Context

• India’s banking sector has undergone a remarkable transformation, and Banking Laws (Amendment) Act, 2025 is a step towards strengthening governance standards in the banking sector.

Banking Laws (Amendment) Act, 2025

• It contains a total of 19 amendments across five legislations; 
  • The Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, 
  • Banking Regulation Act, 1949, 
  • State Bank of India Act, 1955 and 
  • Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1970 and 1980.

Need for the Banking Amendment Act, 2025

• Rising Unclaimed Deposits:  A substantial amount in banks remains unclaimed due to the absence of nominees. The Act addresses this challenge by establishing a structured, seamless succession mechanism.
• Expanding Financial Inclusion: As more households enter the formal banking system, the complexity of services rises.
  • Modern frameworks are needed to handle the scale, technology adoption, and increased transaction volumes.
• Clarity and Uniformity in Banking Operations: Establishes uniform terminology for smoother integration with emerging technologies.
  • Reduces disputes between banks and depositors by formalising asset succession rules.

Key reforms under Banking Laws (Amendment) Act, 2025

• Modernised Nomination Framework (Sections 10 – 13): Depositors can nominate up to four persons for their bank accounts via either simultaneous or successive nominations
  • Simultaneous nominations allow percentage-wise allocation totalling to 100%.
  • Successive nominations ensure seamless succession in case of a nominee’s death for articles in safe custody and safety lockers
• Redefinition of ‘Substantial Interest’ (Section 3): Threshold increased from ? 5 lakh (1968 limit) to ? 2 crore. This regulatory change is designed to revamp governance standards.
• Governance in Co-operative Banks (Section 4 & 14): Align director tenures in cooperative banks with the 97th Constitutional Amendment by increasing the maximum tenure from 8 years to 10 years (excluding the chairperson and whole-time director). Tenure for directors in other banking companies remains unchanged.
• Audit Reforms in PSBs (Sections 15-20): Empower PSBs to fix the auditors remuneration.
  • PSBs will now be permitted to transfer unclaimed shares, interest, and bond redemption amounts to the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF), bringing them in line with practices followed by companies under the Companies Act.

Impact of the Banking Reforms with National Vision

• Depositor-centric: The Act includes robust measures to safeguard public trust in banking institutions by simplified claim settlement for their families.
• Improved Financial Transparency: Transfer to the Investor Education and Protection Fund aims at creating a more transparent system for fund management.
• Enhanced Audit Quality: The PSBs will now be able to attract more qualified professionals and improve audit quality by paying better auditor remuneration.
• Improved Operational Efficiency: The Act simplifies certain procedures, such as updating certain operational definitions.

Source: PIB

Context

• India and Russia held their 23rd annual bilateral summit, marking a major milestone — 25 years of the Declaration on Strategic Partnership (2000).

Key Outcomes of the Visit

• Economic Programme 2030: The Leaders welcomed the adoption of the Programme for the Development of Strategic Areas of India – Russia Economic Cooperation till 2030 (Programme 2030).
• Trade Target: Both Sides emphasised that addressing tariff and non-tariff trade barriers, for timely achievement of the revised bilateral trade target of USD 100 billion by 2030.
• Strategic Agreements Signed: India and Russia exchanged sixteen agreements in areas related to defence, trade, economy, healthcare, academics, culture and media. 
• Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Push: Both sides are working towards the early conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union.
• Migration Cooperation: India will soon be launching a free 30-day e-tourist visa and a 30-day Group Tourist Visa for Russian citizens. 
• Cooperation in Global and Multilateral Platforms: The Russian side has decided to adopt the Framework Agreement to join the International Big Cat Alliance.
  • Both reiterated cooperation in BRICS, SCO, G20 etc

Significance of the Visit

• Strategic Autonomy of India: The visit underscores India’s unwavering commitment to independent decision-making in foreign policy.
  • By hosting the Russian President despite Western pressure, India signals its own geopolitical alignment independent of external pressure.
• Defence Cooperation: Russia still provides 60–70% of India’s defence inventory, making the partnership vital for India’s military readiness.
  • Both sides agreed to reformulate defence cooperation by advancing joint R&D, co-development, and Make in India manufacturing of next-generation systems.
• Economic and Trade Transformation: Due to India’s defence and energy imports from Russia there has been a massive trade deficit that has prompted both governments to diversify cooperation.
  • A 2030 Economic Cooperation Plan was adopted to expand collaboration in technology, manufacturing, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and investment.
• Energy Security and Strategic Supply Chains: Russia remains India’s leading crude oil supplier, providing substantial discounts despite Western sanctions.
  • During the visit, President Putin assured India of consistent fuel supplies, though India exercised caution, noting that energy procurement decisions are based on changing market dynamics.
• Long-Term Resilience and Adaptability: Marking 25 years of the 2000 Strategic Partnership Declaration, the visit reflects continuity through global shifts—from the post-Cold War era to Russia’s current isolation.
  • This resilience suggests the relationship is not transactional but fundamentally grounded in mutual strategic interest.

How India–Russia Partnership Can Help India Overcome US Tariff Challenges?

• Energy Security and Cost Advantage: Russian crude oil imports at discounted rates help India keep its energy basket stable despite US penalties.
• Market Diversification: Russia (and the wider Eurasian region) offers alternative markets for Indian exports reducing over-dependence on the US.
  • The proposed India–Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) FTA can provide preferential access to a large market across Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
• Connectivity & Logistics Advantage: Projects like the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), Chennai–Vladivostok maritime corridor, and Northern Sea Route can reduce transport time and costs for exports to Europe and Central Asia. This offsets the loss of competitiveness caused by US tariffs.
• Trade in National Currencies & Payment Mechanisms: Strengthening rupee–ruble settlement systems shields India from dollar-dominated trade restrictions imposed by the US.
• Defence & Strategic Tech Cooperation: Russia continues to be a key supplier of defence technology and nuclear energy cooperation, areas where the US could impose restrictions.
  • Strong ties with Russia ensure India maintains strategic autonomy and is not dependent on the US for critical technologies.
• Strategic Balancing in Geopolitics: Deepening the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership with Russia sends a signal to the US that India has viable alternatives.
  • This can improve India’s negotiating position in seeking tariff relief from the US.

Conclusion

• The India–Russia partnership provides India with energy security, market diversification, and strategic autonomy at a time of tariff and geopolitical pressure from the US. 
• By leveraging Russian ties, India can reduce vulnerability to American trade restrictions while continuing to pursue its long-term trade target of $100 billion with Russia by 2030.

Source: TH

Context

• A Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and IT, released a report titled “Review of Mechanism to Curb Fake News.”

Major Highlights

• Define Fake News: It has asked the government to define the term ‘fake news’ and incorporate suitable clauses in the existing regulatory framework to combat misinformation and protect freedom of speech.
• Amendments: There is a need to amend the penal provisions for publishing/telecasting fake news in relevant Acts/Rules/Guidelines for each form of media (print, electronic, digital).
• Fact Checking Mechanism: Having a fact-checking mechanism and internal ombudsman in media organisations will strengthen the role of self-regulatory mechanism.
• It also urged the government to incorporate clauses while maintaining the balance between combating misinformation and protecting freedom of speech and individual rights.

India’s Disinformation Challenge

• Growing Internet Penetration: India is on track to surpass 900 million internet users, making it highly vulnerable to disinformation without appropriate regulations.
• Diverse Landscape, High Risk: India’s political, social, and linguistic diversity creates fertile ground for manipulated narratives, voter influence, and social unrest.
• Beyond Politics: Disinformation contributes to consumer boycotts, economic conflicts, international tensions.
• Decline of Legacy Media Trust: Public trust in traditional news sources is eroding.
  • Citizens increasingly rely on social media for news.
  • Unverified information spreads rapidly, often trusted because it comes from friends or family.
• Youth at Risk: India’s youth demographic is increasingly exposed to misinformation.
  • Many lack digital literacy and media consumption skills.

Legal and Regulatory Landscape

• Constitutional Limits: Article 19(1)(a) guarantees freedom of speech.
  • Article 19(2) allows restrictions for defamation, morality, and public order.
  • The need to balance free speech (Article 19(1)(a)) with reasonable restrictions (Article 19(2)) is challenging.
• Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000: Section 69A grants the government power to block online content for security or public order concerns.
• Intermediary Guidelines & Digital Media Ethics Code, 2021: Regulates social media, OTT platforms, and digital news media.
• Self-Regulation by OTT Platforms: Platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime follow self-regulatory frameworks such as the Digital Publishers Content Grievances Council (DPCGC).
• The Central Board of Film Certification (“CBFC”), which was established by the Cinematographic Act, of 1952, is responsible for censoring movies in India. 

