Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Nuclear treaties and Co-operations; 123 Agreement;
Mains level: Nuclear Cooperation Agreement; Major powers;
Why in the News?
White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan will visit Saudi Arabia to discuss a Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, aiming to foster Israeli-Saudi normalization.
What is a Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement?
- A civil nuclear cooperation agreement, often referred to as a “123 Agreement” after Section 123 of the U.S. Atomic Energy Act of 1954, sets the terms under which the United States can engage in significant nuclear cooperation with other countries.
- This includes the transfer of nuclear materials, technology, and information. Such agreements are designed to ensure that the cooperation is for peaceful purposes and to prevent nuclear proliferation.
- They require the partner country to adhere to nine nonproliferation criteria, including physical security measures, safeguards, and a commitment not to use the technology for nuclear weapons development. Additionally, these agreements must be reviewed and approved by the U.S. Congress.
Why does Saudi Arabia want a US nuclear cooperation agreement?
Saudi Arabia’s interest in a Nuclear Cooperation Agreement with the U.S. is driven by two primary motivations:
- Energy Diversification and its Vision 2030: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 plan aims to diversify the Saudi economy and reduce its reliance on oil.
- Part of this vision includes developing renewable energy sources, and nuclear energy is seen as a key component.
- Strategic Considerations: There is also speculation that Saudi Arabia seeks to develop nuclear expertise as a hedge against Iran’s nuclear capabilities. The Saudi leadership has indicated that if Iran were to develop nuclear weapons, Saudi Arabia might consider doing the same.
- This potential for nuclear proliferation is a concern for arms control advocates and some U.S. lawmakers.
How would the US benefit from such a deal?
- Strategic Gains: The agreement could be a component of a broader effort to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, thereby enhancing regional stability and security. This would bolster U.S. efforts to counter Iranian influence in the Middle East and build a coalition of allies in the region.
- Commercial Opportunities: U.S. nuclear companies could secure lucrative contracts to build and operate nuclear power plants in Saudi Arabia. This would provide a significant boost to the U.S. nuclear industry, which faces competition from Russian and Chinese firms.
- Geopolitical Influence: Strengthening ties with Saudi Arabia would reinforce U.S. influence in the Gulf region at a time when China is seeking to expand its presence. This would help maintain the U.S. strategic foothold in one of the world’s most geopolitically significant areas.
What are some likely hurdles to it?
Several challenges could impede the realization of a U.S.-Saudi nuclear cooperation agreement:
- Gaza Conflict: The ongoing conflict in Gaza, particularly the high Palestinian casualties resulting from Israeli military actions, complicates Saudi willingness to normalize relations with Israel.
- Nonproliferation Concerns: There are substantial concerns about the potential for nuclear proliferation. Ensuring that Saudi Arabia complies with stringent nonproliferation standards and does not pursue nuclear weapons capabilities will be a critical and contentious issue.
- Congressional Approval: Any agreement would need to pass through the U.S. Congress, where it could face opposition from lawmakers worried about proliferation risks and regional security dynamics. Congressional scrutiny could delay or block the agreement.
- Need of high Technical and Operational Details: Negotiating the specifics of nuclear technology transfer, including whether Saudi Arabia would be allowed to enrich uranium on its soil, and ensuring robust safeguards to prevent misuse of nuclear materials, are complex issues that require careful handling.
Way Forward:
- Need for Strict Safeguards: Establish stringent nonproliferation safeguards within the agreement, ensuring that Saudi Arabia adheres to international standards and commits to using nuclear technology solely for peaceful purposes.
- Need Regular Inspections: Implement a robust regime of regular inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to monitor Saudi nuclear facilities and ensure compliance with the agreement.
Mains PYQ:
Q In what ways would the ongoing US-Iran Nuclear Pact Controversy affect the national interest of India? How should India respond to its situation? (15) (UPSC IAS/2018)
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Land and Property rights in India;
Mains level: Judicial Interventions; Judicial Review;
Why in the News?
To protect the rights of village landowners in Haryana, the Supreme Court has permitted a review of a 2022 judgment by Justices Hemant Gupta and V Ramasubramanian that allowed gram panchayats to acquire ‘shamlat deh’ land.
Context:
What is ‘Shamlat deh’?
- It refers to common land in the village, formed by multiple landowners each contributing an equal portion of their holdings to serve the “common purposes” of the village community. It is kept aside for common use in villages, as part of the Punjab Land Revenue Act of 1887.
- Article 31A was inserted by the First Amendment Act of 1951 in the Indian Constitution. It aimed to protect laws related to agrarian reforms and the acquisition of estates.
- According to the Supreme Court (April 2022), such land should be utilized by panchayats only for the needs of villagers. No part of the land can be re-partitioned amongst the proprietors, and such land would not be available for sale.
- A Bench of Justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta reopened the challenge to the 1992 amendment on May 17, 2024, after observing that the 2022 decision disregarded an important and relevant Constitution Bench decision in the case of Bhagat Ram vs State of Punjab (1967).
|
Bhagat Ram: Clarifying the Meaning of Land Acquisition under Article 31A:
- In 1967, a five-judge Bench reviewed a land consolidation scheme for the village of Dolike Sunderpur that reserved lands for common purposes and diverted the income to the panchayat.
- Landowners’ Argument: The scheme violated the second provision of Article 31A, which prevents acquiring land below the ceiling limit without compensation at market value.
- State’s Argument: The reservation for the panchayat was not land acquisition since the income would benefit the village.
- Ajit Singh v State of Punjab (1967): Distinguished land acquisition from modification or extinguishment of land rights.
- SC Decision: The panchayat was effectively acquiring land by reserving its income, making the state the beneficiary. The court ruled that the second provision of Article 31A applied. Punjab argued the acquisition predated the 17th amendment, but the SC noted the scheme’s implementation was stayed, hence possession and control had not been transferred.
Does Shamlat Land Belong to the Landowners or the Panchayat?
- In 2003, the Punjab and Haryana High Court reviewed a challenge to the 1992 amendment to the Punjab Act that vested control of ‘shamlat deh’ land in Haryana with the gram panchayat.
- Petitioners’ Argument: The Landowners however argued that the amendment did not allow panchayats to control the land for common purposes without compensation, violating Article 31A.
- High Court Decision: The court distinguished between land reserved for common purposes under the Consolidation Act (vested with the gram panchayat) and land contributed by proprietors but not reserved under the consolidation scheme (which could not vest with the panchayat without compensation).
- The decision relied on the SC’s Bhagat Ram ruling that acquiring land without compensation violates the second proviso of Article 31A.
SC Allows Review of 2022 Judgment:
- The 2022 Supreme Court decision by Justices Gupta and Ramasubramanian overruled the 2003 High Court decision, finding no need for compensation as Article 31 had been omitted. The court ruled that the panchayat merely managed the land on behalf of landholders and that control was vested in the panchayat upon assignment.
- Karnail Singh Review: Justices Gavai and Mehta reopened the challenge, noting the 2022 decision’s cursory reference to Bhagat Ram without addressing why the High Court’s reliance on it was wrong.
- The court found that ignoring a Constitution Bench decision was a manifest error, justifying a review.
- Recalled the 2022 SC decision: The 2022 decision was recalled, and the challenge to the 2003 High Court decision was set to be reheard, starting on August 7, 2024.
Way Forward:
- Need Comprehensive Judicial Reviews: Conduct detailed reviews of prior relevant judgments to provide clear, well-founded reasoning in court decisions.
- Need Clear Compensation Guidelines: Establish explicit guidelines for compensation in land acquisition cases, particularly those involving common land like ‘shamlat deh’, to protect landowners’ rights.
Mains PYQ:
Q The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 has come into effect from Ist January 2014. What are the key issues which would get addressed with the Act in place? What implications would it have on industrialization and agriculture in India? (UPSC IAS/2014)
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Glaciers;
Mains level: Climate change; Issue of rise in Temperatures;
Why in the News?
Venezuela has likely become the first country to lose all its glaciers, with its last Humboldt glacier melting faster than anticipated. While scientists projected it to last another decade, its rapid melting exceeded expectations.
Background:
- Venezuela was home to six glaciers about 5,000 meters above sea level in the Andes mountains.
- By 2011, five of them had vanished. Scientists expected the Humboldt glacier to last another decade.
What are glaciers?
- Glaciers are large masses of ice that form on land over long periods through the accumulation and compaction of snow. They flow like slow rivers and typically develop in regions with near-freezing temperatures, significant snowfall, and minimal summer melting.
- According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), they usually exist and form in areas where mean annual temperatures reach near the freezing point; winter precipitation leads to significant snow accumulations; and temperatures throughout the remaining year do not cause the complete loss of the previous winter’s snow accumulation.
