- ELECTION COMMISSION ENHANCES VOTER ID SECURITY WITH BIOMETRICS
SUBJECT: NATIONAL
- Election Commission announced integration of Aadhaar-based biometrics for voter ID verification, aiming to curb impersonation in 2026 state elections.
- Pilot project launched in 10 states, covering 50 crore voters, with privacy safeguards under Aadhaar Act, 2016.
- Move addresses Supreme Court’s 2024 directive for fraud-free polls, targeting 99% voter list accuracy.
- Over ₹1,000 crore allocated for tech upgrades, including facial recognition at polling booths.
- Concepts: Article 324 – Empowers Election Commission to conduct free and fair elections; Representation of the People Act, 1950 – Governs voter registration and verification.
2. SUPREME COURT TO HEAR DIGITAL PRIVACY CASE
SUBJECT: NATIONAL
- Supreme Court scheduled hearings on the Data Protection Act, 2023, to address concerns over state surveillance and citizen privacy rights.
- Case stems from petitions challenging mandatory data localization for tech firms.
- Over 500 companies, including global giants, face compliance deadlines by December 2025.
- Court emphasized balancing national security with Article 21’s right to privacy.
- Concepts: Article 21 – Right to life and personal liberty; Right to Privacy – Recognized as fundamental right in Puttaswamy judgment (2017).
3. INDIA-ASEAN SUMMIT STRENGTHENS DIGITAL TRADE
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL
- At the 22nd India-ASEAN Summit, agreements signed to enhance digital payment systems, targeting $100 billion trade by 2030.
- India pushed for mutual recognition of digital IDs to ease cross-border e-commerce.
- ASEAN nations committed $50 million for AI skill development in India.
- Concepts: Article 253 – Parliament’s power to implement international agreements; RCEP – India’s strategic re-engagement with regional trade blocs.
4. RBI LAUNCHES DIGITAL RUPEE PILOT EXPANSION
SUBJECT: ECONOMY
- Reserve Bank of India expanded digital rupee pilot to 10 more cities, targeting 1 crore transactions by March 2026.
- Pilot includes offline payment features for rural areas, boosting financial inclusion.
- Banks like SBI reported 20% rise in digital wallet usage since pilot began.
- Concepts: Article 265 – Taxation and monetary policy; FEMA, 1999 – Regulates digital currency frameworks.
5. TAMIL NADU SPACE POLICY 2025 UNVEILED
SUBJECT: ECONOMY
- Tamil Nadu launched Space Industrial Policy 2025, targeting ₹15,000 crore investments in satellite and rocket manufacturing by 2030.
- Sriperumbudur hub to create 30,000 jobs with ISRO collaboration.
- Offers 25% subsidy for space startups and single-window clearance.
- Concepts: Article 246 – State’s industrial policy powers; FDI Policy – 100% auto-approval in space sector.
