Current Affairs 17 December 2025

Content

1. India’s Position on West Asian Conflicts
2. Infiltration Along India’s Borders and Regulation of the Free Movement Regime
3. AH-64E Apache Attack Helicopters and India’s Defence Modernisation
4. Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025: 100% FDI in Insurance
5. Inhalable Microplastics: A New Frontier of Urban Air Pollution
6. Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls and Voter Inclusion Concerns

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India’s Position on West Asian Conflicts

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Why is this in News?

• December 2025:
  • PM Narendra Modi visited Jordan.
  • EAM S. Jaishankar visited Israel.
• India publicly reiterated its stance on:
  • Israel–Palestine conflict.
  • Wider West Asian instability (Gaza war spillovers, regional escalation risks).
• Significance:
  • Diplomatic signalling amid polarised global positions.
  • India balancing strategic ties with Israel and traditional support to Palestine & Arab world.

Relevance

GS II – International Relations

• India’s West Asia policy: balancing strategic autonomy with issue-based alignment.
• India–Israel relations vs India’s support for Palestine & Two-State Solution.
• India–Jordan relations and role of moderate Arab states.
• India as a balancer power amid polarised global geopolitics.

West Asia: Strategic Basics

• Region includes:
  • Israel–Palestine
  • Jordan, Gulf states, Iran, Iraq, Syria.
• Importance for India:
  • ~60% of India’s crude oil & LNG imports.
  • 9+ million Indian diaspora.
  • Critical trade routes (Red Sea, Suez).
  • Counter-terrorism cooperation.

India’s Traditional Policy on West Asia

• Core principles:
  • Strategic autonomy.
  • Non-alignment (now issue-based alignment).
  • Support for international law & UN resolutions.
• Historical pillars:
  • Support for Two-State Solution.
  • Strong ties with Arab states.
  • Since 1992: Full diplomatic relations with Israel.

India–Israel Relations: Snapshot

• Diplomatic ties: Since 1992.
• Key areas:
  • Defence & weapons systems.
  • Intelligence & counter-terrorism.
  • Agriculture, water technology, innovation.
• Israel is among India’s top defence suppliers.
• Post-2017:
  • De-hyphenation of Israel–Palestine policy.

India–Jordan Relations: Snapshot

• Jordan’s role:
  • Custodian of Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem.
  • Moderate Arab state with diplomatic credibility.
• Cooperation areas:
  • Defence training.
  • Water & renewable energy.
  • Infrastructure and skill development.
• Jordan often acts as a bridge between Arab concerns and Western diplomacy.

Continuity and Change in India’s West Asia Policy

Continuity

• Support for Palestinian cause.
• Emphasis on diplomacy and restraint.
• Non-interventionist approach.

Change

• Clearer articulation against terrorism.
• Open strategic embrace of Israel.
• Willingness to engage all sides simultaneously.

Challenges for India

• Diplomatic tightrope:
  • Israel vs Arab & Muslim world sentiments.
• Diaspora safety amid conflicts.
• Energy security risks due to regional instability.
• Pressure from:
  • Western allies.
  • Global South expectations.

Opportunities for India

• Mediation potential due to credibility with all sides.
• Strengthening role in:
  • Humanitarian diplomacy.
  • Conflict de-escalation narratives.
• Leveraging West Asia for:
  • IMEC corridor.
  • Energy transition cooperation.

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Infiltration Along India’s Borders

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Why is this in News?

• Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) informed Lok Sabha about:
  • 878 infiltrators apprehended along the India–Myanmar border in the last two years.
  • Status of border fencing across Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Pakistan borders.
  • Update followed:
    • Manipur ethnic violence (since 2023).
    • Government decision to regulate (not fully scrap) the Free Movement Regime (FMR).

Relevance

GS III – Internal Security

• Border management challenges: porous borders, insurgency, illegal migration.
• Internal security implications of India–Myanmar border instability.
• Terrorism, arms trafficking (Pakistan border).
• Role of forces: Assam Rifles, BSF.

