Articles Covered:

1. C- CARES Portal
2. UPI – Unified Payments Interface
3. ‘SAGAR-SETU’ mobile app
4. National Logistics Portal Marine
5. Snow Leopard
6. Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) Program
7. No adverse impact of Red Sea crisis so far on India’s trade
8. Red Sea crisis
9. Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)
10. QUAD
11. PM congratulates Ustad Zakir Hussain and others for bagging ‘Best Global Music’ award at Grammys
12. Myanmar government forces flee into Bangladesh during fighting with an ethnic armed group
13. NANO-DAP
14. Humboldt’s enigma
15. WORKING OF THE COLLEGIUM SYSTEM AND NJAC

C- CARES Portal:

• Recently, the union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs launched a web portal of Coal Mines Provident Fund Organization (CMPFO) namely C- CARES.

C- CARES Portal:

1. It is developed and designed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC).
2. The portal will allow CMPF subscribers and coal companies to login and perform various functions tailored to their needs.
3. While the subscribers can access and view their individual details and subscription status, the coal management can submit contribution details, subscribers’ particulars and claims for online settlement and payment through the portal.
4. It will also ensure paperless working, timely and accurate settlement of claims, reduction in processing time and grievance redressal.
5. The portal being a public service platform is intended to benefit the CMPF subscribers who are working in the coal sector as well as its pensioners.

Key facts about the Coal Mines Provident Fund Organization:

1948. It is an autonomous organization under the aegis of Ministry of Coal established in the year 1948.
1949. It was established for administering Provident Fund and Pension schemes for the purpose of providing social security to the coal sector workers.

UPI – Unified Payments Interface

UPI:

1. UPI is a system that powers multiple bank accounts into a single mobile application (of any participating bank).
2. It does so by merging several banking features, seamless fund routing & merchant payments into one hood.
3. The interface is regulated by the Reserve Bank of Indiaand works by instantly transferring funds between two bank accounts on a mobile platform.
4. It was launched in 2016, by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

Working of UPI:

1. In UPI, a user just needs to download the UPI app, register details, and create a virtual payment address (VPA). The user needs to link the VPA to their bank account.
2. This VPA becomes the users’ financial address and the user need not remember the details like beneficiary account number, IFSC codes, or net banking user id and password for sending or receiving money. The UPI interface allows multiple bank accounts to be added into a single mobile application.

National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI):

1. National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is an umbrella organisation for operating retail payments and settlement systems in India.
2. It is an initiative of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Indian Banks’ Association (IBA)under the provisions of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, for creating a robust Payment & Settlement Infrastructure in India.
3. It has been incorporated as a Not-for-Profit Company with an intention to provide infrastructure to the entire banking system in India for physical as well as electronic payment and settlement systems.
4. The Company is focused on bringing innovations in the retail payment systems through the use of technology for achieving greater efficiency in operations and widening the reach of payment.

‘SAGAR-SETU’ mobile app:

Significance of the ‘SAGAR-SETU’ mobile app:

1. The “SAGAR-SETU” mobile app offers a login module, service catalogue, Letter of Credit, bank guarantee, certification, and track & trace features.
2. It provides real-time information on vessel-related details, gate information, container freight stations, and transactions.
3. The app also facilitates digital payments for charges associated with import and export clearance processes, such as shipping line charges, transportation fees, and container freight station charges.

Benefits of the “Sagar Setu” Mobile Application:

• The “SAGAR-SETU” mobile app aims to enhance convenience by reducing turnaround time for approvals and compliances.
• It also enhances visibility into operations and tracking, aiding in tracking records and transactions. Users can receive notifications for service requests through the app, making it easier to keep track of the progress of their requests.

Important information:

• App name: SAGAR-SETU
• Launched by:Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
• Features:Login module, service catalogue, Letter of Credit, bank guarantee, certification, track & trace
• Benefits: Real-time information on vessel details, digital payments, and reduced turnaround time for approvals and compliances

National Logistics Portal Marine:

1. The National Logistic Portal (marine) (NLP) is a project of national importance, as envisaged by the Ministry of Ports Shipping Waterways and the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
2. Aim:To use IT to connect all logistics community stakeholders, to improve efficiency and transparency by reducing costs and time delays and achieving easier, faster, and more competitive service offerings.

