Pornography – Impact on Children & Society 
Deepfakes: Opportunities, Threats, and Regulation    
Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA)    
India Defence Exports: A Strategic Imperative4

1.    Pornography – Impact on Children & Society
Laws for Pornography in India
•    Legal Status: Watching pornography in private is not illegal, but distributing or sharing it, especially involving children, is punishable under various laws.
•    IT Act, 2002: Sharing pornographic content, particularly involving children, is prohibited.
•    SC Order: The Supreme Court directed the Department of Telecommunications to ban websites containing child pornography.
Impact of Pornography on Children
•    Psychological Impact: Leads to issues like depression, anger, anxiety, and affects children's mental well-being and social relationships.
•    Impact on Sexuality: Regular exposure can cause sexual obsession and unrealistic expectations about sexual behavior.
•    Sexual Addiction: Pornography can act like a drug, affecting the brain similarly and leading to addiction.
•    Behavioral Impact: It reinforces gender stereotypes, objectifies women, and is linked to attitudes supporting sexual violence.
Impact on Society

•    Unsafe Sexual Practices: Associated with unsafe sex practices like not using condoms or unsafe sexual methods.
•    Self-objectification: Both males and females may develop self-objectification and concerns over body image.
•    Violence Against Women: Reinforces harmful ideas of male dominance and female passivity in sexual encounters.
Government Interventions
•    Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2019:
o    Child Pornography: Defines child pornography as any sexually explicit visual depiction involving a child.
o    Increased Punishments: Punishments for storing or distributing child pornography have been enhanced from 3 to 5 years.
o    Mandatory Reporting: Obligates individuals to report or delete child pornography material, with failure to do so leading to penalties.

Prelims Question:
With reference to the laws on pornography in India, consider the following statements:
1.    Watching pornography in private is legal, but distributing child pornography is punishable under law.
2.    The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2019 penalizes the storage of child pornography for personal use.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A) 1 only
B)    2 only 
C)    Both 1 and 2
D)    Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: A) 1 only

Mains Question:
Discuss the psychological and social impacts of pornography on children and society. How can the government strengthen laws to address these challenges?

•    Amplification of Messages: Used for campaigns like the petition to end malaria, featuring celebrities.
•    Public Safety and Training: Creates realistic simulations for emergency responders, such as training for school shootings.
•    Innovation: Potential for new forms of
storytelling and interactive media.
 

2.    Deepfakes: Opportunities, Threats, and Regulation
Context:
•    Recently, a viral video of an actor entering a lift was identified as a deepfake, sparking debates around its legal regulation. The IT Act, 2000 addresses such content, but there is a growing need for broader regulation concerning Artificial Intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies.

What is a Deepfake?
•    Deepfakes are synthetic media created by using machine learning and AI techniques like deep learning and Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs). These manipulations can convincingly replace one person's likeness with another.
Uses of Deepfake Technology:
•    Film Dubbing: Used for realistic lip- syncing in films for various languages.
•    Education: Can bring historical figures to life or simulate educational scenarios.
•    Art: Artists use deepfakes for creative expression, like the Salvador Dali museum promotion.
•    Autonomy and Expression: Apps like Reface allow users to swap faces with celebrities for personalization.

Challenges of Deepfake Technology:
•    Spreading Misinformation: Can influence public opinion or elections by showing fake content involving politicians or celebrities.
•    Harassment and Intimidation: Used to create revenge porn, disproportionately harming women, or to blackmail individuals with fabricated content.
•    Fabricating Evidence: Deepfakes can fabricate evidence, complicating legal proceedings.
•    Reputation Tarnishing: Can create content that tarnishes an individual's reputation by portraying them in misleading ways.
•    Financial Fraud: Impersonation of CEOs or employees to commit financial fraud, such as the USD 243,000 scam involving deepfake audio.

