💥Join UPSC 2027,2028 Mentorship (July Batch) + XFactor Notes & Microthemes PDF
Talk to Mentor

Civilsdaily

Login

Subject: Governance

Important aspects of Society

  • What is Zero FIR?

    Why in the news?

    • The Hyderabad Police have initiated a zero FIR case against former minister for alleged derogatory remarks against Telangana CM.

    First Information Report (FIR)

    • An FIR is a written document prepared by the police upon receiving information about a cognisable offence.
    • It is when an officer can arrest a suspect without a court’s warrant if/she has “reason to believe” that the person committed the offence and arrest is necessary based on certain factors.
    • It serves as the first step towards initiating the investigation process and subsequent police actions.
    • Section 154(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) empowers the police to register an FIR for cognizable offences.
    • Section 166A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) provides punishment for public servants failing to record information related to a cognizable offence, with imprisonment of up to two years and a fine.

    What is Zero FIR?

    • Provision and Purpose: Zero FIR allows any police station to register an FIR for a cognisable offence without assigning a regular FIR number initially.
    • No diary: Whereas FIRs have serial numbers assigned to them, zero FIRs are assigned the number ‘0’. Hence the name.

    Features of a Zero FIR:

    1. Swift Action: The relevant police station subsequently registers a fresh FIR and commences the investigation.
    2. Focus on Victims: It is designed to expedite complaint lodging, particularly for serious crimes involving women and children, without the need to approach multiple police stations.
    3. Preserving Evidence: Early registration helps prevent the loss or tampering of crucial evidence and witnesses.
    4. Transferred Jurisdiction: The Zero FIR is later transferred to the relevant police station where the offence occurred or where the investigation should be conducted.

    How does it work?

    • After a police station registers a zero FIR, it has to transfer the complaint to a police station that has the jurisdiction to investigate the alleged offence.
    • Once a zero FIR is transferred, the police station with the appropriate jurisdiction assigns it a serial number, thereby converting it into a regular FIR.

    Legal Provisions for Zero FIR

    The provision of Zero FIR finds support in various judgments and recommendations:

    1. Satvinder Kaur vs. State (1999): The Delhi High Court held that a woman has the right to lodge her complaint from any place other than where the incident occurred.
    2. Justice Verma Committee (2012): The introduction of Zero FIR was based on the recommendation of the Justice Verma Committee, which was formed in response to the 2012 Nirbhaya gangrape case.
    3. Lalita Kumari vs. Govt. of UP (2014): The Supreme Court ruled that registration of an FIR is mandatory when information discloses the commission of a cognizable offence.

    PYQ:

    2021: With reference to India, consider the following statements:

    1. Judicial custody means an accused is in the custody of the concerned magistrate and such accused is locked-up in police station, not in jail.

    2. During judicial custody, the police officer in charge of the case is not allowed to interrogate the suspect without the approval of the court.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) 1 only

    (b) 2 only

    (c) Both 1 and 2

    (d) Neither 1 nor 2

     

    Practice MCQ:

    Regarding the Zero FIR, consider the following statements:

    1. Zero FIR allows any police station to register an FIR for a cognizable offence without assigning a regular FIR number initially.

    2. Whereas FIRs have serial numbers assigned to them, zero FIRs are assigned the number ‘0’.

    Which of the given statements is/are correct?

    (a) Only 1

    (b) Only 2

    (c) Both 1 and 2

    (d) Neither 1 nor 2

  • The ART of India’s HIV/AIDS response

    Why in the news? 

    On April 1, 2004, the Indian government launched Free Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) for Persons living with HIV (PLHIV). This decision has been one of the most successful .

    Emergence of HIV drugs

    • First Antiretroviral Drug Approval: In March 1987, the US FDA approved the first antiretroviral drug, AZT (zidovudine), offering a glimmer of hope for treatment.
    • Additional Drug Approvals: Three more antiretroviral drugs were approved shortly after in 1988, expanding treatment options for HIV/AIDS patients.
    • Introduction of Protease Inhibitors: A significant milestone occurred in 1995 with the introduction of protease inhibitors, a new class of antiretroviral drugs.

