06 May 2025 : Daily Current Affairs

1. Supreme Court Flags Delay in Judicial Appointments

Source: Page 1, The Hindu International Edition (May 06, 2025)

Topic: GS2 – Polity and Governance

Context

The Supreme Court has expressed concern over delays by the government in clearing collegium recommendations for judicial appointments, warning it hampers judicial functioning.

Content:

• Background:
  India’s higher judiciary appointments are governed by the collegium system. Delays in government approval of collegium recommendations have been a source of tension between the executive and judiciary.
  
  
• Key Points:
  
  
  • SC criticized the Centre for “cherry-picking” names and ignoring timelines.
    
  • Delay leads to case backlogs, judicial vacancies, and undermines public trust.
    
  • Government defends delays citing need for wider consultation.
    
    
• Analysis:
  
  
  • Highlights separation of powers tension.
    
  • Raises questions about accountability and transparency in appointments.
    
  • Judicial independence is crucial for rule of law.
    
    
• Way Forward:
  
  
  • Strengthen Memorandum of Procedure (MoP) to set strict timelines.
    
  • Consider National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) reforms with safeguards.
    
  • Foster executive-judiciary dialogue.

Practice Question:

Discuss the impact of delays in judicial appointments on judicial functioning and public trust. Suggest institutional reforms to address the issue.(250 words / 15 marks)

2. Urban Floods: Bengaluru’s Monsoon Challenge

Source: Page 10, The Hindu International Edition (May 06, 2025)

Topic: GS1 – Urbanization; GS3 – Disaster Management

Context

Bengaluru civic authorities gear up for monsoon after severe flooding last year, highlighting urban planning deficits.

Content:

• Background:
  Unplanned urban growth and encroachments on stormwater drains have increased flood vulnerability.
  
  
  • Key Points:
    
    
    • Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) focuses on desilting drains, lake rejuvenation.
      
    • Experts warn about inadequate infrastructure and climate change impacts.
      
    • Citizen groups call for participatory urban governance.
      
      
  • Analysis:
    
    
    • Urban floods reflect governance failure, lack of resilience planning.
      
    • Climate change has intensified extreme weather events.
      
    • Coordination between civic bodies, state agencies, and citizens is critical.
      
      
  • Way Forward:
    
    
    • Enforce urban zoning, remove encroachments.
      
    • Invest in blue-green infrastructure (wetlands, permeable surfaces).
    • Build climate-resilient urban governance frameworks.

Practice Question:

Urban floods in Indian cities are a result of poor planning and governance. Discuss with examples and suggest remedial measures. (250 words / 15 marks)

3. India’s Stand on Gaza Crisis

Source: Page 9, The Indian Express Edition (May 06, 2025)

Topic: GS2 – International Relations

Context

India reiterates its support for a two-state solution amid the escalating Gaza conflict, balancing strategic interests with humanitarian concerns.

Content:

• Background:
  The ongoing Gaza crisis has drawn international condemnation. India has historically supported Palestinian rights while maintaining strong ties with Israel.
  
  
• Key Points:
  
  
  • India called for restraint, dialogue, humanitarian aid.
    
  • Balances moral stance and realpolitik.
    
  • Faces domestic pressures from political and civil society groups.
    
    
• Analysis:
  
  
  • Reflects India’s evolving foreign policy pragmatism.
    
  • Highlights the challenge of balancing values and interests.
    
  • Impacts India’s role in multilateral forums.
    
    
• Way Forward:
  
  
  • Strengthen diplomatic engagement with both Israel and Palestine.
    
  • Use platforms like BRICS, UN, NAM for peace efforts.
    
  • Prioritize humanitarian aid and advocacy.

