The Union Home Ministry has released "PRAHAAR," India's first-ever National Counter Terrorism Policy and Strategy. The policy highlights that India faces threats across water, land, and air from both state and non-state actors, including cyber-attacks and "sponsored terrorism." It emphasizes that terrorism is not linked to any specific religion or ethnicity. Key objectives include establishing a uniform anti-terrorism structure across states, criminalizing all terrorist acts, and denying access to funds and safe havens. It also addresses modern challenges like the use of drones, encrypted messaging, and CBRNED materials by terror groups to operate anonymously.
- India faces multi-dimensional threats from global groups like al-Qaeda and IS, often operating through sleeper cells.
- The policy aims to standardize anti-terrorism processes across all Indian states for a synergistic response.
- It identifies the misuse of social media, dark web, and crypto wallets as major tools for anonymous terror operations.
The article examines the freedom of speech granted to Members of Parliament (MPs) under Article 105 of the Constitution. While this privilege is essential for the smooth functioning of the legislature, it is subject to the rules of the House and specific constitutional restrictions, such as Article 121. Recent controversies regarding the 'expunging' of words by the Speaker have raised concerns about infringing on an MP's right to speak. The author argues that rules of procedure should not eclipse constitutional rights and that the power to expunge should be used sparingly to maintain the coherence and sanctity of parliamentary debates for posterity.
- Article 105 guarantees freedom of speech in Parliament, protecting members from legal action regarding their statements in the House.
- Article 121 prohibits discussion on the conduct of Supreme Court or High Court judges except during a formal removal motion.
- The Speaker has the power under Rule 380 to expunge unparliamentary or defamatory words from the official record.
Although the Women’s Reservation Act was passed in September 2023, its implementation is stalled until after the first Census following 2026 and subsequent delimitation. This means the 33% reservation for women in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies likely won't take effect until 2034. Critics argue this 'census-delimitation linkage' is a constitutional barrier that could have been avoided. The article highlights concerns regarding the lack of sub-reservation for OBC women and the potential for political friction between northern and southern states during the delimitation process, which could further complicate the timeline for gender parity in Indian politics.
- The Act mandates that reservation will only apply after the delimitation exercise following the next Census, scheduled for 2027.
- Delimitation involves redrawing constituency boundaries to balance population representation, a process governed by Article 82.
- There is no constitutional necessity to link women's reservation to delimitation; Parliament could have enabled immediate implementation through amendment.
The AI Impact Summit concluded in New Delhi with 85 countries and three international organizations signing the 'New Delhi Declaration.' Guided by the principle of 'Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya' (Welfare for all, Happiness for all), the declaration establishes a voluntary, non-binding framework to ensure the benefits of AI are shared equitably across humanity. Key outcomes include the launch of the 'Global AI Impact Commons,' a repository for AI tools and best practices, and the 'Charter for the Democratic Diffusion of AI.' The summit highlighted the need for AI literacy, workforce development, and secure, trustworthy AI ecosystems.
- The New Delhi Declaration promotes a voluntary framework for equitable access to AI resources and resilient AI ecosystems.
- The 'Global AI Impact Commons' will serve as a database for countries to draw inspiration for AI implementation and best practices.
- India launched its first domestically trained multi-billion parameter Large Language Model (LLM) by Sarvam AI during the event.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament, led by K.C. Venugopal, has criticized the government for the 'lackadaisical' implementation of the SANKALP scheme. SANKALP (Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion) is a flagship program of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, partially funded by a World Bank loan. The PAC highlighted significant delays, with only 44% of the budgeted provision disbursed between 2017 and 2023. The committee questioned the absence of a central monitoring mechanism and noted gaps in due diligence and financial progress flagged by the CAG.
- SANKALP aims to strengthen short-term skill training through better institutional frameworks and industry linkages.
- The scheme's completion deadline was extended from March 2023 to March 2024 due to slow progress.
- The CAG report pointed to 'non-preparedness' within the Ministry as a primary reason for the delay in utilizing World Bank funds.
A high-level committee appointed by the Tamil Nadu government, chaired by former Supreme Court Justice Kurian Joseph, has released a report mapping the pattern of centralisation in India. The report argues that federal democracy has weakened over decades and calls for a 'structural reset' similar to the 1991 economic reforms. It critiques the dismantling of Jammu and Kashmir, the GST regime's impact on state finances, and the overreach of Governors. The committee emphasizes that federated governance is essential for India's diversity and warns against the 'misplaced idea' of a single national language.
