DPDP Act, 2023 and DPDP Rules, 2025

For Prelims: Draft Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, 2025, Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, Right to Privacy, Article 21, KS Puttaswamy Judgment, General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), Data Protection Board of India (DPBI), Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal, Data Fiduciary, MSMEs.    

For Mains: Data privacy and data protection law in India, Key provisions of Data Protection Act 2023 and Draft Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, 2025. 

Source: HT 

Why in News? 

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) invited public feedback on the Draft Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, 2025 for implementing the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023. 

• Currently, stakeholder input is under review, and the final rules are expected to be enforced soon. 

What is the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023? 

• About: It is India’s first comprehensive data protection law, offering a legal framework for handling digital personal data, with the goal of safeguarding individual privacy while permitting lawful data processing.  
  • Enacted nearly 6 years after the Supreme Court's 2017 KS Puttaswamy judgment recognizing privacy as a fundamental right under Article 21, the Act is inspired by global frameworks like the EU’s General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) to outline privacy and data protection obligations. 
• Applicability: The Act applies to digital personal data processed within India, whether collected digitally or digitized later, and to data processing outside India if done for offering goods or services in India. 
  • It does not apply to personal data used for personal purposes or data made public by the Data Principal or under a legal obligation. 
• Consent: Personal data can be processed only for a lawful purpose with the consent of the Data Principal, who may withdraw consent anytime. For children or persons with disabilities, it must be given by a parent or legal guardian. 
  • Under Section 9 of the DPDP Act, 2023, verifiable parental consent is mandatory before processing children's data, and it prohibits harmful processing and advertising targeting minors under 18 years. 
  • Any user below the age of 18 has been defined as a child under the Act. 
  • Consent is not required for legitimate uses like government services or medical emergencies. 
• Rights and Duties of Data Principal: Data Principals (individuals whose personal data is being processed) have the right to access information, request correction or deletion, seek grievance redressal, and nominate a representative in case of death or incapacity. 
  • They must avoid false complaints or information, with violations punishable by a fine up to Rs 10,000. 
• Obligations of Data Fiduciaries: Data Fiduciaries (entity or organization that collects, stores, processes, or uses personal data of an individual) must ensure data accuracy, implement security measures to prevent breaches, and notify the DPBI and affected individuals if a breach occurs. 
  • They are also required to erase personal data once its purpose is fulfilled and retention is no longer legally necessary. 
• Significant Data Fiduciaries (SDF): The Central Government may designate certain Data Fiduciaries as SDF based on factors like data volume, sensitivity, risk to individual rights, and threats to national security, sovereignty, democracy, and public order. 
  • SDFs have extra duties, including appointing a Data Protection Officer, an independent auditor, and conducting impact assessments. 
• Exemptions: Rights of the data principal and obligations of data fiduciaries (except data security) will not apply in specified cases, including: 
  • For notified agencies, in the interest of security, sovereignty, public order, etc. 
  • For research, archiving or statistical purposes. 
  • For start-ups or other notified categories of Data Fiduciaries. 
  • To enforce legal rights and claims; or Prevention and investigation of offences 
  • To perform judicial or regulatory functions; 
  • To process in India personal data of non-residents under foreign contract. 
• Data Protection Board of India (DPBI): The Act provides for the establishment of the DPBI by the Central Government, with members appointed for two years and eligible for reappointment. 
  • Its functions include monitoring compliance, imposing penalties, handling data breach responses, hearing grievances, and appeals can be made to the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal.

Note: Section 44(3) of the DPDP Act amends Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act, removing the "larger public interest" test.  Now, government bodies can withhold personal information under RTI requests without considering public benefit, simply by labeling it as personal data. 

What are the Key Provisions of the Draft DPDP Rules, 2025? 