Key features of the Portal:

1. NLP will serve as a single point of contact for all logisticstrade processes across the country, including all modes of transportation via waterways, roads, and airways.
2. The activities of NLP Marine are categorized into four distinct verticals

• Carrier
• Cargo
• Banking and Finance
• Regulatory Bodies and Participating Government Agencies (PGAs).

1. The Latch On featurefacilitates the trade in providing the required features that are not directly embedded into NLP Marine, by linking through systems developed by other agencies seamlessly without duplication of efforts.
2. It is envisaged that many standalone applications, developed by multiple vendors, users, and other stakeholders will integrate with NLP Marine through appropriate curation.
3. It also enables digital transactions for paymentsrequired for the clearance processes such as Port charges, CFS charges, shipping line charges, transportation charges.

Snow Leopard:

The first scientific survey of the snow leopard in India shows the country is home to 718 of the elusive cats, the government said recently.

1. It is found in the mountainous regions of central and southern Asia.
2. In India, it is seen in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
3. The Hemis National Parkhas a good presence of Snow Leopard.
4. They play a key role as a top predator, an indicator of the health of their high-altitude habitat, and, increasingly, an important indicator of the impacts of climate change on mountain environments.

A total of 241 unique Snow leopards were photographed. Based on data analysis, the estimated population in different states are as follows: Ladakh (477), Uttarakhand (124), Himachal Pradesh (51), Arunachal Pradesh (36), Sikkim (21), and Jammu and Kashmir (9).

Conservation status:

• IUCN Red List: Vulnerable 
• Under CITES it is listed in Appendix I
• Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972: chedule I

Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection (GSLEP) Programme:

• It is a high-level inter-governmental alliance of all the 12 snow leopard range countries. The snow leopard countries namely, India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Mongolia, Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) Program:

1. The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) is the National Coordinator for this exercise that was carried out with the support of all snow leopard range states and two conservation partners, the Nature Conservation Foundation, Mysuru and WWF-India.
2. The SPAI systematically covered over 70% of the potential snow leopard range in the country and the SPAI exercise was conducted from 2019 to 2023 using a meticulous two-step framework.
3. The first step involved evaluating Snow leopard spatial distribution, through an occupancy-based sampling approach in the potential distribution range.
4. In the second step, Snow leopard abundance was estimated using camera traps in each identified stratified region.

Findings of the SPAI Program India has an estimated 718 snow leopards in the wild, which are spread over two UTs and four states in the Himalayan Mountain range. India may be home to one-sixth to one-ninth of the global population of these ‘Ghosts of the Mountains’ as these majestic animals are often called because of their incredible natural camouflage. The estimated population in different states are as follows: Ladakh (477), Uttarakhand (124), Himachal Pradesh (51), Arunachal Pradesh (36), Sikkim (21), and Jammu and Kashmir (9). Significance of the SPAI Program Consistent monitoring is essential to ensuring Snow leopards’ long-term survival. Until recent years, the snow leopard range in India was undefined due to a lack of extensive nationwide assessments for this vulnerable species. Recent status surveys have significantly increased understanding, providing preliminary information for 80% of the range, compared to 56% in a previous estimate of 2016. The data not only quantifies their numbers but unveils the narrative of coexistence between local communities and snow leopards. These regular assessments will offer valuable insights for identifying challenges, addressing threats, and formulating effective conservation strategies. Recommendations of the SPAI Program It mentions the need for establishing a dedicated Snow Leopard Cell at WII, with a primary focus on Long-term population monitoring, Supported by well-structured study designs and consistent field surveys. States and UTs can consider adopting a periodic population estimation approach (every 4th year) in the Snow leopard range.

No adverse impact of Red Sea crisis so far on India’s trade:

Red Sea crisis:

1. The Red Sea is a semi-enclosed tropical basin, bounded by northeastern Africa, to the west, and the Arabian Peninsula, to the east.
2. The elongated and narrow-shaped basin extends between themediterranean seato the northwest, and the Indian Ocean, to the southeast.
3. At the northern end, it separates into the Gulf of Aqaba and the Gulf of Suez, which is connected to the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal.
4. At the southern end, it is connected to the Gulf of Aden, and the outer Indian Ocean, via the strait of BAB EL MANDEB
5. It is surrounded by desert or semi-desert areas, with no major freshwater inflow.

