NCERT deemed university: Education Ministry Grants Degree Status

Context: NCERT deemed university

The Union Education Ministry has declared NCERT a deemed university, allowing it to run courses, award degrees and start PhD programmes.

1. NCERT: What it is

• Set up in 1961 by Government resolution
• Autonomous body (not created by an Act) under Ministry of Education

Core role

• Designs school curriculum (Classes 1–12)
• Prepares NCERT textbooks
• Develops syllabus, pedagogy, learning standards
• Teacher training and academic research

Position earlier

• Only academic body for school education
• No power to give degrees

2. Deemed University: Meaning

UGC Act, 1956 — Section 3

• Status given by Central Government on UGC advice
• Institution becomes “equivalent to a university”

Powers

• Grant degrees
• Start PhD / higher education courses
• Design own syllabus

3. What changes for NCERT

• From school-level academic body → higher education institution

Can

• Offer BA, MA, PhD (education-related fields)
• Expand into research & innovation

4. Key Features of Deemed Status

• High academic autonomy
• Must follow UGC norms + NAAC accreditation
• No profit/commercial activities
• Can open campuses only as per UGC rules

Helium supply crisis: West Asia Tensions Impact India Imports

Context: Helium supply crisis

West Asia tensions have disrupted helium supply, a critical gas largely sourced from Qatar, exposing India’s high import dependence.

1. Key Points

1. Helium → inert, non-toxic gas used for MRI, semiconductors, fibre optics
2. Critical for cooling superconducting magnets (no close substitutes)
3. Supply highly concentrated → Qatar is a major global exporter
4. India → fully import dependent on helium
5. Used in strategic sectors → healthcare + electronics

2. Key Data

1. 50% of India’s helium imports → Qatar
2. Qatar share → ~34% global helium exports
3. India demand (2025) → ~3.4 million cubic metres
4. Domestic production → negligible
5. Price rise → ~35–50%

3. Major Imports from Gulf (with Countries)

• Crude Oil → Iraq, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait
• LNG / Natural Gas → Qatar, UAE
• LPG → Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar
• Fertilisers (urea, ammonia) → Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar
• Petrochemicals / plastics feedstock → Saudi Arabia, UAE
• Helium → Qatar
• Sulphur, rock phosphate → Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Oman

Artemis II mission: NASA’s Crewed Moon Flyby Explained for UPSC

Context: Artemis II mission

NASA’s Artemis II will send humans beyond low-Earth orbit (first time after Apollo 17) to test systems before a Moon landing.

1. Artemis Programme

• Artemis I — 2022 → Uncrewed test
• Artemis II — 2026 → Crewed Moon flyby (no landing)
• Artemis III — 2027–28 → Human Moon landing

2. Core Systems

SLS (Space Launch System)

• NASA’s heavy-lift rocket
• Work: Carries astronauts + Orion from Earth to space

Orion Capsule

• Crew vehicle
• Work: Carries astronauts, life support, re-entry

HLS (Human Landing System)

• Built by SpaceX
• Work: Takes astronauts from lunar orbit → Moon surface

3. Artemis II (What exactly happens)

• 4 astronauts
• ~10-day mission
• Travel → Earth → Moon orbit → return
• Purpose → Test entire system (SLS + Orion + humans in deep space)

4. Why Moon again

• Water ice at poles → fuel + life support
• Base for Mars missions
• Strategic presence in space

State Election Commission powers: HC Notice Over Delay in Rajasthan Polls

Context: State Election Commission powers

Rajasthan High Court issued contempt notice to the State Election Commission for delaying Panchayat and urban local body elections despite a court-mandated timeline.

1. State Election Commission

Article 243K

• Constitutional body for Panchayats
• Appointed by Governor
• Removal → same manner as High Court Judge

Article 243ZA

• Responsible for Municipal elections

2. Core Powers

• Superintendence, direction and control of local elections
• Preparation and revision of electoral rolls
• Conduct of elections → Panchayat + Municipality
• Fixing election schedule
• Ensuring free and fair elections

3. Constitutional Mandate

Article 243E → Panchayat elections every 5 years

Article 243U → Municipality elections every 5 years

• Elections must be held before expiry or within 6 months of dissolution

Governor pardoning power Article 161: Bound by Cabinet Advice, Madras HC

Context: Governor pardoning power Article 161

Madras High Court held that under Article 161, the Governor is bound by the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers (Article 163) in matters of remission/premature release.

1. Pardoning Power (Articles 72 & 161 + Nature)

President — Article 72

• Pardon, Reprieve, Respite, Remission, Commutation
• Applies to: Union laws, Court martial, Death sentence
• Works on aid and advice (Article 74)

Governor — Article 161

• Same forms of relief
• Applies to: State laws
• Works on aid and advice (Article 163)
• No independent discretion

2. Difference: President vs Governor

• Scope → President wider; Governor limited to State laws
• Death sentence → Only President can fully pardon
• Court martial → Only President

3. Terms

• Pardon → Ends punishment + conviction
• Remission → Reduces duration
• Reprieve → Temporary delay
• Respite → Lighter punishment (special case)
• Commutation → Change in type of punishment