Why in the News?
Justice Surya Kant took oath as the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI) on November 24, 2025, administered by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
About Justice Surya Kant
- Born: 10 February 1962, Hisar, Haryana.
- Youngest Advocate General of Haryana (appointed 2000).
- Judge, Punjab & Haryana High Court (2004).
- Chief Justice, Himachal Pradesh High Court (2018).
- Appointed to Supreme Court: 24 May 2019 (along with Justice B.R. Gavai).
Tenure
- Will serve until 2 February 2027 — a little over one year.
Major Priorities as the 53rd CJI
- Reduce pendency of 90,000+ cases in the Supreme Court to a “manageable number.”
- Address growing trend:
- Litigants bypassing High Courts and approaching SC directly.
- Repeated “miscellaneous applications” causing prolonged litigation
Major Cases Involving Justice Surya Kant
- Abrogation of Article 370 (J&K’s special status removed).
- Electoral Bonds Case – Bench struck down the scheme as unconstitutional.
- Pegasus spyware case.
- Suspension of sedition law deliberations.
- Granted conditional interim bail to Ashish Mishra (Lakhimpur Kheri incident).
Procedure for Selection of the Chief Justice of India (CJI)
Constitutional Basis
- Article 124(2) of the Constitution deals with the appointment of Supreme Court judges (including the CJI). The CJI is appointed by the President of India.
Seniority Convention
- By long-standing constitutional convention, the most senior judge of the Supreme Court is appointed as the next CJI.
- Seniority = date of appointment to the Supreme Court Bench.
Role of the Collegium
When the CJI’s post is falling vacant:
- The outgoing CJI recommends the name of the senior-most SC judge to the Government of India.
- This recommendation is part of the Collegium system, but only the CJI’s advice is required, not the full Collegium.
Role of the Law Ministry
- The Ministry of Law & Justice processes the recommendation.
- Sends it to the Prime Minister, who advises the President.
Appointment by the President
- The President formally appoints the recommended judge as the Chief Justice of India.
- Appointment is notified in the Gazette.
Oath of Office
- The President administers the oath of office to the new CJI at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
- Oath is under Article 124(6).
Tenure
- The CJI holds office until the age of 65.
|
Q. With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements:
1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act as a Supreme Court judge by the Chief Justice of India with the prior permission of the President of India.
2. A High Court in India has the power to review its own judgement as the Supreme Court does.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?Â
[A] 1 onlyÂ
[B] 2 onlyÂ
[C] Both 1 and 2Â
[D] Neither 1 nor 2 |
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 Why in the News?
INS Sahyadri of the Indian Navy and HMAS Ballarat of the Royal Australian Navy participated in the AUSINDEX 2025 bilateral maritime exercise in the Northern Pacific, strengthening India–Australia defence cooperation and enhancing interoperability.
What is AUSINDEX? Â
- Bilateral naval exercise between India and Australia
- First held in 2015
- Aims at maritime cooperation, interoperability, and security
- Conducted alternately in India and Australia / designated oceanic regions
AUSINDEX 2025Â
- Location: Northern Pacific
- INS Sahyadri – Shivalik-class guided-missile stealth frigate
- HMAS Ballarat – Anzac-class frigate
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- Anti-submarine warfare (ASW)
- Gunnery drills
- Advanced flying operations
- Joint maritime manoeuvres
- Objective: Boost interoperability and reaffirm commitment to a free, open, inclusive Indo-Pacific
| With reference to India’s defence, consider the following pairs: (2025)
I. Dornier-228 : Maritime patrol aircraftÂ
II. IL-76 : Supersonic combat aircraft III. C-17 GlobemasterÂ
III : Military transport aircraftÂ
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?Â
(a) Only oneÂ
(b) Only twoÂ
(c) All the threeÂ
(d) None |
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Why in the News?
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 32 kg methamphetamine tablets worth ₹32 crore in two separate operations in Assam and Tripura, exposing the continued use of the Indo–Myanmar route for drug trafficking. Three persons have been arrested under the NDPS Act, 1985.
About Methamphetamine Â
- A synthetic psychostimulant
- Known as Ya Ba / Speed pills in Southeast Asia
- Highly addictive
- Controlled under Schedule of NDPS Act, 1985
What is Hydroponic Weed?
