Lead Editorial of the Day

1. Flexible Inflation Targeting

   
   

2. Great Nicobar Project and Associated Issues

Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023 and DPDP Rules, 2025

Background and Context:-

• Union government notified large parts of the DPDP Act, 2023 to establish a legal framework for personal data protection.

  
  

• Implements the Supreme Court’s 2017 K.S. Puttaswamy judgment upholding the fundamental right to privacy.

  
  

• Draft DPDP Rules were circulated in January 2025 and finalised after consultations.

  
  

Key Features of the DPDP Act, 2023

1. Scope and Applicability

• Applies to processing of digital personal data within India.

• Covers data collected offline but later digitised.

• Applies to data processing outside India if offering goods/services to individuals in India.

  
  

2. Rights of Data Principals (Citizens)

• Right to access information about data processing.

• Right to correction, updating, and erasure of personal data.

• Right to grievance redressal.

• Right to nominate another person to exercise rights in case of death or incapacity.

  
  

3. Obligations of Data Fiduciaries

• Ensure lawful and transparent data processing.

• Maintain reasonable security safeguards to prevent data breaches.

• Notify the Data Protection Board and affected persons in case of a breach.

• Minimise data collection (only data necessary for specific purposes).

• Ensure accuracy and completeness of processed data.

  
  

4. Exemptions

• Wide exemptions granted to the State and its instrumentalities for sovereignty, security, public order, and related purposes.

• Certain obligations diluted for start-ups.

  
  

5. Penalties

• Monetary penalties for non-compliance and data breaches, depending on severity and nature of violation.

  
  

6. Establishment of the Data Protection Board of India (DPBI)

• Independent adjudicatory body.

• Newly notified structure sets the number of members at four.

  
  

• Empowered to:

  • Conduct inquiries on complaints

  • Determine non-compliance

  • Impose financial penalties

    
    

Data Fiduciaries

What is a Data Fiduciary?

• An entity (company, organisation, government body, or individual) that determines the purpose and means of processing personal data.

• Responsible for ensuring compliance with the DPDP Act while collecting, storing, and using personal data.

  
  

Responsibilities

• Obtain clear and valid consent from data principals.

• Deploy safeguards for data security.

• Publish details of a Data Protection Officer (for certain fiduciaries).

• Implement grievance redressal systems.

• Conduct periodic audits.

  
  

Significant Data Fiduciaries (SDFs)

• Category for entities handling large volumes or sensitive categories of data.

• Additional compliance requirements:

  • Mandatory Data Protection Officer (DPO)

  • Independent data audits

  • Risk assessment and impact assessment reports

• Tech giants likely classified as SDFs; full compliance may extend till May 2027.

  
  

Implementation Timeline

• Some obligations (like publishing DPO details) to be complied with by November 2026.

• Significant Data Fiduciaries may face full compliance by May 2027.

  
  

Criticisms and Concerns

Impact on RTI Act

• Amendment dilutes Section 8(1)(j) by restricting disclosure of personal information.

• Transparency activists argue this weakens the RTI framework by prioritising privacy of officials over public interest.

  
  

Civil Society Concerns

• Internet Freedom Foundation highlights:

  • Structural concerns remain unaddressed.

  • Core rights and obligations deferred by 1.5 years, weakening protections.

  • Rules enable extensive personal data collection by state agencies with limited oversight.

    
    

Response from Tech Sector and Nasscom

• Current version more acceptable than earlier drafts, especially 2018 version with data localisation mandates.

  
  

• Nasscom raises issues:

  • Strict parental consent requirements.

  • Very short breach notification timelines.

    
    

• Seeks internationally interoperable mechanisms for cross-border data transfers.

  
  

Gujarat’s Ambaji marble gets GI tag for its quality

Background

• Ambaji, located in Banaskantha district of Gujarat, is a major pilgrimage centre and a revered Shaktipeeth.

• The region’s high-quality white marble has been officially granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

  
  

Key Facts about the GI Tag

• Awarded by the Geographical Indications Registry, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

• Granted in the name of the Ambaji Marbles Quarry and Factory Association.

• GI tag recognises products with unique qualities, reputation, or characteristics linked to their geographical origin.

  
  

Importance of Ambaji Marble

• Distinguished for its pure white colour, shine, and durability.

• Known for:

  • High strength

  • High calcium content

  • Long-lasting purity

• Historically used in construction of religious and heritage structures.

  
  

Historical and Cultural Significance

• Marble mines in Ambaji date back 1,200–1,500 years.

• Used during the construction of the Dilwara Jain Temple in Mount Abu.

• Durability demonstrated by:

  • Dilwara Temple retaining its purity over centuries

  • Comparison indicating even Taj Mahal stones show ageing, but Ambaji marble retains its quality.

    
    

Usage in India and Abroad

• Widely used in construction of temples and religious sites in India.

• Exported and used in temple construction in:

  • United States

  • New Zealand

  • England

U.S. to launch new military operation in Latin America

• U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a new military operation called Operation Southern Spear.

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• Announcement comes amid increasing U.S. naval activity in Latin American waters, raising fears of wider regional conflict.

  
  

What is Operation Southern Spear?

• Described by the U.S. as a mission to:

  • Defend the U.S. homeland

  • Remove “narco-terrorists” from the Western Hemisphere

  • Counter drug trafficking networks

• No detailed operational plan or distinction from existing operations was provided.

• Pentagon declined to elaborate, referring only to the Secretary’s public post.

Critical Minerals List India

Here is the official list of critical minerals identified by the Ministry of Mines (MoM), Government of India

The minerals are:

1. Antimony

2. Beryllium

3. Bismuth

4. Cobalt

5. Copper

6. Gallium

7. Germanium

8. Graphite

9. Hafnium

10. Indium

11. Lithium

12. Molybdenum

13. Niobium

14. Nickel

15. Platinum Group Elements (PGE)

16. Phosphorus

17. Potash

18. Rare Earth Elements (REE)

19. Rhenium

20. Silicon

21. Strontium

22. Tantalum

23. Tellurium

24. Tin

25. Titanium

26. Tungsten

27. Vanadium

28. Zirconium

29. Selenium

30. Cadmium