Supreme Court Reduces Judicial Practice Requirement to One Year, Introduces Training and Clerkship The Supreme Court of India has significantly modified the eligibility criteria for entry into the judicial service, reducing the mandatory legal practice requirement from three years to one year. The court also introduced a structured training and clerkship period for selected candidates, while waiving the practice condition for a transition period. The decision, announced on August 21, 2026, addresses concerns raised by legal professionals and graduates about the abrupt reinstatement of the three-year practice rule in May 2025. The court substituted the earlier three-year practice requirement with a one-year requirement for candidates appearing in exams notified after April 1, 2027. Selected candidates will undergo one year of training at the State Judicial Academy, followed by a one-year clerkship under the supervision of judges. For candidates in the transition period—those who applied between May 20, 2025, and March 31, 2027—the court waived the practice requirement. These candidates are eligible to appear for the Civil Judge Junior Division exams without prior legal practice but will be appointed as trainee judicial officers for one year. They will also complete a one-year clerkship, with the first six months under the supervision of Principal District Judges or Higher Judicial Service members and the remaining six months under High Court judges. The court emphasized that the sudden restoration of the three-year practice rule without transitional arrangements had caused hardship for young lawyers and law graduates.#supreme_court_of_india #chief_judge_of_india #justice_august_george_masih #justice_k_vinod_chandran #state_judicial_academy
Rapper Santy Sharma Launches Public Awareness Campaign on Reservation Issues Rapper, singer, and social media personality Santy Sharma, alongside actor Puneet Vasishtha, officially launched the public awareness campaign "Arakshan Hatao – August Kranti" during a press conference in Mumbai on Saturday. The event, held in Andheri West, brought together media representatives and Vasishtha, who publicly endorsed the initiative. Sharma, known for his social media presence and music career, described the campaign as an independent movement aimed at sparking debate on reservation-related issues and encouraging public participation through digital platforms. The campaign’s focus centers on reservation policies, a topic that has sparked widespread discussion on social media. Sharma emphasized that the movement would initially operate through social media, with a dedicated Instagram page and additional online platforms planned for expansion. He stated the initiative seeks support from citizens who share similar concerns and aims to broaden its outreach in the coming months. Vasishtha, who gained recognition for his role in the reality show Bigg Boss, praised the campaign as a platform for promoting discussions on merit, equal opportunity, and educational policy. During the press conference, Sharma addressed criticisms of the Chief Justice of India (CJP) and clarified his stance on student protests. He expressed support for students and their right to raise genuine concerns but criticized what he described as the politicization of student movements. Sharma argued that certain demonstrations associated with CJP included non-students and condemned acts of vandalism and public disorder during protests.#santy_sharma #bigg_boss #chief_judge_of_india #puneet_vasishtha #arakhshan_hatao_august_kranti
Supreme Court Refuses To Entertain Plea Against Gurugram Demolitions, Allows Petitioners To Approach HC Today Itself The Supreme Court on Monday declined to consider a petition challenging the ongoing demolition efforts in Gurugram, directing the petitioners to approach the Punjab and Haryana High Court immediately. Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing the affected residents, orally submitted the matter before a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi. The court instructed the petitioners to make an urgent mention before the High Court that day, requesting the Chief Justice of the High Court to address the issue at 1 PM or immediately after lunch. The petition contested the government's demolition drive, arguing that the action was being carried out without proper legal procedures. Sankaranarayanan claimed that authorities had initiated the demolitions by misinterpreting an interim order issued by the High Court, which had previously imposed a stay on the "Stilt + 4" (S+4) construction policy. He asserted that the structures in question were legal and that the High Court’s order did not authorize large-scale demolition. Chief Justice Kant questioned why the petitioners were seeking intervention from the Supreme Court, emphasizing that the High Court itself was the appropriate forum to address such issues. The petition, filed by residents of Sector 31 in Gurugram (Lane 635 to 957), challenged an interim order from the Punjab and Haryana High Court dated April 2, 2026. This order had imposed a state-wide stay on the S+4 policy, which allows for the construction of additional floors on existing buildings.#supreme_court #punjab_and_haryana_high_court #chief_judge_of_india #gopal_sankaranarayanan #sector_31_gurugram
India's First Openly Queer MP Sworn In as Rajya Sabha Member; Delhi Assembly Security Breach and Other Key Developments Senior Advocate Menaka Guruswamy was officially sworn in as a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament on April 7, 2026, marking a historic milestone as India’s first openly queer member of parliament. A constitutional law expert, Guruswamy played a pivotal role in the 2018 Supreme Court judgment that decriminalized homosexuality in the country. Her appointment has been widely celebrated as a significant step toward greater representation of LGBTQ+ communities in Indian politics. The same day, a security breach occurred at the Delhi Legislative Assembly, where a masked driver rammed through a gate, left a bouquet inside the premises, and was apprehended within an hour. The incident, described as a “security scare,” raised concerns about the safety of public institutions. Authorities confirmed the driver was detained and questioned, though no immediate threats were reported. In a separate development, the Chief Justice of India (CJI) clarified that there is no question of withdrawing central forces from West Bengal, citing recent developments in the state. The remarks came amid ongoing discussions about the role of central forces in maintaining law and order in the region. Meanwhile, the Odisha government addressed confusion surrounding a minister’s remarks about a potential ban on 5 kg LPG cylinders. Officials clarified that there is no such ban, easing concerns among students and migrant workers who had feared disruptions in fuel supply. Internationally, a temporary ceasefire was reported near the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States.#strait_of_hormuz #menaka_guruswamy #delhi_legislative_assembly #chief_judge_of_india #odisha_government
