Current Affairs 12 August 2025

Content

1. U.S. Criticism of India for Trade with Russia is Factual but Illogical
2. Impact of Google Antitrust Case
3. Why Can’t Army Deploy Women to Fight Terror, Asks SC
4. Supreme Court Order on Stray Dogs and Delhi’s Shelter Infrastructure
5. 10-Foot Caste Wall

U.S. criticism of India for trade with Russia is factual but illogical

Core Development

• Policy Action: U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods (in addition to an earlier 25% tariff).
• Stated Reasons:
  • India’s high dependence on Russian crude oil imports at discounted rates.
  • India’s continued military equipment purchases from Russia.
• Timing: Tariff to take effect in a few weeks; announced August 2025.

Relevance : GS 3(Economy ) , GS 2(International Relations)

Factual Findings vs. Trump’s Claims

• Oil Imports:
  • India’s Russian crude imports surged after 2022, doubling its share in overall oil imports (Chart 1 in source).
  • This was encouraged indirectly by the U.S. to stabilize global energy markets after the Ukraine war price-cap mechanism.
  • EU has imported more fossil fuels from Russia during the same period than India — contributing ~22% (€212B) of Russia’s fossil fuel export earnings (Feb 2022–Aug 2025).
  • China’s imports of Russian crude also exceed India’s.

• Arms Imports:
  • Over 50% of India’s arms imports since 2022 came from Russia.
  • Long-term trend: steady decline in Russian share since 1990s, replaced partly by France, U.K., and U.S.
  • U.S. itself is Israel’s largest arms supplier; Israel’s actions in Gaza have been labelled genocidal by some institutions — raising double-standard concerns.

Hypocrisy & Double Standards

• Energy Trade: U.S. and EU continue certain Russian imports (fertilizers, critical minerals, steel) despite sanctions.
  • U.S. imported over $800M worth of Russian fertilizers in 2025 (till Feb).
• Arms Trade: Criticizing India’s Russia arms trade while U.S. arms exports to Israel remain high undermines moral consistency.
• Indirect Energy Links: EU and U.S. import petroleum products refined in India from Russian crude — effectively circumventing direct crude sanctions.

Strategic Context

• India’s Position:
  • Maintains decades-old Russia ties for energy security & defence.
  • Uses discounted crude for economic advantage (inflation control, energy stability).
• U.S. Position:
  • Uses tariffs as pressure tool to reshape India’s Russia relationship.
  • Likely aims to push India toward Western-aligned energy and arms supply chains.
• Global Ripple Effects:
  • Tariffs may strain U.S.–India trade partnership (bilateral goods trade >$190B in 2024).
  • Could push India to diversify export markets (ASEAN, Africa, Gulf).

Economic Impact Projection

• For India:
  • Targeted goods will face reduced competitiveness in U.S. market.
  • Sectors at risk: textiles, gems & jewellery, certain auto components, pharma intermediates (depending on scope).
• For U.S.:
  • Tariffs may marginally increase input costs in sectors relying on Indian imports.
  • Could hurt U.S. consumers in price-sensitive goods.
• For Russia:
  • Minimal direct impact; India likely to maintain some crude & arms trade due to cost-benefit calculus.

Geopolitical Significance

• This is less about pure economics and more about geoeconomic coercion:
  • Part of U.S. strategy to deter middle powers from deepening economic ties with sanctioned Russia.
  • Tariffs signal linkage diplomacy — using unrelated trade levers to influence security and foreign policy decisions.
  • India faces test of its strategic autonomy doctrine — balancing ties with U.S., EU, and Russia without conceding policy independence.

What will be the impact of Google antitrust case?

Background

• Parties Involved:
  • Google / Alphabet Inc. – Dominant player in mobile OS (Android) and app distribution (Google Play Store).
  • Competition Commission of India (CCI) – National competition regulator enforcing the Competition Act, 2002.
  • National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) – Appellate body reviewing CCI’s orders.
  • Alliance Digital India Foundation (ADIF) – Industry coalition advocating for Indian startups against Big Tech dominance.

• Market Context:
  • Android powers over 95% of smartphones in India.
  • Google Play Store is the primary distribution platform for Android apps.
  • Market dominance allows Google to shape both consumer experience and developer economics.

Relevance : GS 3(Competition , Economy)

CCI’s Findings (2022)

• Allegation: Abuse of Dominance under Section 4 of the Competition Act, 2002.
• Key Anti-Competitive Practices Identified:
  • Mandatory Google Play Billing System (GPBS):
    • Developers forced to use Google’s billing for in-app purchases.
    • Commission charged: 15–30%.
    • Exemption for Google’s own services (e.g., YouTube) → unfair cost advantage.
  • Pre-installation & Bundling of Google Apps:
    • Search, Chrome, YouTube, etc., pre-installed as a condition for Play Store access.
    • Restricted consumer choice and deterred competing services.
  • Data Advantage:
    • Access to transactional data from GPBS could be used to promote Google’s own apps/services.
• Penalties & Remedies:
  • Financial penalty: ₹936.44 crore.
  • Behavioural remedies: Decouple GPBS from Play Store access, stop data misuse, ensure transparency in billing policies.

