The Lok Sabha has passed the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025. This landmark legislation aims to incentivize private sector participation, both domestic and foreign, in nuclear power production. It repeals existing restrictive legislation to open up the civil nuclear sector. Key provisions include enabling private companies to run nuclear plants, limiting operator liability to plant capacity, and ensuring the government retains control over nuclear waste management. The Bill also removes clauses holding equipment suppliers responsible for failures, a move that has faced significant opposition from several political parties.
- The SHANTI Bill allows private and foreign companies to participate in India's civil nuclear energy production.
- It shifts the responsibility of managing nuclear plants to the 'operator' of the facility.
- Operator liability is now limited to the specific capacity of the nuclear plants rather than unlimited.
Despite the decline of Maoist insurgency, effective governance in Fifth Schedule areas remains a challenge. The root causes of the movement—underdevelopment, structural exclusion, and lack of representation—persist. While the Constitution provides for Tribal Advisory Councils and PESA (Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas Act), their implementation has been weak. Alienation of tribal lands and lack of local representation in administrative units have fueled grievances. Future governance must focus on mandatory quotas at local levels, restoring trust in public institutions, and ensuring that self-governing bodies have real power over local resources.
- Maoist insurgency is rooted in underdevelopment, structural exclusion, and lack of tribal representation.
- The Fifth Schedule and PESA are key constitutional tools for tribal governance but face implementation gaps.
- PESA violations regarding land acquisition have been a major source of tribal grievance.
The Lok Sabha has passed a landmark Bill to raise the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) limit in the insurance sector from 74% to 100%. This move aims to facilitate further capital infusion, introduce better technology, and improve insurance products. The Bill also empowers the insurance regulator, IRDAI, to disgorge wrongful gains from insurers and intermediaries. Additionally, it increases the maximum penalty on intermediaries from ₹1 crore to ₹10 crore to ensure legal compliance. The reform is expected to invite more global reinsurers to India and strengthen the public sector insurance companies.
- FDI in the insurance sector has been increased from 74% to 100% to boost capital and technology.
- IRDAI is now empowered to disgorge wrongful gains and impose higher penalties for non-compliance.
- The maximum penalty on insurance intermediaries has been increased to ₹10 crore.
President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the 'Param Vir Dirgha' at Rashtrapati Bhavan, featuring portraits of all 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees. This initiative aims to honor Indian national heroes and shed colonial mindsets. In a related move to dismantle colonial legacies, the government has renamed several locations. Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has been renamed Sri Vijaya Puram. Additionally, 21 islands in the archipelago have been named after Param Vir Chakra awardees, and the Mughal Garden was previously renamed Amrit Udyan.
- The 'Param Vir Dirgha' gallery features all 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees to honor their valor.
- Port Blair has been renamed to Sri Vijaya Puram to shed colonial legacy and embrace Indian heritage.
- Ross Island was renamed Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep, and Neil Island became Shaheed Dweep.
The Union government has introduced the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan (VBSA) Bill, 2025, which seeks to overhaul India's higher education regulatory framework. The Bill proposes replacing the UGC, AICTE, and NCTE with a single apex commission, the VBSA. A key feature is the segregation of the three roles: regulation, accreditation, and standards-setting. Crucially, the Bill takes away grant-disbursal powers from the regulatory authority, placing them under the direct control of the Education Ministry. While officials claim this minimizes conflicts of interest, critics fear increased political influence and a loss of institutional autonomy.
- The VBSA Bill replaces UGC, AICTE, and NCTE with a single apex commission.
- It segregates the roles of regulation, accreditation, and standards-setting for higher education institutions.
- Grant-disbursal power is moved from the regulator to the direct control of the Ministry of Education.
The Union government has introduced the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025, to replace the two-decade-old MGNREGA. The government claims the new Bill aligns with Gandhian ideals to create 'Ram Rajya' in villages. However, Opposition leaders have strongly protested, arguing that the Bill weakens the demand-driven employment rights of the poor and dismantles the rights-based structure of the original act. Concerns have also been raised about the reduction of the Centre's share of funding from 90% to 60%, potentially burdening state finances.
- The VB-G RAM G Bill, 2025 aims to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
- The Bill proposes changing the funding ratio from 90:10 to 60:40 between the Centre and States.
- Opposition claims the Bill removes the 'demand-driven' nature of rural employment and shifts liability to states.
