From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: About Employment Linked Incentives (ELI)
Why in the news?
The introduction of the new ELI scheme for corporates by the Narendra Modi government acknowledges the disconnect between GDP growth and job creation.
About Employment Linked Incentives (ELI)
The ELI scheme aims to encourage companies to hire more employees by providing financial incentives for each new hire.
Target Sectors: The scheme is expected to focus on labour-intensive sectors such as toys, textiles, apparel, furniture, tourism, and logistics, which have significant potential for job creation.
Incentives Offered: Financial incentives may include tax relief and wage subsidies for new jobs created, along with non-financial incentives like reduced regulatory burdens and support for skill development programs.
Government’s Failure of Initiatives
Previous Economic Strategies: Over the past decade, the Indian government relied on traditional economic models, such as the trickle-down approach and production-linked incentives (PLI), which did not yield the expected job growth.
Initiatives like “Make in India” and corporate tax cuts aimed to stimulate investment but failed to translate into significant employment opportunities.
Jobless Growth: Despite policies designed to boost production, employment growth has been stagnant, with a study indicating a negligible employment growth rate of just 0.01%.
Issue of Job and Ideas Deficit
Jobs Deficit: The lack of job creation has prompted proposals like reserving jobs for locals, reflecting political pressures in a democracy where job scarcity is prevalent.
Ideas Deficit: Economists often suggest reforms in labour, education, and business practices as solutions to job creation, but these are complex and difficult to implement.
Unemployment Trends: The unemployment rate has shown fluctuations, with a reported decline from 6.0% in 2017-18 to 3.2% in 2022-23.
What can be done?
Policy Shift: The ELI scheme represents a significant policy shift towards prioritizing job creation over mere economic output. By encouraging firms to hire rather than invest solely in automation, it aims to address the capital-labour imbalance in the economy.
Support for MSMEs: Special focus on micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) is crucial, as they employ a substantial portion of the workforce.
Alignment of Goals: Need to Collaborate among various ministries, particularly finance, skill development, and labour, is essential to ensure that skill development aligns with industry needs, enhancing employability and job creation
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Lightning strikes in India
Mains level: NDMA Guidelines for Lightning
Why in the news?
In July, the Odisha government approved a proposal to plant 1.9 million palm trees to mitigate deaths caused by lightning strikes, which were declared a state-specific disaster in 2015.
How many people have lost their lives to lightning in Odisha?
Over the last 11 years, a total of 3,790 people have lost their lives due to lightning strikes in Odisha.
In the previous three fiscal years, 791 fatalities were reported, indicating an increasing frequency of lightning strikes.
On September 2, 2023, Odisha recorded 61,000 lightning strikes in a two-hour period, resulting in the deaths of at least 12 people.
Why are Lightning strikes of particular concern in Odisha?
Odisha is located in a tropical zone and experiences a hot, dry climate that creates ideal conditions for lightning strikes.
The state has the highest number of cloud-to-ground lightning strikes in eastern and central India. The Annual Lightning Report 2023-2024 indicates a significant concentration of lightning activity in this region.
Research indicates that climate change exacerbates lightning activity, with a 10% increase in lightning occurrences for every degree Celsius of warming. This is particularly relevant in Odisha, where climatic factors contribute to frequent lightning events.
With 96% of lightning strikes occurring in rural areas, the most affected populations include farmers and daily wage earners who work outdoors, making them particularly vulnerable during peak agricultural seasons.
How can Odisha defend Itself against lightning strikes?
Planting Palm Trees: The Odisha government has approved a proposal to plant 19 lakh palm trees as a natural defense against lightning strikes. Palm trees are considered effective conductors of lightning due to their height and moisture content, which can absorb lightning and mitigate its impact on the ground.
Financial Commitment: The state has allocated Rs 7 crore for the palm tree plantation initiative and has banned the felling of existing palm trees to enhance this strategy.
Public Awareness and Early Warning Systems: While the state has implemented early warning systems to forecast lightning strikes, experts emphasize the need for widespread public education on safety measures during lightning events.
Concerns: Experts have raised concerns about the effectiveness of palm trees as a long-term solution, noting that it takes 15 to 20 years for them to reach a height where they can effectively mitigate lightning strikes.
