Election Commission & The Removal of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC)

Why in News?

The Opposition is preparing to move a motion seeking the removal of Gyanesh Kumar, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of the Election Commission of India, alleging biased conduct.

• Election Commission - The Election Commission will consist of a Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other Election Commissioners (ECs). 
• The President will periodically fix the number of ECs.
• Appointment of the Commission - The Commission will be appointed by the President, upon the recommendation of the Selection Committee. 
• Selection Committee - The Selection Committee will comprise the Prime Minister, Cabinet Minister, and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha (or leader of the single largest opposition party).  
• A Search Committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary will suggest 5 names to the Selection Committee. 
• The Selection Committee may consider any person other than those suggested by the Search Committee.
• Eligibility criteria- The CEC and ECs must
  • Be persons of integrity,
  • Have knowledge and experience in the management and conduct of elections, and
  • Be or have been Secretary (or equivalent) to the government.

• Term and reappointment - Members of the Election Commission will hold office for 6 years, or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. 
• Members of the Commission cannot be re-appointed.  If an EC is appointed as a CEC, the overall period of the term may not be more than 6 years.
• Salary and pension - The salary, allowances, and other conditions of service of the CEC and ECs will be equivalent to that of the Cabinet Secretary. 

Removal of the CEC

• Constitutional Protection - Article 324(5)- The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India is removed through a rigorous parliamentary impeachment process similar to a Supreme Court Judge.
• Grounds for Removal - The grounds are the same as a Supreme Court judge: "proved misbehaviour or incapacity".
• Procedure - A motion must be passed by both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha with a two-thirds majority of members present and voting.
• Other ECs - Election Commissioners can be removed by the President, but only on the recommendation of the CEC.
• Legal Standing - The CEC and Other Election Commissioners Act of 2023 reaffirm this constitutional removal process.

Reference    

The Hindu | Removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar

NHAI increases rate of the FASTag Annual pass

Why in News?

The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has revised to Rs. 3075 from the Rs. 3000rate for FASTag Annual Pass for the upcoming financial year 2026-27.

• Annual Pass - The annual Pass was introduced in order to give relief to the public from high toll charges and enhance ease of commuting.
• Introduced in - August 15, 2025.
• Legalized under - The increase in the rate is in line with the National Highway Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) (Amendment) Rules, 2025, mandates the amount of annual pass will be revised every year.
• Eligibility - Under this system, a person who owns a vehicle (Car, Jeep and Van) registered for non-commercial purpose and has a functional FASTag is eligible for the pass.

According to the data available with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), over 50 lakh national highway users are currently using the annual pass for tolling.

• Validity - It will be valid for 1 year or for two hundred crossings through any fee plaza on a national highway, irrespective of the fee leviable at each fee plaza.
• Once the Annual Pass completes either 200 trips or one year from the date of activation, it will automatically revert to a regular FASTag.
• Usage - It is valid only at about 1150 fee plazas on National Highways and National Expressways.
• Exclusions - At fee plazas on Expressways, State Highways (SH), etc. managed by State Governments or local bodies, the FASTag will operate as a regular FASTag, and applicable user fee charges will apply.
• The existing FASTag ecosystem continues to operate for users who do not opt for the Annual Pass.
• Website - A FASTag Annual Pass can be bought from Rajmargyatra mobile application or NHAI website.

Reference

The Indian Express | FASTag Annual pass

DISHA Scheme – Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice

Why in News?

Recently, Chennai Hosts Regional Tele-Law Workshop under DISHA Scheme.

• Aim – The DISHA scheme integrates multiple legal aid initiatives especially for marginalized and rural communities.
• It fulfils the constitutional mandate of Equal Justice and Free Legal Aid through digital platforms and grassroots legal services.
• Type of Scheme – Central Sector Scheme (100% funded by the Union Government).
• Launched in - April 2021.
• Duration - 2021–2026.
• Nodal Ministry – Ministry of Law and Justice
• Implementing Agency – Department of Justice 
• Relevant constitutional provisions – Article 39A (equal justice and free legal aid).
• Article 14 (Equality Before Law and equal protection of the laws).
• Article 21 (Fundamental right to life and personal liberty).
• Coverage – Pan-India coverage across all States and Union Territories.
• Objectives –Deliver citizen-centric legal services through a unified framework.
• Promote technology-enabled justice delivery.
• Improve legal literacy and awareness.
• Provide pre-litigation legal support to reduce court burden.

