Vision IAS – January Polity Current Affairs
Prepared in simplified form by The Legal Writ.
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What’s Inside This Blog?
- Cooperatives & IYC 2025
- 10 Years of NITI Aayog
- Lokpal & Lokayuktas
- Election Commission of India (ECI)
- Internet Shutdowns
- News in Shorts – Important Polity Updates
- FAQs on January Polity Current Affairs
1. COOPERATIVES & IYC 2025
UN International Year of Cooperatives 2025
- Proclaimed by: UNGA (June 2024)
- Theme: Cooperatives Build a Better World
- Objectives: Promote awareness, policy reforms, youth leadership & growth of cooperative sector
- Host: COPAC
What are Cooperatives?
- Voluntary groups pooling resources for common economic goals
- Aim: Self-help, mutual aid, focus on weaker sections
- Supported globally by International Cooperative Alliance (ICA)
- India hosted ICA Global Conference (2024) – Theme: Cooperatives Build Prosperity for All
Cooperatives in India
- Began with Cooperative Credit Societies Act, 1904
- India has 27% of world’s cooperatives
- Major sectors: Housing, Dairy, PACS
- Leading States: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, MP, Karnataka
97th Constitutional Amendment
- Added cooperatives under Art 19(1)(c)
- Added Art 43B (DPSP)
- Introduced Part IXB (243ZH–ZT)
Cooperative Banks
- Registered under State Cooperative Acts
- Regulated by RBI: BR Act, 1949 & Banking Laws (Co-op Societies) Act, 1955
- ~1400 Urban Cooperative Banks (mostly in Gujarat & Maharashtra)
Significance
- Social cohesion, equality, bargaining power
- Financial inclusion, reduced inequality
- Moral values and democratic leadership
Challenges
- Political interference
- Weak governance & audits
- Regional imbalance
- Lack of skilled staff & digital literacy
- Small size & low efficiency
Government Steps
- NCDC, Ministry of Cooperation (2021)
- Multi-State Co-op Amendment Act 2023
- PACS model bylaws
- Grain Storage Plan
- Margdarshika for new PACS
- National Cooperative Database
2. 10 YEARS OF NITI AAYOG (2015–2025)
About
- Founded via Union Cabinet resolution (not constitutional/statutory)
Mandate:
- Monitor SDGs
- Promote competitive & cooperative federalism
- Chairman: PM
Achievements
- Cooperative Federalism: Team India Hub, Aspirational District Programme
- Competitive Federalism: Ranking indexes—Health, Water, Energy, Education
- Innovation: AIM, ATLs, NDAP
- Social Interventions: Poshan Abhiyaan, SATH-E
- SDG Monitoring: SDG India Index
Need Ahead
- More financial autonomy
- Better enforcement powers
- Stronger Centre-State coordination
3. LOKPAL & LOKAYUKTA
About the Act (2013)
- Anti-corruption bodies at Union & State levels
- Amended in 2016 – allowed leader of largest opposition party in LS to be member of selection committee
Lokpal
- Chairperson + 8 Members (50% judicial, 50% reserved categories)
- Appointed by President on recommendation of PM-led committee
- Jurisdiction: PM (with exceptions), Ministers, MPs, Central officials
Issues
- Weak protection to whistleblowers
- No clear appeals system
- Political influence in appointments
- PM under jurisdiction – controversial
- Lack of constitutional status
- Time limit: complaints older than 7 years not accepted
Reforms Suggested
- Constitutional backing
- PM excluded (as per 2nd ARC)
- Administrative & financial autonomy
- NGOs funded by govt under Lokayukta
4. ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA
About
- Constitutional body (Art 324–329)
- Founded: 25 January 1950 (National Voters Day)
- Conducts elections to: LS, RS, State Assemblies, President, VP
2023 Appointment Act
- Search Committee → prepares panel
- Selection Committee → PM, LoP, Cabinet Minister
- Tenure: 6 years or 65 years
- Salary: equivalent to SC judge
Challenges
- Appointment process questioned
- No power to deregister parties
- Electoral roll errors
- Low voter turnout
