For aspirants preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination, consistent answer writing practice on current and static topics is paramount. The initiative UPSC Essentials provides structured guidance for this very purpose, focusing on the General Studies papers. In its Week 135 edition, dated December 31, 2025, the program presented two pivotal questions for GS Paper 2, authored by Nitendra Pal Singh. These questions probe the intersection of technology, governance, and democracy, challenging candidates to demonstrate conceptual clarity and analytical depth.
Question 1: The Digital Policing Dilemma
The first question demands an examination of the delicate equilibrium between enhancing law enforcement capabilities through digital data and protecting citizens' fundamental rights in the era of digital policing. This topic is critically relevant for the UPSC syllabus, touching upon internal security, governance, and the right to privacy.
The introduction to the model approach highlights that while digital tools like AI, facial recognition, and data analytics bolster public safety and efficiency, they inherently create tension with constitutional rights. The core challenge lies in establishing robust legal frameworks that ensure proportionality, transparency, and accountability. Legislation such as India's Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act represents an attempt to balance expanded police powers with necessary safeguards.
How Digital Breadcrumbs Reshape Investigations
The body of the analysis provides concrete examples of this new reality. Everyday digital transactions—from OTPs for food delivery apps like Swiggy and Zomato to FASTag toll alerts—have become invaluable for law enforcement. These digital traces help track suspects who attempt to evade detection by frequently changing devices and SIM cards.
Furthermore, the privacy policies of many online services contain clauses permitting data sharing with authorities for legal investigations. This shift is global; in a notable case from the United States in 2025, prosecutors used a suspect's interactions with ChatGPT, including prompts about starting fires, as evidence in an arson case.
The scale of digital threats is expanding rapidly in India. Government data cited in the source indicates a staggering rise in cybersecurity incidents from 10.29 lakh in 2022 to 22.68 lakh in 2024, underscoring the complexity of the landscape.
Recent regulatory moves, like the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) directive to enforce SIM-to-device binding for messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Signal, reflect a broader strategy to tighten digital identifiers for security purposes.
Question 2: Electoral Trusts and Political Funding
The second question requires a discussion on the functioning of electoral trusts and an assessment of their significance in promoting transparency and accountability in political funding. This topic gained renewed importance following the scrapping of the electoral bonds scheme.
Introduced in 2013, the electoral trust scheme is governed by Section 17CA of the Income Tax Act, 1961. It allows Indian citizens, companies, firms, HUFs, and associations to donate to these trusts. Crucially, unlike the anonymous electoral bonds, electoral trusts must report all contributions and donations to the Election Commission of India (ECI) annually, disclosing donor and recipient details.
Mechanisms for Transparency
The operational rules of electoral trusts are designed to ensure formal and traceable fund flows. Trusts must apply for renewal every three years and are mandated to donate 95% of their contributions to registered political parties within a financial year. They must collect the PAN (for residents) or passport number (for NRIs) of contributors. Administrative expenses are capped at the remaining 5%, and trusts cannot use funds for member benefit.
This system aims to curb unaccounted cash donations by channeling money through formal banking channels. However, data shows that while many trusts are registered, only a few are active donors. In 2024-25, just nine trusts reported contributions, with three—Prudent, Progressive, and New Democratic Electoral Trust—accounting for 98% of all funds. A significant portion, approximately 82% of Rs 2,668 crore donated in that year, went to the BJP.
For comprehensive preparation, candidates are advised to ponder related policy reforms, study previous year questions like those from 2023 on e-governance and 2017 on the Right to Privacy, and engage with the provided answer-writing prompts to refine their skills.