The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) has recommended the exclusion of 35 Muslim communities from West Bengal's Central OBC list, sparking a debate on the criteria for reservation. The NCBC argues that these inclusions were often based on religion rather than quantifiable social and educational backwardness. The issue underscores the significance of the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, which granted constitutional status to the NCBC. The scrutiny involves examining past reports like the Sachar and Ranganath Misra committees to determine if the communities meet the rigorous standards for affirmative action.
- The NCBC is reviewing the inclusion of communities in the OBC list to ensure they meet social and educational backwardness criteria.
- The 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act (2018) gave the NCBC constitutional status and defined the role of Parliament in notifying backward classes.
- The Supreme Court has emphasized the need for quantifiable data to justify the inclusion of communities in reservation lists.
The Supreme Court is debating the creation of independent bodies to regulate online content, but legal experts warn this may infringe upon the separation of powers. Under Article 19(2) of the Constitution, free speech can only be restricted on specific grounds like national security or public order. The article argues that the Court lacks the technical expertise for regulation and should avoid 'judicial lawmaking.' It highlights international trends, such as the EU's Digital Services Act, and warns that excessive regulation by the judiciary could inadvertently stifle democratic dissent and transform democracies into autocracies.
- Article 19(2) provides the only constitutional grounds for restricting free speech, and the Court cannot add new categories.
- The judiciary faces institutional barriers, including a lack of technical expertise, when attempting to regulate online media.
- Pre-censorship of media must be avoided at all costs, as established in the Sahara India Real Estate Corp. Ltd. case.
The National Blood Transfusion Bill, 2025, was introduced in Parliament to address long-standing concerns regarding the safety and availability of blood components in India. The legislation proposes the creation of a dedicated National Blood Transfusion Authority to set uniform national standards for collection, testing, processing, and distribution. It aims to streamline the fragmented regulatory framework, mandate the registration of all blood centers, and promote voluntary donation. Thalassaemia patients and advocacy groups have welcomed the Bill, noting that it provides a science-based framework to ensure safe and equitable access to quality blood, which is a lifeline for chronic patients.
- The Bill establishes a National Blood Transfusion Authority to oversee and standardize blood services across India.
- It introduces strict penalties for unsafe or non-compliant practices to ensure public trust and safety.
- The legislation seeks to move away from fragmented regulations toward a unified national framework.
The Union Labour and Employment Ministry clarified that Provident Fund (PF) contributions for employees with a monthly wage exceeding ₹15,000 are voluntary. This clarification comes under the new Code on Social Security, which replaces the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952. While the statutory ceiling remains at ₹15,000, employers and employees can mutually agree to contribute on higher wages. The Ministry emphasized that the four new labor codes aim to ensure no reduction in take-home pay while balancing hiring costs for employers. The current wage limit has been in force since September 2014.
- PF contributions on wages above the ₹15,000 statutory ceiling are now voluntary.
- The Code on Social Security is one of four new labor codes consolidating 29 central laws.
- The ₹15,000 wage ceiling for EPFO coverage has been in effect since September 2014.
A private member's resolution moved by Sudha Murty in the Rajya Sabha urged the government to provide free and compulsory early childhood care and education (ECCE). The resolution proposes amending the Constitution to introduce Article 21B, guaranteeing these rights for children between three and six years of age. It emphasizes the role of ECCE in nutrition, health services, and pre-primary learning as a foundation for lifelong development. Murty also called for extending the fundamental right to education to cover the entire age bracket from three to 14 years, strengthening the existing framework under Article 21A.
- A private member's resolution seeks to introduce Article 21B for early childhood care.
- The proposal focuses on children in the 3 to 6 years age group.
- ECCE includes nutrition, health services, and pre-primary education.
The Union Cabinet has cleared a Bill to rename the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to 'Pujya Bapu Gramin Rozgar Yojana.' Beyond the name change, the government plans to increase the guaranteed days of employment from 100 to 125 days per financial year. This move follows recommendations from the Amarjeet Sinha panel, which reviewed the scheme's effectiveness. The average number of employment days per household over the last five years stood at 50.35 days. The amended Bill may also introduce exclusionary clauses based on economic indices and tweak the funding pattern between the Centre and States.
- MGNREGA is proposed to be renamed as 'Pujya Bapu Gramin Rozgar Yojana.'
- The government intends to increase the guaranteed employment limit to 125 days.
- The Amarjeet Sinha panel was appointed in 2022 to review the flagship rural employment scheme.
The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for Census 2027, estimated to cost ₹11,718.24 crore. This will be India's first digital census, utilizing mobile applications and a dedicated portal for real-time monitoring. Notably, the census will include caste enumeration for the first time in independent India. While the National Population Register (NPR) was updated in 2010 and 2015, the current statement does not mention a separate budgetary allocation for its update. The exercise aims to provide precise demographic data to improve governance and the delivery of government benefits under the 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' vision.
