THE CONTEXT: Recently, a five-judge Constitution bench headed by the Chief Justice of India has delivered its verdict on the issue of same sex marriage. The Court has taken some steps to protect same-sex unions from discrimination. But in the final analysis, the Court did not grant recognition to same-sex marriage and stated that there is no fundamental right to marry. This article analyses the judgement and its implications from the UPSC PERSPECTIVE.

A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE SUPRIYA CHAKRABORTY VS UNION OF INDIA CASE

• In the Supriya Chakraborty v Union of India case, petitions were filed for recognition of the right to marry and establish a family to sexual and gender minority individuals in India.
• The grounds cited by the petitioners were protections from discrimination, the right to equality, dignity, personal liberty, privacy, and personal autonomy, and freedom of conscience and expression.
• Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul have ruled that queer couples have a right to seek recognition for their union but declined to read down the provisions of the Special Marriage Act to that effect.
• On the other hand, Justices S. Ravindra Bhat, Hima Kohli and P.S. Narasimha rejected the position, holding that any such recognition can only be based on statute.

• Hence, in the final verdict, a 3-2 majority favoured the refusal of legal recognition to unions other than heteronormative ones. The bench asserted that there is no fundamental right to marriage under the Indian Constitution.
• The Court upheld the Special Marriage Act, 1954 in its current form, e., permitting marriages only between a ‘man’ and a ‘woman’. It does not extend it to same-sex marriages.
• It upheld the institution of marriage flows from the statutes created by the state and the right to marry is not expressly recognized either as a fundamental or constitutional right under the Indian Constitution but a statutory right.
• The Court has accepted the government’s view that any move to legalise same-sex marriages will fall in the legislature’s domain.
• The Centre has been told to establish a high-powered committee under the Cabinet Secretary to consider the scheme of rights flowing from the civil union. This would range from opening joint bank accounts, same-sex spouses being a beneficiary for provident funds, pensions or inheritance to such spouses, among others.

MINORITY STAND

• Emphasis of individual liberty, dignity and choice: They argued that the legal recognition of civil unions for non-heterosexual couples represents a step towards marriage equality. They said that the right to form unions comes from the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression, and the right to life. The minority view also said that with civil union status, same-sex couples must be extended the “bouquet of rights” that heterosexual couples are entitled to.
• Recognizing past injustices faced by the queer group and the state’s insensitivity:  Majority stand, has highlighted the discrimination faced by queer group. The queer people exist across all communities and settlements, urban or rural and state is quite insensitive to address their concerns.

MAJORITY STAND

• Three judges of the five-judge Constitution bench disagreed with the Chief Justice of India on adoption rights for LGBTQIA people but agreed that the Special Marriage Act, 1956 (SMA) cannot be interpreted in such a manner so as to enable marriage between queer persons.
• Majority stated that the legislation regarding institution of marriage comes within the state power and only state has the power to frame such legislation by framing an independent structure for queers.
• The line between recognizing rights and overstepping boundaries: It is recognised that LGBTQ community faces discrimination from the state but declined acceptance on same-sex marriage. As such, a decision fell outside its purview and should be addressed by the Indian Parliament.
• Separation of Power: Majority opinion stated that striking down the SMA provisions would jeopardise the legal framework for interfaith and inter-caste couples. It was added that interpreting the SMA in a gender-neutral way would amount to “judicial lawmaking”, which would violate the doctrine of separation of powers.

THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT: PREVIOUS JUDGMENTS

NALSA CASE JUDGEMENT (2014)

• In the NALSA case judgement, the court held that transgenders fall within the purview of the Indian Constitution and thus are fully entitled to the rights guaranteed therein.
• The court made a distinction between biological sex and psychological sex. The judgment affirmed transgender people’s fundamental right to marry.

K. PUTTASWAMY V UNION OF INDIA (2017)

• It linked privacy with the rights of queer persons. In this judgement on Right to privacy, the Supreme Court held that sexual orientation of any individual comes under his/her Right to Privacy.
• This landmark judgement became the basis of declaring Sec 377 of IPC, under which Homosexuality was a crime, unconstitutional.

