Articles on 30 June 2025

by Vajiram & Ravi - 30 June 2025

Vajiram & Ravi provides Daily articles for 30 June 2025, tailored for aspirants. We cover all relevant news and events crucial for the exam, ensuring you stay updated & well-prepared.

UPSC Daily Quiz 30 June 2025

June 30, 2025
UPSC Daily Quiz

The Daily UPSC Quiz by Vajiram & Ravi is a thoughtfully curated initiative designed to support UPSC aspirants in strengthening their current affairs knowledge and core conceptual understanding. Aligned with the UPSC Syllabus 2025, this daily quiz serves as a revision resource, helping candidates assess their preparation, revise key topics, and stay updated with relevant issues. Whether you are preparing for Prelims or sharpening your revision for Mains, consistent practice with these Daily UPSC Quiz can significantly enhance accuracy, speed, and confidence in solving exam-level questions.

[WpProQuiz 8]

UPSC Daily Quiz FAQs

Q1: What is the Daily UPSC Quiz?

Ans: The Daily UPSC Quiz is a set of practice questions based on current affairs, static subjects, and PYQs that help aspirants enhance retention and test conceptual clarity regularly.

Q2: How is the Daily Quiz useful for UPSC preparation?

Ans: Daily quizzes support learning, help in revision, improve time management, and boost accuracy for both UPSC Prelims and Mains through consistent practice.

Q3: Are the quiz questions based on the UPSC syllabus?

Ans: Yes, all questions are aligned with the UPSC Syllabus 2025, covering key areas like Polity, Economy, Environment, History, Geography, and Current Affairs.

Q4: Are solutions and explanations provided with the quiz?

Ans: Yes, each quiz includes detailed explanations and source references to enhance conceptual understanding and enable self-assessment.

Q5: Is the Daily UPSC Quiz suitable for both Prelims and Mains?

Ans: Primarily focused on Prelims (MCQ format), but it also indirectly helps in Mains by strengthening subject knowledge and factual clarity.

Daily Editorial Analysis 30 June 2025

June 30, 2025
Daily Editorial Analysis

Revisit Digital Search Powers Under the I-T Bill 2025

Context

  • The Finance Minister's proposal under the Income-Tax Bill, 2025, allows tax authorities to access an individual’s "virtual digital space" during search and seizure operations.
  • While justified as necessary due to increasing online financial activity, the move raises serious concerns about privacy, government overreach, and expanded surveillance powers.

Existing Legal Framework

  • India’s current tax law, under Section 132 of the Income-Tax Act, 1961, allows for search and seizure in physical spaces like homes, offices, and lockers.
  • These powers are justified by a direct link between the location and the suspected undisclosed income or assets.

Expansion to Digital Space

  • The new Income-Tax Bill, 2025, proposes to expand search powers to include an individual's “virtual digital space”—such as emails, cloud drives, social media accounts, and digital platforms.
  • The inclusion of “any other space of similar nature” makes this scope open-ended and undefined.
  • Concerns Over Privacy and Overreach
    • Digital spaces often hold far more information than required for a tax investigation, including data involving friends, family, and colleagues.
    • This significantly increases the risk of disproportionate intrusion and the violation of privacy.
  • Implications for Confidential Professions
    • The move is particularly worrying for professionals like journalists, whose devices may hold confidential sources and unpublished materials.
    • Seizures based on vague suspicion could impair press freedom and violate protected communication.
  • Operational Challenges
    • The Bill also allows tax authorities to override access codes to digital devices.
    • However, it remains unclear how this will work in practice—especially for encrypted apps like WhatsApp, which were specifically mentioned by the Finance Minister.
  • Judicial Safeguards and Supreme Court Intervention
    • India’s judiciary has consistently upheld that search and seizure powers are to be exercised with restraint, requiring solid evidence beyond suspicion.
    • In 2023, the Supreme Court issued interim guidelines on digital device seizures and called on the government to draft appropriate protocols.

Criticism of this Move

  • Lack of Transparency and Oversight
    • The proposed provision lacks essential safeguards such as judicial oversight, accountability, and clarity, violating core democratic principles.
    • It does not require authorities to disclose the “reason to believe,” undermining transparency.
  • Ignoring the Nature of Digital Data
    • The law fails to appreciate the complexity and sensitivity of digital information.
    • Electronic devices often hold vast, layered personal and professional data that require higher standards of protection.
  • Absence of Legal Guardrails
    • There are no clear checks and balances in the proposed provision.
    • Without specific procedural safeguards, it opens the door to potential misuse and abuse of power by tax authorities.

Global Best Practices Emphasize Safeguards

  • Canada’s Section 8 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects against unreasonable searches, requiring:
    • Prior authorisation
    • Approval by a neutral authority
    • Reasonable and probable cause
  • In the United States, the Taxpayer Bill of Rights guarantees due process and limits intrusive action.
    • The Supreme Court ruling in Riley vs California requires warrants to access digital devices, acknowledging the highly personal nature of such data.

Violation of the Proportionality Principle

  • The proposed provision grants sweeping access to personal digital data without requiring warrants, relevance checks, or distinctions between financial and non-financial data.
  • This violates the proportionality test laid down in the Justice K.S. Puttaswamy vs Union of India judgment.
  • Supreme Court’s Four-Fold Test
    • The Supreme Court mandates that restrictions on privacy must:
      • Serve a legitimate aim
      • Be necessary
      • Use the least intrusive means
      • Be proportionate
    • The proposed provision fails to meet these criteria, particularly on necessity and intrusiveness.

Way Forward

  • Digital Enforcement Must Respect Rights
    • The solution isn’t to discard digital enforcement, but to align it with principles of legality, proportionality, and transparency.
    • Enforcement must protect, not erode, constitutional rights.
  • Unchecked Surveillance Is Overreach
    • Allowing unfettered access under the guise of regulation amounts to surveillance, not governance. It undermines public trust and violates the right to privacy.
  • Hope for Reform Through Legislative Scrutiny
    • There is still scope for correction. The Select Committee reviewing the Bill should:
      • Narrow the definition of “virtual digital space”
      • Mandate prior judicial warrants
      • Require disclosure of reasons
      • Establish grievance redress mechanisms

Conclusion

  • The path forward must balance enforcement with constitutional protections. Without adequate checks, the proposed law risks becoming a tool of intrusion rather than accountability.