    The evolution to free ART

    • Millennium Summit Declaration: In 2000, world leaders at the UN General Assembly’s Millennium Summit set a goal to stop and reverse the spread of HIV.
    • Formation of the Global Fund: The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria was established in 2002, advocating for universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support services.
    • High HIV Prevalence in India: In 2004, India had an estimated 5.1 million PLHIV, with a population prevalence of 0.4%. However, very few were receiving ART, with only 7,000 PLHIV on treatment by the end of the year.
    • Free ART Initiative: The Indian government’s decision to provide free ART to all adults living with HIV in 2004 was groundbreaking. This initiative aimed to address the barriers of cost and geographical access to treatment.
    • Expansion of ART Facilities: Over two decades, the number of ART centers in India expanded significantly, from less than 10 to around 700. Additionally, 1,264 Link ART centers have provided free ART drugs to approximately 1.8 million PLHIV.
    • ART Eligibility Criteria Evolution: The criteria for initiating ART evolved over the years, starting from CD4 count less than 200 cells/mm3 in 2004, to less than 350 cells/mm3 in 2011, and less than 500 cells/mm3 in 2016. Finally, in 2017, the “Treat All” approach was adopted, initiating ART regardless of CD4 count.
    • Rapid ART Initiation Policy: In 2021, India adopted a policy of rapid ART initiation, starting individuals on treatment within seven days of HIV diagnosis, and sometimes even on the same day. This swift initiation aimed to improve treatment outcomes and prevent transmission.
    • Complementary initiatives  to stop the HIV epidemic: Provision of free diagnostic facilities; attention on prevention of parent to child transmission of HIV (PPTCT) services; prevention, diagnosis and management of opportunistic infections including management of co-infections such as tuberculosis (TB).

    Objectives of India’s National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) phase 5 by 2025

    Ambitious 95-95-95 Targets: The NACP phase 5 sets ambitious targets known as the 95-95-95 targets, aligned with global targets agreed upon by UNAIDS. These targets aim for:

    • 95% of all people living with HIV to know their HIV status.
    • 95% of all people diagnosed with HIV infection to receive sustained antiretroviral therapy (ART).
    • 95% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy to achieve viral suppression.
    • These targets are aligned with global targets agreed by the UNAIDS.

    Challenges 

    • Delayed Enrolment to ART Facilities:  Late presentation poses challenges to timely initiation of treatment and optimal disease management.
    • Missed doses : Patients often start feeling better after initiating ART, leading to missed doses or discontinuation of treatment that lead to drug resistance

    Measures  

    • Sustained Supply and Availability of ART: Ensuring consistent and uninterrupted access to ART drugs across all regions of the country
    • Private Sector Engagement: Enhancing engagement with the private sector in the care of PLHIV .
    • Training and Capacity Building: Continuous training and capacity building of healthcare staff are essential to  ensure high-quality service delivery.
    • Integration with Other Health Programs: Strengthening integration with other health programs, such as hepatitis, non-communicable diseases (NCDs

    Conclusion

    India’s ART initiative, launched in 2004, has been pivotal in combating HIV/AIDS. With evolving criteria, rapid initiation policies, and ambitious targets, challenges persist, but measures like sustained supply, private sector engagement, and training are being implemented.

    Mains PYQ

    Q What are the research and developmental achievements in applied biotechnology? How will these achievements help to uplift the poorer sections of the society? ( UPSC IAS/2021) 

  • Workers, not tech, should be state’s priority

    Why in the news? 

    The Aadhaar-Based Payment System (ABPS) has attracted significant attention, mainly because of the many difficulties it encounters

    What is Aadhaar-Based Payment System (ABPS)?

    • The Aadhaar-Based Payment System (ABPS) is a unique payment system that utilizes the Aadhaar number as a central key for electronically channelizing government payments

    Aim of ABPS

    • Objective: Provide socio-economically deprived households with work security facilitated by digital technology.
    • Rooted in ideals: Inclusion in the development process, mitigation of inequality and socioeconomic distress.
    • Recognition: Internationally recognized, such as by the United Nations Development Programme, for contributing to a productive, equitable, and connected society.

    Key challenges related to The Aadhaar-Based Payment System (ABPS):

    • Internet Connectivity Issues: Accessibility to stable internet connections in rural areas poses a challenge for implementing the ABPS effectively.
    • Fingerprint Recognition Problems: The ABPS relies on fingerprint recognition for authentication, but issues with fingerprint recognition can hinder the smooth functioning of the system.
    • Difficulties Faced by the Disabled: The system may not be accommodating to individuals with disabilities, leading to exclusion or difficulties in accessing benefits.
    • Unrecorded Working Days: There are instances where the system fails to record the days of work performed by individuals, leading to discrepancies in payment.
    • Name Duplication: Duplicate entries in the system can lead to confusion and errors in identifying beneficiaries and processing payments.
    • Lack of Awareness: Insufficient awareness among beneficiaries about the ABPS and its processes can result in underutilization or misuse of the system.
    • Errors in Linking and Authentication: Issues may arise during the linking of Aadhaar details with the payment system, leading to authentication errors and payment delays.

