The Lok Sabha is set to take up a bipartisan motion to remove Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated that 152 MPs from both ruling and opposition alliances have signed the motion, indicating a unanimous decision. The process will follow the Judges (Inquiry) Act, starting in the Lok Sabha and then moving to the Rajya Sabha. This action follows a Supreme Court committee inquiry into a cash recovery controversy involving Justice Varma when he was with the Delhi High Court. Speaker Om Birla is expected to announce a three-member inquiry committee to probe the charges.
- A bipartisan motion has been initiated in the Lok Sabha to remove Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court.
- The motion has garnered support from 152 MPs across ruling and opposition parties, indicating a broad consensus.
- The removal process will adhere to the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, starting in the Lok Sabha and subsequently moving to the Rajya Sabha.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) filed a counter affidavit in the Supreme Court defending its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, which requires electors to prove citizenship. Critics argue the affidavit lacks evidence of illegal migrants and questions the legal basis for a citizenship test, especially given the high number of internal migrants (over 450 million nationally, 36% of Bihar households). The ECI's approach, which conflates "ordinary residence" with citizenship and rejects Aadhaar/ration cards as proof, is seen as exclusionary. The article highlights the mismatch between outdated laws and mobile citizenry, urging the ECI to advocate for reform and pilot inclusive enrolment models to prevent disenfranchisement.
- The ECI's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, requiring citizenship proof, is challenged for potentially disenfranchising poor, minorities, and migrants.
- The ECI's counter affidavit is criticized for lacking concrete evidence of illegal migrants in Bihar's electoral rolls and for its legal rationale for a citizenship test.
- The Representation of the People Act, 1950, is deemed outdated, failing to account for India's large mobile citizenry and conflating "ordinary residence" with citizenship.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to move a statutory resolution in the Rajya Sabha to extend President's Rule in Manipur for another six months, effective from August 13, 2025. Manipur was initially placed under President's Rule on February 13 following the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. Article 356(3) of the Constitution allows President's Rule to be extended every six months, up to a maximum of three years, with parliamentary approval. The extension is aimed at allowing the government to focus on restoring normalcy, including opening national highways and recovering looted police weapons, amidst ongoing ethnic violence between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities.
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah will seek parliamentary approval to extend President's Rule in Manipur for an additional six months.
- The extension will be effective from August 13, 2025, following the initial imposition of President's Rule on February 13.
- President's Rule was imposed after the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh.
India continues to grapple with hazardous cleaning deaths, with 150 reported in 2022-2023, largely due to a business model that obscures liability. Despite the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers Act 2013, court orders, and the NAMASTE scheme, progress in mechanizing sewer cleaning and providing safety gear has been slow. There's a significant lack of PPE kits, health cards, and safety workshops for workers, and data on rural sanitation workers is scarce. The article emphasizes that enforcement is the core problem, with insufficient funding for mechanization and worker deaths often misclassified. It calls for urgent measures like complete mechanization, licensing of the trade, and extending support to vulnerable communities like Dalits and women.
- Hazardous cleaning deaths persist in India, primarily due to manual scavenging and a business model that evades accountability.
- Despite existing legislation like the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers Act 2013 and the NAMASTE scheme, implementation and enforcement remain inadequate.
- There is a severe deficit in providing safety equipment, health cards, and training to sanitation workers, with limited data on rural workers.
The article draws parallels between the plastic and tobacco industries, arguing that both have used profit-driven tactics to influence policies and shift blame onto consumers. The plastic industry, backed by fossil fuel giants, has promoted recycling as a solution while privately acknowledging its impracticality, similar to how tobacco companies funded misleading science. This "greenwashing" creates a false impression of environmental responsibility. As regulations tighten in the Global North, plastic producers are increasingly targeting low- and middle-income countries with weaker environmental regulations. India's waste management relies heavily on the informal sector, and schemes like NAMASTE aim to integrate waste pickers while Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, mandate producer responsibility.
- The plastic industry employs tactics similar to the tobacco industry to influence green policies and deflect corporate accountability.
