MAINS Current Affairs includes Revamping the Functioning of Parliament & Developing Minds in a Digital World, a Changing India

Polity and Governance

1. Revamping the Functioning of Parliament

Context: The jointly introduced Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill and the Delimitation Bill, 2026, provide for increasing the strength of the Lok Sabha from 550 to 850 members.

• The proposal highlights that increasing the number of MPs alone may not improve democratic representation unless Parliament’s working capacity and institutional mechanisms are strengthened simultaneously.

Why Does Parliament Need Functional Reforms?

• Rising representative burden: According to the Election Commission’s 2024 Atlas, India has an electoral roll of 98 crore voters across 543 Lok Sabha constituencies, averaging approximately 18 lakh voters per constituency.
• Unequal constituency sizes: Malkajgiri in Telangana has approximately 8 lakh voters, whereas Lakshadweep has only 57,953 voters. This illustrates the substantial variation in constituency sizes and the demands placed on individual representatives.
• Representation beyond numbers: Increasing Lok Sabha membership without expanding the time available for parliamentary business may dilute individual MPs’ opportunities to participate in debates, raise public concerns and scrutinise legislation.

Issues in Parliamentary Functioning

1. Inadequate Parliamentary Working Time

• India lacks a constitutional requirement prescribing a minimum number of annual working days for Parliament.
• Limited parliamentary sittings can reduce the time available for legislation, executive accountability, financial scrutiny and deliberation.

2. Constraints on Question Hour

• Question Hour enables MPs to seek information from ministers and hold the executive accountable.
• It includes:
  • Starred questions: Require oral answers and may be followed by supplementary questions.
  • Unstarred questions: Receive written answers.
• Under Lok Sabha rules, a maximum of 20 starred questions and 230 unstarred questions are listed for a sitting day, limiting the number of questions that can receive oral answers.
• During the 17th Lok Sabha, Question Hour functioned for only 60% of its scheduled time, reducing opportunities for parliamentary questioning and executive accountability.

3. Insufficient Protection for Zero Hour

• Zero Hour allows MPs to raise urgent matters of public importance.
• Without protected time for Zero Hour, a larger House could make it more difficult for individual members to highlight constituency-specific grievances and emerging public concerns.

4. Limited Legislative Scrutiny

• Parliamentary debates enable MPs to examine proposed legislation, including its constitutional validity and wider legal, social and economic implications.
• Parliamentary committees provide opportunities for detailed, cross-party examination of Bills.
• However, their effectiveness depends on adequate membership, sufficient time for deliberation, access to research assistance and opportunities to consult stakeholders.
• Inadequate scrutiny may weaken the quality of legislation and limit the identification of unintended consequences.

5. Reduced Scrutiny of Public Expenditure

• During the 17th Lok Sabha, 35% of Bills were passed after less than one hour of debate.
• Approximately 80% of the national Budget was passed through the guillotine procedure.
• The guillotine procedure allows the remaining Demands for Grants to be put to a vote without detailed discussion once the allotted time expires.
• This restricts opportunities for MPs to examine expenditure priorities, question allocations and assess the effectiveness of public spending.

6. Constraints on Private Members’ Business

• Private Members’ Business provides MPs who are not ministers with an opportunity to introduce Bills and resolutions.
• It allows legislators to raise emerging social issues and propose alternative policy measures.
• Inadequate time for private members’ initiatives limits legislative participation and reduces opportunities to debate concerns that may not be part of the government’s immediate legislative agenda.

Measures Needed to Strengthen Parliament

1. Introduce a Minimum Annual Sitting Requirement

• Article 85(1) of the Constitution requires that no more than six months elapse between the last sitting of one session and the first sitting of the next. However, it does not prescribe a minimum number of annual parliamentary working days.
• The constitutional framework should be strengthened by introducing a mandatory minimum number of working days each year.
• The National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (2002), chaired by Justice M. N. Venkatachaliah, recommended:
  • Lok Sabha: At least 120 sitting days annually.
  • Rajya Sabha: At least 100 sitting days annually.

2. Protect Essential Parliamentary Business

• Parliament should establish defined minimum time allocations for:
  • Question Hour.
  • Zero Hour.
  • Private Members’ Business.
  • Substantive debates on legislation and matters of public importance.
• Any exceptions should be narrowly defined and governed by transparent procedural rules.

3. Strengthen Parliamentary Committees

• Parliamentary committees should receive stronger research assistance and technical support.
• Adequate time should be provided to examine Bills, consult relevant stakeholders and scrutinise public expenditure.
• Stronger committee oversight would promote evidence-based policymaking and improve the quality of legislation.

4. Improve Legislative Planning

• The government should provide MPs with sufficient advance notice of proposed Bills.
• Bills should be accompanied by explanatory documents outlining their objectives, major provisions and likely implications.
• This would enable MPs to study legislative proposals before their consideration and contribute more effectively to parliamentary debates.