A Year Later — Colonial-Era Laws to New Criminal Codes

Context

  • In 2023, the Government of India undertook a sweeping reform of its colonial-era criminal laws by introducing three new criminal laws.
  • One year into their implementation, the early outcomes of these legislative changes are beginning to take shape, particularly in the realm of policing and investigation.
  • After a year, now it becomes imperative to critically examine the new criminal laws' implementation, highlight technological innovations, evaluate progress, and underscore continuing challenges.

Key Features of New Criminal Codes

  • Legislative Overhaul and Structural Transition
    • The central government's legislative reforms marked a significant departure from colonial jurisprudence, attempting to modernize the administration of criminal justice.
    • As part of this process, the transition to the new codes has largely been smooth, thanks in part to digital platforms like the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS), a backbone of the Inter-operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS).
    • The CCTNS has enabled jurisdictional routing of zero FIRs and streamlined police operations across states.
    • The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) deserves credit for overseeing this crucial phase of systemic transformation at the ground level.
  • Technological Integration through ‘e-Sakshya’
    • The hallmark of this reform has been the e-Sakshya mobile application, developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) in collaboration with the MHA.
    • This app allows real-time recording and preservation of evidence, such as photographs and videos, embedded with geo-coordinates and time stamps.
    • It complies with several mandatory provisions under the BNSS, including Sections 105, 173, 176, 180, 185, and 497, all of which emphasize the digital documentation of searches, seizures, statements, and property disposal.
    • Feedback from Investigating Officers (IOs) has been encouraging.
    • The app has introduced greater accountability, prevented delegation of investigation tasks to unauthorised personnel, and increased the credibility of the evidence by visibly involving witnesses at crime scenes.
    • Mandatory selfies and digital footprints left by IOs help ensure responsibility and eliminate ambiguities.
  • Strengthening Forensic Practices
    • Another critical reform is the mandatory visit of a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) expert to crime scenes, as per Section 176 of the BNSS.
    • Despite limited growth in forensic infrastructure, this mandate ensures scientific rigor in crime scene analysis.
    • The government has responded with plans for institutions like the National Forensic Science University (NFSU) and a Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in Raipur, which could address current deficiencies.

An Overview of Operational Challenges and Gaps

  • Implementation of E-Sakshya
    • Courts have not yet integrated with the ICJS to directly access evidence from the National Government Cloud (NGC). As a result, IOs must still resort to submitting pen drives manually, adding to costs and redundancy.
    • The dependence on personal mobile phones for official tasks has been problematic.
    • The app requires Android 10+ devices with at least 1 GB storage, compelling IOs to upgrade at their own expense.
    • Limited tablets provided to police stations are insufficient to meet operational demand.
    • There are also software limitations. In non-linked FIR scenarios, only five Sakshya IDs can be generated offline, and image or video errors cannot be rectified in linked cases.
    • These constraints may undermine the app’s utility in critical situations.
    • Reluctance from accused persons to be digitally recorded while revealing crime details has emerged as another barrier, although such documentation could significantly boost conviction rates.
  • Legal Ambiguities and Incomplete Digitization
    • Section 303 of the BNS does not clearly define when thefts under ₹5000 are to be treated as cognizable offences, while Section 112 on organised petty offences remains overly broad.
    • Furthermore, provisions such as video-conferencing for witness examination under Section 530 of the BNSS are underutilised, despite being legally permissible.
    • Although the seven-day limit for forwarding medical examination reports of rape survivors has been successfully implemented, post-mortem reports continue to be delayed.
    • The MedLEaPR system, still under testing in Chhattisgarh, promises to streamline this process by digitally linking hospitals with police systems.

The Way Forward: Feedback and Resource Allocation

  • For the reforms to succeed fully, feedback loops from IOs, courts, and state governments must be institutionalised.
  • An ongoing review mechanism should be established to revise ambiguous provisions, address legal loopholes, and simplify procedural bottlenecks.
  • Moreover, the allocation of additional resources to forensic units, IT infrastructure, and training programs is urgently required.
  • Ensuring that every police station is equipped with sufficient tablets and that officers no longer rely on personal devices is not just practical, it is essential for professionalism and data security.

Conclusion

  • One year after their implementation, the new criminal laws, the BNS, BNSS, and, BSA represent a paradigm shift in India's criminal justice system.
  • The integration of technology, particularly through tools like e-Sakshya, has brought a tangible difference to policing and investigations.
  • Yet, operational challenges, infrastructural limitations, and legal ambiguities persist, calling for adaptive policymaking, robust training, and resource augmentation.

A Year Later — Colonial-Era Laws to New Criminal Codes FAQs

Q1. What replaced the Indian Penal Code in 2023?
 Ans. The Indian Penal Code was replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in 2023.

Q2. What is the purpose of the e-Sakshya app?
 Ans. The purpose of the e-Sakshya app is to help police officers record and preserve digital evidence such as photos and videos in real time with location and time data.

Q3. Which system connects police, courts, and forensic labs?
 Ans. The Inter-operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) is the system that connects the police, courts, forensic laboratories, prosecution, and prisons.

Q4. What is a major challenge with the e-Sakshya app?
 Ans. A major challenge with the e-Sakshya app is that many investigating officers are forced to use their personal mobile phones due to a shortage of official devices.

Q5. What reform helps ensure FSL experts visit crime scenes?
 Ans. Section 176 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) mandates the visit of Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) experts to the crime scene.

Source: The Hindu

Daily Editorial Analysis 30 June 2025 FAQs

Q1: What is editorial analysis?

Ans: Editorial analysis is the critical examination and interpretation of newspaper editorials to extract key insights, arguments, and perspectives relevant to UPSC preparation.

Q2: What is an editorial analyst?

Ans: An editorial analyst is someone who studies and breaks down editorials to highlight their relevance, structure, and usefulness for competitive exams like the UPSC.

Q3: What is an editorial for UPSC?

Ans: For UPSC, an editorial refers to opinion-based articles in reputed newspapers that provide analysis on current affairs, governance, policy, and socio-economic issues.

Q4: What are the sources of UPSC Editorial Analysis?

Ans: Key sources include editorials from The Hindu and Indian Express.

Q5: Can Editorial Analysis help in Mains Answer Writing?

Ans: Yes, editorial analysis enhances content quality, analytical depth, and structure in Mains answer writing.

Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students (CSSS)

June 30, 2025
Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students

Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students Latest News

The CBSE recently announced the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students (CSSS) for the academic year 2025-26, inviting applications from eligible students via the National Scholarship Portal, scholarships.gov.in.

About Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students

  • “Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students" is a scholarship scheme by the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education.
  • The primary objective of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to meritorious students from poor families to meet a part of their day-to-day expenses while pursuing higher studies. 
  • The scholarships are awarded based on the results of the Higher Secondary/Class 12th Board Examination. 

