MODERNISING CRIMINAL IDENTIFICATION IN INDIA
TOPIC: (GS2) POLITY: THE HINDU
Police across several Indian states have begun collecting DNA records of suspects under the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022 (CrPI Act). Over one lakh DNA profiles have already been stored in the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) database, raising debates on privacy, proportionality, and safeguards.
Background
- The Identification of Prisoners Act, 1920 allowed only fingerprints and footprints.
- With advances in forensic science, this colonial law was considered outdated.
- The CrPI Act, 2022 was enacted to:
- Modernise identification techniques in line with global standards.
- Strengthen the criminal justice system through scientific evidence.
- Improve conviction rates and enable interstate crime tracking.
CrPI Act, 2022
- Data Collection: Applies to convicted persons, those arrested for offences punishable with ≥ 7 years, and individuals under preventive detention laws. Measurements include fingerprints, iris scans, photographs, DNA samples (blood/saliva), handwriting & signatures.
- Retention: Records can be stored for 75 years, must be deleted if acquitted or discharged in all proceedings.
- Agencies: Database access granted to state police forces, CBI, NIA, NCB, and prison authorities for investigation and record collection.
- Infrastructure: Over 2,600+ collection units established nationwide, integrated with forensic laboratories for DNA profiling, and linked with National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS) holding 1.27 crore fingerprint records.
- Unified Database: NCRB maintains a centralised national database combining fingerprints, iris, facial recognition, and biological samples, enabling instant crossstate identification and crime tracking.
Implementation & Capabilities
- DNA samples collected in serious offences; processed in forensic labs.
- NCRB database enables:
- Instant matching of biological samples with stored records.
- Crossstate tracking of habitual offenders.
- CCTV video analytics and disguiseresistant photo identification.
- Example: NAFIS has already solved old interstate cases by automated fingerprint matching.
Concerns & Criticisms
- Privacy: Mass collection of sensitive biological data challenges Puttaswamy (2017) privacy judgment.
- Proportionality: 75year retention period seen as excessive.
- Judicial Oversight: Arrested persons’ data can be collected without prior court approval.
- Data Security: Risks of misuse or breaches; compliance needed with Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.
- Implementation Issues:
- Standardising protocols across states.
- Training police in proper sample collection.
- Maintaining chain of custody to preserve evidence integrity.
Way Forward
- Judicial Oversight Introduce judicial approval for sensitive data collection like DNA, ensuring checks and balances in line with the Puttaswamy privacy judgment (2017).
- Independent Audits Conduct regular independent audits of NCRB database access to prevent misuse and ensure accountability.
- Data Deletion Protocols Strengthen mechanisms for automatic deletion of records postacquittal, maintaining proportionality and fairness.
- Global Best Practices Align with international standards — e.g., UK & US require court approval for DNA collection, ensuring rights are safeguarded.
Conclusion
The CrPI Act represents a major leap in India’s forensic capabilities, but its success will depend on robust safeguards that balance crimesolving efficiency with citizens’ fundamental right to privacy.
HIDDEN CLIMATE COST OF EVERYDAY LIFE IN INDIA
TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT: THE HINDU
Recent heatwaves and erratic monsoons have sharply raised food, energy, water, and healthcare costs in India, highlighting how climate change is already a cost-of-living crisis.
Impact on Food Prices
- Agriculture is highly climate-sensitive; weak monsoons or heatwaves reduce yields.
- In 2023, a 6% rainfall deficit lowered sowing of pulses and oilseeds, pushing retail prices of rice, wheat, and pulses up by 6–15%.
- Food and beverages form 45.86% of CPI basket, so climate shocks quickly translate into inflation.
- Repeated floods and heatwaves create supply bottlenecks, hoarding, and speculation, worsening household budgets.
Energy Costs
- Rising heat increases demand for cooling appliances, straining power grids.
- During the May 2026 heatwave, electricity demand hit a record 270.8 GW.
