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19th May- Current Affairs

Home / UPSC / Current affairs / UPSC Current Affairs – 18th May

Table of Contents

Supreme Court Gets More Judges: A Step Towards Faster Justice

Why was it in the news?

The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026 came into focus after the President promulgated it to increase the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court of India judges. The number of judges has been increased from 33 to 37, excluding the Chief Justice of India (CJI). So, including the CJI, the total sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court becomes 38 judges

Background

Earlier, the Union Cabinet had approved a proposal to introduce a Bill to amend the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956. This Act decides the maximum number of Supreme Court judges, excluding the CJI. The last increase was in 2019, when the strength was raised from 30 to 33 judges, excluding the CJI.

Constitutional Provision

  1. Under Article 124(1) of the Constitution, the Supreme Court shall consist of the Chief Justice of India and other judges as Parliament may by law prescribe. This means the number of Supreme Court judges can be increased by law made by Parliament. Since Parliament was not in session, the government used the ordinance route under Article 123.

What is an Ordinance?

  • An ordinance is a temporary law made by the President when Parliament is not in session and immediate action is required. It has the same force as an Act of Parliament, but it must be approved by both Houses of Parliament within six weeks of their reassembly, otherwise it lapses.

Why was the Strength Increased?

The main reason is the rising pendency of cases in the Supreme Court. A higher number of judges can help in faster disposal of cases, more regular Constitution Bench sittings, and better management of judicial workload. As per Supreme Court Observer, pendency in the Supreme Court stood at a record 92,823 cases as of 30 April 2026.

Ebola Outbreak Declared Global Health Emergency: Rare Bundibugyo Strain Raises Concern

Why was it in the news?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The outbreak is linked to the Bundibugyo virus, a rare strain of Ebola. This is a serious concern because there is no licensed vaccine or specific treatment available for this strain, though early supportive care can save lives.

What is Ebola?

  1. Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is a severe viral disease that can cause fever, weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea, internal bleeding and, in serious cases, death. It spreads mainly through direct contact with blood, body fluids, contaminated objects, or infected animals.

What is the Bundibugyo Strain?

  1. The Bundibugyo virus is one of the Ebola viruses that can infect humans. It was first identified in Uganda in 2007. Previous outbreaks of this strain have shown a high fatality rate, and WHO notes that past Bundibugyo outbreaks had case fatality rates of around 30% to 50%.

Why is the Present Outbreak Serious?

This outbreak is worrying because it has appeared in areas affected by conflict, weak health infrastructure, population movement and cross-border travel. Cases have been reported in eastern DRC, and Uganda has also reported cases linked to travellers from Congo. Such movement increases the risk of wider regional spread.

Another major concern is that health workers have also been affected. When health workers get infected, it becomes harder to control the disease because hospitals themselves may become centres of transmission

What is PHEIC?

A Public Health Emergency of International Concern is the highest global health alert declared by WHO under the International Health Regulations, 2005. It is declared when an outbreak is serious, unusual, has risk of international spread, and requires coordinated global action.

India-EFTA TEPA: A Trade Deal Linking Market Access with Investment and Jobs

Why in News?

The India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) is important because it gives India a stronger economic connection with four developed European countries Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. The agreement was signed on 10 March 2024 and came into force on 1 October 2025. It aims to increase trade, attract investment and create employment in India.

What is EFTA?

EFTA means European Free Trade Association. It is a group of four European countries:

  • Switzerland
  • Norway
  • Iceland
  • Liechtenstein

These countries are not part of the European Union, but they are highly developed economies with strong strengths in technology, innovation, finance, clean energy, pharmaceuticals and precision manufacturing.

What is TEPA?

TEPA means Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement. It is a free trade agreement between India and EFTA countries. But this agreement is different from many earlier trade agreements because it does not focus only on reducing customs duties. It also focuses on investment, job creation, technology cooperation, services trade and sustainable development.

Key Features of India–EFTA TEPA

Investment Commitment
EFTA countries are expected to invest around USD 100 billion in India over 15 years. This investment is expected to help create around 1 million direct jobs in India.

Market Access for Indian Exports
EFTA will provide tariff concessions on a large number of tariff lines, covering almost all Indian exports to these countries. This can help Indian sectors such as textiles, leather, food products, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and machinery.

Protection for Sensitive Sectors
India has protected sensitive sectors such as dairy, soya, coal and some agricultural products. This is important because Indian farmers and small producers should not face sudden pressure from cheaper imports.

Boost to Services Sector
The agreement also supports trade in services. Indian professionals and service providers may benefit in areas such as IT, finance, healthcare, education, accountancy, architecture and nursing.

Technology and Innovation Cooperation
Since EFTA countries are strong in advanced technology, clean energy, life sciences, engineering and research, TEPA can help India attract better technology and improve manufacturing capacity.

Why is TEPA Important for India?

This agreement is important because it connects trade liberalisation with investment-led growth. India is not only opening its market; it is also expecting investment, jobs and technology in return. This makes TEPA different from a normal free trade agreement.

For India, TEPA can help in:

  • attracting foreign investment
  • creating employment
  • increasing exports
  • strengthening manufacturing
  • supporting Make in India
  • improving access to European markets
  • integrating India into global supply chains

PM Modi’s Norway Visit: India Looks North for Green Growth, Maritime Cooperation and Nordic Partnership

Why in News?

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Norway on 18–19 May 2026 as part of his five-nation tour. This visit is important because it marked the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Norway in 43 years. During the visit, PM Modi held bilateral talks with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and participated in the 3rd India-Nordic Summit in Oslo.

Why Norway Matters for India

Norway may be a small country in terms of population, but it is highly advanced in areas that are important for India’s future growth. Norway has strong expertise in clean energy, shipping, fisheries, offshore energy, green technology, Arctic research and maritime governance.

For India, cooperation with Norway can help in building a stronger blue economy, improving maritime capabilities, attracting green investments and supporting India’s climate goals.

Key Focus Areas of the Visit

  1. Green Energy and Climate Cooperation

    India and Norway are looking to deepen cooperation in renewable energy, green hydrogen, clean technology and climate action. This is important for India’s target of sustainable growth and energy transition.

    Maritime and Blue Economy Partnership

    Norway is a global leader in shipping, ocean management and fisheries. India can benefit from Norway’s experience in developing ports, sustainable fisheries, marine technology and ocean-based economic activities.

     Arctic Cooperation

    Norway is an important Arctic country. For India, Arctic research is becoming more relevant because changes in the Arctic affect climate patterns, sea levels, monsoon behaviour and global geopolitics.

    India-Nordic Partnership                             

    PM Modi also attended the 3rd India-Nordic Summit, where India engaged with Nordic countries — Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden. The summit focused on innovation, sustainability, clean energy, technology, trade and global challenges.

    Strategic and Diplomatic Importance

    The visit also shows India’s growing interest in Northern Europe. Nordic countries are known for innovation, green technology, strong governance and sustainable development. For India, deeper ties with these countries can support both economic growth and climate diplomacy.

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