Allocation of Scholarships

  • A maximum of 82,000 fresh scholarships (41,000 for boys and 41,000 for girls) per annum are provided for pursuing Graduate/ Postgraduate degrees in colleges and universities and for professional courses, such as medical, engineering, etc.
  • The total number of scholarships is divided amongst the State Education Boards based on the State's population in the age group of 18-25 years, after segregating the share of CBSE and ICSE on the basis of the number of students passing out from various Boards in the country.
  • The number of scholarships allotted to a State Education Board is distributed amongst pass-outs of the Science, Commerce, and Humanities streams in the ratio of 3:2:1. In case of a shortfall in the number of applications, the scholarship slots could be interchanged.

Benefits: Rate of Scholarship

  • ₹12,000/- per annum at the graduation level for the first three years of college and university courses.
  • ₹20,000 per annum at the post-graduation level.
  • ₹20,000/- per annum in the 4th and 5th years to the students pursuing professional courses, in cases where the duration of the course is five (5) years/integrated courses.
  • Students pursuing technical courses such as B.Tech, B.Engg. will get a scholarship up to graduation level only i.e. ₹12,000 p.a. for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd years and ₹20,000 in the 4th year.
  • The scholarship will be disbursed directly into the savings bank accounts of the beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Eligibility

  • The applicant must be pursuing regular degree courses.
  • The applicant must be pursuing courses at colleges/institutions recognized by the All India Council for Technical Education and the respective regulatory bodies concerned.
  • The gross parental/family income of the applicant should not exceed ₹450,000/- per annum.
  • For renewal of scholarship in each year of study, besides getting at least 50% marks in the Annual Examination, maintenance of adequate attendance should be at least 75%.
  • The students are required to have bank accounts opened, especially in their name.
  • Application must be verified by the student’s institution: 
  • CBSE has made it clear that all applications must be verified by the student’s college or university. 
  • If required, students must show their original documents to their institution. 
  • Without verification, the application will be considered invalid.

Exclusions

  • Students who are pursuing correspondence or distance mode or pursuing diploma courses are not eligible.
  • Students who are already availing the benefit from any other scholarship schemes, including state-run scholarship schemes/fee waiver & reimbursement schemes, are not eligible.

Source: ET

Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students FAQs

Q1: Which ministry implements the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students (CSSS)?

Ans: It is a scholarship scheme by the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education.

Q2: What is the main objective of the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students?

Ans: To assist meritorious students from poor families with higher education expenses.

Q3: What is the total number of fresh scholarships awarded per year under Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students?

Ans: 82,000

Q4: What is the annual scholarship amount at the undergraduate level under Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students?

Ans: ₹12,000

Q5: What is the scholarship amount at the postgraduate level under the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students??

Ans: ₹20,000 per annum

Khasi People

June 30, 2025
KHasi People

Khasi People Latest News

The Meghalaya High Court recently admitted a PIL that could determine the fate of hundreds of tribal certificate applications from the Khasi community, following a government decision that has effectively halted the issuance of ST certificates to certain categories of applicants.

About Khasi People

  • They are an indigenous tribe primarily living in the Khasi and Jaintia hills of Meghalaya. 
  • The Indian state of Assam and neighboring country of Bangladesh also host small populations of this tribe.
  • They are known to be one of the earliest ethnic groups in the region and are believed to have migrated to the northeastern hills from Tibet or Burma around 500 B.C.
  • They have a number of clans such as Lyngdoh, Diengdoh, Marbaniang, Shiemliah, Lapang, and Songkali.
  • The Khasi are generally people of short stature. 
  • Language: 
    • The Khasi language, known as “Khasi,” is an integral part of their identity. 
    • While English and Hindi are also spoken, Khasi remains the primary language for daily communication within the community.
  • One of the most striking aspects of the Khasi tribe is their matrilineal society. 
    • In Khasi culture, lineage and inheritance are passed down through the mother’s side of the family.
    • Women play a crucial role in decision-making processes and the management of family affairs.
  • Religion: A vast majority of the Khasis are Christians, while there are some groups of Hindus and Muslims too among them.
  • Livelihood:  
    • Cultivation has been their primary source of livelihood for ages. 
    • In the present day, however, Khasi youth have entered into many other professional fields and are successful doctors, engineers, businessmen or women, teachers, and more.
  • They are officially  recognized as a "Scheduled Tribe"  in India and have certain privileges. 
    • They are allowed to practice their customary laws and also enjoy tax benefits not available elsewhere in India. 
    • They have land designated for their use and a quota system that reserves seats for them in education and jobs.
  • The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council is the official body protecting the unique laws of these people.
  • Festivals and Celebrations:
    • Shad Suk Mynsiem: A spring festival celebrating nature, fertility, and gratitude. Men and women participate in a vibrant dance, wearing traditional attire.
    • Nongkrem Dance Festival: A five-day religious festival where the Khasi people offer prayers to the divine for a prosperous harvest.
    • Behdienkhlam Festival: Celebrated to drive away evil spirits and bring good health and fortune to the community.
    • Traditional Khasi music features instruments like Duitara (a stringed instrument) and Tangmuri (a bamboo flute).
  • Living Root Bridges:
    • Perhaps the most famous example of the Khasi tribe’s connection to nature is the living root bridges. 
    • These extraordinary architectural marvels are formed by training the roots of the Ficus elastica tree to grow in a specific direction, creating sturdy, natural bridges. 
    • These bridges can span up to 100 feet and are known to last for centuries.
    • The most famous of these bridges, the “Double-Decker Living Root Bridge,” is located in the village of Nongriat.

Source: ITNE

Khasi People FAQs

Q1: The Khasi people are primarily found in which Indian state?

Ans: Meghalaya

Q2: What is the primary language spoken by the Khasi people?

Ans: Khasi

Q3: What is the Nongkrem Dance Festival celebrated for?

Ans: Prosperous harvest and prayers to the divine.

Q4: The most famous "Double-Decker Living Root Bridge" is located in:

Ans: Nongriat village, Meghalaya

Myogenesis

June 30, 2025
Myogenesis

Myogenesis Latest News

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla recently launched groundbreaking Myogenesis experiments on the ISS, marking India's advancements in space research.

About Myogenesis

  • It is the process by which muscle fibers are formed.
  • It is a complex and highly regulated process that is crucial for the development and maintenance of skeletal muscle tissue. 
  • The significance of myogenesis lies in its role in forming the musculature of the body, enabling movement, maintaining posture, and regulating metabolism.
  • Myogenesis involves the differentiation of precursor cells, known as myoblasts, into multinucleated muscle fibers. 
  • This process is not only essential during embryonic development but also plays a critical role in muscle repair and regeneration throughout life. 
  • The study of myogenesis is important for understanding muscle development and related disorders, as well as for developing therapeutic strategies for muscle diseases.

