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Daily Current Affairs

Current Affairs 21 November 2025

Content Judiciary Cannot Impose Timelines on President/Governor for Bill Assent AI-Driven Transformation of Election Data Analysis in India South Asia’s Transboundary Air Pollution Crisis Over 50% Cases Pending in Juvenile Justice Boards: India Justice Report Second-Generation Wild Cheetah Birth in India: Milestone for Project Cheetah India’s Indigenous CRISPR Gene Therapy Breakthrough: Birsa-101 Mount Semeru Eruption: Why Volcanic Eruptions Occur and Why Some Are Explosive Judiciary Cannot Tie President or Governor to Timelines  Why Is It in News? A 5-judge Constitution Bench delivered its opinion on the 16th Presidential Reference. The Court held that: Judiciary cannot impose fixed timelines on the President/Governors for assent to State Bills. Judiciary cannot presume “deemed consent” if they fail to act within a court-mandated deadline. The Court simultaneously criticised “prolonged and evasive inaction” by Governors and the Centre. Relevance   GS-2: Polity, Constitution, Governance Federal relations (Centre–State dynamics). Powers & discretion of Governor/President. Doctrine of separation of powers. Judicial review and limits of judicial activism. Article 200–201 interpretation. GS-2: Executive–Legislature Relations Impact of delayed assent on State legislative functioning. GS-2: Constitutional Bodies Presidential Reference jurisdiction under Art. 143. Constitutional Provisions on Assent to Bills Articles Involved Art. 200: Governor’s options on State Bills— • Assent • Withhold assent • Return for reconsideration • Reserve for President Art. 201: President’s options— • Assent • Withhold assent • Return (if not a Money Bill) No explicit time limit in Constitution for either office to act. Principle of Constitutional Morality Offices must act “within a reasonable time” as part of constitutional trust. What Triggered the Presidential Reference? Growing friction between Opposition-ruled States and Governors. Allegations of: Bills being kept pending for months/years. Governors reserving Bills excessively for the President. High Courts (notably Madras HC) began discussing soft timelines. Union Government sought clarity via Presidential Reference. Supreme Court’s Key Findings A. Judiciary cannot prescribe hard timelines Timelines imposed by courts are “one-size-fits-all” and violate: Separation of Powers (basic structure). Explicit constitutional design of discretionary spaces for constitutional heads. B. No “deemed consent” at expiry of timelines Courts cannot assume assent if deadlines lapse. Such assumption = judiciary usurping constitutional functions. C. But constitutional heads cannot sit indefinitely Court strongly criticised “prolonged and evasive inaction” by Governors/President. Observed: Constitutional heads must record reasons, avoid indefinite delay. Inaction cannot be used as a political veto. D. Presidential Reference is NOT an “appeal in disguise” Some States argued the Centre used this as an appeal against unfavourable HC rulings. SC held: Advisory opinions can correct or clarify the law. Not bound by lower court decisions. Constitutional Overview A. Doctrine of Separation of Powers (cited by Court) Cites Kesavananda Bharati, Indira Gandhi, Puttaswamy. Judiciary cannot intrude into executive discretion of constitutional offices. B. Federal Balance Constitution assigns the Governor a limited discretionary role, not a political one. Indefinite delays threaten: Basic federalism (S.R. Bommai, Nabam Rebia). Legislative autonomy of States. C. Reasonableness Standard Though no timelines prescribed, Court implies: “Reasonable time” must be context-specific. Non-action is reviewable if it becomes arbitrary or mala fide. Related Case Law Nabam Rebia (2016): Governor cannot interfere with legislative process except where Constitution permits. Shamsher Singh (1974): Governor acts on aid & advice, except in limited areas. Rameshwar Prasad (2006): Discretion subject to judicial review if mala fide. Implications for Centre–State Relations Positive Reaffirms judicial restraint. Avoids courts overriding federal constitutional design. Concerns Gives administrative space for Governors to delay Bills. States fear misuse in politically sensitive Bills. Net Effect A balanced but status-quo reinforcing opinion: No mandatory deadlines. Strong moral-constitutional rebuke of delays. Election Data Analysis: From the Dark Ages to the AI Era Why Is It in News? The Article published a reflective analysis on how election-related data journalism evolved from manual scraping in 2017 to full AI-driven code generation during the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. Marks a technological inflection point: • Entire election-night mapping, charting, and analysis produced using AI-generated scripts. • Demonstrates how AI reshapes media workflows without replacing journalists. Raises policy questions on data access, algorithmic transparency, media ethics, and election integrity. Relevance   GS-2: Governance Transparency in electoral information. Role of technology in elections. Data access, public accountability. GS-3: Science & Tech AI adoption in public communication. Algorithmic governance & data systems. GS-3: Cybersecurity Risks of automated misinformation. Need for secure election data pipelines. What Is Election Data Analysis? Systematic extraction, cleaning, mapping, and interpretation of election results & political patterns. Core components: • Scraping live results from Election Commission. • Constituency-level mapping. • Vote-share/swing calculations. • Trend/seat projections. • Visualisations for public communication. Pre-2017 “Dark Ages” – Manual & Slow A. Manual Data Scraping Live results had to be copied/scraped manually. Slow scraping due to: • Limited coding skills. • Unstable ECI website structure. Results flowed like “water droplets” into spreadsheets. B. Mapping Challenges Tools used: Google Fusion Tables, Indiemapper.io. Manual KML boundaries, manual colour-coding. Duplication of effort for colour and monochrome print versions. C. Charting Copy-pasting data → Excel → pivot tables → charts. High human dependency & narrow deadlines. 2017–2019: Transition to “Industrial Tools” Key Shifts Tableau adopted for mapping → reduced processing time. Faster scripts due to communities like Stack Exchange. Partial automation in Google Sheets (formulae, scripts). Enabled simultaneous print + web coverage. Limitations Heavy manual interventions required. Tools remained fragmented (separate for maps, charts, tables). 2019–2024: The Industrial Revolution Characteristics Heavy machinery, faster workflows. Automated formula pipelines. More realtime analysis, especially during 2019 and 2023 elections. Still required: • Script debugging • Cross-tool integration • Designer intervention for visuals 2025 Bihar Assembly Election – The AI Era A. AI-Generated Code Google AI Studio generated mapping + scraping + visualization scripts. JupyterLab executed AI-written pipelines. No need for: • Tableau • Excel pivot tables • Mapping software • Manual charting tools B. What AI Automated Live data ingestion Data cleaning & transformation Charting (auto-generated) Geo-mapping Statistical summaries First-draft insights C. Output Gains Faster online analysis. Backend + frontend automation for livestreams. Print edition wrapped up by 10:30 PM (earlier than ever). Why AI Didn’t Replace Journalists Core Functions Still Human Interpretation of trends. Identifying misleading patterns. Contextualising swings, alliances, caste shifts. Writing coherent narratives. Editorial judgement and ethics. The Principle AI accelerates production; journalists give meaning. Deeper Analysis: Impact on Indian Democracy & Media A. Strengthening Public Information Faster dissemination → more informed electorate. Real-time mapping exposes micro-trends (regional, demographic). B. Risks Data quality vulnerability: Errors in source data propagate quickly. Algorithmic opacity: AI-generated code may be non-auditable. Deepfake + misinformation risks if AI visualisations are misused. Over-automation reduces cross-verification, increasing error probability. C. Digital Divide Smaller media houses without AI capability may be disadvantaged. Structural Issues Highlighted A. Election Commission Website Historically inconsistent formats, unstructured HTML. High friction for scraping. Need for open APIs, standardised data formats. B. Dependence on External Tools Shift from proprietary tools (Tableau) → open-source + AI pipelines. Greater technological sovereignty for newsrooms. Implications for Future Elections AI-native election rooms become standard. Hybrid workflows: AI for computation, humans for interpretation. Increasing demand for: • Data journalists • Policy-aware technologists • Election-law literate analysts Sets the stage for predictive analysis, probabilistic modelling like U.S. outlets (538 model equivalents for India). South Asia’s Air Pollution Crisis Why Is It in News? North India and eastern/northern Pakistan experienced an extreme cross-border smog episode in Nov 2024, popularly termed the “2024 India–Pakistan Smog”. Delhi and Lahore recorded among the highest AQI readings globally, with “brown clouds” visible in satellite images. The episode re-opened debates on regional airshed management, cross-border pollution flows, and South Asia’s anthropogenic emissions crisis. Relevance renewed in 2025 as Delhi and Lahore again top global pollution charts. Relevance GS-1: Geography & Society Transboundary environmental phenomena. Urbanisation impacts. GS-2: Governance Inter-governmental coordination, regulatory institutions (CAQM). Cross-border environmental diplomacy. GS-3: Environment Air pollution, climate change, anthropogenic emissions. Reports: Greenpeace 2023, WHO AQG 2021, UNEP 2023. Economic impacts of pollution. What Was the 2024 India–Pakistan Smog? A severe, transboundary pollution event across: • Eastern & northern Pakistan (esp. Lahore) • North India (Delhi NCR, Punjab, Haryana, UP) Visible as brown aerosol clouds in satellite imagery. Triggered by a convergence of: Low wind speeds → pollutant stagnation Post-harvest biomass burning across Punjab–Haryana–Punjab (Pakistan) belt Industrial emissions Vehicular exhaust accumulation Winter inversion layers trapping pollutants Winds shifted from Pakistan towards Delhi, worsening Delhi’s AQI. How Has Air Pollution Become Rampant Across South Asia? A. Shared Meteorology Indo-Gangetic Plain behaves as a single airshed. Winter inversion + low dispersion + high humidity increases PM2.5 concentration. B. High Anthropogenic Emissions Pakistan: crop-burning, brick kilns, industrial clusters near Lahore. India: vehicles, industries, solid fuel, construction, crop burning. Bangladesh: brick kilns, diesel generators, transport. Nepal: valley trapping effect in Kathmandu. C. Rapid Urbanisation + Weak Governance Poor public transport, land-use mismanagement, unregulated construction, and old diesel fleets. D. Climate Change Feedback Loop Heatwaves → increased ozone formation. Erratic winds → stagnant air pockets. E. Political–Administrative Fragmentation No formal regional clean air treaty despite identical airshed. What Does the Greenpeace 2023 World Air Quality Report State? Core Findings for South Asia World’s most polluted region, with PM2.5 levels exceeding WHO standards by 7–10 times. Key drivers: Industrial emissions (steel, cement, brick kilns). Vehicular emissions. Burning of solid fuels (biomass, crop residue, waste). Coal-based power generation. Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal dominate list of most polluted countries/cities. Notes lack of coordinated regional action despite shared geography. Economic Impact of Deteriorating AQI Levels in India A. Direct Economic Loss Lancet Journal (2019): India’s GDP fell by 1.36% due to premature morbidity & mortality. Other estimates: 3% of GDP lost due to healthcare costs + lost labour productivity. India loses ~8.5 lakh lives annually from air pollution (IHME data context). B. Labour Productivity Decline Fatigue, respiratory illness → lower work hours. Outdoor workforce (construction, transport) hit hardest. C. Healthcare Burden Escalating treatment of asthma, COPD, cardiovascular diseases. D. Impact on Investment & Tourism Pollution deters FDI inflow in key cities. Reduced tourist footfall during peak winter season. E. Agriculture & Climate Impact Pollution-induced dim sunlight (global dimming) → reduced crop yields. Ozone exposure damages staples: wheat, rice, pulses. Way Ahead A. Regional Airshed Governance (Key Recommendation) Adopt a South Asian cross-border airshed management framework. Model: California’s Bay Area Air Quality Management District or ASEAN Transboundary Haze Agreement. IIT Bhubaneswar’s study supports “airshed-scale” governance. B. Strengthen Domestic Governance Move from episodic GRAP responses → to permanent emission-reduction plans. Mandate 24×7 industrial monitoring, strict action on non-compliant units. C. Sectoral Reforms Agriculture: • MSP-linked crop diversification • In-situ residue management (Happy seeder incentives) Transport: • Electrification • Bus fleet expansion • Non-motorised mobility Urban Planning: • Greening, heat-island mitigation, dust control • Construction regulation Energy: • Phase-down of coal • Scale rooftop solar + clean cooking fuel D. Data, Science, Monitoring Real-time satellite-based emission tracking. Unified Air Quality Data Portal for South Asia. E. Political Will & Social Model A “caring human development model” prioritising health, workers, farmers, and urban poor. Over 50% Cases Pending in Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs): India Justice Report Why Is It in News? India Justice Report (IJR) released a dedicated study on capacity and performance of Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs)—first such national-level, empirical assessment. Found 55% pendency, severe vacancies, weak data architecture, and institutional incapacity despite a decade of the JJ Act, 2015. Justice Madan B. Lokur called the findings “deeply worrying”, highlighting systemic neglect. Relevance GS-2: Governance, Vulnerable Sections Systemic failure in delivering justice to minors. GS-2: Judiciary Pendency, quasi-judicial bodies, institutional delays. What Are JJBs? Created under Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection) Act, 2015 to handle cases of Children in Conflict with Law (CICL). Mandated composition: 1 Judicial Magistrate (First Class) 2 Social Workers (at least one woman) Philosophy: Child-friendly inquiry Rehabilitation > Punishment Speedy resolution (within 4 months, ideally) Key Data (India Justice Report 2023) Pendency 55% of 1,00,904 cases pending (as of Oct 31, 2023). State variation: Odisha: 83% pendency Karnataka: 35% pendency 154 cases pending per JJB annually on average. Vacancies & Institutional Weakness 24% JJBs not fully constituted → breaks statutory requirement. Staff shortages in Child Care Institutions (CCIs): counsellors, probation officers, house parents. 30% JJBs lack Legal Services Clinics → affects access to representation. Weak Data Governance No NJDG-like centralised data portal for JJBs. From 250+ RTI filings: 11% rejected 24% no response 29% transferred Only 36% valid responses Reveals poor transparency and weak record-handling culture. Inter-agency Coordination Failures Weak linkage among: Police → JJB District Child Protection Units CCIs Child Welfare Committees Delays in Social Investigation Reports and counselling assessments. Why the System is Failing ? Underfunding of juvenile justice mechanisms. Lack of trained personnel → high turnover of social workers. Weak monitoring by State Child Protection Societies. Policing-oriented mindset, not child-centric. Poor infrastructure, digitalisation, reporting. Impact Delays compromise: Child rehabilitation Schooling, social reintegration Rights under Article 21 Prolonged detention increases: Trauma Risk of repeat offending Institutionalisation effects Way Forward Fill vacancies, professionalise cadre of social workers. National data grid for JJBs. Independent performance audits. Adequate funding for CCIs, mental health support. Mandatory training for JJB members. Strengthening convergence with DCPUs, CWCs, and legal aid bodies. Indian-born Cheetah Mukhi Gives Birth to Five Cubs – Milestone for Project Cheetah Why Is It in News? At Kuno National Park (MP), Mukhi, the first India-born female cheetah, has given birth to five cubs. First instance of second-generation wild breeding in India post-reintroduction. Raises total cheetah population to 32, including 21 India-born. Termed a breakthrough by Union Environment Ministry for proving ecological adaptation. Relevance GS-3 (Environment & Biodiversity) Species reintroduction, ecological restoration. GS-3 (Conservation Governance) Role of NTCA, scientific protocols. GS-3 (Science & Tech) Animal telemetry, habitat modelling. Project Cheetah Launched 2022 for reintroduction of cheetahs from Namibia & South Africa. Objective: Establish self-sustaining, genetically diverse cheetah metapopulations. Restore open forest–savannah landscapes. Managed by: NTCA WII State Forest Departments Why Mukhi’s Birth Is Historically Significant A. First India-born cheetah to reproduce Establishes evidence of successful biological integration of reintroduced cheetahs. B. Proof of suitability of Indian habitats Indicates: Sufficient prey base Acceptable predator competition Healthy adaptation cycle C. Wild reproduction despite early adversity Mukhi was: Born to Namibian cheetah Jwala (2023) Abandoned at birth Hand-raised by Kuno staff Later rewilded successfully Demonstrates adaptive success of human-assisted rearing + wild integration. Population Update Total cheetahs: 32 29 in Kuno 3 in Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary 21 are India-born → large F1 generation emerging. Scientific and Conservation Significance A. Genetic viability Second-generation births critical for: Genetic mixing Minimising founder-effect bottlenecks Stability of future populations B. Behavioural adaptation Shows: Successful hunting skills Reproductive acceptance Habitat fidelity C. Indicator of ecological restoration Cheetahs returning to Indian landscapes after 70+ years (extinct since 1952). Challenges still present Mortality among translocated cheetahs. Kuno’s limited carrying capacity (approx. 20–21 adults). Need for multiple cheetah landscapes (Gandhi Sagar, Nauradehi, Mukundra Hills). Radio-collar issues. Potential human–wildlife conflict. Way Forward Diversify release sites to prevent overcrowding in Kuno. Strengthen veterinary and monitoring teams. Improve prey base and grassland restoration. Scientific population management (genetic mapping, soft-release protocols). Community engagement to prevent conflict. Indigenous Gene Editing Tool (Birsa-101)  Why Is It in News? CSIR-IGIB (Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology) has developed India’s first fully indigenous CRISPR-Cas9–based gene editing platform. Technology transferred to Serum Institute of India (SII) for Phase II–III clinical trials. Using this platform, IGIB developed a curative gene therapy for sickle cell disease (SCD) named Birsa-101 (after Birsa Munda, as SCD is highly prevalent among tribal communities). Expected to be significantly cheaper than the US-approved gene therapy Casgevy (USD 2.2 million per patient). Phase I trials will be conducted with AIIMS Delhi; manufacturing facility already set up. Relevance GS-2 (Health, Governance) National SCD Elimination Mission. Inclusive tribal health policy. GS-3 (Science & Technology) Biotechnology, genetic engineering, indigenous R&D. CRISPR applications and ethical concerns. GS-1 (Society) Tribal health challenges. Disease burden in vulnerable populations. What Is Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)? Inherited blood disorder caused by mutation in the HBB gene → defective haemoglobin (HbS). Results in: Rigid, sickle-shaped RBCs Blocked blood vessels Pain crises, anaemia, organ failure Infections, stroke risk India’s tribal belts in MP, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Maharashtra, Gujarat have highest burden. Basics of CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing What is CRISPR-Cas9? A bacterial immune-system protein that acts as “genetic scissors”. Precisely cuts specific DNA segments → allows correction of disease-causing mutations. Awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize for Chemistry. Indian Improvement IGIB scientists created an indigenous Cas9 variant (2016): Avoids expensive Western IP. Optimised for reduced off-target effects (major global concern). Allows editing exactly at the mutation site (curative edit). What Is Birsa-101 Gene Therapy? Mechanism Directly corrects the defective mutation in HBB gene. One-time infusion of edited stem cells. Once corrected, the body begins producing normal haemoglobin. How it differs from Casgevy (US therapy) Feature Birsa-101 (India) Casgevy (US/UK) Strategy Corrects the original mutation Increases fetal haemoglobin (HbF) to bypass defect Technology Indigenous CRISPR-Cas9 Licensed CRISPR tech (very expensive) Cost Expected to be fraction of $2.2 million $2.2 million per patient Long-term effect Potential cure Functional cure but mechanism bypasses root cause Why Is This a Major Scientific Breakthrough? A. Complete Indigenous Development All patents held by Indian scientists. Avoids global IP licensing → drastically lower cost → scalable for India’s tribal SCD mission. B. Addresses a Major Public Health Challenge SCD affects: ~1 in 86 births in certain tribal districts. 10–11% carrier prevalence in many Adivasi populations. Aligned with National Mission to Eliminate Sickle Cell Anaemia (2023–2030). C. Global-Standard Gene Editing Platform India becomes one of very few countries with: Own CRISPR tool Own clinical-grade manufacturing Capability for gene-editing therapy trials D. Reduced “Off-Target” Risk IGIB Cas9 engineered to minimise unintended edits: Off-target mutations can cause cancer, developmental defects, organ damage. Many global Cas9 variants unsuitable for therapy due to unpredictable cuts. What Happens Next? Clinical Pathway Phase I trials (AIIMS Delhi, 2025) → safety, dosing. Phase II–III trials (Serum Institute) → efficacy, scalability. Regulatory review by CDSCO + DBT + ICMR. Integration into national SCD elimination programme after approval. Industrial Pathway IGIB already built GMP-grade manufacturing for clinical batches. SII to scale production for national deployment after Phase I. Wider Scientific Significance Positions India in the global gene therapy market (currently dominated by US/EU). Opens doors for editing therapies for: Thalassemia Gaucher’s disease Duchenne muscular dystrophy Rare genetic disorders (India has 70M affected) Establishes a sovereign biotechnological ecosystem: Indigenous gene-editing IP Indigenous manufacturing Indigenous clinical trial pipeline Challenges Ahead Ensuring long-term safety (off-target monitoring for years). Cost reduction for mass rollout in rural tribal belts. Infrastructure for genetic testing, counselling, and follow-up. Ethical and regulatory oversight for gene editing. Mount Semeru Eruption Why is it in News? Mount Semeru, one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes, erupted again on Wednesday, releasing ash clouds, pyroclastic flows, and volcanic debris. Located in Java, Semeru is part of the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” making it prone to frequent eruptions. The eruption renewed concerns over Indonesia’s high volcanic risk, evacuation readiness, and the science behind explosive eruptions. Relevance GS1 (Geography): Physical geography, volcanism, tectonic processes. GS3 (Disaster Management): Hazard assessment, early warning, mitigation. What causes volcanic eruptions? Heat inside Earth melts rocks into magma in the mantle. Magma is lighter than surrounding solid rock → rises through cracks. It accumulates in magma chambers beneath volcanoes. As more magma enters the chamber, pressure builds. When pressure > strength of the overlying rock → magma forces its way out through vents. Once it reaches the surface, it is called lava. Why are some eruptions explosive and others gentle? a) Low-viscosity magma (runny/thin) → Gentle eruptions Basalt-rich, low silica. Gases escape easily → low pressure buildup. Produces lava flows (e.g., Hawai’i volcanoes). b) High-viscosity magma (thick/sticky) → Explosive eruptions Andesitic/rhyolitic, high silica. Traps gases → enormous pressure builds. Sudden release = explosive eruption, throwing ash, pumice, tephra. Produces pyroclastic flows (like Semeru). Why Semeru is so explosive? High-silica magma → very viscous. Closed conduit system traps gases effectively. Located on a subduction zone (Indo-Australian plate under Eurasian plate), which naturally produces gas-rich, sticky magma. Generates deadly pyroclastic flows, ash columns, lahars. Indonesia’s Volcanic Vulnerability Sits on the Ring of Fire with 120+ active volcanoes. Subduction of tectonic plates produces high-pressure volcanic systems. Dense population on volcanic slopes increases risks. Overview A. Causes of volcanic eruptions Mantle convection & heat → melting of rocks. Buoyancy of magma → upward movement. Gas pressure in magma chambers. Weak zones / fractures created by tectonic movements. B. Types of volcanic eruptions Effusive (Hawaii-like) – lava flows, low danger. Explosive (Semeru, Krakatoa) – ash columns, pyroclastic flows. Phreatomagmatic – interaction with water increases explosivity. C. Hazard profile of explosive eruptions Pyroclastic density currents: fastest and deadliest. Ash clouds: aviation risk, respiratory hazards. Lahars: volcanic mudflows; long-term destruction. Climate impacts: large eruptions can inject aerosols → global cooling. D. Why some volcanoes erupt repeatedly Constant magma supply due to subduction tectonics. Structural weakness of volcanic conduits. Recharge of magma chambers over time.

