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UPSC Key: Impeachment of High court Judge, International Court of Justice and Paika Rebellion
Important topics and their relevance in UPSC CSE exam for July 24, 2025. If you missed the July 23, 2025 UPSC CSE exam key from the Indian Express, read it here FRONT PAGE Justice Varma's removal: Process to begin, Speaker to name probe panel Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc. Mains Examination: General Studies II: Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure. What's the ongoing story: The process of removal of Justice Yashwant Varma will be set in motion in the Lok Sabha soon with Speaker Om Birla expected to soon announce the constitution of a statutory committee to investigate the grounds on which the removal of the judge is sought, The Indian Express has learned. Key Points to Ponder: • Who is Justice Yashwant Varma? • How a Sitting Judge Can Be Removed From Office • What is the Procedure for Removal of a Judge in India? • What is Impeachment? • What are the constitutional provisions and procedures governing the impeachment of High court judges? • The process of impeachment of a judge of the Supreme Court is laid down in Article 124(4) of the Constitution of India-True or false? • What Article 218 of the Constitution of India says? • What are the Grounds of Impeachment? • What role do parliamentary Houses and presiding officers play in the impeachment of High court judges? Key Takeaways: • Birla and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh met Wednesday with Secretaries General of both the Houses and the officials discussed the modalities to finalise the procedure. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also joined the meeting later. • The discussions took place on a day the Supreme Court said it will set up a bench to hear Justice Varma's plea challenging the legal validity of the in-house inquiry committee which confirmed charges of recovery of unaccounted cash from his official residence in Delhi. • This comes in the shadow of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar's surprise resignation Monday evening and, as The Indian Express reported Tuesday, hours after his decision to accept the Opposition's notice on Justice Varma had rubbed the government the wrong way. • This had created 'confusion,' government sources said, because Birla had received a similar notice from Lok Sabha MPs with 145 signatures around 12.30 pm Monday, hours before Dhankhar made the reference to the Opposition notice in the Rajya Sabha. Do You Know: • Former Lok Sabha Secretary PDT Achary said that when the Speaker received the notice from Lok Sabha MPs, the process of removal was set in motion. 'The Speaker has to admit it. Then the Speaker will appoint a statutory committee, the Speaker does not have to bring it before the House. Because the House has no role at that stage,' Achary said. • Sources said the statutory committee – with one judge of the Supreme Court, one from the High Courts, and a distinguished jurist – will be announced soon. The committee will probe the charges against Justice Varma and submit a report to the Lok Sabha Speaker. If the committee finds him guilty, a motion will be taken up in the Lok Sabha and it will be discussed in detail. The motion will be put to vote and it requires a two-third majority to be passed. Once the process is over the same, will be repeated in the Rajya Sabha. • Justice Varma challenged the conclusions of the report by the three-member in-house judicial panel. The three-judge panel, headed by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, conducted the inquiry for 10 days, examined 55 witnesses and visited the scene of the fire that started at around 11.35 pm on March 14 at the official residence of Justice Varma, then a sitting judge of the Delhi High Court and now in the Allahabad High Court. • Acting on the report, then CJI Khanna wrote to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi recommending the judge's impeachment. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Impeachment of judges After 5-yr gap, India resumes tourist visas for Chinese; border meeting held too Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Main Examination: General Studies II: India and its neighbourhood- relations. What's the ongoing story: India and China on Wednesday reviewed the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and prepared the ground for the next round of Special Representatives' talks to be held in India later this year. Key Points to Ponder: • The 34th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination (WMCC) on India-China border affairs in New Delhi-What are the key takeaways? • Why resuming tourist visas to China in context of India-China bilateral relations is important? • What are the risks and opportunities of increased Chinese tourist flow to India amid ongoing strategic rivalry? • What is the importance of Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra? • 'The India-China border dispute remains a major challenge in bilateral relations'-Discuss • What is Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs)? • How Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) can be effective in India-China relations? • Discuss the cultural, economic, and strategic implications of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and Nathula border trade • Evaluate the progress of India and China diplomatic ties. Key Takeaways: • In a related development, as part of the ongoing efforts to repair bilateral ties, India said it would resume issuance of tourist visas to Chinese nationals from Thursday, after a gap of five years. This comes almost a month after resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra on June 30. • The two sides reviewed the situation at the 34th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination (WMCC) on India-China border affairs in New Delhi, four months after the last such meeting was held in Beijing. • 'The two sides reviewed the situation in the India-China border areas. They expressed satisfaction with the general prevalence of peace and tranquility in the border areas, leading to gradual normalisation of bilateral relations,' the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, adding that India and China agreed to maintain regular exchanges and contacts on boundary affairs at the diplomatic and military levels through established mechanisms. • The Indian delegation was led by Gourangalal Das, Joint Secretary (East Asia), and