Daily Current Affairs

April 8, 2025

Current Affairs

Disclosure of Assets by Judges 

Context: Among the 769 judges currently serving in the 25 High Courts of India, only 95, a mere 12.35% have chosen to disclose their assets and liabilities on their official websites. This comes in the backdrop of intense discussions around transparency in Indian Judiciary.

Relevance of the Topic: Mains: Judicial Accountability: Need, Challenges and Mechanism. 

Disclosure of Assets by Judges

  • Unlike government officials and politicians (under the Lokpal Act), judges are not bound to publicly declare their assets and liabilities. 
  • Recently, the Chief Justice of India and all the sitting judges of the Supreme Court have unanimously agreed to publicly disclose their assets by publishing the details on the apex court’s official website. 
  • This marks a significant move towards greater transparency in the Indian judiciary and is a reiteration of the Judicial Code of Conduct 1997. 

Key points from Judicial Code of Conduct 1997

  • Judges must avoid actions that erode people's faith in the Higher Judiciary.
  • Must not contest elections/hold office in clubs, societies, and associations.
  • If any immediate family members are members of the Bar, they cannot be permitted to use the judge’s residence for professional work.
  • Must be impartial by maintaining distance from the case. 
  • Must not hear and decide cases where a family member or friend is involved.
  • Must not publicly express views on political matters that may arise for judicial determination.
  • Must not accept gifts or hospitality from anyone besides family and friends.
  • Should not seek any financial benefit connected to her office unless it is clearly available.

Need for Transparency in Judiciary:

  • Rule of Law: To uphold the rule of law which is part of basic structure doctrine.
  • Institutional integrity: To dispel the notion of favouritism, bias or interference and increased institutional responsibility.
  • Increase public confidence in the institution of judiciary; independence must not become an alibi for arbitrariness.

Concerns related to Judicial Transparency and Accountability

  • Collegium system: Appointment, promotion, and transfer of judges of higher judiciary is carried out by the collegium system with lack of transparency.
  • Allocation of cases: Chief Justice allocates cases to different benches of the Court and picks judges to form Constitution Benches, which decide substantial questions of law. Since CJI has the full control over this, there are apprehensions that judges with similar school of thought are appointed in a bench to get a favourable judgement.
  • Power to list: The Chief also enjoys the power to list cases. It means that if the CJI wishes to do so, they may never list a Constitution Bench case at all in their tenure.
  • Lack of clarity in formation of Constitution bench: There are no publicly known criteria or factors which CJI must consider while forming a Constitution Bench or allocating cases to that bench. It raises questions as to whether the CJI is more likely to select judges who are on the page ideologically.
  • Sealed Covers: At many instances, like the NRC case, 2G spectrum case, the supreme court invited the reports in sealed covers inviting suspicion from civil society.
  • Recusal: Currently, judges recuse from hearing cases when there is a conflict of interest. However, there are no clear rules about when recusal should happen and provision for appellants to appeal for recusal.

Provisions related to Judicial Accountability

Constitutional Provisions:

  • Article 124(4) and 124(5): It allows impeachment of Supreme Court judges for proven misbehavior or incapacity.
  • Article 217: Impeachment of High Court judges based on similar mentioned grounds.
  • Article 235: It empowers High Courts to control and supervise the subordinate courts.

Statutory Provisions:

  • The Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968: It has established a mechanism to investigate judicial misconduct.
  • Contempt of Courts Act, 1971: It ensures that judiciary functions independently without undue influence.
  • In house procedure to conduct inquiries against judges who allegedly transgressed the values and standards of judicial conduct, and face allegations of misbehaviour or corruption.

  • The Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill: It requires judges to declare their assets, lays down judicial standards and establishes processes for the removal of judges of the Supreme Court and high courts. (lapsed)
  • Judicial Code of Conduct (1997): This document named Reinstatement of Judicial values was adopted by the Supreme Court in 1997 which lays down ethical standards for SC and HC Judges. 

Kancha Gachibowli

Context: Telangana state government’s decision to auction off 400 acres of Kancha Gachibowli forested land in the heart of Hyderabad triggered massive student protests.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts related to Kancha Gachibowli.

About Kancha Gachibowli

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  • Kancha Gachibowli is one of Hyderabad’s last remaining urban forests. The forest lies in close proximity to Gachibowli, one of the most rapidly developing IT and commercial corridors of Hyderabad. The forest is situated near the University of Hyderabad.
  • The forest belongs to the Deccan scrub forest ecosystem - one of India’s most ecologically significant and under-protected landscapes.
  • It borders the Gopanpally Reserve Forest and lies near the Osman Sagar lake catchment, both of which are vital ecological buffers for the city.