- "Greenwashing" and promoting impractical solutions like recycling are key strategies used by the plastic industry.
- Plastic producers are shifting focus to the Global South, where environmental regulations are weaker.
The Supreme Court has issued notices on a Presidential Reference seeking its opinion on whether the President and Governors can be judicially compelled to act within prescribed timelines on State Bills. This Reference stems from the President's 14 questions following the Supreme Court's April 8 ruling, which deemed a Governor's inaction on Bills illegal and imposed timelines. Article 143(1) grants the Supreme Court advisory jurisdiction, allowing it to render opinions on law or fact not connected to ongoing litigation. While advisory opinions are not binding precedents, they hold persuasive authority. The Court has previously used Presidential References to refine aspects of judgments, though it cannot be used to review or reverse settled judicial decisions.
- A Presidential Reference seeks the Supreme Court's opinion on the judicial enforceability of timelines for Presidential and Gubernatorial assent to State Bills.
- Article 143(1) of the Constitution grants the Supreme Court advisory jurisdiction on matters of law or fact.
- Advisory opinions, while not legally binding precedents, carry significant persuasive authority.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has begun relocating its offices from the iconic North Block to the Common Central Secretariat (CCS) building on Janpath, as part of the Central Vista redevelopment project. The North and South Blocks, which house key administrative ministries, will be converted into a museum named 'Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum', expected to display 25,000-30,000 artefacts and become one of the world's largest museums. The shift aims to improve coordination, collaboration, and synergy among government organs, reduce congestion, and save significant rental costs by vacating rented accommodations, estimated at ₹1,000 crore per annum.
- The Union Home Ministry is moving from North Block to the new Common Central Secretariat buildings.
- The North and South Blocks will be transformed into the 'Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum'.
- The Central Vista redevelopment project aims to enhance government coordination and efficiency.
Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai has agreed to constitute a Bench to hear a petition challenging the in-house inquiry procedure and the recommendation for the removal of Allahabad High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma. CJI Gavai, who was part of the consultations, will not be on the Bench. The petition argues that the in-house inquiry is an "extra-constitutional mechanism" that usurps Parliament's exclusive authority to remove judges under Articles 124 and 218 of the Constitution and the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968. The Act provides stringent safeguards, including formal charges and proof beyond reasonable doubt, which the in-house procedure lacks.
- The Chief Justice of India will form a Bench to examine the challenge against the removal recommendation for Justice Yashwant Varma.
- The petition contends that the in-house inquiry procedure is an unconstitutional mechanism that bypasses parliamentary authority.
- The Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, outlines the legislative process for judge removal, including formal charges and proof of misbehaviour.
Delhi's air pollution, a persistent issue in autumn and winter, stems from both local sources and emissions from neighboring states across the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP). The article highlights the need for coordinated regional action, especially with the current political alignment across Delhi-NCR states. Despite existing measures like the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana and pollution control devices in industries, implementation lags due to fragmented governance. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) provides a promising institutional framework, but its effectiveness depends on aligning state actions with regional targets. The author emphasizes treating the entire IGP as a single airshed for effective mitigation.
- Delhi's air pollution is a regional problem requiring coordinated action across the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) states.
- Fragmented governance and inconsistent implementation hinder effective pollution control measures.
- The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has the potential to drive regional mitigation strategies.
The ninth Swachh Survekshan, the world's largest cleanliness survey, provides a comprehensive reality check on urban sanitation and waste management. It involved over 4,500 cities and 140 million citizens' feedback, assessing 10 parameters from waste segregation to grievance redressal. The survey has fostered competition, leading to improvements in city sanitation. This year's theme, "reduce, reuse, and recycle (RRR)", aims to create jobs and promote self-help groups, building on the previous "waste to wealth" theme. The article highlights successful models like Indore's waste segregation, Surat's revenue from treated water, and Pune's cooperative-based waste management, demonstrating effective strategies for clean cities.
- The Swachh Survekshan serves as a critical tool for assessing and improving urban sanitation and waste management in India.
