NEWS:Two T.N. Ministers quit on strong court remarks

GS-2: Polity and Governance — Separation of Powers, Judicial Review, Office of Governor, Ministerial Responsibility

• Tamil Nadu Forest Minister K. Ponmudy and Electricity, Prohibition and Excise Minister V. Senthilbalaji resigned following strong court observations.
• Supreme Court indicated Senthilbalaji must choose between being a Minister and retaining his personal freedom.
• Chief Minister M.K. Stalin recommended their resignation acceptance and induction of Mano Thangaraj into the Cabinet.
• Portfolios reassigned: Milk and Dairy Development to R.S. Rajakannappan, Transport to S.S. Sivasankar, and Prohibition and Excise to S. Muthusamy.
• Senthilbalaji’s resignation marks his second exit after previous arrest and legal troubles related to money laundering.

POWER OF JUDICIARY OVER MINISTERS

the judiciary, particularly the Supreme Court and High Courts, holds significant power over ministers, primarily through the power of judicial review and the ability to enforce fundamental rights. This means the courts can scrutinize the actions of ministers, including legislation, executive orders, and policies, and strike them down if found to be unconstitutional or violate fundamental rights

1. Judicial Review: 

• The Supreme Court and High Courts have the authority to review the actions of the executive, including those of ministers, to ensure they comply with the Constitution.
• This power is enshrined in Articles 13, 32, 136, 226, and 227 of the Indian Constitution.
• The judiciary can invalidate laws or executive actions that infringe upon fundamental rights or are deemed arbitrary or unconstitutional.

2. Enforcing Fundamental Rights: 

• The Supreme Court and High Courts have the power to issue writs (orders) to enforce fundamental rights guaranteed by Part III of the Constitution.
• This allows individuals to challenge actions of ministers or the government that violate their fundamental rights, such as the right to life, liberty, equality, or free speech.

3. Accountability and Checks and Balances:

• The judiciary’s power over ministers is a crucial aspect of the separation of powers and the system of checks and balances in the Indian government.
• It ensures that ministers are accountable for their actions and that they do not abuse their power, as their actions can be subjected to judicial scrutiny and legal redress.

4. Examples of Judicial Power over Ministers:

• Judicial Review of Legislation:

Courts can strike down laws passed by Parliament or state legislatures if they violate the Constitution. 

5. Limitations of Judicial Power:

• The judiciary’s power is not absolute. It can only review actions that are within its jurisdiction and based on established legal principles.
• The judiciary cannot interfere in the day-to-day functioning of the executive, such as policy decisions, as long as they are within the constitutional framework

NEWS:The Trump turmoil in bond markets

GS-3: Economy — Financial Markets, Monetary Policy, Global Economic Trends

• President Donald Trump’s trade policies and interference with Federal Reserve independence spooked financial markets.
• Tariffs are expected to have a short-term inflationary impact on the U.S. economy, leading to fears of rising interest rates.
• Investors started selling U.S. bonds, causing bond yields to rise and bond prices to fall.
• Loss of U.S. bonds as a safe haven creates global uncertainty, especially harming developing markets.
• Shift in global capital flows towards Germany and other stable economies with lower inflation concerns.

 Bonds

• A bond is an instrument to borrow money. It is like an IOU (I owe you).

• An IOU is a written acknowledgement of debt that one party owes another. IOUs are less formal and legally binding than promissory notes.
• A bond could be floated/issued by a country’s government or by a company to raise funds.
• Since Government Bonds (referred to as G-secs in India, Treasury in the US, and Gilts in the UK) come with the sovereign’s guarantee, they are considered one of the safest investments.
• Types of G-Secs:
  • Treasury Bills (T-bills): Treasury bills are zero coupon securities and pay no interest. Instead, they are issued at a discount and redeemed at the face value at maturity.
  • Cash Management Bills (CMBs): In 2010, the Government of India, in consultation with RBI introduced a new short-term instrument, known as CMBs, to meet the temporary mismatches in the cash flow of the Government of India.
    • The CMBs have the generic character of T-bills but are issued for maturities of less than 91 days.
  • Dated G-Secs: Dated G-Secs are securities that carry a fixed or floating coupon rate (interest rate) which is paid on the face value, on a half-yearly basis. Generally, the tenor of dated securities ranges from 5 years to 40 years.
  • State Development Loans (SDLs): State Governments also raise loans from the market which are called SDLs. SDLs are dated securities issued through normal auctions similar to the auctions conducted for dated securities issued by the Central Government.

• NEWS:RNA-based antiviral offers strong defence against deadly agri virus

GS-3: Science and Technology — Biotechnology in Agriculture, Crop Protection and Food Security

• RNA-based antiviral treatment developed to combat Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV), a major plant virus affecting over 1,200 species.
• CMV causes up to 25-30% yield losses in banana plantations in India; infection rates in pumpkins, cucumbers, and melons can reach 70%.
• Researchers used a method called RNA silencing, introducing engineered double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) enriched with small RNA (siRNA) for targeted protection.
• SIGS (Spray-Induced Gene Silencing) is being developed for real-world applications to enable easy field deployment.
• Study demonstrated high effectiveness against virus transmission and infection without genetic modification.

CMV:

• About:
  • CMV belongs to the Bromoviridae family and is one of the most widespread plant viruses. It has a broader host range, affecting cucumber, melon, eggplant, tomato, carrot, lettuce, celery, cucurbits, and some ornamentals.
  • It was first identified in cucumber in 1934.
• Transmission:
  • CMV mainly spreads through aphids, which are sap-sucking insects that can acquire and transmit the virus within minutes.
    • It can also be transmitted by seeds, mechanical inoculation, and grafting.
• Effect on Crops:
  • Distorts leaves, primarily at the top and bottom while leaving the middle relatively unaffected.
  • In cucumber, it causes a mosaic-like pattern of yellow and green spots.
  • Affects fruit formation and leads to stunting and reduced production.

NEWS:ISRO’s second short hot test of semicryogenic engine a success

GS-3: Science and Technology — Space Technology, Indigenous Technological Developments

• ISRO successfully conducted a short-duration hot test of the semicryogenic engine at the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri.
• This was the second major milestone after the first hot test on March 28, 2025.
• Test validated the engine start-up sequence, with the engine operating up to 60% of its rated power, showing stable and controlled performance.
• Engine Power Head Test Article, encompassing all systems except the thrust chamber, was tested.
• Results will aid in finalizing the operational sequencing for the full semicryogenic engine.

• Unlike a Cryogenic engine, a Semi Cryogenic engine uses Refined kerosene instead of liquid hydrogen.
• The liquid oxygen is used as a Oxidiser.
  • That’s the advantage of using a Semi Cryogenic engine as it requires Refined Kerosene which is lighter than liquid fuel and can be stored in a normal temperature.
• Kerosene combined with liquid oxygen provide a higher thrust to the rocket.
• Refined Kerosene occupies less space, making it possible to carry more propellant in a Semi Cryogenic engines fuel compartment.
• A semi cryogenic engine is more powerful, environment friendly and cost effective as compared to a cryogenic engine.