• Data Transfer: The rules allow the transfer of certain personal data outside India, as approved by the government. 
• Data Erasure: Data retention is allowed for up to three years from the last interaction with the Data Principal or the effective date of the rules, whichever is later. 
  • The Data Fiduciary must notify the Data Principal at least 48 hours before erasure. 
• Digital-First Approach: The rules also prescribe a "digital by design" Data Protection Board of India (DPBI) for consent mechanisms and grievance redressal, for faster resolution of complaints and grievances online. 
• Graded Responsibilities: Graded responsibilities cater to startups and MSMEs with lower compliance burden, while Significant Data Fiduciaries have higher obligations. 
  • Digital platforms with a large number of users such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Amazon, Flipkart, Netflix, etc, will qualify as significant data fiduciaries. 
• Consent Managers: The digital platform may also collect consent through consent managers. 
  • A Consent Manager must be an Indian company with a minimum net worth of Rs 2 crore, responsible for managing the collection, storage, and use of user consent in data privacy and digital interactions.

What are the Key Concerns Associated with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act? 

• Excessive State Exemptions: The Act grants many exemptions to the State, enabling data collection, processing, and retention beyond necessity, potentially violating the fundamental right to privacy. 
• Absence of Crucial Data Rights: The Act omits essential rights like the right to data portability (to obtain and transfer one’s personal data). 
• Unrestricted Cross-Border Data Flow: It permits free transfer of personal data to most countries, with restrictions only at the discretion of the government—raising data security and sovereignty concerns. 
• Lack of Harm Prevention Measures: The legislation fails to explicitly address harms such as identity theft, financial fraud, or discriminatory profiling, leaving data principals vulnerable. 

What Measures Can be Adopted to Strengthen DPDP Act, 2023? 

• Clarify Exemption Provisions: Provide clear definitions for terms like sovereignty and integrity of India and establish a transparent process for granting exemptions under the DPDP Act, 2023 
• Promote Bilateral Data Agreements: Support bilateral and multilateral agreements to facilitate safe data exchange, rather than adopting restrictive or isolationist policies. 
• Ensure Regulatory Flexibility: Develop a dynamic and adaptive regulatory framework that evolves with emerging technologies and new privacy challenges 
  • Form a specialized task force to proactively identify risks associated with AI and co-develop responsive data protection strategies. 
• Adopt Global Best Practices: Integrate lessons from international models such as the EU-US data privacy framework to ensure secure and trusted cross-border data flows. 

Evolution of Right to Privacy in India 

• AK Gopalan Case, 1950: The Supreme Court rejected the argument regarding the right to privacy. 
• Kharak Singh Case, 1962: It was the first instance where the Supreme Court of India granted relief based on the Right to Privacy, though it did not formally recognize it as a fundamental right at the time. 
• A.P. Shah Committee 2011: It recommended comprehensive privacy legislation, proposing a unified law to protect privacy and personal data in both private and public sectors. 
• B.N. Srikrishna Committee 2017: It recommended stronger privacy laws in India, including data processing restrictions, a Data Protection Authority, the right to be forgotten, and data localization. 
• Justice K S Puttaswamy (Retd) vs Union of India Case, 2017: The Supreme Court unanimously affirmed that the right to privacy is a fundamental right inherent to life and liberty under Article 21.

Global Practices on Data Governance 

• European Union(EU): The EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a comprehensive law protecting personal data, recognizing privacy as a fundamental right that safeguards individual dignity and control over personal information 
• China: The Data Security Law (DSL) mandates classifying business data by importance and imposes new restrictions on cross-border data transfers. 
  • The Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL) grants Chinese data principals new rights to prevent the misuse of personal data. 
• United States: The US lacks a comprehensive privacy law like the EU’s GDPR, relying instead on sector-specific regulations. Government data use is governed by broad laws like the Privacy Act, while the private sector follows limited, sector-specific rules. 

Conclusion 

The DPDP Act, 2023 establishes India’s first comprehensive data protection framework, balancing privacy rights with lawful data processing. The 2025 Draft Rules enhance compliance, introduce digital grievance redressal, and permit cross-border data flows, aligning with global standards like the EU’s GDPR while addressing local needs. 