- Marijuana grown in nutrient-rich water systems, not soil
- Higher potency due to controlled conditions
- New smuggling trend: carried by air passengers into NE India
NDPS Act, 1985Â Â
- Regulates narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
- Provides for seizure, arrests, forfeiture
- Commercial quantity offences: 10–20 years imprisonment
- Empowered agencies: DRI, NCB, Customs, State Police, BSF, Assam Rifles
| Q: India’s proximity to two of the world’s biggest illicit opium-growing states has enhanced her internal security concerns. Explain the linkages between drug trafficking and other illicit activities such as gunrunning, money laundering and human trafficking. What countermeasures should be taken to prevent the same? (UPSC 2018) |
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Why in the News?
The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has announced a new advanced bioremediation initiative using enzyme solutions and biochar-based Bokashi balls to clean and restore Hussainsagar Lake, which has long suffered from algal blooms, foul odour, sewage inflow, and industrial pollution.
About Hussainsagar Lake
- A 16th-century artificial lake in Hyderabad.
- Faces severe pollution due to:
- Sewage inflow
- Nutrient overload (nitrates, phosphates)
- Industrial waste
- Problems: algal blooms, foul odour, low Dissolved Oxygen (DO), high Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD).
What Is Bioremediation?
- Definition: Use of microorganisms, enzymes, or biological materials to break down pollutants and restore ecosystems.
- Types relevant here:
- In-situ bioremediation – treating the lake onsite without removing water.
- Bio-augmentation – adding microbial cultures to enhance degradation.
- Aerobic/oxygenation systems – boost DO to improve water quality.
New Intervention Planned by HMDA
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- Enhance microbial breakdown of organic pollutants.
- Help reduce nutrient load responsible for algal blooms.
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Bokashi Balls (with Biochar)
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- Bokashi = fermented organic matter rich in beneficial microbes.
- Biochar:
- Carbon-rich material produced from biomass.
- Increases microbial activity, absorbs toxins, improves water clarity.
- Purpose:
- Reduce algae, odour, pathogenic bacteria.
- Increase water transparency and DO levels.
| In the context of solving pollution problems what is/are the advantage/disadvantages of bioremediation technique? (2017)
1. It is a technique for cleaning up pollution by enhancing the same biodegradation process that occurs in nature.Â
2. Any contaminant with heavy metals such as cadmium and lead can be readily and completely treated by bioremediation using microorganisms.Â
3. Genetic engineering can be used to create microorganisms specifically designed for bioremediation.Â
Select the correct answer using the code given below:Â
(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
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Why in the news?
A recent study published in iScience revealed that moss spores (Physcomitrium patens) survived nine months outside the International Space Station (ISS), enduring vacuum, cosmic radiation, microgravity, and temperature extremes. Over 80% of the spores survived and successfully germinated on return to Earth. Scientists estimate moss could survive up to 15 years in space.
Key Findings of the Study
- 20,000 moss spores were placed outside the ISS in March 2022.
- Exposed to: Vacuum, Cosmic radiation, Microgravity and Extreme temperatures
- After 283 days, the spores were retrieved.
- Results: 80% survived
- Among survivors, 89% germinated successfully
- Chlorophyll levels normal except a 20% drop in chlorophyll a, but not harmful
- Survival attributed to multiple spore wall layers offering passive protection.
About the Species
- Species: Physcomitrium patens
- Model organism for plant evolutionary studies
- Mosses are one of the earliest land plants
- Already known for surviving:
- Antarctica
- Volcanic fields
- Deserts
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Why Moss Survived – Scientific Insight
- Multiple thick-walled layers → physical shielding
- Ability to remain in dormant state
- Natural mechanisms to handle:
- Radiation
- Desiccation
- Freezing and thawing cycles
Why Is This Significant?
- Implications for Space Exploration:Â
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- Ability to survive harsh space environments → potential role in: Oxygen generation, Humidity control, Soil formation on Moon/Mars.
- Supports concepts of bioregenerative life-support systems
- It could be used in terraforming experiments on other celestial bodies
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- Supports the idea that primitive plant life could survive interplanetary transport.
- Relevant to panspermia hypothesis (life spreading across planets via spores).
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- Moss can grow with minimal resources
- Can contribute to:
- Closed-loop ecosystems
- Sustainable habitats
- Psychological well-being in isolated environments (greenery)
| Consider the following statements: (2023)
1. Some microorganisms can grow in environments with temperature above the boiling point of water.Â
2. Some microorganisms can grow in environments with temperature below the freezing point of water.Â
3. Some microorganisms can grow in highly acidic environment with a pH below 3.Â
How many of the above statements are correct?Â
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None |
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