Recent Judicial Development The Supreme Court has urged the Union government to consider amending India’s abortion law to remove rigid time limits in cases involving minor rape victims. This observation came while the Court declined to entertain a curative petition filed by the government challenging a recent judgment that allowed a 15-year-old rape survivor to terminate a 30-week pregnancy. The Court emphasised that decisions regarding such sensitive cases should not be left solely to doctors or the State. Instead, it should primarily be guided by the consent and welfare of the survivor and her parents, underscoring the importance of bodily…
08 May, 2026
Current Governance Issues
The Supreme Court of India recently observed that hate speech, driven by an “us versus them” mindset, poses a serious threat to the constitutional values of fraternity, equality, and social harmony. The Court emphasized that the major issue is not the absence of laws but the poor implementation of existing legal provisions. Therefore, instead of creating new laws, stronger enforcement of current laws is necessary to address the problem effectively. Hate Speech as a Threat to Constitutional Fraternity The Court stated that hate speech is not merely inappropriate public discourse but an attack on the moral and constitutional fabric of…
07 May, 2026
Current Governance Issues
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has introduced a comprehensive deportation policy aimed at accelerating the identification and removal of illegal migrants, particularly from Bangladesh and Myanmar. The policy reflects India’s increasing focus on border management, internal security, and administrative efficiency in handling undocumented migration. Need for the New Deportation Policy Historical Context of Illegal Migration Illegal migration into India has a long historical background. It began with large-scale population movements during the Partition of 1947, followed by a major influx during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. Over time, concerns about demographic changes, particularly in border states like Assam,…
04 May, 2026
Current Governance Issues
Rajasthan Land Revenue Act, 2025 On 3rd October 2025, Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde approved the Rajasthan Land Revenue (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2025. The Act amends the Rajasthan Land Revenue Act, 1956 and expands the authority of RIICO over land management in industrial areas. Key Provisions of the Act Provision Details Amendment Amends the Rajasthan Land Revenue Act, 1956. RIICO Authority Expands the powers of the Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation (RIICO) over land management in industrial areas. Land Management Powers RIICO now has full authority over planning, development, conversion, and disposal of land in industrial zones.…
04 May, 2026
Current Governance Issues
Hansi: 23rd District of Haryana On 17th December 2025, the Haryana Cabinet approved the creation of Hansi as a new district. With this decision, the total number of districts in Haryana will increase to 23. Administrative Structure of Hansi District Component Details Parent District Hansi was carved out of the existing Hisar district. Villages Included The proposed district will include 110 villages from the Hansi and Narnaund Assembly constituencies. Sub-Divisions The district will have two sub-divisions — Hansi and Narnaund. Tehsils The district will comprise Hansi, Narnaund, and Bass tehsils. Sub-Tehsil Kheri Jalab will function as a sub-tehsil. In Brief…
01 May, 2026
Current Governance Issues
India’s First 100% Digitally Literate State On 21 August 2025, Kerala’s Chief Minister officially announced that Kerala had become the first state in India to achieve complete digital literacy. The achievement was realised through the DigiKeralam-Comprehensive Digital Literacy Programme, launched by the state government in 2023. Key Highlights Component Details First State Kerala became India’s first state to achieve 100% digital literacy. Announcement Date Officially announced on 21 August 2025. Programme Achieved through the DigiKeralam-Comprehensive Digital Literacy Programme. Launch Year The programme was launched by the state government in 2023. Objective of DigiKeralam Programme Objective Explanation Digital Inclusion To extend…
01 May, 2026
Current Governance Issues
A recent working paper by the World Inequality Lab has examined the extent and nature of land inequality in rural India. The study is based on data from the Socio-Economic Caste Census, covering approximately 650 million people across 2.7 lakh villages. The findings reveal deep structural inequalities in land ownership, which remain a key source of economic disparity in rural India. The most important point is that land distribution in rural India is highly unequal, with ownership concentrated among a very small section of households. High Concentration of Land Ownership The study finds that land ownership is heavily concentrated…
30 April, 2026
Current Governance Issues
Sujal Gaon ID Sujal Gaon ID was launched on March 13, 2026 to digitally identify and monitor rural drinking-water infrastructure. It gives a unique digital identity to villages and links drinking-water assets with a national monitoring framework. The initiative improves the visibility of water sources, pipelines, supply systems and household tap connections. It shifts rural water management from scattered records to a more transparent, data-based governance model. Aspect Details Unique identity Every rural drinking-water scheme under Jal Jeevan Mission receives a distinct Sujal Gaon ID. Portal integration The ID is linked with the SujalBharat Portal containing village-level maps, water source…
01 April, 2026
Current Governance Issues