    Potential of (ABPS) technology 

    • Progressive Principles: Technology has the potential to serve progressive principles globally and historically, contributing to the advancement of societies.
    • Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Technological interventions can play a crucial role in achieving the SDGs, with rural employment guarantee schemes in India serving as effective pathways towards several SDGs, both directly and indirectly.
    • Effective Utilization of Budgetary Allocation: The substantial budgetary allocation to schemes like MGNREGS should be channeled through a technologically sound system to ensure efficient utilization of funds.

    Conclusion

    The Aadhaar-Based Payment System faces numerous challenges, highlighting the need for prioritizing workers over technology. While technology holds potential, its alignment with socio-economic goals must ensure inclusivity, efficiency, and effective utilization of resources.

    Practice Question for mains 

    Q  Examine the objectives, challenges, and potential of the Aadhaar-Based Payment System (ABPS) in India. (150 words )

  • MHA extends FCRA Registration of NGOs

    Why in the news?

    The Ministry of Home Affairs extended till June 30 the validity of all FCRA registered NGOs whose licences are expiring on March 31.

    What is Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA)?

    • The FCRA regulates foreign donations and ensures that such contributions do not adversely affect internal security.
    • First enacted in 1976, it was amended in 2010 when a slew of new measures was adopted to regulate foreign donations.
    • The FCRA is applicable to all associations, groups and NGOs which intend to receive foreign donations.
    • It is mandatory for all such NGOs to register themselves under the FCRA.
    • The registration is initially valid for 5 years and it can be renewed subsequently if they comply with all norms.

    What contributes to Foreign Donations?

    • Foreign Contribution’ means the donation, delivery or transfer made by any foreign source of any:
    1. Article (whose market value is not more than one lakh rupees);
    2. Currency (whether Indian or foreign);
    3. Securities
    • Foreign donations may be those from Governments, international agencies, foreign companies, trusts, corporations, foreign citizens
    • However, some agencies like the UN, World Bank, IMF etc. are EXEMPTED from the definition of foreign donors.

    Who cannot accept donations under FCRA?

    According to the FCRA, foreign donations cannot be accepted by:

    1. Election candidates
    2. Editors and publishers of newspapers
    3. Judges and government employees.
    4. Political parties and members of legislature etc.

    What was the recent Amendment?

    The FCRA was amended in September 2020 to introduce some new restrictions:

    • There is now a capping of the administrative expenses of NGOs at 20% of their foreign donations.
    • The new amendment requires them to have a State Bank of India account at a Delhi Branch.
    • It also prohibits the transfer of grants received under FCRA to any other outfit.
    • It also gives sweeping powers to the Ministry of Home Affairs to cancel the FCRA certificate of an NGO.
    • It made legal for political parties to accept foreign aid through Indian subsidiaries.
    • Under the Act, the government may suspend the registration of a person for a period not exceeding 180 days.
    • Providing Aadhar is mandatory for all office bearers, directors or key functionaries of the organization.

     

    PYQ:

    2015: Examine critically the recent changes in the rule governing foreign funding of NGOs under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 1976.

     

    2015: How can be the role of NGOs be strengthened in India for development works relating to protection of the Environment? Discuss throwing light on the major constraints.

     

    Practice MCQ:

    Consider the following statements regarding “Foreign Contribution (regulation) Act”:

    1.    World Bank is excluded from the definition of foreign sources under the act.

    2.    Political parties are prohibited from taking foreign donations under the act.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) Only 1

    (b) Only 2

    (c) Both 1 and 2

    (d) Neither 1 nor 2
  • [27 March 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: A cry for help, a call for reflection and action

    [27 March 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: A cry for help, a call for reflection and action

    PYQ Relevance:

    Mains: 

    Q) The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 remains inadequate in promoting an incentive-based system for children’s education without generating awareness about the importance of schooling. Analyse. (UPSC IAS/2022) 

    Q) Professor Amartya Sen has advocated important reforms in the realms of primary education and primary health care. What are your suggestions to improve their status and performance? (UPSC IAS/2016) 

    Note4Students: 

    Prelims: NA;

    Mains: Governance; Education;

    Mentor comments: In contemporary Indian society, there is a noticeable shift in family structures with a weakening of crucial connections between children and their families. This in turn impacts a child’s ability to engage with their society and environment. The unyielding quest for scholastic distinction often overshadows the social facets of a student’s existence, driving them to sacrifice interpersonal bonds and pursuits that are essential for a well-rounded persona. It is disconcerting to find young students voicing their inner turmoil on social media, signaling distress which ultimately increases suicidal cases as highlighted by the NCRB Report.

    Let’s learn. 

    —

    Why in the News?

    The unyielding quest presents the issue with educational systems often cause many an Indian student to go into a spiral, with tragic outcomes.

