(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1.  India’s GDP growth expected to slow to 6.3% in FY24: OECD economic outlook READ MORE

2. Government launches first-ever auction of critical minerals; 20 blocks up for sale READ MORE

3. Govt confident of meeting FY24 fiscal deficit target, committed to lowering it to 4.5% by FY26: Ajay Seth READ MORE

4. Conspiracy under PMLA stands only if listed crime involved: Supreme Court verdict READ MORE

5. 5 kg foodgrain to poor under PMGKAY for 5 more years, drones to 15,000 women SHGs: Key Cabinet decisions today READ MORE

6. India backs UNGA resolution over Israel not withdrawing from Syrian Golan READ MORE

7. Cabinet clears terms of reference for 16th Finance Commission READ MORE

8. Sri Lanka reaches agreement with India, Paris Club on debt treatment READ MORE

9. Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) – Quarterly Bulletin for July – September 2023 READ MORE

10. Understanding rat-hole mining READ MORE

11. History of UNLF, Meitei insurgent group that signed peace deal with Centre READ MORE

12. India needs a surplus of $101 billion in investment to triple RE targets, finds report READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. Rising student suicides shock Kota, India’s coaching capital READ MORE

2. Tropical cyclones cause more damage than we think — and India among countries facing high social cost of carbon READ MORE

3. Antarctic glacier dramatically moves eight kms after being stable for 50 years READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Critics are priceless and not unreasonable READ MORE

2. Growing number of vacant positions at Information Commissions threaten RTI Act READ MORE

3. Supreme Court ruling on Governor powers will be a game changer for federal disputes READ MORE

4. Taking constitutional justice to the people READ MORE

5. Getting pharma regulation right should be top priority READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Social justice, sexual education, the need of our times READ MORE  

2. Engage the private sector in the battle against TB READ MORE

 INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. S&T Initiatives and the Strategic Advance of India–US Relations READ MORE   

2. Why India’s response to the China challenge in Ladakh is so lopsided READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Indian economy’s ‘K-shaped’ recovery shows the rich are thriving, while the poor struggle READ MORE

2. How universities and industry can collaborate READ MORE

3. Towards an inclusive global tax regime bl-premium-article-image READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Realism, not rhetoric, should prevail at Dubai COP28 READ MORE

2. Climate finance, the North–South divide and India READ MORE

3. The climate hide and seek READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. The urgent challenge of Artificial Intelligence regulation READ MORE  

2. A new hope for Tuberculosis patients READ MORE

INTERNAL SECURITY

1. Should India be worried about Myanmar’s rebel offensive? READ MORE

2. Digital payment fraud: Cybercrime needs a coordinated response READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. A touchstone of risk: On the rescue efforts in the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi READ MORE

2. Mining tragedy: Joint task force a must to curb illegal quarrying READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. To be stress-free, adopt ‘take it easy’ policy READ MORE

2. Your anger, your energy READ MORE

3. Ancient Indian democracy: Lessons for today READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. How far do you agree with this view that the members of Parliament do not have the freedom to represent the public interest since they have to follow the party whip and politics is all about exercising power to serve the interests of the financiers of the party? Critically examine your view

2. The autonomy of the Reserve Bank is indispensable for safeguarding the integrity of the financial system, in turn, a necessary condition for economic stability. Comment.

3. Governors, who sought to display overbearing attitudes vis-a-vis the elected governments, using their discretionary powers under the Constitution.

4. The role of the governor is not clearly defined in Indian Constitution and the time has come to strengthen the Constitution and bring more clarity to the roles and responsibilities of the governor. Critically comment on the statement in the light of recent state governments governor tussle.

5. Deepfake technology not only poses a threat to the privacy of individuals but can be a challenge to national security. In the light of the statement do you think that a robust regulatory framework should be implemented?