NDMA Guidelines for Lightning
Preparation and Awareness: The Local government should educate the communities about lightning safety and the risks associated with thunderstorms.
Seek Shelter: During a thunderstorm, individuals should seek shelter in a fully enclosed building or a hard-topped metal vehicle. Open vehicles and structures such as metal sheds or under-construction buildings are unsafe.
Avoid Trees: Taking shelter under trees is discouraged, as they can attract lightning. If in a wooded area, find the shortest trees for shelter.
Crouching Position: If no shelter is available, crouch down with heels touching and head between the knees to minimize height and reduce risk.
30-30 Rule: After seeing lightning, start counting to 30. If you hear thunder before reaching 30, go indoors. This rule helps assess the distance of the storm.
Way forward:
Installation of Lightning Rods and Conductors: The government should invest in the widespread installation of lightning rods and conductors in rural and vulnerable areas. These devices can provide immediate protection to critical infrastructure, homes, and open fields where farmers and workers are most at risk.
Advanced Early Warning Systems: Need to enhance the existing early warning systems with more accurate, real-time data and ensure these warnings are disseminated quickly through multiple channels, including mobile alerts, community announcements, and local radio.
Main PYQ:
Q Explain the mechanism and occurrence of cloudburst in the context of the Indian subcontinent. Discuss two recent examples. (2022)
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: The idea of Constitutional Democracy
Why in the news?
The government’s recent decision to lift the ban on government employees participating in RSS activities threatens to undermine the remnants of a free and fair bureaucracy.
Whether or not civil servants are banned from joining RSS
Lifting the Ban: The Central government has lifted a 58-year ban on government servants joining the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). This ban was originally imposed in 1966 due to concerns about the organization’s political activities.
Government Justification: The government stated that the activities of the RSS are no longer deemed incompatible with civil service conduct rules, suggesting that the organization has been wrongly categorized as a banned entity.
Judicial Commentary: The Madhya Pradesh High Court remarked that it took nearly five decades for the government to recognize its mistake in banning civil servants from joining the RSS, indicating a shift in perception regarding the organization.
Political Reactions: The decision has sparked controversy, with opposition parties criticizing it as a threat to India’s secular fabric and accusing the government of politicizing the civil service. Critics argue that the RSS’s ideology conflicts with the principles of a secular state.
Support from RSS: The RSS welcomed the decision, asserting that it strengthens India’s democratic system and has historically contributed to national unity and social service.
The idea of Constitutional Democracy
Constitutional democracy is a system of government that combines the principles of democracy with a constitution that limits the powers of the state and protects the rights of citizens.
The people are the ultimate source of power, and the government derives its authority from their consent. The constitution places restrictions on the government’s actions and establishes the structure of the government.
There is a separation of powers between the legislature, executive, and judiciary, with each acting as a check on the others. The rule of law applies equally to all citizens and the government itself.
Minority rights are protected, and the will of the majority is balanced against the rights of individuals and minority groups. Constitutional democracy guarantees some rights to everyone, irrespective of their status as a minority or majority.
The origins of constitutional democracy can be traced back to Enlightenment ideas of natural rights, social contract theory, and the separation of powers. The United States Constitution, adopted in 1787, was a pioneering example of a written constitution establishing a federal system of government with a separation of powers
RSS Ideology vs Constitutional Democracy
Conflict of Ideologies: The lifting of the ban raises questions about the relationship between the RSS’s ideology and the constitutional framework of India. The RSS promotes a vision of a Hindu nation, which may conflict with the secular and pluralistic ideals enshrined in the Constitution.
Constitutional Morality: The Constitution aims to create a society that respects diverse religions and cultures, contrasting with the RSS’s focus on a singular religious identity. This juxtaposition presents challenges to the commitment of civil servants to uphold constitutional values.
Historical background of the Constitution: The Constitution was designed to restructure Indian society post-independence, ensuring inclusivity and rejecting the idea of a state aligned with a single religious community. The RSS’s ideology, which criticizes the post-1947 restructuring, poses a fundamental challenge to this vision.
Democratic Challenges: The existence of non-democratic and exclusionary ideas within a democratic framework complicates governance. The rise of Hindutva politics, which emphasizes majoritarianism and exclusion, threatens the principles of constitutional democracy.
