Daily Current Affairs 15 October 2026 – IAS Current Affairs
Current Affairs 15 October 2026 focuses on the Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :
Sustainable Cooling In India Under The Kigali Amendment
Source: Indian Express
GS III: Environment and Ecology
Overview
- The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol aims to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which contribute significantly to global warming despite not directly depleting the ozone layer.
- Rising temperatures, urbanisation and increasing demand for air conditioning are making sustainable cooling a major climate challenge for India.
- India must promote climate-friendly refrigerants, energy-efficient cooling technologies and better refrigerant management to reduce emissions and electricity consumption.
- Financial assistance, technology transfer and international cooperation are essential to ensure an affordable and equitable transition to sustainable cooling, particularly in developing countries.
Why in the News?
The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol completed ten years, bringing renewed attention to the challenge of meeting the growing demand for cooling while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
News in Brief
- The Kigali Amendment aims to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are widely used in air conditioning and refrigeration but have a high global warming potential.
- The amendment was adopted in Kigali, Rwanda, in 2016 and entered into force in 2019.
- The Montreal Protocol has helped eliminate nearly all ozone-depleting substances, contributing to the recovery of the ozone layer.
- India ratified the Kigali Amendment in 2021 and must progressively reduce HFC production and consumption in accordance with the agreed schedule.
What is the Kigali Amendment?
- The Kigali Amendment is an international agreement adopted under the Montreal Protocol to phase down the production and consumption of HFCs.
- The Montreal Protocol was originally agreed upon in 1987 to protect the ozone layer by phasing out ozone-depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
- It has contributed significantly to the recovery of the ozone layer.
- As CFCs were phased out, HFCs became common substitutes in refrigeration and air conditioning.
- Although HFCs do not directly deplete the ozone layer, many have a high global warming potential.
- The Kigali Amendment extends the Montreal Protocol’s climate benefits by addressing these powerful greenhouse gases.
Why are HFCs a concern?
- HFCs are used in air conditioners, refrigerators and other cooling equipment.
- However, when released into the atmosphere, they trap heat and contribute to global warming.
- Some HFCs have a warming impact hundreds or thousands of times greater than that of carbon dioxide over a comparable period.
- The growing use of cooling equipment makes HFC management increasingly important, particularly in countries experiencing rapid urbanization and using temperatures.
How does the Kigali Amendment help prevent global warming?
- Full implementation of the Kigali Amendment could avoid approximately 0.3°C to 0.5°C of global warming by 2100, according to the assessment cited in the article.
- Its climate benefits arise mainly from reducing HFC emissions.
- However, the overall impact depends on effective implementation, compliance and the adoption of suitable alternatives.
- The amendment also supports the objectives of the Paris Agreement, which seeks to limit global warming to well below 2°C while pursuing efforts to restrict it to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Why has cooling become a major climate challenge?
- The demand for cooling is increasing because of rising temperatures, urbanization, improving living standards and the expansion of commercial and industrial activities.
- Cooling contributes to climate change through two major pathways;
- Refrigerant emissions: HFCs can escape from air conditioners and refrigeration equipment during operation, servicing or disposal.
- Energy-related emissions: Cooling equipment consumes electricity, which can generate carbon emissions when produced using fossil fuels.
- Therefore, replacing high-global warming refrigerants alone will not be sufficient.
- Improving the energy efficiency of cooling equipment is equally important.
- Cooling already accounts for a significant share of electricity demand in India.
- Under current policies, India’s cooling demand is projected to more than double by 2035.
What must India to under the Kigali Amendment?
- India ratified the Kigali Amendment in 2021 and is required to progressively reduce HFC production and consumption according to its agreed schedule.
- India’s approach must address two interconnected challenges; reducing the climate impact of refrigerants and improving the energy efficiency of cooling systems.
- Important measures include;
- Adopting climate-friendly refrigerants: Encourage alternatives with lower global warming potential.
- Improving energy efficiency: Promote energy-efficient air conditioners, refrigerators and commercial cooling systems.
