1. Consciousness chronicles, from duality to bliss READ MORE
2. Judge your company READ MORE

1. Why are earthquakes frequent in Afghanistan? | Explained READ MORE
2. Riding El Nino, this may be one of India’s five hottest Octobers READ MORE

1. Why a caste survey isn’t enough READ MORE
2. Adapting to the future of work with NEP 2020 READ MORE

1. An opportunity to recast India’s food system READ MORE
2. Personal liberty should be an election issue READ MORE
3. Drug regulatory reforms for improving quality READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. “Ghar-Ghar KCC Abhiyaan”: A Transformative Initiative to Ensure Kisan Credit Card Access for Fish Farmers READ MORE
2.  Seeing the magic of artificial intelligence applications in ophthalmology READ MORE
3. Moderating inflation bolsters macro fundamentals: RBI officials READ MORE  
4. Steps in place to check price rise during festival season: Centre READ MORE
5. Why Special and Local Laws also need to be reformed READ MORE
6. SC directs Centre, states to immediately appoint district officers under POSH Act READ MORE
7. Southwest monsoon withdraws from India, winter rains likely in 3 days: IMD READ MORE
8. What is Gyan Sahayak Scheme, and why is it being opposed? READ MORE
9. MSP calculations still continue with old formula & not on comprehensive cost READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. Why a caste survey isn’t enough READ MORE
2. Why are earthquakes frequent in Afghanistan? | Explained READ MORE
3. Riding El Nino, this may be one of India’s five hottest Octobers READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. An opportunity to recast India’s food system READ MORE
2. Personal liberty should be an election issue READ MORE
3. Drug regulatory reforms for improving quality READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Adapting to the future of work with NEP 2020 READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. The BRI at 10, some hits, many misses READ MORE
2. The old Middle East is not back READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Are southern States being punished for their success? READ MORE
2. What to expect from India-UK free trade pact READ MORE
3. Beyond MSP hike: Need to enlarge ambit of crop procurement READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Stubble burning crisis: Why thermal power plants in Delhi-NCR have been slow in adopting biomass co-firing READ MORE
2. The shape of climate justice in a warming India READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Himalayas heading towards a point beyond redemption READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Consciousness chronicles, from duality to bliss READ MORE
2. Judge your company READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. India’s economic trajectory of progression after independence has been accompanied by a severe retrogression in its economic discourse. In light of this statement, analyse how, in recent times, India has turned from an effective economic policy towards electoral populism?
2. Artificial intelligence-powered technological tools have the potential to revolutionise education delivery and improve learning outcomes. Comment.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• You cannot continue to victimise someone else just because you yourself were a victim once.
• Our real enemies are not men and women but suspicion, fear, hatred, violence and feeling of revenge and these enemies cannot be eliminated by military means.
• Discoms will be profitable only when they are unshackled from state controls and electricity distribution is deregulated.
• The goal should be to create more employers than employees, and it is hoped that “PM Vishwakarma” will help make this a reality.
• The SHG federations can work with the existing panchayat-level committees to contribute to the development process of the village to upgrade education, health, sanitation and infrastructure facilities.
• The SHG model is a flexible and comprehensive tool to steer holistic development services as opposed to only providing financial and livelihood services to SHG women.
• While women-led federations role in promoting empowerment and livelihoods promotion is well known, not much has been highlighted about the SHG federation’s work in providing non-financial and development services in their communities.
• As the threat of climate change grows stark in the Himalayan regions the Early Warning System should be deployed to avoid numerous disasters.
• The biggest concern for India right now is the decline in both merchandise exports and imports over the past eight months.
• If the Indian government remains convinced about not joining the RCEP, it must have strategic reasons, which is fine. But it must nevertheless address the ongoing outcomes of such a decision, and that’s where agility in policymaking comes in.
• Despite the emergence of numerous education policies in the post-Independence period, India is yet to generate an indigenous system of education that is propelled by rationality, scientific temper and empathy.
• Education has to set its epistemic and moral worth and the goals of education should be quality, equity and efficiency in learning outcomes.
• A level playing field in terms of educational opportunities and competition, coupled with affirmative action, can enhance classroom accountability.
• To integrate critical thinking, educational reform has to assimilate the willingness to be rationally critiqued and learning must inculcate the ability to question from different vantage points.
• One is the legalisation of anonymous donations, and the other is the violation of citizens’ right to information about the funding of parties.
• The legalisation of anonymous donations would amount to facilitation and legitimisation of corruption.
• In a democracy, the public have the right to know who funds parties because the funding may be used to influence policies.

