Recently, the Government of India highlighted the country’s pioneering achievements in rural transformation and development leadership at the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) – India Day event, which was held in Rome, Italy. The event showcased India’s experiences and best practices in agricultural development, poverty alleviation, and rural empowerment.

About the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an international financial institution and a specialized agency of the United Nations. It was established in 1977 as an international financial institution through a United Nations General Assembly Resolution.

Objective and Mandate

The primary objective of IFAD is to eradicate poverty and hunger in rural areas of developing countries. The organisation focuses on empowering rural communities to enhance their food security and improve the nutrition and livelihoods of rural families.

Areas of Operation

IFAD implements its projects and programmes in remote and environmentally fragile regions, including:

• Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and

• Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

These interventions aim to reach the most vulnerable rural populations.

Key Functions and Support Mechanisms

IFAD supports:

• Research and innovation,

• Institutional reforms, and

• Pro-poor and climate-resilient technologies.

It extends two types of grants based on the nature and scale of interventions:

1. Global or regional grants, and

2. Country-specific grants.

Membership

IFAD currently has 180 Member States, including India, which is a founding member of the organisation. This reflects India’s long-standing engagement in global efforts toward rural development and food security.

Governance Structure

The Governing Council is the highest decision-making body of IFAD. It meets once every three years to take major policy and strategic decisions regarding the organisation’s functioning and priorities.

UN System Linkages

IFAD is a member of the United Nations Development Group (UNDG), enabling coordinated action with other UN agencies working on sustainable development goals, particularly those related to poverty alleviation and agriculture.

Headquarters

The headquarters of IFAD is located in Rome, Italy.

Conclusion

IFAD plays a crucial role in promoting inclusive and sustainable rural development across the developing world. India’s active participation and leadership at the IFAD India Day event underline its commitment to sharing development experiences and strengthening global cooperation in agriculture and rural transformation.

In a first-of-its-kind study in eastern India, a Bar-Headed Goose fitted with a GSM-GPS transmitter has revealed its migration route and flying patterns. This research provides valuable insights into high-altitude migratory behavior, helping conservationists and scientists understand the species’ movement and ecology better.

About Bar-Headed Goose

The Bar-Headed Goose is a migratory bird species and is famous for being one of the highest-flying birds in the world.

• It can fly at altitudes up to 25,000 feet, crossing the Himalayas, where oxygen levels are extremely low and temperatures drop significantly.

Geographical Distribution

• Native Region: Central Asia, where the species breeds.

• Countries Found: India, Pakistan, Nepal, Kazakhstan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Japan, and nearby regions.

• In India: Their range extends from the northeastern states to the southern parts of the country.

Habitat

• During the breeding season, Bar-Headed Geese prefer high-altitude lakes.

• During wintering, they inhabit freshwater lakes, rivers, and streams at lower altitudes.

• They are strongly associated with water bodies for feeding and nesting.

Physical Features

• The bird has gray and white plumage with two horseshoe-shaped, brownish-black bars on the back of its white head.

• Male and female birds look similar, but males are slightly larger.

• They usually form monogamous pairs and are seasonal breeders.

Conservation Status

• The Bar-Headed Goose is classified as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it currently faces no immediate threat of extinction.

Significance of Recent Study

• The GSM-GPS tracking study is the first in eastern India, providing detailed migration routes and flight patterns.

• Understanding these migration patterns is crucial for:

  • Protecting critical habitats,

  • Monitoring population health, and

  • Conservation planning, especially in high-altitude wetlands and water bodies.

Members of Parliament from the INDIA bloc have proposed to move an impeachment motion in Parliament against Justice G.R. Swaminathan of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court.
This move follows a judicial order directing the Subramaniya Swamy Temple authorities to ensure the lighting of a lamp at the deepathoon (pillar) near a dargah during the Karthigai Deepam festival, which has generated political and legal controversy.