- Census 2027 will be the first digital census in India's history.
- The exercise will include the enumeration of castes, a significant policy shift.
- The total approved cost for the census project is ₹11,718.24 crore.
The Supreme Court recently set aside a Patna High Court order that allowed an involuntary narco test, reaffirming that such tests are unconstitutional without informed consent. The ruling emphasizes that forced tests violate Article 20(3) of the Constitution, which protects against self-incrimination, and Article 21, which guarantees the right to privacy and personal liberty. While a person may volunteer for a test as part of their defense, the court maintained that any information obtained without free consent cannot be used as evidence, upholding the 'Golden Triangle' of Articles 14, 19, and 21. The ruling follows the precedent set in the Selvi case.
- Narco tests involve administering substances like Sodium Pentothal to lower a subject's inhibitions.
- The Selvi v. State of Karnataka (2010) guidelines established that involuntary tests are a breach of fundamental rights.
- The court clarified that even if a test is voluntary, it must be conducted with medical and legal safeguards.
The article discusses the controversy surrounding the Madras High Court Collegium's recommendation of judges. It highlights a specific instance where Justice Nisha Banu, a senior judge, was bypassed for a 'Collegium judge' position in favor of a junior judge, Justice M.S. Ramesh. The State government has sought clarification on the legal authority and procedural consistency of this decision. This situation underscores the ongoing debate over the lack of transparency, nepotism, and the need for reforms in the Collegium system to maintain judicial independence and public trust. The article argues that silence is not an option when structural integrity is at stake.
- The Collegium system for appointing High Court judges is a creation of judicial precedent, not a statute.
- The Memorandum of Procedure (MoP) dictates that the Chief Justice and two senior-most judges should form the Collegium.
- Deviations from established seniority and procedural norms can lead to a constitutional crisis between the judiciary and the state.
The Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2025, aims to define and penalize hate speech that incites disharmony. However, critics argue it poses a threat to free speech and individual liberty due to vague definitions of concepts like "harmony" and "ill will." The bill's sweeping nature could lead to state misuse and a "slippery slope" where the government determines permissible speech. While hate speech is a real issue, existing laws are deemed sufficient, and the new bill risks being a "totalitarian" tool rather than a solution for social good. The article warns that such laws often reward purveyors of hatred with political power.
- The bill seeks to penalize acts inciting hatred based on religion, race, caste, or gender.
- Critics highlight that terms like 'hate' and 'enmity' are subjective and difficult to define legally.
- There is a risk that the bill will be used by those in power to silence political opponents.
The Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) has conditionally agreed to the Union government's proposal to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six communities in Assam: Adivasis, Chutia, Koch-Rajbongshi, Matak, Moran, and Tai Ahom. BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary stated there is no objection as long as there is no sub-categorization within the existing ST framework. These communities are populous in the five districts administered by the BTC. The move is significant for the political and social landscape of Assam, as these groups have long demanded ST status to secure constitutional protections and benefits.
- The BTC governs five districts in Assam and has a significant say in tribal status issues within its jurisdiction.
- The six communities seeking ST status are major ethnic groups that have been demanding recognition for decades.
- The condition of 'no sub-categorization' aims to protect the interests and reservation quotas of existing ST groups.
The article critiques the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the mandatory Aadhaar-based payment system (ABPS) in MGNREGA. It argues that shifting the responsibility of inclusion from the state to the individual leads to mass disenfranchisement and loss of livelihoods. In MGNREGA, nearly 27 lakh workers were deleted from the database due to administrative pressure to achieve 100% Aadhaar linking, often without proper verification. Similarly, the SIR exercise for electoral rolls requires voters to match names with old records, potentially excluding migrants and the homeless. These 'technocratic adventures' are seen as a violation of constitutional morality and the right to inclusion.
- Section 19 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, defines 'ordinarily resident' for voter enrollment, which is being challenged by new revision methods.
- The shift to Aadhaar-based payments in MGNREGA has led to the deletion of millions of workers' job cards on grounds of being 'unwilling to work'.
- The National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS) app for attendance has faced criticism for technical glitches and excluding vulnerable workers.
