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UPSC Key: Impeachment of High court Judge, International Court of Justice and Paika Rebellion
Important topics and their relevance in UPSC CSE exam for July 24, 2025. If you missed the July 23, 2025 UPSC CSE exam key from the Indian Express, read it here FRONT PAGE Justice Varma's removal: Process to begin, Speaker to name probe panel Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc. Mains Examination: General Studies II: Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure. What's the ongoing story: The process of removal of Justice Yashwant Varma will be set in motion in the Lok Sabha soon with Speaker Om Birla expected to soon announce the constitution of a statutory committee to investigate the grounds on which the removal of the judge is sought, The Indian Express has learned. Key Points to Ponder: • Who is Justice Yashwant Varma? • How a Sitting Judge Can Be Removed From Office • What is the Procedure for Removal of a Judge in India? • What is Impeachment? • What are the constitutional provisions and procedures governing the impeachment of High court judges? • The process of impeachment of a judge of the Supreme Court is laid down in Article 124(4) of the Constitution of India-True or false? • What Article 218 of the Constitution of India says? • What are the Grounds of Impeachment? • What role do parliamentary Houses and presiding officers play in the impeachment of High court judges? Key Takeaways: • Birla and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh met Wednesday with Secretaries General of both the Houses and the officials discussed the modalities to finalise the procedure. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also joined the meeting later. • The discussions took place on a day the Supreme Court said it will set up a bench to hear Justice Varma's plea challenging the legal validity of the in-house inquiry committee which confirmed charges of recovery of unaccounted cash from his official residence in Delhi. • This comes in the shadow of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar's surprise resignation Monday evening and, as The Indian Express reported Tuesday, hours after his decision to accept the Opposition's notice on Justice Varma had rubbed the government the wrong way. • This had created 'confusion,' government sources said, because Birla had received a similar notice from Lok Sabha MPs with 145 signatures around 12.30 pm Monday, hours before Dhankhar made the reference to the Opposition notice in the Rajya Sabha. Do You Know: • Former Lok Sabha Secretary PDT Achary said that when the Speaker received the notice from Lok Sabha MPs, the process of removal was set in motion. 'The Speaker has to admit it. Then the Speaker will appoint a statutory committee, the Speaker does not have to bring it before the House. Because the House has no role at that stage,' Achary said. • Sources said the statutory committee – with one judge of the Supreme Court, one from the High Courts, and a distinguished jurist – will be announced soon. The committee will probe the charges against Justice Varma and submit a report to the Lok Sabha Speaker. If the committee finds him guilty, a motion will be taken up in the Lok Sabha and it will be discussed in detail. The motion will be put to vote and it requires a two-third majority to be passed. Once the process is over the same, will be repeated in the Rajya Sabha. • Justice Varma challenged the conclusions of the report by the three-member in-house judicial panel. The three-judge panel, headed by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, conducted the inquiry for 10 days, examined 55 witnesses and visited the scene of the fire that started at around 11.35 pm on March 14 at the official residence of Justice Varma, then a sitting judge of the Delhi High Court and now in the Allahabad High Court. • Acting on the report, then CJI Khanna wrote to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi recommending the judge's impeachment. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Impeachment of judges After 5-yr gap, India resumes tourist visas for Chinese; border meeting held too Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Main Examination: General Studies II: India and its neighbourhood- relations. What's the ongoing story: India and China on Wednesday reviewed the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and prepared the ground for the next round of Special Representatives' talks to be held in India later this year. Key Points to Ponder: • The 34th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination (WMCC) on India-China border affairs in New Delhi-What are the key takeaways? • Why resuming tourist visas to China in context of India-China bilateral relations is important? • What are the risks and opportunities of increased Chinese tourist flow to India amid ongoing strategic rivalry? • What is the importance of Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra? • 'The India-China border dispute remains a major challenge in bilateral relations'-Discuss • What is Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs)? • How Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) can be effective in India-China relations? • Discuss the cultural, economic, and strategic implications of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and Nathula border trade • Evaluate the progress of India and China diplomatic ties. Key Takeaways: • In a related development, as part of the ongoing efforts to repair bilateral ties, India said it would resume issuance of tourist visas to Chinese nationals from Thursday, after a gap of five years. This comes almost a month after resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra on June 30. • The two sides reviewed the situation at the 34th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination (WMCC) on India-China border affairs in New Delhi, four months after the last such meeting was held in Beijing. • 'The two sides reviewed the situation in the India-China border areas. They expressed satisfaction with the general prevalence of peace and tranquility in the border areas, leading to gradual normalisation of bilateral relations,' the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, adding that India and China agreed to maintain regular exchanges and contacts on boundary affairs at the diplomatic and military levels through established mechanisms. • The Indian delegation was led by Gourangalal Das, Joint Secretary (East Asia), and the Chinese delegation was led by Hong Liang, Director General of the Boundary & Oceanic Affairs Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it said. • The two sides prepared for the next round of Special Representatives' talks to be held in India later this year, between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Do You Know: • The latest move is part of a series of confidence-building measures that the two countries have been taking in recent months. Besides resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, the two sides have also said that direct flights will restart soon. The de-escalation of troops on the LAC remains on the agenda. • India had suspended issuance of tourist visas to Chinese nationals in 2020, in the wake of the Covid pandemic, but the restrictions continued in view of the military standoff along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh that began in May 2020. • The developments come just over a week after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's visit to China for the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) meet earlier this month. In the meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, Jaishankar had said that while India and China had made good progress in the past nine months towards the normalisation of bilateral relations, they should work to address de-escalation on the border. • Xi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi also met on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, on October 23 last year, days after a border patrolling arrangement was announced on October 21, leading to disengagement on the ground. An estimated 50,000-60,000 troops are still stationed at the border. Since then, Doval has travelled to China twice; Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Misri have also gone there for meetings. • The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which began on June 30 and will continue till the end of August, was on top of India's wishlist since the talks to normalise ties began last year. The two sides have also said that they will resume direct flights soon. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Jaishankar's visit to China reflects a thaw in ties — there will be challenges THE IDEAS PAGE The critical minerals contest Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Economic and Social Development Main Examination: General Studies III: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc. What's the ongoing story: Amitabh Kant and Adil Rana Chhina Writes: India cannot afford to anchor its tech aspirations on supply chains that remain opaque, concentrated and subject to political risk. Key Points to Ponder: • What are critical minerals? • Why critical minerals are significant for India's economic and strategic security? • What is India's position on critical minerals? • Where are these critical mineral blocks, and what rights are being auctioned? • What are the other clearances that will be required before operations begin? • What are the estimated reserves of key critical minerals in these blocks? • How does India currently get its supplies of these minerals? • Know the objectives and key features of the newly approved National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM). • What are the role of critical minerals in India's transition to renewable energy, electric mobility, and high-tech manufacturing? • How the global supply chain dynamics of critical minerals works? • How does the Critical Minerals Mission align with India's broader industrial policies such as 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'? Key Takeaways: Amitabh Kant and Adil Rana Chhina Writes: • Critical minerals are emerging as the defining geoeconomics axis of the 21st century. These are no longer peripheral to industrial development but lie at the heart of advanced manufacturing, clean energy systems, strategic technologies and national security. • Energy transition, digitalisation and the pursuit of supply chain resilience are rapidly amplifying the demand for minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite and rare earth elements. Their availability and accessibility will determine the pace and quality of growth for all major economies. • Unlike fossil fuels, critical minerals are characterised by high geographical concentration, limited transparency and complex value chains. China dominates the midstream processing stage for most key minerals, accounting for over 90 per cent of rare earth refining, 70 per cent of cobalt processing and close to 60 per cent of lithium conversion capacity. • In 2022, the Ministry of Mines identified 30 critical minerals based on their strategic importance to clean energy and future technologies, high import dependence, domestic resource constraints and relevance for agricultural and industrial needs. • In January, the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) was announced to secure critical mineral supply chains by ensuring mineral availability. Its success will rest on how effectively it translates intent into action. Do You Know: • Critical minerals are minerals that are essential for economic development and national security, and the lack of availability of these minerals or the concentration of extraction or processing in a few geographical locations could potentially lead to 'supply chain vulnerabilities and even disruption of supplies'. This is true for minerals such as lithium, graphite, cobalt, titanium, and rare earth elements, which are essential for the advancement of many sectors, including hightech electronics, telecommunications, transport, and defence. • One of the definitions cited in the report characterises a mineral as critical when the risk of supply shortage and associated impact on the economy is (relatively) higher than other raw materials. This definition of a critical mineral was first adopted in the US and the subsequent legislation that resulted from the analysis, the report said. The European Union also carried out a similar exercise and categorised critical minerals on the basis of two prerequisites: supply risk and economic importance. • Currently, India is 100 per cent import dependent for lithium, cobalt, nickel, rare earth elements and silicon. At the same time, India's domestic resource base for critical minerals is underdeveloped. • The Geological Survey of India has ramped up exploration, with 195 projects underway over the past year and another 227 approved for the upcoming year. In response to the inclusion of critical minerals in the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, the government launched four tranches of auctions for critical mineral blocks last year, and a fifth was concluded in January 2025. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Centre identifies 30 critical minerals: Why, how, and importance of the exercise The silent epidemic Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Economic and Social Development Main Examination: General Studies II: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. What's the ongoing story: Shalini Singh and Prashant Kumar Singh Writes: Nearly 20 per cent of Indian households now have all adult members classified as overweight, while 10 per cent have all adults classified as obese. India's obesity crisis is not a distant threat — it's a present reality Key Points to Ponder: • What is obesity? • How is obesity defined? • What causes obesity among children? • What are the reasons for the increase in obesity among Indians? • How obesity clusters within Indian households? • 'The dual burden of undernutrition and overnutrition in India'-What you understand by the statement? • Establish the linkages between obesity, cardiovascular disease, and cancer in India's public health context. Key Takeaways: • Recent national data paint a disturbing picture of India's nutritional transition. Nearly 20 per cent of Indian households now have all adult members classified as overweight, while 10 per cent have all adults classified as obese. This suggests shared environmental and behavioural factors. In states like Tamil Nadu and Punjab, two out of every five households have all adults classified as obese. • Urban areas show clustering rates which are double those of rural areas, conveying a clear picture of how prosperity and urbanisation are transforming India's health landscape. • What makes this particularly concerning is its transgenerational nature. When obesity clusters within households, children grow up in environments that normalise unhealthy dietary patterns and sedentary lifestyles, creating cycles of risk that transcend generations. • The evidence linking obesity to cancer is overwhelming. The WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified excess body weight as a significant risk for cancer. • An IARC study, published in 2023, the largest of its kind, showed that having a high body mass index increases cancer risk by 17 per cent for people who also have cardiovascular diseases. The American Cancer Society estimates that excess body weight accounts for about 11 per cent of cancers in women and 5 per cent in men in the US. Do You Know: • The standard method of determining obesity across the world has thus far employed BMI cut-offs as the sole determinant. A person with a BMI of less than 18.5 is considered to be underweight, a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered to be normal, those with BMI between 25 and 29.9 are considered to be overweight, while those with BMI over 30 are considered to be obese. • India's situation is particularly precarious because we face this obesity epidemic alongside existing healthcare challenges. The economic implications for patients are staggering, too. Cancer treatment can devastate families financially, and when obesity-related cancers strike multiple household members — as clustering patterns suggest they might — the economic burden can be catastrophic. Prevention, therefore, isn't just a health imperative; it's an economic necessity. • The household clustering of obesity presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Rather than treating obesity as an individual's problem, we must recognise it as a health problem that requires targeting the family as a unit for intervention. • The government's recent commitment to establishing Day Care Cancer Centres in all district hospitals over the next three years, with 200 centres planned for 2025-26, provides a crucial foundation. • Obesity prevention programmes should target entire households, teaching families to shop for healthier ingredients; prepare meals at home consisting of fresh vegetables, leafy greens, whole grains and fruits; and engage in physical activities as a unit. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍New definition for obesity? What a new Lancet commission has proposed to replace BMI THE WORLD The Hague: Countries obliged to take climate action, liable for compensation if they don't Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies II: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate. What's the ongoing story: The ICJ ruling is not binding on the countries, but sets an important precedent for the thousands of climate lawsuits that have been filed in recent years across the world. Key Points to Ponder: • What exactly the International Court of Justice (ICJ), has ruled? • What are the legal significance of the ICJ's advisory opinion on climate obligations? • What is the concept of 'internationally wrongful act' in the context of climate change? • How declaring a healthy environment a human right could influence domestic climate litigation and policy-making? • How can the ICJ opinion reshape geopolitics of climate finance, liability, and responsibility in forums like COP30? • What is International Court of Justice? • Does the International Court of Justice have the power to prosecute Israel? • International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice-Compare and Contrast Key Takeaways: • In a landmark decision, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the main judicial arm of the United Nations, has ruled that countries were obligated under international law to take actions to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases, and the failure to do so would constitute an 'internationally wrongful act'. • The court, based in The Hague, said countries which do not fulfil their climate obligations could be held liable to pay compensations to other countries, particularly the small island nations, which bear the brunt of climate disasters. Do You Know: • The ICJ ruling came in a case that arose out of a request from the UN General Assembly that sought its 'advisory opinion' on the obligations of countries on climate change under existing international laws, and the legal consequences of those obligations. • The court, in a unanimous ruling, said that countries that were party to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the 2015 Paris Agreement had an obligation to adopt measures that were aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and adapting to climate change. It said that the rich countries had an additional obligation to take the lead on climate actions. • The court examined the responsibilities of the countries under a wider set of environmental laws that have a bearing on the climate system. These include the UN Convention on the Laws of the Seas, the Montreal Protocol for protecting Ozone, the Convention on Biodiversity and the Convention to Combat Desertification. • The ICJ ruling is not binding on the countries, but sets an important precedent for the thousands of climate lawsuits that have been filed in recent years across the world, seeking accountability from governments and corporates. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍ICJ begins hearing on landmark climate change case: Why is this significant? ECONOMY Indian economy remains largely resilient despite global uncertainties: RBI article Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Economic and Social Development Main Examination: General Studies III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment. What's the ongoing story: Amid geopolitical tensions and tariff policy uncertainties, the Indian economy has remained resilient, aided by strong macroeconomic fundamentals, according to an article in the Reserve Bank of India's July monthly bulletin. Key Points to Ponder: • What exactly 'State of the Economy' article in RBI's July bulletin said? • What the RBI article said about tariff risks? • What the RBI article said inflation? • What is the role of forex reserves in mitigating global trade uncertainties and external debt obligations? • The RBI's caution on 'underpricing of macroeconomic risks'-what does this imply for future policymaking? Key Takeaways: • 'Domestic economic activity held up in June, with high-frequency indicators pointing to improving prospects of the kharif agricultural season and continuation of strong momentum in the services sector,' according to the 'State of the Economy' article in RBI's July bulletin. • The article has been prepared by central bank officials. The RBI said views published in the article are of the authors and not of the institution. • It said that the growth in rural demand remained resilient and was accompanied by a recovery in urban economic activity. The all-India unemployment rate remained unchanged from the previous month at 5.6 per cent with rural areas faring better as compared to their urban counterparts. • During April-May 2025, total expenditure grew by 19.7 per cent on a year-on-year (y-o-y) basis, accounting for 14.7 per cent of the Budget Estimates for FY26. Capital expenditure recorded robust growth during the first two months of the current fiscal and was at 19.7 per cent of the budgeted capital expenditure vis-à-vis 12.9 per cent during the same period a year ago, indicative of front-loading of capital spending by the Central government. • India's merchandise trade deficit narrowed in June 2025, due to contraction in both oil and non-oil trade deficit. • De-escalating geo-political tensions in the Middle East, optimism on trade deals and the easing of norms for infrastructure financing by the Reserve Bank buoyed up domestic financial market sentiments in the second half of June, the article said. Do You Know: • Headline inflation, as measured by y-o-y changes in the all-India consumer price index (CPI), declined to 2.1 per cent in June 2025 — the lowest since January 2019 — from 2.8 per cent in May. The retail inflation remained below the 4 per cent target for the fifth consecutive month in June. • The article said that easing inflation, front-loading of government expenditure, targeted fiscal measures and congenial financial conditions for faster transmission of rate reductions should support aggregate demand in the economy, going forward. • On the trade front, the article stated that as intense negotiations are underway for closing trade deals before the new import tariff rates kick in from August 1, 2025, the focus is back on US trade policies and their spillover effects globally. • Financial markets, however, seem to have taken trade policy uncertainties in their stride, possibly reflecting optimism on reaching trade deals that are less disruptive to the global economy. Even so, underpricing of macroeconomic risk by financial markets remains a concern. • According to the article, the average trade tariff rates are set to touch levels unseen since the 1930s. Moreover, the risk of imposition of new high tariffs looms large for additional sectors. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍RBI repo rate cut transmission: Public sector banks ahead of private lenders in lowering rates EXPLAINED Vaccine hope in malaria fight Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Economic and Social Development Main Examination: General Studies II: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. What's the ongoing story: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has announced a promising candidate vaccine for malaria, which it will now further develop, test and manufacture for commercial purposes in partnership with private companies. Key Points to Ponder: • Why is this development significant? • How does AdFalciVax work? • What are the advantages of AdFalciVax? • What conditions has ICMR set for private players? • How the dual-target mechanism (CSP + Pro6C) of AdFalciVax could enhance both individual protection and community-level transmission control. • Compare and contrast AdFalciVax with RTS,S and R21/Matrix-M in terms of antigen design, adjuvants, durability, and administration challenges. • What is the significance of targeting mosquito-stage transmission with Pro6C, vis-à-vis global malaria elimination strategies? Key Takeaways: • Known as AdFalciVax, the vaccine mainly targets two parts of Plasmodium falciparum, a pathogen that is the most common source of malaria in humans. In India, however, the disease is caused by Plasmodium vivax against which AdFalciVax is ineffective. • Unlike AdFalciVax, RTS,S and R21 only use the CSP protein, and can prevent infection only in vaccinated persons. • Unlike AdFalciVax, RTS,S and R21 vaccines also do not use full-length CSP proteins. This is why the ICMR's candidate vaccine is 'likely to produce a stronger immune response and better protect against infection,' according to Singh. • Researchers have found that AdFalciVax provided more than 90% protection against infection in mice. The candidate vaccine has yet to undergo rigorous human trials, and the preliminary results have been obtained only through testing on animals. • AdFalciVax also contains an adjuvant — a substance used in vaccines to boost the body's immune response against the targeted disease — called alum. Singh says the use of alum is beneficial as it does not pose a risk of causing chronic inflammation, unlike adjuvants such as AS01 and Matrix M, which are used in RTS,S and R21. Alum is also known to be reliable, and has been used in numerous vaccines used in childhood immunisation programs over the years. Do You Know: • Malaria is a parasitic infection transmitted by mosquitoes, typically causing symptoms such as fever, chills, night sweats, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. In some cases, it can lead to severe complications such as seizures, fluid in the lungs, organ damage, and death. • Malaria is most endemic in Africa — Nigeria, Congo, Tanzania, Mozambique, Niger, and Burkina Faso together account for more than half the yearly deaths. The disease is also present in India, although malaria deaths have sharply reduced in the country in recent years. According to the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), reported malaria deaths stood at 1,151in 1995, and came down to only 93 in 2020 and 83 in 2022. • The organisation's 'World Malaria Report' says there were 5,511 deaths due to the disease in India in 2022. This discrepancy is due to WHO providing estimates and NVBDCP providing only the number of confirmed deaths, which may not have been officially reported. • To combat malaria, scientists have been working to develop a vaccine for decades but with limited success. Recently, two vaccines—RTS,S and R21—were approved for use, but their efficacy, at 75%, is quite low. • AdFalciVax is a chimeric recombinant vaccine — a type of vaccine that uses different parts of the genes of a pathogen (in this case, Plasmodium) to create target proteins that trigger an immune response after being injected. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍ICMR invites partners to launch and sell its new malaria vaccine Paikas and the uprising against British Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance and History of India and Indian National Movement Mains Examination: General Studies I: Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present significant events, personalities, issues. What's the ongoing story: Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday (July 22) expressed concern over the 'omission' of the Paika Rebellion from the latest Class VIII history textbook of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), calling it a 'huge dishonour' to the brave Paikas. Key Points to Ponder: • Who were the Paikas? • Why did they rebel against the British? • How is the alleged omission of the rebellion from history textbooks a politically sensitive issue in Odisha? • Know the historical significance of the Paika Rebellion in Odisha's and India's broader struggle against colonialism. • What were the socioeconomic causes that led to mobilization of the Paikas in 1817? • Do you think that the inclusion of movements like Paika, Khurda, and Kuka in curriculum could foster critical historical thinking or regional fragmentation? Key Takeaways: • The NCERT has clarified that the 1817 rebellion will be included in the second volume of the textbook, set to be released in September-October. • Throughout the 19th century, rural India was alive with discontent that periodically manifested itself in the form of armed resistance against old inequities and new hardships alike. The latter was primarily the result of military expansion of the British East India Company, which disrupted existing social relations in peasant and tribal communities. • The Paika Rebellion, also known as the Paika Bidroha, was one such uprising. • The Paikas (pronounced 'paiko', literally 'foot soldiers') were a class of military retainers who had been recruited from various social groups by the Gajapati rulers of Odisha since the 16th century. They would render martial services to the king in return for hereditary rent-free land (nish-kar jagirs) which they would cultivate during peacetime. Do You Know: • In 1803, Colonel Harcourt marched virtually unchallenged from Madras to Puri, and faced only feeble Maratha opposition onward to Cuttack. Harcourt had made an agreement with Mukunda Deva II, for free passage through Khurda in return for compensation of Rs 1 lakh and four parganas — Lembai, Rahanga, Surai and Chabiskud — which had been under Maratha control since 1760. • When the Company did not fulfil these conditions, Jayee Rajguru, the custodian of the king marched to Cuttack with around 2,000 armed Paikas in order to pressurise the British. Although Harcourt paid a sum of Rs 40,000, he refused to give Khurda the four parganas. Rajguru subsequently conspired to overthrow the British, but was caught before the revolt could materialise. • The Company subsequently took away the king's lands, dethroned him, razed the fort at Barunei, and arrested Rajguru, who was convicted for waging war against the British government and executed on December 6, 1806. The king was banished to Puri. • The end of native rule in Odisha marked the beginning of the decline of the Paikas' power and prestige. Apart from losing political patronage, the Paikas, who previously enjoyed rent-free land, suffered due to new land revenue settlements introduced by the Company which drove Odia proprietors to ruin. Many were forced to transfer land to Bengali absentee landlords, often for a pittance. • In March 1817, some 400 Kondhs equipped with traditional arms marched from Ghumusar towards Khurda. They were joined by an army of Paikas led by Bakshi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar Mahapatra Bhramarabar Ray, the former commander-in-chief of the king of Khurda and the erstwhile holder of the lucrative Rodanga estate. • The Paikas and their rebellion have long been used to invoke Odia sub-nationalism. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Explained: Who were the Paikas of Odisha, and what will the Paika Memorial celebrate? For any queries and feedback, contact Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. Priya Kumari Shukla is a Senior Copy Editor in the Indian Express (digital). She contributes to the UPSC Section of Indian Express (digital) and started niche initiatives such as UPSC Key, UPSC Ethics Simplified, and The 360° UPSC Debate. The UPSC Key aims to assist students and aspirants in their preparation for the Civil Services and other competitive examinations. It provides valuable guidance on effective strategies for reading and comprehending newspaper content. The 360° UPSC Debate tackles a topic from all perspectives after sorting through various publications. The chosen framework for the discussion is structured in a manner that encompasses both the arguments in favour and against the topic, ensuring comprehensive coverage of many perspectives. Prior to her involvement with the Indian Express, she had affiliations with a non-governmental organisation (NGO) as well as several coaching and edutech enterprises. In her prior professional experience, she was responsible for creating and refining material in various domains, including article composition and voiceover video production. She has written in-house books on many subjects, including modern India, ancient Indian history, internal security, international relations, and the Indian economy. She has more than eight years of expertise in the field of content writing. Priya holds a Master's degree in Electronic Science from the University of Pune as well as an Executive Programme in Public Policy and Management (EPPPM) from the esteemed Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, widely recognised as one of the most prestigious business schools in India. She is also an alumni of Jamia Milia Islamia University Residential Coaching Academy (RCA). Priya has made diligent efforts to engage in research endeavours, acquiring the necessary skills to effectively examine and synthesise facts and empirical evidence prior to presenting their perspective. Priya demonstrates a strong passion for reading, particularly in the genres of classical Hindi, English, Maithili, and Marathi novels and novellas. Additionally, she possessed the distinction of being a cricket player at the national level. Qualification, Degrees / other achievements: Master's degree in Electronic Science from University of Pune and Executive Programme in Public Policy and Management (EPPPM) from Indian Institute of Management Calcutta ... Read More
Indian Express
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
UPSC Key: Oil Spill, Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act and Impeachment of Judges
Important topics and their relevance in UPSC CSE exam for May 28, 2025. If you missed the May 27, 2025 UPSC CSE exam key from the Indian Express, read it here FRONT PAGE Cash at residence: Govt likely to bring motion to impeach Justice Varma Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc. Mains Examination: General Studies II: Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure. What's the ongoing story: FOLLOWING his indictment by the Supreme Court in-house inquiry panel, the government is likely to bring an impeachment motion in the upcoming monsoon session against former Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma, The Indian Express has learnt. Key Points to Ponder: • What is the Procedure for Removal of a Judge in India? • What is Impeachment? • What are the constitutional provisions and procedures governing the impeachment of High court judges? • The process of impeachment of a judge of the Supreme Court is laid down in Article 124(4) of the Constitution of India-True or false? • What Article 218 of the Constitution of India says? • What are the Grounds of Impeachment? Key Takeaways: • On May 3, a three-member panel, set up by the Supreme Court, had found credence in the allegations that wads of currency notes were discovered at the judge's official residence when a fire broke out there on March 14. • Appointed by the CJI on March 22, the panel, comprising Justice Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice of the High Court of Punjab & Haryana; Justice G S Sandhawalia, Chief Justice of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh; and Justice Anu Sivaraman, Judge of the High Court of Karnataka, recorded the statements of a range of witnesses. • The Indian Express had reported on May 9 that then Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna had forwarded a copy of the inquiry report, along with a recommendation to initiate impeachment proceedings against the judge to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. • Justice Varma was also asked to resign but he is learnt to have refused to do so. He was transferred out on March 20 and he took oath as judge at the Allahabad High Court on April 5 but he has not been assigned work. • It is learnt that the President has now referred the former CJI's recommendation to the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha Speaker. • Top sources in the government said that since the former CJI's report recommended impeachment, the motion has to be brought in Parliament. For a motion of impeachment to be taken up, it has to be moved by not less than 100 members in the Lower House, and at least 50 members in the Upper House. Do You Know: • The Constitution states that a judge of a constitutional court can only be removed on two grounds: proved 'misbehaviour' and 'incapacity'. The procedure to be followed for removal is laid down in the Judges Inquiry Act, 1968. Once a motion for impeachment is adopted by either House, the Speaker/ Chairman has to constitute a three-member committee of inquiry. The committee is headed by the Chief Justice of India or a judge of the Supreme Court, and has a Chief Justice of any High Court, and a person who is in the opinion of the Speaker/ Chairman, a 'distinguished jurist'. • If the committee renders a guilty finding, the report of the committee is then adopted by the House in which it was introduced, and the judge's removal is debated. • For an impeachment motion against an SC or HC judge to go through, at least two-thirds of those 'present and voting' in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha must vote in favour of removing the judge — and the number of votes in favour must be more than 50% of the 'total membership' of each House. If Parliament passes such a vote, the President will pass an order for the removal of the judge. • The process of impeachment of a judge of the Supreme Court is laid down in Article 124(4) of the Constitution of India. Article 218 says the same provisions shall apply in relation to a judge of the High Court as well. • Under Article 124(4), a judge can be removed by Parliament through a laid-down procedure on only two grounds: 'proved misbehaviour' and 'incapacity'. • In other words, for an impeachment motion against an SC or HC judge to go through, at least two-thirds of those 'present and voting' in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha must vote in favour of removing the judge — and the number of votes in favour must be more than 50% of the 'total membership' of each House. • Once the MPs submit the motion, the presiding officer of the House can either accept or reject it. If accepted, a three-member committee, comprising two judges and a jurist, is constituted to probe the complaint and determine if it is a case fit for initiating the process of impeachment. • The committee includes one judge from the Supreme Court and the Chief Justice of a High Court if the complaint is against a High Court judge, or two Supreme Court judges if the complaint is against a sitting judge of the apex court. • As Article 124 (4) of the Constitution says, the motion for impeachment 'has to be supported by a majority of the total membership of that House and by a majority of not less than two-third of the members of the House present and voting' – in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. • So far there have been four attempts to impeach High Court judges and two to remove Supreme Court judges, with the last being in 2018 against then Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra. None of the motions cleared the entire process. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Impeachment of judges Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: 1. Consider the following statements: (2020) 1. The motion to impeach a Judge of the Supreme Court of India cannot be rejected by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha as per the Judges (Inquiry) Act 1968. 