INTEGRATED MAINS AND PRELIMS MENTORSHIP (IMPM) 2025 Daily KEY
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DIGIPIN and Adverse Effects of Social Media and its significance for the UPSC Exam? Why are topics like India-China border, India-Japan relations , BioE3 Policy, DIGIPIN important for both preliminary and main exams? Discover more insights in the UPSC Exam Notes for September 01 , 2025 |
- On August 25, 2025, the Supreme Court asked the Union government to draft a framework for regulating social media, noting that many influencers turn free speech into a commercial tool in ways that could hurt the sentiments of vulnerable communities.
- A Bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi directed that such rules be framed in consultation with the National Broadcasters and Digital Association (NBDA).
- This direction gains importance at a time when India has nearly 491 million active social media users, underlining the delicate balance between safeguarding freedom of expression and protecting personal dignity.
- Under the Constitution, restrictions on free speech can only be imposed on the eight specific grounds listed in Article 19(2) — namely, sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the State, relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, contempt of court, defamation, and incitement to offences.
- As Jay Vinayak Ojha, research fellow at the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, pointed out, laws already exist to regulate expression on these grounds. Importantly, the Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that the State cannot go beyond these constitutional limits.
- In the landmark Shreya Singhal v. Union of India (2015) case, the Court struck down Section 66A of the IT Act, 2000, which criminalised vague expressions like “annoyance,” “insult,” or “hatred.” The judgment clarified that even speech that “offends, shocks, or disturbs” is constitutionally protected, and any restriction must meet the reasonableness test under Article 19(2).
- The principle was reaffirmed in Kaushal Kishore v. State of Uttar Pradesh (2023), where a Constitution Bench ruled that the grounds in Article 19(2) are exhaustive and cannot be expanded. The judges stressed that no one can be penalised merely for holding opinions that do not align with constitutional values.
- This judicial position was further highlighted in March 2025, when the Court dismissed a criminal case filed by the Gujarat Police against Congress MP Imran Pratapgadhi, who was accused of inciting disharmony through a poem.
- Justices A.S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan stated that while speech may sometimes unsettle even judges, the judiciary has a duty to zealously protect the fundamental right to free expression under Article 19(1)(a).
- The Court’s approach to commercial speech has also evolved. In Hamdard Dawakhana v. Union of India (1959), the constitutionality of the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act, 1954 was challenged by advertisers.
- Although the Court recognised that advertising is a form of speech, it held that once an advertisement is linked to trade or commerce, it falls outside the ambit of free speech, as its purpose is not the exchange of ideas but the promotion of products.
- On the issue of regulation, Mr. Ojha pointed out that digital media already operates under a strong legal framework. The IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, issued under the IT Act, 2000, require platforms to prevent the spread of obscene, pornographic, or harmful content.
- Influencers, too, are subject to general criminal laws and can be held accountable for their online content. However, he cautioned that any additional regulation must be crafted carefully to avoid infringing upon the fundamental right to free speech
A recent study has reconstructed the long-term discharge flow of the Gangotri Glacier System (GGS), the source of the upper Ganga basin which contributes to the waters of the Bhagirathi river in the central Himalayas. In the wake of climate change, glaciologists the world over have been studying the impact of glacier melt.
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- The snow and ice reserves of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) play a vital role in feeding major river systems such as the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra. In recent decades, however, the region has witnessed significant climatic variations that have reshaped the cryosphere and disrupted the hydrological cycle.
- These changes have altered the functioning of glacier-fed river systems, leading to faster glacial retreat and shifts in seasonal water discharge. To understand these impacts, researchers often rely on modelling studies, which provide theoretical assessments of changing hydrological patterns.
- Yet, due to the vast size of these river basins, it is difficult to accurately measure river flow and separate the contributions of snowmelt from that of rainfall. Smaller glacier systems, like the Gangotri Glacier System (GGS), offer a more manageable scale for such assessments, making them a preferred subject of study among hydrologists and climate scientists
- The study reconstructed the long-term discharge patterns of the Gangotri Glacier System (GGS) using a high-resolution glacio-hydrological model known as Spatial Processes in Hydrology (SPHY).