- Supporting technological innovation: Encourage manufacturers to develop affordable and environmentally sustainable cooling technologies.
- Strengthening servicing practices: Reduce refrigerant leakage through proper installation, maintenance, recovery and recycling.
- Promoting sustainable cooling: Integrate cooling requirements into urban planning, building design and electricity planning.
- Switching to alternative refrigerants may require changes in equipment design and manufacturing processes.
- These changes also provide an opportunity to improve the energy efficiency of appliances throughout their operating life.
How can India benefit from energy-efficient cooling?
- Improving cooling efficiency can reduce electricity consumption, lower household expenditure and ease pressure on the power sector.
- The benefits are particularly important during heatwaves, when air-conditioning demand can increase sharply.
- Combining HFC phase-down measures with improved cooling efficiency could substantially increase the climate benefits of refrigerant transitions.
- For India, this approach can help reconcile rising cooling needs with its climate commitments and energy security requirements.
How does the transition affect developing countries?
- Developing countries may face financial and technological challenges when replacing existing cooling equipment and shifting to alternative refrigerants.
- The Multilateral Fund under the Montreal Protocol supports eligible developing countries in meeting their obligations.
- Established in 1990, the fund provides financial and technical assistance for activities such as:
- Converting manufacturing facilities to alternative technologies.
- Training technicians who install and service cooling equipment.
- Building institutional and technical capacity.
- Supporting compliance with agreed phase-down schedules.
- Such assistance is important because the transition must remain affordable while enabling developing countries to meet their environmental commitments.
Can a similar approach address other short-lived climate pollutants?
- The possibility of applying a similar international approach to other short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs).
- These include;
- Methane: A powerful greenhouse gas released from sources such as agriculture, fossil fuel production and waste.
- Black carbon: Soot produced by incomplete combustion of fuels, including emissions from diesel engines and traditional cooking fuels.
- Hydrofluorocarbons: Industrial gases used mainly in cooling applications.
- Tropospheric or ground-level ozone: A harmful air pollutant formed through chemical reactions involving other pollutants in the atmosphere.
- These pollutants have different sources and environmental impacts.
- However, many have a relatively short atmospheric lifetime compared with carbon dioxide while contributing significantly to near-term warming.
- Reducing their emissions can slow warming in the near-term, complementing long-term efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
- A common international framework may not be suitable for every pollutant.
- Policies must account for differences in emission sources, national circumstances, implementation costs and the capacity of affected communities.
Why do international climate agreements need differentiated responsibilities?
- International agreements must recognize differences in countries’ development needs and their capacity to control pollution.
- Developed countries generally have greater financial and technological resources, while developing countries may face difficulties financing expensive transitions.
- For instance, measures to reduce methane emissions from cattle can affect small farmers’ incomes and food produciton.
- Similarly, reducing black carbon from traditional cooking practices requires access to cleaner fuels and affordable technologies.
- The Kigali Amendment offers a useful example of how a global environmental agreement can combine binding reduction schedules with financial and technical support for developing countries.
Conclusion
The Kigali Amendment provides an important framework for addressing the climate impact of cooling technologies. For India, the priority is to balance growing cooling needs with energy efficiency, climate-friendly refrigerants and affordable access to cooling. A sustainable cooling transition will require effective implementation, technological innovation and international cooperation.
UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question
Consider the following statements about the Kigali Amendment:
1. It aims to phase down the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons.
2. It was adopted under the Montreal Protocol.
3. Hydrofluorocarbons directly deplete the ozone layer.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Mains Practice Question
Q) The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol highlights the importance integrating climate change mitigation with sustainable cooling. Discuss the challenges India faces in achieving this transition and suggest suitable measures. ( 150 words)
Why India Needs To Look Beyond GDP Growth
Source: Indian Express
GS III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment
Overview
- The IMF has raised India’s GDP growth forecast, supported by strong domestic demand and services-led expansion.
- Inflation, unemployment, income inequality and informal employment remain key challenges to sustainable growth.
- GDP growth alone does not reflect economic well-being; employment quality, household purchasing power and equitable income distribution are equally important.