Challenges in Digital Censorship in India

• Balancing Freedom of Speech & Regulation: Over-regulation can suppress creativity, while under-regulation can spread harmful content.
• Transparency & Accountability: Content moderation and censorship decisions often lack clear guidelines, raising concerns about misuse.
• Jurisdictional Issues: Many digital platforms operate from outside India, making enforcement difficult.
• Technological Advancements: The rapid evolution of digital media complicates consistent and fair regulation.
• Ethical Concerns: The subjective nature of obscenity laws can lead to arbitrary censorship.

Government Initiatives

• Fact Check Unit: It was established under the Press Information Bureau (PIB) and started its operations in 2019.
  • It was constituted to flag “fake, false or misleading online content related to the government.
• The Sahyog Portal: It was launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs in 2024.
  • The portal acts as a centralized system for government agencies at various levels—ranging from ministries to local police stations—to issue blocking orders more efficiently.

Recommended Measures to Combat Disinformation in India (Global Risks Report 2025)

• Strengthening Technical Capacity & Oversight: Upskill algorithm developers to reduce bias and manipulation in AI systems.
  • Establish AI supervisory boards and councils to monitor and regulate generative AI practices.
  • Mandate regular risk assessments by digital platforms, especially those using AI.
• Boosting Public Awareness & Digital Literacy: Expand digital literacy campaigns to help citizens identify and resist disinformation.
  • Promote critical thinking through educational reforms and public outreach.
• Regulating Big Tech Platforms: Leverage India’s status as the largest market for platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp to demand accountability.
• Protecting Press Freedom: Pass stronger laws to protect journalists and whistleblowers from intimidation and digital harassment.
• Building Global and Regional Alliances: Promote cross-border coalitions to respond to the global nature of disinformation.
  • Share best practices, threat intelligence, and regulatory frameworks with allies and international bodies.

Conclusion

• Disinformation isn’t just a tech issue—it’s a threat to democracy, diversity, and truth.
• Without public awareness and strong policy measures, disinformation will deepen political and societal divisions.
• This trend underscores the pivotal role that social media platforms play, and the urgent need to promote media literacy, critical thinking, and accountability to help people identify reliable information.

Source: TH

Context

• The State Cabinet approved the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2025, to effectively curb, prevent, dissemination, publication or promotion of hate speech and hate crimes, which cause disharmony and hatred in society.

Key Features of the Bill

• Purpose and Scope: It seeks to prevent dissemination, publication, and promotion of hate speech and hate crimes.
  • It aims to curb actions causing injury, disharmony, enmity, or hatred against individuals, groups, or organisations.
  • It is applicable to both persons and institutions.
• Hate speech includes any expression which is made, published, or circulated in words, either spoken or written, or by signs or by visible representations or through electronic communication in public view, with an intention to cause injury, disharmony, or feelings of enmity or hatred or ill-will against a person alive or dead, a class or group of persons, or a community to meet any prejudicial interest.
  • The prejudicial interest includes religion, race, caste or community, sex, gender, sexual orientation, place of birth, residence, language, disability or tribe.
• The punishment for hate crime includes imprisonment from one to seven years and a fine of ?50,000.
  • The offences are cognisable, non-bailable, and triable by the Judicial Magistrate First Class.
• Alignment with Central Laws: The Bill incorporates provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 for procedural uniformity.
• The designated officer of the State government would be empowered to direct any service provider, intermediaries, person or entity to block or remove the hate crime materials from its domain including electronic media.

Impact of Hate Speech

• Social issues: Hate speech deepens divisions between communities and disrupts long-standing social cohesion. Repeated hateful narratives escalate into mob violence, riots, and targeted attacks.
• Erosion of Constitutional Values: Hate speech challenges the principles of equality, fraternity, and dignity enshrined in the Constitution.
  • It undermines secularism, a core pillar of India’s constitutional morality.
• Psychological Harm: Individuals facing hate speech suffer anxiety, trauma, and long-term mental stress.

Constitutional Provisions

• Article 19(2) of the Indian Constitution deals with the reasonable restrictions that can be placed on the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a). 
• Conditions under which speech can be restricted by the state: Security of the State, Public Order, Decency or Morality, Contempt of Court, Defamation, Incitement to Offense.

Steps taken  address hate speech

• Indian Penal Code (IPC) / Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023: Specific sections like Section 153A, Section 295A, etc in penal codes criminalize promoting enmity between groups (religion, race, language), outraging religious feelings, or inciting public fear/disorder.
• Representation of the People Act, 1951: Sec. 123(3), 123(3A): Prohibit political speech that promotes hatred or appeals to religion, caste, community during elections.
• The Supreme Court, in the case of Pravasi Bhalai Sangathan v. Union of India (2014), acknowledged the lack of specific legislation on hate speech and recommended that the Parliament enact a comprehensive law to address this issue
• In the case of Amish Devgan v. Union of India (2020) the Supreme Court of India addressed the balance between freedom of speech and expression (Article 19) and the need to restrict hate speech to maintain public order and communal harmony.

Challenges in Addressing Hate speech

• Rapid Digital Amplification: Social media platforms enable hate speech to spread rapidly and reach large audiences without fact-checking.
  • Encrypted messaging services complicate monitoring and evidence collection.
• Difficulty in Proving Intent: Many hate speech offences require proving mens rea (intent), which is hard to establish.
  • Establishing a direct link between speech and subsequent violence is legally complex.
• Absence of a Legal Definition: India lacks a precise statutory definition of hate speech, resulting in broad interpretation and inconsistent enforcement across states.
  • Ambiguous terms like enmity, insult, or ill-will lead to subjective application.

Way Ahead

• A sustainable response to hate speech requires a balanced framework that protects free expression while curbing harm. 
• India should adopt a clear and comprehensive legal definition of hate speech to ensure uniform and objective enforcement, supported by stronger accountability mechanisms for digital platforms to swiftly remove harmful content.
• An independent oversight mechanism for online harms, combined with better data collection and research, can help design evidence-based interventions and strengthen India’s commitment to equality, dignity, and social cohesion.

Source: TH

In News 

• The Supreme Court heard a habeas corpus petition by activists alleging disappearance of several Rohingya persons who were in Delhi Police custody since May.
  • The petitioner maintained that any deportation must still follow due legal process.

Rohingya 

• They are a muslim ethnic group living mainly in Myanmar’s Rakhine state. 
• They speak a dialect of Bengali rather than Burmese. 
• Although they have lived in Myanmar for generations, the government regards them as descendants of colonial-era migrants and denies them full citizenship.
• Under Myanmar’s 1982 citizenship law, Rohingya can obtain citizenship only by proving their ancestors lived in the country before 1823; otherwise, they are classified as resident foreigners or associate citizens, even if one parent is Myanmar-born.
  • As a result, they face restrictions on civil service employment and movement within Rakhine.

Related Laws in india

• India has no legal obligation to provide asylum or follow the principle of non-refoulement because it is not a party to the Refugee Convention, the Convention Against Torture, or the Convention on Enforced Disappearance.
• Refugees are detained under older domestic laws — the Foreigners Act, 1946,  the Passport Act, 1967 & the Citizenship Act, 1955.
• Refugee status operates via ad-hoc executive channels with “strategic ambiguity” like the Ministry of Home Affairs handles Sri Lankan Tamils and Tibetans.
• The principle of non-refoulement is accepted as customary international law, prohibiting return to persecution, though not statutorily binding.
  • Article 21 offers basic protections to all persons but no right to reside for non-citizens.

Supreme Court’s recent Observations

• The Supreme Court of India recently observed that Rohingyas cannot be automatically classified as refugees without an official government declaration, stressing that illegal entrants do not have legal rights within the country.
• The Court emphasized the need for a clear government stance on their status. It also recognized the baseline humanitarian treatment owed to all entrants but expressed skepticism about extending legal rights to non-citizens who enter illegally.
• It also highlighted India’s sensitive northern borders, stressing that intruders cannot be given a “red carpet welcome” with facilities.

Source :TH

Context

• President Droupadi Murmu said that India is committed to the idea of the oceans remaining “open, stable and rules-based” drawing attention to the strategic and critical importance of the Indian Ocean Region as a maritime space.

About

• The Indian Ocean Region is a conduit for global energy supplies and trade. Being positioned at its centre, India bears a special responsibility.
• By securing sea routes, protecting marine resources, preventing illegal activities, and supporting maritime research, the Navy strengthens the vision of safe, prosperous, and sustainable oceans,”.
• The President observed that modernisation is crucial for the combat readiness of the armed force.

Indian Ocean Region

• The Indian Ocean covers approximatelyone-fifth of the total ocean area of the world. 
• The Indian Ocean is bounded by Iran, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh to the north; the Malay Peninsula, the Sunda Islands of Indonesia, and Australia to the east; the Southern Ocean to the south; and Africa and the Arabian Peninsula to the west. 
• The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) comprises 36 countries and has a population of approximately 2.5 billion, accounting for 35% of the global population and 40% of the world’s coastline.

