The Election Commission of India (ECI) has excluded Assam from its nationwide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. This decision stems from the unique legal status of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam, governed by Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955. The 2019 NRC process, monitored by the Supreme Court, concluded with the exclusion of over 19 lakh people but remains administratively stalled. The article argues that a parallel citizenship verification through SIR in Assam would create legal conflicts and risk social unrest in the state's fragile socio-political environment.
- Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955, creates a distinct citizenship regime specifically for Assam.
- The 2019 NRC in Assam cost over ₹1,600 crore and involved the verification of 3.30 crore applicants.
- The Supreme Court recently upheld the constitutional validity of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act.
The Central government argued in the Supreme Court that the 'right to vote' is a statutory right under Section 62 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, while 'freedom of voting' is a fundamental right under Article 19(1)(a). This distinction arose during a petition challenging Section 53(2) of the RPA, which allows declaring candidates elected unopposed without a poll. Petitioners argue this prevents voters from exercising the NOTA option, thereby violating their right to express dissatisfaction. The Centre maintains that the right to vote is subject to statutory limitations and is not an absolute constitutional right.
- The Centre argues the right to vote is a statutory right conferred by Section 62 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
- Freedom of voting is categorized as a species of the right to expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.
- Section 53(2) of the RPA 1951 is being challenged for potentially violating the voters' right to exercise NOTA in uncontested elections.
The article explains the concept of 'contempt of court' in India, rooted in Articles 129 and 215 of the Constitution, which designate the Supreme Court and High Courts as 'courts of record.' The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, classifies contempt into civil (willful disobedience) and criminal (scandalizing the court). While fair criticism of a decided case is not contempt, comments that interfere with the administration of justice or lower the court's authority are punishable. The power to punish for contempt is inherent to these courts to ensure the sanctity of the judicial process and constitutional morality.
- Article 129 (Supreme Court) and Article 215 (High Courts) empower these institutions to punish for contempt of themselves.
- Civil contempt involves willful disobedience of any judgment or decree, while criminal contempt involves scandalizing or lowering the authority of the court.
- The Attorney General or Advocate General's consent is typically required for a third party to initiate criminal contempt proceedings in the Supreme Court or High Court.
The article discusses the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), a voluntary set of norms for political parties during elections. While it aims to ensure a level playing field, the author argues that it is often breached in spirit, especially through the announcement of 'ongoing' welfare schemes just before elections. The MCC is not legally binding, though some provisions can be enforced through the IPC or RP Act 1951. The article highlights the debate over making the MCC legally binding and the challenges posed by 'cash politics' and populist schemes like Bihar's MMRY, which can influence voters.
- The MCC is operational from the date of election announcement until the declaration of results to ensure fair competition.
- It is a voluntary set of norms and is not legally enforceable on its own, though specific violations can attract criminal charges under other laws.
- The 2013 Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice recommended making the MCC legally binding, but the Election Commission opposed it.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has reiterated its decision regarding the panel of candidates for the post of Director-General of Police (DGP) in Tamil Nadu. Despite the state government's representation that the three shortlisted names were not acceptable, the UPSC maintained its stance, stating the representation has been disposed of. The appointment process follows Supreme Court guidelines from the Prakash Singh case, which require the state to send eligible names to the UPSC three months before a vacancy. The delay in appointing a regular DGP has drawn criticism from opposition parties in the state.
- The UPSC is responsible for empanelling officers for the post of DGP/Head of Police Force (HoPF) based on seniority and merit.
- The selection process must adhere to Supreme Court guidelines established in the landmark Prakash Singh case.
- The Tamil Nadu government had raised objections to the UPSC's recommended panel, which included Seema Agrawal, Rajeev Kumar, and Sandeep Rai Rathore.
India has released a revised blueprint for the Green India Mission (GIM), setting an ambitious target to restore 25 million hectares of degraded forest and non-forest land by 2030. This initiative is crucial for India's climate pledge to create an additional carbon sink of up to 3.39 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent. The new strategy shifts focus from mere canopy cover to biodiversity-rich landscapes, emphasizing native species over monocultures. However, challenges remain, including inconsistent funding utilization from the CAMPA fund and the need for better community participation and ecological design to ensure long-term sustainability.
- The Green India Mission aims to restore 25 million hectares of land to meet India's international carbon sink commitments.
- The revised plan prioritizes biodiversity-sensitive plantations and the restoration of diverse landscapes like the Aravalli Hills and Western Ghats.
- Financing remains a hurdle, with the CAMPA fund holding ₹95,000 crore, yet utilization by states like Delhi remains low.
