• 14 May 2025

Bhoramdev Wildlife Sanctuary

Why in News? 

In the Kawardha range of Bhoramdev Wildlife Sanctuary, bear attacked victims while they were collecting tendu leaves. 

 Key Points 

• Bhoramdev Wildlife Sanctuary: 
  • About: 
    • Bhoramdev Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Kabirdham district, Chhattisgarh. 
    • It lies within the Maikal range of the Satpura hills, known for its rich biodiversity and undisturbed ecosystem. 
    • The sanctuary spreads across an area of approximately 352 sq.km. 
  • Cultural Significance: 
    • Named after the ancient Bhoramdeo Temple, located nearby and over 1,000 years old. 
    • The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is popularly referred to as the "Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh" due to its intricate sculptures. 
  • Ecological Importance: 
    • Bhoramdev is part of the Kanha-Achanakmar Wildlife Corridor, linking Kanha National Park (Madhya Pradesh) with Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary (Chhattisgarh). 
    • The terrain includes undulating hills, dense forests, and seasonal streams. 
  • Water Bodies: 
    • The sanctuary is the origin point of the Fen and Sankari rivers, which sustain its forest ecosystem. 
  • Vegetation: 
    • Hosts a mix of tropical moist and dry deciduous forests. 
    • Common trees include Saaj (Terminalia tomentosa), Sal (Shorea robusta), Tendu (Diospyros melanoxylon), and Nilgiri (Eucalyptus). 
  • Wildlife: 
    • Inhabited by a diverse range of fauna such as Tigers, Leopards, Sloth bears, various deer species and birdlife. 

 Kanha National Park 

• Location:  
  • It stretches over an area of 940 square km in the two districts - Mandla and Balaghat - of Madhya Pradesh. 
• History:  
  • The present-day Kanha area was divided into two sanctuaries, Hallon and Banjar. 
  • It was created in 1955 and in 1973 was made the Kanha Tiger Reserve. 
  • Kanha National Park is the largest National Park in Central India. 
• Features: 
  • Fauna: 
    • The State animal of Madhya Pradesh - Hard Ground Barasingha (Swamp deer or Rucervus duvaucelii) is found exclusively in Kanha Tiger Reserve. 
    • Other Species found include Tiger, Leopard, Dhole, Bear, Gaur and Indian Python etc. 
  • Flora: 
    • It is best known for its evergreen Sal forests (Shorea Robusta). 
    • It is the first tiger reserve in India to officially introduce a mascot, “Bhoorsingh the Barasingha”. 

 Achanakmar Tiger Reserve 

• About: 
  • It is situated in Bilaspur district of Chhattisgarh. Established in 1975 and was declared a tiger reserve in 2009. 
  • It is part of the huge Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve. 
  • It has a corridor connecting Kanha and Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve and plays a critical role in the dispersal of tigers among these reserves. 
• River: 
  • The Maniyari River flows right from the centre of this reserve, which is the forest's lifeline. 
• Tribe: 
  • It is home to the Baigas, a forest-dwelling tribal community classified as a “Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG)”. 
  • In 626 hectares of the core area of the reserve, there are 25 forest villages, with approximately 75% of the population belonging to the Baiga tribe. 
• Vegetation: 
  • Tropical moist deciduous vegetation covers the majority of the area. 
• Flora: 
  • Sal, bija, saja, haldu, teak, tinsa, dhawara, lendia, khamar, and bamboo bloom along with other 600 species of medicinal plants. 
• Fauna: 
  • It includes the tiger, leopard, bison, flying squirrel, Indian giant squirrel, chinkara, wild dog, hyena, sambar, chital, and over 150 species of birds. 

52nd Chief Justice of India

Why in News? 

Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai succeeds Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna as the 52nd Chief Justice of India. 

 Key Points 

• Retirement:  
  • CJI Sanjiv Khanna retired on 13 May 2025, concluding his tenure as the 51st Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. 
  • He assumed office on November 10, 2024, and served in the top post for six months. 
• Key Judgments by Justice B.R. Gavai: Upheld 2016 demonetisation and he is a part of the Bench that upheld abrogation of Article 370.  
  • He was part of the Constitution Bench that struck down the Electoral Bonds Scheme (Association for Democratic Reforms v. Union of India).  
  • In the State of Punjab v Davinder Singh (2024), he advocated applying the creamy layer principle to SCs/STs to ensure "real equality" in affirmative action. 
• Key Provisions Related to CJI: 
  • Appointment: A Supreme Court judge is appointed by the President under Article 124 (2) of the Constitution. As per the convention, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court is designated as the CJI.  
    • The seniority is measured by the length of service on the Supreme Court. 
  • Qualification: A person to be appointed as a Supreme Court judge, should have the following qualifications: 
    • He should be a citizen of India.  
    • He should have been a judge of a High Court (or high courts in succession) for five years; or   
    • He should have been an advocate of a High Court (or High Courts in succession) for ten years; or   
    • He should be a distinguished jurist in the opinion of the president.  
  • Role of CJI: As the "Master of the Roster," the CJI holds the authority to assign specific cases to particular benches and determine the schedule for their hearings in the Supreme Court.  
    • CJI (along with collegium of four senior most judges of SC) is consulted by the President for the appointment of judges in the SC and the High Court.  
    • CJI appoints ad-hoc SC judges under Article 127 of the Constitution.  
    • With the approval of the President, the CJI can change the seat of the SC from Delhi to any other place.  
  • Removal: The CJI can be removed by the President only after Parliament presents an address, supported by a special majority in both Houses (a majority of total members and at least two-thirds of those present and voting). 

