Prelims-Pinpointer-for-25-oct-2025

Prelims Oriented

Rajya Sabha (Council of the States)

• Basic Features
  • It is the Upper House of India’s bicameral Parliament, representing States and Union Territories, ensuring federal balance. Provides a platform for states to voice concerns in parliamentary proceedings.
• Composition (Maximum Strength: 250)
  • Current Strength: 245 members comprising 225 state representatives, 8 UT representatives, 12 Presidential nominees.
  • State Representation: Elected by elected State Legislative Assembly members via proportional representation using the Single Transferable Vote.
  • Seat Allocation: Based on state population; varies across states (Fourth Schedule specifies allocation).
  • UT Representation: Only Delhi, Puducherry, Jammu & Kashmir represented; elected by specially constituted Electoral College.
  • Nominated Members: The President nominates 12 members with special knowledge in art, literature, science, social service.
• Duration and Continuity
  • Permanent Body: Continuing chamber not subject to dissolution, unlike the Lok Sabha, ensuring institutional continuity.
  • Member Term: Six years as per the Representation of the People Act, 1951; one-third members retire every second year.
  • Re-election: Retiring members are eligible for unlimited re-election and renomination, ensuring experienced representation.
• Election System
  • Indirect Election: State members elected by elected MLAs; UT members by Electoral College members.
  • Proportional Representation: Seats won proportional to votes received, ensuring minority view representation.
  • Single Transferable Vote (STV): Voters rank candidates by preference; quota formula: [Total Votes/(Total Seats+1)+1].
  •  Vote Transfer: Candidates achieving quota elected; eliminated candidates’ votes transferred to next preferences until seats filled.
• Qualifications
  • Constitutional Requirements: Indian citizen, minimum 30 years age, oath/affirmation before an ECI-authorised person.
  • Statutory Requirements: Registered as a parliamentary constituency elector anywhere in India (2003 amendment removed state-specific requirement).
  • SC/ST Candidates: Must belong to the respective category for reserved seats; can contest non-reserved seats.
• Disqualifications
  • Constitutional Grounds: Office of profit holder (except Ministers), unsound mind, undischarged insolvent, foreign citizenship/allegiance.
  • Statutory Grounds: Electoral offences, criminal conviction (2+ years imprisonment), election expense default, government contract interest.
  • Additional Grounds: Government service dismissal for corruption, promoting enmity, practising social crimes (untouchability, dowry, sati).
  • Anti-Defection Law (Tenth Schedule): Disqualification for voluntarily quitting party, voting against party’s direction, independent joining a party.
  • Decision Authority: The President decides disqualifications (except defection); Chairman decides defection cases (subject to judicial review per the Kihoto Hollohan case, 1992).

National Green Tribunal (NGT)

• Establishment and Legal Framework
  • Formation Year: Established in 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.
  • Primary Mandate: Effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and forest conservation.
  • Nature: Specialised body equipped with the necessary expertise to handle environmental disputes involving multi-disciplinary issues.
• Procedural Framework
  • Not Bound by CPC: Tribunal not bound by procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.
  • Guiding Principle: Guided by principles of natural justice in its proceedings.
  • Time-Bound Disposal: Mandated to endeavour for the disposal of applications or appeals finally within 6 months of filing.
• Geographical Presence
  • Principal Seat: New Delhi is the Principal Place of Sitting of the Tribunal.
  • Other Sitting Places: Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai are the four other places of sitting.
• Composition
  • Chairperson: Retired Supreme Court judge heads the Tribunal.
  • Judicial Members: Retired High Court judges serve as judicial members.
  • Expert Members: Professionals with at least 15 years of experience in fields related to environment or forest conservation.
  • Multi-Disciplinary Structure: Combination of judicial and expert members ensures comprehensive handling of environmental cases.
• Key Features
  • Specialized Jurisdiction: Dedicated tribunal for environmental protection and conservation of forests and natural resources.
  • Expertise-Based: Equipped with necessary technical and legal expertise for multi-disciplinary environmental issues.
  • Expeditious Justice: Six-month disposal timeline ensures timely resolution of environmental disputes.

Cyclones

Context: A cyclonic storm is likely to intensify over the Southwest and Westcentral Bay of Bengal and be named ‘Montha’ as suggested by Thailand for North Indian Ocean tropical cyclones.

