Daily Current Affair 17-September-2025

Draft National Data Centre Policy (GS 2)

Context :
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has released the Draft National Data Centre Policy, proposing fiscal, infrastructural, and regulatory incentives to accelerate India’s transition into a global data hub. This comes at a time when India’s digital economy is projected to touch $1 trillion by 2030, making secure and resilient data infrastructure critical.

Recommended Measures

• Tax Incentives: A 20-year tax holiday is proposed for developers achieving specified capacity and employment targets. This aims to lower project costs and attract long-term investments.
  
  
• GST Relief: Input tax credit on capital assets under GST is suggested to reduce upfront expenditure for developers.
  
  
• Foreign Investment Facilitation: Firms operating with ≥100 MW capacity will be granted Permanent Establishment status to ensure regulatory clarity and stability for global players.
  
  
• Land Allocation: States are encouraged to earmark land near industrial corridors, enabling quicker acquisition and rollout of projects.
  
  
• Power Supply Coordination: MeitY will collaborate with power authorities to guarantee continuous electricity supply to these energy-intensive facilities.
  
  
• Green Energy Push: Uniform guidelines for renewable energy storage are proposed, nudging the sector towards sustainable, low-carbon operations.
  
  

About Data Centres

• Definition: Specialised facilities housing networked servers and storage systems for centralised processing and management of data.
  
  
• Functions: Enable cloud computing, AI services, fintech, and digital governance by managing vast data flows.
  
  
• Importance for India:
  
  
  • Enhance digital sovereignty by localising data.
    
    
  • Support cybersecurity and compliance with global norms (e.g., GDPR, India’s DPDP Act 2023).
    
    
  • Ensure reliable delivery of e-governance and citizen services.
    
    
• Limitations:
  
  
  • High capital expenditure and long gestation periods.
    
    
  • Land acquisition bottlenecks.
    
    
  • Heavy reliance on uninterrupted power supply.
    
    

India’s Data Centre Landscape

• Current Position: India remains an emerging player, while global capacity is concentrated in the US and Singapore.
  
  
• Growth Trajectory: Industry has grown at a 24% CAGR since 2019 and is expected to add 795 MW capacity by 2027.
  
  
• Drivers: Rise of Digital India initiatives, 5G rollout, cloud adoption by MSMEs and startups, and demand from AI-driven services.
  
  

Significance

• Economic: Attracts FDI and anchors India in global digital value chains.
  
  
• Strategic: Local storage enhances sovereignty and reduces vulnerability to cross-border data flows.
  
  
• Diplomatic: Stronger infrastructure positions India in Indo-Pacific digital alliances and negotiations on data transfer frameworks.
  
  
• Social: Improves delivery of digital services like health (ABDM), education (DIKSHA), and agriculture (AgriStack).
  
  

Challenges

• Infrastructure: Power shortages and cooling needs in a country facing heat stress.
  
  
• Environmental Concerns: Data centres are highly energy- and water-intensive.
  
  
• Policy Uncertainty: Multiple overlapping regimes — IT laws, state incentives, SEZ rules — create compliance burden.
  
  
• Security Risks: Data localisation without adequate cybersecurity increases hacking threats.
  
  

Way Forward

1. Integrated Policy Framework: Harmonise data centre norms with Digital Personal Data Protection Act (2023) and global standards.
   
   
2. Sustainable Models: Promote green energy use and recycle cooling water to minimise ecological impact.
   
   
3. Public-Private Partnerships: Incentivise global tech majors while involving Indian firms to build resilient infrastructure.
   
   
4. Decentralisation: Promote regional data centres beyond metros to ensure equitable access and reduce disaster risks.
   
   
5. Skill Development: Train workforce in server management, cybersecurity, and AI-driven data analytics.
   
   

 

Judicial Pendency in India

GS 2

Context (TH):
 The Supreme Court’s pendency has surged to 88,417 cases in 2025, a 7.8% rise over 2024. With civil cases constituting nearly 79% of the backlog, judicial delays threaten the constitutional mandate of “justice, social, economic and political” under the Preamble.

Trends of Case Pendency

• Rising Backlog: From ~82,000 cases in 2024 → 88,417 in 2025.
  
  
• Case Mix: 78.7% civil cases, 21.3% criminal cases.
  
  
• Disposal Rate: 52,630 cases filed, 46,309 disposed → ~88% efficiency, insufficient to reduce backlog.
  
  
• High Courts & Districts: Over 4.5 crore cases pending nationwide, with significant delays in land, service, and criminal matters.
  
