Current Context: The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract under the Buy (Indian–Indigenously Designed, Developed, and Manufactured) category for procuring the Nag Missile System (NAMIS) to boost India’s self-reliant defence capabilities.

Key Features

• Type: Third-generation, fire-and-forget Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM)
• Developer: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• Purpose: Designed for the Indian Army to neutralize heavily armoured enemy tanks.
• Operation: Targets tanks autonomously, requiring no further guidance post-launch.

Significance

• Enhances India’s indigenously developed defence capabilities.
• Provides advanced firepower for anti-tank operations.

Current Context: A magnitude 7.7 earthquake and multiple aftershocks struck central Myanmar, the strongest globally in two years.

Causes:

• Tectonic Activity: Myanmar lies along the Sagaing Fault, where the Indian Plate (west) and Eurasian Plate (east) move past each other.
• Strike-Slip Faulting: The plates rub sideways, releasing seismic energy.
• Shallow Depth (10 km): Leads to stronger surface shaking.

Impact:

• Epicenter: Near Mandalay (population ~1.5 million).
• Affected Areas: Thailand (Bangkok) and Northeast India (tremors, no major damage).
• Seismic History: Since 1900, at least six earthquakes over magnitude 7 have occurred near the Sagaing Fault.

Current Context: The discovery of semi-burnt cash at Justice Yashwant Varma’s residence has reignited debates on judicial accountability and the need to revisit the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC).

Judicial Appointments Evolution

• Pre-Collegium Era (1950–1973): Judges appointed by the President in consultation with the CJI.
• First Judges Case (1981): Gave more power to the executive in judicial appointments.
• Second Judges Case (1993): Established the Collegium System, making judiciary’s recommendations binding.
• Third Judges Case (1998): Clarified Collegium’s composition:
• SC Judges: CJI + 4 senior-most judges.
• HC Judges: CJI + 2 senior-most judges.

National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC)

• Created (2014): Replaced the Collegium System, involving the executive in judicial appointments.
• Struck Down (2015): Declared unconstitutional as it diluted judicial independence

Reasons for Revisiting NJAC

• Opaque Collegium System: No clear criteria, risk of favoritism.
• Legislative Consensus: NJAC had near-unanimous support in Parliament.
• Delays in Appointments: Secretive collegium process leads to vacancies.
• Lack of Diversity: Inadequate representation of marginalized groups.
• Case Backlogs: 4.4 crore pending cases demand faster appointments.

General Studies Paper -2

Context: The Justice Yashwant Varma controversy has reignited debates about judicial accountability, the process of appointing judges in India and brought the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) back into the spotlight.

Evolution of the Judiciary Appointments in India

• Pre-Collegium Era (1950–1973): Initially, Article 124(2) and Article 217 of the Constitution of India granted the President the power to appoint judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts, respectively, in consultation with the Chief Justice of India (CJI) and other judges.
• The executive had the upper hand in judicial appointments, with the President (on the advice of the Council of Ministers) making final decisions.
• First Judges Case (1981) –P. Gupta v. Union of India: The Supreme Court ruled that ‘consultation’ with the CJI did not mean ‘concurrence’ meaning the executive had more power in judicial appointments.
• It allowed greater government interference in appointments.
• Second Judges Case (1993) – Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association v. Union of India: It overturned the First Judges Case, and established the Collegium System, giving primacy to the judiciary in appointments.
• The ruling held that CJI’s recommendation, in consultation with senior judges, would be binding on the President.
• Third Judges Case (1998) – Presidential Reference: The composition of the Collegium was clarified:
• SC Judges’ appointments: The CJI and four senior-most judges.
• HC Judges’ appointments: The CJI and two senior-most judges.

National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC)

• It was established through the 99th Constitutional Amendment in 2014 to replace the Collegium System with a committee including the executive with judiciary.
• It aimed to make judicial appointments more transparent by involving the executive and eminent persons alongside the judiciary.
• However, the Supreme Court of India, in 2015, struck down NJAC, ruling it unconstitutional, as it diluted judicial independence.

Key Reasons For Revisiting the NJAC

• Concerns Over Collegium System: Lack of transparency; No clear criteria for selection.
• The Supreme Court’s opaque decision-making process in appointments raises concerns about favoritism.
• Legislative Consensus & Judicial Overreach: The NJAC was passed with near-unanimous support in Parliament and ratified by 16 state legislatures, reflecting a broad consensus on the need for reform.
• It was argued that the reinstatement of the Collegium system (after NJAC) was an example of judicial overreach.
• Delays in Judicial Appointments: The long, secretive collegium process leads to delays in filling vacancies, affecting judicial efficiency.
• Executive-judiciary tension; Government delays in approving names.
• Lack of Diversity: The current system has been criticized for not ensuring adequate representation from various sections of society, particularly marginalized communities and women.
• Addressing Case Backlogs: With over 4.4 crore pending cases in Indian courts, judicial vacancies need urgent attention.
• A well-functioning NJAC can help streamline appointments, ensuring a faster selection process and filling vacancies more efficiently.
• Balancing Independence and Oversight: A revised NJAC can ensure that executive involvement does not compromise judicial independence.
• It could be achieved by maintaining a judiciary-dominated body while allowing limited and structured participation from the executive.