Why are Glaciers disappearing?
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The burning of fossil fuels since the Industrial Revolution have released large amounts of GHGs like carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere.
- Heat Trapping: The greenhouse gases act as a blanket, trapping heat in the atmosphere. While they allow sunlight to pass through, they prevent the heat from escaping back into space, leading to a rise in global temperatures.
- The global average temperature has increased by at least 1.1 degrees Celsius since 1880 due to the skyrocketing emissions of GHGs in recent decades.
- Consequences of Temperature Rise: The temperature rise has resulted in devastating consequences such as more frequent and intense heatwaves, floods, droughts, and a rise in sea levels.
- Accelerated Melting: Glaciers, like ice cubes exposed to heat, are melting at accelerated rates due to the warmer temperatures caused by global warming.
- Natural Climate Phenomena: Natural climate phenomena like El Nino can exacerbate glacier melting by causing abnormal warming of surface waters, as observed in the case of the Humboldt glacier in Venezuela.
What are the impacts of Glacier Loss?
- Freshwater Source: Glaciers are crucial sources of freshwater, especially during hot and dry periods, providing water for local communities, plants, and animals. Their disappearance would increase dependence on sporadic rainfall for freshwater supply.
- Temperature Regulation: Glacial runoff helps regulate downstream water temperatures, particularly keeping them cooler. This is essential for many aquatic species that require cold water temperatures to survive, impacting the entire ecosystem.
- Ecosystem Impact: Glacier loss directly affects aquatic species, disrupting the food web and potentially leading to declines in biodiversity.
- Contribution to Sea Level Rise: Melting glaciers contribute to rising sea levels, although smaller glaciers like Venezuela’s Humboldt glacier may not substantially impact sea levels.
- Cultural Impact: The loss of glaciers has significant cultural implications, particularly for communities where glaciers are part of their cultural identity. Activities such as mountaineering and tourism, which rely on glaciers, would be affected.
- Tourism and Recreation: Glaciers are often major tourist attractions, drawing visitors for activities like mountaineering and sightseeing. The disappearance of glaciers would impact tourism and recreational activities in affected regions.
Way Forward:
- International Cooperation: Foster collaboration among countries to tackle climate change on a global scale. Support international agreements such as the Paris Agreement, aimed at limiting global warming and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Protect and Preserve Glacier Areas: Establish and enforce conservation measures to protect glacier regions from further degradation. This can involve creating protected areas, implementing zoning regulations, and promoting sustainable tourism practices.
Mains PYQ:
Q Bring out the relationship between the shrinking Himalayan glaciers and the symptoms of climate change in the Indian sub-continent. (UPSC IAS/2014)
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: What is the dependency ratio?
Mains level: What are the opportunities for India?
Why in the News?
In a recent statement, the Finance Minister highlighted the pressing need for sophistication in India’s manufacturing sector to drive economic growth and competitiveness.
- The sophisticated manufacturing sector provides a conducive environment to enhance the efficiency of producing goods and services.
What is the current state of Indian Manufacturing?
- India’s manufacturing sector’s Gross Value Added (GVA) as a percentage of GDP has shown an upward trend (since 2014), currently hovering around 18%. There is a consensus that to compete on a global scale, Indian manufacturing needs to evolve and embrace sophistication in its processes, technologies, and products.
- India’s Dependency Ratio: The dependency ratio is a measure that compares the number of dependents (people who are either too young or too old to work) to the working-age population.
- According to the Economic Survey 2018-19, India’s Demographic Dividend will peak around 2041, when the share of working-age,i.e. 20-59 years, population is expected to hit 59%.
Importance of Sophistication in Manufacturing:
- Leveraging the Demographic Dividend: India’s young population and low dependency ratio offer a significant advantage in terms of labor force and consumption. To capitalize on this demographic dividend, there is a strong focus on ramping up skills in the Indian workforce through initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY).
- Enhancing Productivity and Quality: Embracing sophistication is crucial for enhancing productivity, quality, and competitiveness in the global market. By investing in technology, automation, and research and development, manufacturers can improve efficiency and deliver high-quality products.
- Increasing Share in Global Value Chains: To increase India’s share in global manufacturing and value chains, the government is considering providing policy support. This will help reduce dependence on imports and make India more Self-reliant (Atmanirbhar).
- Attracting Investments: Sophistication in manufacturing can attract significant investments from global companies looking to reduce their dependence on China. According to a Capgemini Research Institute report, 65% of senior executives in the U.S. and Europe plan to increase manufacturing investments significantly in India.
- Unlocking Opportunities in Specific Sectors: Sophistication in manufacturing can help unlock opportunities in sectors such as food spending, financial services, and consumer markets. By 2031, India’s consumer market is projected to double, presenting a $2.9 trillion opportunity.
What are the Challenges hindering the growth of the Sophisticated Manufacturing sector?
- Inadequate infrastructure: Lack of reliable power supply, poor connectivity, and limited access to advanced technologies. Difficulty in obtaining credit, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), to invest in technology upgradation.
- Skill gaps: Shortage of skilled workers trained in modern manufacturing techniques and technologies
- Weak Intellectual Property Rights: Insufficient protection of patents, trademarks, and copyrights, discouraging innovation
- Regulatory hurdles: Complex bureaucratic processes, lack of clarity in policies, and inconsistent implementation
Government Initiatives and Support
- Make in India Initiative: Launched in 2014, the program aims to transform India into a global manufacturing hub by facilitating investment, fostering innovation, building best-in-class infrastructure, and making doing business easier. It focuses on 25 sectors, including automobiles, aviation, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.
- National Manufacturing Policy: Introduced in 2011, it aims to increase the share of manufacturing in GDP to 25% and create 100 million jobs by 2022. It focuses on enhancing skill development, promoting innovation, and creating a favorable business environment.
- Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme: It provides financial incentives to boost domestic manufacturing and attract investments in key sectors such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, and telecom. It has helped reduce import dependence and increase exports in sectors like telecom and mobile manufacturing
Way Forward:
- Role of Financial Institutions: By providing access to capital, facilitating technology adoption, and offering financial expertise, they can empower manufacturers to invest in sophistication and drive growth.
- Enhanced Strategies: Manufacturers need to prioritize investments in technology, automation, research and development, and skill development to enhance sophistication. Collaborating with financial institutions for tailored financial solutions can help accelerate this transformation.
- Competitive Outlook: As Indian manufacturing embraces sophistication, it is poised to unlock new opportunities, improve competitiveness, and contribute significantly to the country’s economic growth. By aligning with the Finance Minister’s vision, the sector can chart a path towards sustainable success in the global market.
Conclusion: The Finance Minister’s call for sophistication in Indian manufacturing underscores the need for a strategic shift towards innovation, efficiency, and quality. With concerted efforts from stakeholders, including the government, financial institutions, and manufacturers, India can elevate its manufacturing sector to new heights of success and competitiveness.
Mains PYQ:
Q Demographic Dividend in India will remain only theoretical unless our manpower becomes more educated, aware, skilled and creative.” What measures have been taken by the government to enhance the capacity of our population to be more productive and employable? (UPSC IAS/2016)
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NSG group and NPT
Mains level: Why did India choose to conduct nuclear tests?
Why in the News?
In the year 2024, India’s Pokhran-I have completed 50 years of its tests. The present variation in adopting Nuclear policies (especially Russia and China) around the world, reminds us of the historic Pokhran tests of 1974 by the Indian Government that were held amid secrecy.
Background:
- Post-World War II, new global alliances and alignments emerged amidst the Cold War between the US and USSR.
- The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) signed in 1968, aimed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. It defined nuclear-weapon states and non-nuclear states, but India objected to its discriminatory nature towards non-nuclear states.
- India refused to sign the NPT due to its failure to address India’s concerns about the discriminatory nature of the treaty, particularly regarding non-nuclear states’ obligations.
Why did India choose to conduct Nuclear Tests?
- India viewed the NPT as discriminatory towards non-nuclear states like itself, leading to its decision to conduct nuclear tests independently.
- Indian scientists, notably Homi J Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai, laid the groundwork for nuclear energy in India. The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) was established in 1954.
- Changes in leadership post-1960s, coupled with conflicts with China and Pakistan, influenced India’s decision to pursue nuclear capabilities. China’s nuclear tests in 1964 also played a role.
How did Pokhran-I happen?
- In Secrecy and Uncertainty: India conducted the nuclear test at Pokhran in 1974 without prior announcement, even amidst internal uncertainty among key decision-makers.
- Operation Smiling Buddha (MEA designation: Pokhran-I) was the code name of India’s first successful nuclear weapon test on 18 May 1974.
