In a significant move, the Supreme Court of India has put a hold on its own controversial order from November 20, 2025, which had accepted a 100-meter height definition for the ecologically sensitive Aravalli Hills. The apex court has decided to constitute a High-Powered Expert Committee to resolve critical ambiguities surrounding the issue.
Revisiting the Aravalli Definition
The CJI Surya Kant-led Bench cited "public dissent and criticism" in its order, acknowledging that the outcry stemmed from perceived ambiguity in the court's earlier directives. The newly formed committee will specifically examine the exclusion of lower hills under the 100-meter definition. A report by The Indian Express had earlier highlighted that, according to an internal assessment by the Forest Survey of India, the new definition would cover only 1,048 of the 12,081 Aravalli hills that are 20 meters or higher, leaving a vast majority unprotected.
This intervention is notable as the court initiated a suo motu review, a rare step not taken at the request of any aggrieved party. This action underscores the judiciary's view of its role as a guardian of India's environment.
Political Spotlight on Priyanka Gandhi
In the political arena, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra continues to be a central figure of discussion. Her parliamentary speeches and interactions with senior BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have drawn significant attention. Notably, during a recent Congress Working Committee meeting, while Priyanka was absent, the party chose to base its offensive against the central government on her "MGNREGA Bachao Abhiyan." Within Congress circles, calls for a larger role for her are growing, even as the BJP attempts to frame the dynamic as a sibling rivalry.
Key Updates from the Front Page
In international news, Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's first woman Prime Minister, passed away on the morning of December 30, 2025. A long-time rival of former PM Sheikh Hasina, Zia had faced imprisonment and house arrest multiple times after losing power in 2006. Her son, Tarique Rahman, who recently returned from a 17-year exile, is poised to take over as chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) ahead of the February elections.
In a separate legal development, the Supreme Court stayed a Delhi High Court order that granted bail to Kuldeep Singh Sengar, the convict serving a life sentence in the 2017 Unnao rape case. The apex court pointed to the "peculiar circumstances" of the case for its intervention.
Other Major Stories
NCP Exodus: The Sharad Pawar-led faction of the Nationalist Congress Party is witnessing a mass exodus of its leaders in Mumbai, just weeks before the crucial BMC elections. Many are defecting to the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, which is part of the ruling alliance. Interestingly, the two factions have allied for the Pune civic polls, sparking speculation about a potential future merger.
Employment Crunch: A stark image from Odisha lays bare the severe employment crisis. Over 8,000 candidates recently appeared for a written test on an airport runway in Sambalpur, competing for a mere 183 vacancies in the Odisha Home Guard.
Looking Ahead: The Future of AI
As 2025 draws to a close, reflections on the year's biggest tech trend—Artificial Intelligence (AI)—are underway. The year saw significant advancements, prompting analysis on whether AI truly transformed the world or rode on hype. Experts speculate that 2026 may bring us closer to a frictionless future, potentially featuring app-less phone experiences and phone-less real-life interactions assisted by smart goggles and earbuds.
