Prelims-Pinpointer-for-05-NOV-2025

Prelims Oriented

Election Commission of India (ECI)

Context: Election Commission launched SIR 2.0 in 9 States and 3 UTs covering 51 crore voters; West Bengal CM and Tamil Nadu DMK strongly opposed exercise.

About ECI

• Constitutional Provisions
  • Article 324(1): grants ECI power to conduct elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, President, Vice-President.
  • Article 324(2): empowers President to appoint CEC and other ECs ensuring constitutional appointment process.
  • Article 324(5): provides protection to CEC’s tenure and service conditions ensuring independence from executive interference.
• Initially a single-member body; became multi-member Commission in 1993 .
  • Comprises CEC and two ECs as per Article 324(2); President determines number of Commissioners.
  • All three members enjoy equal powers, salaries, status; decisions taken collectively through majority vote.
  • Administrative staff drawn from central and state government services ensuring operational support comprehensively.
• Chief Election Commissioner (CEC)
  • Appointed by President of India under Article 324(2) of Constitution ensuring constitutional process.
  • Crucial role: enforcing Model Code of Conduct (MCC), supervising voter rolls, ensuring impartial conduct of elections.
  • T.N. Seshan vs Union of India (1995): SC upheld all Election Commissioners equal in power and status.
• Election Commissioners Appointment
  • CEC and other ECs appointed by President under Article 324(2) on advice of Council of Ministers.
  • Constitution doesn’t specify detailed procedure; Supreme Court (March 2023) recommended collegium system for transparency.
  • Terms, conditions, service benefits defined under Election Commission (Conditions of Service) Rules, 1992.
• Tenure
  • Election Commission Act, 1991: each EC holds office for six years or until age 65, whichever earlier.
  • Fixed tenure provides functional independence and stability preventing arbitrary interference by executive branch.
  • Salaries and allowances equivalent to Supreme Court Judges ensuring parity with high constitutional offices.
  • Article 324(5) protects tenure stating service cannot be varied to disadvantage after appointment ensuring autonomy.
• Resignation and Removal
  • ECs may resign by submitting written resignation to President of India following constitutional procedure.
  • CEC enjoys stronger protection: can be removed only like Supreme Court Judge by special majority of both Houses.
  • Removal grounds: proven misbehavior or incapacity through parliamentary process ensuring high threshold for removal.
  • Other ECs removed only on recommendation of CEC preventing misuse of executive power ensuring independence.

Jhelum River

About Jhelum River

• River of northwestern India and northern/eastern Pakistan; tributary of Indus River in South Asia.
• Other Names: Vyeth in Kashmiri, Vetesta in Sanskrit, Hydaspes in Greek
• Largest and most western of five rivers of Punjab; passes through Jhelum District in North Punjab, Pakistan.
• Origin and Flow
  • Originates at Verinag Spring at Anantnag at foot of Pir Panjal range in Kashmir Valley.
  • Meanders northwestward from northern slope of Pir Panjal Range through Vale of Kashmir to Wular Lake at Srinagar.
  • Joins Chenab River near Trimmu, Pakistan
  • Total length: ~725 km
• Major Tributaries
  • Largest tributary: Kishenganga (Neelum) River joining near Muzaffarabad entering Punjab province, Pakistan strategically.
  • Kunhar River: second largest tributary connecting PoK and Pakistan on Kohala Bridge of Kanghan valley.
  • Other tributaries: Sandran River, Bringi River, Arapath River, Watlara River, Lidder River, Veshaw River contributing flow.

Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021

About the Act

• Regulates surrogacy in India under Surrogacy Regulation Act, 2021; prohibits commercial surrogacy preventing exploitation.
• Object: prevent exploitation of women who may be lured into commercial surrogacy arrangements for monetary gain.
• Altruistic surrogacy permitted: surrogate mother carries child helping individual/couple without monetary benefit except medical/insurance expenses.

Regulation of Surrogacy Clinics

• Prohibits and regulates surrogacy clinics; no clinic shall conduct surrogacy activities unless registered under Act.
• Prohibits any person/entity (surrogacy clinic, paediatrician, gynaecologist, embryologist, medical practitioner) from engaging in commercial surrogacy practices.
• Prohibits abortion during surrogacy without written consent of surrogate mother and registered medical practitioner.
• Surrogacy procedures not performed unless certificate of essentiality obtained by intended couple ensuring compliance.

Surrogate Mother Eligibility

• Must be married woman with at least one child of own ensuring prior childbirth experience.
• Must be between age 25-35 years on date of implantation ensuring physical suitability.
• Should refrain from providing own gametes and from acting as surrogate more than once preventing exploitation.

Intended Couple Eligibility

• Intended couple must be married; woman between age 23-50 years, man between age 26-55 years.
• Must be married for 5 years and must be nationals of India ensuring stable relationship.
• Should not have any surviving children (biologically, adoption, or earlier surrogacy) ensuring genuine need.

