President re-appoints R. Venkataramani as Attorney General of India for a term of two years. 

About Attorney General of India

• Qualification (Article 76): Must be eligible for appointment as a Supreme Court Judge.
• Function: Advises the Government of India on legal matters, performs duties of legal character assigned by the President and discharge functions conferred by the Constitution or any law.
• Right of Audience: Can appear and be heard in all courts across India.
• Term of Office: Holds office during the pleasure of the President and remuneration is determined by the President.
• Parliamentary Rights (Article 88): Has right to speak and participate in proceedings of either House, but cannot vote.

President appointed 24 Judges in the Allahabad High Court.

Appointment of High Court Judges

• Article 217 of the Constitution states that appointment of High Court Judge is made by the President. 
• The Chief Justice is appointed by the President after consulting with the Chief Justice of India (CJI) and the Governor of the State and 
  • For appointment of other judges, Chief Justice of concerned High Court is also consulted.
• High Court Judges are recommended by a Collegium comprising the CJI and the two senior-most judges of Supreme Court.

The Government of India, in consultation with the RBI has finalized its borrowing programme for the second half of the fiscal year which involves dated securities and Sovereign Green Bonds (SGrBs).

Dated Securities (Government Bonds)

• Definition:  Securities which carry a fixed or floating coupon (interest rate) which is paid on the face value, on a half-yearly basis. 
• Tenure: 5 years to 40 years.
• Other Short term Government Securities: Cash Management Bills (CMBs), Treasury bills.

Sovereign Green Bonds (SGBs)

• These are debt securities created to fund projects that have positive environmental and/or climate benefits. 
• It was introduced by the Union Budget of 2022-2023.

Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)  revised draft CAFE-3 and CAFE-4 norms.

• New norms have been introduced offering special relief for small cars for the first time and offering incentives for flex-fuel and strong hybrid vehicles.

About CAFE norms

• These were first notified by the Government in 2017, under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001 
• Aim: To mitigate fuel consumption by lowering CO₂ emissions and to reduce oil dependency and air pollution.
• Applicability: Passenger cars with seating capacity not exceeding 9 persons including the driver and gross vehicle weight not exceeding 3,500 kg.
• These norms shall come into force from 1st April 2027 until 31st March 2032.

The Supreme Court  allowed the manufacturing of green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR.

 What are Green Firecrackers?

• Green crackers do not contain harmful chemicals and reduce air pollution.
• Composition: flower pots, pencils, sparklers, maroons, bombs, and chakkar, low Thermite amount,minimum usage of Aluminium.
• They don't contain the barium substance which is used in the firecrackers to add green colour.
• Benefit: reduce at least 30 % emissions using particulate matter Potassium Nitrate as an oxidant.
• Identification and Certification: CSIR NEERI Logo.

Karnataka’s Bidar district won Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari Award under the campaign, Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain.

• Also, Telangana secured top position in rainwater conservation.

About Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) Initiative

• Genesis: Launched in 2024,  it seeks to conserve water with a strong emphasis on community partnership and ownership. 
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Jal Shakti. 
• The initiative aims to enhance water recharge through rainwater harvesting/aquifer recharge/borewell recharge/ recharge shafts etc. with resource support from Government & non-Government resources like CSR funds, industrial houses, civic bodies, water sector enthusiasts etc.

G4 Ministers reiterated their commitment for UN Security Council reforms.

• India’s External Affairs Minister also convened a joint meeting of L.69 group and the C-10. 

G4 (Group of Four)

• Members: Brazil, Germany, India, Japan.
• Purpose: They support each other’s bid for permanent UNSC membership.

L.69 Group

• Members: 40+ developing countries from Africa, Asia, Latin America, Caribbean, Pacific including India.
• Purpose: Pushes for comprehensive UNSC reform with more representation for developing countries.

C10 (Committee of Ten)

• Members: 10 African Union states – Algeria, Equatorial Guinea, Congo, Kenya, Libya, Namibia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Zambia.
• Purpose: Represents Africa’s Common Position on UNSC reform.

A deal for the construction of four nuclear power plants with a value of $25 billion in Sirik (Hormozgan Province), was signed between the Iran Hormoz company and Rosatom.

• Each plant will have a capacity of 1,255 megawatts
• Presently, Iran has just one operational nuclear power plant in Bushehr. 

Major Nuclear Sites in Iran

• Natanz Enrichment Complex
• Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant
• Isfahan Uranium Conversion & Fuel Fabrication Complex