Current Affairs – July 23, 2025

{GS2 – Polity – IC – President} Presidential Reference Under Article 143

• Context (TH): The President invoked Article 143 to seek the Supreme Court’s opinion on whether the President or a Governor can be judicially compelled.

• The reference sought the Court’s opinion on imposing timelines and requiring justification for withholding assent to bills by Governors or the President.

About Article 143

• Advisory Power: Article 143 empowers the President to seek legal advice from the Supreme Court on matters of constitutional or legal significance.
  • Clause 1: Permits reference of legal or factual matters of public importance, which the Court may choose to answer.
  • Clause 2: Allows the President to refer disputes from pre-Constitution treaties, agreements, sanads, etc., excluded under Article 131; the Court must opine.

Article 131 empowers the Supreme Court to adjudicate Centre–State or inter-State disputes involving legal rights.

• Historical Basis: Evolved from Section 213 of the Government of India Act, 1935, which permitted advisory references to the Federal Court.
• Presidential Satisfaction: The President must be satisfied that the question involves legal significance and broader public interest.
  • Council Advice: The President acts on the advice of the Union Council of Ministers when making a reference under Article 143.
• Scope: The Court responds only to the question referred; it cannot extend the scope of the reference.
• No Suo Motu: The SC cannot invoke Article 143 on its own; it functions only upon Presidential reference.
• Constitution Bench: As per Article 145(3), such references must be decided by a Constitution Bench of at least five judges.
• Previous Use: Article 143 has been invoked around 15 times in cases including Berubari (1960), Cauvery, Kerala Education Bill, and Natural Resources Allocation.

Court’s Discretion

• Clause 1 Discretion: The Court may refuse to answer under Clause 1 if the matter is political or lacks judicially manageable standards.
• Clause 2 Compulsion: Here, the Court must issue an opinion on disputes arising under Article 131.
• Reason Requirement: When declining a reference, the Court must record constitutionally valid and reasoned justification.
• No Timeline: Article 143 does not prescribe a response deadline, allowing potential delays in critical governance issues.
• Procedural Autonomy: The Court may choose whether to conduct oral hearings or rely on written submissions alone.

Legal Status

• Non-Binding: Article 143 opinions are not binding under Article 141, as affirmed in St. Xavier’s case.
• Opinion: The use of “opinion” instead of “judgment” in Article 143 underscores its advisory character.
• Not Adjudicatory: Article 143 grants advisory powers only and does not involve adjudication or enforceable decisions.
• Persuasive Weight: Despite non-binding status, advisory opinions are usually followed due to their institutional authority.
• Justification: If the President disregards the Court’s opinion, they must record cogent reasons and relevant justification.

Article 141 states that Supreme Court judgments are binding on all courts in India.

Limits on Precedents

• No Review Power: Article 143 cannot be used to overturn or revisit settled constitutional judgments.
• Ratio Safeguard: The Court cannot disturb the ratio decidendi or established legal rights.
• Institutional Safeguard: The Court has ruled that Article 143 cannot be used to reinterpret settled law.

Ratio decidendi refers to the binding legal principle underlying a court’s judgment.

Constitutional Utility of Article 143

• Preventive Clarity: Constitutional doubts are addressed before executive actions are initiated.
• Institutional Dialogue: Judicial advice ensures coordination in complex constitutional situations.
• Federal Harmony: Federal conflicts over legislative or jurisdictional powers are clarified early.
• Constitutional Morality: Democratic values are reinforced through reasoned judicial interpretation.
• Institutional Balance: Power equilibrium is maintained through legal consultation mechanisms.

Challenges & Criticism

• Limited Force: Advisory opinions lack enforceability against political divergence.
• Political Misuse: References may shield or delay contentious executive decisions.
• Judicial Drift: Excessive referrals risk dragging judiciary into political arenas.
• Vague Threshold: “Public importance” remains undefined, enabling frivolous references.
• Advisory Delays: The absence of a time limit may dilute the relevance to urgent decisions.

