21 March | Daily Current Affairs : Centre promises consultations, impact study for mining project off Kerala coast And More

GS PAPER 1

Geography

The Union Ministry of Mines has assured that the proposed offshore mining project off the Kerala coast will begin only after conducting a comprehensive environmental impact assessment and stakeholder consultations.

• The project is expected to boost Kerala’s economy and generate revenue, but it has raised concerns regarding its environmental impact and effects on local livelihoods.

Key Aspects of the Issue 

Environmental Concerns and Mitigation Measures

• The proposed mining area is near Quilon Bank, a significant biodiversity hotspot and fishing ground. Fisher groups and marine scientists are concerned that mining operations could disrupt marine ecosystems and fish stocks.
• The government has stated that the project will include an environmental management plan, which will be reviewed by the Indian Bureau of Mines. Measures similar to the annual trawling ban may also be considered to reduce environmental damage.

Regulatory Framework

• The environmental impact assessment will comply with the Offshore Areas Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2024. The Ministry of Mines is also developing a standard operating procedure for environmental impact studies, similar to those used by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
• The central government has the authority to enforce pollution control measures and ensure the protection of marine life and coastal ecosystems.

Economic and Industrial Impact

• The project is expected to create a new revenue stream through royalties and auction proceeds, contributing to the state’s economic growth. Concerns have been raised regarding its impact on public sector undertakings such as Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd, Indian Rare Earths Ltd, and Travancore Titanium Products Ltd.
• However, the government has clarified that these companies will not be affected, as beach sand minerals remain classified as atomic minerals and can only be mined by government agencies.

Implementation and Next Steps

• The auction process for the first tranche of offshore mineral blocks is currently underway. The announcement of technically qualified bidders is scheduled to take place between May 30 and June 13, 2025.

Conclusion 

• The offshore mining project has the potential to enhance Kerala’s economic growth, but it also poses significant environmental and social challenges. Effective regulatory measures, transparent decision-making, and sustainable development strategies will be essential to minimize negative impacts and ensure long-term benefits.

UPSC Mains Practice Question

Ques: Examine the potential economic benefits and environmental risks associated with offshore mining in India. How can the government ensure a balance between economic growth and ecological sustainability?(250 words)

GS PAPER 2

International Relations

Russia has expressed support for India’s growing presence in the Arctic, calling it a stabilising factor amid rising tensions due to the militarisation of the region by NATO countries.

• Russian Ambassador to India, Denis Alipov, highlighted India’s constructive role in the Arctic Council and the potential for Indo-Russian cooperation in scientific research, environmental studies, and resource extraction.

Key Issues and Themes 

Rising Militarisation of the Arctic 

• NATO’s increased military activity in the Arctic has led to tensions in the region.
• European NATO members are attempting to influence Arctic governance, which Russia views as a security threat.
• The Arctic Council, a key multilateral forum for cooperation, has been largely inactive since 2022 due to geopolitical tensions.

India’s Strategic Role in the Arctic 

• India has been an observer in the Arctic Council since 2013 and has followed a neutral, scientific, and developmental approach to Arctic engagement.
• India and Russia advocate for maintaining the Arctic as a zone of peace and cooperation rather than a battlefield for great power competition.
• India’s Arctic Policy, introduced in 2022, focuses on climate change research, economic cooperation, and sustainable development.

Indo-Russian Cooperation in the Arctic 

• Both countries are collaborating on climate change research, geosciences, glaciology, and polar biology.
• Indian scientists are studying Arctic influences on the monsoon and broader climatic patterns.
• Russia’s Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute and Northern (Arctic) Federal University work closely with Indian institutions like the National Centre for Polar and Oceanic Research.
• In 2024, India and Russia signed a memorandum of cooperation for Arctic scientific research.

Economic and Energy Cooperation in the Arctic 

• Russia has invited Indian companies to invest in Arctic mineral resources, including oil, gas, and rare earth elements.
• Key Russian energy projects involving India include the Dolginskoye oil field, the Vostok Oil Cluster in partnership with Rosneft, and the Yamal LNG and Arctic LNG-2 projects.
• Russian firms like NOVATEK and Gazprom Neft are seeking Indian investments.

Conclusion 

• India’s engagement in the Arctic is driven by scientific research, environmental concerns, and energy security rather than geopolitical rivalry. Russia sees India as a neutral and stabilising partner, which could help de-escalate tensions and promote sustainable Arctic development. Given the increasing global interest in the region, India’s Arctic policy and partnerships will play a crucial role in shaping the future of Arctic governance.

