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DAILY • UPSC CSE • PUNJAB PCS • PSSSB • CURRENT AFFAIRS

🔥 UPSC • PPSC • PSSSB Current Affairs | 12 October 2026

1. DPDP Act, Data Protection Board & Digi Yatra

Why in News?

The Kerala High Court took up proceedings concerning the Data Protection Board under the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, including questions about the protection of biometric information collected through Digi Yatra, India’s facial-recognition-based airport boarding system.

Prelims Facts & Static Connection

• DPDP Act, 2023: India’s law governing digital personal data protection.
• Data Principal: The individual to whom personal data relates.
• Data Fiduciary: An entity determining the purpose and means of personal data processing.
• Data Protection Board: Statutory enforcement and adjudicatory mechanism under the DPDP Act.
• Article 21: Right to life and personal liberty, including privacy.
• Justice K.S. Puttaswamy Judgment, 2017: Privacy recognised as a fundamental right by a nine-judge Bench.
• Digi Yatra: Facial-recognition-based contactless airport travel system.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Governance and Fundamental Rights | GS-III: Technology

Revision Note: Digital Governance + Biometric Data + Informed Consent + Privacy Protection + Accountability.

2. Supreme Court, Detentions & Peaceful Protests

Why in News?

The Supreme Court directed authorities to stop illegal detentions and facilitate free movement in Delhi following mass detentions and restrictions during protests. The Court emphasised constitutional protections while recognising lawful public-order restrictions.

Prelims Facts & Static Connection

• Article 19(1)(a): Freedom of speech and expression.
• Article 19(1)(b): Right to assemble peaceably and without arms.
• Article 19(3): Permits specified reasonable restrictions on peaceful assembly.
• Article 21: Protection of life and personal liberty.
• Article 22: Constitutional safeguards relating to arrest and detention.
• BNSS Section 163: Power to issue urgent orders in specified circumstances; replaces the earlier CrPC Section 144.
• Judicial Review: Courts examine the legality and constitutionality of government action.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Constitution, Fundamental Rights and Judiciary

Revision Note: Peaceful Protest + Public Order + Due Process + Judicial Oversight + Democratic Accountability.

3. CERVAVAC HPV Vaccine & WHO Prequalification

Why in News?

India’s indigenously developed CERVAVAC HPV vaccine, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, was reported to have received WHO prequalification. The development is significant for vaccine quality assurance and access to cervical cancer prevention.

Prelims Facts & Static Connection

• HPV: Human Papillomavirus, associated with cervical cancer.
• HPV types 16 and 18 are major high-risk strains associated with cervical cancer.
• CERVAVAC: India’s indigenous quadrivalent HPV vaccine.
• Quadrivalent means protection against four HPV types: 6, 11, 16 and 18.
• Manufacturer: Serum Institute of India, Pune.
• WHO Prequalification: International quality-assurance process supporting procurement decisions by eligible agencies.
• Cervical cancer prevention includes HPV vaccination and appropriate screening.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Health | GS-III: Science and Technology

Revision Note: Indigenous Vaccine + Preventive Healthcare + Women’s Health + Affordable Immunisation.

4. ISRO–CNES TRISHNA Satellite Mission

Why in News?

The India–France TRISHNA satellite mission was reported to have reached an important development milestone. The mission is designed to monitor Earth’s surface temperature and environmental conditions using thermal infrared imaging.

Prelims Facts & Static Connection

• TRISHNA: Thermal infraRed Imaging Satellite for High-resolution Natural resource Assessment.
• Joint mission of ISRO (India) and CNES (France).
• ISRO Headquarters: Bengaluru.
• CNES: France’s national space agency.
• Thermal Infrared Imaging: Remote sensing of heat emitted from Earth’s surface.
• Land Surface Temperature (LST): Important for drought, agriculture and climate studies.
• Evapotranspiration: Combined water loss through evaporation and plant transpiration.
• Applications: Water stress, agricultural monitoring and urban heat islands.

Mains Perspective

GS-III: Science and Technology, Agriculture and Environment

Revision Note: TRISHNA = ISRO + CNES + Thermal Imaging + Water Management + Climate Monitoring.

5. Climate Change & Sex Reversal in Frogs

Why in News?

Research discussed in current affairs highlighted how temperature changes can influence sexual development and trigger sex reversal in certain frog species. This raises concerns about amphibian populations and biodiversity conservation.

Prelims Facts & Static Connection

• Amphibians include frogs, toads and salamanders.
• Amphibians are ectothermic animals and are sensitive to environmental changes.
• Temperature-Dependent Sex Determination (TSD): Developmental temperature determines offspring sex in certain species.
• Sex Reversal: Phenotypic sex differs from genetic sex due to developmental or environmental influences.
• Bio-indicators: Organisms whose condition helps indicate environmental changes.
• IUCN Red List: Assesses species’ extinction risk.
• Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): International treaty on biodiversity conservation.

Mains Perspective

GS-III: Environment, Ecology and Biodiversity

Revision Note: Climate Change + Temperature Stress + Amphibian Reproduction + Biodiversity Risk.

6. Starlink & Satellite Internet Security

Why in News?