50-WORD TALK

• The NCLT and NCLAT, created as landmark reforms in 2016, are now being castigated by the Supreme Court for having “got down to a rot”. It’s long been known the two bodies have become more impediments than accelerants. The court’s words should now spur them to overhaul the administrative quagmire.
• The paltry 7% hike in wheat MSP, even if it’s the highest since 2014, barely covers inflation. If pricing was left to the markets, farmers would have received more adequate remuneration. As it happens, though, ill-informed opponents of farm laws have left the farmers at the mercy of the government.

Things to Remember:

• For prelims-related news try to understand the context of the news and relate with its concepts so that it will be easier for you to answer (or eliminate) from given options.
• Whenever any international place will be in news, you should do map work (marking those areas in maps and exploring other geographical locations nearby including mountains, rivers, etc. same applies to the national places.)
• For economy-related news (banking, agriculture, etc.) you should focus on terms and how these are related to various economic aspects, for example, if inflation has been mentioned, try to relate with prevailing price rises, shortage of essential supplies, banking rates, etc.
• For main exam-related topics, you should focus on the various dimensions of the given topic, the most important topics which occur frequently and are important from the mains point of view will be covered in ED. Try to use the given content in your answer. Regular use of this content will bring more enrichment to your writing.

THE CONTEXT: The publication of the results of the caste survey in Bihar had raised the possibility that other states too would announce similar exercises. In this respect, the Minister for Backward Classes Welfare in Andhra Pradesh recently announced that the state will begin a backward classes census soon.

ABOUT OTHER BACKWARD CLASSES (OBCs)?

• The expression ‘OBC’ was coined to denote backward/ marginalised communities and castes that were not Scheduled Castes (SCs) or Scheduled Tribes (STs).
• Affirmative action for OBCs is mandated by

1. Article 15(4) of the Constitution which states that “Nothing in this article shall prevent the State from making any special provision for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens.’’
2. Article 16(4) allows the state to make “any provision for the reservation of appointments or posts in favour of any backward class of citizens which, in the opinion of the State, is not adequately represented in the services under the State”.

• However, the OBCs, which are the beneficiaries of 27% reservation in Central Govt jobs, are not a single category, and within the OBC, there are hundreds of castes, all at different levels of marginalisation.
• The demand for reservation for the “backwards among OBCs” has gained traction as the feeling has grown that a handful of “upper” OBCs have grabbed most of the benefits of the 27% reservation that came with the implementation of the Mandal Commission.

HISTORICAL EVOLUTION OF THE OBC RESERVATION STATUS IN INDIA

• With the establishment of Kalelkar Commission in 1953, backward classes were first recognised beyond the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) on a national level.
• In 1980, the Mandal Commission Report estimated that the OBC population constituted 52% and identified 1,257 communities as backward.
• To address the inequity, it suggested an increase in the existing quotas (which were previously applicable only to SC/ST) from 22.5% to 49.5%, extending the reservation to include OBCs.
• Following these recommendations, the central government implemented the reservation policy, reserving 27% of seats in union civil posts and services for OBCs under Article 16(4). This policy was also enforced in central government educational institutions under Article 15(4).
• In 2008, the Supreme Court intervened and directed the central government to exclude the “creamy layer” (advanced sections) among the OBCs from benefiting from the reservation policy, ensuring that it reaches the most disadvantaged.
• In 2018, 102nd Constitution Amendment Act granted constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC). This elevated the NCBC from its previous status as a statutory body under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, giving it more authority and recognition in safeguarding the interests of backward classes, including the OBCs.

WHAT IS SUB-CATEGORISATION OF OBCs?

• The idea of sub-categorisation of OBC is to provide reservation to backwards amongst the OBCs which are granted 27% reservation in jobs and education under the central government.
• For OBCs, the debate arises out of the perception that only a few affluent communities in the Central List of OBCs have secured a major part of the 27% reservation. By creating sub-categories within OBCs it would ensure “equitable distribution” of representation among all OBC communities. To examine this, the Rohini Commission was constituted on October 2, 2017.

About Rohini Commission

• In 2017, the President of India constituted a 5 member commission to explore the concept of sub-categorization of OBC. The commission is headed by former Chief Justice of Delhi, G. Rohini.
• This commission was appointed by the President by exercising the provisions given in Article 340 of the Indian Constitution.

