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RBI’s Digital Fraud Relief Plan: New Safety Net for Small-Value Victims

Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed a compensation framework for victims of small-value digital frauds, aiming to restore trust in digital payments and strengthen consumer protection. The proposal focuses on fraud cases up to ₹50,000, which account for nearly 65% of all digital fraud incidents.

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Key Features of the Proposed Compensation Framework

The scheme provides compensation for eligible victims of digital fraud up to ₹25,000, or 85% of the loss, whichever is lower. This design ensures meaningful relief while preventing misuse.

A major reform is the inclusion of cases involving inadvertent credential sharing, provided the act was not mala fide. Earlier liability rules often excluded compensation when negligence was involved. This reflects a more citizen-friendly approach, recognising that fraudsters increasingly use deception-based tactics such as phishing and fake customer care calls.

To discourage habitual carelessness, the relief will be available only once per customer, creating a balance between protection and accountability.

Liability Sharing: “Skin in the Game” Model

The proposed framework distributes the financial burden among stakeholders:

  • Customer: Bears 15% of the loss as a deductible, encouraging continued vigilance.
  • Bank: Contributes a proposed ~15%, incentivising stronger cybersecurity and fraud detection systems.
  • RBI: Covers the remaining ~70% through a central fund, subject to the compensation cap.

This approach ensures shared responsibility rather than shifting the entire cost to one entity.

Funding through the Depositor Education and Awareness (DEA) Fund

Compensation payouts will be financed through the Depositor Education and Awareness (DEA) Fund, which currently holds a surplus of around ₹85,000 crore.

About the DEA Fund

  • Established by RBI in 2014 under Section 26A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
  • Banks transfer balances of unclaimed/inoperative accounts for 10+ years into the fund.
  • Depositors retain the right to reclaim their money with interest; transfer does not extinguish ownership.
  • RBI pays interest on the transferred amount, which banks must pass to depositors upon settlement.
  • The fund is primarily meant for depositor awareness programmes, but is now proposed to support fraud compensation.

RBI has also launched the UDGAM portal, enabling citizens to search unclaimed deposits across banks, improving transparency.

Significance of the Proposal

The framework can strengthen confidence in digital transactions, particularly for small users, senior citizens, and first-time digital adopters. It also aligns with India’s push for a secure digital economy under UPI-based payments and fintech expansion.

Conclusion

RBI’s proposed compensation mechanism is a major step towards consumer-centric digital governance. If implemented effectively, it can reduce financial distress from small frauds while promoting stronger banking security and responsible user behaviour.

ACC PLI Scheme Performance: Ambitions vs Outcomes

Context: As reported by The Hindu, the Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, launched in October 2021, was envisioned as a cornerstone of India’s electric mobility and energy storage strategy. However, against a target of 50 GWh battery manufacturing capacity by 2025, only 1.4 GWh has been commissioned so far, indicating significant implementation bottlenecks.

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About the ACC PLI Scheme

  • Objective: Develop a domestic advanced battery ecosystem to reduce near-total import dependence and support EV adoption and renewable energy integration.
  • Financial Outlay: ₹18,100 crore.
  • Incentive Structure: Performance-linked subsidy of up to ₹2,000 per kWh, aimed at attracting large private investments into battery gigafactories.
  • Technology-Agnostic Design: Covers lithium-ion, lithium iron phosphate (LFP), sodium-ion, and other emerging chemistries.
  • Domestic Value Addition (DVA):
    • 25% within 2 years
    • 60% by the fifth year

Advanced Chemistry Cells (ACC) are next-generation batteries that store electrical energy chemically and discharge it on demand, forming the backbone of EVs and grid-scale storage.

Current Performance Snapshot

  • Installed Capacity: 1.4 GWh commissioned — only 2.8% of the 50 GWh target.
  • Project Delays:
    • 8.6 GWh under development with major delays.
    • 20 GWh shows no visible progress.
  • Employment Generation: 1,118 jobs, far below the estimated 1.03 million potential jobs.
  • Investment Mobilised: Only 25.58% of the targeted capital inflows achieved.
  • Incentives Disbursed: ₹0, as milestone conditions remain unmet.

