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  • Modern Indian History-Events and Personalities

    Mahad Satyagraha: A Landmark Event in the Dalit Movement

    Prelims Only | History | Mains Paper 1: Modern Indian History

    Why in the news?

    The Mahad Satyagraha is hailed as the foundational event of the Dalit movement, marking the community’s collective rejection of the caste system and assertion of human rights.

    About Mahad Satyagraha

    • The Mahad Satyagraha, also known as Chavdar Tale (Lake) Satyagraha, was led by B. R. Ambedkar on 20 March 1927 in Mahad, Raigad District of Maharashtra.
    • Its aim was to assert the right of untouchables to use water from a public tank.
    1. Background:
    • Untouchables (Dalits) were segregated in Indian society and banned from using public water bodies and roads used by other Hindu castes.
    • In August 1923, the Bombay Legislative Council passed a resolution allowing depressed classes to use government-maintained places, but it faced opposition from savarna Hindus.
    • In January 1924, Mahad passed a resolution in its municipal council to enforce the act but failed to implement it due to protests.
    1. Satyagraha:
    • In 1927, Ambedkar launched a satyagraha to assert untouchables’ rights to use water in public places.
    • Mahad was chosen for the event due to its support from ‘caste Hindus’.
    • Surendranath Tipnis, president of the Mahad municipality, invited Ambedkar to hold a meeting there.
    • Ambedkar drank water from the tank, followed by thousands of untouchables.
    • He encouraged Dalit women to abandon customs of untouchability and wear saris like high-caste women, which they embraced.
    • A riot erupted over rumors of Ambedkar planning to enter a Hindu temple, and the tank was purified with cow-urine and cow-dung.
    • Ambedkar planned a second conference in Mahad in December 1927 but faced legal obstacles due to a case filed by caste Hindus.
    • On 25 December 1937, the Bombay High Court ruled that untouchables have the right to use water from the tank.
    1. Legacy:
    • On 19 March 1940, Ambedkar arranged a rally in Mahad to commemorate the Satyagraha as “Empowerment Day.”

    Back2Basics: Key Initiatives and Movements Led by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

    Initiative Location Objective
    Temple Entry Movement (1920s-1930s) Various Locations Advocating for the right of Dalits to enter Hindu temples.
    Mahad Satyagraha (Chavdar Tale Satyagraha) Mahad, Maharashtra Asserting the rights of untouchables to use water from a public tank.
    Kalaram Mandir Movement (1930) Nashik, Maharashtra Demanding temple entry rights for Dalits at the Kalaram Mandir.
    Annihilation of Caste (1936) – Publication of “Annihilation of Caste,” advocating for the abolition of the caste system.
    Formation of Independent Dalit Political Party (Independent Labour Party) (1936) – Addressing the political concerns and aspirations of Dalits.
    Push for Separate Electorate by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (1932) India Advocating for separate electorates for Dalits to ensure their political representation and empowerment.
    Legal Advocacy (1940s-1950s) – Drafting of the Hindu Code Bills, contribution to the framing of the Indian Constitution.
    Conversion to Buddhism (1956) Nagpur, Maharashtra Symbolizing a rejection of the caste system through mass conversion ceremony to Buddhism.

     

     

    PYQ:

    [2018] Which one of the following is a very significant aspect of the Champaran Satyagraha?

    (a) Active all-India participation of lawyers, students and women in the National Movement

    (b) Active involvement of Dalit and Tribal communities of India in the National Movement

    (c) Joining of peasant unrest to India’s National Movement

    (d) Drastic decrease in the cultivation of plantation crops and commercial crops

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  • Climate Change Negotiations – UNFCCC, COP, Other Conventions and Protocols

    Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)

    IOCRPrelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

    Why in the news?

    • The recent gathering of major funders and promoters of the carbon offsets market in London raised concerns about the role of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in limiting the market’s growth.
    • SBTi’s stringent criteria for net-zero plans have made it a gold standard in emissions accountability, but some argue it hinders the potential of carbon offsets in combating climate change.

