Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024

The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), enacted in 2019, has stirred considerable debate and controversy in India. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced the Citizenship Amendment Rules, 2024, just before the upcoming general elections, sparking renewed discussions about its implications. Aimed at providing citizenship to undocumented individuals from specific religious minorities in neighbouring countries, the CAA’s rules delineate a meticulous process involving various documents and online applications.

High-Level Committee Report on Simultaneous Elections

India stands at a critical juncture in its democratic journey, poised for a significant shift in its electoral framework. The Simultaneous Elections Report 2024, led by a high-level committee chaired by the former president, Ram Nath Kovind, has garnered nationwide attention. This ambitious initiative aims to synchronise the electoral cycles of central and state governments, enhancing governance efficiency and stability.

Economic Review 2023–24

Ahead of the interim budget (2024-25) speech, the Department of Economic Affairs released, in January 2024, a comprehensive report showcasing the government’s achievements over the past decade from 2014 until 2024, witnessing significant development across various sectors in India. The review also highlights significant transition and challenges from the 1950s until 2014. This review, published just two days before the budget address, highlights India’s economic trajectory amidst global challenges, with its gross domestic product (GDP) poised to exceed 7.2 per cent in FY24.

Interim Budget 2024–25

The finance minister (FM), Nirmala Sitharaman, presented the union budget for the financial year 2024–25 for the sixth consecutive time on February 1, 2024. This was an interim budget, focusing on the achievements of the two back-to-back governments under Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the past decade. The main takeaways from the interim budget are the recap of the government’s achievements in two terms.

Supreme Court Declares Electoral Bonds Scheme Unconstitutional

In a landmark verdict, the Indian judiciary, led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and supported by Justice Sanjeev Khanna, delivered a resolute blow to opacity in political funding. The ruling reverberated beyond courtrooms, echoing through the corridors of power, as it struck down crucial amendments to the Income Tax Act and the Representation of People Act, effectively banning anonymous political contributions facilitated by electoral bonds.

Supreme Court Judgment on Abrogation of Article 370

On December 11, 2023, the Supreme Court of India delivered its verdict on petitions challenging the Centre’s decision to make changes to the Article 370 and reorganise the state into two union territories of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and Ladakh. After a 16-day hearing, the court considered submissions for and against 2019 Centre’s act. The main issue to be decided was whether Parliament could have converted itself into a Constituent Assembly.