26 April 2025 Current Affairs

Supreme Court gives approval for UGC rules to fight caste-based bias

On April 24, 2025, the Supreme Court of India declined to stay the finalisation and notification of the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2025. The plea was filed by the mothers of Rohith Vemula and Payal Tadvi, who sought a deferment until the submission of a Task Force report on caste discrimination and student suicides. The Court chose a balanced approach, allowing the notification but keeping room for future inclusion of recommendations.

Key Points:

1. Petition Details:

• Filed by the mothers of deceased students Rohith Vemula and Payal Tadvi.
• Represented by senior advocate Indira Jaising.
• Sought deferment of 2025 Regulations until the Task Force report is submitted.

2. Supreme Court’s Stance:

• Declined to stall the notification.
• Clarified that the Task Force’s work will not be impeded.
• Allowed incorporation of Task Force recommendations into Regulations later, if necessary.
• Granted liberty to petitioners and others to approach the court after the Task Force report.

3. Role of Task Force:

• Formed in March 2025.
• Chaired by former SC judge Justice S. Ravindra Bhat.
• Tasked with addressing mental health issues, caste-based discrimination, and student suicides.

4. UGC and Government Submissions:

• Solicitor General opposed delay in finalisation.
• Government claims the 2025 Regulations aim to eliminate religious and caste discrimination.
• UGC to have power to de-recognise non-compliant institutions and impose additional punitive actions.

5. Draft Regulations Overview:

• Published on UGC website for public feedback.
• Aim to eradicate discrimination based on religion, race, sex, birthplace, caste, etc.
• Focus on protecting SCs, STs, OBCs, EWS, and other vulnerable groups.
• Promote equity and inclusion in higher education campuses.

6. Historical Context:

• Refers to deaths of SC students Ayush Ashna and Anil Kumar in IIT Delhi hostels (2023), allegedly due to caste bias.
• The March 2025 Supreme Court judgment, which formed the Task Force, came in response to parents’ appeals.

Background on the University Grants Commission (UGC):

• Established: 1956, under the UGC Act.
• Purpose: Coordinates, determines, and maintains standards of higher education in India.
• Key Functions:

- Provides recognition to universities in India.

- Allocates funding to higher education institutions.

- Frames regulations for academic standards, including those related to equity, anti-discrimination, and governance.

• Recent Focus: Addressing inclusion, transparency, and stricter enforcement through regulations such as the 2025 equity promotion rules.

Supreme Court to examine POCSO clause requiring mandatory reporting of sexual activity

On April 24, 2025, the Supreme Court agreed to examine concerns raised regarding the mandatory reporting clause under Section 19 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Senior advocate Indira Jaising flagged that this requirement, even for voluntary sexual activity among adolescents, is causing unnecessary criminalisation and threatens the health rights of young girls.

Key Points:

1. Core Concern:

• Section 19 of POCSO mandates that any knowledge of sexual activity involving a minor must be reported to police.
• This includes consensual sexual activity between adolescents aged below 18.

2. Advocate’s Argument:

• Indira Jaising argued this provision criminalises normal adolescent behaviour.
• She emphasized that counselling, not criminalisation, should be the approach.
• Highlighted that health workers, guardians, and doctors are being penalised for not reporting such activity.

3. Health Risks Highlighted:

• Doctors must report even if the girl says the act was voluntary.
• Fear of police action may drive adolescents away from professional medical care to unsafe options or quacks.

4. Court’s Response:

• Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta called the issue serious and relevant.
• Scheduled the matter for a detailed hearing on May 8, 2025.
• Suggested taking input from Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati and possibly the Attorney General.

5. Legislative Intent:

• Section 19 was meant to ensure quick intervention and protection of children in abuse cases.
• However, its blanket application is now under judicial scrutiny for overreach in consensual adolescent relationships.

