1) Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025

GS 2: Polity and Governance: Governing immigration and foreign nationals

Why is it in the news?

• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is set to introduce The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 in the second half of the Budget session starting March 10. This bill seeks to replace four existing legislations governing immigration and foreign nationals.

Why Are New Provisions Needed?

• Currently, immigration laws are governed by The Foreigners Act, 1946, The Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920, The Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939, and The Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act, 2000. Three of these were enacted before India’s Constitution, during World War I and II.
• While these laws share common objectives, they have overlapping provisions, leading to legal ambiguities. The new bill aims to streamline these regulations by creating a single, comprehensive framework for managing foreigners, visas, passports, and travel documentation.

Key Features of the Bill

• The bill consolidates immigration laws into a single framework with six chapters and 35 clauses. It clearly defines the roles of immigration officers, visa requirements, and registration procedures. While the Bureau of Immigration (BoI) already exists, the bill provides a legal foundation for its functions.
• It mandates universities, hospitals, nursing homes, and educational institutions to report details of foreign nationals. Previously, such institutions were only required to direct foreigners to register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). Hotels and guest houses must also continue reporting foreign guests’ passport details to the police.
• Additionally, the bill grants the government authority to regulate the movement of foreigners, impose travel restrictions, and penalize carriers transporting undocumented individuals. The burden of proof remains on individuals to establish their nationality if questioned.

Regulations on Entry and Stay

• A key change in the bill is the introduction of national security as a criterion for denying entry or residence. Foreigners may be barred from entering India if they pose a threat to national security, sovereignty, public health, or foreign relations. Immigration officers will have the final authority on such decisions.
• Previously, foreigners were denied entry through executive orders, but no law explicitly listed the reasons. This bill codifies these provisions and expands upon the Foreigners Order, 1948, which allows entry denial due to safety risks, invalid travel documents, or prior deportation. It also grants the Centre the authority to order the removal of foreigners.

Penal Provisions

The bill introduces strict penalties for violations:

• Entering India without valid documents: Up to 5 years imprisonment, a ₹5 lakh fine, or both.
• Using or supplying forged passports, visas, or travel documents: Imprisonment between 2-7 years and a fine ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹10 lakh.
• Overstaying beyond the visa period: Up to 3 years imprisonment and a fine of ₹3 lakh.

Role of States in Deporting Undocumented Foreigners

• Since there is no dedicated federal force for detecting and deporting illegal migrants, the Centre has delegated this responsibility to state police. States have been empowered to detect and remove undocumented foreigners.
• Guidelines issued in 2014 and 2019 specify that a foreigner can be deported after completing their legal proceedings if they possess a valid passport or travel document. If they lack valid documents, authorities must coordinate with embassies or High Commissions for deportation.

Detention of Foreigners

• The bill avoids using the term detention centres but states that foreigners with restricted movements must reside in designated areas under supervision. The Centre will regulate these locations in terms of maintenance, security, and discipline.
• In 2019, following a Supreme Court directive, the MHA issued a Detention Centre Manual, allowing states to set up such facilities without prior approval. These centres must be outside jail premises, and states must determine their size based on the number of foreigners awaiting deportation.

Tracking Foreign Nationals

• The MHA has instructed states to form committees to identify foreigners who entered before and after January 1, 2011, and overstayed their visas. Their details are uploaded on the e-FRRO portal, accessible to local police and government agencies to prevent document fraud.
• Additionally, the Foreigners Identification Portal enables state police to store biometric and personal details of undocumented migrants. This helps prevent them from obtaining official documents like Aadhaar fraudulently and facilitates deportation.

Conclusion

• By introducing The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, the government aims to modernize immigration laws, strengthen border security, and establish a streamlined system for managing foreign nationals.

2) The ‘Rarest of Rare’ Doctrine

GS 2: Polity and Governance: Interpreting the Rarest of rare doctrine

Why is it in the news?

• On January 22, 2025, two separate murder cases led to contrasting verdicts, showcasing how Indian courts interpret the ‘rarest of rare’ doctrine.
• While one case resulted in the death penalty, the other led to life imprisonment, reigniting debates on judicial discretion in awarding capital punishment. The doctrine, though a significant legal principle, still lacks a statutory definition.

