May 22, 2025

Current Affairs

CPEC set to be expanded to Afghanistan

Context: China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is set to be expanded to Afghanistan with the foreign ministers of the three countries agreeing on it as part of broader efforts to boost trilateral cooperation.

Relevance of the topic:

Prelims: Key facts related to CPEC.

Mains: Strategic Challenges for India post CPEC extension to Afghanistan.

What is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor?

CPEC is a flagship project under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) launched in 2015.
It aims to connect China’s Xinjiang province to Pakistan’s Gwadar Port through a network of roads, railways, and energy projects in order to facilitate trade and economic integration.
The project has been touted to boost Pakistan's economy and provide China with direct access to the Arabian Sea.
The original $46 billion infrastructure project has now ballooned to over $62 billion in investments.

What does CPEC’s entry into Afghanistan mean?

The CPEC’s extension into Afghanistan involves connecting Pakistani infrastructure to Afghan roads, railways and mineral-rich provinces, potentially linking the entire region to China’s western logistics and trade networks.
This move could include:
- Expanding the ML-1 railway line to connect with Afghan freight corridors
- Building highways through Torkham and Spin Boldak crossing points (key border crossing points between Pakistan and Afghanistan).
- Chinese access to Afghanistan’s vast lithium and rare earth resources.
- Energy pipelines connecting Iran and Central Asia through Afghan territory.
- Potential military logistics disguised as trade infrastructure.

India’s concerns around CPEC:

India has been severely critical of the CPEC as:

Violate India’s Sovereignty: The project is a violation of India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as it passes through Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir, part of India’s territory.
Strategic Encirclement: India perceives CPEC as part of China's strategy to encircle India through infrastructure and military partnerships with neighbouring countries, thereby increasing China's influence in South Asia.
Security Concerns: The development of infrastructure in PoK and Balochistan under CPEC raises security concerns for India, as it could facilitate greater military mobility for Pakistan and China in the region.
Terror-nexus risk: Taliban regime, which once harboured Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba fighters, may once again serve as a launchpad for anti-India activities. With Chinese funds and Pakistani intelligence support, this triangle could fund, train, and export terrosim into Indian territory.
Undermines India's regional connectivity projects: India fears that CPEC could undermine its own regional connectivity projects, such as the Chabahar port in Iran, by providing alternative trade routes that bypass India.

Expansion of CPEC into Afghanistan represents a strategic challenge for India, as it could alter the regional balance of power and affect India's security and economic interests.

Thus, India needs to reassess its regional strategies and strengthen its diplomatic engagements to safeguard its interests and maintain its influence in South Asia.

When can a sitting Judge face an FIR?

Context: Recently, the Vice President of India has criticised the in-house inquiry as having “no legal sanctity” and called for reviewing the Veeraswami judgment, terming it a “scaffolding of impunity”.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: In-house inquiry, Veeraswami judgment in the light of Judicial independence and accountability.

Constitution Safeguard for Judges:

It is fundamental to the independence of the judiciary that judges should be able to decide cases without fear of personal consequences, including criminal prosecution.

The only procedure prescribed in the Constitution is the removal of a judge through impeachment.
- Article 124: Removal of a Supreme Court (SC) judge.
- Article 218: Removal of a High Court (HC) judge.
The judge can only be removed by Parliament on two grounds:
- Proven misbehavior or incapacity.
- Proven misbehavior and incapacity are not defined in the Constitution.
The impeachment process requires a motion to be passed in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha with at least two-thirds of those present and voting, in such a way that it is more than 50% of the total membership of each House, i.e., special majority. If the Parliament approves, the President issues the final removal order. However, no SC Judge has been impeached so far.

Looking for alternative mechanisms to deal with complaints against judges, the SC developed the mechanism of the in-house inquiry.

What is an In-house Inquiry?

The Chief Justice of India (CJI) sets up a panel of judges to verify if there is a prima facie case against a judge.
The report is sent to the CJI, who may forward it to the President or executive.
If the judge is found guilty of misconduct, the panel can recommend voluntary resignation, withdrawal of judicial work and initiation of impeachment proceedings.
It is not a legal or statutory proceeding, it is an internal fact-finding process. It cannot lead directly to an FIR or prosecution.
The CJI himself has limited powers to deal with errant judges beyond transferring or withdrawing work from the judge.

Veeraswami Case (1991): When can a sitting judge face an FIR?

In the Veeraswami case, Justice K. Veeraswami, former Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, was accused of possessing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
The central legal question was whether a sitting judge could be prosecuted under the Prevention of Corruption Act, and if so, who had the authority to sanction such prosecution.
The SC held that:
- A sitting judge of a High Court or the Supreme Court can be prosecuted under the Prevention of Corruption Act, but only with prior sanction from the Chief Justice of India.
- While a judge can be considered a public servant for a corruption case to be registered against him, the sanction must come from the CJI.
Ordinarily, sanction is granted by the authority that has the power to appoint the public servant. But the SC emphasised that there is no master and servant relationship or employer and employee relationship between a Judge and the President of India.
The judgment aims to maintain a balance between Judicial independence and judicial accountability.