- The survey's comprehensive parameters and citizen feedback drive competition and progress among cities.
- The 2025 survey's theme, "reduce, reuse, and recycle (RRR)", emphasizes job creation and self-help groups.
The Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes will conduct a second Socio-Educational Survey, popularly known as a caste census, from September 22 to October 7. This initiative, aimed at addressing caste discrimination, faces expert concerns regarding the short timeframe. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated the survey's main focus is to become a model for the country. The survey will cover approximately seven crore people using 1.65 lakh enumerators and will be conducted via an app, marking a shift from the previous manual survey conducted in 2015 by the Kantharaj Commission.
- Karnataka is undertaking a second Socio-Educational Survey, popularly known as a caste census.
- The primary objective of the survey is to address caste discrimination and serve as a national model.
- The survey will be conducted using an app, marking a shift from the previous manual method.
The Election Commission (EC) has initiated preparatory activities for the 2025 Vice-Presidential election, with the poll schedule to be announced soon. This vacancy arose due to Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation. The EC is mandated by Article 324 of the Constitution to conduct this election, which is governed by the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952, and Rules, 1974. The Vice-President is elected by an Electoral College comprising elected and nominated members of both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. Members of the Electoral College vote based on individual choice, not party whip, and candidates require at least 20 electors as proposers and 20 as seconders.
- The Election Commission has initiated preparations for the 2025 Vice-Presidential election following a mid-term vacancy.
- The EC's mandate to conduct such elections is derived from Article 324 of the Constitution.
- The election process is governed by specific Acts and Rules, outlining the composition of the Electoral College.
Following the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar as Vice-President due to health reasons, the Election Commission is mandated to immediately announce an election to fill the mid-term vacancy. The Constitution does not provide for a method of succession for the Vice-President's office in cases of death, removal, or resignation, necessitating a fresh election. Until a new Vice-President assumes office, the Deputy Chairman will preside over Rajya Sabha proceedings. The Vice-President is elected by an electoral college comprising members of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, through a system of proportional representation by single transferable vote and secret ballot, where each vote has a value of one.
- The Election Commission must immediately conduct an election to fill the Vice-President's office due to a mid-term vacancy.
- The Constitution does not provide for succession in case of resignation, death, or removal of the Vice-President.
- The Vice-President is elected by an electoral college consisting of members from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, has issued formal notices to all States and the Union government regarding a Presidential Reference. The reference seeks clarity on the powers of the President and Governors in granting assent to State Bills, a matter affecting the entire country. The court will address questions on whether judicial powers extend to imposing timelines on these constitutional authorities under Articles 200 and 201, and the scope of Article 142 in substituting constitutional powers. This follows a previous judgment where the court deemed a Governor's actions illegal for delaying assent to Bills.
- The Supreme Court has issued notices to all States and the Union government on a Presidential Reference concerning the powers of the President and Governors.
- The reference seeks clarity on imposing timelines for assent to State Bills and the extent of judicial powers under Article 142.
- The issue affects all States and the entire country, with the Supreme Court committed to answering the President's questions.
The article explores the legal status of the 'right to vote' in India, a subject of ongoing debate in the Supreme Court. It distinguishes between natural, fundamental, constitutional, and statutory rights. While natural rights are inherent, fundamental rights (Part III of Constitution) are enforceable in the Supreme Court. Constitutional rights (outside Part III) are operationalized by legislation and enforceable in High Courts. Statutory rights are provided by ordinary laws. Historically, the Supreme Court has mostly held the right to vote as a statutory right, as seen in cases like N.P. Ponnuswami (1952) and Kuldip Nayar (2006). However, Justice Ajay Rastogi, in his partial dissent in Anoop Baranwal (2023), argued it is a fundamental right under Article 19(1)(a) and intrinsic to free and fair elections, suggesting its elevation to a constitutional right.
- The legal status of the 'right to vote' in India is debated, oscillating between a statutory and a constitutional right.
