General Studies Paper 2

Context:

Recently, an  MP (Member of Parliament) was sentenced to two years in jail in a 2019 Defamation Case over his remarks about another political leader by the Surat Court.

• The case was filed under  Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 499 and 500, dealing with defamation.

What do IPC sections 499 and 500 say?

• Section 499 of the IPC elaborates on how defamation could be through words – spoken or intended to be read, through signs, and also through visible representations.
  • These can either be published or spoken about a person with the intention of damaging the reputation of that person, or with the knowledge or reason to believe that the imputation will harm his reputation.
• Section 500 stipulates imprisonment of up to two years, with or without a fine, for someone held guilty of criminal defamation.

What Is Defamation?

• About:
  • Defamation is the act of communicating false statements about a person that injure the reputation of that person when observed through the eyes of an ordinary man.
  • Any false and unprivileged statement published or spoken deliberately, intentionally, knowingly with the intention to damage someone’s reputation is defamation.
    • History of defamation can be traced in Roman law and German law. Abusive chants were capital punishment in Roman.
  • Defamation Law in India:
    • Article 19 of the Constitution grants freedom of speech to its citizens. However, Article 19(2) has imposed certain reasonable exemptions to this freedom such as – Contempt of Court,  defamation and incitement to an offense.
    • In India, defamation can both be a civil wrong and a criminal offense, depending on the objective they seek to achieve.
      • A Civil Wrong sees a wrong being redressed with monetary compensation, while a criminal law seeks to punish a wrongdoer and send a message to others not to commit such acts, with a jail term.
      • In a Criminal Offense, defamation has to be established beyond reasonable doubt but in a civil defamation suit, damages can be awarded based on probabilities.
    • Free Speech v/s Defamation laws:
      • It is argued that the defamation laws are a violation of  Fundamental Rights guaranteed under Article 19 of the constitution.
        • The Supreme Court has ruled that the criminal provisions of defamation are constitutionally valid and are not in conflict with the right to free speech.
      • The SC has also held that it is valid to treat defamation as a public wrong and that criminal defamation is not a disproportionate restriction on free speech, because protection of reputation is a fundamental right as well as a human right.
      • The Court relied on the judgments of other countries and reaffirmed the right to reputation as a part of the right to life under Article 21.
        • Using the principle of ‘balancing of fundamental rights’, the court held that the right to freedom and speech and expression cannot be “allowed so much room that even reputation of an individual which is a constituent of Article 21 would have no entry into that area”.

What are the Previous Defamation Judgements?

• Mahendra Ram Vs. Harnandan Prasad (1958): A letter written in Urdu was sent to the plaintiff. Therefore, he needed another person to read it to him. It was held that since the defendant knew the plaintiff does not know Urdu and he needs assistance, the act of the defendant amounted to defamation.
• Ram Jethmalani Vs. Subramanian Swamy (2006):The High Court of Delhi held Dr. Swamy for defaming Ram Jetmalani by saying that he received money from a banned organization to protect the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu from the case of assassination of Rajiv Gandhi.
• Shreya Singhal Vs. Union of India (2015):It is a landmark judgment regarding internet defamation. It held unconstitutional Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 which punishes for sending offensive messages through communication services.

What Happens if a Lawmaker/MP is Convicted?

• The conviction may disqualify an MP if the offense for which he is convicted is listed in Section 8(1) of the Representation of the People (RPA) Act of 1951.
  • This section includes offences such as section 153A (offence of promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) or section 171E (offence of bribery) or section 171F (offence of undue influence or personation at an election) and a few others.
• Section 8(3) of the RPA mandates that an MP can be disqualified if convicted and sentenced to at least 2 years of imprisonment.
  • However, the section also states that the disqualification takes effect only “after three months have elapsed” from the date of conviction.
  • Within that period, the convicted MP can file an appeal against the sentence before the High Court.

Conclusion

• Intentional acts of defamation are also punished with imprisonment which prohibits defaming a person with malice intention. The defamation law is also constitutional and is a reasonable restriction on the right to free speech and expression.
• However, it is no defamation if the acts done fall within the exceptions provided. Over the seventy-one years of Independence, there have been numerous cases of defamation and the court has interpreted each and every case with utmost care and they serve as precedents.

General Studies Paper 1

Context: Government plans to increase Inland Water Transport share to 5% by 2030.

About

• The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has recently released the blueprint to increase share of Inland transport through “Maritime India Vision (MIV)-2030”.
• The vision comprises 150 initiatives across 10 themes, covering port infrastructure, logistics efficiency, technology, policy framework, shipbuilding, coastal shipping, inland waterways, cruise tourism, marine ecosystem, and maritime security.
• There is a need to push for IWT mode as these are cheaper operating costs, relatively lesser fuel consumption, less polluting mode of transportation and more environmentally friendly mode of transportation.

