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Judicial Reforms

[3rd September 2025] India needs more women judges in the Supreme Court

op-ed snap | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Executive & Judiciary

PYQ Relevance

[UPSC 2021] Disucss the desirability of greater representation to women in higher judiciary to ensure equity and inclusiveness.

Linkage: The acute gender imbalance in the Supreme Court, with only 11 women judges since 1950, directly reflects the inequity in higher judiciary appointments. Greater representation of women is not only about fairness but also about inclusiveness, diversity of perspectives, and legitimacy of justice delivery. This makes the 2021 UPSC question highly relevant as it highlights why institutionalising gender as a criterion in judicial appointments is essential.

Mentor’s Comment

The issue of women’s representation in the higher judiciary has resurfaced sharply after the recent appointments to the Supreme Court overlooked senior women judges and lawyers. Despite being the guardian of constitutional morality and equality, the apex court itself reflects a glaring gender imbalance. This article explores the extent of underrepresentation, the opacity in the appointment process, and why diversity on the Bench is not merely symbolic but essential for justice delivery.

Introduction

The retirement of Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia in August 2025 created an opportunity to address the deep gender imbalance in India’s Supreme Court. However, with the appointments of Justices Vipul Pancholi and Alok Aradhe, the Court continues to have only one woman judge—Justice B.V. Nagarathna. This exposes both a structural problem in the judicial appointment system and the reluctance to institutionalise gender as a criterion for higher judiciary appointments.

The significance of gender imbalance in the Supreme Court

  1. Striking underrepresentation: Only 11 women judges out of 287 since 1950 (3.8%).
  2. Missed opportunity: Despite two vacancies in August 2025, no woman judge was appointed.
  3. Historical first ignored: The 2021 Collegium decision appointing three women judges at once raised hope of change, but the momentum has not continued.
  4. Symbolic contradiction: The Court upholds gender equality but does not reflect it internally.

The historical trajectory of women judges in the Supreme Court

  1. First woman judge: Justice Fathima Beevi (1989).
  2. Trail of appointments: Only 11 till date, with short tenures limiting their influence.
  3. Tenure disparity: Women often appointed at a late stage in career, reducing chances of reaching the Collegium or CJI position.
  4. Upcoming first woman CJI: Justice B.V. Nagarathna, but for only 36 days (Sept–Oct 2027).
  5. Lack of caste and minority representation: Only Justice Fathima Beevi represented a minority faith; no SC/ST woman judge was ever appointed.

Gender disparity in direct elevation from the Bar

  1. Male dominance: Nine men have been directly elevated from the Bar.
  2. Single woman appointee: Justice Indu Malhotra (2018) was the only woman elevated directly.
  3. Systemic discrimination: Despite women Senior Advocates being present, elevation remains blocked.
  4. Global comparison: Worldwide, the Bar is a major route to the higher judiciary, India lags in enabling women lawyers.

The opacity of the judicial appointment process

  1. Collegium secrecy: No clarity on criteria or names under consideration.
  2. Inconsistent transparency: Collegium resolutions briefly made public in 2017 under CJI Dipak Misra, but not institutionalised.
  3. Regional and caste factors considered: Yet gender is ignored as a formal category.
  4. Violation of merit claims: Recent appointments skipped senior women High Court judges despite “seniority” being cited in the past as a hurdle.

The importance of women’s representation on the Bench

  1. Unique perspectives: Women judges bring experiential diversity that shapes judicial outcomes.
  2. Public trust: Greater representation builds confidence in judicial impartiality.
  3. Truly representative court: The SC must reflect India’s social and gender diversity to strengthen legitimacy.
  4. Judicial precedents: The Court itself has mandated 30% reservation for women in Bar Association elections, but has no such rule for its own appointments.

Conclusion

The Supreme Court’s gender imbalance undermines its constitutional commitment to equality and inclusivity. Unless women are institutionalised as a criterion for judicial appointments, alongside caste, religion, and region, the credibility of India’s top court will remain in question. Representation is not tokenism; it is a constitutional necessity to ensure justice is dispensed through the lens of diversity, fairness, and lived realities.

