Contempt of Court

Why in news?

Recent controversy over the alleged contemptuous and derogatory remarks against the Chief Justice of India & the Supreme Court has considered an act of diminishing the ‘authority’ of India’s top court.

What is Contempt of Court?

• Contempt of court in India – Refers to any act that disrespects, obstructs, or undermines the authority and dignity of the judiciary.
• Objective – To maintain the authority and dignity of the judiciary, ensuring that the legal process is respected and upheld.
• Origin – The contempt of court law in India has deep colonial roots, originating from British legal traditions that prioritized judicial authority over public criticism.
• Contempt is not similar to Mere Disrespect – It goes beyond casual criticism—targeting actions that disrupt or undermine the justice system.

What is the legal framework?

• Mentioned in Article 19 – The phrase ‘contempt of court’ is used in Article 19(2) as one of the grounds for imposing reasonable restriction on fundamental freedoms.
• No procedural guidelines in Constitution – The Constitution does not explain how to initiate the contempt proceedings.
• Court of record – In India, the Supreme Court and High Court have been designated as courts of record under Article 129 and 215 respectively.
• A court of record is one whose decisions are kept in reserve for future references and inherently it also has the power to punish for its contempt.
• Statutory Explanation – This implicit constitutional provision is explained in the Contempt of Court Act, 1971.

What are the types of Contempt in India under the Contempt of Court Act, 1971?

• Two types of Contempt – Civil and Criminal Contempt.
• Section 2(b) of 1971 Act - Defines civil contempt as willful disobedience to any judgment, decree, direction, order, writ or other process of a court or willful breach of an undertaking given to a court.
• Section 2(c) of 1971 Act – Defines criminal contempt as the publication (whether by words spoken or written or by signs or by visible representations or otherwise) of any matter or the doing of any act which —
  • scandalizes or lowers the authority of any court; or
  • prejudices or interferes or tends to interfere with, the due course of any judicial proceeding; or
  • interferes or tends to interfere with the administration of justice in any other manner
• Punishment – Under Section 12 of the Act, contempt can be punished with simple imprisonment for up to six months, a fine up to Rs. 2,000, or both.

What are the procedures for initiation of contempt proceedings?

• Suo motu – The High Court or Supreme Court may initiate contempt proceedings suo moto.
• Reference – A subordinate court can refer a case to the High Court for contempt proceedings, or the Advocate General can bring a motion for criminal contempt in a High Court.
• Private petition – A private party can bring the matter to the court's attention, but they are considered an "informer" or "relator," not a complainant.
  • With consent – To initiate proceedings for criminal contempt, a private party must obtain the written consent of the Attorney General (for the Supreme Court) or the Advocate General (for High Courts).
  • Without consent – If the AG denies consent, the petition cannot proceed.

What are the criticisms related to Contempt of Court?

• Lack of clarity – The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 are vague and lack clarity, can be interpreted variably, leading to potential judicial overreach.
• Inhibits democratic discourse – The fear of contempt action may discourage open and constructive critique of the judiciary, impacting freedom of expression.
• Burden on the judiciary – Frequent contempt proceedings contribute to judicial congestion, diverting time and resources from other pending matters.
• Colonial legacy – The colonial legacy prioritizes judicial insulation over democratic accountability, often clashing with Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.
• Potential misuse by judiciary – The judiciary acts as judge, jury, and prosecutor in contempt cases, raising concerns about conflict of interest and lack of checks and balances.
• Lack of accountability – Contempt powers may be used to shield the judiciary from public scrutiny, reducing transparency and accountability.
• Inconsistency in enforcement – Selective or delayed action in high-profile cases creates perceptions of bias or unequal treatment.

What are the judicial stand on criticism and Contempt?

• Ashwini Kumar Ghosh vs. Arabinda Bose (1952) – Fair criticism is allowed.
  • Fair and reasoned criticism of a decided case does not amount to contempt, whereas, excessive or malicious commentary may be considered contemptuous.
• Anil Ratan Sarkar vs. Hirak Ghosh (2002) – Caution in exercising contempt powers.
  • The Court held that the power to punish for contempt must be exercised with caution and shall only be exercised when there is a clear violation of an order.
• M. V. Jayarajan vs. High Court of Kerala (2015) – Abusive public speech as criminal contempt
  • The Supreme Court upheld contempt charges for abusive language used in a public speech while criticising a High Court order, such actions could be deemed to undermine judicial authority and disrupt justice delivery.
• Shanmugam @ Lakshminarayanan vs. High Court of Madras (2025) – Purpose of contempt powers reaffirmed
  • The Supreme Court clarified that the core aim of contempt proceedings is to protect the administration of justice, not to shield judges from criticism.