Significance of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)

• Geostrategic Importance: The Indian Ocean is the third largest ocean, linking the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
  • It is home to crucial maritime chokepoints — Strait of Hormuz, Bab-el-Mandeb, Malacca Strait, Lombok Strait — which together handle a bulk of global energy and trade flows.
  • The IOR acts as a bridge between the East and the West, making it a central theatre for power competition among India, China, the U.S., and other major players.
• Economic Significance: The region carries nearly 50% of global container traffic and 80% of seaborne oil trade.
  • It is a hub of blue economy activities: shipping, fisheries, seabed mining, and tourism.
• Energy Security: The IOR is the lifeline of global energy flows: oil and gas from West Asia transit to East Asia via its sea lanes.
  • Countries like India, China, Japan, and South Korea are energy-import dependent, making stability of the IOR vital.
• Blue Economy and Resource Potential: Beyond energy and trade, the Indian Ocean Region represents an untapped frontier for sustainable ocean-based economic development.
  • The Indian Ocean supports approximately 15% of the world’s total fish catch, with the fishing industry providing critical employment and nutrition for millions of people across the region. 

Why has the focus on IOR been increased recently? 

• Rise of New Economies: India and China’s emergence has revived trade networks in IOR and the region is becoming a new economic growth centre.
• Maritime Security Threats: Piracy (especially near Somalia) threatened global shipping lanes and led to increased efforts to secure Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs).
• Indo-Pacific Construct: The Indo-Pacific combines the Indian and Pacific Oceans into one strategic theatre and highlights the centrality of IOR in shaping new global maritime order.
  • This geographical reimagination enhances IOR’s visibility in global diplomacy and security.
• Implications for Global Order: Control over the IOR can shape:
  • Trade flows (especially oil & gas),
  • Strategic maritime chokepoints (like the Strait of Hormuz, Malacca, Bab el-Mandeb),
  • Military posturing and base logistics.

Challenges in IOR

• Expansion of Chinese Naval Power in IOR: Increased naval vessel deployments in the region in terms of both number and duration.
• Maritime Domain Awareness Activities: Deployment of Chinese research and survey vessels to gather sensitive oceanographic and marine data under the guise of scientific research.
• Piracy hotspots near the Horn of Africa and in the Malacca Strait threaten shipping.
• Terrorism, arms smuggling, and trafficking networks exploit porous maritime borders.
• Strategic Port Development Near India: China is actively involved in developing ports and infrastructure in littoral states of the IOR, including those close to India’s maritime boundaries.
  • The objective aligns with China’s long-term goal of becoming a maritime power.

India’s Strategic Responses

• Diplomatic and Security Leadership: India positions itself as first responder in disasters.
  • India is a preferred security partner in HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief), Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), and development.
• Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), 2019: India-led initiative announced at the East Asia Summit.
  • Focus Areas: maritime security, ecology, resource sharing, disaster management, connectivity, and trade.
• Launch of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth for All in the Region) reflects India’s strategic rebranding in the IOR.
• Naval Modernisation and Indigenous Development: India is modernising naval capabilities:
  • Commissioning indigenous warships (e.g., INS Vikrant, INS Visakhapatnam).
  • Boosting maritime domain awareness and power projection.
  • This strengthens India’s force posture and maritime deterrence in the IOR.
• India’s Response and Regional Diplomacy:  India is working with regional partners to raise awareness about the long-term implications of Chinese infrastructure projects.
  • Emphasize the risks to internal and regional security from China’s military use of these assets.
• Multilateral Engagements: 
  • Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA): India is a founding member (1997). Focus areas: maritime security, disaster management, blue economy, trade & investment facilitation.
  • Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS): Initiated by the Indian Navy in 2008. Activities include: Information exchange, Joint exercises, HADR cooperation, Anti-piracy coordination.
  • QUAD (India–US–Japan–Australia): Central focus on maritime security, freedom of navigation, and a rules-based Indo-Pacific.
  • Colombo Security Conclave (CSC): India, Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are members. Focus: Maritime security, Counter-narcotics, Cyber security, HADR, Illegal fishing control, and strengthening Indian Ocean island states’ capacities.
• India on Militarisation of the IOR: India asserts that Militarisation of the Indian Ocean Region is not desirable and will adversely impact security in the Indian Ocean and the wider Indo-Pacific.
  • This reflects India’s stance against military usage of Chinese-funded infrastructure in the IOR.

Conclusion

• For India, the IOR is not merely a neighbourhood but a strategic imperative central to its national security, economic growth, and global leadership ambitions.
• Initiatives such as Act East Policy, Indo-Pacific Vision, and Blue Economy strategy reinforce India’s centrality in the IOR.

Source: TH

In News

• The Supreme Court  directed the CBI to lead a pan-India probe into ‘digital arrest’ scams.

What Are Digital Arrests?

• Digital arrest is a cyber scam where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement officials to extort money by instilling fear and panic. 
• It usually begins with a seemingly harmless phone call—such as a parcel delivery claim or KYC verification—which quickly escalates into threats of arrest, frozen bank accounts, or passport cancellation. 

Reasons Behind the Rise

• Exploiting public confidence in law enforcement through fear and intimidation.
  • Digital Vulnerability: Easy access to SIM cards, mule bank accounts, and spoofed IDs.
  • Target Groups: Elderly citizens, women, and professionals unfamiliar with cybercrime safeguards.
  • Cross-Border Syndicates: Organized networks operating like “Jamtara-style” scams, with international links.

Supreme court’s  Recent Directions 

• The court gave CBI full authority to investigate bankers involved in mule accounts and coordinate with States, Interpol, and online intermediaries. 
• It emphasized urgent action against cyber frauds, including investment and part-time job scams. 
• States were ordered to grant CBI consent under the Section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, and regional cybercrime coordination centres were mandated to link with the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre.
•  The Court also criticized telecom operators for negligent SIM issuance and tasked the Telecom Department with proposals to prevent SIM misuse, stressing the need for a comprehensive, coordinated response to safeguard victims.

 Governments Steps 

• Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C): Established by the Ministry of Home Affairs, this center coordinates national efforts to combat cybercrime and provide cybercrime prevention resources. 
• National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal: A dedicated portal allows the public to report cybercrimes, with a focus on cases involving women and children, enabling swift action by law enforcement.
• Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting System: Launched in 2021, this platform has successfully saved over ?3431 Crore across 9.94 lakh complaints by allowing immediate reporting of financial frauds. 
• Cyber Forensic Labs: The National Cyber Forensic Laboratory in Delhi and the Evidence Lab in Hyderabad have significantly improved the ability of police to manage and analyze digital evidence.  

 Way Ahead

• Digital arrests, combining cyber fraud with psychological coercion, pose a serious threat in India.
• To combat them, authorities are focusing on public awareness campaigns, stronger technological safeguards like secure SIM issuance and AI-driven fraud detection.
• There is a need for  legal reforms to address impersonation and digital intimidation, international cooperation to tackle cross-border cybercrime
• Community vigilance is also needed to encourage citizens to report suspicious activity and preserve evidence.

Source :TH

Context

• The International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is observed annually on December 3 to promote the rights and well-being of people with disabilities.

About

• History: IDPD was first celebrated in 1992, following its proclamation through United Nations General Assembly Resolution 47/3.
• In 2006, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) was adopted to ensure equality of opportunity for PwDs and to support the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
• Theme 2025: “Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress.”

Disability Scenario in India

• A “person with disability” is someone who has a long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairment which, in interaction with barriers, hinders their full and effective participation in society equally with others. (According to The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016).
• According to Census 2011, there are 2.68 crore persons with disabilities in India which constitute 2.21 percent of the total population. 

India’s Legal and Policy Framework for Disability Rights

• The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 was enacted in 2016, replacing the Persons with Disabilities Act of 1995. 
  • It recognises 21 categories of disability, and mandates reservation in education and employment.
  • India, as a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), is committed to building an accessible and inclusive society.
• The National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999 establishes a national body dedicated to the welfare of individuals with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation, and Multiple Disabilities, along with related matters and incidental provisions.
• Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) Act, 1992: RCI was initially established as a registered society in 1986 and later became a statutory body under an Act of Parliament in 1993. 

Government Initiatives and Schemes

• Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign): Launched in 2015, the Campaign addresses long-standing barriers faced by persons with disabilities.
  • It focuses on three key domains — built infrastructure, transport systems and information and communication technology (ICT) — ensuring equal access and participation for all.
• The Divyangjan Card, also known as the E-Ticketing Photo Identity Card (EPICS), is a railway identity card for people with disabilities that allows them to get concessions on train travel.
• The Unique ID for Persons with Disabilities project is being implemented to create a national database of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and issue a Unique Disability Identity Card (UDID) to each individual. 
• PM-DAKSH DEPwD is the digital platform created by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD). 
  • It is intended as a one-stop hub connecting persons with disabilities, training institutes, employers, and job aggregators under the national skill & employment ecosystem.
• Promotion of Indian Sign Language (ISL): The Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC), set up in 2015 under DEPwD, serves as the nodal institution for advancing ISL across India.
  • In 2024, Government launched PM e-vidya Channel 31 on DTH, exclusively dedicated to ISL training for hearing-impaired students, special educators, and interpreters.