Overview of the Myogenic Process

  • The myogenic process can be broadly divided into several stages: myoblast proliferation, differentiation, and fusion into multinucleated myotubes, followed by maturation into muscle fibers. 
  • Each stage is tightly regulated by a complex interplay of transcription factors, signaling pathways, and cellular processes.

Role of Key Transcription Factors

  • Key transcription factors such as MyoD and Myf5 play a crucial role in regulating myogenesis. 
  • These myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs) are essential for the specification of myoblasts and their differentiation into muscle fibers.
    • MyoD is a master regulator that drives myoblast differentiation by activating the expression of muscle-specific genes.
    • Myf5 is involved in the early stages of myogenesis, regulating myoblast proliferation and specification.

Cellular Processes Regulating Myogenesis

  • Cellular processes such as cell proliferation and differentiation are tightly regulated during myogenesis.
  • Cell Proliferation: Myoblast proliferation is a critical step that precedes differentiation. It ensures an adequate number of myoblasts for muscle formation.
  • Cell Differentiation: Myoblast differentiation involves a series of molecular changes that enable myoblasts to fuse and form multinucleated myotubes.

Source: TOI

Myogenesis FAQs

Q1: What is myogenesis?

Ans: The process by which muscle fibers are formed.

Q2: Which type of cells differentiate into muscle fibers during myogenesis?

Ans: Myoblasts

Q3: Which transcription factor is considered the "master regulator" of myoblast differentiation?

Ans: MyoD

Q4: What is the function of the Myf5 transcription factor in myogenesis?

Ans: Regulates myoblast proliferation and specification.

Q5: What happens during the differentiation stage of myogenesis?

Ans: Myoblasts fuse to form myotubes.

Botrytis Fungi

June 30, 2025
Botrytis Fungi

Botrytis Fungi Latest News

Recently, researchers from Sichuan University and the University of British Columbia have found that botrytis fungi (Botrytis cinerea) cannot be cloned.

About Botrytis Fungi

  • It is a widespread necrotrophic fungal pathogen.
  • Botrytis cinerea needs to obtain nutrients before it can penetrate a plant.
  • Dead or damaged plant tissue, such as old flower petals, can provide nutrients that the fungus needs.
  • Owing to this feeding source, the infection gains strength and spreads to healthy plant tissues. A brownish rot develops in newly infected tissues, which is how Botrytis cinerea deteriorates plants.
  • These fungi usually attack blossoms and fruit, but they can also cause rot and blight on buds, stems, leaves, roots, bulbs, and tubers.
  • The fungus typically targets fragile, wounded, aging, or dead plant parts.
  • It infects grapes, penetrates the skin, causes the berries to lose water by evaporation and shrivel up, and thus concentrates the sugars and flavours in them.
  • It was also found recently that this fungi exhibits an unusual idiosyncrasy.
  • In these fungi, no single nucleus contains a complete set of chromosomes. Instead, the chromosome set is distributed across two or more nuclei, and any one nucleus contains only a subset.
  • It requires warm temperatures, high humidity, and prolonged wetness which facilitate easy fungus inoculation.
  • Additionally, it can release organic acids, such as oxalic acid, which acidify the surrounding environment.

Source: TH

Botrytis Fungi FAQ's

Q1: What type of fungus is Botrytis?

Ans: Botrytis is a genus of anamorphic fungi in the family Sclerotiniaceae.

Q2: What temperature kills Botrytis?

Ans: The results demonstrated that B. cinerea spores can be inactivated by heat treatments using relatively low temperatures (42-46 °C).

GPS Interference

June 30, 2025
GPS interference

GPS Interference Latest News

Recently, three mishaps in recent years had a common cause of GPS interference which has emerged as one of the biggest challenges for seafaring vessels and aircraft.  

About GPS Interference

  • It refers to spoofing or jamming, two types of deliberate cyber-attacks on Global Positioning System (GPS) signals, which disrupt or deceive vehicles’ navigation systems.
  • While both are often used synonymously with each other, spoofing and jamming refer to slightly different kinds of interference.  
  • GPS jamming, also known as GPS intervention, involves a device (jammer) emitting strong radio signals on GPS frequencies in order to overpower weaker signals. This disrupts the functioning of GPS systems by rendering receivers unable to determine location or time.
  • GPS spoofing involves a device transmitting signals on the same frequencies used by GPS satellites, overwhelming or blocking the GPS receivers from acquiring or maintaining the right satellite signals.
  • Unlike jamming, which disrupts signals entirely, spoofing deceives the receiver into trusting false data.
  • GPS interference can disrupt both military and civilian transport operations from afar, without physical confrontation.
  • GPS interference can occur due to various reasons, not all of them malicious.
  • These include electromagnetic radiation from nearby devices, adverse atmospheric conditions like ionospheric disturbances, solar activity (such as flares), and, of course, intentional jamming/spoofing.
  • Most often, countries with advanced electronic warfare capabilities and involved in an active conflict are responsible.
  • While interference may or may not be targeted at civilian vessels, those in the vicinity, relying on the same GPS infrastructure, are nonetheless susceptible.

Source: IE

GPS Interference FAQs

Q1: What do you mean by GPS?

Ans: The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a U.S.-owned utility that provides users with positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services.

Q2: What is a GPS system used for?

Ans: Global Positioning Systems (GPS) is the foundation behind digital mapping. GPS are used to find the exact location of things.

GoIStats App

June 30, 2025
GoIStats App

GoIStats App Latest News

Recently, the National Sample Survey Office (NSO), under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), launched the GoIStats mobile application on Statistics Day 2025.

About GoIStats App

  • The GoIStats mobile application represents NSO's vision of creating an all-encompassing data ecosystem where every stakeholder can seamlessly access official data on the go.

Features of GoIStats App

  • It has an interactive "Key Trends" dashboard showcasing important socio-economic indicators with dynamic visualizations of critical metrics including GDP, inflation, employment data.
  • Users gain direct access to NSO's database through the "Products" section, featuring one-click CSV downloads.
  • It also has advanced filtering and search capabilities with comprehensive metadata, and mobile-optimized data tables are also available for seamless viewing.   
  • It contains visual data storytelling capabilities include a curated infographics section that transforms complex statistics into digestible insights, interactive charts and graphs with contextual explanations, social sharing features to promote data literacy across communities.
  • It provides users with the access to NSO reports and publications with instant download functionality. Regular updates aligned with NSO's publication calendar are provided to the user with app notification facility.

