Advocate-on-Record

Context: Recently, the Supreme Court held that Advocates-on-Record (AoRs) bear full responsibility for the accuracy of petitions filed before the Court, even if the drafts are prepared by other advocates.

About Advocate-on-Record (AoR)

• The concept of Advocate-on-Record (AoR) was introduced by the Supreme Court of India under Article 145 of the Indian Constitution.
  • Under Article 145 of the Constitution, the Supreme Court is empowered to make rules and regulate its own procedure for hearing cases.
• British practice: The AoR system is broadly based on the British practice of barristers and solicitors.
• Role of AoR
  • A legal professional authorized to represent clients in the Supreme Court.
  • Holds the exclusive right to file and conduct cases in the Supreme Court.
  • No other advocate can appear or plead in the Supreme Court without the instruction of an AoR.
• Uniqueness: This system is exclusive to the Supreme Court and does not exist in any High Court in India.
• Eligibility Criteria: Set out in the Supreme Court Rules, 2013
  • Must be enrolled with any State Bar Council.
  • Requires at least 4 years of legal practice experience.
  • Must complete 1 year of training under a senior Advocate-on-Record.
  • Must pass the AoR examination conducted by the Supreme Court.
  • Must maintain an office within 10 miles of the Supreme Court in Delhi.
  • Must undertake to hire a registered clerk within 1 month of registration.
• Key Responsibilities
  • Authorized to file a Vakalatnama (a document granting authority to represent a client).
  • Handles all procedural aspects of a case, including drafting and filing petitions, applications, and other legal documents, with the assistance of a registered clerk.
  • Receives all notices, orders, and correspondence from the Supreme Court on behalf of the client.

Government to Auction more Critical Mineral Mines by 2031

Context: The Indian government has approved a ₹16,300-crore National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) in January 2025.

About Critical Mineral

• Minerals essential for economic growth and national security.
• Examples: Aluminum, Cobalt, Copper, Lithium, Nickel, and Rare earth elements. 

About National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM)

• The National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) is a key initiative aimed at making India self-reliant in critical minerals.
• These minerals are essential for renewable energy, electronics, and defense sectors.
• Ministry: Ministry of Mines
• Objective: It aims to increase domestic production of critical minerals and reduce dependence on imports.
• Key Features of NCMM
  • End-to-End Mineral Development: Covers the entire value chain—from exploration to recycling.
  • Financial Support: Provides incentives for exploration and sustainable mineral recovery.
  • Stockpile Strategy: Builds a national reserve of critical minerals for long-term security.
  • Public-Private Collaboration: Encourages PSUs and private companies to invest in global mining projects.
  • Legal Framework: Backed by 2023 amendments to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.

Fragmentation Ammunition Key

Context: The Army is preparing to induct new fragmentation ammunition for its 1,300 air defence guns to tackle evolving aerial threats like drones and loitering munitions.

What is Fragmenting Ammunition?

• Fragmenting ammunition is a type of bullet designed to break apart upon impact, creating multiple wound channels. 
• This increases the chances of incapacitating a target. 
• The fragmentation process is achieved using different techniques, such as:
  • Pre-fragmented cores – A core divided into multiple small fragments that disperse upon impact.
  • Specialized jacket designs – Bullet jackets with weak points that break apart on impact.
  • Frangible materials – Bullets made from compressed metal or polymer that disintegrate upon contact.

How Fragmentation Works?

• The bullet breaks apart upon hitting a target, creating multiple secondary projectiles.
• These projectiles spread outward, transferring energy and causing multiple wound tracks.
• This process increases tissue damage compared to a single bullet path.

Pir Panjal Valley

Context: A brief exchange of fire occurred on the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch’s Pir Panjal Valley on Sunday in the Gulpur sector. 

Pakistan troops fired small arms at an Indian post, and the Indian Army responded appropriately.

About Pir Panjal Valley

• The Pir Panjal Range is a part of the Lesser Himalayas. 
• It extends in an east-southeast (ESE) to west-northwest (WNW) direction.
• It is the largest range in the Lesser Himalayas and gradually rises in elevation along with the Dhauladhar Range.
• It begins in Ramban and extends westward, passing through south Jammu and Kashmir to the Muzaffarabad District in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
• Elevation and Geography
  • The range rises sharply to an average height of over 13,000 feet (4,000 meters).
  • It acts as a natural divide, separating the Jammu Hills in the south from the Vale of Kashmir in the north.
  • Beyond the Vale of Kashmir, the Great Himalayas lie further north.
• Rivers and Water Divide
  • The Pir Panjal range separates itself from the Himalayas near the Sutlej River.
  • It forms a divide between:
    • Beas and Ravi rivers on one side.
    • Chenab River on the other side.
• Major Passes
  • The range has six significant historical passes:
    • Hajipir Pass
    • Gulabgarh Pass
    • Ratanpir Pass
    • Pir Panjal Pass
    • Banihal Pass
    • Bairam Gala Pass
• Important Peaks
• • Deo Tibba (6,001 m)
  • Indrasan (6,221 m)
• These peaks are located at the eastern end of the range.

Perovskite Nanocrystals (PNCs)

Context: Recently, researchers at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru have developed a uniform and efficient synthesis method for perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs), paving the way for efficient, durable optoelectronic devices.

About Perovskite Nanocrystals (PNCs)

• PNCs are nanomaterials with a perovskite-like crystal structure (CaTiO₃).
• Exhibit exceptional optical properties such as tunable bandgaps, high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY), and narrow emission spectra.
• Advantages: Easy synthesis, low cost, and customizable emission color.

Applications of PNCs

• Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs): High efficiency & color purity for next-gen displays.
• Solar Cells: High light absorption & tunable bandgap enhance energy conversion.
• Lasers: Used as gain media for compact & tunable lasers.
• Photodetectors: High light sensitivity for optical applications.
• Bioimaging: Engineered for fluorescent imaging in medical diagnostics.

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