Current Affairs November 08, 2023: Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) vs. OTT, Deepfakes & Urgent Need for Regulation, Lab Grown Diamonds, CAR-T

{GS1 – Geo – EG – Industrial Location} Lab Grown Diamonds (LGD)

Context (IE): As per a recent study, the global lab-grown diamond industry is anticipated to generate $55.6 billion by 2031, witnessing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.8% from 2022-31.
- Lab-grown diamonds (synthetic diamonds) are artificially manufactured using processes that duplicate the conditions under which diamonds naturally develop (high pressure and temperature).
- They consist of actual carbon atoms arranged in the characteristic diamond crystal structure.
- They exhibit the same optical and chemical properties as natural diamonds.
- They are graded using the same 4Cs as natural diamonds, i.e., Cut, Color, Carat, and Clarity.
- The lab-grown diamond jewellery market is expected to rapidly rise to $5 billion by 2025 and exceed $15 billion by 2035.
- In India, the share of lab-grown diamonds in the diamond business is only 2-3 per cent.
  - They are mostly used for jewellery and exports.
  - About 80% of the cut and polished LGDs are exported, while only 20% are consumed locally.

India produces ~25% of global LGDs and is the largest producer of LGD through CVD technology.
GoI has abolished Customs duty on imports of seeds used for manufacturing rough LGDs.
India has also announced the establishment of the India Centre for LGDs at IIT Madras.

Method of Production of LGDs

Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) Method	High-Pressure High-Temperature Method
In it, the seed is heated up to 800 degrees in a sealed chamber filled with molecules of carbon-rich gas such as methane. These gas molecules are broken down into carbon and hydrogen atoms, which get deposited on the seed, giving it the shape of a square, tabular diamond crystal. It is the most popular method used in India.	It mimics the conditions under which natural diamonds are formed inside the earth (mantle). To produce, a large machine is fed a certain amount of carbon material that is then crushed under pressures of more than 870,000 lbs. per square inch at extreme temperatures ranging from 1300-1600 degrees Celsius. Usually, Graphite is used as diamond seed.

Growth Drivers of Lab-Grown Diamonds

Increased demand for fashionable diamond jewellery.
Use of LGDs by companies as a cost-effective alternative to naturally mined diamonds.
Greater adoption of lab-grown diamonds by the jewellery and fashion jewellery industry.
Depletion in deposits of natural diamonds.
Reduction in the cost of production by 90% in the last decade due to technological advancement.

Benefits of Lab-Grown Diamonds

Greater purity and improved quality.
Guaranteed origins and guilt-free composition.
Affordable diamonds in various colours.
Environmentally friendly and sustainable

Applications of Lab-Grown Diamonds

Used in computer chips, satellites, 5G networks as they can be used in extreme environments due to their potential to operate at higher speeds while using less power than silicon-based chips.
Used as heat sinks in advanced computers.
Used in industries, especially in telecommunications and laser optics.
Used in grinding, drilling, and polishing procedures.
Their hardness and extra strength make them ideal for use as cutters.

Difference Between Lab Grown Diamonds and Natural Diamonds

Lab-Grown Diamonds	Natural Diamonds
No presence of Nitrogen	A small amount of Nitrogen is present
Manufactured in a few months	Created over millions of years in Earth’s Crust
No impact on the environment	Results in water pollution
Are affordable compared to natural diamonds	They are expensive due to their hard mining process.

Diamond Industry of India

India is the world’s largest cutting and polishing centre for diamonds.
It accounts for over 90% of polished diamond manufacturing globally.
It contributes approx. 19% of total diamond exports in the world.
It exports over 75% of the world’s polished diamonds, gems and jewellery.
India has permitted 100% FDI through automatic routes in the sector.
The industry contributes 5% to India’s GDP and employs more than 5 million people.
Surat, Gujarat, is a global hub for diamond manufacturing.

{GS1 – MIH – Events} Aligarh Muslim University

Context (TH): Aligarh municipality has passed a resolution to change the city’s name to ‘Harigarh‘. To rename the city, the State government’s approval is necessary.
The city of Aligarh is home to the renowned Aligarh Muslim University.