the Chinese delegation was led by Hong Liang, Director General of the Boundary & Oceanic Affairs Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it said. • The two sides prepared for the next round of Special Representatives' talks to be held in India later this year, between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Do You Know: • The latest move is part of a series of confidence-building measures that the two countries have been taking in recent months. Besides resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, the two sides have also said that direct flights will restart soon. The de-escalation of troops on the LAC remains on the agenda. • India had suspended issuance of tourist visas to Chinese nationals in 2020, in the wake of the Covid pandemic, but the restrictions continued in view of the military standoff along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh that began in May 2020. • The developments come just over a week after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's visit to China for the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) meet earlier this month. In the meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, Jaishankar had said that while India and China had made good progress in the past nine months towards the normalisation of bilateral relations, they should work to address de-escalation on the border. • Xi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi also met on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, on October 23 last year, days after a border patrolling arrangement was announced on October 21, leading to disengagement on the ground. An estimated 50,000-60,000 troops are still stationed at the border. Since then, Doval has travelled to China twice; Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Misri have also gone there for meetings. • The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which began on June 30 and will continue till the end of August, was on top of India's wishlist since the talks to normalise ties began last year. The two sides have also said that they will resume direct flights soon. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Jaishankar's visit to China reflects a thaw in ties — there will be challenges THE IDEAS PAGE The critical minerals contest Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Economic and Social Development Main Examination: General Studies III: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc. What's the ongoing story: Amitabh Kant and Adil Rana Chhina Writes: India cannot afford to anchor its tech aspirations on supply chains that remain opaque, concentrated and subject to political risk. Key Points to Ponder: • What are critical minerals? • Why critical minerals are significant for India's economic and strategic security? • What is India's position on critical minerals? • Where are these critical mineral blocks, and what rights are being auctioned? • What are the other clearances that will be required before operations begin? • What are the estimated reserves of key critical minerals in these blocks? • How does India currently get its supplies of these minerals? • Know the objectives and key features of the newly approved National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM). • What are the role of critical minerals in India's transition to renewable energy, electric mobility, and high-tech manufacturing? • How the global supply chain dynamics of critical minerals works? • How does the Critical Minerals Mission align with India's broader industrial policies such as 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'? Key Takeaways: Amitabh Kant and Adil Rana Chhina Writes: • Critical minerals are emerging as the defining geoeconomics axis of the 21st century. These are no longer peripheral to industrial development but lie at the heart of advanced manufacturing, clean energy systems, strategic technologies and national security. • Energy transition, digitalisation and the pursuit of supply chain resilience are rapidly amplifying the demand for minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite and rare earth elements. Their availability and accessibility will determine the pace and quality of growth for all major economies. • Unlike fossil fuels, critical minerals are characterised by high geographical concentration, limited transparency and complex value chains. China dominates the midstream processing stage for most key minerals, accounting for over 90 per cent of rare earth refining, 70 per cent of cobalt processing and close to 60 per cent of lithium conversion capacity. • In 2022, the Ministry of Mines identified 30 critical minerals based on their strategic importance to clean energy and future technologies, high import dependence, domestic resource constraints and relevance for agricultural and industrial needs. • In January, the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) was announced to secure critical mineral supply chains by ensuring mineral availability. Its success will rest on how effectively it translates intent into action. Do You Know: • Critical minerals are minerals that are essential for economic development and national security, and the lack of availability of these minerals or the concentration of extraction or processing in a few geographical locations could potentially lead to 'supply chain vulnerabilities and even disruption of supplies'. This is true for minerals such as lithium, graphite, cobalt, titanium, and rare earth elements, which are essential for the advancement of many sectors, including hightech electronics, telecommunications, transport, and defence. • One of the definitions cited in the report characterises a mineral as critical when the risk of supply shortage and associated impact on the economy is (relatively) higher than other raw materials. This definition of a critical mineral was first adopted in the US and the subsequent legislation that resulted from the analysis, the report said. The European Union also carried out a similar exercise and categorised critical minerals on the basis of two prerequisites: supply risk and economic importance. • Currently, India is 100 per cent import dependent for lithium, cobalt, nickel, rare earth elements and silicon. At the same time, India's domestic resource base for critical minerals is underdeveloped. • The Geological Survey of India has ramped up exploration, with 195 projects underway over the past year and another 227 approved for the upcoming year. In response to the inclusion of critical minerals in the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, the government launched four tranches of auctions for critical mineral blocks last year, and a fifth was concluded in January 2025. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Centre identifies 30 critical minerals: Why, how, and importance of the exercise The silent epidemic Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Economic and Social Development Main Examination: General Studies II: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. What's the ongoing story: Shalini Singh and Prashant Kumar Singh Writes: Nearly 20 per cent of Indian households now have all adult members classified as overweight, while 10 per cent have all adults classified as obese. India's obesity crisis is not a distant threat — it's a present reality Key Points to Ponder: • What is obesity? • How is obesity defined? • What causes obesity among children? • What are the reasons for the increase in obesity among Indians? • How obesity clusters within Indian households? • 'The dual burden of undernutrition and overnutrition in India'-What you understand by the statement? • Establish the linkages between obesity, cardiovascular disease, and cancer in India's public health context. Key Takeaways: • Recent national data paint a disturbing picture of India's nutritional transition. Nearly 20 per cent of Indian households now have all adult members classified as overweight, while 10 per cent have all adults classified as obese. This suggests shared environmental and behavioural factors. In states like Tamil Nadu and Punjab, two out of every five households have all adults classified as obese. • Urban areas show clustering rates which are double those of rural areas, conveying a clear picture of how prosperity and urbanisation are transforming India's health landscape. • What makes this particularly concerning is its transgenerational nature. When obesity clusters within households, children grow up in environments that normalise unhealthy dietary patterns and sedentary lifestyles, creating cycles of risk that transcend generations. • The evidence linking obesity to cancer is overwhelming. The WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified excess body weight as a significant risk for cancer. • An IARC study, published in 2023, the largest of its kind, showed that having a high body mass index increases cancer risk by 17 per cent for people who also have cardiovascular diseases. The American Cancer Society estimates that excess body weight accounts for about 11 per cent of cancers in women and 5 per cent in men in the US. Do You Know: • The standard method of determining obesity across the world has thus far employed BMI cut-offs as the sole determinant. A person with a BMI of less than 18.5 is considered to be underweight, a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered to be normal, those with BMI between 25 and 29.9 are considered to be overweight, while those with BMI over 30 are considered to be obese. • India's situation is particularly precarious because we face this obesity epidemic alongside existing healthcare challenges. The economic implications for patients are staggering, too. Cancer treatment can devastate families financially, and when obesity-related cancers strike multiple household members — as clustering patterns suggest they might — the economic burden can be catastrophic. Prevention, therefore, isn't just a health imperative; it's an economic necessity. • The household clustering of obesity presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Rather than treating obesity as an individual's problem, we must recognise it as a health problem that requires targeting the family as a unit for intervention. • The government's recent commitment to establishing Day Care Cancer Centres in all district hospitals over the next three years, with 200 centres planned for 2025-26, provides a crucial foundation. • Obesity prevention programmes should target entire households, teaching families to shop for healthier ingredients; prepare meals at home consisting of fresh vegetables, leafy greens, whole grains and fruits; and engage in physical activities as a unit. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍New definition for obesity? What a new Lancet commission has proposed to replace BMI THE WORLD The Hague: Countries obliged to take climate action, liable for compensation if they don't Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies II: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate. What's the ongoing story: The ICJ ruling is not binding on the countries, but sets an important precedent for the thousands of climate lawsuits that have been filed in recent years across the world. Key Points to Ponder: • What exactly the International Court of Justice (ICJ), has ruled? • What are the legal significance of the ICJ's advisory opinion on climate obligations? • What is the concept of 'internationally wrongful act' in the context of climate change? • How declaring a healthy environment a human right could influence domestic climate litigation and policy-making? • How can the ICJ opinion reshape geopolitics of climate finance, liability, and responsibility in forums like COP30? • What is International Court of Justice? • Does the International Court of Justice have the power to prosecute Israel? • International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice-Compare and Contrast Key Takeaways: • In a landmark decision, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the main judicial arm of the United Nations, has ruled that countries were obligated under international law to take actions to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases, and the failure to do so would constitute an 'internationally wrongful act'. • The court, based in The Hague, said countries which do not fulfil their climate obligations could be held liable to pay compensations to other countries, particularly the small island nations, which bear the brunt of climate disasters. Do You Know: • The ICJ ruling came in a case that arose out of a request from the UN General Assembly that sought its 'advisory opinion' on the obligations of countries on climate change under existing international laws, and the legal consequences of those obligations. • The court, in a unanimous ruling, said that countries that were party to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the 2015 Paris Agreement had an obligation to adopt measures that were aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and adapting to climate change. It said that the rich countries had an additional obligation to take the lead on climate actions. • The court examined the responsibilities of the countries under a wider set of environmental laws that have a bearing on the climate system. These include the UN Convention on the Laws of the Seas, the Montreal Protocol for protecting Ozone, the Convention on Biodiversity and the Convention to Combat Desertification. • The ICJ ruling is not binding on the countries, but sets an important precedent for the thousands of climate lawsuits that have been filed in recent years across the world, seeking accountability from governments and corporates. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍ICJ begins hearing on landmark climate change case: Why is this significant? ECONOMY Indian economy remains largely resilient despite global uncertainties: RBI article Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Economic and Social Development Main Examination: General Studies III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment. What's the ongoing story: Amid geopolitical tensions and tariff policy uncertainties, the Indian economy has remained resilient, aided by strong macroeconomic fundamentals, according to an article in the Reserve Bank of India's July monthly bulletin. Key Points to Ponder: • What exactly 'State of the Economy' article in RBI's July bulletin said? • What the RBI article said about tariff risks? • What the RBI article said inflation? • What is the role of forex reserves in mitigating global trade uncertainties and external debt obligations? • The RBI's caution on 'underpricing of macroeconomic risks'-what does this imply for future policymaking? Key Takeaways: • 'Domestic economic activity held up in June, with high-frequency indicators pointing to improving prospects of the kharif agricultural season and continuation of strong momentum in the services sector,' according to the 'State of the Economy' article in RBI's July bulletin. • The article has been prepared by central bank officials. The RBI said views published in the article are of the authors and not of the institution. • It said that the growth in rural demand remained resilient and was accompanied by a recovery in urban economic activity. The all-India unemployment rate remained unchanged from the previous month at 5.6 per cent with rural areas faring better as compared to their urban counterparts. • During April-May 2025, total expenditure grew by 19.7 per cent on a year-on-year (y-o-y) basis, accounting for 14.7 per cent of the Budget Estimates for FY26. Capital expenditure recorded robust growth during the first two months of the current fiscal and was at 19.7 per cent of the budgeted capital expenditure vis-à-vis 12.9 per cent during the same period a year ago, indicative of front-loading of capital spending by the Central government. • India's merchandise trade deficit narrowed in June 2025, due to contraction in both oil and non-oil trade deficit. • De-escalating geo-political tensions in the Middle East, optimism on trade deals and the easing of norms for infrastructure financing by the Reserve Bank buoyed up domestic financial market sentiments in the second half of June, the article said. Do You Know: • Headline inflation, as measured by y-o-y changes in the all-India consumer price index (CPI), declined to 2.1 per cent in June 2025 — the lowest since January 2019 — from 2.8 per cent in May. The retail inflation remained below the 4 per cent target for the fifth consecutive month in June. • The article said that easing inflation, front-loading of government expenditure, targeted fiscal measures and congenial financial conditions for faster transmission of rate reductions should support aggregate demand in the economy, going forward. • On the trade front, the article stated that as intense negotiations are underway for closing trade deals before the new import tariff rates kick in from August 1, 2025, the focus is back on US trade policies and their spillover effects globally. • Financial markets, however, seem to have taken trade policy uncertainties in their stride, possibly reflecting optimism on reaching trade deals that are less disruptive to the global economy. Even so, underpricing of macroeconomic risk by financial markets remains a concern. • According to the article, the average trade tariff rates are set to touch levels unseen since the 1930s. Moreover, the risk of imposition of new high tariffs looms large for additional sectors. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍RBI repo rate cut transmission: Public sector banks ahead of private lenders in lowering rates EXPLAINED Vaccine hope in malaria fight Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Economic and Social Development Main Examination: General Studies II: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. What's the ongoing story: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has announced a promising candidate vaccine for malaria, which it will now further develop, test and manufacture for commercial purposes in partnership with private companies. Key Points to Ponder: • Why is this development significant? • How does AdFalciVax work? • What are the advantages of AdFalciVax? • What conditions has ICMR set for private players? • How the dual-target mechanism (CSP + Pro6C) of AdFalciVax could enhance both individual protection and community-level transmission control. • Compare and contrast AdFalciVax with RTS,S and R21/Matrix-M in terms of antigen design, adjuvants, durability, and administration challenges. • What is the significance of targeting mosquito-stage transmission with Pro6C, vis-à-vis global malaria elimination strategies? Key Takeaways: • Known as AdFalciVax, the vaccine mainly targets two parts of Plasmodium falciparum, a pathogen that is the most common source of malaria in humans. In India, however, the disease is caused by Plasmodium vivax against which AdFalciVax is ineffective. • Unlike AdFalciVax, RTS,S and R21 only use the CSP protein, and can prevent infection only in vaccinated persons. • Unlike AdFalciVax, RTS,S and R21 vaccines also do not use full-length CSP proteins. This is why the ICMR's candidate vaccine is 'likely to produce a stronger immune response and better protect against infection,' according to Singh. • Researchers have found that AdFalciVax provided more than 90% protection against infection in mice. The candidate vaccine has yet to undergo rigorous human trials, and the