1. Data privacy law comes into effect, two years after parliament approval
General Studies Paper I: Polity and Governance
Context: DPDP Act, 2023 fully operationalized on Nov 14, 2025, via final rules notification.
- India’s first comprehensive data privacy law, aligning with global standards.
- Addresses rising privacy concerns, data breaches, and misinformation.
- Implements 2017 Puttaswamy judgment affirming privacy as a fundamental right.
- Balances citizen rights, governance needs, and startup compliance challenges.
Timeline of Development
- Aug 2017: SC in Puttaswamy declares privacy a fundamental right.
- Jul 2018: B.N. Srikrishna Committee submits draft Personal Data Bill.
- Dec 2022: MeitY releases revised draft sans data localization.
- Aug 2023: DPDP Act passed by Parliament and gains assent.
- Jan 2025: Draft Rules issued for public feedback.
- Feb 2025: Partial notification enabling Data Protection Board setup.
- Nov 14, 2025: Full activation with DPBI formation and rule rollout.
Core Features of DPDP Act
- Scope: Applies to digital personal data of Indian users and foreign entities targeting India.
- Definitions: Personal data—identifiable info; Data Principal vs. Data Fiduciary.
- Rights: Consent, correction, erasure, and grievance redressal.
- Obligations: Data security, breach reporting, and purpose limitation.
- Enforcement: DPBI empowered to impose penalties up to ₹250 crore.
- Children’s Data: Parental consent required; no targeted ads or tracking.
- Exemptions: For state, courts, and emergencies ensuring national security.
State Exemptions
- Sovereignty/Security: Data processing exempt for national interests.
- Government Schemes: Exemption for welfare and subsidy programs.
- Regulatory/Judicial Functions: Exempt during official duties.
- Emergencies: No consent needed in disasters or public health crises.
- Criticism: No independent audit; risks government overreach.
Compliance Timeline
- Nov 2025: DPBI setup; consent, notice rules active.
- Nov 2026: Consent Managers to register.
- May 2027: Breach, SDF, and cross-border rules operative.
- Startups/MSMEs: Relaxed deadlines and reduced penalties.
Impact on RTI Act
- Amendment: Section 8(1)(j) made absolute; no public interest override.
- Effect: Curbs disclosure of officials’ data even in corruption cases.
- Concerns: Weakens transparency, impacts journalists and activists.
- Govt View: Aligns privacy with legal obligations, not secrecy measure.
- Critics: Fear erosion of accountability and Article 19(1)(a) rights.
Need for DPDP Act
- Constitutional Gap: Enforces right to privacy post-Puttaswamy.
- Digital Expansion: 1.2B+ users need protection from data misuse.
- Security & Trust: Addresses leaks like CoWIN; boosts user confidence.
- Economic Growth: Aligns with GDPR; attracts global digital investments.
- Reforms: Replaces outdated IT Act and introduces rights-based framework.
2. Gujarat’s Ambaji marble gets GI tag for its quality
GS Paper I: Indian Heritage & Culture Historical use in temples, preservation of traditional quarrying
GS Paper III: Economy – Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)GI tags, WTO-TRIPS, protection of traditional knowledge Agriculture & Allied Sectors Link with ODOP,
Context: Ambaji marble from Gujarat received the GI tag on Nov 14, 2025, boosting India’s traditional crafts and safeguarding local economies via intellectual property rights.
What Happened
- GI Registry under Ministry of Commerce & Industry awarded the GI tag to Ambaji white marble, recognizing its origin-based qualities.
- The tag was granted to Ambaji Marbles Quarry and Factory Association, Banaskantha.
- The award was announced during the Tribal Business Conclave in New Delhi, highlighting tribal economies and regional heritage.
- Banaskantha Collector and Chief Minister hailed it as a source of pride and global industry recognition.
- Immediate impact expected: market value, export potential, demand, legal protection against imitation.
About Ambaji Marble
Location
- Quarried from hills near Ambaji town in Danta Taluka, Banaskantha, Gujarat, India.
- Situated near Aravalli Range, close to Ambaji temple—major pilgrimage and Shaktipeeth site.
Unique Qualities
- Pristine milky-white hue, subtle veining, 95.8–96.3% whiteness.
- High calcium (mainly CaO), as well as silicon, magnesium, iron, aluminum oxides.
- Uniform fine grains, high gloss, low porosity, durability, remains cool under sunlight.
- Distinct patterns from mineral content, polishes well, retains shine and translucency.
Historical Significance
- Mines date back 1,200–1,500 years; used in constructing Dilwara Jain Temples (Mt Abu).
- Favored for temples and religious sites—Ambaji temple, Jain monuments, symbol of purity.