Recent Changes in the Name of Cities

Allahabad to Prayagraj
Faizabad to Ayodhya

In 1875, Sayyid Ahmad Khan founded the Muhammedan Anglo-Oriental College at Aligarh.
It was established as a centre for spreading Western sciences and culture.
The movement associated with Khan and the college came to be known as the Aligarh Movement.
In 1920, Muhammedan Anglo-Oriental College grew into the Aligarh Muslim University.
It was the first Muslim university in Southern Asia and was open to all Indians.

Reform Movement in Muslims

The Aligarh Movement

The Aligarh Movement emerged as a liberal, modern trend among the Muslim intelligentsia based in Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College, Aligarh.
The ideology of the movement’s followers was based on a liberal interpretation of the Quran.
It aimed at:
- Spreading modern education among Indian Muslims without weakening their allegiance to Islam.
- Social reforms among Muslims relating to purdah, polygamy, widow remarriage, women’s education, slavery, divorce, etc.

The Deoband Movement

It was organised by the orthodox section among the Muslim ulema as a revivalist movement.
It had two objectives:
1. Propagating pure teachings of the Quran and Hadis among Muslims
2. Keeping alive the spirit of jihad against the foreign rulers.
On the political front, the Deoband school welcomed the formation of the Indian National Congress.

{GS2 – Polity – Bodies – Statutory} Central Information Commission

Context (IE): Former information commissioner Heeralal Samariya is appointed chief information commissioner.

With this appointment, the Central Information Commission (CIC) comprises a chief information commissioner and two information commissioners.
Provisions in the Right to Information Act provide for the Central Information Commission (CIC) at the central level and state information commissions (SICs) in each state to which the Act applies.
Each Commission consists of the chief information commissioner and a maximum of ten information commissioners.
The President appoints the Chief Information Commission on the recommendation of a committee Comprising:
1. The Prime Minister
2. The leader of the opposition in the LS
3. Union cabinet minister nominated by the PM

Right to Information (Amendment) Act 2019

The salary, allowances and other service conditions of the CIC and an Information Commissioner (of Centre as well as States) shall be prescribed by the Central Government.
The Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners (Centre and State) are appointed for such term as may be prescribed by the Central Government.

Before this amendment, the salary, allowances, and other service conditions of the Chief Information Commissioner were similar to those of the Chief Election Commissioner, and an Information Commissioner were similar to those of an Election Commissioner.

Before this amendment, the Chief Information Commissioner and an Information Commissioner were provided a fixed term of five years or up to an age of 65 years.

Functions of the Central Information Commission

The Commission is responsible for receiving and investigating individual complaints regarding requests for information under the RTI Act of 2005.
The Commission can order an inquiry into any matter Suo-moto.
While inquiring, the Commission has the powers of a civil court regarding summoning, requiring documents, etc.
The decisions of the Central Information Commission are final and binding.

Criticism of the Right to Information (Amendment) Act 2019

Federalism is weakened: The amendments have reduced the power of State Governments.
Removal of tenure guarantee: It may pose a threat to its independence.

{GS2 – Vulnerable Sections – Reservations} Caste-Based Survey by Bihar

Context (TH): The Bihar Government conducted a caste-based survey in January 2023.

The Patna HC upheld the caste-based survey as it is aimed at Development with Justice.
The SC stated that the right to privacy is not affected when someone is asked to provide their caste or sub-caste information.

The decadal census’s responsibility rests with the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (Ministry of Home Affairs).

Grounds on which the petition was filed in the Patna HC and later in the SC

Right to privacy

The petitioners argued that the right to privacy of those surveyed would be infringed due to the queries concerning their religion, caste, and monthly income.
The HC reiterated that permissible restrictions could be imposed on the fundamental right in the state’s legitimate interests, provided they are proportional and reasonable.
It clarified that the data is being collected to identify the economic, educational, and other social aspects of different communities which require further action by the State for their upliftment.