- The report identifies a dangerous trend of centralisation that weakens the authority of States and threatens India's progress.
- It highlights specific issues like the inter-State delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies and the centralisation of sectors like education and health.
- The committee suggests that the Constitution is currently too easy to amend for a federal polity, leading to a cycle of centralisation.
A private member Bill has been introduced in the Rajya Sabha to amend the Constitution to bring diversity to judicial appointments and establish regional benches of the Supreme Court. Currently, the Collegium system, established through the Three Judges Cases, governs appointments but faces criticism for lack of transparency and social representation. Between 2018 and 2024, only about 20% of high court judges belonged to SC, ST, or OBC categories. The Bill proposes mandatory representation for minorities and women and suggests regional benches in Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai to improve access to justice for common citizens.
- Article 124 and Article 217 of the Constitution govern the appointment of Supreme Court and High Court judges.
- The Collegium system consists of the CJI and senior-most judges, excluding the executive from the final selection.
- The National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2015.
The second phase of the Vibrant Village Programme (VVP-II) is set to cover 1,954 strategic villages along India's land borders with Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Myanmar. Launched originally in 2023 to develop villages along the China border, the scheme aims to improve the quality of life for border populations and prevent migration. By providing livelihood opportunities, infrastructure, and social cohesion, the government seeks to ensure these regions are not left behind. The Union Cabinet cleared VVP-II in April 2025, emphasizing national integration and security through local development.
- VVP-II expands the scheme's reach to 15 States and two Union Territories along multiple international borders.
- The programme focuses on institutional capacity building, tourism, and diverse livelihood opportunities.
- A key objective is to ensure economic and cultural assimilation of border populations with the rest of the nation.
Modern copyright law has expanded significantly from its 18th-century origins, moving toward copyright maximalism that can obstruct access to knowledge. The debate has intensified with the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) models, which require vast datasets for training. While some jurisdictions like the EU and Japan have created text and data mining exceptions, India lacks a flexible fair use provision for AI. The article argues for a return to the original intent of copyright—promoting creativity and public benefit—rather than just protecting industry interests. It suggests that India should lead efforts to adopt flexible exceptions that serve both creators and the public.
- The Statute of Anne (1710) was the first copyright law, granting limited monopolies to authors.
- Current copyright laws often last for the author's lifetime plus 70 years, creating near-perpetual monopolies.
- The Marrakesh Treaty enables the exchange of accessible-format books for visually impaired persons.
The article explores the legal standing of satire in India, emphasizing that courts generally view it as a vital form of expression. While the government occasionally blocks satirical content citing national security or public order, the Supreme Court in the Shreya Singhal case established that content must be heard before being blocked. Satire is defined as an artistic form that exposes absurdities and hypocrisies. However, recent amendments to IT Rules and government actions against social media posts have sparked debates on whether satire can be deemed a threat to the state or if it is protected under Article 19(1)(a).
- Satire is recognized by courts as an essential element of public life and opinion for revealing hypocrisies.
- The Supreme Court has cautioned against using state power to stifle expression on public and political issues.
- Section 69A of the IT Act is often used to block content, but courts insist on due process and transparency.
India's administrative system, dominated by generalist bureaucrats, often fails to integrate scientific expertise into policymaking. While scientists are employed in various departments, they lack a specialized framework for career progression and authority, remaining bound by rules designed for general administration. The proposed Indian Scientific Service (ISS) would be a permanent, all-India cadre recruited through rigorous selection. This service would provide independent scientific input, ensure transparency in assessments, and help India address complex challenges in climate change, public health, and emerging technologies. By moving beyond its colonial administrative legacy, India can build a more resilient, evidence-based governance structure for the future.
- India lacks a specialized framework for scientific governance, unlike many advanced countries with dedicated scientific cadres.
- Current scientific roles in government are often advisory or ad-hoc, lacking structural reform to define their role within governance.
- The proposed ISS would include specialized cadres for sectors like Environment, Marine Sciences, and Public Health.
The Indian government is set to host the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, aiming for at least 15 tangible outcomes and deliverables. The summit will see participation from over 100 countries, including heads of state from Brazil, France, and Spain. A key confirmed outcome is India's entry into the US-led Pax Silica initiative, an alliance focused on building a resilient electronics supply chain. The event aims to move beyond discussion to create international bodies for AI governance, similar to the International Solar Alliance, and will feature India's AI Safety Institute (AISI) as a central research body.
- The summit focuses on 'tangible outcomes' rather than just being a platform for theoretical AI discussion.