Daily PIB Summaries

PIB Summaries 20 November 2025

Content Rights of Transgender Persons in India Waste to Wellness: India’s Sanitation Journey Rights of Transgender Persons in India Why in News ? Recent PIB release highlighted government measures to protect and empower transgender persons in India. Updates include the SMILE scheme, Garima Greh shelters, National Portal facilitation, and reconstitution of the National Council for Transgender Persons. Emphasis on mainstreaming transgender persons through legal recognition, welfare, and employment opportunities. Who Are Transgender Persons? Persons whose gender identity or expression differs from the sex assigned at birth. Includes trans-men, trans-women, intersex, and genderqueer individuals. Census 2011 recorded ~4.87 lakh individuals under “other” gender category in India. Key Legal Milestones NALSA v. Union of India (2014) Supreme Court recognized transgender persons as a “third gender.” Affirmed right to self-identify and constitutional protections under Articles 14, 15, 16, 19, 21. Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 Enforced 10 Jan 2020. Provisions: Legal recognition & self-perceived identity. Ban on discrimination in education, employment, healthcare, public services, residence. Welfare measures, skill development, health coverage. Complaint mechanisms and penalties for violations. Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules, 2020 Mandates States to establish: Transgender Protection Cells (monitor offenses, ensure FIR registration, sensitization programs). Transgender Welfare Boards (TWBs) to facilitate access to welfare measures. 20 Protection Cells and 25 TWBs already operational. Government Initiatives National Council for Transgender Persons Statutory body under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Functions: Policy advice, monitoring, coordination of programs. Grievance redressal and evaluation of welfare schemes. Includes 5 representatives from the transgender community. SMILE Scheme (2022) Aims at holistic rehabilitation and empowerment. Focus Areas: Skill development & employment. Education & scholarships. Health coverage through Ayushman Bharat TG Plus (₹5 lakh/year/person for gender-affirming care, SRS, hormone therapy, counseling). Safe shelters via Garima Greh (21 operational, 3 recently sanctioned). Constitutional grounding: Articles 14, 15, 21. National Portal for Transgender Persons Launched 25 Nov 2020; multilingual digital access. Online issuance of Transgender Certificate; facilitates access to schemes without physical office visits. Constitutional & Human Rights Dimensions Equality (Art. 14): Equal treatment before law. Non-discrimination (Art. 15): Explicit protection against gender-based discrimination. Freedom of expression (Art. 19): Includes gender identity. Right to life & dignity (Art. 21): Health, shelter, education, and social inclusion. Comprehensive Overview India has shifted from recognition in NALSA (2014) to systemic support via laws, policies, and schemes. Key achievements: Legal recognition of self-identified gender. Institutional mechanisms (National Council, TWBs, Protection Cells). Social welfare & livelihood schemes (SMILE, Garima Greh). Digital accessibility (National Portal) for certification & benefits. Gaps & Challenges: Awareness and societal stigma remain major barriers. Implementation varies across states; some TWBs and Protection Cells are yet to be fully functional. Employment and education opportunities still limited despite legal guarantees. Significance Reflects India’s commitment to inclusivity, constitutional morality, and human rights. Promotes mainstreaming of marginalized communities while providing legal safeguards. Strengthens India’s position in international human rights frameworks on gender identity. Waste to Wellness: India’s Sanitation Journey Why in News ? PIB release on 19 Nov 2025 highlighted India’s progress in sanitation as part of World Toilet Day observance. Key highlights: ODF Plus villages reached 5,67,708 (467% growth). 4,692 cities have ODF status. Shift from open defecation elimination to sustainable sanitation systems (ODF Plus, ODF++). Sanitation and Its Importance Safe sanitation ensures: Public health and reduction of waterborne diseases. Environmental sustainability and cleaner groundwater. Women’s safety, privacy, and dignity. Better educational and productivity outcomes. Global context: Linked to SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation (universal access by 2030). World Toilet Day Observed 19 November annually. UN-designated since 2013. Raises awareness on sanitation as a human right and public health priority. Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) Launch: 2 October 2014 Objective: Eliminate open defecation and improve solid/liquid waste management. Components: SBM-Gramin (rural) and SBM-Urban (cities/towns). Key Achievements: Rural ODF: Declared in 2019. Health Gains: WHO estimates ~300,000 fewer diarrheal deaths (2019 vs 2014). Economic Savings: ₹50,000 per household annually from reduced health costs. Women’s Safety: 93% reported feeling safer at home. Environmental Protection: Reduced groundwater pollution. Phase II (2020 onwards) Objective: Sustain ODF outcomes; achieve ODF Plus villages with solid and liquid waste management and visual cleanliness. Levels of ODF Plus: Aspiring: ODF sustained + either solid or liquid waste management. Rising: ODF sustained + both solid & liquid waste management. Model: ODF sustained + both SWM & LWM + visual cleanliness + IEC messaging. ODF++: Fully functional toilets + safe faecal sludge and sewage management. Current Status (as of Nov 2025) Rural: ODF Plus villages: 5,67,708 (467% growth from Dec 2022) ODF Plus Model Villages: 4,85,818 Urban: ODF cities: 4,692 ODF+ cities: 4,314 ODF++ cities: 1,973 Construction Targets Achieved: Individual Household Latrines: 108.62% (63.74 lakh constructed) Community/Public Toilets: 125.46% (6.38 lakh constructed) Complementary Initiatives AMRUT (2015 / AMRUT 2.0 – 2021) Focus: Urban sewerage, drainage, and basic infrastructure. Achievements: 890 sewerage/septage projects worth ₹34,447 crore. 4,622 MLD sewage treatment capacity added (1,437 MLD for recycle/reuse). State/UT projects: 586 worth ₹68,461.78 crore; 6,964 MLD STP capacity approved. Jal Jeevan Mission (2019) Ensures safe drinking water and maintenance of ODF villages. Strengthens sanitation outcomes in rural areas. Significance Demonstrates India’s transformation from access-based sanitation to sustainable, holistic hygiene systems. Promotes: Public health Environmental protection Gender safety and dignity Community participation and behavioral change Aligns with global SDG targets, positioning India as a model for large-scale sanitation reform. Conclusion India’s sanitation journey showcases: Infrastructure + Behavior Change + Policy Integration. Shift from ODF → ODF Plus → ODF++, emphasizing sustainability and dignity. Integrated approach via SBM, AMRUT, and Jal Jeevan Mission ensures holistic development and strengthens public health resilience.

Daily Editorials Analysis

Editorials/Opinions Analysis For UPSC 20 November 2025

Content Recognise the critical role of the childcare worker Redefining the narrative of TB eradication worldwide Recognise the critical role of the childcare worker Why in the News? Recent India Childcare Champion Awards highlighted the crucial yet undervalued role of care-workers. Global focus via UN’s International Day of Care and Support (Oct 29) emphasizes unpaid care work, gender equality, and social justice. Rising attention due to climate impacts, urban migration, and child undernutrition, calling for systemic improvements in care infrastructure and worker recognition. Relevance: GS 1 (Society & Social Issues): Role of women and gender equality; social development and child rights; impact of migration and climate on care responsibilities. GS 2 (Governance & Policy): Implementation of ICDS, Palna Scheme; policy gaps in childcare infrastructure and workforce recognition; decentralisation and convergence in social service delivery. GS 3 (Economy & Development): Contribution of unpaid care work to GDP (15–17%); public investment in early childhood development; human capital development through nutrition and education. Practice Question: “In the context of India, examine the role of childcare workers in promoting social development and gender equality. Discuss the challenges faced by care-workers and suggest measures to strengthen early childhood care and education.” (250 Words) International Day of Care and Support (IDCS) UN Resolution: Adopted on 24 July 2023; 29 October designated as IDCS annually. Objective: Recognises the role of comprehensive care policies to reduce, redistribute, and value unpaid care and domestic work. Focus: Benefits children, older persons, and persons with disabilities. Gender Dimension: Highlights disproportionate burden on women and adolescent girls; care work often invisible, undervalued, and uncounted in national statistics. Historical Context of Childcare in India Early Initiatives: Late 19th–early 20th century — Tarabai Modak, Gijubai Badheka pioneered institutional childcare with developmentally appropriate practices. Post-Independence: Modern childcare mostly private/voluntary; low-income families largely excluded. 1972 Study Group (Mina Swaminathan): Focused on holistic development — health, nutrition, education for marginalized children. Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Launch: 1975; world’s largest early childhood development programme. Scale: 1.4 million Anganwadi centres; 23 million children reached; 2.4 million Anganwadi workers/helpers. Future Target: Universal coverage to 60+ million children by 2030 — projected 2.6 million centres, 5+ million workers. Challenges: Care-workers underpaid (₹8,000–₹15,000/month) and undervalued. Low pre-service and in-service training due to rapid expansion focus. Poor working conditions, lack of social security, minimal career progression. Perception of care-workers as “helpers” rather than professionals. Care Work & Climate Change Vulnerability: Poor women and children worst affected by climate shocks (floods, droughts). Migration Impact: Men migrate to urban centres → women assume care and domestic work while seeking employment. Urban Gaps: Only 10% of Anganwadi centres functional in urban areas. Time Use Statistics: Women spend 426 minutes/day on unpaid care; men 163 minutes — contributing 15–17% of GDP. Child Nutrition & Development Undernutrition: High child stunting (>35%); only 11% of children 6–23 months meet minimum acceptable diet (NFHS-5). Link: Mother’s unpaid care workload → less time for child feeding → cognitive and developmental deficits. Recognition & Awards – India Childcare Champion Awards 2025 Organisers: Mobile Creches, FORCES; event on 28 October 2025. Purpose: Celebrate frontline childcare workers, supervisors, NGOs, local leaders. Impact: Highlights professional role of care-workers, social change initiatives, advocacy for child welfare. Roles of Care-Workers: Carers, educators, health advocates, decision-makers for child development. Policy & Investment Gaps Current Public Investment: ~0.4% of GDP in childcare. Needed Investment: 1–1.5% of GDP to match Scandinavian standards of universal childcare. Coverage Gap: Only 2,500 crèches functional under Palna Scheme for children below 3 years. Policy Needs: Skill-building and capacity enhancement for care-workers. Decentralisation, convergence, collective ownership of childcare services. Adequate wages, social security, professional recognition. Key Takeaways for Policy & Society Care work is central to social development, gender equality, and child well-being. Recognition of care-workers as professionals is critical for quality childcare. Expanding public investment and infrastructure is essential to achieve universal and equitable early childhood care. Climate change and migration intensify the urgency of reliable childcare, particularly for marginalized communities. Redefining the narrative of TB eradication worldwide Why in the News? Recognition: Molbio Diagnostics awarded the Kochon Prize 2025 for pioneering point-of-care TB diagnostics. Global Significance: Highlights India’s role in affordable, scalable health technology with global impact. Ongoing Relevance: Reinforces the push for innovative, inclusive solutions in TB elimination amid persistent disease burden. Relevance: GS 2 (Governance & Health Policy): National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP); public-private partnership models; policy innovation in diagnostics and health delivery. GS 3 (Science & Technology, Health, Economy): Role of indigenous technological innovations (point-of-care molecular diagnostics) in improving public health outcomes; addressing malnutrition as a determinant; cost-effective scalable solutions. GS 1/2 (Society & Ethics): Health inequities, social determinants of TB, stigma reduction, access to care for marginalized populations. Practice Question: “Discuss how point-of-care molecular diagnostics have transformed TB control in India. Evaluate the role of indigenous innovation and public-private collaboration in achieving equitable health outcomes.”(250 Words) Tuberculosis (TB) Control   Global Burden: TB remains one of the top infectious killers globally; India accounts for ~25% of global cases. Traditional Diagnosis: Sputum smear microscopy (low sensitivity) or culture (time-consuming, weeks). Challenge: Delays in diagnosis meant late treatment, ongoing transmission, and poor outcomes. Point-of-Care Molecular Diagnostics – Revolutionary Shift Technology: Small, battery-powered PCR machines enable TB and drug-resistance detection in under an hour. Key Platforms: WHO-approved rapid molecular diagnostics like Truenat. Impact: Faster detection of TB and rifampicin-resistant TB. Facilitates early initiation of treatment, improving outcomes. Overcomes challenges like sputum collection in children via stool-based testing. Field Evidence: Nigeria: Rifampicin-resistant TB detection nearly doubled. Mozambique & Tanzania: On-site testing with rapid results increased treatment initiation within 7 days. India’s Contribution & Recognition Innovation: Goa-based Molbio Diagnostics developed portable molecular diagnostics, endorsed by WHO in 2020. Award: Kochon Prize 2025 (global recognition for contributions to TB diagnostics). Significance: Indian indigenous innovation impacting TB elimination globally; field-ready tests allow diagnostics to reach patients directly. Historical Recognition: Kochon Prize awarded to India previously in 2006 and 2017. India’s National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) Role Adoption: Thousands of point-of-care molecular testing units installed nationwide. Effect: Reduced delay between suspicion and treatment; enhanced TB management protocols. Collaborative Approach: Integration of public sector reach with private sector innovation, technology, and agility. Global and Social Implications Scalable Deployment: Indian diagnostics used worldwide — mobile clinics in Africa, refugee camps in Eastern Europe. Comprehensive Care: Diagnostics alone insufficient; must be combined with nutrition, treatment access, social protection, stigma reduction. Determinants of TB in India: Malnutrition accounts for ~40% of TB cases. Future Needs Integrated Innovations: Diagnostics + nutrition support + digital adherence + contact tracing + vaccines. Equity Focus: TB is a disease of inequality; solutions must reach marginalized populations. Sustainable Impact: Investment in scalable, field-ready solutions crucial for global TB elimination goals. Key Takeaways for Policy & Society Early and accurate diagnosis via point-of-care molecular testing is game-changing for TB control. Indigenous innovations can transform global health equity when integrated with national programs. Effective TB elimination requires holistic approaches, addressing social determinants, nutrition, treatment, and stigma. Public-private collaboration is imperative for large-scale, inclusive public health interventions.

