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

Civilsdaily

Login

Type: Prelims Only

  • Government Strengthens Rules Against AI Generated Deepfakes

    Why in the News

    The Government has strengthened the regulatory framework against AI generated deepfakes by amending the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

    What are the New Amendments?

    • Legal framework: Amendments have been made to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, framed under the Information Technology Act, 2000.
    • New definition: Introduces the concept of Synthetically Generated Information (SGI), covering deepfakes and other AI generated content.
    • Mandatory labelling: Platforms must clearly label synthetic content and embed traceable metadata to identify AI generated material.
    • User declaration: Significant Social Media Intermediaries (SSMIs) must obtain a declaration from users on whether uploaded content is synthetic.
    • Verification tools: SSMIs are required to deploy tools to verify user declarations.
    • Harmful content: The framework specifically targets:
      • Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM)
      • Non consensual intimate imagery
      • AI enabled impersonation and fraud

    What is a Deepfake?

    • Definition: Deepfakes are AI generated synthetic media in which a person’s face, voice, or likeness is created or manipulated using deep learning techniques.
    • Uses: Can be used for entertainment, education and content creation, but also for misinformation, identity theft, financial fraud and cybercrime.

    [2020] With the print state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following?
    1. Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units
    2. Create meaningful short stories and songs
    3. Disease diagnosis
    4. Text -to -Speech Conversion
    5. Wireless transmission of electrical energy
    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    [A] 1, 2, 3 and 5 only

    [B] 1, 3 and 4 only

    [C] 2, 4 and 5 only

    [D] 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

  • Cabinet Approves GOBARdhan as a National Unified Scheme for Compressed Biogas

    Why in the News

    The Union Cabinet has approved GOBARdhan as a National Unified Scheme for Compressed Biogas (CBG) to accelerate domestic biogas production, promote clean energy, and strengthen the circular economy.

    What is the GOBARdhan Scheme?

    • Full form: Galvanizing Organic Bio Agro Resources Dhan (GOBARdhan).
    • Launched: 2018 under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen).
    • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
    • Objective: Promote production of Compressed Biogas (CBG) from organic waste while improving waste management, clean energy access, and farmers’ income.

    Key Features of the National Unified Scheme

    • Total Outlay: ₹23,731 crore.
    • Duration: FY 2027 to FY 2036 (10 years).
    • CBG Blending Obligation (CBGO):
      • 3% in the first year.
      • 4% in the second year.
      • 5% from the third year onwards in City Gas Distribution (CGD) networks.
    • Price Support: Administered price of about ₹2,110 per MMBTU for a minimum of 10 years.
    • Capital Assistance: Up to ₹2 crore per tonne per day of CBG production capacity for new projects.
    • Target: Achieve nearly a tenfold increase in domestic CBG production.

    What is Compressed Biogas (CBG)?

    • Definition: Purified biogas with more than 90% methane content.
    • Feedstock: Produced from agricultural residue, cattle dung, municipal solid waste, sewage, and other biodegradable waste.
    • Uses: Can replace Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in transport, industry, and cooking.

    [2016] Which of the following are the key features of ‘National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)?
    1. River basin is the unit of planning and management.
    2. It spearheads the river conservation efforts at the national level.
    3. One of the Chief Ministers of the States through which the Ganga flows becomes the Chairman of NGRBA on rotation basis.
    Select the correct answer using the code given Below.

    [A] 1 and 2 only

    [B] 2 and 3 only

    [C] 1 and 3 only

    [D] 1, 2 and 3

  • Glaw Lake becomes Arunachal Pradesh’s first Ramsar site

    Why in the News

    Glaw Lake has been designated as Arunachal Pradesh’s first Ramsar Site, making it the state’s first Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention.

    What is the Ramsar Convention?

    • International treaty: An intergovernmental treaty for the conservation and wise use of wetlands.
    • Adopted: 2 February 1971 at Ramsar, Iran.
    • Came into force: 1975.
    • Objective: Promote the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands through national action and international cooperation.
    • India: A Contracting Party to the Convention.

    What is a Ramsar Site?

    • A wetland designated under the Ramsar Convention for its international ecological importance.
    • Selected based on criteria such as:
      • Unique wetland ecosystems.
      • Biodiversity significance.
      • Habitat for threatened species.
      • Importance for migratory waterbirds.

    Why is Glaw Lake Significant?

    • Location: Arunachal Pradesh.
    • First Ramsar Site: It is the first Wetland of International Importance from the state.
    • Recognition: Enhances conservation of the Eastern Himalayan wetland ecosystem.
    • Implementation: Designated under the Ramsar Convention with the involvement of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and the Wetlands Division.

