The fifth edition of Exercise Harimau Shakti–2025 recently commenced at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan. The exercise marks another important step in strengthening defence cooperation between India and Malaysia.

About Exercise Harimau Shakti

Exercise Harimau Shakti is a joint military exercise conducted between India and Malaysia. The Indian contingent participating in the exercise is represented mainly by troops from the DOGRA Regiment of the Indian Army.

Objectives of the Exercise

The primary objective of the exercise is to jointly rehearse sub-conventional operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations mandate. The exercise focuses on enhancing coordination and interoperability between the two armies during counter-terrorism and peace enforcement operations.

Major Activities and Drills

During the exercise, both armies will practice various tactical operations, including cordon and search missions, search and destroy operations, and heliborne operations. Special emphasis is placed on securing helipads and conducting casualty evacuation during counter-terrorist scenarios.

Key Highlights of Exercise Harimau Shakti–2025

The exercise involves the exchange of views and best practices on a wide range of combat skills. Joint drills are designed to enable participants from both sides to learn from each other’s operational experiences. The sharing of standard operating procedures is expected to enhance mutual understanding and tactical efficiency.

Significance of the Exercise

Exercise Harimau Shakti–2025 will further strengthen defence cooperation between the Indian Army and the Royal Malaysian Army. In addition, the exercise will contribute to deepening bilateral relations between India and Malaysia and improving joint preparedness against evolving security challenges.

According to a recent United Nations report, countries across the Asia-Pacific region face highly unequal starting points in terms of digital and economic readiness. These disparities are creating deep divides in the ability of nations to adopt and benefit from emerging technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Artificial Intelligence Adoption: Global Trends

A new UNDP flagship report highlights that AI has witnessed one of the fastest technological adoptions in history, reaching 1.2 billion users within just three years. Nearly 70% of these users are based in developing countries, yet the overall distribution of AI adoption remains highly uneven.

While two-thirds of people in high-income countries already use AI tools, usage levels in many low-income economies remain close to just 5%, underscoring a widening digital divide.

Understanding the Divergence in AI Adoption

Artificial Intelligence has the potential to boost economic growth, improve public service delivery, expand opportunities, and strengthen societal resilience. However, without inclusive adoption, AI risks deepening inequalities, amplifying social exclusion, and weakening governance structures.

Countries that possess the right combination of digital connectivity, skilled human capital, computing capacity, and effective regulatory frameworks are likely to capture the majority of the AI-driven economic benefits. In contrast, countries lacking these foundations face risks such as job displacement, data exclusion, misinformation, and resource stress, especially due to the high energy and water demands of AI systems.

AI Adoption Across Asia-Pacific: Promise and Peril

AI and People

Across the Asia-Pacific region, AI is already delivering tangible social benefits. Bhutan is piloting AI-based tutors to personalize school education. Mongolia has used AI-driven credit scoring to disburse $70 million in micro-loans to nearly 4,000 small businesses. Viet Nam’s digital farming platforms provide real-time agricultural data to 39 million farmers, while AI-based flood forecasting systems in Northeast India have doubled prediction accuracy, helping save lives and property.

However, these advancements coexist with persistent inequalities. Around 1.6 billion people in the region cannot afford a healthy diet, 27 million youths remain illiterate, and women in South Asia are 40% less likely than men to own a smartphone. Additionally, rural and minority communities remain largely absent from datasets used to train AI models, limiting representation and fairness.

AI and the Economy

If deployed effectively, AI could raise global GDP growth by around 2 percentage points annually and increase productivity by up to 5%, particularly in sectors such as finance and healthcare. For instance, ASEAN economies could gain nearly $1 trillion in additional GDP over the next decade.

At the same time, AI-driven growth brings significant labor market disruptions. About 75% of firms expect job losses, even as new AI-related roles emerge. Female workers face twice the automation risk compared to male workers. High levels of informality further increase vulnerability, with 88% of jobs in India and 60% in Indonesia lacking formal protections.

AI and Governance

AI is transforming governance and public service delivery. Bangkok’s Traffy Fondue platform has efficiently processed 600,000 citizen reports. Singapore’s Moments of Life application has reduced paperwork for new parents from 120 minutes to just 15 minutes. Beijing’s digital twin systems enable real-time simulations of urban growth and flood risks.

