On February 13, 2025, the Income-Tax Bill, 2025 was introduced to the Lok Sabha. The bill is intended to replace the 1961 Income-Tax Act by simplifying the language, and removing unneeded sections, while keeping the majority of the original act. Formation: A 31-member Select Committee has been established by the Lok Sabha Speaker. Chairmanship & Composition: Chaired by BJP MP Baijayant Jay Panda, with 17 members from the ruling National Democratic Alliance. Mandate: To examine the new Income Tax Bill and submit its report by the first day of the Monsoon session. New Income Tax Bill Overview: Aims to modernize....Read More

Recently, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)  celebrated its 22nd Foundation Day on February 19, 2025. Established:Under Article 338A via the 89th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003. Replaced:The combined National Commission for SCs and STs with separate NCSC and NCST. Composition:Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and 3 members appointed by the President. Mandate:Investigates, monitors, and safeguards ST rights under the Constitution. 22nd Foundation Day:February 19, 2025; focus on Forest Rights Act Government Initiatives for Scheduled Tribes Pre-Matric & Post-Matric Scholarships:Financial aid for ST students. National Overseas Scholarship:Supports ST students for higher education abroad. Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana (AMSY):Concessional loans for ST women’s livelihood. Adivasi Shiksha Rinn Yojana:Education loans for ST students.....Read More

Recently, Vice President addressed the 25th National Conference of Chairpersons of SPSC. It is a constitutional body established under Articles 315 to 323 of Part XIV of the Indian Constitution, which also governs the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The State Public Service Commission (SPSC) conducts examinations for appointments to state services. Chairman and members are appointed by the Governor (Article 316). Term of office: 6 years or until 62 years of age, whichever is earlier. Members can be removed by the President for reasons like insolvency, paid employment outside office, infirmity, or misbehavior (after Supreme Court inquiry). Its expenses....Read More

Current Context : The winter session, 2024 of Parliament (both Houses) was adjourned sine die recently About Adjournment sine die Adjournment Sine Die: Refers to the indefinite suspension of a parliamentary session without a fixed date for reconvening. The power of adjournment sine die lies with the Presiding Officer of the House. The Presiding Officer has the authority to adjourn and call a sitting at any time after the adjournment.Read More

Current Context : Recently, a 31-member JPC was formed to review bills related to the 'One Nation, One Election' initiative. This committee comprises 21 members from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha. About Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) JPC is an ad-hoc committeeset up for specific objectives and duration. Established through a motion passed in one houseof Parliament and agreed upon by the other. Membership: Composition includes members from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, as determined by Parliament. Functions: Conducts detailed scrutiny of bills and issues. Collects evidence, examines witnesses, and submits reports with recommendations to Parliament. Authority: Recommendations are not binding on....Read More

Current Context : Recently, a  motion to impeach an Allahabad High Court judge was submitted in the Rajya Sabha. Purpose: To ensure accountability and uphold judicial integrity. Past Attempts: Six impeachment motions against judges have been filed since independence, but none succeeded. Constitutional Basis: The term "impeachment" is not mentioned in the Constitution but refers to the removal process under: Article 124(Supreme Court judges). Article 218(High Court judges). Grounds for removal: Proven misbehaviour or incapacity (not defined in the Constitution). Legal Framework: Governed by the Judges Inquiry Act, 1968. Steps in the Process: Initiation: Motion signed by at least 100 Lok Sabha or 50....Read More

Current Context : The government proposed supplementary demands for grants, requesting additional expenditure for various sectors, indicating active fiscal management for unforeseen financial needs.​ About Supplementary Grants: Raised under Article 115of the Constitution when funds already authorized by Parliament for a service are insufficient during the financial year​ Seeks approval from Parliament for additional expenditures beyond the initial budget estimates. Types of Grants under Article 115: Additional Grant: Required for new services or projects not included in the original budget. Excess Grant: Sanctioned for expenditure that exceeds the allocated budget. Supplementary Demand for Grants: Includes both net cash outgo and reappropriation....Read More

Current Context :  Opposition parties have decided to move a notice under Article 67(b) of the Constitution to remove the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha from his office. About Article 67(b): Role of Vice President: The Vice President serves as the ex-officio Chairmanof the Rajya Sabha Provision for Removal: Article 67(b) outlines the process for removing the Vice President. A resolution for removal must be initiated in the Rajya Sabha and passed by a majority of all its members. It then requires agreement from the Lok Sabha. Notice Period : A minimum of 14 days' notice is required before moving the resolution. The....Read More

Current Context : Recently, a Privilege Motion was moved in the Parliament by the opposition members. About Privilege Motion Privilege Motion is a formal request made by a member(s) of Parliament to the presiding officer to address an alleged breach of Parliamentary Privileges. Parliamentary Privileges: These privileges are the rights enjoyed by: Each House collectively as a part of Parliament. Individual members of each House to discharge their duties effectively. They exceed those possessed by other bodies or individuals. Sources of Parliamentary Privileges: Not codified but derived from various provisions, including: Article 105of the Constitution of India. Code of Civil Procedure, 1908. Parliamentary Conventions....Read More

Current Context : Recently, the Inter-State Council Secretariat updated its Standing Committee. Committee Composition: The revised committee has 12 members, including prominent Union Ministers like Amit Shah (Chairman), Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Nirmala Sitharaman.​ Other members include Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Virendra Kumar, and CR Patil, along with Chief Ministers from Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh​ Role of Inter-State Council: The Inter-State Council is a constitutional body that facilitates coordination between the Centre and states. It addresses issues related to Centre-State relations and is crucial for maintaining cooperative federalism in India.​Read More