Daily Current Affairs - 26th November 2025
- TPP
- 4 days ago
- 19 min read
Comprehensive UPSC Current Affairs Summary | SC CCTV Directives, Constitution Day, ON Court, Nayi Chetna 4.0, AI & Personality Rights, Sovereign AI, Mule Accounts, Operation Pawan, Australia Social Media Ban, DSI Treaty Issue, Ozone Report and more.
If you missed Monthly Current Affairs Pointers (CAP) | Sept - Oct 2025, read it here.
Table of Content
ENVIRONMENT
MISCELLANY
Birth anniversary of Dr. Verghese Kurien
Supreme Court Reprimand & CCTV Directives
The Supreme Court has reprimanded the government for non-compliance with its directive to install CCTV cameras in police stations.
These directives were originally issued in Paramvir Singh Saini v. Baljit Singh (2020), which mandated CCTV installation in all law-enforcement premises.
Law-enforcement premises include the NIA, CBI, and police stations, which are responsible for criminal investigation and detention.
The aim of the directive was to prevent custodial torture, which refers to physical or mental abuse inflicted on individuals in state custody.
Under the judgment, the Court mandated State-level and District-level Oversight Committees to monitor compliance.
These Oversight Committees were to be modeled on the Central Oversight Body (COB) established in 2018, which coordinates CCTV and videography reforms at the Union level.
Safeguards Against Custodial Torture in India
Article 14 of the Constitution ensures the right to equality before law, which protects detainees from arbitrary state action.
Article 20(3) provides protection against self-incrimination, meaning an accused cannot be forced to confess.
Article 21 guarantees the right to life and personal liberty, which includes protection from torture and inhumane treatment.
The NHRC’s Guidelines on Custodial Deaths (1993) require reporting of any custodial death or rape within 24 hours, ensuring quick scrutiny and accountability.
The D.K. Basu vs. State of West Bengal (1997) judgment laid down specific arrest and detention guidelines for protecting detainees.
The Prakash Singh vs. Union of India (2006) judgment ordered each state to set up a Police Complaints Authority (PCA) to hear complaints against officers of SP rank and above in cases involving custodial death.
The Shafhi Mohammad v. State of Himachal Pradesh (2018) judgment directed the Ministry of Home Affairs to create the Central Oversight Body (COB) to implement videography of crime scenes.
Status of Custodial Deaths in India
The Supreme Court’s Centre for Research and Planning reported 1,754 custodial deaths in prisons in 2023, reflecting a persistent systemic issue.
The same report shows 1,237 custodial-death enquiries pending in district courts for over one year as of 2023, indicating judicial delays.
India signed the UN Convention Against Torture (UNCAT) in 1997, which is an international treaty against torture.
India has not yet ratified UNCAT, meaning it has not legally bound itself to the treaty’s obligations under international law.
National Constitution Day of India 2025
National Constitution Day of India, also known as Samvidhan Divas, is observed every year on 26 November to commemorate the adoption of the Indian Constitution by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949.
Instituted officially in 2015, the celebration reinforces India’s democratic foundations, honours the extraordinary vision of the framers of the world’s longest written Constitution, and promotes constitutional literacy across the country.
The theme for 2025 is “Hamara Samvidhan–Hamara Swabhiman.”
What Is National Constitution Day?
Constitution Day marks the historic moment when the Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution of India on 26 November 1949.
Although the Constitution came into full effect later on 26 January 1950, celebrated as Republic Day, the adoption day symbolizes India’s transition from colonial rule to a sovereign democratic republic.
The observance encourages citizens, students, public servants, and institutions to revisit the constitutional values that uphold India’s democratic character—justice, liberty, equality, fraternity, and the rule of law.
History of National Constitution Day of India
Adoption and Enforcement
Adopted: 26 November 1949
Enforced: 26 January 1950
Official Designation in 2015
On 19 November 2015, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment officially declared 26 November as Constitution Day to honour:
The adoption of the Constitution
The contribution of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, whose 125th birth anniversary year coincided with 2015
Earlier Observance as Law Day
Prior to 2015, 26 November was informally celebrated as Law Day by legal communities to recognise India’s evolving constitutional tradition.
What Makes the Indian Constitution So Resilient?
India’s Constitution has demonstrated remarkable resilience over the decades due to its rights-based protections, strong institutions, and capacity to evolve.
Rights That Protect All Citizens
Group-differentiated and affirmative rights addressing historical inequalities, including reservations.