Value Addition

Committees & Reports

  1. Law Commission 230th Report (2009): Recommended adequate representation of women and minorities in higher judiciary.
  2. Justice Verma Committee (2013): Strongly stressed the need for gender diversity in judiciary to handle women-related cases with sensitivity.

International Comparisons & Norms

  1. Beijing Platform for Action (1995): Calls for women in decision-making positions, including judiciary.
  2. Canada & UK: Women form 40–50% of higher judiciary in recent years.
  3. South Africa: Institutionalised diversity (race + gender) as a mandatory criterion in judicial appointments.

 

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Policy Wise: India’s Power Sector

Decoding the SC order on regulatory assets

Explained | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways Etc.

Introduction

India’s electricity sector faces a chronic mismatch between the cost of supply and the revenue collected, leaving distribution companies (DISCOMs) financially stressed. To bridge this gap, regulatory assets, unrecovered costs deferred for future recovery, have become common. The Supreme Court has now ordered DISCOMs and regulators to clear these within strict timelines and capped their creation, marking a crucial step towards financial discipline and consumer protection in the power sector.

Significance of the Supreme Court’s Directive

The Supreme Court directed State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs) and DISCOMs to clear existing regulatory assets within four years and any new ones within three years, while capping their creation at 3% of Annual Revenue Requirement (ARR). The Court also mandated transparent recovery roadmaps and intensive audits for non-compliant DISCOMs.The judgment is significant because it marks the first time the Supreme Court has set explicit timelines and caps for the liquidation of regulatory assets. With Delhi DISCOMs alone carrying regulatory assets worth over ₹58,000 crore, and Tamil Nadu reporting ₹89,375 crore in FY 2021-22, the scale of the problem is massive. The ruling highlights how the misuse of regulatory assets has become systemic, leading to debt accumulation, delayed payments to generators, and poor grid modernisation.

Understanding Regulatory Assets

  1. Definition: Regulatory assets are deferred costs created when the Average Cost of Supply (ACS) is higher than the ARR, allowing DISCOMs to recover the gap later instead of burdening consumers immediately.
  2. Example: If ACS = ₹7.20/unit and ARR = ₹7.00/unit, the shortfall of ₹0.20 per unit across 10 billion units leads to a revenue gap of ₹2,000 crore, which becomes a regulatory asset.
  3. Consumer relief: Prevents immediate tariff shocks but leads to deferred steep tariff hikes later, often with interest.

Causes of the Average Cost of Supply (ACS)- Annual Revenue Requirement (ARR) Gap

  1. Non-cost reflective tariffs: Tariffs often kept artificially low for political reasons.
  2. Delayed subsidies: State governments fail to release subsidies for agriculture or low-income households on time, worsening DISCOM finances.
  3. Fuel price shocks: Sudden increases in coal/gas prices inflate procurement costs.
  4. Historical evidence: Punjab’s 2004–05 case of ₹487 crore revenue gap set the precedent for regulatory assets in India.

Impact of regulatory assets on consumers and DISCOMs

  1. Consumers:
    • Immediate stability in tariffs but eventual steeper hikes.
    • Example: Delhi DISCOMs must recover ₹16,580 crore annually in four years, implying an additional ₹5.5/unit on average.
  2. DISCOMs:
    • Persistent cash flow crises as revenue doesn’t cover costs.
    • Forced to borrow → higher debt burden.
    • Limited capacity to modernise grids, integrate renewables, or improve services.
    • Creates a vicious cycle of financial and operational distress.

Regulatory Assets and Grid Modernisation

  1. Yes: Large unrecovered costs reduce capital available for investment in infrastructure.
  2. Renewable integration challenge: Financially weak DISCOMs are unable to invest in flexible grids or storage solutions.
  3. Consumer service compromise: Lower quality of supply, billing inefficiencies, and lack of digital modernisation.

