Contemporary Political Issues and Challenges to Democracy
What this domain tests
This domain tests your ability to analyse current challenges to Indian democracy with constitutional and institutional references, not to give vague opinions.
Core rules
- Corruption: the Right to Information Act (2005), the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act (2013), the Central Vigilance Commission and state Lokayuktas are key instruments. The 2011 India Against Corruption movement pressured Parliament on the Lokpal law.
- Criminalisation of politics: candidates must disclose criminal cases, assets and liabilities by affidavit. Under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, conviction for certain offences leads to disqualification; Lily Thomas v Union of India (2013) ended the protection allowing convicted legislators to retain seats while appealing.
- Money power and electoral reform: spending limits, transparency, VVPAT verification, decriminalisation and state funding are debated.
- Communalism, casteism and regionalism strain secular and federal politics. The Cauvery water dispute is a long-running interstate river dispute.
- Federal tensions appear in the Governor's discretionary role, the use of Article 356 (now justiciable after S.R. Bommai, 1994), centrally sponsored schemes and GST compensation.
- Other challenges: misinformation and social media, judicial delays, executive overreach, unemployment, inequality, environmental degradation, terrorism and cyber security.
Worked example
A legislator is convicted of a criminal offence but appeals. Can he remain a member? Reasoning: after Lily Thomas (2013), conviction leads to immediate disqualification under the RPA, 1951, and the earlier provision allowing continuation pending appeal was struck down. Disqualification lasts for the sentence period plus six years. Answer: he cannot retain membership; only a stay of conviction by a higher court can alter the position.
Traps
The Lokpal is an ombudsman, not a court. RTI has exemptions under Section 8. Article 356 is not immune from judicial review after Bommai. NOTA is not a binding 'reject all' option. Do not treat corruption as only a legal issue - explain institutional and electoral dimensions.