December 20, 2025 - Current Affairs

Live in Relationship Not Illegal: Allahabad High Court

In News

Allahabad High Court categorically held that live-in relationships are not illegal and that consenting adults have the constitutional right to live together with dignity and safety, irrespective of marital status.

Key Observations of the Allahabad High Court

Live-in relationship is not an offence: Living together without marriage does not violate any law in India if both partners are adults and give free consent.

Right to life and personal liberty: The Court emphasized that Article 21 of the Constitution guarantees the right to life, dignity, and personal freedom to all individuals, including those in live-in relationships.

State’s duty to protect: Once adults choose to live together, the State is duty-bound to ensure their safety, even against threats from family or society.

Social Morality vs Constitutional Morality: The Court clearly prioritised constitutional morality over social morality.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Inherently Includes Environmental Responsibility: SC

In News

Recently, the Supreme Court ruled that corporate social responsibility (CSR) inherently includes environmental responsibility.

Key Observations by the Court

Corporations as Constitutional Actors: The Court held that corporations are not merely profit-making entities, but constitutional actors within society.

As legal persons, corporations are bound by Fundamental Duties, particularly Article 51A(g) of the Constitution.

Article 51A(g) mandates protection and improvement of the natural environment, conservation of forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife & compassion for living creatures.

CSR Is a Constitutional Obligation, Not Charity: The Court clarified that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), especially in environmental matters, cannot be treated as voluntary philanthropy.

Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine

Context

India hosted the 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi.

What are Traditional Medicines?

Traditional medicine refers to codified or non-codified systems for health care and well-being, comprising practices, skills, knowledge and philosophies originating in different historical and cultural contexts, which are distinct from and pre-date biomedicine, evolving with science for current use from an experience-based origin.

Traditional medicine emphasizes nature-based remedies and holistic, personalized approaches to restore balance of mind, body and environment.

The WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

Child Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation

Context

Calling child trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation a “deeply disturbing reality” in India, the Supreme Court laid down guidelines on how courts must sensitively appreciate the evidence of minor victims of trafficking and prostitution.

Guidelines on Appreciation of Evidence

Courts must not disbelieve a trafficked child’s testimony due to minor inconsistencies, especially given the trauma involved.

The sole testimony of the victim is sufficient if it is credible and convincing.

A trafficked child must be treated as an injured witness, not as an accomplice.

Judicial scrutiny must avoid rejecting a victim’s account as “against normal human conduct,” especially where delayed resistance or protest is involved.

Government to Increase Reservation for Agniveers in CAPFs to 50%

Context

The Union Home Ministry has decided to enhance reservation for ex-Agniveers in the Group C posts of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) from the existing 10% to 50%.

Agnipath Scheme

The Government launched Agnipath scheme in 2022 to recruit both male and female aspirants into ‘below the officer’s rank’ cadre of the three services for a period of four years as Agniveers.

Eligibility: Candidates between the age group of 17.5 to 21 years are eligible to apply for the scheme.

Training: These Agniveers would undergo optimised basic military training and specialised trade training followed by up-skilling courses, as required.

Enrolment into Permanent Cadre: Based on organisational requirement and policies promulgated by the Armed Forces, Agniveers after completing their engagement period will be offered an opportunity to apply for enrolment in the permanent cadre.

News In Short 20-12-2025

In News

The Government of India informed Parliament that 47 Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs) are currently operational across the country, covering about 87% of India’s geographical area.

What is a Doppler Weather Radar (DWR)?

Named after the Doppler Effect, discovered by Christian Doppler.

Similar to how a train whistle sounds higher when approaching and lower when moving away.

In DWRs, the frequency/phase change of radio waves helps determine motion of weather systems.