PROMOTION AND REGULATION OF ONLINE GAMING ACT, 2025
TOPIC: (GS2) GOVERNANCE: THE HINDU
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 was passed by Parliament and received Presidential assent on August 22, 2025. The law bans all forms of Real Money Games (RMGs) while encouraging e-sports and social gaming.
Background
- Government data shows Indians lose nearly ₹15,000 crore every year in RMGs.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has linked such games to addiction, financial distress, and family disruption.
- States like Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu had already banned online gambling earlier.
Classification of Online Games
E-sports
- Competitive digital games recognised under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.
- Involves participation fees and prize money (e.g., Call of Duty, GTA tournaments).
Social Gaming
- Games for fun, recreation, or education, not involving monetary stakes.
- Government can promote such games under Section 4 of the Act.
Real Money Games (RMGs)
- Games played with fee payments or expectation of money/stakes (coins, credits, tokens).
- Includes Poker, Rummy, Fantasy Cricket, Ludo variants.
- RMGs are now completely banned along with advertisements.
Regulation and Penalties
- Offering or enabling RMGs → Up to 3 years jail, fine of ₹1 crore, or both.
- Advertising RMGs → Up to 2 years jail, fine of ₹50 lakh, or both.
- Offences under the Act are cognisable and non-bailable (BNSS, 2023).
- CERT-IN can block apps/websites; Interpol may be involved for offshore operators.
- No penal action for individual players, only platforms/companies.
- Central government will set up a regulatory authority to register and monitor games.
Government’s Rationale
- RMGs linked to financial fraud, money laundering, tax evasion (₹30,000 crore GST evasion reported).
- Some portals accused of terror funding and defrauding Indians via Chinese apps.
- Algorithms are designed so that users never emerge net winners.
- Act seeks to protect citizens and promote fair, transparent, and safe gaming.
Supreme Court’s Role
- Entries 34 & 62 of the State List place gambling regulation under States, but the Centre has stepped in.
- SC earlier held that Rummy and Fantasy Sports involve skill, not gambling.
- Currently hearing cases on GST disputes, classification of games, and retrospective taxes.
- Critics argue the Act ignores the distinction between games of skill and chance, possibly violating Article 19(1)(g) (Right to Trade/Occupation).
Conclusion
The Act reflects India’s effort to curb the risks of money-driven online gaming while promoting e-sports and recreational social gaming. However, with legal challenges ahead, the Supreme Court’s verdict will be crucial in determining the balance between regulation, industry survival, and constitutional rights.
INDIA–JAPAN TIES: OLD PARTNERS, NEW PRIORITIES
TOPIC: (GS2) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: THE HINDU
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Japan comes at a time of shifting global geopolitics. Japan announced a ¥10 trillion (approx. $68 billion) investment plan in India, while both sides are also looking to upgrade their defence, technology, and economic security cooperation.
Importance of Japan’s Investment Plan
- Japan pledged ¥10 trillion over 10 years to strengthen India’s infrastructure, clean energy, and technology sectors.
- This is one of the largest commitments Tokyo has made to New Delhi, showing long-term trust in India’s growth story.
- Japan is investing in the Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train project, demonstrating both technology transfer and economic collaboration.
- The plan also covers semiconductors, critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, and AI-driven digital cooperation.
Strategic and Security Dimensions
- India and Japan are set to revise their 2008 Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation to reflect current realities.
- A new Economic Security Initiative is being discussed, focusing on resilient supply chains and reducing dependence on China.
- Defence cooperation is likely to expand through maritime security collaboration, technology sharing, and Indo-Pacific stability efforts.
- Both nations emphasise a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific, countering authoritarian influences.
Balancing China and the U.S. Factor
- Modi’s Japan visit is followed by his trip to China for the SCO Summit, signalling India’s ability to engage both a strategic partner (Japan) and a competitor (China).
- With Japan, focus remains on economic and security cooperation; with China, the effort is to manage tensions and explore confidence-building measures.
- The uncertainty of U.S. policy under Trump 2.0 has created doubts about Washington’s reliability.
- The Quad (India, Japan, Australia, U.S.) faces challenges due to uneven U.S. commitment, raising concerns for India and Japan about sustaining Indo-Pacific stability.
Broader Political Message
- Japan is emerging as India’s anchor partner in an uncertain global order.
- While China remains a competitor and the U.S. appears unpredictable, Japan offers consistency, resources, and a shared democratic vision.
- The visit signals India’s flexibility in foreign policy, maintaining balance without losing strategic clarity.
