This article by Shashi Tharoor argues that unchecked Artificial Intelligence (AI) threatens human dignity, data ownership, and democratic governance, potentially leading to a new form of digital slavery. It highlights how algorithmic manipulation and AI-generated disinformation undermine shared epistemic foundations, driving radicalisation and social fragmentation. The author calls for robust, binding legal frameworks beyond abstract ethics, proposing five foundational pillars for AI governance in India: a rights-based framework, democratic accountability for platforms, protection of free speech, massive media literacy initiatives, and cross-sector early-warning systems to combat misinformation. The piece emphasizes AI governance as a constitutional imperative.
Unchecked AI poses a threat to human dignity and data ownership, potentially creating a new form of digital slavery.
Algorithmic manipulation by Big Tech platforms amplifies hyper-partisan content, leading to radicalisation and social fragmentation.
AI-generated disinformation and deepfakes undermine the shared epistemic foundation crucial for democratic functioning.
Exam Points
Pope Leo XIV's encyclical 'Magnifica Humanitas' discusses technology's impact on human dignity.
The article mentions the European Union's Artificial Intelligence Act and the United Kingdom's Online Safety Act as landmark legislations.
Shashi Tharoor is a Fourth-term Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) for Thiruvananthapuram.
The article details the upcoming India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), also known as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which comes into force on July 15. This landmark deal is projected to significantly boost India's GDP by £5.1 billion, the UK's GDP by £4.8 billion, and increase bilateral trade by £25.5 billion annually. The agreement, spanning 30 chapters, aims to reduce tariffs on 99% of UK tariff lines for Indian products and 90% for UK products in India, benefiting key sectors like textiles, IT, and aerospace. It also includes unprecedented provisions on customs, digital trade, services, anti-corruption, gender, development, labour, and environmental commitments, while ensuring protections for domestic producers.
The India-UK FTA (CETA) is a landmark agreement set to come into force on July 15, significantly enhancing bilateral trade.
The deal is projected to boost both India's and the UK's GDPs and substantially increase annual bilateral trade.
It is a comprehensive agreement covering 30 chapters, aiming for extensive tariff reductions on products from both countries.
Exam Points
The India-UK FTA is formally known as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).
It is forecast to boost Indian GDP by £5.1 billion and UK GDP by £4.8 billion.
Bilateral trade is projected to increase by £25.5 billion every year.
The article highlights the Tungabhadra dam as a significant example of inter-State cooperation, following the recent inauguration of its spillway gates by Chief Ministers of Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and the Union Jal Shakti Minister. The dam is vital for irrigating 16.4 lakh acres across these three southern states. Despite a history of established water-sharing, new challenges are emerging, such as the Upper Bhadra project, which has become an irritant for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Additionally, excessive siltation has drastically reduced the dam's storage capacity, necessitating urgent measures for silt removal and rehabilitation, with the Union government assuring its commitment to monitor these projects for dam safety.
The Tungabhadra dam exemplifies inter-State cooperation, crucial for irrigation in Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.
It provides irrigation to a vast area of 16.4 lakh acres across the three southern states.
New projects like the Upper Bhadra have emerged as irritants, potentially challenging existing water-sharing agreements.
Exam Points
The Tungabhadra dam is located in Karnataka's Koppal district.
It irrigates about 16.4 lakh acres across Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
The dam's storage capacity has reduced from 133 tmc ft to about 106 tmc ft due to siltation.
The Health Ministry has expanded Schedule H2 drugs to cover all therapeutic classes, shifting from revenue-based to risk-based regulation. This framework, introduced in 2022-23, mandates QR codes and additional product identifiers on drug packs to verify authenticity and track defective batches. The initiative aims to combat counterfeit networks targeting critical medicines like vaccines and antimicrobials, which contribute to India's high antimicrobial resistance rates. It also addresses international concerns regarding quality control and the leakage of controlled substances into illicit markets. The success of this system depends on a state-managed database, consumer verification habits, and support for MSME manufacturers to integrate new packaging requirements.
The Health Ministry has expanded Schedule H2 drugs to all therapeutic classes, moving towards risk-based regulation to track defective batches.
New norms mandate QR codes and additional product identifiers on drug packs for authenticity verification and detailed tracking.
The initiative aims to combat counterfeit drugs, especially antimicrobials, which exacerbate India's high antimicrobial resistance rates.
Exam Points
The Health Ministry's notification expands Schedule H2 drugs to entire therapeutic classes.
Schedule H2 was introduced in 2022-23, requiring barcodes or QR codes on specific drugs.
India has one of the world's highest antimicrobial resistance rates.
The article highlights adolescent malnutrition as a silent public health emergency in India, characterized by a double burden of undernutrition and surging obesity, with roots in adolescence. Citing NFHS-6 data, it notes rising obesity and high blood sugar levels across genders and age groups, including rural populations. Schools are identified as critical settings for prevention. The piece advocates for improved midday meals, healthier canteens, and food demonstrations to promote balanced diets, emphasizing the reduction of sugary drinks and Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs). It also stresses the importance of structured physical activity as a core educational component. Initiatives like the ICMR-NIN's 'Let's Fix Our Food' are presented as models for creating healthier food environments.
Adolescent malnutrition, encompassing both undernutrition and rising obesity, is a significant public health challenge in India, with its origins in adolescence.