Powers of the state to carry out such a survey

The petitioner argued that Entry 69 of the Union List of Seventh Schedule of IC contains the Centre’s exclusive power to conduct a census.
However, Entry 45 of the Concurrent List confers power to both Centre and the states to collect statistics for any matter listed in List II and III of the Seventh Schedule.
Entry 20 of the Concurrent List provides for economic and social planning.
The court supported caste identification and ruled that the survey was needed for affirmative action according to Article 16 (equality of opportunity in matters of public employment) of IC.

Central government’s view

In the SC, the Union government said that:
- Census is a statutory process governed by the Census Act, 1948.
- The subject of the census is covered on the Union List (Entry 69) in the 7^th Schedule of the IC.
- Only the Central government is entitled to conduct a census.
- No other body is entitled to exercise either census or any action akin to the census.

Census Organisation

It was set up in 1949 in the Ministry of Home Affairs under the Registrar General of India and ex-officio Census Commissioner.
This organisation is entrusted with:
1. Preparing data on population figures, including vital statistics and census.
2. Implementation of the Birth and Death Registration Act, 1969.

Census Commissioner of India

The Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India was established in 1961 under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
It is the statutory authority vested with the responsibility of conducting the Housing and Population Census in India under the Census Act, 1948.

Registrar General of India (RGI)

Census Commissioner is also designated RGI under the Registration of Births and Deaths (RBD) Act, 1969. The office of RGI is primarily responsible for the following activities:
- Housing and Population Census
- Civil Registration System (CRS): Registration of births and deaths.
- Sample Registration System (SRS): A large-scale sample survey of vital events is conducted half-yearly. It is an important source of vital rates like Birth Rate, Death Rate, Infant Mortality Rate and Maternal Mortality Rate at the State level in the country.
- National Population Register (NPR): It is prepared by collecting information relating to all persons usually residing in the country.
- Mother Tongue Survey

Census and Caste data

The 1931 Census was the last that officially collected full caste data.
Every Census in independent India from 1951 to 2011 has published data on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes but not on other castes.

Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC)

In 2011, the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) in rural areas and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (MoHUPA) in urban areas started SECC.
The SECC data, excluding caste data, was finalised and published by the two ministries in 2016.

The Seventh Schedule of the IC

It has three lists dividing power between the Union and States concerning certain subjects:
1. The Union List (97 Subjects)
2. The State List (66 Subjects)
3. The Concurrent List (47 Subjects)

Arguments in Favour of Caste Census

The caste data will help the government:
- To determine who requires affirmative action.
- To take affirmative steps in favour of disadvantaged sections of society.
- To assess the effectiveness of affirmative action.
- To make evidence-based policies.
Data on caste is necessary to analyse, monitor and eradicate the caste.

Arguments against the Caste Census

It may deepen the caste system and shift the focus away from casteless society.
Caste may play a decisive role in politics.

Caste Census and Muslims

The survey showed a caste system among Muslims in the State.
Disadvantaged among Muslims may demand the reservation.

Caste-Survey Report

The Bihar caste survey showed that the Other Backward Classes and the Extremely Backward Classes constituted 63% of the State’s population.
According to the report
- The population of Bihar is 13.07 crore.
- Hindus comprise 81.9% of the population, while the Muslim share is 17.7%.

Class/Caste	Population (%)
Other Backward Class (OBC)	27.1%
Extremely Backward Class (EBC)	36.01%.
Scheduled Caste	19.6%
Scheduled Tribe	1.68%
General Caste population	15.5%.

This caste census may lead to the demand for the caste census at an all-India level.
It may lead to division among OBCs at the national level.
The Rohini Commission may propose division among OBCs as:
1. Annexure I [EBC (Extremely Backward Classes)/MBC (Most Backward Classes)/BC1]
2. Annexure II (OBC/BC2)

Poverty Data

According to the Social, economic, and educational data of the caste-based survey report:
- 34.13% (over a third) of the families in the State have a monthly income of ₹6,000 or less.
- More than 63% of families have a monthly income of up to ₹10,000.

Poverty and Castes

25.09% of families in the General Category are poor.
33.16% of families in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) are poor.
33.58% of families in the Extremely Backward Classes (EBC) are poor.
42.93% of families in the Scheduled Castes (SC) are poor.
42.7% of families in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) are poor.

