1
, TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Polity and Governance (Including Current Legal 17. Trump Imposes Sanctions on ICC Over Israel
Knowledge) 03 Investigations ................................................................................... 84
1. Uttarakhand becomes First State to Implement UCC….03 18. 4 Years of Myanmar Military Coup ........................................ 88
2. NITI Aayog launches first Fiscal Health Index 2025 ......08 19. Illegal immigrants from USA to India ................................... 93
3. Ban on Begging ................................................................................12 20. USA-China Trade War and Its Impact on India ................ 98
4. Government Plans to Amend Nuclear Liability Law ......15 21. India-France Relations................................................................. 102
5. Appointment of New Chief Election Commissioner ......18 22. Neutral Expert appointed by World Bank and the Indus
6. Husband can't be charged for rape, unnatural sex with Water Treaty ..................................................................................... 107
wife: Chhattisgarh HC ...................................................................23
4. Environment & Biodiversity 111
7. Aero India 2025 ...............................................................................27
23. 4 New Ramsar Sites and World Wetland Day…………....111
8. Obscenity Laws in India: Recent YouTube Controversy
.................................................................................................................30 5. Science & Technology 116
9. Delhi Election and Evolution of Delhi administration -LG 24. India's first astronaut on a private space mission and
Issue ......................................................................................................33 Axiom Mission 4………………………………….. .......................... 116
10. Evolution of Lokpal and Lokayukta and Recent SC Stay 25. Deepseek AI and India's position in AI Race ..................... 121
.................................................................................................................38 26. Scientists discover ‘Einstein ring’……..…………... ............... 125
11. President's Rule in Manipur ......................................................43
6. Static Scoop 128
2. Economy & Governance 48 27. Latest ASI Excavation and the History of Buddhism ..... 128
12. Economic Survey FY 24-25 ........................................................48
13. Union Budget FY 25-26 ...............................................................55 8. Editorials and CLAT Preparation 132
14. RBI Cuts Repo rate and its implication on Economy .....68 9. Important One Liners 134
15. Income Tax Bill, 2025 ...................................................................73
3. International Affairs 80 10. CLAT POST Mock Test 162
16. Paris AI Summit 2025...................................................................80 28. Question Paper ................................................................................ 162
2
, Polity & Governance
Uttarakhand becomes First State to Implement UCC
News Highlights:
Uttarakhand has become the first state in India to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). The law, effective from
January 27, 2025, will standardize personal civil laws in the state, ensuring equal rights and responsibilities for all
citizens, irrespective of religion. This significant move is aimed at promoting gender equality, social justice, and a unified
legal framework for marriage, inheritance, and property rights.
Key Features of Uttarakhand’s Uniform Civil Code:
Uniformity in Personal Laws: The UCC will harmonize marriage,
divorce, inheritance, and property rights laws across communities,
except for Scheduled Tribes, who are exempt from the UCC.
Gender Equality: It ensures equal property and inheritance rights for
both men and women, while also prohibiting halala, iddat, talaq, and
polygamy.
Legal Marriage Age: The legal age for marriage is set at 21 years for
men and 18 years for women.
DID
Mandatory Registration: All marriages, divorces, and live-in YOU
relationships must be registered on the official UCC online portal KNOW?
within prescribed deadlines (within 60 days for new marriages).
Goa has a similar law, the
Portuguese Civil Code,
Live-In Relationships: Registration for live-in couples is required. which remains in place
Couples must be aged 21 or above, with parental consent required since 1961, though no new
for those under 21. The law also grants housing rights to registered law was passed post-
live-in couples. liberation.
Uttarakhand’s adoption of
the UCC places it at the
Inheritance Rights: Equal inheritance rights are granted to both sons
forefront of a national
and daughters, including recognition of children from live-in
debate on whether such a
relationships as legitimate.
law should be implemented
across India, with the state’s
Aadhaar-Based Verification: The UCC portal integrates Aadhaar- experience being closely
based verification and links with 13 government departments, observed by other states
including police and courts. and policymakers.
LEGALEDGE 6363 28 6363 www.toprankers.com 3
, Implementation Process and Key Dates:
Marriage Registration: Marriages since 2010 must be registered within six
months, and new marriages within 60 days of the ceremony.
Live-In Registration: Live-in relationships must be registered within one
month of the UCC's implementation.
Emergency Processing: The Tatkal Facility allows for emergency
registrations for a nominal fee.
Will Registration: The UCC portal enables registration of wills through online
forms, uploads, or a three-minute video.
