Plea invokes ‘Right to be Forgotten’ in Delhi HC
Context: Recently, a person has approached the Delhi High Court with a plea saying that his videos, photographs and articles etc., should be removed from the internet, citing his “Right to be Forgotten”. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Governance (Constitutional Provisions, Fundamental Rights, Government Policies and Interventions) Dimensions of the Article: Right to be Forgotten (RTBF) […]
Essential Defence Services Bill, 2021
Context: Recently, the Minister of State for Defence introduced the Essential Defence Services Bill in the Lok Sabha. Relevance: GS-III: Internal Security Challenges, GS-II: Polity and Governance (Government Policies and Interventions) Dimensions of the Article: What is the Essential Defence Services Bill? Understanding Strikes and the punishments in this context: Industrial Disputes Act 1947 What […]
SC upholds NGT ban on firecrackers
Context: The Supreme Court dismissed a challenge to a National Green Tribunal (NGT) ban on the sale and use of firecrackers during the COVID-19 pandemic in the National Capital Region (NCR) and all cities and towns where the ambient air quality is in the poor or above categories. Relevance: GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Environmental Pollution, […]
SC says secrecy of vote a must in any election
Context: The Supreme Court held that in any election, be it to Parliament or State legislature, the maintenance of secrecy of voting is “a must”. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Governance (Constitutional Provisions, Representation of People’s Act) Dimensions of the Article: Recent Supreme Court Judgement on Secret Ballot About Right to Vote in India and the […]
On Krishna and Godavari River Management boards
Context: The Union Ministry of Jal Shakti sent a notification on the jurisdiction of the Krishna and Godavari River Management Boards over projects and assets in the fields of irrigation and hydropower. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Governance (Constitutional Provisions, Tribunals, Inter-State relations, Functions & responsibilities of the Union and the States, Issues and challenges of […]
SC on ‘punishment’ for political parties facing contempt
Context: Political parties facing contempt for defying a Supreme Court judgment to declare or publicise the criminal antecedents of their candidates before elections may run the risk of derecognition or a time-bound forfeiture of their election symbols. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Governance (Constitutional Provisions, Judiciary) Dimensions of the Article: Indian Constitution: Regarding Contempt of court […]
SC quashes parts of the 97th amendment
Context: The Supreme Court in a 2:1 majority verdict upheld the validity of the 97th constitutional amendment that deals with issues related to effective management of cooperative societies but struck down a part inserted by it which relates to the Constitution and working of cooperative societies. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Governance (Constitutional Provisions, Judiciary, Government […]
Pegasus spyware issue in India Explained for UPSC
Context: A number of reports on Pegasus Spyware in India indicate that at least 1,000 Indian phone numbers are in a list of potential targets of surveillance using the Pegasus spyware. An Israeli company, the NSO Group, sells the Pegasus spyware to “vetted governments”. The evidence is strong that Indian citizens were indeed targets of […]
Bombay HC on Speedy trial as a fundamental right
Context: The Bombay High Court observed, “For how many years without trial, can people languish in jail. Speedy trial is a fundamental right.” Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Governance (Judiciary, Constitutional Provisions, Fundamental Rights) Dimensions of the Article: Data regarding Delay in Justice Reasons for delay in Justice Way Forwards Data regarding Delay in Justice As […]
Lokpal yet to get director of inquiry
Context: More than two years after the Lokpal came into being, the Centre is yet to appoint a director of inquiry for conducting preliminary inquiry into graft complaints sent by the anti-corruption ombudsman, according to a Right to Information reply. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Governance (Constitutional and Non-Constitutional Bodies, Policies and Interventions on Transparency and […]