- The test demonstrated India’s nuclear capabilities and its ability to defend itself, though India chose not to weaponize immediately. The choice of Buddha Jayanti for the test date carried symbolic significance.
- By Autonomous Approval: Despite opposition from some advisers, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi gave the go-ahead for the test, signaling India’s resolve.
What was the impact of the Pokhran-I Test?
- Global Criticism: India faced criticism and sanctions from various countries, including the US, following the tests. The US enacted the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act in 1978, halting nuclear assistance to India.
- Despite international criticism, India asserted itself as a nuclear-capable nation, paving the way for future developments like Pokhran-II in 1998.
- Diplomatic Goals: India sought acceptance as a responsible nuclear power and aimed to join international groups like the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), facing resistance from some countries, notably China.
- India’s nuclear tests marked a significant milestone in its defense and foreign policy, shaping its stance on nuclear issues and its position in global nuclear politics.
Way forward for being in the NSG group:
Engage in Diplomatic Outreach:
- Strengthen bilateral relations with NSG member countries.
- Engage in diplomatic dialogue to address concerns and build consensus on India’s membership.
Demonstrate Commitment to Nonproliferation:
- Continue adhering to nonproliferation norms and standards.
- Showcase India’s responsible nuclear behaviour and track record in nuclear security.
Mains PYQ
Q With growing energy needs should India keep on expanding its nuclear energy programme? Discuss the facts and fears associated with nuclear energy. (250 Words, 15 Marks) (UPSC IAS/2018)
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Trends in wheat and Rice production
Mains level: National food security;
Why in the News?
The recent drop in agricultural production due to El-Nino has highlighted once more the critical role Punjab and Haryana play in ensuring India’s food security.
Role of Punjab and Haryana for the Food Security of India:
- Punjab and Haryana are crucial in years with bad monsoons or climate shocks.
- The average per hectare wheat and paddy yields in these states are 4.8 tonnes and 6.5 tonnes, respectively, significantly higher than the all-India averages of 3.5 tonnes and 4.1 tonnes.
|
Wheat Production:
- Traditional procurement: Until the mid-2000s, Punjab and Haryana supplied over 90% of the wheat for India’s public distribution system (PDS) and other government programs.
- Impact of the Green Revolution: The spread of high-yielding varieties to other states and the establishment of infrastructure for buying grain at minimum support prices (MSP) reduced Punjab and Haryana’s share to around 65% by the early 2010s.
- In 2019-20 and 2020-21, total wheat procurement reached record levels (39-43.3 million tons), with Punjab and Haryana’s share falling to just over 50%. Madhya Pradesh became the top wheat procurer in 2019-20, surpassing Punjab.
- Climate Shocks: The last three years have seen production setbacks due to climate shocks, including: An unseasonal temperature surge in March 2022. Heavy rain in March 2023 during the grain formation stage.
Recent Climate Impact:
In 2023-24, unusually warm temperatures in November-December impacted wheat yields, especially in central India. The delayed winter, attributed to El Nino, led to premature flowering and shortened the vegetative growth phase.
Regional Impact:
- Madhya Pradesh’s wheat procurement dropped significantly from 12.8-12.9 million tons in 2019-20 and 2020-21 to about 4.6 million tons.
- Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan also saw significant declines from their 2020-21 highs.
- Punjab and Haryana have been less affected due to longer winters and later sowing (early to mid-November).
- Uttar Pradesh and Bihar reported good production due to near-normal March temperatures, but much of their produce was sold to private traders at prices above the MSP.
|
Rice production in the states:
- Traditional Procurement: Government rice procurement was historically concentrated in Punjab, Haryana, and the Godavari-Krishna and Kaveri delta regions of Andhra Pradesh (AP) and Tamil Nadu (TN).
- Diversification: There has been a diversification in rice procurement, with new states like Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh (UP) becoming significant contributors to the Central pool.
- Change in Procurement Shares: The combined share of Punjab and Haryana in total rice procurement decreased from 43-44% in the early 2000s to an average of 28.8% in the four years ending 2022-23. In the current crop year, this share has risen to around 32.9%, with some procurements still pending in Telangana, AP, and TN.
Impact of Irrigation:
- Farmers in Punjab and Haryana, with assured access to irrigation, did not suffer production losses from last year’s patchy monsoon attributed to El Niño.
- In contrast, states like Telangana saw reduced rabi paddy planting and struggled with irrigation due to depleted groundwater levels.
Policy implications
- NFSA Entitlements: Under the NFSA, about 813.5 million people are entitled to receive 5 kg of wheat or rice per month through the Public Distribution System (PDS) at highly subsidized prices.
- Current Government Policy: Since January 2023, the current government has been providing this grain to all NFSA beneficiaries free of cost.
Way Forward:
- Adoption of Climate-Resilient Varieties: Develop and promote high-yield, climate-resilient wheat varieties that are tolerant to heat, drought, and diseases.
- Efficient Irrigation Systems: Invest in modern irrigation systems such as drip and sprinkler irrigation to ensure efficient water use.
- Invest in Agricultural Research: Increase funding for agricultural research institutions to develop new wheat varieties and innovative farming techniques.
Mains PYQ:
Q Why did the Green Revolution in India virtually by-pass the eastern region despite fertile soil and good availability of water? (UPSC IAS/2014)
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Political Parties and their registration/de-registration in India;
Mains level: Issues related to Political Parties;
Why in the News?
The ECI urges star campaigners to uphold societal harmony, sparking debate on its efficacy in curbing MCC violations and enforcing norms.
Criteria for Registration of Political Parties:
- Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (RP Act) outlines the criteria for registering a political party with the Election Commission of India (ECI).
- Any party seeking registration must submit a copy of its memorandum or constitution. This document must declare that the party will faithfully adhere to the Constitution of India.
- Additionally, it must commit to the principles of socialism, secularism, and democracy, and uphold the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India.
How are political parties registered in India?
- A political party recognized as a ‘National’ or ‘state’ party under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968 (Symbols Order) by the Election Commission of India (ECI) is referred to as a Recognized Political Party (RPP).
- Recognition as a ‘National’ or ‘state’ political party is contingent upon meeting specific criteria, such as winning a requisite number of seats or obtaining a required percentage of votes in a general election to the Lok Sabha or State Assembly.
- Currently, there are 6 National political parties and 61 state political parties that have been granted recognition. Recognized parties benefit from additional privileges, including the reservation of a symbol during elections and the designation of forty ‘star campaigners’.
- Registered political parties enjoy the following legal benefits:
- Tax exemption for donations received under Section 13A of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
- Common symbol for contesting general elections to the Lok Sabha/State Assemblies
- Twenty ‘star campaigners’ during the election campaign. As per the ECI, there are 2,790 active registered political parties in India.
What are the issues related Criteria for Deregistration?
- Misuse of Privileges: Non-contesting RUPPs raise concerns about potential misuse of benefits like income tax exemption and donations for purposes such as money laundering.
- Absence of De-registration Powers: The Representation of the People Act (RP Act) does not explicitly empower the Election Commission of India (ECI) to de-register political parties for failure to contest elections, conduct inner-party elections, or submit required returns.
- Legal Limitations: The Supreme Court ruling in “Indian National Congress versus Institute of Social Welfare & Ors (2002)” affirmed that the ECI lacks the authority to de-register political parties under the RP Act, except under extraordinary circumstances such as fraudulent registration or cessation of allegiance to the Constitution.
- Violations of Model Code of Conduct (MCC): Recognised political parties have been found guilty of breaching the MCC, which prohibits the exploitation of caste and communal sentiments for electoral gain, as well as voter bribery and intimidation.
|
What needs to be done? (Way Forward)
- The Election Commission of India (ECI) has proposed amendments to the law in its 2016 memorandum for electoral reforms, aiming to grant the ECI the authority to deregister political parties.
- The Law Commission’s 255th report on ‘Electoral reforms’ in 2015 also advocated for amendments allowing the de-registration of a political party if it abstains from contesting elections for 10 consecutive years. These recommendations should be put into effect.
- Paragraph 16A of the Symbols order grants the ECI the power to suspend or revoke the recognition of a recognized political party if it fails to adhere to the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) or comply with lawful directives from the Commission.
- Although this provision has been utilized only once, as seen in the temporary suspension of the National People’s Party’s recognition in 2015 for non-compliance with ECI directives, stricter enforcement of this measure would foster adherence to the MCC.
Mains PYQ:
Q Discuss the role of the Election Commission of India in the light of the evolution of the Model Code of Conduct.(UPSC IAS/2022)
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Hysterectomy Among Women;
Mains level: Health and disease Issues; Hysterectomy Among Women;
Why in the News?
