Assam Delimitation 2023 Reduces Muslim-Majority Seats from 29 to 22, Illustrates Gerrymandering via 'Cracking' & 'Packing'

Delimitation Row: Tamil Nadu Seeks Freeze on 543 Lok Sabha Seats; 131st Amendment Bill to Raise to 850 Defeated

Delimitation after the 2026 census threatens to redraw Lok Sabha representation, triggering a federal vs democratic conflict. Tamil Nadu's resolution to freeze seats at 543 and the defeated 131st Amendment Bill (proposing 850 seats) highlight the core tension between population-based representation and protecting states that controlled population growth. This is a high-stakes polity issue for UPSC Mains and Prelims.

SC Seeks Clarity on 'Majority Within Political Party' Amid Shiv Sena Split; Hearing Continues

The Supreme Court is hearing the Shiv Sena faction dispute and has raised the need for a clear definition of 'majority within a political party.' This case has major implications for anti-defection law and the balance between political party control and legislative majority, a key topic for polity and governance exams.

Tamil Nadu Assembly Resolution: Freeze Lok Sabha at 543 Seats, Implement 33% Women's Quota from 2029

The Tamil Nadu Assembly has passed a resolution demanding a permanent freeze of Lok Sabha seats at 543 and implementation of 33% women's reservation from 2029, rejecting any linkage to delimitation. This highlights the ongoing north-south divide over representation and the stalled women's quota implementation.

Special Intensive Revision: 43.7% Voters Untraceable in 25 Urban Maharashtra Seats

Maharashtra's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls after 24 years reveals that over 40% of voters in 25 urban constituencies could not be traced, threatening their inclusion in the draft roll. This highlights systemic issues in urban voter registration and the challenges of maintaining accurate electoral rolls in high-mobility areas.

ECI SIR Process: 93% Inclusion Rate in WB Appeals; SC Hearing on Voter Deletions in Delhi & WB

The ECI's SIR process has led to massive disenfranchisement in West Bengal and Delhi. With only 3.2% of appeals disposed and 93% of those restored, the process is deeply flawed. The Supreme Court is hearing petitions; this has major implications for electoral integrity and universal adult franchise.

ECI Freezes Trinamool Congress Name & Symbol: 41% West Bengal Voters Affected, 'Party Theft' Alleged

ECI on September 17, 2026 froze the name and symbol of the Trinamool Congress due to rival faction claims. This action affects over 2.60 crore voters (41% of West Bengal electorate) and has been accused by opposition parties as 'party theft' and a sign of democratic decline, raising serious questions about the neutrality of the Election Commission.

SC Split Verdict on CEC/EC Appointment Act, 2023; Matter Referred to CJI for Constitution Bench

A two-judge Supreme Court bench has split on whether to refer the challenge to the CEC and ECs (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023 to a five-judge Constitution Bench. With Justice Dipankar Datta disagreeing with Justice S C Sharma, the case now goes to the CJI for constituting a larger bench. For aspirants, this is a direct link to Article 324, the Anoop Baranwal verdict, and the independence of the Election Commission.

Supreme Court Split Verdict: Justice Dipankar Datta Terms Centre's Remarks on Collegium 'Disquieting'

In a split verdict, Justice Dipankar Datta of the Supreme Court strongly defended the collegium system, terming the Centre's oral criticism as 'disingenuous, evasive and disquieting'. The judgment reaffirms the judiciary's independence in appointments and warns against undermining institutional integrity. Essential for UPSC Polity (Judicial Appointments, Separation of Powers).