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.
• The lack of adequate Global South representation within climate governance is exacerbated by the actions of Global North States that underscore the hypocrisy of their inadequate provision of finance.
• As one of the Global South’s leading States, India is in a prime position to represent Global South interests in climate governance issues.
• The autonomy of the Reserve Bank is indispensable for safeguarding the integrity of the financial system, in turn a necessary condition for economic security.
• The government is not treating the RTI Act as its own instrument for bringing to its notice its own shortcomings in performance.
• Governors, who sought to display overbearing attitudes vis-a-vis the elected governments, using their discretionary powers under the Constitution.
• When education is a right, it is only natural that sexual education is a part of it, which will transform gender relationships in society.
• The Supreme Court now seems to realise that much more needs to be done quickly to make access to justice a right for all.
• The UN’s move to develop a transparent tax regime and transfer rulemaking from the OECD must get India’s unstinted support.
• Anger, a double-edged sword, needs careful handling. Right-channelling the energy released due to anger can raise one to great heights. Handled carefully, it is a door to justice and achievement.
• Building a robust cybersecurity infrastructure requires high levels of investment and commitment. The Centre must continue playing its role of a facilitator, pushing the public and private sectors to deepen defences, expand detection capabilities and improve the response mechanism.
• A well-regulated pharma industry is essential.
• The education which does not help the common mass of people to equip themselves for the struggle for life, which does not bring out the strength of character, a spirit of philanthropy, and the courage of a lion – is it worth the name? Real education is that which enables one to stand on one’s own.

50-WORD TALK

• With 16th finance commission’s report due in October 2025, the finalisation of its terms of reference now is timely. However, without an updated Census, the Commission’s recommendations lose significant current value. It’s becoming increasingly urgent for government to come clean on its Census preparedness, something it’s been too tight-lipped about.
• A 7.6 percent growth in Q2, when RBI predicted 6.5 percent, is a strong consolidation of Q1’s performance. Construction has surged, with double-digit growth on an already high base. Manufacturing, too, has turned around strongly. But the government should look into whether consumption’s lower contribution to GDP suggests income distress.
• SC’s deadline for last rites of unclaimed bodies in Manipur can be a nightmare to execute. With Kukis in the hills and Meiteis in Imphal, even crossing territories is risky. The security situation is still broken. Rushing to meet deadline without a plan can push Manipur into the abyss again.

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.

TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: According to a report by energy think tank Ember, India will need additional investment of $101 billion to align with International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Net Zero target of tripling renewable energy capacity, compared to the 14th National Electricity Plan (NEP14) pathway.

EXPLANATION:

• India requires substantial investment to meet its renewable energy (RE) targets set by the National Electricity Plan (NEP14) and align with the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Net Zero objectives.
• A report by energy think tank Ember highlights the investment gap and necessary actions to achieve these goals.

Investment Requirements:

• According to the Ember report, India needs an additional investment of $101 billion to fulfill the IEA’s target of tripling renewable energy capacity compared to NEP14.
• The country necessitates a total investment of $293 billion between 2023 and 2030 to meet NEP14 solar and wind capacity objectives, including storage and transmission infrastructure.

NEP14 Renewable Capacity Targets:

• NEP projections outline renewable-based installed capacity for 2031-32, estimating 596,275 MW, encompassing various sources like solar, wind, hydro, biomass, and storage systems.
• The plan indicates a rising share of non-fossil-based capacity, projected to reach 68.4% by 2031-32 from 42.5% in April 2023.

Comparing NEP14 and IEA Targets:

• The report compares NEP14 projections with IEA targets, suggesting that to meet the latter, India must significantly increase annual solar and wind additions by 2027.
• While NEP14 aims for 24% generation from solar and 9% from wind by 2030, IEA’s goals entail 32% from solar and 12% from wind by 2030, requiring higher annual additions.

Additional Capacity Requirement:

• To achieve these targets, India needs an additional 115 GW of solar and 9 GW of wind capacity by 2030, surpassing NEP14 plans.
• Meeting IEA Net Zero targets necessitates even higher capacities, totaling 448 GW of solar and 122 GW of wind by 2030.

Transmission and Storage Requirements:

• The establishment of robust transmission systems is crucial to integrate renewables.
• NEP14 targets include interstate and intra-state transmission systems and storage capacities.
• To align with IEA Net Zero targets, India needs to enhance storage and transmission, requiring an additional 48 GW of ISTS and 14 GW of battery storage.

Pre-COP28 Context and Global Commitments:

• With the COP28 approaching, there’s an increasing push for tripling renewable energy capacity globally.
• India’s G20 commitment in 2023 aligns with these objectives, reflecting growing anticipation for a global commitment at COP28.

Challenges and Financing Needs:

• Despite rising investment in renewables, challenges persist, including payment delays, renegotiation of agreements, and land acquisition complexities.
• The report emphasizes the necessity for financing to meet NEP14 targets and urges even more substantial financial support to align with global net-zero pathways.

