- Justice Surya Kant Appointed as Next CJI
SUBJECT : POLITY
- Justice Surya Kant, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, has been appointed as the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI), set to assume office on November 24, 2025.
- He will succeed the outgoing CJI, Justice B.R. Gavai, and will hold the post until his retirement on February 9, 2027, serving a tenure of approximately 14 months.
- The President made the appointment, following the recommendation made by the incumbent CJI, adhering to the established seniority convention.
- Justice Kant is currently the Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), emphasizing his commitment to social justice and legal aid.
Concept: Appointment of the CJI and Judicial Independence
Explanation: The CJI is formally appointed by the President under Article 124(2) of the Constitution, but the decision is guided by the convention that the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court is appointed. The CJI is not just the administrative head but also the ‘Master of the Roster’, determining the composition of benches. This high office is crucial for upholding the Rule of Law and maintaining the separation of powers. The integrity of the appointment process is vital for ensuring the independence of the judiciary, which is a part of the basic structure of the Constitution. The CJI’s association with NALSA connects the judiciary’s role to the constitutional mandate of providing free legal aid and ensuring justice for the poor and vulnerable.
- Dumpsite Remediation Accelerator Programme (DRAP) Launched
SUBJECT: NATIONAL
- Union Minister Manohar Lal launched the Dumpsite Remediation Accelerator Programme (DRAP) at the National Urban Conclave 2025.
- It is a year-long, mission-mode initiative aimed at achieving “Lakshya Zero Dumpsites” across urban India by September 2026.
- DRAP will prioritize 214 high-impact locations that account for approximately 80% of India’s legacy waste (about 8.8 crore metric tonnes).
- The program provides additional Central Financial Assistance (CFA) (₹550 per tonne) and utilizes the Swachh Bharat Mission’s 5P approach (Political Leadership, Public Finance, Partnerships, People’s Participation, and Project Management).
Concept: Sustainable Urban Development and Waste Management
Explanation: DRAP is a key initiative under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0) and is directly linked to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 (Sustainable Cities) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption). Legacy waste poses significant threats to the environment and public health (air, soil, and water pollution). The program’s focus on remediation (biomining, waste-to-energy) aims to reclaim valuable urban land and transition from a linear waste model to a circular economy. The ‘5P’ model underscores the importance of multi-stakeholder governance and public participation for the success of massive environmental projects.
- RBI Issues New Rules on Loan Against Silver and Gold
SUBJECT: ECONOMY
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued the “Lending Against Gold and Silver Collateral Directions, 2025,” effective from April 1, 2026.
- The new norms formally extend the facility to include loans against silver ornaments and coins for the first time, alongside gold.
- Strict limits have been imposed on the collateral: a maximum of 10 kg of silver ornaments and up to 500 gm of silver coins per borrower.
- A tiered Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratio is mandated, ranging from 85% for small loans to 75% for larger amounts, to ensure prudent lending.
Concept: RBI’s Regulatory Role and Financial Inclusion
Explanation: The RBI, as the monetary and financial sector regulator, uses macro-prudential tools to ensure the stability and health of the financial system, particularly in the NBFC sector. By standardizing and formalizing silver loans, the RBI aims to expand financial inclusion by providing a transparent and regulated alternative to unorganized money lenders, especially in rural and semi-urban areas. The LTV restrictions are crucial for mitigating credit risk and preventing the use of precious metals for speculative financing, thereby safeguarding the banking sector from volatility in commodity prices.
4. HAL Secures Mega Deal with GE Aerospace for LCA Engines
SUBJECT: DEFENCE
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed a major $1 billion agreement with US-based General Electric (GE) Aerospace for the supply of 113 F404-GE-IN20 jet engines.
- These engines are crucial for powering 97 additional Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A jets ordered by the Indian Air Force (IAF) to replace its aging fleet.
- The engine deliveries are scheduled between 2027 and 2032, ensuring a continuous supply chain for the indigenous fighter jet programme.
- HAL and GE are also negotiating a separate deal for the more advanced F414 engines for the LCA Mk2, which is expected to include a significant Transfer of Technology (ToT).
Concept: Defence Indigenization (Aatmanirbhar Bharat) and Strategic Partnerships
Explanation: This deal is a vital step in India’s journey towards self-reliance in defence (Aatmanirbhar Bharat), specifically in the aerospace sector. While the F404 is an import, securing a long-term, large-volume supply ensures the timely completion of the LCA Mk1A project, which is critical for bolstering the IAF’s strength. The strategic element is the planned ToT for the F414 engine, which would allow India to finally master the complex technology of jet propulsion domestically, reducing its strategic vulnerability to external pressures and boosting its ability to design and manufacture its own advanced military aircraft.
5. Tamil Nadu CM Launches Welfare Projects
SUBJECT: STATES
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is on a visit to Pudukkottai and Tiruchi districts to launch welfare projects and lay the foundation stone for new infrastructure works.
- In Pudukkottai, the CM laid the foundation stone for development projects estimated at ₹767 crore and inaugurated various completed works.
- A significant launch in Tiruchi is the ‘Anbu Solai’ (Day Care Facility for the Elderly) for senior citizens, established under the state’s elderly welfare mission.
- The ‘Anbu Solai’ centers provide day-time care, recreation, yoga, and physiotherapy by trained professionals, with a plan to scale up similar centers across major towns and municipalities.
Concept: Welfare State Model and Social Security
Explanation: The launch of ‘Anbu Solai’ and the multi-crore infrastructure projects reflect Tamil Nadu’s commitment to the Welfare State model and Inclusive Growth. The focus on elderly care addresses a critical need in a society with a growing aged population and changing family structures. Such targeted social security schemes align with the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), particularly Article 41 (Right to public assistance in cases of old age) and are crucial for ensuring social justice and dignity for vulnerable sections of the population.
