- GOVT. OPPOSITION CALL FOR CHANGING COLLEGIUM SYSTEM
SUBJECT: POLITY
- Collegium System:This refers to a system where a group of senior judges in India appoints judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts.
- The system is criticized for lacking transparency and accountability.
- Demand for Reform:Following the discovery of half-burnt currency at a judge’s residence, both the Government and Opposition agreed on the need for reform in the judicial appointments process, particularly the lack of transparency in the current collegium system.
- NJAC Act: The National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act, passed in 2014 and struck down by the SC in 2015, was mentioned as a potential reform.
- The NJAC was designed to involve the executive in judicial appointments, but was overturned by the Supreme Court.
2. BHIM 3.0 LAUNCHED WITH OPTION TO TRACK SHARED EXPENSES
SUBJECT: NATIONAL
- BHIM (Bharat Interface for Money) 3.0is the latest version of the mobile payments platform developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
- It includes new features like tracking and splitting shared expenses, providing more convenient payment options for users.
- Users can now onboard family members, track shared expenses, and manage payments directly. It is set to be available on multiple platforms by April 2025.
3. INDIA – SINGAPORE INK LOI FOR GREEN AND DIGITAL SHIPPING CORRIDOR
SUBJECT: BILATERAL
- India and Singapore signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) for the development of a Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC).
- The collaboration will focus on maritime digitalisation and decarbonisation, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in shipping through digital technology and sustainable practices.
- This initiative will enhance bilateral cooperation between India and Singapore, promoting cleaner and more efficient shipping practices
4. SEARCH FOR UNIVERSE FORST WATER COULD RESET TIMELINE OF LIFE’S ORIGINS
SUBJECT: GEOGRAPHY
- Astronomers have found that the earliest water in the universe might have been produced by the first stars that formed after the Big Bang.
- This water, crucial for life’s origins, may have been carried across space by comets to the Earth.
- This discovery could rewrite timelines related to the emergence of life, showing water may have existed earlier than expected
5. SOCIAL PROTECTION COVERAGE DOUBLED TO 48.8% IN 2024
SUBJECT: SOCIAL ISSUES
- According to the Union Labour Ministry, social protection coverage in India has doubled, reaching 48.8% in 2024.
- This covers 65% of the population, with 48.8% receiving cash benefits through social protection programs like MGNREGA and the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) scheme.
- The Ministry is working closely with ILO to improve social protection data collection and implement measures that enhance the scope of benefits.
