Context: The Constitution’s framers debated the best way to appoint judges, balancing the sovereign function of making judicial appointments with ensuring the autonomy of the courts. Structure and Composition of the Supreme Court Previous Year Questions Mains Q) Critically examine the Supreme Court’s judgment on ‘National Judicial Appointments Commission Act, 2014’ with reference to appointment of judges of higher judiciary in India. (2017) Prelims Q) Consider the following statements:(2019) (1) The 44th Amendment to the Constitution of India introduced an article placing the election of the Prime Minister beyond judicial review (2) Supreme Court of India struck down the 99th amendment to the Constitution of India as being violative of the independence of the judiciary Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Makaravilakku Festival
Why In News? To prevent overcrowding of devotees during the Makaravilakku festival at the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple, the police have requested the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to completely discontinue the spot-booking facility for pilgrims on the festival day. Makaravilakku Festival Makaravilakku is an annual festival held on Makara Sankranti in Kerala, India at the shrine of Sabarimala. The festival includes the Thiruvabharanam (sacred ornaments of the deity Ayyappan) procession and a congregation at the hill shrine of Sabarimala. The Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple The Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple (Malayalam pronunciation: [ʃabəɾimala]) is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Ayyappan, who is also known as Dharma Shasta.
The International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL)
In a mutual exchange between India and Bangladesh amid strained bilateral relations, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) handed over 90 Bangladeshi fishermen for 95 Indian fishermen at the International Maritime Boundary Line. The International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) The International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) is a conceptual division of the Earth’s water surface that defines the international border at sea: India-Bangladesh Maritime Boundary
Currency Volatility
Why in News? Rupee falls 4 paise to close at new record low of 85.83 against dollar. Currency Volatility Currency volatility refers to the frequency and magnitude of a currency’s value changes in relation to other currencies. For India, this means the rupee’s value against other currencies, such as the US dollar, changes frequently and significantly. Currency volatility can have a number of impacts on the economy, including: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) can help mitigate the negative impacts of currency volatility by: Making market interventions, Adjusting interest rates, and Using forex reserves. RBI and it’s Monetary Policy
Current Affairs 5 & 6 January 2025
Daily Current Affairs Quiz5 & 6 January, 2025 International Affairs 1. Ebola Virus Context: Uganda conquers Ebola in 69 days. The outbreak, which spread across nine districts, posed one of Uganda’s greatest public health challenges in recent years. Ebola Virus Ebola, also known as Ebola virus disease (EVD) and Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF), is a viral hemorrhagic fever in humans and other primates, caused by ebolaviruses. National Affairs 1. National Security Act, 1980 Why in News? Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla suggested that the State police use legal options such as the National Security Act, 1980, which allows detention for a year without trial, against miscreants and troublemakers. The National Security Act (NSA) The National Security Act (NSA) of 1980 is an Indian law that allows for the preventive detention of people in certain cases. The act was introduced by the Indira Gandhi government in 1980 and came into effect on September 23, 1980. 2. Development Projects Great Nicobar Island Context: An international cruise terminal to facilitate a “global” port-led city, “high-end” tourism, and a ship-breaking yard are among the new additions to the ₹72,000-crore mega-infrastructure project in Galathea Bay, Great Nicobar Island proposed by the Union Shipping Ministry. Great Nicobar Island Great Nicobar is the southernmost and largest of the Nicobar islands in India, just north of Sumatra. It is part of India, in the Nicobar district within the union territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Nicobar Islands have been well known to Indian mariners since the date of the seafaring Cholas. Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation Ltd (ANIIDCO) ANIIDCO was incorporated under the Companies Act of 1988 for developing and exploiting natural resources in balanced and environment-friendly development. 3. The Polavaram Project Context: The Telangana government has decided to study the impact of the Polavaram irrigation project on the State. The Polavaram Project The Polavaram Project is a multi-purpose irrigation project in Polavaram, Eluru district, Andhra Pradesh, India, being constructed on the Godavari River. It has National project status and has reservoir back water that spreads into Chhattisgarh and Odisha States. 4. Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025 Context: The Draft Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, 2025, will take forward the Digital Personal Data Protection Act of 2023. The Draft Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, 2025 It comes with the objective of improving the legal framework for digital personal data by giving the required intricacies and balancing between the right to privacy of an individual and the requirement to process that personal data lawfully for carrying out those purposes. Key Findings: 5. Lobia or Thattapayaru Crop Successfully Sprouted in Space: ISRO Context: A batch of cowpea seeds — better known as lobia in Hindi or thattapayaru in Tamil — have successfully sprouted in space, days after they were taken into orbit by an Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) mission. Lobia or Thattapayaru Lobia, also known as thatta payaru or cowpea, is a leguminous crop. Lobia is primarily a Kharif crop, which means it is typically planted during the monsoon season (June-July) and harvested by the end of the monsoon or in the early post-monsoon period (around October-November). ISRO CROPS experiment on PSLV-C60 SpaDeX Mission MCQ Question Which of the following is true about the Lobia (Thatta Payaru) crop and the PSLV-C60 SpaDeX Mission? A) Lobia is a Rabi crop, grown primarily during the winter season and harvested in early summer.B) The PSLV-C60 SpaDeX Mission experimented with the germination of cowpea seeds in space, and the seeds sprouted in seven days.C) Lobia is primarily grown in the Kharif season (monsoon), and it is most commonly produced in states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh.D) The PSLV-C60 SpaDeX Mission was a failure in testing the viability of plant growth in space.E) Lobia (Thatta Payaru) is grown mostly in summer and is harvested during the winter months. Correct Answer: C) Lobia is primarily grown in the Kharif season (monsoon), and it is most commonly produced in states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. 