The resignation of Justice Yashwant Varma has reignited the debate on whether a statutory inquiry against a judge should cease upon their resignation. Drawing on past cases like Justices P.D. Dinakaran and Soumitra Sen, the article argues that such inquiries, being statutory procedures for establishing facts and guilt, should continue irrespective of the judge's tenure. It asserts that allowing inquiries to terminate with resignation undermines accountability, enables judges to unilaterally abort proceedings, and prevents formal findings, contrary to constitutional provisions and Supreme Court observations on the investigative stage being judicial in character.
- The resignation of Justice Yashwant Varma raises questions about the continuation of statutory inquiries against judges.
- Past precedents regarding judicial resignations during inquiries have been inconsistent and lack clear resolution.
- The Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, and Supreme Court rulings suggest that the investigative stage of an inquiry is statutory and should not collapse with resignation.
The Supreme Court has directed a high-powered committee, chaired by Justice S. Ravindra Bhat (retd), to expand its mandate and formulate a comprehensive plan for making prisons disabled-friendly across the country. This plan must ensure the provision of appropriate assistive devices, mobility aids, and necessary support equipment for prisoners with disabilities, upholding their fundamental rights to equal treatment and dignified life. The directive follows a petition highlighting inhumane prison conditions, citing the cases of activists G. Saibaba and Stan Swamy, and reinforces the penalization of authorities who abuse disabled prisoners under the RPwD Act.
- The Supreme Court has mandated a high-powered committee to develop a comprehensive plan for disabled-friendly prisons.
- The plan must ensure the provision of appropriate assistive devices and support equipment for prisoners with disabilities.
- The directive emphasizes upholding the fundamental rights of prisoners with disabilities, including the right to equal treatment and dignified life.
Congress General Secretary K. C. Venugopal submitted a privilege notice against Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Lok Sabha Speaker. The notice alleges that PM Modi, in a televised address, made "direct reflections" and "imputed motives" to Opposition MPs for voting against the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026. This Bill sought to link delimitation and expansion of Lok Sabha seats with women's reservation. Venugopal argued that questioning elected representatives' voting behavior constitutes a "gross breach of privilege and contempt of the House," violating parliamentary conventions.
- A privilege notice was filed against Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Congress General Secretary K. C. Venugopal.
- The notice alleges that PM Modi imputed motives to Opposition MPs for their vote against the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026.
- The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, aimed to link delimitation and Lok Sabha seat expansion with women's reservation.
The article criticizes the U.S.'s approach to lunar governance, particularly the Artemis Accords, viewing them as a unilateral mechanism to control lunar resources and potentially create exclusion zones. It contrasts this with recent U.S. actions on human rights and international law, which undermine confidence in its global leadership. The author advocates for a multilateral framework, such as the 1979 Moon Agreement, to ensure equitable access and prevent confrontation in space. The piece argues against allowing any single power to unilaterally set rules for a domain that belongs to all humankind.
- The U.S.'s Artemis Accords are viewed critically as a mechanism for unilateral control over lunar resources, potentially creating exclusion zones.
- Recent U.S. actions regarding human rights and international law are cited as undermining confidence in its space governance framework.
- A multilateral approach, exemplified by the 1979 Moon Agreement, is advocated for equitable exploitation of lunar resources.
This article argues that India's compliance with U.S. unilateral sanctions has negatively impacted its economy, energy sourcing, and foreign policy, leading to increased demands from the U.S. It highlights that India's decision to ignore certain sanctions, such as for the Russian S-400 systems, proved beneficial. The author advocates for India to unequivocally denounce U.S. unilateral sanctions to safeguard its strategic autonomy and achieve energy independence. The piece also criticizes the U.S. for its extensive use of sanctions compared to other global powers and international bodies.
- U.S. unilateral sanctions have adversely affected India's economic growth, energy sourcing, and foreign policy objectives.
- India's past compliance with U.S. sanctions has not curbed U.S. demands, instead leading to additional pressures for conformity.