Google’s Defence

• Business Model Argument:
  • Android is open-source; OEMs can license core Android without Google’s proprietary apps.
  • Pre-installation seen as a convenience for users, not a barrier to competition.
• Security & Quality Justification:
  • GPBS ensures secure transactions and reduces fraud/payment failures.
  • Commission rates consistent with industry standards; funds global distribution and security infrastructure.
• Competition Evidence:
  • Indian apps (PhonePe, Paytm, Hotstar) have grown successfully on Android → market still competitive.
• Service Exemption Logic:
  • Different business models justify exemptions for certain Google apps.

NCLAT Judgment (March 2024)

• Upholding of CCI’s Core Findings:
  • Agreed: Mandatory GPBS & bundling of apps = abuse of dominance.
• Penalty Reduction:
  • From ₹936.44 crore → ₹216.69 crore.
  • Reason: Original fine disproportionate to specific conduct proven.
• Modification of Remedies:
  • Struck down some CCI directives as over-broad or lacking sufficient evidence.
  • Initially removed data-use restrictions; reinstated in May 2025 review.
• Final Binding Remedies (Post-Review):
  • Google must be transparent about billing data policies.
  • Google cannot use billing data to gain competitive advantage for its own services.

Why Penalty Was Reduced

• Proportionality Principle:
  • Penalty should correspond to gravity, duration, and impact of anti-competitive conduct.
  • NCLAT found the ₹936 crore fine was excessive given:
    • Limited scope of proven violations (mainly GPBS & bundling).
    • Absence of conclusive harm metrics quantifying consumer loss.
    • Some CCI remedies were unsupported by strong empirical evidence.

Current Status (Aug 2025)

• Supreme Court:
  • Admitted appeals from Google, CCI, and ADIF.
  • Will examine:
    • Legal definition and scope of “abuse of dominance” in platform markets.
    • Balance between innovation, consumer protection, and market fairness.
  • Final hearing scheduled for November 2025.
• Stakeholder Positions:
  • Google: Wants full reversal of CCI’s findings and remedies.
  • CCI: Wants original penalties and remedies reinstated.
  • ADIF: Argues NCLAT was too lenient; seeks strong pro-CCI outcome.

Implications

• For Consumers:
  • If CCI prevails: More payment options, possibly lower app prices, more competition.
  • If Google prevails: Status quo with tighter control over Android ecosystem.
• For Indian Startups:
  • CCI win could increase bargaining power, reduce dependency on Google’s terms.
• For Global Regulation:
  • India’s verdict may inspire similar antitrust actions globally (mirroring EU’s Digital Markets Act trends).
• For Google:
  • Possible need to unbundle services, open billing systems, and adapt its global Android model.

Why can’t Army deploy women to fight terror, asks SC

Background & Context

• JAG Branch in the Army:
  • The Judge Advocate General’s Department is the Army’s legal arm.
  • Officers here deal with military law, court-martials, legal advice to commanders, and legal awareness in units.
  • Despite being a legal service, it is considered a “combatant” branch because JAG officers are commissioned Army officers and can be mobilized in wartime.

• Pre-judgment Status:
  • The Army had a policy restricting women officers in JAG and reserving a higher number of posts for men.
  • Justification given: JAG officers are “combatant personnel” and a reserve for mobilisation; women were allegedly unsuitable for such mobilisation.

• Petitioners’ Stand:
  • Represented by Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan.
  • Challenged the gender-based restriction as unconstitutional and discriminatory.

Relevance : GS 2(Gender Equality)

Supreme Court’s Key Findings

• Policy Unconstitutional:
  • Discrimination based on gender in appointments violates Articles 14 (Equality before law) and 16 (Equality in public employment) of the Constitution.
  • Mere “combatant” label does not justify excluding women without evidence-based reasoning.

• No Legal Basis for Exclusion:
  • No legislation prevents women from serving in combat-support roles like JAG.
  • Army’s reasoning that women are not deployed in counter-terror or counter-insurgency roles was unsupported in law.

• Comparative Services Reference:
  • Indian Air Force: Women serve as fighter pilots, helicopter pilots, and in airborne missions.
  • Indian Navy: Women deployed on warships and in combat-support roles.
  • Army itself has women in operationally risky roles (e.g., elite airborne and parachute units in emergencies).

