13th MAY CURRENT AFFAIRS

1Rajya Sabha's First SessionHeld On May 13, 1952.

The first session of the Rajya Sabha (then known as the Council of States) was held on May 13, 1952. It was formally constituted on April 3, 1952, following the first general elections in India.

The inaugural session was presided over by India's first Vice-President and Chairman, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan.

Shri S.V Krishnamoorthy Rao was the first Deputy Chairman, elected unopposed on May 31, 1952.Name Change: Originally called the "Council of States," the house was formally renamed "Rajya Sabha" on August 23, 1954.

The Rajya Sabha, also known as Council of States, is the upper house of the Parliament of India

The Rajya Sabha represents India's federal units – the states and union territories.

Unlike the Lok Sabha, it is a permanent body and cannot be dissolved

The new parliament building has a seating capacity of 384 for the Rajya Sabha.

According to article 80 of the Constitution,

The council has a maximum membership of 245, of which 233 are elected by the state legislative assemblies of India and union territories, while the President of India can appoint 12 members for their contributions to art, literature, science, and social service.

Limitations:

1. Money bill [Article 110]

A money bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha by a minister,After the Lok Sabha passes a money bill, it sends the bill to the Rajya Sabha for 14 days, during which it can make recommendations. If the Rajya Sabha fails to return the bill in 14 days to the Lok Sabha, the bill is deemed to have passed both houses hence the Rajya Sabha can only give recommendations for a money bill, and cannot amend it.

2.Joint Sitting ( Article 108 )

The numerical strength of the Lok Sabha is more than twice that of the Rajya Sabha, the Lok Sabha tends to have a greater influence in a joint sitting of Parliament. A joint session is chaired by the speaker of the Lok Sabha.

3. No-Confidence Motion

Unlike the Lok Sabha, members of the Rajya Sabha cannot bring to the house a no-confidence motion against the government.

The new Rajya Sabha chamber in India's Parliament building is inspired by the national flower, the lotus, featuring a red color scheme and 384 seats

2. The Singappen scheme, high-priority women's safety initiative launched by the Government of Tamil Nadu

The Singappen (Lioness) Special Task Force is a newly announced, high-priority women's safety initiative launched by the Government of Tamil Nadu, spearheaded by Chief Minister Vijay as one of his first administrative acts on May 10, 2026.

Objective: To enhance women's safety by strengthening law enforcement, providing rapid response to complaints, and ensuring stricter protection in public spaces.

Focus Areas: The task force will monitor areas prone to harassment, including bus stops, railway stations, educational institutions, and IT hubs.

Structure: It is an elite, specialized force functioning directly under the state government's supervision. It will involve dedicated personnel, including an Inspector General (IG) of Police, Superintendents (SP), DSPs, Inspectors, and Sub-Inspectors to ensure immediate action

Other Women Related Safety Schemes in India

Ministry of Women and Child Development has established a special fund known as Nirbhaya Fund for financing safety projects across country.

Under the fund, a total amount of Rs 7712.85 crore has been allocated up to the financial year 2024-25

This fund supports various projects and schemes such as One Stop Centres (OSCs), Emergency Response Support System (ERSS-112), Women Helpline (WHL-181), Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs), Women Help Desks (WHDs), Cyber Forensic cum Training Labs, Safe City Projects, Rail and Road Transport Safety Initiatives, and the Central Victim Compensation Fund (CVCF) for women safety

Mission Shakti (Sambal sub-scheme): A comprehensive, mission-mode scheme focusing on the safety, security, and protection of women

One Stop Centres (OSCs/Sakhi Centres): These centres provide 24x7 integrated support under one roof, including police facilitation, medical aid, legal counseling, and temporary shelter for women affected by violence.

Women Helpline Number (181): A 24-hour toll-free service

SHe-Box (Sexual Harassment electronic Box): An online portal that allows female employees (both public and private) to file complaints of sexual harassment at the workplace.

3.TN Govt Appoints Vijay Narayan as Advocate General of Tamilnadu

Narayan previously served as advocate general of Tamil Nadu during the AIADMK regime from 2017-2021.

The Advocate General of State, as part of the State Executive, holds the position of the state’s highest-ranking legal officer.

Article 165: Office of the Advocate General of State.

Article 177: Rights of Advocate General of State concerning the State Legislature and its Committees.

Article 194: Powers, privileges, and protections of the Advocate General of state

Qualification: This includes being an Indian citizen and having either held a judicial office for ten years or practiced as an advocate in a High Court for ten years.

Advocate General of State Terms of Office and Removal

The Constitution does not specify a fixed term for the Advocate General of a State.

The Advocate General of State serves at the Governor's pleasure, allowing the Governor to remove him/her atany time

Rights of Advocate General

The Advocate General of the State has the right to speak and participate in the proceedings of both Houses of the state legislature.

He/She can also take part in any committee of the legislature to which he may be appointed as a member.

However, the Advocate General of State does not have the right to vote.

Furthermore, he/she is entitled to all the privileges and immunities granted to members of the state legislature.

Limitations

1 He/She should not advise or represent a case against the State Government

2.Additionally, he/she is prohibited from defending individuals in criminal cases without the consent of the State Government.

3.The Advocate General of State is also not allowed to accept an appointment as a director in any company or corporation without prior approval from the State Government.

4. Virugambakkam MLA Sabarinathan has been Appointed as the Government Chief Whip in the Tamil Nadu Assembly

WHIP

The concept of the whip was inherited from colonial British rule. It is used in parliamentary parlance often for floor management by political parties in the

legislature.

The office of ‘whip’, is mentioned neither in the Constitution of India nor in the Rules of the House nor in a Parliamentary Statute. It is based on the conventions of the parliamentary government.

Under the Tenth Schedule (anti-defection law) a political party has a constitutional right to issue a whip to its legislators.

SC in Kihoto Holohan vs Zachillhu case, 1992 held that the application of the Tenth Schedule is limited to a vote on “motion of confidence” or “no-confidence” in the government

Functions of Whip

The whip plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth and efficient conduct of business on the floor of the House.

He is charged with the responsibility of ensuring the attendance of his party members in large numbers and securing their support in favour of or against a particular issue.

He ensures discipline among party members in the House.

Violation :

If an MP violates his party’s whip, he faces expulsion from the House under the Anti Defection Act.

The only exception is when more than a third of legislators vote against a directive, effectively splitting the party

5. J.C.D. Prabhakar waselected as the Speaker of the 17th Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly

J.C.D. Prabhakarof the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)on May 12, 2026, alongside Deputy Speaker M. Ravisankar

Constitutional Provision for Speaker and Deputy Speaker

Article 178: Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly (appointment/election).

Article 179: Vacation, resignation, and removal from office.

Article 180: Power of the Deputy Speaker to perform the duties of the Speaker.

Article 181: Prohibits Speaker/Deputy Speaker from presiding while a resolution for their removal is under consideration.

Election of Office of the Speaker:

Criteria: The Constitution of India requires the Speaker should be a member of the House.

Usually, a member belonging to the ruling party is elected Speaker.

The Speaker (along with the Deputy Speaker) is elected from among the Lok Sabha members by a simple majority of members present and voting in the House

The First Speaker of the Madras Legislative Assembly-Shivashanmugam Pillai wasserving from 1952 to 1955.