UP Panchayat Polls 2026: 12.58 Crore Voters, SVIN IDs & Triple Test for OBC Reservation

2.08 Crore Maharashtra Voters May Be Left Out of Aug 24 SIR Draft Roll Due to Enumeration Gap

Over 2.08 crore (21.25%) of Maharashtra's 9.79 crore voters may be excluded from the August 24 draft electoral roll due to uncollected enumeration forms during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). This is a draft and voters have until September 23 to seek inclusion. The issue is acute in urban districts like Thane, Mumbai, and Pune.

Karnataka SIR Draft Rolls: 1.08 Crore Deletions (19.5%), 5 Bengaluru Constituencies Lose >50% Voters

Karnataka's draft electoral rolls after Special Intensive Revision (SIR) show unprecedented 1.08 crore deletions (19.5% reduction), with five Bengaluru constituencies losing over 50% of voters. Transparency concerns raised as deletion lists are not easily accessible and gender-wise data withheld. The EP ratio remains unreleased, raising questions about electoral roll accuracy.

Allahabad HC Quashes Goonda Act Externment Order, Flags Misuse by UP Govt

The Allahabad High Court has severely criticised the Uttar Pradesh government for misusing the Uttar Pradesh Control of Goondas Act as a tool of harassment. The court quashed an externment order against a man based on an acquitted case and an unverified beat report, highlighting violations of natural justice. This raises critical questions about the misuse of stringent state laws, relevant for understanding judicial review, preventive detention, and state policing in India.

SC Flags UP Gangsters Act as 'Stillborn' Law, Warns of Unbridled Executive Power

The Supreme Court has severely criticised the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters Act, 1986, calling it a 'stillborn' law that creates no distinct offence but punishes individuals as 'gangsters' through executive discretion. The ruling exposes the potential for misuse against innocent citizens, whistleblowers, and lawyers, while leaving the constitutional validity of the Act open for future challenge.

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.

Rajasthan HC: Govt Employee Resigning to Contest Polls Cannot Seek Reinstatement Under CCS Rules 2021

The Rajasthan High Court ruled that a government employee who voluntarily resigns to contest assembly elections cannot claim reinstatement after losing the election, as contesting polls does not constitute a 'material change in circumstances' under Rule 26(5) of the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2021. The judgment upholds the mandatory principle of political neutrality for civil servants under the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964.

EC Data: 22.21 Lakh West Bengal Excluded Voters Filed SIR Appeals in SC

The Election Commission revealed in the Supreme Court that over 22.21 lakh voters excluded during West Bengal's electoral roll revision have appealed their removal. This case is crucial for understanding the EC's powers, electoral roll accuracy, and the judicial oversight of election processes—key topics for UPSC Polity and State PSC exams.

KPSC Scam: Chairman Sahukar’s 7-Year Tenure, Irregular Appointments & Political Shield Exposed

This investigation into the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) reveals how Chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar, appointed in 2019 despite red flags, ran the commission for seven years with alleged irregularities including leaked papers, patronage appointments, and political shielding by both BJP and Congress governments. The case exposes systemic weaknesses in PSC appointments and the lack of accountability for constitutional body heads.