Bihar’s education system

22.67% of the population has secured schooling from Classes 1 to 5.
14.33% of the population has been educated from Classes 6 to 8.
9.19% of the population has been educated up to Classes 11 and 12.
7% of the population comprises graduates.
Less than 1% of the population has a postgraduate degree.

Action by the Government after the Survey Report

Bihar Cabinet proposed raising the quota for SCs, STs, OBCs, & EBCs to 65% from the existing 50%.
The quota for EWS will remain at the existing 10%.
The proposal seeks to hike the reservation of:
- OBCs and EBS to a combined 43% from 30%.
- 20% for SCs from 16%.
- 2% for STs from 1%.
The decision to hike the reservation will cross the 50% ceiling set by the SC.

Ceiling on Reservation

In the Indira Sawhney vs. Union of India case (1992), the SC accepted the 50% ceiling on reservations in jobs and educational institutions.

In the EWS quota case, Justice Dinesh Maheshwari (now retired) said that:
- The 50% ceiling limit was neither inflexible nor inviolable for all times to come.
- Reservation by affirmative action by the State cannot be seen as damaging the Basic Structure of the Constitution.

{GS2 – Vulnerable Sections – Women} Women’s Access to Justice

Context (IE): A recent study by the London School of Economics professor has unveiled that women are at a disadvantageous stage at every stage in the judicial process.
The study revealed that cases filed by women tend to lag longer than men at almost every stage, from filing FIRs to convictions.

Key Findings of the Study

Men filing cases on women’s behalf face fewer ‘burdens or exclusions’ than a woman complainant.
FIRs filed in cases of Violence against Women are delayed by approximately 2 hours compared to other cases.
Women’s complaints are less likely to proceed from the police to the judiciary due to educational disparities and the gender gap in the workforce.
The conviction rate in the case of women complaints is 5% in comparison to 17.9% for male counterparts.
- This is due to the perception that women often misuse laws framed for their protection, like the Dowry Prohibition Act and the Domestic Violence Act.
- This disparity in conviction cannot be tackled just by creating more Fast Track Courts and police stations.

Reasons for Escalation of Violence against Women

Gendered expectations lead to the normalisation of male aggression (Arjun Reddy / Kabir Singh) and acceptance of violence as a means of asserting control. E.g., genital mutilation.
Weak legal systems and impunity: Pendency of cases involving violence against women and protectors acting as perpetrators of crime (cases of police officials and the army’s involvement in sexual abuse). (Misuse of AFSPA Act, Early Release of Bilkis Bano Gangrape Convicts, etc.)
The commodification of women: Deep-seated misogyny, objectification, and the devaluation of women contribute to a climate where women are seen primarily as objects or possessions. E.g., Item songs in movies.
Influence of media and technology: Media portrayal of women as objects of desire or as weak and submissive. E.g., Bulli bai app (online mock auction of Muslim women); Smita Sabharwal IAS sued Outlook for its ‘eye candy’ remark and demeaning cartoon.

Demeaning Cartoon By Outlook

Barriers to Access to Justice

Unique challenges: Women face difficulty in reporting crimes due to stigma, fear of retaliation, the culture of victim blaming and lack of sensitivity from the actors of the criminal justice system.
Lack of adequate access to knowledge about rights and entitlements, as well as how to obtain legal recourse.
Financial burdens: Court fines and other costs discourage women from reporting or seeking justice.

Way Forward

Support one-stop shops: Bringing together vital services under one roof to collect forensic evidence and provide legal advice, health care and other support.
Gender-sensitive reform: Implement gender-sensitive law reform and repeal laws that explicitly discriminate against women to extend the rule of law to protect women in the private domain.
- Recently, the Supreme Court released a gender-just handbook for judges.
Involve: Employing women on the front line of the justice system to enhance access to justice. For e.g., in post-conflict Liberia, a women’s police brigade led to increased reporting of sexual violence.

{GS3 – Envi – Air Pollution} Pollutants Considered in AQI

Context (IE): Focus on the Air Quality Index (AQI) is increasing as India grips under severe pollution.

The AQI transforms complex air quality data of eight pollutants into a single number for easy understanding.

