GPS SIGNAL INTERFERENCE: GROWING RISKS TO GLOBAL AIR AND SEA SAFETY
TOPIC: (GS3) SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: INDIAN EXPRESS
Multiple incidents involving air and sea transport, including a forced landing of a Delhi-Jammu flight and maritime collisions, have been linked to GPS interference. This interference, rising in frequency, threatens the safety of civil and military transportation systems globally.
What is GPS?
- GPS is a satellite-based system that helps determine the exact location of a person or object anywhere on Earth using signals from satellites.
- It uses a network of at least 24 satellites orbiting the Earth to provide real-time position and time information.
Example of GPS in Use:
- When you use Google Maps to find directions to a restaurant, GPS tracks your location and helps you navigate the best route in real-time.
What is GPS Interference?
- It refers to deliberate disruption of satellite signals using methods like:
- Jamming: Blocking signals with stronger radio transmissions.
- Spoofing: Sending fake signals to mislead navigation systems.
- Impact: Causes confusion in location data, affecting aircraft, ships, and vehicle navigation.
Why It’s a Major Threat:
- Military & Civilian Risks: Can mislead flight paths or ship courses, increasing chances of accidents. Affects emergency landings, refuelling points, or port entries.
- Examples: 700 spoofing cases reported in 2024 alone. Spoofing can also stop traffic or misguide aircraft autopilot systems.
Where Is It Happening?
- Geographic Hotspots: Common in war-sensitive zones like the Middle East, Black Sea, and Red Sea. Areas with increased geopolitical tension or advanced electronic warfare usage.
How Aircraft & Ships Manage the Risk:
- Backup Systems Used:
- Inertial Navigation System (INS): Tracks position using internal sensors like gyroscopes.
- Radio Navigation Tools: Such as VHF Omnidirectional Range and DME.
- Manual Controls: Pilots and captains often rely on visible cues and manual overrides.
India’s Technological Response:
- NavIC System: Developed by ISRO to reduce dependency on GPS. Offers precise location tracking within India and up to 1,500 km around.
- Multi-constellation Navigation: Uses systems like Russia’s GLONASS and the U.S. GPS together to improve signal reliability.
WHAT IS NAVIC?
- NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) is an independent regional navigation satellite system developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
- It provides accurate position and timing information over India and a region extending up to 1,500 km around its borders.
Components of NavIC:
- Operates with a constellation of 7 satellites (3 in geostationary and 4 in geosynchronous orbits).
- Supported by a network of ground stations for tracking, control, and data processing.
Coverage Area:
- Covers the Indian mainland and surrounding areas, including:
- South Asia
- Indian Ocean Region (IOR)
- Parts of the Middle East and Southeast Asia (up to ~1,500 km from Indian borders)
Purpose and Applications:
- Designed for civilian and military use.
- Key uses include:
- Disaster management
- Vehicle tracking and fleet management
- Marine and aerial navigation
- Timing applications in banking and telecom
- Railway signalling and precision agriculture
Strategic Significance:
- Reduces India’s dependence on foreign systems like GPS (USA), GLONASS (Russia), Galileo (EU), and BeiDou (China).
- Enhances national security by ensuring uninterrupted navigation access during military conflicts.
Recent Developments:
- Government is pushing for NavIC integration in smartphones and automobiles.
- Chipset makers like Qualcomm have started supporting NavIC.
- Plans underway to expand NavIC into a global navigation system in the long term.
Conclusion:
GPS interference is a rising cyber threat with serious consequences for global transportation safety. To counter it, countries must invest in independent navigation systems, diversify satellite use, and enhance international coordination.
CHINA'S FERTILISER EXPORT CURBS AND ITS IMPACT ON INDIA'S DAP SUPPLY
TOPIC: (GS3) ECONOMY: INDIAN EXPRESS
China has limited the export of Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP), a key fertiliser, causing supply issues for India ahead of the kharif sowing season. As a result, DAP stocks have dropped, and India has turned to other countries and fertiliser alternatives.
China’s Role in DAP Supply:
- India is highly dependent on imports to meet its fertiliser needs, especially DAP, which is vital for early crop growth.
- With China restricting DAP exports, India faces supply challenges, rising prices, and shifting to alternative fertilisers.
- Until early 2024, China was India’s leading DAP supplier. Between April 2023 and March 2024, China supplied nearly 20 lakh tonnes.