NAVTEJ SINGH JOHAR AND OTHERS V. UNION OF INDIA 2018

• In September 2018, a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court unanimously decriminalized consensual sex between two adults irrespective of their gender and partially struck down Section 377 of the IPC.
• The court referred to those areas of the section that criminalized consensual unnatural sex as “irrational, indefensible and manifestly arbitrary”.
• The SC held that members of the LGBTQ community “are entitled, as all other citizens, to the full range of constitutional rights including the liberties protected by the Constitution and are entitled to equal citizenship and equal protection of law.
• However, in its ruling, the court also made it clear that other aspects dealing with unnatural sex with animals and children still remained in force, and that it was confining its order to consenting acts between two adults.

SHAKTI VAHINI V. UNION OF INDIA (2018)

• A petition was filed under Art. 32 of the Indian Constitution to seek directions for the state governments as well as Central govt. to take necessary steps to prevent honour-related crimes.
• The SC recognized the right of two consenting adults to choose each other as partners in marriage to be a fundamental right under Arts. 19 and 21 of the Indian constitution.
• There is no requirement of consent of the family members, community or clan as a whole is not required.

THE RELEVANCE OF THIS CASE FOR THE  INDIAN SOCIETY

• Large sections of Indian society are still opposed to the legalisation of same-sex marriages on religious and cultural grounds.
• People believe marriage is traditionally defined as a union between a man and a woman. According to society, altering this definition undermines traditional family values and the institution of marriage.
• Opponents argue that the primary purpose of marriage is procreation and raising children, and same-sex couples cannot fulfill this purpose. They believe children need both a mother and a father for a well-rounded upbringing.
• Same-sex marriage is seen as inconsistent with Indian cultural and religious beliefs by opponents. They fear legalizing it would erode traditional values and contribute to the Westernization of Indian culture.
• According to a survey titled ‘Politics and Society Between Elections 2019’ conducted by the Delhi-based think tank Centre for the Study Developing Societies (CSDS)-Lokniti in collaboration with Azim Premji University in Bengaluru. More than half of the respondents disapproved of recognition for same-sex relationships.
• The findings of the survey contradict popular perceptions about Indian acceptance of same-sex relationships as it was earlier thought as elitist and urban which comes out contradictory in survey. Nearly 59% of urban respondents said they did not want society to accept same-sex relationships in contraction to 53% of rural respondents. Also, at the same time, it is found that income does shape one’s opinion on same-sex relationships, but higher income doesn’t necessarily lead to a tilt towards acceptance.
• According to the survey, India’s minorities, in comparison to religious majorities, tend to strongly reject same-sex relationships. The religiosity in the state could be a link in defining their attitude towards such unions.

PUBLIC PERCEPTION AND MEDIA ROLE

• The survey found that increased media exposure leads to higher acceptance of same-sex relationships as media plays a key role in shaping opinion around LGBTQIA+,
• The findings also show that only 10 per cent of respondents with no media exposure tend to exhibit acceptance of same-sex relationships. The acceptance rate can go as high as 33 per cent for those with very high media exposure.

JURISPRUDENTIAL EXAMINATION FROM THREE PERSPECTIVES: LEGAL, MORAL, AND SOCIOLOGICAL

LEGAL

• The case has a legal angle attached to the judgement as the court has cited the limits of its jurisdiction and emphasised the legislative authority over such matters.
• There arises issue of violation of fundamental rights which is cited by petitioners that the exclusion of couples from sexual and gender minority communities from marriage laws constituted a violation of fundamental right. Similarly, the notice and objection provisions in secular marriage laws Special Marriage Act and Foreign Marriage Act constituted a violation.
• However, Jurisprudence of the courts interpreting constitutional provisions and including new rights in a liberal and expansive manner was not put into practice in this case.
• Hence, following Article 32 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the Right to Constitutional Remedies and designates the Supreme Court as the protector of Fundamental Rights, the petitioners argued that they are within their rights to approach the Supreme Court.

