The Election Commission (EC) has initiated preparatory activities for the 2025 Vice-Presidential election, with the poll schedule to be announced soon. This vacancy arose due to Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation. The EC is mandated by Article 324 of the Constitution to conduct this election, which is governed by the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952, and Rules, 1974. The Vice-President is elected by an Electoral College comprising elected and nominated members of both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. Members of the Electoral College vote based on individual choice, not party whip, and candidates require at least 20 electors as proposers and 20 as seconders.
The Election Commission has initiated preparations for the 2025 Vice-Presidential election following a mid-term vacancy.
The EC's mandate to conduct such elections is derived from Article 324 of the Constitution.
The election process is governed by specific Acts and Rules, outlining the composition of the Electoral College.
Exam Points
Vice-Presidential election for 2025.
Election Commission (EC) is mandated under Article 324 of the Constitution.
Governed by Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952 and Rules, 1974.
The Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes will conduct a second Socio-Educational Survey, popularly known as a caste census, from September 22 to October 7. This initiative, aimed at addressing caste discrimination, faces expert concerns regarding the short timeframe. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated the survey's main focus is to become a model for the country. The survey will cover approximately seven crore people using 1.65 lakh enumerators and will be conducted via an app, marking a shift from the previous manual survey conducted in 2015 by the Kantharaj Commission.
Karnataka is undertaking a second Socio-Educational Survey, popularly known as a caste census.
The primary objective of the survey is to address caste discrimination and serve as a national model.
The survey will be conducted using an app, marking a shift from the previous manual method.
Exam Points
Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes to conduct the survey.
The article discusses the fundamental changes in warfare, moving beyond traditional physical force to digitally autonomous and interconnected systems. It highlights how events like Operation Desert Storm, the Ukraine war, and a hypothetical India-Pakistan conflict in May 2025 demonstrate the increasing reliance on drones, AI, cyber warfare, and hypersonic weapons. Author M.K. Narayanan emphasizes that India must rapidly adapt its military modernization plans, rethink defence procurement, and diversify its hardware to prepare for future multi-front conflicts, as traditional concepts of winning battles are outdated. The shift towards network-centric warfare necessitates a comprehensive strategic overhaul.
Modern warfare is characterized by a shift from traditional physical force to digitally autonomous and interconnected systems.
The extensive use of drones, AI, cyber warfare, and hypersonic weapons is transforming battlefield dynamics.
India needs to urgently adapt its military modernization plans and diversify its hardware to meet these evolving challenges.
Exam Points
Author: M.K. Narayanan (former Director, Intelligence Bureau; former National Security Adviser; former Governor of West Bengal).
The article argues for a paradigm shift from live animal testing to artificial biological models, citing ethical concerns and the unreliability of animal test results for human harm prediction. It highlights the suffering animals endure and proposes that advancements in tissue engineering allow for the cultivation of various artificial anatomical parts, making animal-free experimentation feasible. The author suggests amending 'The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960' to mandate the consideration of lab-grown models. The piece also calls for a change in societal values and increased awareness of animal suffering, advocating for the use of visual and ex-corpus models in education and research for safety testing.
Animal testing is ethically problematic and often unreliable for predicting harm to humans.
Advances in tissue engineering enable the creation of artificial anatomical parts for experimentation.
The author proposes amending the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, to prioritize lab-grown models.
Exam Points
The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
Mentions A.L. Tatum, a toxicology researcher.
Discusses the shift from human studies to animal studies in toxicity tests (early 20th century).
The ninth Swachh Survekshan, the world's largest cleanliness survey, provides a comprehensive reality check on urban sanitation and waste management. It involved over 4,500 cities and 140 million citizens' feedback, assessing 10 parameters from waste segregation to grievance redressal. The survey has fostered competition, leading to improvements in city sanitation. This year's theme, "reduce, reuse, and recycle (RRR)", aims to create jobs and promote self-help groups, building on the previous "waste to wealth" theme. The article highlights successful models like Indore's waste segregation, Surat's revenue from treated water, and Pune's cooperative-based waste management, demonstrating effective strategies for clean cities.