Sudden Export Restrictions: In 2024, China reduced DAP exports citing domestic demand and global price fluctuations. Since January 2025, no DAP has been imported from China.
Impact on Indian Agriculture:
- Reduced DAP Stock: As of June 1, 2025, stock stood at 12.4 lakh tonnes—lower than the 21.6 lakh tonnes available at the same time in 2023 and 2022.
- Farmer Concerns: DAP is essential for root and shoot development during the initial crop growth stage. The shortfall is critical during the sowing period of kharif crops like rice, maize, and cotton.
Diversification of Imports:
- Alternative Sources: India is now importing DAP from Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Russia, Jordan, and the USA. Saudi Arabia became the largest supplier in recent months.
- Geopolitical Disruptions: Earlier DAP price spikes were also influenced by the Ukraine war and reduced supply of phosphoric acid.
Shift to Alternatives – APS & NPKS:
- APS (Ammonium Phosphate Sulphate): Has become India’s third most used fertiliser. Cheaper than DAP, with balanced nutrients like nitrogen, sulphur, and phosphorus.
- NPK Complex Fertilisers: Blends of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium are gaining usage. Useful for crops such as oilseeds, pulses, maize, and sugarcane.
Market Trends and Prices:
- Price Surge: Import price of DAP rose to $780 per tonne in June 2025—significantly higher than previous years. Prices in the local retail market vary between ₹1,350–1,400 per bag.
- Government Measures: Emphasis on timely supply of other fertilisers. Promotion of balanced fertiliser use and customised blends.
Fertiliser Subsidy Issue in India
Rising Subsidy Burden
- In FY 2023-24, India’s fertiliser subsidy was ₹1.75 lakh crore, after hitting a record high of ₹2.25 lakh crore in FY 2022-23 due to global price spikes (especially after the Ukraine war).
- India imports nearly 25-30% of its urea, over 90% of phosphatic (DAP) and 100% of potash (MOP) needs.
- High subsidies strain the fiscal budget, limiting funds for education, health, and infrastructure
Imbalanced Fertiliser Use
- Urea (Nitrogen-based) is heavily subsidised, leading to overuse.
- Ideal N:P:K (Nitrogen: Phosphorus: Potassium) ratio should be 4:2:1, but current usage is around 6.7:2.4:1 (as per Economic Survey 2023).
- This overuse leads to:
- Soil nutrient imbalance
- Declining crop yields
- Environmental damage like nitrate pollution in water
Largest Imported Fertiliser by India:
- The largest imported fertiliser is Urea.
- India is one of the biggest importers of urea globally.
- Urea is subsidised heavily to keep it affordable for farmers, but high imports increase the subsidy burden.
Conclusion:
The DAP supply crunch due to China’s export restrictions has exposed India’s dependency on a single supplier. It also highlighted the importance of diversifying import sources and promoting alternative fertilisers for long-term sustainability in agriculture.
COMMUNITY-LED CONSERVATION IN THE WESTERN GHATS
TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT: INDIAN EXPRESS
The Western Ghats, one of India’s richest ecological regions, is under threat due to poor forest management and outdated data. A shift towards community-led and science-based conservation is urgently needed.
Issues with the Current Forest Management Approach:
- Outdated FSI Data: The Forest Survey of India (FSI) uses coarse-scale and old data to estimate forest cover. This data is often inaccurate and doesn’t reflect the actual ecological conditions on the ground.
- Bureaucratic Neglect: Local concerns, like those of bamboo weavers in Karnataka, are ignored. Efforts by reformist officials like M.Y. Ghorpade were sidelined.
- Monoculture and Misguided Policies: Emphasis on commercial plantations (e.g., eucalyptus, acacia) reduced biodiversity. Use of pesticides in such plantations harmed the forest ecosystem.
NRSC’s Role in Remote Sensing:
- Satish Dhawan’s Initiative (1972): Satellite data from ISRO’s Landsat program was used to study forest cover. The NRSC’s findings contradicted the FSI’s inflated forest cover claims.
- Government Resistance: Despite NRSC’s accurate remote-sensing data showing only ~15% forest cover, the Forest Department continued to rely on outdated FSI figures.
Pachgaon: A Model for Ecological Renewal
- Community Forest Rights (CFR): Pachgaon in Maharashtra received CFR under the Forest Rights Act, 2006. They restored over 1,000 hectares of degraded bamboo forest.
