Introduction
Indian polity is a "living" subject — static provisions of the Constitution keep interacting with new
laws, amendments, and political developments. This chapter is a running list of the most significant
constitutional and political developments of the past few years, updated for 2026 aspirants. Because this
is a fast-moving area, always cross-check the latest status of pending bills before the exam.
Abrogation of Article 370 (2019)
- On 5 August 2019, a Presidential Order (under Article 370 itself) effectively abrogated the special status of Jammu & Kashmir, applying the entire Constitution of India to the region.
- The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 bifurcated the state into two Union Territories — Jammu & Kashmir (with a legislature) and Ladakh (without a legislature).
- In December 2023, the Supreme Court (in In Re: Article 370) upheld the abrogation, holding that Article 370 was always a temporary provision and that the President's power to modify/revoke it did not require the recommendation of the (by-then-dissolved) J&K Constituent Assembly.
New Criminal Law Codes (2023, in force 2024)
Three colonial-era codes were replaced with new legislation, effective 1 July 2024:
| Old Law | New Law |
|---|
| Indian Penal Code, 1860 | Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 |
| Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 | Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 |
| Indian Evidence Act, 1872 | Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), 2023 |
Key themes: emphasis on speedy justice with statutory timelines, provisions for electronic/digital evidence and forensic investigation in serious offences, and community service as a form of punishment for minor offences.
106th Amendment — Women's Reservation ("Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam"), 2023
- Reserves 1/3rd of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies (including within the SC/ST quota) for women.
- Implementation is linked to delimitation after the first Census conducted post-2026 — meaning actual reservation will take effect only once the relevant delimitation exercise is completed.
- Does not apply to the Rajya Sabha or State Legislative Councils.
One Nation, One Election (Simultaneous Elections)
- A High-Level Committee chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind examined the feasibility of simultaneous Lok Sabha, State Assembly, and local body elections and recommended constitutional amendments (new Articles 82A and 324A) with a phased implementation.
- The government introduced the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024 and a connected Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha in December 2024; both were referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for detailed examination, and the proposal remains under legislative consideration.
- Key debates: federalism concerns (state assembly terms can be altered without state ratification under the proposed scheme), impact on regional parties, and administrative feasibility (EVM/security requirements).
Delimitation and Lok Sabha Strength — the 2026 Debate
- The freeze on the total number of Lok Sabha/Assembly seats (based on the 1971 Census) was extended by the 84th and 87th Amendments until after the first Census taken after 2026.
- Proposals under discussion (including a private/government bill floated in 2025) suggest expanding Lok Sabha strength from 550 to as much as 850 seats, reflecting present-day population while trying to protect southern/smaller states' relative representation.
- This remains a live and politically sensitive area — candidates should verify the latest legislative status closer to the exam.
Other Notable Developments
| Development | Key Point |
|---|
| CEC and Other ECs (Appointment) Act, 2023 | New selection committee (PM, a Union Cabinet Minister, Leader of Opposition) for appointing Election Commissioners, following the Anoop Baranwal (2023) judgment |
| Electoral Bonds Scheme struck down (Feb 2024) | Supreme Court held the anonymous political-funding scheme unconstitutional, citing the voter's right to information under Article 19(1)(a) |
| Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025 | Proposes removal of PM/CM/Ministers detained for 30+ days for serious offences; introduced in Parliament, under committee review |
| Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 | Reforms governance and registration of Waqf properties; subject of ongoing litigation before the Supreme Court on constitutional validity |
⚖️ Exam Strategy Note: This chapter deliberately covers items still in progress (ONOE Bill, Lok Sabha expansion, 130th Amendment Bill). For Prelims, focus on settled facts (dates, article numbers); for Mains, be ready to discuss the arguments for and against each reform even if its final shape is not yet settled.
✅ UPSC Focus: Article 370 abrogation and the 2023 Supreme Court judgment · BNS/BNSS/BSA replacing IPC/CrPC/Evidence Act · 106th Amendment mechanics and its delimitation linkage · Status of the 129th Amendment Bill (ONOE) · 2023 ECI Appointment Act composition.