The article highlights a debate on the Indian rupee's exchange rate policy. Arvind Panagariya, Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission, advocates for allowing the rupee to depreciate past ₹100 per dollar to boost exports. In contrast, the RSS economic wing, Swadeshi Jagaran Manch (SJM), through Ashwani Mahajan, argues for a stronger rupee, stating that depreciation harms India's global standing, increases inflation, and negatively impacts domestic industry, which needs protection from dumping and high domestic costs, aligning with the 'Aatmanirbharta' principle. The SJM emphasizes structural issues affecting domestic industry rather than just inefficiency.
The Supreme Court has questioned the continued grant of reservation benefits to children of economically and educationally advanced families within backward classes, emphasizing that social mobility achieved through parental empowerment should lead to their exclusion from reservation. This observation was made during a hearing challenging a Karnataka High Court judgment that upheld the exclusion of a petitioner from reservation based on the 'creamy layer' principle, where parents' combined income exceeded the prescribed threshold. The court highlighted that existing government orders provide for such exclusion, but these are being challenged. It also briefly noted a separate case where it stated that the legislature must decide on the creamy layer for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted severe heatwave conditions to persist over the plains of Northwest, Central, and East India, as well as parts of Peninsular India, for the next six to seven days. Specific regions like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Vidarbha, Coastal Andhra, Yanam, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Telangana, Jammu-Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand are expected to experience heatwave or severe heatwave conditions. Additionally, warm night conditions are anticipated in isolated pockets of Uttar Pradesh, Vidarbha, Odisha, and Telangana.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reports that India's economic growth is primarily driven by domestic demand, but the near-term outlook is 'somewhat clouded' by supply-side pressures, particularly from the West Asia crisis. While headline inflation remains within the tolerance band, its pass-through to domestic prices needs monitoring. The external sector faces challenges from financial conditions, crude oil prices, and capital flows. Demand is broad-based, supported by rural markets and automobile sales, though overall petroleum consumption and air passenger traffic saw declines. Labor market conditions moderated in Q1 2026, with a rise in unemployment, especially in rural areas, despite an increase in regular salaried employment in secondary and tertiary sectors. Industrial activity showed resilience, but cost pressures and geopolitical spillovers affected manufacturing and services export orders.
The Muslim side has moved the Supreme Court to challenge a Madhya Pradesh High Court order that declared the disputed Bhojshala complex in Dhar district a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. The High Court also quashed a 2003 order by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) that allowed Muslims to offer namaz inside the complex every Friday and suggested the Muslim community seek separate land for a mosque.
The article reports on a bilateral meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides in New Delhi, following the Cypriot President's visit to Mumbai. The discussions focused on strengthening diplomatic, commercial, and investment ties between India and Cyprus, building on previous high-level visits. The engagement also holds strategic significance due to Cyprus holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, indicating broader cooperation within the India-EU framework. Both nations are preparing to mark 65 years of diplomatic relations in 2027.
The Centre has issued alerts to all States and Union Territories to strengthen surveillance, hospital preparedness, and rapid response systems following the World Health Organization's (WHO) declaration of the Ebola Disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). States are advised to intensify surveillance under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) for unusual fever clusters, especially among travelers from affected regions. The advisory details symptoms, calls for designated isolation facilities, trained personnel, PPE, and laboratory support from institutions like ICMR's National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune. It also emphasizes infection prevention, control practices, and public communication to prevent misinformation.
The Supreme Court granted bail to a Jammu and Kashmir man, Suhail Ahmad Thokar, accused under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) after he spent five years as an undertrial. The court emphasized the right to speedy trial and personal liberty, reiterating that 'bail is the rule and jail is the exception' even in UAPA cases, a stance that contrasts with previous judgments. The case involved allegations of 'hybrid terrorism' and cross-border conspiracy following the abrogation of Article 370.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the government's resolve to stop infiltration and expel all infiltrators to prevent 'unnatural demographic changes' in the country. He detailed plans for a 'Smart Border' concept using advanced technology (drones, radars, cameras) to secure Pakistan and Bangladesh borders. The Minister emphasized the need for enhanced coordination between the Border Security Force (BSF) and local revenue officials, police, district administration, state police forces, other paramilitary forces, Narcotics Control Bureau, and intelligence agencies. He also mentioned a high-powered demography mission to identify infiltration routes and highlighted challenges like fake currency, cyber security, hybrid warfare, and drones.
Parents and students have approached the Supreme Court to challenge a CBSE policy making three languages compulsory for Class 9 students from July 1, citing academic burden. The policy, part of NEP 2020 and NCF-SE 2023, mandates at least two of the three languages be native Indian languages, with no Board exam for the third language in Class 10. States and UTs have flexibility in implementation.
