Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Act, 2026 Bars NDPS Act-Charged Individuals from Panchayat Elections

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.

Himachal Pradesh High Court Strikes Down State Role in Agri V-C Picks, Mandates UGC 2018 Norms

The HP High Court struck down the 2025 amendments that gave the state government a decisive role in appointing V-Cs of agricultural universities, declaring them ultra vires the Constitution and UGC Act, 1956. Fresh selection must now follow Clause 7.3 of UGC Regulations, 2018. This is a high-yield example for federalism, judicial review, and university governance.

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.

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).

Madhya Pradesh High Court Quashes Non-Speaking Order, Restores 50% Pension to Govt Employee

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has quashed a punishment order withholding 50% pension of a government employee, holding that the disciplinary authority must pass a reasoned (speaking) order and consider the employee's defence. This reinforces the principle of natural justice and the requirement of speaking orders in disciplinary proceedings, a key concept for administrative law.

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.

Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill 2026: Centre Restricts States' Mineral Levies After SC 2024 Verdict

The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill 2026, passed by Parliament, restricts states from imposing additional levies on mineral rights and mineral-bearing land, effectively overriding the Supreme Court's 2024 judgment that upheld states' power to tax mineral rights. This reignites Centre-state tensions, especially with mineral-rich states like Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, potentially impacting their fiscal autonomy and federal balance.