Polity

Judges' assets: disclosure norms, difference with politicians - Indian Express 

The discovery of wads of cash at the residence of Delhi High Court judge Justice has raised concerns regarding corruption in India’s higher judiciary.It has given impetus to those arguing for the public disclosure of judges’ assets and liabilities. Unlike other public servants, judges are not bound to make this information public, and in the majority of cases, they have not done so.

Supreme Court's Stand on Judges' Asset Disclosure

• 1997 Resolution by SC: Resolved that every judge should declare assets in their own name, spouse’s name, or dependent’s name to the Chief Justice. No provision for public disclosure; only internal reporting to CJI.
• 2009 SC Resolution: Declaration of judges' assets on SC website. Disclosure was termed "purely voluntary." 
• Current Status of Declarations: No declarations of current judges are available. Declarations of former judges removed.
• Judicial Interpretation (2019): SC held that judges’ assets and liabilities do not constitute “personal information.”

Situation in High Courts Regarding Asset Disclosure

• Current Status (as of March 1):
  • Only 97 judges from 7 HCs have publicly declared assets.
    Public declarations by less than 13% of HC judges.
• Resistance to Disclosure:
  • Most High Courts oppose public disclosure of judges' assets.
• Parliamentary Recommendation (2023):
  • Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, and Law and Justice recommended legislation for mandatory disclosure by SC and HC judges.

Contrast with Public Servants

• Transparency under RTI Act (2005)
  • RTI Act promotes accountability and transparency in governance.
  • Public servants are mandated to declare assets annually to cadre controlling authorities.
• State-Level Initiatives
  • States like Gujarat, Kerala, and Madhya Pradesh have strict rules ensuring asset declarations by bureaucrats.
  • Often accessible through RTI or published online.
• Ministers and Elected Representatives
  • MPs submit declarations to the Speaker (Lok Sabha) or Chairperson (Rajya Sabha); generally accessible via RTI.
• Election Candidates
  • Mandatory public asset declaration at nomination stage for elections (post-2002 SC order).
  • Most detailed disclosures; minor errors can lead to rejection nomination.
     

World Affairs 

Advantage China in Africa’s nuclear energy market race - The Hindu 

The Russia-Ukraine war has demonstrated the importance of energy security, where many European countries were caught scrambling and developing new energy partnerships.

Africa’s Nuclear Energy Aspirations

• Current Status:
  • Only one operational plant: Koeberg (South Africa), built by French consortium.
  • Countries planning nuclear integration: Ghana, Nigeria, Sudan, Rwanda, Kenya, Zambia.
• Future Projections:
  • Estimated nuclear energy potential by 2035: 15,000 MW.
  • Investment opportunity: $105 billion.
  • Nuclear energy seen as a solution to electricity shortages and unreliable supply.
• Historical Influence:
  • France earlier dominated nuclear market, especially in Francophone Africa.
  • France’s influence now declining.

Emerging Players

• USA: Engaged through US-Africa Nuclear Energy Summit (USANES); future dependent on political direction.
• Russia: Agreements with Egypt, Mali, Burkina Faso, Burundi; Rosatom building El Dabaa reactor in Egypt.
• South Korea: KHNP has shown interest.
• China: Most aggressive and influential player in recent years.

Recent Agreements

• Nigeria: MoU signed with China (2024) for nuclear plant construction.
• Uganda: MoU with China to build 2 GW plant; first unit by 2031.
• Kenya: Plans for a research reactor by 2030; yet to finalize partner.
• Ghana: SMRs by U.S.-based firms; LR by China.

Implications for India’s Energy Security

• India’s Nuclear Goals
  • Target: 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047 (current: 8,180 MW).
  • Agreements with Namibia; uranium exploration in Niger and Namibia.
• Challenges from China’s Rise
  • China’s dominance could restrict India’s uranium access.
  • China developing Africa’s transmission infrastructure via BRI.
  • Integration of nuclear and infrastructure projects could enhance China’s geopolitical leverage.
     

