03 December 2025

• DoT ordered smartphone makers to mandatorily pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app.
• Opposition and digital rights groups flagged privacy, consent, and surveillance risks.
• Concerns amplified as preloaded apps often have system-level permissions.
• Directive issued under Telecom Cyber Security Rules, 2024, whose scope was expanded recently.
• Comes alongside DoT’s instructions to platforms like WhatsApp to restrict multi- device access.

Key Points

• Sanchar Saathi App
  • Initially launched (2023) to report fraudulent calls, block stolen phones via IMEI, and verify IMEI authenticity.
  • Pre-installation mandate may render it non-removable, similar to other system apps.
• Concerns Raised
  • Opposition called it “unilateral” and “dictatorial,” arguing lack of consultation with citizens.
  • Critics say compulsory preloading undermines informed consent, even if deletion is later allowed.
  • Cybersecurity experts warn of potential misuse if the app has system-level or root access, enabling silent permission upgrades.
• Legal/Policy Basis
  • Issued under Telecom Cyber Security Rules, 2024, empowering DoT to regulate entities using mobile numbers for identification.
  • Significantly broadens DoT’s surveillance and compliance capabilities beyond telecom operators.
• Broader Digital Regulation Push
  • Mandate for messaging apps to restrict multi-device access and enforce periodic logout reflects increased cybersecurity oversight.

Static Linkages

• Fundamental Right to Privacy (Puttaswamy, 2017).
• Reasonable restrictions under Article 19(2).
• Delegated legislation principles and need for procedural safeguards.
• Telegraph Act, 1885 as base for telecom regulation.
• Ethical principles: consent, autonomy, proportionality.
• CERT-In responsibilities under India’s cybersecurity framework.

Critical Analysis

• Benefits
  • Strengthens citizen protection against fraud and device misuse.
  • Enhances device traceability and IMEI-based security.
• Concerns
  • Risks privacy intrusion if root access is enabled.
  • Mandatory installation reduces user autonomy.
  • Expands DoT authority without parliamentary deliberation.
  • Pre-installed apps increase security vulnerabilities.
• Stakeholder View
  • Government: Cybersecurity and public safety.
  • Opposition/Civil Society:
  • Overreach, lack of transparency.
  • Industry: Technical burden, liability, user trust issues.

Way Forward

• Prefer voluntary opt-in over mandatory preloading.
• Conduct and publish independent security audits.
• Ensure apps avoid root/system permissions unless essential.
• Strengthen parliamentary oversight of digital surveillance norms.
• Adopt privacy-by-design and data minimization protocols.

SC BACKS KERALA’S PLEA ON SIR

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• The Supreme Court found Kerala’s request to extend the enumeration phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls beyond December 13 “just and fair”.
• Kerala faces a logistical crisis with local body elections and the SIR coinciding, straining administrative personnel.
• The SC directed Kerala to file a detailed representation before the Election Commission (EC) by December 3, and asked the EC to consider it “sympathetically”.
• The State and several political parties have also challenged the constitutionality of SIR in separate petitions.

Key Points

• Kerala is preparing for elections to 1,200+ local self-government bodies, totaling 23,612 wards.
• EC previously extended the enumeration deadline from December 4 → December 11 due to workload pressures on Booth-Level Officers (BLOs).
• Kerala argued that conducting SIR and elections concurrently would lead to an “administrative impasse”, with lack of staff for routine governance.
• Personnel demands:
  • 1,76,000 for election duties
  • 68,000 police/security
  • 25,668 staff for SIR
• EC submitted that the SIR process was progressing smoothly:
  • 98.8% forms distributed
  • 84% forms returned and digitised
• Kerala State Election Commission argued no staff shortage existed for SIR.

Static Linkages

• Constitutional mandate of free and fair elections (Article 324).
• Powers of the Election Commission: Preparation/revision of electoral rolls.
• Separation of powers and judicial oversight on constitutionally independent bodies.
• 73rd & 74th Constitutional Amendments: Institutionalization of Panchayats and Municipalities.
• Administrative efficiency: Role of bureaucracy in conducting elections (District Collector as DEO).
• Principle of cooperative federalism in Centre– State and EC–State coordination.

