April 10, 2025

Current Affairs

Section 44(3) of Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023

Context: Activists, researchers, journalists, and experts have shown concerns regarding changes made to the Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI Act) by the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023. The changes will adversely impact the ability of people to access information.

Relevance of the Topic:Mains: Balancing right to privacy of individuals vs. right to information.

Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023:

DPDP Act, 2023 was enacted to regulate the collection, storage, and processing of personal data while ensuring to balance:
- The right to privacy of individuals.
- The need for lawful data processing by the government and private entities.
It received Presidential assent in August 2023, but is yet to be fully implemented as the Rules under the Act are pending notification.

Section 44(3) of the DPDP Act, 2023 and its Impact on the RTI Act, 2005: Key concerns:

The DPDP Act introduces changes to the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, particularly through Section 44(3). The major change affects Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act, which deals with exemptions for personal information.

Changes made by Section 44(3) of the DPDP Act in the RTI Act

Concerns raised by Activists and Experts:

Impact on Transparency and Public Accountability:
- RTI activists argue that the amendment could be misused to deny critical information about government officials and public servants. E.g., Information like Assets and liabilities of public servants could be withheld using the new clause.
- Under the original RTI Act, information on assets declared by politicians, judges, and bureaucrats was made public. Under the new amendment, such information could now be denied outright.
Details of government contracts and public expenditure: RTI applications have previously revealed instances of corruption and financial irregularities in government projects. E.g., Commonwealth Games scam (2010), where RTI disclosures exposed corruption in infrastructure projects. If Section 44(3) is enforced strictly, such disclosures could be blocked on grounds of personal information.
Recruitment, promotions, and qualifications of Public Servants: RTI has helped uncover instances of fraudulent degrees and irregular appointments. The revised provision could be used to deny such information, citing privacy concerns.

Legal and Constitutional Implications:

RTI vs. Right to Privacy: The Supreme Court in Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017) upheld the Right to Privacy as a fundamental right. However, the court also emphasised the need to balance privacy with transparency in public affairs. The amendment skews this balance in favour of privacy, restricting crucial disclosures for upholding transparency.
Contradiction with RTI’s Foundational Principle: Section 8(1) of the RTI Act includes a general clause stating that information which cannot be denied to Parliament, or a State Legislature should not be denied to citizens. The new amendment contradicts this principle by allowing broad exemptions under personal information.
Impact on Information Commission: Several past rulings by Central and State Information Commissions have been based on the original Section 8(1)(j), balancing privacy and public interest. E.g., In Girish Ramchandra Deshpande v. CIC (2012), the Supreme Court ruled that public officials’ personal information could be disclosed if it served public interest. Under the new amendment, such discretionary power of the commission could be removed, allowing blanket denials to RTI applications.

Consequences of Amendment

Reduced transparency in governance.
Increased difficulty in accessing information about public servants and officials.
Weakened role of the RTI Act in holding the government accountable.

The Right to Information has been a powerful tool against corruption and abuse of power. If the amendment remains in the same form, many disclosures that previously exposed corruption and wrongdoing may no longer be possible.

RBI cuts Repo Rate by 25 bps

Context: RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee has decided to cut the repo rate by 25 basis points to 6%. The decision comes amidst heightened global economic uncertainty in the face of reciprocal tariffs announced by the US.

MPC has slashed the GDP growth to 6.5% in FY26 from 6.7% projected earlier. Retail inflation is expected to be 4% in FY26.

Relevance of the Topic:Prelims: Repo Rate; Reverse Reo Rate.

Repo Rate and Reverse Repo Rate

Repo Rate: The interest rate that the RBI charges when commercial banks borrow money from it.
Reverse Repo Rate: The interest rate the RBI pays commercial banks when they park their excess cash.