Reasons for Underperformance

  • Unrealistic Timelines: A two-year gestation period is misaligned with global gigafactory setup cycles of 4–6 years, delaying over 90% of capacity.
  • Raw Material Bottlenecks: India processes <1% of global lithium and lacks cobalt/nickel refining capacity, constraining DVA compliance.
  • Experience Gap: Established players like Exide and Amara Raja were excluded; all awarded capacity went to new entrants.
  • Skill Deficit: Battery manufacturing skills remain underdeveloped across most projects.
  • Visa & Expertise Delays: Shortage of foreign technical specialists slowed plant commissioning.

Implications for India

  • EV Affordability: Batteries account for 35–45% of EV cost; delayed localisation keeps prices high.
  • Import Dependence: Nearly 100% reliance on imported advanced battery cells continues.
  • Clean Energy Transition: Storage delays affect renewable integration, jeopardising the 500 GW non-fossil target by 2030.
  • Strategic Vulnerability: With China controlling over 75% of global battery capacity, India faces supply-chain and geopolitical risks.

Way Forward

  • Timeline Realism: Align commissioning schedules with global norms; adopt phased rollouts (as in the India Semiconductor Mission).
  • Mineral Security: Expand refining under the Critical Minerals Mission and overseas acquisitions (e.g., KABIL in Argentina).
  • Experience Weightage: Modify PLI criteria to reward proven manufacturers.
  • Technology Transfer: Fast-track expert visas, JVs, and licensing with global leaders.
  • Demand Linkage: Integrate ACC PLI with EV subsidies (PM E-Drive) and renewable storage tenders for assured offtake.

Economic Survey 2025–26: Mapping India’s Growth with Disciplined Swadeshi

Context: The Economic Survey 2025–26 was tabled in Parliament by the Union Finance Minister ahead of the Union Budget 2026. The Survey introduces the core idea of “Disciplined Swadeshi”—a calibrated development strategy that rejects inward-looking protectionism while firmly integrating India into global supply chains with domestic strength and competitiveness.

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About the Economic Survey

The Economic Survey of India is the Ministry of Finance’s annual flagship publication that reviews macroeconomic performance over the previous year and presents policy-oriented insights.

  • Prepared by: Economic Division, Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) under the Chief Economic Advisor
  • Presented since: 1950–51 (separately from the Budget since 1964)
  • Legal Status: Non-statutory and non-binding
  • Contents: Macroeconomic trends, sectoral performance, thematic chapters, and statistical annexures

Key Highlights of Economic Survey 2025–26

1. State of the Economy

India remains the fastest-growing major economy:

  • Real GDP growth (FY26): 7.4%
  • FY27 outlook: 6.8–7.2%
  • Medium-term potential growth revised upward to 7%

Growth is increasingly consumption-driven:

  • Private Final Consumption Expenditure (PFCE) rose to a 12-year high of 61.5% of GDP
  • Rural demand improved due to strong agriculture, while urban demand was supported by stable employment

Investment momentum continued:

  • Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) grew 7.6%, sustaining around 30% of GDP

2. Fiscal Developments

Fiscal consolidation progressed alongside growth:

  • Fiscal deficit: 4.8% (FY25); 4.4% target for FY26
  • Revenue receipts increased to 9.2% of GDP, reflecting higher tax buoyancy
  • Direct tax base expanded to 9.2 crore ITR filers
  • GST collections rose 6.7% YoY to ₹17.4 lakh crore (Apr–Dec 2025)

Quality of expenditure improved:

  • Effective Capital Expenditure increased to 4.0% of GDP
  • General Government debt-to-GDP declined by 7.1 percentage points since 2020

3. Monetary Management and Financial Inclusion

  • RBI policy stance: Neutral
  • Repo rate cut by 125 bps since Feb 2025 to 5.25%
  • Banking health improved: GNPA at a multi-decadal low of 2.2%

Financial inclusion deepened:

  • PM Jan Dhan Yojana: 55.02 crore accounts, majority in rural/semi-urban areas
  • Capital market participation crossed 12 crore investors, with women ~25%

4. Inflation and Prices

  • Retail inflation averaged a historic low of 1.7% (Apr–Dec 2025), driven by food deflation
  • Core inflation remained elevated at 4.62%, largely due to global precious metal prices
  • Lower food and fuel inflation boosted household purchasing power

