Constitutional Bodies (Indian Polity).
Syllabus: UPSC Pre GS1: Indian Polity and Governance; Mains GS2
Election Commission for UPSC: Article 324, three-member body, the 2023 appointment Act, removal, powers over parties and symbols, Model Code, EVMs and…
Finance Commission for UPSC: Article 280, composition, vertical and horizontal devolution, the 15th FC formula, the 16th FC (2026-31) and real Prelims…
CAG for UPSC: Articles 148 to 151, appointment and removal, independence safeguards, types of audit, relationship with PAC, famous audits and real…
On 26 September 2026 the Election Commission eased verification in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. For electors served notice as unmapped or for logical discrepancies, BLOs will now collect documents at home and upload them on ECINet. Hearings will be held only in exceptional cases, preferably online.
UPSC angle: Prelims: BLO, ERO, DEO roles; Registration of Electors Rules 1960. · Mains: Balancing roll purity with inclusion of the poor and migrants.
26 Sep 2026
On 23 September 2026 the Election Commission of India said all its decisions over the past year, including the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of rolls, were unanimous decisions of the full Commission. It said written notes and differing views by members are a normal part of deliberation before a final decision.
UPSC angle: Prelims: Art. 324; 2023 Act. · Mains: Independence of the ECI after the 2023 Act.
23 Sep 2026
On 12 August 2026 the National Commission for Scheduled Castes submitted its Annual Report for 2024-25 to President Droupadi Murmu. The report reviews how constitutional safeguards for Scheduled Castes are working and recommends steps for the Union and States. The President asked the Commission to suggest ways to strengthen existing mechanisms.
UPSC angle: Prelims: Art. 338 vs 338A.
12 Aug 2026
The Sixteenth Finance Commission has recommended grants of ₹4,35,236 crore for rural local bodies in all 28 States for 2026-31, the Panchayati Raj Ministry told Rajya Sabha on 12 August 2026. Basic and performance grants are in the ratio 80:20. Half the basic grant is tied to sanitation and water; the rest is untied.
UPSC angle: Prelims: FC grant structure.
12 Aug 2026
The Election Commission of India began the Enumeration Phase of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) Phase III in Odisha, Mizoram, Sikkim and Manipur on 30 May 2026. Ordered on 14 May under Article 324 and Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, Phase III covers 16 States and 3 UTs and about 36.73 crore electors.
UPSC angle: Prelims: Article 324, RP Act 1950 Section 21. · Mains: electoral roll integrity.
31 May 2026
The Election Commission of India published Index Cards and 14 Statistical Reports for all 830 Assembly constituencies that went to polls in the 2026 Assembly elections and bye-elections, which ended on 6 May 2026. For the first time, the reports came out within 72 hours of results, through ECINET and the ECI website. Earlier this took weeks or months.
UPSC angle: Prelims: ECINET.
8 May 2026