SNIPPETS: 15 NOVEMBER 2025

SCHEMES

• The Union MeitY has notified the DPDP Rules 2025, implementing key provisions of the DPDP Act, 2023 to strengthen personal data protection. The rules establish a Data Protection Board with powers to impose graded penalties and follow a phased rollout over 12–18 months. They enhance citizens’ control over data, mandate prompt breach notifications, and require strong security safeguards like encryption. Data must be erased within a year unless legally required. Penalties may reach ₹250 crore per breach.
• The Ministry of Agriculture has released the draft Seeds Bill, 2025, to replace the Seeds Act, 1966, and modernise India’s seed regulation. It mandates compulsory registration of all seed varieties except farmers’ and export-only seeds, classifies offences as trivial, minor, or major, and introduces strict penalties including fines up to ₹30 lakh and imprisonment up to three years. The Bill aims to enhance seed quality, regulate imports, protect farmers, and revive earlier unsuccessful reform attempts.
• The Ministry of External Affairs has rolled out the “upgraded version” of its Passport Seva Programme (PSP). The rollout included the Passport Seva Programme (PSP V2.0), the Global Passport Seva Programme and the e-passport for citizens in India and for the Indian citizens living abroad. The new and improved passport website and mobile app give users a better experience through features like auto-filled forms, simpler document uploads, and easy online payments.

SOCIAL ISSUES

• The Kattakkada Assembly constituency in Kerala has set up menstrual restrooms in all 16 government and aided high schools and higher secondary schools, offering beds, chairs, hot water bags, a napkin vending machine and an incinerator. Launched by MLA I B Satheesh under the Oppam women’s empowerment initiative, the rooms support students and teachers experiencing menstrual discomfort. The Oppam project also includes women’s toilets, health clubs, counselling centres and other initiatives to make the constituency more women-friendly.

SCIENCE

• A new study in Nature Microbiology reports a genetically modified Metarhizium fungus that can attract and kill mosquitoes far more effectively than existing tools. The fungus, enhanced with a pine gene, continuously produces longifolene—a sweet floral scent that lures mosquitoes. Once they land, fungal spores infect and kill them rapidly, achieving up to 90–100% mortality. This affordable, scalable and eco-friendly innovation offers a powerful alternative to chemical insecticides and strengthens biological control strategies against malaria and dengue.

MISCELLANEOUS NEWS

• The Infosys Science Foundation announced the Infosys Prize 2025 across six fields: Engineering & Computer Science, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physical Sciences, Humanities & Social Sciences, and Economics. Each laureate receives a gold medal, citation, and USD 1 lakh. Winners include Dr. Anjana Badrinarayanan for DNA-repair research, Dr. Andrew Ollett for Prakrit studies, Dr. Nikhil Agarwal for market design, Dr. Sabyasachi Mukherjee for conformal dynamics, Dr. Sushant Sachdeva for optimization algorithms, and Dr. Karthish Manthiram for electrochemistry.