The 14th National Electricity Plan (NEP14):

• The 14th National Electricity Plan (NEP14) is a significant initiative in India’s energy sector, aiming to increase the country’s renewable energy capacity.
• According to the plan, India sets out solar capacity targets of 185.6 GW by fiscal 2026-27, reaching 364.6 GW by fiscal 2031-32.
• To achieve these targets, India needs to increase its current annual solar capacity addition by about 36% each year leading up to 2026-27.
• The plan also estimates India’s total annual electricity generation to grow by 1,174 TWh in fiscal 2022-32, reaching a total of 2,666 TWh in fiscal 2032.

Conclusion:

• India faces significant investment requirements to achieve ambitious renewable energy targets set by NEP14 and to align with global Net Zero goals.
• Addressing challenges and attracting substantial financing remains pivotal for successful implementation, ensuring a shift away from coal towards sustainable energy sources.

SOURCE: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/renewable-energy/india-needs-a-surplus-of-101-billion-in-investment-to-triple-re-targets-finds-report-93065

TAG: GS 3: INTERNAL SECURITY

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the Union Home Minister announced the signing of a peace agreement with the Meitei separatist group United National Liberation Front (UNLF) in Manipur, terming it a “historic milestone.”

EXPLANATION:

UNITED NATIONAL LIBERATION FRONT (UNLF):

• The United National Liberation Front (UNLF) was established on November 24, 1964.
• It was established as the oldest valley-based insurgent group in Manipur.
• It stands apart from insurgent groups active in the state’s Naga-dominated and Kuki-Zomi dominated hills.
• It was formed under the leadership of Arembam Samarendra Singh, the group demanded secession from India.
• Notably, top central committee leaders included individuals from diverse backgrounds like Khalalung Kamei (Naga) and Thangkhopao Singsit (Kuki).

EVOLUTION :

• The UNLF underwent changes and established its armed wing, the Manipur People’s Army, in 1990.
• Over time, it executed numerous attacks targeting Indian security personnel, operating mainly in the valley areas of Manipur and certain villages in the Kuki-Zomi hill districts.
• Currently divided into two factions, the UNLF has an estimated cadre strength of 400-500 individuals.
• It largely operated from camps in Myanmar’s Sagaing Region, Chin state, and Rakhine state with Myanmar military patronage.
• However, recent unrest and attacks by Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs) and People’s Defence Forces (PDFs) in Myanmar have weakened its position across the border.

Concerns and Activity Surge:

• Despite a decline and retreat to Myanmar, concerns arose over increased activity, including recruitment of around 500 new members, coinciding with the ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur.

Peace Agreement:

• The recent peace agreement signed with UNLF is a significant milestone in Manipur’s history.
• It marks the first time a valley-based insurgent group has engaged in such an agreement with the Centre.

Previous Splintering and Leadership Changes:

• The group experienced internal divisions leading to formal splits, with N Oken forming the Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) and later, Khundongbam Pambei breaking away from the central committee in 2021.
• Consequently, two factions emerged under Pambei and NC Koireng.

Other Meitei Insurgent Groups and Dynamics:

• The UNLF is one of several Meitei insurgent groups in Manipur.
• It is among the seven “Meitei Extremist Organisations” banned by the Union government.
• While one faction is open to talks, another continues to oppose negotiations.

Tripartite Agreement and Recent Developments:

• In 2008, a Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement was reached between the Centre, Manipur state, and Kuki-Zomi insurgent groups.
• However, in March of the current year, the Manipur government withdrew from the agreement with Zomi Revolutionary Army and Kuki National Army due to their alleged influence on forest encroachment agitation.

Conclusion:

• The history of UNLF is marked by its long-standing demand for secession and armed resistance.
• The recent peace agreement with the Centre signifies a significant development in the region’s complex insurgency landscape.
• Despite this milestone, challenges persist due to internal factionalism, differing stances among insurgent groups, and regional dynamics, requiring sustained efforts for lasting peace and stability in Manipur.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/history-of-unlf-meitei-insurgent-group-that-signed-peace-deal-with-centre-9047846/lite/

TAG: GS 3: ECONOMY

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation has released the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) – Quarterly Bulletin for July – September 2023.

