Table of Contents
The Hindu Editorial Analysis
We understand the significance of reading The Hindu newspaper for enhancing reading skills, improving comprehension of passages, staying informed about current events, enhancing essay writing, and more, especially for banking aspirants who need to focus on editorials for vocabulary building. This article will explore today’s editorial points, along with practice questions and key vocabulary.
Recognize Aadhaar, EPIC, and Ration Card as Proof Documents
- The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Election Commission (EC) to think about accepting Aadhaar cards, voter ID cards (EPIC), and ration cards as valid ID proofs for the ongoing voter list update in Bihar, known as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
- The Court pointed out that the EC had given a list of 11 documents for checking voter identity, but said this list wasn’t final. That means Aadhaar, EPIC, and ration cards can also be accepted.
- Judges Sudhanshu Dhulia and Joymalya Bagchi allowed the voter list revision in Bihar to continue without stopping it for now, and fixed the next court hearing for July 28, before the draft voter list comes out in August.
- The judges said they would closely look into whether the EC is following the law properly, whether the process is fair, and if the timing is right. They raised doubts about how transparent the process is, especially since it’s happening so quickly.
- The Court also said the SIR in Bihar is unclear and doesn’t match what the law describes as either a “summary” or a “special” revision under Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
- Justice Dhulia said this is a very serious matter because it affects the basic right to vote in a democracy. So the court will carefully look at how the SIR is being done and why.
- The EC argued against using Aadhaar, saying it only proves someone’s identity and not their citizenship. According to the Aadhaar law, even non-citizens living in India can get Aadhaar cards.
- Senior lawyer Rakesh Dwivedi, speaking for the EC, said the Commission can’t treat Aadhaar as more important than what the law allows and can’t use it to prove someone is an Indian citizen.
- Justice Dhulia questioned why Aadhaar is not on the list, when it is widely used to get other government papers and even used to get caste certificates. So it clearly helps prove identity.
- Justice Bagchi agreed and said none of the 11 documents in the EC’s list actually proves citizenship either, and there’s nothing in the Representation of the People Act that says Aadhaar can’t be used.
- Dwivedi asked the court to make it clear that whether to accept Aadhaar, EPIC, or ration cards should be left up to the EC. But the judges said the court’s order was already clear enough.
- The EC defended its decision to carry out the SIR, saying that Bihar hadn’t had such a detailed voter list update since 2003. It also said 60% of the voter data had already been collected and part of it uploaded on its new online platform, ECI Net.
- Dwivedi said the new ECI Net system will make it easier to upload documents. That way, in the future, only new names need to be added, and there won’t be a need for such big revision drives again.
- On the other side, the lawyers for the petitioners, including Kapil Sibal and A.M. Singhvi, said this whole process is secretly being used to check people’s citizenship under the cover of voter registration.
- They said the EC has no power to check if someone is a citizen — that’s the job of the Union Home Ministry — and accused the EC of going beyond its legal powers.
- Sibal said a Bihar government survey showed 87% of people have Aadhaar, but only 14% have school-leaving certificates (matriculation) and just 2% have passports. So many people could be left out unfairly.
- He said this puts an unfair burden on common people to prove they are citizens, even when they already have Aadhaar, and many may lose their voting rights because of it.
- Justice Bagchi was critical of the short time citizens are given in this process, asking why people must meet strict 30-day deadlines when this appears to be targeted at elections.
- Sankaranarayanan also raised doubts about why this kind of revision, which is meant for the whole country, is being done only in Bihar before the elections, making the timing and intention questionable.
Bridge Collapse Claims 18 Lives; Search Continues for Two Missing
- The number of people who died in the Vadodara bridge collapse has reached 18, after six more dead bodies were found on Thursday. Officials also said that two people are still missing after the tragic incident on Wednesday.
- The bridge collapsed when a part of the old Gambhira bridge in Vadodara district, Gujarat, suddenly broke. Several vehicles fell into the Mahisagar river in the early hours of the morning.
- The bridge was built in 1985 by a company from Lucknow. It connected the central Gujarat region to Saurashtra, especially linking Vadodara and Anand districts. It was an important road for everyday travelers.
