1. Doctrine of Clean Hands

The Delhi High Court recently held that the “clean hands” principle cannot be used to deny relief to a petitioner who has already proven cruelty, especially when the respondent’s counter-allegations are baseless.

The Doctrine of Clean Hands is an equitable rule that requires litigants to approach the court with honesty, transparency, and integrity. It bars relief to anyone who has acted unfairly, suppressed material facts, or engaged in fraud related to the case. Rooted in English Chancery courts, the doctrine reinforces the idea that “those who seek equity must do equity.”

In India, the Supreme Court has consistently stressed that parties must disclose all essential facts when invoking equitable jurisdiction under Articles 226 or 136. Suppression of such facts is treated as fraud, misrepresentation, or abuse of legal process, and can lead to denial of relief, dismissal of petitions, heavy costs, or even contempt.

Source : ‘Clean Hands’ Doctrine Can’t Deny Relief If Cruelty Proven; Unsubstantiated Allegations Amount to Mental Cruelty: Delhi HC Grants Divorce

2. Key Facts About Enceladus 

New analysis of NASA’s Cassini mission data has revealed previously unknown organic compounds in the icy plumes of Saturn’s moon Enceladus.

Enceladus, Saturn’s sixth-largest and brightest moon, is a 500-km-wide icy world discovered in 1789 by William Herschel. It orbits Saturn in a nearly circular, tidally locked orbit about 238,000 km away. Known for its dazzlingly reflective surface of clean water ice, it continuously ejects water vapour and simple organic molecules into space from its south-polar geysers. Beneath its icy crust lies a global ocean warmed by tidal heating, making it one of the most promising locations for extraterrestrial life.

Cassini— a NASA-ESA-ASI mission launched in 1997 — was the first spacecraft to orbit Saturn. Its Huygens probe landed on Titan, while the orbiter provided detailed data that uncovered Enceladus’ ocean and organic-rich plumes.

Source : Cassini study reveals organic compounds from Enceladus ocean plume

3. Bhoramdev Wildlife Sanctuary 

Two bisons were recently poached in the Chilfi East Range of Bhoramdev Wildlife Sanctuary in Chhattisgarh.

Established in 2001 in Kawardha district, the Bhoramdev (or Bhoramdeo) Wildlife Sanctuary lies within the Maikal range of the Satpura hills and forms part of the Kanha–Achanakmar wildlife corridor. Spanning about 352 sq km, it derives its name from the famed 7th–11th-century Bhoramdeo Temple, often called the “Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh,” dedicated to Lord Shiva.

The sanctuary is covered with tropical moist and dry deciduous forests, featuring species like Sal, Saaj, Tendu and Nilgiri. It supports tigers, leopards, sloth bears, several deer species, and rich birdlife. It is also home to tribal communities like the Baiga, Gond, and Kanwar. The Fen and Sankari rivers originate in this landscape of hills, forests, and streams.

Source : Five Held For Poaching Bison At Wildlife Sanctuary In Chhattisgarh's Kawardha

4. Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) 

The IWAI has recently signed agreements worth around ₹3,000 crore to enhance cargo movement, passenger transport, and river-based tourism across the Northeast.

Created under the IWAI Act of 1985 and operational since October 1986, the Authority develops and regulates India’s inland waterways for shipping. Operating under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, it develops infrastructure on national waterways, conducts feasibility studies for new waterways, advises the government, and assists states in Inland Water Transport (IWT) initiatives. Its headquarters is in Noida, with regional and sub-offices across major waterway hubs.

Source : IWAI inks MoUs worth ₹3,000 crore to boost inland waterways and logistics in Northeast

5. Sagar Kavach 

The Indian Coast Guard recently conducted the “Sagar Kavach-02/25” coastal security exercise along Maharashtra and Goa.

Held twice a year, Sagar Kavach tests India’s coastal security framework against asymmetric maritime threats. Multiple agencies—from the Indian Navy to state police, customs, and fisheries—participate. The drill evaluates coordination and response by placing a “Red Team” of mock infiltrators against a “Blue Team” tasked with detecting and neutralizing them.

