The Functioning of the Enforcement Directorate
Context: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is in the news now and often. It goes back to May 1, 1956, when an ‘Enforcement Unit’ was formed in the Department of Economic Affairs, for handling Exchange Control Laws violations under the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA). Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Constitution, Governance Dimensions of the Article: Enforcement Directorate Functions […]
The Process of Electing India President
Context: The tenure of the current President of India Ram Nath Kovind is set to end in July this year, which is also when the 16th Indian Presidential election will be held to elect his successor. The Assembly elections held in five States this year, and the changes in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), are expected to […]
The languages India Speaks
Context: Recently, Home Minister suggested that states should communicate with each other in Hindi rather than English, while stressing that Hindi should not be an alternative to local languages. Relevance: GS II- Polity and Governance Dimensions of the Article: How widely is Hindi spoken in India? Has it always been this widespread? And how widely is […]
Idea that Judges Appoint Judges Is Wrong
Context: The impression that “judges appoint judges” in India is wrong. It is the government which “finally appoints the judges in the name of the President of India, the head of our state”, Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana said in conversation with US Supreme Court judge. Relevance: GS II- Polity and Governance Dimensions of […]
Idea that Judges Appoint Judges Is Wrong by CJI
Context: The impression that “judges appoint judges” in India is wrong. It is the government which “finally appoints the judges in the name of the President of India, the head of our state”, Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana said in conversation with US Supreme Court judge. Relevance: GS II- Polity and Governance Dimensions of […]
Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA)
Context: The Supreme Court upheld amendments introducing restrictions in the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) while holding that no one has a fundamental or absolute right to receive foreign contributions. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Governance (Government Policies & Interventions, Non-Governmental Organisations -NGOs), GS-III: Indian Economy (External Sector, Mobilization of Resources) Dimensions of the Article: Foreign […]
Mullaperiyar Dam Dispute
Context: Recently, The Supreme Court said any “half-baked” arrangement will “destroy the dam” and refused to overhaul the court-formed Mullaperiyar dam supervisory committee, which will continue to oversee the safety and maintenance aspects of the 126-year-old dam until the new authority under the Dam Safety Act, 2021 becomes fully operational in a year. Relevance: GS-II: […]
Reorganising Andhra Pradesh
Context: Recently, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister inaugurated 13 new districts, pointing out that the main objective was to take the administration to the people’s doorsteps. The total number of districts has gone up to 26; and Andhra Pradesh has 25 Lok Sabha constituencies. Relevance: GS II- Polity and Governance Dimensions of the Article: What are […]
What are Electoral bonds
Context: Chief Justice of India N V Ramana has assured petitioners that the Supreme Court will take up for hearing a pending plea challenging the Electoral Bond Scheme, 2018. Two NGOs — Common Cause and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) — have challenged the scheme, alleging that it is “distorting democracy”. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and […]
What Are Fundamental Duties?
Context: Attorney-General K.K. Venugopal said that there was no need to enact specific laws to “enforce” fundamental duties on citizens. Relevance: GS II- Polity (Indian Constitution) Dimensions of the Article: What really is the situation? How were the fundamental duties incorporated in the Constitution? What are the fundamental duties of the citizen? What really is […]