Prelims Pinpointer 11-04-2026

Yamuna River – Origin, Course, Tributaries, and Pollution Issues

Context: A boat capsized in the Yamuna River near Keshi Ghat (Mathura, Uttar Pradesh), leading to casualties. The accident was caused due to overcrowding and collision with a pontoon bridge, highlighting risks in inland water transport.

About Yamuna River

• The Yamuna River is a major tributary of the Ganga River.
• It originates from the Yamunotri Glacier in the high Himalayas at an elevation of 4,421 m.
• The total length of the river is approximately 1,376 km.
• The river flows entirely within India.

Course and Tributaries

• The river flows through Uttarakhand, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
• It initially flows southward through the Himalayan foothills, then enters the Indo-Gangetic Plain.
• It flows along the border between Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, where:
  • Eastern Yamuna Canal and Western Yamuna Canal are drawn.
• The river passes through Delhi and feeds the Agra Canal.
• It later flows entirely in Uttar Pradesh, turning southeastward.
• It joins the Ganga at Prayagraj, forming a sacred confluence (Sangam) associated with Kumbh Mela.
• Major Tributaries
  • Tons River (largest tributary, joins near Dehradun).
  • Chambal River (largest right-bank tributary).
  • Other tributaries:
    • Right bank → Hindon, Sarda, Giri
    • Left bank → Betwa, Sindh 

Impeachment of Judges – Constitutional Provisions, Procedure, and In-House Inquiry

Constitutional Basis

• Judicial impeachment refers to the formal process of removing a Supreme Court or High Court judge for proved misbehaviour or incapacity.
• The term “impeachment” is not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution, but is commonly used to describe this process.
• The objective is to ensure judicial accountability while preventing political interference.
• Constitutional Provisions:
  • Article 124(4) → Removal of Supreme Court judges.
  • Article 218 → Extends the same provisions to High Court judges.
  • Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968 → Provides the procedural framework.
• Grounds for removal:
  • Proved misbehaviour (serious ethical/professional misconduct).
  • Incapacity (physical or mental inability to perform duties).

Impeachment Procedure

• Initiation of Motion
  • A motion can be introduced in Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha.
  • It must be supported by:
    • 100 MPs (Lok Sabha) or
    • 50 MPs (Rajya Sabha).
  • The motion proceeds only after admission by Speaker/Chairman.
• Inquiry Committee
  • A three-member committee is constituted under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.
  • Composition:
    • A Supreme Court judge (or Chief Justice of India)
    • A Chief Justice of a High Court
    • An eminent jurist
  • The committee conducts a quasi-judicial inquiry into the charges.
• Parliamentary Approval
  • If the judge is found guilty:
    • The motion is debated in Parliament.
    • It must be passed in both Houses by a special majority:
      • Majority of total membership, and
      • Two-thirds of members present and voting
• Final Removal: After Parliamentary approval, the President issues the removal order.

In-House Inquiry Mechanism

• Introduced by the Supreme Court in 1999.
• Triggered by C. Ravichandran Iyer v. Justice A.M. Bhattacharjee (1995).
• Designed to address misconduct below impeachment threshold.
• Screening of Complaints
  • Complaints are examined by:
    • Chief Justice of India (CJI) or
    • Chief Justice of concerned High Court
  • Frivolous complaints are rejected, while serious ones require explanation from the judge.
• Inquiry Committee Composition
  • High Court Judge: 2 Chief Justices of other High Courts + 1 High Court judge.
  • High Court Chief Justice: 1 Supreme Court judge + 2 High Court Chief Justices.
  • Supreme Court Judge: 3 Supreme Court judges.
  • Chief Justice of India: No specific in-house procedure defined.
• Outcomes
  • If misconduct is proved:
    • Judge may be advised to resign or take voluntary retirement.
    • On refusal, judge may be relieved of judicial work.
    • CJI may recommend impeachment if required.
  • If misconduct is minor:
    • Judge is cautioned and report is recorded.

Key Limitations

• If a judge resigns during the process, proceedings generally lapse.
• No judge has been successfully impeached in India so far.
• The high voting threshold makes removal extremely difficult.

