J&K DDCs Complete Term: Constitutional Debate Over 73rd/74th Amendment Local Governance Model

AP High Court Declares Three-Capitals Petitions Infructuous; Amaravati Now Sole Capital Under AP Reorganisation (Amendment) Act 2026

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has deemed all petitions against the proposed three-capitals model as infructuous after Parliament amended the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, making Amaravati the sole capital by law. This ends a long-standing political and legal battle, with implications for state governance and federal structure.

Constitution 131st Amendment Bill: Lok Sabha Expansion to 850 Seats, Tamil Nadu Parties Divided

The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, which sought to increase Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 850 and enable fresh delimitation before 2029, failed to secure the required two-thirds majority. Tamil Nadu's political parties remain divided, with the DMK demanding a freeze on seats based on the 1971 Census for 25 more years. This issue tests federal principles and the balance of political representation, making it critical for UPSC polity and governance preparation.

Andhra Pradesh Restores Direct Election of Mayors & Chairpersons via Municipal Laws Amendment Bill 2026

The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly has restored the direct election of Mayors and Chairpersons of Urban Local Bodies by amending the Municipal Corporations Act, 1955 and the Municipalities Act, 1965. This structural reform reverses the indirect election system in place since 2005 and strengthens democratic accountability at the urban local governance level.

Maharashtra Panel Recommends BNS Amendment for Social Media Defamation After 11 Years of 66A

A Maharashtra government committee has recommended amending the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) to specifically criminalize defamatory social media posts, 11 years after the Supreme Court struck down Section 66A of the IT Act. The move aims to tackle online defamation while incorporating safeguards against misuse, but faces legal scrutiny over potential conflict with free speech rights under Article 19(1)(a).

J&K High Court Quashes PSA Detention Over Bovine Transport: Holds Procedural Lapses Violate Constitutional Guarantee

Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court quashed preventive detention under Public Safety Act for bovine transport, citing lack of subjective satisfaction on public order impact and non-communication of the right to make representation to the detaining authority. The ruling reinforces that procedural safeguards in preventive detention are mandatory and must be strictly complied with.

West Bengal Inter-University Transfer Bill Sparks Debate on University Autonomy vs State Control

The West Bengal Assembly passed an Inter-University Transfer Bill allowing the Governor to transfer teachers unilaterally, raising serious constitutional and legal questions about university autonomy. This move exemplifies the 'control model' of higher education that the first University Education Commission (1949) warned against, and could be struck down for targeting specific individuals and violating contractual rights.

Rajasthan HC: Judicial Infrastructure Constitutional Duty, Not Govt Favour; Cites Article 21

The Rajasthan High Court has ruled that providing adequate judicial infrastructure is a constitutional duty of the state, not a favour. The court rejected financial constraints as an excuse, linking infrastructure to Article 21 (right to life and liberty), and ordered restoration of its Jodhpur building's Central Dome, which IIT Bombay found to be in imminent danger of collapse.

Parliament Passes Mines and Minerals Amendment Act 2026 Overriding SC Ruling, Extinguishes Rs 2 Lakh Cr Dues

The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026 restricts states from imposing specified levies on mineral rights and extinguishes ~Rs 2 lakh crore in unpaid dues. Mineral-rich states like Odisha and Jharkhand oppose it as a blow to federal fiscal autonomy, potentially losing thousands of crores annually. This reverses the financial impact of a landmark 2024 Supreme Court ruling that had empowered states to tax mineral-bearing lands.