vdAdmin October 5, 2026
Foreigners’ Right to Enter India: Delhi High Court
Foreigners’ Right to Enter India: Delhi High Court Why in News? The Delhi High Court held that possessing a valid visa does not give a foreign national an inherent or legally enforceable right to enter India. Case: A citizen of Turkmenistan, despite holding a valid business visa, was denied entry at Delhi Airport. Her husband, […]
vdAdmin October 5, 2026
Panchayati Raj Institutions: Fiscal Dependence
Why in News? The RBI report on the finances of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) for 2022–23 highlights their severe dependence on Central and State government grants and their limited ability to raise their own revenue. Key Findings: Panchayats generated ₹35,354 crore total revenue in 2022–23. Only ₹737 crore came from own tax revenue — about 2% of total revenue. ₹1,494 crore came from non-tax revenue. ₹24,699 crore came from Central government grants. […]
vdAdmin October 1, 2026
UPSC Completes 100 Years: Evolution, Constitutional Status and Reforms
Why in News? The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) completes 100 years on 1 October 2026. It traces its origin to the establishment of the Public Service Commission on 1 October 1926, making it one of the oldest institutions associated with merit-based recruitment to public services in India. Over the past century, the institution has evolved from an advisory recruitment […]
vdAdmin September 30, 2026
Status of Policing in India Report (SPIR) 2026,
Source: Status of Policing in India Report (SPIR) 2026 | Lokniti-CSDS & Common Cause Why in News? The Status of Policing in India Report (SPIR) 2026, based on a survey of 8,306 citizens across 16 States, examines the role of bribery and personal influence in obtaining police action in cybercrime cases. Key Findings: 49% of cybercrime victims complained to the police. […]
vdAdmin September 29, 2026
Abolition of “Tom-Tom” Public Announcements in Kerala/केरल में “टॉम-टॉम” द्वारा सार्वजनिक उद्घोषणा की समाप्ति:
Why in News? The Kerala High Court’s Rules Committee has decided to remove the provision requiring traditional “tom-tom” and “kinnam mutti vilambaram” for publicising property attachment proceedings. The move seeks to replace an archaic method of public notification with modern means of communication such as notices, newspapers and digital platforms. What is “Tom-Tom”? Tom-tom refers to the practice of making public announcements through drum […]
vdAdmin September 28, 2026
Election Commission of India: Appointment, Independence & Removal/भारत निर्वाचन आयोग: नियुक्ति, स्वतंत्रता एवं पद से हटाना
Why in News? On 23 September 2026, Opposition parties sought the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar following an Indian Express investigation that reported 14 formal objections recorded by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi over the preceding 10 months. The development has renewed debate over the independence, appointment and accountability of the Election Commission of India (ECI). Constitutional Basis: Article […]
vdAdmin September 28, 2026
Daily UPSC Current Affairs : 28 Sep 2026/Should Voting Be a Fundamental Right? Why in News? A recent Indian Express investigation highlighted concerns over electoral-roll management, including the exclusion of 97 eligible voters in Goa due to limitations in the ECINet system. The issue has renewed debate over the legal status of the right to vote and whether it should be elevated from a statutory right to a fundamental right. Constitutional Basis of Voting: Article 326: Provides for elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies on the basis of adult suffrage. Every Indian citizen 18 years or above, subject to legal disqualifications, is eligible to be registered as a voter. Article 325: Provides for one general electoral roll and prohibits exclusion on grounds only of religion, race, caste or sex. India adopted universal adult suffrage from the beginning of the Republic, unlike many Western democracies where voting rights expanded gradually. Evolution of Universal Adult Suffrage: India chose immediate and universal political inclusion, irrespective of: Gender Caste Religion Education Property Sukumar Sen, India’s first Chief Election Commissioner, introduced election symbols to make elections accessible to a largely illiterate electorate. This reflected the constitutional vision of democratic equality. Legal Status of Right to Vote: The Constituent Assembly rejected the proposal to include voting as a Fundamental Right. Kuldip Nayar v. Union of India (2006): Supreme Court held that the right to elect is a statutory right under Section 62 of the RPA, 1951. It is neither a Fundamental Right nor a Constitutional Right. Rajbala v. State of Haryana (2015): A two-judge Bench referred to the right to vote as a constitutional right, but the larger Bench position in Kuldip Nayar prevails. Anoop Baranwal v. Union of India (2023): Majority did not reopen the issue. Justice Ajay Rastogi’s dissent linked the right to vote with Article 19(1)(a) and the essence of Article 21. Why Accurate Electoral Rolls Matter: Accurate electoral rolls are essential for free and fair elections. Errors may cause: Disenfranchisement of eligible