Concerns

• Despite legal frameworks, many persons with disabilities (PwDs) face limited access to education, healthcare, and employment.
• Social stigma and discrimination continue to hinder social inclusion and opportunities.
• Implementation of policies and schemes is often uneven across regions, leading to gaps in service delivery.
• Awareness about rights and available support systems among PwDs and their families is still low, limiting effective utilization.

Concluding remarks

• The evolution of disability affairs in India shows increasing recognition of the rights and potential of persons with disabilities. 
• Dedicated initiatives and platforms empower individuals, foster inclusivity, and create economic opportunities, contributing to a society where everyone can thrive with dignity.

Source: PIB

In News

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the 60th All India Conference of Directors General and Inspectors General of Police in Chhattisgarh under the theme “Viksit Bharat: Security Dimensions”.
• He focused on strengthening internal security and developing next-level policing frameworks to address new-age threats.

India’s Police Modernisation

• Police and law and order are State subjects under the Constitution, making State Governments primarily responsible for them. 
• However, due to financial constraints, many States have struggled to modernize their police forces. 
• To support them, the Ministry of Home Affairs has been supplementing resources through “Assistance to State & UTs for Modernization of Police” (ASUMP) [erstwhile scheme of Modernization of State Police Forces (MPF)].

Need for Modernisation

• India’s police system is still largely governed by colonial-era structures, often ill-equipped to deal with cybercrime, terrorism, organised crime, and urban policing challenges.
• Growing population, rapid urbanisation, and complex law-and-order situations demand efficient, technology-enabled policing.
• Public trust and perception of the police remain low, requiring reforms in training, accountability, and community engagement.

Emerging Issues

• Cybercrime and digital frauds are rising sharply, requiring specialised units and advanced forensic tools.
• Left Wing Extremism (LWE), coastal security, and drug trafficking remain pressing concerns.
• Shortage of manpower, outdated equipment, and inadequate training hinder effective policing.

Steps Taken by India

• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) runs the Assistance to States for Modernisation of Police scheme, funding weapons, communication systems, forensic labs, and mobility solutions.
• The Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D) drives innovation, training, and technology adoption, acting as a bridge between police and scientific institutions.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently emphasised monitoring banned outfits, strengthening coastal security, and holistic disaster management at the DGP/IGP conference.

Conclusion and Way Ahead

• Police modernization in India aims to transform the force into a professional, citizen-centric, and technologically empowered institution capable of addressing 21st-century challenges. 
• This involves integrating AI, predictive policing, drones, surveillance, and cyber forensics, alongside capacity building through regular training, modern equipment, and specialized units for cyber and financial crimes. 

Source: Air 

Context

• World AIDS Day is observed on December 1 every year.

About

• It is observed every year to raise awareness about the HIV/AIDS epidemic. 
• It was first marked in 1988 by the World Health Organization (WHO). 
• Theme 2025: Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response.
  • This theme highlights the urgency of addressing disruptions caused by pandemics, conflicts, and inequalities that limit access to care. 

HIV AIDS

• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system.
  • HIV targets the body’s white blood cells, weakening the immune system. This makes it easier to get sick with diseases like tuberculosis, infections and some cancers.
  • Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) occurs at the most advanced stage of infection.
• Spread: HIV is spread from the body fluids of an infected person, including blood, breast milk, semen and vaginal fluids. It can also spread from a mother to her baby.
• Treatment:  There is no cure for HIV infection. It is treated with antiretroviral drugs, which stop the virus from replicating in the body. Untreated HIV can progress to AIDS, often after many years.

HIV AIDS in India

• There has been a decline in infection from 0.33% in 2010 to 0.20 in 2024.
• India’s prevalence is significantly lower than the global average of 0.7%.
• India’s new infections represent only about 5% of the global total (1.3 million in 2024).

The National AIDS Control Programme (NACP)

It has evolved through five phases, shifting from basic awareness to comprehensive prevention, testing, treatment, and sustainability.

• NACP I (1992–1999): It was India’s first comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention and control programme.
  • Aim: Slow the spread of HIV and reduce morbidity, mortality, and overall impact of AIDS.
• NACP II (1999–2006): Strengthen long-term national capacity to respond to HIV/AIDS.
• NACP III (2007–2012): Halt and reverse the HIV epidemic by 2012.
  • Strategy: Scale up prevention among High-Risk Groups (HRGs) and the general population.
• NACP IV (2012–2017): 50% reduction in new infections (compared to 2007 baseline).
  • Extended (2017–2021) to advance the goal of Ending AIDS by 2030.
  • Major initiatives during extension: HIV/AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017)- It prohibits discrimination against people living with HIV (PLHIV).
  • Mission Sampark: Its purpose was to “bring back” people living with HIV (PLHIV) who had stopped antiretroviral therapy (ART).
  • Routine Universal Viral Load monitoring.
• NACP V (2021–2026): Launched as a Central Sector Scheme, aims to build on past achievements and address persistent challenges.
  • The goal of this Phase is to support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 3.3 by helping end the HIV/AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030.  

Conclusion

• India’s AIDS decline is more prominent than the global average, supported significantly by broadened testing, enhanced access to antiretroviral therapy, focused outreach to high-risk groups, and initiatives to combat stigma, all implemented through collaborative state and community actions. 

Source: TH

Context

• India urgently needs bioremediation to restore polluted ecosystems, and ensure sustainable urban development, as over 16 lakh tonnes of legacy waste.

What is Bioremediation?

• It means ‘restoring life through biology’. It uses living organisms — bacteria, fungi, algae, and plants — to break down or neutralize pollutants such as oil, plastics, and heavy metals.
• These microorganisms feed on toxic substances, metabolizing them into harmless by-products like water, carbon dioxide, or organic acids.
• In some cases, they can transform hazardous metals into stable, non-toxic forms that no longer leach into soil or groundwater.

Types of Bioremediation

• In-situ Bioremediation: Treatment occurs directly at the contaminated site.
  • For instance, oil-eating bacteria can be sprayed on ocean spills to break down petroleum residues.
• Ex-situ Bioremediation: Contaminated material is removed and treated in controlled facilities before being returned to the environment.

Modern Advances in Bioremediation

• The field now blends traditional microbiology with biotechnology:
  • Genetically Modified (GM) Microbes:  These are engineered to degrade resistant pollutants like plastics or petroleum byproducts.
  • Synthetic Biology: It has introduced biosensing organisms that signal the presence of toxins through fluorescence or color changes.
  • Molecular Tools: These enable scientists to identify, replicate, and optimize biomolecules for specific applications in sewage plants, industrial sites, or farms.

Why India Needs Bioremediation?

• Industrial Growth: India’s industrial growth has come at the expense of its ecosystems.
  • Rivers such as the Ganga and Yamuna remain burdened with untreated sewage and industrial effluents.
  • Oil spills, pesticide residues, and heavy metals endanger both nature and human health.
• Sustainable & Low-cost Alternative: Conventional cleanup methods are costly, energy-intensive, and inefficient, often creating secondary pollution.
  • Bioremediation offers a sustainable, low-cost alternative that can be applied at scale.
• India’s rich biodiversity provides an advantage: native microbes adapted to extreme local conditions (like high salinity or temperature) can outperform imported species in restoring contaminated environments.

India’s Bioremediation Push: Current Efforts

• Department of Biotechnology (DBT): It promotes research through its Clean Technology Programme, fostering collaborations among universities, industries, and public labs.
• CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI): It leads national efforts in designing and testing bioremediation projects.
• The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has issued guidelines for scientific remediation of legacy waste.
• The Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 mandates cities to clear all legacy waste using bioremediation or biomining.
• IIT Researchers have developed cotton-based nanocomposites to absorb oil spills and discovered bacteria capable of breaking down industrial pollutants.
• Startups such as Biotech Consortium India Limited (BCIL) and Econirmal Biotech are offering microbial formulations for wastewater and soil remediation.

Related Challenges

• Lack of site-specific data, complex pollutant mixtures, and fragmented regulations without unified national standards.
• Uncontrolled release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) could disrupt ecosystems.
• Weak biosafety and containment systems may lead to new environmental hazards.
• Public resistance may emerge without awareness and transparent monitoring

Way Forward

• India needs to establish robust biosafety guidelines, certification systems, and training programs for personnel, to mitigate the risks. It includes:
  • National Standards: Establish clear, science-based protocols for microbial use and site management.
  • Regional Hubs: Link universities, industries, and local governments to address area-specific contamination issues.
  • Startup Support: Encourage innovation through DBT–BIRAC and local community initiatives.
  • Public Awareness: Educate citizens about microbes as allies in environmental restoration, not threats.

Source: TH

Context

• Recently, India’s External Affairs Minister, at a conference marking 50 Years of Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), has cautioned that the world remains ‘not yet adequately prepared’ to tackle the threat of ‘Bioterrorism’, highlighting serious institutional and structural gaps.