  

Drivers of Backlog

1. Low Judge-to-Population Ratio:
   
   
   1. India has 21 judges per million, far below the Law Commission’s benchmark of 50/million.
      
      
   1. Comparisons: US (107/million), UK (50/million).
      
      
2. Special Leave Petitions (Article 136):
   
   
   1. SC flooded with routine appeals, acting as an error-correction court rather than focusing on constitutional questions.
      
      
3. Government as the Largest Litigant:
   
   
   1. ~50% of cases involve the Union or States.
      
      
   1. Many appeals are filed despite settled precedent → avoidable burden.
      
      
4. Procedural Inertia:
   
   
   1. Adjournments, paper-based workflows, lack of statutory timelines.
      
      
5. Vacancies:
   
   
   1. 5,600+ judicial posts vacant.
      
      
   1. High Courts face ~30% vacancy rate → cases pile up and spill to SC.
      
      

Impacts of Case Pendency

• Delayed Justice: Denial of timely relief erodes public trust in judiciary.
  
  
• Constitutional Decline: Only 0.12% of SC cases heard by Constitution Benches (vs. 15.5% in 1950s).
  
  
• Prison Crisis: 76% of prisoners are undertrials, violating Article 21 – Right to Speedy Trial.
  
  
• Economic Burden: Enforcing contracts takes 1,445 days in India (World Bank Ease of Doing Business, 2020), raising business uncertainty.
  
  
• Regional Inequities: Poor litigants from remote states discouraged due to cost & time barriers.
  
  

Way Forward

1. Cassation Benches:
   
   
   1. As per Law Commission’s 229th Report, establish 4 regional benches to reduce appellate load on SC.
      
      
2. Strengthening Judge Cadre:
   
   
   1. Increase to 50 judges per million.
      
      
   1. Fill 5,600 vacancies urgently.
      
      
3. All-India Judicial Service (AIJS):
   
   
   1. Centralised recruitment → uniform quality, transparency, reduce state-level bottlenecks.
      
      
4. Digital Justice:
   
   
   1. Scale up e-Courts Mission Mode Project.
      
      
   1. Use AI-driven tools like SUPACE for case tracking and listing.
      
      
5. Case Filtering Mechanisms:
   
   
   1. Adopt global best practices:
      
      
      1. US → certiorari (Court chooses cases).
         
         
      1. Canada → Leave-to-appeal system.
         
         
      1. South Africa → Bifurcated apex court.
         
         
6. Reducing Government Litigation:
   
   
   1. Implement National Litigation Policy with “File only when necessary” principle.
      
      

SC Calls for Nationwide Firecracker Policy

GS 2

Context :

The Supreme Court recently ruled that bans on firecrackers must not remain confined to Delhi-NCR alone, emphasising that pollution is a national issue. The Court invoked Article 21 – Right to Life and Clean Air and flagged unequal enforcement across states.

Key Observations

• Beyond Delhi: The CJI questioned why restrictions single out NCR when cities like Amritsar or Lucknow face equal or worse pollution.
  
  
• Fundamental Right: Right to clean air must apply uniformly across India.
  
  
• Vulnerable Groups: Daily wage earners, street workers, and children are most affected by hazardous AQI levels.
  
  
• On Green Crackers: Manufacturers’ claims of 90% emission reduction were dismissed; independent studies show only ~30% reduction.
  
  

Key Issues Involved

1. Equity & Justice:
   
   
   1. Current bans target NCR disproportionately.
      
      
   1. Citizens elsewhere lack equal protection under Article 14 & 21.
      
      
2. Enforcement Challenges:
   
   
   1. Seasonal/partial bans → hoarding & black-market sales.
      
      
   1. Weak monitoring beyond urban centres.
      
      
3. Livelihood Concerns:
   
   
   1. Firecracker industry concentrated in Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu, employs lakhs.
      
      
   1. Blanket bans risk economic distress without reskilling measures.
      
      
4. Technology Gap:
   
   
   1. “Green crackers” lack wide-scale scientific validation.
      
      
   1. No robust certification mechanism in place.
      
      
5. Fragmented State Regulations:
   
   
   1. Delhi: Year-round ban (extended April 2025).
      
      
   1. Bengaluru: Allows green crackers in time slots.
      
      
   1. Chennai: Limited hours during Diwali.
      
      
   1. West Bengal: Effective total ban.
      
      

Way Forward

1. Phased Transition:
   
   
   1. Gradually shift from conventional crackers to certified green alternatives with measurable emission benchmarks.
      
      
2. Industry Support & Reskilling:
   
   
   1. Financial incentives and subsidies for clean tech.
      
      
   1. Diversify Sivakasi’s workforce into LED lighting, toys, and renewable energy sectors.
      
      
3. Time & Zone Regulation:
   
   
   1. Instead of blanket bans, designate zones & timings for cracker use, ensuring cultural practices are balanced with public health.
      