- Ignoring U.S. sanctions, such as for the S-400 air defence systems, has proven beneficial for India without incurring penalties.
This explainer details the proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill and Delimitation Bill, 2026, which aimed to increase Lok Sabha seats from 550 to 850 and establish a Delimitation Commission. The 131st Amendment sought to empower Parliament to determine the Census for delimitation and delink women's reservation from the next Census, enabling it based on the 2011 Census. The Delimitation Bill proposed allocating Lok Sabha seats based on the latest Census figures. The Opposition opposed these, citing no need to bundle women's reservation with delimitation, lack of explicit pro-rata increase for states, and the sensitive nature requiring detailed discussions. The Bills were defeated/withdrawn, highlighting the challenge of balancing 'one citizen-one vote-one value' with federal concerns.
- The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill and Delimitation Bill, 2026, proposed increasing Lok Sabha seats to 850 and establishing a Delimitation Commission.
- The 131st Amendment aimed to delink women's reservation from the next Census, allowing it based on the 2011 Census, and empower Parliament to decide the Census for delimitation.
- The Opposition raised concerns about bundling women's reservation with delimitation, the absence of explicit pro-rata seat increases for states, and the need for detailed parliamentary discussion on such a sensitive issue.
The article discusses the proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Delimitation Bill, 2026, aimed at readjusting Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly seats based on the 2011 Census, with a proposed increase to 850 Lok Sabha seats. It highlights the historical context of delimitation, including the freeze until 2026 to encourage population control, and the current challenges of population growth and migration disparities. The author, K.F. Wilfred, argues that while Article 81(2) mandates seat allocation based on population, a broader view should incorporate additional parameters to ensure equitable parliamentary representation for States, especially with a significant increase in seats. The debate raises questions on representation and equity.
- The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, and Delimitation Bill, 2026, proposed readjustment of Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly seats, potentially increasing Lok Sabha seats to 850.
- Delimitation exercises, mandated by Articles 82 and 170(3), were frozen until the first Census after 2026 (based on 2001 amendment) to incentivize population control.
- The current proposal aims to address population density variations and migration using 2011 Census data, which is now 15 years old.
India's ongoing Census self-enumeration portal briefly displayed Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh as "Medog," a town in China. A retired Indian Air Force officer first raised the concern, highlighting the sensitivity of such territorial depictions. The Registrar-General and Census Commissioner of India quickly acknowledged and resolved the issue, stating it was raised with the map services provider. India has consistently rejected China's attempts to rename places in Arunachal Pradesh, reiterating that the state is an integral part of India and that such actions cannot alter the undeniable reality of its territory.
- The Census of India's self-enumeration portal mistakenly showed Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh, with a Chinese name, "Medog."
- The error was promptly identified by a retired IAF officer and subsequently resolved by Census officials.
- India maintains a firm stance against China's attempts to rename places in Arunachal Pradesh, asserting the state's integral status.
The issue of 33% women's reservation in Lok Sabha and State legislatures has come full circle, with the government's attempt to operationalize it immediately failing. The Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, 2023 (Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam) mandated a three-step process involving a fresh Census and delimitation before implementation. The government's 2026 Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, which sought immediate implementation based on the 2011 census, failed to pass. The Opposition continues to demand the removal of the Census and delimitation requirement from Article 334A(1) for immediate implementation, highlighting the persistent delay.
- The 33% women's reservation issue remains unresolved due to the failure of the 2026 Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill.
- The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (106th Amendment Act, 2023) requires a fresh Census and delimitation for its operationalization.
- The government's attempt to bypass these steps for immediate implementation using the 2011 census figures failed in the Lok Sabha.
The extended Budget Session of Parliament adjourned sine die after the Opposition blocked the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, which aimed to provide women's reservation. The Bill, linking women's reservation with the delimitation exercise, failed to pass in the Lok Sabha. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accused the Congress of an anti-women mindset. The session concluded with a symbolic rendition of all six stanzas of Vande Mataram in the Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha achieved nearly 110% productivity, while the Lok Sabha recorded 93% productivity, indicating a productive session despite the legislative setback.
