INTEGRATED MAINS AND PRELIMS MENTORSHIP (IMPM) 2025 Daily KEY
| Exclusive for Subscribers Daily: La Nina and Impeachment of a Judges for the UPSC Exam? Why are topics like Wholesale Price Index (WPI), POSH Act important for both preliminary and main exams? Discover more insights in the UPSC Exam Notes for December 17, 2024 |
🚨 UPSC EXAM NOTES presents the December edition of our comprehensive monthly guide. Access it to enhance your preparation. We value your input - share your thoughts and recommendations in the comments section or via email at Support@upscexamnotes.com 🚨
Critical Topics and Their Significance for the UPSC CSE Examination on December 17, 2024
Daily Insights and Initiatives for UPSC Exam Notes: Comprehensive explanations and high-quality material provided regularly for students
How does La Niña affect India’s climate?
For Preliminary Examination: El Nino, La Nina, Southern Oscillations
For Mains Examination: GS I - World Geography
Context:
While the La Niña was expected to emerge by July this year, it is yet to. The India Meteorological Department now expects a La Niña to set in by late 2024 or early 2025, plus a milder winter due to this delay.
Read about:
La Nina
El Nino
Key takeaways:
What is La Niña?
- La Niña is one phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon, characterized by cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean between Indonesia and South America.
- Its opposite phase, El Niño, involves warming of this same region. Both phases play a major role in influencing global weather systems and atmospheric circulation.
- During La Niña years, India typically experiences normal to above-normal monsoon rainfall, while it triggers droughts in Africa and intensifies hurricanes in the Atlantic. In contrast, El Niño leads to extreme heat and droughts in India but causes increased rainfall in parts of the southern United States.
- The current decade began with an unusual sequence of three consecutive La Niña events (2020–2022), known as the Triple Dip La Niña, which was followed by an El Niño in 2023. Scientists suggest that climate change might increase the frequency and severity of both La Niña and El Niño events, as rising sea and land temperatures disturb the Pacific Ocean’s equilibrium. This could also amplify extreme La Niña conditions, potentially resulting in harsher winters in India.
Will La Niña develop this winter?
- The situation in 2024 is unusual, as La Niña has not materialized as expected. Historically, La Niña tends to develop during the pre-monsoon or monsoon seasons and has only formed twice between October and December since 1950.
- While global forecasts had anticipated its arrival during the recent monsoon season, current predictions indicate only a 57% chance of it forming by December 2024. Even if it develops, it is likely to remain weak, though it could still influence global weather conditions.
- The declaration of La Niña or El Niño relies on various meteorological indices. One key measure, the Oceanic Niño Index (ONI), compares the three-month average sea surface temperature in the East-Central Tropical Pacific against a 30-year average.
- When the temperature deviation is +0.5°C or above, it indicates El Niño; a deviation of –0.5°C or below signals La Niña.
- Currently, the ONI stands at approximately –0.3°C. For an event to be officially recognized, these thresholds must be consistently exceeded for at least five consecutive months.
What is the meteorological situation?
- Southern Indian cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad are experiencing colder-than-usual winters this year, while northern India is facing a delayed winter accompanied by above-normal temperatures.
- Although some reports attribute the southern chill to La Niña, current ONI values do not confirm this. If La Niña had already set in, northern India would likely be experiencing significantly colder weather.
- A 35-year analysis by the Council on Energy, Environment, and Water in New Delhi found that La Niña winters are associated with colder nighttime temperatures compared to El Niño, but daytime temperatures tend to be warmer.
- Meteorological factors such as wind speed and the planetary boundary layer height (PBLH) — the lowest layer of the atmosphere influenced by interactions with the Earth’s surface — also change during ENSO phases, which can affect air quality.
- The research revealed that wind speeds are generally higher throughout the day during La Niña winters, which helps reduce air pollution by dispersing pollutants. At the same time, the average PBLH tends to be slightly lower during La Niña events, which can trap pollutants closer to the ground.
- If La Niña develops, colder temperatures in northern India may increase biomass burning for heating, worsening pollution levels. However, stronger winds could offset this by dispersing pollutants, potentially improving air quality overall.
La Niña and the Indian Monsoons
- Summers during El Niño events are typically more severe, as demonstrated in April this year when India faced record-breaking heat waves. If La Niña develops and continues into the summer of 2025, it may bring some relief from extreme heat.
- Historically, El Niño disrupts monsoons, with India recording below-average rainfall in at least half of all El Niño years since 1871. However, rainfall patterns have shown some changes since the 1980s.
- For instance, both northern and southern India have experienced reduced rainfall during intense El Niño events, while central India has remained relatively unaffected. On the other hand, La Niña supports stronger monsoon conditions, as seen in the “normal” or “above-normal” rainfall during the La Niña years of 2020, 2021, and 2022. In contrast, 2023 — an El Niño year — saw “below-normal” rainfall across the country.
- Thus, the formation of La Niña this year or in early 2025, if it persists into the monsoon season, would be a welcome development, offering the potential for improved rainfall and a reprieve from extreme summer heat
Follow Up Question
1.Consider the following statements regarding El Niño and La Niña:
- El Niño is associated with the warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean.
