3 July 2023

• Polity: Governor versus Council of Ministers. Tamil Nadu's governor unilaterally dismissed a minister, raising the Article 164 question.
• Society: The Association for Democratic Reforms highlighted a near-doubling of MPs with criminal cases since 2004.
• International: Netherlands issued a formal apology for its role in the transatlantic slave trade on the 150th anniversary of abolishment in Suriname.
• Science: The ozone layer's recovery is on track but climate-related stresses, including volcanic eruptions, are introducing new complications.
• Defence: TEJAS light combat aircraft completed seven years of service with the Indian Air Force.

GS area: Polity (Governor, Council of Ministers)

The Tamil Nadu governor attempted to dismiss Finance Minister V. Senthilbalaji without a recommendation from the Chief Minister. The Supreme Court later confirmed the action was constitutionally invalid.

• Article 164(1): Ministers are appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister. The same logic applies to their removal: the Governor can act only on the CM's advice.
• Article 163: The Governor exercises executive functions with the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers, except where discretion is explicitly granted by the Constitution.
• Shamsher Singh v. State of Punjab (1974): The Supreme Court held that the Governor, as custodian of executive powers, acts on ministerial advice and cannot exercise independent executive authority.
• Nabam Rebia v. Deputy Speaker (2017): Reaffirmed that the Governor's discretionary powers are narrow and cannot be expanded by the Governor's own interpretation.

The constitutional design places executive power with the elected executive. The Governor's role is largely ceremonial outside the specific situations where the Constitution grants discretion. Unilateral dismissal of a minister falls outside those situations.

Static linkage: Governor's powers, Council of Ministers, federalism (Polity).

GS area: Polity, Governance

The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), an electoral watchdog established in 1999 by IIM Ahmedabad professors, submitted data to the Election Commission regarding parties failing to publish criminal backgrounds of candidates.

• Rising share: In 2004, 24 per cent of Lok Sabha members had pending criminal cases. By 2019 the share was 43 per cent.
• Serious charges: 159 sitting MPs in the 2019 Lok Sabha had declared serious criminal charges, including rape, murder, and kidnapping.
• Root causes: Money power, muscle power, vote-bank politics, and the absence of effective deterrence in the disqualification framework.
• Law Commission recommendation: Disqualification upon framing of charges at least one year before an election. This is a proposal, not current law.
• Special courts: In 2017, the Supreme Court directed fast-tracking of MP and MLA criminal trials through designated courts.

Static linkage: Elections, election commission, political parties (Polity).

GS area: International Relations

An Africa Expert Group presented its report titled "India-Africa Partnership: Achievements, Challenges and Roadmap 2030." The report flagged a strategic drift since the last India-Africa Forum Summit, which was held in 2015.

• ITEC programme: India's Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme is a key instrument of the bilateral relationship, covering human resource development through training and scholarships.
• Competing powers: China has positioned itself as Africa's primary infrastructure developer and financier. The US, Japan, Turkey, and the UAE have all deepened their Africa engagement.
• Bilateral trade: India-Africa trade has reached approximately 98 billion US dollars.
• Report recommendations: Revive the periodic India-Africa Forum Summits; create a dedicated secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs for African affairs; expand defence missions; establish a National Centre for African Studies; liberalise visa norms for African students.
• Asia-Africa Growth Corridor: A Japan-India initiative proposed as a development-focused alternative to China's Belt and Road Initiative.

Static linkage: India-Africa relations, South-South cooperation, multilateral forums.

GS area: Environment

A World Meteorological Organization bulletin confirmed the ozone layer is recovering steadily, with the Montreal Protocol having eliminated 99 per cent of ozone-depleting substances.

• Montreal Protocol: The 1987 international treaty that phased out chlorofluorocarbons and other ozone-depleting substances. It is widely cited as the most successful environmental treaty.
• Complicating factor: Climate change is slowing the recovery. Volcanic eruptions can temporarily increase stratospheric water vapour, creating conditions that destroy ozone.
• Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai eruption (January 2022): Injected an unusually large amount of water vapour into the stratosphere. WMO data shows this increased the formation of polar stratospheric clouds and created larger ozone holes over the southern hemisphere.

Static linkage: Environmental treaties, atmosphere (Geography), climate change.

GS area: History (Modern India), Tribal affairs

Hul Diwas is observed on June 30 each year to commemorate the Santhal Rebellion of 1855-56, which began on that date in 1855.

• Leaders: The rebellion was led by four brothers from the Murmu family: Sidhu, Kanhu, Chand, and Bhairav. Sisters Phulo and Jhano organised a 1,000-woman contingent.
• Target: Both the British East India Company and the zamindari system, which had imposed heavy rents and usury on Santhal communities.
• Location: The rebellion started in Bhognadih village in what is now Sahebganj district of Jharkhand.
• Outcome: The British declared martial law and suppressed the rebellion. It ended in January 1856.
• Historical significance: It preceded and influenced the wider 1857 uprising and is regarded as an early assertion of tribal rights against colonial exploitation.

Static linkage: Tribal uprisings, modern Indian history, Jharkhand.

GS area: Science and Technology, Defence

The Light Combat Aircraft TEJAS completed seven years of service with the Indian Air Force as of July 2023.

• Programme origin: Work began in 1984 under the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) to replace the MiG-21.
• Manufacturer: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) builds the aircraft.
• Specifications: Lightest and smallest multi-role supersonic fighter currently in IAF service. Maximum payload 4,000 kg; top speed Mach 1.8; combat range approximately 500 km.
• Variants: TEJAS Trainer (two-seat), LCA Navy (carrier-capable variant), LCA Mk2 (upgraded with the GE-414 engine for higher thrust).

Static linkage: Defence technology, Make in India, Indian Air Force.

GS area: Geography, Security

Both India and China are building infrastructure around Pangong Tso in eastern Ladakh.

• Physical character: An endorheic lake (no outlet to the ocean) at an elevation of 4,225 metres. It is the world's highest saltwater lake.
• Territorial division: About one-third lies in India; two-thirds in China.
• Length: 134 km, divided into five sub-lakes connected by narrow channels.
• Current activity: China is constructing a bridge linking the northern and southern banks. India is building a black-topped road along the north bank. Both activities signal continued competition for strategic dominance around the lake.

Static linkage: Indian geography (lakes), Ladakh, India-China relations.

• Mahila Samman Savings Certificate: The scheme window for new accounts was open at post offices; key parameters (7.5 per cent interest, two-year tenure, maximum 2 lakh rupees) are exam-worthy.
• Netherlands slave trade apology: Dutch King Willem-Alexander issued a formal apology at a national ceremony in Amsterdam. Critics noted the apology did not include reparations.
• Newborn genome sequencing: A news item flagging early experiments in sequencing newborn genomes to screen for rare genetic disorders. The ethical debate around consent and data privacy is active.
• Statistics Day (June 29): Marks the birth and death anniversary of Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, founder of the Indian Statistical Institute and the originator of the Mahalanobis distance in statistics.