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Impeachment of CEC follows Article 324(5) Process, Essential Commodities Act Invoked for LNG Diversion, and SC Backs UCC as 'Most Effective Answer'

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
11 Mar 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:Article 324(5)Article 124(4)₹1.51 lakh crore10% FDI threshold30% of India's gas consumptionOne-fifth of global LNG trade
Bodies:Supreme CourtElection Commission of IndiaMinistry of Petroleum and Natural GasUnion CabinetNITI Aayog
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.Opposition drafts impeachment motion against CEC Gyanesh Kumar; removal follows Article 324(5), requiring the same process as for a Supreme Court judge under Article 124(4) and the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.

2.Government invokes the Essential Commodities Act to divert LNG supplies to priority sectors (PNG, CNG, LPG) amid supply disruptions from the Strait of Hormuz, impacting 30% of India's gas consumption.

3.Supreme Court states a Uniform Civil Code (Article 44) is the 'most effective answer' to ensure equality in inheritance laws, while also covering FDI easing, Jal Jeevan Mission funding (₹1.51 lakh crore), and IPR debates on heritage crafts.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

This article is a high-value compilation for UPSC aspirants covering major exam-relevant developments: the constitutional process for impeaching a Chief Election Commissioner, the government's use of the Essential Commodities Act to manage an energy crisis, and the Supreme Court's strong endorsement of a Uniform Civil Code. Each topic offers deep static GK linkage and current affairs analysis crucial for Prelims and Mains.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

CEC Removal ProcessSame as Supreme Court Judge (Article 324(5))
Essential Commodities Act OrderDiverts gas to PNG, CNG, LPG; Fertiliser units get 70% supply
Strait of Hormuz ImpactHandles ~1/5th of global LNG trade; affects 30% of India's gas
Jal Jeevan Mission OutlayAdditional ₹1.51 lakh crore approved; total ₹8.70 lakh crore till 2028
FDI Easing Threshold10% for automatic route from land-border countries in specified sectors

1-Minute Revision

  • ›CEC Removal Process: Same as Supreme Court Judge (Article 324(5))
  • ›Essential Commodities Act Order: Diverts gas to PNG, CNG, LPG; Fertiliser units get 70% supply
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Article 324(5) - CEC removal process is same as a Supreme Court Judge.
  • ›Target this Data: Strait of Hormuz handles one-fifth of global liquid petroleum and LNG trade.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) issued the order under the Essential Commodities Act.

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

As per the Constitution of India, the removal process of the Chief Election Commissioner is the same as that of which other constitutional functionary?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the news:

1. The Essential Commodities Act was invoked to divert natural gas supplies, giving 100% priority to domestic PNG, CNG, and LPG production.

2. The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman that connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman.

3. The government has set a 60-day deadline for processing investment proposals from land-border sharing countries in all sectors, including semiconductors.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

What is the additional allocation approved by the Union Cabinet for the Jal Jeevan Mission, as per the news?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What was the primary reason cited by the Supreme Court for advocating a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the context of the recent plea heard?

All 25 MCQs ▸
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