MORAL

• Another angle attached to the case is moral angle. Violating the rights of the queer community comes under the violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), of which India is a signatory.
• Even the Indian Constitution and courts have also been greatly influenced by the UDHR.
• Even in the Maneka Gandhi case, the Court relied on Article 10 of the UDHR to include principles of natural justice in the administrative process.
• In Navtej Johar Case (2018), CJI DY Chandrachud had held that “the Court has to be guided by the conception of constitutional morality and not by societal morality”.

SOCIOLOGICAL.

• The case tends to have societal impacts as it regulates relationships between people and prescribes behaviour patterns reflecting societal values.
• However, as the social realities change, the law changes. Also, sometimes a legal change precedes societal changes and is even intended to stimulate.
• Also, Article 15 of the Indian Constitution guarantees protection from discrimination. The Supreme Court extended the protection to include sexual orientation and gender identity.
• The Supreme Court itself has  held that the choice of marital partner is an exercise of freedom of expression enshrined in Article 19 in Vikas Yadav v. State of Uttar Pradesh (2016), Asha Ranjan v. State of Bihar (2017), Shakti Vahini v. UOI (2018) and Shafin Jahan v Ashokan K.M. (2018).
• The SC said that unwarranted disclosure of the marriage plans might jeopardise the marriage and endanger the lives of the couple because of societal perception.

IMPLICATIONS OF THE JUDGEMENT FOR THE FUTURE

• Setback for the queer community: The ruling is a setback for India’s LGBTQ community. Many had expected the Supreme Court to grant them the right to marry their partners. As, in 2018 the supreme court scrapped a colonial-era law banning homosexuality in India, hope was this time for same sex marriage. While acceptance of homosexuality is growing, this judgement proves that Indian society still remains largely conservative. It is resistance to opening up marriage to same-sex couples, who still face rampant discrimination and harassment in society.
• Maintaining Status quo: There is no real meaningful application of the case as it keeps the status quo running with no important verdict. Beyond recognising natal family violence, it “doesn’t provide any real immediately actionable right to queer couples.
• No recognition in society: Marriage is indeed a social institution, with its own legal requirements and conditions for what constitutes a valid marriage. The right to seek social and legal validation through marriage is a matter of individual choice protected by the Constitution, but the Court still views it as being subject to statutory limitations.
• Formation of committee: The Court called on the Solicitor General’s submission that the government will constitute a committee, chaired by the Cabinet Secretary, to set out the benefits and entitlements for same-sex couples. It is to see whether the committee takes the right decision for ensuring the rights of the queer community.
• Less chance of legislation: Given that large sections of India may be opposed to the legalisation of same-sex marriages on religious and cultural grounds, the possibility of Parliament taking the initiative to do so is quite less. Also, States such as Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have opposed outright the legal recognition of same-sex marriages in the past. This judgment will only delay the already long and arduous struggle to create the conditions where same sex couples could live a life in freedom without fear.

THE WAY FORWARD

• Queer inclusive Policies: There is a need of proactive approach by law enforcement agencies by bringing in legal reforms. Inclusive approach for queer couples must be planned and adopted by the Government and society.
• Dialogue and Engagement: Engaging in a dialogue with religious leaders and communities can help bridge the gap between traditional beliefs and modern attitudes towards same-sex relationships. By working together, we can create a more inclusive society where everyone has the right to love and marry whomever they choose, regardless of their gender.
• Sensitization of authorities:There is a need of sensitization of authorities by creating awareness regarding equality of individuals irrespective of gender by modifying their behaviour and views. Change of approach of authorities can led to gender justice, equality and inclusion of queer community in the society.
• Granting recognition to marriage: It should be on the part of the legislature to frame adequate laws to grant recognition to the marriage of queer people. It is the duty of the State to extend necessary protection. It would signal a positive message and acceptance in society for queer people as well.
• Regulatory framework:There should be a separate anti-discrimination law and proper laws for punishment for the discriminatory practices against queer people to undo the historical injustice against the community as current laws are fragmented.
• Adoption regulation:Law on adoption should be on the basis of merit, not on sex. Merely because a relationship is regulated by law, it does not mean that couples who are not married are not serious about their relationship.
• Global recognition:A growing number of governments around the world are considering whether to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages. India should also come forward to grant legal recognition for protection of their rights. State legislatures can enact laws recognising and regulating same-sex marriages; the Constitution under Articles 245 and 246 empowers both the Parliament and the State to enact marriage regulations. They need to create a gender-neutral law for marriage.