- This model simulates various components of the terrestrial water balance, including rainfall-runoff, evapotranspiration, and cryospheric processes. To enhance accuracy, it was combined with the Indian Monsoon Data Assimilation and Analysis (IMDAA) dataset covering the period from 1980 to 2020.
- The results revealed that the GGS records its maximum discharge during the summer season, with a peak flow in July reaching about 129 cubic metres per second. On average, the annual discharge over the four decades was calculated at 28±1.9 m³/s, with snowmelt making the largest contribution (64%), followed by glacier melt (21%), rainfall-runoff (11%), and base flow (4%).
- A decade-wise examination highlighted a shift in the discharge peak from August to July after the 1990s, a change linked to reduced winter precipitation and increased early summer melting.
- Further, the mean decadal discharge indicated the sharpest rise—about 7.8%—between the periods 1991–2000 and 2001–2010. While the data reflected a steady rise in mean annual temperatures, there was no significant long-term trend in either annual precipitation or glacier melt.
- Interestingly, snowmelt contributions declined despite warming, primarily due to a reduction in the average snow cover area. In contrast, both rainfall-runoff and base flow showed an increasing pattern from 1980 to 2020.
- Statistical correlations from the study suggested that the mean annual discharge of GGS is primarily influenced by summer precipitation, with winter temperature being the secondary factor
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Geographical Significance
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Located in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand (Garhwal Himalayas).
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Length: ~30 km; source of the Bhagirathi river, which merges with the Alaknanda to form the Ganga at Devprayag.
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Snout: Gomukh (cow’s mouth shape).
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Fed by tributary glaciers such as Raktvarn, Chaturangi, and Kirti.
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Hydrological Importance
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Acts as a major freshwater reserve sustaining the Ganga basin.
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Discharge primarily contributed by snowmelt (64%), followed by glacier melt (21%), rainfall-runoff (11%), and base flow (4%) (1980–2020 study).
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Peak discharge in July (~129 m³/s); average annual discharge: 28±1.9 m³/s.
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Climatic and Environmental Trends
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Observed glacial retreat due to rising temperatures and reduced snow cover.
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Peak discharge shifted from August to July post-1990, caused by declining winter precipitation and enhanced early summer melting.
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Decadal analysis shows highest discharge increase (7.8%) between 1991–2000 and 2001–2010.
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Snowmelt contributions have declined despite warming, while rainfall-runoff and base flow increased.
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Scientific Studies
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Long-term hydrological modelling done using SPHY (Spatial Processes in Hydrology) model + IMDAA dataset (1980–2020).
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Study published in the Journal of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing.
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Found that summer precipitation is the primary control of annual discharge, followed by winter temperature.
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Cultural & Strategic Importance
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Considered a sacred origin of the Ganga in Hindu mythology.
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Supports millions downstream in terms of drinking water, agriculture, and hydropower.
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Serves as an indicator of climate change in the Himalayas.
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1.When you travel in Himalayas, you will see the following: (UPSC CSE 2012)
- Deep gorges
- U-turn river courses
- Parallel mountain ranges
- Steep gradients causing land sliding
Which of the above can be said to be the evidence for Himalayas being young fold mountains?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 4 only
(c) 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
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Answer (d)
The Himalayas are tectonically young and still rising, so you see:
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- The Line of Actual Control (LAC) serves as the boundary separating Indian-administered territories from those controlled by China. While India estimates its length to be about 3,488 km, China considers it closer to 2,000 km.
- It is divided into three major sectors — the eastern sector covering Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, the middle sector spanning Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, and the western sector in Ladakh.
- Amid ongoing tensions, China has initiated work on a massive USD 167.8 billion hydropower project on the Brahmaputra river (Yarlung Zangbo in Tibet) near Nyingchi City, close to the Indian border in Arunachal Pradesh.
- Chinese Premier Li Qiang announced the start of construction during a ground-breaking ceremony. Touted as the largest infrastructure project in the world, the dam has raised concerns in India and Bangladesh, both downstream countries.