Daily Current Affairs

Current Affairs 20 November 2025

Content SC Strikes Down Provisions of Tribunal Reforms Act; Orders Creation of National Tribunal Commission Red Fort Blast Exposes Rising Threat of Digital Tradecraft in Terrorism ISRO Successfully Tests Bootstrap Start of CE20 Cryogenic Engine IRDAI Completes Pilot of Bima Gram API to Boost Rural Insurance Mapping Climate Attribution Science Gains Importance Amid Pollution, Acid Rain, GLOFs, Cyclone Events Tihar Jail Introduces Cow Therapy to Improve Inmate Mental Health and Rehabilitation Lancet Flags Sharp Surge in Ultra-Processed Foods and India’s Escalating NCD Burden Tiger Returns to Gujarat After Decades of Local Extinction; Confirmed in Ratanmahal Sanctuary SC strikes down provisions of Tribunal Reforms Act, tells govt. to set up panel Why is it in News? Supreme Court struck down key provisions of the Tribunal Reforms Act 2021. The law centralized control of tribunals under the Union government, affecting appointments, salaries, and functioning. Court emphasized that such control undermines independence, impartiality, and effective adjudication. Direction issued to establish a National Tribunal Commission within four months to safeguard tribunal autonomy. Relevance: GS 2: Polity & Governance — tribunal independence, separation of powers, judicial review, constitutional safeguards. GS 2: Parliament–Judiciary Relations — limits of legislative override, institutional autonomy, rule of law. GS 2: Administrative Reforms — need for National Tribunal Commission, uniform standards across tribunals. GS 2: Rights Issues — impact on access to justice under Article 14 and 21. Background: Tribunals in India: Specialized quasi-judicial bodies to adjudicate disputes in administrative, fiscal, and regulatory domains (e.g., NCLT, ITAT, CAT). Purpose of Tribunal Reforms Act 2021: Rationalize tribunals, unify functioning, streamline appointments. Enable government to set salaries and conditions of service. Prior Legal Context: Tribunal Reforms Ordinance 2021 was struck down by SC in July 2021. The 2021 Act was essentially a “repackaged version” of the Ordinance. Key Issues Identified by the SC: Independence and impartiality: Executive control over appointments and tenure undermines constitutional principles. Tenure: Arbitrary curtailment violates security of office and institutional autonomy. Functioning & salaries: Government control over operational aspects breaches the spirit of separation of powers. Repetition of invalid law: 2021 Act mirrors Ordinance struck down earlier, showing legislative overreach. Supreme Court Observations: Parliamentary reforms must align with constitutional requirements, not just administrative convenience. Tribunal independence is an essential structural safeguard for fair adjudication. Establishing a National Tribunal Commission will: Ensure transparency in appointments. Maintain uniformity across tribunals. Protect institutional autonomy. Implications: Judicial independence: Strengthens the judiciary’s oversight on executive interference in quasi-judicial bodies. Tribunal governance: Moves toward a transparent, uniform, and accountable tribunal system. Legislative caution: Parliament cannot bypass constitutional safeguards under the guise of administrative reforms. The threat of digital tradecraft in terrorism  Why is it in News? On November 10, 2025, a car explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort Metro Station killed at least 15 people and injured over 30. National Investigation Agency (NIA) investigating the incident under counter-terrorism laws. The probe highlights the use of advanced digital tradecraft by modern terror modules, signaling an evolution in terrorist operational methods. Relevance: GS 3: Internal Security — terrorism trends, encrypted communication, digital tradecraft, operational security. GS 3: Cyber Security — encryption regulation, metadata gaps, self-hosted servers, digital forensics challenges. GS 3: Role of Technology in Terrorism — VPN use, closed communication loops, dead-drop emails. GS 2: Governance & Policy — legal gaps in counter-terror legislation, need for tech-diplomacy, institutional preparedness. Background: Location: Gate No. 1, Red Fort Metro Station, Delhi. Casualties: 15+ dead, 30+ injured. Initial classification: Terrorist attack, not an accident. Key suspects: Three doctors linked to Al Falah University, Faridabad – Dr. Umar Un Nabi, Dr. Muzammil Ganaie, Dr. Shaheen Shahid. Possible ideological linkage: Investigation ongoing into connections with Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) or JeM-inspired module. Major Findings from the Investigation: Encrypted communication: Suspects allegedly used Threema, a Swiss messaging app with no personal identifiers, end-to-end encryption, and minimal metadata retention. Potential self-hosted Threema server to create a closed network for sharing maps, documents, and instructions. Dead-drop emails: Shared email accounts used to save unsent drafts; other members accessed and updated drafts, leaving no digital footprint. Classic spycraft adapted for the digital age. Reconnaissance & logistics: Multiple recce missions in Delhi. Stockpiling of ammonium nitrate explosives, possibly using familiar vehicles to avoid suspicion. Operational discipline: Suspects reportedly cut digital links and switched off phones after arrests, indicating high operational security awareness. Digital sophistication: Blend of encrypted apps, private servers, VPNs, and minimal online footprint demonstrates multi-domain tradecraft. Academic & Strategic Overview: Aligns with counter-terrorism research: terrorists increasingly use E2EE tools, decentralized networks, and spy-style communication. Traditional surveillance (phone tapping, metadata collection, email intercepts) is less effective against encrypted, privacy-preserving technologies. Self-hosted infrastructure and VPN/proxy use highlights cross-border digital mobility of terror modules. Policy & Strategic Implications: Digital forensics enhancement: Establish specialized teams skilled in encrypted-platform analysis, server forensics, and memory dumping. Regulation of private/self-hosted servers: Mandate compliance with lawful access obligations while balancing privacy rights. Legal framework updates: Explicitly address encrypted/decentralized communication in counter-terrorism laws. Train investigators in detecting digital dead-drop mechanisms and shared draft mailboxes. Community & institutional engagement: Early detection of radicalization in professional and academic spaces. Tailored counter-radicalization programs for highly educated recruits. International cooperation: Strengthen intelligence-sharing and tech diplomacy. Collaborate with foreign governments and tech companies hosting encrypted platforms. Public awareness: Inform society about evolving terror tradecraft in digital spaces. Key Takeaways: Modern terror modules integrate digital tradecraft, operational discipline, and ideological motivation. Threats now span physical and digital domains, requiring multidisciplinary counter-terrorism approaches. India (and democracies globally) must adapt to counter encrypted, decentralized, and private communication networks alongside conventional security measures. CE20 cryogenic engine Why in News? ISRO successfully demonstrated the bootstrap mode start test of the CE20 cryogenic engine on November 7, 2025. This marks a major step toward enabling in-flight multiple restarts of the LVM3 (GSLV Mk-III) upper stage engine. Enhances mission flexibility, allowing future multi-orbit and Gaganyaan missions to optimize payload deployment and orbital insertion. Relevance: GS 3: Science & Technology — cryogenic propulsion, multi-restart engines, indigenous capability. GS 3: Space Technology — applications to Gaganyaan, multi-orbit deployment, heavy-lift missions.   Background: ISRO: Indian Space Research Organisation, responsible for India’s space programs and launch vehicles. LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3): Heavy-lift launch vehicle, capable of deploying satellites to GTO/LEO and supporting human spaceflight (Gaganyaan). CE20 Cryogenic Engine: Powers the upper stage of LVM3. Uses liquid hydrogen (fuel) and liquid oxygen (oxidizer). Previously qualified for single start operation at thrust 19–22 tonnes. Current Start System: Engine ignition uses tank head conditions, with turbo pumps started via stored gas start-up system. Each restart requires additional gas bottles, limiting operational flexibility. Significance of Bootstrap Mode Start: Definition: Engine achieves steady operation without external start-up assistance. Advantages: Eliminates dependency on additional start-up gas bottles for multiple restarts. Enables multi-orbit missions or complex satellite deployments. Reduces weight and system complexity on the rocket. Enhances reliability and mission safety. Test Details: Conducted in High-Altitude Test (HAT) facility, ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri. Duration: 10 seconds under vacuum conditions. Demonstrated ability to reach steady operation from bootstrap mode. Implications for ISRO Programs: Gaganyaan Mission: Improves engine restart capability for manned missions requiring orbital maneuvering. Future LVM3 Flights: Allows flexible payload deployment across multiple orbits. Cryogenic Engine Technology: Demonstrates ISRO’s advanced propulsion capabilities and indigenous mastery of restartable cryogenic engines. Strategic Significance: Positions India for advanced satellite launches, space exploration missions, and multi-orbit applications. Bima Gram API Why is it in News? IRDAI’s Bima Gram API successfully completed its pilot testing phase, marking a key step toward improving insurance penetration in rural India. Initiative integrates digital tools to streamline, authenticate, and map insurance coverage at the village level, enhancing governance and financial inclusion. Relevance: GS 3: Economy (Financial Inclusion) — rural insurance penetration, digital financial services. GS 2: Governance — regulatory reforms, data-driven policy design, village-level service delivery. GS 3: Inclusive Growth — protection against rural vulnerabilities, social security deepening. Background: IRDAI: Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India, regulator of insurance industry. Bima Gram API: Digital interface enabling real-time validation and mapping of insurance policies in rural areas. Pilot Testing: Conducted with five insurers – 2 life, 2 general, 1 health insurer. Tested functionality, integration, and accuracy. Objective: Facilitate digital verification of insurance policies linked to gram panchayats, reducing reliance on manual documentation. Significance of the Initiative: Efficiency & Accuracy: Speeds up insurance business reporting. Minimizes errors in rural insurance data. Data Mapping: Policies accurately mapped to villages, enabling granular monitoring. Policy Planning: Generates baseline datasets for insurers to plan future products and allocate resources effectively. Digital Inclusion: Empowers rural populations to access insurance services more transparently. Supports financial literacy and awareness initiatives. Implications: For Rural Insurance Penetration: Streamlined coverage verification increases trust in insurers. Promotes inclusive growth and social security in rural India. For Insurers: Enhanced risk assessment and product targeting. Better compliance and reporting to regulators. For Governance: Supports government programs by providing reliable insurance data at village level. Enables monitoring of insurance outreach and coverage gaps. Attribution science: the tricky task of linking disasters to emitters Why in News? Delhi recorded severe air pollution with AQI over 400 on November 12, 2025, prompting public protests. Recent environmental studies and disasters, including acid rain trends, glacial lake floods in Uttarkashi, and Cyclone Montha impacts, highlight the growing threat of climate-induced extremes. Climate attribution science is increasingly used to link local events to global warming, raising both scientific and policy implications. Relevance: GS 3: Environment & Ecology — climate change attribution, extreme events, disaster-linked pollution. GS 3: Disaster Management — GLOFs, cyclone intensification, early warning systems. GS 3: Pollution Control — acid rain trends, urban AQI crisis, point vs non-point source emissions. Background: Air Pollution in Delhi: Contributing factors: vehicle emissions, crop residue burning in neighbouring states, Diwali firecrackers, seasonal wind patterns. Health impacts: respiratory ailments, cardiovascular stress, public protests highlighting citizen concern. Acid Rain: Studies (IMD & IITM, Pune) show increasing acidity in rainwater over three decades. Local examples: Visakhapatnam (fossil fuel and port emissions), Dhanbad (coal mining emissions, chemical reactions forming secondary pollutants). Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs): Uttarkashi flash floods (2025) reminiscent of 2013 Kedarnath disaster. Cause: glacier melt, climate change influencing intensity of rainfall and snow melt. Cyclone Intensification: Cyclone Montha (October 2025) impacted Andhra Pradesh, with warming seas increasing moisture and storm intensity. Climate Attribution Science: Purpose: Estimates how human-induced climate change alters frequency, intensity, and probability of extreme events. Methodology: Models simulate the world without anthropogenic greenhouse gases and compare to observed events. Attribution more accurate for heat waves than extreme rainfall or floods. Uses satellite observations, chemical transport modelling, and historical trends. Examples: Kedarnath floods: increased June rainfall linked to rising greenhouse gases and aerosols. Acid rain: linked to specific point sources (power plants, industrial clusters). Key Observations: Point vs Non-Point Sources: Point sources: concentrated emissions (e.g., power plants). Non-point sources: dispersed emissions (vehicles, agriculture). Global vs Local Responsibility: India’s cumulative CO2 since 1850 <6%. Developed nations bear larger historical responsibility for climate change. Legal and Economic Implications: Advances in climate economics and attribution raise the possibility of climate litigation against major fossil fuel companies. Potential for monetary/injunctive relief for climate-induced damages. Policy and Strategic Implications: Urban Air Quality Management: Strengthen monitoring, regulate vehicular emissions, manage seasonal crop burning. Disaster Preparedness: Early warning systems for GLOFs and cyclones. Community awareness and climate-resilient infrastructure. Energy Transition: Continue expansion of solar, wind, and battery storage to reduce future emissions. Climate Justice: Developed countries may need to compensate developing nations for historical emissions. Research & Modelling: Improve climate models for better event attribution, particularly for rainfall and flood events. Tihar Jail cow therapy initiative Why is it in News? Tihar Jail, Delhi launched a new gaushala initiative on November 19, 2025, to use cow therapy for improving mental health among inmates. Initiative is inspired by earlier pilots in Haryana and Sweden and aims to promote mental well-being, compassion, and rehabilitation. Relevance: GS 2: Social Justice — prisoner rehabilitation, mental health interventions, behavioural reform. GS 2: Governance — prison management reforms, NGO collaboration, digital transparency. GS 1: Society — compassion-based therapy, reintegration strategies, humanisation of incarceration. Background: Gaushala Concept: Shelter for indigenous cows, particularly Sahiwal breed. Cow Therapy: Psychological intervention using interaction with cows to reduce loneliness, promote emotional well-being, and spread kindness. Initiative Scope: Started with 10 cows, planned to scale over time. Aims to integrate therapy with vocational training, including milk production and puja material preparation. Previous Models: Haryana and Sweden: Similar cow therapy projects showed positive results for mental health and rehabilitation. Implementation in Tihar Jail: Small-scale pilot in jails 2 and 3, integrating inmates in animal care. Prison officials see gaushala as a centre of learning, compassion, and transparency. No direct visits or calls; inmates benefit through daily care and interaction. Initiative also part of rehabilitation and skill-building programs for inmates. Additional Support Systems: Digital Integration: Products from Tihar’s cow shed to be sold via Tihar’s online store (My Store). Real-time tracking of essential items and NGO collaboration for rehabilitation support. Inventory Management System: Monitors supply of food, medicines, and essential items. NGO Collaboration: Registration portal for NGOs to strengthen inmate rehabilitation programs. Impact: Mental Health: Reduces loneliness, promotes emotional resilience. Skill Development: Enables inmates to earn a livelihood and support their families post-release. Social Rehabilitation: Encourages responsibility, empathy, and humane treatment of animals. Institutional Transparency: Digital tracking and NGO oversight ensures accountability. Experts red-flag ultra-processed food retail surge Why in News? Recent Lancet series (three-paper global study) highlights the sharp rise in ultra-processed food consumption in India and its health consequences. Retail sales of ultra-processed foods rose from $0.9B in 2006 → ~$38B in 2019 (≈40-fold increase). Obesity, diabetes, and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are surging concurrently. Signals urgent need for policy action on diet, marketing, and public health. Relevance: GS 2: Health — obesity, diabetes, NCD burden, dietary transition, public health policy. GS 3: Economy — rising healthcare expenditure, productivity loss due to lifestyle diseases. GS 3: Science & Tech / Food Systems — food processing industry, aggressive marketing, supply-chain expansion. Definition Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs): Foods industrially formulated from refined ingredients, preservatives, additives; high in calories, low in nutrients; examples: soft drinks, chips, chocolates, instant noodles. Characteristics: Convenient, long shelf-life, hyper-palatable, aggressively marketed. Health Concern: Associated with obesity, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart, kidney, GI disorders, depressive symptoms. Current Scenario in India Obesity: 28.6% adults affected (≈1 in 4). Diabetes: 11.4% adults (≈1 in 10). Prediabetes: 15.3% adults. Abdominal obesity: 39.5% adults. Childhood obesity: Increased from 2.1% (2016) → 3.4% (2019–21). UPF market growth: $0.9B → $38B between 2006–2019; rapid penetration into Indian diets. Why UPFs are Harmful ? High-calorie, low-nutrient → excess energy intake. Frequent consumption adds ≥500 extra calories/day → fat deposition, particularly visceral fat. Visceral obesity increases metabolic risks: Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension. Aggressive marketing normalizes unhealthy diets, replacing traditional meals. Policy and Regulatory Gaps India lacks precise data on UPF consumption patterns. Current regulations insufficient to curb marketing, especially targeting children. No uniform policy to manage food environment or labeling standards effectively. Global & Scientific Context Lancet series authored by 43 global experts: warns of worldwide trend of UPF consumption replacing traditional diets. Echoes global concerns: NCD burden rising in low- and middle-income countries due to dietary transition. Nutrition experts stress urgent intervention to prevent “nutrition transition” from traditional healthy diets to industrialized diets. Implications for India Rising healthcare burden from obesity and NCDs. Early onset of metabolic diseases in children. Genetic predisposition of Indians to visceral obesity intensifies risk. Need for multi-pronged interventions: public awareness, marketing restrictions, fiscal policies (taxation/subsidies), school nutrition programs. Declared extinct decades ago, a tiger returns to ‘new home’ — in Gujarat forest Why is this in News? Gujarat has recorded the return of a tiger after decades of local extinction, with confirmed sightings in Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary . Tiger was repeatedly captured on camera traps since Feb 2025, establishing territorial presence. Marks Gujarat’s entry into states hosting three big cats (lion–tiger–leopard), and preparing for the fourth (cheetah) under Project Cheetah in Banni Grasslands. Relevance: GS 3: Environment & Ecology — wildlife conservation, carnivore dispersal, habitat connectivity. GS 3: Biodiversity — species recovery, local extinction reversal, multi-big-cat landscape. Basics Local Extinction: When a species disappears from a specific region but exists elsewhere. Tigers were declared locally extinct in Gujarat decades ago. Source Landscape: Tiger likely dispersed naturally from Madhya Pradesh’s Kathiawar/Chhota Udepur landscape, which has a healthy population. Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary: Location at the MP–Gujarat border Rich prey base (nilgai, wild boar, monkeys; sambar/spotted deer in monsoon) Dense habitat suitable for large carnivores What Has Happened? First detection: Large pugmarks noticed on 23 Feb 2025 during patrol. Camera trap photo timestamped 22 Feb, 2:40 AM confirmed tiger presence. Regular sightings: Recurrent captures through multiple months prove it has established territory. Forest department action: Increased number of camera traps Ensured water availability Prey augmentation measures Fire prevention and habitat protection Constant monitoring of tiger health and movements NTCA informed: Formal recognition of tiger presence in Gujarat. Significance Ecological Milestone: Restoration of natural carnivore range → improved ecosystem health. Indicates successful habitat integrity on Gujarat–MP border. Conservation Success Indicator: Shows connectivity corridors between MP and Gujarat are functional. Natural dispersal is a strong marker of forest ecosystem recovery. Big Cat Diversity: Gujarat already has Asiatic lions (Gir) and leopards widely spread. Now adds tiger presence, becoming a multi–big-cat state. Work underway to add cheetahs via reintroduction (Banni Grasslands). Project Cheetah Link Gujarat preparing a 600-hectare cheetah breeding and conservation centre in Banni Grasslands, Kutch. Jointly funded by Centre + State. Will make Gujarat home to all four big cats — lion, tiger, leopard, cheetah. Why Tigers Disappeared from Gujarat?  Habitat loss due to agriculture expansion and fragmentation Prey depletion Poaching and human pressure Lack of tiger-specific conservation efforts (state focus on lions) Current Conservation Implications Need for landscape-level management for long-term tiger survival. Potential requirement for corridor protection between MP and Gujarat forests. Possible future creation of a notified Tiger Reserve if population stabilizes. Must manage human–tiger conflict risks as the region has village interface.

