- SC JUDGEMENT ON T.N GOVERNOR ADDRESS A CONSTITUTIONAL SILENCE
SUBJECT: POLITY
- Supreme Court mandates Governors must decide on Bills within 3 months, ending the practice of indefinite withholding of assent.
- Addresses long-standing“Constitutional silence”, as Article 200 of the Constitution doesn’t fix time limits for Governors.
- Comes amid rising conflict between Governors and elected State governments(West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Kerala).
- TN Governor accused of political bias and delays, particularly in referring Bills to President.
- Bench of JusticesJ.B. Pardiwala & R. Mahadevanheld that delay beyond 3 months is unconstitutional.
- Builds on 2023 Punjab ruling on “real power” resting with elected representatives.
- Warns that Governor’s in action or delay is liable to judicial scrutiny. Broader Implications
- Supreme Court also signalled fixing time limits for Speakers in anti defection proceedings(Tenth Schedule), citing 2020Keisham Meghachandra Singh judgment.
- Reinforces institutional checks on both constitutional offices to prevent political misuse
2. INDOOR AIR POLLUTION, CAN BETTER DESIGN HELP PROTECT OUR HEALTH
SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENT
- People spend70–90%of their time indoors, ye tindoor air pollution (IAP)remains under-discussed.
- Sources include: cooking fuels, household cleaners, mosquito coils, paints, construction materials.
- Linked to respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes.
- Effects may manifest long after exposure—requires greater attention.
- Solutions include better ventilation,daylight integration,use of HEPA filters,plant-based green elements, and low-VOC materials.
- Post-COVID-19 architecture has seen a focus on filtered air,easy-to maintain materials, and air zoning.
- 2021 study shows correlation between poor IAQ and increased health risks during lockdowns.
3. PHULE – A CONSTANT GARDENER OF SOCIAL REVOLUTION
SUBJECT: PERSONALITIES
- Jyotiba Phule, born April 11, 1827, to Malicaste, turned a personal insult at a Brahmin wedding into a lifelong battle against caste oppression.
- Along with wife Savitribai Phule, founded India’s first girls’ school in 1848 and many night schools for workers and oppressed communities. Opposition to Orthodox Hierarchies
- Phule challenged Brahmanical patriarchy, untouchability, and caste supremacy, supporting equal rights for Shudras, Atishudras, and women.
- He formed the Satyashodhak Samaj(Truth-Seekers’ Society) in 1873 to democratise spiritual and social discourse, opposing elitist reform groups like Arya Samaj and Brahmo Samaj.
- Advocated education as the primary tool of empowerment, especially for oppressed castes and women.
- Strong critique of religious orthodoxy and blind belief; wrote works like Satsarvajanik Satya Dharma Pustak questioning scriptural justifications of inequality.
- Viewed religion as a human construct that often legitimised slavery, superstition, and inequality.
- Called for land redistribution, improved farming technology, and state supported agricultural infrastructure to uplift marginalised rural populations.
- Suggested village schools and self-rule to counter poverty and ignorance.
- Believed state must ensure food, water, shelter, and economic dignity.
4. COUNTRIES MUST BUILD ON THEIR ECONOMIC STRENGTHS NOT CREATE TRADE BARRIERS
SUBJECT: ECONOMY
- RBI cut repo rate by 25 bps to 6%, adopting an “accommodative” stance to stimulate growth.
- Aimed to support exporters amidst global trade tensions, esp. with the US-China tariff war.
- US raised tariffs on China to 125%; retaliatory tariffs by China reached 84%.
- Echoes historic economic nationalism(e.g., 1930’s Smoot-Hawley Act during Great Depression).
- Export sectors pressured by tariff uncertainty and weak global demand.
- RBI also lowered India’s GDP forecast to 6.5% due to slow retail inflation and food prices.
5. THE ISSUE WITH DELIMITATIONS POPULATION BASED PROCESS
SUBJECT: SOCIAL ISSUES
- Delimitation governed by Articles 82and 170; seats frozen till 2026 based on 1971 Census.
- Serious concerns over population-based seat reallocation creating regional disparities.
- Southern states with successful population control may lose representation.
- Northern states(e.g., UP, Bihar) could gain more seats, skewing national balance.
- Representation vs. Population – Larger populations don’t always need proportionate increase in seats.
- Smaller constituencies may ensure better public service and accountability.
