1. Supreme Court Reinstates 3-Year Practice Requirement for Judicial Services Exams

Context: In a significant move, the Supreme Court of India has reinstated the mandatory three-year practice as an advocate for candidates aspiring to join the judicial services at the entry level. This ruling reaffirms the value of courtroom experience in shaping competent and mature judicial officers, especially in the lower judiciary, where day-to-day interaction with litigants is most intensive.

Historical Background: Evolving Standards for Judicial Recruitment

The debate around requiring prior legal practice isn’t new. The 14th Law Commission Report (1958) first proposed a 3 to 5-year practice condition for those entering the subordinate judiciary. At the same time, it recommended the establishment of an All India Judicial Services (AIJS)—a national-level recruitment process for the higher judiciary—which did not demand courtroom experience.

In 1992, the Supreme Court, in the landmark All India Judges’ Association vs Union of India case, initially allowed fresh law graduates to apply. However, this stance was reversed in 1993 upon review. The Shetty Commission (1996) later criticized the practice requirement, citing it as a barrier for talented law graduates. Consequently, in 2002, the SC scrapped the rule, acknowledging that the judiciary was struggling to attract the best legal talent.

Why the Rule is Back: Arguments in Favour

1. Bridging the Theory-Practice Divide : Legal education in India, particularly in many traditional law colleges, often lacks practical training. Courtroom experience imparts vital skills such as procedural fluency, evidence handling, and courtroom decorum.
2. Enhancing Judicial Decision-Making: Practical exposure leads to better reasoning, empathy, and procedural efficiency. Seasoned advocates are more likely to deliver judgments that are grounded in real-world legal challenges.
3. Building Ethical Resilience: Lower courts often face external pressures and local influences. Candidates with prior legal practice are better equipped with the ethical grounding and maturity to resist such interference.
4. Global Best Practices: Countries like Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia mandate prior experience before judicial appointment, reinforcing its value in ensuring judicial competence and credibility.

Concerns and Criticism: Arguments Against

1. Barrier to Top Talent: Graduates from prestigious NLUs often opt for high-paying corporate roles. Imposing a 3-year delay further deters them from considering a career in judiciary.
2. Infrequent Exams and Age Limit Challenges: Judicial service exams are irregular in many states. Combined with existing age limits, the rule may disqualify or discourage many aspirants.
3. Gender Disparity: According to the India Justice Report, women make up only 38% of the district judiciary. Career breaks due to maternity and societal expectations may disproportionately affect their ability to fulfill the experience requirement.
4. Impact on Marginalized Aspirants: For students from economically weaker sections, the need to start earning early is critical. An added delay could make a judicial career financially unviable.

What Lies Ahead: Pathways for Reform

1. Structured Training Instead of Practice : A potential solution is to allow fresh graduates but subject them to a comprehensive two-year judicial training program, blending classroom instruction with live court exposure.
2. Revamping the Examination Process: Shift from memory-based questions to scenario-based assessments, focusing on practical legal reasoning, evidence analysis, and judgment writing—as envisioned in the original 14th Law Commission Report.
3. Attracting Talent Through Incentives: Introduce competitive stipends, mentorship, and career growth plans to make the judiciary more attractive for young legal professionals.

Additional Insight: A Global View

• In the UK, aspiring judges often spend 7 to 10 years in practice before applying for judicial roles.
• In Germany, law graduates undergo a two-year legal clerkship (Referendariat) before qualifying for judicial exams.
• The United States emphasizes trial experience, and many judges are appointed only after significant private or public legal practice.

Conclusion: Striking a Balance Between Experience and Access

While experience enhances judicial quality, it is crucial to ensure that it does not become an unjust hurdle for talented, young, and marginalized aspirants. A balanced approach, combining early-career training, inclusive policies, and reformative assessment models, can help build a judiciary that is not only competent but also representative and accessible.

2. Dr. M.R. Srinivasan: The Visionary Behind India’s Peaceful Nuclear Power Revolution

Context: India mourns the loss of Dr. M.R. Srinivasan, a pioneering nuclear scientist and a key figure in shaping the nation’s nuclear energy programme. A titan in the field, Dr. Srinivasan passed away recently, leaving behind a legacy rooted in scientific excellence, national service, and energy self-reliance.

A Career Defined by Nation-Building:

Born on January 5, 1930, Dr. Srinivasan dedicated his life to advancing India’s nuclear capabilities. His illustrious career spans the formative decades of India’s atomic energy mission.

