When we talk about Governance in India, we must understand that India is large, diverse, federal, and democratic. Therefore, governance here cannot be one-dimensional. Recognising this complexity, the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), in its report “State of Governance – A Framework of Assessment”, breaks governance into five interrelated dimensions. Dimensions of…
What is Governance? When we hear the word government, we usually think of ministers, officers, laws, and offices.But governance is much wider than government. According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP, 1997), governance is: The exercise of economic, political, and administrative authority to manage a country’s affairs at all levels. This definition highlights three…
The Starting Point: Why Rural Employment Matters India has always been a rural-majority country. Even today, a significant portion of the population depends directly or indirectly on agriculture. After Independence, three major problems existed in rural India: So the State gradually moved towards wage employment programmes — not just as poverty relief, but as a…
Case Name (Year) Popular Name Core Issue / Theme Relevant Article(s) Key Judicial Principle / Doctrine Judgement Constitutional / Legal Impact Romesh Thappar vs. State of Madras (1950) Cross Roads case Freedom of press and circulation of ideas Article 19(1)(a), Article 19(2) Freedom of circulation Court held that freedom of speech and expression includes freedom…
– Cryptocurrency Trading and Article 19(1)(g) Background of the Case In April 2018, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued a circular directing → Banks and regulated financial institutions → Not to deal in virtual currencies (VCs) → And not to provide services to individuals or businesses dealing in VCs Although: The circular was challenged…
– Criminalisation of Politics and Party Accountability Background of the Case Despite a series of earlier judgments—such as: ……the number of candidates with criminal antecedents contesting elections continued to rise. The Court noted a critical problem: This case was heard against that backdrop. Core Constitutional Concern How can democracy be protected when political parties repeatedly…
– Internet Shutdowns and Fundamental Rights Background of the Case Following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, the Union Government imposed: Anuradha Bhasin, Executive Editor of Kashmir Times, challenged these restrictions, arguing that: Core Constitutional Questions Supreme Court’s Judgement The Supreme Court delivered a rights-sensitive yet security-conscious ruling. (a) Internet Is Protected Under…
– Ayodhya Land Dispute Background of the Case The dispute concerned 2.77 acres of land in Ayodhya, where: The litigation history spanned: In 2010, the Allahabad High Court → Divided the land into three equal parts→ Ram Lalla Virajman→ Nirmohi Akhara→ UP Sunni Central Waqf Board All parties appealed to the Supreme Court. Core Legal…
– Decriminalisation of Homosexuality Background of the Case Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, a colonial-era provision, criminalised “carnal intercourse against the order of nature”. Although rarely enforced, it had devastating consequences: The matter was reopened after the Puttaswamy (2017) judgement recognised privacy, dignity, and autonomy as Fundamental Rights. Core Constitutional Questions Supreme Court’s…
– Decriminalisation of Adultery Background of the Case Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) criminalised adultery, but in a deeply unequal manner: Joseph Shine challenged this provision as being → Discriminatory, Archaic, Incompatible with constitutional values Core Constitutional Questions Supreme Court’s Judgement A five-judge Constitution Bench delivered a unanimous verdict. (a) Section 497…