According to the recent report published in Women’s Reproductive Health under the title ‘Reported Reasons for Undergoing Hysterectomy Among Women Aged 45 Years and Above‘, it was seen that data is lacking on women’s health conditions; thus the true magnitude is never known, impeding funding and escaping the attention of policymakers.
What is Hysterectomy?
- A hysterectomy is surgery to remove the uterus. After a hysterectomy, you will not menstruate (have periods) or be able to get pregnant.
- Uterus removal is a common treatment for a variety of conditions that affect a woman’s reproductive organs.
Key highlights of the Report:
Reasons for Undertaking Hysterectomy:
- Medical Conditions: Common medical reasons such as fibroids, excessive bleeding, prolapse, endometriosis, and cancer.
- Socioeconomic Factors: Influence of sociodemographic factors like age, education, income, and access to healthcare services.
- Cultural and Regional Differences: Variations in hysterectomy rates and reasons across different regions and cultural contexts within India.
Frequency of Hysterectomy:
- Global Context: Hysterectomy is one of the most frequently performed surgeries among women worldwide.
- Prevalence in India: The countrywide hysterectomy prevalence rate is 11.5%. The highest prevalence is reported in the southern (18.2%) and western (12.7%) regions of India.
- According to the NFHS-5 (2019-2021), 3.3% of women aged 15–49 underwent hysterectomy, a slight increase from 3.2% in NFHS-4. Alarmingly, 50% of women who underwent hysterectomy did so before the age of 35.
- Regional Variations: Andhra Pradesh has the highest prevalence rate at 63 per 1,000 women, followed by Telangana (55 per 1,000), Karnataka (29 per 1,000), and Punjab (23 per 1,000).
- Sociodemographic Factors: Higher risk of hysterectomy among women from the OBC category, the richest wealth quintile, those with lower education levels, those who married at a younger age, and those with three or more children.
|
Most Cited Reasons for Hysterectomy:
-
-
- Heavy Menstrual Bleeding or Pain: Cited by 32.1% of women as the reason for undergoing hysterectomy.
- Fibroids or Cysts: Cited by 24.2% of women as the reason for the surgery.
- Uterine Prolapse: Cited by 16.3% of women.
- Less Frequently Reported Reasons:
-
-
- Cancer: Among the least reported reasons for undergoing a hysterectomy.
- Severe Post-Partum Hemorrhage is also among the least reported reasons.
- Sociodemographic Factors:
-
- Higher risk of undergoing hysterectomy among women from the OBC category, the richest wealth quintile, those with lower education levels, those who married at a younger age, and those with three or more children.
What are the Ministerial guidelines?
- Hysterectomy is a major surgery with a long recovery time and should be considered only after less invasive treatments have been tried.
- The government emphasizes on attempting nonsurgical alternatives in elective cases before opting for a hysterectomy.
Way Forward:
- Healthcare Providers: Train healthcare providers about the potential overuse of hysterectomy and emphasize the importance of considering nonsurgical alternatives.
- Public Awareness: Launch awareness campaigns to educate women about gynecological health, the implications of hysterectomy, and available alternatives.
Mains PYQ:
Q Public health system has limitation in providing universal health coverage. Do you think that private sector can help in bridging the gap? What other viable alternatives do you suggest? (UPSC IAS/2015)
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Climate Change; Heat Waves;
Mains level: Impacts of Climate change;
Why in the News?
According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), heatwave conditions are affecting either the smaller regions or the larger geographical areas in India at every 26 days of the month.
What are the Heat Waves?
- The “World Meteorological Organization” defines a heat wave as five or more consecutive days during which the daily maximum temperature exceeds the average maximum temperature by five degrees Celsius.
- If the maximum temperature of any place continues to be more than 45 Degree Celsius consecutively for two days, it is called a heat wave condition.
Heatwaves in India:
- Regional Observations: A place with a normal temperature of 40°C in summer is not experiencing a heatwave at 42-43°C, but another location with a normal temperature of 27-28°C is in a heatwave at 35°C.
- Heatwaves are common in northern, central, and eastern India during summer. Heatwaves are becoming more frequent, intense, and prolonged due to climate change.
- In February 2023 (winter month for India), several regions experienced heatwaves with maximum temperatures 5 to 11 degrees higher than normal. (with a mean temperature 1.36°C higher than normal)
- Predictions and Records: The outlook for heatwaves this year is grim, with predictions of prolonged heatwaves lasting 10 to 20 days in some areas, compared to the usual 4 to 8 days.
- In April 2023, Odisha experienced an 18-day heatwave, the second-longest in the state’s history.
- Gangetic West Bengal recorded the highest number of heatwave days in any month over the last 15 years. Eastern India recorded its warmest April ever.
- Upcoming Heatwave: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted a fresh spell of heatwaves starting over northwest India.
|
Impact of Heatwaves:
- Impact on Resource Availability:
- Water Resources: It exacerbates water scarcity by drying up of water bodies, reducing water availability for agriculture and domestic use, and increasing competition for resources. This can lead to conflicts over water, affect irrigation practices, and impact water-dependent industries.
- Energy Resources: It increases electricity demand for cooling purposes, leading to strain on power grids and potential blackouts. This can disrupt economic activities, affect productivity, and impact vulnerable populations.
- Impact on Health:
- Prolonged exposure to heat can lead to Dehydration and Cardiovascular and Respiratory diseases.
- Rapid rises in heat gain can compromise the body’s ability to regulate temperature and can result in a cascade of illnesses, including heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and hyperthermia.
- Health Ministry reported 264 heat-related deaths in the first six months of 2023. NCRB reported 730 heat-related deaths in the same year.
However, data collected and maintained by IMD and NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority) showed a sharp decline in heat-related deaths ever since state governments and district administrations began implementing heat action plans.
Mitigation of Heatwaves:
- Need to establish an Early Warning System: The Inter-Agency Coordination needs to alert residents on predicted high and extreme temperatures. Who will do what, when, and how is made clear to individuals and units of key departments, especially for health.
- Increase Public Awareness and Community Outreach: Disseminating public awareness messages on how to protect against the extreme heat – wave through social media and advertisements. Additionally, the government needs to aware the general public through Television programs the Do’s and Dont’s for heat-related illnesses.
Conclusion: Need to improve collaboration with Non-governmental organizations and Civil society organizations to improve public spaces wherever necessary, improve water delivery systems in public areas, and other innovative measures to tackle heatwave conditions.
Mains PYQ:
Q ‘Climate change’ is a global problem. How India will be affected by climate change? How Himalayan and coastal states of India will be affected by climate change? (UPSC IAS/2017)
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Migration Pattern;
Mains level: Internal security issues; Changing Migration Pattern in India;
Why in the News?
The report by the Geneva-based Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) termed it the highest number of displacements in India triggered due to the conflict and violence in India since 2018.
Key highlights on Internal Displacement in India (2009-2023):
- The above image shows the Internally Displaced People (IDP) currently living in India.
- This term focuses on the individuals who have been displaced till the end of every year. At the end of 2023, there were 0.61 million such persons in India.
- Globally, India was among the top five countries with the highest number of new internal displacements in 2022 due to disasters, with 2.5 million displacements.
- Causes:
- Natural: In 2023, India experienced over half a million internal displacements due to floods, storms, earthquakes, and other disasters.
- Artificial: Over the past five years (2009-2023), the number of internally displaced people resulting from regional conflict and land disputes has increased by 22.6 million, with the two biggest increases in 2022 and 2023.
- Over 1/3rd of the displacements took place within Manipur, with almost a fifth moving to the neighboring state of Mizoram and smaller numbers to Nagaland and Assam.
Regional Scenario (2009-2023):
- In 2023, conflict and violence triggered 69,000 displacements in South Asia, with Manipur violence alone accounting for 67,000, the highest number since 2018.
- The violence erupted after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organized in Manipur’s hill districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
- This led to ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities even in bordering areas of Myanmar and Bangladesh.
Global Scenario (2009-2023):
- The number of IDPs has grown by 50% in the last five years. The report said that 68.3 million people worldwide were displaced by conflict and violence as of 2023.
- By the end of 2022, at least 8.7 million people in 88 countries and territories were internally displaced by disasters, with India being one of them.
- Conflicts in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Palestine accounted for nearly two-thirds of new conflict movements in 2023
- 3.4 million new movements in the Gaza Strip in the last quarter of 2023, leaving 1.7 million internally displaced by the end of the year.
Way Forward:
- Dialogue and Mediation: Facilitate dialogue between conflicting communities, such as the Meitei and Kuki, to address underlying issues like land disputes.
- Legal Framework: Strengthen legal frameworks to protect minority rights and address grievances that may lead to violence.
- Peacebuilding Initiatives: Implement peacebuilding programs that promote social cohesion and understanding among different ethnic and community groups.
