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5th May- Current Affairs

Home / UPSC / Current affairs / UPSC Current Affairs – 5th May

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Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016: Supreme Court Expands Protection for Acid Attack Survivors

The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 was in news after the Supreme Court of India expanded the definition of “acid attack victims” to include survivors of forcible acid ingestion and victims suffering internal injuries even without visible disfigurement. The judgment strengthened disability rights and access to welfare benefits.

What is the RPwD Act, 2016?

The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 is a landmark legislation enacted to protect the rights, dignity and equal opportunities of persons with disabilities in India.

It replaced the earlier:

  • Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995

The Act was enacted to implement the:

  • United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

which India ratified in 2007.

Key Features of the RPwD Act, 2016

The Act increased the number of recognised disabilities from:

  • 7 to 21 categories

Newly included categories include:

  • Acid attack victims
  • Dwarfism
  • Muscular dystrophy
  • Thalassemia
  • Hemophilia
  • Sickle cell disease

Rights Guaranteed Under the Act

Equality and Non-Discrimination

Persons with disabilities are entitled to:

  • Equal treatment
  • Non-discrimination
  • Full participation in society

Reservation Provisions

The Act provides:                   

  • 4% reservation in government jobs
  • 5% reservation in higher educational institutions

for persons with benchmark disabilities.

Accessibility Measures

The Act mandates:

  • Barrier-free public buildings
  • Accessible transport systems
  • Inclusive education
  • Accessible information and communication systems

Social Security and Rehabilitation

The Act promotes:

      • Financial assistance
      • Rehabilitation services
      • Skill development
      • Healthcare access

Why Was it in News?

  • The Supreme Court ruled that:

    • Victims who are forcibly made to ingest acid should also be treated as “acid attack victims.”
    • Internal injuries without visible external disfigurement should also qualify for protection under the Act.

    The Court stated that the expanded interpretation would apply retrospectively from 2016, enabling such victims to access disability benefits and welfare schemes

Supreme Court Observations

  • Inclusive Interpretation of Disability

    The Court emphasized that disability laws should be interpreted in a humane and inclusive manner.

    Recognition of Invisible Injuries

    The judgment acknowledged that serious internal injuries can cause long-term disability even without visible scars.

    Need for Effective Implementation                                             

    The Supreme Court also expressed concern over delays by several states in implementing provisions of the RPwD Act and appointing nodal officers for disability rights enforcement.

Challenges in Implementation

Poor Accessibility Infrastructure

Many public buildings and transport systems remain inaccessible.

Delay in Welfare Delivery

Disability pensions, certificates and rehabilitation services are often delayed.

Lack of Awareness

Many beneficiaries are unaware of their legal rights.

Inadequate State Compliance            

Several states have not fully implemented provisions under the Act.

POCSO Act and Debate on Adolescent Relationships: Supreme Court Suggests “Romeo-Juliet Clause”

The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 was in news due to continuing discussions on the Supreme Court’s observations regarding the misuse of the law in consensual adolescent relationships. The Court suggested that the government may consider introducing a “Romeo–Juliet clause” to prevent criminalisation of consensual teenage relationships.

What is the POCSO Act?

The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 is a special law enacted to protect children below 18 years of age from:

  • Sexual assault
  • Sexual harassment
  • Pornography
  • Sexual exploitation

The Act is:

  • Gender-neutral
  • Child-centric

Designed to ensure speedy justice through special courts.

Key Features of the POCSO Act

Definition of Child

Any person below the age of 18 years is considered a child under the Act.

Child-Friendly Procedures

The Act provides:                

  • Special POCSO courts
  • In-camera trials
  • Protection of child identity
  • Sensitive investigation procedures

Mandatory Reporting

Under Section 19:

  • Any person aware of sexual offences against children must report the matter.
  • Failure to report may attract punishment.

Consent of Minor Not Recognised

Even if a relationship is consensual:

  • Consent of a person below 18 years has no legal validity under POCSO.
  • Sexual activity involving minors is treated as an offence.

Why Was It in News?

The Supreme Court observed that:

  • POCSO is increasingly being used in consensual adolescent relationships.
  • Parents sometimes invoke the law against teenage couples due to social or family opposition.

The Court suggested examining the possibility of a:

“Romeo–Juliet Clause”

This clause would:

  • Exempt consensual relationships between adolescents close in age from criminal prosecution.

Distinguish genuine teenage relationships from exploitative sexual offences.

