under Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956.
Expected to aid constitutional matters and appeals.

Justice Anupinder Grewal appointed NCLT President

Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal has been appointed President of the National Company Law Tribunal, replacing the previous head. A former judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Grewal will oversee matters involving company law, insolvency, and corporate disputes. The NCLT operates under the Companies Act, 2013 and also handles IBC-related matters. His appointment is significant for corporate governance and the speed and quality of tribunal decisions. The leadership change is expected to influence judicial processes and the resolution of complex corporate cases in India’s business environment.

Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal named NCLT President.
Former judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
NCLT handles company law, insolvency, corporate disputes.
Appointment may affect tribunal efficiency and decisions.
Links to governance and corporate law administration.

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