- Utilities rely on costly coal and imported fuels, leading to higher tariffs.
- Poor households often cut spending on food or education to pay electricity bills.
Water Security
- Erratic rainfall and groundwater depletion dry up local sources.
- Rural families spend more time and money fetching water.
- In cities, the rise of a “tanker economy” forces households to buy water from private vendors.
- Vulnerable communities in water-stressed regions face the heaviest burden.
Health Expenditure
- Heat stress, poor air quality, and shifting disease patterns increase medical costs.
- Rural women are disproportionately affected due to water collection, outdoor work, and caregiving.
- Even small increases in health spending destabilize households near the poverty line.
Inequality & Vulnerability
- Marginalised groups lack access to irrigation, resilient farming, or adaptation technologies.
- States like Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra face steep declines in living standards.
- Climate change acts as a regressive tax, hitting those least able to adapt.
Policy Response & Way Forward
- Promote climate-resilient agriculture (e.g., Andhra Pradesh Community Natural Farming – APCNF).
- Strengthen urban heat action plans and affordable public transport.
- Improve water conservation and groundwater management.
- Expand affordable healthcare and social protection.
- Recognise climate change as a cost-of-living issue, integrating adaptation into economic policy.
Conclusion
Climate change is silently eroding household stability in India as it is not just an environmental crisis but a hidden economic emergency.
SUPREME COURT DECLARES RIGHT TO WALK ON FOOTPATHS A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT
TOPIC: (GS2) POLITY: THE HINDU
The Supreme Court in Maniyar Iliyaz @ Shaik Riyaz vs. P. Ayyappan declared that the right to walk on safe footpaths is a fundamental right under Article 21, prioritising pedestrians over motor vehicles. The case was triggered by the tragic death of a 5yearold boy struck by a tanker while walking to school.
Background
- Pedestrian deaths rising: Between 2015–2024, fatalities surged by 163%, from 13,894 to 36,526. Their share in total road deaths doubled to 20.61%.
- Structural failure: Footpaths are often encroached by vendors, parked vehicles, garbage, or absent altogether.
- Motor Vehicles Act, 1988: Focuses on vehicles, treating pedestrians only as entities drivers must avoid hitting.
Court’s Observations
- Right to Life (Article 21): Safe footpaths are integral to living with dignity.
- Directive Principles (Article 39(b)): Footpaths are community resources; must serve the common good, not just motorised users.
- Tragedy of the Commons: Encroachment degrades shared pedestrian spaces.
- Democratic Freedoms: Walking linked to freedom of speech, protest, and association (e.g., Gandhi’s Dandi March).
- Critique of Elitism: Road design historically privileged vehicles, marginalising walkers.
Duty-Bearers
- Urban local bodies (municipal corporations, panchayats, development authorities) are trustees of footpaths.
- Their failure to maintain or protect pedestrian space is a constitutional lapse, not just administrative negligence.
Court’s Directions
- Statutory Law: Parliament/States should enact a dedicated law, similar to the Right to Education Act, to enforce pedestrian rights.
- Dedicated Regulator: Establish a specialised body for planning, enforcement, and grievance redressal, akin to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
- Compensation: In the case, compensation was raised to ₹11.44 lakh, recognising violation of pedestrian rights as a constitutional breach.
Way Forward
- Urban Planning: Need for inclusive road design under Smart Cities Mission and National Urban Transport Policy.
- Global Practices: Cities like London and Singapore prioritise pedestrian zones, showing India can adopt similar models.
- Environmental Angle: Promoting walking reduces carbon emissions and aligns with SDG11 (Sustainable Cities).
- Public Health: Safe walking spaces encourage physical activity, reducing lifestyle diseases.
Conclusion
The judgment marks a paradigm shift in road hierarchy pedestrians are no longer secondary but constitutionally prioritised, making safe footpaths a nonnegotiable duty of the State.
