General Awareness

LAW AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS - January 2025

Jan 2025

Jan 06, 2026

Telangana Assembly passes four Bills, abolishing two-child norm

The Telangana Legislative Assembly unanimously passed four Bills, including the Telangana Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which abolishes the long-standing two-child norm for local body elections. The amendment targets population concerns from the 1980s and 1990s, addressing fears around food security and poverty reduction. The Assembly also passed the Telangana Panchayat Raj (Second Amendment) Bill, 2026, renaming Jaintirumalapoor to Jayanna Tirumalapur. Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka introduced two further Bills: the Regulations of Appointments to Public Services and Rationalisation of Staff Pattern and Pay Structure (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and its second amendment. All measures were approved unanimously.

Telangana Panchayat Raj Amendment Bill, 2026 passed.
Two-child norm for local elections abolished.
Second Amendment Bill renames Jaintirumalapoor to Jayanna Tirumalapur.
Two additional Bills on appointments and pay structure approved.
Legislation aims to realign governance with current needs.
All four Bills passed unanimously.

Jan 05, 2026

Centre notifies appointment of Justice A Muhamed Mustaque as Sikkim HC Chief Justice

The Central government notified the appointment of Justice A Muhamed Mustaque, a judge of the Kerala High Court, as Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court. The decision follows the Supreme Court Collegium's recommendation in December 2025. Justice Mustaque will assume charge on taking office, with Acting Chief Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai currently serving in the role. The appointment, part of ongoing judiciary reforms, aims to strengthen judicial administration in Sikkim and ensure timely dispensation of justice. The government stated that Mustaque's experience will contribute to upholding the rule of law in the state.

Justice A Muhamed Mustaque appointed Chief Justice of Sikkim HC
Recommendation by Supreme Court Collegium (Dec 2025)
Assumes office on taking charge; Acting CJ is Meenakshi M. Rai
Part of judiciary reforms and governance

Jan 03, 2026

Centre clears appointment of Bombay HC Justice M. S. Sonak as Jharkhand Chief Justice

The Centre cleared the appointment of Justice M. S. Sonak, presently a judge of the Bombay High Court, as Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court in January 2026. The appointment follows a Supreme Court Collegium recommendation from December 2025. Justice Sonak will assume office on the retirement of the incumbent Chief Justice, Tarlok Singh Chauhan, on 8 January 2026. Experts note this move aligns Jharkhand's judiciary with the collegium practice of appointing senior judges from other high courts to ensure administrative efficiency and independent adjudication. The decision reflects ongoing efforts to fill vacancies and maintain judicial infrastructure across states.

Justice M. S. Sonak appointed Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court.
Current judge from Bombay High Court to take over.
Appointment followed December 2025 Supreme Court Collegium recommendation.
Will assume on 8 January 2026 after Chauhan's retirement.
Aims to improve judiciary efficiency and independence.

Jan 02, 2026

Meghalaya Gets New Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere

In January, Justice Revati Mohite Dere, currently a Bombay High Court judge, was appointed Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court. The appointment followed the transfer of incumbent Chief Justice Soumen Sen to the Kerala High Court. Dere was born in Pune and earned a law degree from Symbiosis Law College, Pune. She served as a prosecutor for Maharashtra and was elevated to an additional judge of the Bombay High Court in 2013, becoming a permanent judge in 2015. The appointment marks another step in reshaping leadership across India's High Courts.

Revati Mohite Dere appointed Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court.
Appointment follows Soumen Sen's transfer to Kerala HC.
Dere’s background: Pune-born, Symbiosis Law College, Maharashtra prosecutor.
Elevated to Bombay High Court judge in 2013; permanent in 2015.

Centre Clears Appointment of Sangam Kumar Sahoo as Patna High Court Chief Justice

The Centre cleared the appointment of Orissa High Court Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo as Chief Justice of the Patna High Court. The Supreme Court Collegium had recommended elevating five High Court judges to chief justices in December 2025. Justice Sahoo obtained an LLB from Cuttack Law College and enrolled with the Orissa State Bar Council in 1989. He was elevated as a judge of the Orissa High Court on 2 July 2014. His appointment to Patna High Court reflects ongoing reforms in judicial leadership across India.

Centre approves Sangam Kumar Sahoo as Patna High Court Chief Justice.
SC Collegium had recommended elevation of five judges in Dec 2025.
Justice Sahoo's background: LLB from Cuttack and Orissa High Court judge since 2014.
Part of broader judiciary leadership reforms.

Dec 29, 2025

Bombay High Court Bars Civilian Awards as Name Prefixes

The Bombay High Court reaffirmed that India’s civilian honours, including the Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards, are not titles and cannot be used as prefixes or suffixes in a person’s name. The court stated that these honours signify national recognition but do not alter a person’s legal identity or records. The decision clarifies practices in judicial and official documents and aligns with other legal interpretations on the use of awards in naming conventions. Advocates note that this ruling supports uniform treatment of honours across government records and public documentation.

Honours like Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards not to be used as prefixes.
Court emphasises legal identity remains unchanged by awards.
Clarifies official records and naming conventions.
Observes consistency with broader legal standards on titles.

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