What lies ahead?

• Democratic criticism of the judiciary is acceptable, but one must respect its vital role in shaping state priorities and upholding the sanctity of justice.
• Misrepresentation by the state or citizens can lead to contempt of court and undermine democratic values, ultimately hindering the delivery of substantive justice.

Reference

The Hindu | What constitutes as contempt of court in India?

National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC)

Why in News?

Recently, the government has increased the funding and schemes for the cooperative sector to further develop it and increase the number of cooperatives in the country.

What is National Cooperative Development Corporation(NCDC)?

• (NCDC) – It is a statutory organisation under the Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India, established in 1963.
• Objectives – The objectives of NCDC include:
• Promoting, strengthening, and developing farmer cooperatives for increasing production, productivity and instituting post-harvest facilities
• Providing assistance for development of cooperatives in sectors of processing, storage, cold chain and marketing of agriculture produce and the supply of seeds, fertilizer and other agricultural inputs etc.
• Functions of NCDC
• NCDC supports income-generating cooperatives across various non-farm sectors such as weaker section activities.
• This includes dairy, livestock, handloom, sericulture, poultry, fishery, scheduled caste & scheduled tribes, women cooperatives etc.
• NCDC provides financial assistance to the cooperative sector for their economic development and social upliftment through NCDC Sponsored schemes and various GoI schemes implemented by NCDC

What are the schemes and efforts of NCDC?

