The G20 Summit 2025 in Johannesburg

It was the first ever G20 Summit held on African soil, with the theme Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability. The G20 declaration was adopted by world leaders despite the US boycott.

Key Highlights of Declaration

• Disaster Resilience & Debt Sustainability: People-centred disaster response, support for debt-burdened countries, and emphasis on sustainable industrialisation and jobs.
• Climate & Energy Transition: Push to expand renewables, endorsed the G 20 Critical Minerals Framework (voluntary), and reaffirmed the Paris 1.5°C and global biodiversity goals.
• Institutional Reform: Call for UNSC reform and stronger multilateral cooperation rooted in the spirit of Ubuntu (Emphasizing interconnectedness and shared humanity).
• Reaffirmed commitment on empowerment of women and girls and condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

Major Ideas Proposed by India at Summit                                    

• Global Traditional Knowledge Repository: To harness collective human wisdom.
• Africa Skills Multiplier: Aimed to create 1 million certified trainers fostering youth skills in Africa.
• Global Healthcare Response Team: G20 healthcare experts to respond to global health crises.
• Open Satellite Data Partnership: Sharing satellite data for agriculture, fisheries, disaster management.
• Critical Minerals Circularity Initiative: To promote recycling, innovation, and supply chain security.
• Countering Drug Terror Nexus:  Initiative to combat drug trafficking and terrorism.

On sidelines of G2O summit, India and Italy both adopted a joint initiative to counter financing of terrorism.

Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025

The proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025 sparked a major political row after it sought to bring Chandigarh under Article 240, altering its administrative structure.

A draft amendment proposing to include Chandigarh under Article 240, placing it in the same category as UTs where the President can directly frame regulations.

Aim: To “simplify the Central Government’s law-making process for the UT of Chandigarh” and bring uniformity with other UTs lacking legislatures.

Key Features:

• Brings Chandigarh under Article 240: Enables the President to make regulations equivalent to Acts of Parliament, similar to A&N Islands, Lakshadweep, DNHDD and Puducherry (when Assembly is dissolved).
• Allows appointment of an independent Administrator: Opens the possibility of replacing the current system where Punjab’s Governor serves as Chandigarh’s Administrator.
• Reduces Punjab’s administrative role: Would mark a structural shift from the historical arrangement given during the 1966 Punjab Reorganisation, triggering political concerns.

Chandigarh''s History

• Planned vision of Jawaharlal Nehru: Conceived as a symbol of modern India’s aspirations after Partition- “a new town, unfettered by the traditions of the past.”
• Designed by Le Corbusier: The famous French architect developed the master plan, making it one of the world’s earliest and finest experiments in modernist urban planning.

Post-Partition Background-

• Replacement for Lahore: After 1947, Punjab lost Lahore to Pakistan; Chandigarh was envisioned as the capital of Indian Punjab.
• Refugee rehabilitation: The city was partly designed to resettle thousands displaced from West Punjab.

Site Selection and City Construction-

• Chosen in 1948: Foothills of the Shivalik’s - then part of Ambala district - were selected jointly by the Centre and Punjab Government.
• Foundation stone laid in 1952: Marking the beginning of India’s foremost modern city project.

Role after the 1966 Punjab Reorganisation-

• Joint capital of Punjab and Haryana: After Haryana was carved out, Chandigarh was designated as the shared capital of both states under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966.
• Declared a Union Territory: The city came directly under Central Government administration while hosting the secretariats and legislatures of both states.

Existing Governance Structure-

• Administrator of Chandigarh: Presently, Governor of Punjab holds additional charge as the Administrator of the UT.
• Earlier (1966–1984), the city had its own independent Chief Commissioner/Chief Secretary, before administration shifted to Punjab’s Governor.
• Administrative Control: Chandigarh UT functions directly under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
• The city has no legislative assembly, and governance is carried out through UT administration officials (Adviser to Administrator, Home Secretary, Finance Secretary, etc.).

Bharat NCAP 2.0

Bharat NCAP 2.0 draft has been released by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), expanding India’s crash-safety rating system with new test categories and higher safety benchmarks.

