22 March 2025 : Daily Current Affairs

1. Civil society groups call on govt. to not water down RTI Act

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 3)

Analysis of the news:

• The concern arises from an amendment passed in 2023 that limits the disclosure of government-held information.
• The amendment modifies Section 8(1)(j), which currently allows authorities to deny personal information but provides an exception for cases of public interest.
• The 2023 amendment removes this public interest provision, making it harder to access crucial government-related data.
• This change was enacted through the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023.
• Since the DPDP Act is yet to be fully enforced, activists demand that the 2025 DPDP Rules should not notify this amendment and that Parliament must reverse it.

2. Do not publish NIRF ranking for 2025: HC to Education Ministry

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 5)

Petitioner’s Claims

• The petitioner argued that NIRF rankings lack transparency and are misleading students.
• Institutions self-upload data on parameters like faculty strength, salaries, placements, and research funds without independent verification.
• In contrast, NAAC accreditation follows a rigorous audit process by expert committees.

Key Concerns Raised

• The petitioner requested that NIRF rankings be based on verified government records and that the calculation method be disclosed.
• The court has restrained publication of NIRF 2025 rankings until further review.

3. X Challenges Government’s Use of IT Act for Content Moderation, Citing Free Speech Concerns

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained, Page – 15)

Analysis of the news:

Shreya Singhal & Section 69A: The Precedent

• In the landmark Shreya Singhal v. Union of India (2015) case, the Supreme Court struck down Section 66A of the IT Act for being “unconstitutionally vague” and for granting excessive power to restrict free speech.
• Post this ruling, Section 69A became the primary legal framework for content moderation, allowing the government to block online information under specific conditions outlined in Article 19(2) of the Constitution, such as threats to sovereignty, public order, or morality.
• Crucially, blocking orders under Section 69A must include reasons, enabling judicial review.

Government’s Use of Section 79(3)(b)

• The Supreme Court, in Shreya Singhal, also clarified Section 79, which provides a “safe harbour” for intermediaries like X, shielding them from liability for user-generated content.
• However, Section 79(3)(b) holds intermediaries liable if they fail to remove unlawful content after receiving actual knowledge via a court order or a government notification under Article 19(2) grounds.
• Despite this, in October 2023, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued a directive allowing blocking orders under Section 79(3)(b).
• In October 2024, MeitY launched the “Sahyog” portal, enabling government authorities to issue and upload such orders.

X’s Legal Challenge

• X argues that MeitY’s move creates an unlawful blocking regime without the procedural protections of Section 69A.
• The company claims Section 79 was never intended to be a blocking mechanism, but merely a liability shield for intermediaries.
• X asserts that any content takedown must follow either the Section 69A process or a court order.
• On March 17, X sought an interim order from the Karnataka High Court against coercive action but was denied by Justice M. Nagaprasanna, who left the door open for future legal intervention.

The Grok Controversy & AI Liability

• X’s legal battle coincides with controversy surrounding its AI chatbot, Grok 3, which has drawn government attention for its use of Hindi slang and critical responses.
• While no official notice has been issued, this raises a new legal question: Is X liable for AI-generated content under safe harbour laws?
• Courts may now have to determine whether AI-generated responses fall under third-party content, a crucial issue in the evolving landscape of digital regulation.

Conclusion

• X’s challenge raises critical questions about free speech, government overreach, and intermediary liability in India’s digital space.
• The case’s outcome will shape the future of content moderation, AI regulation, and platform accountability, setting a precedent for balancing state control and digital freedoms.

4. Multiple Schemes Launched by Govt to Provide Financial Support to Women Across India

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2113658 )

Government Schemes for Women’s Financial Empowerment

• Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY): Provides skill training for employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, including women-focused training programs.
• Mahila Coir Yojana (MCY): Offers skill development and financial assistance to women entrepreneurs in the coir industry.
• Stand-Up India: Facilitates bank loans between ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore for women-led enterprises in manufacturing, trading, and service sectors.
• Start-Up India: Supports women entrepreneurs with funding, mentorship, and policy incentives to foster innovation and business growth.
• MUDRA Yojana: Provides collateral-free loans up to ₹10 lakh for women entrepreneurs under Shishu, Kishor, and Tarun categories.
• Credit Guarantee Scheme for Start-ups (CGSS): Offers credit guarantees for start-ups, including those led by women, through banks and financial institutions.
• Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP): Supports women-led micro-enterprises with credit-linked subsidies to promote self-employment in non-farm sectors.
• Indian Patent Act (Expedited Examination): Provides fast-track patent examination for women applicants to encourage innovation and intellectual property protection.
• Patent Fee Reduction for Women: Women entrepreneurs pay reduced fees for patent filings, promoting their participation in innovation and research.
• Atal Innovation Mission (AIM): Incubates women-led start-ups through Atal Incubation Centres in universities, institutions, and corporate sectors.
• Companies Act, 2013 (Women Directors Mandate): Mandates at least one woman director in companies, enhancing women’s leadership in corporate governance.
• Pradhan Mantri Street Vendors AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi): Provides working capital loans to street vendors, with significant benefits for women entrepreneurs.
• Mahila Udyam Nidhi Yojana: Offers financial assistance to women entrepreneurs to start and expand their businesses.
• Dena Shakti Scheme: Provides concessional loans to women entrepreneurs in agriculture, manufacturing, and retail businesses.
• Stree Shakti Package for Women Entrepreneurs: Offers reduced interest rates and collateral-free loans for women entrepreneurs through nationalized banks.
• Cent Kalyani Scheme: Provides financial support to women entrepreneurs in manufacturing and service sectors without requiring collateral.

