• The Right to Free and Compulsory Education under Article 21A, inserted through the 86th Constitutional Amendment (2002), mandates the State to ensure free elementary education for children aged 6 to 14 years. Subsequent policy expansions, especially the National Education Policy (2020), broaden this vision to cover ages 3 to 18 years, aiming for universalisation […]

How the Absence of Timelines in the Anti-Defection Law Weakens Democracy: A Critical Analysis of the Tenth Schedule Introduction The absence of timelines in the anti-defection law under the Tenth Schedule, inserted through the 52nd Constitutional Amendment Act (1985), seeks to curb political defections that undermine democratic stability. However, the Constitution does not prescribe any

How Public–Private Partnerships in Indian Healthcare Threaten Public Health & the Right to Health Public–Private Partnerships in Indian Healthcare have expanded rapidly in recent years, raising critical concerns about accessibility, affordability, and the weakening of public health systems. A robust public health system is central to the realization of health as a fundamental human right,

Paradox of Democracy in India: Election Commission’s SIR and the Battle Over ‘The People’ Introduction The paradox of democracy in India becomes evident when the state, which is a creation of the people, acquires the power to decide who truly belongs to ‘the people’. The legitimacy of a modern democratic state rests on the principle

Mandatory Digital Systems in Welfare Delivery: Evaluating ABBA, Aadhaar and Geo-Tagging in India Ensuring efficient and corruption-free welfare delivery remains a persistent administrative challenge in India, where leakages, absenteeism, and weak monitoring have historically undermined programme outcomes. Over the last decade, governments have increasingly adopted mandatory digital systems in welfare delivery such as Aadhaar-Based Biometric

Socio-Economic Challenges in India’s Coal Phase-Out: A Critical Analysis & Just Transition Measures Socio-Economic Challenges in India’s Coal Phase-Out: A Critical Analysis & Measures for a Just Transition The socio-economic challenges in India’s coal phase-out are deeply intertwined with regional employment, energy security, state finances, and the pace of renewable energy adoption. A coal phase-out,

India’s Moment of Reckoning: Is It Becoming an Outlier in Global Politics? Introduction: India’s strategic environment in the mid-2020s is marked by heightened regional volatility, sharpening great-power contestation, and a rise in non-traditional security threats, prompting many analysts to describe the present as a “moment of reckoning” for Indian foreign policy. The assertion that India

How Retrospective Environmental Clearances in India Weaken Accountability and Deterrence Retrospective environmental clearances in India have emerged as a contentious feature of environmental governance, raising serious concerns about accountability, deterrence, and the integrity of regulatory institutions. Introduction • Retrospective or ex post facto environmental clearances refer to the practice of granting Environmental Clearances (ECs) to

Colombo Security Conclave: India’s Strategic Challenge Amid Growing Chinese Presence in the Indian Ocean Introduction The Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) has emerged as a crucial sub-regional security framework in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), focusing on maritime security, counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, and transnational crime. The strategic relevance of the CSC is amplified by the Indian Ocean’s

How Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Became a National Development Priority in India Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is no longer just a medical issue—it has evolved into a national development priority for India, influencing public health, economic productivity, agriculture, environment, and governance structures. Introduction • Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) refers to the ability of microbes such as bacteria, fungi,