Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla rejected a notice submitted by 193 Opposition MPs seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. No specific reasons were cited for the rejection by the Chairs, though Secretaries-General cited "due consideration" and "careful and objective assessment." The 10-page document from MPs accused the CEC of being "subservient" to the executive and alleged "deliberate abuse of power." The Chairs cited Section 3 of the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, which empowers them to admit or refuse such a motion. Opposition leaders expressed dismay over the lack of definitive reasons.
The notice for the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar was submitted by 193 Opposition MPs across both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha.
The Chairs of both Houses, C.P. Radhakrishnan (Rajya Sabha) and Om Birla (Lok Sabha), rejected the notice without citing specific reasons.
The Secretaries-General of both Houses issued bulletins stating the notice was not admitted after "due consideration" and "careful and objective assessment."
Exam Points
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
Notice submitted by 193 Opposition MPs (63 Rajya Sabha, 130 Lok Sabha).
Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla rejected the notice.
The Supreme Court refused to interfere with the environmental clearance for a twin-tube tunnel corridor project connecting Kozhikode and Wayanad districts in Kerala. The project, deemed of "national importance" by the Court, aims to alleviate congestion in the land-starved state. A petitioner-NGO challenged the Kerala High Court's decision, arguing the project was in an ecologically fragile, landslide-prone Western Ghats zone and required Category 'A' environmental clearance at the Central level. The SC noted that the Central Expert Appraisal Committee (CEAC) had approved the project with safety and structural conditions, and petitioners could approach the National Green Tribunal (NGT) if conditions were violated.
The Supreme Court declined to intervene in the environmental clearance for the Kozhikode-Wayanad tunnel project in Kerala.
The project is a twin-tube tunnel corridor intended to connect Kozhikode and Wayanad districts, aiming to ease congestion.
The Supreme Court considered the project to be of "national importance" for the land-starved state.
Exam Points
Project: Kozhikode-Wayanad twin-tube tunnel corridor in Kerala.
Location: Ecologically fragile Western Ghats zone, landslide-prone area.
Approving body: Central Expert Appraisal Committee (CEAC).
Illegal sand mining in the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary, straddling Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, is devastating the ecosystem and threatening critically endangered species like gharials. Driven by demand from North India's construction boom and exacerbated by livelihood issues in the Chambal ravines, the sand mafia operates with impunity, often outgunning local authorities and using villagers to track patrols. State governments' attempts to legalize mining were stalled by the NGT and Court. The Supreme Court has called the mafia "modern dacoits" and taken suo motu cognisance, reminding states of acts like the National Security Act. The article argues that lasting change requires restoring lawful livelihoods and credible enforcement, rather than just force.
Illegal sand mining in the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary threatens critically endangered species and the river's ecosystem.
The sand mafia, termed "modern dacoits" by the Supreme Court, exploits jurisdictional gaps between Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.
Livelihood challenges in the Chambal ravines drive young men to join the sand mining mafia.
The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, is causing apprehension as it reverses the NALSA judgment's principle of self-identified gender. The amendment proposes a medical board assessment and District Magistrate certification to 'prove' gender identity, replacing self-identification. This process, lacking medical biomarkers for gender identity, is seen as arbitrary, invasive, and a violation of dignity, privacy, and bodily autonomy. The author, a psychiatrist, argues it will deter individuals from seeking welfare, reintroduce fear, and create a public mental health emergency, especially given the community's high vulnerability to social rejection and violence. It also criminalizes "undue influence" in helping someone identify as transgender, posing ethical risks for practitioners.
The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, proposes replacing self-identification of gender with a medical board assessment and District Magistrate certification.
This amendment is viewed as a reversal of the NALSA vs Union of India judgment (2014), which affirmed self-identified gender as a fundamental principle.
Critics argue the proposed process is arbitrary, invasive, violates dignity, privacy, and bodily autonomy, and lacks scientific basis as there are no medical biomarkers for gender identity.
Exam Points
NALSA vs Union of India judgment (2014) recognized transgender persons as having legitimate gender identity based on self-identification.
Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, aimed to prohibit discrimination and ensure welfare.
Proposed amendment: Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026.
Climate change is causing a broad-spectrum medical crisis in India, intensifying existing diseases and introducing new health challenges. Increased waterlogging in cities like Mumbai leads to waterborne infections (cholera, typhoid), while droughts cause water scarcity and diarrhoeal diseases. Shifting seasonal patterns expand disease windows, leading to a rise in vector-borne diseases like dengue and malaria, even in previously unaffected regions. Rising air pollution from increased AC use and greenhouse gases contributes to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Extreme heat causes heat-stroke deaths, eliminates recovery windows, and impacts infant health. Food systems are disrupted, leading to shortages, malnutrition, and weakened immunity, especially among vulnerable populations. Recognizing climate change as a medical emergency is crucial for urgent response.
Climate change in India is intensifying waterborne infections due to waterlogging and increasing diarrhoeal diseases due to water scarcity.
Shifting seasonal patterns are expanding the geographic reach and incidence of vector-borne diseases like dengue and malaria.
Rising air pollution, exacerbated by increased energy consumption for cooling, contributes to respiratory, cardiovascular, and kidney diseases.
Exam Points
Examples of waterborne diseases: cholera, typhoid, hepatitis A, leptospirosis.
Examples of vector-borne diseases: dengue, malaria.
The article advocates for the "One Health" approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, as crucial for addressing global health risks and future pandemics. Drawing parallels with the 1995 film 'Outbreak' and the COVID-19 pandemic, it highlights how zoonotic diseases emerge from human activities like deforestation and trade in wild animals. The "One Health" concept, officially gaining traction since 2003-2004, aims to sustainably balance and optimize health across multiple sectors and disciplines. Post-COVID, the Indian government launched the National One Health Mission, and international bodies like WHO, FAO, and UNEP lead the Quadripartite collaboration. State-led initiatives like Odisha's Climate Budget and Kerala's carbon-neutral plan exemplify integrated approaches.
The "One Health" approach emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health for addressing global health risks.
Zoonotic diseases, like those seen in the COVID-19 pandemic, often emerge due to human activities such as deforestation and changes in land use.
The concept gained official recognition around 2003-2004, particularly with the emergence of SARS and avian influenza H5N1.
India is democratizing world-class healthcare by expanding medical education and establishing AIIMS institutions across regions, making it accessible and affordable. Since 2014, MBBS and postgraduate medical seats have significantly increased, creating a robust pipeline of healthcare professionals. The Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) has been instrumental, with most of the 22 approved AIIMS becoming operational in the last decade. These new AIIMS, functioning as Institutes of National Importance, have drastically reduced Out-of-Pocket Expenditure by providing local tertiary care. This expansion is complemented by Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY for financial protection and Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Mission (ABDM) for seamless health records, ensuring equitable access and quality care.
India has significantly expanded medical education since 2014, increasing MBBS and postgraduate medical seats to create more healthcare professionals.
The Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) has been key to establishing 22 AIIMS institutions across India, correcting regional imbalances in tertiary healthcare.
New AIIMS function as Institutes of National Importance, providing world-class clinical care, education, and research, reducing Out-of-Pocket Expenditure.
Exam Points
MBBS seats increased from 50,000 to 1,20,000 since 2014.
Postgraduate seats increased from 30,000 to 80,000 since 2014.
Tuberculosis (TB) in India, which accounts for nearly one-fourth of global cases, highlights critical deficiencies in urban health systems, particularly for vulnerable populations. TB development is linked to socio-economic factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, and poor working conditions, not just infection. Urban areas, despite perceived better infrastructure, concentrate risks. The fragmented urban primary healthcare, reliance on private providers, and incomplete data integration hinder effective TB control. Migrants face additional exclusion due to lack of documentation and unstable residences, disrupting treatment. The article argues that "Health for All" requires portable primary care, integrated disease control, and systems that address the needs of all, including the invisible and undocumented.
Tuberculosis (TB) in India is a significant public health challenge, accounting for nearly a quarter of global cases.
TB incidence is strongly linked to socio-economic vulnerabilities such as malnutrition, overcrowding, and precarious livelihoods in urban settings.
India's urban health systems are fragmented, with incomplete data integration between public and private sectors, hindering effective TB diagnosis and treatment.
Exam Points
India accounts for nearly one-fourth of the world's TB cases.
Urban population: Nearly 35% of India's population lives in urban areas.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declared that the Strait of Hormuz, a critical international waterway, has undergone "irreversible strategic changes" and will no longer be subject to foreign hegemony, particularly from the U.S. The IRGC Navy stated that recent regional developments have established a new reality, asserting Iran's right to defend its sovereignty and ensure uninterrupted energy flow. This statement followed a social media post by former U.S. President Donald Trump threatening Iran over the Strait. Iran's Foreign Ministry dismissed Trump's ultimatum, accusing Washington of "war crimes" and "deliberate abuse of power." Iran plans a new indigenous security architecture in the Persian Gulf based on littoral states guaranteeing security.
Iran's IRGC declared that the Strait of Hormuz has undergone "irreversible strategic changes" and will no longer be under foreign hegemony.
Iran asserts its right to defend its sovereignty in the Persian Gulf and ensure the uninterrupted flow of energy through the Strait.
The statement came after former U.S. President Donald Trump's threats regarding opening the Strait.
Exam Points
Entity: Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Waterway: Strait of Hormuz (connects Persian Gulf with Gulf of Oman).
U.S. President mentioned: Donald Trump.
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