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 […]
Supreme Court mulls limit to role as policy watchdog
Context: The resolve voiced by a Division Bench of the Supreme Court recently to “examine” the extent to which the judiciary can question the government’s COVID-19 policies drifts from the court’s three-judge Bench judgment previously in May 2021 which held that courts cannot be “silent spectators when constitutional rights of citizens are infringed by executive […]
Failure to act against hate speech at Centre and in states is the real ‘double engine effect’
Context: Following a Supreme Court directive in the case of Pravasi Bhalai Sangathan v. Union of India, the Law Commission, in its 57-page report, made concrete recommendations in 2017 to the government on “prohibiting incitement to hatred” and “causing fear, alarm, or provocation of violence in certain cases.” Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Governance (Indian Constitution—Historical […]
Akalis to move adjournment motion in LS on Farm Laws
Context: Ahead of the Monsoon session of Parliament the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has decided to move an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha against the government on the three controversial farm laws. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Governance (Constitutional Provisions, Legislature) Dimensions of the Article: Adjournment Motion Calling Attention Motion Other Important Motions in the […]