Category: Polity and Governance

Context:

• The Madras High Court has held that involving the parents of victim, is essential for deciding on applications filed by individuals accused of offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

About Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO):

• Enactment: The POCSO Act came into effect on 14th November 2012 which was enacted in consequence to India’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1992.
• Objective: The aim of this special law is to address offences of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children, which were either not specifically defined or in adequately penalised.
• Definition of a child: The Act defines a child as any person below the age of 18 years. The Act provides punishment as per the gravity of offence.
• Major features of the Act:
  • The Act recognizes that both girls and boys can be victims of sexual abuse and that such abuse is a crime regardless of the gender of the victim.
  • There is sufficient general awareness now to report cases of sexual exploitation of children not only by individuals but also by institutions as non-reporting has been made a specific offence under the POCSO Act.
  • The storage of child pornography material has been made a new offence.
  • Further, the offence of ‘sexual assault’ has been defined in explicit terms (with increased minimum punishment) unlike an abstract definition of ‘outraging modesty of a woman’ in the Indian Penal Code.
• Further amendments:
  • The Act was further reviewed and amended in 2019 to Introduce more stringent punishment including the death penalty for Committing sexual crimes on children, with a view to deter the perpetrators & prevent such crimes against children.
  • The Government of India has also notified the POCSO Rules, 2020.
• About POCSO Rules, 2020:
  • Rule-9 of the POCSO Rules allows the Special Court to order interim compensation for the child’s needs related to relief or rehabilitation after the FIR’s registration.
  • The Child Welfare Committee (CWC) may recommend immediate payment for essential needs like food, clothes, and transportation, using funds from the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), or funds maintained under the Juvenile Justice Act 2015.
  • The POCSO Rules empower the CWC to provide a support person to assist the child throughout the investigation and trial process.

Source:

• The Hindu

Category: Environment and Ecology

Context:

• According to a study, microplastics pollution threatens Goa’s estuarine fisheries as well as human consumers.

About Microplastics:

• Definition: They are defined as plastics less than five millimetres in diameter. It can be harmful to our ocean and aquatic life.
• Formation: Under the influence of solar UV radiation, wind, currents, and other natural factors, plastic fragments into small particles, termed microplastics (particles smaller than 5 mm) or nanoplastics (particles smaller than 100 nm).
• Classification of microplastics:
  • Primary Microplastics: They are tiny particles designed for commercial use and microfibers shed from clothing and other textiles. E.g., microbeads found in personal care products, plastic pellets, and plastic fibres.
  • Secondary Microplastics: They are formed from the breakdown of larger plastics, such as water bottles. Exposure to environmental factors, primarily solar radiation and ocean waves, is the cause of this breakdown.
• Applications of Microplastics:
  • Medical and Pharmaceutical Uses: Used in targeted drug delivery due to the capacity to absorb and release chemicals effectively.
  • Industrial Applications: Used in air-blasting technology for cleaning machinery and in the production of synthetic textiles.
  • Cosmetics and Personal Care Products: Used as exfoliating agents in facial scrubs, toothpaste, and other personal care products.
• Steps taken to address microplastics:
  • United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) Resolutions: The UNEA resolution mandated the development of an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment.
  • United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Plastics Treaty: The UNEP is working on an international legally binding instrument to address plastic pollution, including microplastics.

Source:

• The Hindu

Category: Defence and Security

Context:

• A new hub of the National Security Guard (NSG), the elite counter-terror and counter-hijack force, will be established at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh.

About National Security Guard (NSG):

• Establishment: The NSG is a counter-terrorism unit that formally came into existence in 1986 by an act of Parliament- ‘National Security Guard Act, 1986’.
• Incidents that led to its formation: The idea behind raising such force came in the aftermath of Operation Blue Star in 1984, Akshardham Temple attack and the assassination of former PM Indira Gandhi.
• Objective: It aims for ‘combating terrorist activities with a view to protect states against internal disturbances.’
• Specialisations: The NSG is trained to conduct counter-terrorist task including counter hijacking tasks on land, sea, and air; Bomb disposal (search, detection, and neutralization of IEDs), Post Blast Investigation (PBI), and Hostage Rescue missions.
• Distinctive uniform: The NSG personnel are often referred to in the media as Black Cat Commandos because of the black outfit and black cat insignia worn on their uniform.
• Motto: The motto of ‘Sarvatra, Sarvottam, Suraksha’ has always been upheld by it with a focus on its basic philosophy of swift and speedy strike and immediate withdrawal from the theatre of action.
• Ministry: It operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs and is a task-oriented force that has two complementary elements in the form of:
  • Special Action Group (SAG) comprising of the Army personnel- is the main offensive or the strike wing of the NSG, and
  • Special Ranger Groups (SRG) comprising of personnel drawn from the Central Armed Police Forces/State Police Forces. They generally handle VIP securities.

Source:

• The Hindu

Category: International Relations

Context:

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a medical product alert on three liquid medicines identified in India as contaminated and reported to it on October 8.