- District Collector Anil Dhameliya said that rescue work started again early Thursday, with help from the NDRF, local fire services, divers, and workers from the bullet train project, all working together in the strong river currents.
- He also said that two trucks are still underwater and the two missing people are likely stuck inside those vehicles. That’s why getting them out is proving to be very difficult for the rescue teams.
- Heavy rains and thick mud on the riverbed have made the rescue harder. Even big machines are not helping — a 150-tonne crane could not pull the trucks out of the river.
- To reach the vehicles more easily, a temporary bridge is being built near the river. This will help rescue teams continue their work despite the tough weather and land conditions.
- People have been requested to inform the district control room if they know anyone still missing. This will help the authorities keep a proper list of those affected while the search continues.
- Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has ordered a high-level investigation into how the bridge collapsed. He also suspended four government officers for their carelessness, based on early findings from the expert team.
- A technical team from the Roads and Buildings Department reached the spot early in the morning and started inspecting the site. Among those suspended were an executive engineer, a deputy executive engineer, and an assistant engineer.
- The Chief Minister also asked for all bridges in Gujarat to be checked thoroughly to make sure such accidents don’t happen again. This was stated in a press note from the Chief Minister’s Office.
- A tanker carrying chemicals is also stuck in the collapsed part of the bridge. Authorities are trying to remove it carefully so that it does not harm the environment. The Gujarat Pollution Control Board is also checking the site for any pollution.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel both shared their condolences with the families of the people who died. They also announced financial help of ₹2 lakh and ₹4 lakh each for the families of the dead.
- In addition, ₹50,000 will be given to those who got injured in the accident. This support is being provided by both the central and state governments after the tragic incident in Vadodara.
NASA: Axiom-4 Mission Expected to Undock on July 14
- Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and his three fellow astronauts on the Axiom-4 (Ax-04) mission are expected to leave the International Space Station (ISS) on July 14, 2025.
- Steve Stich, who is the head of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, confirmed that July 14 is the planned date for the Ax-04 team to undock from the ISS and return to Earth after finishing their mission.
- During their stay at the ISS, the Ax-04 team carried out about 60 science experiments and studies. These were shared by 31 countries, including India, the United States, Poland, Hungary, and several others around the world.
- Countries like Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, the United Arab Emirates, and many European nations also took part in the Ax-04 science projects, showing how space research can bring together countries from all over the world.
- India’s space agency ISRO had chosen seven special experiments related to microgravity, sent by Indian research labs and colleges. Group Captain Shukla successfully did these experiments while staying at the ISS.
- The Ax-04 mission, which included Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, was launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 25, 2025. This marks another proud achievement for India in space exploration.
Important questions
- Why did the Supreme Court ask the Election Commission to consider Aadhaar, EPIC, and ration cards during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar?
- What concerns did Justice Dhulia and Justice Bagchi raise about the timing and clarity of the SIR process in Bihar under the Representation of the People Act, 1950?
- What challenges are rescue teams facing during the operation after the Gambhira bridge collapsed in Vadodara?
- What actions were taken by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and other officials following the bridge collapse incident in Vadodara?
- What scientific work did Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and the Ax-04 crew complete during their time at the International Space Station (ISS)?
- What role did ISRO and Indian research institutions play in the Ax-04 mission, especially related to microgravity experiments?
Important vocabulary.
- Intensive Revision: A detailed and thorough update or checking process.
- Disenfranchisement: Taking away or denying someone the right to vote.
- Jurisdiction: The legal authority to make decisions or take action.
- Transparency: Openness and clarity in how things are done.
- Submerged: Completely covered or hidden under water.
- Negligence: Failure to take proper care, causing harm or danger.
- Ex gratia: A payment made voluntarily, not required by law.
- Inspection: The act of looking at something closely to check its condition.
- Undock: To disconnect or separate from a docking point (like from a space station).
- Microgravity: A condition in space where gravity is extremely low.
- Collaboration: Working together with others for a shared goal.
- Milestone: A significant or important event or achievement.
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