The 16th Finance Commission faces the complex task of balancing vertical and horizontal tax devolution. While the 14th Finance Commission increased the states' share to 42%, the 15th reduced it to 41% following Jammu and Kashmir's reorganization. A major concern is the Centre's increasing reliance on non-shareable cesses and surcharges, which reduces the effective divisible pool for states. The 16th Commission has introduced a new horizontal criterion based on GSDP share to reward economic efficiency. However, critics argue this may disadvantage less developed states and emphasize the need for Article 275 grants to equalize critical services like health and education.
- The 16th Finance Commission has maintained the vertical devolution share to states at 41%.
- The increasing use of cesses and surcharges by the Centre effectively lowers the actual revenue share transferred to states.
- A new horizontal devolution criterion uses a state's share in national GSDP to reflect and reward economic efficiency.
The Union Food Ministry has decided to temporarily discontinue rice fortification under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) and other welfare schemes. This decision follows a study by IIT Kharagpur, which found that factors like moisture, temperature, and storage conditions significantly reduce the shelf life and nutrient stability of fortified rice. Activists have welcomed the move, arguing that fortification is an expensive, unscientific, and potentially toxic method to curb anaemia. The government seeks a more effective mechanism for nutrient delivery while maintaining existing foodgrain entitlements under the Public Distribution System (PDS).
- The suspension affects rice distributed through PMGKAY and other centrally sponsored welfare schemes until a more effective delivery mechanism is identified.
- A study by IIT Kharagpur highlighted that fortified rice kernels are susceptible to micronutrient reduction during prolonged storage and routine handling.
- Social activists argue that not all anaemia is linked to iron deficiency, making mass fortification an ineffective and potentially unsafe solution.
The Allahabad High Court recently examined the legality of 'bulldozer justice'—the practice of demolishing properties of individuals accused of crimes without proper notice or hearing. The court reaffirmed that punishment lies exclusively with the judiciary and that administrative authorities cannot assume criminal culpability. Such actions violate Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution, which guarantee equality and the right to life and liberty. The court emphasized that demolition should be a regulatory measure of last resort for unauthorized construction, not a tool for extrajudicial punishment, as it undermines the separation of powers and erodes constitutional rights.
- The Allahabad High Court ruled that punitive demolitions without due process are a 'colourable exercise of power' that erodes the separation of powers.
- Administrative actions taken immediately after FIRs violate the principle of 'presumption of innocence' and judicial oversight.
- The Supreme Court in 2024 established that property cannot be demolished solely because an owner is an accused or convicted of an offence.
The Union Rural Development Ministry has declined an RTI request for details regarding consultations for the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025. The Ministry stated that the information could not be shared as the scheme has not been formally notified and the implementation process has not attained finality. The applicant sought records of technical workshops and state-level discussions that shaped the legislation. This denial highlights ongoing debates regarding transparency in the pre-legislative phase and the protection of internal government deliberations during policy formulation.
- The VB-G RAM G Act, 2025, is a proposed new law for rural employment and livelihoods.
- The government cited 'ongoing deliberations' as a reason to withhold records of pre-legislative consultations.
- The RTI application sought internal notes and feedback from states that influenced the core design of the legislation.
The Election Commission of India (EC) has proposed a framework to synchronize electoral processes with State Election Commissions (SECs). This initiative aims to share Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), electoral rolls, and the ECINET digital platform to enhance transparency. During a national conference, SECs from 30 states discussed aligning laws governing panchayat and municipal elections with those for Parliament and State legislatures. The goal is to strengthen institutional coordination and ensure the preparation of pure electoral rolls, which are considered the bedrock of democracy, thereby furthering national and constitutional interests.
- The EC and SECs aim to synergize laws governing local body elections with national and state legislative elections.
- The proposal includes the sharing of EVMs and the use of a common digital platform called ECINET.
- Institutional coordination is intended to strengthen democratic institutions and ensure efficient conduct of elections.
A nine-judge Bench of the Supreme Court is reviewing the 2018 Sabarimala verdict, which allowed women of all ages to enter the temple. The legal debate focuses on the 'essential religious practices' doctrine versus the 'anti-exclusion test' proposed by Justice Chandrachud. While the former allows courts to define religious tenets, the latter prioritizes whether a practice leads to systematic exclusion or impairs individual dignity. The court seeks to harmonize individual rights under Article 25 with the rights of religious denominations under Article 26, ensuring that religious autonomy does not violate the overarching values of a liberal constitution.
- The 2018 judgment ruled that excluding women aged 10-50 violated the right to freedom of religion and equality.
- The 'anti-exclusion test' examines if a religious practice is compatible with constitutional guarantees of equal treatment.
- Article 25 protects individual freedom of conscience, while Article 26 protects the rights of religious denominations to manage their affairs.
Petitions in the Supreme Court challenge the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, arguing it dilutes the Right to Information (RTI) Act. Section 44(3) of the DPDP Act amends Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act to provide a blanket exemption for 'personal information', removing the previous proviso that allowed disclosure if it served a larger public interest. Critics argue this prevents scrutiny of public servants' assets and corruption. The matter has been referred to a Constitution Bench to balance the fundamental right to privacy (Puttaswamy judgment) against the right to information (Article 19).
- The DPDP Act 2023 removes the 'public interest' override for disclosing personal information under RTI.
- Previously, RTI was used to probe corruption by accessing assets and liabilities of public servants.
- The Supreme Court must now reconcile the right to privacy with the need for transparency in governance.
The Union Cabinet has approved the Kerala government's proposal to change the state's name to 'Keralam', reflecting the name used in the Malayalam language. The process follows a resolution passed by the Kerala Assembly in June 2024. Under Article 3 of the Constitution, the President will now refer the 'Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026' to the State Legislative Assembly for its views. Following this, the Union government will introduce the legislation in Parliament. This move aligns with the linguistic basis on which states were originally formed in 1956.
- The name change aims to align the official name with the state's linguistic and cultural identity in Malayalam.
- Article 3 of the Indian Constitution provides the procedure for altering the name, area, or boundaries of any state.
- The Union Cabinet's approval is a critical step before the President recommends the bill to Parliament.
The independence of the Election Commission (EC) is a bedrock of Indian democracy, protected by Article 324 of the Constitution. Recent controversies have emerged regarding the 2023 Act governing the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other ECs. Critics argue that the new selection committee, comprising the PM, a Union Minister, and the Leader of Opposition, undermines the SC's Anoop Baranwal judgment. The article discusses the constitutional mandate for a permanent EC and the rigorous removal process for the CEC, which is similar to that of a Supreme Court judge, ensuring protection from arbitrary executive action.
- Article 324 provides for a permanent Election Commission with powers of superintendence, direction, and control of elections.
- The CEC can only be removed from office in a manner similar to a Supreme Court judge (impeachment).
- The 2023 Act changed the selection process for ECs, which is currently being challenged in the Supreme Court.
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.