1. International Relations: India-US Sanctions and Russia

• Current Issue: A new U.S. bill empowers the president to levy tariffs of up to 500% on nations purchasing oil or uranium from Russia.
  

• Impact on India: India already faces a 25% tariff on certain goods, but this bill provides the US administration with the discretion to increase these penalties significantly. The primary objective of the US is to pressure India to "zero out" its Russian oil imports.
  

• Background: This move aligns with the CAATSA (Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act), a US federal law that imposes sanctions on countries engaging in "significant transactions" with Russian defence or intelligence sectors. India has historically maintained "strategic autonomy," balancing its ties with both the US and Russia.

2. Polity: Removal of a High Court Judge (Justice Yashwant Varma Case)

• The Dispute: A motion for the removal of Justice Varma was moved in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on the same day. While the Lok Sabha Speaker accepted it, the Rajya Sabha rejected it.
  

• The Legal Conflict: Under Section 3(2) of the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, if a motion is admitted in both Houses on the same day, a joint committee must be formed by the Speaker and the Chairman. In this case, the judge argues that a committee formed solely through the Lok Sabha is "prejudiced" and violates statutory procedure.
  

• Constitutional Framework:

  • Article 124(4): Outlines the removal of Supreme Court judges.
    

  • Article 217: Applies the same removal procedure to High Court judges.
    

  • Grounds for Removal: A judge can only be removed on grounds of "proved misbehaviour or incapacity".
    

  • Process: Requires a special majority (majority of total membership and 2/3 of those present and voting) in both Houses in the same session.

3. Environment: Legacy of Madhav Gadgil and Western Ghats

• Madhav Gadgil: A pioneer conservationist who recently passed away in 2026. He was the chair of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) in 2011.
  

• The Gadgil Report: Recommended classifying the entire Western Ghats as Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZ) to protect its fragile ecosystem.
  

• Background (Outside Source): Following the Gadgil report, the Kasturirangan Committee was formed, which suggested a more development-friendly approach by protecting only 37% of the area. The conflict between conservation and development remains a major governance challenge.
  

• Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve: Gadgil played a key role in protecting this area, which was India’s first biosphere reserve under UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere (MAB) Program.

4. Economy: Tax Devolution and GSDP

• The Problem: High-performing states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu argue they receive much less in tax devolution than they contribute. For instance, Maharashtra contributes roughly 40% of direct taxes but receives only 6.6% of the share.
  

• Proposed Solution: Using Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) as a criterion for transfers.
  

• Logic: Data shows a high correlation (0.91) between a state’s GSDP and its GST collections. Using GSDP would ensure that states contributing more to the economy receive a more proportionate share of central funds.
  

• Current Framework: The 15th Finance Commission recommended a 41% devolution of central taxes to states.

5. Pesticides Management Bill

• Pesticides Management Bill: This bill aims to replace the Insecticides Act of 1968.
  

• It focuses on safety for humans and animals and promotes biological pesticides based on traditional knowledge.
  

• It broadens the definition of pesticides to include plant growth regulators and sprout inhibitors.
  

• Supply Chain Protection: It also covers substances applied to crops either before or after harvest to protect them from deterioration during storage and transportation.
  

• Central Pesticides Board: This statutory body will be established to advise the Central and State governments on scientific and technical matters related to the administration of the Act.
  

• Registration Committee: The Union Government is empowered to appoint a committee specifically to make decisions regarding the registration and cancellation of pesticides.
  

• The Bill introduces heavy penalties to deter the misuse or illegal handling of pesticides, particularly when such actions lead to "death or grievous hurt" to individuals.
  

• Imprisonment: Up to five years
  

• Financial Penalty: Fines ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh, or both.

6. Spina Bifida

   Spina Bifida: This is the most common birth defect in India, affecting over 25,000 children annually. It is a defect of the spinal cord that causes childhood paralysis.
   

   Prevention: It can be prevented if the mother takes folic acid (a B-complex vitamin) during the pre-conception and early pregnancy stages.

7. Space Technology: ISRO’s Challenges

• Prioritisation: ISRO faces the challenge of managing multiple high-stakes projects simultaneously, such as the Gaganyaan (manned mission) and the Next-Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV).
  

• Regulatory Need: There is a pressing need for a National Space Law to define the roles of various bodies.
  

• Structural Roles: Currently, roles are divided between ISRO (Research & Development), IN-SPACe (Authorisation and Promotion), and NSIL (Commercialisation), but their functions require better legal definition to improve efficiency and attract investment.

7. International Relations: The Weimar Triangle

• Format: A regional alliance consisting of France, Germany, and Poland, formed in 1991 in Weimar, Germany.
  

• India’s Engagement: India recently participated in the first India-Weimar format meeting to discuss global stability and strengthen ties with Europe.