Daily PIB Summaries

PIB Summaries 19 November 2025

Content YUVA AI for ALL National Water Awards YUVA AI for ALL Why in News? MeitY launched ‘YUVA AI for ALL’ under the IndiaAI Mission. Aims to empower 1 crore citizens with foundational AI skills through a free, 4.5-hour national course. Available on FutureSkills Prime, iGOT Karmayogi, and other ed-tech platforms with official GoI certification. Relevance GS2 (Governance) Advances digital skilling under MeitY & IndiaAI Mission. Strengthens inclusive access to government-led digital learning platforms. GS2 (Policy & Social Sector) Implements national AI and digital literacy strategies (IndiaAI Mission, PMGDISHA, NDLM). Reduces digital divide through mass-scale AI awareness. GS3 (Science & Technology) Builds foundational AI literacy and responsible AI practices. Supports India’s AI ecosystem and alignment with global AI ethics norms. What is YUVA AI for ALL? A free, introductory AI literacy course for all Indians—students, professionals, and beginners. Duration: 4.5 hours, self-paced, modular structure (6 modules). Developed by Jaspreet Bindra, AI expert and author. Focus: ethical, responsible, inclusive AI aligned with India’s socio-digital context. Core Features Open to all: No prerequisites, 100% free, multilingual potential. Certification: Government of India certificate on completion. Platform availability: FutureSkills Prime, iGOT Karmayogi, other ed-tech portals. Practical orientation: Real-world Indian examples, simple explanations. Course Structure – Key Learning Outcomes Foundations of AI: Meaning, technologies, how AI works. AI in daily life: Education, creativity, workplace transformation. Responsible AI: Ethical use, safety, biases, data practices. Use cases from India: Agriculture, healthcare, governance, fintech, climate. Future opportunities: Skills, jobs, emerging AI ecosystems. Strategic Significance 1. Digital Inclusion Bridges AI awareness gap across urban–rural, socioeconomic, and generational lines. Helps democratize access to emerging technologies. 2. Workforce Preparedness Supports India’s skilling targets under IndiaAI Mission, Skill India, and Digital India. Aligns with global trends where basic AI literacy is a workplace essential. 3. Ethical AI Ecosystem Strengthens India’s push for trusted, responsible AI in line with global norms (UNESCO AI Ethics, OECD AI principles). 4. AI Nation-Building Fits into India’s strategic roadmap to become an AI-powered economy. Supports development of a base-level AI-fluent population, essential for innovation and digital governance. Policy & Governance Context Linked to IndiaAI Mission (₹10,300 crore) focused on compute infrastructure, datasets, innovation, skilling. Complements NDLM, PMGDISHA, and digital literacy initiatives targeting mass skilling. Helps operationalize National Strategy for AI (NITI Aayog) recommendations: awareness, skilling, responsible AI. Impact Pathways Education: Institutions can integrate course into curriculums. Employability: Basic AI literacy enhances job-readiness across sectors. Industry partnerships: Ed-tech, academia, and corporates can co-brand and scale the course. Public sector: Supports capacity-building under the National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (Mission Karmayogi). Comparative Note Similar to Finland’s “Elements of AI” mass literacy program but tailored with India-specific use cases. Addresses India’s unique scale challenges—1.4B population, digital divide, multilingual needs. Prelims Pointers Initiative under MeitY and IndiaAI Mission. Duration: 4.5 hours, 6 modules, free certification. Target: 1 crore AI-literate citizens. Platforms: FutureSkills Prime, iGOT Karmayogi. Focus: ethical, responsible, inclusive AI. National Water Awards Why in News? PIB  announced the 6th National Water Awards (NWA) and 1st Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) Awards. 46 winners across 10 categories honoured for water conservation excellence (NWA 2024 cycle). Maharashtra ranked 1st among states in NWA; Telangana ranked 1st in JSJB Awards. Highlights India’s shift toward community-driven, decentralized, and sustainable water management. Relevance GS1 (Geography) Directly linked to water scarcity, groundwater depletion, watershed restoration. GS2 (Governance) Strengthens participatory water governance and cooperative federalism. Highlights best practices under Jal Shakti Abhiyan, PMKSY, Atal Bhujal Yojana. GS2 (Social Justice) Enhances equitable access to water and promotes community involvement. What Are the National Water Awards? Instituted: 2018 by the Department of Water Resources, Ministry of Jal Shakti. Purpose: Recognize excellence in water conservation, water management, innovation, and community participation. Frequency: Annual. Stakeholders: Individuals, NGOs, institutions, industry, rural/urban local bodies, states. Objectives of the NWA Promote water-use efficiency, sustainable practices, and awareness building. Encourage behavioural change towards conservation at individual and institutional levels. Strengthen national vision of Jal Samridh Bharat (water-secure India). Create replicable best practices and foster cross-learning among states and communities. 6th National Water Awards (2024 Cycle) 751 applications received; 46 winners chosen across 10 categories. Best State Category Rankings: 1st: Maharashtra 2nd: Gujarat 3rd: Haryana Categories include: Best State, Best District, Best NGO, Best Industry, Best Water User Association, Best Urban Local Body, Best Institution, Best Researcher, etc. Winner selection reflects emphasis on innovation, scalability, community participation, sustainable water practice. Significance of the Awards 1. Strengthen National Water Governance Complements initiatives like Jal Shakti Abhiyan, PMKSY, Jal Jeevan Mission, Atal Bhujal Yojana. Reinforces multi-stakeholder engagement in water management. 2. Public Awareness & Behaviour Change Encourages citizens to view water as a shared resource, not an infinite commodity. Generates momentum around rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, efficient irrigation, urban water sustainability. 3. Recognition of Local Innovations Spotlights grassroots solutions, indigenous knowledge, and local community leadership. Supports mainstreaming of scalable models. 4. Encourages Data-Driven Water Management Promotes GIS, IoT, community monitoring, water budgeting, and efficient water accounting. Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) Awards – Basics Launched: 2024 under Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (JSA: CTR). Purpose: Honour community-driven water conservation and groundwater recharge efforts. Scale: 100 awards across states, districts, municipal bodies, NGOs, industry, philanthropists, and officials. Achievement: Construction of 35 lakh groundwater recharge structures, exceeding targets. JSJB Best Performing State/UT (2025) 1st: Telangana 2nd: Chhattisgarh 3rd: Rajasthan Key National Water Conservation Initiatives  1. Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (2021– ) Motto: “Catch the Rain, Where it Falls, When it Falls.” Focus: Rainwater harvesting, desilting, water-body rejuvenation, afforestation, check dams, recharge pits. Strong community participation model. 2. Atal Bhujal Yojana (2019– ) Community-led groundwater management in 8203 Gram Panchayats across 7 states. 81,000 structures constructed/renovated; 9 lakh hectares brought under efficient practices. One of India’s largest WB-supported groundwater programs. 3. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) Aim: Har Khet Ko Pani, More Crop Per Drop. Promotes: Micro-irrigation, integrated water-source management, watershed development. Reduces agricultural water stress. 4. AMRUT 2.0 Targets universal tap-water coverage in all statutory towns. 3568 water-supply projects, worth ₹1.14 lakh crore, sanctioned. 181 lakh new tap connections approved. Urban focus on sustainability, sewage, septage, and smart water systems. 5. Jal Jeevan Mission (2019– ) Rural tap-water mission; 12.50 crore households connected. Focus on eco-friendly water solutions: greywater management, rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge. Strategic Importance for India Addresses water scarcity, climate vulnerability, groundwater depletion, and urban water stress. Ensures water security for agriculture (80% water use), rural households, and urban centres. Supports SDGs: SDG 6 (Clean Water), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities), SDG 13 (Climate Action). Strengthens India’s long-term hydro-resilience and climate adaptation strategy. Analytical Note Awards reflect shift from top-down to community-centric water governance. Reinforces a model based on Jan Bhagidari + Technology + Local innovation. Pushes states to compete and collaborate on sustainable water futures. Acts as a policy nudging tool promoting best practices and accountability.

