21 January 2026

• Governor of Kerala altered parts of the Cabinet-approved policy address delivered under Article 176.
• Chief Minister objected and stated that the Cabinet-approved version will prevail.
• Dispute relates to references on:
  • Fiscal federalism
  • Pending State Bills
  • Tax devolution and Finance Commission grants
• Incident occurred during:
  • First session of 2026
  • Final session of 15th Kerala Legislative Assembly
• Reflects ongoing Governor–State Government friction.

Key Points

• Governor omitted/rephrased references critical of:
  • Union Government’s fiscal actions  
  • Delay in assent to State Bills
• Cabinet-approved text:
  • Was already circulated to MLAs
  • Claimed constitutional precedence
• No official clarification from Governor’s office.
• Raises issue of constitutional conventions vs discretionary conduct.

Static Linkages

• Article 176: Governor’s Address at first session each year.
• Article 163: Governor bound by aid and advice of Council of Ministers.
• Governor is a constitutional head, not an executive authority.
• Parliamentary convention: Policy Address reflects elected government’s agenda.
• Supreme Court (Shamsher Singh vs State of Punjab, 1974):
  • Governor acts on ministerial advice except in limited discretionary areas.
• Fiscal federalism grounded in:
  • Article 270 (Tax devolution)
  • Article 280 (Finance Commission)

Critical Analysis

• Constitutional Issues
  • Alteration of policy speech undermines responsible government principle.
  • Expands Governor’s role beyond constitutional limits.
• Federal Issues
  • Highlights Centre–State trust deficit.
  • Reinforces concerns over erosion of fiscal autonomy of States.
• Institutional Concerns
  • Politicisation of Governor’s office.
  • Increasing judicialisation of federal disputes.

Way Forward

• Codify conventions on Governor’s Address.  
• Time-bound mechanism for assent to State Bills.
• Strengthen cooperative federalism institutions (e.g., Inter-State Council).
• Reform Governor appointment process to ensure neutrality.
• Reinforce constitutional morality and restraint.

GOVERNOR SKIPS SPEECH IN T.N. HOUSE

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• Tamil Nadu Governor declined to read the Governor’s Address prepared by the State government during the first session of the Assembly and walked out.
• State Assembly adopted a resolution deeming the address as read, despite the Governor’s refusal.
• The incident reflects repeated friction between the Governor and the elected State government.
• The address contained criticism of the Union government over:
  • Delay in release of funds
  • Conditions imposed on Centrally Sponsored Schemes
  • GST-related fiscal issues

Key Constitutional & Factual Points

• Governor’s Address is mandated under Article 176 of the Constitution.
• It marks the beginning of the first session of the Legislature each year.
• Content of the address is:
  • Prepared by the Council of Ministers
  • Reflects the policy agenda of the elected government
• Governor is a constitutional head, not a political executive.
• Assembly can pass a motion of thanks or adopt resolutions regarding the address.

Static Linkages

• Article 163: Governor must act on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers (except in discretionary matters).
• Article 164(2): Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the State Legislature.
• Article 176: Obligation of Governor to address the Legislature.
• Sarkaria Commission (1988):
  • Governor should not function as an agent of the Centre.
  • Role is to preserve constitutional governance, not political confrontation.
• Punchhi Commission (2010):
  • Emphasised strict adherence to constitutional conventions by Governors.
• Supreme Court (Nabam Rebia case, 2016):
• Governor’s discretionary powers are limited and justiciable.

Critical Analysis

• Why Governor’s action is problematic
  • Violates the principle of aid and advice.  
  • Undermines legislative sovereignty.
  • Converts a ceremonial role into a political veto point.
  • Weakens cooperative federalism.
• Arguments cited in Governor’s favour
  • Claim of factual inaccuracies in the address.
  • Assertion of duty to protect constitutional propriety.
• Core Issue
  • Constitution provides powers, but governance runs on conventions.
  • Breakdown of conventions leads to institutional friction, not resolution.
• Impact on Federal Governance
  • Erodes trust between Centre and States.
  • Delays legislative business and governance priorities.
  • Sets precedent for politicisation of constitutional offices.
  • Shifts disputes from political resolution to public confrontation.

Way Forward

• Codify conventions relating to Governor’s Address through:
  • Supreme Court guidelines, or
  • Parliamentary/legislative clarification.
• Implement Sarkaria and Punchhi Commission recommendations in letter and spirit.
• Establish regular Centre–State institutional dialogue mechanisms.
• Orientation and code of conduct for Governors on constitutional morality.
• Use Inter-State Council more effectively for grievance redressal.

EC DEFENDS SIR AS LIBERAL MOVE

• Election Commission of India defended the 2025 Special Intensive Revision (SIR) before the Supreme Court of India.
• ECI termed SIR “legislative in character”, framed under Article 324.
• Bench headed by Surya Kant.
• Reports claimed exclusion of ~6.5 crore names across 9 States & 3 UTs.
• ECI clarified exclusions due to death, duplication, migration.

Constitutional & Legal Basis

• Article 324: Plenary powers of ECI— superintendence, direction, control of elections.
• Powers include:
  • Administrative – conduct of elections.  Adjudicatory – party symbol disputes.
  • Legislative – framing procedures where law is silent.
• Parliament–ECI relationship described as symbiotic, not adversarial.

Nature of SIR

• SIR order laid down uniform principles, procedure, and documentary standards.
• Presumption in favour of citizenship for existing electors.
• Continuity principle:
  • Voters linked to 2002 electoral rolls exempted from fresh proof.
• Others required any one of 11+ indicative documents (Aadhaar included, not as citizenship proof).
• House-to-house verification with pre-filled forms.
• BLOs responsible for collection & uploading.
• Booth Level Agents of parties involved in verification.

