Polity
Government Policy
Welcome to the dedicated section on Government Policy, a cornerstone of your UPSC Civil Services Examination preparation, falling under the broader umbrella of Polity and Governance. In the Indian administrative context
373 articles in this topic
Articles on Government Policy
Custodial Deaths in India
Context The Supreme Court castigated the Madhya Pradesh government and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for failing to arrest two police officers allegedly responsible for the custodial death of a 25-year-old. Custodial Deaths in India According to the National Human Rights Commission, there were 11,650 deaths in custody in India between 2016 and 2022. Magisterial Inquiries: A 2023 analysis of NHRC and government data reveals between 2017 and 2022, only 345 magisterial inquiries were or
Karnataka HC Rejects X Corp’s Censorship Plea
Context The Karnataka High Court dismissed a petition filed by X Corp challenging the Indian government’s use of Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the Sahyog Portal for content takedown orders. About The company had argued that the powers exercised under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000 were unconstitutional and that only Section 69A, along with the IT (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking Access of Information by Public) Rules, 2009, provided
Personality Rights
Context The Delhi High Court has recently issued a series of orders protecting the personality rights of Bollywood celebrities from unauthorised commercial use. What are Personality Rights? Personality rights refer to the right of a person to protect his/her personality under the right to privacy or property.
Ladakh Statehood Protests
Context Violent youth protests in Ladakh demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status have led to four deaths and over 30 injuries. Background: From UT Status to Unrest August 2019: Ladakh was separated from Jammu Kashmir and made a Union Territory without a legislature, unlike Jammu Kashmir. Initially, many Ladakhis welcomed the move, hoping for better governance and development.
Visakhapatnam Declaration on E-Governance
Context The Visakhapatnam Declaration on E-Governance, adopted at the 28th National Conference on e-Governance held in Visakhapatnam. Key Highlights Co-hosted By: Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), and the Government of Andhra Pradesh. Theme: Viksit Bharat: Civil Service and Digital Transformation with a vision of Minimum Government, Maximum Governance.
Need To Decriminalise Defamation
Context Recently, the Supreme Court of India has remarked that it is ‘high time’ to reconsider the criminalisation of defamation. About Defamation in India It refers to any spoken, written, or published statement that harms the reputation of an individual or group. It can be directed at both living persons and the deceased, where harm to the family or immediate relatives is considered relevant.
SC Rejects Plea to Bring Political Parties Under POSH Act
Context The Supreme Court declined to take into consideration a plea seeking to extend the ambit of the Protection of Women from Sexual Harassment at Workplace (POSH) Act to include political parties, observing that such organisations cannot be classified as workplaces under the law. Background In Centre for Constitutional Rights Research and Advocacy v State of Kerala Ors (2022) the Kerala High Court ruled that political parties do not have a conventional employer-employee relationship and cann
SC Upheld Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025
Context The Supreme Court has upheld the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 while striking down few provisions and balancing state regulation with minority rights. Key changes SC has incorporated into the Act Practicing Islam: The Court’s most significant intervention concerns Section 3(r), which requires anyone creating a waqf to demonstrate they have been practising Islam for at least five years. The court stayed the provision until the government frames rules for determining religious practice.
The SC issued Guidelines for Cases where DNA Evidence is Involved
Context The Supreme Court, in Kattavellai @ Devakar v. State of Tamil Nadu, recently issued guidelines to maintain the integrity of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) samples in criminal cases. Significance of DNA Evidence in Criminal Cases DNA is a molecule that encodes the genetic information in all living organisms.
Why Smart Cities Have Turned Into Sinking Streets?
A decade after the launch of the Smart Cities Mission (SCM), which aimed to transform 100 Indian cities into models of efficiency and sustainability, the floods in several Indian cities revealed the fragile infrastructure and selective beautification, instead of resilient cities.
CBSE Eases APAAR ID Rule for Board Students
Context The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has provided partial relaxations to schools regarding the submission of APAAR IDs linked to the List of Candidates (LOC) data for Classes 10 and 12. What is APAAR? The Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) is an initiative under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and aligned with the National Credit and Qualifications Framework (NCrF).
Revisiting RTI in the Age of Data Protection
Context The amendment to the RTI Act through the Digital Personal Data Protection law has sparked concerns over dilution of transparency and citizens’ fundamental right to information. About Right to Information Act (RTI), 2005 Aim: It was designed to promote transparency in the functioning of the government by giving citizens the right to access information from public authorities. Scope: The Act applies to public authorities, which include government departments, ministries, and organizations
Kerala’s Urban Policy Commission(KUPC): Lessons for India
Context Recently, Kerala Cabinet decided to tackle the rapid urbanisation with the Kerala Urban Policy Commission (KUPC), in response to projections indicating that over 80% of Kerala will be urbanised by 2050, outpacing the countrys average. About the Kerala Urban Policy Commission (KUPC) It is India’s first State-level urban commission, was set up in December 2023, with a 25-year roadmap for reimagining cities as climate-aware, people-centred ecosystems.
Aadhaar Should Be Treated as Valid Proof for SIR Exercise: Supreme Court
Context Recently, the Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to accept Aadhaar as a valid identity document for the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. About Aadhaar It was launched in 2009 and later given statutory backing through the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016, passed as a Money Bill in Parliament. It empowered the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) unde
Frame Guidelines To Regulate Social Media
Context The Supreme Court urged the Union government to frame guidelines for regulating social media, noting that influencers often commercialise free speech in ways that may offend the sentiments of vulnerable groups. Way Ahead The focus of laws can be directed only on hate speech, incitement to violence, and deliberate misinformation. A transparent and independent oversight body can review the content takedown cases.
Supreme Court Order on Regulatory Assets of DISCOM
Context The Supreme Court recently directed the State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs) and distribution companies (DISCOMs) to clear their accumulated regulatory assets within a fixed timeframe. What are regulatory assets? Regulatory assets are the unrecoverable revenue gap due to the difference between the average cost of supply (ACS), the expense incurred by a DISCOM to deliver a unit of electricity to consumers, and the Annual Revenue Requirement (ARR).
India’s Maritime Reforms: A Call for Course Correction
Recent passage of the several bills and acts related to India’s maritime governance are intended to align India’s maritime framework with global standards, but carry significant concerns regarding federalism, ownership safeguards, and burdens on smaller players.
Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025
In News The Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 comes into effect bringing a comprehensive overhaul of India’s immigration and foreigner management regime. Key Provisions of the Act Consolidation of Laws: The Act repeals and replaces the Foreigners Act (1946), Registration of Foreigners Act (1939), Passport (Entry into India) Act (1920), and Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act (2000), establishing a unified legal framework for immigration. Entry, stay, and exit of foreigners are now governed
Rajasthan Proposes New Anti-Conversion Bill
Context The Rajasthan government has announced stringent provisions under its proposed Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2025. Key Provisions of the New Bill General offences: Unlawful conversions will invite imprisonment of seven to fourteen years and a minimum fine of ₹5 lakh. (Earlier: one to five years and ₹15,000 fine).
Road Accidents in India 2023 Report
Context Recently, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) released its Road Accidents in India 2023 report following a Supreme Courts direction after several delays. Key Causes of Road Accidents Overspeeding (68%): The leading cause of fatalities. Driving beyond speed limits reduces reaction time and increases impact severity.