• Judicial Philosophy:
  • Court emphasized it is not imposing its military views, but enforcing constitutional mandates.
  • Quote: “No nation can be secure when half of its population is held back.”

Directives Issued

• Publish a common merit list for all JAG candidates (men and women).
• Make marks public to ensure transparency.
• End gender-based reservation of posts in JAG.

Constitutional & Legal Principles

• Article 14: Prohibits arbitrary classification; classification must be reasonable and have a rational nexus to the objective.
• Article 15(1): Prohibits discrimination on grounds of sex.
• Article 16(1) & (2): Equal opportunity in public employment; exceptions only for specific service-related conditions backed by law.
• Supreme Court Precedents:
  • Babita Puniya vs Union of India (2020): Permanent commission for women in Army’s non-combat roles.
  • Indira Jaising v. Supreme Court of India (1982): Gender cannot be a bar unless justified by compelling necessity.

Strategic & Operational Implications

• Talent Pool Expansion: More qualified officers (irrespective of gender) can serve in legal branches, strengthening military justice.
• Operational Flexibility: Women officers already handle high-risk operations; expanding their legal combat-support presence is operationally feasible.
• Cultural Shift: Encourages institutional acceptance of gender-neutral postings, aligning military norms with global practices.

Broader Social & Policy Dimensions

• Gender Equality in Forces:
  • Women’s participation in combat and combat-support roles reflects societal progress.
  • Challenges outdated stereotypes about women’s operational capability.
• International Comparison:
  • Many advanced militaries (US, UK, Israel, France) allow women in combat-support and combat roles.
• Civil-Military Relations:
  • Court has reinforced that military policies must conform to constitutional principles unless backed by explicit legislative mandate.

Supreme Court order on stray dogs and Delhi’s shelter infrastructure

Context & Background

• Supreme Court Order (August 2025): Directed civic bodies and authorities in Delhi-NCR to relocate stray dogs from streets to shelters.
• Objective: Address rising dog bite incidents and improve public safety while adhering to animal welfare norms.
• Legal Background:
  • Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 – provides safeguards for animals, but also allows regulation to protect public health.
  • Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023 – mandate sterilisation, vaccination, and relocation to shelters for unclaimed dogs.
  • Previous SC & High Court observations have balanced animal rights with public safety.

Relevance : GS 1(Society ) , GS 2(Social Justice)

Current Situation in Delhi

• Infrastructure Gap:
  • No dedicated large-scale government shelters in the capital.
  • Reliance on NGO-run ABC sterilisation centres, already overburdened.
• Data from MCD:
  • Sterilisation/Immunisation:
    • 2021–22: 91,326
    • 2022–23: 59,076
    • 2023–24: 79,959
    • 2024–25: 1,31,137
    • 2025 (Apr–Jul): 65,000
  • Dog Bite Cases:
    • 2021: 6,691
    • 2022: 17,874
    • 2023: 25,210
• Trend: Despite increased sterilisation, dog bite cases rising — points to inefficiency in controlling stray population or behavioural issues.

Key Challenges

• Infrastructure Deficit:
  • Capacity shortfall — shelters & sterilisation facilities cannot accommodate the estimated 4–5 lakh stray dogs in Delhi.
  • NGOs report they can house only 100–400 dogs at a time.
• Financial Constraints:
  • Shelter construction & operation requires substantial budget allocation.
  • Dependence on NGOs without long-term government funding.
• Operational Barriers:
  • ABC programs disrupted due to lack of space, legal hurdles, and delays in municipal decision-making.
• Public Health Concern:
  • Rising dog bite incidents leading to rabies risk, increased healthcare burden.
• Legal & Ethical Balancing:
  • Balancing Article 21 (Right to Life & Safety) for humans with animal welfare under the PCA Act and constitutional principles (Article 51A(g)).

Stakeholder Perspectives

• NGOs:
  • Concerned about feasibility — moving thousands of strays without shelter capacity may worsen conditions.
  • Fear ABC programs may halt completely if shelters become overfilled.
• RWAs (Resident Welfare Associations):
  • Welcome SC’s intent for safety but sceptical about timely execution.
  • Demand accountability — “heads should roll” if order not implemented.
• Civic Authorities (MCD):
  • Acknowledge constraints but lack clear roadmap for large-scale shelter setup.
• Public Sentiment:
  • Divided — some advocate immediate removal for safety; others demand humane treatment and gradual relocation.

Policy & Governance Issues

• Absence of Urban Animal Welfare Planning:
  • No integrated Urban Animal Management Policy in Delhi.
• Data & Tracking Gaps:
  • No real-time stray dog census; reliance on estimates.
• Coordination Failure:
  • Poor coordination between MCD, NGOs, and Delhi Government.
• Judicial Overreach Debate:
  • Experts question if courts should mandate operational timelines without ensuring feasibility.

