CIVIL SERVICE INFO

The Constitutional Role of the Governor The role of a Governor, as outlined by the Indian Constitution, is meant to be an apolitical bridge between the Centre and the state governments, with a mandate mainly to safeguard constitutional propriety and advise the elected state executives within the bounds of law[1]. Article 361 of the Constitution grants immunity to the President and Governors from court proceedings for their official acts, reaffirming the principle that these offices serve constitutional, rather than political, ends.  Judicial Scrutiny and Political Neutrality Recent Supreme Court adjudications have addressed several instances where governors were accused of political bias or exceeding their mandate, usually in the context of government formation, dismissal of Chief Ministers, or summoning and dissolving assemblies[1]. While the judiciary maintains that governors must remain neutral and not be used as political tools, in practice, interventions by governors have ofte...

  Unpacking the Real Meaning Behind Global ‘Happiness’ Rankings Why is Finland crowned the happiest country in the world for the eighth year in a row, while India lingers at 126th and Pakistan fares slightly better at 109th? The latest World Happiness Report 2025, produced by Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre, places Finland, Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden at the top. India’s score, averaging just 4.389, stands against Pakistan’s 5.287. This contrast seems puzzling, especially considering India’s booming economy, infrastructural strides, and global visibility.   Beyond Economic Metrics The rankings rely on the Gallup World Poll’s Cantril Ladder, where people rate their lives from 0 to 10. This metric blends variables like GDP per capita, social support, life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and corruption perception. Yet, these scores often diverge from economic realities. Countries with low expectations and higher life satisfaction, such as Pakistan, can appear “happier” than ...

Tamil Nadu's model to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions The article explains how the Indian state of Tamil Nadu is taking strong action against climate change at the state level, instead of waiting for national or global solutions. Tamil Nadu created a special company and missions to organize, measure, and track all its climate-related work. These efforts focus on reducing greenhouse gas pollution, protecting nature, and helping local communities become more resilient.   Main idea - Tamil Nadu wants to become "Net Zero," meaning it will stop adding more greenhouse gases (GHGs) to the air than it removes, before 2070. - The state has created detailed plans for four of its districts (The Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Ramanathapuram, Virudhunagar) showing how they can cut up to 92% of their carbon emissions by 2050 using renewable energy, better transport, new technology, and preserving natural resources. - These plans aim not only to reduce pollution but als...

Main Idea The global system for controlling nuclear weapons is under pressure, especially after President Donald Trump's actions. These decisions might affect how countries trust each other about not using nuclear weapons and could change the rules that kept nuclear wars from happening for the last 80 years. Key Points The total number of nuclear weapons worldwide is much lower than it was during the Cold War, but the biggest nuclear powers (U.S., Russia, China, France, the U.K.) still keep them as a part of their security systems.Trump announced that the U.S. will start developing newer types of nuclear weapons, and he encouraged other countries like Russia and China to do the same.This decision could lead to a new competition where countries race to make more advanced nuclear arms, making the world less safe.Nuclear Tests and TreatiesThere used to be international agreements against testing nuclear bombs (like the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, CTBT), but now there is doubt about...

The global push for nuclear weapons is a tale of dangerous arithmetic, where leaders compete for power, but the only real winners sit behind the scenes. This "mad math" of nuclear competition is driven not just by national security or prestige, but by the invisible hands of the arms industry. #### Who Wants Nukes—and Why? Today, nations like Russia, China, North Korea, and the United States circle in a perpetual contest—each trying to outdo the other in missile capability and destructive power. Political leaders cite threats, deterrence, and strategic dominance, yet the motivations are often murkier: a mix of fear, rivalry, and, in some cases, domestic pressure from powerful lobbies. Some regimes, like North Korea, use nuclear bravado as a megaphone to the world. Others, like Israel, maintain deliberate ambiguity—neither admitting nor denying their nuclear arsenal, skating a fine line in regional geopolitics. #### The Arms Lobby: Profiting from Paranoia Beneath the bluster an...

Tamil Nadu has witnessed a significant and sustained growth in paddy procurement during the lean season, reflecting the effectiveness of recent agricultural policies and procurement strategies. The lean season, which typically spans from April to August, no longer lags behind the peak September-March period in terms of paddy procurement, as observed by the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC). Over the past few years, both the volume and proportion of paddy procured during the lean season have markedly increased, contributing a larger share to the total annual procurement than ever before [1]. ### Rise in Lean Season Procurement Recent data highlights a consistent rise in paddy procurement during the lean season across Tamil Nadu. Between 2021-22 and 2024-25, the share of lean season procurement to total annual procurement grew from 16% to around 41%. In absolute numbers, the lean season saw an increase from 6.65 lakh tonnes in 2021-22 to 19.69 lakh tonnes in 2024-25, with t...