About World Health Organization (WHO):

• Specialised agency of UN: The World Health Organization (WHO) is the UN’s specialized agency for health, coordinating international public health efforts and working to ensure the highest possible level of health for all people.
• Establishment: World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations’ specialized agency for Health was founded in 1948. It began functioning on April 7, 1948 – a date now being celebrated every year as World Health Day.
• Headquarters: Its headquarters is situated in Geneva, Switzerland, and it also has six regional offices.
• Nature: It is an inter-governmental organization and works in collaboration with its member states usually through the Ministries of Health.
• Objective: The WHO provides leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.
• Governing body: World Health Assembly (WHA) is WHO’s decision-making body attended by delegations from all of WHO’s member states. Specific health agenda prepared by the Executive Board remains the focus of this assembly.
• Membership: Members of the United Nations may become Members of the Organization. Territories or groups of territories which are not responsible for the conduct of their international relations may be admitted as Associate Members by the Health Assembly.

Source:

• The Hindu

Category: Polity and Governance

Context:

• The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said it arrested three persons in connection with the ongoing investigation into the digital arrest fraud, under the aegis of ongoing Operation Chakra V.

About Digital Arrest:

• Definition: Digital arrest scams involve cybercriminals impersonating law enforcement officials or government agencies such as the State police, CBI, ED, and Narcotics Bureau defrauding gullible victims of their hard-earned money.
• Nature of victims: The cybercriminals typically accuse victims of serious crimes such as money laundering, drug trafficking, or cybercrime. They may fabricate evidence to make their accusations seem credible.
• Modus Operandi: 
  • Cybercriminals contact victims by phone or email, starting with audio calls and then video calls from places like airports, police stations, or courts.
  • They use photos of police officers, lawyers, and judges as display pictures on their social media accounts to appear legitimate.
  • They may also send fake arrest warrants, legal notices, or official-looking documents via email or messaging apps.
• Reasons behind rise in digital arrest:
  • Fear and Panic: Fear of arrest threats push victims to comply without rational thought.
  • Lack of Knowledge: Unfamiliarity with law enforcement procedures makes it difficult for victims to distinguish legitimate claims from fraud.
  • Social Stigma: Fear of social stigma and impact on family motivates victims to comply to avoid embarrassment.
  • Manipulative Techniques: Use of AI voices, professional logos, and simulated video calls to appear credible and increase victim compliance.

India’s initiatives to fight against Cyber Crime and Digital Arrest:

• 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.
• Training through CyTrain: I4C’s online platform trains law enforcement and judicial officers on investigating and prosecuting cybercrime, with over 98,000 police officers trained so far.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: The government has implemented awareness campaigns through SMS, social media, Cyber Dost, SancharSathi portal and app, and even digital displays in public spaces like metro stations and airports.

Source:

• The Indian Express

(GS Paper 3: Indian Economy – Issues relating to Growth, Inflation, and Monetary Policy)

Context (Introduction)

India’s retail inflation has reached a 99-month low of 1.54% (September 2025) — significantly below the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) target of 4%. While this appears encouraging, it exposes deeper structural weaknesses in demand, policy calibration, and forecasting accuracy, necessitating a nuanced policy rethink.

Understanding the Current Trend

• Disinflationary Phase: Average inflation for the first half of FY26 stood at 2.2%, within the comfort band but below the target midpoint.
• Sectoral Weakness: Categories such as clothing and footwear (2.3%) show sustained price stagnation, signalling tepid consumption.
• Supply–Demand Imbalance: Falling prices indicate that supply is outpacing demand rather than reflecting productivity gains.
• Comparison with China: Unlike China’s export-led absorption of oversupply, India’s external demand remains constrained amid tariff tensions.
• Policy Implication: Persistent low inflation can depress private investment and wage growth, hampering inclusive recovery.

Why the Low-Inflation Scenario is a Concern

• Weak Domestic Demand: Consumers are prioritising savings and debt repayment over discretionary spending, dampening growth momentum.
• Fiscal Stimuli Losing Steam: GST cuts and income-tax rebates provided only short-term demand spurts without structural uplift.
• Limited Employment Elasticity: Wage growth has stagnated, reducing purchasing power and consumption recovery.
• Private Investment Lag: Despite higher project announcements in H1 FY26, execution delays restrict multiplier effects.
• Risk of Deflationary Spiral: Persistently low inflation can discourage production and weaken investor sentiment.

Monetary Policy Implications

• Need for Accommodative Stance: With inflation below target, the RBI should consider interest-rate reductions in the upcoming MPC meeting.
• Stimulating Investment: Lower borrowing costs could revive credit flow, spur private investment, and strengthen demand.
• Balancing Risks: Given current disinflation, the danger of tightening outweighs mild inflationary risk.
• Coordinated Approach: Monetary easing should align with fiscal initiatives like PM-Gati Shakti and the National Infrastructure Pipeline.
• Growth Orientation: The focus must shift from strict inflation control to demand stimulation and employment creation.

Forecasting Accuracy and Institutional Credibility

• Frequent Revisions: The RBI’s inflation projection fell from 4% in April to 2.6% in September 2025, highlighting methodological gaps.
• Credibility Challenge: Sharp forecast deviations weaken public and market confidence in monetary guidance.
• Data Integration Needs: Models must incorporate high-frequency consumption data, wage trends, and global price movements.
• Technological Upgradation: Use of AI-driven nowcasting models can enhance precision in inflation prediction.
• Institutional Strengthening: Establishing a dedicated Inflation Analytics Unit within the MPC could institutionalise better forecasting standards.