Static Polity Linkages

• Article 324 – Residual & enabling powers of ECI.
• Article 326 – Universal adult franchise.
• Representation of the People Act, 1950 – Electoral roll preparation.
• Delegated/Quasi-legislative powers of constitutional bodies.
• Free & fair elections – Basic feature of the Constitution.
• Aadhaar jurisprudence – Identity proof, not citizenship proof.

Issues & Concerns

• Large-scale deletions risk inadvertent disenfranchisement.
• Migrant, urban poor, and informal workers vulnerable.
• Transparency and procedural safeguards questioned.
• Potential over-dependence on executive discretion under Article 324.

Way Forward

• Codify minimum safeguards for roll revision.  
• Strengthen appeal & correction mechanisms.
• Ensure public disclosure of deletion criteria and data.
• Balance electoral integrity with inclusiveness.  
• Use technology + human verification for de-duplication.

• 2026 began with U.S. abducting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and detaining him in the U.S.
• Action justified by U.S. President Donald Trump as a modern version of the Monroe Doctrine (“Donroe Doctrine”).
• Based on U.S. National Security Strategy (Nov 2025) asserting U.S. primacy in Western Hemisphere.
• Global response muted, indicating erosion of post-1945 international order.

Key Points

• U.S. claims exclusive security responsibility over Western Hemisphere.
• Explicit denial of military presence of non- hemispheric powers (China, Russia).
• Implicit threat to Cuba, Mexico, Colombia; renewed interest in Greenland.
• Europe asked to assume primary responsibility for its defence.
• Ukraine conflict likely towards forced settlement or escalation.
• West Asia remains unstable despite pause in Gaza hostilities.
• Iran facing internal unrest and intensified U.S.– Israel pressure.
• Terror groups resurging in Afghanistan– Pakistan region.
• Pakistan witnessing democratic backsliding with military dominance.
• China strengthened manufacturing base and control over rare-earth supply chains.
• China expanding influence in Southeast Asia and Indian Ocean.
• India facing diplomatic isolation amid U.S.– China rivalry.

Static Linkages

• Sovereignty and non-intervention (UN Charter Article 2).
• Sphere of Influence concept in international relations.
• Balance of Power theory.
• Cold War–era interventionism in Latin America.
• Strategic autonomy in Indian foreign policy.   Non-traditional security threats (terrorism).

Critical Analysis

• Positives
  • Clear assertion of U.S. deterrence and strategic dominance.
  • Signals revival of unilateral power politics. Negatives
  • Violates international law and sovereignty norms.
  • Sets dangerous precedent for unilateral regime change.
  • Encourages similar actions by China and Russia.  
  • Weakens credibility of UN and multilateralism.
  • Marginalises middle powers like India. Implications for India
  • Strained India–U.S. ties due to Russia oil imports.
  • U.S. tilt towards Pakistan affects India’s security calculus.
  • Limited room to hedge amid China–U.S. rivalry.

Way Forward

• Reassert strategic autonomy and issue-based alignment.
• Deepen engagement with EU, ASEAN, Africa, Global South.
• Diversify energy and critical mineral supply chains.
• Strengthen maritime security in Indian Ocean Region.
• Enhance indigenous defence and economic resilience.
• Use multilateral platforms to uphold rule-based order.

EV BOOM FUELS COPPER CRUNCH

Context of the News

• Rapid global shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) as part of climate mitigation strategies.
• EV sales increased from ~0.55 million (2015) to ~20 million (2025 est.).
• Copper demand from EVs rose from ~27,500 tonnes to >1.2 million tonnes in the same period.
• Global agencies such as International Energy Agency warn of mineral supply bottlenecks in energy transition.
• Risk of copper shortage emerging as a binding constraint on EV adoption.

Key Points

• EVs require 4–5 times more copper than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
• Major copper uses in EV ecosystem:
  • Battery packs
  • Electric motors
  • Power electronics
  • Charging infrastructure
  • Power transmission grids
• EV-related copper demand rose from 39,000 tonnes (2016) to >1.1 million tonnes (2024).
• Copper demand elasticity with respect to EV sales >1 during 2016–2024, peaking at 1.76 (2019).
• Global copper supply constrained by:
  • Declining ore grades
  • 10–15 year mine development cycle  
  • Environmental and social resistance
• Projected global copper deficit:
  • 2026: ~2 million tonnes
  • 2030: ~8 million tonnes
• China accounts for ~60% of global EV-related copper demand.
• India’s EV-linked copper demand remains low but rising with EV policy push.

Static Linkages

• Non-renewable mineral resources are finite and unevenly distributed.
• Industrialisation and infrastructure growth are metal-intensive.
• Energy transition increases material intensity per unit of output.
• Recycling is central to circular economy.
• Resource security is integral to economic and strategic security.

Critical Analysis

• Advantages
  • Supports decarbonisation and climate goals
  • Reduces fossil fuel dependence
  • Encourages green manufacturing and jobs
• Challenges
  • Copper supply deficit may increase EV costs  
  • Import dependence creates strategic vulnerability
  • Environmental degradation from mining expansion
  • China’s dominance creates geopolitical leverage
  • Recycling capacity currently insufficient

Way Forward

• Scale up copper recycling and urban mining
• Secure overseas mineral assets throughpartnerships
• Promote material efficiency in EV design
• Strengthen ESG-compliant mining practices
• Integrate mineral security into energy planning
• Encourage R&D in alternative materials