Reduction of Repo Rate: Promotes Economic Activity

When the RBI wants to encourage economic activity in the economy, it reduces the repo rates.
This enables commercial banks to bring down the interest rates they charge (on their loans) as well as the interest rate they pay on deposits. Interest rates on home, personal, vehicle loans and deposit loans come down.
This incentivises people to spend money as keeping their savings in the bank pays back a little less interest.
Businesses are incentivised to take new loans for new investments as new loans now become cheaper.

Increase in Repo Rate: Control Inflation:

When the RBI wants to control inflation, it increases the repo rate.
Banks charge more interest to their borrowers, as they have to pay more interest to borrow from the RBI.
At a macro level, this inhibits people from borrowing money as well as from spending, which in turn reduces the amount of money in the market, and thus negates inflation.

Repo and Reverse repo rates are often referred to as the “benchmark” interest rates in the economy. Using these rates, the RBI sets the tone for all other interest rates in the banking system, and in the broader economy.

UAE Deputy Prime Minister visits India

Context: The Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Defence of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had his first official visit to India in April 2025.

Relevance of the Topic: Mains: India - UAE bilateral relationship.

Key Highlights of the Meeting

Both countries discussed ways to further strengthen the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the areas of trade, investments, defence, energy, technology, education, sports and people-to-people ties.
Announcement made during the visit:
- Setting up of the campuses in UAE (IIM in Dubai; Indian Institute of Foreign Trade in Dubai)
- Grant of land for UAE-India Friendship Hospital in Dubai focussed on affordable healthcare to the blue-collar Indian diaspora.
- Development of ship-repair clusters at Kochi and Vadinar.
- Increase defence industry collaboration, and explore opportunities for enhancing partnership in defence manufacturing.

India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement:

India-UAE CEPA was signed in 2022. Since the signing of CEPA, bilateral merchandise trade has nearly doubled to USD 83 billion in FY24.
CEPA has been successful in diversifying the trade basket and it will help achieve the non-oil trade target of US$ 100 billion by 2030.

Also Read: India-UAE Bilateral Relations

Why is Active Mobility Necessary in India?

Context: Active mobility in India has gained attention due to increasing traffic congestion, pollution, health concerns, and rising pedestrian deaths.

Relevance of the topic:

Prelims: About active mobility, Smart Cities Mission etc.

Mains: Smart Cities Mission: Efficient urban mobility and public transport

Active Mobility

Active mobility refers to modes of transportation that use human power instead of a motorised form of mobility.
Active modes of transport include walking, cycling, skateboarding, and other non-motorised modes that are used for travel and not recreational activities.
As stated by the World Health Organisation (WHO), active mobility in all its forms has economic, social, environmental, and health benefits.

Benefits of Active Mobility:

Reduced expenditure on fuel and transportation.
Promote sustainable modes of transportation; reduced traffic congestion; cleaner air (reduce India’s 12% carbon emissions from road transportation).
Lower healthcare costs due to enhanced public health.
Make cities more vibrant, climate-conscious and boost the local economy.

Roadblocks to Active Mobility in India

Lack of adequate pedestrian and cyclist-friendly infrastructure. As of 2021, more than 85% of roads do not meet the minimum safety requirements for walking and cycling.
Availability of low-c-xost, alternative modes of motorised transport.
Extreme weather conditions; long distances of travel discourage people from adopting active modes of transport.
Social perceptions act as significant barriers; owing vehicles are associated with higher social status.

Global Case Studies

Netherlands: With more than 35,000 km of dedicated cycling lanes, the Netherlands is a global leader in promoting active mobility through cycling.
European Union: EU’s Mobility and Transport department prioritises promoting walking and cycling as a means of transport to enable more sustainable mobility. Vision Zero, aims to mitigate the number of incidents between pedestrians, cyclists, and motor vehicles.

Active mobility is key to achieve the goals of Smart Cities Mission, which envisions safer, greener, and more inclusive urban spaces. With over 1.5 lakh road accident deaths (2022), promoting active mobility will enhance livability and make cities truly smart, sustainable, and centered around people.