Key Milestones in His Journey:

• 1955: Joined the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), collaborating closely with Dr. Homi Bhabha on Apsara, India’s first nuclear research reactor.
• 1959: Became Principal Project Engineer for India’s first nuclear power station.
• 1967: Appointed Chief Project Engineer of the Madras Atomic Power Station.
• 1974: Led the Power Projects Engineering Division, driving key infrastructural advancements.
• 1984: Took charge as Chairman of the Nuclear Power Board.
• 1987: Became Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy.
  • He was also the founding Chairman of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), under which 18 nuclear reactors were commissioned.

Honours and Recognition:

Dr. Srinivasan’s contributions earned him national and international acclaim:

• Padma Shri (1984)
• Padma Bhushan (1990)
• Padma Vibhushan (2015) – one of India’s highest civilian honours
• Served on the Planning Commission (1996–1998) and National Security Advisory Board (2002–2004, 2006–2008).

His scientific vision helped shape India’s nuclear policy in both civilian and strategic sectors, balancing technological independence with responsible governance.

India’s Nuclear Programme: A Pillar of Energy Security

India’s nuclear journey, championed by visionaries like Dr. Srinivasan, is rooted in the aim of achieving energy security, clean power, and strategic autonomy.

The Three-Stage Nuclear Power Strategy:

1. Stage I – Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs): Utilizing natural uranium as fuel. This stage is the current backbone of India’s civilian nuclear energy generation.
2. Stage II – Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs): Convert plutonium and depleted uranium into more fissile material, enabling sustainable fuel cycles.
   • India has successfully entered Stage II with the core loading of the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam.
3. Stage III – Advanced Thorium Reactors: Designed to leverage India’s vast thorium reserves—the country holds 21% of global thorium resources.
   • Projects like ‘Bhavini’ aim to unlock this clean and abundant energy source.

Current Capacity and Future Outlook:

• Installed Capacity (2024): India operates 23 nuclear reactors across seven power stations, generating 8,180 MW (up from 4,780 MW in 2014).
• Future Projection: The nuclear capacity is expected to rise to 22,480 MW by 2031–32, indicating rapid growth.
• Energy Distribution Model: Under a new power-sharing framework:
  • 50% of electricity goes to host states
  • 35% to nearby regions
  • 15% to the national grid

Recent Developments and Global Cooperation:

India is increasingly positioning nuclear power as a clean energy alternative, alongside solar and wind. Recent advancements include:

• Ten new reactors approved for construction
• Exploration of private sector participation, including the launch of Bharat Small Modular Reactors (BSMRs)
• Strategic partnerships with Russia, France, and the United States for nuclear technology transfer and collaboration

India is also actively engaging in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to strengthen global nuclear safety and research cooperation.

Legacy of Dr. Srinivasan: A Torchbearer of Scientific Excellence

Dr. M.R. Srinivasan’s life epitomized visionary leadership, scientific innovation, and patriotic commitment. His guidance helped lay the foundation for one of the world’s most self-reliant nuclear energy programmes, driving both clean energy growth and strategic independence.

As India aims to meet its climate goals and energy needs, his legacy continues to inspire the next generation of scientists and policymakers.

3. Operation Olivia: Safeguarding India’s Marine Biodiversity

Context: Operation Olivia is a flagship conservation initiative of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), launched annually between November and May. The mission is focused on protecting Olive Ridley sea turtles during their critical nesting season, especially along the Odisha coastline, including the Gahirmatha Beach and Rushikulya river mouth.

In its latest success, the operation ensured the safe nesting of over 6.98 lakh Olive Ridley turtles at the Rushikulya river mouth — setting a new conservation milestone.

How Operation Olivia Works:

Operation Olivia employs a multi-layered protection strategy that includes:

• 24/7 coastal patrolling by ships and personnel
• Aerial surveillance using aircraft and drones
• Monitoring of fishing activity to curb illegal practices
• Community engagement and collaboration with NGOs
• Promotion of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) to reduce bycatch
• Environmental awareness campaigns for sustainable fishing

Since its inception, the Indian Coast Guard has executed:

• 5,387+ surface patrol sorties
• 1,768+ aerial surveillance missions

These concerted efforts have led to a sharp decline in threats such as illegal trawling, marine pollution, and habitat degradation.

