Category: International Relations

Context:

• The Pahalgam terrorist attack of April 22 was carried out to hurt the Jammu and Kashmir economy and to “sow a religious divide”, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar told the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers (SCO-CFM) meeting in China.

About Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)

• Evolution: The SCO originated from the “Shanghai Five,” formed in 1996, consisting of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. It was established on 15th June 2001, in Shanghai, adding Uzbekistan as a sixth member. 
• Members: The current SCO members include India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Belarus. India and Pakistan both officially joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) as full members in 2017.
• Headquarter: The Organization’s secretariat or headquarter is located in Beijing, China.
• Decision making: It operates on a consensus-based decision-making system, where all members must agree for any resolution to pass. This mechanism, while ensuring inclusivity, can also lead to diplomatic deadlocks when national interests clash.
• Significance: It is one of the few international organisations focused on security issues and primarily consists of Asian members.
• Contribution: It is the world’s largest regional organization in terms of geographic scope and population, covering approximately 24% of the world’s total area (65% of Eurasia) and 42% of the world population. The member countries contribute approximately over USD 23 trillion to global GDP.

About Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS):

• Nature: It is a permanent body of the SCO and is intended to facilitate coordination and interaction between the SCO member states in the fight against terrorism, extremism and separatism.
• Functions: The main functions of SCO-RATS are coordination and information sharing.
• India’s role: India is a member of the SCO and actively participates in RATS activities, including holding its chairmanship in 2021.

Source:

• The Hindu

Category: Environment

Context:

• Field trials of two kinds of genetically modified (GM) maize are expected to begin this kharif (summer) season at the Punjab Agricultural University, weeks after the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee, the country’s top regulator, gave the nod for the trials after receiving consent from the Punjab government.

Key highlights about the news:

• “The trials are for research purposes only, and we are not going to recommend that it (GM maize) should be grown commercially or not. It’s for the Central government to take a call,” Punjab Agricultural University Vice-Chancellor Satbir Singh Gosal told.
• The Coalition for a GM-Free India, a platform advocating safe and sustainable agriculture, has urged the Punjab government to withdraw its no-objection certificate for the trials.

About GM crops:

• • Definition: These are plants whose DNA has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. This process involves introducing new genes or modifying existing ones to produce desired traits.
  • Origin: GM crops were first introduced in the USA in 1994 with the Flavr Savr tomato, which had been genetically modified to slow tomato’s ripening process, delaying softening and rotting.

• Development processes:

• • Gene Gun Approach: DNA-coated metal particles arebombarded into plant cells
  • Agrobacterium Approach: Bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens transfers the desired gene into plant cells.
  • Electroporation: Used when the plant tissue does not contain cell walls. In this technique, electric pulses are used to create miniature pores in the plant cell through which the DNA enters. 
  • Microinjection: Used to directly inject foreign DNA into cells.

GM Crops in India:

• • Regulation: Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) approves large-scale use and release of GMOs. It was established under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and it functions in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).

• Major GM crops in India:

• • Bt Cotton: The only GM crop approved for commercial cultivation in India (since 2002). It is resistant to cotton bollworm. In India, the adoption of Bt cotton has led to significant increases in cotton production, making the country a leading global producer.
  • Bt Brinjal: It was approved by GEAC in 2009 but later environment ministry imposed a moratorium, citing the need for more studies and public consultations.
  • GM Mustard Crop (DMH-11): It was developed by Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (Delhi University). However, it has not been released for commercial cultivation yet.

Source:

• The Hindu

Category: Polity & Governance

Context:

• The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) urged people to update the biometric details of children aged between five and seven. “The fingerprints and iris biometrics of a child are not captured for Aadhaar enrolment below the age of five because these are not mature at that age,” the UIDAI said in a statement.

About UIDAI:

• Establishment: The UIDAI is a statutory authority established on 12th July 2016 by the Government of India under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, following the provisions of the Aadhaar Act 2016.
• Mandate: The UIDAI is mandated to assign a 12-digit unique identification (UID) number (Aadhaar) to all the residents of India.
• Features: The number is linked to the resident’s basic demographic and biometric information such as a photograph, ten fingerprints, and two iris scans, which are stored in a centralised database.
• Functions: The implementation of the UID scheme entails the generation and assignment of UIDs to residents; defining mechanisms and processes for interlinking UIDs with partner databases; operation and management of all stages of the UID life cycle; framing policies and procedures for updating mechanism and defining usage and applicability of UIDs for delivery of various services, among others.