Border Infiltration: Basic Understanding

• Infiltration:
  • Unauthorized cross-border movement of persons.
  • Motivations include:
    • Illegal migration.
    • Ethnic conflict spillovers.
    • Insurgent movement.
    • Economic distress.
• India shares porous land borders with:
  • Myanmar (Northeast).
  • Bangladesh (East).
  • Pakistan (West).

India–Myanmar Border: Key Facts

• Total length: 1,643 km.
• Terrain:
  • Dense forests, hills, poor connectivity.
• Fencing status:
  • Only 9.2 km fenced so far (<1%).
• Infiltration trend (2014–2025):
  • Sharp rise post-2021 Myanmar coup and post-2023 Manipur violence.
  • Annual arrests rose from double digits → 400+ in 2024–25.

Free Movement Regime (FMR): Basics

• Introduced: 2018.
• Purpose:
  • Facilitate movement of ethnically linked border communities (Naga, Kuki-Chin groups).
• Original provision:
  • Visa-free movement up to 16 km across border.

Recent Changes in FMR (Regulation, Not Abolition)

• Announcement (Feb 2024):
  • Entire Myanmar border to be fenced.
  • FMR to be scrapped (political intent).
• Actual implementation (Dec 2024):
  • FMR regulated, not abolished.
  • Key changes:
    • Movement limit reduced: 16 km → 10 km.
    • 43 designated entry–exit gates notified.
    • Introduction of:
      • Gate passes.
      • Biometric registration.
• Rationale:
  • Balance security concerns with humanitarian & ethnic sensitivities.

Bangladesh Border: Infiltration Snapshot

• Border length: 4,096.70 km.
• Fencing status:
  • 79.08% fenced (3,239.92 km).
• Arrests:
  • 2024: 2,525
  • 2025: 2,556
• Nature of infiltration:
  • Economic migration.
  • Illegal stay beyond permits.
• Not primarily insurgency-driven.

Pakistan Border: Snapshot

• Fencing status:
  • 93.25% fenced.
• Remaining unfenced:
  • Difficult terrain (riverine, marshy).
• Infiltration nature:
  • Terrorism-centric.
  • Arms & narcotics trafficking.

Security Implications

• Internal Security  :
  • Nexus between:
    • Illegal migration.
    • Insurgency.
    • Ethnic violence (Manipur).
• Demographic stress:
  • Local resource competition.
  • Ethnic balance concerns.
• Governance challenges:
  • Law & order.
  • Refugee vs infiltrator distinction.

Government’s Border Management Strategy

• Physical measures:
  • Accelerated fencing.
  • Smart fencing (sensors, surveillance).
• Administrative measures:
  • Regulated FMR.
  • Biometric identification.
• Institutional mechanisms:
  • Assam Rifles (Myanmar border).
  • BSF (Bangladesh & Pakistan).
• Policy shift:
  • From open-border pragmatism → security-first approach.

Challenges

• Terrain constraints in Northeast.
• Ethnic ties across borders.
• Humanitarian concerns (refugees vs illegal migrants).
• Diplomatic sensitivity with Myanmar.

Opportunities & Way Forward

• Integrated Border Management System (IBMS).
• Technology-driven surveillance (drones, AI).
• Clear refugee policy framework.
• Border-area development to reduce local collusion.
• Diplomatic engagement with neighbours for coordinated border management.

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AH-64E Apache Attack Helicopters

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Why is this in News?

• Indian Army received the final batch of three AH-64E Apache helicopters, completing its six-helicopter fleet.
  • The helicopters were inducted into the 451 Army Aviation Squadron, based at Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
• Background:
  • Deal signed in February 2020 with the United States for $600 million.
  • Delivery was delayed by ~15 months due to global supply-chain disruptions.
• Strategic context:
  • Comes amid high-level India–US defence engagement and review of bilateral cooperation.

Relevance

GS III – Defence & Security

• Military modernisation and force multipliers.
• Role of attack helicopters in conventional deterrence.
• Jointness and role demarcation between IAF and Army Aviation.
• Western front preparedness.