Daily Editorials Analysis

Editorials/Opinions Analysis For UPSC 19 November 2025

Content Unpacking the global ‘happiness’ rankings Excessive dependence Language of security needs upgrade, beyond OTP  Unpacking the global ‘happiness’ rankings  Why in News? World Happiness Report (WHR) 2025 places Finland at Rank 1 for the 8th consecutive year. India ranks 118 (score: 4.389/10) and averages 124 over the years. Pakistan ranks 109, despite economic instability and repeated IMF bailouts. Raises questions on the nature, validity and perception-driven basis of “happiness”. Relevance GS1 (Society) Links to social cohesion, community bonds, family structures, loneliness, and wellbeing. Explains shifts in Indian social capital due to urbanisation and digital lifestyles. GS2 (Governance & Social Justice) Highlights governance quality, institutional trust, welfare states, corruption perception. Shows role of public service delivery in influencing subjective wellbeing. Practice Question “India’s low ranking in global happiness indices reflects a deficit of trust, not a deficit of wellbeing.” Discuss.(250 Words) What is the World Happiness Report? Published by Wellbeing Research Centre, Oxford University. Uses Gallup World Poll’s Cantril Ladder: People rate their lives on a scale of 0 (worst) to 10 (best). Combines six variables: GDP per capita Social support Healthy life expectancy Freedom to make life choices Generosity Perception of corruption Strong emphasis on perceptions, not objective indicators. Why Nordic Countries Lead Consistently ? High institutional trust; lost-wallet-return probability is high. Low corruption, strong welfare states, universal healthcare, social equality. High social cohesion + reliable public services → stable well-being. Low inequality of opportunity; egalitarian norms. High taxes convert into visible public goods; trust-tax feedback loop strengthens satisfaction. Why India Scores Low Despite High Growth ? 1. Aspiration–Satisfaction Paradox Rising incomes → rising expectations; dissatisfaction reflects ambition, not misery. Democracies with vibrant media amplify public criticism → lower perceived satisfaction. Similar trend in the U.S., which fell to Rank 24 despite wealth. 2. Perception-Based Metrics Subjective impressions of freedom, corruption and trust can lower national score. Frequent public debates on governance, pollution, inequality → higher negative perceptions. 3. Structural Social Changes Shrinking joint families, urban isolation, digital addiction → weakening social capital. Migration and gig work reduce community bonds that earlier provided emotional buffers. 4. WEIRD Bias in Methodology Report reflects Western norms: Individualistic societies emphasise institutional trust. India’s strength—family/community trust—undervalued and unmeasured. India’s Fluctuating Rank (2012–2025) Best phase (2022): Post-COVID recovery, PM-GKY, welfare expansions. Worst phase (2012): Corruption scandals, growth slowdown. Data shows little correlation between fiscal growth and happiness scores. Core Issue for India: Social Trust Deficit Institutional Trust Uneven governance, bureaucratic delays, service quality inconsistencies reduce trust. Transparent, predictable public services (ration cards, ticketing, pensions) remain patchy. Informal Trust Families and villages act as safety nets. COVID-19 migration showed strong community cohesion. But these networks are invisible to global indices. Psychological and Behavioural Overview Report admits: belief in community kindness predicts happiness more than income. Nearly 19% of young adults globally report “no one to rely on”. India faces similar relational deficits due to urbanisation + digital lifestyles. Political and Methodological Concerns Many global indices (including WHR) criticised for transparency and Western biases. 2022 study (Sanjeev Sanyal & Aakanksha Arora) highlighted: Reliance on small pools of Western experts. Penalising democracies for openness; rewarding states with suppressed dissent. Happiness rankings risk mistaking conformity for contentment. India’s Evolving Approach to Wellbeing Mental health becoming a governance priority. Initiatives: Tele-MANAS (national mental health helpline). Workplace wellness programmes. Inclusion and emotional resilience campaigns. Signals shift toward human-centric development. What India Needs to Do ? 1. Rebuild Social Capital Community spaces, libraries, shared meals, cultural events. Promote inter-generational bonding; reduce loneliness. Larger household size and community kindness strongly correlate with happiness. 2. Strengthen Institutional Trust Simplified, digital-first citizen–state interactions. Transparent service delivery: PDS, healthcare, railways, grievance redress. Consistency in rules → predictability → trust. 3. Make Mental Health an Economic Priority WHO: $1 investment in mental health → $4 productivity return. Integrate counselling in schools, workplaces and primary health centres. Recognise psychological wellbeing as economic infrastructure. Conclusion India’s low rank reflects restlessness, not unhappiness. High aspirations, accountability, and demands for better services are signs of a maturing democracy. “Unfinished, ambitious, striving” India may appear less satisfied—but is progressing toward a deeper idea of happiness. Excessive dependence Why in News? India recorded a historic goods trade deficit in October 2025: $41.68 billion, rising from $32.15 billion in September. Triggered by U.S. tariff shock (50% levy since August) + a surge in gold and silver imports. Raises concerns over overdependence on the U.S. and a possible structural shift in India’s trade portfolio. Relevance GS2 (Governance & International Relations) India–U.S. trade architecture, tariff vulnerabilities, strategic balancing with Russia. Dependence on single markets as a structural governance challenge. GS3 (Economy – External Sector) Trade deficit, BoP stress, rupee depreciation, import–export dynamics. Bullion imports, intermediate goods dependence, manufacturing depth issues. Practice Question   “India’s October 2025 trade deficit is a warning against single-market dependence. Analyse the structural vulnerabilities it exposes.”(250 Words) What is Goods Trade Deficit? Occurs when imports > exports (merchandise only; excludes services). Persistent deficits → pressure on forex reserves, currency depreciation, external vulnerability. India typically covers merchandise deficit through: Strong services exports (IT, BPM). Remittances. Foreign capital flows. Key Data Highlights Exports: Fell 11.8% YoY → $34.38 bn (from $38.98 bn, Oct 2024). Imports: Surged sharply due to bullion inflows and intermediate goods demand. Gold imports: Nearly tripled (vs Oct 2024). Silver imports: Rose 5x. Rupee: Depreciated from ₹85.6/$ (April) → ₹88.4/$ (October). U.S. market: Exports to U.S. fell 9% YoY. Labour-intensive sectors worst hit. Why the Deficit Rose So Sharply? U.S. Tariff Shock (50% duty) Imposed in Aug 2025; U.S. is India’s largest single export market since 2018–19. Hit sectors like: Engineering goods (↓16.71%) RMG and apparel (↓12.88%) Man-made yarn (↓11.75%) Cotton yarn/handlooms (↓13.31%) Bullion Surge as Hedge Gold and silver inflows indicate: Hedging against global + domestic uncertainty. Rupee depreciation encouraging bullion buying. FPI outflow in September deepened anxiety. Higher Use of Imported Intermediates Firms sourcing cheaper imported inputs to remain export-competitive. Points to weak domestic manufacturing depth. HS-wise breakdown (once released) will confirm the shift. Impact on India–U.S. Trade Dynamics Heavy dependence on U.S. → amplified vulnerability. India shifting: Russian imports ↓27.73% (oil correction, geopolitical balancing). U.S. imports ↑13.89% (signalling alignment + reducing trade imbalance concerns). Pressure increasing for: Early India–U.S. Bilateral Trade Agreement. Rollback of tariffs. Government & RBI Response Export Promotion Scheme: ₹25,060 crore over 6 years. RBI relief measures: liquidity, procedural relaxations, credit support for exporters. Aim: cushion tariff impact + restore competitiveness. Is This a Structural Shift or a Temporary Shock ? Arguments for a Temporary Shock U.S. tariffs are a one-off external event. Bullion imports may normalize once uncertainty eases. Re-routing exports and supply chain realignments take time; cannot be labelled structural yet. Arguments for a Structural Shift India is consciously reducing Russian crude share. Increasing U.S. imports to stabilise strategic relations. Export stagnation in labour-intensive sectors indicates deeper competitiveness issues. Reliance on imported intermediates signals systemic domestic production gaps. Why Heavy Dependence on the U.S. is Risky ? U.S. accounts for nearly 20% of India’s total exports. Exposure to: Protectionist tariffs Geopolitical pressures Currency volatility Supply-chain disruptions “Single-market reliance” = economic + diplomatic vulnerability. Long-Term Consequences if Dependence Continues Persistent trade deficits. Employment hit in labour-heavy sectors (textiles, leather, gems). Rupee depreciation pressure. Declining manufacturing self-sufficiency. Reduced bargaining power in trade negotiations. What India Must Do ? 1. Diversify Export Markets Target Latin America, Africa, Middle East, ASEAN+3. Reduce concentration risk: broaden beyond U.S. & EU. 2. Deepen Manufacturing Ecosystems Strengthen domestic intermediates production. Accelerate PLI 2.0, logistics reform, SEZ modernization. 3. Build Tariff-Resilient Sectors Promote advanced engineering, electronics, green tech, medical devices. Modernise textiles: MMF focus, technical textiles, design competitiveness. 4. Stabilise India–U.S. Trade Architecture Conclude bilateral trade agreement. Seek tariff rollbacks linked to wider strategic cooperation. Conclusion The October 2025 deficit is partly a shock, partly a signal. The key lesson: India’s overdependence on the U.S. has converted a single tariff action into a national trade crisis. A structural shift in India’s trade portfolio—towards market diversification, domestic manufacturing depth, and balanced import sources—is not only inevitable but strategically overdue. Language of security needs upgrade, beyond OTP  Why in News? Article highlights the rising ineffectiveness of OTP-based authentication amid soaring digital fraud cases in India. Points to need for new security terminology (e.g., “FTP — Financial Transaction Password”) to reduce fraud by improving user psychology and behavioural responses. Relevance GS2 (Governance) Citizen–state digital interface; RBI/CERT-In regulations; secure digital payments. Trust in public digital infrastructure (UPI, Aadhaar-enabled services). GS3 (Science & Technology – Cybersecurity) Digital fraud, OTP-fatigue, behavioural vulnerabilities. Need for human-centric security design and terminology innovation (FTP). Practice Question “Technological solutions alone cannot address India’s digital fraud epidemic. Behavioural and linguistic redesign is equally critical.” Explain.(250 Words) What Is OTP and Why It Was Created? OTP (One-Time Password) = temporary authentication code for online verification. Initially added as a second-factor security layer to reduce unauthorized access. Used for Aadhaar authentication, bank payments, tax filings, UPI, card-not-present transactions. Why OTP Has Lost Psychological Meaning? OTP is used for almost every digital action, making people desensitised. Users routinely share OTPs for deliveries, subscriptions, device logins → weakens security discipline. Perception: OTP feels like “a simple code handed by a service provider”, not a serious safeguard. Fraud data: 200%+ rise in digital fraud cases year-on-year. ₹22,845 crore reported losses to citizens. Overuse = security fatigue + rising scams such as phishing, vishing, remote-access tricks. Core Argument of the Article 1. Security Failures Are Linguistic and Behavioural, Not Just Technological People share OTPs not due to ignorance but due to habitual desensitisation. Research in behavioural economics: Small linguistic modifications change user response significantly. Word choice affects perception → affects caution levels. 2. Proposed Shift: Replace OTP with “FTP” FTP = Financial Transaction Password. Reserved only for actual money-transfer transactions, not for general logins, couriers, apps. Separates financial risk events from routine authentication. Raises seriousness, caution, and psychological barrier. How FTP Improves Behavioural Security? Clarifies that FTP = money movement. Deters sharing since the term communicates risk + financial consequences. Makes users more alert in UPI, NEFT/IMPS, and debit-card operations. Similar to the way “ATM PIN” creates strong caution vs. ordinary passwords. Why India Needs This Shift? UPI Dominance 13+ billion monthly transactions. Small lapses create massive aggregate risk. Widespread Digital Fraud Remote app scams Fake UPI collect pulls Phishing links Social engineering High-speed digitisation demands high-speed behavioural adaptation Tech alone insufficient. Requires “language of security” to evolve. Low-cost intervention Changing terminology = inexpensive but high psychological impact. Systemic Solutions Recommended 1. Upgrade Security Terminology Introduce FTP for financial transactions. Restrict OTP to non-financial actions only. 2. Banking Interface Overhaul Payment apps, netbanking, UPI should: Use distinct FTP screens. Provide warning prompts on financial authorisations. 3. Regulators & Financial Institutions Conduct mass awareness campaigns. Promote FTP like ATM PIN standards. Integrate FTP into UPI 3.0 / 4.0 ecosystem as optional or mandatory. 4. Policy-Level Action Aligns with India’s cybersecurity strategy, CERT-In advisories, RBI’s digital payment security initiatives. Helps reduce losses borne by banks and insurers. Strategic Significance Behavioural Economics Overview Humans make security errors due to framing, cognition, and expectations, not only due to lack of knowledge. Language shifts can reduce fraud without heavy tech upgrades. Trust & Digital Governance Essential for India’s aspiration of becoming a trillion-dollar digital economy. Enhances confidence in UPI, Aadhaar-enabled payments, and public digital infrastructure. Broader Implications India’s digital expansion → high risk of cybercrime at scale. Without behavioural security design, technological innovation becomes counterproductive. FTP-like segmentation = global best practice in human-centric cybersecurity. Prelims Pointers OTP = widely used authentication mechanism, vulnerable due to user habituation. FTP (proposed): restricted to financial transactions; improves behavioural caution. Major fraud losses: ₹22,845 crore reported. India: one of the world’s fastest digitising economies → rising digital fraud risk.