- Misinformation, deepfakes
- Dependency on government staff
Way Forward
- Collegium system for appointments
- Make MCC legally enforceable
- Remote Voting Machines (RVM)
- AI for tracking hate speech
- No post-retirement govt jobs
5. INTERNET SHUTDOWNS
Current Situation
- India recorded 60 shutdowns in 2024, lowest in 8 years
- Major reasons: security, riots, misinformation, exam cheating
Legal Basis
- Telegraph Act, 1885 – Suspension Rules 2017
- Orders only by Home Secretary
- Review Committee within 5 days
- Section 144 CrPC (historical use)
Arguments For
- Counter insurgency (J&K)
- Prevent violence (Manipur, Haryana)
- Stop fake news (Delhi riots)
- Exam integrity (NEET 2021)
Arguments Against
- Huge economic loss (up to $1.9 bn in 2023)
- Impacts women & vulnerable groups
- Violates Articles 19 & 21
- Affects media, education, healthcare
Recommendations
- Clear definitions of “public emergency/safety”
- Inclusive review committees
- Selective blocking instead of full shutdown
- Study effectiveness
6. NEWS IN SHORTS
Right to Access to Justice
- SC: Right is fundamental but not absolute (penalty for frivolous cases)
- Article 14, 21, 39A & PIL system strengthen access
DISHA Scheme
- Launched 2021: Tele-Law, Pro Bono, Legal Awareness
- For expanding access to justice
Prison Manual Amendments
- Ban caste-discrimination in prisons
- No manual scavenging inside prisons
Doctrine of Merger
- Once SC decides, lower court order merges into SC order (Kunhayammed case)
CBI & State Consent
- SC: No need for state consent when probing Central employees under Central laws
Panchayat Se Parliament 2.0
- Training ST women PRI leaders
Viksit Panchayat Karmayogi
- Capacity-building for PRIs + DoPT
Eighth Pay Commission Approved
- 7th pay commission (2016) to end in 2026
- 8th formed
Edelman Trust Barometer
- India: 3rd in trust (low-income group)
FAQs on January Polity Current Affairs
1. What is the theme of IYC 2025?
Cooperatives Build a Better World
2. Which amendment gave constitutional status to cooperatives?
97th Constitutional Amendment (2011)
3. Who is the chairman of NITI Aayog?
The Prime Minister of India
4. Is Lokpal a constitutional body?
No, it is a statutory body under the Lokpal & Lokayuktas Act, 2013.
5. Does the Election Commission have the power to deregister parties?
No.
6. What is the legal basis for internet shutdowns?
Telegraph Act 1885 – Suspension Rules 2017
7. What is the Doctrine of Merger?
When a higher court decides, the lower court’s order merges into it.
8. Is state consent needed for CBI cases against central employees?
SC says No (for Central laws like PC Act).
9. What is DISHA Scheme?
A justice-delivery enhancement program (Tele-Law, legal literacy etc.).
10. When is National Voters Day celebrated?
25 January (ECI Foundation Day)
Vision IAS – January Polity Current Affairs
Prepared by: The Legal Writ — Free for All. For more updates join our Telegram channel.
Theme: Cooperatives Build a Better World (UNGA, June 2024)
Highlights: 97th Amendment (2011) added cooperatives in Art 19(1)(c) & Part IXB; India ~27% of world cooperatives; Main sectors: Housing, Dairy, PACS.
Challenges: politicization, weak audits, small scale, low digital literacy (~45%).
Key steps: Ministry of Cooperation (2021), NCDC, Multi-State Co-op (Amendment) 2023, National Cooperative Database.
Advisory body set up by Union Cabinet. Chair: Prime Minister. Mandate: SDGs + cooperative/competitive federalism. Achievements: Aspirational Districts, NDAP, AIM.
Lokpal Act, 2013 — statutory. Composition: Chair + up to 8 members (50% judicial). Issues: weak whistleblower cover, political influence. Reforms: constitutional status, better protections.
Constitutional body (Art 324–329). Founded 25 Jan 1950. 2023 Act reformed appointment and tenure (6 yrs or 65 yrs). Challenges: appointments, misinformation, electoral rolls.