Terms of Reference:

• Examine the inequitable distribution of benefits among OBCs listed in the Central List.
• Propose a scientific approach and parameters for sub-categorisation within OBCs.
• Identify and classify the respective castes or communities into their respective sub-categories.
• Study the entries in the Central List of OBCs and recommend corrections for repetitions, ambiguities, inconsistencies, and errors in spelling or transcription.

SUBCATEGORIES IN STATES

• Over the decades, state governments have applied their own criteria to distribute quota benefits among the various categories of OBCs, a process that began well before the Mandal recommendations were implemented at the Centre
• In Andhra Pradesh, OBCs are divided into five subcategories: (A) Aboriginal tribes, vimukt jatis, nomadic and semi nomadic tribes etc; (B) Professional group like tappers, weavers, carpenters, ironsmiths, goldsmiths, kamsalins etc; (C) SC converts to Christianity and their progeny; (D) all other OBC castes and communities not covered in the previous three categories; (E) 14 Muslim OBC castes, who were identified in 2007. Groups A-E share 29% reservation benefits, split into 7%, 10%, 1%, 7%, and 4% respectively. Telangana follows the same model.
• In Karnataka, 207 OBCs castes are divided into five sub-groups.
• Jharkhand has two groups: Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) and Backward Classes.
• West Bengal’s 143 OBC castes are divided into More Backwards and Backwards.
• In Maharashtra, the 21% OBC reservation is shared by the Special Backward Category (2%) and Other Backward Classes (19%).
• In Tamil Nadu, the 50% OBC quota is divided among Backward Classes (26.5%), Backward Class Muslims (3.5%), and Most Backward Classes/Denotified Community (20%).
• In Kerala, 40% OBC reservation is divided into eight subgroups, including Ezhava/Thiyya/Billava (14%), and Muslims (12%).

CHALLENGES

• Delay in sub-categorisation: There has been delay in sub-categorisation due to various issues including the disruptions caused by COVID-19 pandemic.
• Complex issues: Enumeration of OBC data is administratively complex and the information lacks completeness and accuracy since the State and Central list of OBCs are distinct.
• Breach of 50-per-cent ceiling: With sub categorisation, issue of more reservation will arise. It may lead to breach of apex court’s 50-per-cent ceiling, since many communities have sought separate reservations at the State and Central levels across India.
• Lack of data: Government lacks information for data enumeration of OBC as data from 2011 Socio-Economic Caste Census were never made public.
• Electoral politics: This sub categorisation can lead to manipulation of voters and can be used for electoral politics rather than ensuring marginalised communities issues.

THE WAY FORWARD:

• Revision of list: There is a need of periodic revision of the income limit in determining the creamy layer with inclusion of factors such as the per capita income and rise in the cost of living, etc. There is a need to develop an evidence-based policy options that can be tailored to meet specific requirements of specific groups.
• Use of Rohini Commission data: Recently released(not published) report of the Rohini Commission should be properly used for the classification of OBC without having any prejudice or bias.
• Strong political will: Political parties should channel their energies to make substantive and qualitative changes in the way the reservation is implemented and not use it for vote bank politics.

THE CONCLUSION: With the issue of sub-categorisation is again raising the debate in the country, it should be done carefully. Also, there is a need to frequently revise the income limit in determining the creamy layer for non-discrimination and equal opportunity for the marginalised section.

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTION

Q.1 How do you explain the statistics that show that the sex ratio in Tribes In India is more favourable to women than the sex ratio among Scheduled Castes? (2015)

Q.2 Though there have been several different estimates of poverty in India, all indicate reduction in poverty levels over time. Do you agree? Critically examine with reference to urban and rural poverty indicators. (2015)

MAINS PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTION

Q.1 The Sub-categorisation of OBCs aims to provide appropriate positive discrimination for the benefit of the downtrodden and economically backward sections of the society. Examine.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/obcs-and-subcategories-why-this-has-been-a-hot-button-issue-for-long-8989702/

THE CONTEXT: Ecologists are expressing concerns over the inclusion of larger number of species in the new schedules of the Wildlife Protection (Amendment) Act, 2022, with no consultation, process or logic.

WILDLIFE PROTECTION (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2022

The Act amends the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 which regulates the protection of wild animals, birds and plants.

Some of the provisions are:

• Implement the provisions of CITES: The Amended Act seeks to implement the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Under CITES, plant and animal specimens are classified into three categories (Appendices) based on the threat to their extinction.  The Convention requires countries to regulate the trade of all listed specimens through permits.  It also seeks to regulate the possession of live animal specimens.
• Penalties: The Amended Act increases the prescribed  imprisonment terms and fines for violating the provisions of the Act.
• Rationalising schedules:Earlier, the Wildlife Protection Act had six schedules one for specially protected plants, four for specially protected animals, and one for vermin species.