Flora and Fauna

  • This ecological enclave is home to over 730 species of flowering plants, 10 species of mammals, 15 species of reptiles, and 220 species of birds. 
  • Dominated by native species such as neem, banyan, palash, and jamun, forming a thriving habitat for pollinators and birds. 
  • Key Fauna: spotted deer, wild boars, porcupines, monitor lizards, snakes, Indian star tortoise etc.
  • It is one of the only known habitats of the Hyderabad tree trunk spider, a species found nowhere else in the world. 
  • The forest contains unique rock formations, including the 2.5-billion-year-old Mushroom Rock. 

Concerns

  • The trees here help lower the ambient temperature of surrounding areas, especially during Hyderabad’s sweltering summers. A recent study pointed out that losing such cover could lead to a rise in temperature by as much as 1.4°C locally.

Environmentalists warn that clearing this green cover could lead to irreversible habitat fragmentation, exacerbate the urban heat island effect, and intensify water crises.

New Pamban Rail Bridge

Context: The Prime Minister of India inaugurated the new Pamban railway bridge which connects the Rameswaram island of the Tamil Nadu coast with Ramanathapuram on the mainland.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Location of Pamban rail bridge. 

Key Facts about Pamban Railway Bridge

  • Connects: Rameswaram or Pamban island on Tamil Nadu coast with Ramanathapuram on the mainland Tamil Nadu. 
  • Length: 2.08 km
  • India’s first vertical lift sea bridge. The bridge features a 72.5-meter vertical lift span that can be raised by 17 meters, allowing for ship movement beneath the bridge. 
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Old Pamban Bridge

  • The 2.05-km long Pamban bridge served as the sole transportation link between mainland Ramanathapuram and Rameswaram Island for over 70 years. 
  • It was completed in 1914, and featured a Scherzer rolling lift span, allowing ships to pass underneath. 
image 28

Pamban Island

  • Pamban or Rameswaram Island is located between peninsular India and Sri Lanka. 
  • It is the largest island in Tamil Nadu by area and hosts the pilgrimage centre Rameswaram.
  • At the eastern tip of the island lies Dhanushkodi, a harbour and a pilgrimage centre. 

Theyyam: The Dance of Divinity

Context: The Kathiranur Veeran Theyyam was performed at the Chulayadu Aduvapuram Vyail Kavu Kaliyattam (festival) in Kannur, Kerala.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Theyyam.

About Theyyam

  • Theyyam, also referred to as Kaliyattom, is a traditional folk-dance ritual that is practiced in northern Kerala and certain parts of Karnataka.
  • A similar practice known as Bhuta Kola is followed in the Tulunadu region of neighbouring Karnataka.
  • Over time, it has evolved into a socio-religious ceremony with its roots in the worship of divinities and heroes.
  • Villages were obligated to organize Theyyam as an act of appeasement towards gods, goddesses, and the spirits of departed heroes. As a result, it was also known as Thirayattom, signifying the dance of the village.
  • Notably, a significant number of Theyyam deities originated from individuals belonging to the lower castes of Kerala's caste system.
  • Theyyam is performed by individuals from castes and tribes such as Pulayar, Vannan, Malayan, Velan, and Kalanaadi.
  • There are approximately 456 documented types of Theyyams, and it is primarily a male performance tradition, except for the Devakkoothu Theyyam, which is the only Theyyam ritual performed by women.
Theyyam dance

Ritual Performance

  • The first segment of the performance is commonly referred to as Vellattam or Thottam.
  • This ceremonial dance is accompanied by a chorus and the use of musical instruments like Chenda, Elathalam, Kurumkuzal, and Veekkuchenda.

India-US Trade Deal Negotiations amid Reciprocal Tariffs

Context: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has stepped up efforts by expanding its NAFTA division (which handles India’s bilateral trade with the United States, Canada, and Mexico) to strike an early trade deal with the US, and potentially sidestep the 26% reciprocal tariffs. 

Relevance of the Topic: Mains: Impacts of Reciprocal Tariffs on India; India-US Trade deal- challenges.  

