Why in news
- Legal policy groups submitted risk assessments to the Joint Parliamentary Committee examining simultaneous elections across Parliament and State Assemblies.
What is the proposal?
- A structural reform seeking to synchronize elections for the Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and local bodies across India.
- Recommends amending constitutional provisions governing the tenure of legislative assemblies to establish a synchronized cycle.
Key constitutional risks identified
- Truncating or extending elected State Assembly terms requires amending Article 83 and Article 172, impacting the democratic mandate.
- Delegating Parliament's constitutional amending authority to secondary legislation risks violating the Basic Structure doctrine.
Why it matters
- Simultaneous elections require widespread constitutional amendments and ratification by at least half of the State Legislatures under Article 368(2).
- Balances national electoral cost reduction against regional political representation and federal governance principles.
Key terms
Basic Structure Doctrine
A judicial principle establishing that Parliament cannot alter foundational features of the Constitution through amendments.
Article 368(2)
Constitutional clause requiring ratification by state legislatures for amendments affecting federal structures.
Prelims facts
- Constitutional amendments affecting federal representation under Article 368 require ratification by not less than half of the State Legislatures.
Mains discussion
- Analyze the impact of premature Assembly dissolution mechanisms on the feasibility of simultaneous elections in a federal democracy.
Source: Economic Times
Same topic · past papers
UPSC has asked this before
These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.
-
2024 · Q1 · GS II · 10 marks
Examine the need for electoral reforms as suggested by various committees, with particular reference to "one nation - one election" principle. -
2017 · Q3 · GS II · 10 marks
'Simultaneous election to the Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies will limit the amount of time and money spent in electioneering but it will reduce the government's accountability to the people' Discuss. -
2026 · Q9 · GS II · 10 marks
"IPMDA (Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness) bridges the gap between India's SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision and the Quad's collective Indo-Pacific strategy." Make a critical assessment of the statement focusing on IPMDA. -
2026 · Q52 · General Studies · 2 marks
In a multi-ethnic district where both economic competition and historical grievances frequently led to community tensions, a flashpoint has arisen with a Government decision to allocate land for a waste management facility near a tribal hamlet, sparking protests by the tribal community, which claimed that the land was sacred and critical to their cultural identity. At the same time, urban residents and local industries supported the project, citing severe solid waste challenges and health concerns due to lack of a proper disposal site. The conflict has escalated with road blockades, social media campaigns, and allegations of police excesses. As a responsible Government official, you are tasked with resolving the situation through mediation, ensuring a sustainable outcome that balances environmental needs, tribal rights, and urban public health. Consider the following statements with reference to the above: 1. A successful conflict resolution process must begin with acknowledging the cultural concerns of the protesting tribal community before discussing technical alternatives. 2. The Government should move ahead with the project without delay to address urban health concerns, which outweigh the sentiments of a small group. 3. Creating a multi-stakeholder dialogue platform - including tribal leaders, environmental experts, and municipal representatives - to build mutual understanding and help de-escalate tensions. 4. Conducting an independent Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and sharing findings transparently with both sides to facilitate evidence-based decision-making. Which of the statements given above would contribute to the resolution process? -
2024 · Q8 · GS III · 10 marks
What role do environmental NGOs and activists play in influencing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) outcomes for major projects in India? Cite four examples with all important details.