22 December 2025 - Daily Current Affairs Updates

GS–2 | INTERNAL SECURITY & MARITIME GOVERNANCE

1. Creation of the Bureau of Port Security (BPS)

Subtopic: Port Security, Maritime Governance & Institutional Reform

Value Addition:

• Nature: Proposed statutory body to strengthen port and maritime security.

• Legal Basis: Constituted under Section 13 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025.

• Administrative Control: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

• Purpose:

  • Provide a unified, legally empowered framework for port and ship security.

  • Replace fragmented security oversight with a central authority.

Core Functions:

• Regulatory and supervisory oversight of port facilities and ships across India.

• Statutory enforcement of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.

• Oversight of compliance with national and international maritime security standards.

Intelligence & Cybersecurity Role:

• Systematic collection, analysis, and dissemination of maritime security intelligence.

• Dedicated cybersecurity division to protect port digital systems.

• Focus on emerging risks like cyberattacks on critical port infrastructure.

Organisational Structure:

• Interim Phase (1 year): Director General of Shipping to hold additional charge as DG, BPS.

• Permanent Phase: Headed by a senior IPS officer (Pay Level–15) to ensure strong enforcement.

Role of CISF:

• CISF designated as a Recognised Security Organisation (RSO).

• Mandated to conduct:

  • Security assessments

  • Audits

  • Preparation of port security plans

• Applies to public and private ports alike.

Graded Security Framework:

• Risk-based security model considering:

  • Geographic location

  • Trade volume

  • Threat perception

• Moves away from a one-size-fits-all approach.

Coverage:

• Applies to all ports, including private ports like Mundra and Krishnapatnam.

Subject Analysis:

• Strengthens India’s maritime security architecture amid rising coastal and cyber threats.

• Important for GS–2 questions on internal security, port governance, and institutional reforms.

• Shows alignment with global maritime security norms (ISPS).

GS–2 | POLITY, GOVERNANCE & ENVIRONMENT

2. Supreme Court Ruling on CSR and Environmental Responsibility

Subtopic: Corporate Governance, Fundamental Duties & Environmental Law

Value Addition:

• Key Ruling: CSR must necessarily include environmental and ecological concerns.

• Environmental CSR spending is not charity, but a constitutional obligation.

• Linked explicitly to Article 51A(g) – duty to protect and improve the natural environment.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR):

• Mandatory in India under the Companies Act, 2013 (first country to do so).

CSR Applicability (Section 135):

• Net worth ≥ ₹500 crore OR

• Turnover ≥ ₹1,000 crore OR

• Net profit ≥ ₹5 crore.

• Mandatory spending: 2% of average net profits of previous three years.

CSR Framework:

• Board-level CSR Committee mandatory.

• CSR activities must align with Schedule VII, including:

  • Education

  • Healthcare

  • Environmental protection

  • Rural development

• Mandatory disclosure in Board’s Report.

Court’s Interpretation:

• Environmental protection is an intrinsic part of CSR, not optional.

• CSR operationalises Fundamental Duties through corporate action.

• Businesses benefiting from natural resources have a duty of stewardship.

Subject Analysis:

• Expands the constitutional dimension of CSR.

• Reinforces environmental accountability of corporations.

• High-value GS–2 topic linking governance, environment, and constitutional ethics.

GS–2 | JUDICIARY, SOCIAL JUSTICE & INTERNAL SECURITY

3. Supreme Court Guidelines on Child Trafficking Cases

Subtopic: Criminal Justice, Child Rights & Judicial Sensitivity

Value Addition:

• Court recognised child trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation as systemic and persistent crimes.

Guidelines on Victim Testimony:

• Vulnerability Recognition:

  • Courts must consider socio-economic and cultural vulnerability of child victims.

• Inconsistencies:

  • Minor contradictions should not discredit testimony.

  • Trauma-induced variations must be distinguished from material contradictions.

• Evidentiary Value:

  • Sole testimony of a child victim can be sufficient for conviction if credible.

  • Corroboration is not mandatory.

• Avoiding Secondary Victimisation:

  • Repeated narration causes psychological harm.

  • Judicial processes must be sensitive and child-centric.

Legal Status of Trafficked Children:

• A trafficked child is not an accomplice.

• Must be treated as an injured witness deserving full legal credibility.

Subject Analysis:

• Strengthens victim-centric criminal jurisprudence.

• Aligns Indian law with child rights and trauma-informed justice.

• Very important for GS–2 topics on judicial reforms, child protection, and human trafficking.

GS–2 | GOVERNANCE & CRIMINAL JUSTICE

4. Revised Guidelines for Support to Poor Prisoners Scheme

Subtopic: Prison Reforms, Access to Justice & Undertrial Rights

Value Addition:

• Issued by Ministry of Home Affairs.