    • The transformation of socio-economic dynamics is not only instilling a sense of despondency among youth but is also becoming a cause for stress in their academic endeavors.
    What does the Recent Report say?

    In 2022, according to data in the “Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India 2022” report by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), over 13,044 Indian students ended their lives — 7.6% of the total suicide fatalities in that year. 
    In 2023, there were reports of youngsters preparing for various competitive exams in Kota ending their lives.
    Based on police records, 15 students faded away in 2022; 18 in 2019, and 20 in 2018. 

    Coaching Industry and Governance in Kota:

    • Every year, over 2,00,000 aspirants from every corner of India flock to Kota in pursuit of ‘academic excellence’, to prepare rigorously for ‘coveted’ entrance examinations such as the JEE and the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).
    • The number of suicides (students) rose from 10,335 in 2019, to 12,526 in 2020, to 13,089 in 2021. As in NCRB data (2018), nearly 95,000 students faded away between 2007-18.

    Preventive Measures Taken by Local Institutes and Governance:

    • By Local Institutes in Kota:
      • Hostels have been equipped with ‘anti-suicide features’ that include devices fixed to ceiling fans to prevent children from harming themselves and iron grills across balconies and passageways. 
      • In the push towards professional development, there is specialized training in mess administration, psychological support, behavioral counseling, and an emphasis on overall student welfare. 
    • By Local Government in Kota:
      • The local government has stopped all routine testing in coaching institutes for over two months as a temporary measure. 
      • The Kota police have pushed hostel wardens to become more proactive by endorsing campaigns such as “Knock on the Door.” At the same time, kitchen workers and meal service providers have been encouraged to alert authorities immediately if they notice students missing their meals or leaving their food untouched.

    Challenges wrt. present Educational purveyors and Social Facets in India:

    • Intense Competitions: India with an increase in Population, lacks the generation of suitable job opportunities, moreover, a limited number of seats in government institutions, and the high fees charges in private institutions have all created a climate where there is intense competition. 
    • Social and Family Expectations: The relentless strain of competition plays on the young student, which is made worse by the pressures imposed on the child by parents without understanding their child’s wishes. Many face harsh criticism for failing to ‘meet expectations’. 
    • Lack of Government Interventions: According to the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) report (2019-20), only 21.4% of colleges are under governmental administration, with 78.6% under private entities (as reported by the Union Education Ministry). 
    • Poverty Issue: A study in 2008 in The Lancet revealed that nearly 61% of global suicide fatalities were concentrated in Asia. Numerous families in India, face financial constraints that prevent them from providing their children with supplementary educational resources such as coaching and tuition. 
    • Lack of support from faculties: There are numerous instances of faculty members in institutions often chastising students for their subpar academic performance when they should be offering encouragement and assistance instead.

    Way Forward:

    • Building a welfare environment: Creating an atmosphere of empathy and acceptance is crucial to cancel out any potential negative consequences for our younger generation.
    • Discovering the unyielding quest: The unsolvable puzzle for scholastic distinction often overshadows the social facets of a student’s existence, driving them to sacrifice interpersonal bonds and pursuits that are essential for a well-rounded persona. This needs to be worked upon.
    • Investing in Social Infrastructure: Moreover, pupils from socioeconomically underserved communities are confronted with the stark actualities of endemic discrimination, thereby intensifying their hardships. So, there is an urgent need for our social infrastructure to grow more supportive and accommodative and support these young lives.

    https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/a-cry-for-help-a-call-for-reflection-and-action/article67995431.ece

  • [25 March 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: TB Control in India Calls for person-centered Solutions

    PYQ Relevance:Mains: 
    Q) “Besides being a moral imperative of a Welfare State, primary health structure is a necessary precondition for sustainable development.” Analyse. ( UPSC IAS/2021) 

    Q) Appropriate local community-level healthcare intervention is a prerequisite to achieving ‘Health for All’ in India. Explain. (UPSC IAS/2018) 

    Prelims:
    In India, the term “Public Key Infrastructure” is used in the context of  (UPSC IAS/2020) 
    a) Digital security infrastructure
    b) Food security infrastructure
    c) Health care and education infrastructure
    d) Telecommunication and transportation infrastructure

    Note4Students: 

    Prelims: Governance; Health Care; TB Elimination Program 2025;

    Mains: Governance; Health Care Syatem in India; Issues  related to TB and measures;

    Mentor comments:  Globally, and in India, tuberculosis (TB) continues to loom large as a public health challenge impacting millions. About 85% of people who develop TB can be successfully treated with drug regimens of 6 months. Universal health coverage (UHC) is necessary to ensure that all those with the disease can access these treatments. Today although India aims for 2025, the recent TB elimination policy in India necessitates person-centered solutions to address the challenges of tuberculosis effectively. 