UPSC Mains Practice Question

Ques :Analyze the impact of the increasing militarization of the Arctic by NATO countries. How does this affect global geopolitics, and what role can India play as a stabilizing factor? (250 words)

GS PAPER 3

Social Justice : Health

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health challenge in India, with women facing unique barriers such as stigma, underdiagnosis, financial difficulties, and social isolation.

• The Union government has set a target to eliminate TB by 2025, but gender disparities in access to treatment and care continue to hinder progress.

Key Issues and Themes

Gender-Specific Challenges in TB Care

• Social stigma and mental health impact: Women diagnosed with TB often face discrimination, abandonment, and social isolation. Negative perceptions of physical changes due to TB treatment further impact their mental well-being.
• Underdiagnosis and late detection: Many women delay seeking medical help due to normalized symptoms, prioritization of household responsibilities, and societal expectations. This leads to worsened health outcomes.
• Financial barriers: Women, especially those from lower-income groups, struggle to afford treatment and nutritious food. Job losses and economic dependence make accessing consistent medical care difficult.

India’s Efforts Towards TB Elimination 

• National TB Elimination Program (NTEP): Launched in 2020 (previously RNTCP), it aims to eliminate TB in India by 2025 through early detection, effective treatment, and prevention strategies.
• Nikshay Poshan Yojana: Provides ₹1,000 per month to TB patients to support nutritional needs during treatment.
• Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan: A community-driven initiative that mobilizes resources for TB patients.
• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) and private sector engagement: Ensures financial support reaches patients directly and encourages private sector participation in TB control efforts.

TB Statistics in India

• India accounted for 27% of global TB cases in 2022.
• 331,000 deaths due to TB in 2022 (23 deaths per 100,000 people).
• Drug-resistant TB (DR-TB):5% of new cases and 13% of previously treated cases are drug-resistant.
• HIV-TB co-infection: About 2% of TB patients are HIV positive.

Recommendations for Gender-Sensitive TB Interventions 

• Improve awareness and early diagnosis: Public health campaigns must focus on increasing awareness about TB symptoms among women.
• Strengthen social support systems: Families and communities should be encouraged to support women undergoing TB treatment.
• Enhance financial assistance: Expanding monetary and nutritional aid programs to cover indirect costs like travel and lost wages.
• Gender-sensitive health policies:More female health workers and targeted outreach programs for women in rural areas.

Conclusion

• The fight against TB in India must adopt a gender-sensitive approach that addresses the unique barriers faced by women. While government schemes provide financial and nutritional support, addressing societal stigma, improving early diagnosis, and ensuring sustained care are crucial for TB elimination by 2025.

UPSC Mains Practice Question

Ques : Gender disparities in healthcare access hinder India’s goal of eliminating tuberculosis by 2025. Discuss the challenges faced by women in TB treatment and suggest measures to ensure gender-sensitive healthcare delivery. (250 words)

GS PAPER 4

Indian Society : Salient Features of Indian Society

The concept of habitual offenders has its roots in colonial-era legislation that criminalized entire communities based on stereotypes rather than individual actions.

• Despite the repeal of the Criminal Tribes Act (CTA) in 1952, various states continue to enforce habitual offender laws, which disproportionately target Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNT, NT, SNT). The Supreme Court of India has questioned the constitutional validity of such laws, highlighting their discriminatory nature.

Historical Context: Criminalization of Communities

• Colonial-Era Legislation:

  • The criminalization of certain communities began with Regulation XXII of 1793, which allowed magistrates to imprison or put to work entire tribes based on suspicion.
  • The Indian Penal Code (1860) and the Criminal Procedure Code (1861) created registers for “dacoits and thugs.”
  • The CTA of 1871 formally labeled some tribes as “criminal,” assuming their inherent tendency toward crime.

• Post-Independence Reforms:

  • The CTA was repealed in 1952, and affected communities were reclassified as Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes.
  • However, new “habitual offender” laws were introduced at the state level, replacing community-based classification with individual-based categorization.

How Do Habitual Offender Laws Discriminate?

• Targeting of Denotified Tribes (DNTs):

  • Many states continue to view DNTs as having an “anti-social heritage,” as reflected in the Lokur Committee Report (1965).
  • Some prison manuals still explicitly associate habitual offender status with former “criminal tribes.”