The Election Commission of India has initiated the second phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across nine states and three Union Territories, covering approximately 51 crore voters. This exercise involves booth-level officers (BLOs) conducting door-to-door visits to distribute and collect enumeration forms. The goal is to ensure a clean and transparent electoral roll by identifying eligible voters and removing discrepancies. However, the move has faced political opposition, with some leaders alleging potential rigging and others challenging the exercise's arbitrary nature in the Supreme Court. The final electoral rolls are expected to be published by February 7.
- The SIR exercise covers 12 States and UTs including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh.
- Over 5.3 lakh booth-level officers are involved in the door-to-door enumeration process to verify voter details.
- The first phase of SIR in Bihar resulted in the deletion of over 68 lakh names from the electoral rolls earlier this year.
The Delhi High Court has dismissed a petition by Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories challenging the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s (FSSAI) decision to ban the word ‘ORS’ (Oral Rehydration Solution) for non-medical beverages. The FSSAI directive restricts the use of the label ‘ORS’ to products that meet specific medical standards, preventing fruit-based or ready-to-drink beverages from using the term. The court ruled that using ‘ORS’ for products that do not follow the WHO-recommended formula could mislead consumers and pose health risks, particularly during medical emergencies.
- The FSSAI has banned the use of the term 'ORS' for any beverage that does not meet established medical standards for Oral Rehydration Solution.
- The ruling aims to prevent consumer confusion between commercial fruit drinks and medically necessary rehydration salts.
- The Delhi High Court emphasized that labeling must be accurate to ensure public health and safety, especially for products used to treat dehydration.
The Supreme Court of India has taken a serious view of government employees feeding stray dogs within office premises, stating it violates previous orders regarding designated feeding zones. A Bench led by Justice Vikram Nath emphasized the need for effective implementation of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, framed under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. The court noted that unregulated feeding leads to public inconvenience and 'untoward incidents.' It has directed the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) to be a party to the proceedings and will issue specific directions on November 7.
- The Supreme Court ruled that feeding stray dogs must be restricted to designated zones to prevent public safety issues and office disruption.
- The Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, are the primary framework for managing stray dog populations and rabies control in India.
- The court highlighted the failure of several States and UTs to submit compliance reports on the implementation of ABC Rules.
Kerala has achieved a milestone by significantly reducing extreme poverty through its meticulously planned Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme (EPEP). According to NITI Aayog’s National Multidimensional Poverty Index (2023), Kerala is the least impoverished state with only 0.55% of its population being multidimensionally poor. The state's approach involved identifying 64,006 extremely poor families through trained enumerators and Kudumbashree workers. Instead of uniform solutions, custom-made micro-plans were prepared for each family, addressing specific needs like food, health, and housing. The state has now launched EPEP 2.0 to prevent relapse and ensure the sustainability of these gains.
- Kerala has the lowest multidimensional poverty rate in India at 0.55%, significantly below the national average of 14.96%.
- The Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme (EPEP) utilizes decentralized planning and community participation via the Kudumbashree network.
- The program focuses on 'micro-plans' tailored to the specific needs of individual families rather than generic welfare schemes.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has initiated a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2.0 of electoral rolls across 12 States and Union Territories, including Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Kerala. This house-to-house enumeration process aims to clean up voter lists by identifying deaths, duplications, and new electors. A significant update is the inclusion of Aadhaar as the 12th document for proof of identity (not citizenship), as directed by the Supreme Court. The process also allows parents or relatives to sign enumeration forms in the absence of the voter. The final electoral rolls are scheduled for publication on February 7.
- The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2.0 involves house-to-house enumeration to ensure the accuracy and integrity of electoral rolls.
- Aadhaar is now accepted as a proof of identity for voter registration, following specific Supreme Court directions.
- The enumeration form has been amended to allow signatures from parents or relatives if the voter is not present during the visit.
The five-year term of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh, ended on October 31, leaving the district without elected local representatives, except for the MP. Fresh elections are delayed due to ongoing talks between civil society groups (LAB and KDA) and the Union Home Ministry regarding constitutional safeguards under Article 371 or the Sixth Schedule. Additionally, the creation of new districts necessitates redrawing boundaries, further complicating the election timeline. The absence of a council impacts local governance, as each councillor manages a development fund of ₹1.5 crore for essential services like connectivity and education.
- The LAHDC, Leh, consists of 30 members, with 26 elected and 4 nominated by the Lieutenant-Governor.
- Civil society groups are demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh.
- The delay is also attributed to the need for implementing a one-third reservation for women in the council.