- India's AI Safety Institute (AISI) is part of a global trend of creating research bodies for AI safety and ethics.
- The Pax Silica initiative is a strategic alliance aimed at securing the global electronics and semiconductor supply chain.
The Supreme Court is set to hear a petition challenging Section 44(3) of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023. The petitioner argues that this section amends Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act, allowing public authorities to blankly refuse information by categorizing it as 'personal nature.' Critics claim this 'weaponises' the right to privacy to 'disarm' the citizens' right to seek information from the state. The petition contends that this removes the balancing mechanism where public interest could outweigh privacy concerns, potentially leading to a lack of transparency in governance and protecting public functionaries from scrutiny.
- Section 44(3) of the DPDP Act 2023 amends the RTI Act to expand the scope of personal information exemptions.
- The petition argues that privacy is being used to protect the state and public functionaries rather than ordinary citizens.
- It claims the amendment violates Article 19 (Right to Free Speech) and Article 14 (Right to Equality).
The Union Cabinet has launched the Urban Challenge Fund (UCF), a new Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. With a central assistance of ₹1 lakh crore, it aims to leverage private participation for a total investment of ₹4 lakh crore over the next five years (2025-26 to 2030-31). The fund targets cities with a population of 10 lakh or more, state capitals, and smaller urban local bodies in specific regions. It employs a 'challenge mode' to support transformative projects, requiring cities to raise at least 50% of costs from the market through bonds or loans.
- The scheme shifts urban development from grant-based to market-linked, reform-driven infrastructure creation.
- Central assistance covers 25% of the project cost, provided the city raises 50% from the market.
- A dedicated ₹5,000 crore corpus will enhance the creditworthiness of 4,223 cities to facilitate market finance access.
The first leg of Parliament's Budget Session concluded with significant debates and disruptions. Key highlights included the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address and the expunging of certain remarks from the records under Rule 261. Opposition leaders raised concerns over the removal of their speech portions, citing democratic freedom. The session also saw the passage of a bill to amend the Industrial Relations Code. Parliament is scheduled to reconvene in March to discuss departmental standing committee reports and budgetary allocations for the upcoming fiscal year.
- The Motion of Thanks to the President's Address is a critical parliamentary procedure following the President's annual speech.
- Rule 261 of the Rajya Sabha allows the Chairperson to expunge words from records if they are defamatory or unparliamentary.
- Question Hour remains a vital tool for the opposition to hold the government accountable for its policies and actions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new Prime Minister’s Office, named 'Seva Teerth', and two Central Secretariat buildings called 'Kartavya Bhavan'. These structures are part of the 'Viksit Bharat' journey, replacing colonial-era buildings. The architecture incorporates traditional Indian elements, such as white and red sandstone, metal-clad domes inspired by Buddha Stupas, and an entrance portal drawing from 11th-century Chaulukyan temples. On this occasion, the PM also launched the PM RAHAT Scheme for accident victims and doubled the targets for the Lakhpati Didis and the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund.
- The new PMO is named 'Seva Teerth' and the new secretariat buildings are named 'Kartavya Bhavan' to reflect a spirit of service.
- The architectural design features elements from Chaulukyan temples and the 12th-century Chennakeshava Temple in Karnataka.
- The PM RAHAT Scheme provides up to ₹1.5 lakh for cashless treatment of road accident victims during the 'golden hour'.
The implementation of India's four new labour codes represents a shift toward greater financial inclusion and social security. By consolidating fragmented laws, the codes aim to modernize governance and ensure equitable growth. A key reform is the new definition of 'wage,' requiring that basic pay and certain allowances constitute at least 50% of remuneration, boosting social security contributions like PF and gratuity. Crucially, the codes extend formal recognition and social security benefits to unorganized, migrant, and platform workers for the first time, promoting inclusive growth and reducing vulnerability to economic shocks.
- The four labour codes consolidate multiple fragmented laws to simplify compliance and improve transparency for employers.
- The new 'wage' definition ensures higher employer contributions toward Provident Fund (PF) and gratuity for employees.
- Unorganized and platform workers are formally recognized and granted access to insurance and welfare schemes for the first time.
The process for appointing a regular Director-General of Police (DGP) in Tamil Nadu has resumed following Supreme Court directives. The court ordered that the appointment must be completed within three weeks. According to the Prakash Singh case guidelines, a regular DGP must have a minimum tenure of two years, regardless of their date of superannuation. The State government is required to send a panel of eligible officers to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), which then finalizes a shortlist of three officers. The state must then select one from this shortlist to ensure stability in police leadership.
