Delimitation Freeze Based on 1971 Census Extended to 2026, Creating Malapportionment and Electoral Weight Imbalance Under Articles 81 & 82

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.

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.

Article 249 Extended to J&K via 1954 Order Amendment Amid Suspended Assembly

This 1986 event shows how the Centre used Article 249 to legislate for J&K during President's Rule, highlighting the constitutional mechanism for central intervention in state subjects. Essential for understanding J&K's pre-370 abrogation dynamics and the application of Article 249 in national interest.

Delimitation Debate: Need for Consensus on Lok Sabha Seat Redrawing, Precedents from 1976 and 2001

Delimitation of constituencies is a critical constitutional process that will reshape India's representative system. The government is urged to build consensus through all-party meetings, following the precedent of unanimous decisions in 1976 and 2001, rather than pushing through legislation without debate.

SC Quashes All NEET Protest FIRs Under CJI Surya Kant; Raises Selective Justice Issue on Right to Peaceful Protest

The Supreme Court quashed all FIRs against NEET student protesters, affirming the constitutional right to peaceful protest. However, the editorial raises concerns about selective justice, noting that cases against factory workers, CAA protesters, and farmers remain pending, potentially criminalizing dissent based on the protester's identity.

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.

Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act Amended: Insulting 'Vande Mataram' Now Punishable by 3 Years

Parliament has passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, making insult to the national song 'Vande Mataram' punishable with up to three years imprisonment. The amendment expands the 1971 Act, but data shows extremely low conviction rates (60 convictions out of 1,102 arrests between 2014-2024), raising concerns about misuse and a contradiction with the government's decriminalisation agenda under the Jan Vishwas Act.

Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 2026 Passed in Lok Sabha: Digital Records Now Admissible Evidence

Lok Sabha passed the Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 2026, replacing the 1891 Act, to make digital and virtual records admissible as evidence in courts. The bill was passed by voice vote without debate amid Opposition protests. This reform updates colonial-era banking evidence law for the digital age.