India recorded 60 shutdowns in 2024 (lowest in 8 years). Legal basis: Telegraph Act, 1885 (Suspension Rules 2017). Recommendations: codify grounds, proportionality, selective bans.
- Right to access to justice is fundamental but not absolute — courts penalize frivolous litigations.
- DISHA Scheme (2021–26) expands Tele-Law & legal literacy.
- Prison manual amended to prohibit caste-based discrimination.
- Doctrine of Merger: higher court decisions merge lower court orders (Kunhayammed).
- SC: CBI need not get state consent to probe central employees under central laws.
25 MCQs for Quick Revision
-
The theme of UN International Year of Cooperatives 2025 is:
A) Cooperatives for Sustainable Growth
B) Cooperatives Build a Better World — Answer: B
Explanation: Official theme proclaimed by UNGA. -
Which constitutional amendment granted cooperative societies a special mention in the Constitution of India?
A) 92nd B) 94th C) 97th — Answer: C
Explanation: 97th Amendment (2011) added cooperatives in Art 19(1)(c) and Part IXB. -
International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) was founded in:
A) 1875 B) 1895 — Answer: B
Explanation: ICA founded in 1895. -
Which Act governs Multi-State Cooperative Societies in India?
A) Cooperative Societies Act, 1912 B) Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002 — Answer: B
Explanation: The 2002 Act governs multi-state cooperatives. -
Cooperatives banks in India are regulated by RBI under which laws?
A) Banking Regulation Act, 1949 only B) Banking Laws (Co-op Societies) Act, 1955 only C) Both — Answer: C
Explanation: RBI oversight uses both Acts. -
NITI Aayog was created to replace which institution?
A) Finance Commission B) Planning Commission — Answer: B
Explanation: NITI replaced the Planning Commission. -
NITI Aayog is a:
A) Constitutional body B) Statutory body C) Advisory body established by Union Cabinet resolution — Answer: C -
Lokpal Act, 2013 selection committee: Who is NOT a member?
A) Prime Minister B) Speaker C) CJI D) Attorney General — Answer: D -
Lokpal consists of how many members (maximum) besides the Chairperson?
A) 6 B) 8 — Answer: B -
The tenure of members of Lokpal is:
A) 3 years B) 5 years or till 70 years — Answer: B -
The Election Commission of India was established on:
A) 26 Jan 1950 B) 25 Jan 1950 — Answer: B -
According to the 2023 Act, the maximum tenure of CEC/EC is:
A) 5 years B) 6 years or till 65 years of age — Answer: B -
Which of the following is NOT a function of ECI?
A) Conducting elections B) Deregistration of political parties — Answer: B -
The legal basis for internet shutdown orders in India is:
A) IT Act B) Telegraph Act, 1885 (Suspension Rules 2017) — Answer: B -
Which is a major argument against internet shutdowns?
A) They prevent fake news B) They cause significant economic losses — Answer: B -
DISHA scheme relates to:
A) Digital payments B) Holistic access to justice — Answer: B -
Doctrine of Merger implies:
A) Lower court orders always stand B) Higher court decision merges and supersedes lower court orders — Answer: B -
Supreme Court's position on state consent for CBI investigations against central employees:
A) State consent always required B) No state consent required — Answer: B -
National Voters Day is celebrated on:
A) 26 Jan B) 25 Jan — Answer: B -
Margdarshika plan aims to:
A) Close PACS B) Establish 2 lakh new PACS, Dairy and Fishery Cooperatives — Answer: B -
National Cooperative Database (NCD) aims to:
A) Replace NCDC B) Provide data on cooperatives across states and sectors — Answer: B -
Which body is developing the Cooperative Governance Index (CGI)?
A) RBI B) NITI Aayog C) NABARD — Answer: C -
Eighth Pay Commission was approved for:
A) Revising salaries and allowances of government employees — Answer: A -
Which Act allows the CBI to register cases under DSPE Act, 1946?
A) Indian Evidence Act B) DSPE Act, 1946 — Answer: B -
Parliamentary Standing Committee recommended regarding shutdowns:
A) Allow indefinite shutdowns B) Adopt global best practices and codify grounds for suspension — Answer: B