Maritime sector of India

• India has a significant maritime sector, with 12 major and 200+ non-major ports situated along its 7500 km long coastline and a vast network of navigable waterways.
• The country’s maritime sector plays a crucial role in its overall trade and growth,with 95% of the country’s trade volume and 65% of the trade value being undertaken through maritime transport.
• India has two ports, JNPT and Mundra, in the list of top 40 global container ports and globally the country ranks 2nd in ship recycling and 21st in shipbuilding.
• The country has increased the modal share of cargo from 0.5% to 2%and witnessed a 19% year-on-year growth in cargo volumes over the last 5 years.
• Inland Water Transport is the most economical mode of transportation, especially for bulk cargo like coal, iron ore, cement, food grains and fertilizer.

Initiatives for growth of traffic on National Waterways

• Fairway development works:
  • Fairway development works to ensure Least Available Depth (LAD) of 3.0 meters in Haldia-Barh, 2.5 meters in Barh-Ghazipur, and 2.2 meters in Ghazipur-Varanasi stretches on NW-1.
  • These are progressing under the Jal Marg Vikas Project(JMVP) which has been undertaken by IWAI with technical and financial assistance from the World Bank.
• Development of New National Waterways:
  • IWAI has identified 25 new NWs through techno-economic feasibility studies for undertaking technical interventions to make the waterways navigable for transportation purposes.
  • Once ready, these new waterways will provide an alternate mode of transportation in respective geographies.
• Ro-Ro/Ro-Pax Service Commenced in Various National Waterways:
  • The Operation of Ro-Ro / Ro-Pax vessels in Neamati and Kamalabari (Majuli), Guwahati and North Guwahati besides along Wellingdon Island and Bolghaty.
• Revision of Levy & Collection of Fees:
  • The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has considered the waiver of waterway user charges initially for a period of three years.
• Digital Solutions for Ease-of-Doing Business:
  • The CAR-D (Cargo Data) Portal is a web-based portal for collection & compilation, analysis and dissemination of all cargo and cruise movement data of National Waterways to the stakeholders.

Key challenges of maritime sector in India:

• Inadequate infrastructure: Despite having a significant coastline and a vast network of waterways, India’s maritime infrastructure, including ports and inland waterways, is inadequate and requires significant investment and development.
• Poor connectivity: The lack of connectivity between ports, as well as ports and hinterland, leads to inefficiencies and increased costs.
• Regulatory hurdles: The maritime sector in India is subject to complex and fragmented regulations, which can make it challenging for businesses to operate efficiently.
• Skill gaps: There is a shortage of skilled manpower in the maritime sector, including seafarers, engineers, and other professionals.
• Environmental concerns: The maritime sector can have a significant impact on the environment, and there are concerns around issues such as oil spills, pollution, and the impact of climate change.
• Security challenges: The maritime sector is also vulnerable to security threats such as piracy and terrorism.

Way ahead

• With the development work under Jal Marg Vikas Project-II (Arth Ganga)which is based on the principles of the sustainable development model to energize economic activities, maritime transportation will get a major push National Waterways No. 1(River Ganga).
• Government should also work to define initiatives, driving innovation, creating a time-bound action plan, benchmarking, addressing capability building and human resources, and exploring ideas to achieve “Waste to Wealth.”
• The proposed vision will go a long way in brownfield capacity augmentation, developing world-class Mega Ports, the development of a trans-shipment hub in Southern India, and infrastructure modernization besides addressing the marine ecosystem and maritime security.

General Studies Paper 2

Context:

Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is widely discussed worldwide as an essential component of the development agenda. The outbreak of  Covid-19  has necessitated the need for universal health coverage as the health systems failed miserably across the globe during those times. Considering the importance of UHC, the United Nations declared 12^th December as International Universal Health Coverage Day (UHC Day)  in 2017.

• The United Nations defines UHC as “everyone, everywhere should have access to the health services they need without risk of financial hardship.” Sustainable Development Goals  target 3.8 (“Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential healthcare services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all”) also focuses on achieving universal health coverage.

• A big push in the health sector is the need of the hour,in the absence of which the health and wellness centres will end up in deplorable conditions similar to the current primary health centres and sub-centres.

What are the Challenges in Implementing UHC in India?

• Inequitable Access to Health Insurance:
  • The lowest coverage of health insurance is among households with the lowest wealth quintile and underprivileged sections, indicating a lack of equitable access to health insurance.
    • The NFHS-5   results paint a different picture for India, where insurance coverage is lowest (36.1%) among households with the lowest wealth quintile.
  • Lack of Financial Protection:
    • Despite the existence of schemes like Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram,  the average out-of-pocket expenditure per delivery in public health facilities is still high,particularly in urban areas.
    • There are significant disparities in out-of-pocket expenditure and access to healthcare services among different states in India. Many north eastern states and larger states have seen a rise in out-of-pocket expenditure between NFHS-4 and NFHS-5.
      • The latest report of NFHS revealed that the average out-of-pocket expenditure per delivery in a public health facility is Rs. 2,916, which in the case of urban and rural stands at Rs. 3,385 and Rs. 2,770. simultaneously.
    • Inclusion and Exclusion Errors in Health Insurance Policies:
      • Recent studies have shown that like earlier health insurance policies, the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY)  is also not free from inclusion and exclusion errors, which could lead to the inclusion of ineligible households and exclusion of eligible households.
    • Availability of Services:
      • Although 56% of empanelled hospitals under the PMJAY are in the public sector,40% are in the private for-profit sector, indicating that the availability of services may be concentrated in areas with previous experience implementing publicly funded health insurance schemes.
    • Inadequate Infrastructure:
      • In many low- and middle-income countries, the lack of proper infrastructure is a significant challenge to achieving UHC. This includes inadequate health facilities, inadequate equipment, and inadequate medical supplies.
        • There is a shortfall of 79.5% of specialists at the Community Health Centers (CHCs)as compared to the requirement.
      • Poor Health Education:
        • Lack of education and awareness regarding healthy lifestyles and preventive health measures can lead to an increase in preventable illnesses and conditions.