A revised vehicle safety rating programme that evaluates crashworthiness and safety technologies of cars sold in India. It updates the 2023 Bharat NCAP (New Car Safety Assessment program) guidelines and introduces new crash tests and assessment verticals.

Launched by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).

Testing and certification are handled by the Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT), Pune.

Aim:

1. To upgrade India’s vehicle safety framework to global standards.
2. To protect not just occupants but also pedestrians and vulnerable road users.
3. To encourage manufacturers to adopt advanced safety technologies.

Key Features of Bharat NCAP 2.0

• Five Assessment Verticals: Safe Driving, Accident Avoidance, Crash Protection, Vulnerable Road User Protection (new), Post-Crash Safety (new)
• Expanded Crash Tests: Frontal impact, side impact, oblique pole test, full-width frontal test (new), rear impact test (new).
• Injury Evaluation: Uses advanced test dummies (ATDs) to measure injury levels in different crash scenarios.
• Vulnerable Road User Safety: Includes pedestrian legform tests, adult/child head impact tests; optional checks for autonomous braking in pedestrian and motorcyclist situations.
• Accident-Avoidance Tech: Mandatory Electronic Stability Control (ESC); optional Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEBS) earns extra points.
• Post-Crash Safety: Checks for fire/electrical safety and ease of occupant escape (doors and seat-belt buckles).
• Revised Star Ratings: Higher point thresholds; no 5-star rating if any category scores zero or shows severe injury risk

Significance:

• Brings India closer to global NCAP standards.
• Improves protection for pedestrians, who form over 20% of road-accident deaths.
• Boosts India’s aim of reducing road fatalities by 50% by 2030.

53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI)

Justice Surya Kant is set to take oath as the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI) on 24 November 2025 following the retirement of CJI B. R. Gavai. His tenure will extend until 9 February 2027, making it one of the longer CJI tenures in recent years.

The Office of the CJI:

• The Chief Justice of India (CJI) is the head of the Indian judiciary and presiding judge of the Supreme Court of India.
• The office flows from Article 124(1), which establishes a Supreme Court consisting of a CJI and other judges.

Constitutional Associated:

• Article 124(1): Establishes the Supreme Court of India (CJI + other judges).
• Article 124(2): Judges (including CJI) appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal, after consultation.
• Article 126: Appointment of an Acting CJI when needed.
• Article 127: Appointment of ad hoc judges of the Supreme Court.
• Article 128: Retired SC judges can sit and act as judges of the Supreme Court.

Procedure for Appointment of the CJI:

• Seniority Principle: By convention, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court (by tenure in SC) is considered for appointment as CJI, if found fit.
• Initiation by Outgoing CJI: About one month before retirement, the outgoing CJI recommends the name of the next CJI to the Union Minister of Law & Justice.
• Executive Processing: Law Minister → places file before the Prime Minister → PM advises the President.

Presidential Appointment & Oath:

• The President issues the warrant of appointment under Article 124(2).
• The CJI then takes oath of office before the President of India.
• Memorandum of Procedure (MoP): The MoP (1999) codifies this practice: “Appointment to the office of the CJI should be of the seniormost Judge of the Supreme Court considered fit to hold the office.”

Key Features of the CJI Appointment System:

• Seniority-based & Convention-driven: Reduces arbitrariness and strengthens judicial independence by limiting political discretion.
• Consultative but Executive-formalised: Though the President/Executive formally appoints, the recommendation flows from the judiciary, especially the outgoing CJI.
• Linked to Collegium System: As CJI heads the collegium, his appointment affects the entire higher judiciary appointments ecosystem.

Significance of the CJI’s Role:

• Judicial Head & Master of Roster: Allocates benches, lists cases, and shapes which issues get priority.
• Head of Collegium: Crucial role in appointment and transfer of High Court and Supreme Court judges.
• Constitutional Sentinel: Leads benches deciding on federal disputes, fundamental rights, electoral issues, separation of powers.

Higher Education Commission of India (HECI)

A unified regulator proposed under NEP 2020 to replace UGC, AICTE and NCTE and ensure coherent standards across general, technical, and teacher education.