PLFS AND OBJECTIVES:

• The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) was initiated in April 2017 with the aim of providing frequent and timely labour force data.
• The survey serves two primary purposes:
  • estimating key employment and unemployment indicators every three months for urban areas and
  • conducting an annual assessment in both rural and urban areas.
• The recent PLFS report for July – September 2023 was the twentieth quarterly bulletin in the series.
• The fieldwork for this period was completed timely, except for a few samples in Manipur and Telangana, which were considered casualties.
• Notably, the revisit schedules were primarily conducted via telephone (about 96.2% of the time) since June 2020.

SAMPLE DESIGN AND SIZE:

• The PLFS employs a rotational panel sampling design in urban areas where selected households are visited four times, ensuring continuity in data collection.
• For the quarter July – September 2023, 5,706 first-stage sampling units (FSUs) were surveyed, comprising 44,738 urban households and 1,70,004 individuals.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK OF KEY INDICATORS:

• The PLFS provides estimates for significant employment and unemployment indicators:
  • Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR), Worker Population Ratio (WPR), and Unemployment Rate (UR).
• These indicators are based on the ‘Current Weekly Status’ (CWS), evaluating activity status in the preceding seven days before the survey.
• Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR):
  • LFPR is defined as the percentage of persons in labour force (i.e., working or seeking or available for work) in the population.
• Worker Population Ratio (WPR):
  • WPR is defined as the percentage of employed persons in the population.
• Unemployment Rate (UR):
  • UR is defined as the percentage of persons unemployed among the persons in the labour force.
• Current Weekly Status (CWS):
  • The activity status determined on the basis of a reference period of last 7 days preceding the date of survey is known as the current weekly status (CWS) of the person.

KEY FINDINGS FROM THE QUARTERLY BULLETIN – JULY TO SEPTEMBER 2023:

• Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) Increase:
  • LFPR in urban areas for individuals aged 15 years and above rose from 47.9% in July – September 2022 to 49.3% in the same period of 2023.
  • Notably, LFPR increased for both males and females during this period.
• Worker Population Ratio (WPR) Growth:
  • WPR in urban areas for individuals aged 15 years and above increased from 44.5% in July – September 2022 to 46.0% in the same period of 2023.
  • Similar to LFPR, WPR exhibited growth for both males and females.
• Unemployment Rate (UR) Decline:
  • UR in urban areas for individuals aged 15 years and above decreased from 7.2% in July – September 2022 to 6.6% in the same period of 2023.
  • While male UR was at 6.0% in 2023, female UR declined from 9.4% to 8.6% during this period.

CONCLUSION AND ACCESS TO DETAILED DATA:

• The PLFS Quarterly Bulletin – July to September 2023 highlights positive trends in LFPR, WPR, and a decline in UR in urban areas for individuals aged 15 years and above. (can refer to ministry website for the data in tabular form).
• These indicators provide crucial insights into the labour market dynamics, aiding in policy formulation and interventions for economic growth and employment generation.

SOURCE: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1980887#:~:text=UR%20in%20urban%20areas%20decreased,%25%20in%20July%20%E2%80%93%20September%202023

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT: Recently, Sri Lanka has reached an “agreement in principle” with India and the Paris Club group of creditors including Japan, on a debt treatment plan.

EXPLANATION:

• The Debt treatment agreement will help the crisis-hit island nation tap the next tranche of the International Monetary Fund’s nearly-$3 billion recovery package.

BACKGROUND:

• Sri Lanka, facing a severe economic crisis, defaulted on its nearly $51 billion foreign debt last year.
• It necessitated a comprehensive restructuring of loans to initiate an economic recovery program supported by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
• The country approached major lenders and formed the Official Creditor Committee (OCC), which includes India, Japan, and France (as chair of the Paris Club), to negotiate debt treatment plans.

AGREEMENT WITH INDIA AND PARIS CLUB:

• Sri Lanka has secured an “agreement in principle” with India and the Paris Club group of creditors, including Japan, outlining a debt treatment plan.
• The debt treatment plan aligns with the parameters of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement between Sri Lanka and the IMF.
• The Paris Club announced the agreement’s main parameters, without explicit details, and aims to formalize the agreement through a Memorandum of Understanding in the upcoming weeks.

OCC’S ROLE AND EXPECTATIONS:

• The OCC was formed in response to Sri Lanka’s request for debt treatment and has engaged in discussions with the country’s authorities, evaluating options to restructure Colombo’s outstanding debt.
• China, Sri Lanka’s largest bilateral creditor, opted to remain outside the platform but participated as an observer.
• Japan and India, as significant lenders, stressed the importance of creditor parity and transparency.