SMART CITIES MISSION

Launched: 2015
Objectives: Promote cities that provide core infrastructure, clean and sustainable environment and give a decent quality of life to their citizens through the application of ‘smart solutions’.
Nature: Centrally-sponsored scheme
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs

Six Fundamental Principles:

Citizen Participation: Involving citizens in planning and decision-making processes.
Inclusive Development: Benefits reach all sections of society, including the poor and vulnerable.
Sustainability: Promoting environmental, social, and economic sustainability.
Integrated Infrastructure: Coordinated planning across sectors like water, energy, transport, and waste.
Innovation and Technology: Using smart solutions to enhance services and governance.
Accountability and Transparency: Ensuring efficient delivery and monitoring of services.

Strategy of Smart City Mission:

Area-Based Solutions:
- Retrofitting: Improve existing areas with smart planning to enhance efficiency and livability.
- Redevelopment: Replace old infrastructure with new layouts, better facilities, and higher density.
- Renewal: Develop vacant land (250+ acres) using smart planning and financing tools, with affordable housing.
Pan-city ICT Intervention: Apply smart technology to existing city-wide infrastructure for better service delivery.

Core infrastructure elements in a Smart City are as follows:

Adequate water supply
Assured electricity supply
Sanitation including solid waste management
Efficient urban mobility and public transport
Affordable housing, especially for the poor
Robust IT connectivity and digitalisation
Good governance, especially e-governance and citizen participation
Sustainable environment
Safety and security of citizens, particularly women, children and the elderly
Health and Education.

Facial Recognition Technology

Context: Delhi Police is planning a city-wide rollout of facial recognition technology (FRT) later this year in 2025. Experts warn that the increasing integration of such technology across platforms may come at a cost.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: About Facial recognition technology.

Facial Recognition Technology:

Facial recognition is a cutting-edge biometric technology that identifies or verifies an individual by analysing their facial features.
The algorithm-based technology creates a unique digital map of a person’s face by detecting and analysing facial features such as the distance between the eyes, shape of the jaw etc. This faceprint is then compared to a database of stored images for identity verification or identification.

Automated Facial Recognition System (AFRS)

AFRS uses a large database containing millions of facial images including those from CCTV footage, social media, and official records.
When an unidentified image is captured (E.g., from a surveillance camera), AFRS uses artificial intelligence to find a matching pattern in the database and identify the person.

There are two types of Matching:

1:1 Verification: Confirms if the face matches a single image (e.g., unlocking your phone).
1:N Identification: Compares the face to an entire database to identify an unknown individual (E.g., identifying suspects in law enforcement). Delhi Police usually use FRT for 1:N identification.

Limitations of FRT

Accuracy Issue: The system may wrongly identify someone (false positive) or fail to recognise the correct person (false negative). Accuracy drops with poor angles, low light, or occlusions like masks or sunglasses.
Limited Datasets: Studies have shown higher error rates for women, children, and people with darker skin tones, especially, when systems are trained on datasets lacking diversity. Delhi Police treat matches above 80% similarity as positive results, while matches below 80% as false positive results which require additional corroborative evidence.

Facial Recognition System in Delhi:

Since 2018, the Delhi Police has been using the Facial Recognition System (an Israeli software) to monitor high-security events in the Capital.
FRS vans are armed with cameras, computers, and automatic number plate readers (configured to scan faces instead of license plates) and stationed in different parts of the two districts every day, scanning faces and alerting them of potential hits.
Apart from fixed cameras, Prakhar vans with mobile cameras scan crowds and crime-prone areas.

Safe City Project

Delhi Police plans to expand FRS under the Safe City Project with 10,000 high-resolution CCTV cameras across the capital, whose LIVE feed will be beamed directly to a command centre at the police headquarters.
Implementation: Centre for Development of Advanced Computing, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
CDAC will be responsible for setting up C41 (Integrated Command, Control, Communication & Computer Centre) where integrated video feeds will be beamed. These feeds will be analysed in real time, with AI models capable of identifying over 20 faces in a crowd, even under partial visibility or disguised appearances.