US Reciprocal Tariffs on India

  • Recently, the US has imposed 26% reciprocal tariffs on all Indian exports to the US.
  • The US goods trade deficit with India was $45 billion in 2024.
  • India's main exports to the US: Drug formulations and biologicals, telecom instruments, precious and semi-precious stones, petroleum products, gold and other metal jewellery, ready-made garments of cotton, and products of iron and steel.
  • India’s Imports from the US: Crude oil, petroleum products, coal, coke, cut and polished diamonds, electric machinery, aircraft, spacecraft and parts, and gold. 

Impacts of Reciprocal Tariffs over India

1. Potential Negative Impacts:

  • The sectors expected to be most impacted include: Electronics and smart phones, Marine products, gold and other metal jewellery, electrical machinery, textiles. 
  • Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) estimates that India’s exports to the US might decline by over 6% or around $5.7 billion in 2025.

2. Window of Opportunity: Relative Tariff Advantage 

  • India has a relative advantage over other countries, as the tariffs over India (26%) are lower than that in other countries, like, China (34%), Thailand (36%), Bangladesh (37%), Vietnam (46%) etc. This differential could encourage the US firms to diversify supply chains away from high-tariff economies towards India. 
  • Certain sectors can benefit, particularly electronics manufacturing, Textiles and apparel etc.

India’s Options

  • Selective Tariff Reductions: Identify sectors where tariff reductions would have minimal domestic impact and could accommodate U.S. interests. India is considering slashing tariffs on 55% of the US exports to India, worth about $23 billion.
  • Negotiating bilateral trade agreement: India can push towards negotiating a bilateral trade deal with the US. If India delays, it could risk losing market share in the US to countries (like Vietnam, Cambodia) which are aggressively pursuing trade deals with the US.
  • Trade diversification with other countries and regional groups, like the UK, European Union, African countries, ASEAN countries etc. to reduce the reliance on the US markets. 

Bottlenecks in negotiating bilateral trade agreement

  • Limited progress on Trade Agreements: India has not yet signed a comprehensive trade agreement with any major Western country, including the US, UK or EU. The major hurdle is India's resistance to incorporating labour and environmental standards, which are often prerequisites for Western trade deals.
  • Data localisation norms: The US has raised objections to India’s data localisation requirements for payment service providers, which restrict foreign firms from freely transferring user data abroad.
  • Weak Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) protection: India remains on the US 'Priority Watch List’ due to delays in patent approvals and the absence of strong laws for trade secret protection. This deters American innovators and firms from entering the Indian market.
  • Non-tarriff barriers: E.g., The US is critical of India’s price caps on coronary stents and knee implants. These controls are viewed as non-tariff barriers that hinder US companies’ ability to operate profitably in India. 

Crisis in Cotton Production in India

Context: India’s cotton economy is not in great shape. India has no surplus in cotton and its yield at 450-kilogram per hectare is one of the lowest, against a global average of 800- kilogram plus.

Relevance of the Topic: Mains: Cotton production in India- challenges and opportunities.

Current Status of Cotton Production in India

  • Declining Output: India's cotton production for 2024–25 is projected at 294 lakh bales (lb)- the lowest since 2008–09. This marks a fall from a peak of 398 lb in 2013–14, representing a nearly 100 lb drop in a decade. 
  • Net negative Exports: Once a major exporter, India cotton imports (30 lb) now exceed exports (17 lb). This shift raises concerns for India's textile and spinning industries. 
image 25
image 26

Global Trade Context and Comparative Advantage: 

  • Favorable US Tariffs on Indian Textiles: Under the US’s reciprocal tariff policy, Indian textiles face a relatively lower import duty (27%) compared to China (54%), Vietnam (46%), Bangladesh, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. Despite these favourable trade terms, India’s declining output limits its ability to capitalise on global export markets.

Fall in Cotton Production- Pink Bollworm (PBW) Crisis: 

  • Cotton lint yields rose from 302 kg/ha in 2002–03 to 566 kg/ha in 2013–14, due to Bt cotton adoption. However, since the PBW resurgence, yields have declined to around 436–437 kg/ha over the last two years.
  • PBW is a monophagous pest that feeds exclusively on cotton bolls, damaging seeds and lint leading to yield loss and fibre discolouration.
  • Resistance to GM Bt Cotton: Bt hybrids carry two genes- cry1Ac and cry2Ab- originally effective against multiple pests. However, PBW developed resistance by 2014, making these genes ineffective.
  • Why did PBW adapt faster? Its exclusive diet (cotton only) allowed faster genetic resistance. A short life cycle (25-35 days) enabled 3-4 generations per crop season, speeding up resistance evolution.