Drishti Mains Question:

Discuss the significance of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 in safeguarding the fundamental right to privacy under Article 21.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ) 

Prelims 

Q. ‘Right to Privacy’ is protected under which Article of the Constitution of India? (2021) 

(a) Article 15 

(b) Article 19 

(c) Article 21 

(d) Article 29 

Ans: (c) 

Q. Right to Privacy is protected as an intrinsic part of Right to Life and Personal Liberty. Which of the following in the Constitution of India correctly and appropriately imply the above statement? (2018) 

(a) Article 14 and the provisions under the 42nd Amendment to the Constitution. 

(b) Article 17 and the Directive Principles of State Policy in Part IV. 

(c) Article 21 and the freedoms guaranteed in Part III. 

(d) Article 24 and the provisions under the 44th Amendment to the Constitution. 

Ans: (c) 

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Mains

Q. Examine the scope of Fundamental Rights in the light of the latest judgement of the Supreme Court on Right to Privacy. (2017) 

Q. Describe the context and salient features of Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023.(2024)

Women in Indian Armed Forces

For Prelims: Military Nursing Service, Indian Army Medical Corps, Indian Air Force, Agnipath scheme 

For Mains: Gender Equality and Women Empowerment in India’s Defence Forces, Challenges of Integrating Women in Combat Roles

Source: PIB 

Why in News?  

For the first time in Indian military history, 17 women cadets graduated from the National Defence Academy (NDA), marking a historic step toward gender-inclusive military leadership and opening the path for future women service chiefs. 

How did the Entry of Women in the Indian Armed Forces Begin? 

• Early Military Roles for Women: Women first joined military service through the Military Nursing Service established in 1888, and later through the Indian Army Medical Corps in 1958, where women doctors received regular commissions. 
• Non-Medical Entry: Non-medical roles for women began only in 1992 with the introduction of the Women Special Entry Scheme (WSES), which inducted women as Short Service Commission officers in select non-combat branches such as the Army Education Corps, Corps of Signals, Intelligence Corps, and Corps of Engineers. 
• Legal Framework: Entry of women into the Indian Army was initially governed by Section 12 of the Army Act, 1950, which allowed women to serve only in specific corps or branches as notified by the government. 
  • The government issued notifications allowing women officers in branches like the Army Postal Service, Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) department, Army Education Corps (AEC), Ordnance Corps, and Service Corps, initially for five years, and later extended to more branches, including the Corps of Engineers and the Regiment of Artillery. 
• Transition from WSES to SSC: Initially, women joined under the WSES as Short Service Commission officers.  
  • In 2005, the Short Service Commission (SSC) system was introduced, offering a 14-year tenure to women officers and marking a more formalized career structure. 
• Permanent Commission (PC) and Judicial Intervention: Women were first granted Permanent Commission in 2008 in limited branches like JAG and AEC. 
  • In Babita Puniya v. Union of India (2020), the Supreme Court mandated PC for women in all arms where SSC is permitted, allowing them to hold command positions.  
    • The Court held that denying PC to women violated Article 14 and struck down sex-based discrimination as unconstitutional.  
  • In 2015, the Indian Air Force began the experimental induction of women in combat roles, which was institutionalized as a permanent scheme in 2022. 
  • Women cadets were also inducted into the NDA from 2022, marking a legally backed and progressive inclusion of women in core military roles. 
• Women Agniveers: The Agnipath scheme (launched in 2022)  includes women recruits in all three Services (Army, Navy, and Air Force), signaling a paradigm shift in recruitment norms. 
• Current status of Women in Armed Forces: In India’s over one million-strong Army, women comprise only about 4% of the force, compared to 16% in the US. 
  • Women have been inducted at the soldier level in the Corps of Military Police, and around 1,700 women officers currently serve across various arms and services. 
  • The Indian Air Force began inducting women as fighter pilots in 2016 and now allows women in all combat roles. 
  • Since 2022, the Navy has opened all branches, including submarines and aviation, to women officers, with several already serving onboard ships and in combat aviation roles. 
  • Women officers, including Col. Sofiya Qureshi and Wg Cdr. Vyomika Singh played a key role in Operation Sindoor, highlighting their leadership in military strategy. 
  • Lt. Cdrs. Dilna K and Roopa A completed Navika Sagar Parikrama II, a 25,600-nautical-mile expedition, proving women's endurance in maritime defense.