Child’s Rights

• Child born out of surrogacy is deemed biological child of intended couple entitled to all rights and privileges of natural child.

Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT)

About CAT

• Quasi-judicial body established under Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985 resolving grievances of government employees.
• Primary function: resolve grievances regarding service matters providing speedy and effective justice mechanism.
• Concept dates back to 1941 with establishment of Income Tax Appellate Tribunal showing historical precedent.
• Constitutional Basis: Founded under Article 323-A empowering Parliament to set up tribunals for public service disputes.

Composition

• Comprises Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Members appointed by President of India based on selection committee recommendations.
• Chairperson: sitting or retired High Court judge; five-year term or until age 65 ensuring judicial experience.
• Members: 69 members (34 Judicial, 35 Administrative) blending legal expertise with administrative insights effectively.
• Judicial Members: qualified like High Court judges focusing on legal interpretation and fair justice delivery.
• Administrative Members: significant public administration experience addressing service-related issues in government sector comprehensively.

Objectives and Functions

• Aiming for speedy, cost-effective justice alleviating burden on traditional courts providing timely resolutions for public servants.
• Core functions: adjudicating recruitment, promotions, transfers, disciplinary actions, service grievances for central government employees and PSUs.
• Operates on natural justice principles allowing flexibility.
• High Court-like powers in contempt proceedings; can establish own procedural rules for efficient functioning independently.

Appeals

• Appeals from CAT orders directed to High Courts through Writ Petition under Article 226/227 providing judicial oversight.
• Earlier: appeals directed to Supreme Court; 1997 SC judgment allowed High Courts to review CAT decisions.

Jurisdiction

• Wide jurisdiction over service-related issues for central government employees, All India Services, Union civil servants, certain PSUs.
• Currently covers ~215 central government organizations, ministries, and departments as per Section 14(2) of Act.
• Includes recruitment, pay, pensions, promotions, disciplinary actions ensuring dedicated grievance redressal platform at any stage.
• Armed forces personnel, Supreme Court employees, Parliament staff excluded from CAT’s purview limiting scope.

Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act

Context: Supreme Court expressed concern over POCSO Act misuse to criminalize consensual adolescent relationships, considering issuing directions for legal awareness among students and society.

About POCSO Act

• First comprehensive law in India dealing specifically with sexual abuse of children enacted 2012.
• Administered by Ministry of Women and Child Development ensuring child protection and safety nationwide.
• Intended to protect children from sexual assault, sexual harassment, pornographic violations; establish Special Courts for trials.
• 2019 amendment: strengthened penalties for specified offences to deter abusers and promote dignified upbringing for children.

Key Provisions

• Gender-Neutral Legislation
  • Act defines child as “any person” under age of 18 ensuring protection regardless of gender comprehensively.
• Mandatory Reporting
  • Non-reporting is crime: any person in charge of institution (excluding children) failing to report sexual offence faces punishment.
  • No time limit for reporting: victim may report offence at any time, even years after abuse occurred ensuring justice accessibility.
• Victim Protection
  • Keeping victim’s identity confidential: Act forbids disclosure of victim’s identity in any media unless authorized by special courts.

Concerns

• Rising Abuse
  • Abuse on rise: particularly since Covid-19 outbreak when new forms of cybercrime emerged targeting children online.
• Awareness Gap
  • Lack of awareness/knowledge on part of minor girls, boys, parents, society as whole hindering effective protection.
• Criminalisation of Adolescent Sex
  • CJI D Y Chandrachud asked lawmakers to address growing concern over criminalisation under POCSO of adolescents engaging in consensual sexual activity.
  • Minors aged 16-18 engaging in consensual act under law’s sexual activity definition risk being booked under POCSO.
  • While cases may not result in conviction, law could cause denial of bail and prolonged detention affecting minors.
  • Study found: one in four POCSO cases in West Bengal, Assam, Maharashtra were “romantic cases” with victim in consensual relationship with accused.

Law Commission Recommendations

• 22nd Law Commission: lowering age of consent may be counterproductive for women requiring careful consideration.
• Likely to recommend awareness measures on adolescent healthcare including making sex education mandatory in schools.
• Teaching basics of consent under POCSO Act in schools ensuring informed understanding among adolescents.

Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)

About DGCA

• Regulatory body in civil aviation primarily dealing with safety issues ensuring air transport security nationwide.
• Attached office of Ministry of Civil Aviation functioning under administrative control for policy implementation.
• Headquarters: New Delhi serving as central hub for civil aviation regulation in India.

Mandate

• Responsible for regulation of air transport services to/from/within India and enforcement of civil air regulations.
• Enforces air safety and airworthiness standards ensuring compliance by airlines and aircraft operators comprehensively.
• Coordinates regulatory functions with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) for global aviation standards alignment.