5. Agriculture and Allied Sectors

  • Agriculture growth (FY26): 3.1%
  • Horticulture output (362.08 MT) exceeded foodgrains (357.7 MT) for the second year
  • Fish production surged 142% in a decade, reaching 188.7 lakh tonnes

6. Industry and Infrastructure

  • Industrial GVA growth projected at 6.2%, led by manufacturing
  • Rail electrification reached 99.1% of broad-gauge routes
  • India became the 3rd largest domestic aviation market, with 164 operational airports
  • DISCOMs recorded a positive PAT of ₹2,701 crore for the first time
  • High-speed highway corridors expanded to 5,364 km

7. Services Sector

  • Share in GDP: 53.6% (H1 FY26)
  • Growth (FY26): 9.1%
  • Attracted over 80% of FDI inflows (FY23–FY25)
  • Services exports reached $387.5 billion, ranking 7th globally

8. External Sector

  • Forex reserves: $701.4 billion, covering 11 months of imports
  • India’s share in global exports: 1.8% (merchandise) and 4.3% (services)
  • Remittances: $135.4 billion (3.5% of GDP)
  • External debt: $746 billion; sovereign external debt < 5% of total government debt

9. Social Infrastructure and Employment

  • Unemployment rate declined to 4.9% (Q3 FY26)
  • Female LFPR rose to 41.7%
  • Multidimensional Poverty reduced to 11.28%
  • Social sector spending increased to 7.9% of GDP
  • e-Shram portal registered 31+ crore unorganised workers

Conclusion

The Economic Survey 2025–26 presents a confident picture of India’s economy—growth with stability, inclusion, and resilience—anchored in the philosophy of Disciplined Swadeshi, balancing domestic capability with global integration.

From Imports to Independence: India’s Pulse Self-Reliance Drive

Context: The Union Agriculture Minister launched the National Self-Reliance in Pulses Mission from the Food Legumes Research Platform (FLRP), Madhya Pradesh—signalling a structural shift from import dependence to a resilient, farmer-centric pulse economy.

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Why Pulses Matter

Pulses are central to India’s nutrition security, soil health, and climate resilience. As rain-fed, nitrogen-fixing crops, they reduce fertiliser dependence, improve soil fertility, and provide affordable protein to millions. Yet, despite being the world’s largest producer and consumer of pulses, India remains a major importer—exposing domestic markets to global price volatility and forex risks.

Core Design of the Mission

The Mission adopts a seed-to-market value-chain approach, integrating research, farm practices, procurement, processing, and organised marketing.

  • Cluster Model: Contiguous cultivation clusters enable collective input supply, uniform agronomy, and direct linkage with processors—lowering costs and market frictions.
  • Decentralised Seed System: States and farmer networks can release and distribute location-specific varieties, accelerating adoption of high-yielding, climate-resilient seeds.
  • Research–Farmer Bridge: The FLRP connects ICAR–ICARDA research with farmers for rapid field validation of disease-resistant and early-maturing varieties.
  • Value Addition: Emphasis shifts from raw pulses to branded, protein-rich products, boosting farm incomes and rural employment.

Structural Challenges

  • Shrinking Area: Pulses acreage declined from 29.3 million ha (2016–17) to ~27.4 million ha (2023–24).
  • Low Productivity: Yields hover around 850–900 kg/ha, well below the global average of 1,200–1,300 kg/ha due to rain-fed dependence and input gaps.
  • Import Dependence: India imported ~2.8–3 million tonnes annually (2022–24); FY25 imports may touch 6.5–6.8 million tonnes, with yellow peas forming ~30%.
  • Price Volatility: In bumper years, market prices often fall 20–30% below MSP, discouraging cultivation.
  • Processing Deficit: Less than 10% of output is processed near farm gates, eroding farmers’ price share.

Roadmap to Self-Reliance

  • 1,000 Pulse Mills: Up to ₹25 lakh subsidy per unit for decentralised milling, cutting transport costs and creating jobs.
  • Farmer Incentives: Quality seed kits plus ₹10,000/ha assistance for model farming in clusters.
  • Targeted R&D: Yield gains in chana, tur, urad, moong, and lentil through pest-resistant, short-duration varieties.
  • Cooperative Federalism: States to prepare agro-climatic roadmaps aligned with national goals.

