Current Context : The Telangana government has recently initiated the sub-classification of Scheduled Castes (SCs) into four sub-groups (A, B, C, and D) to ensure equitable distribution of reservation benefits. Aim : to address grievances about unequal access to reservations within the SC community in Telangana, ensuring a more scientifically sound and fair approach to reservations for different SC sub-groups​ Judicial Commission: Led by Justice Shameem Akhtar, tasked with completing an inquiry in 60 days using census data to recommend a balanced reservation approach. OBJECTIVES OF THE COMMISSION Conducting a sub-classification of SCs to ensure fairness. Grouping similar sub-castes based....Read More

Current Context :  Recently, there is a demand increased for inclusion of Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule of Indian Constitution. LADAKH’S DEMAND FOR INCLUSION: Ladakh’s population is 97% tribal, and people are demanding Sixth Schedule status to preserve their cultural identity, land rights, and employment opportunities. The Sixth Schedule would give Ladakh more local autonomy through ADCs and protect its fragile ecosystem from industrial activities. The government has resisted, citing that the Sixth Schedule is designed for northeastern states, though it has increased tribal reservations and financial support for Ladakh. ABOUT SIXTH SCHEDULE Article 244(2) of the Indian Constitution governs tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and....Read More

Current Context : Recently, Union Cabinet approved classical language status for Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali. The primary states involved are Maharashtra (Marathi), Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh (Pali and Prakrit), West Bengal (Bengali), and Assam (Assamese). With this, the number of classical languages will nearly double from 6 to 11. Existing Classical Languages: Before this, six languages held the status—Tamil (2004), Sanskrit (2005), Telugu, Kannada (2008), Malayalam (2013), and Odia (2014). Criteria for Classical Status: To qualify, a language must have: A documented history of 1,500-2,000 years. A body of ancient literature considered valuable by generations of....Read More

Current Context : Central government approved the ‘One Nation, One Election' – aligning polls for both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, The committee, headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind The committee had recommended 15 amendments to the Constitution of India — in the form of both new provisions and changes to existing provisions to enable the holding of simultaneous polls in the country. WHAT IS ONE NATION, ONE ELECTION? One Nation, One Election' basically means holding elections to Lok Sabha, all the state assemblies, and local bodies – municipalities and panchayats, together. It aims to ensure that elections....Read More

Current Context : Recently, Kerala government constituted the 7th State Finance Commission, with a two-year tenure. The Commission, chaired by former Planning Board member K N Harilal, will comprise the Principal Secretary of Local Self-Government Department and the Additional Chief Secretary of Finance Department as members. ABOUT STATE FINANCE COMMISSION (SFC) Article 243Iwas introduced by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992. It empowers the Governorof a state to constitute a Finance Commission every five years. FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES It reviews the financial position of the Panchayats and recommends principles for governing. Distribution between state and panchayats of net proceeds of state taxes. Determination....Read More

Current Context : Union Home Minister Amit Shah was unanimously re-elected as the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Official Language, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). ABOUT  PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE It was constituted under the provisions of Section 4 of the Official Languages Act, 1963, in the year It comprises 30 members of Parliament, out of which 20 are from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha.  Purpose : to review the progress made in the use of Hindi as the official language of the Union and to suggest measures for its propagation and development.Read More

Current Context : The Union government set up the 23rd Law Commission for three years to identify laws that have become obsolete and can be repealed. Law and Justice Ministry set up the Law Commission from September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2027. The commission will include a full-time chairperson, four full-time members, the Secretaries of the Legal Affairs and Legislative departments as ex-officio members and up to five part-time members. ABOUT LAW COMMISSION OF INDIA : It is a non-statutory body and is constituted by a notification of the Government of India, Ministry of Law & Justice. It is....Read More

Current Context : President Droupadi Murmu unveiled the new flag and insignia of the Supreme Court. KEY FEATURES : The newly unveiled flag features symbols central to India's legal and cultural heritage: the Ashoka Chakra, the Supreme Court building, and the Constitution of India. Flag Colour : Blue The insignia has ‘Supreme Court of India’ and ‘Yato Dharmastato Jayah’ (in Devanagari script) inscribed on it. Conceptualized and designed by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Delhi. They symbolize justice and democracy, reflecting the Supreme Court's role as a guardian of the Constitution and the rule of law. WHAT DOES....Read More

Current Context : West Bengal Assembly unanimously passed an anti-rape Bill — Aparajita. Bill has provisions for stringent punishment and faster trial in rape cases. Aim : to strengthen protections for women and children by revising and introducing new provisions related to rape and sexual offences. KEY POINTS OF BILL : Death Penalty for Rape: Capital punishment for those convicted of rape if their actions result in the victim’s death or leave her in a vegetative state. Time-Bound Investigations and Trials: Investigations into rape cases must be concluded within 21 days of the initial report. Fast-Track Courts: Establishment of special....Read More

Current Context : Congress Rajya Sabha member Jairam Ramesh moved a privilege motion against the Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan, for his statement about the omission of the Preamble of the Constitution from NCERT textbooks was “misleading.” About Privilege Motion :  A Privilege Motion is a procedural device that allows members to bring to the notice of the House any case of breach of privilege or contempt of the House. Such breaches can involve actions or statements that undermine the rights and privileges of members or the functioning of the legislative body. The motion is usually given as a....Read More