Political Context and Reactions:
The UCC was a major electoral promise made by the BJP in the 2022 Uttarakhand Assembly elections and has
now been fulfilled with this historic implementation.
The law’s passage is seen as a key victory for women’s empowerment and gender equality, aligning with the
state’s commitment to constitutional principles.
While supporters view the move as an advancement in social justice, critics express concerns about its potential
impact on cultural practices and the freedom of religion.
Legal Framework and International Perspective:
Rome Statute: Internationally, a Uniform Civil Code concept exists in various forms. The International Criminal
Court (ICC) has provisions for universal principles related to war crimes and crimes against humanity, though the
UCC in personal law systems is more nation-specific.
Islamic Countries: In countries like Iran and Saudi Arabia, personal laws are based on religious guidelines, whereas
secular countries like France and Turkey have attempted to implement uniform civil codes in various forms.
The Uniform Civil Code is a law that seeks to establish a common set of legal provisions for all
Uniform citizens, regardless of their religion or community. It aims to standardize personal laws
Civil related to marriage, divorce, inheritance, property rights, and adoption for all citizens in a
Code given country. The objective of the UCC is to promote equality, justice, and gender equality,
ensuring that no individual is discriminated against based on religion, caste, or gender.
Historical Context and Constitutional Provisions:
The idea of a Uniform Civil Code was first discussed during the Constituent Assembly of India in the 1940s. It was
envisaged as a way to unify personal laws across various religious communities in India, thus ensuring equal
treatment for all citizens.
The Directive Principles of State Policy (Article 44) of the Indian Constitution states that, “The State shall
endeavor to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India.” While this is a directive
principle and not an enforceable law, it indicates the intent of the framers of the Constitution for a uniform legal
system in personal matters.
Important Cases and Committees Related to the Uniform Civil Code (UCC):
Shah Bano Case (1985):
While not a formal committee, the Shah Bano case became one of the most significant judicial events related to the
UCC. The case revolved around a Muslim woman, Shah Bano, who sought maintenance from her husband after divorce.
The Supreme Court of India ruled in her favor, directing her husband to provide maintenance under the Criminal
Procedure Code (CrPC), despite personal law provisions in Muslim law being in conflict with this decision.
LEGALEDGE 6363 28 6363 www.toprankers.com 4
, TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Polity and Governance (Including Current Legal 17. Trump Imposes Sanctions on ICC Over Israel
Knowledge) 03 Investigations ................................................................................... 84
1. Uttarakhand becomes First State to Implement UCC….03 18. 4 Years of Myanmar Military Coup ........................................ 88
2. NITI Aayog launches first Fiscal Health Index 2025 ......08 19. Illegal immigrants from USA to India ................................... 93
3. Ban on Begging ................................................................................12 20. USA-China Trade War and Its Impact on India ................ 98
4. Government Plans to Amend Nuclear Liability Law ......15 21. India-France Relations................................................................. 102
5. Appointment of New Chief Election Commissioner ......18 22. Neutral Expert appointed by World Bank and the Indus
6. Husband can't be charged for rape, unnatural sex with Water Treaty ..................................................................................... 107
wife: Chhattisgarh HC ...................................................................23
4. Environment & Biodiversity 111
7. Aero India 2025 ...............................................................................27
23. 4 New Ramsar Sites and World Wetland Day…………....111
8. Obscenity Laws in India: Recent YouTube Controversy
.................................................................................................................30 5. Science & Technology 116
9. Delhi Election and Evolution of Delhi administration -LG 24. India's first astronaut on a private space mission and
Issue ......................................................................................................33 Axiom Mission 4………………………………….. .......................... 116
10. Evolution of Lokpal and Lokayukta and Recent SC Stay 25. Deepseek AI and India's position in AI Race ..................... 121
.................................................................................................................38 26. Scientists discover ‘Einstein ring’……..…………... ............... 125
11. President's Rule in Manipur ......................................................43
6. Static Scoop 128
2. Economy & Governance 48 27. Latest ASI Excavation and the History of Buddhism ..... 128
12. Economic Survey FY 24-25 ........................................................48
13. Union Budget FY 25-26 ...............................................................55 8. Editorials and CLAT Preparation 132
14. RBI Cuts Repo rate and its implication on Economy .....68 9. Important One Liners 134
15. Income Tax Bill, 2025 ...................................................................73
3. International Affairs 80 10. CLAT POST Mock Test 162
16. Paris AI Summit 2025...................................................................80 28. Question Paper ................................................................................ 162
2
, Polity & Governance
Uttarakhand becomes First State to Implement UCC
News Highlights:
Uttarakhand has become the first state in India to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). The law, effective from
January 27, 2025, will standardize personal civil laws in the state, ensuring equal rights and responsibilities for all
citizens, irrespective of religion. This significant move is aimed at promoting gender equality, social justice, and a unified
legal framework for marriage, inheritance, and property rights.