5. India’s bio-economy has witnessed a remarkable 16-fold rise in 10 years of the past one decade.

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2113745 )

Rapid Growth of India’s Bio-Economy

• The sector contributes 4.25% to India’s GDP and has recorded a 17.9% CAGR over the past four years.
• India surpassed its initial $150 billion bio-economy target set for 2025, achieving it ahead of schedule.

Biotech Startups and Innovation

• The biotech startup ecosystem has grown from 50 startups a decade ago to over 10,075 today.
• Government initiatives and public-private partnerships have played a key role in fostering innovation.
• New drug discoveries, including India’s first indigenous antibiotic, and gene therapy trials mark significant progress.
• Whole genome sequencing of 10,074 individuals across 99 communities is set to revolutionize precision medicine.

Government Policies and Initiatives

• The recently introduced BIO-E3 Policy (Biotechnology for Economy, Employment, and Environment) aims to boost research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
• Bio-AI Hubs, Bio Foundries, and Bio-Enabler Hubs will integrate advanced technologies with biomanufacturing.
• Increased Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD), which more than doubled in a decade, supports scientific advancements.

Future Prospects

• Space biology and medicine research will contribute to India’s upcoming space station mission.
• Strengthened industry-academia collaborations will enhance India’s position as a global biotech leader.

6. Measures taken by the government to use AI in the public health system

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2113683 )

Government Measures for AI Integration in Healthcare

1. Establishment of AI Centres of Excellence

• AIIMS Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh, and AIIMS Rishikesh have been designated as Centres of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence to drive AI-based healthcare innovations.

2. AI-Driven Disease Surveillance

• Media Disease Surveillance (MDS): An AI tool scanning digital sources for early detection of infectious disease outbreaks, publishing over 4,500 event alerts since 2022.

3. AI in Telemedicine

• Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS): Integrated into e-Sanjeevani to enhance teleconsultations by providing AI-based differential diagnosis and standardized data capture.

4. AI for Tuberculosis Control

• Cough Against TB: AI-based screening tool detecting 12-16% more TB cases in community settings.
• Prediction of Adverse TB Outcomes: AI tool predicting high-risk TB patients, reducing adverse outcomes by 27%.

5. AI in Diagnostics

• Development of AI-based models for Diabetic Retinopathy Identification and Abnormal Chest X-ray Classification to improve early diagnosis and treatment.

7. Making India More Disaster-Resilient

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2113875 )

Introduction

• Earthquakes occur due to stress in the Earth’s crust caused by shifting tectonic plates.
• Around 59% of India is vulnerable to earthquakes, classified into four seismic zones by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
• Zone V is the most active, covering the Himalayan region, while Zone II has the least risk.

Major Earthquakes in India

• The 1905 Kangra earthquake (magnitude 8.0) in Himachal Pradesh resulted in 19,800 deaths.
• The 2001 Bhuj earthquake (magnitude 7.9) led to 12,932 deaths and damaged 890 villages.
• From November 2024 to February 2025, India recorded 159 earthquakes, including a magnitude 4.0 earthquake in Delhi on February 17, 2025.

Government Initiatives for Earthquake Safety

• The government has launched various initiatives to enhance earthquake safety.
• India also provides Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) to countries affected by disasters, such as aid sent to Türkiye and Syria after the 2023 earthquake.

Key Government Agencies for Earthquake Preparedness

• National Disaster Response Force (NDRF): Formed in 2006, currently has 16 battalions with 1,149 personnel each, specializing in disaster response.
• National Centre for Seismology (NCS): Established in 1898, monitors earthquake activity across India and works on early warning systems.
• National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA): Created under the 2005 Disaster Management Act, it develops disaster management policies. Each state has a State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA).
• National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM): Founded in 1995, it focuses on training, research, and capacity building for disaster management.

