State bar councils cannot charge exorbitant fees for enrolling lawyers: SC
New Delhi: In a landmark judgment on July 30, 2024, the Supreme Court of India ruled that Bar Councils cannot charge more than ₹750 as enrollment fee for general category advocates and ₹125 for those from backward categories. This decision, delivered by a three-judge Bench led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, addressed concerns about exorbitant fees previously charged by some State Bar Councils, which were reported to be as high as ₹40,000.
The Court deemed the imposition of excessive fees as a violation of fundamental rights under Articles 19(1)(g) and 14 of the Constitution, as well as Section 24(1)(f) of the Advocates Act. Chief Justice Chandrachud highlighted that such practices particularly affect young advocates from poorer or marginalized communities.
While the Court's decision will apply prospectively, meaning it will not necessitate refunds of fees collected in the past, it has directed the Bar Council of India to respond to the possibility of a statutory fee increase.
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PM Modi lauds reduction in tuberculosis incidence in India
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday lauded the reduction in the incidence of tuberculosis in India since 2015, which was twice the global rate of decline and credited it to the expansion of treatment coverage.
India's TB incidence, which refers to new cases emerging each year, reduced by 21 per cent, from 237 per lakh population in 2015 to 187 per lakh population in 2024, according to the World Health Organisation's Global TB Report 2025.
The reduction is almost double the pace of the decline observed globally at 12 per cent, the Health Ministry said.
"India's fight against TB is achieving remarkable momentum. The latest WHO Global tuberculosis report 2025 highlights that India has recorded a commendable reduction in TB incidence since 2015 and it is nearly twice the global rate of decline," Modi said in a post on X.
The Prime Minister said the decline in incidence of TB in India was one of the sharpest drops seen anywhere in the world.
"Equally heartening is the expansion of treatment coverage, the fall in 'missing cases' and the sustained rise in treatment success. I compliment all those who have worked towards achieving this success. We remain committed to ensuring a healthy and fit India," Modi said.