• Yuva sahakar-cooperative enterprise support and innovation scheme – Launched in FY 2019–20, the scheme is designed to promote cooperative start-ups across diverse sectors by supporting newly formed cooperatives with innovative ideas.
• The scheme encourages Young (Yuva) Entrepreneur Cooperative Societies that are in operation for a minimum of 3 months.
• It is linked to a Cooperative Start-up and Innovation Fund created by NCDC, with preferential support extended to cooperatives in the North Eastern Region, those operating in Aspirational Districts identified by NITI Aayog, and cooperatives comprising exclusively women, SC, ST, or PwD members.
• Eligibility
  • Any type of cooperative society with new, innovative, and value chain enhancement intended projects.
  • It should be in operation for a minimum of 3 months.
  • It should have a positive net-worth.
  • It should not have incurred cash loss during previous year(s) of operation, as applicable, and no cash loss in the past three years (if the society is in operation for more than 3 years).
• Ayushman Sahakar – It adopts a holistic approach to strengthening the healthcare ecosystem through cooperative institutions.
• It aims to assist cooperative societies:
  • To provide affordable and holistic healthcare through hospitals/ healthcare/ education facilities by cooperative societies,
  • To promote AYUSH facilities by cooperative societies,
  • To meet the objectives of the National Health Policy,
  • To participate in the National Digital Health Mission,
  • To provide comprehensive healthcare including education, services, insurance, and activities related thereto.
• Eligibility
  • Any Cooperative Society registered under any State/Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act in the country, with a suitable provision in the bye-laws to undertake services related to hospital/healthcare/health education.
• Dairy Sahakar – It aims to strengthen dairy cooperatives by offering financial assistance for both new projects and the modernization or expansion of existing infrastructure.
• The scheme supports end-to-end dairy sector activities, including bovine development, milk procurement and processing, quality assurance, value addition, branding, packaging, marketing, transportation, storage, and export of dairy products.
• Additionally, NCDC extends financial support to a range of related services and enabling activities such as:
  • Renewable energy adoption,
  • ICT solutions,
  • Cattle feed and supplement manufacturing,
  • Research and development,
  • Packaging material manufacturing,
  • Manufacturing of dairy equipment and machinery,
  • Dairy-related maintenance services,
  • Manufacturing of veterinary drugs,
  • Delivery of veterinary healthcare services,
  • Education and capacity development in the veterinary/dairy education.
• Eligibility
  • Any Cooperative Society registered under any State/Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act in the country, with a suitable provision in the bye-laws.
• Digital Sahakar – The scheme, operational since 2021-22, is aligned with the vision of Digital India.
• It provides financial and technical assistance to promote digitally empowered cooperatives, ensuring better credit access and facilitating seamless linkage with government grants, subsidies, and incentives.
• Eligibility
  • Any Cooperative Society registered under any State/Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act is eligible for financial assistance under the scheme.
  • FPOs, FFPOs, and federated SHG cooperatives are also eligible. Assistance is provided by NCDC either directly to the cooperatives or through State Governments/ UT Administrations.
• Deerghavadhi Krishak Punji Sahakar Yojana – It offers long-term financial assistance to agricultural credit cooperatives.
• It enables them to extend credit for a wide range of agricultural activities, commodities, and services falling under the NCDC’s mandate:
• To ensure increased and uninterrupted credit flow to cooperatives and their members.
• To boost capital formation in the agriculture and allied sectors.
• To support non-farm sector activities, thereby promoting alternate employment opportunities in rural and semi-urban areas.
• Eligibility – The following types of Agricultural Credit Cooperatives will be eligible for NCDC’s loan under this scheme:
  • Primary Agricultural Credit Cooperatives (PACS)
  • District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs)
  • State Cooperative Banks (StCBs)
  • Primary Cooperative Agriculture & Rural Development Banks (PCARDS)
  • State Cooperative Agriculture & Rural Development Banks (SCARDS)
• Support to Women Cooperatives – National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) is also implementing the exclusive schemes for women cooperatives: a. Swayam Shakti Sahakar Yojana, and b. Nandini Sahakar. These initiatives play a significant role in empowering women and strengthening their contribution to rural economic development.
• Swayam Shakti Sahakar Yojana – The scheme, launched in the FY 2022-23, provides financial assistance to agricultural credit cooperatives for extending loans and advances to women self-help groups (SHGs).
• Under this scheme, Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs), State Cooperative Banks (StCBs) and SHGs Federated Cooperatives/Cooperative Federations are eligible for loan from NCDC.
• By enhancing access to credit, the scheme plays a key role in strengthening women’s participation in rural economic activities.
• Nandini Sahakar – It aims to empower women by promoting their participation in cooperatives.
• It helps women-led cooperatives by providing support in business planning, enterprise development, capacity building, and access to finance through credit, subsidies, and interest subvention from other government schemes.
• The scheme has been in operation since the financial year 2020-21.
• Eligibility
  • Any Women Cooperative Society registered under any State/Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act in the country is eligible.
  • Any cooperative society with a minimum of 50% women members at the primary level is also eligible.
  • In case of projects related to new and/ or innovative activities, women cooperatives that are in operation for at least three months are also eligible for assistance.

What are the schemes of other ministries?

• Implemented by NCDC – The Corporation also implements several Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored schemes of the Government of India,
• It supports the holistic development of cooperative institutions across sectors, including agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, dairy, livestock, food processing, marketing, storage, and cold chain infrastructure.

What are the recent developments in cooperative sector?

• Grant-in-aid support to NCDC – The Union Cabinet has approved a Central Sector Scheme “Grant in aid to National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) “with a total outlay of Rs.2,000 crore for the period 2025–26 to 2028–29.
• Under this scheme, Rs.500 crore will be released annually, enabling NCDC to leverage these grants and mobilise nearly Rs.20,000 crore from the open market over the four-year period.
• This enhanced financial capacity will help NCDC to extend loans to cooperative societies for setting up new ventures, expanding existing plants, and meeting their working capital requirements.
• National Cooperative Society Policy – The National Cooperation Policy (NCP) 2025 sets out a clear vision for revitalising India’s cooperative movement in line with the nation’s goal of becoming Viksit Bharat by 2047.
• Guided by the spirit of Sahkar-se-Samriddhi, the policy seeks to strengthen the cooperative framework, promote inclusive economic growth, and empower rural communities through collective participation.
• It focuses on building a supportive legal, economic, and institutional environment that enables cooperatives to become transparent, technology-driven, and professionally managed enterprises.
• The initiative is being implemented by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) in collaboration with seven major cooperative institutions.
• 7 major institutions – IFFCO, NAFED, Amul, KRIBHCO, NDDB, NCEL, and NABARD-fostering cooperation among cooperatives to drive sustainable development.