Background on the POCSO Act:

• Full Name: Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act
• Enacted: 2012
• Purpose: To safeguard children (under 18) from sexual abuse, exploitation, and harassment.
• Features:

- Gender-neutral law.

- Special courts for speedy trial.

- Mandatory reporting of offences (Section 19).

• Controversy: The increase in age of consent from 16 to 18 and mandatory reporting have led to cases where consensual acts among teenagers are criminalised.

China Announced The Exemption Of Certain U.S.-Made Semiconductors

On April 25, 2025, China announced the exemption of certain U.S.-made semiconductors from its 125% retaliatory tariffs. This move is seen as a strategic effort to protect its domestic tech sector amid escalating trade tensions with the U.S. While China denies ongoing trade negotiations with the U.S., it has also criticized President Trump's claims of such talks, urging the U.S. to avoid creating confusion.

Key Developments

• Selective Tariff Exemptions: China has reduced tariffs to zero on at least eight categories of U.S. microchips, aiming to safeguard its high-tech industries that rely on these imports
• Denial of Negotiations: Despite President Trump's assertions of ongoing discussions, Beijing has publicly denied any current trade talks with Washington.
• Broader Economic Measures: China is considering further tariff exemptions on essential U.S. goods, such as medical equipment and industrial chemicals, to mitigate the impact of the trade war on its economy. ​
• Domestic Economic Support: In response to the trade tensions, President Xi Jinping has unveiled plans to bolster China's economy through measures like increasing unemployment benefits and stimulating domestic demand.

Strategic Implications

China's recent actions suggest a calculated approach to the trade conflict, aiming to protect its critical industries while signaling openness to dialogue. By selectively easing tariffs and implementing domestic economic support measures, Beijing appears to be preparing for a prolonged trade dispute while keeping channels open for potential negotiations.​

Harvard University and its federal funding issue

On April 24, 2025, Harvard University President Alan Garber publicly reaffirmed the university's decision to sue the federal government over what it views as unconstitutional interference and overreach. This legal challenge follows the Trump administration's threat to freeze over $2 billion in federal funding to Harvard.

Key Highlights (Point-wise Summary)

• Reason for Lawsuit: Harvard filed a lawsuit to halt the federal funding freeze imposed by the Trump administration for rejecting government-proposed reforms.
• Federal Demands: The administration required Harvard to accept audit rights over faculty and student selection for 3 years to continue receiving $2.2 billion in grants.
• Harvard’s Response: Garber called the demands illegal and a threat to academic freedom and constitutional rights. The university refused to compromise.
• Allegations of Antisemitism: The government justified the freeze citing Harvard’s alleged failure to address antisemitic incidents on campus.
• Garber's Rebuttal: He admitted antisemitism is a concern but argued it should not affect crucial federally funded research unrelated to the issue.
• Impact on Research: Projects at risk include cancer treatment innovations, infectious disease prediction, and battlefield medicine—many involving clinical trials.
• Broader Implications: Garber warned of long-term damage to research and scientific progress, calling the funding cut "misguided."
• Federal Justification: The Trump administration criticized elite institutions for tolerating harassment and insisted that federal funds come with accountability for civil rights.
• Sector-wide Reaction: Over 150 university heads condemned the government’s approach, citing threats to academic autonomy.
• Trump’s Remarks: He hinted at revoking Harvard’s tax-exempt status and accused it of harboring pro-Hamas activism.
• Harvard's Stand: The university emphasized that academic integrity and institutional independence were non-negotiable, even at financial cost.

Background: Harvard University & Federal Funding

• About Harvard: Founded in 1636, Harvard University is the oldest higher education institution in the U.S. and a global leader in research, science, law, medicine, and humanities.
• Federal Grants: Harvard receives over $2 billion annually in federal research grants, mostly from institutions like NIH, NSF, and DoD, funding cutting-edge projects in health, technology, and defense.
• University Autonomy: U.S. universities enjoy constitutional protection under the First Amendment and due process rights, often resisting federal control over internal policies.

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