EXPECTATIONS FROM OTHER CREDITORS AND PRIVATE ENGAGEMENT:

• The OCC, alluding to China, emphasized the necessity for “other bilateral creditors” to share information transparently for evaluating the comparability of treatment regarding their bilateral agreements.
• Additionally, the Committee urged Sri Lanka to continue engaging with its private creditors, aiming for an agreement at least as favourable as the terms offered by the OCC.

IMF’S STANDPOINT AND CONDITIONS:

• The IMF, after reaching a staff-level agreement with Sri Lanka in October 2023, highlighted the significance of securing an agreement with official creditors on a debt treatment plan consistent with the Fund’s debt targets.
• The next installment of the IMF package is contingent on this agreement, underscoring its criticality for Sri Lanka’s economic recovery.

CHINA’S ROLE AND AWAITED SPECIFICS:

• While China has assured cooperation in Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring, ensuring transparent participation, the specific details of the potential debt treatment plan are yet to be disclosed.

PARIS CLUB:

• The Paris Club is an informal group of official creditors whose role is to find coordinated and sustainable solutions to the payment difficulties experienced by debtor countries.
• The members are:
  • The current permanent members of the Paris Club are Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
  • South Africa is a prospective member since 2022
• As debtor countries undertake reforms to stabilize and restore their macroeconomic and financial situation, Paris Club creditors provide an appropriate debt treatment.
• Paris Club creditors provide debt treatments to debtor countries in the form of rescheduling, which is debt relief by postponement or, in the case of concessional rescheduling, reduction in debt service obligations during a defined period (flow treatment) or as of a set date (stock treatment).
• The origin of the Paris Club dates back to 1956 when Argentina agreed to meet its public creditors in Paris.
• Since then, the Paris Club has reached 478 agreements with 102 different debtor countries.
• Since 1956, the debt treated in the framework of Paris Club agreements amounts to $ 614 billion.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/sri-lanka-reaches-agreement-with-india-paris-club-on-debt-treatment/article67587365.ece/amp/

TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the Antarctic glacier has moved eight kms after being stable for 50 years.

EXPLANATION:

• The recent observation of significant movement and collapse of the Cadman Glacier’s ice shelf in Antarctica has raised concerns about the vulnerability of polar ice dynamics to climate change.
• This event, characterized by an accelerated retreat of the glacier after decades of stability, highlights the potential repercussions of warming oceans on Antarctic glaciers.

SCIENTIFIC INSIGHTS:

• Utilizing information from nine satellite missions, including ESA’s CryoSat and Copernicus Sentinel-1, researchers were able to analyze the changes in the ice shelf and glacier.
• The study revealed that between November 2018 and May 2021, the Cadman Glacier retreated an astonishing eight kilometers after being stable for almost 50 years.
• The rapid retreat is attributed to ocean water temperatures that were up to 2°C warmer than average during 2018–2019 around the west Antarctic Peninsula.

RESEARCH FINDINGS AND CAUSES:

• Researchers pointed out that warmer waters began undermining the Cadman Ice Shelf as early as the 1970s, with noticeable effects becoming pronounced by the early 2000s.
• The warm water not only affected the surface but also penetrated deeper layers of the ocean, potentially reaching the point where the ice shelf grounded on the seafloor.
• This bottom-up melting was detected through satellite observations.

IMPACT OF ICE SHELF LOSS:

• The collapse of ice shelves like the Cadman Ice Shelf plays a pivotal role in glacier stability.
• These shelves act as a barrier, floating on the ocean surface and anchoring to the ocean floor, which slows down the flow of glacial ice towards the sea.
• With the loss of the Cadman Ice Shelf, this crucial support has been removed, leading to increased discharge of ice into the ocean at an alarming rate.

IMPLICATIONS AND CONCLUSION:

• This research underscores the vulnerability of Antarctic glaciers to changes in oceanic temperatures, emphasizing the potential for rapid ice loss due to climate change.
• As global leaders prepare for discussions on climate action, the situation in Antarctica serves as a compelling call to address warming oceans.
• It poses threats not only to polar regions but also to global sea levels and ecosystems.

SOURCE: https://www.indiatoday.in/science/story/antarctic-glacier-dramatically-moves-eight-kms-after-being-stable-for-50-years-2469116-2023-11-29

THE CONTEXT: Fielding few women candidates in the Assembly elections even after a law was enacted this year is a reflection of the lack of political commitment in ensuring greater women’s empowerment.