Reference

PIB| NCDC

Contempt of Court

Why in news?

Recent controversy over the alleged contemptuous and derogatory remarks against the Chief Justice of India & the Supreme Court has considered an act of diminishing the ‘authority’ of India’s top court.

What is Contempt of Court?

• Contempt of court in India – Refers to any act that disrespects, obstructs, or undermines the authority and dignity of the judiciary.
• Objective – To maintain the authority and dignity of the judiciary, ensuring that the legal process is respected and upheld.
• Origin – The contempt of court law in India has deep colonial roots, originating from British legal traditions that prioritized judicial authority over public criticism.
• Contempt is not similar to Mere Disrespect – It goes beyond casual criticism—targeting actions that disrupt or undermine the justice system.

What is the legal framework?

• Mentioned in Article 19 – The phrase ‘contempt of court’ is used in Article 19(2) as one of the grounds for imposing reasonable restriction on fundamental freedoms.
• No procedural guidelines in Constitution – The Constitution does not explain how to initiate the contempt proceedings.
• Court of record – In India, the Supreme Court and High Court have been designated as courts of record under Article 129 and 215 respectively.
• A court of record is one whose decisions are kept in reserve for future references and inherently it also has the power to punish for its contempt.
• Statutory Explanation – This implicit constitutional provision is explained in the Contempt of Court Act, 1971.

What are the types of Contempt in India under the Contempt of Court Act, 1971?

• Two types of Contempt – Civil and Criminal Contempt.
• Section 2(b) of 1971 Act - Defines civil contempt as willful disobedience to any judgment, decree, direction, order, writ or other process of a court or willful breach of an undertaking given to a court.
• Section 2(c) of 1971 Act – Defines criminal contempt as the publication (whether by words spoken or written or by signs or by visible representations or otherwise) of any matter or the doing of any act which —
  • scandalizes or lowers the authority of any court; or
  • prejudices or interferes or tends to interfere with, the due course of any judicial proceeding; or
  • interferes or tends to interfere with the administration of justice in any other manner
• Punishment – Under Section 12 of the Act, contempt can be punished with simple imprisonment for up to six months, a fine up to Rs. 2,000, or both.

What are the procedures for initiation of contempt proceedings?

• Suo motu – The High Court or Supreme Court may initiate contempt proceedings suo moto.
• Reference – A subordinate court can refer a case to the High Court for contempt proceedings, or the Advocate General can bring a motion for criminal contempt in a High Court.
• Private petition – A private party can bring the matter to the court's attention, but they are considered an "informer" or "relator," not a complainant.
  • With consent – To initiate proceedings for criminal contempt, a private party must obtain the written consent of the Attorney General (for the Supreme Court) or the Advocate General (for High Courts).
  • Without consent – If the AG denies consent, the petition cannot proceed.

What are the criticisms related to Contempt of Court?

• Lack of clarity – The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 are vague and lack clarity, can be interpreted variably, leading to potential judicial overreach.
• Inhibits democratic discourse – The fear of contempt action may discourage open and constructive critique of the judiciary, impacting freedom of expression.
• Burden on the judiciary – Frequent contempt proceedings contribute to judicial congestion, diverting time and resources from other pending matters.
• Colonial legacy – The colonial legacy prioritizes judicial insulation over democratic accountability, often clashing with Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.
• Potential misuse by judiciary – The judiciary acts as judge, jury, and prosecutor in contempt cases, raising concerns about conflict of interest and lack of checks and balances.
• Lack of accountability – Contempt powers may be used to shield the judiciary from public scrutiny, reducing transparency and accountability.
• Inconsistency in enforcement – Selective or delayed action in high-profile cases creates perceptions of bias or unequal treatment.

What are the judicial stand on criticism and Contempt?

• Ashwini Kumar Ghosh vs. Arabinda Bose (1952) – Fair criticism is allowed.
  • Fair and reasoned criticism of a decided case does not amount to contempt, whereas, excessive or malicious commentary may be considered contemptuous.
• Anil Ratan Sarkar vs. Hirak Ghosh (2002) – Caution in exercising contempt powers.
  • The Court held that the power to punish for contempt must be exercised with caution and shall only be exercised when there is a clear violation of an order.
• M. V. Jayarajan vs. High Court of Kerala (2015) – Abusive public speech as criminal contempt
  • The Supreme Court upheld contempt charges for abusive language used in a public speech while criticising a High Court order, such actions could be deemed to undermine judicial authority and disrupt justice delivery.
• Shanmugam @ Lakshminarayanan vs. High Court of Madras (2025) – Purpose of contempt powers reaffirmed
  • The Supreme Court clarified that the core aim of contempt proceedings is to protect the administration of justice, not to shield judges from criticism.