Debate continued over the regulatory and national-security requirements for Starlink and other satellite broadband providers seeking access to India’s telecommunications market. Important concerns include spectrum assignment, data security and lawful interception.

Prelims Facts & Static Connection

• Starlink: Satellite broadband service operated by SpaceX.
• LEO: Low Earth Orbit, broadly extending up to about 2,000 km above Earth.
• LEO satellites generally provide lower communication latency than geostationary satellites.
• Geostationary satellites orbit at approximately 35,786 km above the equator.
• TRAI: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, established under the TRAI Act, 1997.
• DoT: Department of Telecommunications.
• Spectrum Assignment: Allocation of radio frequencies for communication services.
• Digital Sovereignty: National control over digital infrastructure, data and related governance.
• Information Technology Act, 2000: Section 69 addresses specified government powers relating to interception, monitoring and decryption.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Governance | GS-III: Technology and Internal Security

Revision Note: Satellite Internet + Digital Inclusion + Spectrum Policy + Data Security + National Sovereignty.

7. IRDAI & Insurance Distribution Reforms

Why in News?

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India was reported to have issued a consultation paper proposing changes to insurance distribution and Expenses of Management regulations. These proposals should not be confused with rules already implemented.

Prelims Facts & Static Connection

• IRDAI: Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India.
• Statutory basis: IRDA Act, 1999.
• Headquarters: Hyderabad.
• IRDAI regulates India’s insurance industry.
• Expenses of Management (EoM): Expenditure incurred by insurers, including commissions and administrative expenses, subject to regulatory limits.
• Insurance Intermediaries: Agents, brokers and other authorised distribution channels.
• Insurance Penetration: Insurance premiums expressed as a percentage of GDP.
• Insurance Density: Insurance premium per person.
• Insurance for All by 2047: Long-term vision associated with IRDAI.

Mains Perspective

GS-III: Indian Economy, Financial Sector and Regulation

Revision Note: Insurance Regulation + Affordable Premiums + Distribution Efficiency + Policyholder Protection.

8. Punjab Espionage Case & Counter-Intelligence

Why in News?

Punjab Police Counter Intelligence reported arrests in a suspected espionage case involving allegations of sharing sensitive defence-related information with foreign intelligence operatives linked to Pakistan. These remain allegations unless established through due legal process.

Prelims Facts & Static Connection

• Espionage: Gathering or communicating sensitive information through spying.
• Counter-Intelligence: Detection and prevention of hostile intelligence activities.
• Official Secrets Act, 1923: Indian legislation dealing with espionage and specified unauthorised disclosures.
• IB: Intelligence Bureau, India’s domestic intelligence organisation under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• R&AW: Research and Analysis Wing, India’s external intelligence agency.
• HUMINT: Human Intelligence, collected through human sources and contacts.
• Border Security: Important for Punjab because of its international border with Pakistan.
• Revise intelligence coordination, cyber espionage and national security.

Mains Perspective

GS-III: Internal Security | Punjab PCS General Studies

Revision Note: Counter-Intelligence + Border Security + Information Protection + Inter-Agency Coordination.

📰 Mains Focus – Privacy, Technology and National Security

India’s digital transformation raises important governance questions concerning personal data protection, biometric systems, satellite connectivity and national security. Policymakers must balance technological innovation with constitutional rights and effective regulatory oversight.

Mains Takeaway: Technological development must be supported by transparency, proportionality, institutional accountability and adequate safeguards for citizens.

⚡ Prelims Concept – Important Constitutional Articles and Acts

• Article 19(1)(b): Right to peaceful assembly without arms.
• Article 21: Right to life and personal liberty, including privacy.
• Article 22: Protection against arrest and detention in certain cases.
• BNSS Section 163: Urgent orders in specified cases of nuisance or apprehended danger.
• DPDP Act, 2023: Digital personal data protection.
• TRAI Act, 1997: Telecommunications regulatory framework.
• IRDA Act, 1999: Statutory framework for insurance regulation.
• Official Secrets Act, 1923: Espionage and official secrecy.

⚡ Rapid Revision – Today’s 8 Important News

• DPDP Act: Data Fiduciary, Data Principal, Data Protection Board and Digi Yatra.
• Supreme Court: Peaceful protests, detentions and Articles 19, 21 and 22.
• CERVAVAC: Quadrivalent HPV vaccine developed in India.
• TRISHNA: ISRO–CNES satellite mission using thermal infrared imaging.
• Climate Change: Temperature-linked sex reversal in certain frog species.
• Starlink: LEO satellites, spectrum assignment and digital security.
• IRDAI: Insurance distribution and Expenses of Management proposals.
• Punjab Espionage: Counter-intelligence and the Official Secrets Act.

🔥 Most Important Topics for UPSC, PPSC & PSSSB Today

• Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023
• Fundamental Right to Peaceful Protest
• CERVAVAC HPV Vaccine and WHO Prequalification
• ISRO–CNES TRISHNA Satellite Mission
• Climate Change and Amphibian Biodiversity
• Starlink and Satellite Internet Regulation
• IRDAI Insurance Sector Reforms
• Punjab Espionage and Counter-Intelligence

One-Line Fact: The Supreme Court recognised the Right to Privacy as a Fundamental Right in the Justice K.S. Puttaswamy judgment of 2017.

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