The concept of "One Nation, One Election" proposes synchronizing elections for the Lok Sabha and all state assemblies. This idea aims to reduce the frequency of elections in India, where national and state elections are often staggered over years. It is believed that holding simultaneous elections would reduce administrative costs, minimize disruption to governance caused by frequent implementation of the Model Code of Conduct, and streamline the deployment of security forces and resources.
Advocates argue that frequent elections lead to policy paralysis, as governments focus on short-term populist measures. They also highlight the financial and logistical burden of conducting multiple elections. Supporters believe that synchronized elections would allow for more efficient governance and consistent voter engagement.
However, critics raise concerns about the feasibility of this reform. They argue that simultaneous elections could undermine the federal structure by making national issues overshadow regional ones. There are also constitutional and practical challenges, such as handling situations where a state assembly or the Lok Sabha is dissolved early.
The central government has announced a complete halt to construction and demolition activities across the National Capital Region from November 5 to November 20 to control dust pollution. Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav detailed the hotspot-based approach and integration of municipality action plans into the Integrated Command Centre. Meanwhile, the opposition INDIA bloc postponed its symbolic mock public impeachment against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to Saturday due to rainfall in the national capital, ahead of its planned march to Ramlila Maidan on November 1. The BJP condemned the move, terming it an attempt to create anarchy. Additionally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi targeted the opposition during an address in Gujarat, referring to past remarks and accusing rivals of spreading fake news. In Uttar Pradesh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed the BJP Working Committee, sounding the bugle for the 2027 Assembly elections and declaring that the Uniform Civil Code will be implemented in the state if the party secures a third consecutive term.
Findings from the latest India Today-CVoter Mood of the Nation (MOTN) survey reveal key economic, political, and social trends shaping India.
Religious leaders have expressed strong support for the 'One Nation One Election' initiative, emphasizing that frequent elections disrupt development schemes and educational activities. Highlighting the need for broader structural reforms, the press conference called for the implementation of a 'One Nation One Education System' alongside equal rights and protection for all citizens without discrimination based on caste or community. Concerns were raised regarding the political misuse of minor children in public protests, advocating instead that civic issues be addressed through lawful avenues by adult citizens. The conference also addressed misunderstandings surrounding the national song Vande Mataram, clarifying that its verses express reverence and devotion towards the motherland rather than specific religious deities. Calling for unity, national progress, and economic strength, the speakers urged citizens to reject divisive rhetoric and support key electoral and governance reforms to build a developed nation.
A big milestone for the NDA government as Prime Minister Narendra Modi becomes the country's longest continuously serving elected premier, completing 12 years in office.
This edition of 5 Live focusses on the escalating West Asia crisis as US President Donald Trump’s deadline to Iran approaches. Trump has threatened to target Iran's critical power infrastructure, including the Bushehr and Damavand power plant, if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.
On this Special Report from Davos, Harvard Professor and former IMF Deputy Managing Director Geeta Gopinath analyzes the 'Trumpian world order' and its disruptive impact on geoeconomics. Gopinath warns that 2026 will be a year of 'high levels of uncertainty and high levels of volatility' for global markets, including India. She notes that while India remains a fast-growing economy, US tariffs could 'knock off something about 0.7 percentage points from growth over a two-year period.' The discussion covers the sustainability of China's export-led model, the 'fragile' valuations in the AI sector despite its transformative potential, and the necessity for India to maintain macroeconomic stability through fiscal discipline. Gopinath also advocates for 'One Nation, One Election' to curb fiscal profligacy at the state level, urging the US administration to maintain alliances to ensure American economic benefit.
In this special report from Davos, Harvard Professor and former IMF Deputy Managing Director Gita Gopinath discusses the 'Trumpian world order' and its impact on global geoeconomics. Gopinath warns that 2026 will be a year of 'high levels of uncertainty and high levels of volatility,' noting that while 2025 created an 'illusion of stability,' structural changes and tariffs are likely to hit living standards over time. Regarding India, she estimates that US tariffs could knock off approximately 0.7 percentage points from growth over two years. She emphasizes that India's demographic dividend remains limited as labor contributes only 30 percent to growth, urging continued reforms in land titles and the judiciary. Gopinath also expresses caution over AI valuations, comparing them to a potential dot-com style correction, while remaining positive on the technology's productivity potential. She concludes by advising the Trump administration that maintaining alliances, including with India, is critical for America's own economic benefit.
