CURRENT AFFAIRS | 24 JULY 2026
The Union Cabinet has bifurcated the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, carving out a new Department of Urban Development and a Department of Metropolitan Development, with Delhi getting a dedicated department. The reorganisation was effected by amending the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961, notified in the official gazette — a routine but constitutionally significant exercise of executive power.
Constitutional & Legal Framework
- Article 77: All executive action of the Government of India is expressed to be taken in the name of the President; the President makes rules for the more convenient transaction of business — the source of the Allocation of Business Rules.
- Allocation of Business Rules, 1961: Distribute subjects among ministries/departments. Amending them (not Parliament) is how ministries are created, split or merged.
- Article 53 & 74: Executive power of the Union vests in the President, exercised on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.
The CLAT Angle
CLAT loves the distinction between legislative and executive action. Creating or splitting a ministry needs NO Act of Parliament — it is done by the President under Article 77(3) via the Allocation of Business Rules. Contrast this with creating a new State (Article 3, needs law) or a constitutional body (needs amendment or statute). Expect a question testing whether a ministry split requires parliamentary legislation (it does not).
Key Facts at a Glance
| What changed | Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs split into Dept of Urban Development + Dept of Metropolitan Development |
| Instrument used | Amendment to Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961 |
| Constitutional hook | Article 77(3) — President’s rules for convenient transaction of business |
| Delhi angle | Delhi gets a dedicated department for national-capital urban schemes |
| Key schemes affected | Smart Cities, AMRUT, PMAY-Urban, Swachh Bharat (Urban) |
Memory Hook: “A-B-R”
Allocation of Business Rules — the President ‘A-B-R’anges who does what, no Parliament needed.
Test Yourself: 10-Question Quiz
Attempt all 10 questions below and check your CLAT current-affairs readiness.
Practice Quiz — 10 CLAT-Style Questions
Click an option to reveal the answer and explanation.
