Centre ceasefire agreement with NSCN(K) Niki group
Context: The Central government entered into a one-year ceasefire agreement with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (K) Niki Group. The agreed ceasefire ground rules were also signed. In a statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said the agreement would boost the Naga peace process. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Governance (Centre-State Relations), Prelims Dimensions […]
Pact with rebel groups for peace in Karbi Anglong
Context: Moving to end decades of violence in Karbi Anglong in Assam, the Centre signed a tripartite agreement with five insurgent groups from the region and the state government. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Constitution (Centre-State Relations, Inter-State Dispute Redressal Mechanisms) Dimensions of the Article: About the Karbi Anglong Crisis Highlights of the Karbi-Anglong Peace Agreement […]
Long wait for a Deputy Speaker for Lok Sabha
Context: With the Delhi High Court asking the Central government to explain its stand on a petition that claimed keeping the post of Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha vacant is a violation of Article 93 of the Constitution, the issue is once again in the spotlight. The position of Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha […]
Nine new Supreme Court judges take oath
Context: Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana read out the oath of allegiance to the Constitution to nine new judges of the Supreme Court, reducing the vacancies in the top court to just one. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Constitution (Judiciary, Constitutional Provisions) Dimensions of the Article: About the new judges who have taken oath Representation […]
Long wait for a Deputy Speaker for Lok Sabha
Context: With the Delhi High Court asking the Central government to explain its stand on a petition that claimed keeping the post of Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha vacant is a violation of Article 93 of the Constitution, the issue is once again in the spotlight. The position of Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha […]
Still hanging fire on transparency
Context: The Supreme Court Bench headed by Justice Rohinton F. Nariman has imposed a fine on several political parties for failing to comply with its earlier order on publishing information about candidates with criminal records. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Constitution (Representation of People’s Act, Legislature, Important Judgements and Cases) Dimensions of the Article: About Criminalisation […]
Towards a more humane police force
Context: Recently, Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana expressed concern at the degree of human rights violations in police stations in the country. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Governance (Constitutional Provisions and Historical Underpinnings, Government Policies and Interventions) Dimensions of the Article: About Custodial Deaths Various Commissions and their recommendations on Police Reforms Steps to counter […]
Economic criterion not sole basis for creamy layer: SC
Context: Haryana state government had recently issued two notifications under the Haryana Backward Classes (Reservation in Services and Admission in Educational Institutions) Act of 2016. The notification had sub-classified backward classes solely on an economic basis while fixing the criteria for the creamy layer. Backward community members earning above ₹6 lakh annually were to be […]
Gujarat’s anti-conversion law
Context: The Gujarat High Court recently, stayed key provisions of The Gujarat Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Act, 2021 pertaining to marriages involving religious conversion of either of the two parties. Relevance: GS-II: Social Justice and Governance (Government Policies and Initiatives, Issues arising out of the design and implementation of Policies), GS-II: Polity and Constitution (Constitutional […]
Minorities must be treated as ‘weaker sections’: NCM
Context: The Delhi High Court extended the deadline given to the Centre to nominate persons to all the vacant positions in the National Commission for Minorities by two months (till September 2021). The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) is now down to just one member. There is only one vice-chairperson, who is currently functioning in […]