      
4. Integrated Pollution Control:
   
   
   1. Firecracker policy must be part of broader AQI strategy including stubble burning, vehicular emissions, and construction dust.
      
      
5. Scientific Oversight:
   
   
   1. Continuous testing by CSIR-NEERI (Govt research institute, 1958, Nagpur).
      
      
   1. Transparent reporting on actual emission reduction of “green crackers.”
      
      

SC Interim Order on Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025

GS 2

Context:

The Supreme Court issued an interim order on the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, staying certain contentious provisions while upholding key reforms. The case reflects the constitutional tension between state regulation of religious endowments and the community’s right to manage its own affairs under Article 26.

Background

• The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, passed in April, aimed to reform governance of Waqf properties.
  
  
• Petitioners argued that some provisions violated Article 26(b) (right to manage religious affairs) and undermined community autonomy.
  
  
• The Court balanced reform with constitutional safeguards, granting a partial stay.
  
  

Provisions Stayed by the Supreme Court

1. Collector’s Powers over Waqf Properties
   
   
   1. Section 3C allowed collectors to declare Waqf land as government property and alter records.
      
      
   1. SC termed this prima facie arbitrary → stayed.
      
      
   1. Disputed land will retain Waqf status until Tribunal decides; no third-party rights can be created.
      
      
2. Inclusion of Non-Muslims in Waqf Bodies
   
   
   1. The Act allowed greater representation of non-Muslims in Waqf councils.
      
      
   1. SC capped membership: max 4 non-Muslims in Central Waqf Council (22 members) and 3 in State Waqf Boards (11 members).
      
      
3. Five-Year Islam Practice Clause
   
   
   1. Act mandated that only those practising Islam for ≥5 years could create Waqf.
      
      
   1. Court stayed this clause, citing lack of verification mechanism.
      
      

Provisions Upheld by the Supreme Court

1. Abolition of “Waqf by Use”
   
   
   1. Earlier, land used for religious/charitable purposes could be deemed Waqf even without formal declaration.
      
      
   1. Misused for encroachment of govt land.
      
      
   1. SC upheld its removal as a measure against abuse.
      
      
2. Application of the Limitation Act
   
   
   1. Earlier, Waqf disputes were exempt from limitation periods.
      
      
   1. Now, standard limitation applies → ensures parity with other property laws, reduces perpetual litigation.
      
      

Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) for White Goods

GS 3

Context :
 The government has reopened applications under the PLI scheme for white goods, reflecting renewed confidence in domestic manufacturing and India’s ambition to integrate into global supply chains.

White Goods

• Durable household appliances: refrigerators, washing machines, ACs, dishwashers.
  
  
• Originally termed “white goods” as they were mostly produced in white enamel finish.
  
  

PLI Scheme

• Launch (2020): Incentivises manufacturing by linking financial support to incremental sales & investments.
  
  
• Coverage: 14 sectors → electronics, auto, textiles, drones, white goods, etc.
  
  
• White Goods Entry: April 2021, covering ACs & LED lights for 7 years.
  
  

Objectives

• Boost Make in India & Atmanirbhar Bharat.
  
  
• Reduce import dependence on high-value components.
  
  
• Promote technology adoption, economies of scale, and exports.
  
  

Achievements

• Attracted ₹1.76 lakh crore investments.
  
  
• Created nearly 12 lakh jobs.
  
  
• Localisation: shift from import-heavy AC/LED components to domestic production.
  
  

Challenges

• High compliance burden for MSMEs.
  
  
• Risk of subsidy misuse without strong monitoring.
  
  
• Limited participation in global value chains compared to China/Vietnam.
  
  

Way Forward

• Streamline compliance for MSMEs.
  
  
• Encourage R&D-based incentives, not just assembly.
  
  
• Integrate PLI with FTAs & global trade strategy.
  
  

SEBI’s Ease of Doing Business Reforms

GS 3

Context:
SEBI has approved a set of reforms to enhance foreign investment inflows, simplify compliance, and strengthen investor protection in capital markets.

