News In Brief 14-11-2026

 Special Sessions of Parliament in India

Syllabus: GS2/Polity

Context

• The Union Government is reportedly considering convening a special session of Parliament before the winter session of 2026.

Sessions of Parliament

• India does not have a fixed parliamentary calendar. By convention, Parliament meets in three sessions annually:
  • Budget Session: Usually held from January to April/May. It is the longest session.
  • Monsoon Session: Generally held during July–August.
  • Winter Session: Usually held from November to December.
• The timing of these sessions is decided by the government, generally on the recommendation of the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs. The president formally summons both houses.
• Special Session of Parliament: The Constitution does not define or separately recognise a ‘special session’.
  • The term is used for parliamentary sessions convened outside the regular calendar or for specific purposes.
  • A special session can be convened on shorter notice. 

Constitutional Provisions Governing Parliamentary Sessions

• Article 85: The President summons each House of Parliament at such time and place as considered appropriate.
  • It mandates that six months must not intervene between the last sitting of one session and the first sitting of the next session.
  • The President also has the power to prorogue either House and dissolve the Lok Sabha.
• Article 352 (Special Sitting during National Emergency): The Constitution provides for a special sitting of the Lok Sabha to consider a resolution disapproving a proclamation of emergency.
  • If the Lok Sabha is not in session, at least one-tenth of its total membership can submit a written notice to the Speaker or, in the Speaker’s absence, to the President.
  • This provision was introduced through the 44th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1978, following the experience of the Emergency of 1975–77.

Source: IE

The International Criminal Court (ICC)

Syllabus: GS2/ International Relations

Context

• The International Criminal Court (ICC) has decided to stop investigating alleged crimes committed by US troops in Afghanistan and focus its investigation on crimes allegedly committed by the Taliban since 2021.

The International Criminal Court (ICC)

• ICC is an independent international judicial institution that prosecutes individuals accused of to the international community: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression. 
• It was established in 2002 under the Rome Statute (adopted in 1998).
• Rome Statute:  The Rome Statute was adopted in 1998 by the United Nations.
  • It gives legal authority to investigate alleged crimes on the territory of its members or by their nationals, when domestic authorities are “unwilling or unable” to do so.
• Headquarters: The Hague, Netherlands.
• Nature: It is a permanent international criminal court and is independent of the United Nations.
• Membership: 125 States Parties.
• No Independent Police Force: It relies on member countries to arrest suspects and enforce its decisions.
• Jurisdiction: It can prosecute individuals, including heads of state and government officials.
• India and ICC: India is not a signatory to the Rome Statute and is not a member of the ICC.

Source: IE

Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission

Syllabus: GS2/Governance 

In News

• Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission is strengthening the economic position of forest-dependent tribal communities by creating a structured system for collecting, processing and marketing non-timber forest produce.

The Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM) 

• It was launched in 2021-22 by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
• It provides livelihood opportunities to forest-dwelling tribals.
• It organises tribals into community-owned Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs), moving them from raw produce sellers to value-adding entrepreneurs.

Features 

• It offers a systematic way to produce and market non-timber forest produce.
• It links the communities to the larger national and digital markets to help them get more exposure and sell more products.
• It guarantees Minimum Support Prices (MSP) to tribals by directly procuring the produce from them.
• It also provides skilling, technological, marketing, and infrastructural support to tribals.
• It mobilises tribal gatherers into self-help groups (SHGs).
  •  A group of 15 SHGs, comprising about 300 tribals, are clustered together into one Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (VDVK).
  •  At least 60% of VDVK members must be from Scheduled Tribe communities.

Source:PIB

Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration 2026

Syllabus: GS2/Governance 

In News 

• The Government of India has approved the Scheme for Prime Ministers Awards for Excellence in Public Administration for the years 2026 and 2027.

About Scheme for Prime Ministers Awards for Excellence in Public Administration

• Purpose: It aims to acknowledge, recognize and reward exemplary work undertaken by civil servants across the country, promoting excellence, innovation and effective public service delivery.
• Categories :
  • Category 1: Holistic Development of Districts under 12 Priority Sector Programmes – 5 Awards.
  • Category 2: Aspirational Blocks Programme – 5 Awards.
  • Category 3: innovations for Central Ministries, Departments, States and Districts – 6 Awards.
• Rewards : Prime Minister’s Awards, 2026 will consist of  Trophy, Scroll and  an incentive of Rs. 20 lakhs to the awarded District/organization to be utilized for implementation of project/programme or bridging resources gaps in any area of public welfare.

Source: PIB

Copper Prices Slip

Syllabus: GS3/ Economy/ Science & Technology

Context

• Global benchmark prices of copper have declined to a nearly four-month low.

About

• The recent fall in copper prices is mainly due to a stronger U.S. dollar, expectations of higher U.S. interest rates and concerns over weaker industrial demand, particularly from China.
• Lower prices would benefit copper-consuming industries by reducing import costs.
• However a prolonged decline could discourage investments in domestic exploration and mining.

About Copper

• Copper (Cu) is a reddish-orange, soft and highly malleable metal with atomic number 29, known for its exceptional electrical and thermal conductivity. 
• These properties make it vital for electrical wiring, power transmission, plumbing and electronic applications. 
• Copper is also a key component of important alloys such as brass (copper–zinc) and bronze (copper–tin), which enhance strength and corrosion resistance.
• Chile is the world’s largest producer of copper (mine production), followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
  • China is the largest producer of refined copper, accounting for more than 48% of global refined copper production.
• India has significant copper ore resources primarily in Rajasthan’s Khetri belt, Madhya Pradesh’s Malanjkhand , and Jharkhand’s Singhbhum belt.

Source: TH

Maharashtra Beaches Receive International Blue Flag Certification

Syllabus: GS3/ Environment

Context

• Three beaches in Maharashtra—Ladghar and Guhagar in Ratnagiri district and Shrivardhan in Raigad district—have received the international Blue Flag certification for the 2026–27 season.

What is the Blue Flag tag?

• The Blue Flag is an internationally recognised voluntary eco-label awarded to beaches, marinas and boating operators that meet 33 criteria.
  • Broadly, they are divided into four categories, covering water quality, environmental management, safety, and environmental information and education. 
• The programme is run by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), an international non-governmental, non-profit organisation headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark.
  • It began in France in 1985 and has since grown into a global certification programme.
• The certification is updated annually, and locations must continue to meet the criteria to retain their Blue Flag status.
• India has 22 Blue Flag-certified beaches for the 2026–27 season, comprising 13 renewals and nine new additions. Maharashtra accounts for three of the nine new additions.

Institutional Framework and Certification Process

• The certification process is overseen by the FEE, which works through national operators in participating countries. 
• Applications are first examined at the national level before being sent to the International Blue Flag Jury for a final decision.
• The international jury includes representatives of organisations such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), UNESCO, UN Tourism and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Source: TH