Prelims Pinpointer 05-02-2026

President’s Rule (Article 356)

Context: President’s Rule ended in Manipur; Yumnam Khemchand Singh sworn in as Chief Minister.

What is President’s Rule?

• President’s Rule = Suspension of State Government + Legislative Assembly.
• State comes under direct control of Union Government.
• Also called State Emergency / Constitutional Emergency.
• Imposed under Article 356.
• Constitutional Basis
  • Article 355: Union ensures States function as per Constitution.
  • Article 356: Proclamation of President’s Rule.
  • Article 365: Non-compliance with Union directions → Ground for Rule.
• Grounds for Imposition
  • Breakdown of constitutional machinery in State.
  • Governor’s report or other credible information.
  • Failure to follow Union Government directions.
• Parliamentary Approval
  • Must be approved within 2 months by Parliament.
  • If Lok Sabha dissolved → Valid till 30 days after reconstitution.
  • Requires Simple Majority (present and voting).
• Duration
  • Initial period → 6 months.
  • Extendable every 6 months → Maximum 3 years.
  • Beyond 1 year → Requires:
    • National Emergency in force, OR
    • Election Commission certification.
  • Beyond 3 years → Constitutional Amendment required.
• Revocation
  • President may revoke anytime.
  • No Parliamentary approval required.

Effects of President’s Rule

• Executive
  • President assumes State executive powers.
  • Governor acts on behalf of President.
• Legislative
  • Assembly suspended/dissolved.
  • Parliament legislates for State (Art 357).
• Financial
  • President authorises expenditure from Consolidated Fund of State.
  • Later Parliamentary approval required.
• Fundamental Rights
  • No suspension of Fundamental Rights.
  • Differs from National Emergency.

Key Judicial Pronouncements

• S. R. Bommai Case (1994): Judicial review allowed and the floor test made mandatory.
• Sarbananda Sonowal Case (2005): Reinforced Union duty under Article 355.
• Rameshwar Prasad Case (2006): Assembly dissolution without floor test invalid.

Denotified Tribes (DNTs)

Context: Denotified, nomadic tribes demand separate Census column in 2027.

Who are Denotified Tribes (DNTs)?

• Communities earlier notified as “criminal tribes” under colonial law.
• Label removed after repeal of Criminal Tribes Act, 1952.
• Hence called Denotified Tribes (DNTs).
• Historical Background
  • 1871: Criminal Tribes Act enacted by British government.
  • 1924: Act amended, expanded surveillance powers.
  • 1952: Act repealed; communities “denotified”.
  • Many later merged into SC / ST / OBC categories.

Current Demand

• Separate constitutional Schedule for DNTs.
• Separate Census column/code in Census 2027.
• Claim political misclassification within SC/ST/OBC lists.
• Demand sub-classification to show graded backwardness.
• Legal & Policy Developments
  • Supreme Court (Aug 2024) allowed SC/ST sub-classification.
  • Used as basis for graded backwardness demand.
  • Social Justice Ministry recommended Census inclusion.
  • Registrar General of India (RGI) agreed to include DNTs.

National Commission on DNTs

• Chaired by Bhiku Ramji Idate.
• Identified ~1,200 DNT communities nationwide.
• 2017 Report: Listed 267 unclassified DNT communities.
• Key Issues Faced
  • Lack of distinct Census identity.
  • Absence of DNT community certificates by States.
  • Inability to compete within larger SC/ST/OBC groups.

SEED Scheme (For DNTs)

• Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs.
• Planned outlay: ₹200 crore.
• Actual spending (till Dec 2025): ₹69.3 crore.
• Low utilisation due to non-issuance of DNT certificates.

Project Vault

Context: USA launched Project Vault to stockpile critical minerals.

What is Project Vault?

• US critical minerals stockpiling programme.
• Public–private strategic reserve initiative.
• Similar to Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) model.
• Launched by: United States Government and funded via private capital + US Export–Import Bank.

Aim

• Ensure uninterrupted critical mineral supply.
• Reduce dependence on China’s mineral processing.
• Strengthen defence, manufacturing, clean energy chains.

Minerals Covered

• Rare Earth Elements (REEs).
• Cobalt, Gallium, other strategic metals.

Key Features

• Stockpiling Mechanism
  • Government purchases and stores minerals.
  • Managed through private commodity traders.
• Advance Purchase Contracts
  • Firms commit to future mineral purchases.
  • Fixed inventory pricing mechanism.
• Access Model
  • Withdrawal allowed with replacement obligation.
  • Full access during major supply disruptions.
• Price Stabilisation
  • Mandatory repurchase at same price.
  • Reduces global price volatility.
• Private Sector Role
  • Sourcing and storage by traders.
  • Examples: Mercuria, Traxys.