Source: PIB

GoIStats App FAQs

Q1: What is the role of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation?

Ans: It functions as the Cadre Controlling Authority to manage the Indian Statistical Service and Subordinate Statistical Service including matters like training, career and manpower planning.

Q2: Which ministry is National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) under?

Ans: Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation

Q3: What is the role of the National Statistics Office?

Ans: It organizes and conducts periodic all-India Economic Censuses and follow-up enterprise surveys.

Begonia nyishiorum

June 30, 2025
Begonia nyishiorum

Begonia nyishiorum Latest News

Forest officials in Arunachal Pradesh recently discovered a new flowering plant “Begonia nyishiorum”, endemic to the state’s East Kameng district. 

About Begonia nyishiorum

  • It is a new species of flowering plant.
  • It is endemic to the East Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. 
  • It grows in moist, shaded mountain slopes between 1,500 and 3,000 metres above sea level.
  • It is instantly recognisable by the dense crimson, fringed scales that sheath its light green petioles-an indumentum previously unseen in any Asian begonia. 
  • Currently known only from two forest sites in East Kameng, the species’ petiole “fringe” sets it apart from over 2,150 accepted begonias worldwide.
  • The epithet nyishiorum honours the Nyishi community whose traditional stewardship protects these high-elevation forests.
  • The species is assessed as Data Deficient according to the IUCN Red List criteria.

Source: NIE

Begonia nyishiorum FAQs

Q1: What is Begonia nyishiorum?

Ans: A new species of flowering plant.

Q2: Begonia nyishiorum is endemic to which Indian state?

Ans: Arunachal Pradesh

Q3: In which district is Begonia nyishiorum specifically found?

Ans: East Kameng

Q4: What is unique about the petioles of Begonia nyishiorum?

Ans: They are fringed with dense crimson scales.

Q5: What is the conservation status of Begonia nyishiorum according to the IUCN Red List?

Ans: Data Deficient

Football for Schools (F4S) Programme

June 30, 2025
Football for Schools (F4S) programme

Football for Schools (F4S) Programme Latest News

Recently, the union Minister for Education presided over the distribution of FIFA footballs as part of the Football for Schools (F4S) programme at PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya, Fort William, Kolkata, West Bengal.     

About Football for Schools (F4S) Programme

  • It is an ambitious programme run by Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) in collaboration with UNESCO,
  • It aims to contribute to the education, development and empowerment of around 700 million children.
  • It seeks to make football more accessible to both boys and girls around the world by incorporating football activities into the education system, in partnership with relevant authorities and stakeholders.
  • The programme has been designed to promote targeted life skills and competencies through football and contribute to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other priorities.
  • The F4S Programme is aligned with global sport, education and health policies, including UNESCO’s Kazan Action Plan, the Education 2030: Incheon Declaration and Framework of Action, and the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Action Plan on Physical Activity (GAPPA).
  • Project timeline: It was launched in mid-2019 with pilot projects in Puerto Rico and Lebanon. The F4S Programme will be re-launched in other regions in 2021 and will run until 2023 at least.
  • In India, the programme is implemented by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education (DoSEL), with support from the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Sports Authority of India (SAI). 

Objectives of the Football for Schools Programme

  • Empower learners (boys and girls) with valuable life skills and competencies
  • Empower and provide coach-educators with the training to deliver sport and life-skills activities
  • Build the capacity of stakeholders (schools, MAs and public authorities) to deliver training in life skills through football
  • Strengthen the cooperation between governments, MAs and participating schools to enable partnerships, alliances and intersectoral collaboration

Source: PIB

Football for Schools (F4S) Programme FAQs

Q1: What is the FIFA for schools program?

Ans: FIFA Football For Schools is a programme where football meets education, inspiring children to learn life skills through fun football sessions.

Q2: What does FIFA stand for?

Ans: Fédération Internationale de Football Association

Q3: What is the Sports Authority of India?

Ans: The Sports Authority of India (SAI) was established by the Govt. in 1984 as a Society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, with the twin objective of broad-basing of sports and to achieve excellence at the national and international level.

Similipal Tiger Reserve

June 30, 2025
Similipal Tiger Reserve

Similipal Tiger Reserve Latest News

The Odisha High Court recently issued notice to the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), Baripada, over a ban preventing Munda tribals of Jamunagarh village from performing rituals at Jayara, a sacred site within Similipal Tiger Reserve.

About Similipal Tiger Reserve 

  • It is located within the Mayurbhanj District, in the northernmost part of Odisha.
  • Situated in the Deccan Peninsular Bio-geographic Zone, it harbours a unique blend of Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, and eastern Himalayan biodiversity.
  • It is spread over 2750 sq.km. and has some beautiful waterfalls like Joranda and Barehipani.
  • It comes under the Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve that includes the adjacent Hadgarh and Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuaries.
  • It is surrounded by high plateaus and hills, the highest peak being the twin peaks of Khairiburu and Meghashini (1515 m above mean sea level).
  • The terrain is mostly undulating and hilly, interspersed with open grasslands and wooded areas.
  • History and Current Status:
    • Declared a Tiger Reserve in 1956 and included under Project Tiger in 1973.
    • Recognised as part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO in 2009.
  • Drainage:  
    • At least twelve rivers cut across the plain area, all of which drain into the Bay of Bengal. 
    • The prominent among them are Burhabalanga, Palpala Bandan, Salandi, Kahairi, and Deo.
  • It is also home to various tribes, including Kolha, Santhala, Bhumija, Bhatudi, Gondas, Khadia, Mankadia, and Sahara.
  • Vegetation: The vegetation is a mix of different forest types and habitats, with Northern tropical moist deciduous dominating some semi-evergreen patches. 
  • Flora:
    • The floristic composition indicates a connecting link between South Indian and North Eastern Sub-Himalayan Species. 
    • Sal is the dominant tree species here. 
    • The park also has extensive grasslands that are grazing grounds for many of the herbivores. 
    • These forests boast of many plants that have medicinal and aromatic properties. 
  • Fauna:
    • It is known for the tiger, elephant, and hill mynah.
    • It holds the highest tiger population in Odisha.
    • Apart from the tiger, the major mammals are the leopard, sambar, barking deer, gaur, jungle cat, wild boar, four-horned antelope, giant squirrel, and common langur.

Source: NIE

Similipal Tiger Reserve FAQs

Q1: Which state is Similipal Tiger Reserve in?