Way forward

  1. Cost-reflective tariffs: Rationalise tariffs while shielding vulnerable consumers with targeted subsidies.
  2. Timely subsidy release: State governments must ensure fiscal discipline.
  3. Automatic fuel cost adjustments: Tariffs should respond dynamically to input cost fluctuations.
  4. Annual true-up exercises: Prevent backlog accumulation by reconciling projections with actual costs.
  5. Regulatory discipline: Enforce caps, transparency, and timelines to ensure regulatory assets remain exceptional, not structural.

Conclusion

The Supreme Court’s directive signals a turning point for India’s power sector. It underlines the urgent need for financial discipline, timely subsidies, and transparent tariff setting. If implemented well, this move could break the cycle of deferred costs and inefficiencies, ensuring that electricity supply remains both affordable for consumers and financially viable for utilities. For policymakers, it serves as a reminder that delaying reforms through regulatory tools only compounds systemic risks.

Value Addition

Importance of DISCOMs in India’s Power Sector

  1. DISCOMs are the last-mile link in the electricity chain, responsible for delivering power to households, industries, and agriculture.
  2. Their financial health directly impacts energy access, affordability, and quality of supply.

Current Financial Stress

  1. AT&C Losses: Aggregate Technical & Commercial losses remain high at ~16–20% (against a target of 12–15%).
  2. Revenue Gap: ACS > ARR leads to losses per unit supplied.
  3. Debt Burden: Many DISCOMs rely on borrowing to bridge gaps, adding to systemic financial stress.

Key Causes of DISCOM Distress

  1. Non-cost reflective tariffs: Political pressure keeps tariffs lower than actual supply cost.
  2. Delayed subsidies: State governments often delay releasing agricultural/poor household subsidies.
  3. Cross-subsidisation: Industrial and commercial consumers are charged higher rates to subsidise other sectors, affecting competitiveness.
  4. Fuel price volatility: Sudden spikes in coal/gas prices worsen procurement costs.

Government Initiatives for DISCOMs

  1. UDAY (2015): Transferred debt to State governments, targeted efficiency improvements.
  2. Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) (2021): RDSS, focuses on smart meters, loss reduction, and IT-based monitoring.
  3. Electricity Amendment Bill (2022) (proposed): Aims to promote competition, allow multiple distributors in the same area, and reduce monopolies.

DISCOMs and Energy Transition

  1. Financially weak DISCOMs struggle to integrate renewable energy and invest in smart grids, storage, and modernisation.
  2. This hampers India’s 2030 renewable energy targets (500 GW capacity, 50% non-fossil share).

Global Comparisons

  1. Many countries (e.g., UK, Germany) have cost-reflective tariff mechanisms and automatic adjustment clauses to prevent accumulation of arrears.
  2. India’s reliance on regulatory assets is unusual, reflecting deeper political economy challenges.

PYQ Relevance

[UPSC 2021] “Access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy is the sine qua non to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).’’ Comment on the progress made in India in this regard.

Linkage: The Supreme Court’s directive on regulatory assets directly ties to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) by addressing the financial distress of DISCOMs, which undermines both affordability for consumers and sustainability for utilities. India has expanded electricity access impressively, but the persistence of unrecovered costs, delayed subsidies, and non-cost-reflective tariffs highlight the fragility of the system. The judgment pushes for financial discipline, timely subsidy release, and transparent tariff recovery, ensuring that progress towards universal, reliable, and modern energy access is not compromised by systemic inefficiencies.

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Foreign Policy Watch: India-SCO

Unmistakable shift (India signalled a change in foreign policy stance at SCO Summit)

Explained | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and agreements involving India

Introduction

India’s foreign policy has historically oscillated between balancing great power politics and safeguarding its strategic autonomy. The 2025 SCO Summit in China witnessed a landmark moment: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first bilateral engagement with Chinese President Xi Jinping since the 2020 military standoff. The visit not only revived dormant dialogues but also underscored India’s shifting posture in a multipolar world marked by U.S. sanctions, instability in West Asia, and contestations within Eurasia.

