President Droupadi Murmu has given assent to the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, which replaces the MGNREGA. The new Act increases guaranteed work days from 100 to 125. It focuses on four key areas: water security, core rural infrastructure, livelihood-related infrastructure, and extreme weather mitigation. The funding model shifts to a 60:40 ratio between the Centre and States for administrative costs, compared to the previous 90:10 ratio under MGNREGA. The government has reserved ₹1,51,282 crore for the scheme's comprehensive development of villages.
- The VB-G RAM G Bill officially replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
- Guaranteed days of employment have been increased from 100 to 125 days per year for rural households.
- The funding pattern for administrative costs has been revised to a 60:40 ratio, increasing the financial burden on state governments.
The Union Home Ministry has revised guidelines for the 'Support to Poor Prisoners' scheme, launched in 2023, to address inadequate implementation by States. The scheme provides financial assistance to indigent prisoners unable to pay court-imposed fines or bail sureties. The new framework mandates fixed timelines and involves senior officials, including a District-level Empowered Committee. While the scheme aims to reduce prison overcrowding and alleviate hardships, it excludes those accused of heinous crimes, terrorism, or offences under specific acts like PMLA and UAPA. Financial assistance of up to ₹25,000 can be sanctioned per case.
- The 'Support to Poor Prisoners' scheme provides financial aid for fines and bail to indigent inmates.
- A District-level Empowered Committee, including the District Collector and a Judge, oversees the approval process.
- The scheme excludes prisoners accused of heinous crimes, rape, human trafficking, or terrorism.
The Union Tribal Affairs Ministry is developing a national web portal named 'TARANG' to digitize the recognition and management of forest rights. The portal aims to provide a single-window interface for all processes under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006, including filing claims, processing by Gram Sabhas, and issuing digital title deeds. This initiative is part of a larger FRA roadmap expected to be finalized by mid-2026. By digitizing records and geotagging recognized lands, the government hopes to streamline the verification process and ensure the saturation of welfare schemes for tribal communities and forest dwellers.
- The 'TARANG' portal will act as a single-window system for all Forest Rights Act (FRA) processes.
- The portal will facilitate the filing of claims, issuance of digital title deeds, and mapping of potential forest areas.
- The initiative aims to digitize legacy data and geotag all recognized forest rights lands across India.
The Union Home Ministry has decided to significantly enhance the reservation for ex-Agniveers in Group C posts of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) from 10% to 50%. This move follows a previous decision to implement a 10% quota and includes age relaxations of three to five years. The recruitment rules for all CAPFs, including BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP, and SSB, will be amended. While ex-Agniveers are exempted from physical tests, they must still pass written examinations. This policy shift aims to provide better career prospects for those completing four years of service under the Agnipath scheme.
- Reservation for ex-Agniveers in Group C posts of CAPFs has been hiked from 10% to 50%.
- Age relaxations of five years for the first batch and three years for subsequent batches will be provided.
- Ex-Agniveers are exempted from the Physical Standard Test and Physical Efficiency Test but must take written exams.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Securities Market Code Bill 2025 in the Lok Sabha, which seeks to consolidate three major laws: the SEBI Act (1992), the SCRA (1956), and the Depositories Act (1996). The Bill aims to provide a modern regulatory framework, rationalize existing provisions, and facilitate the ease of doing business. Key proposals include increasing SEBI board members to 15 and decriminalizing minor technical violations, replacing them with civil penalties. The Bill has been referred to the Standing Committee on Finance for further review.
- The Bill consolidates the SEBI Act 1992, Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act 1956, and Depositories Act 1996.
- It proposes increasing the number of SEBI members from nine to 15, including the Chairperson.
- Minor and procedural violations will be decriminalized and shifted to a civil penalty framework.
The central government's proposed 'Viksit Bharat-G RAM G Bill 2025' seeks to overhaul the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Critics argue the Bill undermines Article 41 of the Constitution, which mandates the State to ensure the right to work. Key concerns include the shift from demand-driven to 'normative financial allocations,' increased centralization, and the prohibition of work during peak agricultural seasons. Opponents claim these changes will reduce the bargaining power of rural workers and disproportionately affect women and marginalized communities.
- The proposed Bill moves MGNREGA from a demand-driven model to one based on fixed central allocations.
- Article 41 of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) emphasizes the State's duty to provide the right to work.
- The Bill prohibits MGNREGA work during peak agricultural seasons, which critics say favors large landowners over laborers.
The Rajya Sabha passed the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Bill, which allows 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the insurance sector. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that this move would attract more foreign capital, especially where domestic joint venture partners are unavailable. The Bill also allows for the merger of non-insurance and insurance companies and mandates data collection in compliance with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act. Additionally, the House passed the Repealing and Amending Bill, which annuls 71 obsolete laws, including the Indian Tramways Act, 1886, to improve the ease of doing business.
- The Bill increases the FDI limit in the insurance sector from the previous cap to 100%.
- It aims to increase insurance penetration and competition, potentially lowering premiums for consumers.
- The legislation allows for the merger of different types of insurance entities (life and non-life).
The Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2025, intended to upgrade the 1983 Emigration Act, is facing criticism for prioritizing bureaucratic efficiency over worker rights. Critics argue the Bill removes enforceable rights and fails to address human trafficking or the specific vulnerabilities of women migrants. It replaces the 2021 draft's vision of holding recruitment agencies accountable with a more deregulated framework. The Bill is seen as centralizing power in Delhi, sidelining migrant-sending states like Kerala and Bihar, and lacking provisions for the reintegration of returning workers, potentially leaving them vulnerable to exploitation.
- The Bill replaces the Emigration Act of 1983 but is criticized as a 'Trojan horse of deregulation.'
- It removes many of the legal safeguards for migrant workers that were proposed in the 2021 draft Bill.
- The legislation centralizes control, potentially ignoring the specific needs and experiences of major migrant-sending states.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is conducting a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls to address challenges posed by large-scale migration. Migration often leads to individuals being registered in multiple locations or losing their vote in their place of origin. The ECI's initiative, starting with Bihar, aims to clean up voter lists and ensure 'one person, one vote.' This comes as international migration has doubled in three decades, reaching 300 million by mid-2024. The article also discusses the political implications of changing demographics in cities like Mumbai and the impact of nativist politics on national policies.
- The ECI's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) aims to eliminate duplicate entries in electoral rolls caused by migration.
- International migration has grown significantly, with the number of people living outside their country of birth doubling since 1990.
- Internal migration in India is reshaping urban politics, leading to the rise of nativist movements in states like Maharashtra.
The Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB-GRAM G Bill, was tabled in the Lok Sabha to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The Bill changes the scheme's character from a demand-based to a supply-driven framework with capped allocations. A significant shift is the funding pattern, moving from the Centre bearing the full cost of unskilled wages to a 60:40 sharing ratio between the Centre and States. Critics argue this undermines the special status of the scheme and places a heavy financial burden on states already struggling with GST restructuring.
- The VB-GRAM G Bill transforms MGNREGS from a demand-based legal guarantee to a supply-driven scheme.
- Funding for unskilled manual labor wages will shift from 100% Central funding to a 60:40 Centre-State split.
- The Union government becomes the sole decision-maker, potentially reducing the development space for States.
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.