The amended Act reduces the total number of schedules to four by:

• Reducing the number of schedules for specially protected animals to two (one for greater protection level)
• Removes the schedule for vermin species
• Inserts a new schedule for specimens listed in the Appendices under CITES (scheduled specimens)
• Conservation reserves: Under the earlier Act, state governments may declare areas adjacent to national parks and sanctuaries as a conservation reserve, for protecting flora and fauna, and their habitat. The Amended Act empowers the central government to also notify a conservation reserve.

ISSUES:

• Increased the number of species:The Amended Act seeks to increase the species protected under the law. In brief, Schedule 1, which confers the highest protection, contains about 600 species of vertebrates and hundreds of invertebrates, while Schedule 2 contains about 2,000 species (with 1,134 species of birds alone). This rationalisation has meant the inclusion of a very large number of species in Schedule I, which was meant essentially for critically endangered and endangered species. This also goes against the scientific logic of studying populations in the wild before deciding to place a species in Schedule I.
• Only two level of protection: The amendment Act sought to rationalise the schedules, and has created only two main levels of protection for animals — Schedule I specifying the animal species with the highest level of protection, and Schedule II specifying the animal species with a relatively lower degree of protection. Schedule III in the amendment Act is for plant species, and Schedule IV is for species protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
• More scrutiny for research: One of the issues with the new system of schedules is that scientists may require two levels of permissions from the state and the Centre to collect specimens. Any handling of animals in Schedule I requires permission from MOEFCC in addition to the state. Thus, any sample collection, tagging, ringing, etc. will now require state and Central permission. Thus, research on animals on both Schedules 1 and II will become highly restricted.
• Issue of prioritisation: Another issue is about the new system not prioritising species as per their ecological importance, including whether they are endangered or not, whether their habitat is degraded or not. As Jackals and bonnet macaques are listed in the same protection as tigers and rhinos in Schedule I. On the other hand, the white-bellied sholakili is in Schedule 1, but the Palani laughingthrush, a bird with similar ecology and a far more restricted distribution, is in Schedule 2. This shows concern with conservation of species.
• Limited consultation: A group of ecologists pointed out that the list of species in the amendment Act appears to have been created with little or no consultation. Only a few wildlife ecologists were aware of large-scale changes to the list of species in the schedules. Consequently, the outcomes of the new schedules are not based on science.
• Issue of resources: Despite listing of hundreds of species of mammals and over 1,000 species of birds it is unclear where resources should be allocated on the basis of this list.
• Impact on people: One of the more important issues concerns the impact on people. Various Schedule 1 species pose enormous physical, mental and economic harm to people. And yet people are told to learn ‘co-existence’ and WLPA serves to enforce this viewpoint. For example, the new Act elevates wild pigs and nilgai to Schedule 1, which means that the few States that have now allowed limited culling of problematic animals may not be able to retain that policy.
• Impact on livelihood of local communities: The WLPA also has a restrictive view on hunting and the use of animals, even when it has been done traditionally for hundreds of years, which affects the livelihood of local communities.

THE WAY FORWARD:

• Protect Local Communities: As local communities are dependent on the wildlife for their livelihood, there should be regulated use of forest resources to support the livelihoods of local communities.
• Transparency in research: There must be a transparent and time-bound process of granting permissions to research projects, which are necessary to understand species and have conservation implications. In the future, India will need to rely on specialised wildlife biologists and disease ecologists to understand rapidly emerging health threats to wildlife and humans and recommend innovative conservation plans and hence research in wildlife should be encouraged and facilitated.
• Need for prioritization: The listing of species has led to an imbalance in the allocation of resources for the protection of vulnerable species. There is an urgent need to prioritize the wildlife animals who are most vulnerable on the list, and that should be done with proper consultation. There should be a very scientific basis for the inclusion of species in schedules, and that should be updated from time to time.

THE CONCLUSION: The recent amendment to Wildlife Protection Act has led to enormous impact on conservation of species, research and livelihood as well. Therefore, all three issues conservation, people’s issues, and research need to be attended with different degrees of urgency.

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTION

Q. How does the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2020 differ from the existing EIA Notification, 2006? (2020)

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. The recent amendments to the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 can have debilitating effects on research and conservation of species. Examine and suggest measures to address the issue.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/when-tigers-and-jackals-get-the-same-protection/article67430687.ece#:~:text=The%20same%20level%20of%20protection,the%20felling%20of%20native%20trees.

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