Significance of Indian Prime Minister’s Visit to China

  1. Seven-year gap: PM Modi had not travelled to China since 2017, making this a major diplomatic breakthrough.
  2. First bilateral since standoff: Meeting with Xi Jinping was the first since the 2020 military confrontation along the LAC.
  3. Three-year SCO absence: Modi’s return to SCO after three years shows India’s willingness to re-engage with a grouping seen as anti-Western.
  4. Optics of bonhomie: Images with Xi and Putin evoked memories of the inactive Russia-India-China trilateral, signalling recalibration.

Revival of India-China Bilateral Engagement

  1. Troop disengagement: Both leaders endorsed the normalisation process initiated in October 2024.
  2. Boundary resolution: Agreed to fast-track talks between Special Representatives.
  3. Connectivity revival: Resumption of direct flights and visa facilitation announced.
  4. Economic ties: Leaders stressed on building trade relations to stabilise world commerce.
  5. Mutual trust rhetoric: Modi stressed ties based on “mutual trust, respect and sensitivity”, while Xi used the metaphor of “Dragon and Elephant” coming together.

External Drivers of India’s Foreign Policy Recalibration

  1. U.S. tariffs and sanctions: American restrictions and mistrust of the Trump administration nudged India to diversify partnerships.
  2. Strategic compulsion: India managed to side-step concerns like China’s support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, UNSC/NSG opposition, and shielding of terrorists.
  3. Multipolar optics: India’s engagement at SCO signals balancing between West and Eurasia.

Key Outcomes of the 2025 SCO Summit

  1. Tianjin declaration: Strong language against cross-border terrorism, including condemnation of the Pahalgam attack (India) and Balochistan attacks (Pakistan).
  2. West Asian crisis: SCO united on humanitarian crisis in Gaza and condemned U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.
  3. China’s push: Xi proposed an SCO Development Bank.
  4. India’s push: Modi proposed a Civilisational Dialogue among SCO members.
  5. India’s reservation: Continued opposition to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) paragraph.

Missed Diplomatic Opportunities at the Summit

  1. Skipped SCO Plus: Indian Prime Minister did not attend the extended “SCO Plus” Summit, limiting engagement with neighbourhood and Global South leaders.
  2. Regional bonding gap: While optics were strong, substantive regional outreach was diluted.

Conclusion

The SCO Summit underscored India’s willingness to recalibrate its foreign policy in a changing world order. Modi’s visit after years of distance marked a thaw with China, greater Eurasian engagement, and assertion of India’s independent foreign policy despite U.S. pressures. However, missed opportunities in broader outreach and unresolved trust deficits with China remain cautionary notes.

Value Addition

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)

Historical Background

  1. Successor to: SCO is the successor to the Shanghai Five, formed in 1996 between China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan.
  2. Formation: Established in 2001 in Shanghai by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
  3. Expansion: India and Pakistan joined as full members in 2017; Iran became a member in 2023.
  4. Observers & Dialogue Partners: Afghanistan, Belarus, Mongolia, and others engage as observers; several countries (e.g., Turkey, Sri Lanka) are dialogue partners.

Strategic Importance of SCO for India

  1. Geopolitical Balancing: Provides a platform to engage with China and Russia while maintaining ties with the West (Quad, U.S.).
  2. Regional Security: Key forum for counter-terrorism cooperation, especially in light of cross-border terrorism and instability in Afghanistan.
  3. Eurasian Connectivity: Enhances India’s presence in Central Asia, a region rich in energy resources.
  4. Multipolar World Order: Strengthens India’s narrative of strategic autonomy and non-alignment in new form.

Key SCO Mechanisms

  1. Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS): Headquartered in Tashkent, focuses on counter-terrorism intelligence sharing.
  2. Economic Cooperation: Proposals for SCO Development Bank, regional trade, and connectivity projects (though India resists BRI-linked initiatives).
  3. Cultural and Civilisational Dialogues: Shared platforms for people-to-people exchanges, education, and cultural diplomacy.

India’s Challenges within SCO

  1. China Factor: Difficult to expand cooperation given border disputes and China’s Pakistan tilt.
  2. Pakistan Factor: Its membership often leads to diplomatic blockages on issues like terrorism.
  3. BRI Opposition: India consistently refuses to endorse the Belt and Road Initiative, creating friction.
  4. Russia-China Axis: Russia’s growing dependence on China may dilute India’s influence in the bloc.