About Bioterrorism

• It refers to the deliberate release of biological agents — such as bacteria, viruses, or toxins — to cause illness or death among humans, animals, or plants.
• According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), bioterrorism is classified as a biological disaster, distinct from natural outbreaks because of its deliberate intent.
  • Potential bioterror agents include pathogens such as Bacillus anthracis (anthrax), Variola major (smallpox), and toxins like botulinum.
• The threat of bioterrorism has grown with advances in biotechnology and synthetic biology, which, while offering enormous benefits, pose risks of misuse.
• The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) serves as the key international treaty prohibiting the development, production, and possession of biological weapons.

Concerns & Issues Surrounding BWC

• Lack of Basic Institutional Structures: India highlighted that ‘Bioterrorism is a serious concern that the international community has to be adequately prepared for’, noting that despite its importance, the BWC still lacks basic institutional structures, like:
  • No compliance system;
  • No permanent technical body;
  • No mechanism to track scientific developments.
• No Verification Mechanism: The BWC lacks a formal verification regime, making enforcement and compliance monitoring challenging, unlike the Chemical Weapons Convention.
• BWC Implementation Support Unit (ISU): The progress has been slow toward a permanent verification regime or a dedicated technical organization.
  • The ISU remains underfunded and understaffed, reflecting broader political inertia.
• Growing Complexity in Dual-Use Biotechnology: The convention’s 50th anniversary comes amid rapid advances in synthetic biology, genome editing, and AI-driven bioengineering, blurring lines between peaceful and military applications.
• Transparency and Confidence-Building Measures: Since the 1980s, Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) have been introduced, requiring states to submit data on facilities and research activities.
  • Compliance, however, remains uneven, with less than 60% of states regularly submitting reports.
• Geopolitical Dynamics: Tensions between major powers — particularly the US, Russia, and China — have hampered consensus on verification protocols since the collapse of negotiations in 2001.
  • Newer actors like India, Indonesia, Brazil are pushing for a more inclusive and equitable biosecurity governance, connecting disarmament to development agendas.

India’s Policy Framework

• India’s NDMA and the Ministry of Health have implemented preparedness frameworks, including:
  • Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP);
  • Biological Disaster Management Guidelines (NDMA, 2008);
  • National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for rapid response and biosurveillance;
• These initiatives aim to detect and respond to biological incidents swiftly, ensuring public health resilience.

National Implementation Framework Proposed By India

• India has proposed a National Implementation Framework to enhance domestic and global preparedness. The framework aims to cover:
  • High-risk agents;
  • Oversight of dual-use research;
  • Domestic reporting mechanisms;
  • Incident management protocols.

Future Directions

• In an era of genetic engineering and artificial intelligence, the BWC must evolve. Key recommendations include:
  • Establishing a scientific advisory board under BWC for emerging biotechnologies.
  • Enhancing transparency and peer review among member states.
  • Developing a verification protocol supported by international biosecurity standards.
• Promoting education and capacity-building among scientists is also vital to prevent misuse of biological research.

Source: TH

Context

• The US recently announced plans under its Lunar Fission Surface Power Project to deploy a small nuclear reactor on the moon by the early 2030s.

Why Is Nuclear Power in Space Gaining Importance?

• The Moon has little atmosphere and experiences 14-day stretches of darkness, this makes solar energy unreliable in some of the most critical regions.
• A small lunar reactor could operate continuously for a decade or more, powering habitats, rovers, 3D printers and life-support systems. 
• Developing this capability is essential for missions to Mars, where solar power is even more constrained.

Evolution in Nuclear Power in Space

• Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs): It converts heat released by the slow decay of plutonium-238 nuclei into electricity, and is immune to dust and darkness. They are used in spacecraft like Voyager, Cassini, and Curiosity.
  • However, they produce only hundreds of watts, insufficient for human habitats or industry.
• Compact Fission Reactors: They are capable of generating tens to hundreds of kilowatts.
• Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP): Heats hydrogen using a reactor and expels it to generate thrust.
  • The DRACO programme in the USA will test this technology in lunar orbit by 2026. It could shorten Mars travel times significantly, reducing astronauts’ radiation exposure.
• In nuclear electric propulsion, reactor-generated electricity ionises a propellant, offering years of efficient thrust for deep-space probes and cargo missions.

International Legal Framework 

• Outer Space Treaty (1967): 
  • Permissible: It permits peaceful purposes on the Moon and other celestial bodies and bans nuclear weapons/WMD anywhere in space or on celestial bodies.
  • Article IX: States must act with due regard to interests of others, hence, no territorial claims can be made.
• Liability Convention (1972): Launching State is absolutely liable for damage on Earth/aircraft; fault-based liability for damage in space/on the Moon. It also provides claims/settlement machinery.
• Moon Agreement (1979) (few parties; not widely accepted): It adds environmental and rescue duties on the Moon; recognizes the Moon’s resources as the “common heritage”. Applies only to its Parties.
• 1992 UN Principles: Non-binding resolution recognising the role of nuclear power in missions where solar is insufficient; lays down safety, transparency, and consultation guidelines.
• India is a signatory to the outer space treaty, but not to the Moon Agreement. India is also a signatory to the Artemis Accords (2023) in which parties commit to transparency, safety zones and data sharing.

Concerns

• There is a lack of legally binding global rules for nuclear waste disposal on the Moon.
  • The Outer Space Treaty forbids countries from placing weapons of mass destruction in earth orbit, it’s silent on nuclear propulsion for peaceful purposes. 
  • The Liability Convention isn’t clear about accidents involving nuclear reactors in cis-lunar space or beyond.
• Risk of radioactive contamination if accidents occur during launch or lunar operations, could disrupt pristine environments.
• As space becomes a theatre of strategic competition, Compact reactors have dual-use potential, raising militarisation concerns.
• Safety zones around reactors might be interpreted as territorial claims, violating the non-appropriation principle.

Way Ahead

• The UN’s 1992 Principles should be updated to explicitly include propulsion reactors, establish safety benchmarks, and define end-of-life disposal standards. 
• The UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space needs to adopt binding environmental protocols to govern safe launches, preventing contamination, and disposing of nuclear systems. 
• A multilateral oversight mechanism modelled on the International Atomic Energy Agency could certify designs, verify compliance, and enhance transparency.

Source: TH

Context

• Recently, the Chief Justice of India (CJI) observed that the judges are ‘over-conscious’ of the risks in using Artificial Intelligence (AI), while hearing a PIL seeking guidelines to check the misuse of AI in Courts.

Promise of AI in the Courts

• AI technologies such as Natural Language Processing (NLP), Machine Learning (ML), Optical Character Recognition (OCR), and Predictive Analytics are being deployed in the Indian legal system. 

Key Benefits of AI in Indian Judiciary

• Reducing Case Backlogs: AI tools are being used to streamline case management, prioritize hearings, and assist in legal research, with over 4.8 crores pending cases across Indian courts.
• Translating and Transcribing Proceedings: AI-driven tools are helping translate court documents into regional languages and transcribe courtroom exchanges in real time, improving accessibility and record-keeping.
• AI in Legal Research and Predictive Analytics: AI tools now support predictive analytics, helping lawyers assess case outcomes based on historical data.
  • For example, AI models trained on decades of judgments can estimate the probability of success for particular legal arguments.
• Enhancing Court Efficiency: AI assists not only in judgment analysis but also in administrative efficiency. Tools developed under Digital Courts Vision 2047 streamline tasks such as allocation of cases based on judge expertise, identifying repetitive litigation, and detecting delays in procedural compliance.
  • These initiatives, endorsed by NeGD and MeitY, aim to reduce pendency and enhance transparency in case listings.

Key AI Tools, Initiatives and AI Adoption

• National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG): It was launched under Digital India that uses analytics to track case pendency and disposal rates across courts.
• Supreme Court Portal for Assistance in Court Efficiency (SUPACE): It processes facts and manages large volumes of case data to ‘assist’ judges, acting as a force multiplier without taking decisions.
• Supreme Court Vidhik Anuvaad Software (SUVAS): It translates judicial documents from English to vernacular languages (and vice-versa) to improve access to justice for non-English speakers.
• Legal Research Analysis Assistant (LegRAA): A new tool in the pilot phase designed to aid judges specifically in legal research and document analysis.
• Digital Courts 2.1: Unified Judicial Platform is a single-window platform for judges that integrates:
  • ASR-SHRUTI: AI voice-to-text for dictating orders.
  • PANINI: Translation functionality to assist in drafting orders.
• Digital Transformation of Justice Report: It outlines a roadmap for integrating AI across police, forensics, jails, and courts to create a unified justice delivery ecosystem.