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj, in collaboration with other ministries, has launched the Model Youth Gram Sabha in 2025. This initiative aims to educate students about the Panchayati Raj system by simulating real Gram Sabha processes in schools and colleges. Despite Article 243A defining the Gram Sabha as the foundation of local democracy, youth participation has historically been minimal. The program involves students playing roles like Sarpanch and ward members to discuss village budgets and development plans. By embedding these simulations into the curriculum, the government hopes to cultivate civic pride and active citizenship among the future generation.
- Article 243A of the Constitution defines the Gram Sabha as the foundation of the Panchayati Raj system.
- The initiative is being launched in over 1,000 schools across 28 States and 8 Union Territories.
- It aims to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge of democracy and practical grassroots governance.
The Karnataka government plans to set up a permanent State Water Commission to address water security and inter-state water disputes. Announced by Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, the commission will consist of 10 to 15 technical experts from fields like irrigation, finance, and environmental science. Its primary role will be to assess water demand and availability, recommend measures for water security, and study irrigation systems and crop patterns. A key immediate focus will be managing the allocation of Cauvery water to Bengaluru for the next 50 years. A Bill for this is expected in the legislature shortly.
- The commission is modeled after the Central Water Commission to provide expert technical inputs.
- It will focus on long-term water planning, including a 50-year plan for Cauvery water allocation to Bengaluru.
- The body will include representatives from Irrigation and Finance departments alongside environmental experts.
Kerala has finally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Union government to implement the PM SHRI (Prime Minister’s Schools for Rising India) scheme. The state had initially resisted due to ideological differences regarding the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. PM SHRI aims to develop over 14,500 schools as model institutions showcasing NEP features. The Union government will provide 60% of the funding (90% for hilly/NEP states), with the state covering the rest. Kerala's decision was partly influenced by the Union's condition of linking PM SHRI participation to the release of Samagra Shiksha funds.
- PM SHRI schools are designed to be 'exemplar schools' that demonstrate the implementation of NEP 2020.
- Funding is shared in a 60:40 ratio between the Centre and States (90:10 for specific regions).
- States like West Bengal and Tamil Nadu still oppose the scheme due to branding and language policy concerns.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the number of districts affected by Maoism in India has significantly decreased from 125 to just three over the last 11 years. Speaking in Chhattisgarh, he attributed this success to development projects and a firm security stance. He inaugurated several projects worth over ₹14,260 crore, including a tribal museum and a new Legislative Building. The PM emphasized that the elimination of Maoist terrorism has enabled the construction of roads, schools, and hospitals in previously inaccessible regions like Bastar, where hundreds of Naxalites have recently surrendered.
- Maoist influence has been restricted to only three districts, down from 125 a decade ago.
- Development initiatives in tribal areas, including infrastructure and education, are credited with weakening the insurgency.
- Over 200 Naxalites surrendered in Bastar recently, indicating a significant shift towards the mainstream.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan declared the state 'free from extreme poverty' during a special Assembly session on State Formation Day. This achievement follows the implementation of the Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme launched in 2021. The process involved identifying 1,03,099 individuals from 64,006 families through local body data collection and grama sabha scrutiny. The state provided essential documents, food via Kudumbashree, health services, and housing under the LIFE mission. Kerala aims to be a model for other states in poverty alleviation and has shown significant progress in the UN Sustainable Development Index.
- Kerala is the first Indian state to declare itself free from extreme poverty through a systematic identification and support program.
- The identification process used micro-plans for each family focusing on four critical factors: food, health, housing, and income.
- Various existing schemes like the LIFE mission for housing and MGNREGS for employment were integrated into the eradication strategy.
A three-judge Bench of the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, ruled that investigative agencies cannot coerce lawyers into revealing professional communications with their clients. The court held that lawyer-client privilege is a fundamental right under Articles 19(1)(g) and 21 of the Constitution. This privilege is also protected under Section 132 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), 2023. The judgment emphasizes that forcing such disclosures would infringe upon the client's right against self-incrimination under Article 20(3). The court clarified that exceptions only apply if the communication involves illegal purposes or if a crime/fraud is committed as a result.
- The Supreme Court affirmed that lawyer-client confidentiality is protected under the right to practice a profession and the right to life (Articles 19 and 21).
- Section 132 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), 2023, mandates that advocates cannot be coerced into revealing client information.
- The court stated that any summons to a lawyer by a probe agency must be approved by an officer not below the rank of Superintendent of Police.
