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Great Nicobar Project Supreme Court News | Tribal Rights Protected | Shompen Tribe | UPSC 2026 Current Affairs. Major update from the Supreme Court on the Great Nicobar Island Project! On 5th October 2026, a 3-judge bench headed by CJI Surya Kant, along with Justice Joymalya Bagchi & Justice V Mohana, refused to stay the Calcutta High Court proceedings against the Great Nicobar Project. What the Supreme Court Said? Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed, "Preservation of culture is a constitutionally protected fundamental right." The SC declined the Centre's plea to stay the PIL and asked the Calcutta High Court to hear the matter on Nov 25-26, 2026, and decide without delay. What is Great Nicobar Holistic Development Project? Rs 72,000-81,000 Crore mega project including an International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) at Galathea Bay, an International Airport, a Greenfield Township, and a Power Plant. Strategic location near Malacca Strait - immense national importance. Why PIL Filed? Former Environment Secretary Meena Gupta filed a PIL alleging violation of the Forest Rights Act 2006, faulty Gram Sabha consent, illegal forest diversion, and reduction of buffer zones of Campbell Bay & Galathea Bay National Parks. The area is home to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) - Shompen Tribe (only ∼300 left) and Nicobarese. Centre's Argument: Attorney General R Venkataramani said there is "no loss of habitation" for tribals and the project is of strategic value. Questioned locus standi and parallel proceedings before NGT. Why Important for UPSC? GS-2: Tribal Rights, Forest Rights Act 2006, PIL & Locus Standi, PVTGs GS-3: Environment vs Development, EIA, Protected Areas, Strategic Infrastructure, Galathea Bay, Campbell Bay National Park, Biosphere Reserves. Vajirao & Reddy Institute - India's Top Potential Training Institute for IAS - brings you Daily Current Affairs from The Hindu, Indian Express, PIB, ET, simplified for UPSC 2026 Prelims & Mains. Subscribe for Daily News In Focus & Hit the Bell Icon! #GreatNicobarProject #SupremeCourtOfIndia #TribalRights #ShompenTribe #Nicobarese #PVTG #ForestRightsAct #GreatNicobarIsland #CampbellBay #GalatheaBay #UPSC2026 #CurrentAffairs #UPSC #TheHindu #PIB #VajiraoAndReddy #EnvironmentVsDevelopment #MalaccaStrait #CJISuryaKant #CalcuttaHighCourt