9 PM UPSC Current Affairs Articles 21 March 2025

Mains Oriented Articles

GS PAPER - 2

Habitual Offender Laws and Their Impact in India

Source: The post Habitual Offender Laws and Their Impact in India has been created, based on the article “How do habitual offender laws discriminate?” published in “The Hindu” on 21 March 2025. Habitual Offender Laws and Their Impact in India.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- Governance-mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.

Context: The Supreme Court of India recently questioned the constitutionality of “habitual offender” laws, citing their misuse against denotified tribes. Despite this, the Union government revealed in March 2025 that such laws still exist in 14 States and Union Territories, prompting fresh debate on their relevance.

Historical Background of Habitual Offender Laws

1. Colonial Roots: The practice of criminalizing certain communities in India began with British Regulation XXII in 1793, allowing detention of tribes based solely on suspicion.
2. Legal Developments: This led to the Indian Penal Code (1860) and the Criminal Procedure Code (1861), which facilitated the registration of “dacoits and thugs.”
3. Institutionalization: The Criminal Tribes Act (CTA) of 1871 labeled specific tribes as criminal, affecting numerous communities.
4. Post-Independence Changes: Following the 1949-50 Criminal Tribes Act Enquiry Committee’s recommendations, the CTA was repealed in 1952.
5. State Laws: States then introduced habitual offender laws that shifted focus to individuals’ convictions but continued to harbor biases against denotified tribes.

Nature and Use of the Habitual Offender Laws

1. Definition and Impact: Defined by past criminal convictions, these laws include crimes such as dacoity, earning from prostitution, and lurking, perpetuating stigma against denotified tribes.
2. Bias and Misuse: Often equating former “criminal tribes” with habitual offenders, these laws enable police and societal discrimination, highlighted by the death of Budhan Sabar in 1998.

Current Status of HO Laws in States

1. Repeals and Non-Use: Haryana has repealed its law; Punjab and Odisha report no recent use.
2. Continued Application: Gujarat and Goa defend the law, citing non-malicious intent and lack of denotified tribes, respectively.
3. Alternative Legislation: Uttar Pradesh has incorporated habitual offender provisions into its Goondas Act.
4. According to 2022 National Crime Records Bureau data, Delhi has the highest proportion of convicts classified as habitual offenders at 21.5%.

Committee Observations and Recommendations

Several committees and commissions have studied the impact of HO laws:

1. Criminal Tribes Act Enquiry Committee (1949–50): Recommended repealing the CTA and called for a new law not based on caste or birth.
2. Lokur Committee (1965): Described DNTs as having “anti-social heritage,” reinforcing stigma.
3. B.S. Renke Commission (2008): Highlighted the negative effects of HO laws on DNT, NT, and SNT communities.
4. Virginius Xaxa Committee (2014): Noted that the stigma of criminality still persists because CTA was replaced by similar HO laws.
5. Bhiku Ramji Idate Commission (2017): Traced the colonial origins of these laws and criticised their continued misuse.

Supreme Court’s Observations

In October 2024, the Supreme Court, while hearing a case on caste-based discrimination in prisons, observed that HO laws have been used to unfairly target DNTs. It declared such classification “constitutionally suspect” and urged States to reconsider their continuation.

Conclusion

Despite long-standing concerns and critical observations from both the judiciary and various committees, habitual offender laws remain in force across several Indian states. This ongoing issue underscores the urgent need for legal reform to eliminate systemic bias against denotified and nomadic tribes.

Question for practice

Examine how habitual offender laws have evolved over time and their multifaceted impact on denotified tribes in India.

US Shift From Multilateralism Impacts Global Order and India’s Role

Source: The post US Shift From Multilateralism Impacts Global Order and India’s Role has been created, based on the article “The assault on multilateralism and international law” published in “The Hindu” on 21st March 2025. US Shift From Multilateralism Impacts Global Order and India’s Role.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-International Relations-Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests.

Context: The Trump administration’s “America First” policy has initiated a series of withdrawals from major international organizations and agreements, including the World Health Organization, the UN Human Rights Council, and the Paris Climate Agreement. This shift is part of a broader move away from multilateralism, highlighted by proposed legislation like the DEFUND Act which aims to sever U.S. ties with the United Nations.

Change in US approach, toward international legal institution

1. The U.S. has moved from supporting to opposing international legal institutions under the Trump administration.
2. It imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC), claiming it targeted the U.S. and Israel unfairly.
3. This shift is in contrast to the U.S.’s earlier role in creating the Nuremberg Trials after World War II to ensure accountability for war crimes.
4. The executive order challenges the ICC’s mission to punish genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
5. These actions mark a clear break from multilateral legal cooperation, weakening global efforts to uphold international law and justice.

Potential Consequences of Change in US approach

1. Undermining of Multilateral Institutions: Withdrawal from institutions such as the WHO, UNHRC, and the Paris Agreement erodes the legitimacy and effectiveness of global governance frameworks developed after World War II.
2. Economic Instability: The administration’s protectionist policies, including aggressive tariffs, echo the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of the 1930s, which worsened the Great Depression. Such economic nationalism threatens to disrupt global trade and long-standing multilateral trading systems like the WTO.
3. Legal and Human Rights Implications: The sanctions against the ICC weaken international mechanisms for ensuring accountability for atrocities, undermining the very legal principles the U.S. once championed through the Nuremberg Trials.

Opportunities created for other nations like India

1. Global Leadership Opportunity: The U.S.’s retreat from multilateralism provides space for countries like India to take on leadership roles in shaping global cooperation.
2. Influencing Global Governance: During the G-20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Johannesburg (February 2025), External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reinforced the call for inclusive and law-based solutions to global challenges.
3. Push for UNSC Reform: The shifting global order presents India with a timely opportunity to push forward its longstanding demand for reforms in the United Nations Security Council.

Question for practice:

Examine how the Trump administration’s shift away from multilateralism has impacted global legal institutions and created opportunities for countries like India.

CCI’s Action Against Meta Exposes India’s Digital Challenges

Source: The post CCI’s Action Against Meta Exposes India’s Digital Challenges has been created, based on the article “The challenge of policing digital giants” published in “The Hindu” on 21 March 2025. CCI’s Action Against Meta Exposes India’s Digital Challenges.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2– Governance-Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Context: On November 18, 2024, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) fined Meta ₹213.14 crore and banned WhatsApp from sharing user data for five years. This action followed concerns over WhatsApp’s 2021 privacy policy, which allegedly abused Meta’s dominant market position in India’s digital ecosystem.

For detailed information on Committee Report on Digital Competition Law read this article here

The importance of data in the 21st century

1. Foundational Role in Dominance: Data drives market power in digital economies by refining algorithms and enabling targeted advertising.
2. Unlimited Utility: Unlike traditional resources, data can be continuously reused and analyzed, enhancing product offerings and consumer engagement.
3. Data-driven Network Effects: More users generate more data, which in turn increases a platform’s value, as seen with Meta’s use of WhatsApp data.
4. Barrier to Competition: Large data sets create high entry barriers for new competitors, consolidating market dominance for companies like Google and Meta.

Reason for penalising meta in 2024 by CCI

1. Privacy Policy Abuse: Meta’s subsidiary, WhatsApp, introduced a privacy policy in 2021 that forced users to share data with Meta platforms like Facebook and Instagram, under a “take-it-or-leave-it” condition.
2. Dominant Market Position: The policy exploited WhatsApp’s dominant position in the Over-The-Top (OTT) messaging and online advertising markets.
3. Harming Competition: This mandatory data-sharing allowed Meta to strengthen its market power unfairly, thus limiting competition from other messaging platforms.
4. Fine and Initial Ban: Meta was fined ₹213.14 crore and initially banned from data sharing for five years, demonstrating the CCI’s stance against unfair market practices.
5. NCLAT’s Intervention: In January 2025, the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) stayed the penalty and the ban, requiring Meta to deposit 50% of the fine.

Global Regulatory Actions

1. U.S. Actions: The U.S. Subcommittee on Antitrust highlighted the need to reform antitrust laws against tech giants. Meta faces antitrust litigation over its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp.

2. EU Regulations: The Bundeskartellamt found Meta guilty of abusing its dominant position by merging user data without consent, violating EU competition law and GDPR.
3. Australian Measures: Australia is taking steps to regulate digital platforms to curb their market dominance.
4. Google in Europe: Google was fined over €8 billion in the EU for anti-competitive practices in mobile operating systems and app markets.
5. Indian Enforcement: Google was fined ₹1,337.76 crore by India’s Competition Commission for mandating the pre-installation of its apps on Android devices

Limitations in India’s Legal Framework

1. Lack of Specific Provisions: The Competition Act, 2002, does not address data monopolies directly.

2. Data-Driven Dominance: Traditional competition law, focusing on price-based dominance, fails to regulate markets where data is the primary source of power.
3. Coordination Gaps: The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, although addressing consent and data use, lacks explicit coordination mechanisms with the CCI, limiting effective regulation.
4. Outdated Definitions: Terms such as “market power” and “dominant position” need updates to better represent digital economy dynamics.
5. Need for Modern Regulations: Current laws do not include necessary provisions for interoperability and the separation of integrated services, which are essential to prevent monopolistic behaviors.

