Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court resigned after Parliamentary removal proceedings were initiated against him.
Key Highlights
Justice Yashwant Varma resigned on April 9, 2026
Resignation submitted to President Droupadi Murmu
Copy sent to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant
Resignation came before inquiry panel proceedings
Reason for Proceedings
Allegations of burnt currency recovered
Incident occurred during fire at official residence in Delhi (March 2025)
Inquiry panel set up under:
Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968
Constituted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla
Procedure for Resignation of High Court Judge
Constitutional Provision
The resignation of a High Court judge is governed by Article 217(1)(a) of the Constitution of India.
Procedure
Judge submits resignation letter
Addressed to the President of India
Resignation communicated
Usually copy sent to: Chief Justice of India and Chief Justice of concerned High Court
Resignation takes effect
From the date mentioned in letter
Or immediately if no date specified
No Parliamentary approval required
Unlike removal, resignation is simple and unilateral
[2019] Consider the following statements: 1 The motion to impeach a Judge of the Supreme Court of India cannot be rejected by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha as per the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968. 2 The Constitution of India defines and gives details of what constitutes ‘incapacity and proved misbehaviour’ of the Judges of the Supreme Court of India. 3 The details of the process of impeachment of the Judges of the Supreme Court of India are given in the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968. 4 If the motion for the impeachment of a Judge is taken up for voting, the law requires the motion to be backed by each House of the Parliament and supported by a majority of total membership of that House and by not less than two-thirds of total members of that House present and voting. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 (b) 3 only (c) 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 3 and 4
PYQ Relevance[UPSC 2024] Examine the need for electoral reforms as suggested by various committees with particular reference to ‘one nation-one election’ principle.Linkage: The PYQ directly connects to systemic flaws in electoral processes, including rising costs and inefficiencies. It links with the need for financial transparency and reducing excessive campaign expenditure.
Mentor’s Comment
Plutocracy refers to a system where political power is effectively controlled by the wealthy, either directly or through influence over decision-making. Plutocratic Elections describes a situation where money, rather than merit, ideology, or public support, becomes the decisive factor in electoral outcomes. India’s electoral system operates under strict legal expenditure limits imposed by the Election Commission, yet actual campaign spending often exceeds these limits by several multiples. This divergence reflects systemic opacity in political financing, weak enforcement mechanisms, and evolving campaign practices. This further raises concerns about the credibility and fairness of elections in the world’s largest democracy.
Why do official election expenditure limits fail to reflect ground realities?
Legal Ceiling Constraint: Imposes strict caps on candidate spending but excludes party and third-party expenditures, creating systemic loopholes. The Legal Ceilings on Election Expenditure are as follows:
Statutory Basis: Governed under the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (Sections 77 & 78) and prescribed by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Lok Sabha Elections: ₹95 lakh (larger states) / ₹75 lakh (smaller states & UTs) per candidate. State Assembly Elections: ₹40 lakh (larger states) / ₹28 lakh (smaller states) per candidate.
Scope Limitation: Applies only to individual candidates, not to political parties.
Exclusions (Core Loophole): Party expenditure, star campaigners’ costs, media campaigns, and third-party spending are excluded from candidate limits (as per RPA provisions).
Monitoring Mechanism: Candidates must maintain a day-to-day expenditure register and submit accounts within 30 days of result declaration; non-compliance leads to disqualification under Section 10A.
Underreporting Incentives: Encourages candidates to show minimal official expenditure to avoid disqualification risks.
Cash-Based Campaigning: Enables unaccounted spending through informal cash transactions, especially in voter mobilization.
Weak Audit Mechanisms: Limits post-election verification due to lack of forensic auditing and real-time scrutiny.
Third-Party Spending: Allows supporters, contractors, and local networks to incur expenses outside official candidate accounts.
How does opaque political funding distort democratic competition?
Unequal Playing Field: Advantages resource-rich candidates, marginalizing smaller parties and independents.
Policy Capture Risk: Strengthens influence of corporate donors over policy priorities and governance decisions.
