President's rule in India

Issues:
President's rule is anti-democratic and is a threat to the federal system.
Many a times, it has been used as a pretext to dissolve state governments ruled by political opponents.

While sending a report to the Centre, the Governor is not supposed to go by the advice of the state cabinet i.e. Governor exercises his or her own discretion. However, the President has to go by the advice of the Union Cabinet.
In the SR Bommai case, the SC ruled that the courts can't question the Union Cabinet's advice to the President. But they can question the material behind the satisfaction of the President regarding breakdown of Constitutional machinery.

India France Relations

France supplied fighters to the IAF that helped in the liberation of Goa in 1961.
France refused to sermonize India after the 1998 nuclear tests, and publicly opposed US sanctions. Our relationship has been strategic ever since.
India still launches many missiles from French Guinea.
Both the nations have extensive space cooperation. Ariane remains India's preferred launch vehicle for geostationary satellites.

India to purchase Rafale fighter jets from France.
French major Areva to construct nuclear power plant at Jaitapur, Maharashtra.

India and France to co-develop naval missile under Project Maitri.

Way Ahead:
Cooperation in Defence indigenisation.

Is AMU a minority institution?

Article 30 (1)- Religious and linguistic minorities can set up and run educational institutions.
In Azeez Basha vs. Union of India case, SC held that since AMU was set up by the Indian Legislature and not by Muslims, AMU is not a minority institution.
In 1981, Parliament reversed SC judgement and stated that the University was indeed set up by Muslims and thus was a minority institution.
Recently, Centre stated that AMU is not a minority institution.

AMU does not provide reservation to Muslims and was pro Muslim League.
JMI provides reservation to Muslims and was pro Congress.

Human Impact on Oceans

Climate Change (Ocean Acidification, changing salinity, depleting oxygen content)
Fisheries and Aquaculture : Destruction of mangroves, Antibiotic resistance.
Marine Pollution- Radioactive substances, plastics, thermal pollution, nutrients, persistent toxins.
Sea bed mining
Underwater Noise ,Shipping noise, Oil spills, offshore mining, Turbine collision affects marine population.
Introduction of exotic species
Desalination plants lead to generation of green house gases.
Dredging (Desiltation) alters sea bed, reduction in the variety of species.
Brine- 10% aqueous solution of NaCl.

National Green Mission

Enhance carbon sinks.
Adaptation of vulnerable species and forest dependent communities.
Introduction of non-native species.
Promote alternative fuel. Discourage firewood.
Bar on grazing.
Criticisms:
Could impact livelihood.
Are all stakeholders onboard?

China and the Financial System

AIIB could rival Bretton woods institutions.
China recently inducted in EBRD (European Bank for Recostruction and Development) which is a testimony to the growing economic clout of China.
NDB (New Development Bank)
21st Century Maritime Silk Route- One Belt One Road Initiative.
Global Financial crisis exposed the fault lines of the exisiting multilateral institutions.

Endosulfan

Insecticide being phased out globally. Toxic. Bioaccumulation. Endocrine disruptor. SC banned production, distribution and use in 2011. Stockholm Convention (India promised phase out of Endosulfan by 2017).