In 2019, for the first time, then CJI Ranjan Gogoi gave permission to the CBI to register an FIR against Justice S N Shukla of the Allahabad High Court for alleged favours to a private medical college for MBBS admissions.

Waqf is not Essential Religious Practice: Centre

Context: Defending the recently-passed legislation Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, the Central government told the Supreme Court that though Waqf is an Islamic concept, it is not an essential religious practice in Islam.

The Centre asserted that it is the state's duty to ensure that public property is not diverted illegally, and nobody could claim right over public land by using waqf by user principle.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Essential Religious Practice; Right to freedom of religion.

Waqf is not an Essential Religious Practice in Islam

The Central government told the Supreme Court that-

Waqf, by its very nature, is charity, and any Charity is a part of every religion, but not an essential religious practice of any religion.
A Muslim who does not create a waqf would not be less Muslim or cease to be a Muslim. Creating a waqf was not mandatory in Islam, neither is it a fundamental right in itself.

The law only focusses on the secular and administrative aspects of Waqf institutions without interfering with essential religious practices or beliefs of the Islamic faith.

What is an Essential Religious Practice?

The essential religious practices (ERP) doctrine governs which religious practices are protected under Articles 25 & 26 of Indian Constitution.

In the Commissioner of Police v Acharya Jagadisharananda Avadhuta (2004): The SC held that-

In order to determine whether or not a particular practice is an essential part of religion, the test must be whether the absence of the practice itself fundamentally alters the religion.
If the taking away of that part or practice could result in a fundamental change in the character of that religion or in its belief, then such part could be treated as an essential or integral part.
There cannot be additions or subtractions to such a part because it is the very essence of that religion and alterations will change its fundamental character. It is such permanent essential parts which are protected by the Constitution.

Some cases associated with Essential Religious Practice:

Commissioner of Police v Acharya Jagadisharananda Avadhuta (2004): The SC held that the Tandava Dance was not an essential practice of the Ananda Marga faith.
Shayara Bano v Union of India (2017): The SC held that the practice of Triple Talaq is not an essential practice under Islam and could not be offered constitutional protection under Article 25.
Karnataka High Court (2022) upheld the ban on the wearing of hijab (head scarf) by students in schools and colleges in the State. It held that wearing the hijab is not an essential religious practice in Islam, and is not protected under the right to freedom of religion guaranteed by Article 25.

Articles 25 & 26 of Indian Constitution

Article 25: Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion.

All persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice and propagate religion.
It does not include the right to convert another person to one’s own religion. Forcible conversions impinge on the ‘freedom of conscience’ guaranteed to all the persons alike.
These rights are available to all persons- citizens as well as non-citizens. It covers not only religious beliefs (doctrines) but also religious practices (rituals).
Reasonable restrictions: However, these rights are subject to public order, morality, health and other provisions relating to fundamental rights.
- The state can regulate such practice on grounds of public order, morality and health.
- The state can regulate or restrict any economic, financial, political or other secular activity which may be associated with religious practice.

Article 26: Freedom to manage religious affairs.

Every religious denomination or any of its section shall have the following rights:
- Right to establish and maintain institutions for religious and charitable purposes
- Right to manage its own affairs in matters of religion
- Right to own and acquire movable and immovable property
- Right to administer such property in accordance with law.
Article 26 protects collective freedom of religion. Article 25 guarantees rights of individuals, while Article 26 guarantees rights of religious denominations or their sections.
Reasonable restrictions: Rights under Article 26 are also subject to public order, morality and health but not subject to other provisions relating to the Fundamental Rights.

Also Read: Waqf Amendment Act 2025

Crackdown on Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Cardholders

Context: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has cancelled the registration of 194 Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) since 2014, 57 in 2024, under the Section 7D of the Citizenship Act 1955.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Overseas Citizen of India (OCI).

Who is an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)?

OCI is an immigration status authorising a foreign citizen of Indian origin to live and work in India for an indefinite period.
OCI card was launched by the Government of India to meet the demands of the Indians residing overseas who insisted on dual citizenship.