2. The Constitution of India defines and gives details or what constitutes 'incapacity and proved misbehaviour' of the Judges of the Supreme Court of India. 3. The details of the process of impeachment of the Judges of the Supreme Court of India is given in 4 the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968. 4. If the motion for the impeachment of a Judge is taken up for voting, the law requires the motion to be backed by each House of the Parliament and supported by a majority of total membership of that House and by not less than two-thirds of total members of that House present and voting. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 (b) 3 only (c) 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 3 and 4 Exports to UK carry tariff risk as carbon tax left out of FTA Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies II: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests. What's the ongoing story: India's goods exports worth at least $775 million to the UK continue to face the risk of higher duties under its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) despite the conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) earlier this month, a UK official said Tuesday. Key Points to Ponder: • What is the meaning of free trade agreement? • India and the United Kingdom Free Trade Deal—Know the key highlights • What is the carbon boundary adjustment mechanism CBAM? • How India-UK Free Trade Agreement will benefit India and UK? • What are the key goods included in India-UK Free Trade Agreement? • What do you understand by the 'Rules of origin'? • What led to the deal, and what issues emerged during negotiations? • What about UK's carbon tax? Key Takeaways: • A policy that was first proposed by the European Union and later by the UK, CBAM seeks to put a tariff of up to 35 per cent on carbon intensive products such as iron, steel and aluminium. • During negotiations, India had sought to secure a carve-out for MSMEs from the CBAM policy after exporters told the Ministry of Commerce and Industry they were not in a position to meet its extensive data requirements. Exporters had also raised concerns that complying with carbon tax could compromise confidential trade data of manufacturers. • Confirming that CBAM was not part of the India–UK FTA, the UK official said these types of mechanisms usually don't form part of the deal. • Arguing that CBAM is not WTO-compliant, India had also proposed a 'rebalancing mechanism' which would require UK to compensate Indian industries for losses incurred due to the policy. • Trade experts said under the trade deal, the UK has agreed to allow 99 per cent of India's exports to enter duty-free. This concession could, however, be undermined as select Indian goods may face tariffs of 20–35 per cent, equivalent to the CBAM charges. Do You Know: • The carbon tax negotiations are significant, as the UK's CBAM — set to take effect in 2027 — will initially target carbon-intensive products such as iron, steel, aluminium, fertilisers, hydrogen, ceramics, glass and cement, with scope to expand the list in future. • According to the think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), the carbon tax could impact $775 million worth of Indian exports. 'By not securing a carve-out or exemption clause on CBAM, India lost a vital opportunity to protect its carbon-intensive exports. From January 2027, the UK can impose carbon taxes on Indian steel and aluminium, even as we grant UK goods duty-free access. That's a serious asymmetry. Expect the same treatment in India's FTA with the EU,' said Ajay Srivastava, founder of GTRI. • As no concession was secured under the FTA, India could challenge the regulation at the WTO on the grounds that CBAM violates special and differential treatment (SDT) provisions, which advocate longer implementation periods for developing countries to protect their trade interests. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍How FTAs with US, UK, EU could impact India's agriculture trade Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: 2. Consider the following countries: (2018) 1. Australia 2. Canada 3. China 4. India 5. Japan 6. USA Which of the above are among the 'free-trade partners' of ASEAN? (a) 1, 2, 4 and 5 (b) 3, 4, 5 and 6 (c) 1, 3, 4 and 5 (d) 2, 3, 4 and 6 US pauses student visa interviews, plans social media vetting: Report Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Main Examination: General Studies II: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Indian diaspora. What's the ongoing story: The Trump administration has told US embassies around the world to stop scheduling new interviews for international student visas, according to The Guardian. The move comes as the government plans to expand social media checks for all student and exchange visitor visa applicants. Key Points to Ponder: • How did the US become a top destination for Indian students? • How many Indian students go to the US each year? • What are the implications of the U.S. administration's decision to pause new student visa interviews? • What are the potential impact of the 2025 U.S. visa policy changes on the financial stability and international reputation of American higher education institutions? • How the 2025 U.S. visa policy changes might influence the choices of international students, particularly from India? Key Takeaways: • A State Department message sent on Tuesday said: 'Consular sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor (F, M, and J) visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued.' The instruction applies to student and exchange visas, which many foreign students need to study in the US. • The pause could lead to long delays in visa processing and impact universities that depend on international students for income. More than one million international students were studying in the US in the past year, contributing nearly $43.8 billion to the US economy, according to the NAFSA association. • The new policy comes as the Trump administration looks to tighten rules for student visas. The government says it wants to expand social media vetting for all student visa applicants. Consular officers will be expected to look at posts, likes, comments and shares on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and X, to check for any signs of content they see as a national security threat. • In a cable seen by The Guardian, the administration said the new rule is part of a review of how visas are screened and processed. Since March, consular officers have already been checking the social media of students who joined pro-Palestinian protests, taking screenshots of posts considered 'potentially derogatory' even if the content was later deleted. • The wider expansion would apply to all student visa applicants, not just those flagged for activism. President Donald Trump has also accused some universities of promoting far-left ideas, and his administration has linked the new visa checks to efforts to fight antisemitism. • US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week that thousands of student visas had already been revoked. 'I don't know the latest count, but we probably have more to do,' he told senators. Do You Know: • The suspension of visa interviews comes just months before the new academic year begins, raising concerns that many students may not be able to reach the US in time. Universities across the country are warning that this could affect not just students but also research, teaching, and funding. • The United States offers a vast range of opportunities with over 4,000 educational institutions, most of which offer four-year degree programs. While many US institutions do not require IELTS scores, students are still required to prove their proficiency in English. US officials have also actively organised educational events across India to promote American universities and attract more Indian students. • Education consultants have identified the surge in Indian students seeking the US for higher studies in recent years as a fallout of changes in the immigration policies of Canada, Australia and the UK. In 2024, Canada introduced a cap on the number of international students, making it harder for many to gain admission. Both Australia and the UK have tightened their student visa rules, making the US a more attractive and stable option. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍US pause on student visa appointments: How this impacts Indian students EXPRESS NETWORK NGOs getting foreign funds can't publish news content: MHA Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc. Main Examination: General Studies II: Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders. What's the ongoing story: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has amended the rules under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) and henceforth, NGOs engaged in publication-related activities and receiving foreign contributions will not be able to publish any newsletter and must get a certificate from the Registrar of Newspapers for India that it does not circulate any news content. Key Points to Ponder: • What is the issue exactly? • Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA)-What and When it was enacted? • Rationality behind the enactment of Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA)? • Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 and Foreign Contribution Regulation (Amendment) Rules 2020-Key Changes • NGOs and FCRA-why most of the NGOs are brought under FCRA? • What is foreign contribution defined in Section 2(1)(h) of FCRA, 2010? • What is a foreign source? • Can NGOs use the foreign contributions for investment in Mutual Funds and other speculative investments? • Who can receive foreign contribution? • Who cannot receive foreign contribution? • Are there any banned organisations from whom foreign contribution should not be accepted? • What is 'pressure group'? • What is Non-governmental Organizations? • What are the legislations which regulates the finances of NGOs in India? • A large number of Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs )exist in India-Can you recall some of those? • Relationship between Government and Non-governmental Organizations -Analyse • What is difference between charity and Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)? • Know the terms and differences between them- Non-Governmental Organization, Non-Profit Organization Charity Organization, Pressure Group and Social Enterprise Key Takeaways: • In a notification issued late Monday night, the ministry said under the amended rules, NGOs which are seeking permission to get foreign funding must give an undertaking that they will adhere to the Good Practice Guidelines of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). • 'Such bodies or NGOs, which are seeking registration, must enclose financial statements and audit reports of the last three years, including the statement of assets and liabilities, receipts and payments account, and income and expenditure account,' it said. • 'If the audit reports and financial statements do not contain activity-wise expenditure for the last three financial years, a chartered accountant's certificate specifying the activity-wise amount spent by the association, duly reconciled with the income and expenditure account and the receipt and payment account must be submitted,' it added. • 'In case the association or the NGO is engaged in publication-related activities or if publication activities are among its aims as stated in the Memorandum of Association or trust deed, an undertaking from the chief functionary regarding compliance with the FCRA, 2010, must be given,' it said. Do You Know: • The FCRA was enacted during the Emergency in 1976 amid apprehensions that foreign powers were interfering in India's affairs by pumping money into the country through independent organisations. These concerns were, in fact, even older — they had been expressed in Parliament as early as in 1969. • The law sought to regulate foreign donations to individuals and associations so that they functioned 'in a manner consistent with the values of a sovereign democratic republic'. • An amended FCRA was enacted under the UPA government in 2010 to 'consolidate the law' on utilisation of foreign funds, and 'to prohibit' their use for 'any activities detrimental to national interest'. • The law was amended again by the current government in 2020, giving the government tighter control and scrutiny over the receipt and utilisation of foreign funds by NGOs. • Broadly, the FCRA requires every person or NGO seeking to receive foreign donations to be (i) registered under the Act, (ii) to open a bank account for the receipt of the foreign funds in State Bank of India, Delhi, and (iii) to utilise those funds only for the purpose for which they have been received and as stipulated in the Act. They are also required to file annual returns, and they must not transfer the funds to another NGO. The Act prohibits the receipt of foreign funds by candidates for elections, journalists or newspaper and media broadcast companies, judges and government servants, members of legislature and political parties or their office-bearers, and organisations of a political nature. • NGOs that want to receive foreign funds must apply online in a prescribed format with the required documentation. FCRA registrations are granted to individuals or associations that have definite cultural, economic, educational, religious, and social programmes. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Explained: What is FCRA, the law related to NGO funding which certain MHA officials are accused of violating? Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: 📍Examine critically the recent changes in the rules governing foreign funding of NGOs under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 1976. (2015) EXPLAINED Why Covid cases are rising, why you needn't worry Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: General Science and Current events of national and international importance. Main Examination: General Studies III: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nanotechnology, bio-technology. What's the ongoing story: The Health Ministry this week said fresh cases of Covid-19 have been seen mainly in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, and that a new subvariant, NB.1.8.1, had been detected in at least one sample. Key Points to Ponder: • What is NB 1.8 1? • What is the current situation in India? • What is triggering the increase in cases? • Which new variants have emerged, and which one is currently widespread? • The term 'endemicity' in context of infectious diseases refers to what? • Which COVID-19 variant has been linked to the 2025 mild surge in India, according to INSACOG? • What Lessons India learnt from Second Wave of Covid-19? • What is a variant of interest (VOI)? • What is a variant of concern (VOC)? • The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG)-Role, Under which Ministry? Key Takeaways: • This sample, which was collected and sequenced in April, was submitted to INSACOG, India's Covid-19 genome sequencing consortium, from Tamil Nadu. • Several countries are reporting Covid-19 surges; World Health Organisation (WHO) data show noticeable increases in South-East Asia. On May 13, Singapore reported a rise from 11,100 cases during April 20-26 to 14,200 during April 27-May 3. • While reporting their surge on May 13, the Singaporean health authorities pointed out that periodic waves of Covid-19 — like other endemic respiratory diseases — were expected throughout the year. SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for Covid-19, has not disappeared, but it no longer behaves like an unpredictable emergency — rather, it has become part of a recurring cycle of illnesses, similar to the flu. Do You Know: • There were 1,010 active infections as of Tuesday evening, according to data on the Health Ministry's Covid-19 dashboard. The largest number of cases (43%) were in Kerala, followed by Maharashtra (21%). Delhi, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu had 10%, 8%, and 7% of cases. • Since May 19, deaths have been reported in Maharashtra (3), Kerala (2), and Karnataka (1). However, the Ministry has said 'more details are awaited' before these deaths can be attributed to