Operation Keller

Why in News? 

The Army gunned down three Kashmiri terrorists affiliated with the Pakistan-backed banned group Lashkar-e-Taiba during a counterterrorism operation in Keller, Shopian district of Kashmir. 

 Key Points 

• About the Counterterror Operation: 
  • Based on intelligence inputs from the Rashtriya Rifles, the Army launched “Operation Keller” in the dense forested Shoekal Keller area of Shopian. 
  • Army and paramilitary forces quickly sealed off the area, triggering a fierce gunfight that ended with all three terrorists killed. 
  • The Army stated that the operation is still ongoing. 
    • This was the second terrorist encounter in Kashmir in 2025.  
    • Earlier, on 16 March, J&K Police killed a Pakistani terrorist in the Handwara forests, about 100 km north of Srinagar. 
• Wider Military Context: 
  • Security forces remain on high alert following Operation Sindoor launched by India on 7 May 2025. 
  • Under the operation, India carried out airstrikes on nine terrorist camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan. 
  • These strikes came roughly two weeks after the Pahalgam massacre, escalating Indo-Pak tensions. 

 The Rashtriya Rifles 

• It is a counter-insurgency force in India, formed in 1990, to deal with internal security in the Jammu and Kashmir region. 
• They maintain public order by drawing powers from the Armed Forces (Jammu and Kashmir) Special Powers Act, 1990 (AFSPA). 
• The force operates under the Ministry of Defence. The Indian Army describes RR as their "specialist elite force to combat insurgency". 
• The RR is headquartered at Northern Command in Udhampur and commanded by an Additional Director General of Rashtriya Rifles (ADG RR). 

MoU Between CIL and UPRVUNL

Why in News? 

Coal India Limited (CIL) and Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (UPRVUNL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to set up a solar power project in the state. 

Key Points 

• About the MoU: 
  • This agreement is part of CIL’s strategic initiative in the green energy sector.  
    • It is a strong step towards meeting the rapidly growing energy demand of Uttar Pradesh. 
  • This is a non-binding agreement with the aim of setting up a solar power project of 500 MW capacity within Uttar Pradesh . 
• Solar Energy: 
  • Solar energy, known as energy obtained from the sun, is a clean and renewable energy source. It is harnessed through solar technology, which is mainly of two types: 
    • Solar Thermal: In this the heat of the sun is used to heat water. 
    • Solar Photovoltaic (PV): It uses the photovoltaic effect to convert the sun's rays into electrical energy. 
  • Uses: 
    • Solar technologies are scalable and flexible, capable of powering entire cities through solar farms. 
    • Electricity can be supplied even to remote areas through decentralized systems. 
    • Homes and commercial buildings can be provided with energy by installing solar panels on rooftops. 
      • Example : Cochin International Airport is one such example where solar energy is being used effectively. 
  • Importance:  
    • Reduction in dependence on fossil fuels. 
    • Reducing carbon emissions. 
    • Improvement in air quality. 
    • Promote energy access and security. 

 Coal India Limited (CIL) 

• Introduction: CIL is a government-owned coal mining company in India, responsible for production and management of coal resources in the country. 
  • It was established in 1975 and is the world's largest coal producing mining company
• Organisational Structure: CIL is classified as a 'Maharatna' public sector enterprise. It operates through 8 subsidiaries like Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL), Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) . 
  • Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) is the largest coal producing subsidiary of CIL. 
• Strategic Importance: More than half of India's installed power capacity is coal-based, with CIL supplying about 78% of the country's total coal production. 
  • Coal also contributes 40% to India's primary commercial energy needs. 
• Mining Capacity: CIL operates in 84 mining areas across eight Indian states and manages a total of 313 active mines.  

 Uttar Pradesh State Power Generation Corporation Limited (UPRVUNL)  

• It is a thermal power generation undertaking wholly owned by the state government, which operates five thermal power plants located in different areas of the state.  
• It was formed on 25 August 1980 under the Companies Act, 1956 to construct new thermal power projects in the state.  
• The first project constructed by the corporation was Unchahar Thermal Power Station (2x210 MW) , which was handed over to NTPC on 13 February 1992. 
• Later, under the Uttar Pradesh State Electricity Reform Act 1999 and Uttar Pradesh Transfer Scheme 2000, Uttar Pradesh State Electricity Board was reorganized and divided into three public sector undertakings: 
  • Uttar Pradesh State Electricity Generation Corporation Limited (for electricity generation) 
  • Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (for electricity distribution) 
  • Uttar Pradesh Power Transmission Corporation Limited (for electricity transmission).