Judicial Impeachment in India: Concept

Although the word “impeachment” is not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution, it refers to the formal constitutional process for removing a Supreme Court or High Court judge.
The process is meant to ensure judicial accountability while simultaneously protecting judicial independence from political interference.

Judges can be removed only on two grounds:

• Proved misbehaviour, which includes serious ethical or professional misconduct, and

• Incapacity, meaning the inability to perform judicial duties due to physical or mental reasons.

Constitutional and Legal Basis

• Article 124(4) of the Constitution provides the procedure for removal of Supreme Court judges.

• Article 218 extends the same procedure to High Court judges.

• The detailed mechanism is laid down in the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.

Impeachment Process for Judges in India

1. Initiation of the Motion

An impeachment motion can be introduced in either House of Parliament:

• It must be supported by at least 100 MPs in the Lok Sabha, or

• At least 50 MPs in the Rajya Sabha.

The motion proceeds only after being admitted by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha or the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, as applicable.

2. Constitution of the Inquiry Committee

Once admitted, a three-member inquiry committee is constituted under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968. It consists of:

• A Supreme Court judge (or the Chief Justice of India),

• A Chief Justice of a High Court, and

• An eminent jurist.

The committee functions as a quasi-judicial body and conducts a detailed inquiry into the charges.

3. Committee Report and Parliamentary Approval

• The inquiry committee submits its report to the House where the motion was initiated.

• If the judge is found guilty of proved misbehaviour or incapacity, the motion is taken up for debate.

• The motion must be passed in both Houses of Parliament by a special majority, which includes:

  • A majority of the total membership, and

  • At least two-thirds of the members present and voting.

4. Final Removal

After both Houses pass the motion, the President of India issues the final order of removal.

Limitations and Drawbacks of the Impeachment Process

• If a judge resigns or retires during the process, the impeachment proceedings usually come to an end.

• No judge has been successfully impeached in India so far.

• The very high voting threshold makes removal extremely difficult and rare.

In-House Inquiry Procedure for Judges

Origin and Rationale

The Supreme Court introduced the in-house inquiry mechanism in 1999.
This followed the C. Ravichandran Iyer v. Justice A.M. Bhattacharjee (1995) case, which exposed the absence of a mechanism to deal with judicial misconduct that does not meet the high threshold of impeachment.

The in-house procedure aims to bridge the gap between minor misconduct and “proved misbehaviour” under Articles 124 and 218.

Stages of the In-House Inquiry Procedure

1. Screening of Complaints

• Complaints are initially examined by the Chief Justice of the concerned High Court or directly by the Chief Justice of India (CJI).

• Frivolous or baseless complaints are rejected at the preliminary stage.

• Serious complaints require a written response from the judge concerned.

2. Constitution of the Inquiry Committee

If further inquiry is required, the CJI constitutes a three-member committee, depending on the position of the judge:

• High Court Judge:

  • Two Chief Justices of other High Courts and one High Court judge.

• Chief Justice of a High Court:

  • One Supreme Court judge and two High Court Chief Justices.

• Supreme Court Judge:

  • Three Supreme Court judges.

• Chief Justice of India:

  • No specific in-house procedure is defined.

The committee conducts the inquiry following the principles of natural justice, allowing the judge to present a defence.

Possible Outcomes of the In-House Inquiry

• If misconduct is proved:

  • The judge may be advised to resign or take voluntary retirement.

  • If the judge refuses, they may be relieved of judicial work, and in serious cases, the CJI may recommend impeachment.

• If misconduct is minor:

  • The judge may be cautioned or advised, and the findings are placed on record.

Conclusion

The proposed impeachment motion against a High Court judge brings into focus the delicate balance between judicial accountability and judicial independence. While the constitutional impeachment mechanism ensures protection against arbitrary removal, its rigidity has led to the development of the in-house inquiry system to address misconduct below the impeachment threshold. Together, both mechanisms form the backbone of judicial discipline in India’s constitutional framework.