What should be the Way Forward?

• Enhancement of Health Expenditure:
  • The need of the hour is to enhance health expenditure as a percentage of GDP, which currently stands lower than most of the developing nations.
    • India currently spends about2% of its GDP on health.This is much lower than the average health spending share of the GDP(at around 5.2%) of the Lower and Middle Income Countries (LMIC).
  • Strengthening the primary healthcare sector is another area of development that needs special attention.
    • In this direction, the establishment of the health and wellness centres under the Ayushman Bharat scheme  was proposed in 2018, but the growth in this regard is questionable.
  • Increase Public Investment in Healthcare:
    • The government should increase its spending on healthcare and allocate more resources to build a strong healthcare infrastructure. This includes building more healthcare facilities, increasing the number of healthcare professionals, and ensuring adequate supplies of medicines and medical equipment.
  • Expand Health Insurance Coverage:
    • The government should work towards expanding health insurance coverage to all citizens. This would help reduce out-of-pocket expenses and make healthcare more affordable.
  • Prioritize Primary Healthcare:
    • Strengthening primary healthcare is crucial for achieving UHC. This includes increasing access to primary healthcare facilities, improving the quality of care, and strengthening the primary healthcare workforce.
  • Improve Healthcare Quality:
    • Quality of care is an important aspect of UHC. The government should invest in improving the quality of care by developing quality standards, ensuring adherence to these standards, and providing training to healthcare providers.
  • Invest in Health Information Systems:
    • Health information systems play a crucial role in UHC by providing data for planning and monitoring healthcare services. The government should invest in developing robust health information systems that can provide timely and accurate data.
  • Promote Preventive Healthcare:
    • Investing in preventive healthcare can help reduce the burden of disease and the cost of healthcare. The government should promote preventive healthcare measures, such as vaccination programs, health education campaigns, and lifestyle interventions.
  • Foster Partnerships:
    • Achieving UHC requires a collaborative effort between the government, healthcare providers, and civil society. The government should foster partnerships with healthcare providers and civil society organizations to achieve UHC.

General Studies Paper 2

Context:

The Supreme Court of India  has asked the Centre to provide data that may lead to a more dignified, less painful, and socially acceptable method of executing prisoners  other than death by hanging.

• The court even suggested the formation of an expert committee to relook at India’s current method of putting criminals to death.

What are the Arguments Around Execution of Prisoners?

• The court clarified that it was not questioning the constitutionality of the  death penalty but rather the method of execution.
  • The government had said the mode of execution is a “matter of legislative policy,” and the death penalty is awarded only in the rarest of rare cases.
• The court was hearing a petition challenging the constitutionality of death by hanging as a mode of execution.
  • Section 354 (5)of the Code of Criminal Procedure   mandates that a person sentenced to death shall “be hanged by the neck till he is dead”.
  • It is argued that there is a need to evolve a“humane, quick, and decent alternative” and termed hanging as “cruel and barbarous” compared to lethal injection.
• However, the Centre had filed an affidavit in 2018 supporting death by hanging and had not found the method of execution “barbaric, inhuman, and cruel” compared to firing squadsand lethal injections.

What is the Current Provision of Death Penalty in India?

• Certain offences under Indian Penal Code, for which the offenders can be sentenced to punishment of death are:
  • Murder (Section 302)
  • Dacoity with murder (Section 396)
  • Criminal Conspiracy (Section 120B)
  • Waging war against the Government of India or attempting to do so (Section 121)
  • Abatement of mutiny (Section 132) and others.
• The term death penaltyis sometimes used interchangeably with capital punishment, though imposition of the penalty is not always followed by execution, it can be commuted into life imprisonment or pardoned by the President under Article 72 of Indian Constitution.

Where does the Death Penalty Exist in the World?

• According to Amnesty International,the death penalty continues to be quite widespread Asia, with China, India, Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia, among others
  • The death penalty is rare in Europe and the Americas– with the notable exceptions of Belarus, Guyana, Cuba and the United States.
• 110 countries and territories around the world have abolished the death penalty, most recently Sierra Leone, Papua New Guinea and Equatorial Guinea

General Studies Paper 3

Context:

India is now one of the fastest­ growing economies globally. However, this growth has not resulted in a corresponding increase in its Human Development Index.