What lies ahead?

• Democratic criticism of the judiciary is acceptable, but one must respect its vital role in shaping state priorities and upholding the sanctity of justice.
• Misrepresentation by the state or citizens can lead to contempt of court and undermine democratic values, ultimately hindering the delivery of substantive justice.

Reference

The Hindu | What constitutes as contempt of court in India?

National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC)

Why in News?

Recently, the government has increased the funding and schemes for the cooperative sector to further develop it and increase the number of cooperatives in the country.

What is National Cooperative Development Corporation(NCDC)?

• (NCDC) – It is a statutory organisation under the Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India, established in 1963.
• Objectives – The objectives of NCDC include:
• Promoting, strengthening, and developing farmer cooperatives for increasing production, productivity and instituting post-harvest facilities
• Providing assistance for development of cooperatives in sectors of processing, storage, cold chain and marketing of agriculture produce and the supply of seeds, fertilizer and other agricultural inputs etc.
• Functions of NCDC
• NCDC supports income-generating cooperatives across various non-farm sectors such as weaker section activities.
• This includes dairy, livestock, handloom, sericulture, poultry, fishery, scheduled caste & scheduled tribes, women cooperatives etc.
• NCDC provides financial assistance to the cooperative sector for their economic development and social upliftment through NCDC Sponsored schemes and various GoI schemes implemented by NCDC

What are the schemes and efforts of NCDC?

