The Supreme Court has ordered a CBI investigation into "digital arrest" scams, where fraudsters impersonate officials to extort money. This scam has caused losses exceeding ₹3,000 crore, primarily targeting senior citizens. The Court emphasized the need for cooperation from the RBI, using AI/ML to trace money trails, and online intermediaries under IT Rules 2021. The article highlights the transnational nature of these crimes, often operated from "scam centres" in Southeast Asia involving trafficked workers. It calls for international diplomacy and domestic improvements in digital literacy and police capabilities to tackle this evolving threat.
The Supreme Court bypassed the usual requirement for State consent for CBI probes due to the severity and cross-border nature of digital arrest scams.
Financial "mule" accounts are central to these scams, necessitating intervention from the RBI and the use of advanced technology like AI to trace funds.
Many scams originate from Southeast Asian "scam centres" where trafficked individuals are forced into cyber-slavery to run fraud operations.
Exam Points
Estimated losses from digital arrest scams in India exceed ₹3,000 crore.
The IT Rules 2021 are invoked to ensure cooperation from online intermediaries with the CBI.
The U.S. has established a 'Scam Center Strike Force' as a model for tackling transnational cybercrime.
Former NSA M.K. Narayanan discusses India's current geopolitical isolation and the rising threat of terrorism. With hostile neighbors like Pakistan and a potentially unfriendly interim government in Bangladesh, India's security environment is precarious. The article highlights the emergence of a new "urban terror" module involving educated professionals (doctors, practitioners) linked to groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba. These modules use encrypted communication and operate across multiple Indian cities. The author warns that internal fault lines and external pressures require extreme vigilance and a nuanced diplomatic approach to prevent regional instability and the spread of religious extremism.
India is experiencing a sense of 'relative isolation' as regional dynamics in South Asia shift, particularly with changes in Bangladesh and ongoing hostility from Pakistan.
A new 'urban terror' module has been identified, characterized by the involvement of highly educated professionals rather than just 'lumpen elements.'
These modules are reportedly using sophisticated encrypted channels for indoctrination, coordination, and fund-raising through social/charitable fronts.
Exam Points
The 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill in Pakistan alters the balance between civil and military authority.
The Al-Falah University in Faridabad, Haryana, was mentioned in connection with recent terror module investigations.
The 2008 Mumbai attacks were sponsored by Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.
Observed on December 5, World Soil Day 2025 focuses on the theme "Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities." With over 56% of the global population living in urban areas, the article emphasizes that urban soil is a vital but overlooked resource. Healthy soil acts as a carbon sink, manages floodwaters, and reduces the "heat island" effect. However, urban soils face threats from "sealing" by concrete, industrial waste, and compaction. The article calls for a "blueprint for action," including urban soil restoration, promoting green infrastructure, and encouraging community gardening to enhance urban food security and mental well-being.
Urban soils are critical for combating climate change by sequestering carbon and acting as natural air conditioners in 'heat islands.'
The 'sealing' of soil with concrete prevents groundwater recharge and increases the risk of urban flooding during intense rainfall.
The FAO reports that nearly one-third of the world's soils are already degraded, a problem intensified in densely populated urban centers.
Exam Points
World Soil Day is observed annually on December 5.
The theme for 2025 is 'Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities.'
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations established World Soil Day.
Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to India highlights the "tightrope walk" the Modi government must perform between its traditional ties with Russia and its growing partnerships with the West. Key discussion points include oil imports, which have surged since the Ukraine conflict, and defense cooperation, specifically the S-400 missile system. India faces potential sanctions under the U.S. CAATSA act. The visit also explores a labor mobility agreement for Indian workers and the development of the Eastern Maritime Corridor. The timing is significant as India prepares to host Western leaders for Republic Day and the EU-India summit.
India's oil imports from Russia have grown from less than 2% to nearly 40% of its oil basket since the start of the Ukraine conflict.
The S-400 air defense system deal remains a point of contention with the U.S., potentially triggering CAATSA sanctions.
Both nations are working on a labor mobility agreement to provide jobs for Indian skilled and semi-skilled workers in Russia.
Exam Points
India-Russia trade increased from an average of $10 billion to $68.7 billion in 2023-24.
CAATSA stands for Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act.
The RELOS (Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics) pact is a military logistics agreement between India and Russia.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has called for "zero sympathy" for acid attackers, stating the entire legal system must respond ruthlessly. The Supreme Court is hearing a plea to formally recognize acid attack survivors as "persons with specified disabilities" under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016. This would ensure survivors receive necessary medical and legal support. The CJI proposed setting up special courts to conduct acid attack trials on a day-to-day basis to address the massive delays in the current judicial process, where cases can remain pending for over 16 years.
