Content
- SC expresses ‘grave concern’ over rising digital arrest scams
- Nashik unit open; HAL can roll out 24 Tejas jets a year
- Rotavirus vaccine effective against gastroenteritis in children: study
- Curb on use of ‘ORS’ term brings to light a doctor’s 8-year battle
- WMO: Record rise in global CO2 concentrations
- Where springs once sang, silence now echoes across the Eastern Himalayas
SC expresses ‘grave concern’ over rising digital arrest scams
Why in News ?
- What happened: Supreme Court (SC) took suo motu cognisance of rising digital arrest scams.
- Trigger: A septuagenarian couple from Ambala, Haryana, lost ₹1.5 crore to conmen impersonating CBI, Enforcement Directorate, and judicial officers.
- SC’s stance: Described it as a matter of “grave concern”; emphasized coordinated national action.
- Entities involved for response: Union Government, Haryana Government, and CBI.
Relevance:
- GS-2: Governance – Cybercrime management, Inter-agency coordination, Supreme Court suo motu interventions.
- GS-3: Science & Technology – Cyber fraud trends, Digital financial crimes, Use of technology in scams.
- GS-4: Ethics – Public awareness, Protection of vulnerable citizens, Responsibility of institutions.
Understanding Digital Arrest Scams
- Definition: Cyber frauds where criminals impersonate law enforcement, judiciary, or government officials.
- Modus Operandi:
- Sending fake court orders, warrants, or summons digitally (email, WhatsApp, SMS).
- Threatening immediate arrest or legal action to extort money.
- Using forged documents from multiple judicial or investigative agencies to increase authenticity.
- Victims targeted: Often elderly or less tech-savvy individuals.
- Financial impact: Losses can range from lakhs to crores of rupees per victim.
Scope and Magnitude
- Nationwide concern: SC noted this is not a solitary instance; reported across multiple states.
- Digital crime trends in India:
- Cybercrime complaints reported to National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP): ~ 5.5 lakh in 2024 (all categories).
- Financial frauds and impersonation cases are growing at ~20–25% per year.
- Elderly and urban professionals are high-risk targets due to perceived wealth.
- Technology exploitation: Fraudsters increasingly use deepfakes, official seals, and realistic document templates.
Legal & Institutional Framework
- Existing laws applicable:
- IPC Sections 420, 467, 468, 471 – cheating, forgery, and fraud.
- Information Technology Act 2000 – cyber fraud, identity theft, digital impersonation.
- Investigating agencies:
- CBI: Handles large-scale interstate scams.
- State Cyber Cells: Investigate local digital frauds.
- Enforcement Directorate: Investigates if money laundering or cross-border transfer involved.
- Challenges:
- Jurisdictional issues across states.
- Difficulty in tracking digital transactions and fraudsters.
- Lack of awareness among victims.
Supreme Court’s Observations & Implications
- Key observations:
- Fabrication of multiple judicial documents to dupe victims.
- Fraud is a well-organized criminal enterprise, not isolated incidents.
- Calls for pan-India stern action to uncover and prevent such scams.
- Implications:
- Likely directives to Union & State Governments to issue public advisories.
- Possible strengthening of cybercrime cells and coordination between central and state agencies.
- Courts may consider fast-tracking cybercrime cases.
Preventive & Citizen Measures
- Awareness campaigns: Government advisories on digital impersonation scams.
- Verification: Always verify court notices with official portals or through local police.
- Reporting: Register complaints via NCRP, local police, or CBI helplines.
- Technology safeguards: Use official apps and secure banking channels, avoid sharing OTPs or banking credentials.
Data / Facts to Highlight
- ₹1.5 crore lost by the Ambala couple – SC cited as illustrative case.
- Cybercrime complaints in India: ~5.5 lakh in 2024 (uptrend).
- Financial frauds growing 20–25% per year.
- Elderly victims increasingly targeted.
Nashik unit open; HAL can roll out 24 Tejas jets a year
Why in News ?
- Event: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated:
- Third production line of Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Mk1A.
- Second production line of HTT–40 trainer aircraft at HAL Nashik facility.
