In a historic judgment, the Supreme Court of India declared that all female employees who adopt children are entitled to 12 weeks of paid maternity leave. Critically, the court struck down the previous restrictive condition that required the adopted child to be under three months old—a condition that made benefits "illusory" given India's lengthy legal adoption timelines. The bench emphasized that motherhood is a basic human right that cannot be discriminated against based on the child's age or biological origin.

Medical researchers have announced a stunning breakthrough in cardiovascular health with a new oral peptide-based drug. In phase-three clinical trials concluded this week, the pill reduced LDL (bad) cholesterol by an average of 60% in high-risk patients. Unlike existing daily statins or expensive bi-monthly injections, this treatment targets a specific liver enzyme with fewer side effects, potentially offering a "holy grail" for preventing heart attacks and strokes on a global scale.

For the first time since the 2018 landmark guidelines, an Indian court has practically applied the principles of passive euthanasia by allowing the withdrawal of clinically-assisted nutrition for a patient in a permanent vegetative state. The case involved 32-year-old Harish Rana, who had been unresponsive for over a decade. This decision marks a significant shift in India’s legal and ethical landscape regarding the "right to die with dignity."