Judicial Caution and Emerging Challenges

• ‘Hallucinations’ & Fake Cases: There is a recognized risk of Generative AI creating fictitious case laws (hallucinations).
  • The CJI has warned that verifying AI-generated research is the personal responsibility of lawyers and judges.
• Algorithmic Bias: AI models trained on Western data may be biased or inaccurate in an Indian context.
  • The Supreme Court’s AI Committee is actively monitoring for systemic bias or unintended content in these tools.
• No Formal Policy For AI: The Ministry of Law & Justice confirmed that there is no formal policy for AI in decision-making till now.
  • All AI solutions are currently used only in areas approved under the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of eCourts Phase III.

Looking Ahead: Ethical and Legal Frameworks

• Robust Regulatory Frameworks to ensure accountability and transparency in AI decision-making.
  • Countries such as Estonia and Singapore have piloted AI-driven judicial processes for minor cases.
• Ethical Guidelines to prevent misuse and protect fundamental rights.
• Capacity Building to train judges, lawyers, and court staff in AI literacy and digital tools.
• The Supreme Court has emphasized that AI can only be an ‘assistive technology’, not a decision-making authority, reaffirming the primacy of human judges.
  • The e-Committee of the Supreme Court of India, in 2024, has proposed a National AI Policy for Justice Delivery, focusing on transparency, explainability, and accountability in AI use.

Source: TH

Context

• Recently, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance, in its report ‘Review of Working of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code and Emerging Issues’, warned that systemic inefficiencies and structural delays are undermining India’s Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) effectiveness.

About Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC)

• It was enacted in 2016, at a time when mounting non-performing assets (NPAs) and ineffective recovery mechanisms — such as SARFAESI, Lok Adalats, and Debt Recovery Tribunals — were weakening the banking system.
• It replaced the older debtor-in-possession model like the Sick Industrial Companies Act (SICA) with a creditor-in-control approach, ensuring that financial creditors lead the resolution process.

Purpose and Objectives of the IBC

• The IBC serves as a time-bound mechanism to resolve insolvency and bankruptcy cases in a structured manner. Its key objectives, as outlined by the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI), are:
  • Resolution: Revive viable businesses through restructuring or ownership change.
  • Maximization of Asset Value: Prevent further value erosion.
  • Promotion of Entrepreneurship and Credit Flow: Encourage risk-taking by providing an efficient exit mechanism.

IBC’s Achievements Since Its Enactment

• IBC has resolved 1,194 companies through the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP).
  • Creditors have recovered over 170% of the liquidation value and 93% of the fair value of these companies, reflecting the Code’s impact on financial discipline and creditor confidence.
• Pre-Packaged Insolvency for MSMEs: The IBC was amended in 2021 to introduce the Pre-Packaged Insolvency Resolution Process (PIRP), specifically for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
  • It allows out-of-court settlements between debtors and creditors.
  • The debtor retains control of business operations.
  • Applicable to defaults not exceeding ?1 crore.

Concerns & Issues Highlighted in Parliamentary Standing Committee’s Report

• Slow Processes and Delayed Resolutions: The report underscored that slow admission of insolvency applications has become a major barrier to quick value realisation, resulting in asset deterioration.
  • The average duration for completing CIRP stands at 713 days, more than double the mandated 330 days under the Code.
  • Key Reasons Behind the Delays: The Committee attributed the delay in resolution to several structural issues:
    • Shortage of NCLT benches and vacant judicial positions.
    • Administrative staff gaps hampering tribunal efficiency.
    • Frequent and frivolous litigation, often initiated by promoters or unsuccessful bidders, eroding asset value.
• Concerns Over Low Recovery Rates: The overall recovery remains at 32.8% of admitted claims, revealing a substantial shortfall, while creditors recover about 170% of liquidation value.
  • According to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI), the average recovery rate has dropped to around 32% from over 43% in 2019.
  • It is largely due to companies entering the IBC process too late, when their assets are already heavily stressed.
• Issues in Asset Valuation and Resolution: The Committee found that asset valuation often reflects liquidation potential rather than enterprise value, leading to lower recovery.
  • It cited concerns about a limited pool of quality resolution applicants and a lack of transparency and accountability in the valuation process.

• Excessive Haircuts: Creditors face massive losses in many cases. Average haircut is 80% of claims in over 70% of cases.
  • Example: Videocon Group resolution saw a 95.3% haircut, meaning creditors recovered less than 5% of their dues.
• Capacity Constraints: The NCLT and the IBBI are under-resourced. The committee emphasized the need for more benches, better infrastructure, and enhanced training for insolvency professionals.

Recommendations to Improve Efficiency

• Expedite establishment of additional NCLT benches to reduce case backlogs.
  • NCLT should admit insolvency cases within 30 days.
• Accelerate operationalisation of the Integrated Technology Platform (iPIE) for centralised digital case management.
• Introduce deterrents for frivolous appeals, including:
  • Mandatory upfront deposits by unsuccessful resolution applicants filing appeals.
  • Substantially increased penalties for vexatious or frivolous applications.
• Strengthening Institutional and Judicial Capacity: Expanding the NCLT’s bench strength and improving case management systems to expedite admissions and hearings.
  • Address 50% vacancy in NCLT benches and recruit proactively.
• Pre-Pack Framework for All Sectors: Encouraging the use of pre-packaged insolvency resolutions beyond MSMEs to reduce litigation and improve efficiency.
• Improved Monitoring and Transparency: Enhancing oversight of resolution professionals and Committee of Creditors (CoC) to ensure fair and transparent decision-making.
  • Specialized IBC Benches can handle insolvency cases efficiently.
• Revised Haircut Metrics: IBBI suggests measuring haircuts based on actual asset value at entry, not on the original loan value, to present a more realistic picture of recoveries.
• Data-Driven Oversight: Leveraging technology and data analytics to monitor delays, identify bottlenecks, and improve accountability.

Source: TH

Context

• The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), is set to reintroduce two critically endangered vulture species, Slender-billed Vultures (Gyps tenuirostris) and White-rumped Vultures (Gyps bengalensis), in Assam.

Vulture 

• Vultures are one of the 22 species of large carrion-eating birds that live mostly in the tropics and subtropics.
• India is home to nine species of Vulture namely the Oriental white-backed, Long-billed, Slender-billed, Himalayan, Red-headed, Egyptian, Bearded, Cinereous and the Eurasian Griffon.

Importance of Vultures

• They serve as nature’s clean-up crew by feeding on the infected carcass which kills the Pathogens and breaks the chain of infections. 
• Vultures are critically important to the Parsi community as it leaves its dead bodies atop the Towers of Silence to be consumed by vultures. 

Major Threats

• Use of  toxic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Diclofenac, Lack of Nesting Trees, Electrocution by power lines, Food Dearth and Contaminated Food, Pesticide poisoning etc. threaten vultures across the country.
  • BNHS has been encouraging veterinarians to use vulture-safe alternatives like Meloxicam and Tolfenamic acid.
• India has lost 99 percent of the population of the three species, Oriental White-Backed Vulture, Long-billed Vulture and Slender-billed Vulture. 

Conservation Status

• Schedule-1 of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972: Bearded, Long-billed, Slender-billed, Oriental white-backed.
  • Rest are protected under ‘Schedule IV’.
• IUCN Red List;
  • Critically Endangered: Oriental White-backed Vulture, Long-billed Vulture, Slender-billed Vulture and Red-headed Vulture.
  • Endangered: Egyptian Vulture.
  • Least Concerned: Eurasian Griffon.
  • Near Threatened: Himalayan, Bearded and Cinereous.

Source: TW

Context

• The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) highlights a disturbing rise in toxic contaminants across India’s aquifers. 

About

• India holds 18% of the world’s population but only 4% of its freshwater resources, placing enormous pressure on available water systems. 
• India depends on groundwater for about 85% of its rural drinking water needs and around 60% of irrigation water. 

Crisis of Groundwater Contamination 

• India’s aquifers show simultaneous contamination with, Arsenic, Fluoride, Nitrate, Uranium, Salinity and Heavy metals.
• Nearly 20% of samples nationwide exceed permissible limits for contaminants such as uranium, fluoride, nitrate, and arsenic.
  • North Indian states like Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, show alarming uranium levels in pre- and post-monsoon samples.
• Central India faces increasing fluoride and nitrate concentrations linked to agricultural intensification, while eastern states continue to struggle with arsenic pockets.

Drivers Behind the Crisis

• Agricultural Pollution: Excessive use of nitrogenous fertilisers leads to nitrate leaching.
  • Paddy-wheat monoculture in north India accelerates groundwater depletion, increasing heavy-metal uptake from deeper strata.
• Geogenic Contamination: Fluoride and arsenic contamination partly originate from natural geological formations, but drilling deeper borewells intensifies exposure.
• Anthropogenic Factors: Industrial effluents, untreated sewage, landfill seepage, and peri-urban waste dumping add heavy metals and toxins.
• Weak Groundwater Governance: India still follows the principle that land ownership confers groundwater ownership, enabling unrestricted extraction.
  • Fragmented institutional roles and limited monitoring hinder long-term aquifer management.