    What is Carbon Offset?

    • A carbon offset broadly refers to a reduction in GHG emissions – or an increase in carbon storage (e.g., through land restoration or the planting of trees) – that is used to compensate for emissions that occur elsewhere.
    • A carbon offset credit is a transferrable instrument certified by governments or independent certification bodies to represent an emission reduction of one metric tonne of CO2, or an equivalent amount of other GHGs.

    What is Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)?

    • The SBTi is a collaborative effort spearheaded by four international organizations:
    1. Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP),
    2. United Nations Global Compact (UNGC),
    3. World Resources Institute (WRI), and
    4. World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
    • The SBTi focuses on assisting companies in setting ambitious and scientifically sound greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets.
    Details
    Purpose To drive ambitious corporate action on climate change by providing a framework for setting science-based targets aligned with the Paris Agreement goals.
    Launch Year 2015
    Founding Organizations
    1. Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP),
    2. United Nations Global Compact (UNGC),
    3. World Resources Institute (WRI), and
    4. World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
    Methodologies SBTi offers guidelines and methodologies for companies to set targets that are consistent with the latest climate science and contribute to limiting global warming.
    Global Reach Engages with companies worldwide, collaborating with partners across sectors, regions, and industries to promote adoption of science-based targets.
    Recognition
    • Recognized as a leading platform for corporate climate action;
    • Companies comply to set science-based targets and reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
    • Updates and refines its methodologies and verification processes to reflect advances in climate science and best practices in emissions reduction.

     

    PYQ:

    [2021] The ‘Common Carbon Metric’, Supported by UNEP, had been developed for:

    (a) Assessing the carbon footprint of building operations around the world.

    (b) Enabling commercial farming entities around the world to enter carbon emission trading.

    (c) Enabling governments to assess the overall carbon footprint caused by their countries.

    (d) Assessing the overall carbon footprint caused by the use of fossil fuels by the world in a unit time.

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  • Industrial Sector Updates – Industrial Policy, Ease of Doing Business, etc.

    [pib] Index of Industrial Production (IIP) grows by 5.7% in February, 2024

    Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Effects Of Liberalization On The Economy, Changes In Industrial Policy and their effects on Industrial Growth

    Why in the news?

    India’s Index of Industrial Production (IIP) increased by 5.7% in February, up from 3.8% in January, according to data from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

    What is Index of Industrial Production (IIP)?

    • IIP as it is commonly called is an index that tracks overall manufacturing activity in different sectors of an economy.
    • It is currently calculated using 2011-2012 as the base year.
    • It is compiled and published by Central Statistical Organisation (CSO) every month.
    • CSO operates under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

    Components of IIP:

    • Three broad sectors in IIP:
    1. Manufacturing (77.6%),
    2. Mining (14.4%)
    3. Electricity (8%).
    • Electricity, crude oil, coal, cement, steel, refinery products, natural gas, and fertilizers are the eight core industries that comprise about 40 per cent of the weight of items included in the IIP.

    Basket of products:

    There are 6 sub-categories:

    1. Primary Goods (consisting of mining, electricity, fuels and fertilisers)
    2. Capital Goods (e.g. machinery items)
    3. Intermediate Goods (e.g. yarns, chemicals, semi-finished steel items, etc)
    4. Infrastructure Goods (e.g. paints, cement, cables, bricks and tiles, rail materials, etc)
    5. Consumer Durables (e.g. garments, telephones, passenger vehicles, etc)
    6. Consumer Non-durables (e.g. food items, medicines, toiletries, etc)

    Who uses IIP data?

    • The factory production data (IIP) is used by various government agencies such as the Ministry of Finance, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), private firms and analysts, among others for analytical purposes.
    • The data is also used to compile the Gross Value Added (GVA) of the manufacturing sector in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on a quarterly basis.