Cyclones

• Types of Cyclones
  • Tropical Cyclones: Most common type forming over warm tropical oceans characterized by strong winds, heavy rainfall, storm surges.
  • Extratropical Cyclones: Form over cooler waters; less intense than tropical cyclones featuring strong winds, heavy rainfall, snow.
  • Midlatitude Cyclones: Develop in midlatitudes characterized by strong winds, heavy rainfall and snowfall.
• Causes of Cyclone Formation
  • Warm Ocean Waters: Form over tropical or subtropical oceans with sea surface temperature exceeding 26.5°C providing energy and moisture.
  • Coriolis Effect: Earth’s rotation deflects air from high to low pressure causing counterclockwise rotation (Northern Hemisphere), clockwise (Southern Hemisphere).
  • Low Vertical Wind Shear: Minimal change in wind speed and direction with height maintains storm structure; high shear disrupts development.
  • Moisture and Instability: Abundant moisture and atmospheric instability create convection currents; rising warm air releases latent heat fueling intensification.
  • Atmospheric Convergence: Air masses with different temperature and humidity converge causing upward air movement and low-pressure center development.
  • Tropical Disturbances: Originate from organized thunderstorms with weak pressure gradients evolving into tropical depressions, storms, then cyclones.
  • Seasonal Variations: Hurricane or cyclone season occurs in Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, eastern Pacific Ocean with favorable conditions.
• Formation Process
  • Initial Requirements: Warm waters above 26.5°C, pre-existing weather disturbance like tropical wave or low-pressure system triggers development.
  • Atmospheric Conditions: Low vertical wind shear crucial for formation; sufficient lower atmosphere moisture and unstable conditions develop thunderstorms.
  • Development Stages: Progresses through tropical depression, tropical storm, finally reaching hurricane/typhoon/cyclone intensity.
  • Energy Source: Warm ocean waters provide strengthening energy; Earth’s rotation causes system spinning and distinct eye formation.
• Impact of Cyclones
  • Strong Winds: Powerful winds exceed 119 km/h in tropical storms; much higher in severe cyclones damaging buildings, infrastructure, vegetation.
  • Heavy Rainfall and Flooding: Intense precipitation causes flash floods, river flooding, landslides, crop damage, water-sanitation system disruption.
  • Storm Surge: Coastal flood from strong winds and low atmospheric pressure inundates coastal areas, erodes shorelines causing significant destruction.
  • Tornadoes and Waterspouts: Cyclones spawn rapidly rotating air columns causing additional localized destruction in affected areas.

150th Birth Anniversary Of Sardar Patel

Context: PM Modi to lead moving parade at Kevadia, Gujarat on October 31, commemorating Sardar Patel’s 150th birth anniversary.

More in News:

• Theme & Location:
  • ‘Unity in Diversity’ at Ekta Nagar (Statue of Unity site, inaugurated 2018), between Satpura and Vindhyachal ranges. 
  • First-time moving parade replacing static format, featuring State tableaux. 
  • Women police personnel to give guard of honour. All State Chief Ministers invited; public registration available online.
• Union Ministry of Culture organizing 900 artists performing classical dances, demonstrating linguistic and cultural unity across diverse India.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel – Iron Man Of India