- La Niña leads to a stronger-than-normal monsoon season in India.
- El Niño events often result in increased hurricane activity over the Atlantic Ocean.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
|
Answer (a)
Given the analysis:
Therefore, the correct answer is (a) 1 and 2 only |
What is the Procedure for Removal?
- Under Articles 124 and 217 of the Constitution, a judge of the Supreme Court or High Court can be removed by the President on the grounds of “proved misbehaviour” or “incapacity.” This removal process requires the passage of a motion in both Houses of Parliament during the same session.
- The motion must be approved by a special majority, which means a majority of the total membership of each House and at least two-thirds of the members present and voting. However, the terms “proved misbehaviour” and “incapacity” are not explicitly defined in the Constitution.
- Over time, the Supreme Court has interpreted misbehaviour to include acts like corruption, wilful misconduct, lack of integrity, or offenses involving moral turpitude. Incapacity generally refers to physical or mental conditions that hinder the judge’s ability to perform their duties.
- The detailed process for removal is outlined in the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968. As per this law, a notice for removal must be signed by at least 50 members of the Rajya Sabha or 100 members of the Lok Sabha.
- The Chairperson (Rajya Sabha) or Speaker (Lok Sabha) then decides whether to admit or reject the motion after careful consideration. If the motion is admitted, a three-member committee is formed to investigate the allegations.
- This committee includes judges from the Supreme Court or High Courts and a distinguished jurist. If the committee clears the judge, the motion is dropped. However, if the committee finds evidence of misbehaviour or incapacity, the matter proceeds to Parliament. At this stage, both Houses must pass the motion with a special majority to recommend removal.
What is the Current Issue?
- Justice Yadav recently made controversial remarks at an event organized by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, where he reportedly stated that the country would be governed according to the wishes of the majority.
- Such statements have raised concerns about judicial impartiality. The ‘Restatement of Values of Judicial Life,’ adopted by the Supreme Court in 1997, mandates that judges must conduct themselves in a manner that reinforces public trust in the judiciary’s neutrality. Judges are expected to avoid any actions or comments that undermine the dignity of their office.
- Although the Judges (Inquiry) Bill, 2006 was not enacted, it had sought to define misbehaviour to include breaches of the judicial code of conduct. The bill also proposed lesser disciplinary measures, such as warnings, public or private censures, or temporary suspension of judicial work for misconduct that does not warrant removal.
What is Required?
- The principle of Blackstone’s ratio—“it is better for ten guilty persons to escape than for one innocent to suffer”—applies to the removal of judges as well. The stringent process of requiring a special majority in both Houses ensures the protection of judicial independence.
- However, this same process has often resulted in the failure to remove judges, even after inquiry committees have found them guilty of misconduct.
- Given the circumstances, the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, against whom a removal motion has also been submitted, may choose not to admit the current motion. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has issued a notice requesting details of Justice Yadav’s speech.
- It is expected that Justice Yadav will appear before the Supreme Court Collegium to clarify his position. Maintaining judicial decorum is essential, as judges are expected to exhibit conduct befitting their high constitutional role
1.Consider the following statements regarding the procedure for the removal of judges in India:
- A judge of the Supreme Court or High Court can be removed only by the President, after a motion is passed by a majority of the total membership in each House of Parliament.
- The terms ‘proved misbehaviour’ or ‘incapacity’ are explicitly defined in the Constitution of India.
- The Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968 specifies that the motion for removal of a judge must be signed by at least 50 members of the Rajya Sabha and 100 members of the Lok Sabha.
- The inquiry committee formed for the removal of a judge consists of two High Court judges and one distinguished jurist.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 1, 3, and 4 only
(c) 1 and 4 only
(d) 2, 3, and 4 only
|
Answer (a)
Let's break down the correct components:
|
- India's wholesale price inflation slowed to a three-month low of 1.89% in November, down from 2.4% in October. The slowdown was driven by a decline in food price inflation, which eased to 8.9% from 11.6% in the previous month, a 25-month high. Meanwhile, inflation in manufactured goods rose to 2%.
- Inflation in primary articles also decreased to 5.5%, down from 8.1% in October, while fuel and power prices continued to decline, dropping 5.83% year-on-year.
- The sharp rise in vegetable prices, which had surged by over 63% in October, slowed to 28.6%, but potato prices saw a concerning increase of 82.8%, up from just over 78% in the previous two months.
- Onion inflation, which had dropped from 78.8% in September to 39.25% in October, fell significantly to just 2.85% in November.
- The Ministry of Commerce and Industry linked the November wholesale price inflation to price hikes in food articles, food products, textiles, machinery, and equipment
Key Points About WPI:
-
Purpose:
- WPI reflects the price movements of goods in the wholesale market, which include raw materials, intermediate goods, and finished goods.
- It serves as an indicator of inflation at the wholesale level, showing price changes from the perspective of producers rather than consumers.
-
Components:
- Primary Articles: This includes prices of food, beverages, minerals, and crude petroleum.
- Fuel and Power: This segment tracks changes in the prices of fuels like petrol, diesel, natural gas, and electricity.