- Sustainable Livelihoods: Residents stopped timber felling and shifted to bamboo harvesting. Bamboo regrowth created long-term income and ecological balance.
- Success Factors: Local participation and ownership. Focus on ecosystem regeneration, not just commercial use.
Industrial Pollution and Resource Misuse:
Grasim Factory Case (1960s):
- Located near Kozhikode, Kerala, it polluted rivers and soil.
- Bamboo was overexploited for rayon production, with chemical waste harming the environment.
- The factory dumped toxic waste like lead and mercury, displacing 1,400 people.
WESTERN GHATS
Geographical Spread:
- The Western Ghats stretch from Gujarat to Kerala, passing through Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
- They are older than the Himalayas and run parallel to the western coast of India.
Ecological Importance:
- Recognised as one of the eight “hottest hotspots” of biodiversity in the world.
- Home to many endemic species of plants, animals, birds, and insects.
- Act as a barrier to the southwest monsoon, causing high rainfall on the windward side and creating rain shadow regions on the leeward side.
UNESCO Status:
- In 2012, 39 sites in the Western Ghats were declared as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO for their ecological significance.
Gadgil Committee (Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel – WGEEP)
- Recommended classifying the entire Western Ghats into Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZ) 1, 2, and 3, with regulated activities based on ecological value.
- Emphasised local community involvement in environmental decisions; suggested Gram Sabhas should have a key role in managing natural resources.
Kasturirangan Committee
- Suggested protecting 37% of the Western Ghats (about 60,000 sq. km) as Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA), balancing development and conservation.
- Proposed excluding inhabited and agricultural areas from the ESA list, unlike Gadgil’s stricter zoning, to reduce resistance from local communities.
Conclusion:
Top-down, data-deficient forest management has failed to protect the Western Ghats. The Pachgaon example proves that community-led, ecologically sound models can both restore biodiversity and support livelihoods. Such approaches must be promoted for sustainable development.
RE-EXAMINING DIGITAL SEARCH POWERS IN THE INCOME-TAX BILL, 2025
TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN POLITY: THE HINDU
The proposed Income-Tax Bill, 2025 introduces a provision allowing tax officials to search a person’s digital presence, raising privacy, legal, and ethical concerns.
Existing Legal Framework:
Section 132 of Income-Tax Act, 1961:
- Currently allows search and seizure of physical spaces (homes, offices, lockers).
- These powers are based on “reason to believe” that the person holds undisclosed income or assets.
What the New Provision Proposes:
- Expands searches to include “virtual digital spaces” like:
- Emails, social media accounts, cloud storage, encrypted messaging apps (e.g., WhatsApp).
- An open-ended definition using the phrase “any other space of similar nature.”
- Also permits bypassing passwords or security codes to gain access to personal devices.
Key Concerns:
- Privacy Violation: Digital platforms hold intimate personal and professional data unrelated to tax matters. Could impact journalists, lawyers, and professionals whose data is confidential.
- Lack of Judicial Oversight: No provision for prior judicial warrant or independent review. Contradicts legal norms of transparency and accountability.
- Risk to Others: Accessing one person’s digital account can expose information about third parties (e.g., contacts, messages, photographs).
Legal & Global Perspectives:
- Indian Context: Supreme Court’s 2023 interim guidelines emphasized need for clear protocols for digital device seizures. In Puttaswamy judgment, the Court laid down the proportionality test to protect the right to privacy.
- Global Examples: Canada: Charter mandates judicial approval for digital searches. USA: Search of digital content requires a warrant; enforcement must follow due process (Riley vs California).
Way Forward:
- Define ‘virtual digital space’ more narrowly and precisely.
- Mandate prior judicial approval and disclosure of reasons for accessing digital data.
- Create remedial mechanisms for individuals wrongly targeted.
- Ensure enforcement respects privacy, necessity, and least-intrusive methods.
RIGHT TO PRIVACY IN THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION
- Not explicitly mentioned in the original Constitution.
- Recognized as a fundamental right by the Supreme Court in 2017 in the landmark Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) vs Union of India case.
- Declared as part of Article 21 – Right to Life and Personal Liberty.
- Also linked to Articles 14 (Right to Equality) and 19 (Freedom of Speech, Expression, etc.).