- The extended Budget Session of Parliament was adjourned sine die following the defeat of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill.
- The Bill, which sought to implement women's reservation, was blocked by the Opposition due to its linkage with the delimitation exercise.
- Union Minister Kiren Rijiju criticized the Congress for opposing the women's reservation measure.
Sonia Gandhi argues that the government's hurried special Parliament session, ostensibly for women's reservation, is a political tactic to push through delimitation. The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, links women's reservation to the next Census and delimitation, a condition not sought by the opposition. She criticizes the five-year delay in conducting the decadal Census and the government's shifting stance on a caste census. The author suggests the real intention is to manipulate delimitation, potentially disadvantaging states that have excelled in family planning, and deems the process flawed and anti-democratic.
- The government's rush for a special Parliament session is seen as a political maneuver to push delimitation, not genuinely accelerate women's reservation.
- The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, links women's reservation to the next Census and subsequent delimitation, a condition not sought by the opposition.
- The author criticizes the five-year delay in conducting the decadal Census and the government's shifting stance on a caste census.
The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025-26, aims to shift India's regulatory approach from a punitive model to 'trust-based governance' by decriminalizing minor procedural lapses across various Central Acts. Building on the 2023 Act, the 2026 Bill proposes amendments to 784 provisions across 79 Central Acts, with 717 earmarked for decriminalization. Its core principle is proportionality, replacing criminal penalties with monetary fines, graded responses, and expanded compounding provisions. This reform seeks to separate serious criminal conduct from minor non-compliance, promote equity for smaller enterprises, and reduce the burden on the judiciary by diverting routine regulatory cases. While it promises efficiency, concerns remain about administrative discretion and implementation gaps.
- The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025-26, aims to transition India's regulatory framework from punitive to 'trust-based governance.'
- It proposes to decriminalize 717 provisions across 79 Central Acts, replacing jail terms for minor procedural lapses with monetary penalties and administrative alternatives.
- The Bill seeks to distinguish serious criminal conduct from minor non-compliance, ensuring proportionality in penalties.
The Congress party has criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government for withdrawing India's bid to host the 2028 global climate summit, COP33. Congress communication chief Jairam Ramesh labeled the move a 'flip-flop,' questioning the Centre's commitment to international climate goals and its willingness to pursue ambitious carbon mitigation targets. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced India's intention to host COP33 during COP28 in Dubai in December 2023. The sudden withdrawal, made without official explanation, raises doubts about the government's readiness to assume greater responsibility in global climate negotiations, especially with the seventh assessment report of the IPCC expected by 2028, potentially increasing pressure on India.
- The Congress party criticized the Indian government for withdrawing its bid to host the 2028 global climate summit (COP33).
- Jairam Ramesh, Congress communication chief, termed the withdrawal a 'flip-flop' and questioned the government's commitment to international climate goals.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi had initially announced India's intention to host COP33 during COP28 in Dubai in December 2023.
The article highlights India's significant progress in women's empowerment over the past decade, transforming it from intent to infrastructure. Key initiatives like PM Jan Dhan Yojana have provided financial access to millions, while self-help groups foster grassroots entrepreneurship. The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana has reduced health risks, and female labor force participation has risen to nearly 37%. The next phase requires moving from policy creation to effective policy penetration, ensuring saturation, tracking outcomes, and fostering women's leadership. The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is seen as a crucial reform to increase women's representation in legislative bodies, which can align policy design with lived experiences and create a multiplier effect for women in leadership.
- India has successfully built an infrastructure for women's empowerment over the last decade, placing women at the center of development.
- Key initiatives like PM Jan Dhan Yojana, self-help groups, and Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana have significantly improved women's financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, and health.
- Female labor force participation has risen to nearly 37%, reversing a long-standing decline.