Contemporary Relevance

  1. Energy and Trade: Central Asia is crucial for energy diversification; SCO provides a gateway.
  2. Geopolitical Flux: With U.S.-China rivalry and West Asia instability, SCO’s role in Eurasian stability gains importance.
  3. Soft Power Opportunity: India uses SCO to promote civilisational dialogue, yoga, Ayurveda, and cultural diplomacy.

PYQ Relevance

[UPSC 2021] Critically examine the aims and objectives of SCO. What importance does it hold for India?

Linkage: The article directly illustrates the objectives of SCO—counter-terrorism (Tianjin declaration), multipolarity, and Eurasian stability. It highlights India’s balancing act—reviving ties with China, opposing BRI, and pushing for civilisational dialogue. Thus, the SCO Summit outcomes reflect both the scope and constraints of SCO’s importance for India in strategic, economic, and security domains.

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ISRO Missions and Discoveries

[pib] PRATUSH Mission

Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

Why in the News?

Raman Research Institute (RRI) has devised the Probing ReionizATion of the Universe using Signal from Hydrogen (PRATUSH) Telescope to study the “Cosmic Dawn” by detecting radio signals from neutral hydrogen gas.

About the PRATUSH Mission:

  • Developer: Designed by the Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bengaluru, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
  • Main Goal: To study the Cosmic Dawn – the period when the first stars and galaxies formed – by detecting the faint 21-cm radio signal from neutral hydrogen.
  • Why from the Moon? On Earth, these signals get lost due to radio noise (like FM signals) and atmospheric distortions. The lunar far side is the quietest place in the inner Solar System for radio astronomy, making it the best site.
  • Scientific Importance: Will help scientists understand how the first stars heated and ionized hydrogen gas, how the early Universe changed, and may even give clues about dark matter and fundamental physics.

Key Features:

  • Compact Design: Small, lightweight, low-power, and cost-effective – in line with the global trend of miniaturized space instruments.
  • Digital Receiver System:
    • Uses a single-board computer (like Raspberry Pi prototype).
    • Equipped with FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) for high-speed radio data processing.
  • How it Works:
    • Antenna collects faint hydrogen signals.
    • Analog receiver amplifies them.
    • Digital receiver + FPGA convert them into detailed spectral fingerprints of sky brightness.
  • Test Results: Lab trials (352 hours) showed extremely low noise (few millikelvins), proving it can detect faint cosmic signals.
  • SWaP Advantage: Optimized for Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP), making it highly suitable for space deployment.
[UPSC 2010]  In the context of space technology, what is Bhuvan, recently in the news?

Options:

(a) A mini satellite launched by ISRO for promoting the distance education in India

(b) The name given to the next Moon Impact Probe, for Chandrayaan-II

(c) A geoportal of ISRO with 3D imaging capabilities of India *

(d) A space telescope developed by ISRO

 

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Governor vs. State

Appointment of Vice Chancellors by Governor

Prelims Only | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Federalism

Why in the News?

A recent controversy arose in Kerala, where the Governor (ex-officio Chancellor of State Universities) urged the Supreme Court to exclude the Chief Minister from the process of selecting Vice-Chancellors (VCs).

Who is the Vice-Chancellor?

  • Position: Serves as Principal Academic and Executive Officer of the university.
  • Functions: Bridges executive and academic wings; ensures compliance with Acts, Statutes, and Regulations.
  • Authority: Chairs key bodies such as the Executive Council, Academic Council, Finance Committee, and Selection Committees.
  • Qualities Emphasized: Historical commissions (Radhakrishnan 1948, Kothari 1964–66, Gnanam 1990, Ramlal Parikh 1993) stressed academic excellence, administrative skill, integrity, and vision.
  • Significance: Maintains quality, relevance, and reform in higher education.