Need for Reinforcement: To counter the influence of ideologies that contradict constitutional morality, there is a pressing need to reinvigorate the commitment to constitutional democracy among civil servants and the broader public.
Conclusion: To uphold constitutional democracy, it is crucial to reinforce the commitment to secularism, inclusivity, and the rule of law among civil servants and the broader public amidst ideological challenges.
Mains PYQ:
Q To enhance the quality of democracy in India the Election Commission of India has proposed electoral reforms in 2016. What are the suggested reforms and how far are they significant to make democracy successful? (2017)
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs)
Mains level: Reason behind the designation of Western Ghat as an ESA
Why in the news?
On Friday, the Central government released the sixth draft notification, designating 56,825.7 square kilometre of the Western Ghats as an ecologically sensitive area (ESA) across the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
Recommendations of the Gadgil and Kasturirangan Committees
Gadgil Committee: Recommended that 75% of the Western Ghats (129,037 sq km) be designated as ecologically sensitive areas (ESAs) with restrictions on development activities.
Kasturirangan Committee: Notified only 37% of the Western Ghats as ESAs, reducing the extent compared to the Gadgil report. It split the region into cultural (human settlements) and natural (non-human settlements) zones.
Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs)
ESAs are regions recognized for their environmental significance, where human activities are regulated to protect biodiversity, ecosystems, and natural habitats. These areas are often home to endemic species of plants and animals and are crucial for maintaining ecological balance.
The Environment (Protection) Act of 1986 allows the Central Government to restrict industrial activities in these sensitive areas to safeguard their ecological integrity. Although the term “Eco-Sensitive Zones” is not explicitly mentioned in the Act, provisions exist to prohibit or regulate activities based on biodiversity and environmental considerations.
The reason behind it:
Biodiversity Hotspot: The Western Ghats is recognized as one of the world’s eight “hottest hotspots” of biological diversity and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to numerous endemic species and globally threatened flora and fauna, making its protection crucial for conserving biodiversity.
Recent Natural Disasters: The draft notification follows severe landslides in Wayanad, Kerala, which resulted in significant loss of life and property. These events underscored the vulnerability of the region to ecological disasters, highlighting the need for protective measures to prevent further environmental degradation
Opposition from States
State governments, including Kerala, have opposed the proposals in the draft notifications for declaring ESAs along the Western Ghats.
The Kerala government want to reduce the ESA to 9,993.7 sq km from the Kasturirangan committee’s recommendation of 13,108 sq km.
The then Kerala government led by Oommen Chandy opposed the Gadgil report and appointed another panel to come up with an independent report.
New Panel Formed by the Government
In April 2022, the Centre formed another panel to “re-examine suggestions by these six state governments while keeping in view the conservation aspects of the disaster-prone pristine ecosystem, as well as rights, privileges, needs and developmental aspirations of the region”.
The Centre and expert panel held 10 meetings with states having Western Ghats to discuss the fifth draft notification at various forums.
The sixth draft notification, issued on Friday, declared 56,825.7 sq km of the Western Ghats as ESAs in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu
Way forward:
Integrated Management Plans: The Government should develop and implement integrated management plans that balance ecological conservation with the developmental needs of the region.
Enhanced Monitoring and Enforcement: There is a need to strengthen the regulatory framework by enhancing monitoring mechanisms and enforcing existing environmental laws more stringently.
Mains PYQ:
Q Differentiate the causes of landslides in the Himalayan region and Western Ghats. (2021)
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Axiom-4 Mission
Why in the News?
ISRO has announced the names of Indian astronauts for the upcoming Axiom-4 (Ax-4) manned mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
Indian Crew in Ax-4:
The National Mission Assignment Board has recommended two Gaganyatris (astronauts) as prime and backup Mission Pilot for this mission:
Prime Mission Pilot: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla
Backup Mission Pilot: Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair
Note: Shukla will be the second Indian to go to space. So far, Wing Commander (Retired) Rakesh Sharma is the only Indian to go to space in 1984.
Objectives:
The recommended Gaganyatris will commence their training for the mission from the 1st week of August 2024. During the mission, the Gaganyatri will:
Undertake selected scientific research.