Strategic Significance

Achieving pulse self-reliance will strengthen food and nutritional security, stabilise prices, reduce import bills, and make Indian agriculture more climate-smart.

If implemented with predictable MSP procurement, assured markets, and robust extension services, the Mission can convert India’s protein deficit into a protein dividend.

Rat-Hole Mining: A Persistent Environmental and Human Tragedy in Meghalaya

Context: A deadly explosion at an illegal rat-hole coal mine in Thangkso, East Jaintia Hills (Meghalaya) killed 27 workers, once again exposing the continued prevalence of this hazardous practice despite a National Green Tribunal (NGT) ban imposed in 2014 and reiterated in 2015. The incident has triggered renewed enforcement and judicial scrutiny.

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What is Rat-Hole Mining?

Rat-hole mining is a primitive and unsafe coal extraction method involving narrow pits and tunnels—often up to 300–400 feet deep—dug manually using pickaxes, shovels, and baskets. It is mainly practised in Meghalaya, with sporadic instances in Assam, to extract coal from thin seams.

Types

  • Side-Cutting: Horizontal tunnels dug into hill slopes.
  • Box-Cutting: Vertical pits followed by horizontal galleries to reach coal seams.

Why Does It Persist Despite the Ban?

  • Economic Compulsion: Daily wages of ₹800–1,200, far higher than average MGNREGA wages (~₹250/day), attract vulnerable workers.
  • Geological Constraint: Over 90% of coal seams are thinner than 2 metres, making mechanised mining economically unviable.
  • Weak Enforcement: Between 2014–2018, Meghalaya Police recorded 477 violations of the NGT ban, indicating low deterrence.
  • Political–Bureaucratic Nexus: Despite prohibition, illegal coal trade continued; coal exports worth ₹700+ crore annually (pre-2019) point to systemic regulatory capture.
  • Migrant Labour Dependence: In major accidents, 60–70% of victims were migrants from Jharkhand, Assam, and neighbouring regions, driven by distress employment.

Environmental and Human Costs

  • Fatal Accidents: Frequent cave-ins, flooding, and explosions.
  • Water Pollution: Acid mine drainage contaminates rivers, affecting agriculture and drinking water.
  • Ecological Damage: Deforestation, land subsidence, and biodiversity loss.
  • Human Rights Concerns: Exploitative labour conditions, absence of safety gear, and lack of legal protection.

Measures Taken to Curb the Practice

  • Criminal Enforcement: FIRs under culpable homicide, MMDR Act, and Explosive Substances Act; arrests of mine owners and operators.
  • Judicial Oversight: Meghalaya High Court took suo motu cognisance and appointed the Justice (Retd.) B.P. Katakey Committee (2022) to monitor illegal mining.
  • Judicial Prohibition: NGT’s 2014 ban (upheld by the Supreme Court) declared rat-hole mining unscientific, unsafe, and environmentally destructive.

Way Forward

  • Alternative Livelihoods: Expand skill training, MSME support, and public works to reduce economic dependence.
  • Scientific Mining Framework: If mining is permitted, enforce regulated, mechanised, and environmentally compliant methods.
  • Stronger Enforcement: Dedicated mining police units, real-time surveillance, and faster prosecutions.
  • Labour Protection: Inter-state coordination to protect migrant workers and curb trafficking.

France Tightens Digital Guardrails for Children: Implications for Global Online Safety

Context: France’s National Assembly has passed a landmark bill banning social media use for minors under 15 and restricting mobile phone usage in high schools. The move reflects growing global concern over the impact of excessive screen time, algorithmic manipulation, and online misinformation on child mental health and democratic resilience.

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Key Features of France’s Social Media Control Bill

1. Phased Implementation
The ban on creating new social media accounts for children below 15 will begin from the 2026 school year, allowing platforms time to adapt age-verification systems and enforcement mechanisms.

2. Mobile Phone Restrictions in Schools

  • Mobile phone use is prohibited in high schools, extending France’s 2018 ban in middle schools.
  • The objective is to reduce distraction, cyberbullying, and screen dependency during formative years.