preliminary results have been obtained only through testing on animals. • AdFalciVax also contains an adjuvant — a substance used in vaccines to boost the body's immune response against the targeted disease — called alum. Singh says the use of alum is beneficial as it does not pose a risk of causing chronic inflammation, unlike adjuvants such as AS01 and Matrix M, which are used in RTS,S and R21. Alum is also known to be reliable, and has been used in numerous vaccines used in childhood immunisation programs over the years. Do You Know: • Malaria is a parasitic infection transmitted by mosquitoes, typically causing symptoms such as fever, chills, night sweats, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. In some cases, it can lead to severe complications such as seizures, fluid in the lungs, organ damage, and death. • Malaria is most endemic in Africa — Nigeria, Congo, Tanzania, Mozambique, Niger, and Burkina Faso together account for more than half the yearly deaths. The disease is also present in India, although malaria deaths have sharply reduced in the country in recent years. According to the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), reported malaria deaths stood at 1,151in 1995, and came down to only 93 in 2020 and 83 in 2022. • The organisation's 'World Malaria Report' says there were 5,511 deaths due to the disease in India in 2022. This discrepancy is due to WHO providing estimates and NVBDCP providing only the number of confirmed deaths, which may not have been officially reported. • To combat malaria, scientists have been working to develop a vaccine for decades but with limited success. Recently, two vaccines—RTS,S and R21—were approved for use, but their efficacy, at 75%, is quite low. • AdFalciVax is a chimeric recombinant vaccine — a type of vaccine that uses different parts of the genes of a pathogen (in this case, Plasmodium) to create target proteins that trigger an immune response after being injected. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍ICMR invites partners to launch and sell its new malaria vaccine Paikas and the uprising against British Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance and History of India and Indian National Movement Mains Examination: General Studies I: Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present significant events, personalities, issues. What's the ongoing story: Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday (July 22) expressed concern over the 'omission' of the Paika Rebellion from the latest Class VIII history textbook of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), calling it a 'huge dishonour' to the brave Paikas. Key Points to Ponder: • Who were the Paikas? • Why did they rebel against the British? • How is the alleged omission of the rebellion from history textbooks a politically sensitive issue in Odisha? • Know the historical significance of the Paika Rebellion in Odisha's and India's broader struggle against colonialism. • What were the socioeconomic causes that led to mobilization of the Paikas in 1817? • Do you think that the inclusion of movements like Paika, Khurda, and Kuka in curriculum could foster critical historical thinking or regional fragmentation? Key Takeaways: • The NCERT has clarified that the 1817 rebellion will be included in the second volume of the textbook, set to be released in September-October. • Throughout the 19th century, rural India was alive with discontent that periodically manifested itself in the form of armed resistance against old inequities and new hardships alike. The latter was primarily the result of military expansion of the British East India Company, which disrupted existing social relations in peasant and tribal communities. • The Paika Rebellion, also known as the Paika Bidroha, was one such uprising. • The Paikas (pronounced 'paiko', literally 'foot soldiers') were a class of military retainers who had been recruited from various social groups by the Gajapati rulers of Odisha since the 16th century. They would render martial services to the king in return for hereditary rent-free land (nish-kar jagirs) which they would cultivate during peacetime. Do You Know: • In 1803, Colonel Harcourt marched virtually unchallenged from Madras to Puri, and faced only feeble Maratha opposition onward to Cuttack. Harcourt had made an agreement with Mukunda Deva II, for free passage through Khurda in return for compensation of Rs 1 lakh and four parganas — Lembai, Rahanga, Surai and Chabiskud — which had been under Maratha control since 1760. • When the Company did not fulfil these conditions, Jayee Rajguru, the custodian of the king marched to Cuttack with around 2,000 armed Paikas in order to pressurise the British. Although Harcourt paid a sum of Rs 40,000, he refused to give Khurda the four parganas. Rajguru subsequently conspired to overthrow the British, but was caught before the revolt could materialise. • The Company subsequently took away the king's lands, dethroned him, razed the fort at Barunei, and arrested Rajguru, who was convicted for waging war against the British government and executed on December 6, 1806. The king was banished to Puri. • The end of native rule in Odisha marked the beginning of the decline of the Paikas' power and prestige. Apart from losing political patronage, the Paikas, who previously enjoyed rent-free land, suffered due to new land revenue settlements introduced by the Company which drove Odia proprietors to ruin. Many were forced to transfer land to Bengali absentee landlords, often for a pittance. • In March 1817, some 400 Kondhs equipped with traditional arms marched from Ghumusar towards Khurda. They were joined by an army of Paikas led by Bakshi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar Mahapatra Bhramarabar Ray, the former commander-in-chief of the king of Khurda and the erstwhile holder of the lucrative Rodanga estate. • The Paikas and their rebellion have long been used to invoke Odia sub-nationalism. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Explained: Who were the Paikas of Odisha, and what will the Paika Memorial celebrate? For any queries and feedback, contact Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. Priya Kumari Shukla is a Senior Copy Editor in the Indian Express (digital). She contributes to the UPSC Section of Indian Express (digital) and started niche initiatives such as UPSC Key, UPSC Ethics Simplified, and The 360° UPSC Debate. The UPSC Key aims to assist students and aspirants in their preparation for the Civil Services and other competitive examinations. It provides valuable guidance on effective strategies for reading and comprehending newspaper content. The 360° UPSC Debate tackles a topic from all perspectives after sorting through various publications. The chosen framework for the discussion is structured in a manner that encompasses both the arguments in favour and against the topic, ensuring comprehensive coverage of many perspectives. Prior to her involvement with the Indian Express, she had affiliations with a non-governmental organisation (NGO) as well as several coaching and edutech enterprises. In her prior professional experience, she was responsible for creating and refining material in various domains, including article composition and voiceover video production. She has written in-house books on many subjects, including modern India, ancient Indian history, internal security, international relations, and the Indian economy. She has more than eight years of expertise in the field of content writing. Priya holds a Master's degree in Electronic Science from the University of Pune as well as an Executive Programme in Public Policy and Management (EPPPM) from the esteemed Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, widely recognised as one of the most prestigious business schools in India. She is also an alumni of Jamia Milia Islamia University Residential Coaching Academy (RCA). Priya has made diligent efforts to engage in research endeavours, acquiring the necessary skills to effectively examine and synthesise facts and empirical evidence prior to presenting their perspective. Priya demonstrates a strong passion for reading, particularly in the genres of classical Hindi, English, Maithili, and Marathi novels and novellas. Additionally, she possessed the distinction of being a cricket player at the national level. Qualification, Degrees / other achievements: Master's degree in Electronic Science from University of Pune and Executive Programme in Public Policy and Management (EPPPM) from Indian Institute of Management Calcutta ... Read More
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Business Standard
10 minutes ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Three-member Parliament panel likely to probe charges against Justice Varma
A three-member inquiry committee is expected to be formed soon to examine allegations against Allahabad High Court judge Yashwant Varma, following the submission of a motion in both Houses of Parliament earlier this week, news agency PTI reported on Thursday, citing sources. The motion—signed by 152 Members of Parliament (MPs) and submitted to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on July 21, the opening day of the Monsoon session—has triggered consultations among senior leaders across both Houses, the report added. The Rajya Sabha also received a similar notice on the same day, signed by 63 opposition MPs. The report stated that the speaker Birla is likely to write to the Chief Justice of India to seek nominations for two members of the panel: one from the Supreme Court and one high court chief justice. The Speaker will also appoint a distinguished jurist of his choice to complete the three-member committee. Former Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar had referred to the Judges (Inquiry) Act during Rajya Sabha proceedings on Monday, highlighting that when motions are submitted simultaneously in both Houses, a joint process must be followed, PTI reported. Background The controversy began after bundles of burnt and partially burnt cash were found at Justice Yashwant Varma's official residence earlier this year. Following this, an in-house committee of judges was set-up to probe the matter. It submitted a report recommending the impeachment of Justice Varma. Justice Varma, however, has now moved the Supreme Court seeking to quash the report. On July 23, the apex court said it would constitute a bench to hear his plea.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Justice Yashwant Varma impeachment: Speaker Om Birla to announce inquiry panel to probe charges, says report
High court judge Yashwant Varma (File Photo) NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is expected to announce the formation of a high-level inquiry committee to examine charges against Allahabad high court Judge Yashwant Varma, news agency PTI reported on Thursday quoting official sources. The move follows the submission of a notice signed by 152 Members of Parliament on July 21, calling for a probe into the grounds for Justice Varma's potential removal. The notice, now deemed the "property of the House," has triggered formal consultations to establish a three-member inquiry panel. According to the Judges (Inquiry) Act, such a committee must include either the Chief Justice of India or a Supreme Court judge, a Chief Justice of a high court, and a distinguished jurist. Sources confirmed that consultations are already underway, with Speaker Birla expected to write to the Chief Justice of India to recommend two of the committee members. The choice of the jurist, however, will rest solely with the Speaker. The Rajya Sabha is also involved in the process, as a similar notice signed by 63 opposition MPs was submitted to the Upper House on the same day. Consequently, coordination between both Houses has become crucial to the next steps. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Canada is Open for Professionals Seeking Relocation PR Canadiense Sign Up Undo Since the submission of the notices, senior leaders including home minister Amit Shah, Rajya Sabha leader of the house JP Nadda, Speaker Birla, and deputy Chairman Harivansh, who is currently presiding over the Upper House following Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation, have been in intense deliberations over the path ahead. Dhankhar, who had invoked the Judges (Inquiry) Act in the Rajya Sabha on Monday to clarify procedure, later resigned in a surprise move, citing health concerns. However, political observers believe his resignation followed discontent within the government over his decision to acknowledge the opposition-backed notice despite a bipartisan one already before the Lok Sabha. With Harivansh now temporarily in charge, the fate of the Rajya Sabha notice remains uncertain. 'We have not been told anything so far,' said an opposition MP who signed the notice. As per the Act, the three-member committee will examine the grounds for seeking the judge's removal and determine whether the charges warrant further action.