Critical Analysis

• Pros
  • Ensures accuracy of electoral rolls.
  • SC balances EC independence with administrative realism.
  • Reduces risk of staff fatigue-related errors. Cons /
• Challenges
  • Administrative strain may affect both SIR and polls.
  • Conflicting positions show coordination gaps.
  • Frequent extensions may set undesirable precedents.
• Constitutional Perspective
  • Balancing EC autonomy under Article 324 with judicial review.
  • Upholding free and fair elections as a basic feature.

Way Forward

• Stagger SIR and election schedules.
• Develop a dedicated election management cadre.
• Accelerate digital roll updates to reduce manual burden.
• Institutionalise State–EC coordination protocols.
• Set independent review norms for large-scale revisions.

INDIA’S ENVIRONMENT CRISIS

• Centre exempts Aravalli hills below 100 m from mining restrictions → exposes most of the range to extraction.
• NCR enters its annual severe smog cycle; ~34,000 estimated pollution deaths in 10 major cities.
• CGWB: 13–15% groundwater samples in Delhi contaminated with uranium; higher in Punjab & Haryana.
• Series of policy dilutions: FCA Amendment 2023, Draft EIA 2020, CRZ 2018, and post-facto clearances.
• Concerns over evictions from forest/wildlife areas; weakening of regulatory bodies.

KEY POINTS

• Aravalli Range Threat:
• Acts as a natural barrier preventing Thar desert expansion.
• 90% of its hills fall below 100 m—now vulnerable to mining.
• Illegal mining already caused 31 Aravalli hill ranges to disappear in Haryana (CAG Report).
• Pollution Crisis:
  • NCR’s winter smog linked to vehicular pollution, biomass burning, construction dust, and meteorology.
  • Annual economic loss from air pollution: ~1.4% of India’s GDP (World Bank).
• Groundwater Uranium Contamination:
  • Causes: over-extraction, geogenic presence, fertilizer-phosphate interactions.
  • Uranium exposure affects kidneys and bones (WHO).
• Policy Dilution Concerns:
  • FCA Amendment 2023: large exemptions from clearance norms.
  • EIA 2020 Draft: reduced public participation; expanded exemptions.
  • Post-facto clearances: criticised by SC as “contrary to environmental jurisprudence”.
  • CRZ 2018: eased coastal construction norms.
• Governance Issues: Underutilisation of funds under NACP; weakening of institutions like NGT through vacancies.

STATIC LINKAGES

• Aravalli range is among the oldest fold mountains (Proterozoic), important for geomorphology.
• Environmental governance in India derives from Articles 48A, 51A(g) of DPSPs and Fundamental Duties.
• Forest Rights Act, 2006 recognises community forest rights; Gram Sabha consent is mandatory for diversion.
• Precautionary Principle, Polluter Pays Principle, and Public Trust Doctrine form the basis of India’s environmental jurisprudence (Vellore Citizens’ case).
• NGT Act 2010: provides for a specialised body for environmental adjudication.
• Groundwater regulation comes under State subject but coordinated through CGWA guidelines.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

• Issues
  • Weakening safeguards → easier diversion of forests/coasts.
  •  Aravalli mining threatens ecological security of NCR.
  • Systemic failures in pollution control and groundwater management.
  • Post-facto clearances undermine rule of law.
  • Marginalisation of Adivasis; poor institutional capacity.
• Stakeholder Perspectives
  • Govt: growth & faster clearances.  Industry: ease of doing business.
  • Environmentalists: irreversible ecological costs.  Local communities: loss of rights & livelihoods.  
  • Judiciary: emphasis on precaution & legality.
• Constitutional/Ethical
  •  Violates Article 21; undermines sustainability & intergenerational justice.

WAY FORWARD

• Roll back FCA 2023, EIA 2020 draft, CRZ 2018; end post-facto clearances.
• Restore mining protections in Aravallis; declare ESZs.
• Strengthen NGT, SPCBs, appraisal committees.
• Adopt NCR airshed management; improve monitoring.
• Protect FRA rights; ensure Gram Sabha participation.
• Ensure full utilisation of pollution-control funds.
• Mainstream ecological/climate sensitivity in infrastructure planning.