Despite these gains, regulatory frameworks lag behind technological advances. Only a few countries have comprehensive AI laws, and many AI systems remain opaque “black boxes.” By 2027, nearly 40% of global AI-related data breaches could arise from the misuse of generative AI, highlighting serious governance and security challenges.

Gaps in AI Preparedness

The AI Preparedness Index, developed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), reveals stark disparities across the Asia-Pacific region. Advanced economies such as Singapore, South Korea, and China score above 70%, reflecting strong digital infrastructure, innovation ecosystems, and proactive regulation.

In contrast, fragile and low-income countries score below 20%, often lacking reliable electricity, data systems, and internet connectivity. These regional gaps are further compounded by within-country inequalities, where income and wealth remain concentrated among the top 10%, excluding large sections of the population from technological progress.

Way Forward: Building Inclusive AI Futures

Strengthening the Foundations

The UN report emphasizes that inclusive AI adoption requires both hard and soft foundations. Hard foundations include affordable and reliable internet access, clean and stable electricity, and adequate computing and cooling infrastructure. Soft foundations involve education and upskilling, effective public institutions, and robust legal and ethical frameworks to ensure fairness, privacy, and trust.

UNDP’s Call to Action

The UNDP calls for urgent global and national action to bridge the AI divide. Key recommendations include:

• Investing in digital infrastructure and connectivity

• Strengthening AI education and skill development

• Establishing ethical, transparent, and safety-oriented regulations

• Promoting energy-efficient and sustainable computing systems

• Enhancing regional and global cooperation on standards and open-source AI models

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently announced that it will conduct Open Market Operation (OMO) purchases of government securities worth ₹1 trillion. In addition, the RBI will undertake a three-year dollar–rupee buy/sell swap of $5 billion. These measures are aimed at injecting durable liquidity into the financial system and supporting orderly financial market conditions.

What are Open Market Operations?

Open Market Operations refer to the purchase and sale of government securities by a central bank in the open market with the objective of influencing the money supply and liquidity conditions in the economy. In India, OMOs are conducted exclusively by the Reserve Bank of India.

Role of OMOs in the Indian Economy

The RBI uses OMOs as a key monetary policy tool to manage liquidity, ensure financial stability, and support effective transmission of monetary policy. By influencing the availability of funds in the banking system, OMOs play a crucial role in shaping interest rates and controlling inflation.

Impact of RBI’s OMO Purchases

When the RBI buys government securities, it injects money into the banking system. This increases liquidity, leads to lower interest rates, and encourages banks to lend more freely. Such actions are typically undertaken during periods of economic slowdown or tight liquidity.

Impact of RBI’s OMO Sales

When the RBI sells government securities, it absorbs excess liquidity from the banking system. This results in a reduction in money supply, which generally leads to higher interest rates. OMO sales are used when the RBI aims to curb inflationary pressures or manage excess liquidity.

Objectives of Open Market Operations

Controlling Inflation

By selling government securities and reducing liquidity, the RBI raises interest rates, which helps moderate demand and control inflation.

Boosting Economic Growth

During economic downturns, the RBI purchases securities to inject liquidity. Lower interest rates stimulate borrowing, investment, and consumption, thereby supporting economic growth.

Managing Exchange Rates

OMOs can indirectly influence the exchange rate of the Indian Rupee by affecting money supply and capital flows. This helps the RBI maintain stability during periods of foreign exchange market volatility.

Significance of Recent RBI Action

The recent OMO purchases and dollar–rupee swap reflect the RBI’s commitment to maintaining adequate liquidity, supporting credit flow, and ensuring financial market stability in a changing global and domestic economic environment.

Recently, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) granted IndiGo Airlines a temporary one-time exemption from certain Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms applicable to pilots. This decision was taken to address operational requirements while maintaining overall aviation safety standards.

About the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation is the regulatory authority for civil aviation in India, primarily responsible for addressing aviation safety and security issues. It functions as an attached office of the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

Mandate and Jurisdiction

The DGCA is responsible for the regulation of air transport services to, from, and within India. It enforces civil aviation regulations, air safety norms, and airworthiness standards to ensure safe and efficient aviation operations across the country.