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
With process to remove Justice Yashwant Varma now likely in Parliament, how impeachment works
The process to remove former Delhi High Court judge Yashwant Varma, whose official residence in New Delhi was allegedly found to have wads of currency notes in March, will soon be initiated in the Lok Sabha. The Indian Express has learned that Speaker Om Birla could announce a statutory committee to investigate the grounds on which the removal has been sought. Birla and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh met on Wednesday (July 23) with officials of both houses to discuss the procedure, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah also joining them. The presiding officers will have to consult the Chief Justice of India for finalising the names, as the statutory committee should have one judge each from the Supreme Court and the High Courts. On the same day, the Supreme Court said it will set up a bench to hear Justice Varma's plea challenging the legal validity of the judiciary's in-house inquiry committee, which confirmed charges of recovery of unaccounted cash. Justice Varma called it 'a parallel, extra-constitutional mechanism'. The developments also follow Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar's surprise resignation on Monday evening. As The Indian Express reported Tuesday, it came hours after his decision, as the ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, to accept the Opposition's notice on the removal of Justice Varma. Sources said the government believed that the move upstaged its own initiative to bring in such a notice. The procedure for the impeachment of a Supreme Court judge is laid down under Article 124(4) of the Constitution, and Article 218 says the same provisions shall also apply to a judge of the High Court. Under Article 124(4), a judge can be removed by Parliament through a laid-down procedure on only two grounds: 'proved misbehaviour' and 'incapacity'. For an impeachment motion to be accepted, at least two-thirds of those 'present and voting' in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha must vote in favour of removing the judge, and the number of votes in favour must be more than 50% of the 'total membership' of each House. If Parliament passes such a vote, the President will pass an order for the removal of the judge. The detailed procedure for the impeachment of a judge is laid down in the Judges Inquiry Act, 1968. Under Section 3, for a motion of impeachment to be taken up, it has to be moved by not less than 100 members in the Lok Sabha, and at least 50 members in the Rajya Sabha. This collection of signatures is the first step. There is no time limit for the Speaker/ Chairman to act on the motion, and they can either admit it or refuse to do so. If admitted, a three-member committee of inquiry must be constituted as soon as may be. The committee is headed by the Chief Justice of India or a judge of the Supreme Court, and has a Chief Justice of any High Court, and a person who is, in the opinion of the Speaker/ Chairman, a 'distinguished jurist'. The committee frames the charges, and can seek a medical test for the judge if the impeachment charge is grounds of mental incapacity. The committee has the power to regulate its procedure, call for evidence, and cross-examine witnesses. The committee will then submit a report to the Speaker/ Chairman with its findings. The Speaker/ Chairman will place the report before Lok Sabha/ Rajya Sabha 'as soon as may be'. If the report finds that the judge is not guilty, the matter will end there. In case of a guilty finding, the report of the committee is adopted by the House in which it was introduced, and then an address is made to the President by each House of Parliament in the same session, seeking the judge's removal. A motion will be put to a vote, and once the process is over, the same will be repeated in the other house. The impeachment process differs from the internal inquiry within the judiciary. The need for an internal mechanism within the judiciary was felt in 1995, after allegations of financial impropriety surfaced against then Bombay High Court Chief Justice A M Bhattacharjee. After the Bombay Bar Association moved a resolution calling for the judge's resignation, a writ petition was filed before the Supreme Court seeking to restrain the Bar. While hearing the case, Justices K Ramaswamy and B L Hansaria of the SC noted the 'hiatus between bad behaviour and impeachable misbehaviour' (C. Ravichandran Iyer v. Justice A.M. Bhattacharjee). The SC noted there was no process to hold a judge accountable for 'bad conduct inconsistent with the high office', when such conduct did not meet the high bar of impeachment set by Article 124 of the Constitution. Thus, to address such issues, the SC constituted a five-member committee comprising the senior-most HC Chief Justices at the time, to devise the procedure 'for taking suitable remedial action against judges, who by their acts of omission or commission, do not follow the accepted values of judicial life…' The committee submitted its report in October 1997. It was adopted with amendments in a full court meeting of the SC in December 1999. Process revisited in 2014 In 2014, when a woman additional district and sessions judge from Madhya Pradesh filed a complaint of sexual harassment against a sitting judge of the High Court, the SC revisited its in-house procedure. Justices J S Khehar and Arun Mishra summarised and explained this process through 'seven steps' (Additional District