Conclusion
India–Japan ties go beyond economics — they represent a strategic partnership for Indo-Pacific stability. At a time when U.S. commitment looks shaky and China’s trust deficit continues, Tokyo provides India with the most dependable and steady support. The visit reflects that the India–Japan partnership is not just about the past, but about shaping new priorities for the future.
INDIA’S FOSSILS AT RISK OF ILLEGAL SALE ABROAD
TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT: THE HINDU
Recently, palaeontologists in Gujarat discovered the fossil of a giant snake Vasuki indicus (about 47 million years old). Experts have raised concerns that in the absence of a national fossil repository or strong legal safeguards, India’s fossils face theft, vandalism, and illegal sale in international markets.
Significance of Fossils in India
- India’s fossil record includes early plant life, dinosaurs, whale ancestors, and ancient human remains.
- This rich record is due to the subcontinent’s geological history — separation from Gondwanaland and later collision with Asia.
- Fossils provide key evidence for studying evolution of life forms, including horses, whales, and reptiles.
Current Challenges
- Lack of National Repository: Unlike many countries, India does not have a secure and catalogued fossil bank.
- No Specific Law: There are no clear laws to regulate fossil collection, sale, or protection.
- Theft and Vandalism: Many fossils have been stolen from museums and excavation sites.
- Private Hoarding: Several collections remain in private hands, often unsorted and unstudied.
- Commercialisation: Fossils are openly sold online and sometimes fetch millions at international auctions.
Global Context
- Fossils worldwide are increasingly treated as luxury collectibles.
- In 2024, a near-complete stegosaurus fossil was sold for $44.6 million at Sotheby’s auction house in New York.
- Many Tyrannosaurus rex specimens are now in private collections rather than public institutions.
- Even celebrities and wealthy collectors treat fossils as trophies, worsening the scientific loss.
Case Studies from India
- Vasuki indicus Fossil (2024): Found in Panandhro lignite mines, Gujarat, but stored in IIT-Roorkee without long-term security.
- Indohyus Fossil: Once in a private collection, later identified as an ancestor of whales.
- Dinosaur Eggs in Madhya Pradesh: Despite being shifted to a museum, many were stolen in 2013.
- Amateur Custodians: Local enthusiasts like teachers often safeguard fossils, but without institutional support.
Risks for India’s Heritage
- Fossils can easily vanish through smuggling, mismanagement, or neglect.
- Once lost, they cannot be replaced — leading to a permanent gap in earth’s history.
- Heritage theft has already been seen with Indian cultural relics, and fossils may face the same fate.
Way Forward
- Establish a National Fossil Repository with scientific cataloguing.
- Frame legal safeguards against sale, export, or destruction of fossils.
- Encourage community participation while ensuring fossils remain accessible for research and public education.
- Promote international cooperation to recover smuggled fossils.
Conclusion
India’s fossil heritage is a scientific and cultural treasure. Without urgent action through laws, repositories, and awareness, priceless evidence of earth’s evolutionary past could end up as mere collector’s items in foreign markets.
SC ASKS CENTRE TO FRAME RULES ON SOCIAL MEDIA CONDUCT
TOPIC: (GS2) GOVERNANCE: THE HINDU
The Supreme Court has asked the Union government to prepare guidelines on social media behaviour to balance freedom of speech with the dignity of diverse groups. This comes in the backdrop of a case against comedians for making derogatory remarks about persons with disabilities.
Background of the Case
- The case involves stand-up comedians, including Samay Raina, who were accused of mocking persons with disabilities.
- Petitioners argued that such remarks misuse the right to free expression and demean vulnerable groups.
- The court observed that insensitive humour weakens the constitutional goal of mainstreaming marginalized communities.
Court’s Observations
- Commercialisation of Free Speech: Social media influencers often earn from their content, which increases their responsibility not to offend societal groups.
- Impact on Society: Comments on digital platforms can affect sentiments of people, especially persons with disabilities, women, children, elderly, and minorities.
- Freedom vs. Harm: The Bench clarified it was not curbing free speech, but expecting a clear line between free expression and harmful content.
- Consequences Needed: Rules must provide proportionate and enforceable consequences for violations, not just token penalties.
- Role of Humour: Judges acknowledged humour as essential in life but stressed it must not cross boundaries of dignity.
Attorney General’s Stand
- Sensitisation First: The Centre said the aim of guidelines will be to educate and sensitise social media users.
- Accountability: Those who cross the line must take responsibility for their content.
- Nature of Speech: Court classified speech into three forms—free speech, commercial speech, and prohibited speech—highlighting that influencers’ content often overlaps between the latter two.
Wider Concerns Raised
- If unchecked, mocking remarks today about disabled persons could tomorrow target women, children, or senior citizens.