THE CONCLUSION: This verdict of the Supreme Court seems to have a significant impact on the queer community, and its significance lies in the broader trajectory of LGBTQ+ rights in India. The courts and the government have to come out and need to take steps for the larger good of marginalised communities as well. There is a need to create a more inclusive society by giving equal rights regardless of their gender.

MAINS QUESTIONS

Q.1 Queer community faces various challenges in Indian society. How far legalization of same sex marriage would address the discrimination faced by them? Analyse with respect to the impact of previous judgements of the Supreme Court.

Q.2 The Supreme Court’s recent unanimous verdict against legalizing same-sex marriage in India underscores the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights. Critically examine the implication of the judgement on the queer community.

THE CONTEXT: In the past decade, improving sanitation coverage has been one of the key public policy miracles in India. It is in line with access to water and sanitation which is Goal 6 in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals envisaged by the United Nations. However, despite various measures there are few rising concerns regarding issues in sanitation.

BACKGROUND:

• Public sanitation programmes have a long history in the country, beginning with the launch of the highly subsidised Central Rural Sanitation Programme (CRSP) in 1986.
• The Total Sanitation Campaign in 1999 marked a shift from a high subsidy regime to a low subsidy one and a demand-driven approach.
• The public sanitation programme evolved as a mission in 2014 under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen (SBM-G) to make India Open Defecation Free (ODF) by October 2019.
• According to information by the Government of India, sanitation coverage in the country improved from 39% in 2014 to 100% in 2019.
• Encouraged by the achievements under the SBM, the government launched Phase II of the SBM-G. The focus here was on the sustainability of initial achievements by promoting solid and liquid waste management and covering those households left out earlier.
• The government aims to transform India from ODF to ODF Plus by 2024-25. Around 85% of villages in India have become ODF Plus, according to government data.
• Nevertheless, this impressive performance also needs to be viewed from the perspective of behavioural change, which will usher in sustainability in a true sense.

 OPEN DEFECATION FREE STATUS:

• ODF: An area can be notified or declared as ODF if at any point of the day, not even a single person is found defecating in the open.
• ODF+: This status is given if at any point of the day, not a single person is found defecating and/or urinating in the open, and all community and public toilets are functional and well maintained.
• ODF++: This status is given if the area is already ODF+ and the faecal sludge/septage and sewage are safely managed and treated, with no discharging or dumping of untreated faecal sludge and sewage into the open drains, water bodies or areas.

ISSUES:

• Unused despite construction: The construction of toilets does not automatically lead to their use. A National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) survey (69th round), showed that in 2012, when 59% of rural households had no access to a toilet, 4% of individuals who had access reported not using the facility. The primary reasons for not using one were not having any superstructure (21%), the facility malfunctioning (22%), the facility being unhygienic/unclean (20%), and personal reasons (23%).
• Variations: There are variations across surveys of the percentage of households having access to toilets and their uses. The more comprehensive National Annual Rural Sanitation Survey (NARSS)- Round-3 (2019-20), conducted by the Ministry, shows that 95% of the rural population had toilet access in India. However, the same report suggests that only 85% of the rural population used safe, functional, and hygienic toilets. Assuming that the same percentage of people have toilet access as the households, the gap rises to 10% between access to toilets and their use.
• Household size: The econometric models show that along with economic conditions and education, toilet use depends on household size. The higher the household size, the greater the chances of not using the toilet. Overcrowding prevent all household members from using the same toilet. Phase II of the programme does not have any criteria mandating multiple toilets for households larger than a certain size. Neither does it have any provision for building an attached bathroom.
• Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM): The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) programme was launched to provide tap water to each household by 2024. Nevertheless, no relation has been observed between per capita central expenses made on the JJM and the percentage of villages declared ODF Plus across States. Neither is there any relation between the percentage of ODF Plus villages in a State and households having tap connections.
• Social norms: Social norms that act through social networks play a significant role in toilet construction and use. Examining the networks through which others influence people for their sanitation behaviour, it is observed that the size and characteristics of these networks can be different in various parts of the country.
• Socio economic issues: In one of the upper caste-dominated villages, lower castes find it difficult to make social norms acceptable and enforceable. Hence, sanitation decisions are less likely to be taken independently.
• Lack of synergy: Around 10 crore toilets were constructed between 2014 and 2019 during the initial phase of the SBM-G. There are separate programmes for each of these basic needs, but they are not well coordinated. The lack of overall planning in India has led to a lack of synergy of programmes despite high levels of expenditure in fulfilling basic needs. Uncoordinated efforts often lead to an inefficient utilisation of precious public finances.