• Early Life & Education
  • Born October 31, 1875, in Nadiad, Gujarat, to Jhaverbhai and Ladba Patel. 
  • Followed Vaishnavism tradition with Pushtimarg sect Diksha. 
  • At age 36, traveled to England, completed law from Middle Temple, and became successful barrister in Ahmedabad.
• Political Journey & Freedom Struggle
  • Early Career: Inspired by Gandhi, served as Sanitation Commissioner (1917) and Chairman of Ahmedabad Municipal Committee (1924-1928), introducing urban planning and sanitation reforms. 
  • Became Gujarat Sabha Secretary (1917) and INC President (1931, Karachi session), where Congress passed Fundamental Rights resolution and ratified Gandhi-Irwin Pact.
• Key Movements:
  • Kheda Satyagraha (1918): Fought for land revenue exemption due to crop failure; achieved relief after three-month campaign
  • Non-Cooperation Movement (1920): Abandoned law practice, toured villages, organized anti-British protests and foreign goods boycott
  • Bardoli Satyagraha (1928): Led farmers’ struggle against unjust revenue increase; earned title “Sardar” after successful resolution
  • Quit India Movement (1942): Supported AICC resolution; arrested and detained at Ahmednagar Fort
• Post-Independence Contributions
  • Deputy Prime Minister handling Home Affairs, States, Information & Broadcasting ministries.
  • Political Integration: Unified 560+ princely states into Indian Union through diplomacy and decisive action (Hyderabad, Junagadh).
    • Prevented Balkanization, earning title “Iron Man of India”.
  • Administrative Legacy: Established All India Services as the “Steel Frame” for unified governance, earning title “Father of All India Services”.
• Legacy: 
  • He died on December 15, 1950. 
  • The Statue of Unity (2018) commemorates his nation-building vision and stands as the world’s tallest statue in Gujarat. 
  • He is remembered for prioritising national integrity and unity above all, and his pragmatic approach to consolidating India’s diverse regions into a cohesive nation. 

Gyan Bharatam Mission

Context: Culture Ministry’s Gyan Bharatam Mission signing MoUs with 50 institutes for manuscript conservation, digitisation, and preservation.

Gyan Bharatam Mission

• Gyan Bharatam Mission is a comprehensive national initiative under the Ministry of Culture aimed at systematic survey, documentation, conservation, and digitisation of India’s manuscript heritage. 
• It revamps and expands the earlier National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM, established 2003) functioning under Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA).
• Objectives:
  • Survey, document, conserve, and digitise over 1 crore (10 million) manuscripts from academic institutions, museums, libraries, and private collections nationwide.
  • Create National Digital Repository of Indian Knowledge Systems, making ancient wisdom globally accessible to researchers, students, and public.
• Key Features:
  • Scale & Scope: India’s largest manuscript preservation initiative targeting 1 crore+ manuscripts
  • Digital Infrastructure: Centralized digital platform with AI-driven archiving, metadata tagging, and translation tools for traditional knowledge systems.
  • Advanced Technology: Modern conservation using scientific techniques, AI, and 3D imaging for restoration, preservation, and digitisation.
  • Collaborative Approach: Partnership with academic institutions, museums, libraries, private collectors, and international organizations for research and dissemination.
  • Financial Commitment: Budget increased from ₹3.5 crore to ₹60 crore; total outlay ₹482.85 crore (2024-31).
  • Public Accessibility: Manuscripts available for academic research, education, and public knowledge nationally and internationally.

RBI Limits On Banks’ Capital Market Exposure

Background:

• RBI issued draft circular proposing limits on banks’ lending against stocks, bonds, and corporate acquisitions to regulate lenders’ capital market exposure. This follows earlier relaxations in October 2025 allowing banks to fund acquisitions and raising IPO share loan caps to boost lending in world’s fifth-largest economy.

Key Exposure Limits Proposed:

• Direct Capital Market Exposure: Banks’ total direct exposure to capital markets and acquisition financing capped at 20% of Tier-1 capital.
• Aggregate Capital Market Exposure: Combined direct and indirect exposure (through funds, guarantees, etc.) limited to 40% of Tier-1 capital.
• Acquisition Finance Cap: Exposure towards acquisition finance shall not exceed 10% of Tier-1 capital
• Note: Tier-1 capital = highest-quality bank capital, including equity, retained earnings, and loss-absorbing instruments

Acquisition Financing Rules:

• Funding Structure: Banks may finance maximum 70% of deal value; acquiring company must fund minimum 30%.
• Eligibility Criteria: Acquisition finance only for listed entities with satisfactory net worth and profitability for last three years.
• Security: Loan must be fully secured by target company shares
• Market Impact: Enables domestic banks to compete with foreign lenders and credit funds in corporate acquisition segment

Recent Liberalization Measures:

• IPO lending: Cap raised for share purchase loans
• Debt securities: Unfettered bank lending against listed debt securities permitted
• Equity lending: Limit increased from ₹2 million to ₹20 million for lending against equity shares

Additional Proposal:

• NBFCs Risk-Weight Revision: Proposed revised risk-weight guidelines for non-banking financial companies’ infrastructure loans, potentially lowering capital requirements for lenders financing established projects