Functions and Responsibilities

• Safety Oversight
  • Main function: ensure safety of passengers and crew members on all flights operating in India comprehensively.
  • Investigates incidents/accidents within Indian airspace; takes appropriate action to prevent similar incidents in future ensuring accountability.
• Industry Development
  • Crucial role in growth and development of Indian aviation industry working closely with airlines and airport operators.
  • Plays crucial role in developing new airports, modernizing existing facilities ensuring they meet growing aviation demands effectively.
• Air Traffic Regulation
  • Responsible for regulation of air traffic in India; works closely with Airports Authority of India (AAI) ensuring coordination.
  • Ensures air traffic managed safely and efficiently across Indian airspace preventing congestion and accidents comprehensively.
• Licensing and Certification
  • Issues licenses and certificates to pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers, and other aviation personnel ensuring qualified workforce.

Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR)

About AGR

• Base of revenue on which telecom companies pay license fees (8%) and spectrum usage charges (3-5%) to Department of Telecommunications (DoT).

Definition Dispute

• As per DoT: AGR includes all revenues (core + non-core like handset sales, interest income) earned by companies.
• Telecom operators argued: AGR should only include core telecom revenue excluding non-operational income from calculation.

Supreme Court Ruling (2019)

• SC expanded AGR definition: included all revenues earned by telecom companies including non-core income like infrastructure rent, interest.
• Ruling massively increased dues for companies like Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel in telecom sector significantly.
• Total dues: expected to be paid by telecom industry to DoT were over Rs 1.47 lakh crore.
• Court set repayment timeline of 10 years; rejected telecom companies’ requests for longer periods or reductions in amount.

Western Disturbance

About Western Disturbance

• Extratropical storm system originating from Mediterranean region bringing non-monsoonal winter rain and snow to northwestern India.
• Affects northwest India, Pakistan, and Himalayas; driven by westerly jet streams in mid-latitudes.

Formation Process

• Origin and Movement
  • Begins in Mediterranean Sea region due to clash between cold polar air from Europe and warm, moist subtropical air.
  • Cyclogenesis: temperature contrast triggers cyclonic circulation in upper atmosphere creating low-pressure system effectively.
  • Moves eastward with subtropical westerly jet stream; gains moisture from Mediterranean, Caspian, and Black Seas.
  • Dissipation: when encounters Himalayas, releases moisture as rain or snow and weakens rapidly thereafter.
• Influencing Factors
  • Jet Stream Dynamics: position and strength of subtropical westerly jet stream determine WD frequency and intensity.
  • Topography: Himalayas act as barrier forcing uplift and precipitation from moisture-laden air masses significantly.
  • Temperature Gradient: strong contrasts between polar and tropical air enhance WD formation process effectively.
  • Oceanic Conditions: variations in Mediterranean and Eurasian sea surface temperatures affect WD development and track.

Impacts on India

• Agriculture and Precipitation
  • Crucial for Rabi crops (wheat, mustard) providing much-needed winter moisture across north India ensuring good yields.
  • Cause rain and snow in northwest and Himalayan states replenishing rivers and groundwater ensuring water security.
• Weather Conditions
  • Lead to cloudy skies, warmer nights, cold days; sometimes bring fog and cold waves post-passage.
  • Associated rain and wind often improve air quality temporarily by dispersing pollutants in north India.

• Disasters
  • Excessive WDs can trigger floods, avalanches, landslides, crop damage due to heavy precipitation causing destruction.
• Impact on Monsoon
  • Pre-Monsoon Role (April-May): WDs contribute to pre-monsoon rainfall moderating heat buildup in north India.
  • Interaction with Monsoon: occasionally WDs interact with monsoon trough leading to heavy precipitation events like 2013 Uttarakhand floods.
  • Transition Effect: decline of WDs in late spring allows smooth onset of southwest monsoon from Bay of Bengal.

Pampadum Shola National Park

• Smallest national park in Kerala spanning ~1,300 hectares forming part of high-altitude shola-grassland ecosystem.
• Part of southern Western Ghats (UNESCO World Heritage site under consideration) ensuring global conservation significance.
• Located in upper Devikulam taluk, Idukki district on Kerala-Tamil Nadu border near Kodaikanal strategically.

Features

• Elevation: 1,900-2,300 metres; southernmost shola-grassland mosaic in Western Ghats ensuring unique ecosystem diversity.
• Watershed of Pambar and Vaigai rivers crucial for Tamil Nadu’s plains ensuring water security downstream.
• Rich biodiversity: home to Nilgiri marten, Kerala laughing thrush, black-and-orange flycatcher, endemic orchids and ferns.
• Grasslands act as natural aquifers storing monsoon rain ensuring year-round stream flow for water security.

Restoration efforts (2020-2024): cleared over 475 hectares of invasive wattle reviving native species and hydrology.