Pollutants Considered in AQI Calculation

PM 10 and PM 2.5

Particulate matter (PM) is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in air.
PM is made up of both:
1. Natural sources: Dust, pollen, and volcanic ash
2. Human-made sources: Combustion of fossil fuels, industrial processes, and agricultural activities
PM can be divided into two main categories based on their size:
- PM10: Particles that are 10 micrometres or smaller in diameter
- PM2.5: Particles that are 2.5 micrometres or smaller in diameter
PM2.5 is of particular concern because it can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream.
Health concerns: Asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory problems, heart attack, and neurological problems.

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂)

Nitrogen dioxide is a reddish-brown gas with a pungent odour.
It is produced from the combustion of fossil fuels.
Health concerns: Asthma and other respiratory problems increase the risk of respiratory infections.
Other concerns: Acid rain

Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂)

Sulfur dioxide is a colourless gas with a pungent odour.
It is produced by:
- Human-made sources: Combustion of sulfur-containing fuels like coal & and petroleum (It is the largest source)
- Natural sources: Byproduct of volcanic eruptions
Health concerns: Asthma and other respiratory illnesses.
Other concerns:
- Acid rain
- High SOx concentrations can harm vegetation, causing leaf damage and reduced growth

Ammonia (NH₃)

Ammonia is a is a colorless gas with a pungent odor.
It is produced by:
- Human-made sources: Decomposition of organic matter, volatilization from soils, and forest fires
- Natural sources: Agriculture (byproduct of livestock waste and fertilizers), industrial processes, combustion of fossil fuels, wastewater treatment
In the troposphere, ammonia reacts with nitric and sulfuric acids to form harmful aerosol particles.
Health concerns: Respiratory illnesses, skin irritation, eye damage, central nervous system depression.
Other concerns:
- Acid rain
- Formation of PM2.5
- Eutrophication

A NASA-funded study found that in India, extensive fertiliser use and livestock waste have led to the world’s highest atmospheric ammonia concentrations.

Lead (Pb)

Lead is a toxic heavy metal found naturally in the environment.
Health concerns: Neurological effects, kidney damage, anaemia, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, reproductive problems, cancer.

Ozone (O₃)

Ozone is found in two main layers of the Earth’s atmosphere: troposphere and stratosphere.
Tropospheric ozone or ground-level ozone is a harmful pollutant.
It is formed by the reaction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of sunlight.
- NOx is emitted from power plants, vehicles, and other combustion sources.
- VOCs are emitted from various sources, including cars, trees, and industrial processes.
Health concerns: Respiratory problems (like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), cardiovascular issues.
Other concerns:
- Smog
- Damage plants and crops

Stratospheric ozone is formed by the interaction of UV radiation with molecular oxygen.
It is “good” because it protects living things from IV radiation from the sun.

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Carbon monoxide is a toxic, colourless and odourless gas.
It is produced by:
- Human-made sources: Incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels.
- Natural sources: Volcanic eruption, forest fires.
Health concerns: High levels may make a person unconscious and die, and long-term exposure increases the risk of heart disease.

{GS3 – IE – Industry} Telecom Industry

Context (TH): TRAI has recently invited a comprehensive consultation on regulating Over-The-Top (OTT) services, raising concerns over Net Neutrality.

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)

TRAI is the independent statutory regulator that was established in 1997 by an Act of Parliament to regulate telecom services and tariffs in India.

Net neutrality

Net neutrality is the concept of an open, equal internet for everyone, regardless of device, application, or platform used and content consumed.
It believes all corporations, including internet service providers (ISPs), should treat internet data and users equally.
They should not restrict access, slow down access speeds, or block content for some users to serve their own interests.

OTT Platforms

These platforms offer audio and video streaming services to consumers directly over the internet without requiring them to subscribe to a traditional cable or satellite pay service.
Examples of OTT platforms: Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ Hotstar.

Regulation

Though multiple consultation papers have been issued by TRAI on the issue since 2015, no regulations have been implemented to date for OTT communication services.
The Draft Telecommunication Bill, 2022, sets out to address the imbalance between the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) and the OTTs by expanding the definition of ‘telecommunication services’ to include OTT communication services.