Conduct technology demonstration experiments on board the ISS.
Engage in space outreach activities.
About Axiom-4 Mission
Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) is a private spaceflight organized by Axiom Space.
It aims to transport a crew to the International Space Station (ISS) for a 14-day mission.
This will be Axiom Space’s fourth mission to the ISS, following their previous missions (Ax-1, Ax-2, and Ax-3).
The mission will launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida using SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket.
The spacecraft for this mission is a SpaceX Crew Dragon, known for its advanced technology and safety features.
This mission is organized in collaboration with NASA, highlighting a strong partnership between private space companies and government space agencies to further space exploration and research.
Crew:
Peggy Whitson: A veteran astronaut with extensive experience, having completed multiple missions to the ISS.
Sławosz Uznanski: A Polish astronaut joining the mission, marking a significant milestone for Poland in space exploration.
Tibor Kapu: A Hungarian astronaut, adding to the diversity of the mission crew.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla: An Indian astronaut, making headlines as part of this international crew.
Back2Basics: International Space Station (ISS)
The ISS, orbiting 430 kilometers above Earth, completes 16 orbits daily, witnessing 16 sunrises and sunsets.
The ISS orbits Earth every 90 minutes at 8 km per second.
Spanning 109 meters, it’s almost as long as an American football field.
The ISS includes 6 sleeping areas, 2 bathrooms, a gym, and a panoramic view bay window.
Its solar array wingspan is 109 meters, and the station houses about 13 km of electrical wiring.
The ISS’s journey began on November 20, 1998, with Russia’s Zarya Control Module.
The US added the Unity Node 1 module on December 4, 1998, marking the start of a functional space lab.
The station evolved into its current form after 42 assembly flights.
PYQ:
[2019] What is India’s plan to have its own space station and how will it benefit our space programme?
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Features of the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA)
Why in the News?
An Extended Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (E-PMSMA) strategy was launched to ensure quality Antenatal Care (ANC) for pregnant women.
The strategy focuses on individual tracking of high-risk pregnancies (HRP) and provision of additionalPMSMA sessions beyond the 9th of every month.
AboutHigh-Risk Pregnancy:
A high-risk pregnancy involves greater risk of health complications for the mother, the foetus, or both, due to pre-existing medical conditions, conditions that develop during pregnancy, or foetal issues.
Common Factors:
Maternal Health Conditions: Pre-existing diabetes, hypertension, HIV, kidney disease, or conditions arising during pregnancy like gestational diabetes and preeclampsia.
Obstetric Factors: Previous caesarean section, history of preterm labor, multiple pregnancies, and congenital malformations.
About Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA)
Details
About
An initiative to provide quality antenatal care (ANC) to all pregnant women.
Launch
October 2016
Target Group
All pregnant women, especially those in their second and third trimesters.
Frequency
Services provided on the 9th of every month at government health facilities.
Objective
Ensure safe motherhood by providing comprehensive and quality antenatal care universally.
Key Functions
General Check-Up: Physical and clinical examinations by medical professionals.
Laboratory Investigations: Routine blood tests, urine tests, and other necessary laboratory investigations.
Ultrasound: Ultrasound examination to monitor foetal growth and development.
Counseling: Nutritional and lifestyle counseling to ensure a healthy pregnancy.
High-Risk Identification: Screening and identification of high-risk pregnancies and appropriate referrals for specialized care.
Key Features
Free of Cost: All services under PMSMA are provided free of cost.
Fixed Day ANC Services: Antenatal care services are provided on a fixed day every month.
Lab Investigations: Basic investigations like Hb, urine albumin, RBS, malaria test, VDRL test, blood grouping, CBC, ESR, and USG.
Public-Private Partnership: Encourages participation of private sector healthcare providers in providing ANC services.
Incentives: Incentives for healthcare providers who participate in the program.
Categorization of Pregnant Women
Green Sticker – for women with no risk factor detected
Red Sticker – for women with high risk pregnancy
BlueSticker – for women with Pregnancy Induced Hypertension
YellowSticker – pregnancy with co-morbid conditions such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, STIs
Benefits
Improved Maternal Health: Regular and comprehensive ANC helps in early detection and management of complications, improving maternal health outcomes.