- Employment-intensive investment, stronger social security and Centre–State coordination are essential to achieve inclusive and sustainable development.
Why in the News?
The IMF has raised India’s GDP growth forecast for 2026–27, reflecting strong domestic demand and services growth. However, employment, inequality and household welfare remain key concerns.
News in Brief
- The IMF has revised India’s growth forecast upwards, while the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has also projected strong economic growth.
- Domestic demand and services-led expansion have helped India withstand global economic uncertainties.
- Inflationary pressures, unemployment, rising inequality and the expansion of informal employment remain concerns.
- Economic progress must be assessed through improvements in living standards, productive employment and the equitable distribution of growth benefits.
India’s Economic Growth and Resilience
- India has maintained economic momentum despite global uncertainties and geopolitical tensions.
- Strong domestic demand and the growth of the services sector have supported economic expansion.
- Recent quarterly GDP data indicate robust growth, highlighting the resilience of the Indian economy.
- However, strong aggregate growth does not necessarily mean that all sections of society are benefitting equally.
Macroeconomic Challenges
- India faces several challenges that could affect the sustainability of economic growth.
- Inflationary pressures: Geopolitical conflicts and supply-side disruptions can increase the cost of imported goods and essential commodities.
- Rising debt burden: High public borrowing and debt-servicing costs can constrain government spending on development.
- Currency volatility: Fluctuations in the rupee and changes in global financial conditions can affect capital flows.
- Global uncertainty: Changes in US bond yields, dollar movements and financial market valuations can increase the risk of capital outflows from emerging market economies.
- Although India’s macroeconomic position remains relatively stable, continued vigilance is necessary to protect economic stability.
Why GDP Growth Does Not Tell The Whole Story
- GDP measures the value of goods and services produced within an economy.
- However, it does not fully capture the distribution of income, employment quality or improvements in people’s lives.
- Important factors that require attention include;
- Employment generation: Whether economic growth creates sufficient productive and well-paying jobs.
- Income inequality: Whether the benefits of growth reach different income groups and social sections.
- Household demand: Whether people have adequate purchasing power to sustain consumption.
- Productive investment: Whether investment generates employment and strengthens the productive capacity of the economy.
- Living standards: Whether growth improves access to essential services and overall well-being.
- Therefore, GDP growth must be evaluated alongside indicators of social and economic development.
Informal Employment and Job Quality
- The expansion of economic activity does not automatically translate into secure employment.
- A large section of India’s workforce continues to depend on informal employment.
- Workers migrating from rural to urban areas may struggle to find stable jobs in the organized sector.
- Low wages, rising living costs and difficult working conditions can discourage workers from seeking certain jobs.
- The absence of adequate social security and employment protection can increase economic vulnerability.
- India needs to promote formal employment, improve working conditions, strengthen social security and expand access to skill development.
Inflation, Unemployment and Inequality
- Inflation: Rising prices reduce the purchasing power of households, particularly those with limited incomes.
- Unemployment: Insufficient availability of quality jobs prevents economic growth from translating into broad-based prosperity.
- Inequality: Unequal access to opportunities and resources can concentrate the benefits of growth among certain sections of society.
- These three are interconnected challenges that can weaken household consumption and limit the inclusive potential of economic expansion.
Need for Productive Investment
- Investment is essential for sustaining long-term economic growth.
- However, its impact depends on the sectors receiving investment and the opportunities they create.
- Investment should strengthen manufacturing, infrastructure and other productive sectors.
- Greater emphasis should be placed on employment-intensive industries.
- Affordable capital should be made available to businesses that can generate jobs and improve productivity.
- Public and private investment should complement each other in building productive capacity.
- The objective should be ensure that economic expansion creates sustainable employment and improves household incomes.
From GDP Growth to Broad-Based Prosperity
- Expert’s argues that India’s development strategy must focus on the actual distribution of economic benefits.
- Economic policies should consider differences in income, occupation, gender, region and social circumsatances.
- Growth must generate meaningful improvements in employment, wages and living conditions.