Eligibility Criteria:

OCI is a Foreign National:
- Who was a citizen of India at the time of, or at any time after 26th January 1950
- Who was eligible to become a citizen of India on 26th January, 1950
- Who belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15th August 1947
- Who is a child or a grandchild or a great grandchild of such a citizen
- Who is a minor child of such persons mentioned above
- Who is a minor child and whose both parents are citizens of India or one of the parents is a citizen of India - is eligible for registration as OCI cardholder.
Spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or spouse of foreign origin of an OCI cardholder and whose marriage has been registered for a continuous period of not less than 2 years immediately preceding the application.
However, no person, who or either of whose parents or grandparents or great grandparents is or had been a citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh or other country as notified by the Central Government shall be eligible for registration as an OCI.
Foreign nationals cannot apply for OCI in India while on Tourist Visa, Missionary Visa and Mountaineering Visa. Moreover, the foreigner must be ordinarily resident of India to be eligible to apply for OCI registration in India.

Benefits to OCI cardholders

Allows them to visit India without having to apply for a visa and stay indefinitely.
Exempt from having to register with the local police for the duration of their stay.
Parity with Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in economic, financial, and educational fields, except in matters relating to the acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties.
Equality for the NRIs for intercountry adoption.

OCIs can travel freely within India and work in the country, however they cannot vote or own agricultural land.

When can the OCI card be cancelled?

Under Section 7D of the Citizenship Act 1955, the Union government can issue notice to an OCI holder and cancel their registration:

If the OCI cardholder gets registration using fraud, false representation, or the concealment of any material fact.
If the OCI (within five years after their registration as an OCI cardholder) is sentenced to imprisonment for a term of not less than 2 years.
If the OCI has shown disaffection towards the Indian Constitution.
If the OCI has engaged, associated, unlawfully traded, or communicated with an enemy nation with which India is at war, or has undertaken any business or commercial activity to assist an enemy in that war.

Additionally, If the government feels that it is necessary to revoke an OCI cardholder’s registration in the interest of the sovereignty, integrity and security of India, friendly relations of India with any foreign country, or in the interests of the general public, the government can cancel the concerned OCI card.

Also Read: India’s Diaspora: Significance and Challenges

What are Weather Balloons?

Context: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has slashed its weather balloon launches across the US after the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cut the government agency’s budget by 25%. This raises serious concerns among meteorologists worldwide about forecasting accuracy and data reliability.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts related to weather balloons, Applications of weather balloons.

What are Weather Balloons ?

Large balloons used by weather agencies across the world to make upper air observations that are crucial for weather forecasts. They are made of latex or synthetic rubber and filled with a gas like helium or hydrogen.
Weather balloons carry instruments called radiosondes into the upper atmosphere. These instruments measure and transmit real-time data on temperature, pressure, humidity, wind speed and direction.
Weather balloons can rise up to 35 km into the atmosphere. As they ascend, the surrounding air pressure decreases, causing the balloon to expand and eventually burst. The radiosonde then falls back to Earth.
They are launched twice daily from hundreds of stations worldwide at the same time (0000 and 1200 UTC), as part of a global program coordinated by the World Meteorological Organisation.
The India Meteorological Department also uses weather balloons to measure meteorological variables.

Significance of Weather Balloons

Crucial for Upper-Air Observations: Weather balloons measure conditions in the upper atmosphere (above 5000 feet), where most weather originates.
Accurate Weather Forecasting: Provide real-time vertical profiles of temperature, humidity, pressure, and wind. Upper-atmosphere data gathered by balloons is essential to predict surface weather patterns like rain, drought, and temperature changes.
Essential for Climate and Weather Research: Data from balloons contributes to the study of climate change, El Niño, and other weather phenomena.
Synchronised global atmospheric picture: About 900 stations worldwide launch balloons twice daily (0000 and 1200 UTC) to create a synchronised global atmospheric picture.
Data from the ‘Weather-Critical’ Middle Atmosphere: Fill the observational gap between surface measurements and satellite data, particularly in the troposphere and lower stratosphere.

NOAA’s slashing of its weather balloon launches has made experts across the world concerned. They believe the move will severely impact weather forecasts as seen in Russia’s 2015 reduction that affected European models.

Shirui Lily Festival

Context: The Shirui Lily Festival commenced in Shirui Village, Ukhrul district, Manipur after a two-years pause due to the long-drawn ethnic conflict in the state.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Shirui Lily Festival.

About Shirui Lily Festival

Annual cultural state festival of Manipur organised by the Manipur Tourism Department.
Initially, the festival was celebrated by the locals of Shirui village to pay tribute to the state flower Shirui Lily. Since 2017, it has been declared as a state festival by the state government of Manipur.
It is designed as an eco-tourism festival to raise awareness about the Shirui Lily and to promote tourism to the hills of Ukhrul.
The festival includes cultural performances, music concerts, beauty pageant, trash collection marathon etc.

Shirui Lily

The Shirui Lily is a rare endemic species found only on the upper reaches of the Shirui Hill range in Manipur.
IUCN status: Endangered.
Threats: Changing climatic conditions, human encroachment and exploitation of natural resources, habitat invasion by the dense root system of a wild dwarf bamboo species.

Also Read: What Manipur Needs?