3. Mandatory Account Deactivation
Social media platforms must disable existing accounts that violate age norms by 31 December following enforcement, shifting compliance responsibility onto technology companies.

4. Mental Health Protection
The law explicitly targets harms linked to excessive screen exposure, including anxiety, emotional stress, sleep disorders, and declining adolescent well-being.

5. Algorithmic Safeguards
Platforms are required to prevent behavioural manipulation of minors driven by engagement-maximising algorithms that promote addictive content loops.

6. Foreign Influence Mitigation
By limiting youth exposure, the law seeks to reduce external digital influence on political opinions and social attitudes of minors.

7. Limited Exemptions
Educational platforms and online encyclopedias are exempt, ensuring that learning and informational access remains unaffected.

India’s Social Media Regulation Landscape

India faces a similar but larger-scale challenge due to its vast digital footprint:

  • Legal Framework:
    • Information Technology Act, 2000
    • IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021
    • Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023
  • Scale of Usage:
    • Over 820 million internet users and 500 million social media users.
  • Cybercrime Trends:
    • 65% rise in cybercrimes (2019–2023).
    • Child-related cyber offences increased over 400% (NCRB data).
  • Misinformation Challenge:
    • India reports the highest global spread of WhatsApp misinformation, linked to mob violence and public disorder incidents.
  • Child Data Protection:
    • Under the DPDP Act, 2023, minors (below 18) require verifiable parental consent.
    • Platforms are barred from tracking, profiling, or targeted advertising to children, reinforcing a privacy-first approach.

Significance and Global Implications

France’s move signals a shift from platform self-regulation to state-led child protection, potentially setting a precedent for other democracies. For India, it offers policy lessons on age verification, algorithm accountability, and school-based digital discipline, while balancing free expression and child welfare.

Conclusion

France’s social media controls underscore a growing recognition that digital freedom must be balanced with psychological safety, especially for children.

As online platforms increasingly shape behaviour and opinions, robust governance frameworks are becoming a democratic necessity rather than a regulatory choice.

Inequality in Public Employment: What Workforce Data Reveals

Context: The latest Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) Annual Report 2024–25 highlights persistent caste-linked patterns in central government employment. A large proportion of Group C safai karmacharis belong to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC), underscoring structural occupational segregation despite decades of reservation policy.

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Key Trends in Social Representation

  • Occupational Segregation: Over 66% of sanitation workers come from SC, ST, and OBC groups, reflecting the historic concentration of marginalised communities in sanitation roles.
  • Under-Representation in Higher Services: In Group A services, representation remains low — SCs 14.20%, STs 6.54%, OBCs 19.14%, below their combined reservation entitlements.
  • Slow SC Progress: SC share fell from 17.49% (2018–19) to 16.84% (2024–25), indicating stagnation.
  • Uneven Gains: OBC representation rose from 21.57% to 26.32%, while SC and ST growth remained marginal.
  • Transparency Gap: EWS category data is not disclosed, limiting assessment of inclusive recruitment.
  • Reporting Delays: Workforce data in recent years covered only 19–20 lakh employees instead of the full ~32 lakh, weakening monitoring.

Governance Concerns

These trends show that vertical mobility within public employment remains limited. While entry-level representation exists in lower cadres, movement into decision-making positions is inadequate.

Persistent caste clustering in sanitation roles also raises concerns about the effectiveness of anti-discrimination and occupational diversification measures.

Way Forward

  • Upward Mobility: Expand competency-based training, promotions, and leadership development under Mission Karmayogi.
  • Occupational Diversification: Facilitate transition from sanitation roles to technical and administrative posts via Skill India and PMKVY skilling frameworks.
  • Data Transparency: Publish annual caste-wise and EWS-wise workforce data through digital HR dashboards.
  • Reservation Compliance: Conduct regular audits and special recruitment drives to clear backlog vacancies.
  • Institutional Support: Provide mentoring and exam coaching for higher civil services through SC/ST/OBC welfare schemes.

Significance

Ensuring equitable representation in public employment is vital for social justice, administrative inclusivity, and democratic legitimacy.

Without transparent monitoring and structured mobility pathways, reservations risk becoming confined to lower occupational tiers rather than enabling transformative representation.