    IIP base year change:

    • The base year was changed to 2011-12 from 2004-05 in the year 2017.
    • The earlier base years were 1937, 1946, 1951, 1956, 1960, 1970, 1980-81, 1993-94 and 2004-05.

    What are the Core Industries in India?

    • The main or the key industries constitute the core sectors of an economy.
    • In India, there are eight sectors that are considered the core sectors.
    • They are electricity, steel, refinery products, crude oil, coal, cement, natural gas and fertilizers.

    About Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI)  

    • The monthly Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) is a production volume index.
    • ICI measures collective and individual performance of production in selected eight core industries: Coal (10%), Crude Oil (8.98%), Natural Gas (6.88%), Refinery Products (28.04%), Fertilizers (2.63%), Steel (17.92%), Cement (5.37%), and Electricity (20.18%).
    • Prior to the 2004-05 series six core industries namely Coal, Cement, Finished Steel, Electricity, Crude petroleum and Refinery products constituted the index basket.
    • Two more industries i.e. Fertilizer and Natural Gas were added to the index basket in 2004-05 series. The ICI series with base 2011-12 will continue to have eight core industries.

    Components covered in these eight industries for compilation of index are as follows:

    1. Coal – Coal Production excluding Coking coal.
    2. Crude Oil – Total Crude Oil Production.
    3. Natural Gas – Total Natural Gas Production.
    4. Refinery Products – Total Refinery Production (in terms of Crude Throughput).
    5. Fertilizer – Urea, Ammonium Sulphate (A/S), Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN), Ammonium chloride (A/C), Diammonium Phosphate (DAP), Complex Grade Fertilizer and Single superphosphate (SSP).
    6. Steel – Production of Alloy and Non-Alloy Steel only.
    7. Cement – Production of Large Plants and Mini Plants.
    8. Electricity – Actual Electricity Generation of Thermal, Nuclear, Hydro, imports from Bhutan.

    How is IIP different from ICI?

    • IIP is compiled and published monthly by the National Statistics Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation six weeks after the reference month ends.
    • However, ICI is compiled and released by Office of the Economic Adviser (OEA), Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP), and Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
    • The Eight Core Industries comprise nearly 40.27% of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP). These are Electricity, steel, refinery products, crude oil, coal, cement, natural gas and fertilisers.

    PYQ:

    [2015] In the Index of Eight Core Industries, which one of the following is given the highest weight?

    (a) Coal Production

    (b) Electricity generation

    (c) Fertilizer Production

    (d) Steel Production

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  • Modern Indian History-Events and Personalities

    Anniversary of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

    Prelims Only | History | Mains Paper 1: Modern Indian History

    Why in the news?

    On April 13, 1919, Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer ordered British troops to open fire on a peaceful gathering in Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar, leaving a deep scar on India’s collective memory.

    Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

    1. Background: Protesting the contentious Rowlatt Act
    • The act officially known as the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act, 1919 was passed in 1919 by the Imperial Legislative Council.
    • It had authorized the British government to arrest anybody suspected of terrorist activities.
    • It also authorized the government to detain such people arrested for up to 2 years without trial.
    • It empowered the police to search a place without a warrant. It also placed severe restrictions on the freedom of the press.
    • The primary intention of colonial govt. was to repress the growing nationalist movement in the country.
    • The British were also afraid of a Ghadarite Revolution in Punjab and the rest of the country.
    1. The day
    • The massacre took place on 13 April 1919 when troops of the British Indian Army (Gurkha and Sikh infantry regiments) under the command of Col. Reginald Dyer fired rifles into a crowd of Indians.
    • The civilians had assembled for a peaceful protest to condemn the arrest and deportation of two national leaders, Satya Pal and Saifuddin Kitchlew.
    • Dyer without warning ordered his troops to fire at the unarmed crowd which included children as well.
    • The indiscriminate firing went on for about 10 minutes which resulted in the deaths of at least 1000 people and injured more than 1500 people.
    1. Aftermath
    • In protest against the massacre, Rabindranath Tagore gave up his knighthood.
    • Gandhiji relinquished his title ‘Kaiser-e-hind’ bestowed on him by the British for his services during the Boer War in South Africa.
    • Michael O’Dwyer, the then Lieutenant-Governor of Punjab, who had approved the actions of Dyer, was assassinated by Udham Singh in London in 1940 as revenge against the massacre.
    • The heroic treatment of Dyer’s heinous act again set a benchmark of colonial arrogance.