- The Brahmaputra is a transboundary river with a basin of around 5,80,000 sq. km, of which China accounts for 50.5%, India 33.3%, Bangladesh 8.1%, and Bhutan 7.8%.
- In India, the basin covers nearly 1,94,413 sq. km — about 5.9% of the country’s area — extending across Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, and West Bengal.
- Originating from the Chemayungdung Glacier in the Kailash ranges east of Mansarovar Lake, the river flows eastward for nearly 1,200 km in Tibet as the Yarlung Tsangpo.
- At Namcha Barwa, it makes a dramatic U-turn, called the Great Bend, before entering India through Arunachal Pradesh as the Siang/Dihang, later joining with the Dibang and Lohit rivers to form the Brahmaputra.
- On the diplomatic front, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping are set to meet again within 10 months, following their last interaction at the BRICS summit in Kazan (October 2024).
- This fresh engagement signals an attempt to revive ties, with both sides expected to endorse a calendar of events marking the 75th anniversary of bilateral relations. Modi’s visit to Tianjin for the SCO Summit (August 31–September 1, 2025) comes at a time when India faces additional pressure due to strained relations with the United States after the Trump administration imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods and criticised New Delhi’s oil imports from Russia. Against this backdrop, India is seeking to cautiously advance its dialogue with China.
- Progress has also been made through the 24th round of Special Representatives’ talks in Delhi on August 19, led by NSA Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
- A 10-point consensus was reached, focusing on strengthening border management and utilising diplomatic and military mechanisms for crisis control.
- Importantly, both sides agreed to establish an expert group under the WMCC to explore early measures in boundary delimitation.
- The Kazan meeting in 2024 had already achieved troop disengagement at two flashpoints in eastern Ladakh, reopening of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, revival of direct flights, and issuance of visas for Chinese tourists
- However, setbacks emerged in May 2025, when India obtained evidence of Chinese military assistance to Pakistan during hostilities linked to Operation Sindoor.
- Despite this, Wang Yi’s meeting with Modi in August, where Xi extended an invitation to the SCO summit, has kept the dialogue alive.
- Yet, the sensitive issue of de-escalation in eastern Ladakh remains unresolved, with nearly 50,000–60,000 troops still deployed on both sides of the LAC in the region
1. “Belt and Road Initiative” is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of : (UPSC CSE 2016)
(a) African Union
(b) Brazil
(c) European Union
(d) China
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Answer (d)
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is China’s global infrastructure and connectivity project, launched in 2013, aimed at enhancing trade, investment, and economic integration across Asia, Europe, and Africa. It includes the Silk Road Economic Belt (land route) and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (sea route)
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For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international Significance
For Mains Examination: GS II - International relations
Context:
AT A time when the US administration has come down hard on the Indian economy by imposing tariffs and President Donald Trump described it as a “dead economy”, Japan has increased its investment target from 5 trillion Yen (USD 34 billion) to 10 trillion Yen (USD 68 billion), in what is being seen as a vote of confidence for New Delhi
Read about:
What is the history of India-Japan relations?
What are the areas of cooperation between India and Japan?
Key takeaways:
The India–Japan partnership, uniting two of Asia’s strongest democracies and major global economies, is anchored in civilizational ties and reinforced by their converging regional and global perspectives.
India’s Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) are closely aligned with Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) vision. Japan heads the IPOI’s connectivity pillar and remains India’s largest Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) contributor.
Bilateral cooperation spans multiple multilateral and plurilateral frameworks, including the Quad, International Solar Alliance (ISA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI). Regular military and maritime exercises—Malabar (with the US and Australia), Milan, JIMEX, and Dharma Guardian—along with Coast Guard collaborations, have enhanced interoperability, with 2024–25 witnessing deeper service-level engagements.
Key Elements of India–Japan Cooperation
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Investment Commitments: Over 170 MoUs signed in two years have brought in USD 13 billion+ investments, across steel, automotive, renewables, semiconductors, aerospace, and real estate. Japan had initially pledged 5 trillion Yen in investments by 2026, but with that target met by 2025, the goal has now been doubled to 10 trillion Yen.