Origins of the Doctrine

• The debate over judicial discretion in awarding the death penalty dates back to 1972. In Jagmohan Singh vs. State of U.P., the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the death penalty, rejecting claims that it violated fundamental rights under Article 19.
• The petitioner argued that judges lacked clear guidelines, leading to arbitrary sentencing. However, the court ruled that all mitigating factors are considered during the trial, ensuring due process under Article 21.
• A turning point came in Bachan Singh vs. State of Punjab (1980), where the Supreme Court introduced the ‘rarest of rare’ doctrine. However, the court did not define what qualifies as ‘rarest of rare,’ leaving room for interpretation.
• The framework was later developed in Machhi Singh vs. State of Punjab (1983), where the Supreme Court outlined five key criteria for awarding the death penalty.

Five Criteria for the Death Penalty

• Manner of Commission – If the murder is committed in an extremely brutal, grotesque, or dastardly manner, evoking public indignation.
• Motive – When the crime is committed for a depraved or merciless reason.
• Social Impact – If the murder targets a minority community or is committed in circumstances that provoke social unrest.
• Magnitude of the Crime – If the scale of the crime is exceptionally large.
• Victim’s Vulnerability – If the victim is a child, a helpless woman, an elderly person, or someone in a defenseless state.

Revisions and Legal Developments

• Despite this framework, in Mithu vs. State of Punjab (1983), the Supreme Court struck down Section 303 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which mandated the death penalty for prisoners committing murder while serving a life sentence.
• The court ruled it unconstitutional under Articles 14 and 21, affirming that all murder cases must be tried under Section 302 of the IPC, which allows both death and life imprisonment as possible sentences.
• In September 2022, the Supreme Court referred the issue of mitigating circumstances in death penalty cases to a Constitution Bench. The court sought to establish a uniform approach, ensuring that accused individuals receive a meaningful opportunity to present mitigating factors before their crime is classified as ‘rarest of rare.’

Conclusion

• The application of the death penalty in India remains complex and controversial. While the Supreme Court has laid out a framework, the lack of a universally accepted definition of ‘rarest of rare’ continues to leave room for judicial discretion.
• As seen in recent cases, the same legal principle can lead to vastly different sentencing outcomes, reinforcing the need for clearer guidelines in capital punishment cases.

3) China’s Marriage and Population Decline: A Growing Demographic Crisis

GS 2: International Relations: China’s population decline

Why is it in the news?

• China is witnessing a major decline in marriage registrations. According to the Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs, only 6.1 million couples registered for marriage in 2024, marking a 20.3% drop from 2023. This is the lowest figure since 1986.
• Rising living costs, urban unemployment, and changing social attitudes—especially among women, with 44% of urban women unwilling to marry—are contributing to this trend.

Impact of the One-Child Policy

• While the decline in marriages alone may not seem alarming, it is exacerbating China’s ongoing demographic crisis. The country’s population has been shrinking for three consecutive years, with deaths surpassing births in 2022.
• The one-child policy, introduced in the 1980s and enforced rigorously, is a major factor behind this trend. Although President Xi Jinping attempted to reverse the situation by introducing a two-child policy in 2016 and later a three-child policy in 2021, these measures have had little impact.
• Additionally, the traditional preference for male children has resulted in an unbalanced sex ratio, further complicating the issue.

China’s Aging Population Crisis

• China’s demographic shift has led to a declining working-age population (19-59 years), creating a serious economic and social challenge. Currently, 22% of China’s population is over 60, a figure projected to reach 50% by 2050.
• The pension system is also under strain, with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) predicting that pension funds could be depleted by 2035. In response, the government has raised the retirement age from 60 to 63 for men and from 50 to 55 for women. However, this measure offers only a temporary solution as birth rates continue to fall.
• The declining population has also led to increased demand for healthcare and caregiving, while many kindergartens are closing due to fewer children.
• China’s shrinking population threatens its economic stability. The government has introduced financial incentives to encourage childbirth, but the high cost of raising children remains a significant deterrent.
• As the workforce declines, the burden on social welfare programs will increase, posing long-term risks to the country’s economic growth.