- Government interventions should address the structural barriers that prevent disadvantaged groups from participating in economic opportunites.
- Public policy should focus on measurable improvements in people’s welfare rather than relying exclusively on headline growth figures.
- An inclusive development approach is essential to ensure that economic progress benefits a wider section of society.
Economic Growth vs Economic Development
| Economic Growth | Economic Development |
|---|---|
| Refers to an increase in economic output. | Refers to broader improvements in people’s quality of life. |
| Commonly measured through real GDP growth. | Assessed through income, health, education, employment and other indicators. |
| May occur without an equitable distribution of benefits. | Emphasises wider access to opportunities and improved well-being. |
| Focuses primarily on quantitative expansion. | Includes both quantitative and qualitative improvements. |
Strengthening Centre-State Coordination
- India’s development needs coordinated action across different levels in government.
- States have an important role in employment generation, infrastructure development and social-sector spending.
- Greater coordination between the Union and State governments can improve policy implementation.
- Decentralized decision-making can help address region-specific development challenges.
- A stronger partnership between the government and the private sector can support investment while preventing excessive concentration of economic power.
Way Forward and Conclusion
India should promote employment-intensive sectors, control inflation, reduce inequality and encourage productive investment. Strengthening social security for informal workers and Centre-State coordination is equally important.
By measuring progress beyond GDP through employment, household welfare and equitable growth, India can translate economic expansion into inclusive and sustainable prosperity.
UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question
Consider the following statements regarding GDP growth and inclusive development in India:
1. Real GDP growth accounts for changes in prices and is used to measure the growth of economic output.
2. A rise in GDP necessarily indicates a reduction in income inequality.
3. Inclusive growth emphasizes employment generation and equitable access to economic opportunities.
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: (b) 1 and 3 only
Mains Practice Question
Q) High GDP growth does not necessarily translate into inclusive development. Discuss in the context of India’s employment challenges, income inequality and household welfare. Suggest measures to ensure broad-based economic prosperity. (250 words)
Green Trade Regulations And India’s Export Opportunities
Source: Indian Express
GS II: International Relations
Overview
- Major economies are introducing green trade regulations to reduce emissions and promote sustainable production.
- The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) may increase compliance costs for Indian exporters in carbon-intensive sectors.
- Cleaner manufacturing, sustainable aviation fuel, green technologies and digital traceability can create new export opportunities for India.
- India needs affordable green finance, reliable carbon accounting, international cooperation and support for MSMEs to strengthen export competitiveness.
Why in the News?
India’s exporters face stricter environmental rules in global markets. By adopting cleaner production and sustainable practices, India can turn these requirements into export opportunities.
News in Brief
- Major economies are introducing environmental standards that influence international trade and market access.
- The European Union’s carbon-related trade measure increases the importance of measuring and reducing emissions in carbon-intensive industries.
- Cleaner production, renewable energy and transparent supply chains can help Indian businesses meet international sustainability requirements.
- India needs a coordinated approach involving carbon pricing, green technology, reliable emissions data and cooperation between the government and industry.
Green Regulations: From Trade Barriers to Opportunities
- Environmental regulations are increasingly shaping international trade.
- Countries are linking market access with carbon emissions, sustainable production and supply-chain transparency.
- Developed economies argue that such measures prevent carbon leakage, in which industries shift production to countries with weaker environmental standards.
- However, developing countries face concerns over compliance costs, access to technology and the possibility of environmental standards being used as protectionist trade measures.
- India must therefore negotiate fair treatment for its exporters while improving the environmental performance of domestic industries.
European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
- The EU’s CBAM seeks to address the carbon emissions associated with certain imported goods and reduce the risk of carbon leakage.
- It covers carbon-intensive sectors such as iron and steel, aluminium, cement, fertilizers, electricity and hydrogen, subject to the mechanism’s applicable rules.
- Indian exporters in affected sectors may face additional compliance requirements and carbon-related costs.
- Companies that measure, report and reduce emissions can improve their competitiveness in the European market.
- India should seek transparent implementation, fair treatment of developing countries and appropriate recognition of credible domestic emissions-reduction measures.