Way Forward

• Global Practices: Many democracies involve a mix of judicial and executive inputs in judicial appointments.
• The United Kingdom has the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC), an independent commission ensuring merit-based appointments.
• Revisiting the NJAC could align India’s system with global best practices while addressing domestic concerns.
• The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) released a report advocating for a new law to establish a ‘Judicial Council’, aiming for judicial appointments and transfers based on transparent, predetermined, and objective criteria.
• Modifying the Composition of NJAC: Instead of granting excessive influence to the executive, the revised NJAC can include members from the judiciary, executive, and civil society to ensure balanced participation.
• Ensuring Judicial Primacy: While the executive may be given a role, judicial independence should remain paramount by ensuring that judges hold a majority in the commission.
• Transparency Mechanisms: Clear guidelines on appointments, merit-based selection, and reasons for rejections should be made public to avoid favoritism.
• Timely Appointments: A defined timeline for recommendations and approvals should be mandated to prevent delays.
• Inclusion and Diversity: Special emphasis should be given to appointing judges from diverse backgrounds to make the judiciary more representative of society.

Conclusion

• The Justice Varma case underscores the urgent need for judicial reform in India. Revisiting the NJAC could provide a framework for a more transparent and accountable judiciary while preserving its independence.
• As the debate continues, the Supreme Court has an opportunity to lead the way in restoring public trust and ensuring the integrity of India’s judicial system.

Current Context: The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) and UNICEF Yu Waah have entered into a three-year collaboration to enhance rural employment, entrepreneurship, and skill development for women and youth.

• Key Features
  • Pilot Projects: Computer Didi Centers and Didi ki Dukan will be introduced in Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Rajasthan.
  • Aim: Strengthen digital infrastructure and economic opportunities.
• Target Expansion:
  • If successful, the initiative aims to benefit 35 lakh women across 7,000+ blocks in India.
  • Aligned with rural development goals outlined in the 2025-26 Union Budget.
  • Youth Hub: A platform for jobs, skilling, and volunteering opportunities for rural youth.
  • Lakhpati Didis:Focused on creating successful women entrepreneurs in rural areas.

Current Context: India’s bioeconomy reached $165 billion in 2024, contributing 4.2% to GDP, with projections of $300 billion by 2030 and $1 trillion by 2047.

• Key Facts
  • Definition: Bioeconomy involves using biological resources and natural processes to produce sustainable goods and services.
  • Growth: Bioeconomy doubled since 2020 ($86 billion to $165 billion); over 10,000 companies (90% increase).
• Sector Contributions:

1. 1. Industrial: Nearly half the value of the bioeconomy (roughly $78 billion) was generated in the industrial sector.
   2. Pharmaceuticals: 35% share (vaccines major contributor).
   3. Research & IT: Fastest-growing (biotech software, clinical trials).

• Regional Disparity:
  • Top states: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh (66% share).
  • Low contribution: Eastern and Northeastern regions (<6%).

Current Context: The European Space Agency (ESA) concluded the Gaia mission on March 27, 2025, after over a decade of mapping the Milky Way.

• Key Facts
  • Launch: December 2013.
  • Objective: Create a precise 3D map of the Milky Way, analyzing ~2 billion stars.
  • Positioning: Operated at Lagrange Point 2 (L2), 5 million km from Earth.
• Achievements:
  • Detected a new type of black hole through gravitational effects.
  • Discovered 150,000+ asteroids and mapped the galaxy’s structure, including its warped disc and bulge.
  • Produced 3 trillion observations and contributed to over 13,000 scientific publications.
  • Technology: Equipped with a billion-pixel camera and instruments for astrometry, photometry, and spectroscopy.

Current Context: The Indian Armed Forces conducted Exercise Prachand Prahar, a tri-service integrated multi-domain exercise, in Arunachal Pradesh.

• Key Details
  • Location: High-altitude terrain in Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Objective: Demonstrate advanced surveillance, strike capabilities, and multi-domain operational planning.
  • Key Platforms Used: Long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft, Armed helicopters and UAVs, Loitering munitions &Space-based assets
  • Highlights: Focused on achieving total situational awareness and rapid target engagement.
• Significance
  • Strengthens operational readiness in challenging terrains.
  • Enhances interoperability between the three services.

Current Context: The 14th edition of the India-Russia naval exercise INDRA is being held off Chennai from March 28 to April 2, 2025.

• Key Highlights
• Phases:
  • Harbour Phase (March 28-30): Includes opening ceremony, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs), visits, sports, and briefings in Chennai.
  • Sea Phase (March 31-April 2): Conducted in the Bay of Bengal with advanced naval drills, including tactical maneuvers, live weapon firing, anti-air operations, and helicopter cross-deck landings.
• Participants:
  • Russian Navy: Ships Pechanga, Rezkiy, and Aldar Tsydenzhapov.
  • Indian Navy: Ships Rana, Kuthar, and P8I maritime patrol aircraft.
• Significance
  • Enhances naval interoperability and operational synergy.
  • Strengthens maritime cooperation and strategic ties between India and Russia.
  • Promotes exchange of best practices and bolsters diplomatic relations

Current Context: India becomes the second-largest tea exporter globally, surpassing Sri Lanka, after Kenya.

• Key Facts
  • Exports in 2024: 255 million kg, valued at ₹7,111 crore (15% growth).
  • Major Types: 96% black tea; green, herbal, masala, and lemon tea.
  • Top Destinations: Iraq (20% of exports), UAE, Iran, Russia, US, UK.
  • Tea Regions: Assam (Valley, Cachar), West Bengal (Darjeeling, Dooars, Terai), Nilgiris.
  • Drivers of Growth: Tea branding and promotions., Better tea worker welfare &Rising demand from West Asia.
• Tea Board of India
  • Founded: 1954 (Tea Act, 1953).
  • Purpose: Regulates the tea industry and supports producers.
  • HQ: Kolkata.