THE POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN

• In any country, the political empowerment of women is generally possible with two routes:
  • The first is to reserve seats for women in the legislature by means of legislation.
  • The second is to have provision for quotas for women candidates within political parties while nominating candidates.
• There are examples for both routes that have been adopted in various countries. Neighbouring Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan have opted for the legislative route and are faring better in terms of representation of women in their legislatures.
  • For example, in Pakistan, 17% seats are reserved for women in its national assembly; Bangladesh has reserved 50 out of 350 seats in its Jatiya Sansad and Nepal has reserved 33% of the total seats for women.
• Statistics show that there is an improvement in the number of women legislators being elected crossing the percentage of seats reserved for women which is a sign of women’s political empowerment in one way or the other.

THE WORLD AND INDIA

No laws mandating quotas for women: There are many countries where there are no laws mandating quotas for women, but political parties are required to give a certain percentage of tickets to women candidates.

• Australia (38%), Canada (31%), South Africa (45%), and Sweden (46%) have no legislatively backed quotas in their Parliament, yet most of these countries have more than 30% women in their respective Parliament.

Women’s political representation in India: The Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance government has chosen the quota route for the political empowerment of women by enacting the Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act of 2023.

• It is considered a milestone in terms of women empowerment (reserving by law 33% seats in State Assemblies and Parliament ).
• The Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha with a huge majority, only two Members opposing the Bill.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE WOMEN RESERVATION ACT 2023

Reservation for Women: The act reserves one-third of the total seats in Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies for women. This reservation will apply to both general and reserved seats for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) .

Rotation of Seats: The reserved seats for women will be rotated after each delimitation exercise, ensuring that different constituencies get a chance to have women representatives.

Commencement of Reservation: The reservation will come into effect after the next census is conducted and delimitation is completed.

Duration of Reservation: The reservation will initially be valid for 15 years. However, Parliament can extend it beyond this period if it deems necessary.

Empowering Women: The act aims to increase the representation of women in India’s political sphere, empowering them to participate in decision-making processes and address issues that affect women’s lives.

Promoting Gender Equality: The reservation is seen as a step towards achieving gender equality in India’s political system, ensuring that women have a voice and equal representation in the legislative bodies.

Enhancing Social Justice: The act aligns with India’s commitment to social justice and aims to address the historical underrepresentation of women in politics.

Strengthening Democracy: By increasing women’s participation in politics, the act is expected to strengthen India’s democracy and make it more inclusive and representative of its diverse population.

ISSUES

Ticket distribution for Assembly elections: No political party has reached even the 15% mark in giving tickets to women candidates, far less than the mandated 33%. It is obvious that political parties are more interested in viewing women as voters than encouraging and empowering them as legislators.

Linkage with the new delimitation: Linkage with the new delimitation which will be done after 2026, we can say that the law looks good only on paper. In spite of not having any law, regional parties such as the TMC (Trinamool Congress is an Indian political party that is mainly influential in the state of West Bengal) have fielded candidates successfully and won electoral battles.

WAY FORWARD

Immediate implementation: The reservation is proposed to be implemented after a new census is published and the delimitation exercise is completed which may take time longer than expected. In this case there is a need to have immediate implementation for its effective result.

Innovative move: In the 2022 Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress party had reserved 40% of seats for women which was a bold and innovative move in the Indian political arena.

• In Assembly elections in Odisha (2019) and West Bengal (2021), fielded more female candidates and won the electoral battle. The TMC’s tickets to 46 women candidates, resulted in 32 candidates winning.

More inclusivity: There should be sub quota for reservation of OBC as well to have inclusive political representation of women from marginalized strata of society.

Extend reservation to Rajya Sabha: The report examining the 1996 women’s reservation Bill recommended reservation be extended to the Rajya Sabha and the Legislative Councils as well to have an overall holistic growth.

CONCLUSION:

The initiative of enacting the Women Reservation Act, 2023 is a commendable move by the parliamentarians of the day. However, not having an adequate number of tickets to women candidates even after a law has been enacted (though it will come into effect by 2029) does not send out a positive signal about political commitment to ensure women’s political empowerment.