Regulatory Process for GM Crop Approval: Stages of GM crop trials in India:

  • Event Selection Trial: Initial screening of gene effectiveness.
  • BRL-1 (2 years): Confined field trials on <1 acre plots.
  • BRL-2 (1 year): Expanded trials on up to 2.5 acres.
  • GEAC Clearance: Post-trial approval needed from the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC).
  • State Government Approval: Necessary for field trial permissions.

Efforts to increase Cotton Production

  • Development of New GM Hybrids: Indian seed companies are developing hybrids using new Bt genes to combat PBW resistance. These include testing cry8Ea1 gene hybrids (Bioseed Research India); synthetic cry1c gene; chimeric Bt protein etc. However, the challenges include:
    • Bureaucratic delays in regulatory clearances.
    • Opposition from environmental groups.
    • No GM crop commercialised since 2006 in India (after Monsanto’s Bollgard-2 Bt cotton).
  • Government Mission for Cotton Productivity: The 2025-26 Union Budget has announced an ambitious Rs 500 crore five-year plan to boost cotton production, promote extra-long staple cotton varieties, and promote scientific and technological support for cotton farmers. 

Pink Ballworm has created an emergency-like situation in India’s cotton sector. The Central Government needs to adopt a more proactive approach with regard to new GM crop development and extending policy support. 

Countries plan to quit Ottawa Convention

Context: Several NATO member countries bordering Russia have recently announced plans to withdraw from the 1997 Ottawa Convention, which bans the use, production, stockpiling, and transfer of anti-personnel landmines.

Relevance of the Topic:Prelims: Ottawa Convention on Landmines. 

About Ottawa Convention (1997)

  • The Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction of 1997 is informally known as the Ottawa Treaty or Mine Ban Treaty.
  • The post-Cold War disarmament treaty aims at eliminating anti-personnel landmines (APLs) around the world.
  • Mandates:
    • Total Prohibition on use, production, stockpiling and transfer of anti-personnel landmines. 
    • Destruction of existing stockpiles within four years of joining the treaty. 
    • Victim assistance and mine clearance obligations.
  • By March 2025, 165 states had ratified or acceded to the treaty.
  • Non-signatories: United States, China, Russia, India and Pakistan.

Countries Announcing Withdrawal

  • Poland, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have announced intent to withdraw from the treaty. Norway is the only NATO border nation maintaining its commitment.
  • Reason: Rising military threats from Russia, especially amid ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Countries argue the need to match Russian capabilities, as Russia is not a signatory.
image 24

Implications of Withdrawal

  • Return to Stockpiling and Production: With exit, countries regain legal ability to produce, use, and stockpile landmines. Poland has explicitly expressed intentions to resume production.
  • Reversal of Global Disarmament gains: Undermines decades of activism aimed at creating a mine-free world. Erodes the normative stigma associated with landmine use.
  • Potential Expansion to Other Treaties: Some nations (E.g., Lithuania) are considering withdrawal from the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions. These weapons disperse smaller bombs over a wide area, compounding humanitarian risks.

Landmines cause indiscriminate harm. 80% of victims are civilians, many of whom suffer permanent disabilities. Ukraine was declared the most mined country in the world in 2024. 

What is CAPTCHA?

Context: CAPTCHA has changed the way websites keep user accounts safe and their data protected. From simple text-based challenges to the advanced reCAPTCHA systems we use today, CAPTCHA has made a big difference in online security. 

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts related to CAPTCHA.  

About CAPTCHA

  • CAPTCHA stands for Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart.
  • Introduced in the early 2000s, when the internet was flooded with automated bots. These bots made fake accounts, spammed websites, and stole data. CAPTCHA helps keep websites safe from automated attacks and makes online services more user-friendly.

How does CAPTCHA work? 

  • CAPTCHA works by a challenge that is easy for humans but hard for bots. By using these challenges, CAPTCHA helps websites tell real users apart from bots. E.g., Task to read distorted text; select pictures with specific objects, like cars or traffic lights. 
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Uses of CAPTCHA

  • CAPTCHA keeps the internet safe by making sure that only real people can access certain parts of websites. 
  • It can be used in: contact forms, comment sections, registration pages to stop bots from spamming, during sign-ups, logins, or purchases.

Limitations of CAPTCHA

  • AI bots are trained to solve problems like human users would. As bots improve with machine learning, they can trick or bypass CAPTCHA systems. 
  • CAPTCHA can be difficult for people with disabilities.

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