13 May 2025 Current Affairs

Overview of the Sample Registration System (SRS) Report 2021

The Sample Registration System (SRS), overseen by the Office of the Registrar General of India, is an annual demographic survey conducted across all Indian States and Union Territories. The 2021 report reveals critical insights into health indicators, fertility trends, and mortality rates, marking progress toward Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Key Demographic and Health Highlights

1. Maternal Health Progress

Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR): The number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births has significantly decreased:

• 2014–16: 130
• 2019–21: 93
• Target (SDG 2030): 70 or lower

2. Improvements in Child Survival Rates

• Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR):

- Dropped from 26 (2014) to 19 (2021) per 1,000 live births

- Target: 12 or fewer by 2030

• Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): Declined from 39 (2014) to 27 (2021) per 1,000 live births
• Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR):

- Reduced from 45 (2014) to 31 (2021) per 1,000 live births

- Target: 25 or fewer by 2030

Other Vital Statistics

1. Sex Ratio at Birth

• Improved from 899 females per 1,000 males in 2014 to 913 in 2021, reflecting progress toward gender balance at birth.

2. Fertility Trends

Total Fertility Rate (TFR):

• National average in 2021: 2.0 children per woman, down from 2.3 in 2014
• Bihar recorded the highest TFR at 3.0, highlighting regional variation.

3. Life Expectancy

Average Life Expectancy at Birth (2017–21): 69.8 years

• A slight drop from 70.0 years (2016–20)
• By Gender: Males: 68.2 years; Females: 71.6 years

Economic and Population Structure

1. Working-Age Population

• The share of individuals aged 15–59 years—considered economically active—rose to 66.2%, indicating a demographic dividend.

Disinformation Surge After Operation Sindoor

In the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, India witnessed a notable rise in misleading and deceptive information circulating on digital platforms. Recognizing the severity of this threat, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) of India significantly ramped up its efforts to detect, debunk, and combat misinformation and disinformation, especially on social media.

Understanding the Threat: Misinformation vs. Disinformation

• Misinformation refers to the unintentional spread of inaccurate or misleading content, often shared without harmful intent.
• Disinformation, on the other hand, involves the deliberate creation and dissemination of falsehoods with the intent to manipulate public perception or sow confusion.

Both forms of information distortion can be harmful, but disinformation is particularly dangerous due to its strategic and often malicious intent.

Psychological Warfare (PSYWAR): A Strategic Non-Combat Weapon

1. Definition

• Psychological warfare involves the systematic use of propaganda, emotional manipulation, and non-physical tactics to influence an opponent’s mindset. It is often deployed during conflicts or geopolitical tensions to erode morale, create confusion, and weaken resistance—all without direct combat.

2. Common Techniques

• Spreading misleading social media content to incite fear or division.
• Circulating pamphlets or flyers encouraging enemy forces to surrender.
• Disseminating false information to manipulate public opinion or undermine institutions.

3. Core Objective

• To weaken the unity, confidence, and capability of adversarial groups, making them more vulnerable to political or military pressure—without engaging in open warfare.

Types of Propaganda Used in Psychological Warfare

Consequences of Psychological Warfare

• Erosion of Trust in Institutions: False narratives can lead people to question official data or government communication, damaging the credibility of public agencies.
• Strategic Advantage in Conflict: Psychological operations can demoralize opponents, making them more likely to surrender or retreat—without the need for combat.
• Social Division and Chaos: The spread of disinformation can intensify societal divisions, provoke public panic, and disrupt a nation’s ability to respond cohesively to crises.

India’s Response: Strengthening Information Integrity

As part of its post-Operation Sindoor strategy, the Indian government—through the PIB’s fact-checking initiatives—has actively worked to expose and neutralize false narratives. These efforts are vital for protecting national security, public trust, and social harmony in the digital age.

BrahMos Aerospace Testing Facility Inaugurated in Uttar Pradesh

India's Defence Minister recently inaugurated a state-of-the-art BrahMos Aerospace Testing Facility in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. This marks a significant step in strengthening India's self-reliance in defence manufacturing and is an integral component of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UP DIC).

About the BrahMos Missile System

The BrahMos is a cutting-edge long-range supersonic cruise missile, known for its high speed and precision. It is developed through a collaboration between India’s DRDO and Russia’s NPOM, under the joint venture BrahMos Aerospace.