International Coordination

The DGCA coordinates all regulatory and safety-related functions with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to ensure that India’s civil aviation standards remain aligned with global best practices.

Headquarters

The headquarters of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation is located in New Delhi.

Functions and Responsibilities of the DGCA

Ensuring Safety and Compliance

One of the primary functions of the DGCA is to ensure the safety of passengers and crew members on all flights operating within Indian airspace. It conducts regular safety audits and inspections of airlines, aircraft, and aviation infrastructure to verify compliance with prescribed safety standards.

Investigation of Accidents and Incidents

The DGCA investigates aviation incidents and accidents occurring within Indian airspace to identify causes and recommend corrective measures aimed at preventing future occurrences.

Airport Development and Modernisation

The DGCA plays an important role in the development of new airports and the modernisation of existing aviation facilities to meet the growing demands of the aviation sector.

Regulation of Air Traffic

The DGCA regulates air traffic operations in India and works closely with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to ensure that air traffic is managed safely and efficiently.

Air Traffic Control Systems and Technology

The DGCA contributes to the development and implementation of modern air traffic control systems and technologies to enhance the efficiency and safety of Indian airspace.

Licensing and Certification

The DGCA is responsible for issuing licenses and certifications to pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers, air traffic controllers, and other aviation personnel, ensuring that only qualified professionals operate in the aviation sector.

Recently, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) received in-principle approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to launch ‘Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust (RIIT)’ as an Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT). This development is aimed at mobilising long-term capital for national highway infrastructure development.

What is an Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT)?

An Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) is a collective investment scheme, similar in structure to a mutual fund, that enables individual and institutional investors to invest directly in revenue-generating infrastructure projects. InvITs allow pooling of funds to finance large infrastructure assets.

Purpose and Objective of InvITs

The primary objective of InvITs is to provide retail investors access to infrastructure investment opportunities that were previously limited to large institutional investors. At the same time, InvITs help infrastructure developers unlock capital, reduce debt, and recycle funds for new projects.

Structure of Infrastructure Investment Trusts

InvITs are typically established as trusts and are registered with SEBI. They involve four key entities:

• Trustee

• Sponsor(s)

• Investment Manager

• Project Manager

The sponsor, usually an infrastructure company or private equity firm, sets up the InvIT and transfers ownership of the underlying infrastructure assets to the trust.

Role of Trustee and Sponsor

The trustee, who must be certified by SEBI, is responsible for overseeing the performance and compliance of the InvIT. The sponsor acts as the promoter of the InvIT and plays a key role in its establishment and asset transfer.

Issuance of Units to Investors

Once the assets are transferred, the InvIT issues units to investors, which represent proportionate ownership in the trust and the underlying infrastructure assets. Investors earn returns primarily through periodic distributions from the cash flows generated by these assets.

Regulatory Framework

InvITs are governed by the SEBI (Infrastructure Investment Trusts) Regulations, 2014, which lay down guidelines for registration, governance, disclosures, and investor protection.

Significance of the Recent Approval

The approval of Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust (RIIT) is expected to support infrastructure financing, promote asset monetisation, and deepen the capital markets, particularly in the road and highways sector.

Maritime security is a multi-dimensional and dynamic challenge that requires proactive policies, coordinated institutional mechanisms, and the use of advanced technologies. For India, safeguarding its extensive coastline and ensuring stability in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) are vital for national security, economic growth, and international influence. A combination of national mechanisms, international cooperation, and active participation of coastal communities is essential to build a secure and resilient maritime domain. Addressing challenges such as jurisdictional complexity, resource constraints, and evolving technological threats remains critical.

Significance of Maritime Security

Maritime security involves the protection of territorial waters, maritime resources, and economic interests from threats such as terrorism, piracy, smuggling, illegal fishing, and environmental hazards. Its significance can be understood through the following dimensions:

India’s Geo-Strategic Location

India has a 7,516 km long coastline along the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean. Its central location in the Indo-Pacific region makes maritime security essential for protecting national interests and maintaining regional stability.

Security Imperative

Securing maritime borders is crucial to prevent unauthorized intrusions and safeguard sovereignty. The 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, in which terrorists entered India via the sea route, exposed serious gaps in coastal security.

Changing Dynamics of Global Politics

The maritime domain has become central to global geopolitics. Groupings such as the QUAD (India, USA, Japan, and Australia) highlight cooperative efforts to maintain a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.