- The Supreme Court has predominantly classified the right to vote as a statutory right.
- Justice Ajay Rastogi, in a dissenting opinion, argued that the right to vote is a fundamental right under Article 19(1)(a).
The process to remove Justice Yashwant Varma from office began in Parliament, with members of both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha submitting notices to their presiding officers. 63 Opposition members signed the notice to the Rajya Sabha Chairman, while 152 members, including Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, backed the Lok Sabha notice. The move follows Justice Varma's responsibilities being taken away and his transfer from Delhi High Court to Allahabad High Court after burnt currency notes were found at his residence. According to the Judges (Inquiry) Act, a joint committee comprising a Supreme Court judge, a Chief Justice of a High Court, and a distinguished jurist will be constituted to examine the charges.
- The impeachment process for High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma has been initiated in Parliament.
- Notices for his removal were submitted to both the Rajya Sabha Chairman and the Lok Sabha Speaker, meeting the required numerical thresholds.
- The initiation follows the judge's transfer and the discovery of burnt currency notes at his residence.
The Election Commission (EC) assured the Supreme Court that being found ineligible for electoral roll registration under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar will not lead to citizenship cancellation. The EC clarified that its guidelines are constitutional and aim to maintain the purity of electoral rolls, emphasizing that Article 326 (adult suffrage) ensures the right to vote without discrimination. Voters already on the 2003 rolls are exempt from furnishing documents if they submit a partially pre-filled enumeration form. The EC also stated that Aadhaar, voter ID, and ration cards cannot be accepted as standalone documents for SIR, as Aadhaar is only proof of identity, and bogus ration cards are widespread.
- The Election Commission clarified that exclusion from electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar does not equate to citizenship cancellation.
- The EC's guidelines are aimed at ensuring the purity of electoral rolls and are constitutional.
- Article 326 of the Constitution grants every citizen the right to vote without discrimination.
Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, 74, resigned from his post on Monday, citing health reasons, with two years left in his term. His resignation letter, addressed to President Droupadi Murmu, was posted on his official X account. Dhankhar had presided over Rajya Sabha proceedings earlier on the day, including an important intervention regarding a High Court judge's removal motion, making his resignation a surprise to many leaders. He had suffered a cardiac event in March but had reportedly recovered. This decision came on the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
- Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from his office due to health reasons.
- He was the 14th Vice-President of India and had two years remaining in his term.
- The resignation was submitted to President Droupadi Murmu in accordance with Article 67(a) of the Constitution.
The Union Cabinet has approved the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY), a new umbrella scheme to be implemented through the convergence of 36 existing schemes across 11 departments. It aims to address productivity disparities among states and districts, subsuming key central schemes like PM-KISAN and PMFBY. With an annual outlay of ₹24,000 crore for six years, the scheme will identify 100 low-productivity districts. While promoting national uniformity and local partnerships, the article highlights a concern: the continuous decline in public spending on agriculture, which has fallen from 3.53% in 2021-22 to 2.51% in 2025-26 as a percentage of total Central Plan outlay. The scheme will operate based on 'District Plans' aligned with national goals.
- The PMDDKY is a new umbrella scheme converging 36 existing agricultural schemes across 11 departments.
- It aims to address productivity disparities and will subsume schemes like PM-KISAN and PMFBY.
- The scheme has an annual outlay of ₹24,000 crore for six years and targets 100 low-productivity districts.
With the implementation of the Tamil Nadu Criminal Procedure Rules, police stations can now register First Information Reports (FIRs) for cognisable offenses committed outside their geographical jurisdiction. These FIRs must then be electronically and physically transferred to the competent police station within 24 hours. The new rules, notified in 2025, aim to align the state's procedural framework with the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. They are designed to institutionalize standardized practices, drive digital transformation, and ensure uniformity, transparency, efficiency, and accountability in criminal law enforcement. The eSakshya Mobile Application is now mandated for recording audio-visual evidence and generating immutable SID packets.
- FIRs for cognisable offenses can now be registered at any police station, irrespective of its jurisdiction.