In an exclusive interaction with India Today at Davos, Harvard Professor and former IMF Deputy Managing Director Gita Gopinath said that 2026 will be a year of high levels of uncertainty and high levels of volatility.
Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar joined India Today to discuss the Supreme Court's decision to pause FIRs against Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials in West Bengal. The FIRs were linked to searches at the premises of political consultancy IPAC. Majumdar described the court's intervention as a 'supreme slap' to the Mamata Banerjee-led government, alleging that the Chief Minister personally orchestrated the obstruction of federal agencies. He claimed that the snatching of documents from ED officials by state authorities represents a 'heinous act' and a direct challenge to India's federal structure and sovereignty. Majumdar further alleged that IPAC was used to channelize 'scam money' from the coal scam during the Goa elections. He dismissed the opposition's claims of political vendetta regarding the timing of the investigation, asserting that finding a money trail takes time and that no entity should have immunity from corruption probes due to upcoming elections.
The top focus of this episode of India First is the showdown between West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over raids at the offices of the political consultancy I-PAC.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed the Lok Sabha during the Winter Session 2025, defending the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls against Opposition protests. Shah attacked the Congress party, recalling his youth as a protester in Assam with the slogan 'Assam ki galiyan sooni hain'. He stated, 'Hamaare gyarah saal dekh lijiye', contrasting the BJP's 11-year governance record—citing the surgical strike, Article 370 abrogation, and Ram Mandir construction—with the Congress's tenure. He also criticized Rahul Gandhi's speechwriters and thanked Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju.
In this special report, a panel of political analysts debates the integrity of the Indian electoral system. One speaker argues that the country is witnessing "electoral deform" through voter list manipulation and institutional capture, citing specific irregularities in the Kundarki by-elections. They claim the playing field is uneven, comparing it to a race where the opposition must "climb uphill." In rebuttal, another analyst dismisses these allegations as a "loser's lament" and a "boring predictable rant," asserting that the opposition lacks genuine evidence to present in court. The discussion highlights the deepening divide regarding the credibility of EVMs and the Election Commission.
In a heated debate on India Today, Swaraj Abhiyan founder Yogendra Yadav argues that India is witnessing 'electoral deform' rather than reform. He cites 'abusive constitutionalism' and alleged voter list manipulation in Mau and Kundarki as evidence of an uneven playing field created by the ruling dispensation. Yadav claims that 20,000 names were removed in Mau prior to the Special Summary Revision (SIR). Countering these allegations, political analyst Rajat Sethi dismisses the Opposition's grievances as a 'loser's lament' and a 'boring, predictable rant'. Sethi asserts that the Opposition has 'zero connect' with the public and is failing to address genuine issues in Parliament. The discussion, moderated by an anchor addressed as 'Kirti ji', explores the credibility of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), the Election Commission of India, and the proposed 'One Nation, One Election' system.
The political contest in Tamil Nadu is intensifying ahead of the assembly polls, with TVK chief Vijay launching a statewide campaign. In a rally, the actor-turned-politician criticized both the BJP and the ruling DMK. He accused the BJP of "betraying India by using tactics like SIR and delimitation to crush the opposition and for pushing one nation, one election to reduce power of states." Vijay also alleged the DMK government, led by CM Stalin, has cheated the public by not fulfilling many of its 505 poll promises, such as gas subsidies and fuel price reductions. The DMK has responded, asserting that the legacy of Anna and Periyar remains strong and that nothing can damage their established vote base.
The Joint Parliamentary Committee on One Nation, One Poll held its first meeting, seeking consensus in the national interest by engaging various stakeholders.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Friday sent two bills that lay down the mechanism to hold simultaneous elections to a joint parliamentary committee that consisted of 39 MPs from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The Constitution (129th Amendment) bill and the Union Territories Amendment bill were introduced in the Lok Sabha after a fiery debate on December 17, with the Opposition terming the move "dictatorial" and Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal asserting that the legislation would not tamper with the powers enjoyed by states.
13 people were killed after an Indian Navy speedboat lost control and collided with a passenger ferry off Mumbai's Gateway of India.
The Modi government has brought forth One Nation One Election bill in the Parliament advocating for simultaneous elections, a move that has sparked massive debate.
Watch as former Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi shares his insights on one nation, one election bill.
As the One Nation One Election debate rages on, top legal minds Harish Salve and Abhishek Manu Singhvi share their perspectives on holding simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly elections in this episode of Newstrack.