Geo-Economics of the Indian Ocean

Safe sea lanes are vital for international trade, energy transportation, and economic growth. Initiatives such as Operation Sankalp demonstrate India’s commitment to protecting merchant shipping in conflict-prone regions.

Prevention of Smuggling and Crime

Effective maritime security helps prevent illegal trafficking of narcotics, arms, and contraband goods, which pose serious internal security threats.

Environmental Protection

Maritime security also involves protecting marine ecosystems and biodiversity. Incidents like the 2017 Ennore oil spill highlight the need for rapid maritime response to environmental disasters.

Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR)

Naval and maritime assets play a crucial role during emergencies. For example, Operation Rahat facilitated evacuation during the Yemeni civil war.

Regional Stability and Diplomacy

Joint naval exercises such as Exercise Malabar enhance trust, interoperability, and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.

Protection of Offshore Energy Assets

Strategic installations such as Mumbai High oil fields require strong maritime protection to ensure uninterrupted energy supplies.

Preventing Illegal Fishing

Maritime surveillance helps curb illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, as seen in the interception of foreign fishing vessels near Lakshadweep.

Maritime Security Mechanisms in India

India employs a combination of naval, coast guard, legal, and technological measures to ensure maritime security.

Indian Navy and Coast Guard

Regular patrols in territorial waters and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) deter unlawful activities. For instance, the Indian Coast Guard intercepted narcotics-carrying vessels off Tamil Nadu in 2019.

Coastal Surveillance Network (CSN)

The CSN integrates coastal radar chains and Automatic Identification System (AIS) stations to monitor maritime movement and enhance domain awareness.

Maritime Exercises and Joint Operations

Exercises such as Varuna (India–France) improve interoperability and coordination with friendly navies.

Legal and Legislative Framework

India has enacted laws like the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation Act, 2002, to address maritime crimes.

International Cooperation

India actively participates in regional platforms such as the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) and Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).

Technology and Capacity Building

The induction of advanced platforms such as P-8I Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft has significantly enhanced surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

Port Security Measures

Implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code ensures the security of major ports like Mumbai and Chennai.

India’s Key Maritime Security Initiatives

India has launched several strategic initiatives to strengthen maritime security:

• SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) promotes collective security and sustainable development in the IOR.

• Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) enhances information sharing and situational awareness.

• Blue Economy Vision 2030 focuses on sustainable use of marine resources.

• National Committee for Strengthening Maritime and Coastal Security (NCSMCS) coordinates efforts across agencies.

• NC3I Network integrates intelligence and surveillance data for effective response.

International Maritime Security Mechanisms

Global cooperation complements national efforts in maritime security:

• UNCLOS provides the legal framework for maritime rights and responsibilities.

• The International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulates safety, security, and environmental standards.

• Regional initiatives like the Djibouti Code of Conduct and forums such as IONS enhance cooperation.

• Multinational exercises and fusion centres improve readiness against piracy, terrorism, and trafficking.

Role of Coastal Communities in Maritime Security

Coastal communities play a vital role due to their proximity to maritime activities.

They act as early warning systems, assist law enforcement through local knowledge, support disaster response, and help prevent illegal fishing. Initiatives like Sagar Rakshak Dal formally involve coastal populations in surveillance and security efforts.

Challenges to Maritime Security

Despite progress, several challenges persist:

• Jurisdictional complexity in transnational waters

• Intelligence and information-sharing gaps

• Resource and manpower constraints, especially in island and coastal regions

• Corruption and illicit networks facilitating maritime crime

• Lack of inter-agency coordination

• Technological advancements of adversaries, such as drone-enabled smuggling

• Political and territorial disputes

• Harsh maritime weather and vast oceanic spaces, especially during monsoons

Indian Maritime Doctrine 2025

The Chief of the Naval Staff released the Indian Maritime Doctrine 2025 on the occasion of Indian Navy Day, aligning the doctrine with India’s long-term strategic vision and evolving maritime priorities. The document reflects India’s growing emphasis on maritime power amid changing geopolitical and security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region.

Indian Navy Day

Indian Navy Day is celebrated every year on 4th December to commemorate the role of the Indian Navy in Operation Trident during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War.

