01 Oct 2026 - "Daily Current Affairs" Updates

Essential Medicines and Drug Price Regulation

Why in News: The Supreme Court expressed concern over the sharp disparity between the prices charged to retailers and consumers for essential medicines, particularly cancer drugs.

Drug Regulation in India

• Drugs and medicines are primarily regulated under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945.

• Medicine prices are regulated mainly through the Drugs (Prices Control) Order (DPCO).

• The DPCO is issued under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

• The Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers administers the pharmaceutical pricing framework.

National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA)

• NPPA was established in 1997 under the Department of Pharmaceuticals.

• It fixes and revises the prices of controlled drugs and formulations.

• It monitors medicine prices and compliance with the DPCO.

• Its role is to keep medicines available at reasonable prices while balancing consumer and pharmaceutical-manufacturer interests.

Quick Recall

• Drug law -> Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 + Rules, 1945.

• Price-control instrument -> DPCO.

• DPCO legal basis -> Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

• NPPA -> established in 1997 under Department of Pharmaceuticals.

POLITY, ELECTIONS & RIGHTS

2. Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls

Why in News: The Election Commission removed the SIR-linked declaration from Form 6 on the ECINET portal in States where the Special Intensive Revision had concluded.

What is SIR?

• Special Intensive Revision is provided for under Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.

• Under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, electoral rolls may be revised intensively, summarily, or partly intensively and partly summarily, as directed by the Election Commission.

• In an intensive revision, the electoral roll is prepared afresh.

• In a summary revision, the existing electoral roll is amended.

ERONET - Electoral Roll Management System

• ERONET is described by the Election Commission as a centralised form-processing system for voter registration, migration and deletion.

• It functions as a Decision Support System for Electoral Registration Officers.

• It can flag potential duplicate entries based on identical demographic details.

Quick Recall

• SIR legal basis -> Section 21(3), RPA 1950.

• Intensive revision -> fresh electoral roll.

• Summary revision -> existing roll amended.

• ERONET -> centralised voter-roll processing + DSS for EROs.

3. Right to Privacy

Why in News: The Supreme Court disposed of a PIL concerning doxxing and deepfakes and directed the Government to take remedial measures. A related plea had also challenged facial-recognition and biometric surveillance during protests.

Constitutional Position

• Article 21 protects the right to life and personal liberty, and the right to privacy forms part of this protection.

• In K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017), a nine-judge Bench held that privacy is a constitutionally protected right.

• The source notes that the Puttaswamy case concerned State action and that its test is framed around State action.

Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023

• The source notes that the Act allows the Union Government to exempt a State instrumentality by notification.

• Grounds mentioned include security of the State and public order.

Quick Recall

• Privacy -> part of Article 21.

• Landmark case -> K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India, 2017.

• Bench strength -> 9 judges.

• DPDP Act, 2023 -> source notes exemption power for State instrumentalities.