Vote Buying Potential: Facilitates inducements such as cash distribution, gifts, and welfare targeting during elections.
Reduced Electoral Credibility: Weakens public trust in fairness and legitimacy of election outcomes.
Barrier to Entry: Discourages capable but financially weaker candidates from contesting elections.
What are the institutional limitations of election monitoring mechanisms? (Corrected & Aligned)
Limited Statutory Powers: Constrains the Election Commission of India to act primarily within RPA provisions, restricting independent investigation into unaccounted or third-party expenditures.
Candidate-Centric Legal Framework: Limits regulation to individual candidates, while political parties remain outside expenditure ceilings, weakening institutional oversight.
Fragmented Institutional Architecture: Disperses responsibilities across ECI, Income Tax Department, Enforcement Directorate, leading to weak coordination and accountability gaps.
Reactive Monitoring Design: Structures oversight around post-facto scrutiny of submitted accounts, rather than proactive, continuous financial surveillance.
Inadequate Transparency Mandate: Lacks compulsory real-time disclosure mechanisms for political funding, reducing institutional capacity to detect violations.
Weak Deterrence Framework: Provides limited and delayed penalties (e.g., disqualification), which fail to create strong institutional deterrence against overspending.
How has the scale of election spending evolved in India?
Rising Campaign Costs: Reflects increasing expenditure on media, advertising, and voter outreach strategies.
2014 Elections Benchmark: Estimated spending crossed ₹30,000 crore collectively by parties and candidates.
2019 Elections Expansion: Considered among the most expensive globally, with estimates exceeding ₹60,000 crore.
Digital Campaign Surge: Increased reliance on social media, data analytics, and targeted political advertising.
Logistical Intensification: Higher spending on rallies, transportation, booth management, and grassroots mobilization.
What reforms are necessary to enhance transparency and accountability?
Comprehensive Disclosure Norms: Mandates reporting of all candidate, party, and third-party expenditures.
State Funding of Elections: Reduces dependence on private and corporate financing sources.
Real-Time Expenditure Tracking: Introduces digital platforms for monitoring campaign spending continuously.
Stronger Audit Framework: Establishes independent bodies for forensic auditing of political finances.
Legal Reforms: Expands scope of Representation of the People Act to cover entire ecosystem of election funding.
Conclusion
The divergence between declared and actual election expenditure reflects a structural flaw in India’s democratic framework. Addressing this requires systemic reforms in political finance, enhanced institutional capacity, and greater transparency, ensuring that elections remain free, fair, and credible.
Puducherry is witnessing Legislative Assembly elections, bringing focus to its status as a Union Territory with an elected government. The polls highlight recurring tensions between the Lt. Governor and the Council of Ministers, especially over administrative control. The issue is significant due to concerns around nominated members influencing outcomes and demands for greater autonomy/statehood.
How does Puducherry represent a unique model of partial statehood within a Union Territory?
Partial Statehood Status: Ensures elected Legislative Assembly (since 1963) and Council of Ministers, while retaining Union control.
Government of UT Act, 1963: Provides statutory framework for governance, unlike Delhi’s constitutional status under Article 239AA.
Dual Executive Structure: Creates de facto authority of Chief Minister and de jure authority of Lt. Governor, leading to shared governance.
Power-Sharing Complexity: Generates institutional friction due to overlapping authority, especially in administrative decisions.
Statehood Demand: Reflects ongoing political push for full autonomy, indicating structural dissatisfaction.
What are the key institutional features shaping Puducherry’s governance?
Administrative Composition: Includes four geographically separated districts, Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe, Yanam, reflecting colonial legacy (1954 transfer from France).
Legislative Assembly Structure: Ensures 33-member unicameral legislature (30 elected + 3 nominated by Centre), influencing political stability.
Legislative Powers: Allows law-making on State and Concurrent Lists, subject to Parliamentary override.
Parliamentary Representation: Provides 1 Lok Sabha and 1 Rajya Sabha seat, ensuring national integration.