• Broad and Vague Definition of Crime:

  • Habitual offender laws classify individuals based on repeated convictions, but the crimes listed include subjective offenses such as “lurking” or “being a thug.”
  • This allows police to register individuals without concrete evidence, leading to arbitrary arrests and harassment.

• Systemic Prejudice and Policing Bias:

  • Police forces disproportionately monitor and detain members of DNT communities.
  • The 1998 custodial death of Budhan Sabar in West Bengal highlighted police brutality against members of such communities.

• Denial of Basic Rights and Opportunities:

  • Those labeled as habitual offenders face discrimination in employment, housing, and education.
  • This classification leads to lifelong marginalization and economic deprivation.

• Judicial and Human Rights Concerns:

  • The Supreme Court in 2024 stated that “a whole community ought not to have been declared a criminal tribe in the past or a habitual offender in the present.”
  • The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (2007) called for the repeal of such laws due to their discriminatory impact.

Why Are Some States Reluctant to Repeal These Laws? 

• Law and Order Justification:

  • States like Gujarat argue that the laws are preventive and do not intend to harass communities.
  • Telangana justifies the laws as a means to curb repeat offenses.

• Administrative Convenience:

  • Police rely on habitual offender records to monitor individuals, despite the risk of wrongful profiling.
  • Goa argues that since no DNT communities exist in the state, the law does not pose a risk of misuse.

• Overlapping Legal Provisions:

  • Uttar Pradesh claims that its Goondas Act already covers habitual offender provisions, making the repeal unnecessary.

Way Forward: Addressing Discrimination

• Repeal of Habitual Offender Laws:

  • States should follow the example of Haryana and Punjab, which have discontinued these laws.
  • The Supreme Court’s recommendations should be implemented to ensure constitutional compliance.

• Police and Judicial Reforms:

  • Sensitization programs should be conducted to eliminate bias against DNT communities.
  • Strict oversight mechanisms should be in place to prevent wrongful arrests.

• Social and Economic Rehabilitation:

  • Government programs must focus on providing education, employment, and social inclusion for DNT communities.
  • The stigma of past classification as “criminal tribes” must be actively countered through awareness campaigns.

Conclusion

• Habitual offender laws continue to reinforce systemic discrimination, disproportionately targeting historically marginalized communities. The Supreme Court’s recent observations offer a critical opportunity for states to rethink and repeal these outdated laws. A rights-based approach, emphasizing rehabilitation over stigmatization, is essential to ensure justice and equality for all citizens.

UPSC Mains Practice Question

Ques :Examine the historical roots of habitual offender laws in India and critically analyze their impact on Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNT, NT, SNT).(150 Words)

 In News : Sansad Bhashini Initiative

• The Lok Sabha Secretariat and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop the Sansad Bhashini initiative recently.

About Sansad Bhashini Initiative

• It is an initiative jointly undertaken by the Lok Sabha Secretariat and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) for the development of a package of in-house AI.
• It is designed to integrate AI-powered tools that will facilitate multilingual support, optimize documentation, and improve overall parliamentary operations.
• The initiative will deploy cutting-edge AI applications such as real-time speech-to-text transcription, speech-to-speech translation, and interactive AI chatbots.
• These technologies will ensure seamless translation of parliamentary debates, committee reports, and legislative documents into multiple Indian languages, thereby fostering inclusivity and broader public engagement.
• It will leverage AI to transcribe spoken debates into text in real-time, making parliamentary discussions more accessible and easier to reference.
• This transcription system will incorporate features such as background noise reduction, customizable vocabulary, and efficient documentation tools to enhance accuracy and usability.
• Additionally, AI-enabled automatic summarization of extensive debates will facilitate quicker decision-making and streamlined record-keeping.

GS PAPER 5

Editorial Analysis

Context :

• The Competition Commission of India (CCI) recently imposed a significant fine on Meta amounting to ₹213.14 crore and restricted its data-sharing practices across platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram.
• This ruling reflects growing regulatory concerns over data-driven monopolies and the abuse of dominant positions by digital giants. However, Meta’s appeal to the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) resulted in a partial stay, highlighting the complexities of enforcing competition law in digital markets.
• This case is not isolated. Global regulators, including those in the United States, European Union, and Australia, have also taken action against Meta and Google for anti-competitive practices. This analysis explores the broader implications of such regulatory efforts on market competition, data privacy, and legal frameworks in India.