    Hunter Commission for Inquiry

    • In October 1919 the Secretary of State for India, Edwin Montagu, ordered the formation of a committee of inquiry into the events in Punjab.
    • Referred to as the Disorders Inquiry Committee, it was later more widely known as the Hunter Commission (Not to be confused with Hunter Education Commission).
    • The commission inquiry was concluded without any significant conclusion.
    • Still, there are long-standing demands in India that Britain should apologize for the massacre.

    PYQ:

    [2012] The Rowlatt Act aimed at:

    (a) Compulsory economic support to war efforts

    (b) Imprisonment without trial and summary procedures for trial

    (c) Suppression of the Khilafat Movement

    (d) Imposition of restrictions on freedom of the press

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  • Wildlife Conservation Efforts

    The blurry lines between wildlife ‘capture’ and ‘rescue’  

    Explained | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

    Why in the news? 

    The human-animal conflict in India is a significant issue, with several lives lost and property damage due to the increasing interactions between humans and wildlife

    Difference between between wildlife ‘capture’ and ‘rescue’

    • Capture:  It refers to the act of taking wild animals into custody, often due to conflicts with humans, such as when an animal poses a threat to human safety or property. This may involve trapping, sedating, or physically restraining the animal. The primary goal of capture is to ensure human safety and prevent further damage. Captured animals may be relocated, rehabilitated, or, in some cases, euthanized, depending on the situation and the animal’s condition.
    • Rescue:  It refers to the act of providing assistance to wild animals in distress, such as those injured, orphaned, or trapped in a dangerous situation. The primary goal of rescue is to help the animal recover and, if possible, return it to the wild. Rescue efforts may involve medical treatment, rehabilitation, and release back into the wild.

    Blurred lines between “rescue” and “capture”

    • Guidelines vs. Reality: Despite government guidelines discouraging capture without considering preventative measures, in practice, animals are often captured hastily rather than adopting non-invasive approaches.
    • Case of Elephant “Rescue”: An elephant was captured under the pretext of rescue from a coffee plantation but was subsequently released 200 km away in an unfamiliar landscape, leading to further complications and ultimately its death.
    • Unintended Consequences: The attempt to “rescue” the elephant resulted in its straying into a neighboring state, highlighting the unintended consequences and potential risks associated with such actions.
    • Case of Leopard “Rescue”: Similarly, a leopard was “rescued” after being sighted in an agricultural field, but it died shortly after for unknown reasons, raising questions about the efficacy and ethics of such operations.

    Issues related to rescue of snakes

    • High Frequency of Interactions: Interactions with snakes are more frequent than with other wild animals, resulting in higher incidences of misguided rescue attempts.
    • Failure to Distinguish Between Actions: There’s a lack of distinction between capture, removal, and rescue when managing conflicts with snakes, leading to poor handling and unnecessary removal from habitats under the guise of rescue operations.
    • Issues with Relocation: Relocated snakes have poor survival prospects and relocation doesn’t effectively resolve conflict, potentially increasing future conflict occurrences.
    • Harmful Effects of “Rescue” Operations: Such operations can cause physical trauma, injuries, and stress to animals, reducing their post-release survival chances.

    Suggestive measures

    • Education and Training: Provide comprehensive training to wildlife rescuers on species-specific rescue techniques and emphasize the importance of non-invasive approaches.
    •  Habitat Restoration: Focus on habitat conservation and restoration to reduce human-snake conflicts and provide natural habitats for snakes.
    • Research and Monitoring: Conduct research to understand snake behavior and ecology better, enabling more informed rescue and relocation decisions.
    • Collaboration: Foster collaboration between wildlife authorities, conservation organizations, and local communities to develop effective strategies for managing human-snake conflicts sustainably.