• India hosted the 7th NSA-level CSC Summit on 20 Nov 2025, attended by Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, Bangladesh; Seychelles joined as full member; Malaysia joined as guest.
• CSC began in 2011 as India–Sri Lanka– Maldives, revived in 2020 with focus on maritime security, counter-terrorism, trafficking, organised crime, cybersecurity.
• Summit held amid shifts in the Indian Ocean security environment, especially China’s rising presence.

Key Points

• Seychelles became a full member of CSC in 2025, expanding the grouping further after Mauritius (2022) and Bangladesh (2024).
• Focus areas included non-traditional maritime threats, including illegal fishing, drug trafficking, cyber risks, and maritime domain awareness.
• The summit emphasized regional cooperation for littoral states whose economies depend heavily on the ocean-based sectors.
• India aims to enhance maritime resilience and institutional mechanisms within CSC amid Indo-Pacific geopolitical shifts.
• Participation of Malaysia as guest signals potential future expansion.
• Member nations differ in their perception of China’s activities in the Indian Ocean, posing a challenge to India’s strategic alignment goals.
• Institutionalisation remains weak due to CSC’s NSA-level structure rather than a permanent secretariat or treaty-based mechanism.

Static Linkages

• Indian Ocean Region (IOR) accounts for 80% of global maritime oil trade (UNCTAD).
• India’s SAGAR Doctrine (Security and Growth for All in the Region) emphasises cooperative, inclusive maritime security.
• UNCLOS 1982 governs maritime rights, including EEZs and freedom of navigation.
• Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): Coastal states can exploit resources up to 200 nautical miles (Indian Navy – Maritime Doctrine).
• Regional mechanisms in IOR: IORA, IONS, BIMSTEC, but none provide comprehensive security architecture.
• Blue Economy highlighted in Economic Survey 2021–22 as a driver for sustainable development.

Critical Analysis

• Pros
  • Improves maritime cooperation, information-sharing, crisis response.
  • Supports India’s SAGAR and regional leadership.
  • Helps island states with capacity- building and blue economy prospects.
  • Expanding membership increases relevance of CSC.
• Cons / Challenges
  • Divergent China perceptions limit strategic coherence.
  • No institutional structure, affecting continuity.
  • Domestic political flux in members may dilute engagement.
  • Overlaps with other IOR groupings → risk of fragmentation.

Way Forward

• Create CSC secretariat, regular ministerial track.
• Strengthen satellite/radar-based MDA, cybersecurity collaborations.
• Link maritime security with blue economy development for island states.
• Harmonise threat assessments; maintain inclusive Indo-Pacific posture.
• Improve synergy with IORA, IONS, BIMSTEC.

ZERO STARS

Context of the News

• Rising digital arrests, government- impersonation scams, and cross-border cyber frauds exploiting SIM–app loopholes prompted new DoT directives.
• Nov 28, 2025: DoT mandated SIM-binding to disable messaging accounts once the SIM is removed.
• Dec 1, 2025: DoT ordered mandatory pre- installation of the Sanchar Saathi app on all new smartphones by March 2026.
• Concerns emerged due to the app’s compulsory visibility, non-disabling nature, and deeper system permissions.
• Critics argue the directive fails the Puttaswamy proportionality test; some manufacturers reportedly resist compliance.

Key Points

• Cybercriminals exploit active accounts after SIM removal and spoofed IMEI numbers to evade tracking.
• SIM-binding aims to reduce anonymity-based messaging fraud.
• Sanchar Saathi (CEIR) assists in IMEI verification, counterfeit detection, and blocking stolen phones.
• Directive demands:
  • Preloaded app at setup
  • Non-removable core functionality  
  • Elevated OS-level permissions
• Less intrusive verification modes (portal/SMS/USSD) already exist.

