Current Affair Category: Governance/Polity/Law

What are VVPATs? Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines are integral to the voting process in India. When a vote is cast using an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), the VVPAT machine prints a paper slip displaying the voter’s choice. This slip is visible for seven seconds through a glass panel, allowing the voter to […]

Introduction Direct benefit schemes like NYAY, PM-Kisan, and similar initiatives have taken center stage in political discourse, offering cash benefits to specific segments of society. Despite parallels with Universal Basic Income (UBI), these schemes differ significantly in scope and implementation, raising pertinent questions about their efficacy, affordability, and alignment with poverty alleviation strategies. The Charm […]

Introduction: Since January 1, truck drivers across states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh have staged protests, impacting roads, highways, and fuel supplies. This collective action arises from discontent over the newly implemented Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) concerning hit-and-run cases. Overview of the New Law: The recently enacted BNS replaces the colonial-era Indian Penal […]

Overview of the Issue Several social groups in Dehradun recently rallied for stricter land laws to curb extensive land sales to “outsiders” and to increase the residency duration required for non-Uttarakhand residents to attain domicile certificates. This demand arises from concerns about the erosion of local identity due to easy acquisition of land by non-residents. […]

Introduction: On December 30, 1971, pivotal legislative acts marked a transformative moment in India’s history, formally delineating the entity now recognized as Northeast India. The North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act and the North-Eastern Council Act laid the groundwork for what we now know as the Northeast, reshaping administrative boundaries and regional identities. Inception of Northeast India: […]

The recent nomination of Justice Sanjiv Khanna, the second senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, as the Executive Chairperson of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) underscores the commitment to providing accessible legal aid to the marginalized in society. Understanding NALSA’s Role: Established under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, NALSA serves the vital function […]

Introduction: The Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) of 1999 emerged as a pivotal successor to the former Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA) of 1973, marking a transition in India’s economic landscape following liberalization. Its inception aimed to adapt to evolving economic conditions, facilitating external trade, fostering the foreign exchange market’s orderly growth, and streamlining transactional […]

Who are PVTGs? Initially termed “Primitive Tribal Groups” and later renamed “Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups” (PVTGs), these communities, numbering around 28 lakh individuals, reside in 22,544 villages across 18 states and one Union Territory in India. They have distinct pre-agricultural lifestyles, low literacy rates, and subsistence economies, mainly inhabiting regions like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, […]

Understanding the Regulatory Landscape The issue of retailers charging customers for carry bags has been a contentious one, rooted in the absence of explicit legal provisions. A series of rulings by consumer courts has shed light on this gray area, sparking debates and raising questions about consumer rights and retailer practices. Origins and Regulatory Gaps […]

Introduction: The Gujarat Prohibition Act has seen recent relaxations within the precincts of GIFT City in Gandhinagar. However, exemptions allowing certain individuals across the state to obtain liquor permits remain intact. These provisions outline the categories eligible for legal alcohol consumption in Gujarat. Permit Categories and Eligibility Legal Drinking Age and Permit Categories: Individuals aged […]