2024 Bangladesh Protests

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s sudden and swift resignation from power on August 5, 2024, has left many questioning how she could be forced to step down and even leave the country, despite her seemingly complete control. Bangladesh has experienced chaos and bloodshed due to the departure of Hasina, with her partymen, religious minorities, policemen, and border guards targeted, resulting in several deaths and hundreds of injuries.

Supreme Court Declares Electoral Bond (EB) Scheme Unconstitutional

In a landmark verdict delivered just weeks before the Lok Sabha elections, the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, issued a definitive ruling on the contentious issue of electoral funding. The court meticulously scrutinised the Electoral Bond (EB) Scheme introduced in 2017, designed to facilitate anonymous political contributions, and declared it unconstitutional. This decision marks a pivotal moment in India’s democratic landscape, with far-reaching implications for transparency and accountability in political financing.

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.