GS II – International Relations

• India–US strategic and defence cooperation.
• Defence technology transfer and interoperability.
• Implications of foundational agreements (LEMOA, COMCASA, BECA).

What is the AH-64E Apache?

• A heavy attack helicopter designed for:
  • Close air support.
  • Anti-armour warfare.
  • Armed reconnaissance.
• Operated by:
  • United States Army and several allied forces.
• AH-64E (“Guardian”) is the latest and most advanced variant.

Key Technical Features

• Role:
  • Multi-role attack helicopter.
• Capabilities:
  • Precision strike.
  • Night and all-weather operations.
  • Network-centric warfare.
• Core systems:
  • Advanced fire-control radar.
  • Longbow sensors.
  • Integrated electronic warfare suite.
• Armament:
  • 30 mm chain gun.
  • Air-to-ground missiles (e.g., Hellfire).
  • Rockets and air-to-air missiles.

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Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025

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Why is this in News?

• Lok Sabha passed the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
  • Key highlight: FDI limit in insurance raised from 74% to 100%.
• Context:
  • Government push for financial sector reforms under Viksit Bharat vision.
  • Need to improve insurance penetration, capital adequacy, and product innovation.
• Political context:
  • Bill passed amid opposition protests over foreign ownership concerns.

Relevance

GS III – Economy

• Financial sector reforms and insurance penetration.
• FDI liberalisation and capital inflows.
• Role of insurance in risk management and economic stability.
• Reinsurance capacity and systemic risk reduction.

GS II – Governance

• Role and powers of regulators (IRDAI).
• Legislative reforms and regulatory oversight.
• Public sector reforms and listing of PSUs.

Basics: Insurance Sector in India

• Insurance in India governed by:
  • Insurance Act, 1938
  • LIC Act, 1956
  • IRDAI Act, 1999
• Two segments:
  • Life insurance.
  • General (non-life) insurance.
• Regulator:
  • Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).
• Key challenge:
  • Low insurance penetration:
    • ~4% of GDP vs global average ~7%.

What is FDI in Insurance?

• FDI allows foreign entities to:
  • Invest capital.
  • Bring technology and managerial expertise.
• Evolution of FDI limits:
  • 26% (pre-2015).
  • 49% (2015).
  • 74% (2021).
  • 100% (2025 Bill).

Key Provisions of the Bill

100% FDI in Insurance Companies

• Foreign insurers can:
  • Set up wholly owned subsidiaries.
  • Operate without mandatory Indian joint-venture partners.
• Conditions:
  • All Indian laws applicable.
  • Full regulatory oversight by IRDAI.

Reinsurance Reforms

• Net Owned Fund (NOF) requirement for Foreign Reinsurance Branches (FRBs):
  • Reduced from ₹5,000 crore → ₹1,000 crore.
• Objective:
  • Attract global reinsurers.
  • Expand domestic risk-bearing capacity.
  • Reduce premium outflows abroad.

Enhanced Powers of IRDAI

• New powers:
  • Disgorgement of wrongful gains from insurers and intermediaries.
• Penalty rationalisation:
  • Maximum penalty on intermediaries raised:
    • ₹1 crore → ₹10 crore.
• Objective:
  • Strong deterrence.
  • Improved compliance and governance.

Public Sector Insurance Strengthening

• Capital infusion:
  • ₹17,450 crore into three public sector general insurers.
• Structural reforms:
  • Listing of:
    • LIC.
    • GIC Re.
    • New India Assurance.
• Objective:
  • Market discipline.
  • Transparency.
  • Operational efficiency.

Rationale Behind the Reforms

• Capital constraints in insurance sector.
• Need for:
  • Better products.
  • Deeper risk coverage.
  • Digital and actuarial expertise.
• Ease of doing business:
  • Joint ventures often complex and restrictive.
• Align India with:
  • Global best practices in insurance regulation.