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SME Growth: Japanese industrial partnerships are integrating Indian SMEs into global supply chains, expanding their international footprint.
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Agriculture & Sustainability: Collaboration in green energy and sustainable farming is helping uplift India’s rural economy.
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Exports & Manufacturing: Joint ventures and Japanese technological expertise are expected to significantly boost India’s manufacturing base and export potential.
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Talent & Knowledge Exchange: A target of 5 lakh India–Japan exchanges over five years has been set, covering education, internships, and employment in areas like semiconductors, AI, robotics, IT, and clean energy.
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Northeast Development: The Assam–ASEAN Holdings MoU underscores Japan’s commitment to investing in industrial infrastructure, agro-based industries, and logistics in India’s Northeast.
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“Make in India, Make for the World”: The partnership now extends beyond bilateral cooperation, with joint efforts showcased at forums like the Japan–India–Africa Forum and TICAD Summit. Priorities include rare earths, lithium, cobalt security, semiconductor and EV supply chains, and expanding export markets in Africa and the Middle East.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent Japan visit, marked symbolically by a bullet train ride with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, highlighted Japan’s growing trust in India’s economic potential. This evolving strategic and economic partnership is shaping not only bilateral prosperity but also broader regional stability and resilience
Follow Up Question
1.Consider the following countries (UPSC CSE 2014)
1. Denmark
2. Japan
3. Russian Federation
4. United Kingdom
5. United States of America
Which of the above are the members of the ‘Arctic Council’?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 3 and 5 only
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Answer (d)
The Arctic Council is an intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation among Arctic States. Its members are the eight countries with territory in the Arctic:
👉 Japan and the United Kingdom are not members, but they are observer states. So, from the given list:
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- The BioE3 Policy has been designed to complement India’s vision of Green Growth, announced in the Union Budget 2023–24, and is also in line with the Prime Minister’s call for ‘Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE)’, which emphasizes a collective movement toward sustainability.
- Its primary goal is to establish a framework that integrates advanced technologies and encourages innovative research to promote large-scale biomanufacturing. The policy lays down guidelines and principles for creating mechanisms that will enable the country to foster high-performance biomanufacturing across multiple sectors.
- Aimed at transforming the biomanufacturing landscape, the policy seeks to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and quality while boosting the production of bio-based, high-value products. The government has already identified around 1,000 such products requiring indigenous production facilities, details of which will soon be published online.
- The shift towards self-reliant manufacturing has been reinforced since the Covid-19 pandemic, with initiatives like performance-linked financial incentives supporting drug makers. While progress has been achieved in scaling up certain pharmaceuticals, fermentation-based products still pose a significant challenge.
- To address this, the government plans to establish large fermenters of 500 to 1,000 litres, which will not only aid in producing fermentation-based drugs but also extend to biofuels and other emerging bio-based products.
- These hubs will further drive the development of novel monoclonal antibody treatments, carbon capture technologies, and smart proteins aimed at better nutrition—transitioning innovations from proof of concept to market-ready solutions.
- The Department of Biotechnology has already supported the creation of six biofoundries, specialized facilities for early-stage testing and development. The proposed hubs will be located in research institutes, private firms specializing in niche manufacturing, or near existing knowledge clusters tied to specific industries.
- Access to these facilities will be open to government bodies, universities, start-ups, and private enterprises. While private players will bear charges to cover consumables, staff, and overhead costs, the policy caps fees for start-ups at 5% above actual costs, while larger companies may be charged up to 15% over costs.
- Importantly, the policy clearly specifies that the facilities will not claim any intellectual property rights (IPR) over the outcomes of the work conducted there
- The BioE3 Policy represents India’s latest step towards building a sustainable and innovative future in biomanufacturing. It has been framed in alignment with the country’s broader vision of Green Growth, as articulated in the Union Budget 2023–24, and is also consistent with the Prime Minister’s initiative of ‘Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE)’, which advocates a collective approach to environmental sustainability.
