Mains: GS II – Structure, Organization and Functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary
Recently, a five-judge Bench of the Supreme Court on November 20, 2025 answered the 16th Presidential Reference under Article 143.
Mains: GS III – Environment and biodiversity
Recently, serious concerns were raised over India’s ecologically vital landscapes, including the Western Ghats, in the World Heritage Outlook 4 (2025) report released by (IUCN).
What are world heritage sites?
Western Ghats are among the four of the world’s 36 biodiversity hotspots located in India.
The other three biodiversity hotspots are the Himalayas, the Indo-Burma region, and the Sundaland.

What are the major threats highlighted in the report?

What are the efforts by the Indian government to protect the Western Ghats?
The Indian Express| Western Ghats
Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Economy
Why in News?
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) said that 26 digital storefronts had declared, that they had eliminated so-called “dark patterns” from their sites.
To know more about dark patterns click here.
References
Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Species
Why in news?
Citizen-science data from Visakhapatnam suggests that pond herons & cattle egrets may be undertaking regular seasonal journeys along the East coast, reviving a 30-year-old mystery from Chennai.

References
Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | History | Internal Security
Why in news?
The Punjab and Haryana High Court recently disposed of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that sought to block the certification and release of ‘120 Bahadur’, an upcoming Bollywood war drama.

Other Important Mountain Passes -
|
Pass |
Altitude |
Location |
Significance |
|
Lipulekh |
5,115 m |
Uttarakhand–Tibet, near Nepal trijunction |
Ancient trade & pilgrimage route between Indian subcontinent and Tibetan Plateau |
|
Nathu La |
4,310 m |
Sikkim–Tibet |
Historic trade route; one of two passes (with Jelep La) linking Sikkim & Tibet |
|
Chang La |
17,590 ft |
Ladakh (Leh to Pangong Lake) |
Among the highest motorable passes; key access to Pangong Lake |
|
Shipki La |
4,500–5,000 m |
Himachal Pradesh (Kinnaur) –Tibet |
Restricted access; used for limited cross-border trade |
|
Zoji La |
3,528 m |
Near Dras, Jammu & Kashmir |
Vital link between Kashmir Valley, Indus Valley, and Suru Valley |
|
Bomdi La |
4,331 m |
West Kameng district, Arunachal Pradesh |
It historically connected the Arunachal Pradesh with Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. |
Reference
Indian Express | ‘120 Bahadur’ brings Battle of Rezang La into focus
Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Polity & Governance
Why in news?
The Supreme Court has struck down several provisions of the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021 related to the appointment, tenure, and service conditions of members of various tribunals.
To known about NTC, Click here
To know about Tribunals, click here
References
Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Economy
Why in News?
The 60th Annual Summit of the OPPI was held in New Delhi in November 2025, celebrated 6 decades of OPPI’s role in advancing India’s pharmaceutical sector.
Quick Fact
|
Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India |
|
References
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