Local Governance Gap: Highlights irregular municipal and panchayat elections, indicating decentralisation deficits.
How does the role of the Lieutenant Governor shape governance outcomes in Puducherry?
De Jure Authority: Represents Union government through Presidential appointment, ensuring central oversight.
Aid and Advice Principle: Requires LG to act on Council of Ministers’ advice, as clarified by Supreme Court.
Discretionary Referral Power: Allows escalation of disputes to the President, creating decision delays.
Nominated Members Influence: Enables Centre to shape legislative outcomes indirectly, affecting democratic balance
Conflict Potential: Generates institutional tensions in administrative and policy matters.
Why does Puducherry experience relatively lower conflict compared to Delhi?
Absence of Reserved Subjects: Unlike Delhi, no explicit exclusion of police, land, public order, reducing friction.
Lower Political Stakes: Smaller territory leads to reduced national political contestation.
Less Judicialisation: Fewer high-profile disputes compared to Delhi’s frequent Supreme Court interventions.
Functional Accommodation: Political actors often adopt informal coordination mechanisms.
What structural challenges persist in Puducherry’s governance model?
Fiscal Dependence: Limits independent policy execution due to reliance on central grants.
Democratic Deficit: Arises from nominated members and LG intervention overriding elected mandate.
Administrative Ambiguity: Creates unclear division of authority between LG and elected government.
Decentralisation Gaps: Weakens grassroots governance due to irregular local elections.
Frequent President’s Rule: Indicates political instability and governance disruptions.
What does Puducherry reveal about India’s asymmetric federalism?
Context-Based Governance: Reflects historical and political adaptation (French legacy).
Flexible Federalism: Allows differentiated autonomy across regions.
Centralisation Trend: Demonstrates continued Union dominance despite elected institutions.
Institutional Experimentation: Functions as a testing ground for hybrid governance models.
Replicability Limits: Model remains context-specific and not universally applicable.
How does Puducherry differ from Delhi and Jammu & Kashmir in its governance framework?
Constitutional vs Statutory Basis: Delhi operates under Article 239AA, J&K under Reorganisation Act, 2019, while Puducherry is governed by the Government of UT Act, 1963, making it a statutory (not constitutional) model.
Legislative Powers: Puducherry allows law-making on State and Concurrent Lists without explicit exclusions, unlike Delhi and J&K where police, public order, and land remain outside Assembly control.
Extent of Central Control: J&K experiences maximum centralisation post-2019, Delhi faces frequent Centre-State conflicts, while Puducherry reflects moderate central oversight with comparatively fewer high-intensity disputes.
Role of Lt. Governor: In Delhi and J&K, LG powers are more assertive and contested, whereas in Puducherry, LG operates under aid and advice with fewer constitutionally defined exceptions, though conflicts still arise.
Political and Administrative Scale: Delhi holds national political significance, J&K has security-sensitive governance, while Puducherry remains a smaller, less politicised administrative unit, shaping lower conflict intensity.
Conclusion
Puducherry highlights the functional strengths and structural limitations of asymmetric federalism in India. While it ensures representative governance within a Union Territory framework, continued central oversight and institutional ambiguity constrain full autonomy. Strengthening clarity in Centre-UT power distribution and democratic accountability mechanisms remains essential for balanced governance.
PYQ Relevance
[UPSC 2020] How far do you think cooperation, competition and confrontation have shaped the nature of federation in India? Cite examples.
Linkage: Puducherry, Delhi, and J&K illustrate cooperation (aid & advice), competition (political control), and confrontation (LG vs elected govt conflicts) within India’s federal structure. They highlight asymmetric federalism and centralisation trends, core to analysing Centre-State relations in UPSC answers.
Argentina has formally withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO), with the withdrawal becoming effective in March 2026 after a one year notice period.
