Summary
Mars Crater Named After Geologist M.S. Krishnan: Key Facts for UPSC
Krishnan Crater (Mars) 1. What happened? • A 3.5-billion-year-old crater on Mars has been named “Krishnan Crater” by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). 2. Why this name? • Named after M.S. Krishnan• Pioneering Indian geologist• First Indian Director, Geological Society of India 3. What is a crater? • A circular depression on a planetary surface.• Usually formed by impact of a meteorite/asteroid.• Common on Mars, Moon, Mercury.
CJI Hints at Reviving NJAC: What It Means for Judicial Appointments | UPSC Current Affairs
Context CJI has said the Supreme Court will consider a plea to revive NJAC and end the Collegium system. To understand this, the core constitutional background is: Article 124 (2) – The Root • Judges of SC are appointed by the President after consultation with CJI & other judges.• Debate: What does consultation mean?• Executive primacy?• Judicial primacy?This ambiguity gave rise to the four Judges Cases. Consultation vs Concurrence • Consultation: The president seeks views of the judiciary; not binding.→ Executive has primacy. • Concurrence: The President must agree with the judiciary’s recommendation; binding.→ Judiciary has primacy. The shift from “consultation → concurrence” is the story of judicial appointments in India. FOUR JUDGES CASES First Judges Case (1981 – S.P. Gupta) • Consultation ≠ concurrence.• Executive primacy in appointments.• Collegium did not exist. Second Judges Case (1993) • Overruled First Case.• Judicial primacy established.• “Consultation” = concurrence of CJI.• Birth of the Collegium (CJI + 2 judges). Third Judges Case (1998 – Presidential Reference) • Expanded Collegium to CJI + 4 senior-most judges.• Finalised the procedure → Present Collegium. Fourth Judges Case (2015 – NJAC Judgment) • Struck down NJAC (99th Amendment + NJAC Act).• Reason: Violates Basic Structure – independence of judiciary.• Collegium revived. TDF “Critically analyse how the ongoing plea to revive NJAC brings back the constitutional debate on consultation versus concurrence under Article 124, and reassess the framework for judicial appointments shaped by the four Judges Cases.” (150 words)
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
Introduction Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the apex body for regulating food safety in India. It lays down science-based standards for food, regulates manufacturing, storage, distribution, sale and import of food, and aims to ensure safe and wholesome food for consumers. Importance of FSSAI Legal Status and Setup Mandate and Statutory Powers FSSAI has been given wide powers, such as: Key Challenges Way Forward
The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025
What the Bill Would Have Meant? The bulletin suggested the following objective: To include Chandigarh under Article 240. What Article 240 Allows Article 240 empowers the President to make regulations for UTs such as: Presidential regulations can even override Acts of Parliament for that UT. If Applied to Chandigarh Why Punjab Strongly Opposed the Proposal Punjab views Chandigarh as: Important historical markers include: Thus, any move that alters Chandigarh’s administrative balance is seen by Punjab as diluting its original claim. Key Constitutional & Federal Concerns Way Forward
Cabinet Approves ₹7,280 Cr Scheme for Rare Earth Magnets | Government Schemes for UPSC
1. Context • Union Cabinet approved a ₹7,280 crore scheme to boost domestic manufacturing of Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (REPMs).• Aimed at reducing dependence on imports, strengthening supply chains, and positioning India in the global REPM market.• Comes after India–Canada discussions on cooperation in critical minerals. 2. Objectives • Establish 6,000 MTPA of integrated REPM manufacturing capacity in India.• Enhance self-reliance in critical components used in clean energy and high-tech sectors.• Support EV supply chains, renewable energy systems, aerospace, defence, and electronics.• Build a stable, resilient value chain for magnet-based components.
Toxic Air in 60% Indian Districts: Environment Issue for UPSC Prelims & Mains
Core Context • A study by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) shows that 60% of India’s districts (447 of 749) experience unsafe PM2.5 levels throughout the year, not just in winter. Most Important Findings • Not a single district meets WHO PM2.5 guideline (5 µg/m³).• 447 districts exceed India’s own NAAQS annual limit (40 µg/m³).• Winter (Dec–Feb) worst season: 82% districts (616/749) breach standards.• Monsoon (June–Sept) best season: 90% districts within safe limits. Most Polluted Clusters • Delhi (11 districts) + Assam (11 districts) → nearly half of top 50 polluted districts.• Other high-pollution clusters:• Bihar & Haryana (7 each)• Uttar Pradesh (4)• Tripura (3)• Rajasthan (2)• West Bengal (2)
India’s Net FDI Turns Negative Again: Important UPSC Economy Update
Core Point• Net FDI in September 2025 = –$2.4 billion, meaning more investment left India than entered for the second month in a row. Key Data• Gross FDI inflow (Sept 2025): $6.6 billion• 4.3% higher than Sept 2024• 9.1% higher than August 2025• Outflows (Sept 2025): $9 billion Due to • Profit repatriation by foreign companies• Indian companies investing abroad• FDI invested abroad by Indian companies:• $3.8 billion (up 64.4% YoY) Repatriation of profits by foreign companies• $5.2 billion, slightly down by 0.2%• Net FDI in August 2025: –$0.6 billion (also negative)
China’s Global Lending Rise: 80% Nations Took Loans – UPSC Economy Current Affairs
Core ContextChina has emerged as a major global lender (2000–2023), giving loans to over 80% of the world’s countries, shifting from development lending to commercial and strategic lending linked to BRI. Most Important Data • Total global lending (2000–2023): $2.7 trillion• Share of state-owned banks/entities: 95% of all loans• Projects financed: ~2,500 worldwide Top Recipients• U.S.: $203.9 billion (largest)• Russia: $171.2 billion• Australia: $72 billion• Venezuela: $60 billion• India: $11.1 billion Nature of U.S. loans • 75% commercial, only 7% developmental Shift in Lending Pattern • Share of loans to low-income countries dropped from 75% (early 2000s) to 25% (2023).• China increasingly lends to middle- and high-income countries + BRI infrastructure. Debt Relief• 2023 debt relief: $5.7 billion
POSH Act 2013 Needs Stronger Implementation: Governance Current Affairs for UPSC
Context Chandigarh case shows POSH Act works rarely; highlights low conviction, procedural gaps, and power imbalance in campuses. Key Issues in POSH Act • Consent ≠ informed consent → law ignores manipulation, emotional coercion, power imbalance.• 3-month filing limit unrealistic; trauma delays reporting.• Terminology (“respondent”) softens seriousness.• Burden of proof on woman; law ignores behavioural patterns & circumstantial evidence.• No mechanism for inter-institutional complaints (common in academia).• Fear of “malicious complaint” clause retraumatises victims. Digital Age Gaps • Harassment now via disappearing messages, encrypted chats.• ICCs lack training; no standard protocol for digital evidence.• Risk: tech loopholes allow offenders to escape. What Needs Reform (2025) • Clearer definitions: informed consent, emotional & digital abuse.• Extend complaint timelines.• Accept behavioural & circumstantial evidence.• Joint ICCs across institutions.• Digital forensics training + national guidelines.• Victim-centric processes to prevent re-trauma. Mains Question (as in doc) “Despite being a landmark legislation, the POSH Act, 2013 struggles to deliver justice in educational institutions.”Examine the conceptual and procedural gaps in the law and suggest reforms needed in the context of the digital age.(10 marks)
