Author: Anvita Dwivedi

The debate over “freebies culture” in Indian politics has resurfaced sharply following recent remarks by the Supreme Court of India questioning the timing and intent behind pre-election cash transfer schemes. On 19 February 2026, a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court of India, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant alongside Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, delivered unusually forthright oral observations about the burgeoning practice of state governments announcing cash transfer schemes and other freebies just before elections. The remarks came while hearing a writ petition filed by the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd. challenging Rule 23 of…