5. Expand Institutional Capacity

• Any increase in Lok Sabha membership should be accompanied by corresponding improvements in parliamentary infrastructure.
• Essential requirements include:
  • Adequate seating and facilities for MPs.
  • Sufficient committee rooms and consultation facilities.
  • More research personnel and legislative support services.
  • Improved technological infrastructure for parliamentary proceedings.
• Such expansion would help accommodate a larger House while preserving the effectiveness of legislative deliberations.

Way Ahead

• Combine numerical expansion with functional reform: Increasing the strength of the Lok Sabha may address the growing burden of electoral representation, but it cannot independently guarantee meaningful democratic participation.
• Ensure adequate opportunities for MPs: Every representative should have sufficient time to raise public concerns, question ministers, participate in debates and scrutinise legislation.
• Strengthen institutional accountability: Regular sittings, protected time for essential parliamentary business and effective committee oversight are necessary for a responsive legislature.
• Prioritise substantive representation: The objective should be to ensure that citizens’ concerns are effectively communicated and considered in Parliament, rather than measuring representation only by the number of elected members.

Conclusion

A larger Parliament can strengthen representative democracy only when its working capacity expands alongside its membership. Effective representation requires adequate time for debate, meaningful participation, rigorous legislative scrutiny and strong executive accountability. Comprehensive parliamentary reforms are therefore essential to ensure that an increase in the number of MPs translates into more responsive governance and stronger democratic institutions.

Issues Related to Children/ Science and Technology

2. Developing Minds in a Digital World, a Changing India

Context: The rapid expansion of digital media and generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) has raised concerns about its potential effects on children’s cognitive development, attention span, emotional well-being and learning abilities.

• As digital technologies become increasingly integrated into education and everyday life, it is important to understand their benefits while addressing the risks associated with excessive or inappropriate use.

About Digital Technologies

• Digital technologies include smartphones, social media platforms, online gaming, educational applications and AI-powered tools.
• These technologies can improve access to information, enable personalised learning and encourage creativity.
• However, their growing presence in children’s lives also raises concerns about excessive screen exposure, digital dependence and overreliance on automated assistance.

Understanding the Developing Brain

• Structural and functional development: Children’s brains undergo significant changes throughout childhood and adolescence, influencing learning, behaviour, emotional regulation and decision-making.
  • The prefrontal cortex, which is associated with attention, working memory, planning and impulse control, continues developing into early adulthood.
• Neuroplasticity: Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to adapt and reorganise itself in response to experiences and environmental influences.
  • This makes children and adolescents particularly responsive to their surroundings and everyday experiences.
  • Digital experiences may therefore influence cognitive development, although current research has not established that screen exposure necessarily causes harmful neurological changes.

Arguments Favouring Digital Technology for the Developing Brain

1. Enhanced Learning

• Digital platforms provide access to diverse educational resources, interactive learning materials and information beyond traditional classroom boundaries.
• Personalised learning tools can adapt content to individual needs and learning speeds, potentially improving understanding and engagement.

2. Cognitive Adaptability

• Exposure to digital environments can help children develop the ability to navigate information-rich settings.
• Appropriate use may strengthen information-filtering skills and improve technological competence, helping children adapt to an increasingly digital society.

3. Creativity and Collaboration

• Digital tools allow children to create content, communicate ideas and participate in collaborative projects.
• Online platforms enable interaction and teamwork across geographical boundaries, expanding opportunities for creative expression and knowledge-sharing.

4. AI-Assisted Learning

• Generative AI can support brainstorming, provide feedback and help students understand difficult concepts.
• When used appropriately, AI can complement traditional teaching and support learning without replacing independent thinking.
• Familiarity with these tools can also help prepare children for a technology-driven economy.

Arguments Against Digital Technology for the Developing Brain

1. Attention Fragmentation

• Short-form videos, infinite scrolling, autoplay and algorithmically recommended content encourage continuous engagement.
• Frequent switching between digital activities can fragment attention and make sustained concentration on demanding tasks more difficult.

2. Emotional Vulnerability

• Adolescents may be particularly affected by social comparison, online validation and cyberbullying.
• These experiences can influence self-esteem and psychological well-being, especially when online interactions become a major source of social approval.

3. Cognitive Offloading

• Excessive dependence on AI-generated answers may reduce opportunities to practise independent reasoning, critical thinking and problem-solving.
• When students accept automated responses without understanding the underlying process, they may bypass the effort required for meaningful learning.

4. Reduced Reflection

• Continuous digital stimulation can leave less room for boredom, imagination, introspection and independent creative exploration.
• Reduced opportunities for quiet reflection may affect how children develop ideas, process experiences and engage in deeper thinking.

5. Disrupted Daily Routines

• Excessive recreational screen use can displace essential activities, including:
  • Adequate sleep.
  • Physical exercise and outdoor play.
  • Face-to-face interaction with family and peers.
• The effects of screen use depend not only on the total time spent on devices but also on the content consumed, duration, surrounding circumstances and individual needs.