Government Response and Policy Shortcomings

• Rather than addressing the root social causes of declining marriages and birth rates, the Chinese government continues to rely on top-down policy solutions. The Communist Party of China (CPC) maintains its authoritative approach, assuming it can shape societal behaviour through directives.
• The CPC has historically intervened in personal lives, as seen with the one-child policy, and it continues to enforce state-driven mandates rather than adopting people-centric solutions.

Conclusion

• China’s marriage and population decline pose serious long-term challenges. While the government attempts to reverse these trends through policy shifts and financial incentives, social attitudes and economic realities remain significant barriers.

4) Slight Dip in Urban Unemployment Rate: PLFS Survey

GS 2: Society: Unemployment rate in urban areas

Why is it in the news?

• The unemployment rate in urban areas for individuals aged 15 and above stood at 6.4% for the period of October to December 2024, according to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. The rate for men was 5.8%, while for women, it was higher at 8.1%.
• In comparison, the unemployment rate for the corresponding quarter in 2023 was 6.5%, and for the July-to-September 2024 quarter, it was also 6.4%. The female unemployment rate has slightly improved from 8.6% last year to 8.1% this quarter.

State-Wise Unemployment Rates

• Among states, Himachal Pradesh recorded the highest unemployment rate at 10.4%, while Gujarat had the lowest at 3%. The female unemployment rate was also highest in Himachal Pradesh at 24%, whereas Delhi reported the lowest at 1.3%.
• PLFS defines the unemployment rate based on the Current Weekly Status (CWS), which considers individuals either employed or unemployed on an average week.

Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR)

• The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR), which measures the percentage of the population engaged in the labour force, was recorded at 6% for people of all ages, compared to 39.2% in the same quarter last year.
• The LFPR for women saw a marginal increase from 19.9% to 20% over the past year, though it declined from 20.3% in the previous quarter.
• Bihar had the lowest LFPR at 30.7% for the entire population, while for women, it was just 9.9%. The survey was conducted among 1,70,487 individuals across 45,074 households.

Increase in Worker Population Ratio (WPR)

• The Worker Population Ratio (WPR) in urban areas for individuals aged 15 and above increased from 46.6% in October to December 2023 to 47.2% in the same period in 2024.
• The WPR for males in this age group also rose from 69.8% to 70.9% over the same period.

Employment Categories and Sectoral Distribution

• Workers were classified into three broad employment categories: self-employed, regular wage/salaried employees, and casual labourers. Among these, 39.9% were self-employed, 49.4% were regular employees, and 10.7% were casual labourers.
• Within the self-employed category, workers were further divided into two sub-groups: own-account workers/employers and unpaid helpers in household enterprises.
• Sector-wise, 5.5% of the workforce was engaged in agriculture, 31.8% in the secondary sector (including mining), and 62.7% in the tertiary sector, which includes various service industries.

Conclusion

• The slight dip in the unemployment rate and the rise in labour force participation indicate a gradual shift in employment dynamics, but disparities across states and gender differences continue to be areas of concern.

5) Centre Upgrades Websites and Develops AI Hub for Wider Scheme Outreach

GS 3: Science and Technology: Developing an artificial intelligence (AI) hub

Why is it in the news?

• The Union government is revamping its official websites and developing an artificial intelligence (AI) hub to enhance the dissemination of information on government initiatives.
• The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has introduced a Digital Brand Identity Manual to establish a standardized design framework for government websites.

More about the news

• Encouraged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this initiative aims to harmonize the government’s digital footprint and create a cohesive brand identity.
• According to MeitY, digital platforms have become the first point of contact, making a consistent and engaging online presence crucial for effective communication with national and global audiences.
• Further, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry is working on an AI hub to streamline information dissemination across various government schemes.
• The platform will include multilingual translation capabilities to ensure effective outreach to diverse linguistic communities across India. The hub has yet to be formally inaugurated.

Other Digital Initiatives

Several AI-driven initiatives are also being developed, including:

• Digital India Bhashini – a language translation platform.
• BharatGen – the world’s first government-funded multimodal large language model (LLM) initiative launched in 2024.
• Sarvam-1 AI LLM – an advanced AI language model.
• Chitralekha – an open-source video transcreation platform.
• Everest 1.0 – a multilingual AI system catering to various Indian languages.