Health Impacts of Plastics: A Growing Global Public Health Challenge

Context: A global lifecycle assessment published in The Lancet Planetary Health has issued a strong warning that plastic-related emissions are emerging as a major public health threat. By quantifying health impacts across the entire plastics lifecycle—extraction, production, use, disposal, and open burning—the study highlights the scale and urgency of plastic pollution beyond environmental damage.

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Key Findings of the Study

  • Doubling of Health Burden: Under business-as-usual trends, plastic-related emissions are projected to cause more than a twofold increase in Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) by 2040, indicating severe population-level health impacts.
  • Delayed Production Peak: Global plastic production is unlikely to peak before 2100, prolonging exposure to toxic emissions and increasing cumulative health risks.
  • First Global Lifecycle Estimate: The study provides the first comprehensive global quantification of health impacts across the entire plastics lifecycle using DALYs as a common metric.
  • Chemical Opacity: Lack of transparency and non-disclosure of plastic chemical compositions limits accurate health risk assessment and weakens evidence-based policymaking.

DALYs Explained:
Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) combine years of life lost due to premature death and years lived with illness or disability, capturing the total health burden on society.

Major Health Impacts Identified

  • Air Pollution Exposure: Plastic production and open burning release fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅), increasing risks of asthma, chronic respiratory diseases, cardiovascular disorders, and premature mortality.
  • Toxicity-Induced Illnesses: Hazardous chemicals such as additives, stabilisers, and by-products released throughout the plastics lifecycle are linked to cancers, endocrine disruption, and long-term non-communicable diseases.

Key Recommendations by the Lancet Study

  • Reduce Virgin Plastic Production: Advocates deep cuts in primary (new) plastic manufacturing, especially for non-essential and single-use products.
  • Adopt Full Lifecycle Policies: Urges governments to regulate plastics from fossil fuel extraction to disposal and environmental leakage.
  • Ensure Chemical Transparency: Calls for mandatory disclosure of chemical compositions to strengthen health risk assessments and regulatory frameworks.
  • Global Coordinated Action: Emphasises fast-tracking a legally binding Global Plastics Treaty to address pollution and associated health impacts worldwide.

Significance

The findings reposition plastic pollution as a public health emergency, not merely an environmental concern. By linking plastics to rising disease burdens, the study strengthens the case for preventive regulation, international cooperation, and sustainable material transitions, aligning environmental protection with human health outcomes.

Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026: Strengthening India’s Waste Governance Framework

Context: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has notified the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026, replacing the SWM Rules, 2016. Notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the rules will come into full effect from 1 April 2026. They aim to address persistent challenges of poor segregation, landfill overuse, legacy waste, and weak enforcement in urban waste management.

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Key Provisions of SWM Rules, 2026

1. Waste Management Measures

  • Four-stream source segregation made mandatory: wet, dry, sanitary, and special care (domestic hazardous) waste.
  • Landfill restrictions: Only non-recyclable, non-energy-recoverable waste and inert material permitted.
  • Landfill disincentives: Higher tipping fees for unsegregated waste compared to segregated waste processing.
  • Legacy waste management: Mandatory mapping of all dumpsites with time-bound biomining and bioremediation, supported by quarterly progress reports.
  • Extended Bulk Waste Generator Responsibility (EBWGR): Bulk generators must process wet waste on-site or possess certified off-site processing arrangements.
    • Bulk Waste Generator definition:
      • Built-up area > 20,000 sq. m, or
      • Water use > 40,000 litres/day, or
      • Waste generation > 100 kg/day.
  • Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) formally recognised for sorting recyclables and handling special waste streams, including e-waste.
  • Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) mandate: Industrial units using solid fuel must substitute part of it with RDF.
    • Target: Increase RDF use from 5% to 15% within six years.
  • Hotels and restaurants in ecologically sensitive areas must adopt decentralised wet waste processing.

2. Monitoring and Enforcement

  • Polluter Pays Principle operationalised through Environmental Compensation (EC) for violations such as false reporting and unregistered operations.
  • Digital governance: A centralised online portal for waste tracking, facility registration, and audit reporting.
  • Scientific land-use planning: Graded land allocation and buffer zones for waste facilities.
    • CPCB to issue buffer-zone guidelines for plants exceeding 5 tonnes/day capacity.
  • Annual landfill audits by SPCBs under the oversight of District Collectors.
  • State-level Committee, chaired by the Chief Secretary, to supervise implementation.
  • Tourist user fees permitted in hilly and island regions to manage waste pressure.
  • Carbon credits: Urban local bodies encouraged to generate credits through efficient waste management.

Significance

The SWM Rules, 2026 mark a shift from disposal-centric practices to resource efficiency and circular economy principles. Mandatory segregation and RDF utilisation reduce landfill dependency and fossil fuel use.

Stronger enforcement through environmental compensation enhances institutional accountability, while decentralised processing lowers the burden on Urban Local Bodies.

Digital monitoring improves transparency, making the waste lifecycle more traceable and outcomes-oriented.

Data Privacy in the Digital Republic: India’s Governance Challenge

Context: International Data Privacy Day (28 January) commemorates the 2006 signing of Convention 108, the world’s first binding international treaty on data protection. The 2026 theme—“Take Control of Your Data”—underscores individual agency and informed consent in an increasingly data-driven economy.

What is Data Privacy?

Data privacy refers to an individual’s right to control how personal information is collected, processed, stored, and shared. In the digital age, it is a cornerstone of democratic governance, market trust, and national security.

In K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017), the Supreme Court recognised the Right to Privacy as a fundamental right under Article 21, placing constitutional limits on state and private data use.

India’s Digital Scale and the Privacy Imperative

India is the third-largest digital economy, with nearly one billion internet users and about 70% penetration. Population-scale Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)—Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker—has transformed service delivery but also amplified privacy risks. Ultra-low data costs (≈ $0.10/GB) have accelerated adoption, generating vast datasets that can be misused for profiling, AI-driven manipulation, and deepfakes.

State digitisation further heightens exposure. Platforms such as eSanjeevani (over 44 crore telemedicine consultations) and MyGov (over 6 crore users) handle sensitive personal data, making robust safeguards indispensable.

Recognising these risks, the Union Budget 2025–26 earmarked ₹782 crore for cybersecurity, signalling the growing salience of data protection in public policy.

Beyond citizen trust, privacy has economic value. Strong data governance improves investment confidence, enables cross-border digital trade, and positions Indian firms as credible global partners.

India’s Data Protection Architecture

India’s framework has evolved from sectoral rules to a comprehensive statute:

  • Information Technology Act, 2000: The parent law for cyber offences and electronic governance; Section 69A empowers content blocking for national security.
  • CERT-In: National nodal agency for cyber incident response and breach advisories.
  • IT Rules, 2021: Due diligence and grievance redressal obligations for intermediaries to ensure platform accountability.
  • Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023: India’s first comprehensive personal data law, built on the SARAL principle—Simple, Accessible, Rational, Actionable. It emphasises lawful purpose, consent, data minimisation, and accountability.
  • DPDP Rules, 2025: Operationalise enforcement, timelines, and compliance processes.
  • Data Protection Board of India (DPBI): A digital-first regulator for complaint filing and adjudication; appeals lie with TDSAT.

The Road Ahead

As India’s digital footprint expands, data protection must move from compliance to culture. Empowering users with meaningful consent, strengthening institutional capacity, and aligning innovation with privacy-by-design will be critical.

International Data Privacy Day is a reminder that safeguarding personal data is not merely a legal obligation—it is central to sustaining India’s digital transformation with trust and constitutional fidelity.

India–EU Deepen Partnership in Peaceful Nuclear Science and Fusion Energy

Context: At the 16th India–EU Summit, India and the European Union reaffirmed their commitment to collaborate on peaceful nuclear energy applications. The cooperation reflects a shared emphasis on clean energy, advanced medical applications, and high nuclear safety standards, while strengthening strategic trust between the two partners.

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Scope of the Nuclear Cooperation

The collaboration is anchored in the India–Euratom Agreement (2020), which focuses exclusively on peaceful, non-explosive uses of nuclear energy.

It provides an institutional framework for joint research, technology exchange, and capacity building while respecting international non-proliferation norms.

A key area of convergence is fusion energy research, particularly enhanced coordination in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project. Fusion is seen as a long-term solution for clean and virtually limitless energy, complementing renewables in the global energy transition.

Fusion Energy and ITER

ITER, currently under construction at Saint-Paul-lès-Durance, France, is the world’s largest experimental nuclear fusion project. It brings together seven partners—the European Union, India, China, Japan, South Korea, Russia, and the United States.

The project aims to demonstrate the scientific and technological feasibility of fusion power by producing 500 MW of fusion energy from a 50 MW input, achieving an energy gain of Q = 10.

Unlike fission, fusion produces no long-lived radioactive waste and emits no greenhouse gases, making it a promising clean-energy option.

India plays a critical role in ITER. It has successfully built and delivered the world’s largest cryostat, a massive stainless-steel structure that maintains the ultra-low temperatures necessary for sustaining fusion reactions. This contribution highlights India’s growing capabilities in advanced nuclear engineering.

Focus on Non-Power Nuclear Applications

Beyond power generation, India–EU cooperation prioritises non-power nuclear uses, especially:

  • Radiopharmaceuticals for cancer diagnosis and treatment, which can improve access to affordable and precise healthcare.
  • Radioactive waste management, including safer handling, storage, and disposal technologies.

These applications underline the social and developmental benefits of nuclear science, aligning with public health and environmental safety goals.

Strategic Significance for India

The renewed partnership helps India diversify its nuclear and energy diplomacy, reducing overdependence on traditional partners such as Russia and the United States. Access to European expertise in nuclear safety, regulation, and advanced technologies strengthens India’s long-term clean energy and health security strategies.

For the EU, collaboration with India—one of the world’s fastest-growing energy markets—enhances the global relevance of its nuclear research and clean-energy leadership.

Conclusion

India–EU cooperation on peaceful nuclear applications represents a forward-looking partnership that blends clean energy innovation, medical advancement, and strategic diversification.

By jointly investing in fusion research and non-power nuclear technologies, both partners contribute to a safer, low-carbon, and knowledge-driven global future.

China’s New Antarctic Law and Implications for Global Polar Governance

Context: China has proposed the “Antarctic Activities and Environmental Protection Law”, aimed at regulating the conduct of Chinese citizens, entities, and expeditions in Antarctica. The move comes amid increasing geopolitical interest in the polar regions and growing commercial and scientific activity under the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS).

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Key Provisions of the Proposed Law

  • Expanded Jurisdiction: Chinese legal authority extends to citizens, companies, and foreign expeditions organised or departing from China.
  • Mandatory Permits: Licensing required for scientific research and commercial activities such as tourism, fishing, and shipping.
  • Environmental Safeguards: Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), waste control, and marine pollution standards are compulsory.
  • Activity Restrictions: Mineral mining is banned except for scientific purposes; military use is prohibited, consistent with ATS peaceful-use norms.

Why the Law Matters

  • Rule-Shaping Role: Signals China’s transition from treaty participant to regulatory influencer within the ATS framework.
  • Commercial Legitimacy: Provides legal backing for China’s growing footprint in krill fishing, polar logistics, and tourism.
  • Domestic Regulatory Closure: Prevents unregulated private Chinese activities from breaching international obligations.

India’s Response Strategy

  • Strengthen Legal Enforcement: Full operationalisation of the Indian Antarctic Act, 2022 with robust permitting and inspections.
  • Infrastructure Modernisation: Expedite Maitri-II station to maintain parity with China’s upgraded facilities.
  • Scientific Credibility: Expand funding for climate, glacial, and monsoon-linked polar research to sustain Consultative Party status.
  • Strategic Partnerships: Deepen cooperation with countries like Australia and France within the ATS.
  • Logistics Independence: Acquire dedicated polar research vessels to reduce dependence on charters.

India’s Antarctic Presence

  • First Expedition: 1981 (Operation Gangotri).
  • Treaty Status: Consultative Party since 1983.
  • Nodal Agency: National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (Goa).
  • Key Research Focus: Antarctic–monsoon linkages and sea-level rise impacts.

Stations

  • Dakshin Gangotri (1983): Now a logistics base.
  • Maitri (1989): Year-round research; Lake Priyadarshini supplies freshwater.
  • Bharati (2012): Oceanographic and atmospheric sciences hub.
  • Maitri-II (Planned): Replacement by 2032 (~₹2,000 crore).

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