- The Supreme Court mandated the completion of the DGP appointment within a three-week timeframe to avoid temporary leadership.
- Guidelines from the landmark Prakash Singh case ensure a fixed two-year tenure for the DGP to prevent political interference.
- The UPSC plays a critical role in empanelling eligible officers based on seniority, merit, and residual service.
The Lok Sabha has passed the Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which introduces 'savings provisions' under Section 104. This amendment aims to prevent legal confusion following the repeal of older labor laws by the 2020 Code. It clarifies that the repeal of acts like the Trade Unions Act, 1926, and the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, occurred by the operation of the Code itself, rather than through executive discretion. This legislative step is intended to provide continuity and legal certainty for labor relations and ensure the effective implementation of the four major Labour Codes.
- The 2026 Bill amends the Industrial Relations Code of 2020 to clarify the status of repealed laws.
- Section 104 savings provisions are designed to ensure the continuity of certain legal protections.
- The government aims to dismiss the 'misconceived ground' that the executive was delegated power to repeal acts.
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has initiated a Substantive Motion in the Lok Sabha against Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition. A Substantive Motion is a self-contained, independent proposal that requires a formal vote of the House if accepted. The motion alleges that Gandhi collaborated with foreign entities to undermine Indian institutions. This procedural move led to significant disruptions during Zero Hour, resulting in the adjournment of the House. The motion follows intense political friction regarding the India-U.S. interim trade agreement and remarks made by the opposition leader in Parliament.
- A Substantive Motion is a formal proposal drafted to express a decision or opinion of the House.
- Unlike other motions, a Substantive Motion entails a mandatory debate followed by a compulsory vote.
- The motion was raised during Zero Hour, a period used by MPs to raise matters of urgent public importance.
Former Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai testified before a Parliamentary Joint Committee that the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, does not violate the Basic Structure doctrine. The bill seeks to synchronize elections for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. Justice Gavai argued that the amendment merely changes the 'manner of elections' and falls within Parliamentary competence. However, the legal community remains divided; while four former CJIs support the bill, others like Justice U.U. Lalit have expressed concerns that it might not withstand a legal challenge in the Supreme Court regarding federalism.
- The 129th Amendment Bill aims to synchronize Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections across India.
- Justice Gavai argued that the bill does not breach the federal framework or impact government accountability.
- Six former CJIs have provided testimony, with a 4-2 split in favor of the bill's constitutionality.
A Ministry of Home Affairs order requiring the singing of all six stanzas of Vande Mataram at official functions has raised constitutional concerns. Historically, the Constituent Assembly adopted only the first two stanzas as the National Song in 1950 to avoid religious controversy, as the later stanzas contain specific Hindu deity references. Legal experts argue that while the National Anthem is protected by the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, the National Song lacks similar statutory protection. Furthermore, Article 25 protects the right to not participate in religious observances, as established in the landmark Bijoe Emmanuel case.
- The Constituent Assembly officially recognized only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram as the National Song.
- The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, does not provide a legal penalty for not singing the National Song.
- Article 25 of the Constitution protects citizens from being forced into religious observances that violate their conscience.
A controversy has emerged regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, specifically the use of Form 7. Form 7 is intended for objecting to the inclusion of names or seeking deletions due to death or shifting residence. The Congress party has alleged that the form is being misused through coordinated efforts to delete eligible voters' names. The Election Commission (EC) maintains that verification procedures, including physical visits by Booth Level Officers (BLOs), are in place. Under the Representation of the People Act 1950, filing a false declaration is a punishable offense.
- Form 7 is the official document used to object to the inclusion of a name in the electoral roll.
- The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has seen the distribution of over 50 crore enumeration forms.
- Section 32 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, makes filing false declarations a punishable offense.
Opposition parties in India are considering a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, alleging partiality in parliamentary proceedings. The move is triggered by the suspension of MPs and the denial of speaking opportunities to opposition leaders. Under Article 94(c) of the Constitution, a member may give a written notice of intention to move a resolution for the removal of the Speaker. This requires at least 14 days' notice. While the opposition may lack the numbers to carry the motion, the move highlights significant friction within the legislative branch.
- Article 94(c) of the Constitution allows for the removal of the Speaker by a resolution of the Lok Sabha.
- A mandatory 14-day notice period is required before moving such a resolution.
- The opposition alleges the Speaker has acted in a partisan manner during debates and MP suspensions.