    [2019] With reference to Wetlands, consider the following statements:
    1. Under Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the wetlands in the territory of India.
    2. They are covered with hydric soils.
    3. Wetlands are often referred to as Kidneys of the Earth.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    [A] 1 and 2 only

    [B] 2 and 3 only

    [C] 1 and 3 only

    [D] 1, 2 and 3

  • Rising private R&D spending should be channelled into manufacturing

    Why in the News

    For the first time, private industry has overtaken the government as the largest source of Research and Development (R&D) spending in India, marking a significant shift in the country’s innovation ecosystem. However, India’s overall R&D investment remains low compared to major economies.

    What does the R&D data show?

    • Private sector leads: Private industry contributed 51.8% of India’s total R&D expenditure in 2023 to 2024.
    • Low R&D intensity: India’s Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD) is only 0.84% of GDP.
      • Global comparison: China: 2.58%, United States: 3.45%, South Korea: 4.94%
    • Limited research workforce: India has only 354 researchers per million population, much lower than leading innovation economies.

    Why should R&D focus on manufacturing?

    • Higher value addition: Promotes movement from low-end assembly to high-technology manufacturing.
    • Import substitution: Reduces dependence on imported technologies and critical components.
    • Employment generation: Encourages advanced manufacturing, creating skilled jobs and strengthening industrial competitiveness.
    • Global competitiveness: Supports initiatives such as Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

    What institutional support exists?

    Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)

    • Established under: ANRF Act, 2023.
    • Corpus: ₹50,000 crore over five years.
    • Objective: Promote research, innovation and collaboration among academia, industry and government.
    • Key role:
      • Mobilise private sector investment in research.
      • Coordinate research funding across institutions.
      • Strengthen India’s innovation ecosystem.

    Prelims Pointers

    • GERD (Gross Expenditure on Research and Development): Total national expenditure on R&D as a percentage of GDP.
    • Private industry is now India’s largest R&D spender.
    • ANRF replaced the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) as the apex research funding body.
    • India spends less than 1% of GDP on R&D.

    [2015] Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding National Innovation Foundation-India (NIF)?
    1. NIF is an autonomous body of the Department of Science and Technology under the Central Government
    2.NIF is an initiative to strengthen the highly advanced scientific research in India’s premier scientific institutions in collaboration with highly advanced foreign scientific institutions.
    Select the correct answer using the code given below.

    [A] 1 only

    [B] 2 only

    [C] Both 1 and 2

    [D] Neither 1 nor 2

  • How ‘ghost particles’ can point the way to spent nuclear fuel

    Why in the News

    Scientists have achieved the first high precision measurement of the neutrino signature from spent nuclear fuel, enabling remote monitoring of nuclear material and strengthening global nuclear non proliferation efforts.

    What is a neutrino?

    • Ghost particle: A neutrino is a nearly massless, electrically neutral subatomic particle that interacts only through the weak nuclear force and gravity.
    • Produced in nuclear reactions: They are emitted in large numbers during nuclear fission, radioactive decay, and reactions inside stars.
    • Highly penetrating: Since neutrinos rarely interact with matter, they can pass through the Earth almost unaffected, making them extremely difficult to detect.

    What did the study achieve?

    • First precise measurement: Researchers in France made the first high precision measurement of the neutrino emissions from spent nuclear fuel.
    • Remote monitoring: The neutrino signal can be measured without physically opening or handling the spent fuel.
    • Scientific validation: The findings were published in a leading peer reviewed physics journal.

    Why is this important for nuclear non proliferation?

    • Supports IAEA safeguards: Enables the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to verify spent nuclear fuel remotely.
    • Detects diversion: Changes in the neutrino signal can indicate diversion of plutonium or other fissile material for weapons.
    • Strengthens nuclear safeguards: Provides a non intrusive and tamper resistant method to improve verification of nuclear material.
    • Enhances transparency: Builds confidence in peaceful civilian nuclear programmes.

    Prelims Pointers

    • The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is the UN agency responsible for promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy and implementing nuclear safeguards.
    • Neutrinos are electrically neutral, nearly massless particles that interact via the weak nuclear force.
    • Nuclear reactors and spent nuclear fuel continuously emit neutrinos.
    • Spent nuclear fuel contains plutonium that can potentially be separated for nuclear weapons, making its monitoring important.

    “[2020] In India, why are some nuclear reactors kept ‘IAEA Safeguards’ while others are not?
    (a) Some use uranium and others use thorium
    (b) Some use imported uranium and others use domestic supplies
    (c) Some are operated by foreign enterprises and others are operated by domestic
    (d) Some are State-owned and others are privately-owned

  • The road ahead for the Asiatic lion as its range spreads

    Why in the News

    The Asiatic lion population has recovered strongly but is increasingly living outside protected areas. The tension is between a conservation success in numbers and the rising conflict and risk that dispersal brings.

