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 […]
Resolution on Chandigarh
Context: The longstanding dispute between Punjab and Haryana over Chandigarh flared up this week after the Centre notified Central Service Rules for employees in the Union Territory instead of the Punjab Service Rules. The Centre had earlier tweaked rules for appointments to the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) — recruitments can now be done from […]
What is Death Penalty
Context: While hearing death sentence appeals since September 2021, the Supreme Court has repeatedly expressed concern over the manner in which trial courts and High Courts have carried out sentencing with very little (relevant) information. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Constitution (Judiciary, Important Judgements) Dimensions of the Article: What is Death Penalty/Capital Punishment? Capital Punishment in […]
Central Bureau of Investigation
Context: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has recently come under intense public scrutiny, according to Chief Justice of India (CJI) N.V. Ramana. Its actions and inactions have sparked doubts about its credibility. The CJI has recommended an umbrella, independent, and autonomous investigative body in order to overhaul law enforcement agencies. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Constitution, Governance […]
What is Look Out Notice
Context: Delhi High Court on Friday sought the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED’s) response on journalist Rana Ayyub’s challenge to its action of restraining her from leaving the country. Ayyub was stopped in Mumbai based on a look out circular (LOC) issued by the ED, which is investigating her in a case of alleged money laundering. Relevance: GS II- Polity and Governance […]
A Far Reaching Verdict That Ends a Regressive Exception
Context Karnataka has recently pronounced an end to the marital rape exception in Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code in a nuanced judgment. Relevance GS-II: Indian Constitution—Historical Underpinnings, Evolution, Features, Amendments, Significant Provisions and Basic Structure. Dimensions of the Article Background of the Case Earlier Judgments Roots of the Principle Way Forward Background of the Case […]