THE WAY FORWARD:

• Collective behaviour change: The collective behavioural change in the nation needs to take place. As studies suggest that behavioural change in sanitation cannot happen independently. It is contingent upon social networks and an overall improvement of living standards, including better housing and access to basic services.
• Covering left out households: The left-out households appear substantial and need to be covered in SBM Phase II. The government should identify the shortcomings of the previous phase and cover the gaps in the present phase.
• Civil society participation: Sanitation Policies and Programs should facilitate the participation of civil society including women in the design, implementation and monitoring of local priorities in rural and urban areas.
• Effective monitoring: There is a need for strengthening of institutions for efficient monitoring and evaluation for improved accountability and implementation.
• Conduct analysis and assessment: An analysis to examine policies, governance structures, and funding is needed. An assessment is necessary for updated figures on schemes coverage and compliance in health facilities. It will form the basis for prioritising policies and mobilising resources.

THE CONCLUSION:

There have been significant improvements in public health since sanitation systems and schemes have been implemented but universal access to safely managed sanitation services remains a challenge. The government needs to identify the shortcomings in the existing programme to transform India from open defecation free to open defecation free-plus status by 2024-25.

UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTION

Q. What are the impediments in disposing the huge quantities of discarded solid waste which are continuously being generated? How do we remove safely the toxic wastes that have been accumulating in our habitable environment? (2021)

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Despite significant improvement in sanitation coverage in the country from 39% in 2014 to 100% in 2019, it is facing several constraints. Identify the socio economic and behavioural constraints and justify with data and figures and suggest the measures to address the shortcomings.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/a-critical-view-of-the-sanitation-miracle-in-rural-india/article67814953.ece

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Govt says 555 Asiatic lions died in five years, no rise in mortality rate READ MORE

2. New GRI Biodiversity Standard demands reporting of drivers of biodiversity loss, impact on Indigenous Peoples READ MORE

3. Wetland bird census | 146 species recorded in 18 wetlands in Villupuram district, numbers lower than last year READ MORE

4. Cameroon adopts Nagoya Protocol to benefit from its rich biodiversity READ MORE

5. China Bets on Open-Source Chips as US Export Controls Mount READ MORE

6. Explained: What’s in the new Public Examinations Bill, aimed at stopping cheating in exams? READ MORE

7. RBI monetary policy: Why repo rate is likely to remain unchanged for the sixth time READ MORE

8. COVID-19 pandemic may have led to 14% spike in number of underweight children in Bihar, Odisha: Study READ MORE

9. Cape Verde is the third African country to eliminate malaria: here’s how READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. Role of diaspora in furthering India’s religious nationalism globally READ MORE

2. Population priorities: On Interim Budget statement and the Census READ MORE

3. The Earth’s tectonic plates made the Himalayas — and could rip them apart READ MORE

4. Deep Seabed Mining in the Arctic READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. EC Appointments~I READ MORE

2. EC Appointments~II READ MORE

3. Overseas funding READ MORE

4. Population growth committee: Move beyond Emergency-era fears READ MORE

5. A panel to confirm biases and prejudice? READ MORE

6. Bridge widening gaps in health outcomes, services READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. A critical view of the ‘sanitation miracle’ in rural India READ MORE

2. Are Anganwadis ready to provide quality early childhood education? READ MORE

3. Going Beyond the Gap in Foundational Skills, ASER 2023 Report Raises 3 Important Questions READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Active non-alignment in a changing world READ MORE