and Sessions Judge 'X' v. Registrar General High Court of Madhya Pradesh). Essentially, this process begins when the Chief Justice of a HC, the CJI, or the President of India receives a complaint. The CJ of the HC or the President will forward the complaint to the CJI. This complaint can be dropped at any stage, if not found serious enough by the CJI. However, to test its veracity, the CJI can seek a preliminary report from the CJ of the HC concerned. If the CJ recommends that a 'deeper probe' is warranted, the CJI may examine the recommendation and the statement of the judge facing the accusations. A three-member inquiry, comprising two other HC Chief Justices and one HC judge, can be ordered. This committee has the power to devise its own procedure 'consistent with the rules of natural justice', such as hearing both sides in a case. Once the inquiry has been concluded, the committee will submit its report to the CJI. This report must state whether: If the report finds there is substance to the allegations, it will be sent to the judge concerned as well. If the committee concludes that the misconduct is not serious enough to warrant removal proceedings, the CJI may 'advise' the judge concerned and direct that the committee's report be placed on record. If the committee decides that the allegations are serious enough to initiate removal proceedings, the CJI will advise the concerned judge to resign or retire voluntarily. If the judge does not accept, the CJI will direct the HC Chief Justice not to assign any judicial work to said judge. In Justice Varma's situation, then CJI Sanjiv Khanna asked Chief Justice of Delhi High Court Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya not to assign any judicial work to Justice Varma. Further, the CJI will inform the President and the Prime Minister of the committee's finding that removal proceedings should be initiated. In June, it was learnt that the inquiry committee in Justice Varma's case spoke of 'implied responsibility' on the part of the judge in the recovery of cash, and held him responsible for 'misconduct'. Apurva Vishwanath is the National Legal Editor of The Indian Express in New Delhi. She graduated with a B.A., LL. B (Hons) from Dr Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow. She joined the newspaper in 2019 and in her current role, oversees the newspapers coverage of legal issues. She also closely tracks judicial appointments. Prior to her role at the Indian Express, she has worked with ThePrint and Mint. ... Read More Have been in journalism covering national politics for 23 years. Have covered six consecutive Lok Sabha elections and assembly polls in almost all the states. Currently writes on ruling BJP. Always loves to understand what's cooking in the national politics (And ventures into the act only in kitchen at home). ... Read More
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
CJI recuses from hearing Justice Varma's plea
CJI BR Gavai (File photo) NEW DELHI: Chief Justice B R Gavai on Wednesday recused from hearing a petition by Allahabad high court's Justice Yashwant Varma, who has sought quashing of an in-house inquiry panel report finding him complicit in the sacks of cash discovered at his official residence on the night of March 14 when he was a judge of Delhi HC. "It would not be proper for me (a bench headed by him) to take up the matter as I was part of the administrative processes related to the judge (linked to the cash-in-kothi incident). I will list it for hearing as soon as possible," CJI Gavai said. The other members of the bench were Justices K Vinod Chandran and Joymalya Bagchi. Sibal seeks urgent hearing before LS admits Varma removal motion Justice Yashwant Varma's counsel Kapil Sibal, who in his YouTube show has already doubted the procedure adopted by the inquiry panel and questioned then CJI Sanjiv Khanna's decision to send the report to the govt along with the recommendation to initiate a removal motion, sought urgent hearing before a bench headed by CJI Gavai a day after the govt garnered signatures of more than 150 Lok Sabha MPs for the removal motion. Probably understanding the need for an expeditious hearing prior to the Lok Sabha speaker admitting the removal motion, Sibal said, "There is some urgency. Please list the HC judge's petition for hearing. The recommendation for his removal raises some important constitutional issues." In his social media panel discussion, which included former SC judge Sanjay Kishan Kaul and ex-Delhi HC judge Mukta Gupta, Sibal had said sending the in-house panel report to the govt amounted to mixing politics with a purely constitutional process. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 most beautiful women in the world Undo Justice Yashwant Varma's writ petition, filed through advocate Vaibhav Niti, has questioned why Delhi Police and Delhi Fire Service personnel, who discovered the cash, did not seize it or prepare a 'panchnama' (statement of witnesses in writing corroborating the discovery of cash), which alone could have been admissible evidence. Accusing former CJI Khanna of subjecting him to media trial by uploading "unsubstantiated" material against him on the SC's official website, Justice Varma has said principles of natural justice were violated as the then CJI did not grant him a personal hearing after offering him the choice of either resigning or taking voluntary retirement in the wake of the damning report. The May 3 report of the inquiry committee was sent to the President and the PM on May 8 with the recommendation to initiate removal motion.