Reduced Mortality Rates: Timely and quality care reduces maternal and infant mortality rates.
Health Education: Provides health education and counseling to pregnant women, promoting better health practices.
High-Risk Management: Identifies and manages high-risk pregnancies effectively, ensuring specialized care for those who need it.
PYQ:
[2024] With reference to the ‘Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan’, consider the following statements:
1. This scheme guarantees a minimum package of antenatal care services to women in their second and third trimesters of pregnancy and six months post-delivery health care service in any government health facility.
2. Under this scheme, private sector health care providers of certain specialities can volunteer to provide services at nearby government health facilities.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Schemes mentioned in the newscard
Mains level: NA
Why in the News?
For better implementation and efficient monitoring, all schemes implemented by the Ministry for the betterment of children have been consolidated into 3 verticals:
These verticals aim to improve nutrition and health indicators, ensure safety and empowerment of women, and provide protection and welfare for children in difficult circumstances.
The Anganwadi Services Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyaan, and Scheme for Adolescent Girls have been reorganized into three primary sub-verticals:
Nutrition Support: For POSHAN and Adolescent Girls.
Early Childhood Care and Education: Targeting children aged 3-6 years.
Anganwadi Infrastructure: Upgrading and modernizing Saksham Anganwadis.
Key Features:
Fortified rice supplied to Anganwadi Centres to meet micronutrient requirements and control anemia among children.
Emphasis on the use of millets for Hot Cooked Meals at least once a week and Take Home Ration (THR) at Anganwadi centers.
[2] Mission Shakti
Sambal: Focuses on the safety and security of women.
Includes schemes like One Stop Centres (OSC), Women Helpline (181-WHL), and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP).
Samarthya: Aims at the empowerment of women.
Encompasses schemes like Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), Ujjwala, Swadhar Greh (renamed as Shakti Sadan), Working Women Hostel (renamed as Sakhi Niwas), National Hub for Empowerment of Women (NHEW), and National Creche Scheme (renamed as Palna).
[3] Mission Vatsalya
Objective: To provide better outreach and protection for children in need of care in a mission mode.
Goals:
Support and sustain children in difficult circumstances.
Develop context-based solutions for the holistic development of children from varied backgrounds.
Encourage innovative solutions through green field projects.
Facilitate convergent action by gap funding if required.
PYQ:
[2016] Which of the following are the objectives of ‘National Nutrition Mission’?
1. To create awareness relating to malnutrition among pregnant women and lactating mothers.
2. To reduce the incidence of anaemia among young children, adolescent girls and women.
3. To promote the consumption of millets, coarse cereals and unpolished rice.
4. To promote the consumption of poultry eggs.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Vadhavan Port
Why in the News?
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has approved the project proposal for setting up a Major Port at Vadhavan, Palghar District of Maharashtra.
About Vadhavan Port Project
The project involves the development of core infrastructure, terminals, and other commercial infrastructure through a public-private partnership (PPP) mode.
The shareholding for the project is divided between the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (74%) and the Maharashtra Maritime Board (26%).
The project aims to create a total capacity of 298 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA).
The port will accommodate mainline mega vessels operating on international shipping routes connecting the Far East, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and America.
Existing Major Ports in India
India has 12 Major Ports: Chennai, Cochin, Deendayal (Kandla), Jawaharlal Nehru (Nhava Sheva), Kolkata, Mormugao, Mumbai, New Mangalore, Paradip, V.O. Chidambaranar (Tuticorin), Visakhapatnam, and Kamarajar Port Limited.
Private Sector participation is allowed in Major Ports for specific projects/berths/terminals through concession agreements for a specific period via open competitive bidding on revenue share/royalty between the Concessionaire and the Major Port Authority.
After the expiry of the concession period, the asset is handed over to the Port Authority.
Significance of Major Ports
Major ports play a critical role in facilitating international trade and commerce.
They serve as gateways for the import and export of goods, significantly contributing to the country’s economy.
Ports generate substantial revenue for the government through customs duties, port fees, and other related charges.
Ports facilitate international collaboration and partnerships, enhancing diplomatic and trade relations with other countries.
PYQ:
[2016] Recently, which of the following States has explored the possibility of constructing an artificial inland port to be connected to sea by a long navigational channel?