Green Trade as an Export Opportunity
- India can turn sustainability requirements into a competitive advantage through the production measures;
- Cleaner manufacturing: Adopt energy-efficient technologies and low-carbon production processes.
- Renewable energy: Increase the use of renewable electricity to reduce the carbon footprint of manufactured goods.
- Supply-chain traceability: Maintain reliable records of raw materials, production processes and environmental performance.
- Green certification: Strengthen internationally recognized environmental standards and verification systems.
- Technology adoption: Encourage investment in clean technologies to improve productivity and reduce long-term production costs.
- These measures can help Indian exporters meet environmental requirements while improving their position in global value chains.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
- Sustainable aviation fuel offers another opportunity for India to expand its green exports.
- The aviation sector is exploring lower-carbon fuels to reduce emissions associated with conventional aviation fuel.
- India can draw on its potential to produce sustainable fuels using suitable agricultural residues, waste materials and other eligible feedstocks.
- Domestic production can support international demand while creating opportunities for farmers, biofuel producers and the aviation industry.
- A well-developed sustainable aviation fuel industry can help India diversify its energy exports and strengthen its position in the emerging green-fuel market.
Green Opportunities in the Steel and Aluminium Industries
- Steel and aluminium production are energy-intensive activities with significant carbon emissions.
- As international markets increasingly consider the emissions associated with imported materials, cleaner production can become an important source of competitiveness.
- India can promote energy efficiency, renewable electricity, recycling and low-carbon production technologies.
- Investments in cleaner blast furnaces, improved industrial processes and suitable alternative technologies can help reduce emissions.
- For aluminium, greater use of recycled materials and cleaner electricity can reduce the environmental footprint of production.
- Indian manufacturers that reduce emissions and provide credible emissions data may be better positioned to supply sustainability-conscious international markets.
Green Digital Infrastructure
- Carbon accounting, deforestation monitoring and supply-chain traceability require reliable digital systems.
- India can use its digital public infrastructure capabilities to support environmental reporting and verification.
- Digital platforms can help exporters maintain product-level information, track raw materials and demonstrate compliance with international requirements.
- Affordable digital tools can particularly benefit micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which may struggle with the cost of compliance.
- India can also promote interoperable systems that allow domestic environmental data to be recognized by international buyers and regulators.
Carbon Pricing and Domestic Climate Policy
- Carbon pricing places an economic cost on greenhouse gas emissions and can encourage industries to adopt cleaner technologies.
- India has introduced the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme to develop a domestic carbon market.
- A credible carbon market can encourage emissions reductions, support investment in cleaner production and improve industrial efficiency.
- Reliable emissions measurement, reporting and verification are essential to ensure that carbon credits reflect genuine reductions.
- India should also improve coordination between domestic carbon-market mechanisms and international carbon-accounting requirements.
- Domestic carbon pricing alone may not guarantee recognition under foreign regulations.
- India must engage with trading partners to establish transparent and compatible approaches to emissions accounting.
Need for International Cooperation
- India should negotiate with major trading partners to address concerns regarding environmental trade measures.
- Bilateral and multilateral partnerships can support technology transfer, access to green finance and cooperation on emissions measurement.
- Mutual recognition of credible environmental certifications can reduce the compliance burden on exporters.
- Capacity-building programmes can help smaller businesses understand and meet international standards.
- Such cooperation is important to ensure that green trade rules support climate action without unfairly disadvantaging developing economies.
Challenges for India
- Indian exporters face high compliance costs, particularly MSMEs that lack resources to adopt cleaner technologies and obtain certifications.
- Limited access to affordable green finance and advanced technologies can hinder industrial modernization.
- Inadequate emissions data and verification systems may affect the credibility of environmental claims.
- Moreover, strict environmental rules may act as protectionist barriers against developing countries, while differences in international carbon accounting and certification standards create additional compliance challenges.
Way Forward and Conclusion
India should develop a national green-export strategy by identifying vulnerable sectors, supporting MSMEs with affordable green finance and certification, and promoting renewable energy, energy efficiency and low-carbon technologies. Strengthening carbon accounting, emissions verification and research in clean manufacturing can help Indian industries meet international environmental standards.