Source:

• The Hindu

Category: Polity & Governance

Context:

• The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has constituted panels of its whole-time members to decide on the violations by certain insurers/insurance intermediaries. The move is part of the enforcement function, specifically to decide on the violations of the provisions of the Insurance Act and regulations.

About IRDAI:

• Origin: It was founded in 1999 based on recommendations of Malhotra Committee.
• Objective: It was created as a regulatory body with the aim of protecting the interests of insurance customers.
• Jurisdiction: It is a statutory body under the IRDA Act 1999 and is under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Finance.
• Source of powers: The powers and functions of the Authority are laid down in the IRDAI Act, 1999 and Insurance Act, 1938.

Major Initiatives by IRDAI:

• Bima Sugam: An online insurance marketplace for buying, selling, and servicing insurance policies as well as settling claims. It is a part of IRDAI’s Bima Trinity – Bima Vistaar, Bima Vahak, and Bima Sugam.
• Saral Jeevan Bima: Provides basic protection to self-employed individuals or people in low-income groups.
• Integrated Grievance Management System: To create a central repository of grievances across the country and provides for various analyses of data indicative of areas of concern to the insurance policyholder.

Source:

• The Hindu

Category: International Relations

Context:

• NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned on Wednesday that countries such as Brazil, China and India could be hit very hard by secondary sanctions if they continued to do business with Russia.

About NATO:

• Establishment: It was established on April 4, 1949, with the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington, D.C. by 12 founding member countries from Europe and North America.
• Objective: It was established with the primary goal of providing collective defence against potential aggression, particularly from the Soviet Union during the Cold War era. Over the years, NATO has evolved to address a range of security challenges beyond its original mandate.
• Article 5: NATO’s primary mission is collective defence, as outlined in Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty. This article stipulates that an attack on one member country will be considered an attack on all, and the members will respond collectively.
• Original Members: The original 12 founding members of NATO were Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
• Expansion: NATO has expanded since its founding, with new member countries joining in multiple rounds. The alliance currently consists of 32 member countries. Sweden joined NATO as the 32nd member.
• Military Command Structure: NATO’s military command structure includes Strategic Commands (e.g., Allied Command Operations) responsible for operational planning and execution, as well as Regional Commands and Force Headquarters.

Source:

• The Hindu

Introduction (Context)

Cybercrime has become one of the most critical and pressing concerns across India over the past couple of years, with Delhi being the hotspot. According to Lokniti-CSDS Survey, Delhi residents have lost over ₹700 crore in 2024 to cybercrime. Despite the intensity and seriousness of the issue, structural gaps continue to exist.

What are cyber-crimes?

Cybercrime refers to criminal activities that utilize computers and networks as either the primary tools or the targets. These illegal acts can be driven by a variety of motives, including financial gain, political agendas, or personal revenge.

Some common cyber-crimes are:

• Stalking: Cyber stalking is use of the Internet or other electronic means to stalk someone
• Hacking: “Hacking” is a crime, which entails cracking systems and gaining unauthorized access to the data stored in them. 
• Phishing: Phishing refers to the receipt of unsought emails by customers of financial institutions, asked them to enter their username, password or other personal information to access their account for some reason. 
• Squatting: Cyber-squatting is the act of registering a famous domain name and then selling it for a fortune. 
• Software Piracy: It is an illegal reproduction and distribution of software for business or personal use. This is considered to be a type of infringement of copy right and a violation of a license agreement. 
• Cyber pornography: This would include pornographic websites; pornographic magazines produced using computers (to publish and print the material) and the Internet (to download and transmit pornographic pictures, photos, writings etc). 
• Sale of illegal articles: This would include sale of narcotics, weapons and wildlife etc., by posting information on websites, auction websites, and bulletin boards.
• Cyber-terrorism: Cyber-terrorism is the adaptation of terrorism to computer resources, whose purpose is to cause fear in its victims by attacking electronic resources. 
• Cyber Defamation: This occurs when defamation takes place with the help of computers and / or the Internet. E.g. someone publishes defamatory matter about someone on a website or sends e-mails containing defamatory information to all of that person’s friends.