    What is the Asiatic lion?

    1. Endemic species: The Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica) survives only in and around the Gir landscape of Gujarat.
    2. Status change: The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) moved it from Critically Endangered to Endangered.
    3. Single population: The entire wild population is concentrated in one region, making it vulnerable to a single event.

    How has the population and range changed?

    1. Recovery: Numbers grew from about 100 to 150 six decades ago to over 1,000 today.
    2. Dispersal: Nearly half the lions now live outside protected areas.
    3. Satellite groups: For the first time, data shows that more than half—497 lions—now live outside the core Gir protected areas in nine distinct satellite populations spread across 11 districts, spanning a territory of 35,000 square kilometers.

    Why does the spread create new risks?

    1. Habitat threat: A proposed limestone mine in the Babarkot corridor threatens a dispersal route.
    2. Disease risk: Past outbreaks of Canine Distemper Virus and babesiosis killed many lions.
    3. Green Status: The species remains assessed as “largely depleted” despite the numeric recovery.

    Back2Basics: Asiatic Lion (Gir)

    1. IUCN status: Endangered.
    2. Legal protection: Listed in Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
    3. Habitat: Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary and surrounding landscape in Gujarat.
    4. Significance: Gir is the only natural home of the wild Asiatic lion.

    “[2024] Consider the following statements:
    1. Lions do not have a particular breeding season.
    2. Unlike most other big cats, cheetahs do not roar.
    3. Unlike male lions, male leopards do not proclaim their territory by scent marking.
    Which of the statements given above are correct?
    (a) 1 and 2 only
    (b) 2 and 3 only
    (c) 1 and 3 only
    (d) 1, 2 and 3

  • Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls sees mass deletions

    Why in the News

    A large intensive revision of electoral rolls has removed millions of names across States, with objection windows now open. The tension is between cleaning the rolls of ineligible entries and the risk of wrongful deletion of genuine voters.

    What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)?

    1. Roll revision: The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a house to house re verification of electoral rolls by the Election Commission of India.
    2. ASDD categories: Names are marked under absent, shifted, duplicate, and dead (ASDD) categories for deletion.
    3. Claims window: Deletions are provisional until the claims and objections period closes.

    What is the scale of deletion?

    1. Jharkhand: About 43.6 lakh names, or 16.5%, were removed from the draft roll.
    2. Karnataka: The State projects deletions of about 20% of electors.
    3. Correction route: Voters can seek restoration through Booth Level Officers and Form 6.

    Why is the revision contested?

    1. Wrongful removal: Genuine voters risk deletion through data errors.
    2. Compressed timeline: The claims and objections window runs only to 4 September 2026.
    3. Legal challenge: The revision faces litigation over its process and scale.

    “[2017] Consider the following statements:
    1. The Election Commission of India is a ‘ five-member body.
    2. Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election schedule for the conduct of both general elections and bye-elections.
    3. Election Commission resolves the disputes relating to splits/mergers of recognized political parties.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
    (a) 1 and 2 only
    (b) 2 only
    (c) 2 and 3 only
    (d) 3 only

  • Government and faculty spar over the Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2026

    Why in the News

    The Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) Bill, 2026 seeks to restructure the governance of the Indian Statistical Institute by converting it from a registered society into a government controlled statutory body corporate. The proposal has sparked concerns over institutional autonomy.

    What is the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI)?

    • Founded: Established in 1931 by Prasanta Chandra (P.C.) Mahalanobis.
    • Premier institution: A leading centre for statistics, mathematics, data science, computer science, quantitative economics and related research.
    • Institution of National Importance: Declared under the Indian Statistical Institute Act, 1959.
    • Administrative Ministry: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
    • Current governance: Functions as a registered society managed by a representative Governing Council.

    What does the Bill propose?

    • Repeals the 1959 Act: Introduces the Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2026.
    • Body corporate: Converts ISI from a society into a statutory body corporate with perpetual succession.
    • New governance structure: Replaces the Governing Council with an 11 member Board of Governors.
    • Greater government role: The Board will have a majority of government nominated members, increasing the Centre’s role in administration.

    Why are faculty members concerned?

    • Reduced academic autonomy: Faculty argue that greater government control may affect academic freedom and institutional independence.
    • Lack of consultation: They claim the Bill was drafted without adequate consultation with ISI’s academic community.
    • Demand for scrutiny: Opposition members have sought referral of the Bill to the Standing Committee on Finance for detailed examination.

