1. The Deepfake and Disinformation Prevention Act, 2025: End of the “Wild West”
Syllabus:
- GS Paper III: Internal Security (Cyber Security, Social Media); Science & Technology (AI Awareness).
- GS Paper II: Governance (Government Policies, Fundamental Rights); Statutory and Regulatory Bodies.
Context
On December 17, 2025, the Deepfake and Disinformation Prevention Act, 2025 (an amendment to the IT Rules) came into full force. This legislative move follows the Cabinet’s approval of the “Synthetically Generated Information (SGI)” norms earlier in October. It marks a paradigm shift from “intermediary neutrality” to “algorithm accountability.”
Main Body: Multi-Dimensional Analysis
1. Defining the Threat: “Synthetically Generated Information” (SGI)
- Legal Definition: For the first time, Indian law defines SGI under Rule 2(1)(wa) as any information “artificially or algorithmically created, modified, or altered” to appear reasonably authentic. This covers deepfake videos, AI-cloned voices, and hyper-realistic images.
- The “10% Rule” (Watermarking): The Act mandates that all visual SGI must have a permanent, visible text label occupying at least 10% of the screen area stating “AI Generated.” For audio deepfakes, a mandatory audio disclosure must play at the beginning of the clip. This effectively kills the “deception” element of deepfakes.
2. Shift in Liability: Dilution of “Safe Harbor”
- Section 79 Override: Historically, platforms like Facebook or X (Twitter) enjoyed “Safe Harbor” protection—they were not liable for user content. The new Act strips this protection if they fail to implement “Content Provenance” mechanisms.
- 36-Hour Takedown: Platforms are now legally bound to remove reported deepfake content within 36 hours of receiving a complaint. Failure to do so attracts criminal liability for the platform’s India executives.
- Originator Traceability: For deepfakes that incite violence or defame public figures, platforms must identify the “First Originator” of the message, breaking the anonymity of encryption.
3. Societal Impact: Protecting Dignity and Democracy
- Election Integrity: With state elections approaching, the Act bans the use of deepfakes in political campaigning without explicit disclosure. This addresses the “Liar’s Dividend”—where politicians dismiss real scandals as “fake,” or use fakes to smear opponents.
- Women’s Safety: The Act introduces a specific non-bailable offense for creating “Non-Consensual Intimate Imagery” (NCII) using AI. This targets the “nudification” apps that have harassed women, treating digital violation on par with physical harassment.
Positives, Negatives, and Government Schemes
| Dimension | Positives | Negatives/Challenges |
| Security | Rapid containment of viral disinformation that could trigger riots. | Encryption Paradox: Tracing the “originator” on platforms like WhatsApp may require breaking end-to-end encryption, threatening user privacy. |
| Tech Ethics | Forces Big Tech (OpenAI, Google) to build “Safety by Design” rather than “Safety by Retrofit.” | Over-blocking: Platforms might delete satire or memes out of fear of penalties, chilling freedom of speech (Article 19). |
| Global | Aligns India with the EU AI Act, positioning India as a responsible digital power. | Enforcement is difficult against “Rogue Actors” operating from servers in jurisdictions without such laws. |
- Related Initiatives: Digital India Act (DIA), I4C (Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre).
Example/Case Study
- The “Rashmika Mandanna” Precedent: The 2023 viral deepfake of the actress was the catalyst for this law. Under the new Act, not only the creator but also the platform hosting it would face jail time if they delayed removal, ensuring such violations are crushed instantly.
Way Forward
- Digital Watermarking Standards: India needs to adopt the C2PA (Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity) global standard to ensure that “Made by AI” metadata travels with the file wherever it goes.
- Media Literacy: Laws alone cannot stop fakes. A “Digital Civics” curriculum is needed in schools to teach students to “Verify before they Amplify.”
Conclusion
The Deepfake Act, 2025, asserts that the “Right to Reality” is a fundamental part of the Right to Life (Article 21). It ensures that in the age of AI, truth is not the first casualty.
Practice Mains Question:
” ‘Deepfakes threaten the very fabric of truth in a democracy.’ Critically analyze the provisions of the Deepfake and Disinformation Prevention Act, 2025, in balancing the ‘Freedom of Speech’ with the ‘Right to Informational Privacy’.”
