Why it is in the news
On 6 October 2026, it was reported that the Press Council of India (PCI) has functioned at half its sanctioned strength for nearly a year — 14 of 28 members — with not a single working journalist or newspaper editor. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has yet to notify in the Official Gazette the 13 journalist members (6 editors, 7 working journalists) nominated under Section 5(3)(a) of the Press Council Act, 1978; the Ministry said the notification is at the final stage and will be issued shortly.
The exam angle
Issue: A statutory press watchdog left without its journalist members exposes how executive delay can hollow out an autonomous, peer-regulatory institution.