However, its use raises serious concerns about privacy and misuse. Without a clear legal framework, it has a chilling effect on civil liberties, there is a risk of misidentifying individuals, profiling, and violating fundamental rights.

De Extinction of Dire Wolf

Context: Colossal Biosciences, a US-based bioscience company, claimed that it had revived dire wolves as the world’s first successfully de-extinct animal.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts related to Dire wolf and gene editing.

De-Extinction of Dire Wolf

Scientists extracted and sequenced DNA from two ancient dire wolf specimens — a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old ear bone. This analysis identified 20 key genetic differences between dire wolves and their closest living species, grey wolves.
Using CRISPR technology, researchers edited the 14 genes in grey wolf DNA to incorporate 20 key genetic variants associated with dire wolf traits, such as larger size, broader heads and thicker fur.
The genetic material was inserted into an egg cell from a domestic dog. Once the embryos were developed, they were implanted into surrogate dogs. Consequently, the genetically engineered pups were born (named Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi).
Controversy: While Colossal Biosciences referred to these animals as “de-extincted” dire wolves, experts argue that they are genetically modified grey wolves rather than true representations of the extinct species.

Dire Wolf

Dire wolves were large canines that dominated southern Canada and the US before their extinction about 13,000 years ago.
Dire wolves resemble the grey wolves sharing 99.5% of their DNA. However, dire wolves are not the ancestors of grey wolves. The two species diverged millions of years ago and evolved separately.
Physical Appearance: Dire wolves are larger with white coats, more heavily built, thicker legs, broader heads and shoulders, and more pronounced snout. Dire wolves could be 3.5 feet tall, >6 feet in length, and weigh up to 68 kg.
Dire wolves hunted horses, bison, and possibly mammoths. One of the possible reasons behind their extinction is the extinction of its prey species.

Gene Editing

Gene editing is a scientific method where scientists modify DNA — the genetic code that determines how an organism looks, grows, and behaves. Think of DNA like a biological instruction manual made up of letters (A, T, C, G). With gene editing, scientists can add, delete, or replace parts of that manual to change how an organism develops.
CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) is the most popular gene-editing technology that allows precise modification of DNA sequences.

Strengthening Enforcement of Judicial Orders

Context: In a recent case, the residents of Jaipur who faced persistent noise pollution due to air horn usage approached the National Green Tribunal and got an order in their favour limiting air horn usage on major roads between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. However, enforcement agencies, including the traffic police, transport department, and pollution control board, have still not implemented the order.

Let us understand the various aspects associated with enforcement of judicial orders like the importance of actionable judicial orders, and the hurdles faced while implementing them.

Relevance of the Topic: Mains: Strengthening Enforcement of Judicial Orders.

Importance of Practical and Actionable Judicial Orders

Action-Oriented judgments: Courts need to deliver orders that can be practically implemented on the ground. This should include clarity in directives, defined responsibilities, and measurable timelines.
Judicial Pragmatism: Without attention to ground-level enforcement conditions, even well-intentioned rulings remain symbolic and ineffective.

Importance of Enforcement as an essential part of Justice Delivery:

Enforcement should not be treated as a procedural formality but as an integral component of justice.
Weak enforcement directly impacts governance quality, causing delays, inefficiencies, and public disillusionment.
When judicial decisions remain unimplemented, it erodes public trust in institutions, making future compliance even harder.

Need for Judicial Foresight in anticipating the Enforcement Challenges:

Disconnect between Courtrooms and Field: Judicial pronouncements sometimes ignore administrative limitations in implementations or enforcement loopholes.
E.g., in the State of Tamil Nadu v. K. Balu (2017), SC banned liquor sales within 500 meters of highways to reduce road accidents, however, its enforcement faced serious challenges like reclassification of roads, relocation of outlets just beyond limits, and delayed compliance. This showed lack of judicial foresight and absence of monitoring mechanisms.