- Influencers have a powerful impact on young audiences, making their words carry greater weight.
- Instead of only apologising, they could be used as ambassadors of sensitivity on social platforms to spread awareness.
Conclusion
The Supreme Court’s intervention reflects the need to create a balance between free expression and social responsibility in the digital age. Framing guidelines can help protect vulnerable communities while ensuring that freedom of speech remains intact.
NO RIVERBED MINING NOD WITHOUT SAND REPLENISHMENT STUDY: SC
TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN POLITY: THE HINDU
The Supreme Court has ruled that no clearance for sand mining in riverbeds can be granted without a scientific replenishment study. The judgment upheld an NGT order cancelling environmental clearance for a sand mining project in Jammu & Kashmir.
Key Highlights of the Judgment
- Replenishment Study Mandatory: Scientific assessment of sand availability and replenishment rates must be done before granting approval.
- District Survey Report (DSR): Made essential for identifying sustainable extraction levels.
- Reinforces NGT’s Role: Strengthens the tribunal’s authority in regulating environmental clearances.
- Precedent for Future: Establishes that approvals without replenishment studies are invalid.
Sand Mining in India
- Definition: Extraction of sand from riverbeds, floodplains, beaches, and coasts for construction, industry, and reclamation projects.
- Uses:
- Core input for cement, concrete, roads, and dams.
- Land reclamation and coastal projects.
- Industrial use in glass-making, foundry molds, and silicon industry.
- High demand due to rapid infrastructure growth.
Environmental Impacts of Sand Mining
- Flooding Risk: Changes river flow, erodes banks, and increases chances of floods.
- Damage to Aquatic Life: Increased turbidity harms organisms like corals and fish.
- Loss of Livelihoods: Affects fisheries and dependent communities.
- Water Stress: Sand acts as a sponge that helps recharge groundwater. Over-mining lowers water tables.
- Landscape Degradation: Alters river morphology and reduces ecological balance.
Regulation of Sand Mining in India
- Governed under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act).
- States/UTs have powers to frame rules for mining, transport, and storage of sand.
- Guidelines issued by MoEFCC: Sustainable Sand Mining Guidelines, 2016. Enforcement & Monitoring Guidelines, 2020.
- District Survey Report (2018): Basis for clearance; updated every 5 years.
- Approval Process: Scrutiny by State Expert Appraisal Committees (SEACs).
Significance of the Judgment
- Strengthens Environmental Governance: Ensures that mining is science-based, not arbitrary.
- Protects Ecosystems: Safeguards rivers, groundwater, and aquatic life.
- Institutional Accountability: Empowers NGT and State authorities in monitoring compliance.
- Sustainable Development: Balances construction demand with ecological protection.
Conclusion
The SC’s directive is a landmark for sustainable sand mining in India. By making replenishment studies and DSR mandatory, it prevents unchecked exploitation of rivers, safeguards water security, and enhances environmental accountability. This judgment sets a new benchmark for balancing development needs with ecological responsibility.
INDIA’S UNIQUE DAIRYING MODEL AND ITS CHALLENGES
TOPIC: (GS3) ECONOMY: INDIAN EXPRESS
India has retained its position as the world’s largest milk producer, but recent reports highlight that its low-cost cooperative-led model faces issues of productivity, labour dependence, and climate stress, questioning its long-term sustainability.
India’s Dairy Sector: An Overview
- Largest Global Producer: Contributes nearly 25% of global milk output.
- Production Growth: Rose from 146 million tonnes (2014-15) to 239 million tonnes (2023-24).
- Economic Role: Accounts for 5% of GDP; provides direct livelihood to 8 crore+ farmers.
- Livestock Growth: Expanded at 7.9% CAGR (2014–2021), faster than crop agriculture.
- Per Capita Availability: 471 g/day (higher than world average of 322 g/day).
- Top States: Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh lead production.
Key Weaknesses in the Model
- Low Productivity of Breeds
- Indian cows yield 1.6 tonnes/year vs 7.3 tonnes in EU and 11 tonnes in US.
- Indigenous breeds underperform despite resilience.
- Land & Fodder Shortages
- Unlike New Zealand, India lacks grazing land.
- Heavy reliance on crop residues and purchased feed increases costs.
- Dependence on Low-Cost Labour
- Relies on family and unpaid labour for feeding, cleaning, and milking.
- Rising education and non-farm jobs may reduce this availability.
- Climate Stress & Volatile Markets
- Heat waves cut milk yields, causing price spikes.
- Growth slowed to 3.7% in 2023–24; buffalo milk fell by 16%.
- Post-Harvest Losses
- Inadequate cold storage and processing units cause wastage.