- At its core, the policy aims to create a strong framework that integrates cutting-edge technologies and innovative research into India’s biomanufacturing ecosystem.
- By doing so, it seeks to revolutionize how biological products are developed and produced, with an emphasis on enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and quality.
- The government has already identified nearly 1,000 bio-based, high-value products for which indigenous manufacturing facilities are needed, and these will soon be listed on a dedicated platform.
- The need for such a policy became more pressing after the Covid-19 pandemic, which exposed India’s vulnerabilities in areas like pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.
- While the country managed to scale up the production of some drugs with the help of performance-linked incentive schemes, the manufacture of fermentation-based products continues to be a significant challenge.
- To address this gap, the policy envisions the establishment of large fermentation facilities, ranging from 500 to 1,000 litres. These facilities will not only strengthen drug manufacturing but also open opportunities in related areas such as biofuels and other sustainable bio-products.
- Moreover, the BioE3 Policy is not restricted to conventional drug production. It also promotes next-generation innovations—for instance, novel monoclonal antibody therapies, new technologies for carbon capture, and smart proteins that can help meet future nutritional needs.
- The objective is to move such innovations from the proof-of-concept stage to market-ready products, thereby bridging the gap between research and commercialization.
- In this regard, the Department of Biotechnology has already established six biofoundries, which are specialized facilities designed for developing and conducting initial testing of biomanufacturing technologies.
- Building on this foundation, the policy proposes the creation of biomanufacturing hubs, which could be located within research institutes, private companies specializing in niche technologies, or near industrial knowledge clusters.
- These hubs will function as shared facilities, accessible to a wide range of users including government organizations, universities, private companies, and start-ups. To ensure affordability, the policy caps the charges for start-ups at no more than 5% above the actual costs, while larger companies may be charged up to 15%.
- Importantly, the policy makes it clear that these facilities will not claim any intellectual property rights (IPR) over the work carried out, thereby encouraging innovation and collaboration without fear of ownership disputes
1.According to India's National Policy on Biofuels, which of the following can be used as raw materials for the production of biofuels? (UPSC 2020)
1. Cassava
2. Damaged wheat grains
3. Groundnut seeds
4. Horse gram
5. Rotten potatoes
6. Sugar beet
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A. 1, 2, 5 and 6 only
B. 1, 3, 4 and 6 only
C. 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
D. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
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Answer (A)
The policy classifies biofuels into Basic, Advanced, and Drop-in fuels and identifies a variety of feedstocks/raw materials for their production. Raw materials allowed:
Not included:
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- The Government of India has introduced a digital addressing innovation known as DIGIPIN, designed to provide highly accurate location identification across the country. Unlike the traditional six-digit postal PIN, DIGIPIN is a ten-character alphanumeric code that can be assigned to any property spanning roughly a 4x4 square meter area.
- This allows nearly every type of property—whether in cities, villages, or even maritime zones—to be uniquely mapped.
- The technology powering DIGIPIN has been developed by the Department of Posts in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad and the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) under the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
- Importantly, each DIGIPIN is based on the geographical coordinates of the property and does not contain any personal information. It is meant to serve as an additional layer of accuracy to existing postal addresses rather than replacing the current PIN system.
- To support its implementation, the Department of Posts has signed an MoU with MapmyIndia, which will supply base maps for the Know Your DIGIPIN application. This collaboration will help in generating accurate DIGIPINs and integrating them with mapping services.
- Furthermore, DIGIPIN will be incorporated into the Mappls app, improving navigation and search functionalities. Existing addresses in the MapmyIndia database will also be assigned DIGIPINs, encouraging widespread adoption and strengthening location-based services.
- According to Harpreet Singh, Member (Operations), Department of Posts, the partnership with MapmyIndia will make DIGIPIN more accessible and scalable.
- By embedding it within India’s mapping ecosystem, the initiative is expected to establish a standardized digital address system that can benefit millions of citizens while also bolstering the nation’s digital infrastructure for efficient service delivery
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Answer (A)
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