    Conclusion 

    Enhanced training, habitat restoration, research, and collaboration are vital for navigating the blurry lines between wildlife “capture” and “rescue,” ensuring humane and effective management of human-animal conflicts in India.

    Mains question for practice 

    Q Discuss the blurred lines between wildlife “capture” and “rescue” in India, highlighting issues and proposing measures for effective human-animal conflict management.

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  • Foreign Policy Watch: India-ASEAN

    India Initiates Review of Asean Trade Pact to Boost Domestic Manufacturing

    Explained | Agriculture | Mains Paper 3: Indian Economy

    Why in the news?

    The review aims to address concerns such as the inverted duty structure, which puts local manufacturers at a disadvantage.

    Trade deficit issue with ASEAN 

    • High trade deficit: The trade deficit between India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been a significant issue, with the deficit widening to USD 43.57 billion in the last fiscal from USD 25.76 billion in 2021-22 and just USD 5 billion in 2010-11
    •  Review AITIGA:This has led to a review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) by 2025, aiming to address concerns about trade barriers, abuse of the agreement, and the growing trade gap between India and the ASEAN region

    ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA)

    • The ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) is a trade agreement between the ten member states of ASEAN and India, signed in 2009 and implemented in 2010. The agreement aims to establish a free trade area between the parties, covering trade in physical goods and products, and progressively eliminating duties on 76.4 percent of goods. 

    The trade deficit between India and the ASEAN region is primarily due to the following reasons:

    • Tariff disparities: India’s tariffs were much higher than partner countries, leading to a significant reduction in tariffs for partner countries, which in turn caused India’s imports to grow faster than exports. This imbalance has been widening since 2010-11, the year India entered into an agreement with ASEAN
    • Non-tariff barriers and regulations: India’s exports to ASEAN have been affected due to non-reciprocity in FTA concessions, non-tariff barriers, import regulations, and quotas. These factors have hindered India’s ability to fully benefit from the FTA
    • Routing of goods from third countries: There have been concerns about the routing of goods from third countries, such as China, to ASEAN countries with minimum value addition and then being imported into India, misusing the India-ASEAN FTA. This practice has contributed to the growing trade deficit
    • Limited market access for Indian products: India’s exports of products such as textile clothing, footwear, food products, and minerals don’t have a significant place in ASEAN imports, while there is a higher dependence on products such as vegetables, fuels, chemicals, and metals from ASEAN, which are essential commodities

     Conclusion 

    India’s review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement aims to tackle the widening trade deficit by addressing tariff disparities, non-tariff barriers, and the misuse of the agreement, crucial steps toward fostering fair and balanced trade relations.

    Mains question for practice 

    Q Discuss the factors contributing to high  deficit between India and ASEAN. 

     

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  • Women empowerment issues – Jobs,Reservation and education

    Data for better education, a brighter future for students

    op-ed snap | Indian Society | Mains Paper 1: Social Empowerment

    PYQ Relevance:

    Mains: 

    Q National Education Policy 2020 isin conformity with the Sustainable Development Goal-4 (2030). It intends to restructure and reorient education system in India. Critically examine the statement.(UPSC IAS/2020)

    Q The quality of higher education in India requires major improvement to make it internationally competitive. Do you think that the entry of foreign educational institutions would help improve the quality of technical and higher education in the country. Discuss.(UPSC IAS/2015)

    Mentore comment: The release of the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2023 in mid-January has once again drawn significant attention, following a tradition dating back to 2005, with exceptions during the COVID-19 years. Among the multitude of insights provided by the report, particular focus has been placed on the foundational skills of 14-18 year olds, which has garnered headlines. While the learning outcomes data raises concerns, it is imperative for practitioners and policymakers to delve deeper into the data to extract actionable insights aimed at enhancing education and overall outcomes for India’s adolescents and youth.