Key Reforms

1. SWAFAT-FI Framework: Single window for trusted FPIs & FVCIs.
   
   
2. India Market Access Portal: Digital portal for registration & compliance.
   
   
3. Asset Reclassification: REITs = equity, InvITs = hybrid → expands mutual fund access.
   
   
4. IPO Norms: Minimum public offer reduced to 2.75% (from 5%) for firms with ₹1–5 lakh cr market cap.
   
   
5. New AIF Category: Exclusively for accredited investors with lighter compliance.
   
   
6. Exit Load Cut: MF redemption fees reduced 5% → 3%.
   
   

 

 

Regulation of Opium Cultivation

GS 3

Context:
The Union Government announced the 2025–26 Opium Cultivation Licensing Policy, expanding cultivator base by 23.5% over the previous year.

About Opium

• Derived from Papaver somniferum (opium poppy).
  
  
• Contains alkaloids: morphine, codeine, thebaine → vital in painkillers, cancer drugs, cough syrups.
  
  
• India is the only country allowed by UN (1961 Single Convention) to cultivate and produce gum opium.
  
  

Regulation in India

• Governed by NDPS Act, 1985 & Rules (1985).
  
  
• Supervised by Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN), Gwalior.
  
  
• Cultivation confined to MP, Rajasthan, UP (notified tracts).
  
  
• Processing at Govt Opium & Alkaloid Factories (Ghazipur, Neemuch).
  
  

Significance

• Ensures legal, traceable supply for pharma.
  
  
• Generates rural livelihood in arid regions.
  
  
• Strengthens India’s geopolitical position in narcotic governance.
  
  

Challenges

• Risk of diversion into illegal trade.
  
  
• Climate vulnerability (crop sensitive to rainfall).
  
  
• Global competition from synthetic opioids.
  
  

National Policy on Geothermal Energy

GS 3

Context:
MNRE launched India’s first geothermal energy policy, diversifying the clean energy basket beyond solar & wind.

Key Features

• FDI: 100% permitted.
  
  
• Incentives: Tax holidays, import duty exemption, concessional loans, viability gap funding.
  
  
• Tenure: Project support up to 30 years.
  
  
• Joint Ventures: Oil, gas, mineral companies encouraged.
  
  
• Repurposing: Use abandoned oil & gas wells, promote ground-source heat pumps.
  
  

Significance

• Produces stable, 24×7 renewable energy.
  
  
• Emits 99% less CO₂ than fossil fuels.
  
  
• Complements Net-Zero 2070 pledge.
  
  
• Supports AI-driven data centres & industrial power demand.
  
  
• India: 381 hot springs across 10 provinces (Ladakh, HP, Gujarat).
  
  

 

Challenges

• High upfront drilling cost.
  
  
• Resource risk until exploration confirmed.
  
  
• Coordination between MNRE, states, private players.
  
  

Chlamydia Vaccine for Koalas

GS 3

Context:
Australia approved the world’s first single-dose vaccine against chlamydia for koalas.

About Chlamydia

• Caused by Chlamydia pecorum (koalas), C. trachomatis (humans).
  
  
• Transmission: direct contact, mother-to-child.
  
  
• Symptoms: UTIs, eye disease, infertility, blindness.
  
  
• Challenge: Antibiotics disrupt koalas’ gut bacteria needed to digest eucalyptus → starvation risk.
  
  

About Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus)

• Arboreal marsupials, diet = eucalyptus.
  
  
• Range: Eastern & SE Australia.
  
  
• Threats: Habitat loss, fires, climate change, road accidents, 70% affected by chlamydia.
  
  
• IUCN Status: Vulnerable.
  
  

Significance

• Vaccine reduces mortality by ~65%.
  
  
• A breakthrough in wildlife disease management & conservation medicine.
  
  

Ebony Forest Collapse & Elephant Decline

GS 3

Context:
Study in Cameroon found elephant decline (–86% due to ivory poaching) led to 68% fall in ebony regeneration.

Role of Elephants in Forest Ecology

• Seed Dispersal: Carry large seeds over long distances.
  
  
• Habitat Shapers: Create canopy gaps for regeneration.
  
  
• Digestive Aid: Dung dispersal boosts germination 3x.
  
  
• Genetic Connectivity: Link fragmented populations.
  
  
• Seed Shielding: Dung reduces seed predation risk 8.5x.
  
  

About Ebony Tree (Diospyros crassiflora)

• Jet-black hardwood, Congo Basin forests.
  
  
• Growth: 50–200 years.
  
  
• Uses: Furniture, musical instruments, decorative art.
  
  
• IUCN: Vulnerable.
  
  

Significance

Elephant loss shows cascading ecological impacts → “defaunation” undermines tropical forest resilience.