Indian Society & Social Justice
Ministry of Law & Justice – Year End Report 2025:
1. Litigation management directive: The Department of Legal Affairs (DLA) issued a Directive for Efficient and Effective Management of Litigation applicable to all ministries, departments, attached offices and CPSEs. The directive aims to simplify legal procedures, streamline inter-departmental coordination, minimise unnecessary appeals, and improve public accountability.
2. Law officers’ appointments:
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- Attorney General Re-appointment: Sh. R. Venkataramani re-appointed for two more years.
- New Posts Created: Three additional posts of Additional Solicitor General of India.
- Panel Counsel Extended/Empanelled: Nine Deputy Solicitor General of India positions filled; 3,877 advocates empanelled or extended.
3. Arbitration & treaties:
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- Engaged in arbitration panel counsel appointments for domestic and international commercial disputes.
- Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) with Vietnam signed; bilateral cooperation in civil/commercial matters strengthened.
4. Hague convention implementation: DLA serves as Central Authority under the Hague Conventions (1965, 1971) for cross-border service of judicial documents and evidence collection in civil/commercial matters.
5. India International Arbitration Centre (IIAC):
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- Established under IIAC Act 2019 as a National Importance Institution for arbitration.
- Organized international conferences and signed MoUs to enhance institutional arbitration capacity.
6. Legal Information and Management Briefing System (LIMBS):
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- Web-based litigation monitoring tool capturing 13.05 lakh cases where the Union is a party.
- Integrated with courts and tribunals via APIs for coordinated oversight.
- Improves transparency, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making.
7. Tribunal infrastructure & e-filing:
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- Expansion and infrastructure strengthening of tribunals including ITAT benches.
- E-filing and virtual/hybrid hearings increasing access and efficiency.
8. ADR & sentencing policy:
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- Promoted Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms.
- Committee constituted under Law Commission to examine a comprehensive sentencing policy.
(PIB)
Science & Technology
BSNL Launches Voice over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi) Services Nationwide:
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- What is VoWiFi: Voice over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi), also called Wi-Fi Calling, allows users to make voice calls and send messages over a Wi-Fi network, using their existing mobile number and native dialer app without needing third-party applications.
- Launch details:
- Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has rolled out VoWiFi services nationwide across all telecom circles in India.
- Service is offered to BSNL customers free of cost with no additional charges for Wi-Fi voice calls.
- Key features:
- Works in areas with weak mobile network coverage if a stable Wi-Fi connection is available.
- Supports seamless handover between Wi-Fi and mobile networks (IMS-based), improving call continuity.
- Supported on most modern smartphones with VoWiFi compatibility; users simply enable Wi-Fi Calling in handset settings.
- Significance:
- Boosts connectivity in remote, rural, and indoor areas where cellular signals are weak.
- Reduces network congestion, improving call quality and reliability.
- Enhances telecom accessibility, important for digital inclusion and services like emergency calling.
(PIB)
Defence & Security
DRDO celebrates 68th Foundation Day:
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- 68th Foundation Day of DRDO celebrated on 1 January 2026 at CVRDE, Avadi.
- Core theme:
- Strengthening Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence
- Emphasis on future warfare technologies
- Major achievements (2025):
- 22 Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) worth ~₹1.30 lakh crore, highest ever in one year
- 11 defence contracts worth ~₹26,000 crore signed with Indian industry
- Key Defence Systems (AoN):
- Akash NG, Astra Mk-II, Pralay missile
- Integrated Air Defence Weapon System
- Advanced Lightweight Torpedo
- AEW&C Mk-1A, Mountain Radars
- Integrated Drone Detection System (IDDIS Mk-II)
- Trials & development:
- Successful trials of Pinaka guided rockets, MPATGM, CBRN systems, Border Surveillance System
- Industry & academia linkage:
- 2,201 technology transfer licences signed (245 in 2025 alone)
- Strong industry–academia collaboration
- DRDO labs opened for private sector testing
- Future focus areas:
- Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Space Technologies.
(PIB)
History, Art & Culture
Grand International Exposition of Sacred Piprahwa Relics:
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- CONTEXT: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Grand International Exposition of Sacred Piprahwa Relics on 3 January 2026 in New Delhi at the Rai Pithora Cultural Complex.
- Theme & title: The exposition is titled “The Light & the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One.” It brings together Piprahwa relics repatriated after more than a century alongside other archaeological treasures.
- Piprahwa relics – historical significance:
- The Piprahwa relics, discovered in 1898, are among the earliest and most significant relic deposits directly linked to Bhagwan Buddha.
- Archaeological evidence associates Piprahwa with ancient Kapilavastu, believed to be where Gautama Buddha spent his early life before renunciation.
- Exhibition highlights:
- Includes repatriated relics and artefacts from the National Museum (New Delhi) and the Indian Museum (Kolkata).
- The exhibition is organised thematically around sections such as Piprahwa Revisited, Vignettes of the Life of Buddha, and Expansion of Buddhist Art and Ideals.
- Supported by immersive films, digital reconstructions, and multimedia presentations for broader public engagement.
- India’s cultural context:
- Showcases India’s enduring civilizational link with Buddhism and reflects efforts to preserve spiritual and cultural heritage.
- Highlights the importance of repatriation of cultural artefacts, bringing back heritage material taken overseas.
(PIB)
Miscellaneous
First Vande Bharat Sleeper Train between Guwahati and Howrah:
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- The Ministry of Railways announced that the first-ever Vande Bharat Sleeper Train will run between Guwahati (Assam) and Howrah (West Bengal).
- Significance:
- Passenger comfort & connectivity: Extends the Vande Bharat brand to overnight long-distance travel, combining speed with comfort.
- Regional integration: Strengthens connectivity between Northeast and Eastern India.
- Railway modernisation: Represents India’s focus on advanced rail mobility solutions and passenger-centric services.
- Safety & accessibility: Use of KAVACH and other systems reflect modern safety priorities.
(TH)+ (PIB)
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