- Significance: Flagged off first LCA Mk1A produced at Nashik, symbolizing India’s growing self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
- Context: Part of ongoing defence sector transformation under PM Modi since 2014, emphasizing Make in India and indigenisation.
Relevance:
- GS-2: Governance – Defence policy implementation, Make in India, Public sector reforms.
- GS-3: Economy – Defence manufacturing, Employment generation, Strategic industrial capacity.
- GS-3: Science & Technology – Indigenous aircraft production, Technological self-reliance, Aerospace innovations.
Basics
- LCA Tejas Mk1A:
- Indigenous lightweight multirole fighter aircraft.
- Upgraded version of LCA Mk1; includes advanced avionics, radar, EW capabilities.
- Current Nashik line capacity: 8 aircraft/year, total HAL capacity with three lines: 24 aircraft/year.
- HTT-40:
- Indigenous basic trainer aircraft for IAF pilot training.
- Second production line at Nashik complements first line in Bengaluru.
- HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited): Backbone of India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem, integrating government, industry, and academia.
Defence Manufacturing Transformation (2014–Present)
- Import vs domestic production:
- 2014: India imported 65–70% of military hardware.
- Present: ~65% domestically manufactured. Goal: 100% self-reliance.
- Policy reforms:
- Encouraged private sector participation.
- Focus on planning, advanced technology, and innovation to reduce strategic vulnerabilities.
- Operational proof:
- HAL integrated BrahMos missile on Su-30 aircraft during Operation Sindoor, ensuring timely destruction of terrorist hideouts.
- Demonstrates India’s design, production, and deployment capabilities.
HAL Production & Expansion
- Production lines in India:
- LCA Mk1A: First two lines in Bengaluru; third in Nashik.
- HTT-40: First line in Bengaluru; second in Nashik.
- Capacity & expansion:
- Current Nashik line: 8 aircraft/year; total LCA Mk1A capacity: 24 aircraft/year.
- Planned expansion in 2 years: up to 10 aircraft/year at Nashik with additional assembly jig line, tooling, and pre-installation check facilities.
- Economic impact:
- Creation of ~1,000 jobs in Nashik.
- Development of 40+ industry partners in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh.
Strategic Significance
- Reduces import dependence on fighter jets, missiles, engines, and electronic warfare systems.
- Strengthens national security and operational readiness of Indian Air Force.
- Enhances Make in India initiative credibility in high-tech defence manufacturing.
- Demonstrates synergy among government, HAL, private industry, and academia.
Key Data / Facts
- LCA Mk1A production capacity: 24 aircraft/year (with three lines).
- Nashik line: 8 aircraft/year, expansion to 10/year planned.
- Jobs created: ~1,000; 40+ industry partners developed.
- India’s domestic defence manufacturing: ~65% currently, up from <35% in 2014.
- HAL key achievements: BrahMos integration on Su-30 during Operation Sindoor.
Rotavirus vaccine effective against gastroenteritis in children: study
Why in News ?
- Event: Publication of a multi–centre observational study on the effectiveness of India’s indigenous Rotavac vaccine under the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) 2016–2020.
- Source: Study led by Gagandeep Kang, Nayana P. Nair, and Samarasimha N. Reddy; published in Nature Medicine.
- Context: Evaluates real-world impact of Rotavac, India’s first indigenous oral rotavirus vaccine.
Relevance:
- GS-2: Governance – Universal Immunisation Programme, Public health policy, Evidence-based decision-making.
- GS-3: Economy – Domestic vaccine production, Atmanirbhar Bharat in healthcare, Cost-effective health interventions.
- GS-1: Society – Reduction in child mortality, Strengthening societal health outcomes.
Basics
- Rotavirus: Major cause of severe gastroenteritis and diarrhoealdeaths in children under 5.
- Global burden: ~128,500 deaths annually in India among under-five children.
- Rotavac vaccine:
- Oral, indigenous, developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with DBT, Indian govt., and international partners.
- Administration schedule: 6, 10, and 14 weeks of age under UIP.