Why Olive Ridley Turtles Matter:

The Olive Ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) is one of the smallest and most abundant sea turtles in the world. They are recognized by their olive-colored, heart-shaped shell and are famous for their Arribada — a rare mass nesting event where thousands of females come ashore simultaneously to lay eggs.

Key Features:

• Length: Up to 2 feet
• Weight: Around 50 kg
• Diet: Omnivorous – feeding on jellyfish, shrimp, algae, and seaweed
• Behavior: Solitary and highly migratory, traveling thousands of kilometers between feeding and nesting grounds

Where Are They Found?

These turtles inhabit the warm tropical waters of the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans. In India, Odisha’s Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary is recognized as the world’s largest rookery of Olive Ridley turtles.

Other important nesting sites include:

• Rushikulya river mouth, Odisha
• Devi river mouth, Odisha
• Velas Beach, Maharashtra
• Chilika Lake area, Odisha

Conservation Status:

Despite their abundance, Olive Ridley turtles face multiple threats from coastal development, climate change, and fishing-related mortality. They are protected under:

• IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (India): Schedule I (highest protection)
• CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species): Appendix I (trade strictly prohibited)

Extra Facts and Insights:

• The Arribada phenomenon is unique to Olive Ridley and Kemp’s ridley turtles only.
• The turtles use geomagnetic cues to return to the same beach where they were born.
• Turtle hatchlings, upon emerging, instinctively crawl toward moonlight reflecting on the sea — a process disrupted by artificial coastal lighting.
• The incubation temperature of eggs determines the sex of hatchlings — higher temperatures produce more females, raising climate-related concerns.
• Plastic ingestion and oil spills are growing threats to marine turtle populations.

The Bigger Picture:

Operation Olivia is more than a conservation effort — it is a symbol of hope and collaborative commitment to preserving India’s marine ecosystem. The initiative reflects a harmonious balance between enforcement and education, making it a model for wildlife protection globally.

By ensuring a safe nesting environment, India contributes significantly to the global survival of this ancient species, helping maintain the delicate balance of marine biodiversity.

4. Irula Tribe: Guardians of Ancient Wisdom and Nature

5. Mizoram Becomes India’s First State to Achieve Full Functional Literacy

Context: In a historic achievement, Mizoram has become the first Indian state to attain Full Functional Literacy, with a remarkable literacy rate of 98.20%, as per the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2023-24. This milestone places Mizoram above the 95% literacy threshold defined by the Ministry of Education to qualify for functional literacy.

What is Functional Literacy?

Functional literacy goes beyond basic reading and writing. It refers to individuals’ ability to read, write, perform basic arithmetic, and apply these skills effectively in daily life. In today’s context, it also includes digital and financial literacy, enabling individuals to participate more fully in society and the economy.

ULLAS: A Lifelong Learning Movement

Mizoram’s success story is closely linked to the ULLAS initiative – Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society, officially known as the Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram or New India Literacy Programme (NILP).

Here are key highlights of the programme:

• Type: Centrally Sponsored Scheme
• Duration: 2022-2027
• Ministry: Ministry of Education
• Target Group: Adults aged 15 years and above, especially those who missed out on formal education
• Core Components:
  • Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN)
  • Critical Life Skills (including health, hygiene, and disaster management)
  • Basic Education (up to Class 8)
  • Vocational Skills Development
  • Continuing Education (libraries, book clubs, digital learning)

Volunteer-Driven Implementation:

The programme thrives on volunteerism, encouraging citizens to contribute through a sense of Kartavya Bodh (duty consciousness). Samajik Chetna Kendras have been set up using available infrastructure like schools, community halls, and local cultural centers, with schools serving as the operational base.

Educational resources are made accessible in regional languages through platforms like the DIKSHA Portal and the ULLAS Mobile App.

Certification Through FLNAT:

To assess learning outcomes, the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT) is conducted twice a year, or on-demand, at local schools. Successful learners are awarded certificates recognizing their achievement.

Mizoram’s Feat in National Context:

While Ladakh was the first administrative unit (Union Territory) to declare full functional literacy, Mizoram’s achievement as the first full-fledged state marks a significant stride in India’s education reform. It serves as a model for other states aiming to empower citizens through inclusive, lifelong learning.

Did You Know?

• According to UNESCO, each year of schooling can increase a person’s income by up to 10%.
• Literacy among adults leads to lower child mortality, higher civic participation, and better health outcomes.
• India aims to make 100% functional literacy a reality under the National Education Policy (NEP 2020), in alignment with SDG Goal 4: Quality Education for All.