Economy

CAG, BISAG-N sign pact to leverage technologies in remote sensing - The Hindu

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India recently signed an agreement with the Bhaskaracharya National Institute of Space Application and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N) to leverage advanced technologies in geographic information systems and remote sensing.

Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N)

• About: Autonomous scientific society under Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY).
• Registration: Registered under Societies Registration Act, 1860.
• Location: Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
• Objective: Technology development, R&D, international/national cooperation, capacity building, tech transfer, and entrepreneurship in geospatial technology.
• Core Domains: 
  • Satellite communication
  • Geo-informatics
  • Geo-spatial technology
• Key Function: Implementation of enterprise-level Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
• Services: 
  • GIS database design & development
  • Map creation/updation
  • Data migration/conversion
  • Software development & customization
  • Systems integration and technical consulting
  • Offers bundled GIS solutions (hardware + software + services).
  • Provides photogrammetric and imaging solutions over large areas.
• Applications: Mapping, cartography, resource management, etc.
• Specialised applications: agricultural crop monitoring, watershed management, forest fire mapping using multispectral data.
• Government Collaboration: Functions as a national-level agency for leveraging space and geo-spatial technologies in government planning and development.

Environment 

First Indian bison fest pledges to establish Odisha's Debrigarh as top breeding habitat - Indian Express 

The hefty bison, a signature animal of the Debrigarh-Hirakud region, now has a festival dedicated in its name. In a first-of-its-kind initiative. Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary hosted the ‘indian Bison Fest’ to spread the word about its conservation needs and ecological significance.

Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary

• Location: Bargarh district, Odisha, near Hirakud Dam (Mahanadi River).
• Significance: Associated with freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai; his base ‘Barapathara’ was located within the sanctuary.
• Status: Declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1985.
• Vegetation: Dry deciduous mixed forests.
• Flora: Dominant tree species: Sal, Asana, Bija, Aanla, Dhaura.
• Fauna: Tiger, Sloth Bear, Leopard, Hyena, Spotted Deer, Antelope, Sambar, Gaur (Indian Bison), Nilgai, Langur Monkeys.

Indian Bison (Gaur)

• Physical Characteristics: Among the largest wild cattle; shoulder height up to 220 cm.
• Habitat: Inhabit forested hills and grasslands of South to Southeast Asia.
• Global population: 13,000–30,000; ~85% found in India. Also present in Burma and Thailand.
• Major stronghold: Western Ghats (Wayanad–Nagarhole– Mudumalai– Bandipur complex).
• State Animal: Goa and Bihar.
• IUCN Status: Vulnerable.
• CITES: Appendix I.
• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I.

Defence 

Defence Ministry signs contracts worth ₹2,500 crore for anti-tank missile systems, light vehicles - The Hindu 

The Union Ministry of Defence (MoD) recently signed contracts worth ₹2,500 crore for the procurement of the tracked version of the Nag Anti-Tank Missile System (NAMIS) for the Indian Army’s mechanised formations, and another with Force Motors Limited and Mahindra & Mahindra Limited for around 5,000 light vehicles for the Armed Forces.

Nag Anti-Tank Missile System (NAMIS)

• Developed By: Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), DRDO
• Production: Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL)
• Key Features:
  • Tracked version of Nag ATGM mounted on BMP-2 chassis
  • Third-generation 'fire-and-forget' missile with Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker
  • Effective against armored tanks with composite/reactive armor
  • Night-strike capability for low visibility operations
• Top Attack: Climbs and dives onto target from above
• Direct Attack: Hits target at lower altitude
• Range: 500 meters to 4 km
• NAMICA (Nag Missile Carrier)
  • Based on BMP-2 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (Russian-origin)
  • Amphibious, suitable for varied terrains
• Helina: Helicopter-launched version successfully tested in 2018