Mains PYQ:
Q How far are India’s internal security challenges linked with border management particularly in view of the long porous borders with most countries of South Asia and Myanmar? (UPSC IAS/2013)
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Local Governance; Delhi Pollution;
Mains level: Delhi Pollution and Local Governance; Solid Waste Management;
Why in the News?
On May 13, the Supreme Court stated that addressing the “horrible” issue of 3,800 metric tonnes of untreated Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) accumulating daily in the national capital requires moving beyond party politics.
What is the status of Delhi’s SWM system?
- Population Growth and Waste Generation:
- According to the 2011 Census Data, New Delhi’s population was approximately 1.7 crore. However, this Population is expected to increase to around 2.32 crore.
- This increase will lead to a significant rise in waste generation, estimated at approximately 13,000 tonnes per day (TPD), which equates to roughly 1,400 truckloads daily.
- Presently, this daily waste generation accumulates to about 42 lakh tonnes per annum. The population is anticipated to reach 2.85 crore by 2031 due to which the waste generation could increase to 17,000 TPD.
- Waste Collection: Around 90% of the waste generated in the city is collected by three municipal corporations:
- Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD)
- Delhi Cantonment Board
- New Delhi Municipal Corporation
- Waste Composition is of major types – Biodegradable Wet Waste (50-55%), Non-Biodegradable Dry Waste (around 35%), and Inert Waste (10% that does not decompose). The total collective capacity of these facilities is about 9,200 tonnes per day (TPD).
|
Issue of Unprocessed Waste Disposal:
- The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is disposing of 3,800 TPD of unprocessed waste in landfills.
- Designated Landfills (Gazipur, Bhalswa, and Okhla) are filled with unprocessed wet and dry waste, leading to significant environmental issues such as methane gas emissions, leachate production, and landfill fires.
- The landfills have accumulated a total of 2.58 crore tonnes of legacy waste, covering 200 acres of land.
What are the challenges faced by MCD?
- Lack of Waste Segregation at Source: Many households and commercial establishments do not segregate waste. Unprocessed mixed waste enters landfills as a result.
- Land Availability for Waste Processing Plants: Waste processing plants require large land parcels (30-40 acres each). Securing such large tracts of land is challenging in Delhi.
- Public Awareness and Practices: There is a lack of public awareness regarding proper waste management practices. This leads to littering and improper disposal habits. MCD’s focus shifts to clearing open points rather than processing wet waste.
- Inadequate Waste Collection Services: Some areas suffer from irregular waste collection services. This contributes to waste buildup and increased littering.
- Illegal Dumping: Waste is often illegally dumped in open areas and water bodies. This increases the pressure on the MCD and requires additional resources for cleanup.
What efforts need to be made by MCD?
- Need for a Decentralized Approach: Given the challenges of identifying large land parcels, Delhi will need to partner with its neighboring States to set up a few of these composting plants.
- Additionally, the market for organic compost produced from wet waste lies in the neighboring States of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
- Need to work on Biodegradable Wet Waste: The design capacity for wet waste processing should be 9,000 TPD. This would require at least 18 composting or biogas plants (assuming each plant has a capacity of 500 TPD).
- Significant efforts will be needed to identify land, establish composting facilities, and ensure their proper operation to prevent biodegradable waste from reaching landfills.
- Need to work on Non-Biodegradable Dry Waste: Approximately 2% of dry waste is recyclable and should be sent to recycling facilities. The remaining 33% of non-recyclable dry waste (plastics, paper, textile waste) can be used as RDF for power generation in waste-to-energy projects.
- Coordination Among Stakeholders: Improved coordination between various Municipal Corporations to streamline waste collection and segregation processes by collaborating with private companies and non-governmental organizations is needed to enhance waste segregation and processing efforts.
Conclusion: Already, Biomining Initiative was launched in 2019 by the MCD to reduce the amount of waste. The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted these efforts. Originally planned for completion by 2024, now expected to take an additional two to three years.
Mains PYQ:
Q What are the impediments in disposing the huge quantities of discarded solid wastes which are continuously being generated? How do we remove safely the toxic wastes that have been accumulating in our habitable environment? (UPSC IAS/2018)
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Emerging Technologies
Mains level: e-Governance; AI; Regulatory sandboxes;
Why in the News?
Regulatory sandboxes are now widely used in many countries because they allow new ideas to be tested in a controlled and supervised environment.
What are Regulatory Sandboxes?
- A regulatory sandbox is a tool allowing businesses to explore and experiment with new and innovative products, services, or businesses under a regulator’s supervision. They are introduced in highly regulated Finance and Energy industries.
- This is also related to specific spheres or regulations, such as AI or GDPR, to promote responsible innovation/and or competition, address regulatory barriers to innovation, and advance regulatory learning.
Regulatory Sandboxes in the World:
- According to a World Bank study, more than 50 countries are currently experimenting with fintech sandboxes.
- Japan: Japan introduced in 2018 a sandbox regime open to organizations and companies including blockchain, AI, and the Internet of Things (IoT), as well as in fields such as financial services, healthcare, and transportation.
- UK: A sandbox has been set up to explore new technologies such as voice biometrics and facial recognition technology, and the related data protection issues.
Significance of Regulatory Sandboxes:
- Provides Empirical Evidence: Regulators can acquire a better understanding of innovative products, which allows them to develop adequate rule-making, supervision, and enforcement policies.
- For example, in the banking industry, the sandbox may result in amending the rules on identity verification without a face-to-face meeting in certain circumstances.
- Controlled Environment: Regulatory sandboxes help innovators to develop a better understanding of supervisory expectations. Moreover, for innovators, testing in a controlled environment also mitigates the risks and unintended consequences when bringing a new technology to market, and can potentially reduce the time-to-market cycle for new products.
- Provides high Insights: It promotes higher insights on technical experiments by closely monitoring and evaluating the performance of emerging technologies, and generating valuable empirical evidence.
- Promotes Collaboration: Regulatory sandboxes foster collaboration between innovators and regulators. This partnership helps ensure that the development of new technologies aligns with regulatory standards and public interests.
- Benefits to the end consumer: Consumers benefit from the introduction of new and potentially safer products, as regulatory sandboxes foster innovation and consumer choice in the long run.
- Regulatory sandboxes can enhance access to funding for businesses by reducing information imbalances and regulatory costs.
Need to find a Middle path:
- Balancing Regulation and Innovation: Regulatory sandboxes allow for a balanced approach, where innovation is encouraged without completely foregoing necessary regulatory oversight. This balance is crucial to prevent stifling innovation while ensuring safety towards data security and compliance.
- Risk Mitigation and Ethical Development: The features where regulatory sandboxes encourage responsible innovation by mandating risk assessments and implementing safeguards need to be used efficiently.
What approach does India need to keep?
- Multifaceted Approach: India’s strategy should encompass economic ambitions, ethical considerations, job creation, industrial transformation, and societal welfare. This holistic approach ensures that AI development aligns with the country’s broader goals.
- Regulatory Sandbox as a Preparatory Step: Rather than immediately imposing stringent regulations, India should use regulatory sandboxes as a preparatory measure. This allows for the testing of AI applications in a controlled environment, generating insights that inform future regulatory frameworks.
- Adaptable and Progressive Legislation: India’s AI regulations should be flexible and adaptable, capable of evolving with technological advancements. This can be achieved by initially using sandboxes to test and refine regulatory approaches before formalizing them.
- Ethical and Cultural Alignment: AI development in India should align with the country’s cultural and ethical values. This ensures that AI technologies are deployed responsibly and ethically, respecting societal norms and expectations.
Conclusion: The EU has come up with an AI Act, the U.S. has released a white paper on the AI Bill of Rights, and the U.K. has a national AI Strategy. China is trying to regulate various aspects of AI like generative AI while Singapore is following an innovation-friendly approach. Therefore, in a Global Competitive race, we too need some regulations to harness AI’s vast potential.
Mains PYQ:
Q The emergence of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Digital Revolution) hasinitiated e-Governance as an integral part of government”. Discuss.(UPSC IAS/2020)
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: IMF; Debt-to-GDP ratio;
Mains level: International Market and Economy; Fiscal Issues;
Why in the News?
SRI Lanka’s Cabinet has approved a new economic law to stabilize its debt-to-GDP ratio that will cover key targets set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
- The debt-to-GDP ratio measures the proportion of a country’s national debt to its gross domestic product.
- According to the World Bank, the countries whose debt-to-GDP ratios exceed 77% for prolonged periods experience significant slowdowns in economic growth.
What are the IMF Targets?
-
- The IMF has various targets and initiatives aimed at achieving sustainable economic growth and prosperity for its member countries.
- It includes promoting financial stability, monetary cooperation, and transparency in economic policies to enhance productivity, job creation, and economic well-being.