    Prelims Pointers

    • Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) was founded in 1931 by P.C. Mahalanobis.
    • P.C. Mahalanobis developed the Mahalanobis Distance and played a key role in India’s statistical system and economic planning.
    • ISI is an Institution of National Importance under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
    • The Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2026 proposes replacing the Governing Council with an 11 member Board of Governors.

    [2023] Consider the following organizations/bodies in India:
    1. The National Commission for Backward Classes
    2. The National Human Commission Rights
    3. The National Law Commission
    4. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
    How many of the above are constitutional bodies?

    [A] Only one

    [B] Only two

    [C] Only three

    [D] All four

  • Rajya Sabha passes the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 as a Money Bill

    Why in the News

    Parliament passed the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, increasing the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court through the Money Bill route, triggering debate over the constitutional validity of bypassing the Rajya Sabha.

    What is a Money Bill?

    • Constitutional basis: Defined under Article 110 of the Constitution.
    • Scope: A Bill is a Money Bill only if it deals exclusively with matters such as:
      • Taxation, Government borrowing, Custody or withdrawal of money from the Consolidated Fund of India, Contingency Fun, and Appropriation of public money
    • Speaker’s certification: The Speaker of the Lok Sabha decides whether a Bill is a Money Bill, and the certification is endorsed on the Bill.
    • Limited role of Rajya Sabha: The Rajya Sabha can only recommend amendments within 14 days, which the Lok Sabha may accept or reject.

    What does the Bill provide?

    • Higher judicial strength: Increases the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court from 34 to 38 judges, including the Chief Justice of India (CJI).
    • Replaces an Ordinance: Substitutes the Ordinance promulgated in May 2026.
    • Government’s objective: Reduce case pendency, improve judicial efficiency, and strengthen access to justice.

    Why is the Money Bill route controversial?

    • Constitutional issue pending: The validity of certifying certain laws as Money Bills is under consideration by a larger Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court.
    • Concern over precedent: In the Aadhaar judgment (2018), the dissenting opinion described the use of the Money Bill route for substantive legislation as a “fraud on the Constitution.”
    • Reduced parliamentary scrutiny: Since the Rajya Sabha has only an advisory role, critics argue that the route weakens bicameral legislative oversight.

    “[2014] The power to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India is vested in?
    (a) The President of India.
    (b) The Parliament.
    (c) The Chief Justice of India.
    (d) The Law Commission.

  • RBI to resume licensing of Urban Cooperative Banks after two decades

    Why in the News

    The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced that it will resume issuing licences for new Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) on an on tap basis, ending a pause of more than two decades. The move follows regulatory reforms aimed at strengthening governance and supervision in the cooperative banking sector.

    What is an Urban Cooperative Bank (UCB)?

    • Cooperative bank: A UCB is a cooperative society that provides banking services primarily in urban and semi urban areas.
    • Ownership: Owned and managed by its members on the principle of one member, one vote.
    • Dual regulation:
      • RBI: Banking operations, licensing, prudential norms and supervision.
      • State/Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies: Management, elections and administration.
    • Size: India has around 1,457 Urban Cooperative Banks.

    What is RBI changing?

    • On tap licensing: New UCB licences will be granted throughout the year, instead of one time licensing windows.
    • Review of concentration norms: RBI will revisit concentration risk norms for rural cooperative banks.
    • Interest rate framework: Plans to rationalise the interest rate framework across regulated entities for greater consistency.

    Why was licensing suspended?

    • Governance failures: Several UCBs suffered from weak governance, poor risk management and financial irregularities.
    • Bank failures: High profile failures raised concerns about depositor protection and financial stability.
    • Regulatory limitations: The dual control structure often hampered effective supervision.

    Why has RBI resumed licensing?

    • Stronger regulation: Amendments to the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 have enhanced RBI’s supervisory powers over cooperative banks.
    • Improved governance: Regulatory reforms have strengthened oversight and accountability.
    • Financial inclusion: New UCBs can expand access to affordable banking and credit in underserved urban and semi urban areas.

    Prelims Pointers

    • Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) operate mainly in urban and semi urban areas.
    • They are subject to dual regulation by the RBI and the Registrar of Cooperative Societies.
    • The Banking Regulation (Amendment) Act, 2020 strengthened RBI’s supervisory powers over cooperative banks.
    • On tap licensing allows eligible entities to apply for banking licences at any time instead of waiting for a specific licensing window.

    “[2021] With reference to ‘Urban Cooperative banks’ in India, consider the following statements:
    1.They are supervised and regulated by local boards set up by the State Governments.
    2.They can issue equity shares and preference shares.
    3.They were brought under the purview of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 through an Amendment in 1966.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    (a) 1 only
    (b) 2 and 3 only
    (c) 1 and 3 only
    (d) 1, 2, and 3