TSPs vs. OTT Conflict

Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) are subjected to various regulations, fees, and quality standards, whereas OTT platforms operate with fewer restrictions.
OTT platforms are not obliged to contribute to the Universal Social Obligation Fund, which supports extending telecom services to remote and rural areas.
OTT apps provide services similar to TSPs without being subject to the rules on licensing, consumer protection, rollout obligations, interconnection, etc.
OTT profits from the existing infrastructure (undersea cables, content housing centres, content delivery networks), resulting in a decline in the revenues of the TSPs.
TSPs are not allowed to monetise the data of their subscribers (data is the new oil!), and there is no such restriction on the OTT.

Challenges faced by the Telecom Sector

Extreme financial distress: The telecom sector is reeling under a debt of >4 lakh crore on account of huge Adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues, high spectrum prices, falling average revenue per user (ARPUs), etc. For, e.g. the near Bankruptcy situation of Vodafone.
Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) issue: Telecom companies owe the govt >1.4 lakh crores, leading to fiscally stressed telecom companies and a potential duopoly situation and delayed rollout of 5G.
Limited spectrum availability: Available spectrum is less than 40% as compared to European nations and 50% as compared to China.
Restrictive: Telecos are apathetic towards spectrum auctioning due to the exclusion of the preferred 5G bands and high Spectrum prices.
Greedy Government: Auctions are designed primarily to maximise Govt. revenues, thus distorting spectrum management and exacerbating the sector’s debt burden.
Complexity: Non-uniformity in implementing centrally designated right of way (RoW) rules, complex procedures, and differential levies by states have impacted the rollout of towers and fibre.
High competition: Competition has intensified post-entry of Reliance Jio, forcing other telecom players to drop tariff rates for both voice and data to ‘unsustainable levels’.
Low broadband penetration: According to the International Telecommunication Union, broadband penetration in India is only 7%.
Conflict between telecoms and OTT: OTT platforms provide voice calls and SMS using telecom services infra, adversely impacting the revenue of telecompanies.

Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR)

AGR is the usage and licensing fee that the GoI charges telecom operators.
It is divided into spectrum usage charges and licensing fees.

Dispute

The 14-year dispute between DoT and Telecom companies is mainly on the definition of AGR.
DoT definition: AGR includes all revenues from both telecom and non-telecom services.
Telcos definition: AGR comprises just the revenue accrued from core services and not dividend, interest income, or profit on the sale of any investment or fixed assets.
In 2019, the Supreme Court backed the government’s definition of AGR, directing the telcos to pay the pending AGR dues (1.6 Lakh Cr) within the 10-year timeline.

Way Forward for the Telecom Sector

Not killing the hen that lays the golden egg: India is riding on the digital boom whose weight is shouldered by the telcos. Overburdening the telcos with excessive regulation and taxation must be avoided. GoI must reconsider its policy on spectrum costs, AGR fees, etc.
Promoting infrastructure sharing to optimise infrastructure utilisation and reduce capital expenditure of Telecos so that they can focus on providing new and innovative services to their subscribers.
Sharing capacities to harness the maximum by developing new infrastructure on a shareable basis on lines of sharing the tower cost.
Connecting the ‘Unconnected’ (>70% of the population in rural areas).
Increase R&D spending to enable India to become a Net exporter of hardware components like mobile handsets, CCTV Cameras, touchscreen monitors, etc.
Enhancing and Leveraging India’s Tech talent pool is instrumental in initiating new innovations in AI, blockchain technology, etc. and making this decade India’s Tech-ade.

{GS3 – S&T – AI} Deepfakes Issue: Urgent Need for AI Regulation

Context (IE | IE | TH): Famous personalities worldwide have been targeted using deepfakes.

Deepfakes

Deepfakes are synthetic media in which video, audio, and images are edited and manipulated using artificial intelligence. It is hyper-realistic digital falsification.
The term “deepfake” was coined in 2017 when an anonymous Reddit user used Google’s open-source deep-learning technology to create explicit videos and used the pseudonym “Deepfakes”.

Why Creating Deepfakes Have Become Easy

Advancement in AI and computational power
Accessibility of deepfake creation tools
Availability of abundant data (esp. social media): Original video, audio, and images of the targeted person are needed to train AI models.

