Tamil Nadu

State Legislation & Governance

• Unanimous Resolution on Tamil Thai Vazhthu: The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution mandating that Tamil Thai Vazhthu (State Song) be rendered first before the commencement of official events and programmes across all educational institutions, universities, government offices, PSUs, and public institutions in the State.
  • Historical Context: The song was adapted from Manonmaniam, written by Manonmaniam Sundaram Pillai in 1891. It was first given official status via a Government Order on November 23, 1970, and formally declared the State Song on December 12, 2021.
  • Legal Clarification: Additional Solicitor General AR.L. Sundaresan submitted in the Madras High Court that the Union Home Ministry has not issued any directive stating that Tamil Thai Vazhthu should be sung last.
• Creation of Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF): The Tamil Nadu government sanctioned ₹264 crore to operationalise a dedicated ANTF functioning directly under the Chief Minister to combat drug smuggling and abuse.
  • Structure: Headed by an Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), it comprises 65 specialized ANTF units across all cities and districts (sanctioning 65 Inspector, 260 Sub-Inspector, and 1,300 police personnel posts).
• New Commission to Review 7.5% Horizontal Quota: The Tamil Nadu Health Ministry announced the constitution of a new Commission headed by a retired judge to evaluate the implementation of the 7.5% horizontal reservation for government school students in medical admissions.
  • Scope: The panel will examine whether to extend the reservation to allied health courses beyond MBBS/BDS and evaluate increasing the quota percentage. (The initial 2020 recommendation was made by the Justice P. Kalaiyarasan Commission).
• Incentive Hike for Paddy and Sugarcane Farmers: Under Assembly Rule 110, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced an unprecedented hike in special State incentives for farmers:
  • Paddy: Incentive raised by ₹156 to ₹289 per quintal for fine varieties (making the total price ₹2,750/quintal including MSP) and ₹159 per quintal for general varieties (₹2,600/quintal).
  • Sugarcane: Special State incentive raised by ₹360.50 to ₹709.50 per tonne over the Central FRP of ₹3,290.50, bringing the total procurement price to ₹4,000 per tonne.
• Tamil Nadu Assured Pension Scheme (TAPS): State Finance Minister Marie Wilson clarified that TAPS will be implemented once Central approval is granted for borrowing the earmarked ₹11,000 crore, with interim payouts provided to employees retiring on or after January 1, 2026.

National

Central Legislation & Governance

• Passage of Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026: Lok Sabha passed the Bill to establish an independent National Tribunals Commission headquartered in New Delhi.
  • Structure: Comprises a Chairperson (retired Supreme Court Judge or retired High Court Chief Justice) and 4 members (2 judicial, 2 technical) to ensure uniformity, independence, and transparency in tribunal appointments. Repeals the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021 following Supreme Court directives.
• Bankers’ Books Evidence Bill & Taxation Amendments: Passed by Rajya Sabha. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman clarified that Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions will remain 100% free for consumers and small roadside vendors, with the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) applicable only to specific high-value merchant categories.

History & International Relations

• 150 Years of Vande Mataram at Red Fort: Marking 150 years of the National Song written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Vande Mataram will be rendered from the Red Fort ramparts for the first time during the 80th Independence Day celebrations.
• Indian Peacocks Donated to UN Geneva: India presented five peacocks (four blue peafowl and one rare white-feathered male) to the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) as a symbol of biodiversity conservation and diplomatic heritage.