• Name Origin: A blend of the names of the Brahmaputra (India) and Moskva (Russia) rivers.
• Category: Supersonic cruise missile
• Speed: Capable of flying at speeds of Mach 2–3 (2 to 3 times the speed of sound)

How It Works

• Fire-and-Forget Capability: Once launched, it autonomously navigates to its target without further guidance.
• Dual-Stage Engine:

- Stage 1: Solid propellant booster for initial launch

- Stage 2: Liquid-fueled ramjet engine propels the missile during the cruise phase at supersonic speeds

Technical Specifications and Innovations

Advantages of the BrahMos System

• Multi-Platform Launch Capability: Can be deployed from land, sea, and air, enhancing strategic flexibility
• Rapid Engagement: Minimal reaction time, offering tactical superiority
• High Precision: Low target dispersion and superior strike accuracy
• Export Success: Notably, India delivered BrahMos missiles to the Philippines in 2024, showcasing its global defence export potential

Defence Industrial Corridors in India: Catalyzing Indigenous Manufacturing

To promote domestic production of defence and aerospace equipment, India has established two Defence Industrial Corridors (DICs).

1. Uttar Pradesh Defence Corridor

• Nodal Hubs: Agra, Aligarh, Chitrakoot, Jhansi, Kanpur, Lucknow
• Key Focus: Indigenous missile development, weapons systems, aerospace components

2. Tamil Nadu Defence Corridor

• Nodal Points: Chennai, Coimbatore, Hosur, Salem, Tiruchirappalli
• Aim: Encourage investments and innovation in southern India’s defence sector

3. Core Objective

• To foster indigenous capability in defence production, reduce import dependency, and position India as a global defence manufacturing hub.

Revisiting Safe Harbour Protections for Social Media Platforms

The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is currently reviewing the concept of safe harbour, a key legal protection afforded to social media intermediaries in India. This reconsideration comes amid growing concerns about accountability and content regulation in the digital ecosystem.

What Is Safe Harbour?

1. Safe harbour refers to a legal provision that shields internet platforms—such as social media websites, forums, and hosting services—from liability for content uploaded by their users.

2. Purpose: The concept is intended to:

• Encourage innovation by allowing platforms to operate without fear of constant litigation.
• Prevent undue punishment for content that platform operators themselves did not create or endorse.
• Support free expression by not holding intermediaries responsible for every piece of user-generated content.

Legal Foundation in India

Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, 2000

Under this section:

• Intermediaries, including social media platforms, are exempt from liability for third-party content.
• This immunity is conditional-platforms must act promptly upon receiving notice of illegal or harmful content.

Limitations of Safe Harbour

• If a platform gains “actual knowledge” of unlawful content—through complaints, court orders, or government notices—it must act within a specified timeframe to remove or disable access.
• Failure to comply results in the loss of safe harbour protections, exposing the platform to legal action.

Why Is Safe Harbour Being Reconsidered?

• Growing Spread of Harmful Content: From hate speech to misinformation, unregulated content is causing serious societal impacts.
• Need for Greater Accountability: Platforms are being urged to take more proactive responsibility for content moderation.
• Regulatory Balancing Act: Policymakers are aiming to balance innovation and freedom of expression with the need to protect users and uphold the rule of law.

India Observes National Technology Day on May 11

India celebrates National Technology Day annually on May 11 to honor the nation's major scientific and technological milestones. The date holds historical significance for India's advancements in nuclear technology and indigenous aerospace development.

Historical Background: Why May 11?

1. Pokhran-II Nuclear Tests (Operation Shakti) – 1998

On May 11, 1998, India conducted a series of five underground nuclear tests at Pokhran, Rajasthan, under the codename Operation Shakti. These tests signified:

• India’s formal entry into the league of nuclear-armed nations
• A demonstration of its technological self-reliance and strategic capability
• The first such tests since 1974’s “Smiling Buddha”, which marked India's initial foray into nuclear capability

2. Maiden Flight of Hansa-3 Aircraft

• On the same day in 1998, India also celebrated the first successful flight of Hansa-3, an indigenously developed light aircraft designed for pilot training and surveillance. This showcased India’s growing capabilities in aerospace engineering.

Significance of National Technology Day

• Symbol of Scientific Excellence: Highlights the importance of science, research, and innovation in national development
• Tribute to Technological Pioneers: Recognizes the efforts of scientists, engineers, and technologists who contribute to India’s global standing
• Boost to Indigenous Capabilities: Reinforces the vision of self-reliant technology development across sectors