Government Regulations on Deepfakes:
•    IT Act, 2000 and IT Rules, 2021: Mandates social media intermediaries to ensure the removal of deepfake content. Failure to comply can result in a fine of up to ₹1 lakh or imprisonment for up to three years.
•    Section 66D of IT Act: Penalizes impersonation using communication devices with imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of ₹1 lakh. 
•    Rule 3(1)(b)(vii): Social media platforms must ensure users do not impersonate others.
•    Rule 3(2)(b): Content must be taken down within 24 hours of receiving a complaint.

Addressing the Menace of Deepfakes:
•    Learning from Other Countries:
o    China: Requires deepfake technology providers to obtain consent, verify identities, and offer legal recourse.
o    Canada: Promotes public awareness and legislation making the creation and distribution of malicious deepfakes illegal.
•    Watermarking AI-generated Videos: Adding watermarks to AI-generated videos helps detect and attribute the content, ensuring clarity on its creator and source.

Prelims Question:
With reference to Deepfake Technology, consider the following statements:
1.    Deepfakes are created using machine learning and deep learning techniques.
2.    Watermarking AI-generated videos can help in attribution and detection.
3.    Deepfakes have been exclusively used for illegal purposes.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A)    1 only
B)    1 and 2 only
C)    2 and 3 only
D)    1, 2, and 3
Answer: B) 1 and 2 only

Mains Question:

Discuss the potential uses and challenges of deepfake technology. How can governments effectively regulate deepfakes without stifling innovation in AI?

3.    Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA)
Background:
•    British-era legacy: Originally enacted during the Quit India movement to control uprisings.
•    Post-independence: Reintroduced in 1958 as the Armed Forces (Assam and Manipur) Special Powers Act.
•    Expanded to apply to states in the Northeast: Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya.
•    Revoked in Tripura (2015) and Meghalaya (2018) but still enforced in parts of Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh.

Key Provisions:
•    Grants extraordinary powers to armed forces in “disturbed areas”.
o    Use lethal force, arrest without warrant, and search premises based on suspicion.
o    Provides legal immunity from prosecution without prior sanction from the central government.

Controversies:
1.    Human Rights Violations:
o    Allegations of extrajudicial killings, fake encounters, and abuse of power.
o    Immunity from prosecution undercuts accountability and legal redress.
2.    Jeevan Reddy Committee (2004):
o    Recommended repeal of AFSPA and inclusion of necessary provisions in the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA).
o    Suggested creating grievance cells
for affected areas.
3.    Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC):
o    Echoed the call for repeal of

2.    The Act provides legal immunity to armed forces from prosecution unless sanctioned by the Central Government.
3.    AFSPA is enforced uniformly across all northeastern states of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A) 1 and 2 only
B)    1 and 3 only
C)    2 and 3 only
D)    1, 2, and 3
Answer: A) 1 and 2 only

AFSPA, though recommendations        

remain unimplemented.

Supreme Court Judgment:
•    Naga People’s Movement of Human Rights v. Union of India (1998) upheld the constitutionality of AFSPA but emphasized:
o    Consultation with state governments before declaring an area as disturbed.
o    Periodic review every six months to prevent indefinite imposition.
o    Armed forces must exercise
minimal force necessary.

Arguments by Human Rights Activists:
•    Excessive powers like lethal force, warrantless arrests, and immunity from

Mains Question:
Question: The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, continues to be a contentious issue in India’s internal security framework. Discuss the human rights concerns raised against AFSPA and critically analyze the Supreme Court’s stance on the act’s constitutional validity. Should AFSPA be repealed in light of recent calls for reform?

4.    India Defence Exports: A Strategic Imperative
Context:
•    India has a significant opportunity to become a key player in the global defence exports market amid rising geopolitical tensions.
•    News source: Business Standard.

prosecution are heavily opposed.        

•    Prolonged imposition in states like Nagaland and Jammu & Kashmir violates basic rights of citizens.

Prelims MCQ
Question: With reference to the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), consider the following statements:
1.    AFSPA was originally enacted in response to insurgency in the Naga Hills.