Great Nicobar Island – Strategic Importance, Ecology, and Development Project

Context: The Government has proposed a draft master plan for Great Nicobar Island under a ₹92,000-crore mega infrastructure project. The plan aims to develop the island with tourism as the primary economic driver.

More in News

• The plan targets a population of 3.36 lakh by 2055, with large-scale job creation to encourage settlement. It envisions an annual inflow of over 1 million tourists.
• Multiple tourism models are proposed:
  • Wellness tourism, beach tourism, nature tourism
  • Adventure, business, and gaming tourism
  • Family entertainment hubs and theme parks

About Great Nicobar Island

• Great Nicobar Island is one of the largest islands (910 sq. km) in the Andaman & Nicobar archipelago.
• The Andaman & Nicobar Islands consist of 836 islands in the Bay of Bengal.
• It is located at the southernmost tip of the Nicobar group, about 520 km from Port Blair.
• Indira Point (formerly Pygmalion Point), located here, is the southernmost point of India.
• The administrative headquarters is Campbell Bay.
• Indigenous tribes include: Shompen, Nicobarese
• Main activities include: Agriculture, Horticulture, Fishing

Ecological Characteristics

• The island has tropical wet evergreen forests, coastal plains, and hills.
• Mt. Thullier (642 m) is the highest point.
• Fauna includes:
  • Crab-eating macaque, Nicobar tree shrew, Dugong, Nicobar megapode, Serpent eagle, Saltwater crocodile, Marine turtles
• Flora includes:
  • Tree ferns (Cyathea albosetacea), Orchids (Phalaenopsis speciosa), Gymnosperms, bryophytes, and lichens

Ecological Importance

• The island hosts:
  • Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve
  • Campbell Bay National Park
  • Galathea National Park
• It was included in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves (2013) under the Man and Biosphere Programme.

Migratory Birds in India – Flyways, Species, and Conservation Efforts

About Migratory Birds in India

• Major migratory birds include:
  • Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Greylag Geese, Pallas’s Gulls, Brown-headed and Black-headed Gulls, Coots
• India serves as a wintering ground for several migratory species, including:
  • Siberian Crane, Greater Flamingo, Demoiselle Crane

Migration Patterns

• Birds migrate to India during winter and summer seasons.
• Migration occurs for:
  • Food availability, Breeding, Nesting purposes

Major Global Flyways

• Americas Flyway: Connects North America with Caribbean, Central and South America.
• African-Eurasian Flyway: Connects Europe and northern Asia with Mediterranean, Middle East, and Africa.
• Central Asian Flyway: Connects northern Asia with South Asia and the Middle East.
• East Asian-Australasian Flyway: Connects northeast Asia with Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.

Wildlife Institute of India (WII) – Role, Objectives, and Research Areas

About Wildlife Institute of India

• The Wildlife Institute of India is an autonomous institution established in 1982.
• It functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India.
• The institute is located in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
• It is an internationally recognised institution that provides:
  • Training programmes
  • Academic courses
  • Advisory services in wildlife research and management
• The institute conducts nationwide research on biodiversity-related issues.
• Major areas of research include:
  • Biodiversity conservation
  • Wildlife policy and management
  • Endangered species studies
  • Wildlife forensic research
  • Eco-development
  • Spatial modelling
  • Climate change-related studies
• The governing board is:
  • Chaired by the Union Minister
  • Includes representatives from Central and State Governments, institutions, and academia

Objectives of WII

• To develop scientific knowledge on wildlife resources.
• To train personnel at different levels for wildlife conservation and management.
• To undertake research relevant to wildlife management, including development of techniques suited to Indian conditions.
• To provide advice and information on wildlife management issues.
• To collaborate with international organisations on wildlife research and training.
• To emerge as a regional centre of international importance in wildlife conservation. 

Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) – Features, Benefits, and Mutual Funds

About SIP

• SIP is an investment method offered by mutual funds in which an investor contributes a fixed amount at regular intervals (e.g., monthly).
• It provides an alternative to lump sum investment by allowing periodic investments.
• The minimum investment can be as low as ₹500 per month.
• SIP operates similarly to a recurring deposit, promoting gradual wealth accumulation.
• It helps investors achieve financial goals by building a corpus over time through small, consistent investments.