Ans: Odisha

Q2: Which tribes live in Similipal Tiger Reserve?

Ans: It is home to various tribes, including Kolha, Santhala, Bhumija, Bhatudi, Gondas, Khadia, Mankadia, and Sahara.

Q3: What is the approximate area covered by the Similipal Tiger Reserve?

Ans: 2,750 sq.km.

Q4: Which is the dominant tree species in Similipal?

Ans: Sal

India Imposes Curbs on Jute Imports from Bangladesh Amid Trade and Strategic Concerns

June 30, 2025
Curbs on Jute Imports from Bangladesh

Import Curbs Latest News

  • India has decided to ban the import of jute products and woven fabrics from Bangladesh through all land routes.

Background

  • In June 2025, India imposed strict restrictions on the import of jute products from Bangladesh through all land routes, restricting entry only through the Nhava Sheva seaport in Maharashtra. 
  • This policy shift, announced via a Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) notification, excludes Bangladeshi goods in transit to Nepal and Bhutan.
  • This move comes amidst rising concerns about Dhaka’s growing strategic proximity to Beijing and persistent trade malpractices by Bangladeshi exporters, including circumvention of anti-dumping duties (ADD). 
  • These factors have combined to harm India’s domestic jute industry, especially in states like West Bengal and Bihar.

Items Covered Under the Import Curbs

  • The restrictions apply to a wide range of jute-related goods, including:
    • Jute products, Flax tow and waste, Jute and other bast fibres, Single yarn of jute or flax, Multiple folded woven fabrics, Unbleached woven jute fabrics
  • These categories previously enjoyed duty-free access under the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) Agreement.

Impact of Subsidised Imports on the Indian Jute Industry

  • India’s jute sector has long suffered due to dumped and subsidised imports from Bangladesh. According to official sources, Bangladeshi exporters continue to receive direct subsidies from their government, undermining Indian manufacturers. 
  • Although India imposed anti-dumping duties following investigations by the Directorate General of Anti-Dumping and Allied Duties (DGAD), these measures were circumvented through:
    • Technical exemptions
    • Export through firms exceeding production capacity
    • Mis-declaration and under-invoicing
  • Despite the ADD, jute imports from Bangladesh rose from USD 117 million in FY 2021-22 to USD 144 million in FY 2023-24.

Fallout for Indian Farmers and Mills

  • The increased influx of low-cost jute goods has disrupted the domestic market. In FY 2024-25, jute prices in India fell below Rs. 5,000 per quintal, lower than the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs. 5,335, triggering liquidity crises and mill closures.
  • Six jute mills remain shut with Rs. 1,400 crore in unpaid dues, including Rs. 400 crore in legacy liabilities. 
  • Over 4 lakh workers are employed in the organised jute sector, with rural livelihoods in West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, and Odisha heavily dependent on the crop.
  • The availability of under-priced Bangladeshi products has also led to under-utilisation of Indian mills, threatening their viability and disrupting local procurement.

Policy Response and Strategic Signals

  • The Indian government’s decision to channel imports exclusively through Nhava Sheva port is a calibrated move aimed at:
    • Ensuring better quality checks (especially hydrocarbon oil-free status)
    • Preventing misdeclaration and fraudulent labelling
    • Closing loopholes that allow routing through third countries
  • India's response is not limited to trade concerns. It signals dissatisfaction with Bangladesh’s interim government’s increasing tilt towards China and its inadequate response to repeated trade violations.
  • While Bangladesh has made minor adjustments under diplomatic pressure, it has continued to incentivise the export of value-added jute products, further exacerbating the trade imbalance.

Long-Term Outlook: Revival of the Indian Jute Sector

  • India's jute industry is poised for regulatory protection, with more streamlined import monitoring and potential policy reforms on the horizon. 
  • Officials indicate a willingness to enforce tighter scrutiny and push back against trade practices that destabilise domestic production.
  • Moreover, the government may explore extending protection mechanisms to raw jute, which currently remains outside the ADD regime, to protect the incomes of Indian farmers.

Source: IE

India Bangladesh Jute Import Curbs FAQs

Q1: What prompted India to restrict jute imports from Bangladesh?

Ans: India acted due to trade malpractices, subsidy-backed dumping, and Bangladesh’s growing proximity to China.

Q2: Which items are restricted under the new import rules?

Ans: Jute yarn, fibres, flax tow, woven jute fabrics, and related products are restricted from land route entry.

Q3: How have these imports impacted Indian jute farmers and mills?

Ans: They depressed jute prices, caused mill closures, and led to ₹1,800 crore in unpaid dues.

Q4: Why is the restriction limited to Nhava Sheva port?

Ans: The port enables better quality checks and prevents circumvention of anti-dumping duties.

Q5: What is the broader strategy behind India’s trade move?

Ans: It is both a trade safeguard and a geopolitical signal to counter Dhaka’s tilt toward Beijing.

GPS Interference Threatens Global Navigation for Flights and Ships

June 30, 2025
GPS Interference

GPS Interference Latest News

  • Recent incidents—including a Delhi-Jammu flight turning back, a tanker collision at the Strait of Hormuz, and a container ship grounding near Jeddah—were all caused by GPS interference, which has now become a major threat to global aviation and maritime navigation.

About GPS Interference

  • GPS interference refers to deliberate cyber-attacks that disrupt or deceive Global Positioning System (GPS) signals, affecting navigation for aircraft, ships, and other vehicles.

Types of GPS Interference

  • GPS Jamming
    • Involves the use of a jammer device that emits strong radio signals on GPS frequencies.
    • These signals overpower the weaker satellite signals, causing GPS receivers to lose location and time data.
    • This is a form of signal disruption.
  • GPS Spoofing
    • Uses a device to transmit false signals that mimic those from GPS satellites.
    • It deceives receivers into accepting incorrect location or time data.
    • Unlike jamming, spoofing doesn’t block signals—it manipulates them.
  • While often used interchangeably, jamming disrupts GPS functionality, whereas spoofing misleads the receiver. 
  • Both pose serious threats to navigation and safety in air and sea operations.

Dangers Associated with GPS Interference

  • GPS interference poses a serious threat to both civilian and military operations, enabling remote disruption without physical confrontation.
  • In 2024, there were reports of up to 700 GPS spoofing incidents daily worldwide, underlining the scale and urgency of the threat.

Risks to Aviation and Maritime Safety

  • Spoofing can mislead pilots, causing incorrect position judgments and increasing the risk of collisions with terrain or other aircraft.
  • For ships, loss of GPS accuracy can lead to groundings, collisions, and disruption of maritime operations, including port functions.
  • GPS spoofing isn’t limited to air and sea—it can also disrupt road navigation, leading to traffic jams and paralyzing transport systems, particularly during emergencies.