Issues in the Red Sea and Panama Canal Presently Red Sea: Issue: Chemical tanker MV Chem Pluto was struck by a drone attack, approximately 200 nautical miles off Gujarat’s coast. MV Chem Pluto is a Liberia-flagged, Japanese-owned, and Netherlands-operated chemical tanker. It had started its journey carrying crude from Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia and was expected to arrive in New Mangalore, India. Allegedly Involved Entity: It is believed to have been carried out by  houthi rebels based in Yemen, citing protest against Israel’s actions in Gaza. Houthi rebels are also engaged in a decade-long civil conflict with Yemen’s government. Panama Canal: Issue: Due to drought conditions, shipping through the 51-mile stretch of the Panama Canal has decreased by over 50%. A naturally occurringel-nino climate pattern associated with warmer-than-usual water in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean is contributing to Panama’s drought. Infrastructural Lacunae: The Panama Canal’s operational challenges and the shift in trade focus to alternative routes like the Red Sea have raised various concerns that require prompt attention. Issues such as the need for dredging and reducing depth have emerged, posing obstacles for the navigation of large vessels. Immediate measures are essential to address these challenges. Both these routes are among the busiest in the world.

Monetary Policy Committee (MPC):

• Origin:Under Section 45ZB of the amended (in 2016) RBI Act, 1934,the central government is empowered to constitute a six-member Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).
• Objective:Further, Section 45ZB lays down that “the Monetary Policy Committeeshall determine the Policy Rate required to achieve the inflation target”.
• The decision of the Monetary Policy Committee shall be binding on the Bank.

Composition: Section 45ZB says the MPC shall consist of 6 members:

1. RBI Governor as its ex officio chairperson,
2. Deputy Governor in charge of monetary policy,
3. An officer of the Bank to be nominated by the Central Board,
4. Three persons to be appointed by the central government.
5. This category of appointments must be from “persons of ability, integrity and standing, having knowledge and experience in the field of economics or banking or finance or monetary policy”.

Monetary policy:

1. Monetary policy refers to the policy of the central bank with regard to the use of monetary instruments under its control to achieve the goals specified in the Act.
2. The primary objective of the RBI’s monetary policy is to maintain price stability while keeping in mind the objective of growth.
3. Price stability is a necessary precondition to sustainable growth.

The amended RBI Act, 1934 also provides for the inflation to be set by the Government of India, in consultation with the Reserve Bank, once in every five years.

Various Instruments of Monetary Policy
Repo Rate:	The interest rate at which the Reserve Bank provides overnight liquidity to banks against the collateral of government and other approved securities under the LAF
Reverse Repo Rate:	The interest rate at which the Reserve Bank absorbs liquidity, on an overnight basis, from banks against the collateral of eligible government securities under the LAF.
Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF):	The LAF consists of overnight as well as term repo auctions. The aim of term repo is to help develop the interbank term money market, which in turn can set market-based benchmarks for pricing of loans and deposits, and hence improve transmission of monetary policy. The RBI also conducts variable interest rate reverse repo auctions, as necessitated under the market conditions.
Marginal Standing Facility (MSF):	A facility under which scheduled commercial banks can borrow additional amount of overnight money from the Reserve Bank by dipping into theirSLR portfolio up to a limit at a penal rate of interest. This provides a safety valve against unanticipated liquidity shocks to the banking system.
Corridor:	The MSF rate and reverse repo rate determine the corridor for the daily movement in the weighted average call money rate.
Bank Rate:	It is the rate at which the RBI is ready to buy or rediscount bills of exchange or other commercial papers. The Bank Rate is published under Section 49 of the RBI Act, 1934. This rate has been aligned to the MSF rate and, therefore, changes automatically as and when the MSF rate changes alongside policy repo rate changes.
CRR	The average daily balance that a bank is required to maintain with the Reserve Bank as a share of such per cent of its Net demand and time liabilities (NDTL) that the Reserve Bank may notify from time to time in the Gazette of India.
Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR):	The share of NDTL that a bank is required to maintain in safe and liquid assets, such as, unencumbered government securities, cash and gold. Changes in SLR often influence the availability of resources in the banking system for lending to the private sector.
OMOs	These include both, outright purchase and sale of government securities, for injection and absorption of durable liquidity, respectively.
MARKET STABILISATION SCHEME	This instrument for monetary management was introduced in 2004. Surplus liquidity of a more enduring nature arising from large capital inflows is absorbed through sale of short-dated government securities and treasury bills. The cash so mobilised is held in a separate government account with the RBI.

