Current Affairs for 17 November 2025

Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025 Notified

Context

The Central Government notified the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, 2025 in November 2025, marking the full implementation of the DPDP Act, 2023.

Background

This rule is a historic step for India, as India now has a functional data protection law eight years after the Supreme Court declared privacy a fundamental right (in the Puttaswamy case, August 24, 2017).

About the DPDP Rules, 2025

• The DPDP Act and Rules together provide a simple, citizen-centric, and innovation-friendly framework for the responsible use and protection of digital personal data in India.
• This framework is based on seven core principles:
  1. Consent and Transparency
  2. Purpose Limitation
  3. Data Minimization
  4. Data Accuracy
  5. Storage Limits
  6. Security Measures
  7. Accountability
• The rules provide a phased compliance timeline of 18 months to allow companies to gradually adapt to the new regime.

Key Features

1. Phased Implementation
   • Key provisions will come into effect within 12–18 months.
   • Consent-based data processing, data breach notices, etc. will come into effect after 18 months.
2.  Consent Mechanism
   • Clear, open, and simple notice must be provided before data collection.
   • Consent Managers will only be Indian companies. 
3.  Protection for Children and Persons with Disabilities
   • Verifiable parental consent is required for processing children's data.
   • For individuals with disabilities, consent must be obtained from a legal guardian. 
4. Data Breach Protocol
   • Immediate notification to the affected individual is mandatory in simple language.
   • Information must be provided about the nature of the breach, risks, and actions taken. 
5. Significant Data Fiduciary
   • Additional obligations for large tech platforms (Meta, Google, Amazon, etc.):
     • Independent audit
     • Data localization restrictions
     • Risk assessment
     • In-depth compliance 
6. Rights of Data Principals (Data Users)
   • The right to:
     • Access their data
     • Modify/Update
     • Delete
     • Appoint a representative
   • Companies are required to respond within 90 days. 
7. Digital-First Data Protection Board (DPB)
   • Fully digital grievance redressal system.
   • Complaint filing and tracking via app and portal.
   • Appeal to TDSAT.

Benefits

• Strengthening privacy rights: Clear consent, transparency, and data control will empower citizens.
• Enhanced cybersecurity: Stricter regulations on data collection and storage can reduce the incidence of data breaches.
• Boosting the digital economy: A trustworthy environment for startups, MSMEs, and digital services will develop.
• Framework aligned with global standards: India will move towards international data security standards (similar to GDPR).
• Conducive environment for innovation: Simple and clear rules reduce compliance burden.

Key Criticisms

• Broad exemptions for government agencies: Broad exemptions have been granted to government entities based on reasons such as "national security," "public order," and "relations with friendly nations."
• Weakening of the RTI Act: There are concerns that restrictions on sharing personal information of public officials may reduce transparency.
• Industry opposition to data localization provisions: Big tech companies are uncomfortable with the conditions for not sending data outside India.
• Long implementation time: Many key provisions will come into effect after 18 months, delaying effectiveness.
• Threats to independence and oversight: Since the Board is government-appointed, its independence is questioned.

Challenges

• Implementation capability: Developing compliance mechanisms for MSMEs is difficult.
• Complexity of technical infrastructure: Mechanisms such as encryption, parental consent, and fraud reporting will increase costs.
• International data flows: Interoperability issues with global trading partners.
• Monitoring and enforcement: DPB needs resources and technical support.
• Rising levels of cybercrime: Continuous upgrades are necessary to address security challenges.

Way forward

• Exemptions granted to government agencies must be clear, limited, and subject to judicial review.
• A balanced and industry-friendly policy on data localization must be adopted.
• Technical support and training should be provided to MSMEs and startups.
• The Data Protection Board should be made independent, competent, and resource-rich.
• There is a need to conduct data awareness programs among citizens.

Conclusion

• The DPDP Rules, 2025 are a historic milestone in the field of data security and privacy protection in India. This framework strengthens citizens' rights, increases corporate accountability, and makes India's digital economy more secure and competitive.
• While challenges remain related to government exemptions, data localization, and implementation capacity, with a balanced policy and effective enforcement, this law will play a vital role in making India a reliable, secure, and innovation-friendly digital nation.

