Which of the following is a primary source of helium used in high-tech industries like semiconductors and MRI machines?

Extraction from natural gas reservoirs

Direct harvesting from the upper atmosphere

By-product of solar energy conversion

Synthetic production through chemical synthesis

What is the primary objective of the Mediation Act of 2023 in the Indian legal context?

To encourage parties to settle disputes before approaching courts

To mandate the use of colonial-era court procedures

To increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court

To abolish the system of vacation benches in High Courts

Daily

250 words

7/10
Rating

13 July 2026

Editorials on judicial, economic, and international issues

The content covers high-relevance governance issues like judicial reform, India's energy security, and agricultural sustainability, which are core topics for UPSC Mains.

Notes

Indian judiciary faces a backlog of over 5.39 crore cases, with 4.76 crore in district courts, 63.6 lakh in High Courts, and 92,000 in the Supreme Court.
Approximately three in four prisoners in India are undertrials.
The Supreme Court sits for about 190 days a year; judicial vacations are a colonial legacy.
Proposed judicial reforms include staggering leave to ensure court continuity and utilizing retired judges for targeted case disposal.
The Mediation Act of 2023 and Lok Adalats are mechanisms to reduce the burden on the formal court system.
Israel's international isolation is increasing due to its military strategy in Gaza, Lebanon, and the West Bank, undermining the Abraham Accords.
India's crude oil imports from Russia have reached over 40%, raising concerns regarding one-country concentration, payment in yuan, and potential secondary sanctions.
The Indian government's E20 ethanol blending policy faces challenges regarding resource efficiency, as sugarcane is water-intensive; 2G ethanol from agricultural residues is suggested as a sustainable alternative.
The IITs have moved to exclude entrance exam ranks from placement resumes to focus on holistic professional readiness and reduce bias.
Andhra Pradesh faces recurring heatwaves and drought risks linked to El Niño events, necessitating improved weather advisory dissemination to the village level.
China has banned helium exports, a critical element for MRI machines, semiconductors, and aerospace, amidst global supply strains and geopolitical tensions.

Questions

Discuss the challenges posed by the judicial backlog in India and evaluate the efficacy of proposed reforms such as staggered judicial vacations and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. 150 words

Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min

0 / 150 words 8:00
Analyze the implications of India's increasing reliance on Russian crude oil for its energy security and strategic autonomy. How should India balance its energy procurement strategy amidst global geopolitical volatility? 250 words

Attempt this — 250 words in 11 min

0 / 250 words 11:00
Examine the environmental and economic challenges associated with India's ethanol blending programme. Suggest a roadmap for transitioning towards second-generation (2G) ethanol production. 150 words

Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min

0 / 150 words 8:00

Prelims

Which of the following is a primary source of helium used in high-tech industries like semiconductors and MRI machines?

What is the primary objective of the Mediation Act of 2023 in the Indian legal context?

Syllabus

Topics

Sources

250words.in · https://250words.in/daily/2026-07-13/editorials-on-judicial-economic-and-international-issues