Key Components

• Tele-Law Programme – Provides free pre-litigation legal advice via panel lawyers.
• Accessible through Common Service Centres (CSCs) or the Tele-Law app and a Toll-free helpline.
• Nyaya Bandhu Programme – Connects volunteer advocates with eligible beneficiaries for free legal representation.
• Pro Bono Clubs established in 109 law colleges.
• e-Courts Mission Mode Project (Case Tracking) – aims to digitise and modernise the judiciary using Information and Communication Technology.
• Phase III (2023–2027) – Focus on paperless courts and digital case management.
• Digital Courts 2.1 system - AI-based tools like LegRAA and SUPACE for legal research and case analysis.
• Virtual courts for cases such as traffic challans.

India’s first fully paperless district court was inaugurated in Kalpetta, Wayanad (Kerala) in January 2026.

• Nyaya Sahayaks – Introduced in 2024, to provide door-to-door legal service, linking citizens to legal aid platforms.

Quick Facts

• National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) – It is established under the Legal Services Authorities Act 1987.
  • To Provide free legal aid to weaker sections.
  • Organise Lok Adalat for speedy dispute settlement.
  • Ensure equal access to justice.
  • Structure of Legal Services Authorities
• Legal aid institutions at multiple levels –
  • National Legal Services Authority (NALSA),
  • State Legal Services Authorities (SLSA),
  • District Legal Services Authorities (DLSA),
  • Taluk Legal Services Committees.

References

1. PIB | DISHA Scheme
2. DOJ | DISHA Scheme

Kharg Island

Why in News?

US President Donald Trump said American forces carried out strikes on military targets on Kharg Island, warning that oil infrastructure on the island could also be targeted if Iran disrupts shipping in the region.

• Location - Kharg Island is a strategic coral island in the northern Persian Gulf, located near the coast of Iran's Bushehr Province.
• It is known as the "beating heart" of Iran's energy empire.
• It is situated close to the Strait of Hormuz.
• Historical Significance – Kharg Island has been inhabited for over 2,000 years and served as an important maritime and trading post.
• Functioned as an outpost under the Achaemenid Empire and Sassanid Empire.
• Archaeologists discovered a 2,400-year-old Old Persian cuneiform inscription on the island in 2007.
• Hosted a Nestorian Christian monastery in the 7^th century.
• Dutch East India Company established a trading post in 1753, later expelled by Persian forces in 1766.
• United Kingdom briefly occupied the island during conflicts with the Qajar dynasty in the 19^th century.
• During the Iran–Iraq War (1980 – 1988), Kharg Island became a major strategic target.
• Geography - Kharg is a rocky limestone and coral island, roughly 8 km long and 4 km wide.
• It is unique in the Persian Gulf for having its own natural freshwater supply.
• Forbidden Island - Due to its extreme military and economic importance, the island is heavily guarded by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and requires special security clearance for entry.
• Strategic & Economic Significance - Oil Hub – Kharg Island functions as the primary export terminal and handles about 90% of Iran’s crude oil exports.

Iran is the 9^th largest producer of Oil with 10% of global proven oil reserves and 15% of global natural gas reserves.

• Around one-fifth of global petroleum liquids consumption passes through the Strait of Hormuz.
• Any disruption near Kharg Island can significantly affect global energy markets and oil supply.
• Storage Capacity- It has a massive storage capacity of approximately 28–30 million barrels of oil.
• Revenue Hub - The terminal generates an estimated $78 billion in annual energy revenue, much of which is used to fund the Iranian military.

References

1. Indian Express | Kharg Island
2. The Hindu | Kharg Island