NFHS-6 data reveals a concerning increase in obesity and high blood sugar levels across various demographics, including rural areas.
Schools are crucial intervention points, needing to implement improved midday meals, healthier canteens, and food demonstrations to foster balanced diets.
Exam Points
NFHS-6 (2023-24) findings indicate rising obesity among women (30.7%) and men (27.3%).
The Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS, 2019) found 27.4% of Indian adolescents are stunted.
The 'Let's Fix Our Food' (LFOF) initiative is led by the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN).
An Indian Army marching contingent, accompanied by an Indian Navy contingent and military band, will participate in Seychelles' 50th National Day celebrations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend as the guest of honour, underscoring the strong and enduring bilateral ties between the two nations. This participation symbolizes a robust strategic partnership that spans defence cooperation, development assistance, maritime security, culture, and trade. It further reinforces mutual trust, military camaraderie, and India's role as a reliable partner in promoting peace and security in the Indian Ocean region, reflecting the expanding scope of bilateral engagement.
Indian armed forces contingents will participate in Seychelles' 50th National Day celebrations, highlighting strong bilateral ties.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's attendance as guest of honour signifies the importance of the India-Seychelles relationship.
The participation underscores a robust strategic partnership covering defence, development, maritime security, culture, and trade.
Exam Points
Seychelles is celebrating its 50th National Day.
An Indian Army contingent of 32 personnel from the Assam Regiment will participate, led by Captain Aryan H. Deolekar.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the guest of honour at the event.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Mann Ki Baat address, lauded India's increasing self-reliance in defence manufacturing, designating June as a "landmark month." He highlighted the maiden flight of the first made-in-India C-295 transport aircraft and the successful test of the indigenous Long-Range Land-Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM). Modi also noted the induction of indigenously designed and built warships like INS Dunagiri, INS Shanshak, and INS Agrya into the Indian Navy. Beyond defence, he thanked citizens for their positive response to his call for austerity amid the West Asia crisis, citing examples like carpooling and recycling old gold. He also praised community initiatives for environmental conservation and youth sports, such as Nagaland's 'Baby League' football.
PM Modi emphasized India's growing self-reliance in defence manufacturing, marking June as a significant month for the sector.
Key achievements include the maiden flight of the first made-in-India C-295 transport aircraft and the successful test of the indigenous LRLACM.
The induction of indigenously designed and built warships into the Indian Navy further demonstrates India's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' vision in defence.
Exam Points
The first made-in-India C-295 transport aircraft completed its maiden flight on June 10.
The Indian Air Force is procuring 56 C-295 aircraft under a ₹21,935-crore deal.
Indigenous warships INS Dunagiri, INS Shanshak, and INS Agrya were inducted into the Indian Navy.
The Union Health Ministry is set to launch revised operational guidelines for the Anaemia Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (AMB), expanding its strategy to include low birth weight babies (0-6 months) as a new beneficiary group. The updated framework, to be released by Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, emphasizes dietary interventions, an 'eating right' component promoting iron-rich diets, and digital tracking of beneficiaries. It replaces the existing T3 strategy with a T4 strategy (Test, Treat, Talk, Track) for routine haemoglobin testing, treatment, and systematic follow-up. An integrated digital ecosystem is also proposed for comprehensive monitoring of anaemia services, aiming to strengthen control through improved testing, treatment, monitoring, and community participation.
The Union Health Ministry is launching revised guidelines for Anaemia Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (AMB) to strengthen anaemia control.
The expanded strategy includes low birth weight babies (0-6 months) as a new beneficiary group, focusing on early intervention.
A new 'eating right' component promotes the consumption of iron-rich and diversified diets.
Exam Points
The programme is called Anaemia Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (AMB).
Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda will release the guidelines during the 16th meeting of the Central Council of Health and Family Welfare.
The NFHS-5 shows 67.1% of children (6-59 months), 57% of women (15-49 years), and 59.1% of adolescent girls (15-19 years) are anaemic.
This article analyzes the legality of attacks on neutral merchant vessels under international law, prompted by recent U.S. Navy strikes on tankers with Indian seafarers. It explains that naval operations are governed by the 'law of naval warfare' (IHL) and the 'law of the sea' (UNCLOS). While neutral ships are generally protected, this status can be lost if they contribute to military action or breach a lawful blockade. The article questions the legality of the U.S. strikes, particularly concerning whether the blockade itself was lawful under the UN Charter's prohibition on the use of force. It concludes by outlining India's right to seek explanations, accountability, and compensation for its citizens' injuries under diplomatic protection.
Naval operations during armed conflict are governed by the 'law of naval warfare' (IHL) and the 'law of the sea' (UNCLOS).
Neutral merchant vessels and civilians are generally protected, but this protection can be lost if they effectively contribute to military action or breach a lawful blockade.
The legality of attacking oil tankers depends on whether they qualify as 'military objectives' and contribute directly to military efforts.
Exam Points
The two primary bodies of law governing naval operations are the 'law of naval warfare' (IHL) and the 'law of the sea' (UNCLOS).
UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) is often called the 'Constitution of the Oceans'.
Article 2(4) of the UN Charter prohibits states from using force against another State's 'territorial integrity' or 'political independence' without UN Security Council authorization or self-defence.
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