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Judicial review and the reach of the courts

How far the courts may go: judicial review, the Supreme Court's power to do complete justice, public interest litigation and the benches that settle constitutional questions.

All 3 articles shown; the 1 that changed from 1 to 30 June 2026 are marked.Show only these

Homemakers and "loss of domestic care"

Prelims

"Loss of domestic care" is a separate head of compensation, created by the Supreme Court in June 2026, that Motor Accident Claims Tribunals award for the unpaid work of a homemaker.

What changed

11 Jun 2026Briefnewly addedThe Court valued a homemaker's unpaid work at a notional minimum of ₹30,000 a month, rising 10 per cent every three years. It relied on the 2019 Time Use Survey. The Hindu, 11 Jun 2026: Homemakers are 'nation builders', their work worth at least ₹30,000 a month: Supreme Court (opens in a new tab)

Judicial language in sexual offence cases

Mains

Courts are expected to use language in sexual offence cases that respects the dignity of survivors and does not repeat stereotypes.

What changed

31 Aug 2026Briefnewly addedThe Supreme Court approved guidelines drawn up by a National Judicial Academy expert committee on sensitive language and conduct in sexual offence cases. It directed all courts to follow them, and had them placed on the websites of the Supreme Court, the High Courts and the district courts. LiveLaw, 31 Aug 2026: Supreme Court monthly roundup, August 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Protest cases quashed under Article 142

Prelims

Article 142 lets the Supreme Court pass any order needed to do complete justice in a case before it.

What changed

1 Sep 2026Briefnewly addedOn 1 September 2026 a three judge bench used Article 142 to quash First Information Reports against students over protests about the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) in July 2026. It recorded the government's commitment not to register new cases, and left room for cases against persons with criminal antecedents. Supreme Court Observer, 1 Sep 2026: Supreme Court monthly review: September 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Also filed elsewhere

The meaning of "industry" in labour law · on Labour codes, gig work and social security
Whether an establishment is an "industry" decides whether labour law applies to its disputes; the leading test was laid down in Bangalore Water Supply (1978).
The one time spectrum charge · on Telecom networks, spectrum and internet infrastructure
Spectrum is a public asset of the Union, divided into frequency bands and assigned by the Department of Telecommunications through auctions.
Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act, 2025 · on Nuclear power programme
The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act, 2025, notified on 21 December 2025, replaces the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010.