The Lok Sabha is set to take up a bipartisan motion to remove Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated that 152 MPs from both ruling and opposition alliances have signed the motion, indicating a unanimous decision. The process will follow the Judges (Inquiry) Act, starting in the Lok Sabha and then moving to the Rajya Sabha. This action follows a Supreme Court committee inquiry into a cash recovery controversy involving Justice Varma when he was with the Delhi High Court. Speaker Om Birla is expected to announce a three-member inquiry committee to probe the charges.
A bipartisan motion has been initiated in the Lok Sabha to remove Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court.
The motion has garnered support from 152 MPs across ruling and opposition parties, indicating a broad consensus.
The removal process will adhere to the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, starting in the Lok Sabha and subsequently moving to the Rajya Sabha.
Exam Points
The motion is against Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court.
152 MPs have signed the motion for the judge's removal.
The process for removal of a High Court judge is governed by the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.
The Supreme Court permitted the State of Kerala to withdraw two petitions filed against its Governor for delaying crucial Bills. The withdrawal was based on an April 8 judgment in a similar case concerning the Tamil Nadu Governor, which prescribed a maximum three-month deadline for the President and State Governors to act on State Bills under Articles 200 and 201. The Attorney General stated it was not a simple withdrawal but based on the precedent. The President had also issued a reference under Article 143 to question the court's inherent powers to impose timelines on Governors.
The Supreme Court allowed Kerala to withdraw petitions against its Governor regarding delays in clearing Bills.
The withdrawal was influenced by an April 8 judgment setting a three-month deadline for Governors and the President to act on State Bills.
The April 8 judgment applies to Bills sent for approval or reserved for consideration under Articles 200 and 201 of the Constitution.
Exam Points
The Supreme Court allowed Kerala to withdraw pleas against its Governor.
The April 8 judgment prescribed a three-month deadline for action on State Bills.
Articles 200 and 201 of the Constitution deal with assent to Bills by Governors and the President.
The India-U.K. Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is seen as a balanced "give and take" deal between two large economies. The U.K. offers duty-free access to 99% of its tariff lines but is conservative on professional movement. India has opened 90% of its tariff lines for duty-free import from the U.K., while protecting key agricultural products and phasing in duty reductions on automobiles. This deal is expected to boost FDI into India, especially due to local sourcing norms and duty-free export potential. It is also significant as it may set a template for India's future trade agreements with larger economies like the EU and the U.S.
The India-U.K. CETA is characterized by mutual concessions, with the U.K. offering extensive duty-free access for goods and India opening up its market while protecting sensitive sectors.
The agreement includes provisions for phased duty reductions on certain imports, like automobiles, allowing domestic industries time to adjust.
CETA is expected to significantly boost Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into India, driven by local sourcing norms and the potential for zero-duty exports to the U.K.
Exam Points
The agreement is the India-United Kingdom Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).
The U.K. has agreed to provide India duty-free access to about 99% of its tariff lines.
India has opened about 90% of its tariff lines for duty-free import from the U.K.
The article discusses how the Kargil War (1999) and the recent Pahalgam terror attack (2025) have shaped India's security strategy. Kargil, a "live televised" conflict, exposed vulnerabilities in intelligence, equipment, and coordination, leading to significant structural changes like the creation of DIA, NTRO, and the CDS post. It also spurred military modernization and the evolution of the "Cold Start Doctrine." The Pahalgam attack, in which India retaliated with "Operation Sindoor" striking terror bases and military air-bases in Pakistan, signifies a new threshold where India will no longer tolerate terror attacks without heavy costs to the aggressor, moving beyond past restraint.
The Kargil War (1999) served as a rude awakening, highlighting intelligence lapses, equipment shortcomings, and the need for military modernization.
Post-Kargil, India established new intelligence agencies like the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) and National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) and revamped the National Security Council Secretariat.
The war led to a focus on self-reliance in defence production, acquisition of modern weapon platforms, and the evolution of the "Cold Start Doctrine."
Exam Points
The Kargil War was fought from May 3 to July 26, 1999.
The Pahalgam terror attack occurred on April 22, 2025.
India's retaliatory operation was named "Operation Sindoor" (May 7-10, 2025).
The article highlights M.S. Swaminathan's crucial role in transforming the perception and management of mangroves globally and in India. From 1989, he advocated for mangroves' role in climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and coastal resource enhancement. His initiatives led to the establishment of the International Society for Mangrove Ecosystems (ISME) in 1990 and the development of the GLObal Mangrove database (GLOMIS). He also pioneered a hydro-ecological "fishbone canal method" for mangrove restoration in India, which later evolved into a Joint Mangrove Management programme. These efforts, combined with the recognition of mangroves' role in mitigating natural disasters, have significantly increased India's mangrove cover.
M.S. Swaminathan played a pivotal role in elevating the importance of mangroves for climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and coastal ecosystem health.
His efforts led to the establishment of the International Society for Mangrove Ecosystems (ISME) in 1990 and the creation of the GLObal Mangrove database and Information System (GLOMIS).
Swaminathan introduced the "fishbone canal method" for mangrove restoration, which was adopted and scaled up into a Joint Mangrove Management programme in India.
Exam Points
M.S. Swaminathan proposed a leading role for mangroves in 1989.
The International Society for Mangrove Ecosystems (ISME) was established in 1990.
The India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023 states total mangrove cover is 4,991.68 km².
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become the second longest-serving Prime Minister of India in consecutive terms, surpassing Indira Gandhi's record. He completed 4,078 days in office on Friday, exceeding Indira Gandhi's 4,077 continuous days from 1966 to 1977. This milestone also marks him as the longest-serving non-Congress Prime Minister and the first such leader to complete two full terms. Additionally, PM Modi has matched Jawaharlal Nehru in winning three successive Lok Sabha elections and holds the record for the longest continuous stint as an elected head of government at both State (Gujarat CM) and Central levels.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has surpassed Indira Gandhi to become India's second longest-serving Prime Minister in consecutive terms.
He has completed 4,078 days in office without interruption, exceeding Indira Gandhi's 4,077 continuous days.
PM Modi is now the longest-serving non-Congress Prime Minister and the first non-Congress leader to complete two full terms.
Exam Points
PM Narendra Modi completed 4,078 days in office continuously.
Indira Gandhi served 4,077 continuous days from January 24, 1966, to March 24, 1977.
Jawaharlal Nehru holds the record for the longest unbroken tenure as PM.
The Rural Development Ministry, in a Rajya Sabha reply regarding pending Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) dues to States, omitted any reference to West Bengal. The scheme has been suspended in West Bengal since March 2022. This omission occurred despite a Calcutta High Court order on June 18, directing the Union government to resume the scheme in the State. The Ministry stated it is studying the court order to decide on further action, highlighting ongoing tensions regarding federal financial relations and implementation of central schemes.
The Rural Development Ministry's reply on MGNREGS dues to States excluded West Bengal, where the scheme has been suspended since March 2022.
This omission comes despite a Calcutta High Court order on June 18, directing the Union government to resume the MGNREGS scheme in West Bengal.
The Ministry indicated it is reviewing the High Court's order to determine its next steps.
Exam Points
The scheme in question is the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
MGNREGS has been suspended in West Bengal since March 2022.
The Calcutta High Court issued an order on June 18 directing the Union government to resume the scheme.
The Election Commission (EC) has commenced the process for the Vice-Presidential polls following the sudden resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar, which created a mid-term vacancy. P.C. Mody, the Secretary-General of the Rajya Sabha, has been appointed as the Returning Officer, with other officials as Assistant Returning Officers. The election is governed by The Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952, and The Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Rules, 1974. The Vice-President is elected by an Electoral College comprising members of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, including nominated members. Nomination papers require subscription by at least 20 proposers and 20 seconders.
The Election Commission has initiated the process for the Vice-Presidential election due to a mid-term vacancy caused by the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar.
P.C. Mody, Secretary-General of the Rajya Sabha, has been appointed as the Returning Officer for the election.
The election is governed by specific Acts and Rules, including The Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952.
Exam Points
The Vice-Presidential election is necessitated by the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar.
P.C. Mody, Secretary-General of Rajya Sabha, is the Returning Officer.
The election is governed by The Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952, and The Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Rules, 1974.
The Supreme Court ruled that States cannot claim "parity" with the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to demand delimitation of constituencies. The Court clarified that States are bound by a constitutional embargo under Article 170(3), which bars delimitation until after the first Census post-2026. In contrast, J&K, being a Union Territory, is excluded from this freeze, and its delimitation was based on the 2011 Census. The Court emphasized that allowing delimitation for States like Andhra Pradesh and Telangana would foster discontent and destabilize the uniform electoral framework, particularly affecting other North-Eastern States previously excluded from such exercises.
The Supreme Court has clarified that States cannot demand delimitation of constituencies by citing the precedent of Jammu and Kashmir.
States are constitutionally bound by an embargo under Article 170(3), which prohibits delimitation until after the first Census following 2026.
Jammu and Kashmir, as a Union Territory, is exempt from this embargo, and its delimitation was conducted based on the 2011 Census.
Exam Points
The Supreme Court delivered the judgment on delimitation.
Article 170(3) of the Constitution imposes an embargo on delimitation for States until after the first Census post-2026.
Delimitation in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir was based on the 2011 Census.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France would formally recognize Palestine as a state during a UN meeting in September, making it the most powerful European nation to do so. This decision, welcomed by the Palestinian Authority, reflects France's commitment to international law and the two-state solution. However, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the move, calling it a "reward for terror" and an "existential threat." Macron emphasized the urgent priority of ending the Gaza war and building a viable Palestinian state that accepts demilitarization and recognizes Israel's security. Other European nations like Norway, Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia have also announced recognition.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced France's intention to formally recognize Palestine as a state in September at the UN General Assembly.
This move makes France the most significant European power to announce such recognition, aligning with international law and the two-state solution.
The decision has been welcomed by the Palestinian Authority but strongly condemned by Israel, which views it as rewarding terror.
Exam Points
French President Emmanuel Macron made the announcement.
France plans to formally recognize Palestine in September at a UN General Assembly meeting.
At least 142 countries now recognize or plan to recognize Palestinian statehood.
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