Covid-19. • The outbreak seems to be geographically limited. The numbers of active cases were in double digits in only nine states on Tuesday, and only Kerala, Maharashtra, and Delhi had more than 100 cases each. • However, a clearer picture is expected to emerge over the next fortnight, as testing of symptomatic individuals increases. • Official data on hospitalisation are not yet available. But large hospital chains have not reported any significant increase in Covid-19-related admissions. The few patients who have been admitted mostly have pre-existing comorbidities — which suggests that new cases are not, as of now, leading to severe disease. • INSACOG was established in December 2020 as a joint initiative of the Union Health Ministry of Health and Department of Biotechnology (DBT) (under the Ministry of Science and Technology) with the Council for Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to expand the whole-genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes the Covid-19 disease, across India with the aim of understanding how the virus spreads and evolves. INSACOG started out with the participation of 10 national research laboratories of the central government, and gradually expanded to a network of 38 labs, including private labs, operating on a hub-and-spoke model. The 10 INSACOG Genome Sequencing Laboratories handhold the new laboratories, and the pan-India consortium works to monitor genomic variations in SARS-CoV-2 by a sentinel sequencing effort which is facilitated by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), involving the Central Surveillance Unit (CSU) under the central government's Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP). Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍What is INSACOG, India's network of labs to sequence the genome of the Covid-19 coronavirus? Cargo ship sinks near Kerala coast: What can be the impact if oil spills? Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Main Examination: General Studies III: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment. What's the ongoing story: The threat of a possible oil spill looms large in Kerala as a cargo ship, which was carrying diesel and hazardous substances, sank off the state's coast on Sunday. The Liberia-flagged MSC ELSA 3, a 28-year-old vessel, was sailing from Vizhinjam port in Thiruvananthapuram to Kochi when it capsized around 25 km southwest of Alappuzha. Key Points to Ponder: • What is oil spill? • What is the main cause of oil spills? • What are the effects of oil spills? • What are the hazards caused by oil spills? • How can an oil spill affect the ecosystem? • How do oil spills get cleaned up? Key Takeaways: • The ship went down with more than 600 containers, some of which washed ashore on Monday. So far, no oil spill has been reported. Indian agencies, including the Coast Guard, have initiated pre-emptive action to deal with the situation. • The MSC ELSA 3 was carrying at least 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and 367 metric tonnes of furnace oil, according to the Coast Guard. A simulation done by the Hyderabad-based Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) showed that if all of this diesel and furnace oil leaked into the sea, there was a high probability that these chemicals would drift towards the coast of Kerala. The entire coastal stretch between Alappuzha and Thiruvananthapuram districts could be affected, the simulation revealed. • Each oil spill has unique aspects as it is influenced by the nature and chemical composition of the oil that gets leaked. Usually, before planning the clean-up, experts try to observe the colour of the oil slick (under sunlight seen as black, rainbow, brown or colourless) which can indicate the possible composition and extent of the spill. Do You Know: • Oil spills can severely damage the marine ecosystem as they can result in the death of fish and other organisms, and destroy mangroves and coral reefs. If an oil spill takes place near the coast, it can affect the livelihood of fishermen and disrupt the local economy. • Such spills are dangerous because oil is lighter than water and it keeps floating on the surface of the sea, forming a thin layer called slick. This layer spreads rapidly over the surface as it is carried by wind and ocean currents. Moreover, most of the components of the spilled oil remain suspended in water which can lead to long-term harm. That is the reason why after an oil spill, a quick clean-up with human intervention is necessary. • During the clean-up process, pillows made of oleophilic (oil-attracting) materials are first deployed at the site of an oil spill. These materials act like a sponge and absorb oil (not water) from the surface. This helps clean up large portions of undivided oil slicks. • Then, sheets made of cotton, or a material which has properties similar to cotton, are deployed to absorb the leakage. • Another method for removing the oil is to use specialised motors which can pump out water. However, these motors are deployed only when an oil spill has taken place over calm waters such as a lake. • As oil does not mix or dissolve in water, an entire clean-up of this emulsified liquid is not an easy task. The process is very costly and labour-intensive, and can sometimes extend to months. • Also, in water bodies such as rivers and the sea, the perpetual flow of the water can pose a challenge. Experts suggest that in the case of MSC ELSA 3, if an oil leak takes place, it would be crucial to not let the oil slicks reach near the shores. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Kerala: Scientists say oil spill 'hard to clean once it hits shore' PRELIMS ANSWER KEY 1.(c) 2.(c) For any queries and feedback, contact Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. Priya Kumari Shukla is a Senior Copy Editor in the Indian Express (digital). She contributes to the UPSC Section of Indian Express (digital) and started niche initiatives such as UPSC Key, UPSC Ethics Simplified, and The 360° UPSC Debate. The UPSC Key aims to assist students and aspirants in their preparation for the Civil Services and other competitive examinations. It provides valuable guidance on effective strategies for reading and comprehending newspaper content. The 360° UPSC Debate tackles a topic from all perspectives after sorting through various publications. The chosen framework for the discussion is structured in a manner that encompasses both the arguments in favour and against the topic, ensuring comprehensive coverage of many perspectives. Prior to her involvement with the Indian Express, she had affiliations with a non-governmental organisation (NGO) as well as several coaching and edutech enterprises. In her prior professional experience, she was responsible for creating and refining material in various domains, including article composition and voiceover video production. She has written in-house books on many subjects, including modern India, ancient Indian history, internal security, international relations, and the Indian economy. She has more than eight years of expertise in the field of content writing. Priya holds a Master's degree in Electronic Science from the University of Pune as well as an Executive Programme in Public Policy and Management (EPPPM) from the esteemed Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, widely recognised as one of the most prestigious business schools in India. She is also an alumni of Jamia Milia Islamia University Residential Coaching Academy (RCA). Priya has made diligent efforts to engage in research endeavours, acquiring the necessary skills to effectively examine and synthesise facts and empirical evidence prior to presenting their perspective. Priya demonstrates a strong passion for reading, particularly in the genres of classical Hindi, English, Maithili, and Marathi novels and novellas. Additionally, she possessed the distinction of being a cricket player at the national level. Qualification, Degrees / other achievements: Master's degree in Electronic Science from University of Pune and Executive Programme in Public Policy and Management (EPPPM) from Indian Institute of Management Calcutta ... Read More