The Union Cabinet has approved a draft amendment Bill to implement the Women's Reservation Act, formally known as the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, by the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. The amendment seeks to revise the implementation framework of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. Under the proposal, the strength of the Lok Sabha is set to increase from 543 to 816 seats following a fresh delimitation exercise. Of the expanded House, 273 seats (around one-third) will be reserved for women, with vertical reservation for women within Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe categories. Significantly, delimitation will be based on the 2011 Census data, departing from the existing law which would await 2027 Census data. The Bill is scheduled for debate in the Budget Session from April 16-18.
- The Union Cabinet approved a draft amendment Bill to implement the Women's Reservation Act by the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
- The Lok Sabha's strength is proposed to increase from 543 to 816 seats after a new delimitation exercise.
- Approximately one-third (273) of the expanded Lok Sabha seats will be reserved for women, including vertical reservation for SC/ST women.
The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, builds on the 2023 Act, aiming to recalibrate regulatory balance towards trust-based compliance by decriminalizing minor business-related offenses. This reform shifts away from criminal sanctions for technical and procedural lapses to civil penalties or administrative measures, reducing compliance burdens and fostering entrepreneurship. The 2026 Bill proposes amendments to 784 provisions across 79 Central Acts, decriminalizing 717 provisions, and removing obsolete offenses. It seeks to reduce court congestion by moving minor cases out of criminal courts. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has advocated for this shift, emphasizing proportionality and economic efficiency. Effective implementation, including strengthening administrative adjudication and clear guidance, will be crucial for its success.
- The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, aims to establish a trust-based compliance culture by decriminalizing minor offenses.
- It proposes to replace criminal penalties for technical and procedural lapses with civil or administrative measures.
- The Bill seeks to amend 784 provisions across 79 Central Acts, decriminalizing 717 of them, and remove obsolete offenses.
India's Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam has achieved first criticality, a significant milestone, though it is 16 years behind schedule and its cost has more than doubled to ₹8,181 crore. The PFBR is crucial for India's three-stage nuclear power programme, aiming for energy security and self-sufficiency by using spent fuel to produce plutonium and eventually thorium. Nuclear power currently contributes about 3% of India's electricity. The article emphasizes the need for scrupulous performance evaluation, honest admission of mistakes, and a revamp of the nuclear regulatory regime. It highlights that the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) and the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) currently report to the Atomic Energy Commission, creating a conflict of interest where the promoter is also the regulator.
- The Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam has achieved first criticality, a key step in India's nuclear program.
- The PFBR is integral to India's three-stage nuclear power programme, designed to utilize abundant thorium resources for energy security.
- The project has faced significant delays (16 years) and cost overruns (more than double the sanctioned amount).
The Supreme Court, during a hearing on the Sabarimala shrine case, stated that courts cannot hollow out religion in the name of reform and that logic may not be the right tool to examine faith and belief systems. A nine-judge Bench, led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, observed that a religion cannot lose its identity through social reform. Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, argued that reform must originate from within the religion and that judicial review should not be based on rationality or science for religious matters. Justice B.V. Nagarathna questioned whether a non-devotee could challenge religious practices in court. The court also discussed that the term 'essential religious practices' was a judicial creation, not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution.
- The Supreme Court emphasized that logic might not be suitable for examining religious belief systems.
- Courts should not undermine religion under the guise of reform, as reform should ideally come from within the religion.
- The concept of 'essential religious practices' is a judicial creation, not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution.
Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla rejected notices from Opposition MPs seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The presiding officers concluded that the allegations, including a "tainted" appointment, "deep executive embeddedness," applying different standards to government/opposition, and obstructing electoral fraud investigations, lacked proof or did not meet the "high constitutional bar" for removal proceedings. The order stated that the pendency of a constitutional challenge to his appointment law did not amount to misbehaviour, and the EC's plenary powers under Article 324 were affirmed by the Supreme Court.
- Notices for the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, moved by Opposition MPs, were rejected by the presiding officers of Parliament.
- The charges, including allegations of a "tainted" appointment and bias, were deemed to lack sufficient proof or meet the constitutional bar for removal.