Significance of Dairy in India
- Economic Backbone: Largest agricultural commodity; vital for rural income.
- Nutrition Security: Key source of protein, calcium, and vitamins.
- Export Scope: Growing demand in Asia & Africa for Indian ghee, butter, and milk powder.
- Gender Inclusivity: 35% of dairy cooperative members are women, making it a driver of rural empowerment.
Government Interventions
- Breed improvement through AI, IVF, and genetic conservation.
- National Dairy Plan for productivity enhancement.
- Rashtriya Gokul Mission for indigenous breeds.
- Investments in cold chains, chilling centres, and organized collection systems.
Way Forward
- Raise Productivity: Breed upgrades, better fodder, and balanced cattle nutrition.
- Climate Preparedness: Develop heat-tolerant breeds and expand vaccination.
- Strengthen Infrastructure: Cold storage, processing plants, and supply chains.
- Expand Cooperatives: Cover more farmers under Amul-like models.
- Empower Women Farmers: Targeted training, credit, and leadership roles in cooperatives.
100TH ANNIVERSARY OF VITTHALBHAI PATEL AS FIRST INDIAN SPEAKER
TOPIC: (GS1) MODERN HISTORY: THE HINDU
The All India Speakers’ Conference 2025 was held in New Delhi to commemorate 100 years of Vitthalbhai Patel’s election as the first Indian Speaker (then called President) of the Central Legislative Assembly (CLA) in 1925.
Central Legislative Assembly (CLA)
- Established under the Government of India Act, 1919 (Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms).
- Functioned as the lower house; the Council of State acted as the upper house.
- Formed in 1921 after elections of 1920.
- Composition: 145 members (104 elected, 41 nominated by Governor-General).
- Powers: Debated budget, introduced resolutions, asked questions, and voted on grants.
- Limitation: Governor-General had veto power and could certify bills even without Assembly approval.
- Dissolved on 14 August 1947 with India’s independence; replaced by the Constituent Assembly.
Vitthalbhai Patel: Contributions
- First Indian Speaker (1925–1930): Strengthened the Assembly’s independence from the executive.
- Created the Legislative Department, later adopted by Parliament and State legislatures.
- Earlier Roles:
- Won seat in Bombay Legislative Council (1912).
- Advocated free and compulsory education (1917).
- Entered Imperial Legislative Assembly (1920); known for active participation (asked 62 questions in one session).
- Political Path:
- Disagreed with Gandhi on suspension of Non-Cooperation (1922).
- Co-founded Swaraj Party (1923) to use legislatures for exposing colonial rule.
Legacy
- Regarded as a forerunner of today’s Lok Sabha Speaker.
- His reforms laid the foundation for parliamentary autonomy and impartiality in India’s legislature.
All India Speakers’ Conference 2025: Key Takeaways
- Role of Speaker: Guardian of legislative dignity and neutrality.
- Debate = Democracy: Without free debate, legislatures risk becoming ineffective.
- Objectives of law-making: People’s welfare, inclusive growth, efficiency, and national security.
KILAUEA VOLCANO
TOPIC: (GS1) GEOGRAPHY: INDIAN EXPRESS
Kilauea volcano in Hawaii has resumed erupting, reminding the world of its status as one of the most active volcanoes globally. The event is being closely monitored due to its potential impact on the environment, tourism, and local communities.
About Kilauea
- Location: Situated on Hawaii’s Big Island, inside Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.
- Type: A shield volcano, known for broad, gently sloping sides.
- Eruption Style: Produces effusive lava flows (steady streams of lava) rather than highly explosive eruptions.
- Relation with Mauna Loa: Lies next to Mauna Loa, the world’s largest volcano.
- Activity: Smaller than Mauna Loa but more active; has erupted almost continuously between 1983 and 2018.
VOLCANOES
- Definition: Natural opening in Earth’s crust where magma, gases, and ash escape from the interior to the surface.
- Types of Volcanoes (based on activity):
- Active: Erupt frequently (e.g., Kilauea, Barren Island in India).
- Dormant: Currently quiet but may erupt again (e.g., Mount Vesuvius, Italy).
- Extinct: No eruption for thousands of years; unlikely to erupt (e.g., Deccan Traps, India).
Volcanoes in India
- Active: Barren Island (Andaman & Nicobar Islands) – India’s only active volcano.
- Dormant: Narcondam Island (Andamans).
- Extinct: Deccan Plateau, formed from massive volcanic activity ~65 million years ago.
Conclusion
Kilauea’s eruption highlights the dynamic nature of Earth’s geology. Studying such volcanoes not only helps in disaster preparedness but also improves understanding of plate tectonics and landform evolution.