Features and Benefits of SIP

• SIP promotes financial discipline through regular investments.
• It is typically associated with open-ended mutual fund schemes, allowing flexibility.
• Investors can:
  • Start, stop, or continue SIPs as per their convenience.
  • Withdraw funds (full or partial) during or after the investment period.
  • Modify the investment amount (increase or decrease).
• There is no fixed tenure, providing flexibility in investment duration.

About Mutual Funds

• A mutual fund is a pool of money collected from multiple investors with a common investment objective.
• It is managed by a professional fund manager.
• Investments are made in:
  • Equities
  • Bonds
  • Money market instruments
  • Other securities
• Returns generated are distributed proportionately among investors, after deducting applicable expenses.

Darfur Region – Geography, Conflict, and Humanitarian Issues

Location and Physical Features

• Darfur is located in western Sudan.
• It lies between:
  • Kordofan (east)
  • Wadai (west)
• It extends:
  • Northward to the Libyan Desert
  • Southward to the Al-Ghazāl (Gazelle) River
• The region covers an area of about 440,000 sq. km.
• It consists mainly of an immense rolling plain.
• The Marrah Mountains (volcanic highlands) dominate the central part of the region.

Historical Background

• Darfur was an independent sultanate before being annexed by Sudan in 1916.
• The name “Darfur” is derived from the Arabic term “Dar Fur”, meaning “Land of the Fur”.
• The Fur tribe ruled the region until the death of the last Sultan in 1916.

Demographic Features

• Darfur is home to around 80 tribes and ethnic groups.
• It includes both:
  • Nomadic communities
  • Settled (sedentary) populations
• Regional distribution:
  • Northern Darfur → Predominantly Arab population
  • Southern Darfur → Mix of Arabs and Fur
• Other important ethnic groups: Beja, Zaghawa, Nubian, Daju

Kabuki Theatre – UNESCO Intangible Heritage, Features, and Japanese Culture

Overview

• Kabuki Theatre of Japan is inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (2008).
• It was originally proclaimed as intangible heritage in 2005.

About Kabuki Theatre

• Kabuki is a traditional Japanese theatre form that originated during the Edo period (early 17th century).
• It was initially popular among townspeople.
• In its early phase, both men and women performed, but later only male actors performed, a tradition that continues today.

Features and Performance Style

• Male actors performing female roles are called Onnagata.
• Major role types include:
  • Aragoto → Rough, bold acting style
  • Wagoto → Soft, realistic acting style
• Kabuki plays focus on:
  • Historical events
  • Moral conflicts in human relationships
• Evolution
  • After 1868 (Meiji period), Kabuki adapted to Western influences and aimed to gain acceptance among upper classes.
  • It evolved by blending traditional styles with modern elements.
  • Today, Kabuki remains the most popular traditional form of Japanese drama. 

Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2.0 – Electoral Roll Revision, Process, and Legal Framework

Context: The Election Commission of India conducted Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across multiple States/UTs. Electoral rolls saw large-scale deletions (~5.58 crore voters), with significant changes in states like Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh.

About SIR 2.0

• SIR is a comprehensive house-to-house verification of electoral rolls conducted by ECI.
• SIR 2.0 is being implemented in 12 States/UTs, including:
  • Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal
• SIR 1.0 was earlier conducted in Bihar.
• Assam is excluded due to its NRC-related unique situation.
• Objective:
  • To ensure only eligible citizens are included
  • To remove ineligible or duplicate entries
• The process is carried out by Booth Level Officers (BLOs).

Process and Provisions of SIR 2.0

• Step-wise Process
  • House-to-house enumeration by BLOs and distribution of forms.
  • Publication of draft electoral roll.
  • Claims and objections period for corrections.
  • Verification and hearing (notice phase).
  • Publication of final electoral roll.
• If a voter’s name is deleted:
  • First appeal → District Magistrate (DM)
  • Second appeal → Chief Electoral Officer (CEO)

Legal Framework

• Article 324 empowers ECI to conduct free and fair elections.
• Section 21, Representation of the People Act, 1950 deals with preparation and revision of electoral rolls.
• Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 provides detailed procedures for electoral roll management.