India should also engage with trading partners to ensure fair implementation of green trade rules and mutual recognition of credible certifications. Integrating trade policy with climate commitments will help India turn environmental regulations into opportunities for sustainable industrial growth, stronger export competitiveness and long-term economic development.
UPSC Relevance
- GS Paper II: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India; international institutions and their policies.
- GS Paper III: Indian Economy, industrial growth, infrastructure, environmental sustainability and conservation.
- Essay: Economic growth versus environmental sustainability; India’s role in the global green transition.
UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question
Consider the following statements:
1. The European Union’s CBAM seeks to address carbon leakage associated with certain imported goods.
2. Sustainable aviation fuel can help reduce aviation-related lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions, depending on its production pathway.
3. India’s Carbon Credit Trading Scheme is intended to support a domestic carbon market.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Mains Practice Question
Q) Green trade regulations imposed by developed economies can pose challenges as well as create opportunities for Indian exporters. Discuss the implications for India’s export competitiveness and suggest measures to turn these regulations into an economic advantage. (250 words)
Makeup Against Facial Recognition Technology
Source: Indian Express
GS III: Artificial Intelligence, Facial Recognition Technology and Cybersecurity
Overview
- Facial recognition technology uses AI to identify or verify individuals by analysing facial features, with applications in security, law enforcement and digital authentication.
- Specially designed makeup patterns may interfere with certain facial recognition systems, but their effectiveness varies across models and operating conditions.
- The use of facial recognition raises concerns about privacy, misidentification, algorithmic bias and surveillance, highlighting the need for safeguards under India’s legal and constitutional framework.
- A balanced approach involving clear regulations, independent oversight, accuracy testing and data protection is essential to ensure responsible use of facial recognition while safeguarding the right to privacy.
Why in the News?
A recent makeup tutorial on X has highlighted whether cosmetics can interfere with facial recognition systems used for surveillance.
News in Brief
- Facial recognition technology (FRT) uses artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse facial features and compare them with stored facial representations to identify individuals.
- Makeup can alter the facial features captured by a camera and interfere with the identification process, but it does not necessarily prevent a system from detecting a face.
- Research by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev demonstrated that specially designed, computer-generated makeup patterns could interfere with certain facial recognition systems.
- In India, facial images and digital templates linked to identifiable individuals fall within the broad definition of personal data under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, subject to the Act’s provisions and exemptions.
What is Facial Recognition Technology?
- Facial recognition is a biometric identification technology that uses facial characteristics to verify or identify a person.
- How it works;
- Face detection: The system identifies the presence and location of a face in an image or video.
- Feature extraction: AI models analyse facial characteristics and convert them into a numerical representation called a face embedding.
- Database comparison: The representation is compared with stored facial representations to find a potential match.
- Identification: The system determines whether the face corresponds to an individual in its database, depending on the matching threshold.
- Facial recognition systems learn patterns associated with identities from training data.
- They do not simply compare photographs pixel by pixel.
How can makeup interfere with facial recognition?
- Makeup can alter the appearance of facial features captured by a camera.
- Patterns around the eyes, lips and eyebrows may affect the numerical representation generated by some recognition models.
- This may reduce the likelihood of a successful match without necessarily preventing the system from detecting a face.
- The effectiveness of such techniques varies across systems and operating conditions.
- Therefore, interfering with facial identification is not the same as preventing facial deection.
Research on Makeup and Facial Recognition
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Study (2021)
- Researchers demonstrated that specially designed, computer-generated makeup patterns could consistently interfere with certain state-of-art facial recognition systems.
- The patterns were designed with the help of machine learning to interfere with specific recognition models.
- The study demonstrated that carefully designed makeup could reduce identification accuracy under the tested conditions.
- It did not establish that all unusual makeup, additional facial features or coloured patterns could reliably defeat surveillance systems.
- The findings highlight potential weakness in facial recognition technology and the need to evaluate its reliability under different conditions.