Key Highlights
Argentina notified UN Secretary General on March 17, 2025
Withdrawal became effective after one year, as per Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties
Decision taken under President Javier Milei
Confirmed by Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno
Reasons for Withdrawal
Argentina cited:
Greater policy sovereignty
Independent health policy making
Better resource allocation
Reduced external influence
Government also stated:
Argentina does not rely on WHO funding
Healthcare services will not be affected
After Withdrawal
Argentina will continue cooperation through:
Bilateral agreements
Regional health forums
International collaboration outside WHO
About World Health Organization (WHO)
Established: 1948
Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
Members: 194 countries
Type: UN Specialized Agency
Functions
Global health coordination
Pandemic response
Health standards and guidelines
Data monitoring and research
Technical assistance to countries
Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties
Governs international agreements
Allows withdrawal after notice period
Standard withdrawal period: 1 year
[2024] Consider the following pairs: Country : Reason for being in the news 1 Argentina : Worst economic crisis 2 Sudan : War between the country’s regular army and paramilitary forces 3 Turkey : Rescinded its membership of NATO How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched? (a) Only one pair (b) Only two pairs (c) All three pairs (d) None of the pairs
The 16th Finance Commission has recommended ₹4.35 lakh crore for Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) for 2026–31, following record fund releases under the 15th Finance Commission.
Key Highlights
15th Finance Commission (2020–26)
Total grant recommended: ₹2,97,555 crore
Funds released: ₹2,82,632 crore
Release percentage: 94.94% (Highest ever)
States Receiving 100% Allocation
Assam
Kerala
Mizoram
Tripura
Uttar Pradesh
16th Finance Commission Grants (2026–31)
Total allocation: ₹4.35 lakh crore
Breakup:
Basic Grants: ₹3.48 lakh crore
Rural Local Body Performance Grant: ₹43,524 crore
State Performance Grant: ₹43,524 crore
Distribution Pattern
90% funds → Gram Panchayats
10% → Block Panchayats
10% → District Panchayats
[2025] Which of the following statements with regard to recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission of India are correct? 1 It has recommended grants of ₹4,800 crores from the year 2022–23 to 2025–26 for incentivizing States to enhance educational outcomes. 2 45% of the net proceeds of Union taxes are to be shared with States. 3 ₹45,000 crores are to be kept as performance-based incentive for all States for carrying out agricultural reforms. It reintroduced tax effort criteria to reward fiscal performance. Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) I, II and III (b) I, II and IV (c) I, III and IV (d) II, III and IV
The Philippines opened a new Coast Guard base on Thitu Island (Pag-asa Island) in the South China Sea, strengthening its presence in a disputed maritime region claimed by China.
Key Highlights
Location: Thitu Island (Pag-asa Island)
Region: South China Sea
Purpose: Strengthen sovereignty and maritime security
The base will include:
Patrol ships
Aircraft
Surveillance systems
Search and rescue operations
The base will also support:
Fishermen protection
Environmental monitoring
Law enforcement
Why the South China Sea is Important
Major global trade route
Rich in:
Fisheries
Oil and gas reserves
Strategic military importance
Dispute in the South China Sea
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, including areas claimed by:
Philippines
Vietnam
Malaysia
Brunei
Taiwan
China’s claim is based on the Nine-Dash Line, which was:
Rejected by 2016 International Arbitration Tribunal
Based on UNCLOS (1982)
China rejected the ruling and continues to assert control.
About Thitu Island (Pag-asa Island)
Located in Spratly Islands
Controlled by Philippines since 1970s
About 400 residents
Strategic location near Chinese military bases
China has built artificial islands and military infrastructure nearby, including Subi Reef.
[2022] With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, consider the following statements: 1 A coastal state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from baseline determined in accordance with the convention. 2 Ships of all states, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea. 3 The Exclusive Economic Zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured. Which of the statements given above are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
PYQ Relevance[UPSC 2024] What are the aims and objectives of the recently passed and enforced, The Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024? Whether University/State Education Board examinations, too, are covered under the Act?Linkage: This question focuses on legislative intent, scope, and regulatory design of a law, which directly aligns with analysing Jan Vishwas amendments. The article similarly deals with legal rationalisation, decriminalisation, and redesign of penalties across multiple Acts to improve governance outcomes.