Four Verticals of HECI

• National Higher Education Regulatory Council (NHERC): A single regulator for all higher education (except medical and legal), responsible for setting standards and enforcing compliance.
• National Accreditation Council (NAC): An independent accreditation body that evaluates on quality benchmarks like teaching, governance, and infrastructure through a transparent grading system.
• General Education Council (GEC): Defines academic standards, learning outcomes, and curricular frameworks to ensure coherence, flexibility, and multidisciplinary learning across institutions.
• Higher Education Grants Council (HEGC): Oversees grant-related rules and funding criteria, ensuring transparent and performance-linked financial support.

Key Provisions of the HECI Bill 2025

• Single Regulator: Merges UGC, AICTE, and NCTE to reduce overlap and create a unified decision-making system across higher education.
• Four Verticals: Independent bodies for regulation, accreditation, learning outcomes, and funding alignment ensure functional separation and avoid conflicts of interest.
• Expert-Led Bodies: Each vertical will comprise experts with proven academic/research integrity to improve professionalism and transparency.
• Autonomy Promotion: Encourages universities to become self-governing through tiered autonomy, outcome-based accreditation, and academic flexibility.
• Reduced Red Tape: Aims to end “heavy-handed regulation” (NEP 2020), by shifting from input-based approvals to performance-based oversight.
• Funding Clarity: Funding decisions may remain with the government, but HEGC will guide grant norms to align quality with financial incentives.

Significance of the HECI Bill 2025

• Regulatory Streamlining: Eliminates fragmented oversight by three bodies, creating uniform standards across higher education. E.g. India currently has 55+ regulators across education sectors (AISHE).
• Quality Enhancement: Accreditation under NAC promotes rigorous benchmarking and outcome-based evaluation. E.g. Only 17% of colleges have NAAC accreditation (NAAC 2023).
• Autonomy Boost: HECI’s autonomy framework encourages innovation, flexible curricula, and multidisciplinary learning. E.g. NEP targets 100% GER expansion through flexible degree pathways.
• Global Alignment: Brings India closer to unified regulatory models used in countries like the UK and Australia. E.g. UK’s Office for Students integrates oversight of all higher-education providers.

Criticism Against the HECI Bill 2025

• Excess Centralisation: Fear that HECI may give disproportionate control to the Centre over appointments & standards. E.g. 2018 HECI draft had all 12 members appointed by Centre.
• State Marginalisation: States worry about reduced say, creating conflict between state and national regulatory frameworks. E.g. 70% of India’s universities are state universities (AISHE).
• Representation Gaps: Concerns about limited inclusion of SC/ST, OBC, women, minorities in regulatory bodies. E.g. CPI(M) highlighted “no representation” for disadvantaged groups in 2018 draft.
• Funding Concerns: Fear that grants may shift from UGC’s system to a 60:40 Centre–State pattern. E.g. Tamil Nadu objected, citing past bias in central fund allocation.
• Autonomy Paradox: Institutions fear “light-but-tight” may become centralised, compliance-heavy regulation. E.g. India already faces a high regulatory compliance burden (NITI Aayog BRAP report).

Way Forward

• Balanced Federalism: Ensure state representation in HECI verticals to protect federal autonomy. E.g. Australia’s Tertiary Education Quality Agency includes state nominees.
• Inclusive Governance: Mandate representation of women, SC/ST, OBC, minorities, persons with disabilities to ensure inclusive and participative governance.
• Funding Reform: Create transparent grant norms under HEGC while maintaining full support for state universities. E.g., RUSA follows performance-linked funding for quality improvement.
• Capacity Strengthening: Provide training, digital tools, and compliance simplification for smaller institutions. E.g. NEAT and SWAYAM for academic capacity-building and governance support.
• Gradual Transition: Phased rollout to avoid disruptive overlap norms and accreditation cycles. E.g. EU Bologna reforms (coherence to education systems across Europe) adopted a multi-phase transition.
• Rashtriya Uchchatar Shikha Abhiyan (RUSA) was launched in 2013 as a central sponsor scheme with an aim to provide funding to state higher educational institutions.