However, we have examples of Successful Judicial Enforcements in India:

Common Cause v. Union of India (2018): It legalised passive euthanasia. Its success was due to clear, detailed guidelines, institutional responsibilities, and monitoring frameworks.
Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ) Case: It established a green belt around Mathura Refinery following the Varadarajan Committee's recommendation. It was possible due to inter-agency collaboration and continuous air quality monitoring; this shows that coordinated institutional effort can implement complex judicial directives effectively.

Measures to Improve Enforcement Mechanisms

Appointment of dedicated officers: Every government department and agency should appoint a designated officer responsible for executing judicial orders. Officers must conduct regular compliance audits, submit reports, follow through and be held accountable for failure.
Using technology for better oversight: Use digital tools to map jurisdictions and monitor compliance. Enable agencies to report status updates within a fixed time frame through court-monitored dashboards.
Transparency and Public Engagement: Public dissemination of enforcement status can generate pressure for compliance. It is well known that citizen participation enhances vigilance and facilitates feedback loops.
Positive Incentivisation: Recognising and rewarding departments/agencies that ensure timely and effective enforcement may promote a culture of accountability.

SC sets time limits for Governors to act on Bills

Context: The Supreme Court has set time limits for Governors to act on Bills emphasising mandatory adherence to Article 200 of Constitution. The Supreme Court recently, invoked its inherent powers under Article 142, and declared that 10 Bills, which were withheld assent by Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi for two to five years, as having received assent.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Article 200; Article 201 of Indian Constitution.

Article 200

When a bill is sent to the governor after it is passed by state legislature, he/ she can:

Give his/ her assent to the bill, or
Withhold his/ her assent to the bill, or
Return the bill (if it is not a money bill) for reconsideration of the state legislature. However, if the bill is passed again by the state legislature with or without amendments, the governor has to give his/ her assent to the bill, or
Reserve the bill for the President.

Article 201

Reserve the bill for the consideration of the President.

When a Bill is reserved for the consideration of the President, The President shall declare either that he assents to the Bill, or he withholds assent from the Bill.
The President may also direct the Governor to return the Bill to the House of the Legislature of the State for reconsideration.
Options available with the Governor:
He may give assent, or he can send it back to the Assembly requesting it to reconsider some provisions of the Bill, or the Bill itself.
In addition, as identified by Soli Sorabjee, the governor can also reserve the bill if it is of the following nature:

Ultra-vires, that is, against the provisions of the Constitution.
Opposed to the Directive Principles of State Policy.
Against the larger interest of the country.
Of grave national importance.
Dealing with compulsory acquisition of property under Article 31A of the Constitution.

In one particular case such reservation is obligatory, that is, where the bill passed by the state legislature endangers the position of the state High Court.

Supreme Court Previous Observations in this context

Nabam Rebia and Bamang Felix vs Deputy Speaker, 2016: The Governor cannot withhold assent to a Bill indefinitely but must return it to the Assembly with a message, and this could include his recommendation for amendments to the Bill.
State of Punjab vs Principal Secretary to Governor of Punjab 2023: In 2023, the Supreme court in State of Punjab vs. Principal Secretary to Governor of Punjab has held that the Governor can not veto the legislature by indefinitely withholding assent to the bill and in case the bill is re-enacted, Governor does not exercise discretion to withhold the reenacted bill.

State of Tamil Nadu vs Governor of Tamil Nadu 2025

The Supreme Court has prescribed a time limit for the Governor to exercise his powers under Article 200. The court said that a Governor must be a friend, guide and philosopher to the State, not a hindrance.

The Governor is not allowed to reserve a Bill for the consideration of the President once it is presented before him in the second round after having been returned to the House previously as per the first provision. The only exception to this general rule is when the Bill presented in the second round is different from the one presented to the Governor in the first instance.
In case of reservation of Bills for the consideration of the President, contrary to the advice of the state Council of Ministers, the Governor shall make such reservation within a maximum period of three months. In case of presentation of a Bill after reconsideration in accordance with the first proviso (of Article 200), the Governor must grant assent subject to a maximum period of one month.