Former Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao argues for the creation of a 'Board of Peace and Sustainable Security' within the United Nations. The proposal addresses the UN Security Council's (UNSC) failure to sustain peace after initial interventions. While the UNSC focuses on crisis management, this new body would provide continuous political accompaniment to peace processes. Established as a subsidiary body of the UN General Assembly under Article 22, the board would consist of about two dozen rotating members. It aims to bridge the gap between the end of active conflict and long-term stability, ensuring that the international community does not abandon peace efforts prematurely.
- The proposed board would be a subsidiary body of the UN General Assembly created under the authority of Article 22.
- It aims to provide 'political continuity' in the transition from war to peace, a current weakness in the UN architecture.
- The board would track commitments long after the initial crisis, preventing institutional memory loss during mandate renewals.
Kerala recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the Prime Minister Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme, despite initial opposition. The scheme, aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aims to upgrade 14,500 schools. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal had resisted, arguing education is a Concurrent List subject and the NEP encroaches on state autonomy. The Centre has reportedly withheld Samagra Shiksha (SS) funds from states refusing to adopt PM SHRI, leading to legal challenges and debates on whether central financing should be used to influence states into policy compliance, impacting cooperative federalism.
- PM SHRI is a centrally sponsored scheme designed to showcase the implementation of NEP-2020 in selected schools.
- States like Tamil Nadu and Kerala argue that the scheme imposes 'Indian Knowledge Systems' and infringes on state-level curriculum control.
- The withholding of Samagra Shiksha funds has led to salary arrears for teachers and non-teaching staff in non-compliant states.
The Union Government introduced the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill to amend Articles 75, 164, and 239AA. It proposes that any Minister in custody for 30 consecutive days for an offense punishable by five years or more must be removed from office. Critics argue this grants excessive discretionary power to enforcement agencies, potentially allowing the "arrest" process to be used as a political tool against opposition leaders. The bill also intersects with the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and raises concerns about the "bail is the rule, jail is the exception" principle and the right to liberty.
- The bill mandates the removal of a Minister if they remain in custody for 30 consecutive days for specific offenses.
- It affects the Union Council of Ministers, State Councils of Ministers, and the special administrative provisions for Delhi.
- Legal experts worry that the bill doesn't account for 'default bail' under Section 167(2) of the CrPC/BNSS.
The Union Cabinet has formally approved the Terms of Reference for the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC), which will recommend changes to the salary and pension structures for approximately 50 lakh Central government employees and pensioners. The commission, headed by retired Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, is expected to submit its report within 18 months. The panel will consider various factors, including the country's economic conditions, fiscal prudence, and the need for developmental expenditure. This move follows the usual ten-year cycle for revising government pay scales, with the previous commission's recommendations implemented in 2016.
- The commission includes Chairperson Justice Ranjana Desai, one part-time member, and one member-secretary.
- It will evaluate the impact of its recommendations on State finances and the unfunded cost of non-contributory pension schemes.
- Consultations will be held with various Ministries, including Defence, Home, and Railways, which employ the largest number of personnel.
The Union Tribal Affairs Ministry has issued a new policy framework stating that the relocation of forest-dwelling communities from tiger reserves must be 'exceptional, voluntary, and evidence-based.' This directive aligns with the Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006 and counters previous attempts to prioritize relocation in core areas. The policy emphasizes obtaining informed consent and ensuring that communities have the option to continue living in their traditional habitats while exercising their rights. It also proposes a National Database to track relocation, compensation, and post-relocation status to ensure accountability and transparency in the process.
- Relocation must strictly comply with the Forest Rights Act, 2006, and the Wildlife Protection Act, ensuring human rights standards.
- The policy calls for a 'National Framework for Community-Centred Conservation' involving the Environment and Tribal Affairs Ministries.
- Authorities must ensure in situ development of basic infrastructure for those choosing to stay in forest habitats within tiger reserves.
This article highlights how major social media and search platforms routinely host advertisements for unverified medical treatments, violating the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act (DMRA), 1954. Despite strict regulations in the U.S., these platforms allow misleading ads for cures for chronic diseases like diabetes and cancer in India. The authors argue that Big Tech exploits the 'intermediary' status to avoid liability. They call for reforms, including criminal prosecution of managerial personnel and revoking legal immunity if platforms fail to enforce local health laws.
- The DMRA 1954 prohibits advertising drugs for 54 medical conditions, regardless of their clinical efficacy.
- Big Tech platforms often host misleading ads for ayurvedic, homeopathic, and cow-urine based products claiming to cure serious illnesses.
- Platforms claim 'intermediary' status to avoid liability for user-generated content, yet their marketing teams actively solicit these ads.