Operation Trident (1971)

Operation Trident was a surprise naval attack on Karachi harbour, which significantly crippled Pakistan’s maritime operations. The operation was executed using three Vidyut-class missile boats—INS Nipat, INS Nirghat, and INS Veer, supported by INS Kiltan, INS Katchall, and the fleet tanker INS Poshak. The success of this operation established the Indian Navy’s strategic and offensive maritime capabilities.

Indian Navy Day 2025 Theme

The theme for Indian Navy Day 2025 is “Combat Ready, Cohesive, Credible and Aatmanirbhar Force — safeguarding the seas for a Viksit, Samriddha Bharat.” The theme highlights operational preparedness, self-reliance, and maritime security as pillars of national development.

What is the Indian Maritime Doctrine 2025?

The Indian Maritime Doctrine 2025 is the apex guidance document of the Indian Navy. It defines how the Navy plans, prepares, and conducts operations across the entire maritime conflict spectrum, ranging from peace to high-intensity conflict.

Evolution of the Doctrine

The Indian Maritime Doctrine was first issued in 2004, followed by revisions in 2009 and 2015. The 2025 edition reflects significant changes in India’s strategic outlook, maritime environment, and threat perceptions over the past decade.

Key Highlights of the Indian Maritime Doctrine 2025

The doctrine formally recognises “no-war, no-peace” as a distinct operational category, acknowledging the growing importance of the grey zone between peace and conflict. It prioritises jointness and interoperability among the three armed services to support theatre command structures.

The doctrine incorporates lessons from grey-zone, hybrid, and irregular warfare, along with multi-domain threats. It places special emphasis on emerging domains such as space, cyber, and cognitive warfare. The adoption of uncrewed systems, autonomous platforms, and advanced technologies is strongly promoted to enhance operational effectiveness.

Significance of the Indian Maritime Doctrine 2025

The doctrine promotes the idea of a maritime-conscious nation and positions maritime power as a key pillar of Viksit Bharat 2047. It aligns with major national initiatives such as Sagarmala, PM Gati Shakti, Maritime India Vision 2030, Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, and MAHASAGAR.

It also supports tri-service joint doctrines, including those related to Special Forces, Airborne/Heliborne Operations, and Multi-Domain Operations, thereby strengthening interoperability and integrated military planning. The doctrine emphasises a coherent maritime strategy that supports economic growth, infrastructure expansion, and blue economy development.

History of the Indian Navy

Ancient Maritime Roots

India’s maritime tradition dates back over 4,000 years, with ancient civilizations such as Harappa, Mohenjodaro, and Lothal actively engaged in maritime trade with Africa, Arabia, and Mesopotamia. By the 4th century BCE, India had developed advanced riverine and oceanic navigation, and the word “navigation” is derived from the Sanskrit term Navagati.

Medieval Maritime Power

During the medieval period, Indian powers such as the Cholas, Zamorins, and Marathas built strong naval forces. The Maratha Navy under Kanhoji Angre effectively challenged European naval powers along India’s western coast.

European Naval Dominance

European naval dominance began with Vasco da Gama’s arrival in 1498, leading to the establishment of powerful Portuguese, Dutch, British, and French navies that eventually controlled Indian waters.

Rise of the Modern Indian Navy

The modern Indian Navy evolved from the Royal Indian Navy (RIN) established during British rule. After India became a Republic, the prefix “Royal” was dropped, and it became the Indian Navy.

Leadership and Motto

The President of India serves as the Supreme Commander of the Indian Navy. The Navy’s motto is “Sam No Varunah,” meaning “May the god of the waters, Varuna, be auspicious to us.”

Role and Capabilities of the Indian Navy

Today, the Indian Navy is a multi-dimensional blue-water force focused on maritime security, power projection, and protection of India’s strategic interests across the Indo-Pacific. The Navy’s elite special forces unit, MARCOS (Marine Commandos), is trained in amphibious warfare, counter-terrorism, special reconnaissance, hostage rescue, and asymmetric operations.

Major Naval Operations

Post-independence, the Indian Navy has played key roles in major operations, including the 1961 liberation of Goa, the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War (Operations Trident and Python), and various modern maritime security and humanitarian operations.