{GS2 – Education} CBSE Directs Schools to Install CCTV Cameras

• Context (LM): CBSE has mandated CCTV surveillance in affiliated schools, in accordance with National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) guidelines on institutional child safety.

• Objective: The directive aims to enhance student safety, ensure staff accountability, and enable swift emergency response through real-time audiovisual surveillance.
• Key Features:
  • CCTV cameras should be installed in classrooms, corridors, entry & exit points, and open areas.
  • All systems must support real-time audiovisual recording for continuous monitoring.
  • Recorded footage must be retained for at least 15 days and made accessible to authorities.

The NCPCR is a statutory body established under the CPCR Act, 2005, responsible for protecting and promoting children’s rights.

Concerns About the Mandate

• Privacy Concerns: Continuous surveillance may infringe on student and teacher privacy.
• Resource Disparity: Infrastructure & funding gaps may hinder implementation in low-income schools.
• Data Security Risk: Absence of child-specific data laws raises concerns over footage misuse and privacy.

Government Measures for School Safety National School Safety Policy (2016) mandates disaster preparedness and routine infrastructure audits in schools. NCPCR’s POCSO E-Box allows students to anonymously report cases of sexual abuse. States like Tamil Nadu & Maharashtra require in-school child protection & monitoring committees. Telangana introduced audit-based safety certification and mandated compliance monitoring. Delhi installed over 1.5 lakh CCTV cameras in public schools, offering real-time access to parents.

{GS2 – Governance – Issues} State Control of Temples

• Context (TH): The Tamil Nadu government’s proposal to divert temple funds for building colleges sparked debates on state control over Hindu temples.

Historical Background of Temple Regulation

• Colonial Precedent: The Madras Regulation VII of 1817 allowed British control over temple revenue.
• Early Reform: The Religious Endowments Act of 1863 replaced British control with local trustees.
• Gurdwaras Act 1925: The British passed it for Sikh Gurdwara autonomy, showing differential treatment.
• Post-1937: Under provincial autonomy, princely states and British provinces formed temple boards.
• State Laws: Post-independence, states enacted laws for governance, oversight, and fund usage.
  • E.g., the Tamil Nadu HRCE Act 1951 brought ~40,000 temples under Govt. management.

Constitutional Framework

• Article 25(2)(a): It allows State regulation of religious activities, excluding essential religious practices.
• Article 26(b): It grants religious denominations the right to manage their own affairs in religion.
• Article 26(d): It allows religious bodies to own properties per law, enabling state regulation.
• Concurrent Entry 28: It empowers both Centre and States to enact laws on religious endowments.
• Judicial Trusteeship: Section 92 CPC allows courts to appoint trustees for mismanaged endowments.

Judicial Precedents

• Ratilal Gandhi Case: SC ruled that State can regulate only secular temple matters, not rituals.
• Shirur Mutt Case: SC distinguished essential practices (protected) and secular affairs (regulatable).
• Sivachariyargal Case: SC upheld non-hereditary priest appointments, prioritising Article 14 over custom.

Models of Temple Administration States like Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh manage temples through Govt. departments. In Kerala, Devaswom Boards oversee both religious rituals and administrative functions of temples. Maharashtra, Gujarat, and others use the Public Trust model with minimal state intervention. Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh temples are run by private families with minimal interference. Karnataka follows a hybrid model with state oversight and temple board participation.

Rationale of State Control

• Oversight: Government oversight ensures transparency and reduces fund misappropriation in temples.
• Reforms: It challenges hereditary priesthood and enforces inclusive practices like temple entry.
• Welfare: Surplus revenues support hospitals, schools, and orphanages for community development.
• Preservation: State control ensures maintenance of temple assets and heritage sites.
• Inclusivity: Mandates SC/ST representation in temple boards, addressing historical dominance.
• Protection: Shields temples from exploitation by vested interests through regulated fees.