Proactive equality measures under Articles 15(2), 17, and 23 prohibiting discrimination by both the State and private individuals.
Independent Constitutional Institutions: Institutions such as the Supreme Court, Election Commission, and Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) safeguard constitutional values and ensure checks on legislative and executive power.
Capacity for Constant Evolution: Amendments, such as the 106th Constitutional Amendment providing one-third reservation for women in legislatures, reflect the Constitution’s dynamic and adaptive character.
Why Constitution Day Matters: Key Significance
Constitution Day holds profound symbolic, educational, and civic importance:
Promotes Constitutional Literacy
It increases awareness about:
Fundamental Rights
Fundamental Duties
Directive Principles of State Policy
Reinforces Democratic Values: It reaffirms India’s commitment to justice, liberty, equality, fraternity, secularism, federalism, and the rule of law.
Honours the Framers of the Constitution: The day pays tribute to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and the Constituent Assembly, who shaped a progressive and inclusive Constitution.
Encourages Civic Responsibility: It inspires citizens—especially youth—to understand, protect, and strengthen the constitutional framework that guides India’s democracy.
Drafting Timeline of the Indian Constitution (Key Milestones)
The drafting of the Constitution was an extensive and meticulous process lasting 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days.
9 December 1946
First meeting of the Constituent Assembly.
29 August 1947
Formation of the Drafting Committee under Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
4 November 1948
Submission of the Draft Constitution.
Beginning of clause-by-clause debate.
Nov 1948 – Oct 1949
Intense deliberations, revisions, and scrutiny.
26 November 1949
Constitution adopted by the Assembly.
Celebrated today as National Constitution Day.
26 January 1950
Constitution came into effect—birth of the Republic of India.
Key Facts About the Indian Constitution
The longest written constitution in the world.
Originally had 395 Articles, 22 Parts, and 8 Schedules.
Currently has 470+ Articles, 25 Parts, and 12 Schedules (after amendments).
Constituent Assembly held 11 sessions over 165 days of debate.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar is recognised as the Chief Architect of the Constitution.
Borrowed features from multiple global constitutions.
Top 10 global constitutions that inspired and influenced the ideals for the Constitution of India:
Country | Features Borrowed |
United Kingdom | • Parliamentary form of government: Parliament is the supreme legislative body of India, which is built on the strong cooperation between the executive and legislature, and allows the election of the President and the Prime Minister of the country. • Single Citizenship • Rule of Law: It ensures that laws apply equally to all individuals. • Cabinet System • Prerogative Writs: Legal procedures to enforce rights while also holding public authorities and judicial bodies accountable for their conduct or inaction. • Parliamentary Privileges • Bicameral Legislature: A legislature consisting of two houses: the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. • Legislative Procedure |
United States | • Fundamental Rights: Entitled to every citizen which guarantees individual freedoms and protections against state action. • Impeachment of the President • Judicial review: A procedure by which the Supreme Court and High Courts of India analyse, decide, and annul executive or legislative activities that violate the Indian Constitution. • Removal of Supreme Court and High Court judges • Independence of Judiciary: The courts in the country have been provided independent status, ensuring it doesn’t come under government or any other influence. • Vice-President’s Role |
Soviet Union/Russia | • Fundamental Duties: It outlines the responsibilities of citizens towards their nation. • The ideals of Justice (social, economic, political) included in the Preamble |
Australia | • The concept of a Concurrent List: A list of 52 items in the Seventh Schedule; it delineates subjects on which both central and state legislatures can legislate. • Freedom of trade, commerce, and intercourse • Provision for a joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament |
France | • The concept of a Republic: A form of government where the head of state is the president or other elected official. • Ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity, integrated into the Preamble |
Ireland | • The idea of the Directive Principles of State Policy: These principles guide the state in ensuring legality and procedural fairness in policy formulation and legislation. • Nomination of members to Rajya Sabha • Election of the President |
Canada | • Quasi-federal structure with a strong central government • Concept of residual powers: The Union Government has special rights to create any legislation relating to any issue that is not a part of the Concurrent List or State List. • Distribution of powers between Centre and State • Centre’s power to appoint state governors • The advisory function of the Supreme Court: Article 143 of the Indian Constitution grants the Supreme Court advisory jurisdiction, allowing the President to seek its opinion on any law or fact of public importance deemed necessary. |
Japan | • The concept of ‘Procedure Established by Law’: A legislation that has been lawfully adopted by the legislature or other relevant authority is only legitimate if the proper procedure has been strictly followed. |
Germany (Weimar) | • Concept of Emergency provisions and suspension of Fundamental Rights during emergencies: Under Article 359, the President has the authority to suspend fundamental rights during both internal and external emergencies. |
South Africa | • The process for electing members to the Rajya Sabha • Procedure for amending the Constitution: A bill aimed at amending the Constitution must be ratified by half of the state legislatures by a simple majority, and then presented to the President for his assent after both houses have passed the bill. |
ON Court (Open and Networked Court)
A year has passed since India’s first 24×7 Open and Networked (ON) Court was established in Kollam district of Kerala.
