Category: Polity Current Affairs

CBI Conviction Rate: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) recorded a conviction rate of 67.56% in 2021, compared to 69.83% in 2020, according to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) annual report. The CBI registered 680 regular cases and 67 preliminary enquiries last year, while it had registered 589 regular cases and 87 preliminary enquiries in […]

Section 9A In The Representation Of The People Act, 1951: Uncertainty looms large over Hemant Soren’s continuation as Jharkhand Chief Minister as he is likely to be disqualified by the Governor as Member of the Legislative Assembly; the Governor has received the Election Commission of India’s opinion on the question. The case against him has […]

Benami Transactions Act: The Supreme Court of India held that Section 3(2) of the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act 1988 as unconstitutional on the grounds of being manifestly arbitrary. Section 3(2) prescribes the punishment for entering into benami transaction. The judges held that the Act which was amended in 2016 can only be applied prospectively and […]

Prevention Of Money Laundering Act (PMLA): The Supreme Court will hear in open court a review of its judgment upholding key provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. In Vijay Madanlal Choudhary & Ors v Union of India, a judgment delivered on July 27, the Supreme Court upheld the key provisions of […]

National Food Security Act: The Supreme Court (SC) has directed the Centre to increase coverage under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) so that “more and more needy persons and citizens get the benefit” under the 2013 law which entitles rural and urban poor to subsidised foodgrains under the Targeted Public Distribution System. The coverage […]

Benami Law: The Supreme Court declared as “unconstitutional and manifestly arbitrary” the amendments introduced to the Benami law in 2016, which apply retrospectively and can send a person to prison for three years even as it empowers the Centre to confiscate “any property” subject to a benami transaction. In a decision much awaited by businesses, […]

Draft Indian Ports Bill, 2022: The Government of India has prepared the draft Indian Ports Bill, 2022 to consolidate and amend the laws relating to ports. The draft bill seeks to repeal and replace the existing the Indian Ports Act, 1908. Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has issued Draft Indian Ports Bill, 2022 for […]

Selection Of Vice Chancellors To State Universities: The Kerala State Cabinet has approved a Bill that could effectively curtail the Governor’s influence in the selection of Vice Chancellors to State universities. The issue highlights the conflict between democratically elected CM and centre-appointed Governor. Powers of Governor for state Universities: ex-officio chancellor of the universities in […]

Bal Aadhaar Initiative: Over 7.9 million children aged up to five were enrolled under the Unique Identification Authority’s Bal Aadhaar initiative from April to July. The Bal Aadhaar, a precursor to a standard Aadhaar, is issued in blue colour to children aged up to five. Upon expiration, a regular Aadhaar is issued. Bal Aadhaar works […]

Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022: The Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022 has come into force after being passed by the Parliament in April 2022. It replaces the Identification of Prisoners Act, 1920, a colonial era law, and authorises police officers to take measurements of people convicted, arrested or facing trial in criminal cases Criminal Procedure […]