Important News - 2025-08-14
14 August 2025
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Appointments (1)
UPSC Rejects Curtailment of Civil Services Exam Duration, Cites Confidentiality and Integrity Concerns
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has informed the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice that the duration of the Civil Services Examination (CSE), which spans approximately one year, cannot be reduced. This response was part of the 154th Report on Action Taken regarding the 131st Report titled 'Review of Functioning of Recruitment Organisations of Government of India', tabled in the Rajya Sabha on August 8. The UPSC emphasized that the exam cycle is optimized to maintain confidentiality and integrity, incorporating checks and balances to handle increasing volumes, such as over one million applications annually. For instance, the 2023 Preliminary Examination was conducted across 79 centers and 2,538 venues to accommodate 10.27 lakh candidates. The CSE comprises three stages: the Preliminary Examination (objective type), the Civil Services (Mains) Examination (descriptive type), and the Personality Test/Interview, with gaps of about 2.5 to 3 months between phases. The Commission noted that evaluating nearly 1.20 lakh descriptive answer sheets by expert teams takes over two months, leaving no scope to shorten the timeline. The parliamentary panel recommended rationalizing the recruitment framework and implementing reforms from the 2015 Baswan Committee, chaired by former Education Secretary B.S. Baswan, to address issues like high absenteeism. The panel also suggested releasing the Preliminary exam answer key immediately after the test for objections, but UPSC defended its current practice of using the online Question Paper Representation Portal (QPRep) and releasing keys after final results, citing smooth operations. The matter is currently sub judice in the Supreme Court.
Politics (5)
Clashes Erupt at Kerala Universities Over Partition Horrors Remembrance Day Events Despite State Ban
Violent clashes erupted at multiple university campuses in Kerala on August 14, 2023, during events organized by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) to observe 'Partition Horrors Remembrance Day'. This followed a directive from Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar to universities. The state government had preemptively banned such events on August 13, citing threats to communal harmony. ABVP proceeded with events at Central University of Kerala (CUK) in Kasaragod, Government College Kasaragod, Govinda Pai Memorial Government College in Manjeswaram, Calicut University campus at Tenhipalam, and VTM NSS College in Thiruvananthapuram. Students' Federation of India (SFI) activists strongly opposed the events at Government College Kasaragod and Calicut University, tearing down ABVP posters and clashing physically. Police intervened to control the situation. At Govinda Pai College, Muslim Students Federation (MSF) resisted ABVP. SFI also burned an effigy of Governor Arlekar. At Government Law College Kozhikode, police detained ABVP activists for organizing without permission. Only VTM NSS College and an online seminar at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) proceeded peacefully.
Uttarakhand Cabinet Approves Stricter Anti-Conversion Law with Life Imprisonment Provisions
On August 13, 2025, the Uttarakhand Cabinet approved the Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill, 2025, to enhance the state's existing anti-conversion law by imposing stricter penalties for forced religious conversions. The bill, which will be tabled in the state assembly's monsoon session starting August 19, increases prison sentences from the previous maximum of 10 years to a range of three years to life imprisonment. This amendment builds on the original Freedom of Religion Act of 2018, designed to uphold religious freedom under Articles 25, 26, 27, and 28 of the Indian Constitution, and was first amended in 2022. Key provisions define 'forced conversion' as involving allurement such as jobs, money, gifts, or promises of a better life, with specific punishments: 3-10 years for conversions through inducements like free education; 7-14 years for mass conversions or those funded by foreign sources; and 5-14 years for targeting women, children, Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), or persons with disabilities. 'Allurement' is broadly defined to include disparaging any religion or glorifying another, with human trafficking or threats to life attracting 20 years to life imprisonment. The bill also criminalizes false promises of marriage or hiding one's religion for marriage, punishable by 3-10 years and a ₹3 lakh fine, and includes propaganda on social media as conversion participation. Additional measures authorize District Magistrates to confiscate property from conversion-related crimes, provide free legal aid, accommodation, and medical support for victims under a confidential scheme, and allow arrests without a warrant, with bail restricted unless the court confirms innocence and non-repetition risk.
Madras High Court Orders Release of Lawyers and Students Arrested in Chennai Conservancy Protests
On August 14, 2025, the Madras High Court, led by a Division Bench of Justices M.S. Ramesh and V. Lakshminarayanan, ordered the release of four advocates—K. Bharathi, K. Suresh, Mohan Babu, and R. Raj Kumar—and two law students—Muthuselvan and Valarmathi. They were arrested by the Greater Chennai city police during the eviction of Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) conservancy workers' protests outside the Rippon Building on the intervening night of August 13 and 14. The court imposed conditions prohibiting them from giving media interviews or posting on social media about the protests. This decision stemmed from a habeas corpus petition filed by advocate S. Vijay, which alleged illegal detention. Police, represented by Additional Advocate General J. Ravindran, cited FIRs for damaging government buses and assaulting a woman constable, but the court found prima facie evidence of unlawful detention as the accused were not produced before a magistrate. A hearing for further evidence is scheduled for August 26, 2025.
Police Book Expelled BJP Leader Yatnal for ₹5 Lakh Reward Offer on Hindu-Muslim Marriages
Expelled BJP leader Basanagouda Patil Yatnal has been booked by the police based on a complaint filed at Roza Police Station for his controversial statement promising a cash reward of ₹5 lakh to Hindu youth marrying Muslim girls. The complaint was lodged by Qamar Junaid Qureshi, District working president of the organization Khidmat-e-Millat, who accused Yatnal of making derogatory remarks that disrupt communal harmony and insult Muslim girls. This action follows an August 3 incident in Koppal district, where a youth from the Valmiki community was killed over his relationship with a Muslim girl. Yatnal criticized the State government for allegedly protecting minorities in 'love jihad' cases while neglecting Hindu youth and announced plans to launch a campaign for the financial incentive.