Note: The Indian Armed Forces offers two main pathways for officers. The SSC provides a limited service tenure, typically 10 years with an option for a 4-year extension, while PC grants a career-long commitment until retirement. The Supreme Court has directed that women officers, regardless of their years of service, should be eligible for PC. 

What are the Challenges Faced by Women in the Armed Forces? 

• Physical Demands and Training Standards: Combat roles often require high physical endurance and strength, which can be challenging given biological differences and current training regimes. 
  • Sometimes training standards differ for men and women, raising debates about equality versus operational effectiveness. 
• Cultural and Societal Bias: A significant portion of armed forces personnel hail from conservative, rural backgrounds where traditional gender roles are deeply ingrained. 
  • Such mindsets can lead to prejudice and resistance against women officers, especially in leadership roles, with stereotypes undermining their authority, morale, and career growth, ultimately affecting unit cohesion and discipline. 
• Limited Combat Role Opportunities: Despite the 2020 Supreme Court ruling granting PC to women, they are still barred from certain frontline combat arms such as infantry, armored corps, and special forces in the Army. 
  • This exclusion limits access to key combat experience, which is a major criterion for higher command and strategic leadership roles. 
  • As a result, the glass ceiling limits women’s career progression, reducing their representation in top ranks and decision-making positions. 
• Work-Life Balance and Family Constraints: Issues related to marriage, pregnancy, and childcare can affect women’s career continuity and deployment options. 
  • Lack of adequate policies for maternity leave, childcare facilities, and spousal support remains a concern. 
  • Women make up less than 2% of India’s central paramilitary forces but account for over 40% of suicides. Despite not being deployed in combat roles, women face extreme stress, often linked to marital discord and balancing family with duty.  
• Psychological and Emotional Pressures: Operating in predominantly male environments can create feelings of isolation and additional stress. Women may face scrutiny for their decisions and behavior, leading to emotional burnout. 
• Infrastructure and Facilities: Limited access to gender-sensitive health care and counseling, coupled with inadequate separate accommodation, sanitation, and hygiene facilities in some units, especially in field or remote postings.

How can Gender Equality and Operational Effectiveness Be Balanced in Armed Forces? 

• Training and Sensitization: While recognizing physiological differences, training should be equitable, with operational requirements being met through role-specific standards rather than blanket criteria. 
  • All ranks must undergo training to address unconscious bias and foster a culture of mutual respect and teamwork. 
  • Establish clear, gender-neutral criteria for command roles based on physical, mental, and leadership competencies; ensure rigorous, standardized training. 
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Establish a Gender Equality Index within the military to monitor participation, retention, promotion, and command appointments. 
• Promoting Role Models and Representation: Celebrating the achievements of officers like Captain Shiva Chouhan (first woman posted at Siachen) or Flight Lieutenant Avani Chaturvedi (IAF fighter pilot) helps inspire change and normalize women's leadership in uniformed services. 
• Leveraging International Best Practices: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) employs a mixed-gender battalion model, assigning roles based on individual capability. The US military uses role-specific physical tests and has integrated women into nearly all combat roles since 2015.  
  • India should adapt these models while considering its unique socio-cultural and strategic context. 
  • Military exercises provide a valuable platform for gaining experience from other countries. By deploying women in peacekeeping operations, armed forces can enhance their skills and promote gender equality.  
    • India is the first country to deploy an all-women Formed Police Unit to a peacekeeping mission (United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL)) from 2007 to 2016. 
• Cultural Sensitization: Implement programs like gender sensitisation camps, inter-unit competitions, and mentorship initiatives to foster acceptance of women leaders.  
  • These efforts promote a professional, respectful environment and help break stereotypes. Such measures enhance teamwork and operational effectiveness in the armed forces. 
  • Additionally, integrate themes of gender equality and the role of women in the Armed Forces into school curricula under the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020, to educate children from an early age and encourage young girls to aspire for careers in the military. 
• Balancing Security and Equality: Prioritize national security by making decisions grounded in operational efficiency while progressively advancing gender equality. 
• Addressing the Infrastructure Issues: Provide women’s toilets with biodegradable options and sanitary pad vending machines.  
  • Creche facilities and regular counseling sessions can support women personnel’s well-being and work-life balance. These measures create a safer, more inclusive environment essential for gender equality. 