6) Deposit Insurance and Its Growing Importance

GS 3: Economy: Increasing bank deposit insurance

Why is it in the news?

• The government is actively considering raising the bank deposit insurance cover beyond the current limit of ₹5 lakh.

What Is Deposit Insurance?

• Deposit insurance is a financial safeguard that protects bank depositors against the risk of losing their savings in case of a bank failure.
• In India, this insurance is provided by the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC), a specialized division of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
• Currently, depositors are insured up to ₹5 lakh across all accounts they hold in a single bank.

How Are Depositors Protected?

• DICGC insures savings, fixed, current, and recurring deposits in all commercial banks, regional rural banks, local area banks, and cooperative banks.
• However, primary cooperative societies and deposits from foreign, central, and state governments are not covered. The insured bank bears the premium cost, which is collected by DICGC at a flat or risk-based rate.

Coverage Limit and Claim Process

• Since the 2021 amendment to the DICGC Act, depositors can receive insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh within 90 days of RBI-imposed restrictions on a bank. Both principal and accrued interest are insured, but only up to the maximum limit.
• For instance, if a depositor holds ₹4,99,800 (₹4,90,000 principal + ₹9,800 interest), they will receive full compensation. However, if the principal exceeds ₹5 lakh, any accrued interest remains uninsured.
• In case of liquidation, DICGC compensates depositors within two months of receiving the claim list from the liquidator, who then disburses payments.

Evolution of Deposit Insurance in India

• India introduced deposit insurance in 1962 with an initial coverage of ₹1,500 per depositor. Over the years, this limit has been revised six times, reaching ₹5 lakh in 2020 following the Punjab and Maharashtra Co-operative (PMC) Bank crisis.
• At that time, PMC Bank held deposits worth over ₹11,000 crore, affecting thousands of customers. As of March 2024, DICGC insures deposits in 1,997 banks.

Why Increase the Deposit Insurance Limit?

• According to RBI Deputy Governor, as of March 2024, 97.8% of Indian bank accounts were fully protected under the existing deposit insurance, exceeding the global benchmark of 80%. However, with economic growth, rising deposit volumes, and inflation, the need for periodic revisions is evident.
• Increasing the coverage limit would not only offer greater financial security to depositors but also strengthen public confidence in the banking system, especially amid bank failures.

7) Regulating Obscenity in Online Content

GS 2: Polity and Governance: Governing obscene content  

Why is it in the news?

• The controversy surrounding the “India’s Got Latent” show has reignited discussions on obscenity laws in the digital era, highlighting the need for clearer legal interpretations.

What is Obscenity?

• Obscenity refers to content or actions that offend public morality and decency. Legally, it includes material considered vulgar or repugnant to social norms.

Factors Contributing to Rising Obscenity

• Expansion of Digital Platforms: The rapid growth of social media and digital content-sharing platforms has increased exposure to diverse forms of expression, some of which breach moral and legal boundaries.
• Monetization of Controversial Content: Some creators use shocking or controversial material to gain views, engagement, and revenue, leading to the widespread dissemination of obscene content.

Implications of Rising Obscenity in India  

• Impact on Social Morality: The growing presence of obscene digital content influences public values, particularly affecting children and young adults.
• Cybercrime and Exploitation: Online obscenity contributes to cyberbullying, harassment, and human trafficking, creating serious legal and social challenges.

Legal Framework Governing Online Obscenity

• Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000: Section 67 penalizes the publication or transmission of obscene material in electronic form, with imprisonment and fines, with stricter penalties for repeated violations.
• Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023: Section 294 (earlier Section 292 of IPC, 1860) prohibits the sale, distribution, advertisement, or commercial exploitation of obscene materials, including digital content, reinforcing legal accountability in the online space.

Conclusion

• The evolving legal approach towards obscenity in digital content reflects the challenges of regulating online expression while balancing free speech and societal norms. Strengthening enforcement mechanisms and awareness can help curb rising online obscenity.