Chip Design Center Launched in Noida

Why in News? 

The Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology inaugurated India's first 3-nanometer (3nm) chip design centre in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. 

Key Points 

• Achievement of 3nm technology: 
  • This technology is much more advanced than the existing 7nm and 5nm. 
  • This enables higher performance, lower energy consumption, and greater computing efficiency. 
  • It represents the pinnacle of innovation at the design level, which is now being realised in India. 
  • This centre has been established by Renesas Electronics India, a company of Japanese origin. 
• Supporting the Government Strategy: 
  • This initiative is part of the Indian government's broader strategy to develop the semiconductor ecosystem. 
  • The government is looking to empower the semiconductor ecosystem by incorporating design, manufacturing, ATMP (Assembly, Testing, Marking, Packaging) and supply of related equipment. 
  • It is being implemented under India's Semiconductor Mission and Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. 
• Global recognition and confidence : 
  • India's semiconductor capabilities are being appreciated at global forums like the World Economic Forum (Davos). 
  • This has increased the confidence of international companies and investors towards India.  

India's Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 

• Introduction: 
  • ISM was launched in 2021 under the aegis of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) with a total financial outlay of Rs.76,000 crore. 
  • This is part of a comprehensive programme to develop a sustainable semiconductor and display ecosystem in the country. 
  • The objective of this program is to provide financial support to companies investing in the semiconductor, display manufacturing and design ecosystem . 
  • It is envisaged that ISM will act as the nodal agency for efficient, consistent and smooth implementation of the schemes under the leadership of global experts from the semiconductor and display industry . 
• Ingredients: 
  • Plans to set up semiconductor fabs in India: 
    • It provides financial assistance to eligible applicants for setting up semiconductor fab (manufacturing plant) with the aim of attracting investments for setting up semiconductor wafer fabrication facilities in the country. 
• Semiconductor chips: 
  • It is a small electronic device made from a semiconductor (silicon or germanium), which serves as the basic building block of most electronic circuits. 
  • These chips can contain billions of microscopic switches on a chip smaller than a fingernail. 
  • The basic component of a semiconductor chip is a silicon wafer built of tiny transistors , which control electric current according to various computational instructions. 
  • It performs various functions, such as processing data , storing information or controlling electronic devices. 
  • They are a vital part of almost every modern electronic device, including smartphones, computers, and integrated circuits.

New UPSC Chairman Appointed

Why in News? 

Former Defence Secretary Dr. Ajay Kumar has been appointed  the new Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). 

Key Points 

• Union Public Service Commission 
  • The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is a constitutional body. Part XIV of the Indian Constitution contains provisions relating to the composition, appointment and removal, powers and functions of its members under Articles 315 to 323.  
  • Appointment of Members: The Chairman and other members of the UPSC are appointed by the President of India. 
  • Office: Any member of the UPSC will hold office for a term of six years or until the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. 
  • Re-appointment: No person who has once held office as a member of a Public Service Commission shall be eligible for reappointment to his office.  
  • Resignation: A member of the Union Public Service Commission may resign from his office by writing to the President of India.  
  • Removal/Suspension of Members: The Chairman or any other member of the Union Public Service Commission shall be removed from his office only by order of the President of India.  
    • The President may also suspend the Chairperson or any other Member before the completion of his office, in respect of which a reference is made to the Supreme Court.  
  • Removal: The Chairman or any other member of the UPSC may be removed if he:  
    • has been declared bankrupt. 
    • Engages in any paid employment outside the duties of the office during his term of office. 
    • is, in the opinion of the President, unfit to continue in office by reason of infirmity of mind or body.  
  • Regulating the conditions of service: Power of the President of India in the case of UPSC:  
    • Determines the number of members of the Commission and their conditions of service. 
    • Makes provision for the number of employees of the Commission and their conditions of service. 
  • Restriction on Powers: The service conditions of members of the UPSC shall not be amended in any manner after their appointment.  
  • Power to extend functions: The Legislature of a State may make provision for the exercise of additional functions by the UPSC or the SPSC in respect of the services of the Union or a State and in respect of the services of any local authority or other body corporate constituted by law or any public institution.  
  • Expenses: The expenses of the UPSC, including salaries, allowances and pensions of members or employees of the Commission, are met from the Consolidated  Fund of India . 
• Submission of Reports: The UPSC submits an annual report of the work done by the Commission to the President of India.  
  • A memorandum has to be submitted to the President in respect of those cases in which the advice of the Commission has not been accepted. 
    • The reasons for rejection will have to be presented before each House of Parliament before being presented to the President .