Recently, the National Sanskrit University (NSU) organised a symposium, panel discussion, and exhibition highlighting the unique and traditional privileges of the Chenchu tribal community in relation to the Ahobilam shrine and the deity Lord Narasimha. The event brought attention to the cultural, religious, and historical association of the Chenchus with important Hindu pilgrimage centres.

About the Chenchu Tribe

The Chenchu tribe is a food-gathering tribal community that primarily resides in the Nallamalai forest region of Andhra Pradesh. They are officially classified as one of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in the state due to their low population, subsistence-level economy, and limited access to modern development.

Geographical Distribution

Apart from Andhra Pradesh, the Chenchu community is also found in parts of:

• Telangana,

• Karnataka, and

• Odisha.

Language and Settlement Pattern

The Chenchus speak variants of Telugu, which belongs to the Dravidian language family.
A Chenchu village is known as a “Penta”. Each penta consists of a small number of huts, spaced apart and grouped according to kinship ties.

Social Organisation

Chenchu society is characterised by small conjugal families, with women enjoying equal status with men. Marriage usually takes place after attaining maturity.
The “Peddamanishi”, or village elder, acts as the traditional authority figure, responsible for maintaining social harmony within the family or village.

Religious Beliefs and Practices

The religious practices of the Chenchus are simple and limited in ritual complexity. They worship multiple deities and have also adopted certain practices from Hinduism over time.

For centuries, the Chenchus have shared a deep spiritual association with major Hindu temples, including:

• The Srisailam Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Brahmaramba, located in the heart of Chenchu territory in Andhra Pradesh.

• The Ahobilam Shrine, associated with Lord Narasimha, where the Chenchus enjoy traditional and hereditary privileges in temple rituals.

Livelihood and Economic Life

The Chenchus lead a life marked by simplicity and close dependence on forests. Most of them continue to practise hunting and food gathering as their primary means of subsistence.

Their traditional tools include a bow and arrow and a small knife. They collect various minor forest produce, such as:

• Roots, fruits, and tubers

• Beedi leaves

• Mohua flowers

• Honey, gum, and tamarind

• Green leafy vegetables

These products are sold to local traders or government cooperatives, providing a meagre income. Although some Chenchus occasionally work as forest labourers, they largely prefer to rely on their indigenous skills and traditional livelihood practices.

Cultural Outlook

The Chenchus place little importance on money or material wealth, valuing self-sufficiency and harmony with nature instead. Their way of life reflects a deep ecological connection and minimal dependence on external economic systems.

Conclusion

The Chenchu tribe represents a distinct and ancient forest-dwelling community with rich cultural traditions and religious linkages. Recent academic attention by the National Sanskrit University underscores the need to recognise, preserve, and respect their cultural rights and traditional privileges, particularly in relation to sacred sites like Ahobilam and Srisailam.

A recent report by the Indian Council of Medical Research–National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health (ICMR-NIRRCH) shows that infertile couples in India face a heavy financial burden. According to the report, a single IVF cycle costs over ₹1 lakh even in public hospitals. Globally, one assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycle costs 166% of an average Indian’s yearly income, while the public health system spends only ₹6,822 to ₹11,075 per patient annually.

What is In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF)?

In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a widely used Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) to treat infertility. In this process, a woman’s eggs are fertilized by sperm outside the body in a laboratory. The resulting embryo is then transferred into the uterus to achieve pregnancy.

IVF is commonly used when natural conception is not possible due to:

• Blocked fallopian tubes

• Low sperm count

• Ovulation disorders

• Endometriosis

• Age-related infertility

• Repeated miscarriages or unexplained infertility

Rising infertility in India due to stress, lifestyle changes, late marriage, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), and obesity has increased the demand for IVF. IVF also supports fertility preservation for cancer patients and helps couples facing repeated miscarriages. With one in six couples affected and falling fertility rates, experts emphasize the need to make fertility care accessible to protect India’s demographic balance.