-
-
- India has not taken any financial assistance from the IMF since 1993.
- India’s current quota in the IMF is SDR (Special Drawing Rights) 5,821.5 million, making it the 13th largest quota-holding country at IMF and giving it shareholdings of 2.44%.
-
- The IMF targets Sri Lanka to reduce its debt to gross domestic product (GDP) ratio to 95% by 2030.
- Another target set by the IMF is to reduce debt servicing costs to 4.5% of GDP. It means Sri Lanka needs to focus on managing the costs associated with servicing it’s debt obligations, aiming to make it more sustainable and manageable in the long term.
How will the debt-to-GDP ratio be reduced?
- Fiscal Discipline: Sri Lanka may need to implement measures to improve fiscal discipline, such as reducing government Expenditure, increasing Tax revenue, and narrowing Budget Deficits.
- Debt Restructuring: Sri Lanka can explore negotiating with creditors to extend debt maturities, reduce interest rates, or reprofile debt payments.
- Revenue Enhancement: The government could focus on enhancing revenue generation through tax reforms, improved tax administration, and efforts to broaden the tax base.
- Economic Growth: Promoting economic growth is essential for reducing the debt-to-GDP ratio over the long term. Sri Lanka could implement policies to stimulate investment, boost productivity, and enhance competitiveness, leading to higher GDP growth rates and a more sustainable debt trajectory.
What does India do presently to reduce its debt-to-GDP ratio?
- Targeted Reduction: According to a research paper by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the government aims to lower the general government debt-GDP ratio to 73.4% by 2030-31. This target is approximately 5% points lower than the trajectory projected by the IMF, indicating ambitious yet achievable goals.
- Promotes Fiscal Space: The Indian Central Bank – RBI emphasized reducing debt burdens to free up fiscal space for new investments, particularly in critical areas like the green transition. This suggests a strategic focus on investing in sustainable and environmentally friendly initiatives.
- Aligning with IMF: The IMF projects a positive trend in India’s debt reduction efforts, forecasting a decline in government debt from 81% of GDP in 2022 to 80.5% in 2028. This indicates that India’s debt reduction measures are consistent with international expectations and standards.
Conclusion: Focus on enhancing revenue generation through Comprehensive Tax reforms, improved tax compliance, and efforts to broaden the tax base is needed. Secondly, rationalizing Tax revenues can provide additional resources to finance government expenditures without relying heavily on borrowing, thus reducing the debt-to-GDP ratio.
Mains PYQ:
Q The World Bank and the IMF, collectively known as the Bretton Woods Institutions, are the two inter-governmental pillars supporting the structure of the world’s economic and financial order. Superficially, the World Bank and the IMF exhibit many common characteristics, yet their role, functions and mandates are distinctly different. Elucidate. (UPSC IAS/2013)
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: About NHRC;
Mains level: Human Rights; NHRC; Paris Principles;
Why in the News?
The National Human Rights Commission of India (NHRC) was formally informed late last week that the deferral of its status would continue for a year more.
- The deferral was put in place by the Sub-committee on Accreditation (SCA) of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) for a year, in 2023.
About the National Human Rights Commission of India (NHRC)
-
- The NHRC is a statutory body established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, of 1993.
- It is mandated to promote and protect Human Rights in India, investigate complaints of human rights violations, and take serious cognizance of human rights issues.
- The NHRC plays a crucial role in ensuring accountability and justice for victims of Human Rights abuses.
- It’s Deferral status:
-
- The deferral of NHRC’s status means that its accreditation is temporarily postponed, pending improvements in its compliance with the Paris Principles.
- The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) accredits National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) based on compliance with the Paris Principles, a set of international standards for NHRIs.
About Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI):
- The GANHRI is an international network that brings together National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) from around the world.
- It was established in 1993 as the International Coordinating Committee (ICC) of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights.
- In 2009, it was renamed GANHRI to better reflect its global scope and mission.
|
How Indian NHRC is drifting away from the Paris Principles?
- Ideological Conflict: The mention of the ‘Manusmriti’ in the NHRC document sparked outrage among historically disadvantaged communities, who view it as a source of discrimination and violence they have endured during ancient times.
- The foundational values of ‘Equality’ in the Indian Constitution and Paris Principles conflict with Manusmriti’s ‘caste-division’ principles.
- In early 2017 also the NHRC was placed in the deferral category by the GANHRI, which was later lifted after a review.
- Significance of ‘A’ Status: NHRC had emphasized the significance of ‘A’ status accreditation in its public note on a previous occasion.
- ‘A’ status grants participation in the work and mechanisms of GANHRI, the Human Rights Council, and other UN mechanisms.
Way forward:
- Comprehensive Review: Conduct a thorough review of NHRC’s policies, practices, and organizational structure to identify areas of improvement and address deficiencies.
- Strengthen Compliance: Need to take proactive measures to ensure compliance with the Paris Principles, including enhancing autonomy, independence, and effectiveness in addressing human rights violations.
Mains PYQ:
Q Though the Human Rights Commissions have contributed immensely to the protection of human rights in India, yet they have failed to assert themselves against the mighty. Analysing their structural and practical limitations, suggest remedial measures. (UPSC IAS/2021)
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Diseases in the News;
Mains level: Health and Diseases in India;
Why in the News?
A tuberculosis patient receives treatment from a nurse (instead of a specialist) at a TB hospital in Guwahati.
What is meant by Pulmonary Tuberculosis (TB)?
- Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a serious infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) that involves the lungs but may spread to other organs where it destroys body tissue. TB is a contagious disease that can infect anyone exposed to MTB.
- It constitutes a significant portion of the TB burden in India, accounting for more than 20% of cases.
Present status of Extra-Pulmonary Tuberculosis (EPTB) in India:
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) reports, there are over 10 million new cases of TB every year and India alone accounts for 27% of the global TB burden. However, the burden of EPTB is hard to estimate. EPTB is often stain-negative, which means it is not detectable on regular TB stain tests. |
The twin challenges of the Knowledge Gap:
-
- Among Physicians: Many healthcare providers are unaware that TB can affect organs other than the lungs, such as the eyes and other immune-privileged sites.
- Among Patients: Nearly 1/5th of TB patients have EPTB. Most of them go undiagnosed, and the few who are diagnosed cannot benefit from care unless they visit a few specialist health facilities.
- Lack of Accurate Diagnostic and Treatment Criteria: There is a lack of accurate diagnostic criteria for EPTB, making it challenging to identify the disease correctly. Treatment protocols for EPTB are not well-established or widely known, complicating effective management.
- Although guidelines like INDEX-TB (a set of guidelines by WHO for EPTB management in India) have been formulated, their implementation has remained dormant.
- The current system for collecting EPTB data is fragmented, with specialist departments maintaining diverse data practices.
- National Patient Management Portals, such as Ni-kshay in India, have incomplete and missing data on EPTB patients.
Need to Prioritize Research and Development (R&D) for EPTB:
- Need to understand the infection mechanism deeply: A troubling aspect of EPTB infection is the prolonged presence of disease markers even after the infection is resolved with treatment.
- This phenomenon causes a lot of misery to persons with EPTB and is an active area of research.
- Prioritize Advanced Immunological Tools: Advanced Immunological Tools such as single-cell RNA sequencing, will be able to uncover the immune mechanisms for the disease.
- This will also help physicians to understand the treatment better, instead of going for long-duration anti-TB therapy (sometimes for even two years or more).
Mains PYQ:
Q Can overuse and free availability of antibiotics without a Doctor’s prescription, be contributors to the emergence of drug-resistant diseases in India? What are the available mechanisms for monitoring and control? Critically discuss the various issues involved.
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Data related to inequality and poverty
Mains level: Measurement issues regarding poverty lines and consumption expenditure
Why in the News?
The National Sample Survey Organization’s and Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (2022-23) prompted researchers to estimate Poverty and Inequality trends, highlighting data comparability and measurement issues.
Present trends of Poverty and Inequality in Indian Society:
1. Poverty Declined:
- Poverty ratios declined from 29.5% in 2011-12 to 10% in 2022-23 (1.77% points per year) based on the Rangarajan Committee’s poverty lines.
- Poverty ratios declined from 21.9% in 2011-12 to 3% in 2022-23 (1.72% points per year) based on the Tendulkar Committee’s poverty lines. Earlier period estimates showed a decline from 37.2% in 2004-05 to 21.9% in 2011-12 (2.18 percentage points per year).
2. Inequality Declined :
- Subramanian’s estimates indicate the Gini coefficient declined from 0.278 to 0.269 for rural areas and from 0.358 to 0.318 for urban areas between 2011-12 and 2022-23.
- The Gini coefficient measures the inequality among the values of a frequency distribution, such as levels of income.