THE CHALLENGE OF INDIA’S DIGITAL SOVEREIGNTY
TOPIC: (GS2) POLITY: THE HINDU
Recent incidents of a CCTV network breach (April 2026) linked to Chinese software and denial of access to Nayara Energy’s corporate data (July 2025) due to EU sanctions enforced by Microsoft have raised concerns about India’s dependence on foreign digital platforms.
Foreign Dependence & Risks
- Critical Infrastructure Control: India’s key digital systems such as authentication platforms, cloud storage, and productivity suites are largely operated by overseas corporations, limiting national autonomy.
- Data Sovereignty Challenge: Even when data is physically stored in India, foreign cloud providers can be compelled by their home governments to share information, creating risks for governance and security.
- Operational Vulnerability: Reliance on external sovereigns means that directives from abroad could suspend government services, disrupt commerce, and weaken defence operations, directly impacting national stability.
- Historical Example: During the 1999 Kargil War, India was denied precise GPS access by foreign authorities, exposing the dangers of dependence on external technology in critical conflict scenarios.
National Security Concerns
- Software-driven warfare: Modern defence systems rely on code, not just hardware. Foreign-controlled software can be manipulated to degrade targeting accuracy or redirect battlefield intelligence.
- Cyber incidents: India faced 13,000+ cyberattacks in 2023, including 1,200 ransomware cases (43% rise), 5,600 phishing attempts, and 480 espionage attacks targeting defence agencies.
- Underfunded cybersecurity: Less than 0.5% of India’s IT budget is allocated to cybersecurity, limiting preparedness.
- Operational risks: External directives could suspend government services, halt manufacturing, and weaken defence capabilities.
- Historical example: During the 1999 Kargil War, India was denied precise GPS access, showing how foreign-controlled systems can constrain military operations.
Global Responses
- France: Plans to replace Microsoft Teams and Zoom with a sovereign video-conferencing platform by 2027.
- EU nations: Germany, Netherlands, and Denmark are exploring domestic alternatives to U.S. cloud and productivity tools.
- Türkiye: Actively reducing reliance on foreign technologies, focusing on indigenous platforms.
- Power Transition Theory: India’s challenge is sharper as a rising power nearing parity, it risks containment by established hegemons (similar to U.S.–China dynamics).
India’s Efforts
- Indigenous Systems: NavIC satellite navigation developed after GPS denial in Kargil; UPI processed 16,416 crore transactions in FY 2023–24; RuPay now covers 65% of debit cards; ministries shifting to Zoho Mail for secure communication.
- Semiconductor Push: Micron ATMP facility in Gujarat, India’s first largescale chip assembly unit, expected to generate 20,000+ jobs (direct + indirect) and strengthen supply chains.
- Defence Sector: Private participation in Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project; India’s defence budget at $73 billion (2025), 4th largest globally, yet indigenous fighter jet development remains delayed.
- Joint Ventures: BrahMos missile programme with Russia, successfully exported to the Philippines, shows benefits of mutual dependence in critical technologies.
Way Forward
- Domestic Expansion: Build sovereign cloud, ecommerce, and authentication systems; RBI’s Payments Vision 2025 stresses secure domestic digital infrastructure.
- Private Defence Innovation: Adopt U.S.style assured procurement model to create a virtuous cycle of innovation in defence manufacturing.
- Trusted Partnerships: Join initiatives like Pax Silica to reduce dependence on Chinese tech and strengthen AI & supplychain security.
- Boost R&D Spending: India invests 0.74% of GDP vs global average 2.07%; China spends 2.4%, U.S. 3.4%, Israel 5.6%, highlighting urgent need to scale innovation.
Conclusion
India’s digital sovereignty is not optional it is the foundation of its strategic autonomy in a fragmented global order.
UZBEKISTAN JOINS NEW DEVELOPMENT BANK
TOPIC: (GS3) ECONOMY: THE HINDU
Uzbekistan has officially joined the New Development Bank (NDB) as its 10th member, becoming the first Central Asian country to enter this BRICSled multilateral institution.