- Publicly available and free to all eligible children under UIP.
Study Design & Coverage
- Type: Observational, multi-centre, real-world effectiveness study.
- Timeframe: 2016–2020, covering introduction of Rotavac in UIP.
- Scope:
- 31 hospitals across 9 Indian states.
- Compared proportion of paediatric rotavirus hospitalisations before and after vaccine introduction.
- Objective: Assess real-world vaccine effectiveness outside controlled clinical trials.
Key Findings
- Overall effectiveness:54% reduction in rotavirus-based gastroenteritis among vaccinated children.
- Comparable to phase 3 clinical trial efficacy (54%), confirming effectiveness in routine conditions.
- Age-specific impact:
- Effectiveness sustained in first two years of life, when disease burden is highest.
- Hospitalisation impact:
- Significant decline in rotavirus hospitalisations across study sites.
- Broader implication: Confirms indigenous vaccines can be effective in real-world settings, not just clinical trials.
Strategic & Operational Significance
- Indigenous development: Reduces reliance on foreign vaccines; aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat in healthcare.
- Evidence-based policy:
- Provides data for scaling up Rotavac coverage and planning future vaccination campaigns.
- Global relevance: Adds India’s experience to rotavirus vaccine effectiveness in low- and middle-income countries.
Key Data / Facts
- Vaccine efficacy: 54% (both in trial and real-world).
- UIP introduction: 2016.
- Hospitals studied: 31 across 9 states.
- Burden: 128,500 under-five deaths annually from rotavirus in India.
- Administration schedule: 6, 10, 14 weeks.
Curb on use of ‘ORS’ term brings to light a doctor’s 8-year battle
Why in News ?
- Event: FSSAI issued an order banning all beverages from using the term ‘ORS’ in their trademarked names.
- Background: Earlier, companies were allowed to use the term with disclaimers, which misled consumers.
- Trigger: Misuse of ORS branding led to children becoming critically dehydrated despite caregivers administering “store–bought ORS” products.
- Champion: Hyderabad paediatrician Dr Sivarangini Santhosh led an eight-year advocacy to prevent misuse of the ORS term.
Relevance:
- GS-2: Governance – Regulatory oversight by FSSAI, Consumer protection, Long-term advocacy in health policy.
- GS-3: Economy – Preventing economic burden from hospitalisations, Ensuring safe medical consumption.
- GS-1: Society – Child health protection, Public awareness on correct ORS usage.
- GS-4: Ethics – Ethical responsibility in medical communication and product labelling.
Understanding ORS
- Definition: Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) is a medical solution containing precise ratios of glucose, sodium chloride, and potassium chloride.
- Purpose: Rehydrates patients by facilitating water absorption in the gut; prevents death from diarrhoea.
- Global significance: ORS is a landmark medical discovery by Dr Dilip Mahalanabis, saving millions of lives worldwide.
- Child mortality context in India:
- 13% of deaths in children under five are due to diarrhoea.
- Improper ORS use or substitutes can worsen dehydration and diarrhoea.
Problem with Flavoured/Packaged ‘ORS’ Products
- Entered market over the last decade without adhering to correct sugar-salt ratios.
- Excess sugar can draw water out of the gut, worsening diarrhoea.
- Even with disclaimers, branding misleads caregivers, leading to critical dehydration.
- Case examples:
- Children in Hyderabad and Madhya Pradesh became critically ill after consuming such beverages.
Regulatory Journey
- Initial confusion: ORS products are medical; assumed regulated by CDSCO (drug regulator).
- Correct authority: FSSAI (food regulator).
- Timeline:
- April 2022: FSSAI restricted ORS use with some limitations.
- Later reversed to allow ORS in names with disclaimers.
- October 2025: FSSAI finally bans use of ORS in beverage names.
- Advocacy:
- Dr Santhosh approached Telangana High Court, Health Minister, Prime Minister, and medical associations.
- Faced opposition from industry and social isolation.
Health & Scientific Significance
- ORS works by osmosis: glucose and electrolytes pull water into the body, rehydrating effectively.