    Why in the news? 

     The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2023 was released in mid-January this year.

     Foundational learning trajectories as per ASER 2023 Beyond Basics survey  

    • District level Representation: The survey was conducted in 28 rural districts across 26 states, providing insights into the activities, abilities, and aspirations of 14-18 year olds at the district level, though not nationally representative.
    • Literacy : Overall, 26% of 14-18 year olds cannot read a standard two level text in their regional language, reflecting concerning literacy levels.  
    • Distribution of Children without Basic Reading Skills: Among 14-18 year olds without basic reading skills, 57% are enrolled in standard 10 or below, while 28% are not enrolled in any educational institution. This suggests a need for targeted interventions and efforts to encourage school attendance.

    Challenges in Reading Improvement: 

    • Many children who struggle with reading may face ridicule and embarrassment, leading to disengagement with reading. The availability of reading materials, including beyond textbooks, is crucial for developing reading habits and abilities.

    Children and careers

    • Educational Aspirations: More than 60% of surveyed adolescents aim to obtain a college education, with a higher percentage of girls aspiring for higher education compared to boys.
    • Work Aspirations: One in five respondents had not seriously considered their future careers. Among those who had, joining the police or defense forces was prominent for boys, while becoming a teacher or doctor was prominent for girls.
    • Perceptions of Vocational Education: Vocational education faced negative perceptions in some areas, seen as a fallback option for those unable to secure white-collar jobs. However, in Solan, Himachal Pradesh, context-driven vocational courses such as tourism and hotel management gained aspirational value, encouraging students to aspire for related professions with the support of on-the-job training and readily available career information.

    Challenges related to careers 

    • Need for Support and Mentorship: Youth require support, mentorship, and inspiration to evaluate their aspirations, identify alternative prospects, and prepare for their chosen paths.
    • Lack of Familiarity with Professions: Nearly half of the surveyed adolescents with work aspirations do not personally know anyone working in their desired profession, indicating a need for greater exposure and guidance.

     Digita literacy as per ASER 2023 report

    • Smartphone Ownership: Boys in the 14-18 age group are more than twice as likely to own smartphones compared to girls, with 43.7% of males owning smartphones compared to 19.8% of females
    • Digital Literacy: Girls are less likely to know how to use smartphones or computers compared to boys, with males outperforming females in tasks like using email, Google Maps, and other digital functions
    • Educational Usage: While about two-thirds of youth use smartphones for educational purposes, there is a notable emphasis on entertainment and social media over educational activities, indicating a need to leverage digital technology for educational purposes
    • Gender Gaps: The gender gap extends to online safety awareness, with boys being more familiar with safety settings than girls, highlighting the need for comprehensive strategies to address the digital gender divide

    Suggestive measures to address the identified issues:

    • Improving Foundational Learning: Encourage school attendance by addressing the needs of 14-18 year olds without basic reading skills, with a particular emphasis on those not enrolled in any educational institution.
    • Role of Community Libraries: Ensure effective management of community libraries and engage committed individuals to cultivate a culture of reading and support readers of all ages and abilities.
    • Educational and Career Aspirations: Address the lack of familiarity with professions by offering exposure opportunities and guidance to help youth make informed career choices.
    • Digital Literacy and Gender Gaps:  Promote educational usage of smartphones by leveraging digital technology for educational purposes and bridging the gender gap in online safety awareness.
    • Addressing Vocational Education Perceptions: Encourage context-driven vocational courses that align with local aspirations and provide on-the-job training and career information to support career choices.

    Conclusion 

    To address literacy and career challenges, prioritize targeted interventions to improve educational access and support, enhance digital literacy among girls, promote vocational education, and leverage digital technology for educational purposes, bridging gender gaps.

     

     

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  • Cyber Security – CERTs, Policy, etc

    What is Doxxing and what can you do if it happens to you?