    Let’s learn. 

    —

    Why in the News?

    On account of World TB Day (March 24), we must recognize the needs and interests of TB patients, and the communities must form the basis of disease elimination.

    Context:

    • The theme for World TB Day 2024: ‘Yes! We can end TB!‘.
    • The MoHFW along with various development partners of the Health Ministry launched the Tuberculosis (TB) Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan in 2021 under the NSP India 2020–25 for TB Elimination in a major mission activity for ending the epidemic of TB by 2025.
    • Despite ambitious goals set by India’s health authorities to eliminate TB, the challenge is huge and progress is not fast enough. 
    Present Scenario:

    National Strategic Plan for Eliminating TB (2020-25): NSP India 2020–2025 intends to accelerate the national response to TB.
    The actions included:

    Provide top-priority reinforcements to the existing workforce;
    Scale up private provider engagement;
    Changes in approach from passive community to active community participation and ownership;
    Investment in TB surveillance staff and systems for accurate, complete and timely information;
    Deployment of new precision diagnostic tools;
    Support patients comprehensively throughout treatment;
    Redesign and pursue targeted active case finding;

    Deploy and evaluate ambitious plans to implement TB preventive treatment in households and other close contacts, children, People living with HIV (PLHIV), and other locally defined “high-risk” groups, using new and short regimens.

    Why there is a need for a person-centered approach to TB care and management?

    1) Need to Understand through shift paradigm:

    • TB as a human crisis: Tuberculosis is one of the ten major causes of mortality worldwide. The trend of increasing TB cases and drug resistance in India is very disturbing.
    • TB as a gendered crisis: Women and other gender minorities living in violently patriarchal societies face unique challenges in accessing timely diagnosis and treatment for TB. It is particularly difficult for gender minorities to seek care due to structural and social barriers, stigma in the health system, and widespread poverty.
    • TB as an economic challenge: The largest indirect cost of TB for a patient is income lost by being too sick to work. Studies suggest that on average three to four months of work time are lost, resulting in average lost potential earnings of 20% to 30% of annual household income.
    • TB as a Social and Environmental Challenge: For centuries, TB has been linked anecdotally with environmental risk factors that go hand-in-hand with poverty: indoor air pollution, tobacco smoke, malnutrition, overcrowded living conditions, and excessive alcohol use.

    2) Care needs to be more Humane 

    • Need for Strengthening Community-Based Care: Efforts are needed to strengthen community-based TB care models, empowering frontline healthcare workers to deliver comprehensive care that is closer to where patients live.
    • Need for Mental Support: This is important as survivor narratives tell us the stigma, discrimination, and mental stress they go through, not to mention the side effects of treatment.
    • Need to address discrimination: While TB can affect people of any class, religion, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status, it disproportionately affects the most marginalized in society, including children, the urban poor, prisoners, and people living with HIV/AIDS. It is needed to address that disease has gone beyond being a health crisis alone.

    How technology can be tapped to address these challenges?

    • Leveraging technology and innovation: The adoption of AI and digital health solutions for TB diagnosis, adherence, and surveillance can revolutionize the way TB care is delivered and accessed in the country.
    • Working on treatments: The path to TB elimination in India requires a concerted effort to prioritize person-centered care, address social determinants of health, and embrace innovation. By investing in developing better vaccines, we can hope to ultimately eliminate this airborne disease.
      • The System for TB Elimination in the Private Sector (STEPS) has been introduced as a low-cost solution to address gaps in quality care for TB patients accessing the private sector.

    Conclusion: By adopting a holistic and person-centered approach, India can overcome the barriers that stand in the way of TB control and create a healthier future for all its citizens.

    https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/tb-control-in-india-calls-for-person-centred-solutions/article67988183.ece

  • Why has Karnataka banned certain coloring agents?

    Why in the news?

    • Karnataka has become the third state in South India to prohibit the use of specific coloring agents in cotton candy and gobi manchurian due to their identified harmful effects.

    Context-

    • While the Government plans to create awareness among manufacturers, it has also urged consumers to be aware of what they are consuming.
    • The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 stipulates a fine of not less than ₹10 lakh and a jail term of a minimum of seven years, extending to life imprisonment, against those using banned chemical substances in food products.

    What did the survey results show?/Key findings from the sample testing

    • Presence of Harmful Chemicals: Laboratory tests revealed the presence of harmful chemicals in many samples collected from the state.
    • Cotton Candy Samples: Out of 25 cotton candy samples collected, 15 were found to be unsafe as they contained added colors, while the remaining 10 were deemed safe as they were made without added colors.
    • Gobi Manchurian Samples: Among the 171 samples of gobi manchurian collected, 107 were declared unsafe due to the presence of added colors, while 64 were considered safe as they did not contain added colors.