Data according to Lokniti-CSDS Survey (data mainly covers Delhi)

• There is high General Awareness about digital frauds, over 90% aware of traditional cyber fraud methods.
•  Awareness drops for newer scams like ‘digital arrest’, known to only 61% of respondents. 
• Only 42% knew of the national cybercrime helpline (1930), with even fewer being aware of cyber police stations (25%) or the reporting website (30%). This reveals a gap between awareness and digital reporting literacy.
• Awareness of more concrete initiatives like the Cyber Swachhta Kendra was low (19%). 
• Only 21% victims report cybercrime due to mistrust, lack of awareness, or procedural difficulties.
• 48% victims dissatisfied with complaint resolution processes.
• 70% of victims never recovered lost money; only 17% recovered full amounts.
• Majority learn about cybercrime through social media or acquaintances rather than banks or government campaigns.
• High-income respondents are far more likely to adopt comprehensive security measures, including antivirus software (73%) and two-step authentication (75%), compared to just 20% and 31% in low-income groups respectively. 

Impact of Cyber-crime

• Financial Losses: Cybercrimes like online scams, phishing, and ransomware attacks can lead to significant financial losses for individuals.  According to the report, 27% victims in Delhi lost ₹10,001–₹50,000, and 14% lost over ₹50,000.
• Data Breaches and Identity Theft: Individuals are increasingly vulnerable to data breaches where their personal information is stolen and used for fraudulent activities. 
• Emotional Distress: Cyberbullying, online harassment, and stalking can cause severe emotional and psychological harm. 
• Disruptions to Operations: Cyberattacks can disrupt business operations, leading to downtime, loss of productivity, and potential legal and regulatory challenges. 
• Intellectual Property Theft: Businesses face the risk of cybercriminals stealing valuable intellectual property, impacting their competitive edge. 
• Threats to Critical Infrastructure: Cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, such as power grids, transportation systems, and financial institutions, can have serious consequences for national security and public safety. 
• Trust Deficit: Erodes public trust in digital banking and government systems.

Challenges in Monitoring Cyber Crimes

• Server Location and Laws of Different Countries makes it difficult to track the culprits.
• Inadequate cyber police staffing and training.
• Outdated investigation tools in many states.
• Digital illiteracy and socio-economic divide in access to cyber safety tools.
• Use of phones/whatsapp to send and receive messages, concerns the government because the communications sent via such devices and applications are encrypted and could not be monitored and consequently hinders the country’s efforts to fight terrorism and crime. 

Steps Taken by Government to Strengthen Cybercrime Mechanism

• Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) set up under MHA for comprehensive handling of cybercrime.
• Seven Joint Cyber Coordination Teams (JCCTs) formed in cybercrime hotspots to enhance inter-state coordination.
• National Cyber Forensic Laboratory (Investigation) established in Delhi to assist state police in cyber forensic analysis; helped in ~10,200 cases so far.
• National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) launched for public reporting, with focus on crimes against women and children.
• Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting System operational with Helpline 1930; saved ₹2400+ crore in 7.6 lakh complaints.
• CyTrain MOOC platform developed for online training of police and judicial officers; over 96,000 officers registered and 71,000 certificates issued.
• SIM/IMEI Blocking: Over 5.8 lakh SIM cards and 1.08 lakh IMEIs blocked to curb cyber frauds.
• Cyber Hygiene Training provided to 6800 govt officials and 35,000 NCC cadets
• Under CCPWC Scheme, ₹131.6 crore allocated to states for capacity building, setting up cyber forensic labs, and training LEAs, prosecutors, and judges. Labs set up in 33 States/UTs and 24,600+ personnel trained.
• National Cyber Forensic Laboratory (Evidence) established in Hyderabad to support evidence analysis under IT and Evidence Acts.
• Awareness Initiatives include: SMS alerts, social media (Cyber Dost), radio campaigns, MyGov promotions, etc.

Conclusion

The Lokniti-CSDS survey paints a revealing portrait of Delhi’s cyber landscape, one marked by high awareness but low institutional trust, significant under-reporting, and stark socio-demographic disparities.

Thus, bridging the gaps in awareness, reporting, institutional support, and technological preparedness is critical to ensuring safe and inclusive digital growth.

Mains Practice Question

Q Cybercrime is an inevitable consequence of digitalisation. Critically analyse India’s preparedness to deal with cyber threats and suggest measures to strengthen cyber security architecture. (250 words, 15 marks)

Introduction (Context)

Recently, the Chhattisgarh Forest department has issued a letter designating itself as the nodal agency for implementing community forest resource rights (CFRR) under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006. This has violated the gram sabhas’ statutory authority to implement locally developed management plans. However, the letter was withdrawn later after a spirited grassroots mobilisation by gram sabhas, local elected representatives, and Adivasi rights groups.

