1) Mitakshara Law: Supreme Court ruled that children born out of void/ voidable marriage can’t be denied share in parent’s property.
- Court concluded that Hindu Succession Act, 1956 recognise institution of joint Hindu family governed by Mitakshara law.
- It is one of the two major Hindu law school (other being Dayabhaga) that governs succession of property in Hindu Undivided Family.
- It holds that son, grandson, and grandson’s son have right to family property through birth.
- It also recognizes right of daughters to inherit property, with certain limitations.
2) Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple: Recently, Prime Minister offered prayers at Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple.
- Also known as Thiruvaranga Tirupati, is dedicated to Ranganatha (reclining form of Lord Vishnu).
- It is constructed in Dravidian style and temple Complex has 21 sculpted Gopurams, 50 sub-shrines, and 9 sacred pools (tanks).
- It is not just a temple but a temple-town, unique in its SaptaPrakaram formation and one of 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
- Situated on island of Srirangam bounded by Cauvery and Kollidam (tributary of Cauvery) Rivers.
3) Binturong (Arctictis binturong) and Smallclawed otter (Aonyx cinereus): These two new mammalian species were added to list of fauna in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park.
- Both are listed under Schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
- Binturong (Bearcat) largest civet in India.
- Native: South-East Asia.
- Distribution: India (Meghalaya, Sikkim), Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, etc.
- Conservation: Vulnerable (IUCN); Appendix III (CITES).
- Small-clawed otter (Asian Small-clawed Otter) primarily found in freshwater habitats.
- Distribution: India (West Bengal, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala), Southeast Asia and Southern China.
- Conservation: Vulnerable (IUCN); Appendix I (CITES)
4) Aravalli Hills: Apex court opined that Rajasthan can stop mining activities in Aravalli range if they are found to be detrimental to environment.
- One of the oldest fold mountains of world.
- Located in north-west India i.e. States (Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana) and Union territory (Delhi) stretching from south-west and north-east direction.
- Highest peak is Guru Shikhar, near Mount Abu Rajasthan.
- Rivers: Banas and Sahibi (tributaries of Yamuna) and Luni River originate from Aravalli.
- Acts as water divide between Indus and Ganga Basins.
- Source of Rich Mineral: Zinc, Gold, Silver, Copper, Dolomite, Marble etc
