SNIPPETS: 22 NOVEMBER 2025

POLITY

• The Supreme Court, responding to a Presidential Reference under Article 143, ruled that neither the President nor Governors can be subjected to fixed timelines for granting assent to Bills, as this would violate separation of powers. The Court also held that “deemed assent” has no constitutional basis. However, prolonged and unexplained delays may invite limited judicial review. The judgment clarifies the scope of Articles 111 and 200, reinforces federal balance, and preserves the autonomy of constitutional authorities.

SOCIAL ISSUES

• The Centre has implemented all four Labour Codes, replacing 29 outdated laws to simplify India’s labour framework. The Codes—on Wages, Industrial Relations, Social Security, and Occupational Safety—aim to expand social security, formalise employment, and strengthen worker protection. Key reforms include recognition of gig workers, pan-India ESIC coverage, fixed-term employment with full benefits, national floor wage, simpler compliance rules, and enhanced safety and rights for women workers. The government will now frame detailed rules with State coordination.

ENVIRONMENT

• COP30 in Belém, Brazil, ended with negotiations extending past deadlines as fossil fuel phase-out and climate finance remained unresolved. Key outcomes included the Belem Health Action Plan, the USD 125-billion Tropical Forests Forever Facility, and the Belem 4X Pledge for scaling sustainable fuels. However, the Belem Political Agreement saw deadlock on finance, trade measures, transparency, and a fossil fuel roadmap. New initiatives like OPIN, the Global Ethical Stocktake, and the NAP Implementation Alliance were launched. Türkiye will host COP31.

MISCELLANEOUS ISSUES

• India has signed its first structured one-year contract to import 2.2 MTPA of LPG from the US, diversifying away from heavy dependence on West Asian suppliers. Public sector refiners awarded contracts to major US and European companies to strengthen supply security and support LPG penetration in rural areas. The deal comes amid tariff-related trade tensions, declining Indian exports to the US, and ongoing negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement, while enhancing India–US energy cooperation.
• A UNDESA report highlights accelerating global urbanisation, with cities now hosting 45% of 8.2 billion people and absorbing two-thirds of future population growth by 2050. India features prominently, with 12 of the world’s 50 most densely populated cities and five megacities, including Delhi and Mumbai. Mumbai is the densest globally. Jakarta, Dhaka and Tokyo remain the largest metro regions. The report, released ahead of COP30, stresses sustainable, climate-aligned urbanisation as seven countries will drive most urban growth.
• In a historic achievement, researchers from IISc Bengaluru and NCBS won all three categories of the inaugural Tata Transformation Prize, chosen from 212 national nominations. Each awardee receives ₹2 crore to scale innovations in food security, sustainability, and healthcare. Dr P.V. Shivaprasad (NCBS) won for climate-resilient rice using epigenetic engineering. Dr B. Gopal (IISc) was recognised for an AI-driven green biomanufacturing platform. Dr A. Ghosh (IISc) won for magnetic nanorobots enabling precise, affordable cancer therapy.