• Objective:

  • Facilitate release of indigent prisoners and undertrials unable to pay fines or bail.

  • Reduce prison overcrowding.

Nodal Agency:

• National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).

Institutional Mechanism:

• District-Level Empowered Committee:

  • Identifies eligible prisoners.

  • Assesses financial assistance required.

• State-Level Oversight Committee:

  • Ensures uniform implementation and accountability.

Exclusions:

• Statutory exclusions:

  • PC Act, PMLA, NDPS Act, UAPA.

• Heinous offences excluded:

  • Terrorism

  • National security offences

  • Dowry death

  • Rape

  • Human trafficking

  • POCSO offences.

Role of Jail Authorities:

• Jail Superintendent must inform District Legal Services Authority within one week if release is delayed only due to inability to pay bail/fine.

Subject Analysis:

• Addresses structural injustice faced by poor undertrials.

• Reinforces principle that poverty should not result in prolonged incarceration.

• Relevant for GS–2 questions on prison reforms and access to justice.

GS–3 | ECONOMY & BANKING

5. Risk-Based Deposit Insurance Framework

Subtopic: Banking Regulation & Financial Stability

Value Addition:

• Approved by RBI Central Board (620th meeting).

• Replaces flat-rate premium system (12 paise per ₹100 of deposits).

Risk-Based Framework:

• Insurance premium linked to individual bank risk profiles.

• Safer banks → lower premiums.

• Riskier banks → higher premiums.

Objectives:

• Encourage sound risk management.

• Reduce moral hazard.

• Reward prudent governance.

Deposit Insurance in India:

• Administered by DICGC (subsidiary of RBI).

• Statutory basis: DICGC Act, 1961.

• Coverage limit: ₹5 lakh per depositor.

• Premium paid by banks, not depositors.

Coverage:

• Commercial banks (including foreign bank branches).

• RRBs, local area banks.

• Cooperative banks (State, Central, Primary).

• Excludes primary cooperative societies and government deposits.

Subject Analysis:

• Strengthens banking system resilience.

• Aligns India with global best practices in deposit insurance.

• Important GS–3 topic on financial sector reforms and depositor protection.

GS–3 | HEALTH & SCIENCE

6. Candida auris

Subtopic: Emerging Fungal Infections & Antimicrobial Resistance

Value Addition:

• Pathogenic fungus with multi-drug resistance.

• First identified in Japan (2009).

• Now a global public health threat.

Diseases Caused:

• Bloodstream infections

• Meningitis

• Bone, wound, burn infections

• UTIs

• High risk in hospitalised and immunocompromised patients.

Transmission:

• Mainly in healthcare settings.

• Spread via contaminated surfaces and person-to-person contact.

Infection Mechanism:

• Asymptomatic colonisation (skin, mouth, rectum) – still infectious.

• Invasive infection via bloodstream or wounds.

Symptoms:

• Persistent fever and chills unresponsive to antibiotics.

Mortality:

• 30–60%, especially in severe cases.

Treatment:

• First line: Echinocandins.

• Some strains resistant → combination therapy needed.

Subject Analysis:

• Highlights challenge of fungal antimicrobial resistance.

• Important for GS–3 topics on public health preparedness and hospital infection control.

GS–3 | ECONOMY & FINANCIAL MARKETS

7. Securities Markets Code Bill, 2025

Subtopic: Capital Market Reforms & Regulatory Governance

Value Addition:

• Introduced in Lok Sabha; referred to Standing Committee on Finance.

• Objective:

  • Consolidate, rationalise, and modernise securities laws.

  • Strengthen investor protection and ease of doing business.

Laws Consolidated:

• Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956

• SEBI Act, 1992

• Depositories Act, 1996

Strengthened SEBI Board:

• Members increased from 9 to 15.

• At least 5 whole-time members.

• Includes RBI nominee and Central Government nominees.

Decriminalisation:

• Minor procedural violations → civil penalties.

• Criminal liability limited to serious offences like insider trading.

Contravention Classification:

• Category I: Fraudulent/unfair trade practices → civil penalties.

• Category II: Market abuse → civil + criminal liability.

Inspection Time Limit:

• No inspection after 8 years from date of alleged violation.

Conflict of Interest Rules:

• Mandatory disclosure by board members.

• Recusal in conflict cases.

• Removal power for SEBI.

Investor Protection:

• Mandatory Investor Charter.

• Structured grievance redressal mechanisms.

Regulatory Coordination:

• Delegation to MIIs and SROs.

• Improved interoperability across market platforms.

Subject Analysis:

• Landmark reform for deepening and modernising capital markets.

• Balances investor protection with regulatory certainty.

• High-yield GS–3 topic on financial market governance.