New Development Bank (NDB)
- Established: Decision at the 6th BRICS Summit (Fortaleza, 2014); operational since 2015.
- Headquarters: Shanghai, China.
- Objective: Mobilise funds for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS and other Emerging Market & Developing Economies (EMDEs).
- Capital Structure:
- Authorised capital: USD 100 billion.
- Initial subscribed capital: USD 50 billion, equally contributed by founding members.
Governance & Voting System
- Equal Representation: Each member has one vote; no veto power.
- Collective DecisionMaking: Influence not tied to financial contribution.
- Balance: Founding BRICS members retain >55% voting share to maintain institutional stability.
Membership Expansion
- Founding BRICS: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa.
- New Members: Bangladesh (2021), UAE (2021), Egypt (2023), Algeria (2025), Uzbekistan (2026).
- Approved but awaiting accession: Uruguay, Colombia, Ethiopia.
Significance of Uzbekistan’s Entry
- Regional Expansion: First Central Asian member, extending NDB’s reach into a strategic and landlocked region.
- Infrastructure Boost: Enhances financing for transport, energy, and connectivity projects in developing economies.
- Global South Voice: Strengthens collective bargaining in global financial governance.
- Currency Diversification: Supports push for local currency financing, reducing dependence on the US dollar.
- Geopolitical Dimension: Central Asia’s inclusion aligns with India’s Connect Central Asia Policy and China’s Belt and Road Initiative, reflecting multipolar engagement.
Conclusion
Uzbekistan’s entry into the NDB marks a strategic deepening of BRICS influence, reinforcing the role of the Global South in shaping alternative financial institutions.
PERIYAR RIVER
TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT: THE HINDU
The Kerala High Court recently emphasized the need for a unified authority to oversee the cleanliness of the Periyar River, highlighting concerns over pollution and industrial discharge.
Geographical Profile
- Originates in the Sivagiri Hills of the Western Ghats near Tamil Nadu border.
- Flows north through Periyar National Park into Periyar Lake (formed by Mullaperiyar Dam, 1895).
- Empties into Vembanad Lake and finally into the Arabian Sea near Kochi.
- Total length: 244 km, making it the longest river in Kerala.
Economic & Social Significance
- Known as the “lifeline of Kerala” due to its role in irrigation, drinking water, and power generation.
- Supports 25% of Kerala’s industries, especially around Kochi.
- Major hydroelectric project: Idukki Hydroelectric Project, crucial for Kerala’s electricity supply.
- Other dams: Neriyamangalam, Pallivasal, Panniyar, Kundalam, Chenkulam, Mullaperiyar.
Tributaries
- Important tributaries include Muthirapuzha, Mullayar, Cheruthoni, Perinjankutti, Edamala.
Cultural & Historical Importance
- Birthplace of Adi Shankaracharya at Kalady, situated on its banks.
- The river has shaped Kerala’s settlement patterns and cultural identity.
Environmental Concerns
- Industrial pollution and waste discharge threaten aquatic life and drinking water quality.
- Court’s intervention reflects the need for integrated river basin management.
- Example: Similar unified authorities exist for Ganga Action Plan and Yamuna Monitoring Committees.
Strong Conclusion
The Periyar River is Kerala’s lifeline, but its survival depends on balancing development with ecological responsibility.
SOUTH KOREA’S POPULATION DECLINE
TOPIC: (GS1) SOCIAL ISSUES: THE HINDU
The United Nations projects South Korea’s population to halve by 2100, falling to 22 million (42% of 2026 levels), raising concerns about demographic sustainability.
Fertility Rates
- Fertility has dropped from 6 children per woman in 1960 to 0.75 in 2026, the lowest globally.
- To stabilize population, fertility must rise to 2.1 children per woman by 2050 (replacement level).
- A smaller rise (e.g., 1.5–1.7) would only slow decline, not stop it.
- Example: France and Nordic nations maintain fertility near 1.8–2.0 through strong family support policies (childcare, parental leave, subsidies).