- Registered FIRs must be transferred to the competent police station electronically and physically within 24 hours.
- The new Tamil Nadu Criminal Procedure Rules, 2025, align with the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
The article emphasizes that India's diversity in religion and language is crucial for its secular character, unity, and integrity. It argues that Indian secularism is unique, extending beyond religion to language, and is enshrined in the Constitution as a state policy. While Hindi is the official language of the Union (Article 343), states are free to choose their own, and Article 29 protects the language, script, or culture of all citizens, including minorities. The author highlights historical resistance to Hindi imposition, particularly in southern and northeastern states, and warns that conservative leanings towards religion or language can fragment society. Protecting linguistic diversity is essential for maintaining India's unique unity in diversity.
- India's secularism is distinct, encompassing both religious and linguistic diversity, which is fundamental to national unity and integrity.
- The Constitution enshrines linguistic secularism, allowing states to choose their official languages while Hindi serves as the Union's official language.
- Article 29 specifically protects the language, script, and culture of all citizens, including minority groups, preventing discrimination based on language.
The article discusses the Chhattisgarh forest department's attempt to designate itself as the nodal agency for implementing Community Forest Resource Rights (CFRR) under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006. This move, later withdrawn, contradicted the FRA's spirit of empowering gram sabhas to manage customary forests. It criticizes traditional 'scientific forestry' focused on timber extraction, advocating for CFR management plans developed by gram sabhas that prioritize local needs and ecosystem health over bureaucratic working plans. The article highlights resistance from forest departments to gram sabhas' legitimacy and calls for the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MOTA) to support gram sabhas and for forest departments to adopt a people-friendly, ecosystem-focused management approach.
- The Chhattisgarh forest department's attempt to control CFRR implementation violated the spirit of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, which empowers gram sabhas.
- Traditional forest management, rooted in colonial 'scientific forestry,' is criticized for prioritizing timber extraction over local livelihoods and ecological needs.
- CFR management plans, developed by gram sabhas, are designed to prioritize local needs and ecosystem health, offering a more adaptive response to environmental challenges.
The article contends that the U.S., particularly under Donald Trump, has marginalized the UN and multilateralism, favoring bilateral deals that fragment the global order. It suggests India must accept this shift and focus on national prosperity and South-South cooperation. India needs to define 'strategic autonomy' and prioritize its core interests, looking East for ideas and trade agreements rather than West. The author highlights India's intrinsic strengths in the fourth industrial revolution and defense, advocating for a growth-focused approach, revisiting border issues, and leveraging opportunities like the BRICS Summit in 2026 to lead the Global South in fostering shared prosperity through reoriented tariffs and value chains.
- The U.S. is shifting away from multilateralism towards bilateral deals, leading to a fragmentation of the global order.
- India should adapt by focusing on national prosperity, South-South cooperation, and clearly defining its 'strategic autonomy'.
- India's foreign policy should prioritize trade agreements with Eastern nations (e.g., ASEAN) and leverage its strengths in technology and defense.
The Health Ministry's initiatives to display oil, sugar, and trans-fat content in Indian snacks and establish 'sugar boards' in schools are welcome steps to raise awareness about unhealthy food consumption. These efforts are driven by increasing obesity trends, with NFHS data showing obesity rose from 15% to 24% in men and 12% to 23% in women between 2005-06 and 2019-21. However, the article argues that awareness alone is insufficient without essential legislative measures, such as clear front-of-package labels for packaged foods and additional taxes on high fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS) products. It emphasizes the need for FSSAI to define upper limits for sugar, salt, and fat to implement effective labelling.
- Health Ministry initiatives aim to raise awareness about unhealthy food content in Indian snacks and reduce sugar intake among children.
- Obesity trends in India show a significant increase, with NFHS data indicating a rise from 15% to 24% in men and 12% to 23% in women between 2005-06 and 2019-21.
- Awareness campaigns, while useful, are deemed insufficient without robust legislative measures to drive behavioral changes.