Way Forward

1. India can learn from the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) and GDPR, which work together to handle both competition and data concerns.
2. The Economic Survey 2024-25 highlights the role of AI and digital transformation, making regulatory reform more urgent.
3. India needs forward-looking laws to manage the growing power of tech giants and ensure fair digital growth.

Question for practice:

Evaluate the effectiveness of India’s current legal framework in managing data-driven market power, as illustrated by the CCI’s 2024 action against Meta.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

World Happiness Report 2025

News– The World Happiness Report 2025 was recently released, ranking countries based on the happiness and well-being of their citizens. World Happiness Report 2025.

About World Happiness Report 2025

• It is an annual global assessment that ranks countries based on life satisfaction and happiness levels.
• It considers both statistical data and public perception to evaluate overall well-being.
• Published by– Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford in partnership with Gallup, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and an independent editorial board.
• Criteria for Ranking– The ranking is based on six key indicators- social support, GDP per capita, health life expectancy, freedom, generosity and perception of corruption.

Key Findings of the Report

Global happiness trends

• Western and Nordic countries continue to dominate the rankings.
• Costa Rica (6th) and Mexico (10th) entered the top 10 for the first time.
• The U.S. (24th) and the U.K. (23rd) dropped in rankings due to rising loneliness and dissatisfaction.

Top & Bottom ranked nations

• Top 3 countries: Finland (1st), Denmark (2nd), Iceland (3rd)
• Bottom 3 countries: Afghanistan (147th), Sierra Leone, Lebanon.

India’s ranking

• India ranked 118th out of 147 countries.
• It ranked below Pakistan (109th) and Nepal (92nd).

Sagareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary

News– According to a recent study, Sagareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary has a high deer population, with 536 sambars and 295 cheetals (spotted deer), making it one of the most densely populated man-made wildlife sanctuaries. Sagareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary.

About Sagareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary

• Location– It is located in the Sangli district of Maharashtra.
• It holds the distinction of being India’s first man-made wildlife sanctuary.
• It is an artificially cultivated forest without a perennial water source, and most of its wildlife species have been artificially introduced.
• Vegetation– Southern dry mixed deciduous and southern thorn forests.
• Flora– Tamarind, Neem, Eucalyptus, Acacia, Agave, and Khair trees.
• Fauna: The Sanctuary is home to a variety of wildlife, including large herbivores such as Sambar Deer, Blackbucks, Muntjac, Chital, Wild Boar, and Peacocks. It also supports small carnivores like hyenas, foxes, and porcupines.

Equinox & Solstices

News- March 20, 2025, marks the vernal or spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere.

About Equinox

• Equinoxes are astronomical events occurring twice a year when the Sun appears directly above the Equator at noon.It results in nearly equal day and night durations across the globe.
• They take place in March and September and are the only times when both the North and South Poles receive sunlight simultaneously.
  • Vernal or Spring Equinox: Occurs between March 19 and 21, marking the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere.
  • Autumnal Equinox : Occurs between September 21 and 24, signaling autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Earth’s position during an Equinox– On equinox days, the Earth’s axial tilt aligns in such a way that both hemispheres receive an equal amount of sunlight. On all other days, the tilt of the Earth results in uneven distribution of sunlight, affecting seasonal changes.

About Solstices

• Solstices occur when the Earth’s axial tilt is at its maximum inclination toward or away from the Sun, leading to significant differences in daylight hours.
  • Summer Solstice (Northern Hemisphere): It falls between June 20 and 22, marking the longest day and shortest night of the year as the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun.
  • Winter Solstice (Northern Hemisphere): It falls between December 20 and 23, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year as the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun
• In the Southern Hemisphere, the solstices are reversed, meaning December experiences the summer solstice while June marks the winter solstice.

Exercise Bongosagar 2025

News- The India-Bangladesh naval exercise ‘Bongosagar 2025’ and a ‘Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT)’ took place in the Bay of Bengal recently. Exercise Bongosagar 2025.

About Exercise Bongosagar 2025

• It is a bilateral naval exercise between India and Bangladesh
• It aimed at enhancing interoperability and operational expertise through a diverse range of maritime operations.
• Initiated in 2019, the 2025 represents the fifth edition of this exercise.
• During 2025 (fifth Edition), the Indian Navy was represented by INS Ranvir, while the Bangladesh Navy participated with BNS Abu Ubaidah.
• The Exercise featured an array of complex operations, including surface firing, tactical maneuvers, underway replenishment, Visit-Board-Search-Seizure (VBSS) cross-boarding, communication drills, quizzes for the operations team and junior officers on professional topics, and a steam past.

INS Ranvir It is a Rajput-class guided missile destroyer that has been upgraded with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, most of which are indigenously developed. It is the fourth of the five Rajput-class destroyers built for the Indian Navy and was commissioned on October 28, 1986.