Current Affairs

Editorials · Indian Polity & Governance

Syllabus-mapped editorials, PIB updates, reports, judgments, and policy news for prelims and mains revision.

22 July 2026

GS-2Editorials22 Jul 2026thehindu.com

Why Punjab’s Dalits remain divided

The article analyzes the political marginalization of the Scheduled Caste (SC) community in Punjab, despite constituting the highest percentage of the state's population (32%). It highlights that internal divisions among the 39 different SC castes, further split by religions and sects (Deras) like Ravidassias, Ad-Dharmi, Balmikis, and Mazhabis, prevent them from forming a unified political force. This fragmentation, coupled with mainstream political parties' focus on 'appeasement politics' rather than genuine empowerment through constitutional protections and reservation laws, has limited their political influence. The article notes the historical dominance of Jat Sikhs in Punjab politics and the brief tenure of Charanjit Singh Channi as the only Dalit Chief Minister since 1977. With the 2027 Assembly elections approaching, political leaders, including the Prime Minister and Chief Minister, are actively courting Dera followers, underscoring the significance of Dalit voters.

Social Justice & Development Indian Polity & Governance

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GS-2Editorials22 Jul 2026thehindu.com

Lists of folly: On the Supreme Court, the SIR and benefits

The Supreme Court has reiterated its stance that exclusion from electoral rolls cannot be linked to consequences unrelated to voting, specifically in response to West Bengal government orders that made welfare benefits and caste certifications contingent on outcomes of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Court emphasized that SIR outcomes are solely for electoral purposes and cannot determine citizenship status or eligibility for welfare schemes like Annapurna Yojana and Public Distribution System, citing its previous judgment in the Bihar SIR case. The article highlights the legal paradox of citizenship and electoral rolls, stressing that linking absence from the roll to subsistence benefits is illogical and cruel, and raises concerns about universal human rights.

Indian Polity & Governance

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GS-2Editorials22 Jul 2026thehindu.com

The salt of democracy

The article analyzes climate activist Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike in Delhi, comparing it to Mahatma Gandhi's Salt March as a symbol of reclaiming democratic rights and fostering civil disobedience among the youth. It highlights the government's perceived indifference and use of state force, contrasting it with the fundamental responsibility of accountability in a democracy. The movement, initially focused on the NEET-UG paper leaks, evolved into a broader expression of dissent, uniting diverse groups and questioning the legitimacy of state actions against peaceful protest. The author emphasizes the reawakening of public spirit and the importance of dissent in a democratic setup.

Indian Polity & Governance

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10 July 2026

GS-2Editorials10 Jul 2026thehindu.com

SIR in Manipur is a pathway to exclusion

The article critically analyzes the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Manipur, arguing that its implementation amidst ongoing ethnic conflict is leading to the exclusion and disenfranchisement of the Kuki-Zo community. It highlights specific vulnerabilities for Kuki-Zo people, including displacement, loss of identity documents, unique naming systems, and the lack of Sixth Schedule status. The author criticizes the Election Commission of India (ECI) and government for proceeding with SIR under these conditions, linking it to broader narratives of 'illegal migrants' and potential statelessness, and calls for a fairer, more sensitive process.

Indian Polity & Governance

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09 July 2026

GS-2Editorials09 Jul 2026thehindu.com

Checkbox caste: On the counting of caste, Census 2027

The article discusses the upcoming Census 2027, highlighting its key feature of including an 'open column' for respondents to state their caste, which will have statutory backing, unlike the 2011 Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC). It notes the challenges of open-ended caste data collection, as seen in the unusable 2011 SECC data, and suggests a digital method with curated lists, citing the Bihar caste survey as a potential model. The article delves into the constitutional stance against caste discrimination while arguing that empirical caste data is indispensable for targeting welfare and social justice measures, affirmative action, and informing policies related to the 'creamy layer' and sub-categorisation of castes.

Indian Polity & Governance Social Justice & Development

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07 July 2026

GS-2Editorials07 Jul 2026thehindu.com

How the right to walk is integral to modernity

The article discusses the Supreme Court's recent ruling declaring the 'Right to Walk safely on footpaths' as a fundamental right under Article 19(1)(d) (freedom of movement) and Article 21 (right to life). It contextualizes this judgment by highlighting the historical, spiritual, and literary significance of walking in India, linking it to figures like Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore, and various spiritual leaders, and presenting it as integral to the concept of modernity and individual freedom.