Impact on Critical Infrastructure

  • Air traffic control, port operations, and vessel traffic systems (VTS) are highly dependent on GPS.
  • Interference can cause systemic failures in these sectors, with wide-ranging safety and operational consequences.

Multiple Causes of GPS Interference

  • GPS interference can arise from both natural and intentional sources, including:
    • Electromagnetic radiation from nearby devices
    • Ionospheric disturbances and solar flares
    • Deliberate jamming and spoofing in conflict zones
  • Countries with advanced electronic warfare capabilities—especially those involved in active conflicts—are often responsible for intentional interference. 
  • While military in intent, civilian vessels and aircraft nearby can also be affected.

Hotspots of GPS Interference

  • Persian Gulf and Red Sea
    • Maritime GPS interference has surged due to regional tensions.
    • Windward’s Q1 2025 data shows a 350% increase in spoofing in the Red Sea compared to 2024.
    • Vessels reported sudden jumps of hundreds of nautical miles.
  • Eastern Europe
    • Ongoing Russia–Ukraine war has led to frequent GPS spoofing incidents, especially affecting airspace safety.
  •  

How Aircraft Mitigate GPS Interference

  • Use of Backup Navigation Systems
    • Inertial Navigation Systems (INS): Uses gyroscopes and accelerometers to calculate position from the last known location.
    • VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) and Distance Measuring Equipment (DME): Ground-based radio navigation aids that help pilots cross-check their position.
    •  
  • Other Navigation Techniques
    • Dead reckoning and celestial navigation are rare but can be used in extreme cases.
      • Dead reckoning - the process of calculating one’s position by estimating the direction and distance travelled.
    • Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) remain unaffected by spoofing and ensure safe landings.
  • Crew Training and Communication
    • DGCA mandates enhanced crew training to identify and respond to spoofing threats.
    • Pilots are encouraged to monitor control room chatter for early warning signs.

How Ships Handle GPS Spoofing

  • Manual Navigation During Spoofing
    • Ships typically operate on autopilot using GPS, but spoofing forces a switch to manual helm control.
    • Terrestrial navigation using lighthouses, radars, and paper charts ensures continued situational awareness.
  • Adoption of Multi-GNSS Systems
    • Ships increasingly rely on multi-constellation Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), which includes:
      • U.S. GPS
      • Russia’s GLONASS
      • EU’s Galileo
      • China’s Bei Dou
    • This diversification reduces dependency on a single system and enhances resilience.
  •  

Conclusion

  • Mitigating GPS interference involves a multi-layered approach:
    • Redundant systems in aircraft
    • Manual navigation and GNSS diversification in ships
    • National autonomy through indigenous systems like NavIC
  • This strategy ensures continuity, safety, and sovereignty in navigation and critical operations.

Source: IE | BBC

GPS Interference FAQs

Q1: What is GPS interference?

Ans: It’s the disruption or deception of GPS signals through jamming or spoofing, affecting navigation systems of planes and ships.

Q2: Why is GPS interference dangerous?

Ans: It misleads pilots and ship crews, increasing collision risks and compromising safety in critical infrastructure like ports and airports.

Q3: Where is GPS interference common?

Ans: Conflict zones like the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and Eastern Europe often report high GPS spoofing and jamming activity.

Q4: How do aircraft handle GPS interference?

Ans: Aircraft switch to INS, VOR, and DME systems, while pilots rely on training and air traffic control communication for safety.

Q5: How do ships manage GPS spoofing?

Ans: Ships switch to manual control using radars and lighthouses, and adopt multi-GNSS systems like GLONASS and NavIC for accuracy.

ECI’s Crackdown on Unrecognised Political Parties, Delisting 345 Defaulters from Political Registry

June 30, 2025
Crackdown on Unrecognised Political Parties

Unrecognised Political Parties Latest News

  • The Election Commission of India (ECI) has initiated steps to de-list 345 Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs).

Overview of Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs)

  • Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs) are associations registered with the Election Commission of India (ECI) under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. 
  • These parties are distinct from recognised national or state parties as they have not secured a sufficient vote share or seats in previous elections.
  • Despite not having official recognition, RUPPs enjoy certain benefits:
    • Tax exemption under Section 13A of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
    • Eligibility for common poll symbols during elections.
    • Permission to nominate up to 20 ‘star campaigners’ for canvassing.
  • They are, however, required to:
    • Contest elections periodically.
    • File annual audit accounts and contribution reports.
    • Disclose donations exceeding Rs. 20,000, and ensure that no donations above Rs. 2,000 are accepted in cash.

Reasons Behind the Election Commission Delisting 345 RUPPs

  • The Election Commission has initiated the process of delisting 345 RUPPs that have:
    • Not contested even a single election in the last six years.
    • Failed to maintain physical offices at their registered addresses.
    • Ignored statutory filing requirements, including financial disclosures.
  • This is part of a broader clean-up initiated by the ECI, which began identifying and acting against “non-functional” parties as early as 2022. 
  • Since then, 284 RUPPs have been delisted and 253 declared inactive for failing to comply. 
  • The latest batch of 345 brings this drive to a sharper focus, particularly with upcoming elections in view.
  • The Election Commission has tasked the Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of the respective States and UTs to issue show-cause notices to these parties before delisting. 
  • Final decisions will be made based on the CEO’s recommendations.

Legal Framework and Loopholes

  • The right to form a political association is protected under Article 19(1)(c) of the Constitution.
  • Registration is governed by Section 29A of the RP Act, 1951, which does not grant ECI explicit power to de-register a political party once registered, except in cases of fraud or violation of constitutional allegiance.
  • This legal vacuum means that while the ECI can delist or declare parties inactive (affecting their privileges), it cannot de-register them outright. 
  • The Supreme Court, in Indian National Congress vs Institute of Social Welfare (2002), affirmed this interpretation.
  • Thus, ECI’s current action is limited to delisting RUPPs from the list of parties eligible for benefits, not erasing them as legal entities.

Financial Implications and Risks

  • Many of these parties were found to be:
    • Availing 100% tax exemptions despite non-compliance.
    • Operating as shell entities or even engaging in money laundering activities.
    • Selling nominations by fielding dummy candidates to extract withdrawal payments from major parties.
  • By delisting such entities, the ECI aims to block misuse of public trust and state-sanctioned benefits.