Static Linkages

• Article 21: Right to Privacy; intrusion must satisfy legality–necessity–proportionality (Puttaswamy).
• IMEI regulation via Indian Telegraph Act and DoT notifications.
• Pegasus controversy underscores surveillance risks.
• National Cyber Security Policy stresses minimal intrusion.
• Panopticon concept relevant to surveillance debates.

Critical Analysis

• Pros
  • Helps curb SIM-based fraud and IMEI cloning.
  • Strengthens digital trust and enforcement capacity.
  • Provides quicker tools for stolen-device blocking.
• Cons
  • Deep system access raises privacy and surveillance risks.
  • Centralized app permissions create a large attack surface.
  • Violates proportionality as less intrusive tools exist.
  • May clash with device ecosystem norms and user autonomy.
• Stakeholder Perspectives
  • Government: Stronger cybercrime response.  
  • Citizens: Privacy and consent concerns.
  • Manufacturers: Technical and legal compliance issues.
  • Civil Liberties Groups: Fear mass surveillance.
  • LEAs: Improved device traceability but oversight essential.

Way Forward

• Make installation optional; enable uninstall/disable.
• Use portal/SMS/USSD for verification as primary tools.
• Establish legal safeguards, audit mechanisms, and oversight.
• Strengthen data protection and surveillance reforms.
• Enforce IMEI compliance via telecom operators, not user devices.
• Conduct robust security audits and public- awareness drives.

SPEED BUMPS AHEAD

Context of the News

• Q2 2025–26 GDP growth at 8.2%, highest in six quarters.
• October 2025 IIP growth fell to 0.4%, a 14- month low.
• Manufacturing PMI for November dropped to 56.6, a nine-month low.
• 50% U.S. tariffs have begun hurting India’s export orders.
• Weather disruptions pulled down mining & electricity; primary goods contracted.
• GST revenues for Nov: ₹1.7 lakh crore, indicating tepid post-rationalisation demand.

Key Points

• GDP–IIP Divergence:
  • GDP manufacturing growth in Q2: 9.1%
  • IIP manufacturing growth in Oct: 1.8% (14- month low)
  • Difference partly due to low base effect (2.2% in Q2 2024–25).
• Impact of U.S. Tariffs:
  • Merchandise exports grew in September (fulfilment of earlier orders).
  • Contracted ~12% in October as new orders fell due to tariffs.
  • PMI report notes slowest export order growth in over a year.
• Sectoral Performance:
  • Primary goods contracted due to rains and winter shift.
  • Capital goods grew only 2.4%, indicating weakening investment momentum after strong Q2 GFCF growth (7.3%).
  • Consumer durables + non-durables contracted, worst in two years—signals weak consumption.
• GST Collections:
  • Post rate rationalisation, GST revenue for Nov:₹1.7 lakh crore, showing demand did not spike immediately.
• Overall Outlook:
  • Early indicators suggest Q3 GDP may moderate due to external shocks and domestic consumption headwinds.

Static Linkages

• Base effect and YoY comparison principles.
• IIP as a short-term industrial indicator (CSO methodology).
• PMI as a diffusion index (>50 = expansion).
• Tariffs affecting terms of trade & export competitiveness.
• GST as a consumption-linked indirect tax.

Critical Analysis

• Strengths
  • Q2 GDP shows strong underlying momentum.
  • PMI still in expansion zone; GST compliance improving
• Concerns
  • IIP, PMI and exports suggest Q3 slowdown.
  • Tariffs creating external headwinds.
  • Consumption weakness persists.
  • Investment momentum may taper.
• Stakeholder Views
  • Govt: Highlights strong GDP.
  • Industry: Worried about export orders.
  • Households: Weak discretionary spending.
  • Investors: Watching high-frequency indicators.
• Structural Issues
  • Exposure to global protectionism.
  • Low consumption elasticity.
  • Weather-linked vulnerabilities.

Way Forward

• Diversify export markets; strengthen trade diplomacy.  
• WTO-compliant export support measures.
• Deepen domestic value chains to boost manufacturing resilience.
• Maintain strong public capex to offset private slowdown.
• Support SMEs for GST transition; monitor consumption revival.