- Bansal et al show similar trends: Gini coefficient for rural areas declined from 0.284 to 0.266, and for urban areas from 0.363 to 0.315 over the same period. (significant decline in urban inequality compared to rural areas between 2011-12 and 2022-23)
Back2Basics:
Lakdawala Committee (1993):
- It disaggregated poverty lines into state-specific poverty lines.
- Poverty lines: same as Alagh’s committee of 1979. (2400 kcal per capita per day for rural areas and 2100 kcal per capita per day in urban areas.)
- Poverty lines were updated using the Consumer Price Index of Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) in urban areas and the Consumer Price Index of Agricultural Labour (CPI-AL) in rural areas rather than using National Accounts Statistics.
- Estimates of poverty: 54.9% (All India)
Tendulkar Committee (2009):
- Constituted: In 2005
- Submitted report: 2009.
- Recommendations:
- Firstly, the incorporation of private expenditure on health and education while estimating poverty.
- Secondly, to shift away from two separate poverty line baskets (PLBs) (for rural and Urban) towards a uniform all-India PLB.
- Thirdly, to shift away from Uniform Reference Period (URP) based estimates towards Mixed Reference Period (MRP) based estimates.
- Fourthly, A change in the price adjustment procedure to correct spatial (across regions) and temporal (across time) issues with price adjustment.
- It concluded that India’s poverty line was Rs. 446.68 per capita per month in rural areas and Rs. 578.80 per capita per month in urban areas in 2004-05.
- Estimates of poverty: 37.2 % (All India)
C. Rangarajan Committee (2014):
- Constituted: 2012
- Submitted report: 2014.
- Used a method of calculating urban and rural poverty separately (similar to the Lakdawala committee).
- Took into account both food and non-food items of expenditure.
- Used the MMRP method instead of MRP.
- Poverty was estimated on monthly expenditure of a family of five (and not individual as in case of the Tendulkar committee). All three, i.e., Calorie + protein + Fat intake values were taken into account to estimate poverty.
- Estimates of poverty: 29.5%
- Poverty lines: Rural- Rs. 32; Urban- Rs.47
Methods to Estimate Absolute Poverty by NSSO:
Poverty estimation in India is now carried out by NITI Aayog’s task force through the calculation of poverty line based on the data captured by the NSSO under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI). It uses the following 3 methods:
- Uniform Recall (reference) Period (URP): Under URP, consumption data for all items are collected for a 30-day recall period. When URP is applied, the households are surveyed about their consumption in the last 30 days preceding the date of the survey.
- Until 1993-94, the poverty line estimated by NSSO was based on URP.
- Mixed Recall (reference) Period (MRP): MRP takes into account consumption expenditure for five non-food items (clothing, footwear, durable goods, education, and institutional medical expenses) for a 365-day recall period, and consumption data for the remaining items are collected for a 30-day recall period.
- Modified mixed reference period (MMRP): The Rangarajan Committee in its 2014 report recommended MMRP as a more suitable method to measure poverty as compared to URP and MRP methods. The World Bank in 2015 also supported the idea of shifting from MRP to MMRP. Under MMRP there are 3 reference periods as follows:
- The 365-day recall period is used for clothing, footwear, education, institutional medical care, and durable goods.
- The 7-day recall period for edible oil, egg, fish and meat, vegetables, fruits, spices, beverages, refreshments, processed food, paan, tobacco and intoxicants and
- The 30-day recall period for the remaining food items, fuel, and light, miscellaneous
good and services including non-institutional medical, rents, and taxes.
|
|
Measurement issues regarding Poverty Lines and Consumption Expenditure:
- Shift Away from Calorie Norm-based Poverty Line: The Tendulkar Committee recognized the inadequacy of a calorie norm-based poverty line. Instead, the Tendulkar Committee indirectly utilized calorie norms by adopting the urban poverty line based on the Lakdawala Committee’s methodology, which included calorie norms.
- Need for new Consumption Basket: The Rangarajan Group emphasized the need for a new consumption basket that addresses both adequate nourishment and essential non-food items, alongside behaviorally determined non-food expenditure.
- Estimating this new poverty basket required a fresh approach rather than simply updating an old basket with new prices.
- Incomplete Capture of Public Expenditure: Despite efforts to impute values for public expenditure items, the imputation process captured only a fraction of the total public expenditure on subsidized or free items.
- Complexity in Poverty Measurement: There is no universally agreed-upon method for measuring poverty, leading to variability in estimates.
Constitutional provisions related to eliminating inequalities:
i. [Article 38 (2) ]: Obligation of the State ‘to endeavour to eliminate inequalities in status, facilities and opportunities’ amongst individuals and groups of people residing in different areas or engaged in different vocations.
ii. [Article 46]: Obligation of State ‘to promote with special care’ the educational and economic interests of ‘the weaker sections of the people’ (besides Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes).
Conclusion: Given the inadequacy of calorie norm-based poverty lines, as recognized by the Tendulkar Committee, there is a need to adopt more effective and real-time approaches that will consider evolving consumption patterns.
Mains PYQ:
Q “The incidence and intensity of poverty are more important in determining poverty based on income alone”. In this context analyse the latest United Nations Multidimensional Poverty Index Report.(UPSC IAS/2020)
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: About Measles Vaccination
Mains level: Global Immunisation Efforts and Current Observations
Why in the News?
On the occasion of World Immunisation Week observed from 24th to 30th April, the Indian Academy of Paediatrics has launched a campaign to focus on routine immunization as the ‘Birth Right’ of a Child.
About Measles Vaccination
- This vaccine protects against 3 diseases: Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR).
- Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends children get two doses of MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 -15 months of age, and the second dose at 4-6 years of age. Teens and adults should also be up to date on their MMR vaccination.
Indian Government Initiatives:
- World Immunization Week: The Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP) launched a campaign during World Immunisation Week (April 24-30) focusing on routine immunization as a fundamental right of every child. IAP urged the government to expedite the introduction of the HPV vaccine and typhoid conjugate vaccine to address significant public health burdens.
- Vaccination made within the country:
- DTP Vaccine: 93% of surviving infants received the third dose of the DTP vaccine.
- Measles Vaccine: 90% of infants received the second dose of the measles vaccine. The measles vaccine has been the most significant in reducing infant mortality, accounting for 60% of lives saved through immunisation since 1974.
- Present issues include inequitable distribution of vaccines, inability to reach 90% coverage, human resource gaps, and financing problems. In 2022, 33 million children missed a measles vaccine dose, with 22 million missing the first dose and 11 million missing the second dose.
Impacts of Immunisation Globally:
- Lives Saved: Immunisation efforts have saved an estimated 154 million lives globally over the past 50 years, equating to six lives every minute of every year.
- Infant Mortality Reduction: 101 million of the lives saved were infants. Vaccination against 14 diseases has reduced infant deaths by 40% globally and by over 50% in Africa.
- Diseases Targeted: Vaccines have contributed to reducing deaths from diseases like Diphtheria, Haemophilus Influenzae Type B, Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis, Measles, Meningitis A, Pertussis, invasive Pneumococcal disease, Polio, Rotavirus, Rubella, Tetanus, Tuberculosis, and Yellow fever.
Conclusion: Immunisation saves lives, reduces infant mortality, and prevents outbreaks by protecting against infectious diseases, ensuring healthier communities, and securing a better future for children worldwide.
Mains PYQ:
Q What is the basic principle behind vaccine development? How do vaccines work? What approaches were adopted by the Indian vaccine manufacturers to produce COVID-19 vaccines? (UPSC IAS/2022)
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: The Mediation Act, 2023
Mains level: Need to address flaws wrt Mediation Act, 2023
Why in the news?
The Mediation Act, of 2023, formalizes diverse mediation forms, promotes amicable settlements and also addresses the judicial backlog. However, Chief Justice Chandrachud emphasized recently that we need a “mediate, not litigate” directive.
What is Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)?
- ADR refers to the methods of resolving a dispute, which are alternatives for litigation in Courts. Generally, it uses a neutral third party who helps the parties to communicate, discuss the differences, and resolve the dispute (civil disputes).
- The Malimath Committee Report (1989-90) underlined the need for ADR mechanisms as a viable alternative to conventional court litigation.
Important Provisions Related To ADR:
- Section 89 of the Civil Procedure Code, 1908: Provides that opportunity to the people, if it appears to court there exist elements of settlement outside the court then the court formulates the terms of the possible settlement and refer the same for ADRs.
- Legal provisions dealing with the ADR mechanism in India are the Legal Services Authority Act, 1987 (established Lok Adalat System) and the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.
Significance of ADR:
- Speedy Justice: It is a well-known fact that the present Judicial System is extremely expensive and delaying. ADR methods typically resolve disputes faster than traditional court processes, which is crucial in reducing judicial backlog and providing timely justice.