- Manufactured Products: This category covers price changes in industrial goods and manufactured items such as textiles, chemicals, machinery, and machinery equipment.
-
Calculation:
- The WPI is calculated by taking the price of a fixed basket of goods and comparing it with the price of the same basket at a base point in the past.
- The percentage change in the index over a period reflects the rate of inflation at the wholesale level.
-
Significance:
- The WPI is used by the government and central banks to monitor inflationary trends and adjust economic policies.
- It helps producers and businesses adjust pricing strategies based on the trends in wholesale prices.
- WPI also helps economists assess the future direction of consumer inflation (CPI), as changes in wholesale prices can eventually lead to price changes at the retail level.
|
Answer (B)
|
-
Dissanayake, the President of Sri Lanka, is currently on a State visit to India from December 15 to 17. This marks his first international trip since taking office in September. During his visit, he will participate in a business event in New Delhi and also visit Bodh Gaya.
-
While in India, President Dissanayake is scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu and hold talks with Prime Minister Modi to discuss bilateral, regional, and international matters of mutual interest.
-
The fact that India is the destination for his first overseas visit as president highlights the significance the new Sri Lankan leader, who emerged victorious against traditional political factions, places on strengthening bilateral relations.
-
The visit by Dissanayake, often referred to as AKD, is expected to serve as an opportunity to assess the current state of relations between India and Sri Lanka and explore future prospects under Colombo's new leadership.
-
This trip provides India with the chance to hear directly from Dissanayake about his plans regarding Indian investments, his stance on regional security, and his approach to addressing the rights of the Tamil minority in Sri Lanka, among other issues.
-
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who was the first foreign minister to visit Sri Lanka following Dissanayake’s election, extended the invitation for the visit. Jaishankar visited Colombo less than two weeks after Dissanayake assumed office on September 23.
-
The President’s visit was delayed until after the November parliamentary election, in which his National People’s Power (NPP) party secured a historic victory, gaining a majority in Sri Lanka’s 225-member Parliament.
-
India has been a key supporter of Sri Lanka’s economic stability, providing vital assistance during the 2022 economic crisis. India was the first to offer financing assurances that allowed the IMF to finalize the Extended Fund Facility, contributing USD 4 billion in financial and humanitarian aid
-
India and Sri Lanka maintain a multifaceted relationship built on historical connections, economic collaboration, and strategic cooperation. Both countries continue to strengthen their partnership by focusing on economic progress, defense cooperation, and cultural exchanges to foster a mutually beneficial relationship.
-
In September 2024, Anura Kumara Dissanayake was elected as the President of Sri Lanka. Despite his party's historical skepticism towards India, Dissanayake has recognized India’s significant role in Sri Lanka’s security and economic advancement. He has not shown a preference for prioritizing relations with China, indicating a balanced approach to foreign policy.
-
In July 2024, India and Sri Lanka unveiled plans to deepen their economic relationship. Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the importance of addressing the aspirations of the Tamil community in Sri Lanka. Both countries agreed to explore feasibility studies for a petroleum pipeline and a land bridge, aiming to boost trade and energy cooperation.
-
The 10th edition of the joint military exercise ‘Mitra Shakti’ began in August 2024 at the Army Training School in Maduru Oya, Sri Lanka. Held alternately in India and Sri Lanka, this annual exercise aims to improve interoperability and exchange best practices between the two armies.
-
During Sri Lanka's economic crisis, India provided substantial support. In May 2024, Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister acknowledged India’s aid during the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn, emphasizing the importance of strengthening ties based on good neighborly relations.
-
In October 2024, a ferry service between Nagapattinam, India, and Kankesanthurai, Sri Lanka, was launched, marking a significant development in bilateral relations. This service is expected to improve connectivity, promote trade, and strengthen the cultural ties between the two nations
1. The value of Indo-Sri Lanka trade has consistently increased in the last decade.
2. “Textile and textile articles” constitute an important item of trade between India and Bangladesh.
3. In the last five years, Nepal has been the largest trading partner of India in South Asia.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
|
Answer (b)
Breaking down the analysis:
Therefore, the correct answer is (b) 2 only |
- The court instructed the petitioner, advocate Yogamaya M G, to first approach the Election Commission of India (ECI), as they hold the authority to urge recognized political parties to establish an in-house mechanism for addressing complaints of sexual harassment in accordance with the provisions of the POSH Act.
- This case has ignited a discussion on how the POSH Act applies — if at all — to organizations like political parties, which often lack a conventional workplace structure.
- Regarding political parties, the court ruled that there is no "employer-employee relationship with its members" and that political parties do not operate "any private venture, undertaking, enterprise, institution, establishment, etc., in contemplation of a 'workplace' under the POSH Act." Therefore, political parties are not obligated to form an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC).
1. The POSH Act mandates the formation of Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) in workplaces.
2. The Act applies to all organisations, including private, public, and informal workplaces.
3. Only women can be the aggrieved party under the POSH Act.
4. Political parties are explicitly covered under the POSH Act.
Which of the above statements are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2, and 3 only
(c) 1, 2, 3, and 4
(d) 2 and 4 only
|
Answer (a)
|