The Supreme Court is considering classifying acid attack survivors under the RPwD Act, 2016, to provide them with disability benefits and protections.
CJI Surya Kant emphasized that the ruthlessness shown by attackers must be met with equal ruthlessness from the judicial system.
The proposal includes the establishment of special courts dedicated to fast-tracking acid attack cases on a daily basis.
Exam Points
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act was enacted in 2016.
The case involves petitioner Shaheen Malik, who founded the 'Brave Souls' movement in 2021.
The CJI mentioned the possibility of taking suo motu cognisance to ensure trial progress.
Parliament has approved the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which allows for the levy of excise duty on tobacco and related products. This move comes as the GST compensation cess is set to expire in December. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman clarified that this is not an additional tax burden but a continuation of the existing tax structure under a different mechanism. Tobacco products will continue to be taxed at the 40% "demerit" category rate. The Bill ensures that the revenue stream from tobacco remains stable even after the transition away from the compensation cess regime.
The Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was passed to maintain tax levels on tobacco after the GST compensation cess ends.
Tobacco remains in the highest GST slab of 40%, classified as a 'demerit' good.
The transition ensures that the total tax burden on the consumer remains unchanged while shifting the collection mechanism.
Exam Points
The Bill passed is the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
Tobacco is taxed at a 40% rate under the GST 'demerit' category.
The GST compensation cess collection is expected to stop at the end of December.
The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs recently responded to parliamentary questions regarding infant deaths due to malnutrition in tribal regions. While the government cited National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data to show overall improvements in stunting and wasting indicators since 1990-91, it failed to provide specific numbers on the total deaths caused by malnutrition over the last five years. The response highlighted that while 13.7 crore children are under age five, only 6.6 crore are registered on the "Poshan Tracker." Data from October 2025 indicates that 52% of examined children still suffer from malnutrition.
The government relies on NFHS data and the 'Poshan Tracker' to monitor malnutrition but lacks a direct database for malnutrition-related deaths.
There is a significant gap between the total child population and those enrolled in Anganwadi centres/Poshan Tracker.
Recent data shows that over half (52%) of the children examined were found to be stunted, wasted, or underweight.
Exam Points
The Poshan Tracker is the government's digital tool for monitoring nutrition delivery.
National Family Health Survey (NFHS) provides the primary data for health and nutrition indicators in India.
As of October 2025, 52% of children examined were identified as malnourished.
The Supreme Court has sought a response from the Centre regarding a plea challenging the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) Order 2025. The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) argues that this order contradicts the Assam Accord by effectively extending the cut-off date for illegal immigrants from March 24, 1971, to December 31, 2024. The petition claims this violates Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955, which was specifically inserted to uphold the Accord's intent of preserving the demography and cultural identity of the Assamese people. The Court's review will focus on the constitutionality of these exemptions.
The Assam Accord established March 24, 1971, as the cut-off date for identifying and deporting foreigners in Assam.
The 2025 Order is accused of 'indirectly legalising' illegal immigration by allowing certain minorities to stay until late 2024.
Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955, is the legal backbone of the Assam Accord and was recently upheld by a Constitution Bench.
Exam Points
The cut-off date under the Assam Accord is March 24, 1971.
Section 6A was inserted into the Citizenship Act, 1955, to implement the Assam Accord.
The plea was filed by the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP).
China is entering a new phase of its "rural revitalisation plan," aiming to address the stark divide between its ultra-modern cities and its rural countryside. Since 2012, the Chinese government has focused on "targeted poverty alleviation," lifting nearly 100 million people out of poverty. The strategy involves heavy investment in infrastructure (windmills, roads), promoting local industries like tea production, and inter-provincial cooperation where developed regions invest in poorer western provinces. By 2035, China aims to achieve "socialist modernisation," ensuring that rural areas share in the nation's economic prosperity through sustainable development and improved living standards.
China's 'rural revitalisation plan' aims to tackle major rural issues by 2027 and achieve full modernisation by 2035.
The 'targeted poverty alleviation' program focused on specific counties, using criteria to identify and support the most impoverished regions.
Economic development in rural areas is driven by a mix of state-led investment, cooperative models, and the promotion of local agricultural products for global markets.
Exam Points
China's goal is to achieve 'socialist modernisation' by 2035.
The 'rural revitalisation plan' aims to address major rural issues by 2027.
Nearly 100 million people were lifted out of poverty in China since 2012.
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