What are some facts related to HDI?

• According to the Human Development Report of 2021­-22, India ranks 132 out of 191 countries. It is behind Bangladesh (129) and Sri Lanka (73).

What method is used in the current article to measure HDI?

• The HDI is calculated using four indicators: life expectancy at birth, mean years of schooling,expected years of schooling, and Gross National Income (GNI) per capita.
• Life expectancy estimates are taken from the Sample Registration System.Mean and expected years of schooling are extracted from NFHS-­5.
• For GNI per capita, gross state domestic product (GSDP) per capita is used as a proxy indicator to measure the standard of living.
• The methodology involves calculating the geometric mean of the normalised indices for the three dimensions of human development. HDI scores range from 0 to 1. Higher values indicate higher levels of human development.

What is the performance of various states on Human Development as per the methodology used in this article? 

• While some States have made considerable progress, others continue to struggle. Delhi occupies the top spot and Bihar occupies the bottom spot. Bihar, unlike the previous HDI reports, is no longer considered a low human development State.
• The five States with the highest HDI scoresare Delhi, Goa, Kerala, Sikkim, and Chandigarh. Delhi and Goa have HDI scores above 0.799, which makes them equivalent to countries in Eastern Europe with a very high level of human development.
• Nineteen States, including Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Punjab, Telangana, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh, have scores ranging between 0.7 and 0.799. These can be classified as high human development States.
• The bottom five States are Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Assam, with medium levels of human development. This category also includes States such as Odisha, Rajasthan, and West Bengal, which have HDI scores below the national average. 
• The scores of these low performing States resemble those of African countries such as Congo, Kenya, Ghana, and Namibia.
• Despite having the highest GSDP per capita among larger States, Gujarat and Haryana have failed to translate this advantage into human development. They rank 21 and 10, respectively.
• Kerala stands out with consistently high HDI values over the years. It can be attributed to its high literacy rates, robust healthcare infrastructure, and relatively high income levels.
• The impact of COVID­-19 on subnational HDI is not captured here. It will be known when post-pandemic estimates are available.

What are the reasons for the poor performance of some states on HDI?

• One of the main reasons is that economic growth has been unevenly distributed. Thetop 10% of the Indian population holds over 77% of the wealth. This has resulted in significant disparities in access to basic amenities, like healthcare and education.
• Another reason is the quality of services provided by the government such as health and education. For example, while the country has achieved near universal enrolmentin primary education, the quality of education remains low.

What is the way forward to improve HDI? 

• Governments must prioritise human development alongside economic growth to ensure that the benefits of growth are more evenly distributed.
• This requires a multi-faceted approach. It should a)address income inequality and gender inequality, b) Improves access to quality social services; and c) addresses environmental challenges.
• There is a need to provide for greater investment in social infrastructure such as healthcare, education, and basic household amenities including access to clean water, improved sanitation facility, clean fuel, electricity and Internet in underdeveloped States.

India must prioritise investments in human development and job creation, particularly for its youth.

General Studies Paper 2

Context:

India has concluded its eighth stint in the United Nations Security Council at the end of December 2022.

What were the priorities for India at UNSC?

• The focus was on maritime security, terrorism, UN peacekeeping, reformed multilateralism and the Global South.
• India was elected Chair of three important UNSC Committees: the Taliban Sanctions Committee, Libyan Sanctions Committee and Counter­terrorism Committee.

What are the important contributions of India as a UNSC member? 

• Maritime issues: The Prime Minister of India chaired for the first time a UNSC meeting on maritime security. India’s statement for the first time is a direct reference to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. It called it international law setting out the legal framework in the context of maritime activities.
• It also called for freedom of navigation, anti­piracy and combating terror and transnational crime at sea.
• Major conflicts: In case of major conflicts over the world, the Council stood polarised and unable to act decisively. India tried to bring them on the same page.
• There was a military takeover in Myanmar in 2021. India ensured balanced and comprehensive Council pronouncements. It finally culminated in a resolution on Myanmar in December 2022.
• In August 2021, the Taliban forcefully seized power in Afghanistan. India was able to steer the It resulted in UNSC Resolution 2593. The resolution lays down benchmarks for stopping cross-border terrorism from Afghan soil; protecting the rights of women, minorities and children; ensuring an inclusive government, and providing humanitarian assistance. 
• During the Ukraine conflict, India took an independent stand. It called for dialogue and peace.India spoke out against such sanctions on oil, food and fertilisers.
• Terrorism: India has enhanced its focus on terrorism. As Chair of the UNSC Counter­ terrorism Committee, its meeting was organised in India in October 2022. India’s proposal to list Abdul Rehman Makki, Deputy Chief of the Lashkar-e-Taiba under UNSC Resolution 1267 sanctions was approved by the UNSC.
• Peacekeeping: India has been the largest contributor to UN peacekeepers. Its launching of the UNITE Aware technology platform to strengthen the real­time protection of peacekeepers is to be noted. In 2021, India piloted the first UNSC resolution, calling for accountability for crimes against peacekeepers. India gifted two lakh vaccines to all UN peacekeepers.
• Climate change: In 2021, India thwarted a move by the West. It wanted to take out climate change from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change process and brought it under the ambit of the UNSC. The draft resolution was defeated in the Council when India and Russia voted against.
• A change in religious extremism: India also raised the issue of a contemporary form of religiophobia in the Council. It condemned phobia against Abrahamic religions and called for the need to combat rising hate crimes and phobias against non-­Abrahamic religions.