COP30: The Belém Health Action Plan and Climate-Health Cooperation

Context

At the COP30 conference held in Belém, Brazil, more than 35 leading global philanthropic organizations from around the world made an initial commitment of $300 million to address climate-linked health challenges. The Belém Health Action Plan (BHAP) was also launched on the same occasion, which will form the foundation for health-focused climate policies in the coming years.

About COP30

• Event: Held in Belém, Brazil, from November 10 to 21, under the aegis of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
• Objective: To advance climate change, adaptation, mitigation, finance, and climate justice.
• This conference was particularly noted for addressing the effects of climate change on human health. Key Issues
• Global warming and heatwaves
• Deaths from air pollution, wildfires, and smoke
• Increasing prevalence of climate-sensitive diseases like dengue and malaria
• Severe lack of climate finance, especially for health adaptation
• Growing vulnerability of developing countries and health inequalities
• Need for strong, resilient, and inclusive health systems

Key Results

• Launch of the Belém Health Action Plan
• Large-scale philanthropic funding of $300 million to work on 'climate-related health'
• Collaboration of nearly 80 countries and organizations on health-focused climate adaptation
• Boosting policy, innovation, and finance on extreme heat, air pollution, and communicable diseases
• Prioritizing the integration of climate-related data and health data
• Emphasis on addressing health inequalities globally

India's Participation

• India advocated for increased adaptation finance at COP30.
• India stated that $643 billion will be needed for climate adaptation by 2030.
• India has spent $146 billion (5.6% of GDP) in 2021–22 alone to strengthen health and climate-sensitive infrastructure.
• India shared South Asia's largest experience in climate-health related policies, particularly on heat-action plans and flood management.

About the Belém Health Action Plan (BHAP)

• BHAP is a global framework aimed at adapting health systems to climate change.
• Key elements
  • Strong health surveillance systems for climate-sensitive diseases
  • Data-driven policy and rapid response capacity for extreme heat and disasters
  • Investment in research, technology, and infrastructure
  • Placing health equity and justice at the center of policy
  • Emphasis on community-based adaptation

Benefits

• Accelerating global efforts to integrate health and climate
• Protection of poor and vulnerable communities
• Potential to save millions of lives from heatwaves, air pollution, and communicable diseases
• Development of robust, sustainable, and data-driven health systems
• New climate finance pathway for developing countries

Challenges

• Huge adaptation finance gap, with funding needed far exceeding available funds
• Health-focused climate policies still not a priority in many countries
• Weak health infrastructure in developing countries
• Lack of data, technology, and expertise
• Slow implementation of global commitments

Way forward

• Countries need to implement health-based climate strategies Investment in policies must be increased.
• International cooperation is essential to strengthen adaptation finance.
• Integrating health surveillance and disaster-response systems with digital technology must be ensured.
• Ensuring the participation of local communities and indigenous groups must be ensured.
• Climate change needs to be viewed as a health crisis, not just an environmental challenge.

Conclusions

COP30 made it clear that climate change is no longer just an environmental issue; it has become the single most significant threat to global health security. The Belém Health Action Plan and the global commitment of $300 million are important steps towards placing human health at the center of climate policies. Developing countries like India have an opportunity to develop sustainable and equitable models in both health and climate sectors to ensure a secure future for future generations.

Disaster Management in India

India is a geographically and climatically diverse country, making it highly vulnerable to natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, cyclones, droughts, landslides, heatwaves, cold waves, and forest fires. According to various reports, disasters cause nearly 2% loss to India’s GDP every year. This underscores the need for a robust, scientific, and community-centered disaster management system.

Major Disaster Risks in India

1. Earthquakes

• 59% of India’s land falls under moderate to very high seismic zones.
• Highly vulnerable regions include Himalayan belt, North Bihar, Kutch, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

2. Floods and River Erosion

• 40 million hectares (~12% of land area) are prone to floods and river erosion.
• The Ganga-Brahmaputra plains experience large-scale annual floods.

3. Cyclones and Coastal Hazards

• Out of 7,516 km of coastline, 5,700 km is prone to cyclones and tsunamis.
• Climate change is increasing the intensity of cyclones.

