1. Supreme Court: Fresh Hearing Ordered in Ex Parte Foreigners Tribunal Cases

The Supreme Court held that persons declared foreigners through ex parte or effectively ex parte proceedings before Foreigners Tribunals are entitled to a fresh adjudication if the proceedings failed to satisfy the requirements of fair procedure. Setting aside the Gauhati High Court’s judgments and the Tribunal orders, the Court ruled that the burden of proof under Section 9 of the Foreigners Act, 1946, does not dispense with the Tribunal’s duty to ensure meaningful notice, examine evidence, and deliver a reasoned decision. The Court remitted all matters to the concerned Tribunals for fresh consideration while directing that no coercive action be taken against the appellants until fresh opinions are rendered, subject to their cooperation with the proceedings.

Case: Sabitri Dey @ Swasthi Dey & Ors. v. Union of India & Ors. (2026)


2. NIPUN Bharat at Five Years: Government Reviews FLN Mission Ahead of 2026–27 Target

Five years after the launch of NIPUN Bharat, the Government is reviewing the Mission’s progress towards achieving universal Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) by 2026–27. While assessments indicate improvements in early reading and numeracy outcomes across several States, significant learning gaps persist, particularly among students in Grades 3–5. Education experts have called for expanding the Mission’s scope, strengthening teacher training, improving classroom assessments, and reinforcing institutional mechanisms to ensure every child attains foundational learning competencies. The review assumes significance as NIPUN Bharat remains a key pillar of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Samagra Shiksha framework.

Scheme: NIPUN Bharat (National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy), Ministry of Education

3.  Ayodhya Ram Mandir Donation Case: Court Grants 39-Hour Police Remand to Two Accused

A court in Ayodhya granted 39-hour police custody of Ram Shankar Yadav alias Tinnu Yadav and Manish Yadav in the alleged Ram Mandir donation embezzlement case. The remand was allowed to facilitate custodial interrogation into the alleged diversion of devotees’ donations, trace the money trail, recover further evidence, and uncover the larger conspiracy. The case forms part of an ongoing Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into alleged financial irregularities in the handling of temple donations, with multiple accused already questioned and substantial cash recoveries reported.

Case: State v. Ram Shankar Yadav @ Tinnu Yadav & Manish Yadav (Ram Mandir Donation Embezzlement Case, 2026)