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS:

Q.1) Is the National Commission for Women able to strategize and tackle the problems that women face at both public and private spheres? Give reasons in support of your answer. (2017)

Q.2) The reservation of seats for women in the institution of local self-government has had a limited impact on the patriarchal character of the Indian political process”. Comment. (2019)

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION:

Q) The initiative of enacting the Women Reservation Act, 2023 is a commendable move by the parliamentarians of the day. Examine the concerns regarding its feasibility, desirability, and implications.

SOURCE: Women’s political empowerment — more talk, less action – The Hindu

THE CONTEXT: The President suggested that an All-India Judicial Service will help make the judiciary diverse by increasing representation from marginalised social groups.

MORE ON THE NEWS

• The President suggested that the creation of an All-India Judicial Service (AIJS) will help diversify the judiciary by allowing bright youngsters from varied backgrounds.
• The idea has been mooted and discussed in the past and has been part of discussions on official policy in the Union government for years.
• However, as the Union Law Minister disclosed last year in the Rajya Sabha, there is no consensus on the proposal.
• Only two High Courts agreed to the idea, while 13 were against it.

ABOUT ALL INDIA JUDICIAL SERVICE(AIJS)

• The idea of AIJS was first proposed by 14th Report of Law Commission titled ‘Report on Reforms on Judicial Administration’ in 1958.
• The All-India Judicial Service is a proposal to create a recruitment of district judges centrally through an all-India examination and allocated to each State along the lines of the All-India Services such as IAS and IPS.
• The current system of recruitment of district judges is through the respective High Courts and other subordinate judicial officers, through public service commissions.
• Article 312 of the Constitution, as amended by the 42nd Amendment, provides for the creation of an AIJS.

VIEWS OF THE PRESIDENT ON THE ALL-INDIA JUDICIAL SERVICE

• The President said that a more varied representation of India’s unique diversity on the Bench and the Bar definitely helps serve the cause of justice better.
  • One way to hasten this diversification process can be the creation of a system in which judges can be recruited from varied backgrounds through a process that is merit-based, competitive and transparent.
• There can be an all-India judicial service which can select brilliant youngsters and nurture and promote their talents from lower levels to higher levels.
• Those who aspire to serve the Bench can be selected from across the country to create a larger pool of talent.
• Such a system can offer opportunities to the less-represented social groups too.
• A national judicial service could be established to identify and cultivate talented young people, promoting them from lower to higher levels.
• Individuals interested in serving on the Bench could be chosen from all over the country, creating a larger pool of talent.
• This system could provide opportunities for underprivileged social groups as well.
• The President said India has been deepening democracy since winning freedom by upholding justice and equality and empowering every citizen.

ISSUES

States unlikely to agree: It is unlikely that all States will agree to one more subject from their domain being consumed by centralisation.

Legal education lacks country-wide uniformity:  However, it cannot be forgotten that legal education lacks country-wide uniformity. After enrolling, lawyers typically consider judicial service based on practical experience rather than academic brilliance.

Unlikely to sit for an NJS recruitment examination: Toppers, especially from the few elite law schools, are unlikely to sit for a national judicial service (NJS) recruitment examination. In comparison, options such as litigation, joining law firms and going into the corporate sector will appear more beneficial.

Lack of certainty: Number of district judges elevated to the High Courts is much lower than those from the Bar, the lack of certainty on career progression may also render a national judicial service unattractive.

WAY FORWARD

• Over the years, some states and high courts have expressed opposition to the formation of an All-India Judicial Service.
• Therefore, before establishing an AIJS, consensus is needed among the central government, states, and the judiciary.
• Efforts should be directed towards implementing more immediate solutions to address the challenges faced by the Indian judiciary.

CONCLUSION:

The establishment of an All-India Judicial Service (AIJS) is a complex and controversial issue that requires careful consideration and consensus-building among all stakeholders. It is essential to address the concerns and ensure that all stakeholders are on board. In the meantime, efforts should focus on implementing other measures to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Indian judiciary.

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTION:

Q) Critically examine the Supreme Court’s judgment on ‘National Judicial Appointments Commission Act, 2014’ with reference to appointment of judges of higher judiciary in India. (2017)

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION:

Q) “Good intentions do not always make for sound policy”. In this context discuss the issues with the implementation of the All-India Judicial Service (AIJS).

SOURCE: A non-starter: The Hindu Editorial on President Droupadi Murmu’s suggestion for an All-India Judicial Service – The Hindu

UPSC Mains Result-2023

DOWNLOAD PDF