Potential Benefits

• Increased capital inflow.
• Enhanced competition and innovation.
• Improved insurance penetration.
• Better reinsurance availability.
• Stronger regulatory enforcement and policyholder protection.

Concerns and Criticism

• Foreign dominance fears in a sensitive financial sector.
• Profit repatriation risks.
• Public sector insurers’ competitiveness.
• Regulatory capacity of IRDAI under expanded mandate.

Way Forward

• Phased and monitored implementation.
• Stronger consumer grievance redressal.
• Capacity building within IRDAI.
• Parallel reforms in:
  • Financial literacy.
  • Insurance awareness.
• Safeguards to protect public interest.

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Inhalable Microplastics and Urban Air Pollution

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Why is this in News?

• November–December 2025:
  • A first-of-its-kind Indian study, published in Environment International, has flagged inhalable microplastics as a serious and overlooked air pollutant.
  • Conducted across Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai by IISER Kolkata.
• Context:
  • Severe winter smog episodes in NCR.
  • Public protests demanding the right to clean air.
• Key finding:
  • City residents inhale ~132 micrograms of microplastics daily, with Delhi and Kolkata worst affected.

Relevance

GS III – Environment & Public Health

• Emerging environmental contaminants.
• Limitations of AQI and existing pollution frameworks.
• Urban air pollution and health externalities.
• Plastic waste management failures.

What are Microplastics?

• Microplastics:
  • Plastic particles <5 mm in size.
• Inhalable microplastics:
  • Particles <10 micrometres (µm).
  • Small enough to:
    • Bypass nasal filtration.
    • Penetrate deep lung tissue.
• Source:
  • Primary: Microbeads, synthetic fibres.
  • Secondary: Breakdown of larger plastic waste.

Traditional Air Pollution Framework

• Focus on criteria pollutants:
  • PM2.5, PM10.
  • SO₂, NOx, CO, ozone, lead.
• AQI:
  • Does not explicitly account for microplastics.
• Gap:
  • Emerging contaminants like microplastics remain outside regulatory radar.

Key Findings of the Study

Concentration Levels

• Average inhalable microplastics (4 cities):
  • 8.8 µg/m³.
• Daily exposure:
  • ~132 µg per person per day.
• City-wise exposure:
  • Delhi: 14.18 µg/m³
  • Kolkata: 14.23 µg/m³
  • Mumbai: 2.65 µg/m³
  • Chennai: 4 µg/m³

Seasonal Variation

• Winter evenings:
  • 32.7 particles/m³
• Non-winter evenings:
  • 18.8 particles/m³
• 74% increase during winter due to:
  • Temperature inversion.
  • Low wind speed.
  • Poor dispersion.

“Trojan Horse” Effect

• Microplastics act as carriers for:
  • Heavy metals:
    • Lead (highest in Kolkata).
    • Cadmium.
  • Endocrine-disrupting chemicals:
    • Diethyl phthalates.
  • Microbes:
    • Fungi like Aspergillus fumigatus.
    • Antibiotic-resistance genes.
• Net impact:
  • Amplifies toxicity beyond physical particles.

Health Implications

• Deep lung penetration → chronic exposure.
• Linked risks:
  • Respiratory diseases.
  • Hormone-related disorders.
  • Cancer.
  • Breast and reproductive health issues.
• High-risk groups:
  • Traffic police.
  • Construction workers.
  • Urban informal labour.
• Tyre-wear microplastics:
  • Identified as particularly carcinogenic.

Sources of Inhalable Microplastics

• Urban origins:
  • Tyre wear.
  • Synthetic textiles.
  • Packaging materials.
  • Cosmetics.
  • Construction activities.
  • Household waste.
• Waste management failures:
  • Open dumping.
  • Burning of plastics.
  • Poor segregation.

Why Delhi and Kolkata are Worse Affected

• High population density.
• Severe waste mismanagement.
• Landlocked geography.
• Adverse winter meteorology.
• Contrast:
  • Mumbai and Chennai benefit from:
    • Coastal winds.
    • Better atmospheric dispersion.