    What were the harmful chemicals?

    • Harmful Chemicals: The unsafe samples of cotton candy contained traces of sunset yellow, tartrazine, and rhodamine-b, while unsafe gobi Manchurian samples had tartrazine, sunset yellow, and carmoisine. Rhodamine-b, a suspected carcinogen, is already banned.
    • Restrictions on Tartrazine: Although tartrazine is an approved artificial food color, there are restrictions on its usage. It can only be used in specific packed food items, with prescribed amounts. It cannot be used in freshly prepared food items.
    • Health Concerns: The Food Safety Commissioner emphasized that prolonged consumption of snacks containing artificial colors can lead to severe diseases like cancer, highlighting the importance of the ban in safeguarding public health.

    What are the Penalties?

    • Prohibition on Artificial Colors: Rule 16 of the Food Safety and Standards Act prohibits the use of artificial colors in the preparation of gobi manchurian.
    • Approved Limits for Food Colors: While certain food colors are allowed within approved limits, non-permitted colors like rhodamine-b should not be used in the preparation of cotton candy.
    • Penalties for Offenders: Violators face severe penalties, including cancellation of licenses for commercial activities, hefty fines, and imprisonment. The Food Safety and Standards Act specifies a minimum fine of ₹10 lakh and a jail term of at least seven years, which can extend to life imprisonment, for those found using banned chemical substances in food products.

    Way Forward:

    • Enforcement and Monitoring: Health safety officials will likely conduct random checks to ensure compliance with the ban on harmful chemicals and artificial colors.
    • Public Awareness Campaigns: The government will continue its efforts to raise awareness among manufacturers and consumers regarding the risks associated with harmful chemicals and artificial colors in food products.
    • Regulatory Review: There might be a review of existing regulations and standards related to food safety to further strengthen controls and ensure comprehensive coverage of potentially risky food items beyond gobi manchurian, such as kebabs, that may use coloring agents.
    • Collaboration with Stakeholders: Collaboration between government authorities, food manufacturers, and other stakeholders in the food industry will be crucial to implement and enforce the ban effectively. This may include consultations, partnerships, and dialogues to address challenges and ensure compliance with regulations.

    Conclusion: Karnataka banned certain coloring agents in response to findings of harmful chemicals in food samples. Strict penalties and enforcement measures are in place, alongside awareness campaigns and collaboration with stakeholders to ensure compliance and safeguard public health.

  • Data marketplaces: the next frontier

    Why in the news?

    The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeiTY) released the National Data Governance Framework Policy (NPD Framework) which was touted as the first building block of the digital architecture being conceived to maximize data.

    Context:

    • The role of digitization in realizing India’s vision of becoming a $5 trillion economy cannot be overstated.
    • As per a NASSCOM report, data and artificial intelligence (AI) can add approximately $450-500 billion to India’s GDP by 2025.

    Types of data:

    • Personal Data – Data containing identifiers that can be used to identify specific individuals.
    • Non-Personal Data (NPD)- data excluding personal data. It constitutes the primary type of citizen data obtained by the government and holds the potential to serve as a ‘public good’.

    Significance of Non-personal data-

    • NPD as a Public Good: NPD (Non-Personal Data) is considered the primary type of citizen data collected by the government. It holds the potential to serve as a ‘public good’, implying its utility and value to society as a whole.
    • Integration of NPD in Public Services: Advocates for integrating NPD into the delivery of public services to create synergies and scalable solutions. Integration aims to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of public service delivery.
    • Application of Advanced Analytics and AI: Utilizing high-value advanced analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) on NPD can lead to predicting socially and economically beneficial outcomes. Such applications can span across various sectors of the economy.
    • Key Sectors for Data-Driven Insights: Meteorological and disaster forecasts: Utilizing NPD to enhance predictions and preparedness for weather-related events and disasters. Infrastructure capacity and citizen use patterns: Understanding how citizens interact with infrastructure to optimize usage and planning.
    • Mobility and housing patterns: Analyzing data to inform transportation and housing policies.
    • Employment trends: Using NPD to predict and address changes in employment patterns and workforce needs.
    • Informing Governance and Public Functions: NPD-driven insights can better inform decision-making in governance and public functions. Data analytics can provide valuable information for policy formulation and resource allocation.