- Cost-Effectiveness: ADR is generally less expensive than litigation, as it avoids the high costs associated with court fees, prolonged legal procedures, and extensive discovery processes.
- Confidentiality: Unlike public court proceedings, ADR processes are usually private, protecting the confidentiality of the parties and the details of the dispute.
- Preservation of Relationships: ADR methods, particularly mediation and conciliation, emphasize collaborative problem-solving and communication, helping to preserve or even improve relationships between parties.
Key provisions of the Mediation Act, 2023:
- It defines ‘Mediation’ and also expands the scope of mediation to statutorily recognize pre-litigation mediation, online mediation, community mediation and conciliation under the definition.
- Section 5 provides that the disputing parties, before filing any civil or commercial suit in any court, may “voluntarily and with mutual consent” take steps to settle the disputes by pre-litigation mediation.
- It is in line with the international practice of using the terms ‘mediation’ and ‘conciliation’ as declared by the UNCITRAL and as done previously by the Supreme Court of India in many of its judgments (Perry Kansagra vs. Smriti Madan Kansagra, 2019 and Amardeep Singh vs. Harveen Kaur, 2017).
Need to address flaws wrt Mediation Act, 2023:
- Experience Requirement for Mediators: Aspiring mediators must have 15 years of professional experience before qualifying to practice. This requirement might be too stringent and could limit the pool of potential mediators, hindering the growth of mediation as a viable dispute-resolution method.
- Disconnect in Legal Education: The current legal education and practice emphasize advocacy, which contrasts sharply with the neutrality required in mediation. This creates a disconnect as legal professionals need to unlearn and relearn skills when transitioning between roles, making the process inefficient.
How can we foster the next generation of Mediators?
- Integrated Approach: To bridge the gap between advocacy and mediation, there should be continuous, integrated learning. Legal professionals should be trained to switch roles seamlessly, maintaining and enhancing their skills in both areas throughout their careers.
- Innovative Training Methods: Co-mediation pairs novice mediators with experienced counterparts, allowing them to gain practical experience in real mediation sessions.
- Structured Mediation Training: Embedding mediation training within the law school curriculum can ignite early interest and equip students with essential dispute-resolution skills.
- Amendments: Revising the experience requirement to allow younger professionals to become mediators sooner could expand the pool of qualified mediators and accelerate the adoption of mediation practices.
Conclusion: According to CJI an “active effort must be taken by courts to make negotiations and mediation mandatory as part of case management and with adequate cooperation from all stakeholders, ADR can emerge as a tool of social justice in the country.
Mains PYQ:
Q What are the major changes brought in the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, of 1966 through the recent ordinance promulgated by the President? How far will it improve India’s dispute resolution mechanism? Discuss. (UPSC IAS/2015)
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Smart Cities Mission
Mains level: Why is the Smart Cities Mission (SCM) considered exclusionary to many?
Why in the news?
The Smart Cities Mission (SCM), a key initiative of the previous NDA-1 government, has received less emphasis in this year’s lineup of electoral pledges and accomplishments.
How are smart cities defined by the government?
- Since 2009, following the significant financial crash, the term ‘Smart City’ has gained widespread usage.
- Urban practitioners have defined smart cities as innovative urban hubs akin to new Silicon Valleys, characterized by robust integration of transportation networks, including airports, highways, and various communication infrastructures, thereby fostering intellectual environments enhanced by advanced information and communication technologies (ICT).
- The Smart Cities Mission is a key urban renewal and retrofitting program launched by the Government of India in 2015 to develop 100 cities across the country, making them citizen-friendly and sustainable.
The Smart Cities Mission (SCM) comprises two primary components:
- Area-Based Development:
This aspect focuses on three components:
- Redevelopment (city renewal): Revitalizing existing urban areas to improve infrastructure, amenities, and quality of life.
- Retrofitting (city improvement): Upgrading infrastructure and services in already developed areas to meet contemporary urban needs and standards.
- Greenfield projects (city extension): Developing new urban areas or expanding existing cities with sustainable and modern infrastructure.
- Pan-City Solutions based on ICT:
This facet involves implementing integrated solutions across various sectors using Information and Communication Technology (ICT). These solutions typically fall under six categories:
- E-governance: Utilizing digital platforms for efficient and transparent governance processes.
- Waste management: Implementing systems for effective waste collection, segregation, and disposal.
- Water management: Enhancing water supply infrastructure and promoting conservation measures.
- Energy management: Implementing energy-efficient technologies and promoting renewable energy sources.
- Urban mobility: Improving transportation systems to enhance connectivity and reduce congestion.
- Skill development: Promoting programs to enhance the skills and employability of the urban workforce.
Why is the Smart Cities Mission (SCM) considered exclusionary to many?
- Limited Geographical Scope: Only a small portion of a city’s area, often not more than 1%, was selected for development under the SCM. For example, in Chandigarh, the funds were concentrated in sector 43, focusing on projects like smart water meters and Wi-Fi zones, leaving other areas untouched.
- Mismatch with Urban Realities: The competitive selection process did not account for the diverse and dynamic nature of urbanization in India. The approach was more suitable for static urban environments found in the West, not the evolving urban landscapes of Indian cities.
- Displacement and Disruption: Implementation of smart city projects often led to the displacement of people living in poorer localities and street vendors.
- Inadequate Funding: The total funding allocated for the SCM was significantly less than the estimated requirement for making Indian cities livable. Reports suggested a capital expenditure need of $1.2 trillion by 2030, while the SCM’s allocation was less than $20 billion over nine years.
Did the SCM override the 74th Constitutional Amendment?
- Reduced Role of Elected Councils: The governance structure under the SCM limited the role of elected municipal councils.This was seen as bypassing the decentralized, participatory governance model envisaged by the 74th Constitutional Amendment, which aimed to empower local urban bodies.
- Top-Down Approach: Critics argued that the SCM’s design was too top-down, not aligning with the bottom-up approach promoted by the 74th Constitutional Amendment.
Way forward:
- Contextual Planning: Develop flexible and adaptive plans that consider the unique and dynamic nature of Indian urbanization, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all model.
- Community Involvement: Engage local communities in the planning process to ensure that projects reflect the needs and realities of different urban areas.
Mains PYQ:
Q What are ‘Smart Cities’? examine their relevance for urban development in India. Will it increase rural-urban differences? Give arguments for ‘Smart Villages’ in the light of PURA and RURBAN Mission. (UPSC IAS/2016)
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Population Trends; NFHS Report (2019-21);
Mains level: Religion and Demographics in India;
Why in the News?
Once again, the Muslim population has become a point of discussion. Last month, PM Narendra Modi referred Muslims in India, suggesting they have a higher birth rate.
Trends of Muslim Population as per Data Point (NFHS-5 2019-21) published on April 23:
- Population Trends: The Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister noted a Muslims in the total population increased by 43.15% between 1950 and 2015, the share of Hindus decreased by 7.82% between 1950 and 2015.
- The fertility rate of Muslims was 2.36 in 2019-21, much closer to the replacement level. The fertility rate is the average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime. A rate of 2.1 (the ‘replacement level’) means that the population is stable.
Factors behind the High Population Growth of Muslims:
- Socio-economic Factors: Socio-economic factors, rather than religion, significantly influence fertility rates. Educating girls, delaying marriage, promoting family planning awareness, and ensuring access to family planning measures are crucial in reducing fertility levels.
- Regional Variations: Fertility rates among Muslim women vary regionally, influenced by the social and economic development of states.
- Early Marriage and Literacy: There’s a positive correlation between higher fertility rates and early marriage among women aged 20-24. Conversely, a negative correlation exists between literacy rates among women and fertility rates.
- Lack of Awareness: Lack of awareness about family planning remains a concern, with a significant portion of women reporting never hearing or seeing family planning messages.
- Unmet Demand for Family Planning: Many women, particularly Muslims in certain states, have an unmet demand for family planning due to various factors, including lack of access to contraceptive measures.
- Government Intervention: Increasing awareness about contraceptives, improving access to family planning measures, educating girls, and preventing child marriages are essential government functions to reduce fertility rates across religious groups.
Need for Coercive Measures:
- Comprehensive Education and Awareness Programs: Implement educational campaigns that promote family planning, gender equality, and reproductive health awareness, targeting both men and women in communities across the country.
- Access to Family Planning Services: Ensure easy access to a wide range of family planning methods and contraceptives, including in remote and underserved areas, through government health facilities and community outreach programs.
Mains PYQ:
Q Critically examine whether growing population is the cause of poverty OR poverty is the mains cause of population increase in India. (UPSC IAS/2015)
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now