Reforms and Way Forward

• Enhanced Forecasting Framework: Integrate real-time data, commodity trends, and behavioural insights for dynamic inflation assessment.
• Accommodative Monetary Policy: Moderate rate cuts to revive investment and support consumption recovery.
• Wage-Led Growth Strategy: Link private-sector productivity incentives with real wage increases to expand domestic demand.
• Policy Synergy: Ensure close coordination between fiscal and monetary authorities for coherent macro-management.
• Transparency and Communication: Publish quarterly inflation trackers and public dashboards to build institutional credibility.

Conclusion

India’s disinflation story must not be mistaken for macroeconomic stability. With inflation below target and demand still fragile, the RBI’s next challenge is to balance price stability with growth revival. Accurate forecasting, timely monetary easing, and stronger policy coordination can convert low inflation into an opportunity for sustainable, inclusive, and investment-driven growth.

Mains Question

In the context of India’s disinflationary trend, examine how the Reserve Bank of India can balance price stability with growth and forecasting accuracy. (250 words, 15 marks)

Source: The Hindu

(GS Paper 3: Internal Security – Cyber Security, Law Enforcement & Emerging Threats)

Context (Introduction)

India is experiencing a surge in cybercrimes involving cheating by personation, exploiting digital identities for fraud. These crimes—under Section 66D of the IT Act, 2000—pose a national challenge, as many cases go uncharged or unconvicted, reflecting systemic enforcement gaps.

National Trend 

• Rapid Case Growth: Cybercrime reports in India increased from ~ 53,000 in 2021 to ~ 86,400 in 2023, highlighting a steep upward trajectory.
• Section 66D Expansion: The share of impersonation-based fraud (cheating by personation via computer resource) rose from ~ 12% of cybercrimes in 2019 to ~ 29% in 2023.
• State Concentration: States like Karnataka have seen extreme case loads (e.g. 70 %+ of its cybercrimes in 2023 were under 66D), but similar trends of impersonation fraud are emerging in UP, Telangana, Maharashtra, etc.
• High-Profile Scams: Digital arrest frauds—where victims are coerced via fake legal threats to transfer funds—have produced large recoveries and landmark convictions (e.g. a case in UP awarded 7 years’ imprisonment involving Section 66D).  
• Legal Penalty: Under Section 66D, cheating by personation using a computer resource carries up to 3 years’ imprisonment and a fine up to ₹1 lakh.  

Causes & Structural Weaknesses

• Ease of Anonymity & Technology Misuse: Fraudsters exploit tools like deepfakes, spoofed calls and cloned accounts to impersonate officials or trusted contacts.
• Low Reporting & Awareness: Many victims do not recognise or report impersonation fraud promptly, leading to lost evidence.
• Investigation Capacity Constraints: Police forces often lack dedicated cyber forensics units, digital evidence protocols, or skilled staff.
• Judicial Gap in Digital Expertise: Courts and prosecutors often lack technical literacy to evaluate electronic evidence, hindering conviction.
• Legal-Procedural Gaps: The convergence of IT Act, IPC/BNS, and evidence laws leads to ambiguities and delays in handling cyber-impersonation cases.
• Data & Monitoring Blind Spots: Current systems underreport gig economy or rural frauds, masking the full scale of impersonation crime.

Reforms & Policy Measures

• Strengthen Digital Investigation: Mandate cyber forensics labs at district & State levels, with standard protocols for chain-of-custody, hashing, metadata, etc.
• Capacity Building: Train police, prosecutors, and judges in cyber law, digital forensics, and evidence handling, as recommended by national conferences.
• Legal Updates: Amend Section 66D (or introduce a new clause) to explicitly cover deepfake, synthetic impersonation, AI-generated identity frauds.
• Special Cyber Courts: Set up dedicated cybercrime benches or courts to expedite trials with technical expertise.
• Public Awareness & Prevention: Scale digital literacy campaigns; deploy tools like game-based scam simulators (e.g. ShieldUp!) to inoculate users against impersonation tactics.  
• Unified Reporting & Monitoring: Expand National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) to capture impersonation frauds in rural, gig, and informal sectors.
• Inter-State Coordination: Strengthen National Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) links with States, enabling cross-jurisdiction tracking of impersonation networks.
• Victim Support & Redressal: Provide helplines, legal aid, and digital evidence recovery support for impersonation fraud victims.

Conclusion

Cheating by personation—once considered niche—is now a pervasive cyber threat in India, amplified by technology and anonymity. Tackling it demands holistic strengthening of law, institutions, technology, and public awareness. Only then can enforcement catch up with evolving impersonation methods and deliver justice at scale.

Mains Question

“Cyber impersonation frauds are surging in India, yet conviction rates remain low.” Discuss the causes behind enforcement failures and propose measures to strengthen India’s response to digital impersonation crimes. (250 words, 15 marks)

Source: The Hindu