- The order clarified that a pending constitutional challenge to the appointment law does not equate to misbehaviour.
The Centre proposes a 50% expansion of Lok Sabha and State Assembly seats to accommodate 33% women's reservation, ensuring incumbent lawmakers' re-election paths are not narrowed. This strategy, increasing Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 816, mirrors the UPA-I government's approach to OBC reservation in higher education, designed by then Education Minister Arjun Singh. The UPA-I expanded seats by 54% to implement a 27% OBC quota without reducing general category seats, creating a "win-win" formula. The current government aims to apply this playbook to legislative bodies, arguing that expansion is overdue.
- The Centre plans to expand Lok Sabha and State Assembly seats by 50% to implement 33% women's reservation.
- This strategy aims to accommodate reservation without reducing the number of seats for existing lawmakers.
- The approach is compared to the UPA-I government's method for implementing OBC reservation in higher education.
Parliament passed the Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act, 2023, reserving one-third of seats for women in Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas, but its implementation is deferred until after the next Census and delimitation. The government now plans to amend the Act, basing delimitation on the 2011 Census and potentially expanding Lok Sabha seats by 50% (from 543 to 816). This approach, while framed as expediting implementation, raises concerns about representational balance due to demographic shifts, potential north-south divide, and the use of outdated 2011 Census data, impacting fairness and political dynamics.
- The Women's Reservation Act (Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam) defers implementation until post-Census and delimitation.
- The government proposes to use the 2011 Census for delimitation and expand Lok Sabha seats by 50%.
- Concerns exist regarding the impact of outdated data and seat expansion on north-south representational balance.
The Supreme Court's nine-judge Constitution Bench has begun reviewing its 2018 judgment that upheld the right of women of menstruating age to enter the Sabarimala shrine. Justice B.V. Nagarathna stated that courts can intervene if social evils are given a religious color. Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta argued against judicial overreach into religious practices, questioning courts' expertise in determining "essential religious practices" and interpreting religious texts. The review aims to establish a 'judicial policy' for constitutional courts regarding religious freedom under Articles 25 and 26.
- The Supreme Court is reviewing its 2018 judgment on women's entry to the Sabarimala temple.
- Justice B.V. Nagarathna highlighted the judiciary's role in distinguishing social evils from religious practices.
- Arguments focused on the extent of judicial review over "essential religious practices" and the interpretation of religious texts.
Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla rejected a notice submitted by 193 Opposition MPs seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. No specific reasons were cited for the rejection by the Chairs, though Secretaries-General cited "due consideration" and "careful and objective assessment." The 10-page document from MPs accused the CEC of being "subservient" to the executive and alleged "deliberate abuse of power." The Chairs cited Section 3 of the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, which empowers them to admit or refuse such a motion. Opposition leaders expressed dismay over the lack of definitive reasons.
- The notice for the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar was submitted by 193 Opposition MPs across both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha.
- The Chairs of both Houses, C.P. Radhakrishnan (Rajya Sabha) and Om Birla (Lok Sabha), rejected the notice without citing specific reasons.
- The Secretaries-General of both Houses issued bulletins stating the notice was not admitted after "due consideration" and "careful and objective assessment."
Transgender activists have moved the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of the Centre's new Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act, 2026. Petitioners, including Laxminarayan Tripathi and Zainab Javid Patel, argue the Act disregards self-determined gender identity, replacing it with a state-defined classification. They contend that the 2026 Act repeals the statutory right to self-identification, a fundamental right under Article 21, and imposes "medical gatekeeping" by requiring medical certification and a government-appointed board's recommendation for legal gender recognition, violating the NALSA judgment of 2014 and infringing on individual autonomy.
- Transgender activists have challenged the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act, 2026, in the Supreme Court.
- The petitioners argue the Act disregards self-determined gender identity, replacing it with state-defined classifications.
- They claim the new law repeals the statutory right to self-identification, which was held as a fundamental right under Article 21.