Impact of contaminated groundwater

• Public Health cost:Arsenic and fluoride exposure cause long-term skeletal, neurological, and cognitive impairments, disproportionately affecting children.
  • Fluorosis in Gujarat’s Mehsana district has reduced earning capacity and trapped families in cycles of wage loss, debt, and medical expenses.
• Impact on productivity: Heavy metals and chemical residues reduce crop yields, damage soil health, and enter the food chain.
  • Research shows that farms near polluted water bodies experience lower productivity and incomes.
• India’s Export Competitiveness: International markets increasingly demand clean, traceable, and compliant agricultural produce.
  • Instances of export rejections signal emerging risks; if contamination spreads to major crops, India’s agricultural export sector could face serious setbacks.

Government Initiatives

• Jal Shakti Abhiyan (2019): Focuses on water conservation and groundwater recharge in water-stressed districts.
• Amrit Sarovar Mission: Aims to develop and rejuvenate 75 water bodies per district.
• National Aquifer Mapping Program (NAQUIM): Helps delineate and understand aquifers for sustainable management.
• Atal Bhujal Yojana, was launched to improve groundwater management in priority areas with critical and overexploited blocks.

Way Ahead

• Comprehensive Policy Reforms: Establish stringent extraction limits in over-exploited zones and incentivise water-efficient agricultural practices.
• Integrated Monitoring Systems: Leverage real-time data analytics to track contamination trends and predict future risks.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Educate communities about contamination risks and promote the adoption of low-cost treatment technologies.
• Targeted Remediation: Deploy region-specific solutions such as rainwater harvesting in salinity-prone areas and phosphate reduction strategies to curb fluoride and nitrate contamination.

Source: BS

In News

• The Antarctic ozone hole that formed in August 2025 closed earlier than usual, offering hope for recovery amid record global warming.

What is the Ozone Hole?

• It is a seasonal thinning of the stratospheric ozone layer particularly in the southern polar region — was first discovered in 1985.
• The ozone hole is not technically a “hole” where no ozone is present, but is actually a region of exceptionally depleted ozone in the stratosphere over the Antarctic .
• It happens at the beginning of the Southern Hemisphere spring (August–October).

Causes

• Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, and other ozone-depleting substances (ODS): These chemicals, once widely used in refrigeration, aerosols, and solvents, break down ozone molecules in the stratosphere.
• Polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) formed in extreme cold, they accelerate chemical reactions that destroy ozone.
• Climate change interactions: Warming at the surface and cooling in the stratosphere can influence ozone depletion cycles.

Impacts

• Human health: Increased ultraviolet (UV-B) radiation leads to higher risks of skin cancer, cataracts, and weakened immune systems.
• Ecosystems: UV radiation damages phytoplankton, the base of marine food chains, and affects crop yields.
• Climate linkages: Ozone depletion alters atmospheric circulation, impacting weather patterns in the Southern Hemisphere.

Steps Taken

• Montreal Protocol (1987): It is  a landmark global treaty banning ozone-depleting substances (ODS), credited with reducing ozone hole size.
• Kigali Amendment (2016) extended controls to hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), potent greenhouse gases.
• National efforts: Countries phased out CFCs in refrigeration and aerosols, promoting safer alternatives.

Way Ahead

• The ozone hole story is a rare example of successful global environmental action, demonstrating that coordinated efforts can reverse ecological damage. 
• However, recovery remains fragile and requires ongoing vigilance. 
• Continued enforcement of the Montreal Protocol, alignment with climate policies, and promotion of sustainable, eco-friendly technologies are essential to protect the ozone layer. 
• With sustained global cooperation, scientists estimate full recovery could occur by 2060–2070.

Source :DTE

Context

• Recently, the Union Government has expanded the scope and timeline of the Pradhan Mantri Jaiv Indhan–Vatavaran Anukool Fasal Awashesh Nivaran (JI-VAN) Yojana, reaffirming its commitment to sustainable development and energy security. 

About PM JI-VAN & Its 2024 Upgrades

• It was launched in 2019 under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoP&NG).
  • It is implemented by the Centre for High Technology (CHT) that operated under the MoP&NG.
• Financial Outlay: ?1,950 crore (Total Allocation)
  • ?1,800 crore for 12 commercial-scale projects
  • ?150 crore for 10 demonstration-scale projects
• Support Mechanism: Viability gap funding and capital assistance to make projects commercially viable.

Objectives of the Scheme

• Establishment of commercial and demonstration-scale advanced biofuel projects using lignocellulosic biomass and other renewable feedstocks.
• Providing remunerative income to farmers for agricultural residues that would otherwise go to waste.
• Creating employment opportunities in rural and urban areas.
• Addressing air pollution caused by stubble burning and reducing soil and water pollution from municipal solid waste.
• Contributing to the Swachh Bharat Mission and supporting the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme.
• Reducing India’s dependency on crude oil imports and supporting the nation’s climate goals.

Key Biofuel Projects Under PM JI-VAN

• Second Generation (2G) Bio-Ethanol Projects: Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL) has set up a 2G paddy straw-based feedstock bio-ethanol project at Panipat, Haryana.
  • A 2G bamboo-based biorefinery has been established at Numaligarh, Assam by Numaligarh Refinery Ltd., through Assam Bio-Ethanol Private Limited (ABEPL).
• Third Generation (3G) Ethanol Project: IOCL has commissioned a 3G ethanol plant at Panipat, utilizing refinery off-gas as feedstock — marking a leap towards innovative carbon utilization.

Policy Framework Supporting Biofuel Expansion

• The National Policy on Biofuels (Amended 2022) promotes the use of diverse feedstocks such as:
  • Damaged and surplus food grains (broken rice, maize, cassava, rotten potatoes).
  • Agricultural residues (rice straw, corn cobs, cotton stalk, sawdust, bagasse).
  • Sugarcane juice and molasses, regulated through the National Biofuel Coordination Committee (NBCC) to avoid food security conflicts.
• Feedstock utilization is calibrated annually based on availability, cost, market demand, and sustainability considerations.

Impact on Sugar and Maize Sectors

• Sugar Sector: In Sugar Season (SS) 2024–25, sugar production reached 340 LMT, with 34 LMT diverted for ethanol production.
  • Domestic sugar demand stood at 281 LMT, and ethanol production helped stabilize sugar inventories and ensure timely payments to sugarcane farmers.
• Maize Production Growth: Maize output increased by nearly 30%, from 337.30 LMT in 2021–22 to 443 LMT in 2024–25, driven by government encouragement for crop diversification from water-intensive crops like rice and sugarcane.

Achievements of the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme

• Since Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2014–15 up to October 2025, the EBP Programme has achieved:
  • Payments to farmers exceeding ?1,36,300 crores.
  • Foreign exchange savings of more than ?1,55,000 crores.
  • Net CO2 reduction of approximately 790 lakh metric tonnes.
  • Substitution of over 260 LMT of crude oil imports.

Conclusion

• The Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana represents a cornerstone of India’s clean energy and circular economy vision. 
• It paves the way for a sustainable and self-reliant biofuel ecosystem by linking farmers’ livelihoods, waste management, and energy security.
• The initiative strengthens India’s journey toward a low-carbon, energy-secure future together with supportive policies and technological innovations.

Source: PIB

Context

• A recent study, “The genomic footprints of wild Saccharum species trace domestication, diversification, and modern breeding of sugarcane”, analysed the genomes of 390 sugarcane varieties from Australia, Brazil, China, France, French Polynesia, India, Japan, and the US.

Findings

• These plants were hybrids of a variety of genes, with multiple chromosomes in them (polyploidy).
  • Such polyploidy had occurred due to commercial transport by human breeders, who transported and sold sugarcane across various states in a country. 
  • Polyploidy is the heritable condition of possessing more than two complete sets of chromosomes. 
• Upon genetic analysis, the researchers found that Arunachal Pradesh had the most diverse sugarcane breeds.
• The authors discussed the chemical composition of sugarcane and its potential bioactivities, explored its applications in medicine, and charted the potential direction of future research.

Sugarcane Production in India

• About 4,400 lakh tonnes of sugarcane were produced in 2024-2025, particularly across 13 States. 
• In India, sugarcane is mainly grown in two regions: the subtropical north and the tropical south.
  • The northern belt includes Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana and Punjab, while the southern belt covers Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
  • The top five States by production in 2018-2019 to 2023-2024 were Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat. 
• India has been the largest consumer and second largest producer of sugar in the world.

Climatic Conditions

• The sugarcane prospers at temperatures between 20°C and 35°C and requires 75 to 150 cm of rain annually. 
• Prefers fertile and well-drained soils and needs a lot of sunlight. 
• A cold, dry season during ripening and harvesting is ideal.

