This section covers essential Indian Polity questions, focusing on the Constitution, the Preamble, Fundamental Rights, and the roles of the President and Parliament. Itβs designed to help you master the key concepts and legal frameworks frequently tested in competitive exams
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is an international legally binding treaty aimed at conserving biological diversity and ensuring its sustainable use.
Adopted: 1992
Place: Rio Earth Summit
Entered into force: 1993
Objectives of CBD:
The CBD has three main objectives:
Conservation of Biological Diversity
Sustainable Use of its Components
Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits arising from genetic resources
These are commonly called the β3 Pillars of CBDβ
Protocols under CBD
1. Cartagena Protocol (2000)
Full name: Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
Focus: Safe handling and transfer of Living Modified Organisms (LMOs)
Related to biotechnology & GMOs
2. Nagoya Protocol (2010)
Full name: Nagoya Protocol
Focus: Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) of genetic resources
Ensures fair compensation to countries/communities
Institutional Structure
1. Conference of Parties (COP)
Supreme decision-making body
Meets every 2 years
2. Secretariat
Located in Montreal
Administers CBD implementation
Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (2022)
Adopted at COP15 of CBD. Key Targets (30×30 Target)
Protect 30% of land and oceans by 2030
Restore degraded ecosystems
Reduce pollution and biodiversity loss
India and CBD
India is a party to CBD
Legal Framework in India
1. Biological Diversity Act, 2002
Implements CBD provisions
2. National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)
Established in Chennai
For current affairs related to Environment and ecology click here
The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) measures the short-term changes in the volume of production of industrial sectors in an economy.
It indicates the growth or contraction of industrial activity over a period of time.
Base Year of IIP
Current Base Year: 2011β12
Base year is revised periodically to reflect structural changes in the economy.
Components of IIP
The IIP is divided into three major sectors:
1. Manufacturing Sector
Weight: ~77.6%
Largest contributor to IIP
2. Mining Sector
Weight: ~14.4%
3. Electricity Sector
Weight: ~8%
Manufacturing dominates, so its performance heavily influences IIP.
Who Releases IIP?
Released by: National Statistical Office (NSO)
Under: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)
Frequency: Monthly
Time lag: Usually released 6 weeks after the reference month
How is IIP Calculated?
IIP is calculated using the Laspeyres Index formula, which compares current production with base year production.
Uses fixed weights (based on base year)
Tracks volume, not value
Based on physical output data
The Core Industries & IIP
Within the IIP, there are eight “core” industries that represent approximately 40.27% of the total weight. They are considered high-frequency indicators of infrastructure and industrial performance
Refinery Products (highest weightage).
Electricity, Steel, Coal, Crude Oil, Natural Gas, Cement, and Fertilisers.
The Pardoning Power of the Governor refers to the authority granted under Article 161 of the Indian Constitution, which allows the Governor of a State to grant relief to individuals convicted of offences under State laws.
It is an important part of the executive powers of the Governor and acts as a safeguard against judicial errors and ensures justice with mercy.
Constitutional Provision:
Article 161 empowers the Governor to:
Grant pardons
Reprieves
Respites
Remissions
Commute sentences
Applies only to offences against laws under State jurisdiction.
Types of Pardoning Powers:
1. Pardon
Completely removes both sentence and conviction
The person is treated as innocent
2. Commutation
Substitution of one form of punishment with a lighter one (e.g., death sentence β life imprisonment)
3. Remission
Reduction in the duration of sentence without changing its nature (e.g., 5 years β 3 years)
4. Respite
Awarding a lesser sentence due to special circumstances (e.g., pregnancy, physical disability)
5. Reprieve
Temporary stay of execution, especially in death sentence cases
Scope of Governorβs Pardoning Power
Applicable to:
Offences under State laws
Cases involving State executive power
Limitations:
Cannot pardon death sentence independently (can only suspend/remit/commute)
Cannot grant pardon in court-martial cases
Governor vs President β Key Differences
Feature
Governor
President
Constitutional Article
Article 161
Article 72
Jurisdiction
State laws
Union laws
Death Sentence
Cannot pardon
Can pardon
Court Martial
No power
Has power
Judicial Review of Pardoning Power
The pardoning power is not absolute. Courts can review it in cases of:
Malafide (bad intention)
Arbitrariness
Irrelevant considerations
Important Case Laws:
Maru Ram vs Union of India (1980) β Governor acts on the aid and advice of Council of Ministers
Kehar Singh vs Union of India (1989) β Scope of judicial review explained
Epuru Sudhakar vs Government of Andhra Pradesh (2006) β Pardoning power can be challenged if misused
The Motion of Thanks is a formal motion moved in both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) after the Presidentβs Address at the beginning of the first session after a general election and at the first session of every year.
It is mentioned in Article 87 of the Indian Constitution.
The Motion must be passed by a simple majority in the Lok Sabha. Failure to pass it amounts to a defeat for the government and signifies a lack of confidence, which can lead to theΒ government’s resignation.