The debate over the status of 'Vande Mataram' versus 'Jana Gana Mana' resurfaces, tracing back to the Constituent Assembly's decisions. While 'Jana Gana Mana' was adopted as the National Anthem in 1950, 'Vande Mataram' was accorded equal status as the National Song due to its historical role in the freedom struggle. Recent legal petitions sought to treat both on par, but the government and courts have maintained their distinct legal frameworks. The article highlights that while the National Anthem is protected under specific laws like the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, the National Song's status is largely ceremonial and lacks a parallel penal provision.
- Vande Mataram was first sung at the 1896 Congress session by Rabindranath Tagore and became a focal point of the national movement.
- The Constituent Assembly adopted Jana Gana Mana as the Anthem on January 24, 1950, while honoring Vande Mataram's equal status.
- The 42nd Amendment (1976) introduced a fundamental duty under Article 51A to respect the National Anthem and Flag.
The Supreme Court's judgment in the 16th Presidential Reference has sparked debate over the lack of fixed timelines for constitutional authorities like Governors and Speakers. The court showed judicial deference to written constitutional language, refusing to prescribe specific timeframes for duties such as deciding on defection petitions or returning bills. Critics argue this creates a 'constitutional anomaly' where elected members can complete terms without facing consequences for defection. The article emphasizes that constitutional morality, as envisioned by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, requires institutions to act in a manner that upholds the spirit of the Constitution rather than exploiting its silences to block legislative business.
- The judgment addresses the absence of explicit timelines for constitutional functions in the Indian Constitution.
- The lack of a timeframe for the Tenth Schedule (anti-defection) allows members to potentially evade disqualification for years.
- Governors withholding bills indefinitely can effectively nullify validly enacted laws by elected State Assemblies.
A House panel on Social Justice and Empowerment has advised the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to stop sanctioning new Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) until land is secured. Currently, over one-third of sanctioned schools are non-functional, primarily due to land unavailability. Out of 722 sanctioned locations, only 477 are functional, with many operating from rented or temporary government buildings. The committee also criticized the slow progress in establishing Tribal Freedom Fighters' Museums across the country, noting that only three out of ten proposed museums have been inaugurated so far to honor Adivasi contributions.
- The Parliamentary Standing Committee highlighted that land unavailability is the primary reason for the non-functionality of EMRS.
- The panel recommended that the Ministry of Tribal Affairs establish a clear timeline for completing pending school projects.
- The committee expressed dissatisfaction with the slow implementation of the Tribal Freedom Fighters' Museums project.
The Supreme Court has directed the Union government to furnish six years of nationwide data on missing children. A bench led by Justice B.V. Nagarathna expressed concern over the rising number of untraced children and the lack of a dedicated nodal officer in the Home Ministry to coordinate with states. The court ordered the appointment of such an officer within two weeks and mandated that their details be uploaded to the Mission Vatsalya portal. This portal, administered by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, is intended to be a central platform for tracking and securing outcomes for missing children.
- The Supreme Court emphasized the need for effective dissemination of information and coordinated use of the Mission Vatsalya platform.
- The Ministry of Home Affairs was criticized for not having a dedicated officer to oversee missing children cases despite being the central agency.
- The directive came during a hearing of a PIL filed by the NGO Guria Swayam Sevi Sansthan regarding untraced children.
Organized by Jan Swasthya Abhiyan (JSA), the National Convention on Health Rights (December 11-12) aims to address India's major health challenges. The convention highlights that India has one of the lowest financial allocations for public health globally, at just 2% of the Union Budget. Key demands include affirming health care as a fundamental right, regulating private health care to prevent overcharging, and reducing out-of-pocket expenses, which remain high despite insurance schemes. The event also focuses on the rights of health workers and the need for essential medicines to be brought under price control to ensure equitable access.
- The convention advocates for a transition from commercialized health care to a robust, responsive public health system.
- India's per capita public health spending is approximately $25, which is significantly lower than global averages.
- Medicines constitute up to half of a household's medical spending, yet 80% remain outside price control mechanisms.
The Supreme Court clarified that the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), 2019, provides enforceable rights to persecuted religious minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, but these rights are contingent upon official verification. An NGO, Aatmadeep, raised concerns about the 'Special Intensive Revision' (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, which risks making refugees stateless due to delays in issuing citizenship certificates. The Court emphasized that while the law exists, a mechanism for implementation must be followed. It has sought responses from the Centre and the Election Commission regarding the status of these applicants and the validity of their acknowledgment receipts.
- The CAA 2019 grants citizenship rights to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians from three neighboring countries.
- The Supreme Court stated that every claim must be enquired into and verified by authorities before citizenship is conferred.
- The ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has created a fear of statelessness among those whose claims are pending.