Conclusion 

India’s journey toward inclusive armed forces is a reflection of growing national strength and the resolve to empower Nari Shakti in every sphere of public service. A confident, capable, and inclusive military leadership will be essential for Aatmanirbhar Bharat in the years to come. 

Drishti Mains Question:

What are the challenges faced by women in the Indian Armed Forces, and how can these be addressed while maintaining operational effectiveness? 

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ) 

Mains 

Q. What are the continued challenges for Women in India against time and space? (2019)

Q. Discuss the desirability of greater representation to women in the higher judiciary to ensure diversity, equity and inclusiveness. (2021)

World Environment Day 2025

For Prelims: World Environment Day, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, Aravalli Green Wall Project, United Nations General Assembly, Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment, Microplastics, Aravali Mountain Range, Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas, Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2024, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), Single-use Plastics (SUPs), Pyrolysis.         

For Mains: World Environment Day, Plastic pollution and its implication on environment and human health, Measures needed to combat plastic pollution. 

Source: IE 

Why in News? 

World Environment Day (WED) 2025 is being celebrated on 5th June 2025, with South Korea (Republic of Korea) serving as the global host. 

• Additionally, the Prime Minister will plant a Banyan sapling under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative as part of the ‘Aravalli Green Wall project’. 

What is World Environment Day 2025? 

• About: WED was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972, coinciding with the opening day of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment—the first major global summit focused on environmental issues.  
  • The event has been led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), since its inception in 1973. 
  • This landmark conference marked a turning point in the global environmental movement. 
• Theme: The theme "Beat Plastic Pollution," aims to raise awareness about the production, use, and disposal of plastics, and promote solutions like refusing, reducing, reusing, and recycling plastic use.  
• Significance: Plastic pollution worsens pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change. Annually, 11 million tonnes of plastic enter water bodies, while microplastics from landfills and sewage pollute soil. 
  • The global cost of plastic pollution is estimated at USD 300–600 billion per year. India produces approximately 9.3 million tonnes of plastic waste each year, accounting for nearly 20% of the global total. 
  • Burning over 5.8 million tonnes yearly releases toxic pollutants. 

‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ Campaign 

• About: It aims to honor mothers by encouraging tree planting in their names, combining environmental conservation with a tribute to motherhood, symbolizing how mothers, like trees, nurture and sustain life. 
  • It was launched by the Prime Minister on World Environment Day, 5th June, 2024. 
• Objective: To promote environmental preservation, increase forest cover, and support sustainable development while honoring mothers. 
• World Record Achievement: On 22nd September 2024, 128 Infantry Battalion & Ecological Task Force of the Territorial Army planted over 5 lakh saplings in one hour in Jaisalmer. 