Arguments Against State Control

• Autonomy: Excessive intervention infringes Article 26 rights to manage religious affairs independently.
• Discrimination: State control of temples contrasts with the autonomy of Muslim or Christian institutions.
• Fund Diversion: Allegations of surplus funds used for non-religious purposes erode devotee trust.
• Inefficiency: Lack of religious expertise leads to corruption and poor conservation of antiquities.
• Cultural Erosion: State norms may conflict with traditional rituals and local customs in temples.
• Political Manipulation: Government appointments can lead to interference for electoral gains.

Way Forward

• Representation: Form boards with priests, locals, and experts for temple management autonomy.
• Transparency: Implement independent audits and public disclosures of temple funds for accountability.
• Devaswom model: Adopt the model to curb corruption and enhance management accountability.
• Hub-Spoke Network: Group temples by size for resource sharing, from larger to smaller temples.
• Special Purpose Vehicle: Create Temple Development Corporations for tourism and capacity building.
• Legal Reforms: Enact uniform laws ensuring secularism without disproportionate temple control.
• Devotee Councils: Establish advisory bodies for rituals and festivals to empower temple communities.

{GS2 – IR – India-Nepal} India-Nepal Relations

• Context (BS): Recently, India signed an agreement with Nepal to implement 5 high-impact community development projects (HICDPs) in education and health sectors under an Indian grant of ₹390 million.

High-Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs)

Sector	Projects
Education	Construction of 4 Secondary Schools in Dhanusha, Parsa, Achham & Bara districts
Health	Construction of a 5-bed hospital in Manang district

Strategic Significance

• Social Sector Support: Enhances access to health and education in Nepal’s underserved areas, aligning with its decentralisation goals.
• Soft Power Tool: Reinforces India’s image as a reliable and benevolent partner, strengthening people-to-people ties through grassroots projects.
• Trust-Building Role: Reflects India’s proactive commitment as a “Big Brother” in regional development, fostering goodwill and regional stability.

India is Nepal’s largest trade partner and top source of FDI, with bilateral trade exceeding $7 billion. Guided by the age-old ‘Roti-Beti ka Rishta’, the open border fosters deep people-to-people ties, shared festivals, and seamless pilgrimage and tourism.

Key Challenges in India–Nepal Bilateral Relations

• Border Disputes: At Susta, Kalapani, and the ‘tri-junction’ of Lipulekh area.
• Implementation Delays: Agreements such as Kosi (1954) and Mahakali (1996) remain stalled, leading to the pending of the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project.
• Security Concerns: Porous & open borders lead to illegal migration, infiltration, human trafficking, etc.
• Treaty Concerns: Nepal sees the 1950 INFP Treaty as outdated and unequal.
• China Factor: China’s chequebook diplomacy & its presence in the region pose challenges to the India-Nepal relationship.

Way Forward

• Fast-track Projects: Ensure timely execution of key projects like the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project to build trust.
• Political Outreach: Use quiet diplomacy to bridge internal divides (e.g., Madhesi issue) and strengthen bilateral consensus.
• Soft Power Push: Deepen people-to-people connect through cultural exchanges, UPI–RuPay integration, and academic partnerships.
• Strategic Balance: Provide transparent, sustainable alternatives to counter China’s growing influence.

Read More > India-Nepal Relations

{GS3 – Agri – Sustainability} Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana

• Context (TH): Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the Prime Minister Dhan‑Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY), a landmark umbrella initiative designed to boost agricultural productivity and promote self-reliance by integrating 36 central schemes spanning 11 departments.

Key Features of the PM-DDKY

• It is a Central Sector Scheme aimed at increasing agricultural productivity with 100% Central funding.
• Objective: To enhance agricultural productivity and self-reliance by targeting low-performing districts through value addition, income generation, rural livelihood promotion, and balanced regional growth.

Convergence and Funding

• Merging Schemes: Consolidates 36 schemes from 11 departments for streamlined implementation.
• Annual Outlay: ₹24,000 crore allocated annually for six years to fund the scheme.
• Private Partnerships: Collaborations with the private sector will enhance scheme implementation.

Targeted Approach and District Selection

• ADP: Modelled after the Aspirational Districts Programme, targets 100 underperforming districts.
• Small Farmers: Prioritises small and marginal farmers to improve productivity and inclusion.
• Data-Driven: NABARD and the Department of Financial Services will select districts based on low agricultural productivity, low cropping intensity, and low access to institutional credit.

