As UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 aspirants intensify their preparations, mastering Polity and Governance concepts becomes crucial for Prelims success. The latest edition of daily subject-wise quizzes focuses on critical constitutional provisions, recent judicial developments, and important legislative amendments that every serious candidate must understand thoroughly.
Understanding Governor's Powers Under Article 200
The role and powers of state Governors have been a subject of significant constitutional debate recently. Under Article 200 of the Indian Constitution, the Governor possesses specific powers when presented with state legislation. These include granting assent to bills, withholding assent, returning non-money bills for legislative reconsideration, and reserving certain bills for the President's consideration.
In a landmark balancing act, the Supreme Court recently clarified the limits of gubernatorial power and discretion. While the judiciary cannot impose specific timelines for Governors to act on bills, prolonged and unexplained delays can be subject to judicial examination. However, the court ruled out the concept of "deemed assent" and maintained that the content of the Governor's decision remains beyond judicial review.
The constitutional position establishes that Article 163 binds the Governor to ministerial advice except in areas where the Constitution explicitly grants discretion, with Article 200 representing one such space for independent action.
Tribunals Reforms: Judicial Oversight and Independence
In a significant assertion of constitutional authority, the Supreme Court struck down the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021, marking a decisive moment in the ongoing dialogue between judiciary and executive regarding tribunal independence.
Tribunals serve as quasi-judicial bodies designed to provide specialized and expedited dispute resolution, thereby reducing the caseload burden on high courts. The court found that the 2021 Act constituted an impermissible "legislative override" of previous judgments, particularly the July 2021 verdict in the Madras Bar Association case that had invalidated similar provisions in an ordinance.
The judiciary directed the Union government to establish a National Tribunals Commission within four months—an independent oversight body for tribunal appointments and functioning that the court has recommended for years. The ruling reinforced principles mandating five-year tenures for tribunal members and invalidated the 50-year minimum age limit for advocates.
Key Constitutional Amendments and Legislation
The political landscape recently witnessed controversy surrounding the proposed Constitution (131 Amendment) Bill 2025, which aimed to include Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Constitution. This development generated significant debate as Chandigarh serves as both a Union Territory and the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana.
Article 240 empowers the President to make regulations for peace, progress, and good government in specified Union Territories when their legislative assemblies are dissolved or suspended. The proposed amendment would have enabled Chandigarh to receive an independent administrator, similar to Lieutenant Governors in other Union Territories.
Another critical legislation examined in current polity discussions is the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. A recent study reveals that nearly a decade after enactment, the system struggles with structural deficits and high pendency rates. As of October 2023, over 50,000 children in conflict with the law awaited justice, with 55% of cases pending before Juvenile Justice Boards.
The Act establishes two categories—"Children in Conflict with Law" and "Children in Need of Care and Protection"—and provides for Juvenile Justice Boards and Child Welfare Committees at district levels. Contrary to common perception, the legislation addresses not only criminal matters but also welfare, adoption, rehabilitation, custody, and protection issues.
Supreme Court's Review Powers and Recent Applications
The Constitution empowers the Supreme Court under Article 137 to review its own judgments through review petitions. This provision recently gained prominence when the court, in a 2:1 ruling, recalled its May judgment that had struck down Environment Ministry notifications permitting ex post facto environmental clearances.
The majority opinion held that the earlier ruling was delivered per incuriam (in ignorance of binding law), while the dissenting judge maintained that ex post facto environmental clearances fundamentally contradict environmental jurisprudence principles.
This case underscores the dynamic nature of constitutional interpretation and the importance of understanding the Supreme Court's review mechanisms for comprehensive UPSC preparation.