The ON Court was created by the High Court of Kerala, which administers the judiciary in the state.
The ON Court allows cases to be filed at any time of the day, enabling round-the-clock judicial access.
The ON Court functions entirely online, meaning all processes occur through digital platforms.
The system includes e-filing, which refers to electronic submission of case documents.
It also includes digital document verification, which ensures authenticity of files submitted electronically.
The ON Court sends summons through SMS or email, replacing physical delivery.
It enables virtual hearings, where judges and parties participate through video-conferencing.
It provides real-time case updates for lawyers and litigants, helping them track proceedings instantly.
The ON Court disposes cases in about 140 days, offering significantly faster resolution compared to physical courts.
Traditional physical courts often take several years to complete similar cases, highlighting the efficiency gap.
The ON Court reduces paperwork, since all filings and communications are digital.
The ON Court enhances access to justice, because litigants can file and track cases without visiting court premises.
Nayi Chetna 4.0
The Union Minister has launched Nayi Chetna 4.0, which is a national campaign promoting gender equality and women empowerment.
Nayi Chetna 4.0 is a month-long campaign implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development.
The campaign operates under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), which is a rural-poverty alleviation programme.
The campaign involves Self-Help Group (SHG) participation, where SHGs are community-based groups of women focused on savings and income generation.
The initiative ensures the convergence of 11 Ministries, which means multiple ministries coordinate actions for a common gender-related objective.
The campaign aims to strengthen community action against gender-based violence, which refers to harm inflicted on individuals based on gender.
It also aims to promote women’s safety, ensuring secure public and private spaces for women.
Another aim is to enhance women’s dignity, which includes respect, autonomy, and equal treatment.
The campaign seeks to expand women’s economic empowerment, enabling financial independence and livelihood opportunities.
Focus Areas of Nayi Chetna 4.0
The campaign focuses on enabling safe mobility, which ensures women can travel safely within and outside their communities.
It emphasizes recognising women as key economic contributors, acknowledging their role in household and national economies.
It addresses unpaid care work, which refers to domestic tasks performed without wages, by promoting shared community responsibility.
The campaign works to improve women’s access to assets, which include land, property, tools, and productive resources.
It aims to expand women’s access to credit, enabling them to borrow funds for income-generating activities.
It supports women’s access to skills, helping them build employment-ready capabilities.
It enhances women’s access to markets, which allows them to sell products and services effectively.
The overall focus is to boost entrepreneurship and livelihood opportunities for rural women.
Australia : First Country to Ban Social Media for Children
Australia will become the first country in the world to ban social media use for children under 16 years of age.
The ban will come into effect on December 10, 2025, marking a regulatory shift in child online safety.
Under this law, social media companies such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube must remove under-16 accounts from their platforms.
Companies failing to comply can face fines of up to AUD 50 million, which is a financial penalty imposed to enforce compliance.
Concerns Regarding Social Media Usage in Children
Excessive social media use affects children’s mental health, leading to higher rates of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.
It also affects physical health, as exposure to certain content encourages sedentary behaviour, which refers to long periods of inactivity.
This exposure may also promote eating disorders and unattainable beauty ideals, influencing negative body image.
Such content contributes to disrupted sleep patterns, which affect learning and overall well-being.
It also increases risk of obesity, linked to lack of physical activity.
Social media affects social development, because constant virtual engagement reduces face-to-face interaction.
Reduced in-person interaction may cause social isolation, affecting emotional and behavioural growth.
It may strain family relationships, as excessive screen time limits communication with parents.
It may hinder emotional regulation, which is the ability to manage emotions effectively.
Social media exposes children to online safety threats, including cyberbullying, which is harassment using digital platforms.
It also increases exposure to harmful content, which may include violence, misinformation, or explicit content.