Indian Polity & Governance

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GS-2Editorials07 Jul 2026thehindu.com

In India, voting cannot remain merely a statutory right

The article discusses the ongoing constitutional debate regarding the status of the right to vote in India. Traditionally held as a statutory right based on Supreme Court judgments like N.P. Ponnuswami (1952) and Jyoti Basu (1982), the Court's recent jurisprudence has constitutionalized various facets of voting. Decisions in cases like Association for Democratic Reforms (2002), People’s Union of Civil Liberties (2003), and the NOTA judgment (2013) have linked the right to know about candidates, freedom of informed choice, and the right to reject all candidates to the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression (Article 19(1)(a)). The article highlights the anomaly where the act of voting remains statutory while its essential components are fundamental, especially given that democracy and free and fair elections are part of the Constitution's basic structure (Kesavananda Bharati, Indira Nehru Gandhi cases) and Article 326 guarantees universal adult suffrage. It argues for revisiting the doctrine to recognize the core right to vote as a fundamental right.

Indian Polity & Governance

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06 July 2026

GS-2Editorials06 Jul 2026thehindu.com

The right to belong beyond official documentation

The article critically examines the evolving understanding of Indian citizenship, triggered by a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs that a passport is merely a 'travel document' and not a 'citizenship document'. It highlights how this assertion, coupled with recent Supreme Court pronouncements on the Election Commission's power to scrutinize citizenship during electoral roll revisions, and amendments to the Citizenship Act (2019, 2024) introducing religious criteria, raises fundamental questions about who belongs and on what terms. The author argues that while Article 11 grants Parliament power over citizenship, this power is implicitly limited by the Constitution's foundational commitments to secularism, equality, and non-discrimination, as evidenced by Constituent Assembly debates rejecting religious criteria. The article traces the shift from 'jus soli' to more restrictive citizenship laws and criticizes the Supreme Court's recent interpretations that appear to grant unlimited power to Parliament and shift the burden of proof onto individuals, potentially stripping them of rights by placing them in a bureaucratic limbo. It concludes by emphasizing that citizenship, as the basis for fundamental rights and personhood, should not solely depend on paperwork but on constitutional ideals.

Indian Polity & Governance

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GS-2Editorials06 Jul 2026thehindu.com

A life devoted to India’s unity and progress

The article commemorates Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee's 125th birth anniversary, highlighting his unwavering commitment to India's unity and progress. It details his fight against colonialism and communalism, his role in ensuring West Bengal remained with India during Partition, and his stance on Jammu & Kashmir. The article also covers his contributions as Vice-Chancellor of Calcutta University, his tenure as India's first Minister for Industry and Supply (pioneering initiatives like DVC and Sindri), and his formation of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh. It emphasizes his democratic spirit, his opposition to the First Amendment, and his humanitarian efforts during the Bengal famine.

History of India Indian Polity & Governance

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04 July 2026

GS-2Editorials04 Jul 2026thehindu.com

Manufacturing justice: On the top court, AI use observations

The Supreme Court of India has expressed strong caution against the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in judicial processes, likening AI hallucinations to the Bhopal gas tragedy due to their catastrophic potential for miscarriage of justice. The Court set aside NCLT and NCLAT orders that relied on fictitious AI-generated legal citations, deeming such reliance as judicial misconduct. While acknowledging AI's potential as an assistive tool for efficiency, the Court emphasized that it cannot replace human reasoning or judicial discretion. It has directed the Bar Council of India to formulate strict norms and disciplinary actions for lawyers citing unverified AI material, and the draft 'Regulations for Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Courts, 2026' prohibits AI in core judicial functions like adjudication or sentencing.

Indian Polity & Governance

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02 July 2026

GS-2Editorials02 Jul 2026thehindu.com

On curbing young adults on social media

The article analyzes the global trend of regulating social media access for children, prompted by the UK's proposed ban for under-16s and similar initiatives in other countries, including debates in India. It critically examines the efficacy and implications of such bans, highlighting issues like age verification challenges, circumvention, and privacy concerns related to data collection. The article advocates for an alternative approach focusing on platform governance, transparency, and accountability, rather than merely restricting access, while acknowledging the complexities involved in regulating powerful social media entities and the potential burden on regulatory and judicial bodies.

Indian Polity & Governance

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GS-2Editorials02 Jul 2026thehindu.com

Yes and no: On the erosion of India’s grassroots democracy

A new report highlights the erosion of India's grassroots democracy, particularly concerning Gram Sabhas. It notes 'participation fatigue' among citizens due to a lack of outcomes and systemic issues like precarious rural labor. Despite the 73rd Amendment empowering Gram Sabhas, they are often reduced to clearinghouses for central/state schemes, with solutions like the NIRNAY app failing to address fundamental issues. Panchayats face fiscal constraints, dependent on central grants tied to national priorities (e.g., Jal Jeevan Mission, Swachh Bharat), limiting local autonomy. The PESA Act, which grants Gram Sabhas prior informed consent for land acquisition and mining in Scheduled Areas, is frequently bypassed, as seen in protests like Hasdeo Arand.

Indian Polity & Governance

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