Practice Question:

Critically examine India’s diplomatic balancing act in the Israel-Palestine conflict. How does it reflect broader trends in India’s foreign policy? (150 words / 10 marks)

4. India’s Record Wheat Procurement Falls Short

Source: Page 1, The Indian Express National Edition (May 06, 2025)

Topic: GS3 – Economy; Agriculture

Context

India’s wheat procurement is significantly below target, raising food security concerns amid global supply disruptions.

Content:

• Background:
  Extreme weather has reduced yields; farmers prefer selling in open markets for better prices.
  
  
• Key Points:
  
  
  • FCI procured ~26 million tonnes vs. 34 million tonne target.
    
  • Impacts PDS, food inflation.
    
  • Govt considers export restrictions, open market interventions.
    
    
• Analysis:
  
  
  • Reveals vulnerability to climate change.
    
  • Highlights need for agricultural reforms, market efficiency.
    
  • MSP vs. market price debate.
    
    
• Way Forward:
  
  
  • Improve storage, procurement infrastructure.
    
  • Incentivize climate-resilient crops.
    
  • Reform PDS, strengthen buffer stock management.

Practice Question:

Examine the challenges in India’s food procurement system in the wake of climate change. Suggest policy measures to ensure food security. (250 words / 15 marks)

Prelims Facts

1. Ayushman Bharat Expansion Announced

Source: Page – 1, The Hindu International Edition (May 06, 2025)

Topic: GS2 (Governance, Welfare Schemes)

Context

The government announced the expansion of the Ayushman Bharat scheme to cover all citizens above 70 years of age.

Content:

• • The scheme previously covered 10 crore families; now extended to ~12 crore seniors.
  • Aims to reduce out-of-pocket expenses and enhance geriatric healthcare access.
  • Focus on preventive care, hospitalization coverage, and empanelled private hospitals.
  • Challenges: Funding gaps, implementation in rural areas, awareness levels.
  • Way forward: Strengthen primary healthcare, robust monitoring, better state-centre coordination.

2. Agni Prime Missile Test-Fire

Source: Page – 10, The Hindu International Edition (May 06, 2025)

Topic: GS3 (Security, Defence Technology)

Context

India successfully tested the next-generation Agni Prime missile from the Odisha coast.

Content:

• Agni Prime: Two-stage, solid-fuel ballistic missile, ~1,000–2,000 km range.
• Lighter, more maneuverable, equipped with advanced navigation.
• Boosts India’s credible minimum deterrence posture.
  
• Way forward: Focus on indigenous R&D, cost-efficiency, global non-proliferation norms compliance.

3. Supreme Court Orders 100% EVM-VVPAT Verification

Source: Indian Express, Section – Explained, Page – 1 (May 06, 2025)

Topic: GS2 (Polity, Electoral Reforms)

Context

The Supreme Court ordered 100% verification of EVM-VVPAT slips in upcoming elections.

Content:

• Broader implications: Strengthening electoral integrity, but raises operational concerns.
  
• Earlier: Random checks of 5 EVMs per constituency.
• New order aims to boost voter confidence, transparency.
  
• Challenges: Logistics, time delays, resource crunch.
  
• Way forward: Improve EVM-VVPAT systems, pilot digital tracking tools, capacity building for poll staff.

4. Sacred Ensembles of Hoysala Temples Recognized by UNESCO

Source: Page – 8, The Hindu International Edition (May 06, 2025)

Topic: GS1 (Indian Heritage and Culture)

Context

UNESCO added the Sacred Ensembles of Hoysala Temples (Karnataka) to the World Heritage list.

Content:

• • Includes Chennakesava (Belur), Hoysaleswara (Halebidu), Keshava (Somanathapura) temples.
    
  • Notable for intricate soapstone architecture, friezes, sculptures.
    
  • Cultural significance: Legacy of Hoysala dynasty (12th–13th century), influence on Dravidian art.
    
  • Benefits: Global recognition, tourism boost, funding for conservation.
    
  • Challenges: Climate impact, visitor pressure, local community involvement.

Check more: 05 May 2025 : Daily Current Affairs