voters Inclusion of ineligible voters Duplicate entries Impersonation Dilution of the principle of “one person, one vote” Section 21, RPA 1950: Provides for preparation and revision of electoral rolls. Section 19, RPA 1950: Eligibility requires a person to be 18 years or above, ordinarily resident in the constituency and not otherwise disqualified. Role of Election Commission: Article 324: Gives the ECI powers of superintendence, direction and control over elections. Under the 2023 Act governing the Election Commission: Commission business should, as far as possible, be conducted unanimously. Where Commissioners differ, the matter is decided by majority. Thus, institutional decision-making and transparency are crucial for electoral credibility. Goa Electoral-Roll Issue: 97 eligible voters were reportedly excluded from the electoral rolls. The concern was not merely a clerical mistake but the alleged inability of Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) to reverse certain deletions through the centralised software. This raises questions about: Digital governance and accountability Centralisation of electoral administration Human oversight over automated systems Protection against wrongful disenfranchisement Judicial Approach to Electoral-Roll Errors: Courts have generally distinguished between minor/isolated errors and substantial systemic irregularities that materially affect an election. Lakshmi Charan Sen v. A.K.M. Hassan Uzzaman (1985): Recognised the role political parties can play in ensuring inclusion of eligible voters and removal of ineligible names. Should the Right to Vote Become a Fundamental Right? Arguments in favour: Voting is central to democracy and political equality. Stronger constitutional protection would make arbitrary restrictions more difficult. Wrongful exclusion directly affects citizens’ participation in governance. Digitalisation of electoral processes requires stronger rights-based safeguards. It would strengthen judicial review and accountability. Arguments against: Elections necessarily require reasonable statutory regulation. Voter eligibility, registration and disqualification need detailed legislation. Making voting a Fundamental Right could increase judicial intervention in electoral administration. The Constitution deliberately placed adult suffrage under Article 326, rather than Part III. Way Forward: Ensure human oversight over centralised electoral software. Provide EROs with effective mechanisms to correct wrongful deletions. Strengthen audit trails, transparency and grievance-redressal mechanisms. Conduct periodic independent audits of electoral databases. Ensure that technology facilitates, rather than restricts, the citizen’s right to be counted. Consider a larger constitutional examination of the legal status of voting in light of democracy, free and fair elections and the basic structure doctrine. UPSC Mains Question: “The right to vote in India is presently a statutory right, yet it constitutes the foundation of democratic participation.” Discuss whether it should be elevated to the status of a Fundamental Right.
Should Voting Be a Fundamental Right? Why in News? A recent Indian Express investigation highlighted concerns over electoral-roll management, including the exclusion of 97 eligible voters in Goa due to limitations in the ECINet system. The issue has renewed debate over the legal status of the right to vote and whether it should be elevated from a statutory right to a fundamental right. […]
vdAdmin September 24, 2026
Election Commission of India/भारत निर्वाचन आयोग: आंतरिक मतभेद एवं निर्वाचक नामावली प्रबंधन
Why in News? An Indian Express investigation reported that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded at least 14 formal objections over 10 months regarding certain decisions and procedures of the Election Commission of India (ECI). The issue has raised questions about collective decision-making, electoral-roll management and centralisation of election technology. Constitutional Framework: The Election Commission of India (ECI) is a […]
vdAdmin September 23, 2026
Supreme Court on Vande Mataram and Freedom of Conscience
Why in News? The Supreme Court on 22 September 2026 heard a petition challenging the 2026 amendment to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 and government directions concerning the singing of Vande Mataram. A three-judge Bench headed by CJI Surya Kant sought the Centre’s response. The Court indicated that the issue of imposing criminal consequences on a person who, due to genuine […]
vdAdmin September 22, 2026
Article 371K: Proposed Special Constitutional Safeguards for Ladakh/अनुच्छेद 371K: लद्दाख के लिए प्रस्तावित विशेष संवैधानिक संरक्षण:
Why in News? The Union Government has proposed inserting a new Article 371K in the Constitution to provide special constitutional safeguards for Ladakh. The proposal follows an “in-principle understanding” between the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and representatives of the Apex Body, Leh (ABL) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA). The proposed framework envisages a directly elected Union Territory-level body with legislative, executive, financial and planning powers. The […]
October 5, 2026
October 5, 2026
