indian polity

Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA Act) 1996

Context Political representation for marginalised communities can boost forest conservation and secure economic interests. They advocate for decentralisation and democratisation, giving local communities actual decision-making power in resource management. Background of PESA Act 1996 India's conservation policy has struggled with...

Election Of Lok Sabha Speaker, Criteria and Voting Process

Context: Om Birla was elected the Lok Sabha Speaker (2nd time) by defeating the opposition candidate Kodikkunil Suresh. Election Of Lok Sabha Speaker Article 93: It says that the House of the People shall, as soon as may be, choose...

Rahul Gandhi appointed as Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha

Context: Rahul Gandhi will be the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha. This will be the first time in 10 years that the Lok Sabha will have a Leader of Opposition. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha The Leader of...

Om Birla elected Lok Sabha Speaker for Second Term

Om Birla Re-elected as Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha Om Birla, the BJP nominee, has been re-elected as the Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha. He was up against Congress candidate K Suresh, who filed his nomination after the...

Enemy Agents Ordinance, Origin and its Provisions

Context: Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) said those found assisting militants in J&K should be tried by investigating agencies under the Enemy Agents Ordinance, 2005. The law is more stringent than the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)...

Parliamentary Oath Taking Process in India

Context: The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha is set to commence soon. Before the House can begin its legislative functioning, the newly elected members must take the oath of Members of Parliament (MP), as provided in the Constitution....

Patna HC Strikes Down Bihar’s Reservation Quota Hike to 65%

Context The Patna High Court set aside the Bihar government's notifications that increased reservations in government jobs and educational institutions from 50% to 65%. The court emphasised that while reservations for backward classes aim to break the dominance of a...

Legislative Council in India, Composition, Constitutional Provisions

Context: Bypolls are scheduled in Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Andhra Pradesh to fill five vacant seats. Three of these vacancies arose due to the resignation of members. Legislative Council Within the Indian government, the Legislative Council is a deliberative...

Chhattisgarh Chief Ministers, Complete List from 2000 to 2024

Chhattisgarh has had a total of four Chief Ministers since 2000 till now when it was formed. The Governor of Chhattisgarh appoints the Chief Minister based on the majority party in the state assembly. The current CM of Chhattisgarh is...

Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA)

Context: The Delhi Lieutenant-Governor has sanctioned the prosecution of author-activist Arundhati Roy and Kashmiri professor Dr Sheikh Showkat Hussain under the UAPA in connection with a 2010 FIR in which the two are accused of “delivering provocative speeches”. More in...