Daily Current Affairs

Current Affairs 19 November 2025

Content SC Recalls Verdict on Retrospective Green Clearances What Can Local Bodies Expect from the 16th Finance Commission? What Changes Are Planned for the Plant Variety Act? DPDP Rules 2025 — Separate Section for Persons with Disabilities The Rare Ginkgo-Toothed Beaked Whale Glass vs PET: Alcobev Sector Rethinks Packaging Strategy SC recalls verdict on retrospective green clearances  Why is it in News? A three-judge Bench of the Supreme Court has recalled its May 16, 2025 judgment that had declared retrospective/ex-post facto environmental clearances as “gross illegality”. Majority (CJI B.R. Gavai & Justice K. Vinod Chandran) held that allowing the earlier judgment to operate would have devastating economic consequences. Justice Ujjal Bhuyan dissented, warning the Court is “backtracking on sound environmental jurisprudence”. Relevance : GS 3: Environment & Ecology (EIA, environmental governance, precautionary principle) GS 2: Judiciary & Governance (judicial review, balance between environment–economy, Article 21) GS 3: Infrastructure & Industry (impact on projects, regulatory compliance) What are Environmental Clearances (ECs)? Statutory requirement under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 & EIA Notification 2006. Mandates prior environmental approval before construction, expansion, or operation of certain projects. Ensures: Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Public consultation Mitigation measures Compliance monitoring. What are Ex Post Facto ECs? ECs granted after a project has already started/been completed, violating the “prior approval” principle. Considered legally questionable because: Violates the precautionary principle. Undermines sustainable development norms. Rewards non-compliance. The May 16, 2024 Judgment (Now Recalled) Bench of Justice A.S. Oka & Justice Ujjal Bhuyan. Held that: Ex post facto ECs are an “anathema” and “gross illegality”. Violates Article 21 (right to clean environment). Projects constructed without EC must face strict consequences. Would have impacted: Large real estate, infrastructure, industrial projects. Thousands of crores of investment. The November 2025 Review Judgment (Recall Order) Majority View (CJI Gavai + Justice Chandran) Allowing the May 16 ruling to stand would cause “devastating economic impact”. Thousands of crores of investment would be wasted; projects would become illegal overnight. Review allowed primarily on economic & practical grounds, not on legal reinterpretation. Stressed need to balance environmental protection with economic stability. Suggests that procedural lapses should not destroy completed projects if rectification is possible. Minority View (Justice Ujjal Bhuyan) Strong dissent; called the recall “pained backtracking on environmental jurisprudence”. Argues: Precautionary principle, polluter-pays, inter-generational equity are being diluted. Granting ex post facto ECs rewards violators and encourages non-compliance. The judiciary’s role is to protect environmental rule of law, not facilitate retrospective regularisation. Points to Delhi smog as a daily reminder of environmental degradation. Says the majority is overlooking “fundamentals of environmental law”. Key Issues Raised by the Case 1. Precautionary Principle vs. Economic Considerations Precautionary principle requires prior approval; retrospective permission undermines it. Majority prioritised economic stability. Minority prioritised environmental sanctity. 2. Separation of Powers Whether courts can effectively validate retrospective permissions that dilute statutory requirements. 3. Environmental Rule of Law Recall signals a potential softening of strict judicial scrutiny of environmental compliance. 4. Governance Implications Encourages laxity by developers expecting post-facto regularisation. Raises concerns about regulatory capture and weak enforcement. Implications Short-Term Relief for construction/real estate/industrial sectors. Prevents mass demolition or halting of ongoing commercial activity. Long-Term Weakens deterrence against environmental violations. Could reduce the effectiveness of the EIA regime. Raises doubts about India’s commitment to sustainable development jurisprudence. Conclusion The case is a classic environment vs. economy conflict. Reflects movement from strong judicial environmentalism (Oka–Bhuyan approach) to pragmatic judicial balancing (Gavai–Chandran approach). Highlights the institutional tension between environmental rule of law and economic governance. What can local bodies expect from the 16th FC?  Why is it in News? On November 17, the 16th Finance Commission submitted its report to the President of India. Key expectations: Vertical devolution (share of Union taxes to States) and Horizontal distribution formula across States (Article 280). Important focus: recommendations for panchayat & municipal finances (Art. 280(3)(bb) & (c)). Relevance GS 2: Polity & Governance (73rd/74th Amendments, fiscal decentralisation, local government) GS 3: Economy (fiscal federalism, vertical–horizontal devolution, public finance) GS 2: Centre–State Relations (role of Union FC vs SFCs) Constitutional Framework for Finance Commissions Union Finance Commission (UFC) – Article 280 Constituted every 5 years. Mandate includes: Vertical & horizontal tax devolution. Measures to strengthen State finances. Augment the Consolidated Fund of States for panchayats & municipalities. State Finance Commissions (SFCs) – 73rd & 74th Amendments Each State must set up an SFC every 5 years. Recommends: Local share in State taxes. Assignment of revenue handles. Conditional/unconditional grants. Devolution of functions & functionaries. Local Governments: Functional & Fiscal Architecture Functions Assigned through the 11th Schedule (29 subjects) for panchayats & 12th Schedule (18 subjects) for municipalities. However: These lists are illustrative, not mandatory. States decide actual functional assignments → wide inter-State variation. Revenue Powers Local bodies collect: Property tax Advertisement tax Market fee, tolls, user charges, etc. But large mismatch exists between: Revenue capacity Expenditure responsibilities (water, sanitation, public health, rural roads, asset maintenance). Impact States often assign functions without funds & staff → Operational inefficiency Dependence on higher-level transfers Weak service delivery Fiscal deficits at local levels. Role & Challenges of SFCs Over 100 SFC reports submitted across States. Major issues: Delays in constitution & report submission. Poor record of acceptance by State legislatures. Recommendations often ignored or partially implemented. Result: local bodies must rely heavily on Union FC transfers, not States. What Previous Union Finance Commissions Did Key Pattern Six UFCs have issued local government recommendations so far. Persistent issues: Could not quantify actual resource needs of 2.7 lakh panchayats & 5,000 municipalities. Relied on ad hoc lump-sum grants. 13th FC (Turned Point) Introduced formula-based transfers: Grant as a percentage of the divisible pool. Rationale: Inflation neutrality Buoyancy with Union tax revenues Consulted legal experts; pushed for predictable growth-linked transfers. 14th & 15th FCs (Reversal of 13th FC Approach) Returned to lump-sum grants. Introduced conditionalities: “Basic” (unconditional) “Performance-based” (conditional) Problem: Each FC changed reform conditions, creating discontinuity. 13th FC: 6 conditions (mostly unmet by States). 14th FC: new and unrelated set of conditions. 15th FC: different conditions again. Core Issues in Local Government Fiscal Federalism 1. Vertical–Horizontal Imbalance Local governments do not have predictable, adequate revenue streams. Functional responsibilities grow but revenue handles remain restricted. 2. Assignment Problem No dedicated constitutional list for: Local functions Local revenue sources States exercise wide discretion → fiscal asymmetry. 3. Overdependence on Union FC Weak SFC implementation forces panchayats/municipalities to rely on central transfers. 4. Conditionality Instability Reform-linked grants change every 5 years → No continuity No long-term incentive alignment. What Is Expected from the 16th Finance Commission? Move beyond ad hoc or lump-sum grants. Assess actual resource requirements of 2.7 lakh panchayats & 5,000 municipalities. Provide stable, formula-driven, buoyancy-linked transfers. Standardise performance conditions instead of frequent redesign. Strengthen local bodies as institutions of: Economic development Social justice Comprehensive Significance Strengthens decentralised governance, core to the 73rd & 74th Amendments. Potentially creates India’s first consistent, long-term local fiscal framework. Aligns local governance with national goals: Drinking water Sanitation Public health Rural/urban infrastructure. What changes are planned for the plant variety Act?  Why is it in News? Union Agriculture Minister announced that the Centre will amend the PPV&FRA Act, 2001. A committee headed by R.S. Paroda (appointed by the PPVFR Authority) has begun stakeholder consultations. Aim: update the 20-year-old Act in light of technological changes, trade dynamics, and evolving farmers’ needs. Relevance GS 3: Agriculture (seed systems, breeders’ rights, farmers’ rights) GS 3: IPR in Agriculture (PPV&FRA, UPOV pressures, TRIPS compliance) GS 2: Governance (regulatory institutions, stakeholder concerns) What Is the PPV&FRA Act, 2001? India’s sui generis law under TRIPS to protect plant varieties and recognise farmers’ rights. Ensures: Breeders’ rights Farmers’ rights to save, use, sow, resow, exchange, share or sell farm seeds (but not branded varieties) Benefit sharing Protection of traditional varieties Establishes the Protection of Plant Varieties & Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA). Why Amend the Act Now? Two decades of scientific & technological change: Tissue culture Synthetic seeds Hybrids and genotype combinations New trade realities, IPR pressures, and global norms. Need to address deficiencies, ambiguities, and implementation gaps. What the Paroda Committee Is Examining ? Definitions & Scope Redefining “variety” to include “combination of genotypes” (align with Seeds Bill 2019). Expanding the definition of “seed” to include: Seedlings Tubers, bulbs, rhizomes Roots, tissue culture plantlets Synthetic seeds Vegetatively propagated materials Defining “institution” under “breeder” to include public & private entities. DUS Test (Distinctness, Uniformity, Stability) Considering inclusion of trait-based criteria in DUS guidelines. Review of procedural integrity due to allegations of improper DUS testing in some cases (e.g., njavara paddy variety). Abusive Acts Proposal to legally define and criminalise “abusiveacts” such as: Producing/selling varieties with identical denominations Marketing/importing/exporting deceptive varieties Aim: prevent fraud, confusion, and misappropriation. Concerns Raised by Farmer Groups 1. Protection of Community-Developed Seeds Demand for mandatory registration of all community-developed seeds. Warning: varieties passing DUS tests should not be registered under an individual or private company, to prevent monopolisation. 2. Fear of Misuse of DUS Process Allegations of improper DUS evaluation (e.g., njavara). Concern: weak oversight may enable private appropriation of farmers’ varieties. 3. Small Peasantry & IPR Fit Many small farmers see seeds as shared biocultural commons, not IPR objects. Fear: amendments may tilt law towards exclusive economic rights, incompatible with farmer traditions. 4. Global IPR Pressure Civil society warns about attempts to align Indian law closer to UPOV norms. Risk: erosion of India’s farmer-friendly sui generis architecture. 5. Incomplete Compensation Mechanisms Although the original Act provides for compensation when IP-protected seeds fail, Rules do not detail criteria or enforcement, leaving farmers unprotected. Comprehensive Overview A. Legal & Policy Significance PPV&FRA is globally applauded for balancing breeders’ rights and farmers’ rights. Amendments risk shifting equilibrium towards industry interests if not carefully designed. Defining “abusive acts” is critical for seed market integrity. B. Technological Imperatives Modern breeding technologies require updated definitions to avoid grey zones. Inclusion of tissue culture and synthetic seeds expands the law’s coverage. C. Farmers’ Rights Concerns Community stewardship is central to India’s seed culture. Registration of community varieties under private names can create biopiracy risks. D. Governance & Regulatory Gaps DUS testing lacks transparency; uniformity needed across centres. Lack of clear compensation mechanisms reduces accountability of seed companies. E. International Context Many countries are experimenting with open-source seed systems to keep local varieties outside restrictive IPR regimes. India may need hybrid models to protect diversity while encouraging innovation. Way Forward Transparent, participatory amendments with strong farmer representation. Strengthen DUS protocols and grievance mechanisms. Ensure open-source / commons-based protection for traditional varieties. Clearly define compensation criteria for seed failure. Maintain India’s sui generis character, resisting pressure to mimic UPOV. DPDP Rules 2025 — Separate Section for  Persons with Disabilities Why in News ? Disability rights groups objected to the draft DPDP Rules that clubbed persons with disabilities (PwDs) with children for guardian-based consent. Ministry of Electronics & IT revised the final Rules (2025), creating a separate section for PwDs, removing them from child-specific restrictions. Relevance : GS 2: Governance (data protection, rights-based policymaking, digital consent) GS 2: Vulnerable Sections (PwD rights, RPWD Act 2016, UNCRPD) GS 2: Social Justice (disability autonomy, preventing structural discrimination) Basics DPDP Act, 2023: Governs digital personal data processing based on consent and purpose limitation. Draft Rules: Initially treated PwDs and children similarly regarding online consent. Issue: PwDs are a diverse group; many can independently manage digital interactions. What Has Changed ? PwDs no longer fall under child-specific restrictions such as: Mandatory parental consent for online activities. Restrictions on behavioural monitoring or targeted advertising. Separate consent framework created specifically for PwDs. Why the Change Matters ? Recognises autonomy and adult legal status of PwDs. Avoids structural discrimination caused by equating disability with legal incapacity. Aligns with the RPWD Act, 2016 and UNCRPD principles. Key Issues Still Unresolved No Illustrations Provided: Unlike the children’s section, the PwD section lacks examples for: Situations requiring guardian consent. Situations where independent consent is valid. How platforms should assess capacity in digital environments. Ambiguity in Guardianship Law: The rules do not clarify whether: NT Act, 1999 (based on “decision-making incapacity”), or RPWD Act, 2016 (supports autonomy) should guide guardianship decisions. Incomplete Operational Guidance: No clarity on: Verification of guardianship status. Dispute resolution if a platform doubts the guardian’s legitimacy. Treatment of persons with psychosocial disabilities with fluctuating capacity. Concerns from Activists and Civil Society Treating PwDs as a vulnerable group without safeguards risks paternalism. Lack of illustrations leaves service providers uncertain, leading to over-cautious blocking of PwDs’ access. Many small and marginalised PwD communities may not understand techno-legal implications. Fear that outdated NT Act provisions may be used to override autonomy. Positive Outcomes of the Revision Restores rights to personalised services such as: Assistive technologies relying on behavioural patterns. Targeted content for screen-reader or accessibility purposes. Eliminates unnecessary parental/guardian gatekeeping for adult PwDs. Indicates a consultative, responsive government policy process. Way Forward Provide detailed guidelines/illustrations for: Consent for different disability categories. Supported decision-making mechanisms. Online guardian verification. Amend the DPDP Act wording itself, which still groups children and PwDs together. Harmonise guardianship standards: Prioritise RPWD Act (2016) over NT Act (1999) to comply with UNCRPD. The Rare Ginkgo-Toothed Beaked Whale  Why in news? Scientists recorded the first-ever sighting in the wild of the ginkgo-toothed beaked whale (Mesoplodon ginkgodens) off Baja California, Mexico. Findings published in Marine Mammal Science. Species previously known almost entirely from rare stranding records. Relevance : GS 3: Environment & Biodiversity (marine species, deep-sea ecology, conservation challenges) GS 3: Science & Tech – Ecology Research (species discovery, behavioural ecology) Basics Species: Mesoplodon ginkgodens. Family: Ziphiidae (beaked whales). Group significance: Beaked whales are the second-most diverse group of cetaceans after dolphins. Habitat: Deep ocean; extremely elusive; surface only briefly. Key features of ginkgo-toothed beaked whale Name origin: Teeth shaped like ginkgo leaves. Size: Up to 17.3 ft (both sexes). Body characteristics: Robust build. Less heavily scarred than other beaked whales → suggests less male–male aggression or tooth-related external impacts. Rarity: Extremely difficult to observe alive; known mostly from sparse stranding data. Behavioural & ecological significance Deepest-diving mammals: Dive thousands of metres. Stay underwater for very long durations. Surface only briefly. Shy species → avoid boats, difficult to study. Importance for deep-sea ecosystem studies: Indicators of deep-ocean health. Crucial for understanding cetacean evolution and diving physiology. Scientific importance of the sighting First high-quality field documentation of the species. Enhances understanding of: Distribution. Behaviour. Morphological variation. Conservation needs. Helps fill major data gaps in Mesoplodon genus biology. Threats & conservation context Vulnerabilities: Bycatch. Marine noise pollution (sonar). Prospective deep-sea mining. Climate-linked habitat shifts. Conservation challenge: Extremely limited population data due to cryptic behaviour. Glass vs PET: Alcobev Sector Rethinks Packaging Strategy  Why in news ? Alcobev industry shifting toward PET and aseptic packaging due to glass price volatility, furnace shutdowns, and supply disruptions. Supreme Court objected to pocket-sized liquor packs, calling them deceptive and dangerous. Relevance GS 3: Economy (industrial supply chains, cost pressures, market shifts) GS 3: Environment (recyclability, waste management, circular economy) GS 3: Science & Tech (packaging materials, rPET technology) Packaging types Glass: Premium image, inert, recyclable. High cost, breakage risk, volatile supply. PET: Lower cost, lightweight, easier logistics. Environmental concerns; weaker premium perception. Aseptic / multilayered board packs: Used in low-end segments; harder to counterfeit. Under Supreme Court scrutiny for safety/deception concerns. rPET: Recycled PET; costlier than virgin PET currently. Improves supply stability; strengthens circular economy. Market context Mass-market in Karnataka uses ~80% multilayered board due to dominance of low-end segments. UP and Karnataka widely use aseptic packs; Kerala, AP, Maharashtra, Telangana use PET. Some states lack excise provisions for formats like rPET. Economic drivers Glass pricing volatility: Furnace shutdowns → cross-regional sourcing → higher freight (e.g., United Spirits). Capacity > demand (e.g., Radico Khaitan) but utilisation remains uneven. Prices stable now but historically unpredictable → margin risks. Cost pressures: Rising packaging costs push companies toward alternatives. PET lowers logistics cost and breakage losses. rPET offers long-term stability but not yet margin-improving. Industry adjustments Long-term vendor contracts and alternative sourcing to manage inflationary pressures. Migration to PET for low-end brands to preserve wafer-thin margins. Premium and mid-segment brands retain glass for brand positioning and consumer preference. Regulatory angle Supreme Court concern: Pocket-sized liquor packs resemble juice boxes → misleading and unsafe. Anti-counterfeit considerations: Multilayered packs reduce revenue leakages. State-level divergence on PET acceptance due to environmental considerations. Environmental perspectives Glass: Infinitely recyclable but suffers from poor collection and reprocessing in India. PET/rPET: Lower transport emissions; potential circularity; pollution risks persist. rPET expected to become cost-competitive as ecosystem scales. Structural vs cyclical changes Packaging shift considered structural, not tied to temporary glass price volatility. Drivers: Supply stability, logistics optimisation, anti-counterfeit needs, and predictable long-term costs.

Daily PIB Summaries

PIB Summaries 18 November 2025

Content DPDP Rules, 2025 Notified Powering the AVGC-XR Revolution DPDP Rules, 2025 Notified Why in News? Government notified the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, 2025 on 14 November 2025, completing the operationalisation of the DPDP Act, 2023. Rules framed after nationwide consultations receiving 6,915 public inputs. Relevance : GS2 (Governance) Implements DPDP Act → strengthens citizen privacy rights and grievance systems. Regulates State–citizen data relationship; aligns with right to privacy (Art. 21). GS2 (Polity & Law) Operationalises a major digital rights law; impacts RTI–privacy balance. Establishes Digital Data Protection Board. GS3 (Cybersecurity) Mandatory breach reporting; stronger data security norms. Reduces cyber vulnerabilities across digital platforms. Basics: DPDP Act, 2023 – Foundation Enacted on 11 August 2023 to create a full framework for digital personal data protection. Based on SARAL design: Simple, Accessible, Rational, Actionable. Establishes: – Data Fiduciary – Data Principal – Data Processor – Consent Manager – Data Protection Board Core principles: consent, transparency, purpose limitation, data minimisation, accuracy, storage limitation, security safeguards, accountability. Penalties: – Up to ₹250 crore for failure to maintain security safeguards. – Up to ₹200 crore for breach notifications or violation of obligations related to children. – Up to ₹50 crore for other violations. Why DPDP Rules, 2025 Were Needed To operationalise the Act with granular procedures. To create uniform standards for consent, breach notification, grievance redressal. To ensure citizen-centricity, legal clarity, and predictable compliance frameworks for industry. Key Features of DPDP Rules, 2025 A. Phased Implementation 18-month compliance window for gradual adoption.Mandatory separate consent notices: plain language, purpose-specific. Consent Managers must be India-based companies. B. Personal Data Breach Protocols Mandatory immediate notice to affected individuals. Notice must explain: nature of breach, harm, mitigation measures, help contacts. Parallel reporting to the Data Protection Board. C. Transparency & Accountability Requirements Data Fiduciaries must display clear contact information (designated officer/DPO). Significant Data Fiduciaries (SDFs): – Independent audits. – Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs). – Stricter oversight for AI, biometrics, sensitive technologies. – Government-mandated obligations for restricted datasets (including possible local storage). D. Strengthening Rights of Data Principals Rights operationalised through explicit timelines and formats: – Access, correction, update, erasure rights. – Right to receive copies of personal data. – Right to nominate another person. Mandatory response within 90 days by Data Fiduciaries. E. Digital-First Data Protection Board 4-member, fully digital Board: – Online complaint filing. – Case tracking via portal & mobile app. Appeals to TDSAT. How DPDP Rules Empower Citizens Consent-centric model: explicit, informed, withdrawable anytime. Clear visibility into what data is collected and why. Data lifecycle rights: access, correction, update, erasure. Early breach alerts → empowers citizens to mitigate harm. Designated grievance contact mandatory for all organisations. Enhanced safeguards for: – Children: verifiable parental consent (exceptions: healthcare, education, real-time safety). – Persons with disabilities: lawful guardian consent where required. Alignment with the RTI Act DPDP revises Section 8(1)(j) of RTI to integrate privacy protections. Based on SC’s Puttaswamy (2017) judgment – privacy as a fundamental right. Protects personal information while preserving transparency regime. Section 8(2) RTI continues to allow disclosure when public interest outweighs privacy harm. Removes ambiguity between privacy rights vs. right to access public information. Implications for Stakeholders A. Citizens Stronger control → consent, correction, deletion, nomination. Enhanced breach transparency. Simplified grievance redressal. B. Businesses & Startups Longer compliance runway (18 months). Reduced ambiguity through standardised notices and timelines. Higher compliance cost for SDFs due to audits & DPIAs. C. Government Strengthens trust in digital governance. Builds regulatory capacity via digital Board. Harmonises national privacy regime with global best practices. Comparison with Global Frameworks Similar to GDPR in consent, breach reporting, principals’ rights. More simplified and India-specific: SARAL, 90-day response period, lighter obligations for MSMEs. Less categorisation of data (no “sensitive data” category unlike GDPR). Critical Analysis Strengths: – Clarity, plain language, graded obligations. – Faster enforcement via digital processes. – Strong penalties ensure deterrence. Concerns: – Government power to mandate storage/restricted processing may raise surveillance concerns. – Absence of independent DPA (Board appointed by govt). – Child consent requirements may burden edtech, gaming sectors. – No localisation as default → cross-border flows depend on govt notifications. Powering the AVGC-XR Revolution Why in News? PIB released a detailed update on India’s AVGC-XR ecosystem, highlighting IICT’s operationalisation, global partnerships, WAVES Summit outcomes, state-level AVGC policies, and rapid expansion of India’s creative-tech economy. India positions the AVGC-XR sector as a core driver of its USD 100 billion media & entertainment vision for 2030. Relevance : GS2 (Governance) IICT, AVGC Task Force, and new policies shaping India’s creative-tech ecosystem. Reforms under Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023. GS3 (Economy) Sunrise sector; M&E industry projected to cross USD 100 bn. High employment and export potential. GS3 (Science & Tech) Growth of AR/VR/XR, virtual production, real-time rendering. Collaboration with global tech firms (Meta, Google, NVIDIA). Basics: AVGC-XR Sector AVGC-XR = Animation, Visual Effects (VFX), Gaming, Comics, Extended Reality (AR/VR/MR). Role: High-value digital content, tech-driven storytelling, global outsourcing hub, cultural diplomacy, innovation backbone for media & entertainment. India’s Media & Entertainment (M&E) Sector – Snapshot Sunrise industry; projected to cross USD 100 billion by 2030. Current projection: ₹3,067 billion by 2027 (CAGR ~7%). Contributes significantly to GVA and job creation. Cost advantage: 40–60% in VFX/animation vis-à-vis global studios. 25% OTT viewership from overseas, boosting India’s soft power. Strategic Pillars Driving Growth Talent Development: Skilling, global-standard curricula, industry tie-ups. Infrastructure: Production clusters, AVGC hubs, NCoE, IICT. Innovation & Industry: Start-up accelerators, XR applications, co-productions. Inclusive Participation: Regional language content & creative clusters. Genesis of the AVGC-XR Push 2022: AVGC Promotion Task Force formed; recommended National AVGC-XR Mission with “Create in India” focus. Projection: ~20 lakh direct/indirect jobs in 10 years. Aim: Make India a global digital content creation hub. IICT – Indian Institute of Creative Technologies Institutional Milestones May 2025: IICT formalised as Section 8 not-for-profit company. Global partners: Google, Meta, YouTube, NVIDIA, Adobe, Microsoft, Wacom, JioStar. July 2025: Courses launched; MoU with University of York for global benchmarking. July 18, 2025: First campus inaugurated at NFDC Complex, Mumbai (Budget: ₹400 crore). August 2025: WaveX Startup Incubator launched – first cohort of 15 start-ups. October 2025: MoU with FICCI + Netflix under Netflix Fund for Creative Equity. Functions Skilling + R&D + incubation + industry-education integration. Globally benchmarked content-creation & tech curriculum. National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) for AVGC-XR Approved 2024; apex national body for training, research, industry collaboration. Modern curriculum, joint R&D, global linkages. State-Level Policy Momentum Karnataka – AVGC-XR Policy 2024–29 Skilling ecosystem, incubation, export competitiveness, clusters. Maharashtra – AVGC-XR Policy 2025 (₹3,268 crore) Long-term roadmap till 2050. Focus on investments, jobs, dedicated production clusters. Key Policy and Legislative Reforms 1. Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023 Anti-piracy (Sections 6AA & 6AB): Jail up to 3 years; fines up to 5% of audited production cost. Government empowered to direct intermediaries to remove pirated content. Permanent film certification + age-based categories. Supports content integrity + industry growth. 2. National Broadcasting Policy (Under formulation) Framework for content diversity, competition, ethical standards. Promotes digital broadcasting, IP protection, global presence. 3. India Cine Hub (NFDC) Single-window clearance for film shooting in India. Integrates permissions + incentives → boosts India’s film facilitation ecosystem. WAVES – World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (2025) Inaugural edition: 1–4 May 2025, Mumbai. PM inaugurated; global participation. Outcomes: WAVES Declaration on Global Media Cooperation. ₹1,328 crore business pipeline. ₹50 crore investment pool for WaveX startups. India positioned as global M&E hub under Viksit Bharat 2047. Technological Evolution & Impact Early VFX capability: Ra.One (2011), Baahubali (2015), Brahmastra (2022). Current capabilities: real-time rendering, volumetric capture, virtual production. Indian studios now handle high-end global projects. Global Projects Handled by Indian Studios Avatar: 200+ VFX shots. Game of Thrones: Dragon animations. Thor: The Dark World: Major VFX work. RRR: 2,800+ VFX shots; sophisticated workflows. Skilling & Workforce Development MESC leading training, competency standards, modular courses. Produces employable workforce in animation, VFX, gaming, XR, post-production. Innovation and Enterprise Gaming Industry Indian titles gaining traction: BGMI, FAU-G, Indus Battle Royale, Raji. Growing investor interest; shift from outsourcing → IP creation. Comics & Indian IPs Classic characters (Suppandi, Chacha Chaudhary, Shikkari Shambhu) being adapted into animation and series. Strong potential for transmedia storytelling. Academic–Industry Convergence IICT + NCoE + state-level clusters. Joint research, industry-designed curricula, incubation for media-tech startups. WaveX + T-Hub partnership → innovation hubs for AVGC-XR. The Road Ahead Animation & VFX Fiscal incentives + CoEs to position India as post-production hub. Global co-productions & IP-led animation. Gaming & eSports Structured tournaments + ethical frameworks. Start-up funding for gaming ed-tech, med-tech, health-tech applications. XR & Immersive Tech Scale XR in education, defence, tourism, healthcare. Standards for accessibility & interoperability. Comics & Digital IP Digitisation + new franchises + cross-platform storytelling. Strong alignment with cultural heritage. Cross-Sectoral Enablers Integrate AVGC-XR into higher education & vocational training. National talent registry + certification standards. IP protection, co-production treaties, global market access. “Create in India” + “Brand India” promotion for digital content exports.

