Daily Current Affairs- 12th July 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 12th July 2026

Inside SC’s proposed regulations for AI use in courts: What’s allowed, what’s absolutely barred

In the News: The Supreme Court of India has released the draft Regulations for Use of Artificial Intelligence in Courts, 2026 to govern the use of AI across the judiciary. The draft permits AI for administrative and assistive functions but places strict restrictions on its use in judicial decision-making. Comments and suggestions from stakeholders and the public have been invited until July 15, 2026.

Key Points:

• Permitted Uses of AI: Courts may use approved AI systems for case management, transcription, translation, legal research, document summarisation, accessibility services and administrative work. Such systems must operate under the supervision and verification of officers nominated by the court.
• Human Control over Decisions: No judicial outcome may be reached solely through an algorithm or on the basis of AI-generated information. AI may provide advisory assistance, but judges must independently examine the facts, law, evidence and reasoning before arriving at a decision.
• Absolutely Prohibited Uses: The draft bars AI-based risk scoring for flight risk, recidivism or bail eligibility. It also prohibits AI from determining witness credibility, predicting the conduct of parties or accused persons, and using unexplained black-box systems in matters affecting personal liberty.
• Disclosure and Transparency: Litigants must be informed when an AI system has materially assisted a court in case management, document analysis or judicial administration. Courts will also maintain an AI Register containing details of approved systems, audits and operational outcomes.
• Regulatory Structure: An Apex Body comprising judges and experts will prescribe mandatory standards for AI use. AI Committees and Secretariats will operate at the Supreme Court and High Court levels, while the proposed CoRE-AI research body will evaluate emerging tools and associated risks.

MEA says 10 Indians rescued, one missing after vessel attacked off Oman

In the News: India condemned an attack on the commercial vessel GFS Galaxy off the coast of Oman on July 12, 2026. Of the 11 Indian nationals aboard the vessel, ten were rescued, while one remained missing. The Indian Embassy in Oman began coordinating with Omani authorities in the continuing search-and-rescue operation.

Key Points:

• MEA Response: The Ministry of External Affairs described attacks on commercial vessels and civilian infrastructure as deeply worrying. India called for the protection of civilian shipping and the peaceful resolution of the continuing regional conflict.
• Search-and-Rescue Operation: The Indian Embassy in Muscat is monitoring the situation and maintaining contact with Omani authorities. Consular assistance generally includes coordination with local agencies, support for rescued nationals and communication with their families.
• Incident Location: Oman lies along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman, close to the Strait of Hormuz. The strait connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and is one of the world’s most important maritime routes for petroleum and liquefied natural gas.
• Conflicting Account: Iran stated that it had fired a warning shot at a vessel travelling through what it described as an unapproved route. India’s official statement focused on the safety of its nationals and did not independently assign responsibility for the attack.
• Maritime Law: Freedom of navigation and the safety of commercial shipping are central principles of international maritime law. Attacks on merchant vessels can disrupt trade, insurance costs, energy supplies and the movement of Indian seafarers employed on foreign-flagged ships.

Parents’ SIR Details Required for Enrolment

In the News: The Election Commission of India has made it mandatory for new applicants seeking inclusion in electoral rolls to submit declarations containing their parents’ Special Intensive Revision details. The requirement applies to applications submitted through Form 6. Officials clarified that the declaration was introduced through administrative instructions and that Form 6 itself has not been formally amended.

Key Points:

• Purpose of the Declaration: The parents’ SIR information will be used to match applicants with records from earlier intensive revisions. The Election Commission maintains that the process will assist in verifying eligibility and reduce the number of separate documents required from new voters.
• Online Applications: Applicants using the online voter-registration system will have to complete the SIR declaration before proceeding with Form 6. Form 6 is used by eligible citizens seeking first-time inclusion in the electoral roll of a constituency.
• Meaning of SIR: A Special Intensive Revision involves fresh or extensive verification of electoral-roll entries. It differs from routine continuous updation and may include house-to-house verification, matching with older records and examination of eligibility documents.
• Eligibility for Registration: Article 326 provides for elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies on the basis of adult suffrage. A person must be an Indian citizen, at least 18 years old on the relevant qualifying date and ordinarily resident in the constituency.
• Legal Framework: Electoral rolls are prepared under the Representation of the People Act, 1950 and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. The Election Commission exercises constitutional supervision over electoral-roll preparation under Article 324 of the Constitution.

South China Sea Arbitral Award Marks 10 Years

In the News: July 12, 2026 marked ten years since the arbitral award in the South China Sea dispute between the Philippines and China. Fourteen countries issued a joint statement reaffirming that China’s expansive maritime claims lacked a legal basis under international law. China continued to reject the award as illegal and non-binding.

Key Points:

• Origin of the Case: The Philippines initiated arbitration against China in 2013 under Annex VII of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The tribunal delivered its award on July 12, 2016, with the Permanent Court of Arbitration serving as the registry.
• Nine-Dash Line: The tribunal held that China’s claim to historic rights within the so-called nine-dash line had no legal basis under UNCLOS. It also ruled that none of the disputed Spratly Islands features could generate a 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.
• Scope of the Award: The tribunal examined maritime entitlements, fishing rights, environmental damage and interference with Philippine activities. It did not decide which country possessed sovereignty over the disputed islands and maritime features.
• Binding Nature: The award is final and legally binding on China and the Philippines under UNCLOS, although the tribunal has no independent mechanism to enforce its conclusions. China refused to participate in the proceedings and continues to reject the ruling.

ISRO Conducts Three Crew Module Tests for Gaganyaan

In the News: ISRO announced that it had successfully completed three major qualification tests for the Crew Module systems of the Gaganyaan mission. The tests examined the module’s upright position after splashdown, its separation from the Service Module and its structural strength during apex-cover separation.

Key Points:

• Crew Module Up-righting System: ISRO tested the inflation of the primary flotation system, which uses stored cold gas to keep the Crew Module upright after it lands in the sea. The test confirmed that the flotation system met functional and inflation-time requirements.
• Umbilical Separation Test: The Crew Module–Service Module Connect and Disconnect System provides electrical and fluid communication between the two modules. The test demonstrated clean separation and verified the structural stability of the Crew Module’s panel and interfaces.
• Apex-Cover Test: The apex cover protects the parachutes and associated equipment during flight. ISRO applied approximately 1.75 times the estimated reaction load to a simulated Crew Module and confirmed that the structure possessed the required design margins.
• Orbital Module: Gaganyaan’s Orbital Module consists of the habitable Crew Module and the unpressurised Service Module. The Crew Module carries the astronauts, life-support systems and re-entry equipment, while the Service Module supplies propulsion, power and thermal support.