- Showcases Gujarat’s tribal stone-carving traditions since the 7th century.
Modern Usage
- Used in Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, New Parliament Building, Ram Temple (Ayodhya).
- Exported to US, New Zealand, England for use in temples/monuments and luxury interiors.
- Used in high-end flooring, walls, sculptures, and handicrafts; boosts property value.
- Eco-friendly quarrying supports local jobs, aligns with urban sustainability goals.
What is a GI Tag?
- Intellectual property right under Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
- Identifies products with qualities/reputation linked to specific origin (soil, climate, tradition).
- Secures authenticity, prevents misuse of names, gives local producers exclusive legal rights.
- Registered for 10 years (renewable); over 500 Indian products have GI tag status.
Why Did Ambaji Marble Get a GI Tag?
- Unique pure white color, calcium purity, and durability are exclusive to Banaskantha’s geology.
- Prevents market dilution by protecting against fake “Ambaji” marble.
- Nodal bodies and stakeholders (SAPTI, CII, Banaskantha Collectorate) facilitated the application.
- GI tag recognizes ancient crafting techniques and current global demand for authentic stone.
Significance of GI Tag
- Boosts market value and export potential (20–50% price premium).
- Creates jobs in quarrying, processing, artisan training, and tribal communities.
- Preserves cultural heritage, ensures sustainable mining, and promotes Gujarat globally.
- Builds consumer trust, prevents counterfeiting, and benefits luxury segments.
- Supports MSMEs and connects with schemes like ODOP, helping double local revenue in coming years.
3. India -Canada relations
GS Paper II-International Relations India-Canada Relations, Indo-Pacific Strategy
Context: India and Canada are resetting bilateral ties with a focus on trade and economic cooperation amid recent tensions.
- The 7th Ministerial Dialogue on Trade and Investment (Nov 11-14, 2025, Delhi) reaffirmed long-term partnership commitments.
Key Outcomes of Dialogue
- Bilateral trade hit US$23.66 billion in 2024, with 10% merchandise growth to US$8.98 billion.
- Joint focus on supply chain resilience, clean energy transition, and innovation-led sectors.
Cooperation Areas
- Critical Minerals Supply
- Secure long-term partnerships for lithium, cobalt, nickel processing.
- Canada holds 20% of global critical mineral reserves, vital for India’s EV and green tech goals.
- Clean Energy Partnership
- Collaborate on hydrogen, solar, battery storage R&D for net-zero targets.
- Mutual benefits: India’s manufacturing scale and Canada’s tech expertise.
- Trade and Investment Expansion in Dual-Use Technologies
- Grow aerospace and civil-military tech cooperation without formal alliances.
- Aligns with India’s defense exports goal of US$25 billion by 2025.
Strategic and Economic Context
- Bilateral ties warmed post-2023 diplomatic row over Nijjar incident; trade deficit favors Canada (~US$3B).
- Shared Commonwealth, G7/G20, and India’s diaspora (1.6 million in Canada) strengthen relations.
- India aims to diversify mineral sources away from China and boost Make in India via FDI.
- Canada seeks to reduce dependence on US/China and attract Indian investments, supporting 50,000+ jobs.
- Enhanced cooperation supports Indo-Pacific strategy, supply chain resilience, and global energy transition goals.
Future Prospects
- Trade target: Double bilateral trade to US$50 billion by 2030.
- Sustained ministerial engagements planned in 2026.
- Cooperation in agriculture, AI, infrastructure, and startups expected to deepen.
This reset signals a comprehensive move to build a resilient, innovation-led, and strategic economic partnership between India and Canada.
4. Great Nicobar project
GS Paper III -Environment & Disaster Management- Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) – Sustainable Development vs. Strategic Projects – Tribal Rights & Forest Rights Act
Context: The Great Nicobar Island Development Project faces renewed environmental scrutiny after MoEFCC admitted regulatory lapses in NGT hearings (October 2025).
- Contradictions in environmental clearance and biodiversity impact raise concerns over tribal rights and ecological damage.
Project Overview
- Conceived by NITI Aayog; ₹81,000 crore (US$9.4 billion) investment; developed by ANIIDCO.
- Located on Great Nicobar Island, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with fragile biodiversity and PVTGs (Shompen, Nicobarese).
- Components: International trans-shipment port, dual-use airport, coastal townships, renewable and gas power, tourism, deep-sea mining.
Controversies and Concerns
Ecological Fragility
- Clearing 130 sq km forest, dredging 20 million cubic meters seabed threatens corals, mangroves, turtle nesting sites.
- Seismic activity and tsunami risk highlight disaster vulnerability.
