Polity & Governance

21st Constitutional Amendment (1967)

The 21st Constitutional Amendment to the Constitution of India, enacted in 1967, added the Sindhi language to the Eighth Schedule, granting it official recognition. This inclusion was for the preservation and promotion of Sindhi culture and language post-Partition. The amendment allowed for governmental support in education, literature, and administration in Sindhi. It also symbolized political acknowledgment of the Sindhi community’s resilience and identity after displacement. The Eighth Schedule currently lists 22 languages, and inclusion in it facilitates the translation of official documents and constitutional texts into those languages.

Why in news?

The 2026 release of the Constitution in Sindhi commemorates the recognition Sindhi received through the 21st Amendment, reinforcing the language’s constitutional status and cultural importance.

84th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002

The 84th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002 extended the freeze on the total number of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Legislatures until 2026. This freeze was initially imposed to encourage States to pursue family planning and population stabilization. It mandated that seat allocation remain unchanged despite population changes, pending the first census after 2026. The Amendment aimed to balance representation with demographic progress, preventing States with higher population growth from gaining disproportionate political power. It is a unique constitutional mechanism linking electoral representation with population control efforts in India.

Why in news?

The 84th Amendment is relevant as the freeze it imposed on seat allocation is set to end after the 2026 Census, triggering a new delimitation exercise to redistribute parliamentary seats.

Algorithmic Accountability Act

The Algorithmic Accountability Act is a proposed U.S. federal law aimed at increasing transparency and oversight of automated decision systems used by companies. It would require companies to conduct impact assessments of their algorithms, focusing on potential biases, privacy violations, and harmful societal effects. The bill targets platforms that use algorithms to influence user behavior, including social media companies. It seeks to hold companies accountable for the consequences of algorithmic design, promote fairness, and protect vulnerable populations, especially children. The Act is part of broader legislative efforts to regulate AI and digital platforms.

Why in news?

The verdict has heightened demands for algorithmic transparency, making the Algorithmic Accountability Act increasingly relevant to regulate addictive and harmful social media design.

Article 275(1) Grants

Article 275(1) of the Constitution of India mandates grants-in-aid from the Union government to states requiring financial assistance for special areas and tribal welfare. These grants are charged directly to the Consolidated Fund of India, ensuring accountability and parliamentary oversight. They are statutory, predictable, and based on genuine need rather than narrow revenue deficit calculations. Historically, these grants have been crucial for fiscally weaker states, supporting regional development and social welfare. The provision predates the Third Finance Commission, which introduced revenue deficit-based criteria. Article 275(1) grants cannot be arbitrarily discontinued as they are constitutionally protected to maintain fiscal equity among states.

Why in news?

The Sixteenth Finance Commission has discontinued Article 275(1) revenue deficit grants, raising concerns about weakening statutory fiscal support to poorer states, especially affecting tribal welfare and special area administration.

Article 282 Grants

Article 282 of the Constitution of India allows the Union and states to make discretionary grants for any public purpose. Unlike Article 275(1) grants, these are non-statutory, not charged to the Consolidated Fund, and lack mandatory accountability or predictability. They fund centrally sponsored schemes and other discretionary initiatives without a binding formula. Article 282 grants have been used to supplement local bodies and urban development projects. The flexibility of these grants often leads to conditional funding, contrasting with the equity-driven nature of statutory grants. Their discretionary nature can dilute fiscal federalism by shifting resources based on political priorities rather than constitutional needs.

Why in news?

The Sixteenth Finance Commission has dramatically increased Article 282 grants to local bodies, doubling allocations but raising concerns about discretionary control and reduced transparency in fiscal federalism.

Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct

The Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct were adopted in 2002 by the Judicial Group on Strengthening Judicial Integrity under the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. They establish six core values for judges – independence, impartiality, integrity, propriety, equality, and competence and diligence. These principles serve as a global ethical framework ...