General Studies Paper 3

Context: 

A parliamentary panel has attributed the low installation of solar roof-top and wind energy projects as key reasons for the shortfall in achieving India’s renewable energy (RE)  capacity target of 175 GW by 2022.

Background:

• India set an ambitious target (in 2014) of installing 175 GW of RE capacity by the year 2022, which included 100 GW (solar), 60 GW (wind), 10 GW (bio-power), and 5 GW (small hydropower).
• While India has enhanced its promises to RE in the “Long-Term Low-Carbon Development Plan” presented at the UNFCCC COP27, it appears that the nation will fall short of one of its initial pledges in the RE sector.

Findings of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Energy:

• A RE capacity of 90 GW (69% of the overall target)has been installed in the country as of December 31, 2022.
• This is a commendable achievement, as the RE installed capacity has increased by more than 236% since 2014.
• Whatever shortfall has occurred in achieving the target is because of the low installation of solar roof-tops and wind energy projects.
  • Against 40 GW, only 7.40 GW of rooftop solar projects could be installed in the country.
  • Against 60 GW, the cumulative installed capacity of wind power is 41.93 GW.

Issues responsible for deficient performance under the solar rooftop programme:

• Non-availability of information at the grass root level,
• Lack of awareness about this scheme amongst the masses,
• The apathy of discoms, etc.

Recommendations:

• Keeping in view India’s commitment to increase its non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) must ramp up its pace for the timely achievement of targets.
• A strict timeline should be imposed for approvals/rejection of applications, installation of net-metre, an inspection of the system, etc., by the discoms.
  • As of Feb 2023, out of 43,171 applications received on the National Portal, 18437 – were approved by DISCOMs, 3031 – were rejected on technical grounds and the rest are pending.
• Discoms may be incentivised to allay their concerns about losing their high-paying customers as a result of the installation of solar rooftops.
• The MNRE should increase its fund absorption capacity and focus on exhaustive utilization of the budgetary allocation.
  • In the Union Budget 2023-24, Rs 10,222 crore has been allocated to MNRE with an increase of 45% against the Revised Estimates of 2022.

Government Initiatives

• Deendayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojana:
  • Punjab has introduced a scheme by way of which farmers were refunded money if they consumed less electricity.
    • Under Deendayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojana of Ministry of Power, separate components of agriculture and non-agriculture feeders have been created for facilitating judicious rostering of supply to agriculture & non-agriculture consumers in rural areas.
  • National Water Policy, 2012
    • It has laid emphasis on the periodic assessment of groundwater resources on a scientific basis.
  • Atal Bhujal Yojana: 
    • The focus of the scheme is on community participation and demand side intervention for sustainable groundwater management in identified water stressed areas.
  • Jal Jeevan Mission:
    • Provisions have been made for source recharging like dedicated bore well recharge structures, rain water recharge, rejuvenation of existing water bodies, etc.
  • Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana: 
    • It aims to enhance physical access of water on farm and for expanding the cultivable area under assured irrigation, improve on-farm water use efficiency, introducing sustainable water conservation practices, etc.
  • Per Drop More Crop: 
    • It mainly focuses on water use efficiency at farm level through micro irrigation (drip and sprinkler irrigation system).
  • Rejuvenation of Dry Ponds, puddles and wells:
    • Water being a State subject, it is for the State Governments to take up rejuvenation of water bodies like formulation of action plan for rejuvenation of dry ponds, puddles and wells in their jurisdiction.
  • National Aquifer Mapping and Management program (NAQUIM):
    • It is being implemented by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) as part of Ground Water Management and Regulation (GWM&R) Scheme, a central sector scheme.

Suggestions & way ahead

• Monitoring:
  • The exploitation and sale of groundwater by large corporations should be monitored on a continuous basis.
• Rainwater harvesting:
  • Both Central and State governments must take continuous steps to store rainwater in all possible ways to increase recharge.
  • Rainwater harvesting system must be made mandatory in every household, particularly in big cities where groundwater has been declining alarmingly.
• MSP fixing considering groundwater resource:
  • Considering the groundwater balance, MSPs for crops should be fixed according to the consumption of water; higher prices for crops that require less water and vice-versa.
• Micro-irrigation:
  • Micro-irrigation (drip and sprinkler), which can save about 50 percent of water in the cultivation of different crops, should be promoted in the over-exploited blocks to reduce the exploitation of groundwater.
• Awareness:
  • People from all walks of life must continue to be made aware of water literacy and on the hazardous effects of rapidly declining groundwater.