Tribal Displacement
- Potential violations of Shompen Policy 2015 and Forest Rights Act 2006 despite claims of no displacement.
- Lack of adequate tribal oversight and consultation; rights endangered.
Regulatory and Procedural Issues
- 2022 clearance based on “rapid assessments” ignoring detailed studies and NGT directives.
- Reclassification of critical coastal zones to bypass restrictions.
- Ministry admitted “significant impact” on biodiversity in 2025 but defended mitigation plans.
- Conservation funds released amidst questionable monitoring independence and transparency.
MoEFCC Contradictions
- Initially downplayed ecological impact; later admitted awareness of biodiversity damage.
- Shifted from strict protection to post-hoc mitigation with limited success rates (e.g., coral translocation).
- Sealed High-Powered Committee report flagged but criticized for lack of independence.
Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Issues
- Project site overlaps CRZ-IA zones prohibiting construction/dredging to protect sensitive ecosystems.
- Strategic exemption invoked despite strict prohibitions; re-zoning approved with secrecy around documents.
- NGT’s order for reassessment only partially complied with.
Implications
- Raises governance and environmental ethics questions balancing strategic development with ecological safeguards.
- Threatens unique island biodiversity and tribal culture amid India’s growth and geo-strategic ambitions.
- May set precedents weakening environment laws and NGT authority.
- Underlines need for rigorous scientific assessment, transparency, and participatory tribal governance.
5. Study on Lithium-Rich Red Giant Stars and Helium Abundance
Context: Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) discovered a link between lithium-rich red giant stars and enhanced helium abundance.
- First spectroscopic evidence confirming helium enrichment coupled with lithium abundance in red giants.
What are Red Giant Stars?
- Evolved stars having exhausted hydrogen in their core, expanding as outer layers cool and grow.
- Core contracts, heats up, triggering hydrogen shell burning and eventually helium fusion.
- Surface temperature between 2,000–5,000 K with high luminosity due to increased size.
- Late life cycle of medium-mass stars; Sun expected to reach this phase in 5 billion years.
- End by shedding outer layers into planetary nebula, leaving a white dwarf.
Key Study Findings
- Spectroscopic analysis of 20 giants (18 red giants and 2 supergiants) using Himalayan Chandra Telescope data.
- Six stars showed helium-to-hydrogen ratio above 0.1; five red giants, one supergiant.
- All helium-enriched giants were lithium-rich, but not all lithium-rich giants had helium enrichment.
- Indicates deep internal mixing brings lithium and helium to the surface.
Correlation Between Lithium and Helium
- Coupled enrichment due to internal mixing processes, confirmed via photospheric spectra.
- Asymmetric relationship: lithium can increase without helium increasing.
- Shows nucleosynthesis and mixing shape surface chemical composition in the red giant phase.
Significance of Findings
- First direct spectroscopic photospheric helium measurement in normal and lithium-rich giants.
- Improves understanding of stellar evolution, nucleosynthesis, and energy transport inside stars.
- Helps refine galactic chemical evolution models by tracing how stars contribute heavy elements.
- Strengthens indirect techniques to measure helium in cool stars with no visible helium lines.
- Adds insight into mass loss, luminosity changes, and evolution stages of red giants.
6. Nasa’s Escapade mission begins two-year-long journey to Mars
GS paper III-SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Context: NASA launched the ESCAPADE mission aboard Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket on November 13, 2025.
- ESCAPADE comprises two identical orbiters (Blue and Gold) designed to study how solar wind interacts with Mars’ atmosphere and magnetosphere.
- The mission is part of NASA’s low-cost SIMPLEx program focusing on small planetary missions.
ESCAPADE Mission Overview
- Two orbiters will measure solar wind effects on Mars’ hybrid magnetosphere (patchy crustal magnetization).
- Aim: Understand processes behind Mars’ atmospheric loss over billions of years.
- Innovative trajectory includes loitering near Earth-Sun L2 point for ~1 year before reaching Mars by 2027.
Key Features
- Twin spacecraft enable simultaneous measurements, distinguishing spatial from temporal variations.
- Built on Rocket Lab’s Photon spacecraft bus, each weighing ~535 kg, totaling 1070 kg launch mass.
- Instruments include magnetometer, electrostatic analyzer, and Langmuir probe for plasma studies.
- Will explore Mars’ orbit with string-of-pearls and divergent orbits for broader data.
Significance
- Demonstrates use of commercial heavy-lift rockets (New Glenn) for deep-space science.
- Enhances understanding of planetary atmospheres’ interaction with solar wind.
- Provides insights relevant to planetary habitability and informs future human Mars missions.