Children also face risks from online sexual predators, who exploit digital anonymity to target minors.
Potential Negative Effects of the Ban
The ban may limit the development of digital skills, which are crucial for navigating modern technology.
It may reduce opportunities for creative expression, which social media often enables through art, writing, and content creation.
It may hinder collaborative learning, which includes sharing educational material and peer interaction online.
It may restrict interest-based networking, which helps children explore hobbies and academic interests.
The ban may push children to unsafe online spaces, including the Dark Web, which is a hidden part of the internet known for unregulated and illegal content.
Alternative Approaches to Tackle Social Media Addiction in Children
One approach is restricted usage, which allows children controlled access to educational and creative learning streams.
Another approach is creating children-focused platforms, such as Instagram Teen accounts, which include built-in safety and privacy protections.
A useful model is adopting best practices, such as Kerala Police’s Digital De-Addiction (D-DAD) Centres, which offer free counselling to children suffering from digital addiction.
AI and Infringement of Personality Rights
The emerging use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly causing infringement of personality rights.
This concern came to the forefront when Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan filed a lawsuit against AI-generated videos portraying them in fictitious scenarios.
These AI-generated videos were alleged to have violated their personality rights, which protect a person’s identity from unauthorized use.
Personality Rights – Meaning and Legal Basis
Personality rights refer to an individual’s exclusive control over the commercial use of their name, image, voice, behaviour, and other unique personal attributes.
Personality rights give individuals the legal ability to prevent unauthorized commercial exploitation of their persona.
In India, personality rights are not defined under a single statute, which means they are spread across multiple legal frameworks.
These rights are protected through common law, which refers to judge-made legal principles.
They are also protected under Article 21, which guarantees the Right to Privacy as a fundamental right.
Various intellectual property laws further strengthen these protections.
The Information Technology Act, 2000 deals with issues like online impersonation, which occurs when someone pretends to be another person digitally.
The 2024 IT Intermediary Guidelines specifically address deepfakes, which are AI-generated manipulations of faces or voices.
The Copyright Act, 1957 grants performers exclusive rights over their performances.
This Act allows performers to control reproduction of their performances.
It also allows them to object to distortions or misuse of their performances.
The Trade Marks Act, 1999 allows individuals, especially celebrities, to register elements of their persona as trademarks.
These elements include names, signatures, and catchphrases, which serve as distinctive identity markers.
The Supreme Court has recognised AI-related infringements as violations of privacy rights or intellectual property rights.
In the Anil Kapoor Case (2023), the court banned unauthorized reproduction of Mr. Kapoor’s identity.
In the Arijit Singh Case (2024), the court protected Mr. Singh’s voice from AI-based replication.
AI and the Threat to Personality Rights
AI tools contribute to social concerns by enabling deepfakes, which are digitally manipulated videos that swap faces or voices.
Deepfakes can spread misinformation, creating false narratives about individuals.
They can also facilitate extortion, by creating fabricated compromising content.
Deepfakes erode public trust, because people cannot easily distinguish real content from manipulated content.
AI enables commodification of human identity, by creating celebrity likeness for advertisements or films without permission.
This commodification raises questions about posthumous personality rights, which relate to the protection of a person’s identity after their death.
AI systems often rely on data scraping, which means collecting publicly available digital information from the internet.
Such scraping includes personal photos, social media data, and digital footprints obtained without authorization.
AI-generated content creates liability issues, because identifying the creators of deepfakes is difficult.
It also complicates accountability for those who distribute deepfakes due to anonymity and cross-border digital platforms.
Rise of Sovereign AI
Sovereign AI is rising as nations attempt to reduce dependence on global AI superpowers.
This shift is driven by intensifying U.S.–China competition for global AI dominance.
Several countries, including India, are pursuing sovereign AI to remain secure and competitive.
Sovereign AI refers to a nation’s ability to produce artificial intelligence using its own infrastructure, data, and workforce.
Why Countries Are Pursuing Sovereign AI
Countries seek sovereign AI for economic advantage, as AI is projected to generate trillions of dollars in global economic value.
Current AI-driven economic benefits largely flow to the Global North, disadvantaging the Global South.
Countries are also pursuing sovereign AI for strategic autonomy, which refers to independence in economic and military decision-making.
AI is increasingly becoming a pillar of economic power, influencing productivity and competitiveness.
AI is simultaneously becoming a pillar of military power, shaping surveillance, defence systems, and warfare.