Key Earthquake Safety Measures and Research Initiatives

• Guidelines for Earthquake Safety:
  • The Home Owner’s Guide (2019) helps people build earthquake-resistant homes.
  • The Simplified Guidelines (2021) provide safety tips for homebuyers and builders.
• Earthquake Early Warning (EEW): Research is underway in the Himalayan region, and the NCS records and shares earthquake data.
• Earthquake Risk Indexing (EDRI): Conducted by NDMA, it evaluates earthquake risks in Indian cities. Phase I covered 50 cities, and Phase II targets 16 more.

Conclusion

• India is improving earthquake preparedness through policies, safety guidelines, and early warning systems.
• Strengthening infrastructure and public awareness can help reduce damage and save lives during earthquakes.

 Prelims Facts

1. There is progress on GM food crops, says official

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 5)

Current Developments

• A split verdict by a two-judge Bench on July 23, 2024, led to the directive for a national policy on GM crops.
• The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has provided technical inputs to the Union Environment Ministry, which is formulating the policy.

Status of GM Crops in India

• Bt cotton is the only GM crop approved for cultivation.
• GM mustard, developed with public funds, was approved in 2022 but is under judicial review due to safety concerns.

Government’s Biotechnology Focus

• GM crop research is part of the BioE3 policy, which promotes biotechnology in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and enzyme manufacturing.
• Bio-agriculture accounts for 8.1% ($13.5 billion) of India’s $165.7 billion bio-economy.

2. Red-hot Byadgi chilli stings farmers as prices plummet

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 9)

Byadgi Chilli: Key Information:

Origin & Cultivation:

• Grown primarily in Byadgi, Karnataka, and surrounding regions.
• Cultivated in well-drained red and black soil under warm climatic conditions.

Characteristics:

• Known for its deep red color and wrinkled appearance.
• Mild in spiciness but rich in color due to high pigment content (Capsanthin).

Agricultural Practices:

• Requires moderate irrigation and well-managed pest control.
• Harvesting takes place from December to March.

Economic Importance:

• Widely used in spice blends, oleoresin extraction, and food coloring.
• Major export commodity, but recent price fluctuations have affected farmers.

Challenges:

Export rejections due to pesticide residue concerns.

Price volatility due to oversupply and stockpiling.

3. Scientists Discover New Marine Species Beneath Antarctic Ice After A-84 Iceberg Breaks Away

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained, Page – 15)

Analysis of the news:

Exploration of the Seafloor

• The 510-sq-km iceberg’s breakaway granted scientists access to a previously unreachable underwater world.
• Using the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) SuBastian, researchers explored the seafloor from January 25 for eight days, documenting diverse marine life at depths of up to 1,300 metres.
• This mission was part of Challenger 150, a UNESCO-endorsed deep-sea research initiative.

Life Under the Ice

• Contrary to expectations, scientists found thriving ecosystems beneath the ice shelf, including large corals, sponges, icefish, giant sea spiders, octopi, and a giant phantom jellyfish measuring up to one metre wide.
• Some organisms, like a vase-shaped sponge, could be hundreds of years old.
• Scientists believe they may have discovered several previously unknown species.

A Scientific Surprise

• The discovery is significant because deep-sea ecosystems usually rely on surface nutrients from photosynthesis, which were completely cut off by the 150-metre-thick ice shelf for centuries.
• Researchers hypothesize that ocean currents, glacial meltwater, or unknown mechanisms may be transporting nutrients, sustaining these hidden ecosystems.
• However, the exact process remains a mystery.

Expanding Knowledge of Antarctic Ecosystems

• The findings contribute to growing research on Antarctic marine life, an area first explored in 2021 when the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) reported signs of life under the Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf.
• As more ice shelves collapse due to climate change, further research could unveil new ecosystems and provide critical insights into deep-sea biodiversity and environmental shifts.

4. Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements (KTPP) Act 

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained, Page – 15)

Analysis of the news:

4% Reservation for Muslims in Public Contracts

• The Karnataka Assembly passed a bill granting 4% reservation for Muslims in civil works contracts valued up to ₹2 crore and procurement contracts up to ₹1 crore.
• This amendment to the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements (KTPP) Act extends benefits to Category 2B of OBCs (Muslims), in addition to existing reservations for SCs/STs (24%) and OBCs (19%).
• The government justified the move as a step toward tackling unemployment among backward classes.
• However, the opposition BJP and JD(S) have challenged the bill’s constitutional validity, alleging it promotes polarization and have petitioned the Governor to revoke it.

Salary Hike for Ministers and Legislators

• The Assembly also passed two bills increasing the salaries and allowances of ministers and legislators.
• The Chief Minister’s salary doubled from ₹75,000 to ₹1.5 lakh, while ministers’ salaries increased from ₹60,000 to ₹1.25 lakh.
• MLAs and MLCs will now receive ₹80,000 per month instead of ₹40,000.
• The estimated additional expenditure is ₹62 crore annually.
• The government justified the hike, citing rising living costs and the need to provide adequate compensation to legislators.

check more – 21 March 2025 : Daily Current Affairs