Justice K.S. Puttaswamy Judgment (2017):
- A 9-judge Constitution Bench unanimously ruled that the right to privacy is a fundamental right.
- Overruled earlier judgments like MP Sharma (1954) and Kharak Singh (1962) which did not fully recognize privacy as a fundamental right.
- Emphasised that privacy includes bodily integrity, personal choices, informational privacy, and protection from surveillance.
Components of Privacy:
- Bodily Privacy – Protection from physical intrusion.
- Decisional Privacy – Autonomy in personal choices (marriage, procreation, sexual orientation).
- Informational Privacy – Control over personal data and information.
Privacy and Data Protection:
- Judgment led to the push for a data protection law.
- Resulted in the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.
Conclusion:
The government must balance enforcement with constitutional freedoms. Expanding digital search powers without safeguards threatens citizens’ privacy and democratic values. A rights-based framework is essential for credible and just digital governance.
FORCED STERILISATIONS DURING THE EMERGENCY:
TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN POLITY: THE HINDU
India is marking the 50th anniversary of the Emergency (1975-77), prompting renewed discussion on the widespread forced sterilisation drive that took place during this period. The campaign has been criticised for its human rights violations, particularly targeting poor and marginalised groups under the guise of population control.
Emergency and Sterilisation Drive
- During the Emergency, sterilisation (popularly known as nasbandi) was carried out on a massive scale.
- Led by Sanjay Gandhi, the campaign moved from voluntary birth control to coercive measures.
- Those most affected were the poor, Dalits, minorities, rural people, and slum dwellers.
Scale of the Campaign
- In 1976-77 alone, India saw around 8.3 million sterilisations, making it one of the largest forced sterilisation drives globally.
- Northern states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan became infamous as the ‘vasectomy belt’.
- In Bihar, even labourers, prisoners, monks, and young men were forcibly sterilised, often without consent.
Human Rights Violations
- People were required to show sterilisation certificates for ration supplies.
- Police raids and power cuts were used to capture men for sterilisation (e.g., Uttawar village in Haryana).
- Incidents like the Muzaffarnagar firing, where 25 were killed, show the extreme repression faced by protesters.
Global Context
- Similar forced sterilisation campaigns occurred in the USA, Sweden, Nazi Germany, Peru, and China.
- These were often justified using eugenics, poverty control, or population policy narratives.
Legacy and Public Memory
- The sterilisation drive became a symbol of state overreach, contributing to the Congress Party’s defeat in the 1977 elections.
- Public outrage was reflected in popular culture, including the film “Nasbandi” (1978).
Conclusion:
The Emergency’s sterilisation campaign remains a reminder of the dangers of unchecked state power, especially when it disregards individual rights and dignity.
DE-LISTING OF INACTIVE POLITICAL PARTIES BY THE ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA (ECI)
TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN POLITY: PIB
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has begun the process to de-list 345 Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs) that have neither contested elections in the past six years nor could be traced at their registered addresses.
Right to Form Political Parties
- Article 19(1)(c) of the Constitution allows all citizens to form associations, including political parties.
- Political parties are voluntary organisations aiming to contest elections and represent citizens.
How Parties are Registered
- Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 lays down the process.
- A political party must submit its constitution to the ECI within 30 days of its formation.
- It must pledge allegiance to the Constitution and uphold democracy, secularism, and national unity.
- The ECI checks for internal democracy and holds the right to register the party as a RUPP.
Benefits of RUPPs
- Tax Benefits: Donations are exempt under Section 13A of the Income Tax Act.
- Symbol Allocation: Can request a common election symbol.
- Campaigning: Permitted 20 star campaigners during elections.
Compliance and Reporting Duties
- Must submit donor details for contributions above ₹20,000.
- Donations above ₹2,000 must be through cheque/bank transfer.
- Non-compliance may lead to loss of tax exemption.
Why De-listing is Being Done
- Of 2,800+ RUPPs, only 750 contested the 2024 elections.
- Many are inactive or non-traceable — termed ‘letter pad parties’.
- ECI cannot de-register parties unless in cases of fraud or unconstitutional activity (as per SC judgment, 2002).
- Such parties misuse tax benefits and election privileges.
Way Forward
- ECI has identified 345 parties for de-listing after verifying their inactivity since 2019.
- Chief Electoral Officers are issuing show-cause notices before action.