6. Global Nutrition Targets (GNTs) by WHO Context: WHO‘s Member States have endorsed global targets for improving maternal, infant and young child nutrition and are committed to monitoring progress. The Targets include addressing issues like Stunting, Anaemia, Low Birth weight and Childhood Overweight. Social Hostilities Index Report 7. Indus Valley Script Context: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced on Sunday a $1-million prize for experts or organisations that succeeded in deciphering the scripts of the Indus Valley Civilisation for everyone to understand. The Indus Script The Indus Valley Civilisation The Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC), also called the Indus Civilisation, was a Bronze Age civilization of northwestern South Asia between 3300 and 1300 BCE, and in its mature form between 2600 and 1900 BCE. Lothal: Global Hub for Maritime Heritage 8. Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) Context: 26 Rafale-M fighter jets for the Indian Navy’s aircraft carriers, and three additional Scorpene-class conventional submarines. The two deals are expected to be put before the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) for approval. Rafale-M Fighter Jets Rafale M is a naval version of the Rafale fighter jet which is designed specifically for carrier-based operations. During Mission CLEMENCEAU 25, the Charles de Gaulle CSG and Indian Navy will hold 42nd annual Varuna bilateral exercise. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) is a cabinet committee of the Government of India which discusses, debates, and is the final decision-making body on senior appointments in the national security apparatus, defence policies and expenditure, and generally all matters concerning India’s national security. 9. Avian Influenza Why in News? With Maharashtra reporting India’s first case of avian influenza among animals, the Union Animal Husbandry Ministry sent a circular to all States. Avian Influenza Avian influenza is another term used for bird flu. This highly contagious viral infection is caused in birds and poultry. H5N1, which first originated in Southern China in 1996, is highly pathogenic. 10. Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS) Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a 13-km-long Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS) section between New Ashok Nagar in Delhi and Sahibabad in Uttar Pradesh on
Savings Portfolio
A savings portfolio refers to the collection of various financial assets or investment products that an individual or household uses to save and grow wealth. The goal of a savings portfolio is to balance risk and return, meet short-term and long-term financial goals, and provide financial security. Key Components of a Savings Portfolio: Diversifying Savings Portfolio of Indian Households Indian households have been diversifying their savings portfolios over recent years, gradually moving away from traditional physical assets (such as gold) and bank deposits. Instead, they are increasingly investing in:
Loan-to-Deposit Ratio (LDR)
Context: HDFC Bank’s loan-to-deposit ratio (LDR) fell below 100 per cent for the first time since its merger. Loan-to-Deposit Ratio (LDR) The Loan-to-Deposit Ratio (LDR) is a key financial tool used by banks to assess their liquidity and financial health. It represents the ratio of a bank’s total loans to its total deposits. This ratio helps to determine how much of the bank’s deposits are being used to issue loans, indicating the bank’s ability to cover any potential withdrawals and its lending strategy. Loan-to-Deposit Ratio (LDR) is calculated as: LDR = (Total Loans / Total Deposits) × 100 Key Findings: Example: LDR = (500 / 600) × 100 = 83.33% This means that 83.33% of the bank’s d
State Bank of India Poverty Reduction Report
Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI)
The Securities Appellate Tribunal
The Securities Appellate Tribunal is an Indian body established to hear appeals against financial regulators’ orders, with its members elected by the Prime Minister’s selection committee and jurisdiction covering all Indian companies.
LODR Regulations
Context: Four Kirloskar companies said they have filed an appeal before the Securities Appellate Tribunal challenging the SEBI letter asking them to disclose the deed of family settlement that was signed by members of the Kirloskar family. Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements (LODR) The LODR Regulations are Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). They apply to the companies listed in the Indian stock exchanges and have been enacted for increasing transparency, accountability, and corporate governance. The main idea is to make sure that the listed companies are disclosing accurate and timely information to the investors, regulators, and stakeholders. Key Features of the LODR Regulations: A Deed of Family Settlement (DFS) A Deed of Family Settlement (DFS) is a legal contract between family members that outlines terms and conditions to be followed in the event of a disagreement. In banking, a DFS can be relevant in the context of the Kirloskar group, which has been involved in a dispute over the validity of a DFS since 2016. The Securities Appellate Tribunal The Securities Appellate Tribunal is an Indian body established to hear appeals against financial regulators’ orders, with its members elected by the Prime Minister’s selection committee and jurisdiction covering all Indian companies. SEBI Issued a Directive on Transfer of Shareholdings