Reforms Needed and Way Forward

  • The Law Commission, in its 255th report (2015), recommended empowering the ECI to de-register parties that fail to contest elections for 10 consecutive years. 
  • The ECI echoed this in its 2016 electoral reform memorandum.
  • Additionally, the lack of inner-party democracy remains an unresolved concern. Many RUPPs, and even some recognised parties, operate without periodic internal elections or transparency in leadership appointments. 
  • The 170th and 255th Law Commission Reports called for specific amendments to the RP Act to instill internal democracy.
  • Policy Recommendations:
    • Amend the RP Act to explicitly allow de-registration for non-contesting or non-compliant parties.
    • Mandate inner-party democracy through legal provisions.
    • Establish independent auditing of party finances, possibly under a public accounting body.

Source: TH

Unrecognised Political Parties FAQs

Q1: Why is the Election Commission delisting unrecognised political parties?

Ans: These parties have neither contested elections in six years nor maintained valid office addresses, violating compliance norms.

Q2: What benefits do RUPPs enjoy despite not being recognised?

Ans: They are entitled to tax exemptions, common poll symbols, and star campaigner nominations.

Q3: Does the ECI have legal authority to de-register political parties?

Ans: No, the ECI can delist parties but cannot legally de-register them unless the registration was obtained fraudulently.

Q4: What risks do inactive RUPPs pose to the electoral system?

Ans: They can be misused for money laundering, tax fraud, or extracting funds through illegitimate election practices.

Q5: What reforms have been suggested to tackle this issue?

Ans: The Law Commission and ECI recommend amending the RP Act to allow de-registration and ensure internal democracy in parties.

Legal Reforms to Boost Private and Foreign Investment in India’s Nuclear Sector

June 30, 2025
Nuclear Sector Reforms

Nuclear Sector Reforms Latest News

  • India is preparing legislative changes to two major laws in its atomic energy sector to attract private and foreign investment. 
  • Amendments to the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 (CLNDA) aim to ease liability provisions, addressing long-standing investor concerns. 
  • Another key reform would allow private companies to operate nuclear power plants, potentially enabling foreign firms to hold minority stakes in future projects.

India Plans Major Changes to Nuclear Liability Law

  • The government is working on amendments to the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 (CLNDA) to address concerns that have deterred foreign and domestic investment in the nuclear sector.

Foreign Vendor Concerns Over ‘Right of Recourse’

  • Section 17(b) of the CLNDA gives nuclear plant operators the right of recourse against suppliers in case of defects in equipment or services. 
  • This provision has been flagged by companies like Westinghouse Electric (U.S.) and Framatome (France) as a major barrier due to fears of future liability.

Broad Definition of ‘Supplier’ Worrying for Indian Sub-Vendors

  • The current definition of "supplier" is considered too broad, with no distinction between primary suppliers and sub-vendors. 
  • Indian equipment manufacturers have expressed concern that they too may be held liable, creating uncertainty and reluctance to participate.

Proposed Amendments to Align with Global Norms

  • Two key amendments are being considered:
    • Diluting Section 17(b) to bring it in line with international nuclear liability standards.
    • Clarifying the definition of 'supplier' to exclude smaller sub-vendors unless specifically mentioned in contracts.

Possible Caps on Vendor Liability

  • Deliberations are also underway to limit the liability of vendors:
    • Monetary cap pegged to the original contract value
    • Time-bound applicability of liability
  • This is expected to reassure both foreign and domestic suppliers.

Regulatory Oversight as a Safeguard

  • All nuclear projects must be vetted by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), which can ensure that contractual clauses for recourse are properly defined, maintaining safety and accountability.

Move to Align Nuclear Liability Law with Global Norms

  • Amendments to the CLNDA aim to align India’s liability framework with the 1997 Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage (CSC). 
  • India became a party to the CSC in 2016, and the current legal tweaks would bring its national law in closer conformity with international standards.

Opening the Nuclear Sector to Private Participation

  • The government is planning a major amendment to the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 to allow private companies to operate nuclear power plants—an activity currently reserved for state-owned entities like NPCIL and NTPC.
  • The proposed reform could also enable foreign companies to take minority equity stakes in upcoming nuclear projects, paving the way for greater global collaboration in India's atomic energy sector.

A Historic Shift in a Traditionally Closed Sector

  • India’s atomic energy sector has remained closed to private and foreign players. 
  • These legislative reforms mark a transformational shift aimed at unlocking its commercial potential.
  • Nearly two decades after the Indo-US civil nuclear agreement, the amendments are seen as a way to revive and capitalize on its unrealized potential, strengthening bilateral strategic and commercial ties.
  • The nuclear sector reforms are also being positioned as part of a larger trade and investment framework with the U.S., possibly leading up to a formal trade pact currently under negotiation.

U.S. Clears Regulatory Hurdle for Nuclear Cooperation

  • In March 2025, the U.S. Department of Energy granted a ‘10CFR810’ specific authorisation to Holtec International. This clearance allows:
    • Transfer of unclassified small modular reactor (SMR) technology to India
    • Collaboration with Holtec Asia, Tata Consulting Engineers, and L&T
  • Earlier, this regulation barred U.S. firms from manufacturing or designing nuclear components in India, which had stalled cooperation.
  • The responsibility now lies with India to enact the two key legislative amendments to unlock the full potential of the Indo–U.S. civil nuclear deal and expand its domestic nuclear energy capacity.

Conclusion

  • Experts underscore the economic necessity of these amendments to attract foreign vendors and enable domestic manufacturing in the nuclear sector. 
  • With global legal alignment, domestic clarity on liability, and U.S. cooperation now secured, passing these reforms could finally activate the long-awaited civil nuclear partnership and bolster India's energy security and industrial capability.

Source: IE | ET

Nuclear Sector Reforms FAQs

Q1: What are the key nuclear sector reforms?

Ans: Amendments to CLNDA and Atomic Energy Act to ease liability and allow private and foreign participation in nuclear power.

Q2: Why is Section 17(b) of CLNDA controversial?

Ans: It gives operators recourse against suppliers, deterring foreign investment due to potential liability risks and broad supplier definition.

Q3: What’s the benefit of aligning with CSC?

Ans: It harmonizes India’s liability framework with global standards, encouraging international nuclear collaboration and easing vendor concerns.

Q4: What role does the U.S. play in reforms?

Ans: The U.S. cleared Holtec to transfer SMR tech to India; now India must pass reforms to unlock civil nuclear cooperation.

Q5: How will reforms impact India’s energy future?

Ans: Reforms can boost energy security, domestic manufacturing, and long-delayed Indo–U.S. nuclear cooperation for clean energy expansion.

Enquire Now