UPSC GS 1

Odesa and Dnipro

1. News:    Russia recently launched attacks on the Ukrainian cities of Odesa and Dnipro, while Ukraine carried out strikes on Russia’s Belgorod region near the Russia–Ukraine border.

2.  About Odesa:

a. Odesa is a major port city situated on the Black Sea coast in southern Ukraine.

b. The city serves as an important hub for:

i. Grain exports.

ii. International trade.

iii. Naval access.

c. Odesa plays a critical role in Black Sea shipping corridors and regional maritime connectivity.

3. About Dnipro:

a. Dnipro is located along the Dnieper River in eastern-central Ukraine.

b. The city functions as a major industrial and logistics centre of Ukraine.

c. Dnipro acts as an important link connecting eastern and central parts of Ukraine.

UPSC GS 2

Judges Inquiry Committee

1. News:    A three-member Judges Inquiry Committee recently submitted its formal investigation report to the Lok Sabha Speaker regarding allegations of misbehavior against sitting judge Justice Yashwant Varma.

2. Definition:

a. The Judges Inquiry Committee is a high-level ad hoc statutory judicial tribunal constituted to investigate specific allegations of proved misbehavior or incapacity against a judge of the Supreme Court or a High Court.

b. It functions as an independent fact-finding body that must complete its inquiry before Parliament can debate or vote on a motion seeking the removal of a judge.

3. Constitutional Basis: The committee operates in conjunction with:

a. Article 124(4) relating to Supreme Court judges.

b. Article 217(1)(b) relating to High Court judges.

4. Statutory Framework: The committee is constituted under Section 3 of the Judges Inquiry Act 1968.

5. Composition of the Committee:

a. The Act mandates that the committee must consist of exactly three members appointed by the Lok Sabha Speaker or the Rajya Sabha Chairman.

b. The members include:

i. A sitting judge of the Supreme Court of India.

ii. A sitting Chief Justice of a High Court.

iii. An eminent jurist.

6. Composition of the 2026 Panel: The 2026 committee was headed by Justice Aravind Kumar. Other members included:

i. Justice Shree Chandrashekhar.

ii. B V Acharya.

7. Aim of the Committee: The primary objective of the committee is to protect the judiciary from frivolous political attacks while ensuring accountability in cases of judicial misconduct.

8. Key Functions:

a. Framing of Charges: The committee formally records and frames specific allegations related to misconduct or physical and mental incapacity against the concerned judge.

b. Investigative Powers: It possesses powers similar to those of a Civil Court, including:

c. Summoning Witnesses. Requiring the production of confidential state or judicial documents. Examining individuals under oath.

d. Principles of Natural Justice: The committee ensures a fair process by:

i. Formally serving charges to the accused judge.

ii. Allowing submission of a written defence.

iii. Providing an opportunity to cross-examine witnesses through legal counsel.

e. Submission of Report:

i. The committee submits a final evidence-based report to the Presiding Officer of Parliament, namely the Speaker or Chairman.

ii. The report clearly states whether the allegations of misbehavior or incapacity have been proved or not proved.

3rd India-Nordic Summit

1. News:    Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Norway for the 3rd India-Nordic Summit and bilateral engagements.

2. Definition: The India-Nordic Summit is a high-level meeting between India and the Nordic countries aimed at strengthening strategic cooperation.

3. Venue of the 3rd Summit: The 3rd India-Nordic Summit will be held in Oslo in May 2026.

4. Previous Summits: The earlier India-Nordic Summits were organised in:

a. Stockholm in April 2018.

b. Copenhagen in May 2022.

5. 

6.  Key Participants: The Summit will include participation from India and the five Nordic countries:

a. Denmark.

b. Finland.

c. Iceland.

d. Norway.

e. Sweden.