The Swachh Survekshan serves as a critical tool for assessing and improving urban sanitation and waste management in India.
The survey's comprehensive parameters and citizen feedback drive competition and progress among cities.
The 2025 survey's theme, "reduce, reuse, and recycle (RRR)", emphasizes job creation and self-help groups.
Exam Points
Ninth edition of Swachh Survekshan.
Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM)-Urban steers the survey.
Theme for 2025 survey: "reduce, reuse, and recycle (RRR)".
Delhi's air pollution, a persistent issue in autumn and winter, stems from both local sources and emissions from neighboring states across the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP). The article highlights the need for coordinated regional action, especially with the current political alignment across Delhi-NCR states. Despite existing measures like the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana and pollution control devices in industries, implementation lags due to fragmented governance. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) provides a promising institutional framework, but its effectiveness depends on aligning state actions with regional targets. The author emphasizes treating the entire IGP as a single airshed for effective mitigation.
Delhi's air pollution is a regional problem requiring coordinated action across the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) states.
Fragmented governance and inconsistent implementation hinder effective pollution control measures.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has the potential to drive regional mitigation strategies.
Exam Points
Commission for Air Quality Management for National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM).
Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana.
International agreements: Stockholm Declaration (1972), Malé Declaration for South Asia (1998).
Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai has agreed to constitute a Bench to hear a petition challenging the in-house inquiry procedure and the recommendation for the removal of Allahabad High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma. CJI Gavai, who was part of the consultations, will not be on the Bench. The petition argues that the in-house inquiry is an "extra-constitutional mechanism" that usurps Parliament's exclusive authority to remove judges under Articles 124 and 218 of the Constitution and the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968. The Act provides stringent safeguards, including formal charges and proof beyond reasonable doubt, which the in-house procedure lacks.
The Chief Justice of India will form a Bench to examine the challenge against the removal recommendation for Justice Yashwant Varma.
The petition contends that the in-house inquiry procedure is an unconstitutional mechanism that bypasses parliamentary authority.
The Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, outlines the legislative process for judge removal, including formal charges and proof of misbehaviour.
Exam Points
Chief Justice of India: B.R. Gavai.
Justice Yashwant Varma of Allahabad High Court.
Articles 124 and 218 of the Constitution (removal of judges).
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has begun relocating its offices from the iconic North Block to the Common Central Secretariat (CCS) building on Janpath, as part of the Central Vista redevelopment project. The North and South Blocks, which house key administrative ministries, will be converted into a museum named 'Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum', expected to display 25,000-30,000 artefacts and become one of the world's largest museums. The shift aims to improve coordination, collaboration, and synergy among government organs, reduce congestion, and save significant rental costs by vacating rented accommodations, estimated at ₹1,000 crore per annum.
The Union Home Ministry is moving from North Block to the new Common Central Secretariat buildings.
The North and South Blocks will be transformed into the 'Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum'.
The Central Vista redevelopment project aims to enhance government coordination and efficiency.
Exam Points
North Block and South Block.
New museum name: 'Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum'.
British architect: Herbert Baker (inaugurated 1921).
India's net Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows plummeted by 98% to $35 million in May 2025, significantly lower than previous months. This sharp decline is attributed to both reduced gross FDI inflows and a substantial increase in repatriation and disinvestment by foreign firms. Gross FDI stood at $7.2 billion, an 11% decrease from May 2024. Simultaneously, repatriations and disinvestments by foreign companies surged to $5 billion, a 24% increase from a year ago. Outward FDI by Indian firms also increased by 18.5% year-on-year to $2.1 billion, further contributing to the lower net figure, according to data from the Reserve Bank of India.
Net FDI inflows into India experienced a drastic 98% decline in May 2025.
The reduction is a result of both lower gross FDI inflows and increased outflows due to repatriation and disinvestment.