• Yuva sahakar-cooperative enterprise support and innovation scheme – Launched in FY 2019–20, the scheme is designed to promote cooperative start-ups across diverse sectors by supporting newly formed cooperatives with innovative ideas.
• The scheme encourages Young (Yuva) Entrepreneur Cooperative Societies that are in operation for a minimum of 3 months.
• It is linked to a Cooperative Start-up and Innovation Fund created by NCDC, with preferential support extended to cooperatives in the North Eastern Region, those operating in Aspirational Districts identified by NITI Aayog, and cooperatives comprising exclusively women, SC, ST, or PwD members.
• Eligibility
  • Any type of cooperative society with new, innovative, and value chain enhancement intended projects.
  • It should be in operation for a minimum of 3 months.
  • It should have a positive net-worth.
  • It should not have incurred cash loss during previous year(s) of operation, as applicable, and no cash loss in the past three years (if the society is in operation for more than 3 years).
• Ayushman Sahakar – It adopts a holistic approach to strengthening the healthcare ecosystem through cooperative institutions.
• It aims to assist cooperative societies:
  • To provide affordable and holistic healthcare through hospitals/ healthcare/ education facilities by cooperative societies,
  • To promote AYUSH facilities by cooperative societies,
  • To meet the objectives of the National Health Policy,
  • To participate in the National Digital Health Mission,
  • To provide comprehensive healthcare including education, services, insurance, and activities related thereto.
• Eligibility
  • Any Cooperative Society registered under any State/Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act in the country, with a suitable provision in the bye-laws to undertake services related to hospital/healthcare/health education.
• Dairy Sahakar – It aims to strengthen dairy cooperatives by offering financial assistance for both new projects and the modernization or expansion of existing infrastructure.
• The scheme supports end-to-end dairy sector activities, including bovine development, milk procurement and processing, quality assurance, value addition, branding, packaging, marketing, transportation, storage, and export of dairy products.
• Additionally, NCDC extends financial support to a range of related services and enabling activities such as:
  • Renewable energy adoption,
  • ICT solutions,
  • Cattle feed and supplement manufacturing,
  • Research and development,
  • Packaging material manufacturing,
  • Manufacturing of dairy equipment and machinery,
  • Dairy-related maintenance services,
  • Manufacturing of veterinary drugs,
  • Delivery of veterinary healthcare services,
  • Education and capacity development in the veterinary/dairy education.
• Eligibility
  • Any Cooperative Society registered under any State/Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act in the country, with a suitable provision in the bye-laws.
• Digital Sahakar – The scheme, operational since 2021-22, is aligned with the vision of Digital India.
• It provides financial and technical assistance to promote digitally empowered cooperatives, ensuring better credit access and facilitating seamless linkage with government grants, subsidies, and incentives.
• Eligibility
  • Any Cooperative Society registered under any State/Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act is eligible for financial assistance under the scheme.
  • FPOs, FFPOs, and federated SHG cooperatives are also eligible. Assistance is provided by NCDC either directly to the cooperatives or through State Governments/ UT Administrations.
• Deerghavadhi Krishak Punji Sahakar Yojana – It offers long-term financial assistance to agricultural credit cooperatives.
• It enables them to extend credit for a wide range of agricultural activities, commodities, and services falling under the NCDC’s mandate:
• To ensure increased and uninterrupted credit flow to cooperatives and their members.
• To boost capital formation in the agriculture and allied sectors.
• To support non-farm sector activities, thereby promoting alternate employment opportunities in rural and semi-urban areas.
• Eligibility – The following types of Agricultural Credit Cooperatives will be eligible for NCDC’s loan under this scheme:
  • Primary Agricultural Credit Cooperatives (PACS)
  • District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs)
  • State Cooperative Banks (StCBs)
  • Primary Cooperative Agriculture & Rural Development Banks (PCARDS)
  • State Cooperative Agriculture & Rural Development Banks (SCARDS)
• Support to Women Cooperatives – National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) is also implementing the exclusive schemes for women cooperatives: a. Swayam Shakti Sahakar Yojana, and b. Nandini Sahakar. These initiatives play a significant role in empowering women and strengthening their contribution to rural economic development.
• Swayam Shakti Sahakar Yojana – The scheme, launched in the FY 2022-23, provides financial assistance to agricultural credit cooperatives for extending loans and advances to women self-help groups (SHGs).
• Under this scheme, Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs), State Cooperative Banks (StCBs) and SHGs Federated Cooperatives/Cooperative Federations are eligible for loan from NCDC.
• By enhancing access to credit, the scheme plays a key role in strengthening women’s participation in rural economic activities.
• Nandini Sahakar – It aims to empower women by promoting their participation in cooperatives.
• It helps women-led cooperatives by providing support in business planning, enterprise development, capacity building, and access to finance through credit, subsidies, and interest subvention from other government schemes.
• The scheme has been in operation since the financial year 2020-21.
• Eligibility
  • Any Women Cooperative Society registered under any State/Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act in the country is eligible.
  • Any cooperative society with a minimum of 50% women members at the primary level is also eligible.
  • In case of projects related to new and/ or innovative activities, women cooperatives that are in operation for at least three months are also eligible for assistance.

What are the schemes of other ministries?

• Implemented by NCDC – The Corporation also implements several Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored schemes of the Government of India,
• It supports the holistic development of cooperative institutions across sectors, including agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, dairy, livestock, food processing, marketing, storage, and cold chain infrastructure.

What are the recent developments in cooperative sector?

• Grant-in-aid support to NCDC – The Union Cabinet has approved a Central Sector Scheme “Grant in aid to National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) “with a total outlay of Rs.2,000 crore for the period 2025–26 to 2028–29.
• Under this scheme, Rs.500 crore will be released annually, enabling NCDC to leverage these grants and mobilise nearly Rs.20,000 crore from the open market over the four-year period.
• This enhanced financial capacity will help NCDC to extend loans to cooperative societies for setting up new ventures, expanding existing plants, and meeting their working capital requirements.
• National Cooperative Society Policy – The National Cooperation Policy (NCP) 2025 sets out a clear vision for revitalising India’s cooperative movement in line with the nation’s goal of becoming Viksit Bharat by 2047.
• Guided by the spirit of Sahkar-se-Samriddhi, the policy seeks to strengthen the cooperative framework, promote inclusive economic growth, and empower rural communities through collective participation.
• It focuses on building a supportive legal, economic, and institutional environment that enables cooperatives to become transparent, technology-driven, and professionally managed enterprises.
• The initiative is being implemented by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) in collaboration with seven major cooperative institutions.
• 7 major institutions – IFFCO, NAFED, Amul, KRIBHCO, NDDB, NCEL, and NABARD-fostering cooperation among cooperatives to drive sustainable development.

