Constitution Day 2025: Celebrating India's Progressive Constitutional Vision
India marked the 76th anniversary of Constitution Day on November 26, 2025, with prominent leaders including President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi participating in celebrations at Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan in New Delhi.
The Indian Constitution, adopted in 1949 and implemented in 1950, represented a revolutionary departure from Western constitutional models according to experts Rochana Bajpai and Manas Raturi. Born amidst bloody partition and colonial transfer of power, the document was remarkably ahead of its time, incorporating unique provisions that addressed India's specific social realities.
Unlike Western constitutions that primarily focus on individual civil and political liberties, the Indian Constitution explicitly recognizes group-differentiated rights and state responsibility to address social inequities. Article 14 guarantees equality before law, while Article 15 prohibits discrimination by the state against citizens, specifically identifying caste-based discrimination as requiring special attention.
Key Constitutional Innovations
The Constitution's progressive approach is evident in several groundbreaking provisions:
Article 17 completely outlawed the practice of untouchability, while Article 23 prohibited human trafficking and forced labor, addressing debt bondage tied to caste and landlordism. These provisions demonstrated the Constitution makers' recognition that power in society extends beyond the state to include social groups and communities.
The document also established a nuanced approach to religious diversity, creating a secular state that prohibits compulsory taxation for any religion (Article 27) and compulsory religious instruction in state-funded institutions (Article 28). Articles 29 and 30 guarantee religious and linguistic minorities the right to preserve their culture and establish educational institutions.
Jal Jeevan Mission: Crackdown on Corruption
In significant governance developments, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed strict action against irregularities in the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), resulting in seven states imposing penalties totaling Rs 129 crore on contractors. According to top officials, states including Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Gujarat, Assam, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Rajasthan have recovered Rs 12.95 crore already.
The Centre has decided to modify the funding mechanism for the next phase of JJM, shifting from lump-sum allocations to scheme-wise fund releases. This change follows investigations revealing how guideline modifications three years ago removed crucial expenditure checks, leading to cost escalations.
Jal Jeevan Mission, launched in 2019 to provide tap connections to every rural household by 2024, has been extended till 2028 with enhanced financial support, though this move awaits Union Cabinet approval.
Supreme Court Upholds Army Discipline in Religious Freedom Case
The Supreme Court declined to interfere with the Delhi High Court order upholding the termination of a Christian Indian Army officer who refused to enter a regimental Sarva Dharma Sthal. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymala Bagchi, described the officer's actions as the grossest kind of indiscipline and stated he was a misfit for the Indian Army.
The Court emphasized that while Article 25 guarantees freedom of religion, protections must be viewed through the lens of essential religious features rather than individual sentiments. The ruling highlighted the balance between religious freedom and military discipline under Article 33, which allows restrictions on fundamental rights for armed forces members.
Hayli Gubbi Volcanic Eruption: Aviation Crisis Explained
The eruption of Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia on November 23 has caused significant disruption to global air travel, including Indian flights. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an urgent advisory directing airlines to avoid ash-affected areas and conduct post-flight inspections.
Volcanic ash particles pose severe risks to aircraft, particularly jet engines where temperatures exceed 1,500 degrees Celsius. Ash containing silica melts at approximately 1,000 degrees, forming molten glass that can coat turbine blades and cause engine failure. The abrasive particles can also clog sensors, impair pneumatics, and reduce cockpit visibility.
Historical incidents, including the 1982 British Airways flight that lost all four engines after encountering Mount Galunggung's ash cloud, demonstrate the genuine danger. Ash clouds from the Ethiopian eruption have traveled at cruising altitudes, affecting flights across Yemen, Oman, Pakistan, and India following prevailing air currents.
Poshan Tracker: Digital Innovation in Nutrition Monitoring
The Poshan Tracker, launched in 2021 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, represents one of the world's largest government-funded nutrition monitoring systems. Connecting over 1.4 million Anganwadi Centres, it tracks nutritional status for more than 88 million women, children, and adolescent girls.
The system employs e-KYC and Facial Recognition System (FRS) to ensure accurate service delivery and prevent duplicate beneficiaries. Contrary to popular misconceptions, e-KYC is a one-time process, FRS isn't required for children under six, and beneficiaries don't need smartphones for authentication.
As of August 2025, approximately 3.69 crore THR beneficiaries (75% of the target base) had completed e-KYC and facial authentication, demonstrating India's growing acceptance of digital public service delivery.
Special Intensive Revision: Electoral Roll Updates and BLO Challenges
The ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in nine states and three Union Territories has highlighted challenges facing Booth Level Officers (BLOs). Unlike the Bihar exercise where electors submitted documents during enumeration, the current process requires BLOs to physically search previous revision rolls to trace electors or their relatives.
This methodological shift has increased BLO workload significantly, with reports of stress-related incidents emerging. The Election Commission has taken strict action against dereliction of duty, with 60 FIRs filed in Noida alone within a week, compared to 42 total FIRs during Bihar's three-month SIR.
The SIR, ordered nationwide on June 24, aims to create accurate electoral rolls, with the draft publication scheduled for December 9, after which document verification will commence for unmatched entries.
