130th Constitution Amendment Bill: JPC to Adopt Report on Automatic Removal of Ministers After 30-Day Detention

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.

FCRA Amendment Bill 2026 Sent to 31-Member JPC; Report Due by Winter Session 2026

The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, has been referred to a 31-member Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) amid strong opposition protests. The bill proposes tighter government oversight over foreign funding of NGOs and a designated authority to manage assets of defunct organisations. The government denies it targets minorities, while the JPC must submit its report by the first week of the 2026 Winter Session.

WB CM Reports 23,000 CAA Certificates Issued; MHA Transfers Processing to District Collectors

West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari announced 23,000 CAA certificates distributed out of 2.3 lakh applications. MHA has shifted processing from Empowered Committees to District Collectors in 8 states/UTs to fast-track citizenship grants, fulfilling a key election promise by PM Modi.

FCRA Amendment Bill 2026: Automatic Asset Seizure on Lapse of Registration Referred to JPC

The FCRA Amendment Bill 2026 proposes automatic takeover of all assets built with foreign funds if an organisation's registration lapses, is refused renewal, or is cancelled. This has alarmed minority religious institutions, leading to protests and referral to a Joint Parliamentary Committee. The bill lacks any provision for a hearing or appeal against renewal refusal, raising concerns over transparency and fairness.

One Nation One Election: Simultaneous Lok Sabha and State Assembly Polls Possible by 2029 - JPC Chairman Chaudhary

The JPC on 'One Nation, One Election' has indicated that simultaneous Lok Sabha and State Assembly polls are feasible by 2029 if the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024 is passed by 2028 and state governments voluntarily dissolve their assemblies. This is a major structural reform that revives the pre-1967 electoral cycle, with 99% public support claimed by the panel.

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.

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.

SC Strength Increased to 38 Judges: Will It Reduce Pendency and Free Up Constitution Benches?

Parliament has passed a bill increasing Supreme Court judge strength from 34 to 38, aimed at enabling regular Constitution Benches and reducing case backlog (92,101 cases pending as of Jan 1, 2026). However, past Law Commission reports question if more judges alone can solve pendency, and the real impact depends on filling vacancies and judicial management.