Editorials Analysis – 13 May 2025

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    Category: Health Governance / COVID-19 Impact Assessment / Demographic Data Shortest Summary Points: Civil Registration System data shows 21.5 lakh excess deaths in 2021. Official COVID-19 death toll for 2021 was just 3.32 lakh. States like Gujarat, UP, MP, and Telangana had extreme underreporting. Government delayed releasing data by nearly 4 years. Medical cause certification still weak in India.   Detailed Explanation for RAS Aspirants: Context of the Data Revelation: Four years post-Delta wave, Registrar General of India published...

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    Category: Governance, Cybersecurity, Polity & Law (RAS Mains GS Paper II & III) Shortest Summary Points After ceasefire announcement, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri faced online abuse and doxing. Trolls targeted even his daughter; diplomats condemned the attack. Highlights misuse of social media and weak internet literacy in India. Courts and draft DPDP Rules 2025 offer partial protection; need for strict anti-troll laws. Doxing, hate speech, and cyberbullying threaten privacy and democratic values.   Detailed Explanation for RAS Mains...

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    Shortest Summary Points: E-waste in India surged 151% between 2017-18 and 2023-24. Informal recycling causes social and environmental damage. India loses ₹80,000 crore in critical metal value and $20 billion in tax revenue annually. Floor pricing of EPR certificates introduced to formalise recycling. Stable pricing is key to building a circular, sustainable economy.   Detailed Explanation (For RAS Mains): Background & Context: India’s transition toward a digital and “Viksit Bharat” economy is heavily reliant on electronic goods. This...

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    Category: Environment and Economy Summary Points: India’s e-waste rose by 151.03% in six years, reaching over 17.7 lakh metric tonnes. Improper recycling causes losses exceeding ₹80,000 crore and social/environmental damage. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mandates producers to manage end-of-life waste. E-waste (Management) Rules, 2022 introduced a floor price for EPR certificates. Floor pricing encourages formal recycling, prevents health crises, and promotes a circular economy.     Detailed Explanation (for RAS Mains): Background of the Issue: India is undergoing...

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Category: International Relations / Strategic Resources / Trade Policy   Shortest Summary Points: India raises concern with China over germanium export restrictions Germanium critical for semiconductors, solar panels, fibre optics India fully dependent on imports; now relying on UAE, inflating costs China blocked exports to the U.S., and imposed licensing globally Broader concerns as Chinese curbs affect Apple-Foxconn operations in India   Detailed Explanation (For RAS Mains Relevance): What is Germanium & Its Strategic Importance: Germanium is a critical mineral...