Daily Editorials Analysis

Editorials/Opinions Analysis For UPSC 18 November 2025

Content The lower judiciary — litigation, pendency, stagnation India–Africa Relations: Ten Years After IAFS-III  The lower judiciary — litigation, pendency, stagnation Why in News? Constitution Bench led by the CJI linked massive pendency (4.69 crore cases in district courts) to stagnation in subordinate judiciary. Another SC Bench flagged poor basic knowledge among Delhi judges and ordered training. Debate revived on structural reforms, procedural simplification, and judicial capacity-building. Relevance GS-II (Polity & Governance): Judicial reforms, pendency, subordinate courts, Article 233–235, access to justice. GS-II (Welfare & Governance): Impact of procedural delays on citizens, rule of law. GS-II (Judiciary): Capacity-building, training, structural reforms, case management. Practice Questions Discuss the structural and procedural causes of pendency in India’s subordinate judiciary. Suggest reforms to improve trial court efficiency.(250 Words) Basics: Structure of Subordinate Judiciary Three tiers: District Judges → Senior Civil Judges → Civil Judges (Junior Division). Governance: Appointments and service conditions under Art. 233–235, controlled by High Courts. Workload: Handle 85–90% of India’s total caseload; first point of citizen–justice interface. Pendency drivers: Delays in summons, adjournments, procedural complexity, understaffing, lack of training. Core Problem 1: Ministerial Work Consumes Judicial Time Subordinate judges forced to: Call cases for appearance Issue/reissue summons Receive vakalatnamas, written statements Morning session (10:30 AM–12 PM) consumed by clerical duties → little time left for hearing matters on merits. Quality judicial hours lost daily → slows trials and judgments. Proposed Reform Appoint a ministerial judicial officer (lowest rank) per district: Handles clerical/administrative tasks full day Records ex-parte evidence, issues summons, receives filings Prepares next-day cause list for each court; publish online Actual courts start trial work at 10:30 AM → improves output and judgments. Core Problem 2: Declining Quality of Subordinate Judges Earlier: District munsifs/magistrates selected from lawyers with 10+ years of mentorship & practice. Now: Fresh graduates with no court experience → struggle with drafting orders, managing courtroom. SC noted “lack of basic knowledge” → ordered mandatory training for Delhi judges. Proposed Reform Mandatory few-month training at High Court Benches: Observe hearings, order-writing, argument structure Learn judgment reading & case management culture Raises competence, reduces poor orders, cuts unnecessary appeals. Core Problem 3: Statutory Provisions Increasing, Not Reducing, Pendency (a) Commercial Courts Act – Section 12A (Pre-suit Mediation) Mandatory mediation before filing commercial suits (Patil Automation, 2022). Business disputes already involve pre-litigation notice → mandatory mediation adds delay. Suit filing gets blocked → increases pendency. (b) Marriage Laws – 6-Month Cooling-off Couples wanting quick mutual consent divorce are forced to wait, unless court waives period. Many courts don’t waive → false declarations about “one-year separation” → more litigation. (c) New Rent Act Confusion Conflicting rulings on whether rent court has jurisdiction without registered lease. Same facts → civil court/commercial court jurisdiction, but not rent court. Result: Forum confusion and fresh filings → pendency rises. Core Problem 4: Archaic & Complex Procedural Law (CPC) Key flaws Preliminary & final decree system in partition suits → doubles litigation. Execution proceedings (Order XXI – 106 rules) highly technical → tools for delaying decree implementation. Order VIII Rule 1 (90-day limit on written statement): Rigid for title suits; does not speed disposal. Leads to poorly drafted pleadings, not faster justice. Needed Reforms Merge preliminary–final decrees; make final decree automatic. Simplify execution proceedings; introduce fast-track enforcement. Introduce asset disclosure at framing of issues → speeds recovery. Modernise procedural law designed for 1908 litigation realities. Core Problem 5: Higher Judiciary’s Role Pendency not just a trial court issue—appellate delays also cause stagnation. Need: Faster disposal of appeals Stricter adjournment norms Monitoring of High Court case management Way Forward Create ministerial courts for summons/filings. Recruit experienced lawyers as trial judges (reverse current trend). Mandatory High Court bench exposure for new judges. Overhaul procedural law (CPC, Rent Act, Commercial Courts Act). Fast-track execution of decrees & arbitration awards. Digital cause-lists, e-summons, video evidence recording. Increase judge-to-population ratio (India: ~21 judges per million; global avg: 50+). Fill vacancies quickly; periodic performance reviews. India–Africa Relations: Ten Years After IAFS-III Why is it in News? A decade has passed since India hosted IAFS-III in 2015, the last India–Africa Forum Summit attended by all 54 African states. India has since expanded missions, investments, and diplomatic engagement, but the IAFS mechanism has not reconvened. Strategic review needed as Africa gains demographic, economic, and geopolitical weight; India–Africa ties entering new competitive and opportunity-rich phase. Relevance GS-II (International Relations): India–Africa partnership, South–South cooperation, diplomacy. GS-II (Global Governance): AU in G20, India’s role in multilateral forums. GS-III (Economy): Trade, investments, digital corridor, AfCFTA. GS-III (Security): Maritime cooperation, Indo-Pacific, anti-piracy. Practice Questions IAFS has not met since 2015. Critically analyse the implications for India’s long-term Africa strategy.(250 Words) Basics: India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) Institutional platform for structured India–Africa partnership. Held in 2008 (Delhi), 2011 (Addis Ababa), 2015 (Delhi). Themes: capacity building, grants, Lines of Credit (LoCs), training, education, agriculture, energy, digital connectivity. Status of India–Africa Engagement Since 2015 Diplomatic Expansion 17 new Indian missions opened across Africa. India supports African Union’s global role → key in securing AU’s full G20 membership. Economic Links Trade crossed $100 bn. Cumulative investments: $75 bn, placing India among Africa’s top five investors. Shift from resource-led projects to co-creation: ports, grids, vaccines, digital tools. Strategic & Maritime Cooperation 2025: First Africa–India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME) with nine African navies. Focus on Indo-Pacific, anti-piracy, maritime domain awareness. Development Partnerships EXIM Bank extended $40 mn line of credit to ECOWAS Bank → signalling support for African-led development. Knowledge partnerships strengthened (ITEC, ICCR, Pan-African e-Network). Education & People-to-People IIT Madras Zanzibar campus → first offshore IIT. 40,000 Africans trained in India in the last decade. African students, athletes, researchers increasingly visible in India → reciprocal people-to-people linkages. Opportunities: The Growth Corridor By 2050: 1 in 4 humans will be African, while India becomes the 3rd largest economy. Complementary strengths: Africa’s demography + India’s technology Africa’s markets + India’s industry Shared colonial history + Global South leadership AfCFTA is creating a single African market → opportunities for Indian manufacturing and digital finance. Challenges India lags behind China in trade volume and infrastructure presence. Indian firms face: Small balance sheets Slow execution Policy uncertainty Bureaucratic delays Africa’s innovation hubs (Kigali, Nairobi, Lagos) face intense global competition → India must move faster. Sectoral Priorities for the Next Decade 1. Co-invest in Future Sectors Green hydrogen Electric mobility Digital public infrastructure Vaccine & pharma manufacturing Agritech & food processing 2. Build an India–Africa Digital Corridor Combine India Stack/UPI with Africa’s mobile-first digital ecosystems. Joint platforms for: Tele-education Tele-health Payments Government services 3. Strengthen Institutional Mechanisms Revive IAFS-IV to reset long-term agenda. Annual ministerial consultations, thematic working groups (health, digital, energy). India’s Competitive Advantage Historical goodwill; no colonial baggage. Affordable technology and capacity-building model. Strong diaspora links and educational exchanges. Soft power: Bollywood, cricket, yoga, healthcare. Core Strategic Logic Africa’s rise is inevitable; India’s rise is ongoing → convergence creates a South–South Growth Corridor. India–Africa partnership must shift from donor–recipient to co-creation and co-investment. Delivery, not mere announcements, will define the next phase.

