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Rajasthan HC took suo motu cognisance of a school building collapse in Banswara that killed 7 children.
Directed state and Centre to submit reports on improving rural and urban school infrastructure.
Cited NCPCR survey showing 22% of school buildings in dilapidated condition; 31% had structural cracks.
Highlighted severe gaps in electricity, toilets, and drinking water facilities in Rajasthan’s government schools.
Ordered a comprehensive safety survey of all educational institutions in the state.
Kerala HC upheld the state government’s 2019 orders banning single-use plastics.
Dismissed industry petitions challenging the state’s power, citing SC precedent and central rules from 2021 & 2022.
The Rajasthan High Court on July 28, 2025 directed the chief secretary of Rajasthan and the secretary of the Union Ministry of Education and Child Development to submit a report on the steps taken by the state and the Centre to improve the education system, particularly in rural areas.
These steps include addressing infrastructure deficits, the shortage of schools and teachers, and technological gaps, while also implementing impactful policies “to ensure that every child, regardless of their location, has the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to elevating the country’s standing on the global stage.”
The HC had taken suo motu cognisance of a news report from village Piplodi, Banswara district, Rajasthan, where seven children lost their lives and several others sustained serious injuries after the ceiling and wall of a government upper primary school classroom collapsed on July 25, 025.
“Schools are critical institutions, entrusted with the responsibility of shaping the citizens of tomorrow. A safe and secure environment is a prerequisite for effective teaching and learning,” said Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand.
The court referred to the report Safe and Secure Environment by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, which flagged significant concerns about school infrastructure across India. Based on a survey conducted in 12 states, including Rajasthan, and covering over 26,000 schools, the report found that around 22 per cent of operational school buildings were in a dilapidated condition and 31 per cent had structural cracks, raising serious safety concerns.
According to the Unified District Information System for Education, the Rajasthan Government allocates about 6 per cent of its total budget to education, yet the state continues to lag in infrastructure development in government schools. In 32 per cent of schools, there is no electricity connection; 9 per cent lack functional drinking water facilities.
Additionally, 9 per cent of schools lack toilets for boys, while 10 per cent do not have toilets for girls. Despite being India’s largest state by area, Rajasthan continues to struggle with low literacy rates, particularly among girls, Justice Dhand observed.
The HC issued show cause notices to the state and Centre, seeking an explanation as to why the directions proposed in the order should not be issued. It also called for a report on the effective steps being taken to resolve the issues. Among the directives was the need to conduct a comprehensive survey of every educational institution in the state to ensure school buildings are safe and not in conditions that could endanger students’ lives.
The Kerala High Court on July 23, 2025 upheld the Kerala government’s orders banning single-use plastics in the state.
The high court was hearing a batch of writ petitions challenging the competence of the state government to impose such a ban. The government had issued orders dated November 27, 2019 and December 17, 2019 prohibiting the use of single-use plastic items.
Counsel for the Central Pollution Control Board informed the court that the writ petitions were filed on the basis that the state lacked the authority to issue such orders in the absence of central rules. However, rules were subsequently framed via notifications dated August 12, 2021 and July 6, 2022 by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change.
The court was further informed that the Supreme Court, in its judgment dated October 20, 2023 (Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Paper Cup Manufacturers Association vs State of Tamil Nadu & Others), had upheld the powers of state governments to issue ban orders relating to various stages of single-use plastic regulation.
Justice Viju Abraham dismissed the petitions and upheld the Kerala government’s authority to impose the ban.