Forest ServicesPolity
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
361 articles in this topic
Articles on Government Policy
Twenty Years of Right To Information (RTI)
The Right to Information (RTI) Act, which once empowered the ordinary Indian to challenge the extraordinary opacity of governance, facing the challenges of erosion of its power, governance and others.
India Needs a National Mission For Urban Roads
India’s urban roads have deteriorated significantly, marked by potholes, broken footpaths, unplanned utilities, and flooding.
Supreme Court on Retrospective Application of Surrogacy Act
In News In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court ruled that the age restrictions under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, cannot be applied retrospectively to couples who had frozen embryos and initiated the surrogacy process before the Act came into force. SC Observations Doctrine of Fairness: Retrospective laws that impair vested rights or impose new burdens violate the principle of fairness and legal certainty. Right to Privacy and Bodily Autonomy: Derived from K.S.
e-Governance: Digital Transformation of Governance in India
Context The evolution of e-governance in India has reshaped governance from a top-down administrative model into a participatory, transparent, and citizen-centric ecosystem. About e-Governance in India It represents a paradigm shift in how the government interacts with citizens, businesses, and other arms of the state. India has reimagined governance to be more transparent, efficient, and citizen-centric by leveraging Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
Why Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Is Crucial for India’s Courts?
Context India’s judicial system is grappling with an unprecedented backlog underscoring the urgent need for alternative mechanisms to ensure timely delivery of justice. Constitutional and Legal Basis of ADR Article 39A: It mandates the State to ensure equal justice and free legal aid. Section 89 of the Code of Civil Procedure (1908): ADR processes such as arbitration, conciliation, mediation, and judicial settlement (Lok Adalat) derive statutory recognition from Section 89 CPC.
NCRB 2023 Report Highlights Alarming Trends of Road Accidents in India
Context According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), India recorded 4,64,029 road accidents in 2023, leading to 1,73,826 deaths and 4.47 lakh injuries. Key Findings Nearly 46% of the victims were two-wheeler riders, reflecting the vulnerability of motorcyclists in India’s traffic ecosystem.
National Initiative on Water Security
In News The Government of India has launched the ‘National Initiative on Water Security,’ making water conservation a top national priority and introducing mandatory minimum spending on water-related works under MGNREGA. What Qualifies as Water Conservation Works? Construction of check dams, farm ponds, community tanks, and percolation tanks.
Driving Digital Transformation in Gram Panchayats
Context The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) has launched a series of digital reforms to strengthen Gram Panchayats. Need for the Digital Transformation of Villages Bridging the Digital Divide: Rural India still faces low internet penetration and digital illiteracy, digital transformation helps ensure inclusive growth and reduces inequality. Improved Governance and Service Delivery: Digital platforms enable direct benefit transfers (DBT), e-Governance, and online grievance redressal.
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