Current Status of India’s Defence Exports:
•    Expanding Global Defence Industry: Expected to grow from $750 billion in 2022 to $1.38 trillion by 2030.
•    Leading Arms Exporters: The US, Russia, France, China, and Germany account for 77% of global arms exports (SIPRI report).
•    India’s Defence Exports Surge: 
o    Grown from Rs. 686 Crore in FY 2013-14 to nearly Rs. 16,000 Crore
in FY 2022-23.
o    Reached 85 countries across continents, making India a top 25 global defence exporter.
•    Private Sector: Accounts for 80% of India's defence export growth.

•    The US now dominates the global arms market, but in the 19th century, it lagged behind Europe.
•    A strategic shift in production and government support through policies like direct procurement negotiations helped transform the US into a major defence exporter.

•    Export Items: Includes missiles, rockets,        

drones, artillery guns, and torpedoes.
•    Major Export Destinations: Italy, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Russia, France, Israel, UAE, Egypt, Poland, etc.

India’s Exported Defence Equipment:
•    Personal protective items, offshore patrol vessels, ALH helicopters, Bharati Radio, coastal surveillance systems, and more.
 

Strategic Advantages of Being a Defence Exporter:
1.    Economic Benefits:
o    Earns foreign currency and reduces import dependency.
o    Supports the Atma Nirbhar Bharat initiative by promoting local defence production.
2.    Integration into Global Supply Chain:
o    India's defence industry is increasingly integrated with global partners like the USA and France.
3.    Strategic and Military Cooperation:
o    Exports create dependencies for maintenance and upgrades, facilitating joint operations and interoperability.
o    Enhances geopolitical influence
and diplomatic leverage.
4.    Self-Reliance in Defence:
o    Reduces vulnerabilities related to foreign imports and bolsters India’s Indo-Pacific leadership role.

Examples from the US:

Opportunities for India:
1.    China’s Export Challenges:
o    Decline in Chinese arms exports due to quality and performance issues presents opportunities for India.
o    Issues in Myanmar, Nigeria, and Pakistan have highlighted China’s declining exports.
2.    Domestic Strengths:
o    India’s expertise in handling Russian equipment is a strategic asset, especially with countries using Russian military platforms.
o    Technological prowess in software and AI increases India's attractiveness in global defence markets.

Government Support for Defence Exports:
1.    Innovation for Defence Excellence (IDEX):
o    Promotes startups offering
innovative defence technologies.
2.    Defence Production & Export Promotion Policy (DPEPP):
o    Encourages R&D, innovation, and
indigenization. 
3.    Positive Indigenization Lists:
o    Lists 411 major weapon platforms with import restrictions to

C)    2 and 3 only
D)    1, 2, and 3
Answer: B) 1 and 3 only

promote domestic production.        

4.    Defence Industrial Corridors:
o    Established in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to boost indigenization and exports.

Challenges to Growth:
1.    Bureaucratic and Regulatory Hurdles:
o    Outdated practices and bureaucratic resistance, especially from institutions like DRDO, hinder private sector participation and innovation.
2.    Project Delays:
o    Delays in DRDO’s mission mode projects impact growth.
o    Cost overruns and delays hamper defence sector expansion.
3.    Funding and Investment Gaps:
o    Lack of sufficient funding for R&D and limited incentives for private investors are key challenges.

Mains Question:
Question: Discuss the significance of India’s emergence as a key defence exporter. How does the Atma Nirbhar Bharat initiative complement India’s strategy for becoming a global player in the defence exports market?
 

Prelims MCQ Example:
Question: With reference to India’s Defence Exports, consider the following statements:
1.    India’s defence exports have grown by 800% in the last five years.
2.    Nearly 80% of the defence export growth is attributable to public sector undertakings.
3.    Italy, Sri Lanka, and Russia are among the major export destinations for Indian defence equipment.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A) 1 and 2 only
B) 1 and 3 only