About the Role of Governor and President in Universities:

  1. State Universities:
    1. Chancellor’s Position: The Governor is ex-officio Chancellor, functioning independently of the State Cabinet in university matters.
    2. VC Appointment: As per UGC Regulations, 2018, the Chancellor appoints Vice-Chancellors from a panel recommended by a Search-cum-Selection Committee.
    3. Legal Supremacy: In conflicts between UGC regulations and State laws, UGC norms prevail under Article 254 of the Constitution.
  2. Central Universities:
    1. Visitor Role: The President of India is the Visitor under the Central Universities Act, 2009.
    2. Chancellor: A ceremonial head, appointed by the President.
    3. VC Appointment: The President selects from a panel suggested by a Search Committee and can demand a fresh panel if unsatisfied.
    4. Oversight Powers: The President can authorize inspections and inquiries into universities.
[UPSC 2014] Which of the following are the discretionary powers given to the Governor of a State?

1. Sending a report to the President of India for imposing the President’s rule

2. Appointing the Ministers

3. Reserving certain bills passed by the State Legislature for consideration of the President of India

4. Making the rules to conduct the business of the State Government

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Options: (a) a) 1 and 2 only (b) b) 1 and 3 only (c) c) 2, 3 and 4 only (d) d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

 

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Electronic System Design and Manufacturing Sector – M-SIPS, National Policy on Electronics, etc.

Vikram 32-Bit Processor

Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Indigenization Of Technology

Why in the News?

Union Minister for Electronics & IT has presented PM with a memento containing the first ‘Made in India’ Vikram 32-bit Launch Vehicle Grade Processor (VIKRAM3201).

About Vikram 32-bit Processor (VIKRAM3201):

  • Overview: India’s first fully indigenous 32-bit space-grade microprocessor, developed by VSSC–ISRO with Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL), Chandigarh.
  • Lineage: Successor of 16-bit VIKRAM1601 (used since 2009 in ISRO launch vehicles), designed for avionics, navigation, guidance, and mission control.
  • Launch & Validation: Unveiled at Semicon India 2025 as a symbol of India’s semiconductor self-reliance. Validated in space during PSLV-C60 (2025) via POEM-4 experiments.
  • Applications: Primarily for space missions, but also suited for defence, automotive, and energy systems due to its rugged reliability.
  • Policy Support: Developed under India Semiconductor Mission and Design Linked Incentive (DLI) scheme, reflecting policy thrust on indigenous chip design and manufacturing.

Key Technical Features:

  • Architecture: 32-bit design with support for 16/32-bit fixed-point and 64-bit floating-point (IEEE754) operations, essential for trajectory precision.
  • Registers & Memory: 32 registers (32-bit wide), capable of addressing up to 4096M words of memory.
  • Instruction Set: 152 instructions with microprogrammed control for flexibility in aerospace computations.
  • Performance: Operates at 100 MHz, single 3.3V supply, consumes <500 mW power, with <10 mA quiescent current.
  • Environmental Tolerance: Functions between –55°C to +125°C, fit for space and military conditions.
  • Interfaces: Equipped with four 32-bit timers, 256 software interrupts, and dual on-chip 1553B bus interfaces for avionics communication.
  • Software Compatibility: Optimised for Ada language (aerospace standard); C compiler support under development by ISRO.
  • Packaging & Fabrication: Built in a 181-pin ceramic PGA package, fabricated on 180 nm CMOS process at SCL, Mohali.
[UPSC 2008] Which one of the following laser types is used in a laser printer?

Options: (a) Dye laser  (b) Gas laser (c) Semiconductor laser  (d) Excimer laser

 

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Judicial Reforms

Recusal of Judges

Prelims Only | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Seperation Of Power

Why in the News?

A Madhya Pradesh High Court judge has recused himself from hearing a petition in an alleged illegal mining case, saying that a MLA had “attempted to call him” to have a discussion regarding the matter.