General Studies Paper 2

Context: Iran and Saudi Arabia recently announced a Chinese-brokered deal to restore diplomatic relations.

Iran and Saudi Arabia issues

• Struggle for influence:
  • Iran and Saudi Arabia are engaged in an ongoing struggle for influence in the Middle East and other Muslim regions.
  • The two countries have provided varying degrees of support to opposing sides in nearby conflicts, including the civil wars in Syria and Yemen; and disputes in Bahrain, Lebanon, Qatar, and Iraq.
  • For example:
    • In Yemen, Iran has armed and aided the Houthis, while the Saudi military launched an air war in 2015 to prevent a complete takeover by Houthi rebels.
    • The Houthis subsequently launched attacks on Saudi airports and oil facilities.
  • 2016 incident:
    • The two countries severed ties in 2016 after mobs stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran, in revenge against the execution of a prominent Saudi Shia cleric and political dissident, Sheikh Nimr.
    • The two countries since then have been engaged in a rivalry for regional geopolitical influence, prolonging conflicts in Yemen and Syria.
  • Threats:
    • Only a few months ago, Iran’s top military officials threatened Saudi Arabia with consequences unless it controlled its Persian-language media outlets zealously covering anti-government protests in Iran.
    • Riyadh had raised alert levels citing a “credible threat of attack” from Iran.

Significance of China’s mediation

• Constructive role of China:
  • China, by mediating the agreement, has demonstrated its vast political capital in the region and is contrasting its “constructive” role towards regional peace.
• Strategic and symbolic dimensions:
  • For China, brokering rapprochement between these two longtime Middle East rivals has key strategic and symbolic dimensions.
  • Strategic:
    • On the strategic side, Beijing needs to maintain the free flow of oil from the region.
    • China needs stability in the Gulf, where it gets over 40 percent of its crude oil imports.
  • Symbolic:
    • Breaking hegemony of American mediation:
      • The Iran-Saudi deal on restoring diplomatic relations, brokered by China, suggests American influence in West Asia is being challenged.
      • Since the end of World War II and especially since the fall of the Soviet Union, the US has been the principal external power in the region.
    • Power shift:
      • Many have thus already described the recent development as a power shift, with China emerging as a significant player in the Middle East.

World’s response & potential of the deal

• USA:
  • The US welcomed the agreement immediately despite its confrontational relations with China, saying if it brought lasting peace, it did not matter who brokered it.
  • At the same time, it sought to play down the assessment of diminished US influence in the region.
• India:
  • India has welcomed the pact, saying it has always advocated dialogue and diplomacy to resolve differences.
• For Pakistan:
  • Increasing Chinese influence in the Middle East may indirectly help Pakistan, both economically and strategically.
  • Given the close relationship between Islamabad and Beijing, China may advocate Pakistan’s case and influence rich Gulf countries to help ease Pakistan’s financial woes.
• Hope for peace:
  • Critics believe this deal will not end differences between the Sunni monarchy and Shia republic.
  • The modest hope is that the deal sealed in Beijing may lead to a lasting peace in Yemen, and also end proxy Saudi-Iran hostilities in Lebanon, Syria and elsewhere in the region.
  • The agreement also may yield some domestic reprieve.

Possibilities for India

• Red flag:
  • China has repeatedly declared that its interests in the Middle East are only economic. Some believe it is only a matter of time before Beijing establishes a military presence in the region.
  • This deal, therefore, comes with a huge red flag for India and raises important geopolitical and strategic questions for New Delhi.
• Impact on I2U2:
  • Critics believe that the deal is sure to impact the I2U2 (Israel-India-UAE-US) grouping.
  • It calls for India to work on its ties to the region independently of the US (for instance with Iran), and in ways that project its civilisational and cultural links and the positive contributions of the Indian diaspora.
• In India’s interest:
  • On the whole, Indian interests in the Gulf would plausibly be more secure if the two bitter rivals were actively working to de-escalate mutual tensions.
  • India, among other countries, also gained from the 2001 security agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which prevented active conflict for 10 years despite deep mutual mistrust.
    • Iran was one of the primary oil suppliers to India, making up 11 percent of the total oil imports, up until 2019.
  • Indian Diaspora:
    • Given India’s long-standing relationships with most of the Gulf states, it has a clear edge over China to become a more reliable partner and mediator.
    • The large Indian diaspora in the Middle East is a formidable asset that provides India with a unique soft power advantage.
    • This diaspora can act as a steadfast anchor in relations, irrespective of policy shifts and external shocks.

Way ahead

• India needs to patiently assess if China’s growing involvement in the Gulf is detrimental to its long-term security interests and the regional balance of power.
• At the same time, recent developments also provide a window of opportunity for India to embed itself as a significant player in the Middle East.
  • The I2U2 partnership between India, Israel, the UAE, and the U.S. has already put India on the region’s alliance canvas. New Delhi has strong motivations to push I2U2 as it seeks to reframe its relationship with the Middle East and gain a bigger footprint in the region.
• This should serve as a reminder to India that it takes a great deal of work to convert historical ties and photo ops into actual influence

General Studies Paper 2

Context: Recently, data shared by the government shows increased participation of women on the payrolls of public sector banks.