Life Expectancy
- Current average life expectancy: 83 years.
- To offset low fertility, it would need to rise to 130 years by 2050 — a nearly impossible leap.
- At current global improvement rates (1 year gained every 4 years), reaching 130 years would take 188 years, not 25.
- Even with longevity gains, low fertility ensures eventual decline.
Migration Rates
- Present net migration: 1.3 per 1,000 residents annually, among the lowest globally.
- To stabilize population, South Korea would need 9 immigrants per 1,000 annually — a 7fold increase.
- Example: Canada and Australia sustain population growth with net migration rates of 7–8 per 1,000.
- Cultural and political acceptance of large-scale immigration remains a challenge in South Korea.
Way forward
- Fertility Revival: Raising fertility to around 2.3 children per woman within the next few decades is the most practical solution. This would require reversing decades of decline and sustained policy support.
- Supportive Social Policies: Affordable childcare and housing to reduce financial stress. Worklife balance reforms (flexible hours, parental leave) to ease pressure on young families.
- Migration as Supplement: Immigration can help slow decline, but even a 7fold increase in net migration would be needed to stabilize population. Hence, migration can only complement fertility policies, not replace them.
- Integrated Approach: Combining fertility revival with moderate immigration and social reforms offers the most realistic path to maintaining demographic stability.
Conclusion
South Korea’s demographic future hinges on reversing fertility decline through bold social policies, while cautiously leveraging migration and longevity gains.
INDIA ROAD ACCIDENT FATALITIES
TOPIC: (GS2) GOVERNANCE: THE HINDU
Recently, India’s road accident fatalities came into news as official figures for 2024 showed discrepancies between reports released by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), raising concerns over data consistency and reliability for policy planning.
Sources of Road Accident Data
- Police records: Primary source, as police are first responders.
- MoRTH data collection: Through its Transport Research Wing (TRW), using formats under the UNESCAP Asia-Pacific project.
- Information gathered: Accident identification, road conditions, vehicles, driver details.
- Shift to eDAR/iRAD: Designed for real-time reporting, but state-level delays persist.
- NCRB data: Compiled via State Crime Record Bureaus (SCRBs), District Crime Record Bureaus (DCRBs), and local police stations.
Legal Basis of Road Accident Data Recording
- Section 106 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita: Fatal road accidents caused by negligence are registered under this section (earlier covered under IPC Section 304-A).
- WHO Global Practice: Nearly half of the countries worldwide rely primarily on police data for accident reporting.
Reasons for Discrepancies
- Different reporting channels: NCRB (Home Ministry) vs MoRTH (coordination with States).
- Mandatory reporting bias: Police must report to NCRB, but MoRTH depends on state cooperation.
- Data limitations: TRW formats restrict details, leading to gaps.
- Under-reporting risks: Victims dying after 30 days often not updated.
- Subjective bias: Police judgments may affect accuracy.
- Persistent challenges: Despite eDAR/iRAD, states report inconsistently.
India’s Global Position
- India has the highest total fatalities worldwide, followed by China and the USA.
- Countries like Iran report higher per capita death rates.
- Several developing nations (Pakistan, Nigeria, Ethiopia, China) show lower per capita fatality rates compared to India.
Measures to Improve Data Accuracy
- Unified Reporting System: Establish a single national platform integrating police, transport, and health departments to ensure consistency.
- Real-time Digital Tools: Strengthen use of e-DAR/iRAD systems with mandatory updates from all states to reduce delays and mismatches.
- Standardized Formats: Adopt uniform templates across ministries and states for accident reporting to avoid variation in categories and definitions.
- Health Department Integration: Include hospital and emergency care data to capture fatalities occurring after the accident, reducing under-reporting.
Conclusion
Reliable statistics are essential for effective policy design, infrastructure planning, and enforcement strategies. Strengthening real-time reporting systems, harmonising data channels, and reducing under-reporting are critical to addressing India’s road safety crisis.