The exercise involves enhanced surveillance, boat patrols, coastal checks, and simulated attacks on sensitive installations. Fishermen are encouraged to report unidentified vessels, highlighting their vital role in maritime security.

Source : ICG conducts two-day coastal security exercise Sagar Kavach along Maharashtra, Goa coastline

6. Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM)

India recently took part in the 11th JCM Partner Countries’ Meeting, highlighting its importance for equitable global climate action.

Launched by Japan in 2013, the JCM promotes advanced low-carbon technologies by enabling Japanese entities to invest in partner countries and earn carbon credits under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. It complements mechanisms like CDM and JI, while contributing to both nations’ climate commitments (NDCs). India is among 31 JCM partner countries.

The initiative focuses on areas such as renewable energy with storage, green hydrogen and ammonia, sustainable aviation fuels, compressed biogas, and hard-to-abate sectors.

Source : India calls Joint Crediting Mechanism a key tool for Equitable, Scalable Global Climate Action at CoP30 in Belém, Brazil

7. Pharmacogenomics 

Pharmacogenomics is reshaping healthcare by shifting from a uniform treatment approach to precision medicine based on a person’s genetic makeup.

It studies how inherited genetic differences influence the body’s response to drugs. Combining pharmacology and genomics, it forms a core part of modern precision medicine, where treatment is tailored to an individual’s genes, environment, and lifestyle.

Applications include targeted cancer therapies, personalized blood-thinner dosages, selection of effective psychiatric drugs with fewer side effects, and predicting antiviral treatment outcomes. By reducing adverse reactions and improving drug efficacy, pharmacogenomics also guides new drug development by identifying gene-based therapeutic targets.

Source : Pharmacogenomics: reading genes to tailor prescriptions for individuals

8. Key Facts About Seychelles 

Seychelles has recently been admitted as the sixth member of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC).

Located in the western Indian Ocean northeast of Madagascar, Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands—only eight permanently inhabited—divided into granitic (Mahé group) and coralline island clusters. Its volcanic and coral landscapes lie on the Mascarene Plateau. The country experiences a tropical oceanic climate, and its highest point is Morne Seychellois. The capital is Victoria.

The CSC, headquartered in Colombo, brings together India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, and now Seychelles to enhance regional security through cooperation among the NSAs and deputy NSAs of member states.

Source : Seychelles becomes 6th Colombo Security Conclave member

9. Interstellar Objects 

NASA has released new images of Comet 3I/Atlas, an interstellar object believed to be billions of years old.

Interstellar objects originate outside our solar system and are not bound to the Sun’s gravity. They move on hyperbolic trajectories, entering and leaving the solar system at high speeds. Known examples include 1I/‘Oumuamua (2017), 2I/Borisov (2019), and Comet 3I/Atlas.

These rare visitors offer valuable insights into the composition and evolution of distant star systems, and help scientists understand planetary formation processes beyond our own solar environment.

Source : NASA releases new pictures of Comet 3I/Atlas: What is an interstellar object?

10. Indian Pond Heron 

Citizen-science research from Visakhapatnam indicates that Indian Pond Herons and cattle egrets may be undertaking regular seasonal movements along the East Coast, reviving a decades-old mystery first noted in Chennai.

The Indian Pond Heron (Ardeola grayii), commonly called the paddybird, is a small heron found across South and Southeast Asia. Recognizable by its stocky build, short neck, and buff-brown plumage, it develops maroon plumes and a long crest during breeding season. It inhabits shallow freshwater and coastal wetlands and feeds on crustaceans, insects, fish, tadpoles, and leeches.

A semi-colonial breeder that often roosts in urban avenue trees, it is solitary in hunting and known for its still, patient stalking behavior. It is classified as “Least Concern” under the IUCN and listed under Schedule IV of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Source : Citizen scientists track the pond herons mysterious night flights on India’s East coast