MeitY Directs States to Use UIDAI App for Aadhaar Verification Under 2025 Amendment Regulations

SC Upholds EC's SIR, Citizenship Under MHA; 13 Crore Deletions, Aadhaar Alternative Proposed

The Supreme Court upheld the EC's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which deleted over 13 crore names, but clarified that citizenship determination is solely under the Ministry of Home Affairs. This raises critical debates on voter rights, due process, and the viability of Aadhaar-based verification as a cost-effective, inclusive alternative to house-to-house surveys.

IT Rules 2026 Amended: Social Media Intermediaries Must Remove Sensitive Content in 2 Hours

The Centre has tightened the IT Rules, 2021 through amendments effective February 10, 2026, drastically reducing the timeline for social media platforms to remove sensitive content—from 24 hours to just 2 hours. This move aims to curb deepfakes and AI-generated harmful content, and non-compliance will strip platforms of their safe harbour protection under Section 79 of the IT Act.

Parliamentary Panel Demands Meta Apology Over PM Video Removal, Threatens Revocation of Safe Harbour Under IT Act Section 79

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and IT, chaired by Nishikant Dubey, has demanded Meta apologize for erroneously blocking PM Modi's video, or face revocation of safe harbour under Section 79 of the IT Act. Similar action is threatened against Google India for financial frauds. This highlights the government's push to enforce intermediary accountability and the conditional nature of safe harbour immunity.

Varsha Ashok Aglawe Appointed as 54th GSI Director General, First Woman in 176 Years

Varsha Ashok Aglawe, a palaeontologist with over three decades of experience, has become the first woman to head the Geological Survey of India (GSI) in its 176-year history. This landmark appointment signals a gender shift in India's premier geoscientific institution and comes with strategic priorities on critical mineral exploration and mineral security—key for national resource self-sufficiency.

MeitY Summons Meta Global Team Over Algorithmic Bias; Parliamentary Panel to Question

Government summons Meta's global team to clarify algorithmic bias and role in public order after MeitY rejects technical glitch explanation. Parliamentary panel will also question the company. This highlights growing regulatory scrutiny on social media algorithms and their societal impact.

SC-NBWL Recommends Pygmy Hog for Critically Endangered List Under IDWH Scheme

The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL) has recommended adding the pygmy hog, the world's smallest and rarest wild pig, to the list of critically endangered species under the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (IDWH) scheme. This move signals a renewed focus on grassland conservation and species recovery, with potential expansion to West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.

Centre Summons Meta Global Execs Over CSAM Handling, PM Modi Post Moderation Error

The Indian government has summoned Meta's global leadership, including Chief Global Affairs Officer Joel Kaplan, to address concerns over Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) handling and wrongful moderation of verified accounts, following the brief blocking of PM Modi's Facebook post. This signals a major escalation in platform accountability, with implications for India's digital governance framework.

ISI Bill 2026 Introduced in Lok Sabha: Replaces Governing Council with 11-Member Board, Sparks Autonomy Debate

The Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) Bill, 2026, introduced in Lok Sabha, proposes to replace the 33-member Governing Council with an 11-member Board of Governors and change the institute's structure from a society to a body corporate. Faculty and opposition parties oppose the bill, citing loss of autonomy, while the government argues it is necessary for expansion and accountability. The bill would repeal the 1959 Act governing ISI.