Reference

PIB| NCDC

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

Why in news?

Union Minister for Civil Aviation recently said that India will soon release a national policy on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), aligns with India targets Net Zero by 2070.

• Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) – Refers to aviation fuel derived from non-fossil sources, such as agricultural residue, municipal solid waste, used cooking oil, etc.
• It offers a life-cycle carbon emission reduction of up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel.
• Global Targets – 5% CO₂ emissions reduction by 2030 and reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
• India’s target – Blending targets of 1% by 2027, 2% by 2028 and 5% by 2030 for international flights under International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)’s Carbon Offsetting & Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) programme.
• India’s Biomass Capacity – 750 million tonnes of total biomass availability, in that 213 million tonnes of surplus agricultural residue.
• SAF requirement – 1% blending by 2027 - 30 million litres, 2% target for 2028 - 62 million litres.
• Current domestic production capacity – Domestic oil manufacturing companies collectively have 70 million litres/year production capacity.
• Public-Private Collaboration – Airbus–Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) signed a Joint Study Agreement (JSA), focused on converting municipal solid waste into Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

Quick Fact

Reference

The Hindu | India to release national policy on SAF

Pilia malenadu

Why in news?

Researchers discover a new species of spider in a Chikkamagaluru village, name it after ‘Malenadu’

• Family – Salticidae.
• Genus – Pilia, a genus of jumping spiders.
  • These spiders are small, agile predators known for excellent vision, agile movements and jumping ability.
  • It exhibit complex courtship behavior and active hunting, unlike web-building spiders.
  • 1^st described by  - Eugène Louis Simon in 1902.
• Location – Madhugundi village, Mudigere taluk of Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka.
• Etymology – Named after the Malenadu region of Karnataka, locally known as the "land of hills" — “mala” means hill, “nadu” means land.
• Taxonomic importance –
  • This is the 1^st time both male & female specimens of the genus have been identified, resolving a long-standing taxonomic gap.
  • Previously, only three species - all male specimens, are known.
• Distinctiveness – It differs from common house or garden spiders, both in appearance and behaviour.
• Habitat – 2 plant species — Memecylon umbellatum & Memecylon malabaricum - the spiders were found concealed between the leaves of these plants.
• Morphology – New species is morphologically closest to Bristowia, another genus of jumping spiders, sharing robust first legs and comparable genital structures.

• Significance – This is the 1^st  discovery of a Pilia genus spider species in 123 years, last recorded in 1902 in Kerala, underscores the importance of Western Ghats' status as a biodiversity hotspot.

Reference

The Hindu | New spider species is discovered in Chikkamagaluru

Sansad Khel Mahotsav

Why in news?

Minister of State for Corporate Affairs and Road Transport & Highways launches Sansad Khel Mahotsav 2025-East Delhi at East Vinod Nagar Sports Complex.

• Sansad Khel Mahotsav – It is a flagship initiative to promote grassroots sports and physical fitness, led by Members of Parliament.
• Aim – To nurture local talent and build a stronger sporting culture in line with vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’.
• Objective – To bring the community together through sports and fitness and to take the message of 'Fit India' to every home.
• Organized – Across Lok Sabha constituencies with support from Khelo India and Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.
• Features
  • 3 level competition – Including games at the village, block/ward, and parliamentary constituency levels.
  • Categories – Include traditional games, football, athletics, wrestling, kabaddi, kho-kho, volleyball, cricket and other sports.
  • Fun activities – like tug of war, lemon spoon race, and sack races to ensure wider participation.
• Participants – Boys and girls from different age categories will participate, providing a platform for young athletes to showcase their abilities.
• Impact –
  • Encourages discipline, sportsmanship, and community bonding.
  • Acts as a talent pipeline for national-level sports programs.
  • Strengthens MP-led development through sports infrastructure and youth outreach.

References

1. PIB | Sansad Khel Mahotsav 2025-East Delhi
2. DD News | Sansad Khel Mahotsav 2025

Bankimchandra Chatterji

Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | History

Why in news?

Ministry of Minority Affairs to inaugurate the celebration of Commemoration of 150 Years of the National Song “Vande Mataram” on 7th November 2025.