Aravali Green Wall Project 

• About: It aims to establish a 1,400 km long and 5 km wide green belt buffer around the Aravalli Mountain range, spanning the states of Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi.  
  • It is inspired by Africa’s ‘Great Green Wall’ project, which stretches from Senegal in the west to Djibouti in the east and was launched in 2007. 
• Objectives: It aims to combat land degradation and the eastward spread of the Thar desert by creating a green belt from Porbandar to Panipat along the Aravalli range.  
  • This afforestation effort will restore degraded land, block desert dust from western India and Pakistan, enhance biodiversity, and improve ecosystem services like carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat, and water quality.  
• Need: According to the Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas by ISRO, 97.85 million hectares (29.7%) of India’s total geographical area (328.72 mha) experienced land degradation in 2018-19.  
  • The Aravali is a key degraded zone targeted for greening under India’s goal to restore 26 million hectares of land. 

What are the Main Causes of High Plastic Pollution in India? 

• High Plastic Consumption: India generates about 3.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with a per capita plastic consumption of around 11 kg per year, driven by rising industrialization and consumerism.  
  • Consequently, India ranks among the top 10 plastic-polluting countries globally. 
• Poor Waste Management: Only 15-20% of plastic waste is recycled in India, while the remaining waste ends up in landfills, water bodies, or is burned. 
  • Most recycling is informal, with 90% carried out by waste pickers working in unsafe conditions. 
• Domination of Single-Use Plastics: In 2023, nearly 43% of India’s total plastic waste—about 4.07 million tonnes—was single-use plastic. Despite bans in some states, enforcement remains weak, and alternatives are often expensive or unavailable. 
• Plastic Waste in Rivers & Oceans: Three of the world’s top ten rivers carrying 90% of plastic waste—the Ganga, Indus, and Brahmaputra—are in India. The country contributes 0.6 million tonnes of plastic waste to the oceans annually. 
• Rapid Urbanization: Waste from Tier 1 cities accounts for 72.5% of India’s daily waste. In cities like Bengaluru and Mumbai, where daily waste exceeds 9,000 tonnes, plastic pollution reflects a structural failure in planning, design, and governance.  
  • Many consumers and small businesses lack awareness of sustainable alternatives and proper disposal methods. 

What are the Issues Associated With Mismanaged Plastic Waste in India? 

• Environmental Degradation: Plastic waste in landfills releases toxic chemicals like phthalates and Bisphenol A (BPA) into soil, affecting agriculture. 
  • Burning plastic emits dioxins and heavy metals, contaminating farmland.  
  • Microplastics in rivers harm aquatic species, while stray animals, and marine species ingest plastic, leading to intestinal blockages and death.  
• Public Health Risks: Each year, 5.8 million tonnes of plastic waste are openly burned across India, mainly in rural areas and urban slums, releasing carcinogens like dioxins and furans.  
  • Microplastics have been found in Indian table salt, seafood, and drinking water. 
  • Additionally, clogged drains from plastic waste create stagnant water, worsening malaria and dengue outbreaks. 
• Economic Costs: A FICCI report estimates India could lose over USD 133 billion in material value from plastic packaging by 2030, with USD 68 billion lost due to uncollected plastic waste. 
  • Plastic-littered beaches deter tourists, harming coastal economies. Municipal corporations spend Rs 1,500–2,000 crore annually on drain cleaning.  

What are the Regulations Related to Plastic Waste Management in India? 

• Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016  
• Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022   
• Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2024 
• Swachh Bharat Mission  
• India Plastics Pact  

What Steps can be Taken to Strengthen Plastic Waste Management  in India? 