Governance and Policy Gaps

• AQI framework:
  • Not designed to capture microplastics.
• Plastic regulation:
  • Weak enforcement of single-use plastic bans.
• Occupational safety:
  • No specific standards for microplastic exposure.
• Waste management:
  • Persistent urban governance failures.

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Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls

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Why is this in News?

• Draft electoral rolls published after SIR in West Bengal, Rajasthan, Goa, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry.
  • 1.02 crore names removed, causing the total electorate to shrink by 7.6%.
• Trigger:
  • Election Commission of India (ECI) conducted Special Intensive Revision ahead of upcoming elections.
• Public debate:
  • Concerns over large-scale deletions, transparency, and voter disenfranchisement.

What is an Electoral Roll?

• Electoral Roll:
  • Official list of eligible voters in a constituency.
• Constitutional basis:
  • Article 324 – Superintendence of elections vested in ECI.
• Statutory framework:
  • Representation of the People Act, 1950.
• Purpose:
  • Ensure free, fair, and inclusive elections.

What is Special Intensive Revision ?

• SIR:
  • A comprehensive, door-to-door verification of electoral rolls.
• Conducted:
  • Periodically or before major elections.
• Objective:
  • Remove:
    • Duplicate voters.
    • Deceased voters.
    • Shifted or non-resident voters.
  • Add:
    • Eligible but left-out citizens.
• Differs from:
  • Routine annual revision (more limited, application-based).

Key Findings from the 2025 SIR

• Total electors:
  • Reduced from 13.35 crore → 12.33 crore.
• Net deletion:
  • 1.02 crore voters.
• States/UTs affected:
  • West Bengal.
  • Rajasthan.
  • Goa.
  • Lakshadweep.
  • Puducherry.
• Official reasons for deletion:
  • “Shifted”.
  • “Deceased”.
  • “Untraceable”.
  • Duplicate entries.

State-wise Snapshot (Indicative)

• West Bengal:
  • Largest absolute deletions.
• Rajasthan:
  • Significant rural and urban deletions.
• Goa:
  • Notable drop despite smaller electorate.
• Lakshadweep & Puducherry:
  • Smaller numbers, but high proportional impact.

Reasons Behind High Deletions

• Migration:
  • Seasonal and inter-state mobility.
• Urbanisation:
  • Address mismatches.
• Documentation gaps:
  • Failure to submit required forms.
• Administrative factors:
  • Booth Level Officer (BLO) discretion.
  • Short verification windows.
• Digital divide:
  • Limited awareness of verification procedures.

Democratic Concerns Raised

• Voter disenfranchisement risk:
  • Eligible voters may be wrongly deleted.
• Due process issues:
  • Inadequate notice.
  • Limited opportunity for appeal.
• Impact on vulnerable groups:
  • Migrant workers.
  • Urban poor.
  • Elderly.
  • Women.
• Political neutrality:
  • Allegations of selective or uneven deletions.

Election Commission’s Position

• Deletions are:
  • Based on field verification.
  • Subject to claims and objections process.
• Draft rolls:
  • Not final; corrections allowed.
• Legal safeguards:
  • Re-inclusion possible before final publication.

Constitutional & Legal Dimensions

• Right to vote:
  • Statutory right (not fundamental).
  • Still central to democratic participation.
• Supreme Court view:
  • ECI must ensure procedural fairness and transparency.
• Balance required:
  • Roll purity vs inclusiveness.

Governance and Federal Issues

• Centre–State coordination:
  • SIR executed by state machinery under ECI.
• Trust deficit:
  • Between voters, political parties, and election authorities.
• Institutional credibility:
  • Directly affects legitimacy of electoral outcomes.

Way Forward

• Improve transparency:
  • Public disclosure of deletion reasons.
• Strengthen due process:
  • Mandatory notice before deletion.
• Technology use:
  • Aadhaar-linked but consent-based verification.
• Awareness drives:
  • Especially for migrants and urban poor.
• Independent audit:
  • Post-SIR review of deletions and additions.

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