Mizoram’s literacy success reflects the power of community participation, inclusive policy, and the transformative vision of NEP 2020. The journey from basic literacy to functional literacy marks not just an educational milestone—but a social revolution.

6. World Health Assembly 2024 Adopts Historic Pandemic Agreement

Context: In a landmark move, the World Health Organization (WHO) has formally adopted the first-ever international Pandemic Agreement during the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) held in Geneva, Switzerland. The legally binding pact is designed to enhance global readiness, response, and equity in tackling future pandemics—drawing lessons from the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

What is the WHO Pandemic Agreement?

After three years of intense negotiations, WHO Member States have unanimously agreed to the Pandemic Accord, a global legal framework intended to ensure the world never faces a pandemic unprepared again. This historic accord, once ratified by at least 60 countries by 2026, will come into full effect—marking a turning point in international health cooperation.

Understanding the World Health Assembly (WHA):

The World Health Assembly is the governing body of the WHO, comprising delegates from all 194 Member States. It meets annually to:

• Set global health priorities
• Approve WHO budgets and strategic work plans
• Elect the Director-General of WHO
• Adopt international agreements under Article 19 of the WHO Constitution

The WHA has previously been instrumental in key health victories, including:

• Eradication of Smallpox (1980)
• International Health Regulations (IHR) – global health security framework
• Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (2003) – first global health treaty
• Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework (2011)

Key Objectives of the Pandemic Agreement:

The newly adopted agreement centers around the principles of equity, transparency, solidarity, and scientific cooperation, while firmly upholding the sovereignty of nations. Its primary aims include:

• Enhancing early detection and rapid response to emerging health threats
• Strengthening national pandemic prevention plans
• Ensuring equitable access to vaccines, treatments, diagnostics, and health products
• Promoting transparency in information and pathogen sharing

Major Features and Provisions:

1. Legal Framework with Global Significance: This is only the second legally binding agreement adopted under Article 19 of the WHO Constitution—the first being the Tobacco Control Convention in 2003.
2. Prevention, Surveillance & Preparedness:

Member States will be guided to:

• Establish robust surveillance systems
• Invest in routine immunization, lab safety, and zoonotic disease monitoring
• Address antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and strengthen early-warning systems

3. Equitable Production & Distribution:

The agreement encourages sustainable local manufacturing of health tools to avoid overreliance on a few countries. It aims for:

• Timely scale-up of medical production during pandemics
• Fair distribution guided by public health needs

4. Technology Transfer and Innovation Access:

A major emphasis is placed on voluntary technology sharing, especially with low- and middle-income countries. Mechanisms include:

• Licensing and financial incentives
• Creation of regional tech hubs supported by WHO
• Building local manufacturing capacity

5. Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) System:

The PABS system will enable rapid sharing of pathogen data with researchers and manufacturers. In return:

• Manufacturers must reserve 20% of their output for WHO (10% donated, 10% at affordable prices)
• Open to global manufacturers, promoting transparency and cooperation

6. Global Supply Chain and Logistics Network:

To avoid supply shortages seen during COVID-19, a WHO-coordinated logistics network will be created to:

• Distribute medical supplies based on urgency and equity
• Enhance transparency in supply and demand forecasts

Protecting National Sovereignty:

The agreement does not empower WHO to override national laws or enforce measures like lockdowns, vaccine mandates, or border closures. Each country retains full autonomy in how it implements the agreement within its jurisdiction.

U.S. Absence: A Notable Omission

A significant concern is the absence of the United States from the final agreement. U.S. negotiators withdrew from the process, partly influenced by earlier decisions under the Trump administration to disengage from the WHO. Experts warn this could limit the agreement’s global impact, though efforts continue to bring the U.S. back into the fold.

Additional Insights and Global Implications:

• According to the Global Preparedness Monitoring Board, the world faces a 27% chance of a pandemic as deadly as COVID-19 in the next 25 years.

• The pandemic caused a global economic loss of over $12.5 trillion—highlighting the urgent need for preventive frameworks.
• The agreement aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), reinforcing health as a universal right.

A Step Toward a Safer Future:

The WHO Pandemic Agreement represents a monumental shift in how the world addresses global health threats. With its emphasis on solidarity, scientific cooperation, and equity, it sets the foundation for a more resilient and inclusive global health system.

As countries move toward ratification and implementation, this agreement could very well become the bedrock of future pandemic resilience—preventing history from repeating itself.