7. Key Aspects:

a. Technology and Innovation: The summit aims to strengthen collaboration between India and Nordic countries in the fields of technology and innovation.

b. Green Transition and Renewable Energy: Discussions will focus on clean technology, renewable energy, sustainability, and green transition initiatives.

c. Trade and Investment: The visit is expected to support:

i. Bilateral trade expansion.

ii. Implementation of India-EFTA TEPA.

iii. Development of resilient supply chains.

iv. Greater investment cooperation.

d. Blue Economy and Strategic Cooperation: The summit will encourage cooperation in:

i. Blue economy.

ii. Defence.

iii. Space sector.

e. Norway’s Investment in India:

i. The visit is expected to further boost investments by Norway’s Government Pension Fund (GPFG).

ii. The fund has already invested nearly USD 28 billion in the Indian capital market.

Privilege Notice

1. News:    Congress chief whip in the Rajya Sabha Jairam Ramesh has moved a privilege notice against Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

2. Definition: A privilege notice is a notice raised by a Member of Parliament alleging a breach of parliamentary privilege or contempt of the House by an individual, authority, or another member.

3. Constitutional Basis:

a. Parliamentary privileges are protected under Article 105.

b. These privileges safeguard the powers, dignity, and effective functioning of Parliament.

4. Grounds for Raising a Privilege Notice:

a. A privilege notice may be raised in situations involving:

b. Obstruction of Members of Parliament in performing their duties.

c. Misleading Parliament by providing false or incorrect information.

d. Actions that lower the dignity or authority of the House.

5. Procedure for Admissibility:

a. The admissibility of the notice is decided by the Presiding Officer of the concerned House.

6. Role of the Privileges Committee:

a. If considered appropriate, the matter may be referred to the Privileges Committee for detailed examination and investigation. 

UPSC GS 3

Red Sand Boa (Eryx Johnii)

1. News:    The Hyderabad zonal unit of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence recently recovered live Red Sand Boa snakes from illegal snake trade activities in Warangal.

2. Definition: The Red Sand Boa, also known as the Indian Sand Boa, is a non-venomous snake species commonly found in the dry regions of the Indian subcontinent.

3. Geographic Range: The species is endemic to:

a. Iran.

b. Pakistan.

c. India.

4. Preferred Habitat: 

a. These snakes prefer dry, sandy, and loose-soil habitats that support their burrowing lifestyle.

5.  Behaviour:

a. The species is ovoviviparous, meaning that the eggs hatch inside the body and young ones are born alive.

b. It is primarily nocturnal in nature.

c. The snake spends most of its time underground.

6. Physical Features:

a. The Red Sand Boa is a thick-bodied snake with a predominantly reddish-brown colouration.

b. It generally grows to an average length of around 75 centimetres.

7. Distinctive Tail:

a. Unlike most snake species, its tail is nearly as thick as the rest of the body.

b. This feature gives the reptile a “double-headed” appearance.

8.   Conservation Status: The species is classified as Near Threatened. 

Red-Necked Falcon (Falco chicquera)

1. News:    A rare sighting of the Red-necked Falcon was recently reported from Kawal Tiger Reserve.

2. Definition: The Red-necked Falcon is a bird of prey belonging to the falcon family.

3. Physical Appearance: 

a. It is a medium-sized raptor recognised for its reddish-brown crown and neck.

b. The species also possesses bluish-grey upperparts, sharp talons, and highly agile flight abilities.

4. Habitat: The species is commonly found in:

a. Open woodlands.

b. Dry deciduous forests.

c. Scrublands.

d. Agricultural fields.

5. Geographic Distribution: The Red-necked Falcon is distributed across:

a. India, including regions up to the Himalayan foothills and Terai areas.

b. Nepal.

c. Pakistan.

d. Bangladesh.

e. Regions south of the Sahara in Africa.

6. Hunting Pattern:

a. The species is well known for its hunting skills.

b. It generally hunts in pairs, especially during dawn and dusk.

7. Movement:

a. These falcons are mostly resident birds but may undertake nomadic movements depending on weather conditions.

8. Diet: Their diet mainly includes:

a. Small birds.

b. Insects.

c. Reptiles.

d. Rodents.

9. IUCN Conservation Status: Near Threatened