Implementation and Monitoring

• District Plans: District Dhan Dhaanya Samitis will create plans aligned with national agricultural goals.
• Committees: Committees at district, state, and national levels will oversee implementation & progress.
• Monthly Tracking: 117 KPIs will be tracked via a centralised dashboard for monthly progress reviews.
• Central Nodal Officers: Appointed for each district to ensure smooth execution and tracking.

Technology and Empowerment

• Tech Integration: Implements GIS mapping, AI advisories, and sensor-based monitoring for efficiency.
• Credit Access: Expands Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) and strengthens rural banking networks.
• Farmer Empowerment: Strengthens Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and FPOs for market access.

{GS3 – Infra – Airways} Reforming India’s Aviation Safety

• Context (TH): The June 2025 Air India Boeing 787 crash in Ahmedabad has exposed deep-rooted vulnerabilities in India’s civil aviation ecosystem.

• The vague preliminary report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) drew flak for lacking transparency & revealed regulatory lapses, infrastructural neglect, & profit-driven compromises on safety.

Systemic Breakdown in Aviation Safety

Aircraft Design and Certification

• The DGCA lacks technical capacity and is overly reliant on foreign regulators, such as the FAA (U.S.) and EASA (Europe).
• In crises like the Pratt & Whitney engine failure (2017–18), Indian authorities were slow and reactive, revealing the need for internal expertise in aircraft certification and airworthiness.

Maintenance and Engineer Oversight

• Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs) often work without duty-hour limitations or adequate facilities.
• Airlines delegate tasks to less qualified technicians to reduce costs.
• The Mangaluru crash inquiry (2010) recommended regulating AME hours, a recommendation still unimplemented.

Pilot and Cabin Crew Fatigue

• Flight Time Duty Limitations (FTDL) are often breached, with DGCA exemptions allowing fatigued pilots to fly.
• Mental health care access is discouraged as it can lead to punitive grounding and loss of income.
• Cabin crew are treated as hospitality workers rather than safety professionals, a dangerous underestimation of their role.

Air Traffic Control (ATC) Shortages

• Chronic shortage of Air Traffic Controller Officers (ATCOs) undermines real-time flight safety.
• Recommendations for ATCO duty-time limitations and licensing provisions remain unimplemented despite repeated court and committee observations.

Regulatory Failures and Conflicts of Interest

• The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) lacks independence and authority within airlines.
• DGCA personnel embedded in airline operations often lack enforcement power, leading to ineffective oversight.

Obstruction Hazards

• Mumbai airspace is one of the world’s most hazardous, with over 1,000 vertical obstructions violating the Inner Horizontal Surface (IHS) safety zone.
• Illegal height relaxations by an appellate committee, later regularised through 2015 rules, exposed regulatory capture and apathy.

Judiciary’s Role and Limitations

• Judicial activism through PILs has prevented disasters (E.g., Ghatkopar crash, 2018) by staying illegal constructions.
  • However, courts often defer to technical expertise without deeper scrutiny.
• Valuation of human life in India remains tragically low, weakening the case for expensive but life-saving upgrades.
• Need for stronger constitutional oversight to enforce aviation accountability, transparency, and reform.

Way Forward: A ‘Culture of Safety’

• Institutional Reform: Make DGCA autonomous, technically competent, and less dependent on foreign bodies.
• Safety Recommendations: Enforce post-crash inquiry suggestions with clear, time-bound action.
• Whistle-blower Protection: Ensure grievance redressal for safety lapses is non-retaliatory & protected.
• Duty Hour Norms: Implement fatigue management for pilots, ATCOs, and AMEs.
• Accountability: Establish an independent body to review and vet all construction projects near airports.
• Transparency: Publish crash investigations by default with clear timelines and full disclosure.