- Law Commission (2015) and ECI (2016) have recommended amending laws to empower ECI to de-register dormant parties.
ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA
Article 324 – Superintendence and Control of Elections
What it says:
- Gives the ECI the power to conduct and control elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, and the offices of President and Vice-President.
Why it’s important:
- Empowers ECI to ensure free and fair elections.
- Allows ECI to take independent decisions without government interference.
- ECI can supervise the entire election process — from notifications to counting of votes.
Article 325 – One General Electoral Roll
What it says:
- There will be one electoral roll for every territorial constituency.
- No one shall be excluded from voting based on religion, race, caste, or sex.
Why it’s important:
- Ensures equality in voting rights.
- Prevents discrimination in preparing voter lists.
- Guarantees universal adult suffrage for all citizens above 18 years.
Conclusion
Cleaning the list of non-functional parties is essential to prevent misuse of electoral privileges and public resources. Legal reforms will further strengthen electoral transparency and party accountability.
U.S. VISA POLICY UPDATE
TOPIC: (GS2) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: THE HINDU
The U.S. Embassy in India recently announced that student and exchange visa applicants (F, M, J categories) must now make their social media accounts public to help immigration officers verify their identity.
Social Media Vetting for U.S. Visas
- Social media screening for U.S. visa applicants has been in place since 2019.
- The new rule increases the level of digital monitoring, particularly affecting students and young applicants.
What Applicants Must Do Now
- Visa applicants must list all social media platforms used in the past five years.
- Platforms include Instagram, X (Twitter), Facebook, Reddit, LinkedIn, YouTube, and more.
- All accounts must be made public to allow U.S. authorities to inspect posts, comments, likes, and personal content.
- No official time limit is given, but it is safer to keep accounts public until entry into the U.S.
Why This Change Was Made
- Authorities aim to identify potential risks, especially after recent protests in U.S. universities.
- They want to check if applicants support controversial causes or oppose U.S. policies.
Concerns and Risks
- Young users, including many high-school students, may lose online privacy and face exposure to cybercrimes like stalking, harassment, or identity theft.
- Personal and sensitive content could become publicly accessible, making users vulnerable.
- There are fears of censorship, surveillance, and misuse of digital data.
Legal and Ethical Concerns
- Experts say this requirement compromises digital privacy and freedom of speech.
- Though not legally forced, not complying could lead to visa rejection.
- Critics compare the move to invasive policies seen in authoritarian countries.
Conclusion
The new visa rules raise serious concerns about digital privacy, especially for minors. While meant for security checks, the policy may create risks and unfair pressure on young applicants.
SAGARMALA FINANCE CORPORATION LIMITED (SMFCL)
TOPIC: (GS3) ECONOMY: PIB
The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways has launched the Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL), India’s first NBFC focused entirely on the maritime sector.
About SMFCL
- SMFCL was earlier known as Sagarmala Development Company Limited.
- It has been granted Mini Ratna, Category-I status as a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE).
- Recently, it was officially recognised as a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) by the RBI.
- It is the first NBFC in India dedicated to the maritime sector.
WHAT IS AN NBFC?
- NBFCs are financial companies registered under the Companies Act, 1956/2013.
- They offer loans, credit, and investments, but do not engage in core business like agriculture, trade, or manufacturing.
- Differences from banks:
- Cannot accept demand deposits.
- Not part of payment systems (cannot issue cheques).
- No DICGC insurance for deposits.
Importance of SMFCL
- Supports the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, which aims for a globally competitive maritime sector.
- Will provide customised financial help to ports, MSMEs, startups, and institutions.
- Key focus areas:
- Shipbuilding
- Renewable energy in ports
- Cruise and coastal tourism
- Maritime training and education
- Helps improve logistics, job creation, and blue economy growth.
India’s Maritime Sector
- Handles 95% of trade by volume and 70% by value.
- 12 major ports and 200+ minor ports operate under MoPSW.
- FY24 cargo traffic: 818 million tonnes.
- Supported by 100% FDI, tax benefits, and digital platforms like SAGAR SETU.
- By 2047, India plans to expand its fleet by 1,000 ships to lower freight costs.
Conclusion
SMFCL marks a new step in India’s maritime growth by creating a specialised finance system for the sector. It aligns with long-term goals to make India a strong maritime nation.