On May 10, 2025, India and the world witnessed significant developments across various sectors. In the legal field, talks are on about removing a High Court judge, which raises questions about how judges are held accountable. In health news, India has seen a good drop in the number of mothers dying during childbirth, showing better medical care. Globally, a new system called Climate Finance Taxonomy is being introduced to guide money towards environment-friendly projects. On the defence front, India’s Air Defence Systems are being upgraded, reflecting the need for stronger national security due to ongoing tensions. These headlines show how India is dealing with important issues in justice, health, environment, and security.

Awareness regarding daily UPSC current affairs is crucial for cracking the UPSC Prelims, excelling in UPSC Mains. It helps perform well in the UPSC personality test, thus becoming an informed and effective UPSC civil servant.

Below are the current affairs and headlines of the day taken from The Hindu, Indian Express, Press Information Bureau & All India Radio as required for UPSC preparation:

Removal of High Court Judge

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper II (Polity) 

In News:

• Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna has forwarded the in-house committee report on Justice Yashwant Varma to the President and the Prime Minister.
• The report pertains to the discovery of partially burnt sacks of currency notes in a gutted storeroom of Justice Varma’s former residence in Delhi following a fire on March 14, 2025.
• The report’s submission paves the way for initiating removal proceedings in Parliament against the judge.

Background

• The Delhi High Court Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya initially submitted a preliminary report, recommending an in-depth investigation.
• In response, the CJI formed an in-house committee comprising 3 judges on March 22, 2025.
• The in-house procedure used in this case stems from a Supreme Court ruling in Additional District and Sessions Judge v. Registrar General, MP High Court (2014), which formalized the protocol for internal judicial inquiries.
• Since Justice Varma did not resign or opt for voluntary retirement, the report was forwarded to the President and PM for further action.

Know more about the List of High Courts in India!

Know more about the Important Supreme Court Judgements!

What is the Procedure in the Current Case?

• The in-house panel, under the 2014 SC judgment framework, has found sufficient material suggesting serious misconduct by Justice Yashwant Varma.
• Since the judge refused to resign or retire voluntarily, the CJI has forwarded the panel’s report and the judge’s reply to the President and Prime Minister.
• This move is preparatory to triggering Article 217 read with Article 124(4), allowing for Parliamentary motion for removal.
• The next likely steps:
  • Parliamentarians may introduce a removal motion in either House.
  • If admitted, the statutory inquiry committee (as per Judges Inquiry Act, 1968) will be set up.
  • Depending on the findings and political will, the motion may proceed to voting.

Know more about the Jurisdiction of Supreme Court of India!

Maternal Mortality Ratio dropping in India

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: Economy (GS Paper III)

In News:

• The Office of the Registrar-General and Census Commissioner of India released new data showing a decline in India’s Maternal Mortality Ratio(MMR).

• MMR has dropped from 97 per 100,000 live births in 2018–20 to 93 in 2019–21, indicating improved maternal health outcomes.

Key Data Points

• National Trend
  • MMR in India (per 100,000 live births):
    • 2017–19: 103
    • 2018–20: 97
    • 2019–21: 93
  • Indicates a steady decline, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) targets.
• Age-Wise Trends
  • Highest MMR observed in the 20–29 age group.
  • Second-highest MMR in the 30–34 age group.
  • Reflects the critical need for targeted reproductive healthcare for women in their prime childbearing years.
• Global Context
  • UN SDG Target: Reduce global MMR to below 70 per 100,000 live births.
• WHO Data (2023):
  • Over 700 women died daily due to preventable pregnancy-related causes.
  • 90%+ maternal deaths occurred in low- and lower-middle-income countries.
  • MMR fell globally by ~40% between 2000 and 2023.
• Causes of Maternal Mortality
  • Complications during:
    • Pregnancy
    • Childbirth
    • Postpartum period
    • Unsafe abortions
  • Many deaths are preventable with timely access to skilled healthcare before, during, and after childbirth.

Read the article on the UN Sustainable Development Goals!

Climate Finance Taxonomy

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper III (Environment)

In News:

• The Ministry of Finance has unveiled a draft framework titled “Framework of India’s Climate Finance Taxonomy” to steer investments toward climate-aligned projects and reduce the risk of greenwashing.

• This move follows a Budget 2024 announcement by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and aligns with India’s goal of becoming Net Zero by 2070.

• It also comes in the context of global disagreements at COP29, particularly due to the lack of a uniform definition of “climate finance”.

Key Features of India’s Draft Taxonomy

• Objective:
  • To encourage climate-friendly investments and facilitate clean energy transition, while ensuring reliable and affordable energy access.
• Categorization:
  • The taxonomy classifies economic activities into two key categories:
• Climate Supportive Activities:
  • Directly contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions or emissions intensity (emissions per unit of GDP).
  • Include adaptation solutions to minimize risks from climate.
• Climate Transition Activities:
  • Focus on activities in sectors where absolute emissions reduction is difficult with current technologies.
  • Examples include iron, steel, and cement sectors (often called "hard-to-abate" sectors).
  • Aimed at improving emissions intensity, rather than total reduction.

Read the article on the Climate Finance Negotiations at COP29!

Air Defence System

Syllabus: GS Paper III (Security)

In News:

• On May 8, 2025, the Indian Armed Forces neutralised a Pakistani air defence system in Lahore in response to a swarm drone and missile attack by Pakistan on Indian military installations.

• This marks a significant escalation in India-Pakistan tensions and demonstrates the active use of modern air defence and offensive counter-air capabilities.

• India's retaliation was part of Operation Sindoor, reportedly involving advanced systems like loitering munitions (HAROP, HARPY) and the S-400 Triumf.

Air Defence Systems Used by India

• S-400 Triumf
  • Origin: Russia
  • Range: Up to 400 km
• Capabilities:
• It can track 80+ targets simultaneously.
• Capable of engaging aerial threats, ballistic/cruise missiles, and drones.
  • Deployed along northern borders with Pakistan and China.
• Barak 8 MRSAM (Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile)
  • Origin: India-Israel joint development
  • Range: ~70–100 km
• Features:
  • Active radar homing
  • Designed for multi-target tracking
  • Effective against fighter jets, helicopters, UAVs, and missiles.
• Akash Missile System
  • Origin: Indigenous (DRDO-developed)
  • Range: ~25–30 km
  • Guidance: Radar command guidance
  • Targets: Aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, subsonic cruise missiles
• S-125 Pechora
  • Origin: Soviet-era system (being upgraded)
  • Range: ~35 km
• Israeli HAROP & HARPY Loitering Munitions
  • Type: Kamikaze drones
  • Function: Loiter in air until target is identified, then self-destruct on impact.

Know more about the Security Forces and Agencies in India!