Read More > India’s Aviation Sector

{Prelims – In News} MiG-21: India’s First Supersonic Fighter Jet

• Context (TH): After over six decades of service, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to formally retire its last MiG-21 Bison jets, marking the end of one of the world’s longest-serving fighter platforms.

MIG-21: India’s First Supersonic Fighter Jet

• About: Designed by the Soviet Union’s Mikoyan-Gurevich Bureau, the MiG-21 became the first supersonic fighter inducted into the Indian Air Force in 1963.
• Features: A single-engine, single-seater jet with ground attack and interception capabilities; capable of reaching a maximum speed of 2,230 km/h (Mach 2.1).
• Variants: Operated in several versions including Type-77, Type-96, MiG-21 BIS, & the upgraded MiG-21 Bison.
• Combat Legacy: Played a decisive role in the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan and the 1999 Kargil conflict, showcasing its versatility and endurance.
• Operational Concerns: Despite its long service, the MiG-21 earned the unfortunate nickname “Flying Coffin” due to a high number of crashes, leading to serious safety concerns.

Fighter Jets in Service with the Indian Air Force (IAF)

Fighter Jet	Origin	Engine Type	Induction Year
Dassault Rafale	France	Twin-engine	2020
Sukhoi Su-30MKI	Russia	Twin-engine	2002
HAL Tejas	India	Single-engine	2016
Mirage 2000	France	Single-engine	1985
MiG-29 UPG	Russia	Twin-engine	1985 (Upgraded)
SEPECAT Jaguar	UK–France	Twin-engine	1979
MiG-21 Bison	Russia	Single-engine	1963 (Upgraded)

{Prelims – In News} Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana)

• Context (TOI): Recently, the NGT took suo motu cognisance after Neelakurinji was listed as Vulnerable by IUCN, but no proposals have been submitted by Tamil Nadu, Kerala, or Karnataka to declare it a threatened species under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.

About Neelakurinji

• Neelakurinji is a flowering shrub that grows from 30 – 60 cm up to three metres in height.
• It is called Kurinji in Tamil and Malayalam, Gurige in Kannada. It is named after the Kunthi River in Kerala’s Silent Valley National Park, where the plant grows abundantly.
• The Nilgiri (‘Blue Mountains’) range is named after these blue-purple flowers.
• Geographic Range: It is endemic to the Western Ghats, primarily in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
• Elevation Range: It grows between 1,300–2,400 metres, showing high sensitivity to elevation shifts.
• Mass Bloom Cycle: It blooms gregariously once every 12 years between August and October.
• Threats: Tourism, climate change, and plantations leading to habitat loss and poor protection.
• Monocarpic Trait: Each plant flowers only once in its lifetime and regenerates solely through seeds.
• Conservation Status: Listed as Vulnerable in 2024 under IUCN Criteria A2c.

Read More> About Neelakurinji

Credit: Wikipedia

BSI New Findings: Field records show Neelakurinji also grows at 1100m, but its distribution is now limited to small, isolated habitat patches.

{Prelims – In News} Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan

• Context (PIB): The Ministry of Tribal Affairs launched the 2^nd Regional Process Lab (RPL) in Bhopal under the Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan.

• The first RPL was launched in Bengaluru, Karnataka, with both centres serving as field-based training hubs to enhance grassroots service delivery.

About the Scheme

• Adi Karmayogi is a National Mission for Responsive Governance under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to train tribal officials and community workers for effective governance.
  • The mission adopts a bottom-up approach, participatory model in tribal areas.
• Objective: To reform tribal governance by nurturing accountable leadership, ensuring responsive service delivery, enhancing welfare access, and fostering participatory, community-led planning.
• Scope: It covers 1 lakh tribal villages across India and aims to train 20 lakh grassroots officials.
• Cascade Model: The scheme follows a tiered training structure led by State Master Trainers (SMTs).
  • SMTs trained at RPLs lead State Process Labs (SPLs), which train District Master Trainers (DMTs).
• Regional Process Labs: Hosted by Tribal Research Institutes, they enable field learning & exchange.
• Convergence: Coordinates Tribal Affairs, Rural Development, and Women & Child Development ministries for integrated delivery.