As 2025 draws to a close, India’s legal and civic landscape stands transformed by a series of landmark judicial rulings and sweeping governance reforms, with Bengaluru at the epicenter of change. From the Supreme Court’s scrutiny of constitutional amendments and environmental protections to the unveiling of the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill, the year has been nothing short of momentous—marked by both triumphs and tragedies that have left a deep imprint on the nation’s collective consciousness.
The Supreme Court’s docket in 2025 was packed with cases that will likely shape India’s legal and political debates for years to come. One of the most politically sensitive was the constitutional challenge to the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. According to The Economic Times, a batch of petitions argued that the amendments granted excessive powers to district collectors to determine the status of waqf properties—religious endowments traditionally used for charitable and community purposes. Critics contended that the law’s new restrictions on recognizing waqf-by-user properties and changes to waqf board composition violated constitutional protections of religious freedom. In September, the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice BR Gavai, issued an interim order pausing certain provisions of the Act while allowing the broader law to remain in effect. The case remains pending, but its outcome could have far-reaching implications for minority institutions and property rights across India.
Public safety and animal welfare also took center stage in 2025. Spurred by a surge in dog-bite incidents, the Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance in July and directed municipal authorities in Delhi-NCR to capture, sterilize, and house stray dogs, rather than releasing them back onto the streets. However, objections from civic bodies and animal welfare groups led the court to clarify in August that, in line with the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, sterilization, vaccination, and release back into the same locality should remain the norm—except in cases of rabies or aggressive behavior. By November, the court further refined its stance, ordering that stray dogs found within hospitals, educational institutions, and other institutional areas be removed, sterilized, and relocated to designated shelters. These evolving directives, as reported by The Economic Times, sought to balance public health concerns with animal rights in a rapidly urbanizing society.
Election law was another flashpoint. The Supreme Court’s scrutiny of the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls became a major issue ahead of state assembly polls. Petitioners warned that the revision process risked being used as a proxy for citizenship verification, potentially leading to widespread disenfranchisement. In response, a bench led by Justice Sanjiv Khanna issued interim directions: the Commission must accept a broad range of identity documents and ensure individual notice and hearings before any voter deletions. While the final verdict is still awaited, the court’s intervention has already reshaped how electoral roll revisions are conducted nationwide, according to The Economic Times.
In a rare exercise of constitutional power, the President of India invoked Article 143, seeking the Supreme Court’s advisory opinion on the powers of governors in granting assent to state Bills. The court, in its November opinion, held that while the Constitution does not provide for “deemed assent,” governors cannot indefinitely delay Bills passed by state legislatures. This advisory, though not binding, clarified principles of federal balance and constitutional propriety, setting guidelines for future center-state relations.
Environmental governance, too, saw significant judicial intervention. The Supreme Court, responding to long-standing litigation over illegal mining in the Aravalli Hills, endorsed a scientific definition of protected areas—specifically, the “100-metre above local relief” criterion. The court directed the Ministry of Environment to prepare a comprehensive Management Plan for Sustainable Mining, placing restrictions on new mining leases until such a plan is in place. This decision, as highlighted by The Economic Times, signaled a shift toward landscape-level environmental regulation and sustainable resource management.
Meanwhile, the Madras High Court made headlines in March with a ruling that empowers senior citizens to reclaim property from children who fail to provide care, even if the maintenance obligation isn’t explicitly stated in the deed. Applying Section 23(1) of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, the court affirmed that gift transfers can be declared void if the transferee neglects their duty of care—a judgment with profound implications for elder rights and family law.
Judicial independence was reinforced in November when the Supreme Court struck down key provisions of the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021. The court found that excessive executive control over the appointment and tenure of tribunal members undermined judicial independence and violated the separation of powers. The Union government was directed to move toward establishing an independent National Tribunals Commission, a step hailed by legal observers as crucial for upholding the integrity of India’s quasi-judicial bodies.
Eligibility for the judiciary was also clarified in 2025. In the All India Judges Association v. Union of India case, decided in May, the Supreme Court restored the requirement of at least three years’ legal practice for entry into the judicial services. The court reasoned that courtroom exposure is essential for effective judging and rejected arguments that the rule restricted access to the judiciary. States have since begun realigning recruitment rules to comply with this standard.
Arbitration law remained under the spotlight as the Supreme Court repeatedly emphasized that courts must exercise restraint when modifying arbitral awards under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. Benches led by Justices P.S. Narasimha and Dipankar Datta clarified that modifications are permissible only in narrow circumstances, reinforcing India’s pro-arbitration stance while safeguarding against fraud and illegality.
In a significant move for personal freedoms, the Allahabad High Court ruled in December that live-in relationships between consenting adults are not illegal and deserve constitutional protection. The court directed authorities to ensure police protection for couples facing threats, recognizing non-marital domestic relationships under statutes such as the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005.
While the judiciary was busy shaping the nation’s legal framework, Bengaluru underwent its own transformation. The passage of the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill (GBA) and the establishment of five corporations marked a seminal reform event in 2025, as reported by The New Indian Express. This is the first mega city governance and administration Act in India since the 74th constitutional amendment, aiming to improve administration for Bengaluru’s 14 million residents across 721 square kilometers. The GBA is envisioned as a “music conductor,” coordinating the efforts of multiple corporations, parastatals, and ward committees to ensure harmonious governance in a sprawling and rapidly growing metropolis.
The push for decentralization follows more than seven years of work by the BBMP Restructuring Committee and the Brand Bengaluru Committee, which identified deep decentralization and local empowerment as key to improving the city’s quality of life. Early signs—such as improved infrastructure and more accessible officials—offer hope, though the true test will come with corporation elections expected in early 2026.
The city’s cultural vibrancy was also on full display in 2025. Institutions like Ranga Shankara, Jagriti, and Bengaluru Science Gallery continued to thrive, while others—including Sabha, Venkatappa Art Gallery, Indian Heritage Academy, and Alliance Francaise—underwent significant renovations. Freedom Park hosted the 14th Bangalore Literature Festival, and anticipation is high for the upcoming BLR Hubba in January 2026, promising a New Year filled with art and community spirit.
Yet, the year was not without sorrow. The KSCA stampede during Bengaluru’s first IPL win in 18 years resulted in the tragic loss of 11 lives, a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and accountability in public celebrations.
Through landmark court rulings and bold civic reforms, 2025 has set India and Bengaluru on a new course—one defined by greater protection for rights, deeper democracy, and a renewed commitment to both tradition and progress.