Why is this Issue Important?

• Regulation of big tech has become a critical policy challenge in India and worldwide.
• Consumer data protection is at risk due to unrestricted collection and sharing of user data.
• Digital monopolies can hinder the growth of smaller competitors and startups.
• India’s competition laws need to evolve to address the dominance of technology companies.

Key Issues in the Meta Case 

• Abuse of Dominant Position by Meta

  • In 2021, WhatsApp introduced a privacy policy update that required users to consent to sharing their data across Meta’s platforms. The CCI found this policy to be an abuse of dominant position in two key markets:
    • Over-the-top messaging services, where WhatsApp holds a virtual monopoly in India.
    • Online display advertising, where Meta benefits from data collected across its platforms.
  • By forcing users to accept these terms on a take-it-or-leave-it basis, Meta gained an unfair competitive advantage while restricting smaller competitors.

CCI’s Order and NCLAT’s Stay 

• The CCI imposed a fine of ₹213.14 crore and a five-year ban on data-sharing between WhatsApp and Meta’s other platforms.
• Meta challenged the order at NCLAT, which granted a stay on both the fine and the data-sharing restriction, subject to Meta depositing 50 percent of the penalty amount.
• This highlights the challenge of enforcing competition laws against global tech giants.

Big Tech Regulation in India and the World 

• Regulatory Actions in India

  • In 2022, Google was fined ₹1,337.76 crore for forcing smartphone manufacturers to pre-install its apps on Android devices. This penalty was upheld by NCLAT in 2023.
  • The case against Meta follows a similar pattern, reflecting broader concerns over market dominance in the digital economy.

• Global Regulatory Trends

  • In the United States, the Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial and Administrative Law called for stricter regulations on big tech companies. Google was found in violation of the Sherman Act for monopolizing search and advertising markets. Meta is also facing scrutiny over its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp.
  • In the European Union, Germany’s Federal Cartel Office fined Meta for combining user data across platforms without explicit consent, a violation of both competition law and data protection regulations. Google has faced over €8 billion in fines for anti-competitive practices.
  • Australia has introduced laws mandating that Google and Meta pay media companies for news content displayed on their platforms.

Legal and Policy Gaps in India 

• Shortcomings in the Competition Act, 2002

  • India’s competition law primarily focuses on price-based monopolies.
  • It does not explicitly address data monopolization, which plays a major role in digital markets.
  • Possible reforms include introducing data dominance as a criterion for assessing market power and mandating interoperability between platforms.

• Role of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023

  • The law regulates user data collection, consent, and usage.
  • However, there is no direct coordination between the CCI and the Data Protection Board of India, which limits enforcement in cases of data-driven monopolization.
  • India can take inspiration from the European Union’s approach, where competition law is integrated with digital market regulations and data protection laws.

Broader Implications for India’s Digital Economy 

• Competition and Startup Growth

  • If unchecked, anti-competitive practices by large technology companies could stifle innovation and restrict new entrants in the market.
  • Stricter regulations can help create a level playing field for startups.

• Consumer Privacy and Data Protection

  • Data exploitation and privacy violations could become widespread without strong enforcement.
  • India needs to strengthen data protection laws to safeguard consumer interests.

• Artificial Intelligence and Digital Regulations

  • The Economic Survey 2024-25 highlights the growing role of artificial intelligence in India’s economy.
  • Without proper regulatory frameworks, AI-driven data monopolization could further strengthen the dominance of big tech firms.

Way Forward 

• Amendments to the Competition Act

  • Recognizing data-driven market power as a key determinant of dominance.
  • Introducing mechanisms for fair data-sharing and interoperability between platforms.

• Strengthening the Data Protection Framework

  • Enforcing stronger penalties for companies that misuse consumer data.
  • Establishing better coordination between the CCI and data protection regulators.

• Learning from Global Best Practices

  • The European Union’s Digital Markets Act ensures fair competition by regulating how large platforms handle data and interoperability.
  • The United States has used antitrust laws to curb monopolistic practices in the technology sector.
  • India can develop a hybrid model that incorporates elements from both these approaches.

Conclusion 

• The CCI’s order against Meta is an important step in regulating digital markets, but legal loopholes and enforcement challenges remain. A comprehensive approach that integrates competition law with data protection laws is necessary to ensure fair competition and consumer protection. As digital markets continue to expand, India must adopt proactive measures to address emerging regulatory challenges.