- Improper substitutes can:
- Increase severity of diarrhoea.
- Cause hospitalisations and deaths.
- Highlights the importance of correct labelling and public awareness of medical products.
Key Facts & Data
- ORS prevents 13% of under-five deaths from diarrhoea in India.
- Misbranded ORS-like drinks caused critical dehydration and hospitalisations.
- Advocacy duration: 8 years by Dr Sivarangini Santhosh.
- Regulatory outcome: FSSAI bans the term ‘ORS’ in beverage names.
- Scientific fact: Proper ORS contains fixed glucose, sodium chloride, potassium chloride ratios; deviations can worsen dehydration.
WMO: Record rise in global CO2 concentrations
Why in News ?
- Event: World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released data showing a record rise in global CO2 concentrations between 2022 and 2024.
- Key highlights:
- Global average CO2: 423.1 ppm in 2024, up 2.9 ppm from 2023.
- Increase since 1990: +51.4 ppm.
- Global temperature: 2024 was the warmest year on record, 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels.
- First time the 1.5°C annual average threshold was crossed, a key climate benchmark.
Relevance:
- GS-3: Environment – Climate change trends, GHG emissions, Global warming, Renewable energy imperatives.
- GS-2: Governance – International climate governance, Policy responses, Multilateral coordination (UNFCCC, WMO).
- GS-1: Society – Impact on livelihoods, Migration, and human security.
Understanding CO2 and Greenhouse Gases ?
- CO2 as a greenhouse gas (GHG):
- Primary driver of climate change, contributing ~66% of global warming since pre-industrial times.
- Sources:
- Natural: respiration, decomposition, wildfires, ocean releases, volcanic eruptions.
- Anthropogenic: fossil fuel burning, industry, land-use change.
- Natural sinks (forests, oceans) absorb roughly half of human CO2 emissions.
- Other GHGs:
- Methane (CH4): 16% of warming; increased to 1,942 ppb in 2024. Lifetime ~12 years.
- Nitrous oxide (N2O): 6% of warming; increased to 338 ppb in 2024. Lifetime 100–120 years.
Trends and Record Increase
- Long-term trend: CO2 has never declined in last 40 years; annual average increase: 0.8 ppm/year since 1957.
- Acceleration:
- 1960s: 0.8 ppm/year.
- 2011–2020: 2.4 ppm/year.
- 2023–2024: record jump of 3.5 ppm/year, unprecedented.
- Relative to pre-industrial levels (278.3 ppm): Current CO2 152% higher.
Causes Behind Record Rise
- Anthropogenic emissions: Continued fossil fuel burning.
- Natural feedbacks reducing CO2 absorption:
- Oceans: reduced solubility due to higher temperatures.
- Forests and land sinks: extreme droughts, wildfires, deforestation reduced CO2 uptake.
- Exceptional events: Large-scale forest fires in 2024 added extra emissions.
- Feedback loops: Higher temperatures → less CO2 absorption → more warming → more emissions.
Global Temperature Context
- 2024: Warmest year recorded, 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels.
- Significance: Breaching 1.5°C threshold increases risks of:
- Irreversible climate impacts (sea-level rise, ice melt).
- Extreme weather events (heatwaves, floods, droughts).
- GHG contribution:
- CO2: ~75% of warming in last decade.
- CH4: shorter-term impact but potent GHG.
- N2O: long-term atmospheric persistence.
Implications and Challenges
- Rapid CO2 accumulation signals failure to slow emissions meaningfully despite global efforts.
- Climate feedbacks exacerbate warming: higher CO2 → reduced absorption → higher temperatures → more CO2 release.
- Urgency for action: Need enhanced mitigation, renewable energy adoption, forest protection, and global cooperation.