• Bankim Chandra Chatterjee (1838–1894), was a novelist, poet and journalist.
• Early Life & Education
  • He was born on 26/27 June 1838 in Naihati, Bengal Presidency.
  • He was graduated from the University of Calcutta in 1858.
  • He joined the British Indian Civil Service and served as a Deputy Magistrate and Deputy Collector.
• Literary contribution
  • Inspiration – His first novel Durgeshnandini (1865) was inspired by the ruins of Gar Mandaran Fort; it is considered the first modern Bengali romance novel.
  • Works – He authored 14 novels and numerous satirical, scientific, and critical essays in Bengali.
  • Pen name – “Kamalakanta” used for satirical essays.
  • Notable works, including Anandamath (1882), Durgeshnandini (1865), Kapalkundala (1866), and Devi Chaudhurani (1884).
  • Anandamath – A novel, published in 1882 - introduced the song “Vande Mataram”, later composed by Rabindranath Tagore, which became a symbol of India’s freedom movement.
  • Publication – “Vande Mataram” was first published in Bangadarshan, Bankim’s literary magazine.
  • Historical Impact – The song gained prominence during the Swadeshi movement, following the partition of Bengal.
• Role in Bengal Renaissance
  • He was instrumental in the cultural and intellectual awakening of 19th-century Bengal.
  • He promoted national pride, social reform, and literary excellence.
• Awards & Titles
  • Known as "Sahitya Samrat" meaning "Emperor of Literature", for his pioneering role in Bengali prose and nationalism.
  • In 1891, awarded the title of Rai Bahadur, a colonial honour for distinguished officials.
  • In 1894, conferred the title Companion of the Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire (CMEOIE), a prestigious award for service to the country.
• He died April 8, 1894, Calcutta.

Quick Fact

References

1. PIB | 150 Years of the National Song “Vande Mataram”
2. NDTV | Bankim Chandra Chatterjee

2025 EAT-Lancet Commission Report

Why in news?

Food systems largest violators of planetary limits: 2025 EAT-Lancet Commission on Healthy, Sustainable and Just Food Systems.

• The 2025 report shows how food systems are at the centre of the overlapping climate, biodiversity, water, and pollution crises.
• Published by – EAT-Lancet Commission.

EAT-Lancet Commission – A global, interdisciplinary group of leading researchers with expertise in nutrition, health, agriculture, sustainability, social justice, and policy.

• Planetary boundaries – Scientifically defined limits to human-induced environmental pressures, limits beyond which the environment will not be able to self-regulate.
• 9 boundaries – Climate change, ocean acidification, ozone depletion, nitrogen cycle, freshwater use, land system change, biosphere integrity, chemical pollution, aerosol loading.

Key Findings

• Planetary Health Diet (PHD) – Developed by the Commission to foster a global shift toward healthy eating and sustainable food systems.
  • Composition - 75% plant-based: fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains
  • 25% moderate animal-source foods, minimal added sugars, saturated fats, and salt
  • Potential to halve food-related GHG emissions.
• Food systems (largest contributor) – Breaching 5 of 9 planetary boundaries already crossed - includes climate change, land system change, freshwater use, nitrogen cycle, biosphere integrity.
• India-Specific Insights –
  • Poor performance – Nitrogen overloading, pesticide pollution, loss of intact natural land (below 50–60% benchmark).
  • Consequences – loss of ecological functioning, decline in pollination, soil carbon sequestration.
  • Dietary trends (opposite direction) – towards excessive ultra-processed foods, increase in obesity & anemia, widening health inequalities.
• Environmental inequality – The wealthiest 30% of people cause 70% of food-related environmental impacts.
• Safe & Just Space – Less than 1% of the global population lives in a “safe and just space”, where food needs & rights are met within planetary boundaries - highlights the urgent need for justice-centric food system reforms
• Justice-Centric Policy Transformation –
  • Agricultural policy must prioritize fair livelihoods, not just yield or efficiency.
  • Trade policy should be evaluated based on its impact on producer welfare.
  • Corporate accountability must ensure decent work and transparent supply chains.
• Policy recommendations – Emphasized the importance of everyone’s right to healthy food and called for making the PHD accessible and affordable using policy tools such as subsidies, taxes on unhealthy foods, and restrictions on marketing.

Reference

The Hindu | 2025 EAT-Lancet Commission