General Studies Paper -2 Context: Public debt management is getting wider attention in Centre-State financial relations, against the backdrop of the recently constituted Sixteenth Union Finance Commission. About Kerala, had filed a suit in the Supreme Court of India against the Centre’s decision on the net borrowing ceiling of States. These recent developments relate to a clarion call for “asymmetric fiscal rules” relating to deficits and debts in India. Centre-State Financial Relations The Indian Constitution has all the features of a federation with the specification of financial powers and functional responsibilities of the Centre and the States . The Union....Read More

General Studies Paper -2 Context: In recent years, the frequency and intensity of disputes between the Union government and the States have increased. Federalism in India Meaning: Federalism refers to a vertical division of power in a political system. It is a system in which power is divided between a central authority and other constituents. For e.g. in India, political power is divided between the Central government, state governments and the institutions of local governance. Features of a federal system: Multiple levels of government:Federalism, by its very definition, requires multiple levels of government functioning within their defined territory. Division of....Read More

General Studies Paper -2 Context: A committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind submitted a report on the ‘One Nation One Election’ initiative to the President. Background Simultaneous Elections(One Nation One Election) refer to the idea of holding Lok Sabha and State legislative assembly elections together, with the aim of reducing the frequency of elections and their associated costs. Simultaneous elections in India to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies were held in the years 1951-52, 1957, 1962 and 1967.  Thereafter, the schedule could not be maintained and the elections to the Lok Sabha and the State legislative assembly....Read More

General Studies Paper -2 Context: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) celebrated its 19th Foundation Day on 12th March, 2024. About National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR was established in 2007under the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005. The commission’s mandate is to ensure that all laws, policies, programs and administrative systems conform to the vision of the rights of the child as enunciated in the Constitution of India as well as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.  A child is defined as a person falling in the age group of 0 to 18 years. Functions of....Read More

General Studies Paper -2 Context: The Law Commission of India has worked out three major Constitutional amendments to set the ground for the ‘One Nation, One Election’ project in 2029. The 22nd Law Commission, headed by former Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, is set to recommend the addition of a new chapter on simultaneous polls in the Constitution. Currently, Part XV of the Constitution deals with elections. It prescribes the role of the Election Commission and for elections to be based on adult suffrage among other aspects. The Commission is likely to recommend insertion of a new chapter, Part XVA, that would make provisions for simultaneous polls.....Read More

General Studies Paper -2 Context: President Droupadi Murmu has approved the Kerala Government’s Lok Ayukta Amendment Bill 2022. Highlights of the Bill The amendment sought to take away the Lok Ayukta’s powersto declare public servants ineligible to hold their positions if complaints of corruption and nepotism against them were proven. In the case of any unfavourable decision from the Lok Ayukta against the Chief Minister, the competent authority in the existing Act will now be the Assembly instead of the Governor. In the case of an MLA, the Speaker will be the competent authority. The competent authorities will also now have the option to accept or....Read More

General Studies Paper -2 Context: Recently, the Union Government has agreed to examine whether the provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution can be implemented in Ladakh’s context Background ü   The demand for inclusion in the Sixth Schedule came into prominence after Ladakh was carved out as a separate Union Territory from the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019.The move led to concerns among locals about potential loss of identity, resources, and bureaucratic overreach. Key Demands ü  These include statehood for Ladakh, safeguards under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, job reservation for the youth of Ladakh, and the creation of....Read More

General Studies Paper-2 Context: There is a growing recognition of the crucial link between local governance, development, and gender equality. About local self-governance In December 1992, Parliament passed the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments, which instituted panchayats and municipalities, These amendments mandated that State governments constitute panchayats (at the village, block and district levels) and municipalities (in the form of municipal corporations, municipal councils and nagar panchayats) in every region. They sought to institute a third-tier of governance in the federal framework through the devolution of functions, funds, and functionaries to local governments. The amendments to the Constitution ensured the reservation of one third....Read More

General Studies Paper-2 Context: The Supreme Court has struck down the Electoral Bonds Scheme. About the Judgement The apex court said that the Scheme is violative of the Right to Information under Article 19(1)(a). They also infringe on the principle of free and fair elections as stipulated in the constitution. SC also quashed the amendments made to the Income Tax Act and the Representation of People Act which made the donations anonymous. The SC also criticised the legal provision that allowed unlimited political contribution, saying it allowed companies with deep pockets to influence policy. The SBI shall submit details of electoral bonds purchased since April 12, 2019, to date to the....Read More

General Studies Paper -2 Context: The article discusses the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in India, focusing on Uttarakhand‘s plan to adopt it. It‘s debated for potentially impacting religious freedom and minorities. What is The Uniform Civil Code (UCC)? The UCC is a proposition to replace the personal laws, which are based on the scriptures and customs of different religious communities in India, with a common set of laws governing every citizen. What is Happening in Uttarakhand Regarding the UCC? Uttarakhand’s government is likely to pass the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill in its ongoing session. A state-appointed panel, led by Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, drafted the UCC, submitting the final report on February 2. The State Cabinet has approved this report. Specific changes include equal....Read More