Key Data / Facts
| Parameter | 2024 Value | Trend / Notes |
| CO2 concentration | 423.1 ppm | +2.9 ppm from 2023, +51.4 ppm since 1990 |
| Global temp above pre-industrial | 1.55°C | First annual average >1.5°C |
| Methane (CH4) | 1,942 ppb | +8 ppb from 2023; avg 10.6 ppb/year last decade |
| Nitrous oxide (N2O) | 338 ppb | +1 ppb from 2023; avg 1.07 ppb/year last decade |
| CO2 contribution to warming | ~66% since pre-industrial; ~75% in last decade | Primary driver of climate change |
Where springs once sang, silence now echoes across the Eastern Himalayas
Why in News ?
- Event: Report highlighting the drying of Himalayan springs and its impact on livelihoods, women, and local culture in Darjeeling Hills.
- Source: Field reportage and research by Kabindra Sharma, IUCN India Fellow, supported by NITI Aayog data.
- Context: Nearly 50% of springs in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) are drying up, threatening water security, agriculture, and traditional lifestyles.
Relevance:
- GS-1: Society – Livelihoods, Gendered burden, Cultural impacts of water scarcity.
- GS-2: Governance – Water security policy, Spring revival initiatives, Climate-resilient local governance.
- GS-3: Environment – Hydrology, Deforestation, Ecosystem services, Agriculture dependency.
Understanding Himalayan Springs ?
- Definition: Springs are natural groundwater outlets, providing freshwater for drinking, irrigation, and livestock.
- Significance:
- Source of water for 200 million people across ecologically fragile mountain systems in India (Himalayas, Western/Eastern Ghats, Aravallis).
- Sustain agriculture, livestock, and local livelihoods.
- Cultural and social importance; tied to traditional practices and local knowledge.
- Historical self-reliance: Villages like Kolbong Khasmahal were once self-sufficient in vegetables and milk, relying on local water sources.
Causes of Drying Springs
- Climate shifts: Changing rainfall patterns, unpredictable monsoons, and prolonged dry periods.
- Deforestation & unsustainable land-use: Reduced soil water retention, increased runoff, and diminished aquifer recharge.
- Anthropogenic neglect: Limited recognition in national water governance frameworks prior to 2018; National Water Policies of 1987, 2002, 2012 made no mention of springs.
- Local impacts: Excessive withdrawal, lack of spring recharge practices, and encroachment.
Socio-Economic Impacts
- Water access burden on women:
- Average of 2 hours/day spent fetching water from distant springs.
- Physical strain, health risks, and impact on household management.
- Livelihood loss:
- Decline in local vegetable production and dairy products like churpi.
- Dependence on imported vegetables and packaged milk from towns like Dhupguri and Maynaguri.
- Migration: Youth move to cities due to declining local economic opportunities.
- Pandemic effect: Returning migrants found parched lands and dry springs, compounding livelihood challenges.
Environmental and Ecological Implications
- Water stress: Springs drying → reduced soil moisture → declining crop productivity.
- Forest degradation: Feedback loop with deforestation and drought further reduces natural recharge of springs.
- Biodiversity: Reduced water availability affects flora, fauna, and livestock dependent on spring-fed ecosystems.
- Ecological crisis: Combined hydrological, agricultural, and biodiversity loss threatens the Himalayan ecosystem.
Policy & Governance Context
- NITI Aayog 2018 Report: First formal acknowledgment of spring degradation; launched Inventory and Revival of Springs for Water Security in the Himalayas.
- Gap in policy: Prior national water policies ignored mountain spring systems, reflecting institutional neglect.
- Regional water governance: Ongoing initiatives by SaciWATERs and IUCN India focus on climate resilience, water management, and revival of springs.
Cultural and Human Security Implications
- Springs are intertwined with traditions, local knowledge, and community identity.
- Drying springs are a non-traditional security threat:
- Threat to livelihoods and food security.
- Gendered burden on women’s labor and time.
- Potential migration and social disruption.
Key Facts / Data
| Parameter | Value / Observation |
| Himalayan springs dried | ~50% of total springs in IHR |
| People dependent on spring water | ~200 million across India |
| Daily water fetching time (women) | ~2 hours/day in Darjeeling villages |
| Economic shift | From locally produced vegetables/milk to imported vegetables and packaged milk |
| Recognition in policy | NITI Aayog 2018 report on Inventory & Revival of Springs |