About

• According to data shared by the Minister of State for Finance, in the Lok Sabha
  • The proportion of women employees has increased over the past year in most public sector banks.
  • In three public sector banks women employees constitute 30% or more of the total work force.
  • Indian Overseas Bank had the highest share of female staffers in their total staff strength at 36%
• Cabinet committee on Empowerment of Women in its fourth report (16 th lok sabha) considered the working condition of women in public sector banks. It had the following suggestions
  • It found representation of women in high grades low and asked the government to treat it as an issue of high priority.
  • It called on the government to revisit policies regarding  posting /transfer of women to distant places.
  • It found low awareness among women employees regarding the venues available to them for prevention of sexual harassment at work place.

Women’s Labour force participation 

• Data from the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) shows that India’s Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) has fallen to just 40% from an already low 47% in 2016.

• The main reason for India’s LFPR being low is the abysmally low level of female LFPR. According to CMIE data, as of December 2021, while the male LFPR was 67.4%, the female LFPR was as low as 9.4%.
• India ranks 135 among a total of 146 countries in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index 2022, which slipped from 112th position in 2020.

• According to the World Bank. From 30.7% in 2006,the proportion of working age women taking part in paid work dropped to 2% in 2021,

Reasons for Low Participation

• Lack of opportunities:Rural distress has affected women the most as income-generating opportunities have disappeared. The lack of suitable job opportunities is acute for women in rural India.
• Women education: India is one of the most climatically vulnerable places. All the improvements done over decades could be erased in an instance by Natural calamity; the poor public infrastructure and limited state capacity make the task difficult.
• Rising income among urban population:It has removed the economic incentive for women to work.
• Unpaid work: Most Indian women are deeply engaged in running households, which is unpaid work, and does not count as being part of the workforce.
• Demand-supply gap in employment:The country has not created enough jobs and the demand-supply gap in employment opportunities results in women deciding to stay at home.
• Working Conditions: The non-availability of white collar jobs, disproportionate long hours and lesser job security restricts the job opportunities for educated women in India.

Government Initiatives

• The Maternity Benefit Act entitles a woman working in the organized sector to 26 weeks of paid maternity leave. With regard to childcare, the Act has created a provision to provide for crèche facilities in every establishment having 50 or more workers.
• The Protection of Women against Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act, defines sexual harassment at the workplace and creates an organisational mechanism for redressal of complaints.
• Equal Remuneration Act, 1976; Factories (Amendment) Act, 1948 also seek to provide equality and fairness in women working conditions.

Way Forward

• Government policies should also start targeting women workers in the unorganised sector which houses the largest number of females and has little to no penetration of schemes.
• Apart from this Provision of amenities and basic infrastructure such as childcare facilities will go a long way in welcoming the entry of women into the labour force

General Studies Paper 2

CONTEXT:

The new reality of the twenty-first century has altered the objectives and standards of education everywhere. Inclusive development in education now include information technologies, especially digital skills and literacy, have become fundamental to daily life. The teacher of the twenty-first century must be adaptable and constructive, continually raising his or her bar, looking for answers, and resolving issues.

What is the Importance of Quality Education?

• Education is not just about gaining knowledge, but also about developing critical thinking, collaboration, and resource management skills.
• It is essential for improving employability, breaking the cycles of poverty and social exclusion, and promoting equality. The UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG-4) aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for everyone by 2030.
• The National Education Policy 2020 is a policy that aims to address the developmental needs of the country by promoting youth skill acquisition and all-around development in a welcoming, open, and multilingual environment.

About School Educational Scenario in India

• Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and prolonged school closures, there have been positive trends in the education sector. For example, access to education is now recognized as a non-negotiable part of a child’s right to education, which is enshrined in law and widely accepted in practice in India.
• Consequently,in 2021-22 the Gross Access ratio (GAR) of schooling facilities at the primary level is 49% habitations, 97.01% at the upper primary level, and 95.48% at the secondary level.

What are the UDISE+ findings on Inclusive Development in Education?

• The Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE+) and economic survey reported that a)5 crore children were enrolled in schools, b)The enrolment of Children With Special Needs (CWSN) increased by 3.3% in the year 2021-22, c) The number of students dropping out of school has also decreased across all grade levels.
• This achievement is attributed to programmes like Samagra Shiksha, RTE Act, improvements to school infrastructure, residential hostel buildings, teacher availability, regular training, free textbooks, uniforms, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya, and the PM POSHAN Scheme.
• Most government schools now have basic facilities, including toilets, drinking water, and hand-washing stations, thanks to the Swachh Bharat Mission and the Samagra Shiksha Scheme.
• The government also provides funding for the construction of smart classrooms and ICT labs, as well as support for hardware, instructional software, and e-content for classrooms. The GER (Gross enrolment ratio) of girls is higher or equal in all stages of school education, ensuring equitable access to education.