Kerala High Court Declares Right to Motorable Roads a Constitutional Right, Orders Road Audit Report in One Month
The Kerala High Court has declared that the right to motorable roads is a constitutional right, stemming from the fundamental right to travel, and has mandated the state government to submit a detailed report on road safety and quality audits within one month. Presided over by a Bench led by Justice Devan Ramachandran, this ruling addresses a case concerning frequent accidents caused by potholes, inadequate road maintenance, and traffic violations across Kerala. Citing a specific tragic incident in Thrissur, where a two-wheeler rider died after swerving to avoid a pothole and being struck by another vehicle, the court emphasized the urgent need for accountability. The amicus curiae, Vinod Bhat, informed the court that only minimal efforts were made despite repeated directives, prompting the Bench to stress that designated engineers are responsible for road upkeep to prevent such accidents. With the Onam festival approaching, which typically sees increased traffic in August-September, the court urged all stakeholders, including high-level officials, to find sustainable solutions. Although the Public Works Department and Kochi Corporation were tasked with the audit, the government sought an extension, leading the court to schedule a follow-up hearing for the next week.
Elections (1)
Supreme Court Orders Publication of Deleted Voters in Bihar; Congress Demands 'One Vote, One Person' Policy
Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana, Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, led a candle-light rally in Khammam on a recent Thursday night to protest against the deletion of voters during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. He accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of deliberately conducting the SIR and alleged a conspiracy by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to delete voters, criticizing the ECI for lacking transparency. Concurrently, Congress party workers, responding to a call from the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC), held a candle-light protest at the Indira Gandhi statue near Necklace Road in Hyderabad, with participation from Khairatabad DCC chief Rohin Reddy and Congress leader Feroz Khan. TPCC President B. Mahesh Kumar Goud hailed the Supreme Court's interim order on the SIR as a victory for democracy, which directed the ECI to publish the names of approximately 6.5 million deleted voters on its website within 48 hours. Goud asserted that this verdict validated Rahul Gandhi's allegations of voter theft and condemned the central government for not addressing the issue in Parliament. He also demanded the implementation of the 'One Vote, One Person' policy by linking it with Aadhaar to prevent electoral fraud. Other leaders, including Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, Bhongir MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, and MLC Addanki Dayakar, supported the Supreme Court's decision.
Schemes (1)
KEA Implements Reduced Advance Fee for High-Cost Medical Seats Under Choice-2 in Karnataka
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), led by Executive Director H. Prasanna, has commenced the choice entry process for the first round of seat allotment in medical, dental, and homeopathy courses. A significant policy change now exempts Choice-2 candidates allotted seats with fees exceeding ₹12 lakh from paying the full course fee upfront. Instead, they must pay an advance fee of ₹12,00,117 (₹2 lakh for SC/ST and Category-1 candidates), with the balance due after the second-round seat allotment results. Previously, full payment was required. Candidates securing seats under the 'G' category with Choice-2 must adhere to specified payment instructions. If a seat is allotted through All India Quota (AIQ) or another state's counseling, candidates can cancel their KEA seat before the second-round results, leading to fee transfer or refund; otherwise, the advance is forfeited. Choice entry is open until August 16, and approximately 1,400 candidates with AIQ seats will free up state seats for others. Choice-1 candidates must pay fees by August 18, download allotment orders, and report to colleges by August 19, with colleges instructed to operate on holidays, including Independence Day.
Awards (1)
IPS Officer G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy Awarded Sixth President’s Police Medal for Gallantry
IPS officer G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy, a 2014 batch officer from Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, has been honored with his sixth President’s Police Medal for Gallantry (PMG) for exceptional bravery in multiple counter-terrorism operations in the Kashmir Valley. Currently serving as the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in Srinagar, he will receive the medal during the Independence Day celebrations on August 15 in New Delhi. Chakravarthy completed his schooling at Montessori Public School, A-Camp in Kurnool, and graduated in medicine from Kurnool Medical College before joining the Indian Police Service in 2014. His key postings in Jammu and Kashmir include roles as Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in Poonch, and District Superintendent of Police (SP) in Handwara, Kupwara, Kulgam, Anantnag, South Zone Srinagar, and Operations in Baramulla. He has previously received the PMG five times, the Jammu and Kashmir Police Medal for Gallantry four times, and the Indian Army Chief’s Commendation Disc. His father, Dr. G.V. Rama Gopal Rao, is a retired Resident Medical Officer at Government General Hospital, Kurnool, and his mother, P.C. Rangamma, retired from the Health Department.
Miscellaneous (1)
Southern Railway Announces Tiruchi-Tambaram Special MEMU Train for Weekend Rush
The Southern Railway will operate a special 12-car unreserved MEMU train from Tiruchi to Tambaram on Sunday, June 9, to manage the anticipated surge in passenger traffic. Departing Tiruchi at 10:50 PM, the train will traverse key stations including Thanjavur Junction (11:48 PM), Kumbakonam (12:22 AM), Mayiladuthurai Junction (12:54 AM), Cuddalore Junction (2:08 AM), Villupuram Junction (3:35 AM), Melmaruvathur (4:43 AM), and Chengalpattu (5:18 AM), before arriving at Tambaram by 6:10 AM on Monday. This initiative aims to alleviate congestion during the weekend rush.
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