Daily Current Affairs

Current Affairs 18 November 2025

Content Ladakh Groups Submit Draft Proposal to MHA on Statehood & 6th Schedule Status Social Audit for SIR 2.0 Trajectory of Anti-Rape Laws in India Batukeshwar Dutt National Gopal Ratna Awards (NGRA) 2024–25 Digital Labour Chowk, LCFCs & New Cess Portal UNESCO’s Global Ethics Framework on Neurotechnology Ladakh Groups Submit Draft Proposal to MHA on Statehood & 6th Schedule Status Why in News? Leh Apex Body (LAB) and allied groups submitted a 29-page draft proposal to the MHA demanding: Statehood for Ladakh Sixth Schedule status General amnesty for those arrested after September 24 violence Release of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, detained under the NSA. Negotiations between Ladakhi groups and MHA stalled in September after Wangchuk’s hunger strike. Relevance : GS2: Polity & Governance Centre–State relations, Union Territories without legislature Sixth Schedule, Tribal rights, Constitutional safeguards Democratic deficit, decentralisation, federalism GS3: Internal Security Governance in border regions (LAC with China) NSA use, civil society movements, environmental activism GS1 (Society) Tribal identity, cultural preservation in Himalayan regions Governance Structure of Ladakh Became a Union Territory (UT) without legislature after J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019. Administration controlled by: Lieutenant Governor (LG) Two Autonomous Hill Development Councils: Leh Hill Council Kargil Hill Council No elected Assembly — demand for democratic deficit & resource control. What is the Sixth Schedule? Constitutional provision for tribal-majority areas ensuring: Autonomous District Councils with legislative, judicial and financial powers. Special protections over land, culture, natural resources. Applicable currently in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram. Why Ladakh Wants Sixth Schedule Status? Tribal population ≈ 90% (Scheduled Tribes). Fears over: Unregulated industrialisation Loss of land, culture, ecology External demographic pressures Sixth Schedule seen as stronger protection than current Hill Councils. Key Demands in the 29-Page Draft Proposal Full Statehood to ensure democratic governance. Sixth Schedule inclusion for constitutional protection of land & resources. General Amnesty for those arrested after September 24 clash in Leh. Immediate Release of Sonam Wangchuk detained under NSA. Resumption of stalled talks with clear timelines. Enhanced powers for local bodies, environmental protection, and tribal safeguards. Why the Issue Matters? Involves Centre-State relations, tribal rights, UT governance. Part of India’s border governance strategy with China. Reflects challenges in post-2019 reorganisation of J&K. Integrates themes of environmental activism, federalism, security law use (NSA). Challenges & Concern Areas Centre’s hesitation to grant 6th Schedule → precedent concerns for other UTs/states. Security implications due to location near LAC. Divergence between Leh (favors unionism) and Kargil (historically pro-statehood) narrowing, but still present. Rising youth discontent, seen in September 24 clashes. Potential Outcomes Going Forward MHA may: Offer enhanced powers under Ladakh Hill Councils Act instead of Sixth Schedule. Consider partial concessions (cultural & land safeguards) without full autonomy. Set timelines for institutional mechanisms like Tribes Advisory Council. If negotiations stall: More civil society mobilisations expected. International attention due to climate activism angle. Social Audit for SIR 2.0 Why in News? ECI initiated Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2.0 across 12 States/UTs to reverify voter eligibility. The article warned that the Bihar experience shows potential mass disenfranchisement, particularly of women, Muslims, and migrants, threatening the integrity of electoral democracy. Relevance : GS2: Polity & Governance Electoral reforms, electoral roll accuracy ECI’s constitutional mandate, independence & accountability Social audits (constitutional backing: Local Bodies, transparency) What is Special Intensive Revision (SIR)? A documentation-heavy re-verification of existing voters. Requires fresh submission of documents proving: Identity Address (ordinary residence) Age eligibility Intended purpose: clean rolls, remove duplicates, update migrant data. Problem: No specific Rules, procedural clarity, or transparent oversight mechanism under existing electoral law. Legal Framework: Electoral Roll Revision Governed by Representation of the People Act, 1950. Section 19: Person must be “ordinarily resident” to be enrolled. Section 20: Defines “ordinaryresidence”, but outdated; does not recognise: Long-term migrants Short-term/seasonal workers Circular migrants SIR’s reliance on strict documentation → risks excluding these groups. Bihar Case Study: What Went Wrong? Evidence of Disenfranchisement Sharp drop in adult–elector ratio. Large-scale deletions of women and Muslim voters. Duplicate names, bogus entries, inconsistent deletions. People unable to produce documents → lost voting rights. Why It Became Controversial ? Exercise resembled a citizenship screening regime, not voter roll maintenance. Heavy burden placed on citizens rather than ECI/BLOs. Led to fear of stealth NRC-like filtration through electoral rolls. Institutional Issues Raised Election Commission of India (ECI) Allegations of: Lack of transparency Defensive posture in court filings Avoiding scrutiny Prioritising institutional authority over inclusive roll preparation Perception of declining impartiality and institutional credibility. Supreme Court Monitored the exercise but: Avoided ruling on legality of SIR powers. Allowed SIR to continue despite procedural deficiencies. Mitigated small inequities but did not address structural flaws. Risk of legitimising an unconstitutional framework with discriminatory outcomes. Vulnerability of Internal Migrants India has 450+ million internal migrants (Census projection-based estimates). Tamil Nadu flagged as a major concern due to high migrant worker population. Strict interpretation of “ordinary residence” → mass exclusions. SIR does not differentiate between types of migrants, leading to: Loss of franchise Distorted voter representation Urban–industrial disenfranchisement Democratic Implications Universal adult franchise depends on: Automatic, accurate enrollment No arbitrary deletions No documentation barriers SIR introduces burdens that shift responsibility from the State to citizens. High non-participation already exists: 30–40% do not vote; forcing reapplications worsens exclusion. Need for Mandatory Social Audit Concept Community-based verification of public records. Ensures transparency, accountability, and participation. Constitutional & Institutional Backing Articles 243A & 243J empower community monitoring. CAG formally endorses social audits as essential for mass programmes. Advantages for Electoral Roll Verification Ground-level correction by: Gram sabhas Ward sabhas Booth-level committees Ensures: Minimal manipulation Maximum inclusion Real-time correction of errors Historical Precedent (2003 Experiment) Conducted under CEC J.M. Lyngdoh. Decentralised social audits in 5 poll-bound States. In Rajasthan alone: 7 lakh corrections made after public audit. Demonstrated best practice for inclusive and transparent roll revision. Article’s Recommendation ECI must: Frame clear Rules for SIR. Make social audit mandatory. Consult civil society, political parties, and rights groups. Ensure that SIR 2.0 does not replicate Bihar’s exclusions. Trajectory of Anti-Rape Laws in India Why in News? Chief Justice of India B. R. Gavai publicly condemned the 1979 Supreme Court acquittal in the Tukaram v. State of Maharashtra (Mathura rape case), calling it an “institutional embarrassment.” CJI’s remarks highlight India’s evolving anti-rape legal framework, reforms in consent definitions, custodial rape protections, and contemporary changes under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023. Article traces the entire legal trajectory from 1972 to 2023, linking reforms to public outrage and judicial criticism. Relevance : GS2: Polity & Social Justice Evolution of criminal law, custodial violence, women’s safety laws BNS 2023 changes (gender neutrality, consent definition) Judicial interpretations shaping reforms (Mathura, Nirbhaya) GS1: Society (Women Issues) Gender norms, patriarchal biases in law enforcement Understanding the Mathura Rape Case (Tukaram Case, 1972–79) Survivor: Tribal girl, 14–16 years, sexually assaulted inside a police station by two policemen. Trial Court (1974): Disbelieved survivor, labeled her “habituated”; held no rape proven. Bombay High Court (1976): Convicted policemen, recognized power imbalance and coercion. Supreme Court (1979): Acquitted the accused, arguing: No injuries → “peaceful intercourse” Survivor “did not resist” Reflected a patriarchal, colonial-era understanding of consent. Turning Point: The 1979 Open Letter Written by: Upendra Baxi, Lotika Sarkar, Vasudha Dhagamwar, Raghunath Kelkar. Key arguments: Submission ≠ Consent Absence of resistance ≠ consent Court ignored: Power of police Survivor’s age Illegality of calling minor girls to police station at night Socio-economic vulnerability Sparked national protests → beginning of India’s modern women’s rights movement. Immediate Legal Reforms Triggered Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1983 Custodial rape created as a separate aggravated offence. Burden of proof shifted to the accused in custodial rape cases after intercourse is proved. Strengthened: Dowry Act penalties Family Courts First major statutory shift recognising coercive environments. Evolution Through Major Cases & Movements Nandini Satpathy Case (1978) Justice Krishna Iyer: Women cannot be summoned to police stations. Must be questioned at residence. Highlighted custodial vulnerabilities even before Mathura verdict. Bhanwari Devi Case & Vishaka Guidelines (1992–1997) Bhanwari Devi gangraped for stopping child marriage. Vishaka Guidelines (1997) laid foundational framework for workplace sexual harassment law. Recognised State obligation to ensure safe working spaces for women. Nirbhaya Case & Criminal Law Amendment Act, 2013 Rape-and-murder of a 22-year-old physiotherapy intern (Dec 2012). Massive protests → Justice J.S. Verma Committee → sweeping reforms: Definition of rape expanded beyond penetration. Police non-registration of FIR punishable. Hospitals mandated free treatment to survivors. Silence or “feeble no” ≠ consent. Age of consent raised to 18. Death penalty for extreme cases & repeat offenders. Unnao and Kathua Cases (2017–18) & Criminal Law Amendment Act, 2018 Unnao: MLA Kuldeep Sengar convicted for rape of a minor. Kathua: Minor girl gangraped and murdered. Reforms: Death penalty for rape of girls below 12 years. Minimum 20-year sentence for rape of girls below 16. Fast-tracked: Investigation: 2 months Trial: 2 months Appeals: 6 months Latest Phase: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 Major overhaul replacing IPC. Key changes: Sexual offences made gender-neutral for victims and perpetrators. Gangrape of a woman below 18: death or life imprisonment. New offence: sexual intercourse under false pretences/false promise of marriage. Expanded definition of: Sexual harassment Non-consensual sexual acts not covered earlier Reflects modern understanding of consent and coercion. Themes Underlying India’s Legal Evolution Recognition of power asymmetry (custodial, caste, economic, institutional). Increasing acknowledgment that: Consent must be affirmative, voluntary. Lack of resistance is not consent. Greater victim-sensitive procedures: FIR rights Medical care Shifting burden in custodial cases Faster trials in minors’ cases Progressive move away from: Stereotypes about “chastity,” “habituality,” “conduct” Injury-based understanding of rape Challenges That Continue Low conviction rates (~27–33% nationally). Police bias, investigative lapses, hostile environments. Victim intimidation, delays in evidence collection. Need for: Better forensics Survivor support systems Gender-sensitisation of police and judiciary Batukeshwar Dutt Why in News? A recent article revisits the life, legacy, and neglect of Batukeshwar Dutt, co-revolutionary of Bhagat Singh, on the occasion of renewed debates around revolutionary memorialisation. Highlights the 1929 Central Assembly bombing, Dutt’s sacrifices, and the lack of adequate national recognition despite his central role. Relevance : GS1: Modern Indian History Revolutionary nationalism, HSRA, Central Assembly Bombing Freedom fighters’ contributions beyond textbook icons GS1: Heritage & Personalities Historical neglect, issues of memorialisation Basic Facts  Event: Central Assembly Bombing, April 8, 1929 (Delhi). Actors: Bhagat Singh & Batukeshwar Dutt (HSRA members). Objective: Protest against the Public Safety Bill & Trade Disputes Bill; aimed to “make the deaf hear”. Nature of Bombs: Harmless, non-lethal; intended for symbolic protest. Slogans: Inquilab Zindabad; Samrajyavad ka Nash Ho. Pamphlet: “To Make the Deaf Hear”. Outcome: Both arrested; life sentence for Dutt, death sentence later in Lahore Conspiracy Case for Bhagat Singh. Batukeshwar Dutt: Life & Background Born: 18 November 1910, Burdwan (Bengal). Joined HSRA as a young revolutionary; close associate of Bhagat Singh. Convicted in the Delhi Assembly Bomb Case (June 12, 1929); sentenced to transportation for life. Jail Years & Hunger Strikes Imprisoned in Multan, Jhelum, Trichinopoly, Salem, Andamans. Undertook multiple hunger strikes demanding political prisoner rights. Twice fasted over a month, highlighting prison brutality. Was in Salem Jail when Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev were executed (March 23, 1931). Post-Release Struggles Released in 1938; re-arrested in Quit India Movement (1942); jailed again for 4 years. Married Anjali; lived in Patna. Bihar govt allotted him a coal depot — economically unviable. President Rajendra Prasad urged support; resulted only in a token 6-month nomination to Bihar Legislative Council. Health Decline & Death Suffered from bone cancer (mid-1960s). Admitted to AIIMS Delhi; eight months of suffering. Plans to send him abroad dropped after assessment that Indian care was comparable. Died: 20 July 1965. Cremated at Hussainiwala, Punjab — beside Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev. Neglect vs Recognition Massive state funeral attended by President, PM, ministers, large public turnout. Yet no portrait of Bhagat Singh or Dutt in Parliament; contrast with Savarkar’s portrait being prominently placed. 2014 protests by MPs for inclusion of Bhagat Singh’s portrait; ignored. Dutt largely absent from school textbooks, memorials, public memory. Chaman Lal Azad’s Documentation Journalist and revolutionary; cared for Dutt during his final months. Wrote Urdu series compiled as Bhagat Singh aur Dutt ki Amar Kahani (1966). Contains: Bhagat Singh’s letters, statements, postcards. Gandhi’s letter to Dutt. Rare photographs with Nehru, Indira Gandhi. Dutt’s recollections of fellow revolutionaries (Hari Kishan Talwar, Ehsan Ilahi, etc.). Hindi translation commissioned but unpublished due to copyright issues. Revolutionary Network & Personal Bonds Close ties with Bhagat Singh’s family; Mata Vidyawati stayed with him in final days. She even sold a poetic manuscript to raise money for his treatment. Comrades like Shiv Verma, Kiran Das, and others remained with him. Leaders like Gulzari Lal Nanda, Y. B. Chavan, Jagjivan Ram visited, though recognition came mostly posthumously. Ideas & Ideological Contributions Shared Bhagat Singh’s vision of socialism, secularism, and class equality. Emphasised Singh’s intellectual depth — always reading, studying, debating ideology. Dutt criticised early films on Bhagat Singh for distortions; approved only Manoj Kumar’s “Shaheed” (1965). Key Takeaways Dutt’s journey reveals systemic neglect of revolutionaries post-independence. Highlights tensions between ideological preferences in official memorialisation. Shows how state narratives often sideline figures who challenge mainstream political icons. His life symbolises the unrewarded sacrifices of many lesser-known freedom fighters. Demonstrates the importance of archival preservation — many primary sources remain inaccessible. National Gopal Ratna Awards (NGRA) 2024–25 Why in News? Union Animal Husbandry Ministry announced winners of the National Gopal Ratna Awards (NGRA). Aravind Yashavant Patil (Kolhapur, Maharashtra) won the top award for Best Dairy Farmer – Indigenous Cattle/Buffalo Breeds. A total of 2,081 applications were received for the 2024–25 cycle. Awards will be presented on November 26. Relevance : GS3: Agriculture & Allied Sectors Dairy sector, livestock economy, indigenous breeds Breed improvement, fodder, veterinary infrastructure GS3: Economics (Rural Economy) Dairy cooperatives, SHGs, FPOs, rural livelihoods Basics  Ministry: Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying. Launched under: National Programme for Bovine Breeding & Dairy Development (NPBBDD). Purpose: Promote indigenous bovine breeds, scientific dairy practices, and farmer-led breed conservation. Categories typically include: Best Dairy Farmer (Indigenous breeds) Best Artificial Insemination Technician Best Dairy Cooperative/SHG/Producer Company Best Dairy Entrepreneur Objectives of NGRA Encourage farmers to rear indigenous cattle and buffaloes. Promote breed improvement, genetic purity, and productivity enhancement. Reward best practices in animal management, feeding, disease control, clean milk production. Strengthen local germplasm conservation and sustainable dairy economy. Highlight role of dairy sector in rural livelihoods and nutritional security. Significance for Dairy Sector India is the world’s largest milk producer (~230+ million tonnes annually). Indigenous breeds (Gir, Sahiwal, Tharparkar, Red Sindhi, Murrah, Jaffarabadi etc.) are critical for: Higher disease resilience Lower maintenance cost Adaptation to climatic stress (heat stress + drought) Better A2 milk demand Awards push formalisation, quality improvement, and skill development among dairy workers. Recent Trends & Data Increasing shift toward indigenous breed improvement programmes, including: Rashtriya Gokul Mission National Kamdhenu Breeding Centres IVF & Embryo Transfer initiatives NGRA complements government’s push for breed conservation + commercial viability. Rising pan-India applications (2,081 this year) shows growing interest in scientific dairy farming. Governance & Implementation Angle Supports Atmanirbhar Bharat via livestock-based rural economy. Strengthens cooperatives, SHGs, and Farmer Producer Organisations. Encourages private sector and youth participation in dairy entrepreneurship. Recognises role of women dairy farmers, often the backbone of rural dairy work. Environmental & Sustainability Linkages Indigenous breeds help reduce climate vulnerability of rural dairy systems. Lower input requirements → lower carbon footprint vs exotic breeds. Promote pastoral, mixed-farming systems and biodiversity conservation. Issues & Criticisms Indigenous breeds often face: Lower productivity vs crossbreeds Inadequate veterinary infrastructure Fragmented breed conservation efforts Artificial insemination skill gaps Awards must be backed by financial support, extension services, fodder development, and market linkages. Digital Labour Chowk, LCFCs & New Cess Portal Why in News? The Construction Workers’ Federation of India (CWFI) criticised the Union Labour Ministry’s new digital initiatives: Digital Labour Chowk Portal & App Labour Felicitation Centres (LCFCs) Online Building and Construction Workers (BOCW) Cess Collection Portal CWFI alleges these measures aim to “de-unionise” workers, bypass unions, and strengthen employer control. Claims that these initiatives divert attention from the government’s failure to register workers and disburse accumulated welfare funds under the BOCW Act. Relevance : GS2: Governance Labour welfare laws, tripartism, de-unionisation debate Digital governance, welfare delivery reform GS3: Economy Informal sector, migrant labour, construction sector shape Cess utilisation & transparency Basics Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996 Mandates: Registration of construction workers. Safety, welfare, social security benefits. Funded through 1% cess on construction cost collected from employers. Key Institutions Central/State BOCW Welfare Boards → responsible for worker registration, fund management, benefit distribution. Cess Collection Portal (new) → digitises employer payments, compliance, and transparency. Digital Labour Chowk → digital job-matching platform for construction labour. What the New Digital Initiatives Do Digital Labour Chowk Portal & App Online marketplace connecting workers & contractors. Digitises hiring, attendance, wage flow, and worker profiles. Intended to reduce middlemen and informal negotiation. Labour Felicitation Centres (LCFCs) Physical centres for onboarding workers, grievance redress, digital literacy. Online BOCW Cess Collection Portal Streamlines cess payment. Reduces leakages and manual delays. CWFI’s Key Objections No consultation with trade unions → violates tripartite approach (state–employer–worker). De-unionisation: Digital hiring bypasses unions → weakens collective bargaining power. Surveillance concerns: Portals emphasise worker tracking and data collection. Top-down design: Insufficient worker involvement in shaping the system. Diversion from core failures: Millions of workers still unregistered. Thousands of crores of cess funds lie unspent (due to bureaucratic delays). Benefits remain inaccessible to migrant and unorganised workers. CWFI’s Specific Critiques 1. “Digital gates while the vault stays locked” Government focuses on tech platforms but not on actual welfare delivery. Portal efficiency irrelevant if benefits remain undistributed. 2. Fundamental flaws App and portal require digital literacy, documentation, and smartphones → excluding a majority of migrant BOCW workers. Job-matching platforms may promote casualisation rather than secure employment. Digital systems may formalise employer control over hiring without strengthening worker rights. 3. Anti-worker implications Weakens unions → reduces bargaining over wages, safety gear, work hours. Employers gain real-time access to labour pools → pushes wages downward. Increased vulnerability for interstate migrant workers. 4. Lack of transparency about welfare funds Unspent cess funds in many states (estimates often run into thousands of crores). Digital makeover may obscure rather than solve the welfare delivery problem. Government’s Expected Rationale  Digitisation increases efficiency, transparency, and portability of benefits. Helps track migrant workers across states. Reduces leakages in cess collection. Supports ease of doing business by simplifying compliance. Aims to build a national labour database ahead of full implementation of Labour Codes. Issues & Challenges Deep digital divide → exclusion risk. Migrant construction labour is highly mobile; portal registration alone does not ensure welfare access. Centralised platforms risk data misuse without strong privacy safeguards. Undermining unions creates long-term asymmetry of power between labour and contractors. Labour Codes (still pending/partially rolled out) already weakened traditional protections — unions view new portals as part of this trend. Broader Structural Context Construction workforce: ~5 crore workers, highly informal, migrant-heavy. One of India’s most dangerous sectors → high accident rate, low safety compliance. Historically under-registered: welfare boards often have less than 30–40% coverage. Cess utilisation varies widely; some states have used barely 20–30% of collected funds. Key Takeaways CWFI sees the digital initiatives as centralised, surveillance-oriented, and designed to weaken worker collective strength. Major concern: digitisation without welfare delivery → cosmetic reform over substantive rights. Highlights India’s persistent challenge: bringing informal, migrant, construction workers under real welfare protection. UNESCO’S global Ethics Framework on Neurotechnology Why in News? UNESCO issued the first-ever global normative framework on neurotechnology ethics on November 5, 2025, which came into force on November 12. Aims to balance innovation with human rights, prevent misuse of brain data, and protect freedom of thought in the emerging neurotech era. Parallelly, a new study on transgenerational behavioural inheritance in C. elegans (published in eLife, Nov 11) highlighted ethical concerns around neurodata interpretation and biological determinism — relevant to the framework’s “future generations” principle. Relevance : GS2: International Relations Global ethics norms, UNESCO role Neurorights emerging in global governance GS3: Science & Technology Neurotech, BCIs, AI–brain interfaces Data protection, mental autonomy, future risks GS4: Ethics Mental integrity, autonomy, human dignity Ethical limits on technology, consent, manipulation What is Neurotechnology? Devices, procedures, and systems that access, assess, or act on neural systems. Examples: AI-assisted neuroimaging Brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) Neural implants (e.g., Neuralink) Cognitive enhancement tools Global Investment: Public funding > $6 billion (2023 UNESCO study). Private funding > $7.3 billion (end-2020). Why a Framework Was Needed ? Neurotechnology can decode neurodata → enabling: Tracking emotional states Predicting preferences Decoding intentions Influencing decision-making Risks identified: Political persuasion via brain-signal profiling Insurance discrimination using neural markers Workplace screening using stress tolerance or hidden traits Covert manipulation of behaviour through stimuli Absence of global norms despite rapid commercialisation. Key Drivers Before UNESCO Framework 2019 OECD Standards: Responsible innovation, tech transfer, IP pools, and licensing norms. 2022 UNESCO Bioethics Committee Report: Called for a comprehensive governance structure. Growing “neurorights” movement: Chile: first to protect “mental integrity” constitutionally. California (2024): law protecting brain data. What UNESCO’s Framework Contains  Three-Pillar Structure Definition of neurotechnology & neurodata Values, principles, sector-specific (health, education) guidance Special protections for vulnerable groups (children, elderly, disabled) Core Ethical Principles  Protection Principles Mental autonomy & freedom of thought Mental integrity Privacy and protection of neural data Prohibition of manipulation, deception, political or commercial influence Non-discrimination & inclusivity No harm & proportionality Innovation Principles Beneficence Accountability & transparency Trustworthiness Epistemic justice Protection of future generations Sustainable development alignment Explicit Prohibitions Using neural signals for political microtargeting Brain-data-driven insurance premium decisions Employer/HR neuro-screening mandates Manipulative neurostimulation to influence choices Covert extraction of neural data through devices or interfaces Framework on Innovation & IP Encourages responsible research and innovation (RRI): Anticipate social impacts Engage public & stakeholders Build “ethics-by-design” Promotes open science: Open datasets, shared tools Verifiability, reuse, collaborative development Tension highlighted: Open science vs intellectual property rights Need to avoid commodification of the human brain Calls for balanced licensing & equitable technology transfer Implementation Expectations States to integrate principles into: Health regulations Education systems Data protection laws Labour and employment policies Companies to adopt: Internal ethics boards Transparent neurodata policies Safety audits Voluntary compliance codes Key Takeaways  UNESCO’s framework is the first global ethical code for neurotechnology — landmark event. Protects freedom of thought, mental autonomy, integrity of neural data, and human dignity. Explicitly prohibits manipulative uses of brain data in politics, employment, insurance, and advertising. Encourages open science, responsible innovation, and balanced IP rights.

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