2. Sickle Cell Elimination: The “BIRSA-101” Breakthrough
Syllabus:
- GS Paper II: Health (Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services); Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections (Tribals).
- GS Paper III: Science & Technology (Biotechnology – Gene Therapy).
Context
On December 17, 2025, the Ministry of Health announced a dual milestone for the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission.
- Screening Milestone: India crossed 6 Crore screenings in the tribal belts (Target: 7 Crore).
- Technological Leap: The formal rollout of “BIRSA-101,” India’s first indigenous CRISPR-based gene therapy for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), developed by CSIR-IGIB.
Main Body: Multi-Dimensional Analysis
1. The “Silent Killer” of Tribal India
- Disease Burden: India has the second-highest burden of SCD globally (after Africa). It is a genetic disorder where red blood cells become sickle-shaped, blocking blood flow and causing extreme pain and early death. It predominantly affects the Tribal (ST) population in the central belt (Gujarat to Odisha).
- The 2047 Target: Launched by PM Modi in Shahdol (2023), the mission aims to eliminate SCD by 2047. The strategy is two-pronged: Prevention (identifying carriers so they don’t marry each other) and Cure (Gene Therapy).
2. “BIRSA-101”: The Science of Hope
- Indigenization: Global gene therapies (like Casgevy in the UK/USA) cost over $2 million (₹16 crore) per patient, making them impossible for Indian public health.
- The Innovation: BIRSA-101 uses a modified CRISPR-Cas9 editor (enFnCas9) to correct the faulty hemoglobin gene. Being indigenous, the cost is projected to drop to ₹10-15 lakh initially, and eventually lower with scale. It is named after the tribal icon Birsa Munda, symbolizing science serving the marginalized.
3. The Societal Strategy: “Kundali Matching” with a Twist
- Genetic Cards: The mission has issued over 2.5 crore “Genetic Status Cards”. These cards color-code individuals:
- Normal: Can marry anyone.
- Carrier (Trait): Should not marry another Carrier to prevent birth of a diseased child.
- Diseased: Needs treatment.
- Social Engineering: The challenge is breaking the stigma. Counselors are working with tribal elders to integrate “Genetic Card Matching” into traditional marriage customs, effectively stopping the disease transmission to the next generation.
Positives, Negatives, and Government Schemes
| Dimension | Positives | Negatives/Challenges |
| Health Equity | Focuses on the most neglected demographic (Tribals). | Implementation: Remote hamlets in Abujhmad or Gadchiroli often lack electricity, let alone advanced gene therapy centers. |
| Biotech | Validates India’s capability in “High Science” (Gene Editing). | Ethical Concerns: Long-term side effects of gene editing (off-target mutations) are still being studied globally. |
| Demographic | Reduces infant mortality and increases the productive lifespan of the tribal workforce. | Social Stigma: “Carrier” status might lead to young tribal women being ostracized in the marriage market. |
- Related Schemes: Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) (now covers SCD treatment costs), National Health Mission (NHM).
Example/Case Study
- The “Shahdol Model”: In Shahdol district (MP), the administration used local folk art and street plays to explain “Sickle Cell” concepts, leading to a 90% screening rate. This “Jan Bhagidari” (public participation) model is now being replicated in other states.
Way Forward
- Centres of Excellence (CoE): The government must rapidly operationalize the planned 15 CoEs in tribal states to administer the complex BIRSA-101 therapy.
- Hydroxyurea Access: While waiting for gene therapy, the availability of the basic drug Hydroxyurea must be ensured at every Primary Health Centre (PHC) to manage pain crises.
Conclusion
The rollout of BIRSA-101 transforms the Sickle Cell Mission from a “Screening Drive” to a “Curing Drive.” It is a testament to “Jai Anusandhan” (Victory to Research), proving that cutting-edge science can solve age-old poverty-linked diseases.
Practice Mains Question:
“The ‘Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission’ combines social engineering with genetic engineering. Discuss the significance of the indigenous ‘BIRSA-101’ therapy in achieving health equity for India’s tribal population.”