Deepfakes vs Shallowfakes

Feature	Shallowfakes	Deepfakes
Creation method	Basic video editing techniques	Artificial intelligence (AI)
Quality	Low-quality	High-quality
Difficulty to spot	Easy	Difficult
Potential for harm	Low	High

Benefits of Deepfakes

Education: Deepfakes can be used to create more engaging and interactive educational materials.
Language translation: It can create realistic and natural-sounding language translations.
Accessibility: It can aid people with disabilities by offering realistic sign language interpretation and voice synthesis for non-verbal individuals.
Virtual Assistants: It can be used to create more natural and human-like virtual assistants.
Personal Security: Some use deepfakes to safeguard their privacy by creating fake online identities, concealing their real identities.

Concerns with Deepfakes

Ethical concern: Deepfakes can be used for identity theft, defaming innocent individuals, violating privacy rights, and causing personal and social harm to victims.
National security: It can propagate misinformation and fuel tensions between communities.
International relations: It can create conflicts between unfriendly and friendly nations.
Eroding traditional media: It can erode the trust in traditional media, fostering a culture of factual relativism and liar’s dividend.

Factual relativism is the belief that facts and truth are subjective and dependent on one’s perspective or context.
Liar’s dividend: An undesirable truth is dismissed as a deepfake or fake news.

Threat to democracy: It can manipulate election outcomes by influencing public opinion through misinformation and propaganda.
Financial frauds and scams: Large-scale financial frauds and scams can be carried out using it.
- Such incidents can result in personal financial losses and economic destabilisation.
Lack of proper regulations: Many countries lack adequate regulations and penalties for controlling and addressing deepfake technology misuse.
Technological challenges: Detecting and mitigating deepfakes is a continual challenge as the technology behind them evolves rapidly.
Hostility for women: It makes online platforms more hostile for women.

Regulation for Deepfake Technology in India

In India, there are no legal rules against using deepfake technology.
However, specific laws can be addressed for misusing the tech, which includes copyright violation, defamation, and cyber crimes.

Specific Laws in India to Address Misuse of Deepfake Technology
Section 500 of the IPC	Punishment for defamation
Sections 67 and 67A of the Information Technology Act, 2000	Punishment for sexually explicit material
Sections 66D of the Information Technology Act, 2000	Punishment for online impersonation
IT Rules, 2021	Social media firms must remove artificially morphed content within 36 hours of getting an alert.
Representation of the People Act, 1951	Prohibits the creation and dissemination of false information about candidates or political parties during an election period.

Way Forward

Technology is a double-edged sword rather than a necessary evil. So, deepfake technology must be regulated effectively to reap its benefits while curtailing its misuse.
Media literacy for consumers is the most effective tool to combat disinformation and deepfakes.
Developing legislative solutions after collaborating with the technology industry, civil society, and policymakers. For e.g., Bletchley Park Declaration.
Developing accessible technology solutions supported by AI to detect deep fakes.
Tech companies like Google, Meta, and X should take effective measures to counter deepfakes.
Using watermarks, metadata, and blockchain technologies to detect deepfake technology.
Multifactor authentication (MFA) and anti-fraud solutions can also reduce deepfake risks.

The Bletchley Park Declaration: Outcome of the World’s First AI Safety Summit

At the summit, the Bletchley Park Declaration was signed to minimise risks from ‘frontier AI’.
28 countries signed the declaration, including the US, China, Japan, the UK, France, India, and the European Union.

{GS3 – S&T – BioTech} India’s Own CAR-T Cell Therapy

Context (IE): The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) granted market authorisation for NexCAR19, India’s first indigenously-developed CAR-T cell therapy.

It is developed by Mumbai-based Immunoadoptive Cell Therapy Private Limited (ImmunoACT), an IIT Bombay-incubated company.

Types of Treatment for Cancer

The three major forms of treatment for any cancer are
1. Surgery (removing the cancer)
2. Radiotherapy (delivering ionising radiation to the tumour)
3. Systemic therapy (administering medicines that act on the tumour).

