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
Magna Carta
Context The Magna Carta (Latin for “Great Charter”) was signed on June 15, 1215, at Runnymede Meadows near London. Historical Context and Origin (1215) Sealed on 15 June 1215 by King John of England, following pressure from English barons who sought to limit the king’s arbitrary power. Barons, part of the feudal system, were key stakeholders as landholders providing knights and military service to the king.
Lateral Entry Policy Still Active
In News Union Minister Jitendra Singh clarified that the government has not given up on the idea of lateral entry into government departments. Lateral entry It refers to the hiring of specialists, including professionals from the private sector, to take up senior roles in the government. It aims to bring in fresh talent and strengthen middle management by appointing specialists with domain expertise for specific roles.
District & State Level Cells: Forest Rights Act, 2006
Context Recently, the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs has sanctioned the establishment of 324 district-level FRA cells and 17 state-level FRA cells under the Dharti Aba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyaan to ‘facilitate’ implementation of Forest Rights Act, 2006. What Are FRA Cells? FRA Cells are State and District-level administrative units created under the Dharti Aba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyaan (DAJGUA) to accelerate the implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006 (FRA).
50 Years of Emergency
Context The Allahabad High Courts June 12, 1975 verdict invalidating then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s 1971 election for electoral malpractices led to the proclamation of National Emergency on June 25, 1975. Procedure and Safeguards Cabinet Advice Requirement: The 44th Amendment Act mandates written recommendation by the Council of Ministers before the President can proclaim Emergency. Parliamentary Approval: Approval needed by both Houses within one month.
33% Seat Reservation for Women in Polls in India
Context The Indian government is preparing to implement a 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, aiming for the 2029 general elections. Concerns and Challenges Delayed Implementation: The reservation aims to take effect only after the Census in 2027 and delimitation process. Impact of Delimitation: The delimitation process has raised concerns among southern states.
Announcement of Census Dates
Context The Union government announced that the much delayed Census 2021 will be held in two phases beginning October 1, 2026 and March 1, 2027. About The census, typically conducted every ten years to update the National Population Register (NPR), was scheduled for 2021 but had to be postponed due to the Covid pandemic. The delimitation of constituencies for the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies is to be carried out on the basis of the first Census after 2026.
NITI Aayog and a Deepening Federalism in India
Over the past 11 years, India has embraced an era of cooperative and fiscal federalism. The Centre and state governments have actively collaborated on socioeconomic transformation to achieve shared goals.
Any Law Passed By Parliament Or State Legislature Can't Be Held To Be Contempt Of Court
In News While closing the 2007 Salwa Judum case, the Supreme Court recently observed that any law made by the Parliament or a State Legislature cannot be held to be an act of contempt of Court. Issues and Concerns Potential restriction on freedom of speech and expression (Article 19(1)(a)) Vagueness of definitions, especially scandalizing the court, which can be subjective. Potential for misuse to shield the judiciary from legitimate criticism.
New Regulations for Jobs and Domicile in Ladakh
Context The Centre has notified a series of regulations for Ladakh’s land, jobs, and cultural preservation, aimed at addressing concerns raised by the civil society in Ladakh over the past five years. Limitations of the new regulations No Constitutional Protection: Made under Article 240, these executive rules lack permanence and can be altered by the Centre anytime, unlike the constitutionally guaranteed Sixth Schedule. No Land Safeguards: Absence of restrictions on land ownership by non-domici
BPSC 71st CCE Exam Pattern & Syllabus 2025: Complete Guide for Prelims & Mains
Are you planning to appear for the BPSC 71st CCE (Combined Competitive Examination) 2025? Then understanding the BPSC exam pattern and syllabus is the first critical step. This guide brings you...
BPSC Physical and Medical Eligibility 2025: Full Guidelines for Male and Female Candidates
If you're planning to appear in the BPSC 71st CCE or any other Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) recruitment exam in 2025, understanding the BPSC physical and medical eligibility criteria is...
NAKSHA Initiative
Context The Ministry of Rural Development launched the second phase of the NAKSHA (NAtional geospatial Knowledge-based land Survey of urban HAbitations) programme. Why India Needs a NAKSHA-like Programme for Land Management? Fragmented Land Records System: India has a state-specific, inconsistent system of land record-keeping, often using outdated manual records causing ownership disputes, legal uncertainty for buyers, investors, and institutions.
Safeguarding Personality and Publicity Rights
Context Recently, the Delhi High Court has issued a ruling safeguarding the personality and publicity rights of the founder of Isha Foundation. Judicial Precedents Jackie Shroff Case (2024): Delhi HC restrained unauthorised use of his persona by AI chatbots and e-commerce platforms. Krishna Kishore Singh v.
Karnataka’s Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Ordinance, 2025
In News Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Ordinance, 2025 was passed for establishing a legal framework for protecting and supporting gig workers across the state. Who are Gig workers? Section 2(35) of the Code on Social Security, 2020 defines a gig worker as “a person who participates in a work arrangement and earns from such activities outside of a traditional employer–employee relationship.” In the recent report titled India’s Booming Gig and Platform Economy,
First Batch of Female Cadets Graduates from NDA
Context Recently, the first batch of 17 female cadets graduated alongside over 300 male counterparts from the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Pune. Arguments Favoring Women in Defense Sector Gender Equality in Armed Forces: Allowing women into NDA promotes inclusivity and equal opportunities in defense services. Expanding Talent Pool: Women bring diverse skills and perspectives, strengthening the military’s operational effectiveness.
Appraisal of CSSs and CSs Ahead of the 16th Finance Commission Cycle
In News The Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance has initiated a comprehensive exercise to appraise and approve Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSSs) and Central Sector Schemes (CSs) for continuation post March 2026. About The foundation of this appraisal exercise lies in the 2016 Union Budget, which formally introduced the policy of assigning a sunset clause and outcome-based evaluation for every centrally funded scheme. The goal was to ensure that no scheme continues indefinitely withou
Government Notifies Inter-services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Rules, 2025
In News The Ministry of Defence recently notified the Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control Discipline) Rules, 2025, under the Inter-Services Organisations (ISO) Act, 2023. Background The ISO Act, 2023 was enacted to enable smoother functioning of joint defence structures like Joint Commands and Inter-Service Establishments. The newly notified rules, effective from May 27, 2025, operationalise the Act by specifying how command and disciplinary powers will be exercised within Inter-Servi
Government mulls 15-year Stay Requirement for Ladakh Domicile Tag
Context The Union Government is considering a new policy for Ladakh under which citizens who have had a continuous 15-year stay in the region, beginning 2019, will be considered domiciles. Background Ladakh became a Union Territory in 2019 without a Legislative Assembly after Article 370 of the Constitution was read down by the Parliament. A year later, the region comprising Buddhist-dominated Leh and Muslim-dominated Kargil district, erupted in protests pressing forth constitutional safeguards
Jal Jeevan Scheme: MPs Flag ‘Irregularities’
In News Several MPs have called for an investigation into alleged irregularities in the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission, particularly concerning inflated contracts and cost overruns. Challenges The mission faces several challenges, such as a lack of dependable water sources in certain areas, groundwater contamination, uneven geographical terrain, scattered rural habitations, and delays in obtaining statutory clearances etc. Issues have been raised for long-standing water shortages and m
Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI)
Context Recently, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has launched the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) as part of the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) to safeguard financial systems and telecom infrastructure. About Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) FRI is a risk-based metric that classifies mobile numbers into three categories—Medium, High, or Very High risk—based on their likelihood of being involved in fraudulent activities. This classification is derived from multiple data