Mentor’s Comment
The passage of the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026 marks a significant shift in India’s regulatory philosophy, from criminalisation to trust-based compliance. This is a major departure from the earlier regime where even minor procedural lapses attracted criminal penalties.
What is the Jan Vishwas( Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026?
It is a legislative reform passed to enhance “Ease of Doing Business” and “Ease of Living” in India by decriminalizing 717 minor technical and procedural violations across 79 central acts.
Overall, the Bill seeks to rationalize more than 1,000 offences by removing minor offences, thereby improving the regulatory environment and enabling a more conducive ecosystem for businesses and citizens alike.
It replaces criminal penalties (imprisonment) with civil penalties and administrative warnings for minor offenses, reducing the burden on courts.
Why was there a need to shift from criminalisation to trust-based compliance?
Over-criminalisation: Criminal penalties were imposed even for minor procedural lapses, creating compliance anxiety.
Ease of Doing Business: Excessive regulations discouraged entrepreneurship and diverted resources from productive activities.
Judicial Burden: Nearly 50 million (5 crore) cases pending, many related to minor violations.
Regulatory Inefficiency: Focus on punishment rather than compliance reduces administrative effectiveness.
What are the key features of Jan Vishwas 2.0?
Mass Decriminalisation: Covers 784 provisions across 79 Central Acts.
Civil Penalty Mechanism: Replaces criminal penalties with monetary penalties and administrative actions.
Removal of Redundant Laws: Eliminates obsolete and outdated provisions from statute books.
Graded Enforcement: Introduces proportionate penalties based on severity of violations.
Sectoral Coverage: Includes exports, textiles, environment, and transport sectors.
Adjudicating Officers: The Act empowers specialized, appointed officials to levy penalties for violations, speeding up the resolution process.
How does the reform promote proportionality and regulatory clarity?
Proportionality Principle: Aligns penalties with severity of offence instead of blanket criminalisation.
Clarity in Enforcement: Introduces clear rules and structured penalty frameworks.
Administrative Resolution: Encourages resolution through civil and administrative mechanisms rather than courts.
Reduced Discretion: Limits arbitrary action by authorities through defined procedures.
What role did stakeholder consultation play in shaping the reform?
Industry Participation: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) engaged in sustained consultations.
Jan Vishwas 2.0 represents a structural transformation in India’s regulatory philosophy by prioritising trust, proportionality, and efficiency over punitive enforcement. Its success depends on effective implementation, institutional capacity, and consistent administrative practices.
Non fossil capacity: Nearly 50% installed capacity
But electricity generation: Only 25%
Reason:Solar and wind are intermittent
[2025] Consider the following statements about ‘PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana’: I. It targets installation of one crore solar rooftop panels in the residential sector. II. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy aims to impart training on installation, operation, maintenance and repairs of solar rooftop systems at grassroot levels. III. It aims to create more than three lakhs skilled manpower through fresh skilling and up-skilling, under scheme component of capacity building. Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) I and II only (b) I and III only (c) II and III only (d) I, II and III
PYQ Relevance[UPSC 2024] What changes has the Union Government recently introduced in the domain of Centre-State relations? Suggest measures to strengthen federalism.Linkage: Delimitation based on population directly affects inter-state power balance, raising concerns of northern dominance and southern marginalisation. The article links delimitation with federal tensions, making it central to debates on cooperative vs competitive federalism.
Mentor’s Comment
The Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, 2023 mandates 33% reservation for women in legislatures, linked to delimitation after the Census. Recent developments indicate a shift toward implementing delimitation using 2011 Census data alongside expansion of seats, raising concerns regarding representational equity, federal balance, and data validity.
Is the shift in sequencing of Census and delimitation constitutionally and politically significant?
Conducting delimitation without waiting for a fresh Census, marks a departure from the established constitutional and procedural norm of evidence-based representation. It raises concerns of institutional bypass, outdated data usage, and potential distortion of representational equity and federal balance.