Systemic Therapy

Systemic therapy involves administering medicines that act on the tumour.
Its earliest form was chemotherapy, which uses powerful chemicals to kill fast-growing cancer cells.
- It has modest response rates and significant side effects.
The next stage of the evolution of systemic therapy was immunotherapy (or targeted agents).
Immunotherapy uses drugs to boost the immune system and help the body destroy cancer cells.
- It has fewer side effects but is effective only against tumours expressing these targets.
A new advance in systemic therapy is CAR T-cell therapy.

Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-T Cell Therapy

CAR-T cell therapy modifies immune cells, specifically T-cells, by turning them into potent cancer fighters known as CAR-T cells.
T-cells are special cells whose find and fight illness and infection.
T cells are genetically engineered by introducing DNA into them to produce chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) on the surface of the T cells.
CARs are proteins that allow T cells to recognise an antigen in targeted tumour cells.
After reengineering, T cells are called “CAR T cells”.
CAR T cells are then infused into the patient to go after cancer cells, especially in blood cancers like leukemia and lymphomas.

T cells

T cell (T lymphocyte or thymocyte) is a white blood cell essential to the immune system.
It protects the body from infection and helps fight cancer.
Its primary function is cytotoxic, meaning it can kill other cells.
It develops from stem cells in the bone marrow.

Types of Blood Cells

Source: ScienceFacts.net

Significance of CAR-T Cell Therapy

More Effective: CAR T cells are more specific and directly activate the patient’s immune system against cancer. This is why they’re called ‘living drugs’.
Long-Term Remission: It can produce long-term remission, even for those with advanced or relapsed cancer. This is because CAR T cells remain in the body and can continue to attack cancer cells.
Lesser Side-Effects: CAR-T cells are engineered to target cancer cells that express a particular antigen specifically. This precision minimises damage to healthy cells.
Customised Treatment: CAR-T cell therapy can be customised for each patient.
Treatment for Previously Incurable Cases: CAR-T cell therapy has provided hope for cancer patients previously considered incurable.

Concerns With CAR-T Cell Therapy

Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS): CRS is an inflammatory response that can occur after CAR T cell therapy. In severe cases, CRS can lead to organ failure and death.
Neurotoxicity: It is a range of side effects that can affect the nervous system. These side effects can range from mild (such as headache and confusion) to severe (such as seizures and coma).
Low blood cell counts: It can lead to a decrease in blood cell counts, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets
Infection Risk: It may weaken the immune system, making the patients more susceptible to infections.
Attack healthy tissues: CAR-T cells may mistakenly attack healthy tissues and cancer cells.

NexCAR19 Therapy: India’s Indigenous CAR-T Cell Therapy

NexCAR19 therapy will be available for people with B-cell lymphomas who didn’t respond to standard treatments like chemotherapy.
Though, B-cell leukaemia is most common among children, but the therapy is approved for only patients aged 15 years and older.
Significane of the therapy: It causes minimal neurotoxicity and Cytokine Release Syndrome.

{Prelims – Envi – Air Pollution} Masks as Protectors from Air Pollution

Context (IE): According to WHO, face masks are generally not considered suitable protection against pollution. However, N-95 and N-99 masks can offer some protection against particulate matter but not against gaseous pollutants.

According to the Global Burden of Disease Report, 17.8% of the total deaths in India in 2019 could be attributed to air pollution.

N-95 and N-99 masks are certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to filter at least 95% or 99% of airborne particles, respectively.

{Prelims – Envi – Species} Giraffes: Vulnerable to Extinction

Context (DTE): Giraffe populations have declined by 40% in the last 30 years.

The Biggest Threats to Giraffe Survival

Habitat degradation, fragmentation and loss: The expansion of agriculture and urbanisation is the primary reason for the decline of the giraffe population.

Traditional pastoralists like the Maasai maintain large spaces of natural savanna where wildlife and people thrive together.

Insufficient law enforcement: Illegal hunting (poaching) for bushmeat markets.
Ecological changes: Deforestation for fuelwood and charcoal production, mining activity, etc.
Climate change: Increased seasonal rainfall is associated with lower giraffe survival due to disease and lower food quality.