Challenges

• Water-Intensive Crop: Sugarcane requires 1,500–2,500 mm of water annually; most cultivation relies on groundwater irrigation, causing depletion, especially in Maharashtra and UP.
• Low Yield and Regional Variations: Yields vary sharply across states due to uneven irrigation facilities, soil health issues, and poor seed quality.
• Climate Vulnerability: Sugarcane is highly sensitive to temperature, rainfall patterns, and humidity.
  • Irregular monsoons, droughts, heatwaves, and flooding affect sucrose content and overall yield.
• Declining Soil Fertility: Continuous monocropping and excessive chemical fertiliser use cause: soil nutrient imbalance, reduced organic matter, increased soil salinity and alkalinity.
• Pests and Diseases: Major issues: borers, white grubs, pyrilla, and red rot disease.
• Labour Shortages: Sugarcane requires intensive manual labour for planting, harvesting, and loading.
• Delayed Payments by Sugar Mills: State Advised Price (SAP) and Fair & Remunerative Price (FRP) often do not match mills’ financial capacity.
  • Pricing disputes have triggered widespread protests.
• Post-Harvest Losses: Sugarcane’s seasonal nature creates logistical challenges, as delays beyond 24 hours after harvest cause significant sucrose loss.
• Challenges of Diversion for Ethanol: Growing push for ethanol production sometimes creates competition between sugar and ethanol sectors.

Government Initiatives

• The Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP): The Centre declares FRP under the Sugarcane Control Order, 1966 to ensure farmers receive a minimum guaranteed price.
  • For the 2025-26, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved an FRP of ?355 per quintal at a basic recovery rate of 10.25%. 
• PM-KUSUM for Irrigation Support: Promote solar pumps to reduce irrigation costs for sugarcane farmers.
  • Enhances access to reliable, low-cost water for cultivation.
• Crop Diversification and Intercropping: The government, through ICAR collaboration, is promoting additive intercropping to address soil degradation and farmer income enhancement. 
• The Indian Council of Agricultural Research has also established several sugar research institutes across the country that use classical botanical methods and molecular biological methods to improve the variety and yield of sugarcane. 
• Cooperative Sugar Mill Strengthening Scheme: The government established a ?10,000 crore loan scheme through NCDC (National Cooperative Development Corporation) for cooperative sugar mills.
  • The scheme supports:?
    • Setting up ethanol production plants.
    • Establishing cogeneration plants.
    • Meeting working capital requirements?.
• Modified Ethanol Interest Subvention Scheme: For cooperative sugar mills converting existing sugarcane-based ethanol plants to multi-feedstock plants, the government provides interest subvention at 6% per annum or 50% of charged interest (whichever is lower) for five years. 
• Crop Insurance – Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY): Sugarcane qualifies as an insurable annual commercial crop under PMFBY, providing comprehensive coverage against yield losses from natural calamities, pests, diseases, and localized risks.

Way Ahead

• The comprehensive government framework demonstrates a multi-dimensional approach addressing production efficiency, farmer income, mill viability, environmental sustainability, and market stability. 
• These measures collectively aim to enhance India’s sugarcane productivity from the current 70 tonnes per hectare to 100-110 tonnes per hectare by 2030.

Source: TH

Context

• The Government of India is actively enhancing logistics infrastructure to address global logistics disruptions and enhance export efficiency.

Overview of the Logistics Landscape in India

• India’s logistics sector was valued at USD 215 billion in 2021. It is well-positioned for strong growth with an expected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.7% till 2026. 
• In 2017, a separate logistics unit was created under the Department of Commerce to oversee the Integrated Development of Logistics Sector. 
• The Logistics Industry supports manufacturing, retail, e-commerce, and services by managing inventory, transportation, storage, warehousing, and distribution, linking producers to consumers, both domestically and internationally.

Key Advantages of Efficient Logistics Infrastructure

• Supply chain efficiency: Logistics ensures a smooth and efficient supply chain, minimising delays and reducing lead times. 
• Connectivity and Accessibility: Logistics networks enhance connectivity and accessibility, linking various regions and markets. 
• Cost reduction and competitiveness: Efficient logistics operations contribute to cost reduction in transportation, storage, and distribution. 
• Job creation: The sector is projected to add 1 crore jobs by 2027.
• Economic integration: A well-developed logistics sector facilitates economic integration by connecting various economic zones and promoting a seamless flow of goods and services. 

Challenges

• High Logistics Cost: India’s logistics cost is very high at around 13–14% of GDP, making Indian exports less competitive compared to global peers.
• Infrastructure Gaps: The sector suffers from infrastructure gaps in warehousing, cold storage, and last-mile connectivity.
• Overdependence on Road: There is an overdependence on road transport, which causes congestion, delays, and higher transportation costs.
• Environmental Concerns: Heavy dependence on diesel-based trucking increases carbon emissions and contributes to environmental pollution.

Source: PIB

Context

• Recent rupee’s depreciation against major currencies like the dollar, euro, and yen signals global volatility and deeper structural concerns.

About Rupees Depreciation

• It refers to the decline in the value of the Indian rupee relative to foreign currencies, particularly the US dollar. 
• It means that more rupees are needed to buy a unit of foreign currency, when the rupee depreciates.

Key Drivers of Rupee Depreciation

• Trade Deficit: When imports exceed exports, demand for foreign currency rises, putting downward pressure on the rupee.
• Capital Outflows: Foreign investors pulling money out of Indian markets reduce the supply of foreign currency, weakening the rupee.
• Global Dollar Strength: A strong US dollar, often due to high interest rates in the US, can lead to depreciation of emerging market currencies like the rupee.
• Inflation Differentials: Higher inflation in India compared to its trading partners can erode the rupee’s purchasing power over time.
• Geopolitical and Economic Uncertainty: Global crises or domestic instability can reduce investor confidence, leading to currency depreciation.

Reasons For Current Depreciation

• Nominal Depreciation: The rupee has weakened against most major currencies, including the Chinese yuan (11.66 to 12.63). The NEER’s fall below 85 reflects this broad-based depreciation.
• Lower Domestic Inflation: India’s CPI inflation in October 2025 stood at 0.25%, far below that of major economies like US & Japan (3%); UK (3.6%); Euro Area (2.1%); Indonesia (2.9%); and Brazil (4.7%)
  • The combination of nominal depreciation and low inflation has led to a decline in REER, implying that the rupee is now undervalued and Indian exports may gain price competitiveness.
• Decline in NEER & REER:
  • NEER: Dropped from 90.75 (Jan 2025) to 84.58 (Oct 2025) — a 6.8% decline in just nine months.
  • REER: Fell sharply from its record high of 108.06 (Nov 2024) to 97.47 (Oct 2025) — a 9.8% correction, shifting the rupee from being overvalued to undervalued.

Implications of a Weaker Rupee

• Inflationary Pressures: Imported goods, including electronics, fuel, and essential commodities, are becoming costlier, affecting household budgets.
  • Since India imports over 80% of its oil needs, fuel prices rise, triggering a domino effect on transportation, food, and manufacturing costs, thereby stoking inflation.
• Corporate Profitability: The rupee’s depreciation is expected to erode India’s corporate sector’s (India Inc) profits, particularly for companies with high import dependencies or foreign currency borrowings.
• Trade Balance and Export Competitiveness: While a weaker rupee can boost export competitiveness by making Indian goods cheaper abroad, the benefit is often offset by global demand slowdowns or supply chain disruptions.
  • Moreover, India’s structural trade deficit, driven by high-value imports like oil and electronics, limits the positive impact of currency depreciation.
• Capital Flows and Investor Sentiment: Currency volatility can deter foreign investors, especially in equity and debt markets.
  • Capital outflows driven by global risk aversion and higher US interest rates have exacerbated the rupee’s decline.

IMF’s Reclassification and RBI’s Exchange Rate Policy

• IMF, in its November 26, 2025 report, reclassified India’s exchange rate regime as a ‘crawl-like arrangement’, following its earlier shift from a ‘floating’ to ‘stabilised’ arrangement in November 2023.
  • A crawl-like regime allows gradual adjustments in the currency’s value within a 2% band around a defined trend, providing flexibility while avoiding abrupt movements.
• RBI’s Current Stance: RBI has adopted a more flexible approach, intervening only occasionally to smooth excessive volatility. It is driven by:
  • Easing inflation, reducing the need for a strong rupee.
  • The need to preserve export competitiveness, particularly amid global trade tensions and shifting supply chains.
• RBI has intervened in the forex marketto stabilize the rupee. It may impact:
  • Foreign Exchange Reserves: Continued intervention has led to a drawdown in forex reserves, limiting the RBI’s ability to defend the rupee indefinitely.
  • Inflation Risks: A weaker rupee makes imports more expensive, potentially stoking inflation and complicating the RBI’s monetary policy stance.

What Lies Ahead?

• The rupee’s REER may decline further, keeping it undervalued if the trend of gradual nominal depreciation and subdued inflation continues.
  • Such a position could benefit exporters but may raise import costs over time if global inflation pressures resurface.
• The current undervaluation may offer temporary benefits to trade with India’s inflation under control and external competitiveness improving.
  • However, sustaining stability will require careful balancing between currency flexibility, inflation control, and capital flow management in the months ahead.

Source: IE