This issue highlights persistent tensions between centralised forest management and community-led conservation in India.

What is a community forest resource?

• The community forest resource area is the common forest land that has been traditionally protected and conserved for sustainable use by a particular community. 
• The community uses it to access resources available within the traditional and customary boundary of the village; and for seasonal use of landscape in case of pastoralist communities.
• Each CFR area has a customary boundary with identifiable landmarks recognised by the community and its neighboring villages. 
• These landmarks are well-known to the community and neighbouring villages, ensuring that everyone understands where one community’s CFR ends and another begins.
• CFR areas are not limited to one type of forest category. They can include any land with forest characteristics that the community traditionally uses. It may include forest of any category – revenue forest, classified & unclassified forest, deemed forest, DLC land, reserve forest, protected forest, sanctuary and national parks etc.

What are Community Forest Resource Rights?

• The Community Forest Resource rights under Section 3(1)(i) of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) provide for recognition of the right to “protect, regenerate or conserve or manage” the community forest resource.
• Along with Community Rights (CRs) under Sections 3(1)(b) and 3(1)(c):

• • Include nistar rights and rights over non-timber forest products (NTFPs).
  • ensure sustainable livelihoods of the community.

• These rights give the authority to the Gram Sabha to adopt local traditional practices of forest conservation and management within the community forest resource boundary.
• Nistar rights, refer to the rights granted to villagers and agriculturists to remove forest produce for their bona fide domestic use from forest coupes. 

Why is the recognition of CFR rights important?

• Aimed at undoing the “historic injustice” meted out to forest-dependent communities due to curtailment of their customary rights over forests, the FRA came into force in 2008.
• It recognises the community’s right to use, manage and conserve forest resources, and to legally hold forest land that these communities have used for cultivation and residence.
• It is of greater significance inside protected forests like national parks, sanctuaries and tiger reserves as traditional dwellers then become a part of management of the protected forests using their traditional wisdom.

Debate on Forest Management Approaches

• Historically, forests under government control (excluding wildlife sanctuaries or national parks) have been managed through forest departments’ working plans. 
• These plans included clear felling natural forests and replacing them with single-species plantations.
• This has led to:

• • decline in India’s forests 
  • spread of invasive species and 
  • the increase in degraded forest areas

• After independence, with passage of time, working plans have begun to consider restoration and wildlife conservation objectives, they remain products of bureaucratic writ, largely detached from local livelihoods and closed to independent scientific scrutiny.

How Forest Rights Act brought changes?

• Forest Rights Act recognises the integral role of local communities in the “very survival and sustainability” of forests. 
• CFR management plans are to be developed by gram sabhas to prioritise local needs and address current problems. These plans shall be “integrated” with working plans by the gram sabha.
• Over 10,000 gram sabhas have received Community Forest Resource Rights (CFRR) titles in India. However, less than 1,000 gram sabhas have prepared their CFR management plans so far.

Issues in implementation:

• Forest departments refusing to recognise the legitimacy of gram sabhas
• They are denying funds to CFRR-holding gram sabhas
• A 2024 joint letter of Ministry of Tribal Affairs with the Environment Ministry required CFR management plans to conform to the National Working Plan Code (NWPC) and even suggested the involvement of foresters in their preparation. This violates the FRA’s letter and spirit.

Way forward

• According to the National Working Plan Code, a working plan prescribes maximising timber yield whereas in contrast, forest management by gram sabhas will likely pursue multiple livelihood needs, for which the NWPC provides little guidance. Hence, reject NWPC Compliance for CFR Plans.
• Government should follow gram sabha plan as it provides experiences of the community and also adapts to climate change.
• Provide funds, training, and legal protection to gram sabhas for effective CFRR implementation.
• Forest Department must discard a timber-oriented science in favour of a different science of a people-friendly forest management.

Conclusion

Effective implementation of FRA, 2006, with gram sabhas at the centre, is critical to achieving ecological justice, livelihood security, and sustainable forest management in India.

Mains Practice Question

Q Discuss the significance of Community Forest Resource Rights (CFRR) under the Forest Rights Act, 2006 in transforming forest governance in India. (250 words, 15 marks)