Key Features of Uttarakhand’s Uniform Civil Code:
Uniformity in Personal Laws: The UCC will harmonize marriage,
divorce, inheritance, and property rights laws across communities,
except for Scheduled Tribes, who are exempt from the UCC.
Gender Equality: It ensures equal property and inheritance rights for
both men and women, while also prohibiting halala, iddat, talaq, and
polygamy.
Legal Marriage Age: The legal age for marriage is set at 21 years for
men and 18 years for women.
DID
Mandatory Registration: All marriages, divorces, and live-in YOU
relationships must be registered on the official UCC online portal KNOW?
within prescribed deadlines (within 60 days for new marriages).
Goa has a similar law, the
Portuguese Civil Code,
Live-In Relationships: Registration for live-in couples is required. which remains in place
Couples must be aged 21 or above, with parental consent required since 1961, though no new
for those under 21. The law also grants housing rights to registered law was passed post-
live-in couples. liberation.
Uttarakhand’s adoption of
the UCC places it at the
Inheritance Rights: Equal inheritance rights are granted to both sons
forefront of a national
and daughters, including recognition of children from live-in
debate on whether such a
relationships as legitimate.
law should be implemented
across India, with the state’s
Aadhaar-Based Verification: The UCC portal integrates Aadhaar- experience being closely
based verification and links with 13 government departments, observed by other states
including police and courts. and policymakers.
LEGALEDGE 6363 28 6363 www.toprankers.com 3
, Implementation Process and Key Dates:
Marriage Registration: Marriages since 2010 must be registered within six
months, and new marriages within 60 days of the ceremony.
Live-In Registration: Live-in relationships must be registered within one
month of the UCC's implementation.
Emergency Processing: The Tatkal Facility allows for emergency
registrations for a nominal fee.
Will Registration: The UCC portal enables registration of wills through online
forms, uploads, or a three-minute video.
Political Context and Reactions:
The UCC was a major electoral promise made by the BJP in the 2022 Uttarakhand Assembly elections and has
now been fulfilled with this historic implementation.
The law’s passage is seen as a key victory for women’s empowerment and gender equality, aligning with the
state’s commitment to constitutional principles.
While supporters view the move as an advancement in social justice, critics express concerns about its potential
impact on cultural practices and the freedom of religion.
Legal Framework and International Perspective:
Rome Statute: Internationally, a Uniform Civil Code concept exists in various forms. The International Criminal
Court (ICC) has provisions for universal principles related to war crimes and crimes against humanity, though the
UCC in personal law systems is more nation-specific.
Islamic Countries: In countries like Iran and Saudi Arabia, personal laws are based on religious guidelines, whereas
secular countries like France and Turkey have attempted to implement uniform civil codes in various forms.
The Uniform Civil Code is a law that seeks to establish a common set of legal provisions for all
Uniform citizens, regardless of their religion or community. It aims to standardize personal laws
Civil related to marriage, divorce, inheritance, property rights, and adoption for all citizens in a
Code given country. The objective of the UCC is to promote equality, justice, and gender equality,
ensuring that no individual is discriminated against based on religion, caste, or gender.
Historical Context and Constitutional Provisions:
The idea of a Uniform Civil Code was first discussed during the Constituent Assembly of India in the 1940s. It was
envisaged as a way to unify personal laws across various religious communities in India, thus ensuring equal
treatment for all citizens.
The Directive Principles of State Policy (Article 44) of the Indian Constitution states that, “The State shall
endeavor to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India.” While this is a directive
principle and not an enforceable law, it indicates the intent of the framers of the Constitution for a uniform legal
system in personal matters.
Important Cases and Committees Related to the Uniform Civil Code (UCC):
Shah Bano Case (1985):
While not a formal committee, the Shah Bano case became one of the most significant judicial events related to the
UCC. The case revolved around a Muslim woman, Shah Bano, who sought maintenance from her husband after divorce.
The Supreme Court of India ruled in her favor, directing her husband to provide maintenance under the Criminal
Procedure Code (CrPC), despite personal law provisions in Muslim law being in conflict with this decision.
LEGALEDGE 6363 28 6363 www.toprankers.com 4