About Recusal:

  • Overview: Recusal is the act of a judge or official abstaining from a case due to conflict of interest or a possible perception of bias.
  • Legal Basis:
    • There are no codified laws, but multiple Supreme Court rulings provide guiding principles.
    • In Ranjit Thakur v. Union of India (1987), SC held that the test of bias is the reasonableness of the apprehension in the mind of the affected party.
  • Grounds for Recusal:
    • Prior personal/professional association with a party.
    • Having appeared for a party in the case earlier.
    • Ex parte communications with parties involved.
    • Cases where a judge may be reviewing his own earlier judgment (e.g., SC appeals against HC orders delivered by the same judge earlier).
    • Financial or personal interests (e.g., shareholding in a company party to the case).
  • Underlying Principle: Rooted in the maxim “nemo judex in causa sua” — no one should be a judge in their own cause.

Process of Recusal:

  • Judge’s Discretion:
    • Decision usually rests with the judge’s conscience and discretion.
    • Judges may orally inform the parties, record it in the order, or sometimes recuse silently without explanation.
  • On Request:
    • Lawyers or parties may request recusal; final decision still rests with the judge.
    • Some judges have recused even without conflict, merely to avoid doubt. Others refuse if no genuine bias exists.
  • Procedure: Once recusal is declared, the case is placed before the Chief Justice for reassignment to another Bench.

Concerns Related to Recusal:

  • Judicial Independence at Risk: Can be misused by litigants to bench hunt (cherry-pick a judge), undermining judicial impartiality.
  • Lack of Uniform Standards: Absence of formal rules might lead to inconsistent approaches by different judges.
  • Potential for Abuse:
    • Requests for recusal may be used to delay proceedings, intimidate judges, or obstruct justice.
    • This undermines both the integrity of courts and timely justice delivery.
[UPSC 2019] With reference to the Constitution of India, prohibitions or limitations or provisions contained in ordinary laws cannot act as prohibitions or limitations on the constitutional powers under Article 142. It could mean which one of the following?

Options:

(a) The decisions taken by the. Election Commission of India while discharging its duties cannot be challenged in any court of law.

(b) The Supreme Court of India is not constrained in the exercise of its powers by the laws made by Parliament.

(c) In the event of grave financial crisis in the country, the President of India can declare Financial Emergency without the counsel from the Cabinet.

(d) State Legislatures cannot make laws on certain matters without the concurrence of Union Legislature.

 

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Disasters and Disaster Management – Sendai Framework, Floods, Cyclones, etc.

In news: Sudan’s Darfur Region

world map | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Effect Of Policies & Politics Of World On India'S Interests

Why in the News?

A landslide in Sudan’s western Darfur region reportedly wiped out a village, killing an estimated 1,000 people.

In news: Sudan’s Darfur Region

About Darfur Region:

  • Location & Size: Western Sudan; borders Chad, Libya, CAR; spans about 493,000 sq. km (nearly France-sized).
  • Geography: Predominantly arid/semi-arid; desert north, fertile south. Highly vulnerable to drought, desertification, and climate change.
  • Administrative Units: Divided into five states — North, South, West, Central, East Darfur.
  • Demographics: Mixed ethnic groups — Arab pastoralists and non-Arab farming communities.
  • Capital: El Fasher, main hub for administration, economy, and humanitarian operations.

Ongoing Conflict & Crisis:

  • Origins of Uprising: Armed rebellion began in 2003 (SLM, JEM) against political and economic marginalization.
  • Janjaweed & RSF: Janjaweed militias, accused of genocide and ethnic cleansing, later evolved into Rapid Support Forces (RSF), now central to instability.
  • Humanitarian Crisis: Since 2003, region has seen mass killings, displacement, refugee flows, ranked among the worst global humanitarian crises.
  • Current Instability: Renewed 2023 violence between RSF and rival groups worsened agriculture, aid, and governance.
  • Regional Impact: Conflict spills into Chad and CAR, destabilizing the Sahel region.
  • Natural Disasters: Alongside conflict, disasters like the 2025 Darfur landslide (~1,000 deaths) add to human suffering.
[UPSC 2024] Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: There is instability and worsening security situation in the Sahel region.

Statement-II: There have been military takeovers/coups d’état in several countries of the Sahel region in the recent past.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statement?

a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I

b) Bothe Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I

c) Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect

d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

 

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