CV Dazzle Project
- CV Dazzle was an artistic project that explored how unconventional makeup and hairstyles could interfere with computer vision algorithms.
- It drew inspiration from the Dazzle camouflage used during the First World War.
- Naval ships were painted with high-contrast colours, stripes and geometric patterns to make it harder for enemy observers to estimate their position, direction and movement.
- Similarly, CV Dazzle explored how changes in facial appearance could interfere with machine-based facial analysis.
- Both approaches demonstrate how visual patterns can challenge automated recognition.
- However, the makeup techniques discussed in these projects may also make a person more conspicuous to human observers.
Limitations of makeup-based techniques
- Facial recognition systems differ in their algorithms and identification thresholds.
- Camera resolution, lighting and viewing angles influence performance.
- A technique that interferes with one model may not work against another.
- Methods designed to disrupt identification may not prevent face detection or other forms of surveillance.
- Thus, makeup should not be considered a reliable or universal method of defeating facial recognition.
Facial Recognition and Artificial Intelligence
Facial recognition is a form of biometric technology that uses distinctive physical characteristics to identify or verify individuals.
Applications
- Law enforcement and criminal investigations.
- Airport security and border management.
- Digital identity verification and authentication.
- Access control in workplaces and restricted facilities.
- Finding missing persons and identifying unknown individuals.
Advantages
- Enables rapid identity verification.
- Can assist investigations and security operations.
- Reduces dependence on manual identification in certain settings.
Concerns and Challenges
- Privacy violations and surveillance without meaningful consent.
- Misidentification and false matches.
- Potential bias arising from training data and system design.
- Lack of transparency and accountability in some deployments.
- Risks of misuse and excessive surveillance.
Facial Recognition and Privacy in India
Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023
The Act provides a legal framework for processing digital personal data in India.
- Facial images and digital templates linked to identifiable individuals can qualify as personal data.
- The Act establishes obligations concerning the processing of personal data, subject to its scope and applicable provisions.
- Section 17 provides exemptions for specified circumstances, including certain processing connected with preventing, detecting, investigating or prosecuting offences.
- The Central Government can also exempt specified state instrumentalities from certain provisions on grounds such as national security and public order, subject to the statutory conditions.
- Important Limitation
- The Act does not establish a comprehensive, dedicated legal framework specifically governing police use of facial recognition technology.
- Consequently, questions remain about the legal basis for deployment, safeguards against misuse, accountability and protection of individual privacy.
Constitutional Perspective: Right to Privacy
- In the Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India judgment of 2017, the Supreme Court recognised the right to privacy as a fundamental right under the Constitution.
- The judgment is relevant to facial recognition because large-scale biometric surveillance can affect personal autonomy, dignity and individual liberty.
- State use of facial recognition must therefore be examined in the context of constitutional protections, applicable laws and safeguards against arbitrary interference with privacy.
Way Forward and Conclusion
India needs a clear legal framework for facial recognition that defines the conditions for its use, particularly by law enforcement agencies. Mandatory accuracy testing, independent audits, transparency in data collection and retention, and safeguards against algorithmic bias are essential to prevent misuse. Surveillance should meet the principles of necessity and proportionality, with effective grievance redressal mechanisms.
Facial recognition can strengthen security and improve public services, but its use must respect individual privacy and constitutional rights. A balanced approach combining technological innovation, data protection and accountability is essential to ensure that security does not come at the cost of civil liberties.
UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question
Consider the following statements about facial recognition technology:
1. Facial recognition systems can convert facial characteristics into numerical representations for comparison.
2. Makeup that interferes with facial identification necessarily prevents a system from detecting a face.
3. The Supreme Court recognised the right to privacy as a fundamental right in the Justice K.S. Puttaswamy judgment.
4. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, establishes a comprehensive legal framework exclusively for police use of facial recognition technology.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 3 and 4 only
Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only
Mains Practice Question
Q) Discuss the challenges posed by emerging technologies to the right to privacy in India. Suggest suitable measures to ensure a balance between technological advancement and individual rights. (250 words)
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