Significance

• Enhances strategic autonomy.
• Secures defence supply chains.
• Supports EV, aerospace, semiconductor sectors.
• Protects against export controls.
• Stabilises rare earth markets.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC)

Context: Opposition parties discussed initiating removal proceedings against CEC Gyanesh Kumar.

Who is the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC)?

• Head of Election Commission of India (ECI).
• Supervises elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, President, Vice-President.
• Constitutional Basis
  • Article 324 → Establishes Election Commission of India.
  • Provides powers, composition, independence.

• Appointment of CEC: Appointed by President of India.
• As per 2023 Act: Selection Committee
  • Prime Minister.
  • Leader of Opposition (Lok Sabha).
  • Union Cabinet Minister (nominated by PM).
• Tenure
  • 6 years or till 65 years age, whichever earlier.

Removal of CEC

• Constitutional Provision
  • Article 324(5) governs removal.
  • Same manner as Supreme Court Judge removal.
  • Linked to Article 124(4).
• Grounds for Removal
  • Proved misbehaviour.
  • Incapacity (physical or mental).
• Removal Procedure
  • Notice of Motion: Introduced in either House of Parliament.
  • Minimum MP Support: Requires prescribed number of MPs.
  • Inquiry Committee: Investigates charges and evidence.
  • Special Majority: Majority of total membership + Two-thirds present and voting (both Houses).
  • Presidential Order: President issues removal order.

Turtle Trails

Context: Union Budget 2026–27 proposed development of Turtle Trails along Olive Ridley nesting coasts.

What are Turtle Trails?

• Regulated eco-tourism pathways near turtle nesting beaches.
• Promote conservation awareness and nature-based tourism.

States Covered

• Odisha → Rushikulya, Gahirmatha coast.
• Karnataka → Coastal nesting beaches.
• Kerala → Arabian Sea nesting stretches.

Target Species

• Focus on Olive Ridley Sea Turtle nesting sites.

Key Features

• Guided access during breeding / nesting season.
• Regulated visitor movement in nesting zones.
• Conservation education for tourists.
• Community participation (fishers, NGOs, volunteers).
• Low-impact infrastructure (temporary walkways, viewing zones).
• Linked with eco-tourism policy frameworks.

Significance

• Protects endangered marine turtles.
• Promotes scientifically managed tourism.
• Generates livelihoods for coastal communities.
• Reduces unregulated human interference.

Project Himank

Context: Snow leopard sighting recorded by Project Himank in High Himalayas.

What is it?

• BRO road infrastructure project in Ladakh.
• Launched in 1985.

Objective: Develop strategic road communication in Ladakh.

Location: Operates across Ladakh high-altitude region.

Key Features

• Maintains ~2,216 km road network.
• Works in extreme high-altitude terrain.
• Limited annual working season.
• Builds and maintains airfields.

Strategic Role

• Ensures connectivity near Line of Actual Control (LAC).
• Supports military logistics and mobility.

PM VIKAS Scheme

Context: Union Minority Affairs Minister informed Rajya Sabha about PM VIKAS scheme.

What is it?

• Central Sector Scheme.
• Launched in 2025.
• Focuses minority socio-economic empowerment.

Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Minority Affairs.

Target Groups

• Six notified minority communities.
• Artisans and craft workers.
• Minority women and youth.
• School dropouts.

Objectives

• Skill Development
  • Provides need-based skill training.
  • Enhances employability.
• Cultural Preservation
  • Promotes traditional arts and crafts.
  • Documents manuscripts and literature.
  • Showcases Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH).
• Educational Support
  • Open schooling certification.
  • Covers 8th, 10th, 12th levels.
• Leadership & Entrepreneurship
  • Empowers minority women.
  • Provides enterprise support.

Key Features

• Financing via National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC).
• Education support for school dropouts.
• Market linkages via Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH).
• Hub and Spoke model for Vishwakarma Villages.

Tender Years Doctrine

Context: Delhi High Court held child welfare overrides Tender Years Doctrine.

What is Tender Years Doctrine?

• Common law child custody principle.
• Applies in family law jurisprudence.

Core Presumption

• Custody of young children with mother.
• Applies to children below ~5 years.

Doctrinal Basis

• Biological bond with mother.
• Presumed maternal caregiving ability.
• Early childhood developmental needs.
• Emotional security considerations.

Historical Origin

• Emerged in late 19th century.
• Rooted in common law systems.

Application Area

• Raised in divorce custody disputes.

Changing Relevance

• Declining due to gender equality.
• Recognises shared parenting roles.

Recent Judicial Position

• Child welfare paramount principle applied.
• Overrides Tender Years Doctrine.
• Case-specific custody evaluation required.
• Rejects stereotypical parental assumptions.