Cost of IVF in India

According to ICMR-NIRRCH:

• A single IVF cycle costs over ₹1 lakh in both public and private hospitals.

• The public health system expenditure per patient ranges between ₹6,822 and ₹11,075 annually.

• Under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), a one-time reimbursement of ₹65,000 or the actual cost (whichever is lower) is provided for three fresh IVF cycles, subject to eligibility conditions.

Regulation of IVF and ART in India

Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021

The ART (Regulation) Act, 2021 was enacted to regulate ART clinics and ART banks in India, ensuring ethical, safe, and transparent fertility treatment. The Act provides a legal framework to supervise the rapidly growing use of technologies like IVF while protecting the rights of women, children, and donors.

All ART clinics and banks are compulsorily registered through a National Registry, which acts as a central database.

Eligibility for ART Services

For Commissioning Parties:

• ART services are available to single women and infertile married couples.

• Women must be 21–50 years old, while men must be 21–55 years old.

• Foreign nationals are also allowed to access ART services.

For Donors:

• Semen donors must be 21–55 years old.

• Egg donors must be 23–35 years old.

• A woman can donate eggs only once, with a maximum of seven eggs retrieved.

• A donor’s gametes cannot be supplied to more than one commissioning party.

Consent, Screening, and Ethical Safeguards

• Written informed consent is mandatory for both donors and commissioning parties.

• Genetic disease screening is compulsory to ensure healthy reproduction.

• Sex-selective services are strictly prohibited.

• Commissioning parties must provide insurance coverage to donors to protect against medical loss, injury, or death.

Rights of Children Born Through ART

Children born through ART are legally recognized as the biological children of the commissioning parents, while donors have no parental rights. This provision ensures clarity of parentage and safeguards the rights of children and families.

Significance of IVF Regulation in India

The ART (Regulation) Act and IVF services play a critical role in ensuring safe, ethical, and regulated fertility treatments. They provide legal clarity, protect donor and child rights, and support national demographic goals by making fertility care accessible and transparent

Recently, Siliserh Lake in Alwar, Rajasthan and Kopra Jalashay near Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh have been officially designated as Ramsar Sites, joining the list of wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.

About Ramsar Sites

Ramsar Sites are wetlands designated under the Ramsar Convention (1971) for their international ecological, hydrological, and biodiversity significance. India has been actively expanding its network of Ramsar Sites to promote wetland conservation and biodiversity protection.

1. Siliserh Lake, Rajasthan

Location and Origin

• Situated in Alwar, Rajasthan, within the buffer zone of Sariska Tiger Reserve.

• It is a human-made lake, built in 1845 by Maharaja Vinay Singh to supply drinking water to Alwar city.

• The lake lies in a semi-arid zone and serves as an important water source for the local ecology.

Fauna and Biodiversity

• Supports 149 bird species and 17 mammal species, including:

  • Vulnerable species: River tern (Sterna aurantia),

  • Endangered species: Tiger (Panthera tigris).

• The lake also hosts more than 1% of the biogeographic population of black stork (Ciconia nigra), highlighting its global conservation significance.

2. Kopra Jalashay, Chhattisgarh

Location and Significance

• Located near Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, in the upper catchments of the Mahanadi River.

• It is a reservoir with strong hydrological and ecological connectivity, contributing to a wide variety of habitats in the region.

Fauna and Biodiversity

• Supports over 60 migratory bird species, which rely on it for nesting, feeding, and as a stop-over site during migration.

• Notable species include:

  • Vulnerable species: Greater spotted eagle (Aquila clanga),

  • Endangered species: Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus).

Significance of Designation

• Both lakes are now recognized as wetlands of international importance.

• The designation helps in enhancing conservation efforts, safeguarding migratory and resident species, and maintaining ecological balance in their respective regions.

• Encourages research, tourism, and sustainable management of these wetlands under national and international frameworks.