The annual verdict from a unique cross-section of Indian society is in. The Citizens' Initiative and Action (CIA) group has announced its much-anticipated awards for the year 2025, highlighting the country's best and worst performing politicians.
Who Are the Judges? A Jury of the Commons
What makes these awards distinct is the composition of the jury itself. Citizens' Initiative and Action is not a panel of elite analysts, but a body intentionally formed with members from all walks of life. This diverse group includes television anchors, dental professionals, aspirants for the Miss India title, and even peanut sellers. The aim is to gather a ground-level, non-partisan perspective on political performance, reflecting views from across the societal spectrum.
The Annual Verdict on Political Performance
While the specific names of the awarded politicians are not detailed in the available information, the announcement confirms that the CIA's annual assessment for the year 2025 has been finalized and released. The awards categorize politicians into 'best' and 'worst', based on the observations and consensus of this eclectic jury. The results were published and last updated on 29 December 2025 at 19:23 IST, as reported by Srinivasa Prasad.
Significance and Ground-Up Governance
The existence and pronouncements of the Citizens' Initiative and Action serve as a unique barometer of public sentiment. By institutionalizing this annual award, the group underscores a form of civic accountability that operates outside traditional media or academic circles. It represents a direct, albeit informal, feedback mechanism from the everyday citizens—the voters—to the political class. The awards remind politicians that their work is constantly being evaluated by a watchful and diverse public, whose experiences range from national media discourse to the realities of the local marketplace.
As the news spreads, the political community and the public alike will be keen to learn which leaders have earned the jury's praise and which have drawn its criticism for their actions and performance throughout 2025.