• Strengthen Policy & Enforcement: Enforce the 2022 ban on single-use plastic items with strict penalties for violators. 
  • Ensure compliance with the 2022 Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) rules, mandating FMCG and e-commerce brands to collect and recycle their plastic waste. 
• Improve Waste Management Infrastructure: India's plastic waste recycling rates have dropped sharply from 60% to as low as 15–20%, highlighting the need for more Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs).  
  • Integrating waste pickers into formal systems with fair wages and safety gear—as seen in Pune’s SWaCH cooperative—can improve efficiency.  
• Reduce Plastic Use & Promote Alternatives: Impose higher taxes on single-use plastics (SUPs) and promote sustainable alternatives. Encourage use of bamboo/cloth bags, edible cutlery (e.g., millet-based spoons), and biodegradable packaging (e.g., Ecoware’s plant-based containers). 
• Public Awareness & Behavioral Change: The Swachh Bharat Mission should integrate plastic waste awareness through community and school programs.  
  • Campaigns like “Plastic Lao, Thaila Pao” in Delhi offer groceries in exchange for plastic waste.  
  • Schools should teach the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), as done in Gujarat’s "Plastic Waste Free Schools" initiative. 
• Technological & Innovative Solutions: Pyrolysis plants like Pune’s Rudra Environmental Solutions convert non-recyclable plastic into diesel, offering a sustainable disposal method.  
  • Additionally, India has constructed over one lakh kilometres of roads using plastic waste across at least 11 states, showcasing an innovative reuse approach. 

Conclusion 

World Environment Day 2025 highlights the urgent need for global and local action against plastic waste. India’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign and the Aravalli Green Wall project showcase its commitment to sustainability, but stronger policies, public participation, and innovation are crucial to effectively combat plastic pollution and environmental degradation.

Drishti Mains Question:

Discuss the socio-economic impact of mismanaged plastic waste in society. What policy measures can be adopted to address this issue?

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)  

Prelims 

Q.1 In India, ‘extend producer responsibility’ was introduced as an important feature in which of the following? (2019)  

(a) The Bio-medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998  

(b) The Recycled Plastic (Manufacturing and Usage) Rules, 1999  

(c) The e-Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011  

(d) The Food Safety and Standard Regulations, 2011  

Ans: (c)  

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Mains 

Q. What are the impediments in disposing of the huge quantities of discarded solid waste which are continuously being generated? How do we safely remove the toxic wastes that have been accumulating in our habitable environment? (2018)

Khichan and Menar as New Ramsar Sites

Source: PIB 

The Khichan (Phalodi) and Menar (Udaipur) wetlands in Rajasthan have been declared Ramsar Sites, bringing India's total to 91, the highest in Asia. 

• Khichan is famous for hosting thousands of migratory Demoiselle cranes, while Menar (Bird Village), is recognized for its community-led bird conservation efforts. 
• Rajasthan now has 4 Ramsar Sites, including Sambhar Lake (Nagaur & Jaipur) and Keoladeo Ghana National Park (Bharatpur). 
• About Wetlands: They are areas of marsh, fen, peatland, or water (natural or artificial) with water that is static or flowing, including marine areas with a depth not exceeding six meters. 
  • Wetlands are ecotone, having land transitional between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. 
• About Ramsar Convention: It was adopted in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, and provides a global framework for wetland conservation and wise use. India joined it in 1982. 
  • The Montreux Record (threatened list) lists wetlands with deteriorating ecological character due to human activity or pollution. India has two wetlands in the Montreux Record: 
    • Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan (1990): A UNESCO World Heritage Site. 
    • Loktak Lake, Manipur (1993): The largest freshwater lake in Northeast India, known for its Phumdis (floating masses of vegetation, soil, and organic matter). 
  • Chilika Lake was included in the Montreux Record in 1993 but was removed in 2002 (first site from Asia). 

Read More: Strengthening Wetland Protection 

Industrial Iron Pollution Disrupts Ocean Nutrient Cycles

Source: TH 

A study finds that industrial iron pollution depletes ocean nutrients and disrupts marine ecosystems, posing major ecological risks. 