Comparative Perspective

• International Examples:
  • Turkey: Large-scale municipal shelters, mandatory registration, microchipping.
  • Romania: State-funded sterilisation & adoption drives.
  • Singapore: Strict licensing, penalties for abandonment, high adoption rates.
• Learning for India:
  • Need for sustained municipal funding, community adoption incentives, and strict abandonment laws.

Way Forward

• Infrastructure Creation:
  • Build regional shelters with modern facilities; integrate veterinary services and adoption centres.
• Strengthening ABC Programs:
  • Increase sterilisation targets with mobile veterinary units.
• Public Participation:
  • Incentivise adoption; promote responsible pet ownership.
• Legislative Strengthening:
  • Amend PCA Act for stronger penalties on abandonment.
• Data-Driven Action:
  • Conduct annual stray dog census for planning and monitoring.
• Balanced Approach:
  • Phase-wise relocation, combining sterilisation, vaccination, and adoption — avoiding mass capture without capacity.

10-foot caste wall

Background of the Incident

• Location: Muthulapatti village, Karur district, Tamil Nadu.
• Structure: 200 feet long, 10 feet high concrete wall, separating two communities — Thottia Naickers and Arunthathiyars.
• Duration: Wall existed for nearly 3 weeks before demolition on August 9, 2025.
• Key Trigger: Dispute over access to shared public facilities and discrimination claims.

Relevance : GS 1(Society) , GS 2(Social Issues)

Communities Involved

• Thottia Naickers:
  • Traditionally an intermediate caste with warrior and leadership history.
  • Politically influential, dominant in parts of western and central Tamil Nadu.
  • Often in control of local power structures.

• Arunthathiyars:
  • Scheduled Caste, historically at the bottom of the caste hierarchy.
  • Socially and economically marginalized; victims of historical discrimination and segregation.
  • Faced denial of access to public spaces and facilities.

Nature of the Wall

• Claim by Builders: A barrier to prevent “outsiders” from loitering, drinking, and causing nuisance.
• Reality as Per Affected Side: A “wall of untouchability” aimed at physical segregation and denial of public rights.
• Impact: Restricted movement, exacerbated caste-based tensions, and denied symbolic equality.

Legal and Administrative Context

• Land Ownership: Wall was on poramboke (public) land.
• Violation: No government permission or building plan approval obtained.
• Action Taken:
  • Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front condemned wall; official meetings failed to resolve issue.
  • On August 7, eviction notice issued citing encroachment on public property.
  • August 9: Police, revenue officials, and heavy machinery removed the wall under protection.

Constitutional & Legal Dimensions

• Fundamental Rights Violated:
  • Article 14: Equality before law — discriminatory segregation violates this.
  • Article 15(2): Prohibition of discrimination in access to public spaces.
  • Article 17: Abolition of untouchability — wall represents a physical manifestation of untouchability.
  • Article 21: Right to dignity and free movement.
• Statutory Provisions:
  • Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 — criminalizes the practice of untouchability.
  • SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 — addresses intentional acts of social exclusion.
• Directive Principles:
  • Article 46: Promotion of educational and economic interests of SC/STs and protection from social injustice.

Governance & Administrative Challenges

• Delayed Action: Multiple failed meetings before enforcement, showing administrative reluctance to confront dominant caste groups.
• Police’s Balancing Act: Maintaining law and order while addressing deep-seated caste tensions.
• Symbolic Sensitivity: Demolition was advised not to be celebrated to avoid inflaming tensions.

Broader Socio-Political Analysis

• Caste Segregation in Rural India:
  • Not an isolated case; similar “caste walls” and physical barriers exist across India.
  • Reflects spatial apartheid in rural settlements (Dalit hamlets physically separated).

• Power Imbalance:
  • Intermediate castes, though not at the top of the hierarchy, exercise strong local control over land, resources, and institutions.
  • Marginalized castes often dependent on them for livelihoods, deepening vulnerability.

• Cultural & Ritual Exclusion:
  • Arunthathiyars’ requests to participate in village cultural events repeatedly denied, further entrenching symbolic inequality.

Lessons & Policy Recommendations

• Proactive Enforcement:
  • Quick administrative intervention in caste-based barriers to prevent escalation.
  • Mandatory annual social audit of public spaces to ensure inclusivity.
• Awareness & Education:
  • Social reform campaigns at grassroots level through schools, SHGs, and panchayats.
• Empowering Marginalized Castes:
  • Strengthen SC/ST grievance redressal mechanisms at district level.
  • Promote Dalit representation in local governance.
• Judicial Precedent:
  • Courts should expedite hearings on physical segregation cases and impose exemplary costs on violators.