Archive

Overview of the Election Commission of India (ECI)

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is a permanent, autonomous constitutional body established under Article 324 of the Constitution of India. It is entrusted with the superintendence, direction, and control of elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, and the offices of the President and Vice-President of India. Free and fair elections form a part of the Basic Structure of the Constitution (Indira Nehru Gandhi v. Raj Narain, 1975), making the independence of the ECI fundamental to upholding the democratic fabric and ensuring electoral integrity.

Data Governance and Digital Federalism in India

Data Governance and Digital Federalism represent a critical intersection in India’s constitutional and administrative framework, directly influencing Centre-State relations, legislative competence, and the distribution of authority in the digital age. The growing integration of digital infrastructure into public administration has introduced new dimensions to federal governance, particularly concerning data ownership, institutional autonomy, regulatory jurisdiction, and technological centralization.

Inter-State Relations and Zonal Councils in India

Inter-State relations and Zonal Councils are important mechanisms of cooperative federalism in India. They facilitate coordination between the Centre and States, encourage cooperation among neighbouring States, and provide institutional platforms for addressing disputes and promoting balanced regional development.

Tribunalisation of the Judiciary and Judicial Reforms in India

Tribunalisation of the judiciary refers to the transfer of specialised disputes from traditional courts to quasi-judicial bodies established under statutory frameworks. Tribunals were introduced to ensure speedy dispute resolution, provide specialised expertise and reduce the burden on the regular judicial system.

1. Evolution of Foreign Funding Regulations

The FCRA framework has progressively introduced stricter requirements concerning financial transactions, organisational accountability, permitted activities and the management of foreign-funded assets.

The decline in parliamentary scrutiny and legislative quality in India raises concerns about the effectiveness of legislative oversight, democratic accountability and parliamentary functioning. Reduced sitting days, limited committee scrutiny and frequent disruptions have weakened Parliament’s deliberative and supervisory roles.

Sub-Classification of Reserved Categories

The sub-classification of reserved categories revolves around the concept of a “quota within a quota,” aimed at ensuring that the most marginalized sub-groups within the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) receive the benefits of affirmative action.

The landmark 7-judge Constitution Bench judgment of the Supreme Court in State of Punjab v. Davinder Singh (2024) brought a major change in the legal and constitutional framework governing sub-classification.

The conflict between the Constitutional Discretion of the Governor and Federal Norms represents a persistent challenge in Indian polity. Designed as a bridge between the Union and the States, the Office of the Governor has frequently faced criticism for acting as a political agent of the Centre, thereby raising concerns about the functioning of cooperative federalism.

The re-alignment of the delimitation framework and demographic federalism constitutes a significant structural challenge facing Indian polity. It highlights the friction between the democratic ideal of “one person, one vote, one value” and the constitutional compromise designed to protect cooperative federalism.

The overhaul of India’s criminal justice system marks a shift from colonial-era punitive deterrence to a citizen-centric, technology-driven justice model. Effective July 1, 2024, three new legislations replaced the earlier legal frameworks: