Current Affairs – July 27-28, 2025

{GS2 – MoIB – Initiatives} Regulation of Obscene and OTT Content in India

Context (TH): The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting blocked ~25 OTT platforms for obscene and indecent representation of women.

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The OTT platforms were blocked due to repeated violations of content laws.
They streamed obscene content, violating Sections 67 and 67A of the IT Act.
Women were indecently portrayed (IRW Act), and obscene acts aired publicly (BNS Section 294).
Platforms reuploaded flagged content after warnings—breaching Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act.

Framework for Regulating OTT Content

Multiple laws govern digital content moderation, obscenity, and accountability.
IT Act Section 67: Prohibits publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form.
- IT Act Section 67A: Penalises online transmission of sexually explicit content.
BNS Section 294: Criminalises selling or distributing obscene materials, including electronic content.
IRW Act: Prohibits indecent representation of women in all media, including OTT.
POCSO Act: Platforms must remove child abuse content & report offences or face criminal liability.

IRW Act: Indecent Representation of Women Act, 1986, bans indecent portrayal of women, with penalties and exceptions for art, science, literature, religion, and certified films.

Government Blocking Powers

IT Act Section 69A: Centre can block online content for security, sovereignty, public order, etc.
Review Safeguard: Blocking must follow IT Rules 2009 and be cleared by a secretary-led committee.

Justice for Rights Foundation Case: SC held OTT regulation is a policy matter, not subject to judicial intervention, and found the IT Act Sections 67/67A sufficient for content oversight.

Safe Harbour and Intermediary Liability

Section 79, IT Act: Provides safe harbour immunity if intermediaries don’t initiate, modify, or knowingly host unlawful content and follow due diligence.
Section 79(3)(b), IT Act: Safe harbour lapses if intermediaries fail to act on flagged content after notice or actual knowledge.

Compliance and Reporting Duties

OTT platforms classified as “significant intermediaries” must comply with structural norms.
Appointments: Chief Compliance, Nodal, and Resident Grievance Officer must be based in India.
Data Duties: Retain user data for 180 days; remove flagged content within 24 hours.
Information Requests: Requests from government agencies must be fulfilled within 72 hours.

Significant Intermediary: Platforms with over 50 lakh users must follow stricter rules, including officer appointments and monthly compliance reports.

Grievance Redressal

IT Rules 2021 mandate a three-tier system – Platform-level resolution, appeal to DPCGC, and final oversight by an Inter-Departmental Committee under MIB.

Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council (DPCGC): Headed by a retired judge, the Council includes a Grievance Board of experts that hears appeals and guides OTTs on the Code of Ethics.

Context (IE): India’s rising export of healthcare workers boosts global ties but heightens concerns over shortages in its domestic health workforce.

Key Trends

Global Demand: WHO projects an 18 million health worker shortfall by 2030; OECD nations face ageing populations and pandemic stress.
Rising Migration: India among top exporters of doctors & nurses to the UK, USA, Canada, & Gulf.
Institutionalised Migration: India and the Philippines promote health worker outflow as an economic strategy through policies and placement agencies.
Push Factors: Low wages, poor working conditions, limited career growth, infrastructure gaps.
Pull Factors: High salaries, better prospects, ageing population, bilateral recruitment agreements.

Domestic Challenges

Healthcare Workers: Despite its global footprint in healthcare exports, India struggles with a low doctor-to-patient ratio and an uneven distribution of professionals between rural and urban areas.
Infrastructure Gaps: Insufficient health education institutions and limited seats restrict domestic capacity-building.
Retention Issues: Poor working conditions and limited incentives lead to a brain drain, with many opting for permanent settlement abroad.

Strategic Opportunities

Medical Diplomacy: India leveraged healthcare worker migration during COVID-19 to deepen ties with Africa and South Asia, strengthening its soft power.
- They enhance India’s global image as the “pharmacy of the world” & a trusted healthcare partner.
Remittances: Migration brings economic and knowledge gains, which can be channelled into national development if properly managed.
Circular Migration: Promoting temporary or rotational migration can mitigate permanent workforce loss while encouraging global exposure and knowledge transfer.

Policy Recommendations

Multilateral Agreements: Enforce agreements ensuring fair recruitment, compensation, and tech transfer per the WHO Global Code
Centralised Agency: Create a single-window body for overseas employment, grievance redressal, and reintegration.
Leverage Telemedicine: Enable “virtual migration” to retain talent while serving global demand.
Regional Collaboration: Build South Asian workforce systems for collective bargaining and capacity building.

{GS2 – IR – Maldives} India-Maldives Relations

Context (IE): PM Modi attended Maldives’ 60^th Independence Day in July 2025 as the Guest of Honour.

A commemorative postal stamp featuring Uru and Vadhu Dhoni boats marked 60 years of diplomatic relations between India and the Maldives.

Uru Boat: The Uru is a traditional wooden dhow handcrafted by Indian artisans in Beypore, Kerala, historically used for maritime trade across the Indian Ocean.
Vadhu Dhoni: It is a traditional Maldivian sailboat used for inter-island travel, typically constructed from coconut timber and without the use of nails.

Key Developments

Historic Participation: PM Modi became the first Indian PM to attend the Maldives’ Independence Day.
Rupee-Based Credit: India extended ₹4,850 crore credit in rupees for bilateral projects.
Debt Relief: India restructured past loans, reducing the Maldives’ repayment burden by 40 per cent.
Trade Talks: Both sides signed Terms of Reference to launch FTA negotiations.
Legislative Forum: An India–Maldives parliamentary Friendship group was formed in the 20th Majlis.
Medical Aid: Arogya Maitri cubes were gifted to boost emergency health response capacity.
Fintech Integration: UPI payments were formalised for use in Maldivian markets.
Housing Delivery: India handed over 3,300 housing units under the Buyers’ Credit facilities.
Fisheries MoU: New pact signed for joint research, aquaculture, and fisheries value-chain support.
Digital Governance: India to share large-scale digital infrastructure platforms for governance support.
Tourism Linkages: Both sides discussed launching direct commercial flights to boost tourism.

Majlis: The People’s Majlis is the unicameral legislature of the Maldives, comprising members elected for five-year terms; the current 20^th Majlis began in 2024.

Strategic Implications

India’s calibrated diplomacy transformed the “India Out” rhetoric into a cautious “India In” narrative, reaffirming its centrality in Maldivian security and development.

IOR Outreach: India reinforced its Indian Ocean presence amid intensifying geopolitical competition.
Digital Diplomacy: Payment system integration showcased India’s expanding soft power in the region.
Civic Engagement: Diaspora events and legislative ties deepened cultural and people-level bonds.
Reliable Partner: India reaffirmed its role as Maldives’ first responder and long-term ally.
MAHASAGAR Vision: The visit advances India’s maritime agenda for security & growth across regions.

Overview of India-Maldives Relations

India’s partnership with Maldives has been defined by a legacy of proximity, strategic responsiveness, and consistent regional stewardship.

Historical Background

Recognition: India was among the first to recognise Maldives after its independence in 1965.
Trade Agreement: A 1981 pact liberalised bilateral trade in essential goods and services.
SAARC Membership: Both nations co-founded SAARC in 1985 to promote regional integration.
Operation Cactus: In 1988, India swiftly intervened to foil a coup attempt in Malé.
Defence Assistance: India has gifted patrol aircraft, helicopters, and radar systems since 2013.
Open Skies Pact: The 2022 agreement expanded bilateral air routes for greater connectivity.

Significance of Maldives for India

Maldives serves as a maritime cornerstone in India’s Indo-Pacific calculus and Indian Ocean outreach.

Strategic Geography: Maldives anchors India’s SAGAR and Neighbourhood First maritime policies.
SLOC Security: Over 50% of Indian trade and 80% of energy imports pass nearby.
Maritime Tollway: Maldives lies between the Hormuz and Malacca straits, vital for Indian Ocean access.
Development Partner: India emerged as Maldives’ largest development partner with ~$1B trade in 2023.
Greater Malé Project: India is funding the ₹ 1,600 crore+ connectivity project to ensure maritime access.

Challenges in India-Maldives Relations

As trust amid turbulence defines current ties, India’s strategic space faces pressure from ideological shifts and external alignments in the Maldives.

Radicalisation: Islamist groups and Pakistan-linked madrassas threaten regional security and stability.
Chinese Footprint: BRI-linked projects like Sinamalé Bridge increase Beijing’s maritime influence.
Non-Traditional Threats: Piracy, drug trade, and illegal fishing impact Indian Ocean security.
India Out Campaign: In 2023, rising nationalism fuelled public calls to remove Indian presence.
Political Volatility: Frequent regime changes hinder long-term strategic alignment with India.
Debt Leverage: Chinese debt exposure limits the Maldives’ foreign policy autonomy regarding India.

{GS3 – IE – Industry} Semiconductor Startups in India

Context (PIB): India’s semiconductor ecosystem is rapidly advancing, driven by the Ministry of Electronics and IT’s (MeitY) Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme and Chips to Startup (C2S).

About Semiconductor

Semiconductors are materials that have conductivity between conductors (full conductors of heat and electricity) and insulators (bad conductors of heat and electricity).
They form the intricate circuits that power our digital world and drive innovations.

Read More > Semiconductor

Key Drivers of Semiconductor Startup in India

Policy Incentives: Schemes like the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) and Chips to Startup (C2S) provide financial and infrastructural support.
Rising Consumption: Expanding markets for electronics, IoT, automotive, and smart devices fuel the need for indigenous chip design.
Skilled Workforce: Availability of skilled engineers & design professionals in electronics & VLSI design.
VC Funding: Startups like Netrasemi and Mindgrove Technologies attracted private investments.
Global Realignment: Strategic Shifts & China+1 strategies make an attractive semiconductor hub.

Challenges in Semiconductor Startup in India

High Investment: Semiconductor fab unit costs billions due to the need for large, advanced facilities.
Operational Demands: Requires uninterrupted power, water, and clean environments.
Raw Scarcity: Key materials, such as silicon and gallium arsenide, must be imported.
Toxic Waste: The semiconductor fabrication process utilises poisonous substances such as arsenic, antimony, and phosphorus, posing significant environmental risks.

Way Forward

Targeted Incentives: Prioritise fiscal support for specific areas, like chip design, testing, & packaging.
Workforce Upskilling: Strengthening education & training programs through Skill India & PMKVY.
Global Partnerships: Strengthen ties with the USA & Taiwan for access to technology & raw materials.
Chain Resilience: Reduce import dependence & diversify sourcing to build a robust, disruption-proof semiconductor supply chain.

{GS3 – Envi – Pollution} Plastic Industry Tactics & India’s Waste Management

Context (TH): Experts warn that plastic companies use tobacco-style tactics such as PR spin, lobbying, and blame-shifting to delay regulation.

For India, the twin challenge is curbing plastic pollution & formalising its vast informal waste workforce.

Plastic Industry’s Strategy

Blame Shift: Like tobacco firms, plastic producers deflect responsibility onto consumers, masking systemic issues.
Misleading Narratives: Recycling was promoted despite known limits, resembling tobacco’s denial tactics to stall regulation.
Greenwashing: Like “light” cigarettes, terms like “biodegradable” or “compostable” mislead consumers, offering a false sense of eco-safety without strict standards.
Weak Standards: Loopholes and poor infrastructure allow corporations to evade accountability despite their eco-friendly branding.

India’s Stand on Plastics: Current Scenario

Informal Sector: Over 70% of recycled plastic in India is collected and processed by informal workers, including ragpickers, sorters, and grassroots recyclers.
Lack of Protection: These workers lack protective gear, legal recognition, and social security, exposing them to toxic fumes and hazardous waste.
Vulnerabilities: They face long-term health risks, unstable incomes, and poor living conditions, often below the poverty line.
Government Interventions:
- NAMASTE Scheme (2024): Aims to formalise informal waste workers through the provision of safety gear, Ayushman Bharat health coverage, and social security access.
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Under the Plastic Waste Management Rules (2016, amended 2022), producers are required to manage the plastic they generate. However, fewer than 50% comply.
Single-Use Plastics: India’s 2022 ban on 19 single-use plastic items covers only 11% of total plastic waste (CSE, 2023), limiting its overall impact.

Way Forward

Enforce EPR compliance with digital tracking and strict penalties.
Standardise labelling norms for biodegradable and compostable plastics
Curb greenwashing through third-party audits and a ban on false eco-claims.
Push binding commitments in UN plastics treaty negotiations.
Formalise waste workers with legal recognition and social security.

{GS3 – S&T – Tech} Rural Internet Connectivity

Context (PIB): India is expanding rural internet access and startup infrastructure under Digital India to bridge the digital divide.

Current Landscape of Rural Internet Connectivity

Digital Divide: Rural users form ~42% of internet subscribers despite being the population majority.
Uneven Growth: Despite 17% internet growth since 2021, uptake is skewed across states.
Projected Growth: Rural internet users may reach 504 million and surpass urban users by 2025.

Significance of Rural Internet Access

Inclusion: Internet access links farmers and MSMEs to e-commerce, credit, and digital markets.
Education Access: Enables online learning and digital classrooms in remote government schools.
e-Governance: Supports delivery of DBT, telemedicine, and public services via Common Service Centres.
Startup Promotion: Facilitates decentralised innovation, especially among rural youth and women.
Climate Resilience: Enhances weather alerts and disaster communication in climate-vulnerable regions.

Challenges Faced in Rural Internet Connectivity

Infrastructure Gaps: Many villages lack last-mile fibre, reliable power, or tower coverage.
Low Commercial Viability: Limited usage and low revenue deter private investment in rural areas.
Digital Literacy Lag: Many rural youths lack the skills to access and benefit from digital platforms.
Affordability Barrier: The cost of broadband plans and devices remains high for low-income users.
Policy Fragmentation: Slow alignment of central and state-level ICT schemes hampers rollout.

Government Initiatives for Rural Internet Connectivity

GENESIS: Gen-Next Support for Innovative Startups supports 1,600 startups in small towns through incubation, mentorship, and digital innovation funding.
IBPS: India BPO Promotion Scheme promotes BPO units in 104 small towns with viability gap funding and infrastructure support.
NEBPS: North East BPO Promotion Scheme provides subsidies and training to create IT jobs in the Northeast region.
STPI: Software Technology Parks of India establishes 67 new centres (59 in Tier-2 & Tier-3 cities) to boost IT exports with plug-and-play facilities.
4G Saturation Project: Expands mobile internet in uncovered villages through BSNL and PPP-based rollout of towers.
BharatNet Redesign: Extends fibre-to-home connectivity to all villages under an open access & PPP model.

Read More > Internet Connectivity in India

{Prelims – In News} National Cooperative Policy

Context (PIB): The Ministry of Cooperation launched the National Cooperative Policy 2025 to expand institutional coverage and modernise the cooperative ecosystem.

It is the 3^rd national policy, drafted on the recommendations of the Suresh Prabhu Committee.
Objective:
- Establish at least one cooperative in every village.
- Increase the number of cooperatives by 30% by 2030.
- Triple the cooperative sector’s share in GDP by 2034.
Strategic Pillars: The policy is built on six pillars – Formalisation, Modernisation, Competitiveness, Ease of Doing Business, Good Governance, and Social Inclusion.
New Sectors: New cooperative models are proposed for green energy, taxi services, microinsurance, and community-based tourism.
Model Village: NABARD will develop five Model Cooperative Villages per tehsil through support from State Cooperative Banks.
Review Mechanism: A mandatory legal and institutional review will be conducted every ten years to ensure adaptability.

{Prelims – In News} Thiruvathirai Festival

Context (PIB): The Ministry of Culture is celebrating Aadi Thiruvathirai Festival to mark 1,000 years of Rajendra Chola I’s Southeast Asian expedition and honour the 63 Nayanmars.

PM Modi highlighted the Chola-era Kudavolai system (ballot pot method) as proof of India’s early democratic traditions.

Kudavolai system, also known as the “ballot pot” method, is a Chola-era electoral method (Uttaramerur inscription) where palm-leaf ballots were placed in a pot (kudam) & drawn to select representatives.

Rajendra Chola I

Rajendra Chola I (1012–1044 CE), son of Rajaraja I, became co-regent in 1012 and ascended to the throne in 1014, expanding the Chola Empire to its greatest territorial and maritime extent.
Ganga Valley Campaign: He conquered it and founded Gangaikondacholapuram as the new capital.
Naval Campaigns: He annexed Sri Lanka and launched India’s first overseas expedition, defeating the Srivijaya Empire in Southeast Asia.
Temples: He built the Gangaikondacholapuram temple, dedicated to Shiva, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its Chola architecture and inscriptions.
Titles: Gangaikonda Cholan, Kadaramkondan, Mudikonda Cholan, and Pandita Cholan.

The Chola Empire (9^th–13^th century CE) was a dominant dynasty in South India, existing alongside the Chera & Pandya dynasties.

Tamil Shaiva Bhakti and Nayanmars

The Tamil Shaiva Bhakti tradition emerged in the 6th-century Tamilakam as a Shiva devotional movement, popularised by the Tamil hymns of the 63 Nayanmars (also called the Nayanars).
Bhakti Doctrine: Their hymns upheld personal devotion, ethical living, and rejection of caste barriers.
Textual Canon: Their verses formed the Tevaram, the earliest and most sacred part of Tirumurai.

Tirumurai is the 12-volume Tamil Shaiva canon compiled between the 7^th and 12^th centuries, encompassing hymns of the Nayanmars and later Shaiva saints.

Social Diversity: Nayanmars included Dalits, hunters, and women, challenging the Brahmanical hierarchy.

Royal Honours: Rajaraja I consecrated bronze icons of all 63 Nayanmars at Chidambaram temple.
Sectarian Balance: Their poetry often affirmed unity between Shaivism and Vaishnavism.

{Prelims – In News} Bold Kurukshetra 2025

Context (NOA): 14^thedition of Exercise Bold Kurukshetra 2025 recently commenced between the Indian & Singapore Armies, aimed at testing joint operational procedures focused on mechanised warfare.

Location: Held at Jodhpur Military Station in Rajasthan as a tabletop & computer-simulated wargame.
Significance: Reinforces India–Singapore defence ties, boosts regional security cooperation, and strengthens UN-mandated joint operational capacity in the Indo-Pacific.

{Prelims – In News} Exercise Drone Prahar

Context (ET): The Indian Army conducted Exercise Drone Prahar to validate the integration of battlefield drones under realistic operational conditions.

Location: Conducted at Rayang military station in Arunachal Pradesh’s East Siang district.
Objective: Validated drones for ISR, sensor-to-shooter coordination, & precision targeting in combat.
Terrain-Linked Design: Conducted in hilly terrain near LAC to assess drones in operational conditions.
Operational Enablers: The exercise validated systems for seamless drone integration through:
- Airspace Deconfliction: Protocols for coordinated multi-drone operations.
- Secure Links: Encrypted, real-time communication networks.
- Unified Protocols: Standardised procedures for joint drone deployment.