Policy Shift: Alters sequencing by initiating delimitation before fresh Census data; departs from earlier stance linking both processes.
Electoral Timing: Aligns reform with upcoming elections; facilitates political mobilization, especially among women voters.
Institutional Deviation: Weakens precedent of evidence-based delimitation; raises concerns of procedural bypass.
Does population-based delimitation distort federal balance and representation?
Population-based delimitation is the process of redrawing electoral constituency boundaries and reallocating parliamentary/assembly seats to ensure each seat represents a similar number of people based on the latest census data. Its goal is to maintain democratic fairness (one person, one vote) by accounting for demographic shifts.
Population Criterion: Ensures seat allocation based on demographic weight; benefits high-growth northern states.
Regional Imbalance: Increases parliamentary strength of states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar (~180 seats combined).
Southern Disadvantage: Reduces relative influence of southern states with stabilized population growth.
Federal Strain: Challenges balance between states; may disrupt cooperative federalism.
Can seat expansion mitigate representational inequity?
Seat Expansion: Proposes ~50% increase in Lok Sabha strength (543 to 816 seats).
Relative Share Preservation: Attempts to maintain proportional representation across states.
Absolute Advantage: Northern states still gain numerically larger representation despite uniform expansion.
Electoral Impact: Reinforces dominance under first-past-the-post system; numerical strength translates into electoral advantage.
Is reliance on 2011 Census data a structural limitation?
Outdated Data: Uses decade-old demographic profile despite ongoing Census process.
Demographic Shifts: Ignores urbanization, migration, COVID-19 impact on population patterns.
Misrepresentation Risk: Leads to inaccurate constituency boundaries and population ratios.
Policy Trade-off: Prioritizes speed of reform over accuracy of representation.
What are the implications of delimitation for women’s reservation?
Delayed Implementation: Reservation tied to delimitation; postpones actual political inclusion.
Rotation Mechanism: Lack of clarity on rotation of reserved constituencies affects continuity and accountability.
Sub-quota Demand: Triggers demand for OBC and minority sub-quotas within women’s reservation.
Electoral Disruption: Frequent rotation may weaken constituency development and political stability.
Does delimitation represent a structural redesign of Indian democracy?
Electoral Reconfiguration: Redraws constituency boundaries; reshapes political geography.
Power Redistribution: Alters inter-state and intra-state political power dynamics.
Social Representation: Changes composition of legislatures across gender, caste, and region.
Long-term Impact: Marks one of the most significant shifts in representation since early decades of the Republic.
Conclusion
Delimitation, coupled with women’s reservation, represents a structural transformation of India’s electoral system. Its implementation without updated data risks distorting representation and federal balance. A calibrated, data-driven, and consensus-based approach is essential to preserve democratic legitimacy.
The Supreme Court nine-judge Bench began hearing review petitions in the Sabarimala case, and the Centre argued against strict definitions of religious denomination and essential religious practices.
Centre’s Argument
Hinduism is plural and diverse
No single:
Founder
Scripture
Authority
Uniform practices
Therefore:
Strict definitions may limit religious diversity
Courts should be cautious in deciding matters of faith
2018 Sabarimala Judgment (Background)
Supreme Court (5 judge bench) held:
Ayyappans not a separate religious denomination
Women aged 10–50 allowed entry
Ban not an essential religious practice
Exclusion based on menstruation violates equality
Key Constitutional Articles
Article 25: Freedom of religion
Article 26: Rights of religious denominations
Key Issue Before 9 Judge Bench
What is religious denomination
What qualifies as essential religious practice
Extent of judicial review in religious matters
[2020] Consider the following statements: 1 The Constitution of India defines its ‘basic structure’ in terms of federalism, secularism, fundamental rights and democracy. 2 The Constitution of India provides for ‘judicial review’ to safeguard the citizens’ liberties and to preserve the ideals on which the Constitution is based. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2