    Challenges related to NDP:

    • Privacy and Security Concerns: The unprotected inter-flow of NPD across government departments, third parties, and citizens can lead to privacy breaches and make sensitive data vulnerable. This vulnerability can disproportionately benefit capacity-carrying actors such as Big Tech.
    • Risk of Faulty Decision-making: Imperfect analysis of crucial public trends resulting from the exchange of NPD can lead to faulty decision-making. The inefficient exchange of data fails to unlock the power of interdisciplinary legislative and policy-making.
    • Gaps in the NPD Framework: The NPD Framework lacks actionable guidance and practical operationalization, focusing on abstract high-level principles and objectives. It overlooks mechanisms for pricing data, appropriate legal structures for data exchange, and standardized governance tools.
    • Lack of Legislation and Operationalization: While legislation is expected, the practical implementation and operationalization of the NPD Framework are overlooked. Questions remain unanswered regarding stakeholder rights and obligations across sectors.

    Steps by Government:

    • Agriculture Data Exchange in Telangana: Telangana State has developed an agriculture data exchange platform. The platform aims to facilitate the exchange of agricultural data among various stakeholders. It is likely designed to enhance decision-making, productivity, and innovation in the agriculture sector.
    • India Urban Data Exchange (IUDX): The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science, has established the India Urban Data Exchange (IUDX).
      • IUDX enables better urban planning, infrastructure development, and governance through data-driven insights.
    • Data Exchanges for Geospatial Policy: The Department of Science & Technology has announced plans to establish data exchanges to implement aspects of the National Geospatial Policy.

    Measures to address these challenges:

    • Need for Critical Evaluation and Enhancement: A critical evaluation of the NPD Framework is necessary to address existing gaps. Enhancements to the framework can supplement MeiTY’s efforts to regulate NPD and facilitate interoperability across sectors.
    •  Learn from International practice: countries like Australia, the UK, and Estonia highlight the adoption of data exchange frameworks and protocols. These frameworks have been applied across various sectors such as housing, employment, aged care, and agriculture to address specific issues like unemployment.
    • Regulatory Design for Data Exchanges: Creating a regulatory design for data exchanges in India can digitize and automate public welfare functions. It can reduce administrative burden, facilitate inter-sectoral integration, and build safeguards for using and sharing NPD, making civic functions more participatory.
    • Stakeholder Consultation: Engage stakeholders from government, industry, academia, and civil society in the evaluation process. Gather feedback on practical challenges faced in implementing the framework and areas needing clarification or enhancement.

    Conclusion: A comprehensive evaluation and enhancement of the NPD Framework are imperative. Learning from international practices, establishing regulatory designs for data exchanges, and fostering stakeholder consultations will pave the way for effective governance of non-personal data.

  • Centre notifies Fact-Check Unit to screen online content

    Why in the news? 

    The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has designated the Press Information Bureau’s Fact Check Unit to point out misinformation about Central government departments on social media platforms ahead of the election.

    Context-

    • According to the IT Rules of 2021, social media platforms might lose their legal protection from being held responsible for content posted by users if they decide to keep the misinformation flagged by the Fact Check Unit.

    Background of this news-

    • Due to the controversy surrounding the concept, the Union government had delayed officially notifying the Fact Check Unit as there was ongoing litigation at the Bombay High Court challenging the provision.
    • However, this month, the court decided not to prolong a temporary halt that prevented the government from implementing the rules.

    Key points as per IT Rules, 2021-

    • Mandates: In essence, the IT Rules (2021) demand that social media platforms exercise heightened diligence concerning the content present on their platforms. Legal obligation on intermediaries to make reasonable efforts to prevent users from uploading such content.
    • Appoint a Grievance Officer: Social media platforms are mandated to set up a grievance redressal mechanism and promptly remove unlawful and inappropriate content within specified timeframes.
    • Ensuring Online Safety and Dignity of Users: Intermediaries are obligated to remove or disable access within 24 hours upon receiving complaints about content that exposes individuals’ private areas, depicts them in full or partial nudity, shows them engaged in sexual acts, or involves impersonation, including morphed images
    • Informing users about privacy policies is crucial: Social media platforms’ privacy policies should include measures to educate users about refraining from sharing copyrighted material and any content that could be considered defamatory, racially or ethnically offensive, promoting pedophilia, or threatening the unity, integrity, defense, security, or sovereignty of India or its friendly relations with foreign states, or violating any existing laws.

    Fake news on social media can have several negative impacts on governments-

    • Undermining Trust- Fake news can erode public trust in government institutions and officials. When false information spreads widely, it can lead to scepticism and doubt about the government’s credibility.
    • Destabilizing Democracy- Misinformation can distort public perceptions of government policies and actions, potentially leading to unrest, protests, or even violence. This can destabilize democratic processes and undermine the functioning of government.
    • Manipulating Public Opinion- Fake news can be strategically used to manipulate public opinion in favour of or against a particular government or political party. By spreading false narratives, individuals or groups can influence elections and policymaking processes.
    • Impeding Policy Implementation- False information circulating on social media can create confusion and resistance to government policies and initiatives. This can impede the effective implementation of programs and reforms.
    • Wasting Resources- Governments may be forced to allocate resources to address the fallout from fake news, such as conducting investigations, issuing clarifications, or combating disinformation campaigns. This diverts resources away from other important priorities.
    • Fueling Division- Fake news can exacerbate social and political divisions within a country by spreading divisive narratives or inciting hatred and hostility towards certain groups or communities. This can further polarize society and hinder efforts towards unity and cohesion

    Measures to Tackle Fake News on Social Media:

    • Mandatory Fact-Checking: Implement a requirement for social media platforms to fact-check content before dissemination.
    • Enhanced User Education: Promote media literacy and critical thinking skills to help users discern reliable information from fake news.
    • Strengthened Regulation: Enforce stricter regulations on social media platforms to curb the spread of misinformation and hold them accountable for content moderation.
    • Collaborative Verification: Foster partnerships between governments, fact-checking organizations, and social media platforms to verify the accuracy of information.
    • Transparent Algorithms: Ensure transparency in algorithms used by social media platforms to prioritize content, reducing the spread of false information.
    • Swift Removal of Violative Content: Establish mechanisms for prompt removal of fake news and penalize users or entities responsible for spreading it.
    • Public Awareness Campaigns: Launch campaigns to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of fake news and promote responsible sharing practices.

    Conclusion: To address misinformation, governments should enforce IT Rules (2021), empower fact-checking units, and promote media literacy. Collaboration between authorities, platforms, and citizens is vital for combating fake news and upholding democratic values.

  • [pib] NIXI and MeitY to unveil BhashaNet Portal  

    What is the news-

    • The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) is proud to announce the launch of the BhashaNet portal for the upcoming Universal Acceptance (UA) Day.
    Universal Acceptance is the principle that all domain names and email addresses should be treated equally, regardless of the characters used in them.

     What is BhashaNet Portal?

    • The Bhasha-Net Portal is a digital platform launched by NIXI, aimed at promoting Universal Acceptance (UA).
    • The portal specifically focuses on ensuring that individuals, regardless of the language or script they use, can fully participate in the digital world.
    • The portal is designed to provide resources, tools, and information to support the integration of diverse languages and scripts into online platforms, websites, and applications.

    Objectives:

    1. To provide a truly multilingual internet, where local language website name and local language email id, work everywhere seamlessly.
    2. To foster digital inclusivity by addressing linguistic barriers and promoting the use of local languages and scripts in digital communication.

    About National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI)

     

    • Established on June 19, 2003, the NIXI is a not-for-profit organization under the auspices of MeitY.
    • NIXI is dedicated to enhancing internet penetration and adoption in India by facilitating essential infrastructure and services.
    • It plays a crucial role in enabling the internet ecosystem to be accessible and utilized by the masses, thereby promoting digital empowerment and inclusion nationwide.

    Four key services include-

    1.    Setting up Internet Exchange Points,

    2.    Managing the .IN Registry,

    3.    Promoting IPv4 and IPv6 address adoption through IRINN, and

    4.    Offering data center services under NIXI-CSC.

    Back2Basics:

    IPv4 IPv6
    Address Format 32-bit address format (e.g., 192.0.2.1) 128-bit address format (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334)
    Address Representation Decimal dotted notation (e.g., 192.0.2.1) Hexadecimal colon-hex notation (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334)
    Address Space Limited address space (~4.3 billion addresses) Vast address space (approximately 3.4×10^38 addresses)
    Header Length Fixed-length header (20 bytes) Variable-length header (40 bytes or more)
    Header Options Limited options Expanded options for quality of service, security, and mobility
    Broadcast Uses broadcast addresses for network discovery and ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) Uses multicast addressing for efficient communication
    Security Limited built-in security features Built-in IPsec (Internet Protocol Security) support for end-to-end encryption and authentication
    Adoption Status Widely deployed and used Increasing adoption but not yet fully ubiquitous

     

    PYQ:

    2011: What is “Virtual Private Network”?

    1. It is a private computer network of an organization where the remote users can transmit encrypted information through the server of the organization
    2. It is a computer network across a public internet that provides users access to their organization’s network while maintaining the security of the information transmitted
    3. It is a computer network in which users can access a shared pool of computing resources through a service provider
    4. None of the statements (A), (B) and (C) given above is a correct description of Virtual Private Network