What are the various initiatives taken recently to ensure Inclusive Development in Education?=

PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI)

• The National Curriculum Framework (NCF) for Foundational Stage: The NCF aligns with the NEP 2020 and the 5+3+3+4 curricular structure, which includes early childhood care and education for children aged 3 to 8. It emphasises the importance of “play” in curriculum organization and the child’s overall experience, with a focus on enhancing developmental outcomes through support from communities, parents, and teachers.
• PRASHAST: It is a mobile app for disability screening. It covers 21 impairments, including the benchmark impairments listed in the 2016 Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act.
• The National Credit Framework (NCrF): It incorporates the National Higher Education Qualification Framework (NHEQF), National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), and National School Education Qualification Framework. It is an umbrella framework for skilling, re-skilling, up-skilling, accreditation, and evaluation.
• In addition to the above, other initiatives like toy-based pedagogy guidelines, starting Balvatikas in Kendriya Vidyalayas, Vidyanjali- an initiative for improving the quality of school education through community and various intervention under Samagra Shiksha were undertaken to improve the quality of school education sector.

How India’s FY 2023-24 Budget made Inclusive Development in Education a Priority?

• The budget for FY 2023-24 aims to boost education, skill development, entrepreneurship, R&D, digital infrastructure, green growth and job creation. It is critical for transforming India into a technology-driven knowledge-based economy and achieving Sustainable Development Goals. The budget focuses on promoting an equitable and inclusive education system and implementing the National Education Policy 2020. It allocates 13% more funds for education than the previous year. With a young population of 52.3 crores, the budget aims to provide education to all sections of society and transform India into a technology-driven society. Overall, the budget focuses on inclusive growth and development to create a prosperous and inclusive India.
• The major announcements of the budget 2023-24 for the education sector are as below:
• Inclusive Development in Education: School Education
• Pandemic-related school closures have severely impacted India’s school-going children, particularly in government schools and rural areas. The education sector is now focusing on learning recovery, with the budget providing priority areas to be emphasized, like:
• Re-envisioning Teachers’ Training: The NEP 2020 emphasizes the importance of training teachers to improve primary education and ensure high-quality teacher preparation. District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) will play a crucial role in this by providing pre-service and in-service teacher training and becoming centers of excellence for research and dissemination of best practices. The budget has allocated more funds for teacher training, including new pedagogy, ongoing professional development, and the use of ICT.
• National Digital Library for children and Adolescents: NEP emphasizes the importance of reading and the availability of diverse books for all students. To achieve this, a national digital library will be created with books by reputable Indian and international authors, including Braille and Braille translation tools. States will also be encouraged to establish physical libraries and provide access to the digital library’s resources.
• The National Book Trust and Children’s Book Trust will donate non-curricular books to these libraries to foster a reading culture and compensate for pandemic-related learning loss. NGOs and financial organizations will also be involved in promoting literacy and financial literacy.
• Aspirational Blocks Programme: The government has launched this Programme to provide public services, such as health, education, and infrastructure, in 500 blocks prioritizing tribal groups and disadvantaged pupils. This builds on the success of the Aspirational Districts Program.
• Eklavya Model Residential Schools: Over the next three years, the government will appoint 38,800 teachers and support personnel for the 740 Eklavya Model Residential Schools, which serve 3.5 lakh tribal students, to improve access to education for the last mile.
• Inclusive Development in Education: Higher Education  This budget clearly reflects the Indian Prime Minister’s vision of “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan, and Jai Anusandhan. “The government has laid emphasis on new age technologies, like:
• Centres of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence: To achieve the goal of “Make Al in India” and “Make Al work for India,” the government plans to establish three Artificial Intelligence Centres of Excellence in prestigious educational institutions. This will foster a robust AI ecosystem, promote multidisciplinary research, and address scalable issues in various sectors.
• Lab Grown Diamonds (LGDs): A research and development grant for indigenous production is given in recognition of the ITs’ pioneering role in the nation’s research excellence. One of the lITs will get equipment and seeds from Lab Grown Diamonds (LGD) for a period of five years.
• 5G Services: The government plans to set up 100 labs in engineering schools across India to develop apps using 5G services in areas like healthcare, education, and transportation. This aims to revolutionize engineering education, boost employment, and encourage innovation and entrepreneurship among young engineers.
• National Data Governance Policy: To unleash innovation and research by start-ups and academia, a National Data Governance Policy will be brought out. This will enable access to anonymised data.
• In addition to the above announcements, Multidisciplinary courses in medical devices and programmes to promote research in pharmaceuticals, with both industry and government funding will further strengthen the ‘Jai Anusandhan’ motto.

Conclusion  

• India has made notable progress in ensuring access to primary education and is striving to achieve equitable, inclusive, and quality secondary education for all by 2030. The Union Budget 2023-24 aims to support these efforts and advance the objectives of NEP 2020 and SDG 4 by promoting infrastructure improvements, educational technology developments, and raising the standards of instruction and learning. This will create new opportunities for teachers, students, and researchers, and revolutionize K-12 (K stands for Kindergarten and 12 stands for 12th grade) and higher education in a positive way.