• Human-released iron boosts spring phytoplankton blooms and accelerates nutrient loss, worsening ocean nutrient depletion amid climate change.  
  • These threaten the entire marine food chain, from zooplankton to whales, especially affecting species unable to migrate or adapt. 
  • Phytoplankton are microscopic algae with chlorophyll that need sunlight to grow and form the base of the marine food chain, but excess nutrients can trigger toxic harmful algal blooms (HABs) affecting marine life and humans. 
• India's Iron and Steel Sector Emissions:  India’s iron and steel industry contributes 5% to national GHG emissions. 
  • The iron and steel industry causes significant pollution due to the use of coal and iron ore. Furnace operations release sulphur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon dioxide (CO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). 
  • Additionally, it generates wastewater, hazardous waste, and solid waste, leading to air, water, and soil pollution.

Read more: India’s Steel Sector 

Lady’s-Slipper Orchid

Source: Independent 

The Lady’s Slipper orchid, once believed to be extinct in the UK for nearly a century due to over-collection, was rediscovered in 1930 when a single plant was found. It has now been spotted growing naturally in the wild again in England. 

 

Lady’s Slipper Orchid 

• Taxonomy: It belongs to the subfamily Cypripedioideae (Orchidaceae) and known for their distinctive slipper-shaped labellum that aids pollination by trapping insects. 
• Species & Distribution: 
  • Of the 5 global genera (Cypripedium, Mexipedium, Paphiopedilum, Phragmipedium, Selenipedium), Cypripedium and Paphiopedilum occur in India, primarily in the Himalayan states (J&K, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh) and the Northeast hills. 
  • Its species are found in boreal, temperate, and tropical regions of Europe, Asia, and North America. 
• Habitat & Ecology: Grow in moist, shady, boreal, cool temperate forests and alpine zones of Europe, Asia, and North America. It requires humus-rich, well-drained soils. 
  • Some species like C. guttatum and C. passerinum in Alaska sprout under snow. 
• Threats & Conservation: Declined due to overcollection, medicinal use, habitat loss, and failed transplantation. They are difficult to cultivate due to specific soil and fungal needs. 
  • Conservation in India is led by the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) and other institutions through in-situ and ex-situ conservation, tissue culture propagation, and habitat restoration. 
• Conservation Status 
  • CITES: Appendix I & II  
  • IUCN Red List: Critically endangered/ Endangered  
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule III 

Read More: Rare Orchids in India 

BharatGen: India’s First AI Multimodal LLM

Source: PIB 

The Union Minister of State (IC) for Science & Technology launched “BharatGen LLM” at the BharatGen Summit 2025. 

BharatGen 

• About: It is India’s first indigenously developed, government-funded Multimodal Large Language Model (LLM) in 22 Indian languages. 
  • Multimodal LLMs are large language models trained on diverse data types (text, images, audio, and video), enabling them to understand and interpret complex human language and multimedia.  
    • They overcome limitations of unimodal models (such as earlier versions of ChatGPT) by providing cohesive responses across multiple data forms. 
• Developed Under: National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS), implemented by the TIH Foundation for IoT and IoE at IIT Bombay. 
  • NM-ICPS was launched in 2018 by the Ministry of Science and Technology to promote innovation and R&D in Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) and new-age technologies. 
• Objectives: Promote ethical, inclusive, multilingual AI rooted in Indian values, provide region-specific solutions in healthcare, agriculture, education, and governance, and boost rural telemedicine with AI doctors speaking native languages. 

Feature / Aspect	Large Language Models (LLMs)	Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs)	Autoregressive Models (ARMs)
Definition	AI models trained on large text data to generate human-like language	AI models with two networks (Generator & Discriminator) that generate realistic content	Models that predict next value/token based on past sequence
Key Purpose	Text generation, translation, summarization	Image generation, deepfakes, data enhancement	Sequence modeling (text, speech, time-series)
Content Type	Primarily text	Primarily images, videos, or audio	Any sequential data (text, numbers, audio)
Relation to Generative AI	A subset of generative AI for text	A type of generative AI for media content	A technique used in both LLMs and time-series models
Examples	GPT-4, PaLM2, LLaMA	StyleGAN, CycleGAN	GPT, WaveNet, PixelRNN

Read More: Large Language Models, National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems