Category: Polity

Sikkim Police received the prestigious President’s Police Colour from Droupadi Murmu at Paljor Stadium. Also known as the Nishaan, the President’s Police Colour is the highest ceremonial honour awarded to a State or Central police force for exceptional service, bravery and professionalism. With this recognition, Sikkim became the 15th state in India and the third … Continue reading President’s Police Colour Conferred on Sikkim Police

Under the Assam Uniform Civil Code Bill 2026, members of Scheduled Tribes are exempted from the provisions of the Code. The exemption is based on Article 366(25), which defines Scheduled Tribes, read with Article 342 of the Constitution of India, which empowers the President to specify Scheduled Tribes for each State and Union Territory. The … Continue reading Article 366(25) and Article 342 Safeguard Scheduled Tribes from Assam UCC

Assam will conduct Phase-I of Census 2027 from August 17 to September 15, 2026, while the self-enumeration facility through the official census portal will be available from August 2 to August 16. To ensure smooth implementation, the Directorate of Census Operations, Assam has appointed two national trainers, 59 master trainers and 1,109 field trainers for … Continue reading Census 2027 Phase-I to Begin in Assam from August 17

The National Diet Building in Nagatacho, Tokyo, recently became the site of large-scale demonstrations against proposals for constitutional revision and expansion of Japan’s military role. Completed in 1936, the 65-metre-tall neoclassical structure houses Japan’s bicameral legislature—the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors—and serves as the centre of the country’s legislative authority. Protesters expressed … Continue reading National Diet Building and Protests in Japan

Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that Assam has been witnessing demographic changes for a long time and welcomed the Centre’s decision to constitute a high-level committee to study the issue nationwide. Amit Shah announced that the committee, headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Prakash Prabhakar Naolekar, will examine demographic changes across India arising from “illegal … Continue reading Demographic Change Committee Announced by the Centre

Madhya Pradesh has already adopted a resolution supporting one-third reservation for women in Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies. Following this, Ajanta Neog tabled a similar resolution in the Assam Legislative Assembly seeking implementation of women’s reservation after completion of the delimitation exercise. The resolution highlighted that increased political participation and adequate representation of women are … Continue reading Madhya Pradesh and Women’s Reservation Resolution

The Assam Uniform Civil Code Bill 2026 is a 153-page legislation divided into four parts dealing with Marriage and Divorce, Succession, Live-in Relationships and Miscellaneous provisions. Under the section on live-in relationships, the Bill makes registration compulsory for partners residing within Assam, irrespective of whether they are permanent residents of the state. Residents of Assam … Continue reading Live-in Relationship Provisions in the Assam UCC Bill 2026

Italy’s Mattei Plan, launched by Giorgia Meloni, is a strategic foreign policy initiative aimed at reshaping Italy’s engagement with Africa through sustainable development, energy cooperation and economic partnerships. Backed by an initial funding of €5.5 billion, the plan seeks to strengthen energy security and address the root economic causes of irregular migration by promoting infrastructure, … Continue reading Mattei Plan and India–Italy Cooperation in Africa

Suvendu Adhikari announced a proposed mechanism under which infiltrators detained by State police would be handed over directly to the Border Security Force for deportation. Describing it as part of a broader “detect, delete and deport” framework, he stated that communities covered under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 would remain outside the ambit of the … Continue reading “Detect, Delete and Deport” Mechanism in West Bengal

The proposed Institute for Transforming Arunachal Pradesh (ITA) is being developed through collaboration between the Arunachal Pradesh government and NITI Aayog. The institute is envisioned as a state-level policy think tank designed to support evidence-based policymaking and long-term development planning suited to Arunachal Pradesh’s unique geographical, cultural and economic conditions. ITA is expected to assist … Continue reading Institute for Transforming Arunachal Pradesh (ITA)

Military personnel from several countries assembled at the Umroi Military Station for the multinational military exercise PRAGATI 2026. The exercise includes participation from armed forces of Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. The primary objective of the exercise is to strengthen military-to-military cooperation, enhance professional engagement and … Continue reading PRAGATI 2026 – Multinational Military Exercise in Meghalaya

A privilege notice was moved in the Rajya Sabha by the Congress Chief Whip against Dharmendra Pradhan. A Privilege Notice is a parliamentary mechanism used by Members of Parliament to raise issues involving breach of the privileges, rights or immunities of the House, its committees or individual members. Any act that obstructs, insults or undermines … Continue reading Privilege Notice – Parliamentary Safeguard Mechanism

Gloria Gangte was appointed as India’s new Ambassador to the Kingdom of Norway. A 2000-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, she earlier served as India’s High Commissioner to Malta. Her appointment comes at a time when India is strengthening diplomatic engagement with Nordic countries in areas such as clean energy, technology cooperation and Arctic research. Norway … Continue reading Gloria Gangte – India’s Ambassador to Norway

Investigations by the Narcotics Control Bureau revealed that narcotics consignments from Myanmar were trafficked into India through the Mizoram–Manipur–Assam corridor, exposing the strategic use of Northeast India in cross-border drug networks. Assam, particularly the Barak Valley region, reportedly functioned as a major logistics and distribution hub for methamphetamine and heroin moving deeper into India and … Continue reading Route Through Northeast – Narcotics Trafficking Network

Nepal established, for the first time, a ministry explicitly recognising gender and sexual minorities as part of its administrative restructuring under Prime Minister Balendra Shah. The ministry’s mandate includes protection, empowerment and development of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer (LGBTIQ) communities along with support for Dalits, marginalised groups and backward regions. The move … Continue reading Nepal – Ministry for Gender and Sexual Minorities

Uttarakhand, Goa and Gujarat have already moved towards implementation of Uniform Civil Code frameworks, with provisions customised according to state requirements. Goa continues to follow the Portuguese Civil Code of 1867, often cited as India’s longstanding example of a uniform civil system. In Assam, the cabinet approved a draft UCC Bill in May 2026, scheduled … Continue reading Uniform Civil Code (UCC) – State-Level Developments

Parthivjyoti Saikia recused himself from hearing the bail application of Shyamkanu Mahanta, an accused in the Zubeen Garg death case. Earlier, the special court rejected the bail plea after considering the accused a “flight risk.” In legal terms, a flight risk refers to a person who is likely to abscond, evade investigation or leave the … Continue reading Flight Risk – Consideration in Bail Decisions

V. D. Satheesan was announced by the AICC as the Chief Minister-designate of Kerala following the 2026 Assembly elections. A senior Congress leader, lawyer and noted orator, he is credited with revitalising the United Democratic Front (UDF) after its 2021 defeat. Representing the Paravur constituency in Ernakulam since 2001, Satheesan won six consecutive Assembly elections … Continue reading V. D. Satheesan – Kerala CM Designate

Vijay ordered closure of 717 TASMAC liquor shops located near schools, colleges, places of worship and bus stands to reduce social and public health concerns linked to alcohol availability in sensitive locations. The decision provides important lessons for Assam, where debates continue over alcohol-related social and economic costs. Regulating liquor outlets near educational and public … Continue reading Tamil Nadu CM Vijay – Lessons for Assam on Liquor Regulation

Vijay, after winning from two constituencies in Tamil Nadu, must resign from one seat as Indian law prohibits simultaneous representation of multiple constituencies in the same legislature. Under Article 190, a person cannot hold membership from two seats in a State Legislature at the same time. Further, Section 68(1) of the Representation of the People … Continue reading Dual Membership – Resignation from One Constituency

Goa is set to create its third district named Kushavati, marking a significant administrative reorganisation in the state. The proposed district has been named after the ancient Kushavati river flowing through parts of the region. At present, Goa consists of only two districts—North Goa and South Goa. The announcement was made by Pramod Sawant, who … Continue reading Kushavati – Proposed Third District of Goa

N. S. Raja Subramani has been appointed as India’s new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), succeeding Anil Chauhan after completion of his tenure in May 2026. The CDS is the highest-ranking military officer in India and serves as the Principal Military Adviser to the Defence Minister on tri-services matters. The CDS also functions as Permanent … Continue reading Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) – India’s Highest Military Post

Panchayats from the North-East performed strongly in the National Panchayat Awards 2025 organised by the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj. Sepahijala district of Tripura was named the country’s Best District Panchayat and received the top award of ₹5 crore. Kanchanbari in Tripura secured first place in the Healthy Panchayat category, while Baikunthapur was recognised as … Continue reading National Panchayat Awards 2025 – North-East Performance

Recent Tamil Nadu election results revived debate on the Governor’s role in inviting parties to form government in a hung Assembly. Supreme Court judgments such as S. R. Bommai v. Union of India and Rameshwar Prasad v. Union of India clarified that the Governor cannot question how majority support is secured by a post-poll alliance … Continue reading Recent Tamil Nadu Election Results – Governor’s Role in Government Formation

Suvendu Adhikari was elected leader of the BJP legislature party in West Bengal, paving the way for him to become the state’s first BJP Chief Minister. The development marks a significant shift in West Bengal’s political landscape. During the oath-taking event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted 98-year-old BJP worker Makhanlal Sarkar, who had participated with … Continue reading Suvendu Adhikari – BJP Legislature Party Leader in West Bengal

Vijay faced delay in swearing-in as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister after the Governor sought proof of majority before inviting him to form the government. Such situations generally arise in a hung Assembly where no party or alliance secures an absolute majority. In these circumstances, the Governor exercises constitutional discretion to appoint a leader most likely … Continue reading Vijay Thalapathy – Hung Assembly and Governor’s Discretion

Atul Bora was unanimously elected leader of the AGP legislature party, while Dharmeswar Roy was appointed as the chief whip. A Chief Whip is an important functionary in the legislature responsible for maintaining party discipline and ensuring attendance of members during debates and voting. The chief whip also coordinates between party leadership and legislators, manages … Continue reading Chief Whip – Role in the Legislature

The Union Cabinet has approved the introduction of the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 to increase the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court. The proposal raises the number of judges from 33 to 37, excluding the Chief Justice of India, taking the total strength to 38 including the CJI. The amendment seeks … Continue reading Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026

If a Chief Minister refuses to resign despite losing majority support, constitutional provisions prevent continuation in office without legislative confidence. Under Article 164 of the Constitution of India, the Council of Ministers remains in office only so long as it enjoys the confidence of the Assembly. In such situations, the Governor may order a floor … Continue reading Mamata Banerjee Refusing to Resign – Constitutional Position

Guyana has approached the International Court of Justice stating that nearly 70% of its territory is at stake in a long-standing border dispute with Venezuela. The contested area is the resource-rich Essequibo region, known for gold, diamonds, timber and offshore oil reserves. The dispute dates back to colonial times and centres on the validity of … Continue reading Guyana–Venezuela Dispute – Essequibo Region

In a historic shift, the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election has ended nearly six decades of dominance by Dravidian parties, with Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) led by C Joseph Vijay emerging as the largest party with 107 seats. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) trailed behind. Tamil Nadu … Continue reading Tamil Nadu Politics – End of Dravidian Dominance

In a significant development for Arunachal Pradesh, Joram Aniya has been appointed as a full-time member of NITI Aayog. The appointment was formalised by the Cabinet Secretariat with approval from the Prime Minister. Her inclusion brings representation from the Northeast at the highest level of national policymaking and is expected to strengthen regional perspectives in … Continue reading Joram Aniya – NITI Aayog Appointment

In a landmark development, 43 cadres of the Hmar People's Convention-Democratic led by Lalhmingthanga Sanate have laid down arms, marking the end of the last active ethnic insurgency in Mizoram. The parent body, Hmar People’s Convention (1986), sought an autonomous unit, while HPC-D (1995) adopted armed struggle. Active across Mizoram, Manipur and Assam’s North Cachar … Continue reading HPC-D Disarmament – End of Insurgency in Mizoram

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj released the PAI 2.0 Report (2023–24) on National Panchayati Raj Day to assess grassroots governance and development performance of Gram Panchayats. Tripura emerged as the top performer, with around 80% Panchayats in the Front Runner category. In contrast, states like Manipur and Meghalaya show a high share of Beginner-grade Panchayats, … Continue reading Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0

Umroi is hosting the inaugural Exercise Pragati, organised by the Indian Army at its Foreign Training Node. The initiative marks a new step in multilateral military engagement in the Northeast. Pragati (Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean) brings together delegations from 11 friendly nations. It focuses on enhancing interoperability, … Continue reading Umroi Hosts Exercise Pragati

The United Arab Emirates has announced its decision to exit OPEC and the broader OPEC+ grouping from May 1. The move reflects tensions over production limits and evolving strategic interests in the region. A long-time member since 1967 (via Abu Dhabi), the UAE’s exit signals a shift in energy diplomacy and its independent foreign policy … Continue reading UAE Exit from OPEC

The Union Territory of Ladakh has been reorganised with the creation of five new districts, increasing the total from two to seven. The newly formed districts are Nubra, Sham, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass. This administrative restructuring aims to improve governance, enhance service delivery and ensure focused development in remote and strategically important regions. It also … Continue reading New Districts in Ladakh

N Biren Singh has proposed consultations with experts in Assam to examine the feasibility of implementing a National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur. The move follows demands to identify illegal migrants, particularly from Myanmar. The state plans to prepare a “White Paper” on Assam’s NRC experience, which was conducted under Supreme Court of India … Continue reading Manipur NRC Proposal – Assam Model Reference

The government has reconstituted NITI Aayog, appointing Ashok Kumar Lahiri as Vice Chairman, replacing Suman K Bery. The new team includes full-time members like K.V. Raju, M Srinivas and Abhay Karandikar. The reconstitution reflects a shift in policy direction and expertise, strengthening the institution’s role in economic planning, innovation and governance. It aims to enhance … Continue reading NITI Aayog Reconstitution

The “Yellow Line” is a military demarcation used by the Israel Defense Forces to establish a fortified buffer zone within hostile territory. Unlike conventional borders, it is a tactical construct designed for operational control rather than political delimitation. It functions as a controlled or free-fire zone, allowing direct and sustained military presence. The line effectively … Continue reading Yellow Line – Strategic Military Buffer

The sunset clause in the 106th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2023 provides that the 33% reservation for women in legislatures will remain in force for 15 years, with scope for extension by Parliament. It ensures periodic review of the policy’s effectiveness. The amendment mandates reservation in the Lok Sabha, State Assemblies and Delhi Assembly, including sub-quotas … Continue reading Sunset Clause in Women’s Reservation

Civil Services Day, observed on April 21, honours India’s civil servants and commemorates Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 1947 address, where he termed civil services the “Steel Frame of India.” It recognises their role in policy implementation and administration. The 2026 theme, “Viksit Bharat: Citizen-Centric Governance and Development at the Last Mile,” aligns with the vision of … Continue reading Civil Services Day 2026 – Governance Backbone

The Islamabad Talks were high-level negotiations aimed at de-escalating the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. Hosted by Pakistan, they marked the first direct engagement between the US and Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, reflecting urgent efforts to stabilise the region and global oil supply. Key issues included disputes over Iran’s nuclear programme, reopening of the … Continue reading Islamabad Talks, 2026 – Crisis Diplomacy

The Union Government has proposed expanding the strength of the Lok Sabha from 543 to 850 seats to facilitate the implementation of 33% reservation for women. The plan is linked to a fresh delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census, aiming to reconfigure constituencies. Under the proposal, 815 seats will be allotted to states and … Continue reading Lok Sabha Expansion and Women’s Reservation

In the literary compositions of Bishnu Prasad Rabha, the idea of Panchayat emerges as a critical instrument of grassroots governance and social transformation. His work Banua Panchayat particularly highlights the functioning of rural self-governing institutions in Assam. Rabha presents the Panchayat not merely as an administrative body but as a platform for empowering peasants and … Continue reading Panchayat in the Works of Bishnu Prasad Rabha

Section 126(1)(b) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 prohibits the display or broadcast of election-related content through television, radio or similar media during the 48-hour silence period before polling ends. This restriction ensures that voters are not influenced at the final stage of elections. Media platforms must avoid airing any programme, debate or … Continue reading Silence Period & Exit Poll Ban — Representation of People Act

The practice of contesting from multiple constituencies (OCMC) varies across democracies, reflecting different approaches to representation and accountability. In Australia, a sitting legislator must resign before contesting for another house, ensuring clear separation of roles. United Kingdom and most European democracies have largely banned OCMC (UK since 1983) to promote electoral clarity and accountability. In … Continue reading One Candidate, Multiple Constituencies (OCMC) — Global Practices

Flow of Resilience (2024), directed by Pranami Koch, is a documentary that explores the lived experiences of individuals accused of witchcraft in Assam. The film sheds light on the social stigma, violence and gendered dimensions associated with witch-hunting, while also highlighting resilience and the need for awareness and reform. It contributes to ongoing discourse on … Continue reading Flow of Resilience — Film on Witch-Hunting in Assam

Immigration has emerged as a dominant electoral issue in both the United Kingdom and Assam, where complex socio-economic realities are often simplified into emotionally charged political narratives. In the UK, debates intensified from Brexit to policies under leaders like Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak, influenced by figures such as Nigel Farage. Despite strict rhetoric, migration … Continue reading Immigration Politics — UK and Assam Comparison

India does not allow dual citizenship; if an Indian citizen acquires foreign citizenship, Indian citizenship is automatically terminated. However, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status provides a lifelong visa but does not confer citizenship rights. In limited cases, the government may issue a second passport booklet for administrative reasons, but this remains within a single … Continue reading Multiple Passports — Legal Position in India

Bahrain led a significant diplomatic initiative at the United Nations Security Council by tabling Resolution 2817 (2026), addressing Iran’s attempts to control the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz during the conflict. The resolution was adopted with a 13-0-2 vote, with Russia and China abstaining, and was sponsored by Bahrain on behalf of the GCC and … Continue reading UNSC Resolution 2817 (2026) — Strait of Hormuz Crisis

Gauhati High Court ruled that the Justice (retd) B.K. Sharma Commission violated the rights of accused persons while investigating the APSC CCE 2013–2014 cases, by not adhering to provisions of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952. Under Section 8B, individuals whose reputation may be affected must be given a fair opportunity to be heard and … Continue reading Gauhati High Court — Violation of Natural Justice in Inquiry

Jirga is a customary decision-making institution among Pashtun communities in Afghanistan and Pakistan, where male elders assemble to resolve disputes through consensus. It operates under the Pashtunwali code, which emphasises honour, justice and community harmony. Jirgas function as informal local courts addressing civil and sometimes criminal matters. At a higher level, the “Loya Jirga” represents … Continue reading Jirga — Traditional Conflict Resolution System

Tripura has earned national recognition with three panchayats selected for the Deen Dayal Upadhyay and Nanaji Deshmukh Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar 2025, awarded by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj for excellence in local governance and sustainable development. Sepahijala district secured the top rank in the Best District Panchayat category, while Kanchanbari Gram Panchayat (Unakoti) ranked … Continue reading Tripura Panchayats — National Recognition

Kameshwar Das stands as a powerful symbol of intellectual excellence and ethical public life in Assam’s administrative history. Known evocatively as the “Lotus in the Muddy Pond,” he represented the triumph of merit over mediocrity in a system long burdened by hierarchy and privilege. A brilliant mathematician who secured first class first with a gold … Continue reading Kameshwar Das and the Making of Meritocratic Assam

For the 16th Census, live-in couples who consider their relationship a “stable union” will be treated as “married” for enumeration purposes, as clarified in the FAQ section of the self-enumeration portal. This reflects an evolving approach towards capturing diverse family structures. The self-enumeration facility will be available for both phases of the Census—Houselisting and Housing … Continue reading Live-in Relationship — Census Recognition