Conclusion

Maritime security is integral to national defense, economic prosperity, environmental sustainability, and regional stability. For India, sustained investment in technology, institutional capacity, community participation, and international cooperation is essential to secure its maritime interests in an increasingly contested global maritime environment.

India’s electoral integrity is increasingly under strain, not because of an absence of reforms, but due to the introduction of potentially deformative measures such as Delimitation, One Nation One Election (ONOE), and Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. While these measures are presented as administrative or efficiency-driven reforms, they raise serious concerns about fairness, inclusiveness, and federal balance in India’s electoral democracy.

About India’s Electoral Democracy

India is the world’s largest electoral democracy, operating under a parliamentary system as laid down in the Constitution of India, 1950. Elections are administered by the Election Commission of India (ECI), an autonomous constitutional authority established under Article 324, which oversees elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, and the offices of the President and Vice President.

India’s electoral system has long been praised for its vibrancy, scale, and inclusiveness. However, growing concerns over recent electoral changes threaten to create institutional weaknesses that could undermine the credibility and integrity of elections.

Key Pillars of Concern

1. Delimitation Based on Population

The proposed delimitation exercise after the 2026 Census could significantly alter the balance of political power among states. States in southern and eastern India that have successfully controlled population growth may be penalized, while states with higher fertility rates—particularly in the northern Hindi-speaking belt—could gain disproportionate representation.

Such population-based seat allocation risks gerrymandering, undermines the principle of federalism, and may distort the representative character of the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.

2. One Nation, One Election (ONOE)

The proposal to hold simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies is projected as an efficiency-enhancing reform. However, it risks magnifying incumbency advantage and centralising political narratives.

In synchronized elections, national issues tend to overshadow local concerns, benefiting dominant national parties and reducing voter autonomy at the state level. Moreover, concentrating elections into a single five-year cycle increases the manageability and potential manipulability of the electoral process by those in power.

3. Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, particularly in states such as Assam and Jammu & Kashmir, has raised concerns of selective disenfranchisement. The process, if influenced by strong organizational control over local officials, can disproportionately affect minority and marginalized communities.

Recent reports from Bihar, where nearly 44 lakh names disappeared from voter lists, suggest a worrying national pattern. Projections indicate that over five crore voters may be excluded, potentially constituting the largest instance of voter disenfranchisement in democratic history.

Global Contexts

India’s experience reflects a broader global phenomenon often described as electoral authoritarianism, where elections remain procedurally intact but substantively hollow. The International IDEA Global State of Democracy Report has flagged India for democratic backsliding, particularly in the area of credible elections.

Concepts such as abusive constitutionalism and autocratic legalism, observed in countries like Hungary, Turkey, and Venezuela, increasingly find resonance in the Indian context, where legal reforms are used to entrench power rather than deepen democracy.

Way Ahead

Addressing Delimitation

Delimitation is governed by Articles 82 and 170 of the Constitution and the Delimitation Act, 2002. Parliament must ensure a fair population-to-seat ratio that does not penalize states with effective population control. This may require a constitutional amendment to preserve inter-state equity.

A new Delimitation Act must be enacted after the 2026 Census, while safeguarding the federal balance and resisting purely population-based redistribution of seats.

Reassessing One Nation One Election

Implementing ONOE would require constitutional amendments to Articles 83, 85, 172, 174, and 356, passed by a special majority. Since state elections fall within the federal domain, Parliament must ensure extensive consultation with states, possibly through an Inter-State Council or all-party committee.

Parliament must critically scrutinize both the intent and long-term impact of synchronized elections on federalism and voter choice.

Reforming Special Intensive Revision (SIR)

The SIR process is conducted under Section 25 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, with the objective of removing duplicates and including eligible voters. Parliament should provide legislative backing and funding for secure digital integration of voter rolls across states.

It must also oversee Aadhaar–EPIC linkage, ensuring strict compliance with data privacy norms, and mandate annual electoral roll reviews aligned with Census data. Transparency, accountability, and protection against systemic disenfranchisement must be central to the process.

Conclusion

Preventing electoral deformities is an ongoing process that requires a combination of institutional integrity, parliamentary oversight, civic vigilance, and technological accountability. India’s electoral democracy must evolve toward greater transparency, inclusivity, and equity to preserve public trust and democratic legitimacy in the long term.