Indian Polity
Central Information Commission (CIC):
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- Context: Centre informed the Supreme Court that vacancies in the Central Information Commission (CIC), which has no Chief Information Commissioner and is down to just two Information Commissioners out of a total sanctioned strength of 10, will be filled in “two or three” weeks.
- Established under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005.
- Functions as the highest appellate authority under the RTI Act.
- Head: Chief Information Commissioner, assisted by up to 10 Information Commissioners.
- Appointed by: President of India on recommendation of a committee (PM, Leader of Opposition, Union Cabinet Minister).
- Tenure: 3 years or until age 65, whichever is earlier (as per RTI Amendment Act, 2019).
- Power: Can order disclosure of information, impose penalties on PIOs.
- Headquarters: New Delhi.
(TH)
Chief Justice of India (CJI):
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- Context: Chief Justice of India (CJI), B.R. Gavai, recommended Justice Surya Kant, the seniormost judge of the Supreme Court, as his successor to office, and the 53rd Chief Justice of India.
- Under the Memorandum of Procedure for the appointment of the Chief Justice of India, and Supreme Court Judges, the Union Law Ministry seeks the recommendation of the outgoing Chief Justice for the next appointment, following which the latter replies to the government.
- Justice Kant has been a part of several impactful decisions of the apex court, including the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution which removed the special status to the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir. He was also part of the Bench which held the electoral bonds scheme unconstitutional.
(TH)
International Developments
ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations):
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- Founded: 1967 (Bangkok Declaration).
- Headquarters: Jakarta, Indonesia.
- Members: 11 countries – Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Timor-Leste.
- Objective: Promote political, economic, and security cooperation in Southeast Asia.
- India’s relation: India is part of ASEAN-led forums like ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and East Asia Summit (EAS); follows “Act East Policy.”
- ASEAN Motto: “One Vision, One Identity, One Community.”
(PIB)
Geography, Mapping, Ecology & Environment
Cameroon:
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- Context: World’s oldest President, Paul Biya, wins Cameroon election at 92.
- Located in Central Africa, often called “Africa in miniature” due to its diverse geography and culture.
- Bordered by Nigeria, Chad, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, and the Atlantic Ocean.
- Capital: Yaoundé; Largest city:
- Official languages: French and English (bilingual nation).
- Major rivers: Sanaga, Benue, Nyong.
- Economy: Oil, agriculture (cocoa, coffee, cotton), and timber are key sectors.
- Mount Cameroon (active volcano) is the highest peak in West and Central Africa.
- Former colonies of Germany, later divided between Britain and France after WWI.
- Faces internal conflict between Anglophone and Francophone regions (since 2016).
(TH)
El-Fasher in Sudan’s Darfur:
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- Context: Civilians trapped in Sudan’s El-Fasher as RSF ‘takes’ city.
- Since May 2024, El-Fasher has been besieged by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who have been fighting a brutal war with Sudan’s Army for over two years.
- El-Fasher is the capital of North Darfur state in western Sudan.
- It has been a major centre of conflict during the Darfur crisis (since 2003).
- Acts as a strategic and humanitarian hub for UN and aid agencies.
- Historically, it was the capital of the old Sultanate of Darfur.
- Recent clashes (2024–25) between Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have made it a focal point of Sudan’s ongoing civil war.
- Located in the Sahel region, prone to desertification and displacement crises.
(TH)
Defence & Security
‘IKSHAK’, THE THIRD SURVEY VESSEL:
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- The Indian Navy’s indigenously built survey vessel “Ikshak” is scheduled for commissioning on 6 November 2025 at Naval Base Kochi.
- It is the third ship of its class, symbolising the Navy’s push for advanced platforms and self-reliance in hydrography.
- Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE), Kolkata, under supervision of the Directorate of Ship Production & Warship Overseeing Team, featuring over 80% indigenous content.
- The vessel has a dual-role capability: hydrographic survey operations and humanitarian & disaster relief (HADR) including functioning as a hospital ship in emergencies.
- It is the first SVL (Survey Vessel – Large) in the Navy to include dedicated accommodation for women, reflecting progress toward an inclusive fleet.
- The ship’s name “Ikshak” means “The Guide”, symbolising its mission to chart unknown waters, ensure safe passage, and bolster India’s maritime power.
(PIB)
PRACTICE MCQ’S
Q1. With reference to Cameroon, consider the following statements:
1. It is a bilingual country with French and English as its official languages.
2. It shares its border with three countries namely Nigeria, Chad, and Gabon.
3. Mount Cameroon, an active volcano, is the highest peak in Central Africa.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: C
Explanation:
Cameroon borders six countries such as Nigeria, Chad, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea, and not just three.
Q2. Consider the following statements regarding El-Fasher in Sudan:
1. It is the capital of North Darfur.
2. It lies in the Sahel region.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C
Explanation:
El-Fasher serves as the capital of North Darfur and was historically the seat of the Darfur Sultanate. It lies in the Sahel region and has recently become a major conflict zone between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) amid Sudan’s civil war.
Q3. With reference to the Central Information Commission (CIC), consider the following statements:
1. It was established under the provisions of the Right to Information Act, 2005.
2. The CIC is appointed by the President on the recommendation of a committee chaired by the Prime Minister.
3. The tenure of the Chief Information Commissioner is five years or until the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
How many of the above statements are correct?
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) All three
d) None
Answer: B
Explanation:
Options 1 and 2 are correct.
After the RTI (Amendment) Act, 2019, the tenure of the CIC and Information Commissioners is 3 years or until the age of 65, whichever is earlier, and not five years.
Q4. With reference to the appointment of the Chief Justice of India (CJI), consider the following statements:
1. The Chief Justice of India is appointed by the President of India under Article 124 of the Constitution.
2. The Constitution of India provides that the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court shall be appointed as the Chief Justice of India.
3. The convention of appointing the senior-most judge as CJI began after the supersession controversy of the 1970s.
4. The CJI holds office until the age of 65 years.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2, 3 and 4 only
c) 1, 3 and 4 only
d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: C
Explanation:
Options 1, 3 and 4 are correct.
The Constitution (Article 124) empowers the President to appoint the CJI but does not mention the seniority principle, it is based on convention, not law. The retirement age of a Supreme Court judge, including the CJI, is 65 years.
Q5. With reference to the Indian Navy’s survey vessel ‘Ikshak’, consider the following statements:
1. It is the first SVL (Survey Vessel – Large) in the Navy.
2. It is the first ship in its class to provide dedicated accommodation for women officers.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: A
Explanation:
Options 1 and 2 are correct.
‘Ikshak’ is built by GRSE with over 80% indigenous content. It features dual-role capabilities (survey and HADR) and is the first in its class with accommodation for women, symbolizing inclusivity and self-reliance. It is the first SVL (Survey Vessel – Large) in the Navy.
Q6. Which of the following countries is not a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)?
a) Indonesia
b) Malaysia
c) Vietnam
d) Taiwan
Answer: D
Explanation:
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was founded on 8 August 1967 through the Bangkok Declaration by Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines to promote regional peace, stability, and economic cooperation in Southeast Asia.
Members: 11 countries – Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Timor-Leste.
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