India’s Case

• India has approximately 65 crore people below the age of 25, alongside one of the world’s largest digital ecosystems.
• Impact of COVID-19: The pandemic increased children’s dependence on digital platforms for online education, communication and entertainment.
• Dual challenge of demographic transition: India must simultaneously address unequal digital access and prevent unhealthy dependence on technology.
• Digital divide: Unequal access to devices and reliable connectivity can prevent some children from benefiting from digital learning.
• Limited digital literacy: Children, parents and educators may lack the skills needed to assess online information, identify misinformation and use AI responsibly.
• Insufficient parental supervision: Inadequate guidance and monitoring can increase exposure to inappropriate content, online manipulation and excessive screen use.

Related Key Measures and Efforts: India and Global

1. Information Technology Act, 2000

• The Information Technology Act, 2000, provides a legal framework governing electronic activity and addressing specified forms of unlawful conduct in the digital environment.
• The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, as amended, establish obligations for intermediaries and digital platforms to support a safer and more accountable online environment, including for children.

2. Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023

• The Act establishes a framework for protecting personal data in digital environments.
• It includes safeguards concerning children’s personal data, including parental-consent requirements, subject to applicable provisions and exemptions.

3. National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR)

The NCPCR has developed resources to promote children’s online safety and improve awareness among parents, educators and the public.

• Being Safe Online: Guidelines intended to improve awareness of online risks and promote safer digital behaviour.
• Manual on Safety and Security of Children in Schools: Incorporates guidance on preventing cyberbullying and improving children’s safety in educational settings.
• Guidelines on Preventing Cyber Bullying for School Children, 2024: Focus on addressing cyberbullying and promoting safer online interactions among students.
• National-level study on the effects of mobile phones and other internet-enabled devices: Examines the physical, behavioural and psychosocial effects of device use among children.

4. National Education Policy (NEP), 2020

• NEP 2020 recognises the role of digital education in improving learning opportunities.
• At the same time, it emphasises holistic development, highlighting the importance of balancing technology-enabled education with children’s wider developmental needs.

5. PRAGYATA Guidelines, 2020

• These guidelines provide recommendations for digital education and online learning.
• They include age-sensitive considerations intended to guide the use of digital learning tools.

6. World Health Organization (WHO) Guidelines, 2019

• WHO guidelines recommend limiting sedentary screen time for children below five years of age.
• The recommendations highlight the importance of healthy early-childhood routines and balancing sedentary activities with movement and other developmental experiences.

7. UNICEF Policy Guidance on AI for Children, 2021

• UNICEF promotes the development and use of AI systems that are safe, inclusive and responsive to children’s needs.
• Its guidance highlights the importance of protecting children’s rights and well-being as AI becomes increasingly integrated into their lives.

Way Forward: Strengthening Measures

1. Role of Families

• Establish device-free mealtimes and protected study hours.
• Encourage healthy sleep routines and regular outdoor play.
• Promote open communication about online experiences, cyberbullying and inappropriate content.
• Help children develop balanced digital habits rather than relying exclusively on restrictions.

2. Role of Schools

• Encourage independent writing, oral examinations and practical problem-solving to strengthen understanding.
• Teach students to use AI as a learning aid rather than a substitute for their own effort.
• Integrate digital literacy, responsible technology use and critical evaluation of online information into education.
• Promote activities that support physical development, creativity and face-to-face interaction.

3. Role of Government

• Strengthen age-appropriate safeguards and privacy protections for children.
• Improve accountability for digital platforms that target or are widely used by children.
• Support digital inclusion so that children from disadvantaged backgrounds can access educational technologies safely.
• Ensure that child-protection measures remain consistent with children’s rights and developmental needs.

4. Role of Technology Companies

• Improve transparency regarding recommendation algorithms and the way digital content is presented to children.
• Reduce manipulative engagement mechanisms that encourage excessive use.
• Strengthen reporting mechanisms, privacy protections and safeguards against harmful content.
• Design AI-powered educational tools that support learning, critical thinking and age-appropriate interaction.

5. Role of Research Institutions

• Encourage longitudinal studies examining the relationship between digital exposure, cognitive development and emotional well-being among Indian children.
• Assess the effects of different types of screen use rather than treating all digital activities as equivalent.
• Generate evidence that can inform educational practices, public policy and age-appropriate digital safeguards.

6. Strengthen Digital Literacy

• Educate children, parents and teachers about responsible technology use, misinformation, online manipulation and the limitations of AI-generated information.
• Encourage children to verify information, protect personal data and recognise potentially harmful digital interactions.
• Promote an understanding that AI outputs may be inaccurate and should be critically evaluated.

Conclusion

India’s objective should not be to reject digital technology but to ensure that its use supports children’s overall development. A developing mind requires information alongside reflection, technological assistance alongside independent effort, and digital engagement alongside real-world experiences. A child-centred digital ecosystem must combine access, safety, digital literacy and responsible AI use to ensure that technological progress strengthens rather than undermines human development.

Download Pdf | Study Material | Downloads | Daily Quiz  | FREE Youtube Videos