4. Droughts

• 68% of cultivable land is drought-prone.
• States like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Bundelkhand, and Rajasthan frequently face severe droughts.

India’s Disaster Management Approach and Vision

Approach

• Shift from a relief-centric model to a mitigation and preparedness-based model.
• Goal: Zero human casualties (Zero Casualty Approach).

National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) 2019 Vision

• Make all regions of India disaster-resilient.
• Strengthen capacity at the local level.
• Minimize loss of life, livelihood, and property.
• Adopt the “Build Back Better” (BBB) principle.

Insurance Coverage Gap

• Disaster insurance coverage in India is less than 1%, leading to higher losses borne by the state and society.

Policy and Legal Framework

1. National Disaster Management Act, 2005
   • India’s primary disaster law.
   • Establishes NDMA, SDMA, DDMA.
   • Provides an institutional framework for disaster management.
2. National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) – 2019
3. Prime Minister’s 10-Point DRR Agenda
   • Integrate disaster risk reduction (DRR) into development planning.
   • Strengthen scientific data and early warning systems.
   • Enhance community-level capacities.
   • Promote international cooperation.

Key Challenges in Disaster Management

1. Low Investment in Risk Reduction (DRR)
   • Most funds go into relief and rehabilitation, not prevention.
   • Every $1 invested in DRR saves $15 in losses.
2. Weak Early Warning Systems
   • Cyclone warning systems are advanced, but warnings for cloudbursts, earthquakes, floods, and Himalayan disasters remain weak.
3. Infrastructure and Urban Challenges
   • Unplanned urbanization.
   • Poor adherence to building codes.
   • Unsafe constructions in coastal and hilly areas.
4. Climate Change
   • Glaciers melting faster.
   • Groundwater levels declining.
   • Increased frequency of heavy rainfall, heatwaves, and cyclones.
5. Lack of Institutional Coordination
   • Weak center-state-district-local coordination.
   • Limited data-sharing mechanisms.

Institutional Structure and Initiatives

A. Key Institutions

• NDMA – Policy guidance.
• SDMA/DDMA – Implementation at state/district level.
• NDRF – Search and rescue operations.
• NIDM – Research and training.
• NCMC – High-level crisis management.

B. Financial Arrangements

• NDRF – Relief and rehabilitation.
• NDRMF – Risk reduction funding.
• State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF)

C. NDMA Guidelines

• Earthquake, flood, cyclone, cold wave, pandemic response.

D. Build Back Better (BBB)

• Post-disaster reconstruction to be safer and more resilient.
• Reduce future risks.

International Cooperation

• Sendai Framework (2015–2030) – Four pillars:
  1. Understanding disaster risk
  2. Disaster risk governance
  3. Disaster risk reduction
  4. Better post-disaster recovery
• India leads globally via Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).

Way Forward

1. Increase Investment in DRR
   • Allocate resources to risk reduction rather than just relief.
   • Make DRR budget mandatory for states.
2. Upgrade Early Warning Systems
   • Immediate warnings for cloudbursts, mountain floods, and forest fires.
   • Expand Doppler radars.
3. Strengthen Local Governance
   • Disaster Preparedness Committees in panchayats and urban bodies.
   • School-level disaster education.
4. Expand Insurance Coverage
   • Promote micro-insurance, agriculture and urban disaster insurance.
   • Develop risk-sharing models.
5. Enforce Construction Standards
   • Earthquake-resistant buildings.
   • Adherence to Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms.
   • Strict penalties for unsafe construction.
6. Technology-Driven Disaster Governance
   • GIS-based risk mapping.
   • Drone-based monitoring.
   • Upgrade mobile alert systems.
7. Leverage Common Service Centres (CSCs)
   • Disseminate warnings.
   • Monitor relief distribution.
   • Serve as local crisis information centers.

Conclusion

India’s disaster management framework has strengthened significantly in the past two decades with NDMA, NDRF, SDMA, NDMP, and PM’s 10-Point Agenda.However, challenges like climate change, urbanization, low insurance coverage, and underinvestment in DRR persist.By adopting the Sendai Framework and Build Back Better approach, India can evolve into a more resilient, prepared, and secure disaster management system, where disasters become not only a challenge but also an opportunity for better development.