Supreme Court Concerns

Over-Criminalisation

The Court noted that:

  • A law intended to protect children should not unintentionally criminalise consensual adolescent behaviour.

Misuse by Families

POCSO cases are sometimes filed when:

  • Families oppose inter-caste or inter-faith relationships.
  • Teenagers elope or engage in consensual relationships.

Arguments Supporting Reform

Supporters of reform argue that:

  • Adolescents possess evolving maturity and autonomy.
  • Criminal prosecution may harm young individuals unnecessarily.

Many cases involve consent rather than exploitation.

Arguments Against Dilution

Opponents argue that:

  • Lowering protection may expose children to abuse.
  • Adolescents remain vulnerable to coercion and exploitation.
  • Strong legal safeguards are necessary to protect minors.

Importance of the POCSO Act

The Act remains crucial for:

  • Protecting children from abuse
  • Preventing child pornography
  • Ensuring speedy justice
  • Strengthening child rights protection

Transgender Rights Debate in India: Supreme Court Examines Changes to Self-Identification Law

Background

India enacted the:

  • Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019

to protect transgender persons from discrimination and ensure welfare measures.

The law was based on the landmark Supreme Court judgment in:

  • National Legal Services Authority v. Union of India

which recognised:

    • Transgender persons as the “third gender”
    • Right to self-identify gender as a fundamental right under the Constitution.

Why Was It in News?

The Supreme Court agreed to hear petitions challenging provisions of the:

  • Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act, 2026

Petitioners argued that the amendment:

  • Removes legal recognition of self-identified gender
  • Narrows the definition of transgender persons
  • Introduces mandatory medical certification for identity recognition.

Key Changes in the 2026 Amendment

Removal of Self-Identification Principle

The amendment removes provisions recognising:

  • Self-perceived gender identity

Earlier, individuals could identify their gender through self-declaration without mandatory medical examination.

Medical Certification Requirement

Under the new provisions:

  • A Medical Board recommendation becomes necessary before the District Magistrate issues a transgender identity certificate.

Narrower Definition of Transgender Persons

Critics argue that the amendment:

      • Restricts recognition mainly to certain socio-cultural categories and medically defined conditions.
      • Excludes several gender-diverse identities such as genderqueer individuals and some trans men and trans women.

Concerns Raised by Activists

Violation of NALSA Judgment

Activists argue that the amendment contradicts the Supreme Court’s NALSA judgment, which upheld:

  • Dignity
  • Privacy
  • Autonomy
  • Self-identification of gender.

Threat to Privacy and Dignity

Mandatory medical verification may:

  • Increase discrimination
  • Lead to bureaucratic control over identity
  • Violate privacy rights under Article 21.

Fear of Exclusion

Many transgender persons fear:

  • Loss of welfare benefits
  • Difficulty obtaining legal documents
  • Social exclusion due to restrictive definitions.

Government’s Stand

The government argued that:

    • The earlier definition was too broad.
    • Medical verification is necessary to prevent misuse of welfare schemes and ensure benefits reach genuine beneficiaries.

Constitutional Provisions Involved

Article 14           

  • Equality before law

Article 15

  • Prohibition of discrimination

Article 19

  • Freedom of expression and identity

Article 21

  • Right to life, dignity and privacy

Exercise CINBAX-II 2026: Strengthening India–Cambodia Defence Cooperation

Exercise CINBAX is a bilateral military exercise between the Indian Army and the Royal Cambodian Army.

It was in news because the second edition, CINBAX-II 2026, is being conducted in Cambodia from 4 to 17 May 2026

Key Facts

  • Full form: Cambodia–India Bilateral Army Exercise
  • Countries involved: India and Cambodia
  • Edition: 2nd edition
  • Location: Camp Basil, Kampong Speu Province, Cambodia
  • Focus: Counter-terrorism and sub-conventional operations
  • Framework: Chapter VII of the UN Mandate
  • Indian contingent: Around 120 personnel, mainly from the Maratha Light Infantry Regiment.

Main Objectives

Exercise CINBAX aims to improve:

      • Interoperability between both armies
      • Coordination in counter-terrorism operations
      • Joint response under UN peacekeeping situations
      • Tactical skills such as drone operations, mortar use and sniper tactics.

Importance for India

This exercise is important because it:

    • Strengthens India–Cambodia defence relations
    • Supports India’s Act East Policy
    • Enhances India’s strategic presence in Southeast Asia
    • Builds cooperation in regional security and peacekeeping

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