QUAD:

QUAD, also known as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or simply the Quad, is a strategic forum comprising four countries: the United States, Japan, India, and Australia. 

1. The Quad is aimed at promoting regional securityand economic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. 
2. The four countries share a common interest in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, promoting democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, and countering China’s expanding influence in the region. 
3. The Quad has held several meetings at the ministerial and leaders’ level to discuss issues such as maritime security, infrastructure development, and supply chain resilience. 
4. The Quad is seen as a mechanism for balancing China’s influence in the region, although its members have stressed that it is not a military alliance and is open to other countries who share their values and interests.

Genesis and evolution of QUAD:

1. 2007:The Quad was initially formed in 2007 during an informal meeting of leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It was Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who first proposed the idea of creating the Quad.
2. 2012: The Japanese Prime Minister highlighted the concept of the ‘Democratic Security Diamond’in Asia, which includes the US, Japan, India, and Australia.
3. 2017: Once again confronted with the growing danger posed by China, the four nations revitalized the Quad by expanding its goals and devising a system that aimed to gradually establish an international order based on rules.
4. India, Japan, USA, and Australia held the first ‘Quad’ talks in Manila ahead of the ASEAN Summit 2017.
5. 2020: The trilateral India-US-Japan Malabar naval exercises expanded to include Australia, marking the first official grouping of the Quad since its resurgence in 2017 and the first joint military exercises among the four countries in over a decade.
6. 2021: The Quad leaders met virtually and later released a joint statement titled ‘The Spirit of the Quad’.

Quad Initiatives:

1. QUAD fellowship:for pursuing a doctorate in STEM courses.
2. Quad Vaccine Partnership: to boost vaccine partnership.
3. Covid-19 Global Action Planto enhance coordination in recovery efforts during the Covid pandemic.
4. Quad Vaccine Experts Group:for cooperation in vaccine strategy.
5. Quad Senior Cyber Group: for adoption and implementation of shared cyber standards.
6. Cooperation in the space sector: Sharing satellite data.
7. Quad Climate Working group: for adaptation to climate change and to build capacity in other Indo-Pacific.
8. Critical and emerging technologies: cooperation in critical technologies essential for digital economies globally.
9. The Quad members in the 2022 summit decided to counter non-traditional security challenges, such as illegal fishing.

 PM congratulates Ustad Zakir Hussain and others for bagging ‘Best Global Music’ award at Grammys:

1. The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, congratulated musicians Ustad Zakir Hussain, Rakesh Chaurasia, Shankar Mahadevan, Selvaganesh V and Ganesh Rajagopalan for winning the Grammy award for the ‘Best Global Music’ today. 
2. Their band ‘Shakti’, a fusion music group, has won the prestigious award for ‘This Moment’.
3. He said that their exceptional talent and dedication to music have won hearts worldwide, making India proud.
4. The Prime Minister posted on X:

“Congratulations Zakir Hussain, Rakesh Chaurasia, Shankar Mahadevan, Selvaganesh V and Ganesh Rajagopalan on your phenomenal success at the Grammys! Your exceptional talent and dedication to music have won hearts worldwide. India is proud! These achievements are a testament to the hardwork you keep putting in. It will also inspire the new generation of artists to dream big and excel in music.”

Myanmar government forces flee into Bangladesh during fighting with an ethnic armed group

• A Bangladesh official says 95 members of Myanmar’s Border Guard Police have fled their posts and taken shelter in Bangladesh during fighting between Myanmar security forces and an ethnic minority army

1. The fall of the town of Paletwa has altered the dynamic between the Chin and the Arakan ethnic groups.
2. A majority of Paletwa’s residents belong to the Chin ethnic community, and they see their town as an integral part of their homeland. On the other hand, some in the Rakhine State, previously known as Arakan, contend that the township was historically part of the Arakan Hill Tracts during colonial rule and should have been part of their province.
3. There have been instances, prior to the coup, when Chin ethnic organisations expressed displeasure with the Arakan Army’s operations in Paletwa.

Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and Rohingya Crisis:

Indian security agencies have reported that the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and its functionaries might have taken refuge in the country.

 ARSA:

• ARSA, formerly known as Harakah al-Yakin, or ‘Faith Movement’, is currently active among the Rohingya residents in Myanmar and Bangladesh.
• It claims to be fighting for the rights of the Rohingya population in Myanmar, which were denied by the government.
• The United Nations has described Rohingya as “the most persecuted minority in the world” due to the systematic discrimination they face. A tide of displaced people are seeking refuge in neighbouring countries since 2017 as they fled Myanmar with horrifying claims of gang rape, torture and murder at the hands of Myanmar’s security forces.

 Rohingyas:

1. They are an Ethnic group,mostly Muslims. They were not granted full citizenship by Myanmar.
2. They are, basically, stateless, Indo-Aryan ethnic group who reside in Rakhine State, Myanmar.
3. There were an estimated 1 million Rohingya living in Myanmar before the 2016–17 crisis. An estimated 625,000 refugees from Rakhine, Myanmar, had crossed the border into Bangladesh since August 2017.

Described by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as “one of, if not the, most discriminated people in the world”.

Protection available to Rohingyas under the International Conventions:

1. The 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol:

They define the term ‘refugee’ and outlines the rights of refugees, as well as the legal obligations of States to protect them.

1. The core principle is non-refoulement,which asserts that a refugee should not be returned to a country where they face serious threats to their life or freedom.
2. However, the concern now is that Bangladesh is not a signatory to this convention.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR):

• Even though the refugees are foreigners in the country of asylum, by virtue of Article 2 of the ICCPR, 1966, they could enjoy the same fundamental rights and freedoms as nationals- the right to equality before the law, equal protection of the law and non-discrimination.

Nano DAP:

DAP (Di-Ammonium Phosphate):

1. DAP is the second most commonly used fertilizer in India after urea.
2. DAP is a preferred fertilizer in India because it contains both Nitrogen and Phosphorus which are primary macro-nutrients and part of 18 essential plant nutrients.
3. Fertilizer grade DAP contains 18% Nitrogen and 46% Phosphorus. It is manufactured by reacting Ammonia with Phosphoric acid under controlled conditions in fertilizer plants.

Nano DAP:

1. Nano DAP is a specialised form of DAP designed with the goal of improving the fertiliser’s effectiveness in promoting plant growth and development.
2. In 2023 Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO) launched its Nano DAP, containing 8% Nitrogen and 16% Phosphorus by volume.
3. Unlike conventional DAP, which comes in granular form, IFFCO’s Nano DAP is in liquid form.

Primary Macro-nutrients Essential for Plant Growth:

Nutrient          Contribution to Plant Growth

1. Nitrogen Essential for leaf and stem growth, protein synthesis, and overall vigour
2. Phosphorus Crucial for root development, flowering, fruiting, and energy transfer
3. Potassium Aids in overall plant health, stress resistance, and regulation of water
4. Calcium Important for cell wall structure, cell division, and enzyme activation
5. Magnesium Essential component of chlorophyll, involved in photosynthesis and metabolism
6. Sulphur Necessary for protein synthesis, enzyme function, and nutrient uptake
7. Carbon Main component of organic molecules, essential for photosynthesis
8. Hydrogen Critical for biochemical reactions, water uptake, and maintaining pH
9. Oxygen Involved in respiration, energy release, and nutrient transport
10. Iron Key for chlorophyll synthesis, electron transfer, and enzyme activation
11. Zinc Essential for enzyme function, hormone regulation, and protein synthesis
12. Manganese Required for photosynthesis, enzyme activation, and nitrogen metabolism
13. Copper Important for enzyme activity, lignin formation, and nutrient uptake
14. Boron Facilitates cell division, sugar transport, and hormone regulation
15. Molybdenum Needed for nitrogen fixation, enzyme activity, and amino acid synthesis
16. Chlorine Involved in photosynthesis, water regulation, and ion balance
17. Nickel Required for nitrogen metabolism, enzyme activation, and seed development
18. Cobalt Essential for nitrogen fixation, vitamin B12 synthesis, and enzyme activity

Humboldt’s enigma

• Humboldt’s enigma:Sparked by Alexander von Humboldt’s observations, it questions the conventional notion that tropical regions, fueled by ample sunlight, are the primary centres of biodiversity on Earth.