Nations do not want to depend on the U.S. or China for foundational AI models.
Nations also want to avoid reliance on foreign computing power, which is essential for training and deploying large AI models.
Countries seek data sovereignty, which means keeping sensitive national data within domestic control.
Sensitive data includes citizens’ data, which contains personal and demographic information.
It includes defence data, which relates to security operations and military systems.
It includes infrastructure data, which covers critical systems such as transport, power, and telecom.
It includes healthcare data, which contains medical records and public-health information.
Countries worry that such data may be processed by foreign AI models such as ChatGPT or Grok.
Nations also pursue sovereign AI to ensure cultural preservation, which involves protecting local languages and traditions.
Sovereign AI allows Large Language Models (LLMs) to be trained on local datasets such as dialects and cultural practices.
These models help promote inclusiveness, ensuring representation of diverse communities.
These models also help revitalize indigenous languages, which are often underrepresented in global AI systems.
Challenges for India in Pursuing Sovereign AI
India faces foreign dependency for critical technology, including advanced components and infrastructure.
This dependency is especially strong in the case of silicon chips, which are essential for high-performance computing.
India faces funding challenges, because creating large AI factories requires massive capital investments.
Both the public sector and private sector must invest heavily at the initial stage.
India faces a shortage of skilled workforce, especially in advanced chip manufacturing.
India also lacks sufficient high-skill talent for AI LLM development, which requires expertise in machine learning and computational science.
BharatGen – India’s Sovereign AI Initiative
BharatGen is India’s first sovereign, multilingual, and multimodal Large Language Model (LLM).
Multimodal LLM means the model can understand and generate multiple forms of data such as text, speech, and images.
BharatGen was developed by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in 2025.
The initiative operates under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS).
The goal of BharatGen is to create a complete AI stack, which means a full set of AI tools integrating text, speech, and document vision.
BharatGen supports 22 Indian languages, ensuring linguistic diversity and accessibility.
BharatGen aims to assist sectors such as governance, improving public service delivery.
It supports industry, enhancing productivity and automation.
It supports education, enabling personalized learning and content creation.
It supports agriculture, offering advisory services to farmers.
It supports healthcare, improving diagnostics and patient communication.
It supports digital inclusion, which ensures that underserved populations benefit from AI.
Key Applications of BharatGen
Krishi Sathi is a voice-enabled WhatsApp advisory tool for farmers.
Krishi Sathi helps farmers receive real-time guidance through voice interaction.
e-VikrAI is another application of BharatGen that generates product descriptions from a single image.
e-VikrAI helps small sellers expand their digital presence by simplifying online catalog creation.
Rise of Mule Accounts in Cyber Frauds
There has been a rise in hotspots using mule accounts to conduct cyber frauds.
Prominent hotspots include Jamtara in Jharkhand and Nuh in Haryana, both known for organized cybercrime networks.
Under Operation Chakra-V, the CBI detected around 8.5 lakh mule accounts across more than 700 bank branches.
Operation Chakra-V is a national crackdown aimed at dismantling cyber fraud ecosystems.
About Mule Accounts
Mule accounts are bank accounts used by criminals to launder illicit funds.
Laundering illicit funds refers to the process of making illegally obtained money appear legal.
Mule accounts may operate with or without the knowledge of the account holder.
Mule accounts help criminals mask the identity of individuals involved in fraud.
They also obscure the origin of illegally obtained money, making tracking difficult for authorities.
These accounts make it challenging to trace the actual source of funds, allowing criminal networks to remain hidden.
Regulatory Response
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has developed MuleHunter.AI, which is an AI-based detection system.
MuleHunter.AI is designed for real-time monitoring of bank accounts to identify mule-like behaviour patterns.
The tool enhances early detection of suspicious accounts and strengthens financial cybersecurity.
Operation Pawan
The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) has paid homage to the martyrs of Operation Pawan for the first time.
Operation Pawan was launched in 1987 as part of India’s military involvement in Sri Lanka.
The operation was undertaken by the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF), which was India’s deployed military contingent in Sri Lanka.
The IPKF was sent to Sri Lanka following the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord of 1987, which was an agreement aimed at resolving the ethnic conflict.
The primary purpose of Operation Pawan was to disarm militant groups operating in Sri Lanka.
The operation specifically targeted the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which was an armed separatist organisation seeking a Tamil homeland.
Exercise SURYAKIRAN
Exercise Surya Kiran XIX – 2025 is a joint exercise between India and Nepal.