    Prelims Only | Security Issues | Mains Paper 3: Cyber Security

    Why in the news?

    In mid-February, a woman reported an incident of doxxing to Mumbai Police after a man shared a video of her dancing and subjected her to harassment online.

    What is Doxxing?

    • Doxxing involves publicly disclosing an individual’s private information without consent, including personal details like addresses, phone numbers, and more.
    • It can lead to severe consequences, including physical, digital, and emotional harm, such as stalking, threats, and loss of privacy.

    Legality and Intentions

    • While sharing public content may be legal, the intentions behind sharing such content can be malicious and harmful.
    • Social media platforms like X take action against users who share information with abusive intent or to harass others.

    Consequences of Doxxing

    • Victims of doxxing may face numerous challenges, including securing their physical location, clarifying situations with employers, and dealing with a barrage of threats.
    • Security measures such as changing passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and reporting incidents to social media platforms are crucial for safeguarding against doxxing.

    Legal Remedy Against Doxxing

    • Victims of doxxing can report incidents through platforms like the:
    1. National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and
    2. File FIRs (with law enforcement authorities).
    • Social media companies like Meta and Google have tools and mechanisms in place to assist individuals who have been doxxed.

    PYQ:

    [2020] In India, under cyber insurance for individuals, which of the following benefits are generally covered, in addition to payment for the loss of funds and other benefits?

    1.    Cost of restoration of the computer system in case of malware disrupting access to one’s computer

    2.    Cost of a new computer if some miscreant willfully damages it, if proved so

    3.    Cost of hiring a specialized consultant to minimize the loss in case of cyber extortion

    4.    Cost of defence in the Court of Law if any third-party files a suit

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    (a) 1, 2 and 4 only

    (b) 1, 3 and 4 only

    (c) 2 and 4 only

    (d) 1, 2, 3, and 4

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  • Cyber Security – CERTs, Policy, etc

    India ranks number 10 in World Cybercrime Index

    IOCR | Security Issues | Mains Paper 3: Cyber Security

    Why in the news?

    A new research effort, the ‘World Cybercrime Index,’ sheds light on the global cybercrime scenario, ranking India in the 10th position worldwide.

    About the World Cybercrime Index

    • The World Cybercrime Index has been developed as a joint partnership between the University of Oxford and University of New South Wales, Sydney.
    • It has been funded by CRIMGOV, a European Union-supported project.
    • The index was developed to identify major cybercrime hotspots globally by ranking countries based on the significant sources of cybercrime at a national level.
    • The study ‘Mapping the global geography of cybercrime with the World Cybercrime Index’ has been published in the journal PLOS ONE.

    The five major categories of cybercrime assessed by the study were:

    1. Technical products/services (e.g. malware coding, botnet access, access to compromised systems, tool production).
    2. Attacks and extortion (e.g. denial-of-service attacks, ransomware).
    3. Data/identity theft (e.g. hacking, phishing, account compromises, credit card comprises).
    4. Scams (e.g. advance fee fraud, business email compromise, online auction fraud).
    5. Cashing out/money laundering (e.g. credit card fraud, money mules, illicit virtual currency platforms).

    Key Findings of the Report

    • India occupies the 10th position in the cybercrime rankings, with scams involving advance fee payments being the most prevalent type.
    • Russia leads the index, followed by Ukraine, China, the US, Nigeria, and Romania, with North Korea, the UK, and Brazil rounding out the top positions.
    • Russia and Ukraine emerged as highly technical cybercrime hubs, while Nigerian cybercriminals primarily engaged in less technical forms of cybercrime.

    PYQ:

    [2018] The terms ‘Wanna Cry, Petya and Eternal Blue’ sometimes mentioned in the news recently are related to:

    (a) Exo-planets

    (b) Crypto-currency

    (c) Cyber attacks

    (d) Mini-satellites

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  • Corruption Challenges – Lokpal, POCA, etc

    Adjudication Process under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)

    Prelims Only | Polity | Mains Paper 2:

    Why in the news?

    • The Adjudicating Authority under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) has confirmed the attachment of assets worth Rs 751.9 crore linked to a politician family.
    • The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had provisionally attached these properties in PMLA case.

    About Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002

    Details
    Precursor Enacted to fulfill India’s global commitments to combat money laundering, aligning with international conventions such as:

    1. UN Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic; Substances 1988;
    2. Basle Statement of Principles, 1989;
    3. Financial Action Task Force’s Forty Recommendations, 1990;
    4. UN General Assembly’s Political Declaration and Global Program of Action, 1990.
    What is it?
    • Criminal law targeting money laundering and property confiscation from illicit activities.
    • Central to India’s anti-money laundering legal framework.
    • Applicable to financial institutions, banks (including RBI), mutual funds, insurance companies, and their intermediaries.
    Amendments Amended in the year 2005, 2009 and 2012.
    Objectives
    • Confiscate proceeds of crime involved in money laundering.
    • Establish legal mechanisms to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing.
    • Strengthen investigation and prosecution of money laundering offenses.
    • Enhance international cooperation in combating money laundering.
    Regulating Authorities
    1. Directorate of Enforcement (ED) enforces PMLA provisions and investigates money laundering cases.
    2. Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) receives, processes, analyses and disseminates information related to suspect financial transactions.
    Salient Features
    • Punishment and Jail Term: Provides rigorous imprisonment from 3 to 7 years for money laundering, extendable up to 10 years.
    • Powers of Attachment: Director or officer above Deputy Director rank can provisionally attach suspected “proceeds of crime” property.
    • Adjudicating Authority: Appointed by the central government to determine involvement of attached or seized property in money laundering.
    • Presumption in Inter-Connected Transactions: Transactions are presumed interconnected in money laundering cases.
    • Burden of Proof: Accused must prove alleged proceeds of crime are lawful.
    • Appellate Tribunal: Empowered to hear appeals against Adjudicating Authority and other orders under the Act.
    • Special Court Establishment: Ensures expedited trials.

     

    In news: Adjudicating Authority under PMLA

    • The ED, empowered by Section 5 of the PMLA, provisionally attaches assets suspected to be acquired through criminal proceeds.
    • These provisional orders, valid for 180 days, require confirmation by the Adjudicating Authority within the stipulated period to maintain legal validity.
    1. Role of the Adjudicating Authority:
    • The Adjudicating Authority, appointed by the central government, reviews the attachment orders to ensure compliance with legal standards and procedural requirements.
    • Failure to confirm the attachment within the prescribed timeline results in automatic release of the attached property.
    1. Legal Ramifications Post-Confirmation:
    • Once confirmed, the accused retains the right to challenge the order within 45 days at the PMLA’s Appellate Tribunal.
    • If the order is upheld, the accused may pursue further legal avenues, while the attached property remains inaccessible until the conclusion of legal proceedings.
    1. Impact on Property Owners and Enforcement Agencies:
    • Confirmed attachments may lead to the ED taking possession of residential properties, compelling owners to evacuate.
    • Attached properties, including vehicles, may deteriorate over time as legal battles prolong, with significant financial implications for both parties.

    PYQ:

     

    [2013] Money laundering poses a serious security threat to a country’s economic sovereignty. What is its significance for India and what steps are required to be taken to control this menace?

     

    [2019] Consider the following statements:

    1.    The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) has a ‘Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air’.

    2.    The UNCAC is the ever-first legally binding global anti-corruption instrument.

    3.    A highlight of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) is the inclusion of a specific chapter aimed at returning assets to their rightful owners from whom they had been taken illicitly.

    4.    The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is mandated by its member States to assist in the implementation of both UNCAC and UNTOC.

    Which of the statements given above are correct?

    (a) 1 and 3 only

    (b) 2, 3 and 4 only

    (c) 2 and 4 only

    (d) 1, 2, 3, and 4

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