1. It contends that despite receiving less sunlight and enduring colder temperatures, mountain ecosystems defy this notion by showcasing exceptional biodiversity, thereby challenging traditional ecological theories and prompting investigation into this anomaly.
2. Humboldt’s Observations: Humboldt suggested there was a relationship between temperature, altitude, and humidity on one hand and the occurrence patterns of species or their biodiversity on the other.

His example of choice was the Chimborazo mountain in Ecuador, which has today become an important illustration of mountain diversity.

Factors Contributing to Mountain Biodiversity:

Varied Topography: Mountains offer a mosaic of microclimates, ranging from snow-capped peaks to sheltered valleys.

This diversity creates distinct ecological niches, suitable for a wider range of species.

Isolation: Mountains act as isolated “islands” in the sky, promoting unique evolutionary pathways and endemic species, found nowhere else.

For example, the Hawaiian Islands are home to many endemic species of plants and animals, which evolved in isolation from the mainland.

Dynamic landscapes: Geological processes like landslides and glacial retreats constantly reshape mountain landscapes, creating opportunities for new species to colonize and evolve.

India’s Enigmatic Mountains: India’s diverse mountain ranges, including the Himalayas especially Eastern Himalayas, serve as ideal settings to probe Humboldt’s enigma.

1. According to the World Wildlife Fund, the Eastern Himalayas harbours thousands of different species, including over10,000 plants, 900 species of bird, and 300 species of mammal. Many of which are endangered or critically endangered.
2. Its grasslands are home to the densest populations ofBengal tigers, Asian elephants, and one-horned rhino.
3. Its mountains offer refuge to snow leopards, red pandas, takins, Himalayan black bears, and golden langurs,and its rivers contain the world’s rarest dolphins (Gangetic).

WORKING OF THE COLLEGIUM SYSTEM AND NJAC:

1. The collegium recommends the names of lawyers or judges to the Central Government. Similarly, the Central Government also sends some of its proposed names to the Collegium.
2. Collegium considers the names or suggestions made by the Central Government and resends the file to the government for final approval.
3. If the Collegium resends the same name again then the government has to give its assent to the names. But the time limit is not fixed to reply. This is the reason that appointment of judges takes a long time.
4. Through the99th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2014 the National Judicial Commission Act (NJAC) was established to replace the collegium system for the appointment of judges.
5. However, the Supreme Court upheld the collegium system and struck down the NJAC as unconstitutional on the grounds that the involvement of Political Executive in judicial appointment was against the “Principles of Basic Structure”. i.e., the“Independence of Judiciary”.

Issues involved in appointment:

1. Cumbersome Process: There are inordinate delays in the appointment of High Court judges and it leads to the pendency of cases.
2. Lack of Transparency: There is no objective criteria for selection and people come to know about judges only after selection. It also promotes nepotism in the judiciary. The consultations of the Collegium are also not discussed in any public platform.
3. Instances of Politicisation: In many cases, there is indication that due to the unfavorable judgments of certain judges the political executive hinders their appointments, elevation, or transfer. This reflects poorly on the concept of independence of the judiciary.
4. Improper Representation: Certain sections of societies have higher representation whereas many vulnerable sections have nil representation.

Appointment procedure of HC Judges:

1. Article 217 of the Constitution: It states that the Judge of a High Court shall be appointed by the President in consultation with the Chief Justice of India (CJI), the Governor of the State.
2. In the case of appointment of a Judge other than the Chief Justice, the Chief Justice of the High Court is consulted.
3. Consultation Process: High Court judges are recommended by a Collegium comprising the CJI and two senior-most judges.
4. The proposal, however, is initiated by the Chief Justice of the High Court concerned in consultation with two senior-most colleagues.
5. The recommendation is sent to the Chief Minister, who advises the Governor to send the proposal to the Union Law Minister.

Transfer procedure of HC Judges:

1. Article 222of the Constitution makes provision for the transfer of a Judge (including Chief Justice) from one High Court to any other High Court. The initiation of the proposal for the transfer of a Judge should be made by the Chief Justice of India whose opinion in this regard is determinative.
2. Consent of a Judge for his first or subsequent transfer would not be required.
3. All transfers are to be made in public interest i.e., for promoting better administration of justice throughout the country.