Foreign companies significantly increased their repatriation and disinvestment activities compared to the previous year.
Exam Points
Net FDI inflows: $35 million in May 2025.
Gross FDI: $7.2 billion in May 2025.
Repatriations/disinvestment by foreign firms: $5 billion in May 2025.
More than 100 aid and human rights organizations, including Doctors Without Borders and Save the Children, have issued a dire warning about "mass starvation" spreading in Gaza. They called for an immediate negotiated ceasefire, the opening of all land crossings, and the free flow of aid through UN-led mechanisms. The U.S. envoy is heading to Europe for talks on a possible ceasefire and aid corridor amidst mounting international pressure on Israel over the catastrophic humanitarian situation. Warehouses full of supplies remain inaccessible, and children are reportedly dying of starvation, highlighting the critical failure of political commitments to deliver access to over two million people.
Over 100 NGOs have issued a severe warning about widespread starvation in Gaza.
They demand an immediate ceasefire, open land crossings, and unimpeded aid flow via UN mechanisms.
International pressure is mounting on Israel due to the dire humanitarian crisis affecting over two million people.
Exam Points
Over 100 aid organizations and human rights groups.
Organizations mentioned: Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Save the Children, Oxfam.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a landmark advisory opinion stating that countries could be in violation of international law if they fail to take adequate measures to protect the planet from climate change. Nations harmed by climate change effects could also be entitled to reparations. Advocates welcomed the opinion, which underscores nations' obligations to tackle climate change. ICJ President Yuji Iwasawa described the climate crisis as an "existential problem" imperiling all life. The case was initiated by the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu and supported by over 130 countries, strengthening the global legal framework for holding nations accountable for climate inaction.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has issued an advisory opinion on states' obligations regarding climate change.
Failure to act against climate change could constitute a violation of international law, potentially entitling affected nations to reparations.
The ruling emphasizes the "existential problem" posed by the climate crisis to global health and life.
The Supreme Court has issued notices on a Presidential Reference seeking its opinion on whether the President and Governors can be judicially compelled to act within prescribed timelines on State Bills. This Reference stems from the President's 14 questions following the Supreme Court's April 8 ruling, which deemed a Governor's inaction on Bills illegal and imposed timelines. Article 143(1) grants the Supreme Court advisory jurisdiction, allowing it to render opinions on law or fact not connected to ongoing litigation. While advisory opinions are not binding precedents, they hold persuasive authority. The Court has previously used Presidential References to refine aspects of judgments, though it cannot be used to review or reverse settled judicial decisions.
A Presidential Reference seeks the Supreme Court's opinion on the judicial enforceability of timelines for Presidential and Gubernatorial assent to State Bills.
Article 143(1) of the Constitution grants the Supreme Court advisory jurisdiction on matters of law or fact.
Advisory opinions, while not legally binding precedents, carry significant persuasive authority.
Exam Points
Article 143(1) of the Constitution (advisory jurisdiction).
The article draws parallels between the plastic and tobacco industries, arguing that both have used profit-driven tactics to influence policies and shift blame onto consumers. The plastic industry, backed by fossil fuel giants, has promoted recycling as a solution while privately acknowledging its impracticality, similar to how tobacco companies funded misleading science. This "greenwashing" creates a false impression of environmental responsibility. As regulations tighten in the Global North, plastic producers are increasingly targeting low- and middle-income countries with weaker environmental regulations. India's waste management relies heavily on the informal sector, and schemes like NAMASTE aim to integrate waste pickers while Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, mandate producer responsibility.
The plastic industry employs tactics similar to the tobacco industry to influence green policies and deflect corporate accountability.
"Greenwashing" and promoting impractical solutions like recycling are key strategies used by the plastic industry.
Plastic producers are shifting focus to the Global South, where environmental regulations are weaker.
Exam Points
OECD's 'Global Plastic Outlook' report (2022).
National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme (launched 2024).