1. Supreme Court Directs Kerala to Establish Primary Schools in Underserved Areas
The Supreme Court directed the Kerala government to set up Government Lower Primary and Upper Primary Schools in every area where no functional school currently exists. The matter arose from a PIL before the Kerala High Court, in which residents of Elambra in Manjeri claimed there was no government school within a 3–4 km radius. Emphasising the State’s constitutional obligation under Article 21A (right to education), the Court ordered Kerala to ensure that children in such localities have access to proper schooling facilities without undue hardship.
2. Break-Up of Consensual Relationship Cannot Lead to Rape Case: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court held that the end of a consensual relationship between two adults cannot be retroactively turned into a criminal allegation of rape, as it quashed charges against an Aurangabad-based lawyer. The Court found that the three-year relationship between the married woman and the lawyer was consensual throughout, and the later breakdown of the relationship could not transform it into an offence of rape.
3. Supreme Court Seeks ECI Response on Plea Alleging Incomplete Funding Disclosure by Political Parties
The Supreme Court issued notice to the Election Commission of India on a PIL challenging the constitutional validity of Section 13A(d) of the Income Tax Act, which allows political parties to receive cash donations up to ?2,000 without disclosing the donor’s identity. The petitioner argued that the provision enables anonymous political funding and violates Articles 14 and 19(1)(a) by undermining voters’ right to know the source of political contributions. The Court has now sought the ECI’s stand on whether the provision hampers transparency in political financing.
4. Aadhaar to verify age, stringent law for demeaning disability, "anti-national" content: Supreme Court on online content regulation
The Supreme Court suggested that Aadhaar-based age-verification could be introduced to regulate access to online content considered “obscene,” while hearing petitions arising from the Ranveer Allahbadia Samay Raina controversy. The Court was informed that the Central government plans to conduct consultations to frame comprehensive regulations for digital platforms. The Bench also observed that Parliament may consider enacting a stricter law to address content that demeans persons with disabilities and reiterated that online material promoting “anti-national” narratives may require closer scrutiny, without compromising constitutionally protected speech.
5. The court has no magic wand; domain experts and scientists should find a solution: Supreme Court on Delhi Air Pollution
The Supreme Court observed that it has limitations in addressing complex issues such as Delhi’s worsening air quality, noting that the judiciary “has no magic wand” to resolve the pollution crisis. The Bench emphasised that multiple, interlinked factors contribute to the capital’s hazardous air and that sustainable solutions must come from domain experts, scientists and specialised bodies. The Court stressed that while it can issue directions, long-term mitigation requires scientific assessment, coordinated policy action and effective implementation by the executive authorities.
6. Supreme Court seeks response from BCI, State Bar Councils on plea for women’s reservation in upcoming bar council polls
The Supreme Court sought responses from the Bar Council of India and all State Bar Councils on a plea demanding women’s reservation in the forthcoming State Bar Council elections slated between January and April 2026. The petitioner argued that without corrective measures, the next five-year term will once again see inadequate female representation, as past elections have consistently excluded women from key positions. The Court has issued notice to the BCI and State Bar Councils to examine the issue and respond to the concerns raised.
7. Arbitration is a friend of conferences, a foe in practice: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has observed that while arbitration is often praised in seminars and conferences, its practical implementation remains problematic. The remark came while the Court set aside a Patna High Court order that had recalled its earlier decision appointing an arbitrator under Section 11 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. The Bench held that once an arbitrator is appointed under Section 11, the High Court becomes functus officio and cannot review or recall that order, especially after the arbitral proceedings have significantly progressed. The Court criticised the Patna High Court for stalling the process mid-way, reiterating that such interference defeats the purpose of speedy and efficient dispute resolution through arbitration.
8. Supreme Court seeks Centre's response on SCBA plea against menstrual shaming in Haryana college
The Supreme Court has sought the Union government’s reply to a petition filed by the Supreme Court Bar Association, which seeks nationwide guidelines to prevent practices amounting to “period shaming” in workplaces and educational institutions. The plea was triggered by an incident in a Haryana college where women students were allegedly subjected to intrusive checks related to menstruation. The SCBA has urged the Court to frame uniform guidelines to safeguard menstrual privacy and dignity across institutions. The matter will be taken up after the Centre files its response.
9. Supreme Court rejects plea against BCI rule mandating a qualifying exam for foreign law graduates
The Supreme Court dismissed a petition challenging the Bar Council of India rule requiring Indian citizens with foreign law degrees to clear a qualifying examination, even after completing the two-year bridge course prescribed by the BCI. The petitioner had contended that the qualifying exam lacked statutory backing and amounted to an unnecessary duplication of the assessment already conducted through the bridge course and the All India Bar Examination. The Court upheld the BCI’s authority to prescribe such a measure.
10. Supreme Court to examine claim that imaginary AI-generated case laws were cited in pleadings
The Supreme Court said it will investigate an allegation that a rejoinder filed by a promoter of Gstaad Hotels Bengaluru contained over 100 potentially fabricated or AI-generated case laws. The Court orally warned that it would hold the appellant accountable if the citations were indeed found to be fictitious, as claimed by the opposing counsel, highlighting concerns over reliance on AI in legal pleadings.