The exercise will be held from 25 November to 08 December 2025.
The location of the exercise is Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand, which is a strategic Himalayan border district.
About Exercise Surya Kiran
Exercise Surya Kiran is a joint military exercise between the Indian Army and the Nepal Army.
The exercise has been conducted annually since 2011.
Its objective is to jointly train for Sub-Conventional Operations, which refer to operations below the threshold of full-scale war.
The exercise focuses on Counter-Terrorism. It includes training in Jungle Warfare, which prepares soldiers for combat in dense forest terrain.
It also includes Mountain Warfare.
The exercise covers Humanitarian Assistance. It includes Disaster Relief (HADR) operations, which involve responding to natural disasters with rescue and rehabilitation efforts.
Digital Sequence Information (DSI) and ITPGRFA
Digital Sequence Information (DSI) has emerged as a major issue under the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA).
The UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food has cautioned that DSI could undermine the mandate of the ITPGRFA.
About ITPGRFA
The ITPGRFA was adopted in 2001 as a global framework for plant genetic resource governance.
The treaty came into force in 2004 under the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The treaty is legally binding, meaning parties must comply with its obligations.
It aims to ensure the:
conservation of all plant genetic resources used for food and agriculture.
sustainable use of plant genetic resources across agricultural systems.
fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of plant genetic resources.
India is a contracting party to the treaty.
The treaty’s Governing Body meets every two years to review implementation.
Digital Sequence Information (DSI)
DSI is a placeholder term used in global discussions under the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
There is no global consensus on the exact definition of DSI under the CBD.
DSI generally refers to the digital storage of genetic data.
This genetic data may come from DNA sequences, which store hereditary information.
It may also come from RNA sequences, which play roles in gene expression.
It may come from protein sequences, which determine biological structure and function.
It may come from other biological sequences, which hold genetic or biochemical information.
DSI is widely used as a scientific research tool across disciplines.
Both the public sector and private sector use DSI for innovation and research.
DSI contributes to sustainable development, especially in agriculture and conservation.
Cali Fund for DSI
The Cali Fund for DSI is a global benefit-sharing mechanism established at CBD COP-16.
The fund ensures that profits from the use of DSI are shared fairly among stakeholders.
The fund supports biodiversity conservation by channeling resources to ecological protection.
It supports capacity-building, especially in developing countries.
It supports indigenous communities, who are custodians of biological and cultural knowledge.
Significance of DSI
DSI supports food and nutritional security by speeding up crop development.
It accelerates the creation of climate-resilient crop varieties, which tolerate extreme weather.
It enables the development of disease-resistant crops, improving agricultural productivity.
DSI helps preserve agrobiodiversity, which refers to the variety of plant species used in agriculture.
It complements physical gene banks with digital repositories.
These digital repositories help safeguard valuable genetic traits for future breeding.
DSI enhances global scientific cooperation by widening research access.
Digital access helps democratize breeding research, especially for smaller institutions.
It promotes innovation in developing countries, which gain access to global genetic data.
Challenges in DSI Governance
Governance is difficult because the definition of DSI is unclear at the global level.
The lack of consensus creates ambiguity in regulation across countries.
DSI creates risks of digital biopiracy, which is the unauthorized use of genetic information.
This exploitation can occur without consent of those who possess the genetic resources.
It can occur without disclosure, leaving communities unaware of how their data is used.
DSI may weaken farmers’ control over their genetic resources.
It may also marginalize indigenous communities, who are traditional custodians of genetic knowledge.
Ozone Layer Update 2025
In 2025, NOAA and NASA ranked the ozone hole over Antarctica as the fifth smallest since 1992.
The ozone layer is a protective layer in the Earth’s atmosphere that shields life from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the Sun.
The ozone layer is located in the stratosphere, which extends between 15 and 35 kilometers above the Earth’s surface.
Ozone depletion begins when human-made compounds containing chlorine and bromine rise into the stratosphere.
These compounds react with ozone molecules, reducing the overall ozone concentration.
Reduced ozone allows more UV rays to reach the Earth’s surface.
Increased UV exposure can cause crop damage, reducing agricultural productivity.
It also leads to higher incidence of skin cancer in humans.
UV overexposure can result in cataracts, affecting eye health.
To address ozone depletion, countries signed the 1987 Montreal Protocol.
Under this protocol, nations agreed to replace ozone-depleting substances with less harmful alternatives.
National Milk Day & Dr. Verghese Kurien
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