2. NAM at a crossroads: Analysing India’s diplomatic choices and priorities READ MORE

3. Maldives, China and a challenge to India’s soft power diplomacy READ MORE

4. India–Maldives Ties in Choppy Waters READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Rail Budget’s capex should deliver results later READ MORE

2. Why MPC must hold policy rates READ MORE

3. PSE policy is dying a slow death. More than half are non-operational or loss-making READ MORE

4. A second glance at the Interim Budget READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Warming up to climate change: Is the Sun behind the rising global temperatures? READ MORE

2. India an exemplar in fight against global warming READ MORE

3. As crisis grows, time to revisit plastics policy READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. Game-changer READ MORE

INTERNAL SECURITY

1. Radicalisation bodes ill for strife-torn Manipur READ MORE    

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. In Morbi’s debris, the role of the State in PPP projects READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Supreme Court’s ‘murder of democracy’ remarks on Chandigarh mayor polls give ammo to Oppn READ MORE

2. To link or delink neural connections READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. The FCRA’s role must evolve from a mere surveillance tool to a mechanism that fosters cooperation, ensuring that accountability serves as a catalyst for positive change rather than stifling the crucial work of these organisations. Comment.

2. India, through its Neighbourhood First, Act East and SAGAR policies, has been assiduously reaching out to its land and maritime neighbours but these initiatives have not yielded positive and encouraging results. Critically examine.

3. The right to reputation needed to be adequately protected against defamatory speech and imputation but the misuse of the criminal defamation law to silence political a ‘chilling effect’ on free speech. Comment.

4. India’s adept use of diaspora engagement as a tool for global legitimacy showcases the intricate interplay between domestic religious nationalism and international outreach. Comment.

5. Despite large-scale food safety programmes, improvement in the nutritional status of the population has been sluggish and micro-nutrient deficiencies have increased. Examine how the scaling up biofortification in staple crops on a large scale can effectively address chronic malnutrition in India?

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Calling something an election and actually having it be an election are different things.
• The lack of overall planning in India has led to a lack of synergy of programmes despite high levels of expenditure in fulfilling basic needs. Uncoordinated efforts would lead to an inefficient utilisation of precious public finances.
• India’s healthcare sector is at the cusp of transformation, potentially giving rise to a new healthcare model for the world to follow. We have already proven our clinical excellence and prowess with success rates that surpass global benchmarks.
• By re-imagining our healthcare model, we can position ourselves as the global destination for medical value travel, a powerhouse in AI-driven healthcare solutions, and a leader in combating non-communicable diseases.
• The developing world will get help to use new carbon-free energy sources, which are now cheaper, with climate finance and assistance for capacity-building. India’s push for the creation of the International Solar Alliance was a timely act of leadership.
• India has an ambitious and well-designed National Green Hydrogen Mission. It is well placed to acquire the ability to replace fossil fuels in hard-to-abate sectors in the coming decade.
• In a strategic move echoing its growing capability and commitment to global stability, India has deployed an unprecedented naval force east of the Red Sea to counter the resurgence of piracy.
• The promise of AI is not merely about job displacement and creation but as a potential game- changer in public services.
• The Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill and the subsequent Act, 2023 defies the verdict of the Supreme Court, violates the basic structure of the Constitution ~ free and fair election and bulldozes the neutrality of the ECI.
• The overarching preponderance of the ruling executive in both the search and selection committees paves the assured way for the preferred candidate to be the appointee to the ECI.
• As the recent cancellation of the FCRA licence of a well known think tank raises critical questions, it becomes imperative to scrutinise the delicate balance between the government’s need for oversight and the sector’s indispensable role in societal development.
• The love-hate relationship between the government and NGOs persists across regimes, with tightening regulations showing little regard for the essential role these entities play in addressing societal issues.
• The FCRA’s role must evolve from a mere surveillance tool to a mechanism that fosters cooperation, ensuring that accountability serves as a catalyst for positive change rather than stifling the crucial work of these organisations.
• The promise of AI is not merely about job displacement and creation but as a potential game- changer in public services.
• At the present pace of population growth, India does not need any coercive measures to control population.
• India continues to give increasing priority to all its neighbouring countries. It needs to further step up its game and use all the assets at its command of development cooperation, soft power, culture, language, cuisine, music, etc., to significantly deepen and upgrade its ties with its neighbouring countries.

ESSAY TOPIC

• Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.

50-WORD TALK

• The post-Covid-19 world has made it essential to understand the strength of institutional structures of a country while analysing its public health challenges. So, apart from the positive initiative of setting up new medical colleges, it is also important that the Union government strengthen public health services at the grassroot levels, to make India’s overall health delivery system a vibrant one.
• IMF’s upward revision of India’s growth for current and next two years shows our economic fundamentals are strong. Our low base necessitates maintaining this growth rate for many more years. With subdued consumer demand compounding private sector’s unwillingness to invest, pressure’s going to be on Centre to keep spending big.

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 1: SOCIETY

THE CONTEXT: The clash between age-old cultural traditions and ethical concerns has surfaced in Assam, where the government’s attempt to revive buffalo and bulbul fighting during the Magh Bihu festival faces a legal challenge from People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

EXPLANATION:

• We will see the historical significance, discontinuation, revival, and PETA’s stance is crucial to navigate the complexities of this cultural and ethical battle.

Tradition Revived: Magh Bihu and Folk Culture

• Festival and Folk Culture:
  • Buffalo and bulbul fighting are integral to the Magh Bihu festival in Assam, celebrated in January.
  • Buffalo fights in Ahatguri and bulbul fights in Hajo are deeply rooted in the cultural fabric of the region.
  • Ahatguri’s buffalo fights have been a decades-old tradition organized by the local committee, drawing significant crowds.

Discontinuation and Supreme Court’s Intervention

• Halt Post Supreme Court’s 2014 Ruling:
  • The fights ceased following the Supreme Court’s 2014 judgment prohibiting the use of bulls in events like jallikattu and bullock-cart races nationwide.
  • Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) directed the Assam government to halt animal and bird fights during Bihu celebrations.

Revival Post Supreme Court Amendments

• Supreme Court Amendments and Government Approval:
  • In May 2021, the Supreme Court overturned its 2014 ruling, allowing states like Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Karnataka to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 for events like jallikattu.
  • Assam’s Cabinet granted approval in December for SOPs to conduct buffalo and bulbul fights without deliberate cruelty.
• SOPs and Controversies:
  • SOPs specify fights only in places with a 25-year tradition, with buffalo fights limited from January 15 to 25.
  • The SOPs aim to prevent cruelty, ban intoxicants, and impose a five-year ban for violations.
  • Assam Chief Minister’s active involvement in the events sparked controversies.

PETA’s Legal Challenge: Ethics and Animal Welfare

• PETA’s Petitions in Gauhati High Court:
  • PETA India filed petitions seeking a ban on buffalo and bulbul fighting, presenting evidence from events in Ahatguri and Hajo.
  • Allegations include physical abuse of buffaloes, injuries sustained during fights, and the illegal capture and incitement of bulbuls.
• Interlocutory Application and Court’s Response:
  • The court heard an application stating a buffalo fight was scheduled post-January 25, possibly violating SOPs.
  • The court acknowledged potential violations and directed petitioners to inform the district administration to prevent the event.

Cultural Preservation vs. Ethical Concerns: Balancing Act

• Government’s Stance:
  • The Assam government frames the revival as an effort to preserve timeless Bihu traditions.
  • Chief Minister’s active participation signals a commitment to cultural preservation.
• Ethical Concerns:
  • PETA’s challenge raises ethical questions about animal welfare and cruelty in the name of tradition.
  • Allegations of physical abuse and injuries during fights underscore the need for a balanced approach.

People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA):

• PETA India is the animal rights organization.
• It’s a non-governmental organization (NGO) that works to end animal abuse in business and society.
• PETA India’s mission is to: raise awareness about animal cruelty, educate policymakers and the public and promote respect for all animals.

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960:

• It is an act of the Parliament of India that prevents the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals.
• The act was originally passed in 1890 and replaced by the 1960 act.
• The act provides for the prevention and protection of animals from: Cruelty, Unnecessary pain, Overwork, Torture, Abuse.
• The act also establishes the Animal Welfare Board of India

Conclusion: Striking a Balance for Cultural Heritage

• The clash between tradition and ethics underscores the delicate balance needed to preserve cultural heritage while respecting ethical considerations. As legal battles unfold, the outcome will influence not only the fate of buffalo and bulbul fighting in Assam but also set precedents for navigating similar conflicts between cultural practices and animal welfare across the globe.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-culture/peta-assam-buffalo-bulbul-fighting-9142486/

TAG: GS 3: ECONOMY

THE CONTEXT: Fiscal consolidation, as highlighted in the recent Union Budget, plays a pivotal role in shaping a country’s economic trajectory. The Finance Minister’s announcement to reduce the fiscal deficit to 5.1% of GDP by 2024-25 and further to 4.5% by 2025-26 underscores the government’s commitment to fiscal discipline.

EXPLANATION:

• This move, however, raised eyebrows as analysts anticipated a slightly higher fiscal deficit target, making it crucial to understand the intricacies of fiscal management.

Understanding Fiscal Deficit: Revenue, Expenditure, and Borrowing

• Fiscal Deficit Definition:
  • Fiscal deficit signifies the shortfall when a government’s expenditure surpasses its revenue.
  • The government then resorts to borrowing or selling assets to bridge this gap.
  • In the announced budget, the fiscal deficit reduction is projected as a percentage of GDP, reflecting the government’s commitment to aligning expenditure with revenue.
• Revenue and Expenditure Dynamics:
  • The backbone of government revenue lies in taxes, with the estimated tax receipts for 2024-25 at ₹26.02 lakh crore against a total revenue projection of ₹30.8 lakh crore.
  • Contrastingly, the total expenditure is estimated at ₹47.66 lakh crore.
  • This emphasizes the reliance on borrowing to fund the fiscal deficit.

Fiscal Deficit vs. National Debt: Clarifying Distinctions

• National Debt Clarification:
  • National debt is the cumulative amount a government owes its lenders at a specific point.
  • It accumulates over the years due to consistent fiscal deficits and borrowing.
  • The fiscal deficit, expressed as a percentage of GDP, gauges a government’s ability to repay lenders, differentiating it from the national debt.

Funding Fiscal Deficit: Bond Market Dynamics

• Government Borrowing Process:
  • To fund the fiscal deficit, the government primarily borrows from the bond market, where lenders purchase government-issued bonds.
  • In 2024-25, the expected gross borrowing is ₹14.13 lakh crore, a strategic reduction from the previous fiscal year.
  • The government aims to utilize higher GST collections to fund expenditures.
• Role of Central Banks:
  • Central banks, exemplified by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), are key players in the credit market.
  • While not directly purchasing government bonds, central banks may engage in open market operations, indirectly supporting government borrowing.
  • The borrowing cost is influenced by the rate at which governments secure funds from the market.

Significance of Fiscal Deficit: Inflation, Ratings, and Debt Management

• Inflationary Impact:
  • There exists a direct link between a high fiscal deficit and inflation. Persistent deficits may lead to inflation, as the government resorts to fresh money issuance by the central bank.
  • The recent reduction in the fiscal deficit, from 9.17% to a projected 5.8%, reflects a commitment to managing inflationary pressures.
• Market Perception and Ratings:
  • The fiscal deficit serves as a signal to the market, indicating the government’s fiscal discipline.
  • A lower fiscal deficit enhances bond ratings, instilling confidence in lenders.
  • Lower fiscal deficits also translate to reduced borrowing costs for the government.
• Public Debt Management:
  • A high fiscal deficit can strain the government’s overall public debt management.
  • International warnings, as seen from the IMF, highlight potential risks.
  • The Centre’s aim to tap the international bond market underscores the relevance of maintaining a lower fiscal deficit for favorable borrowing conditions.

Future Outlook: Ambitious Targets and Economic Implications

• Fiscal Deficit Targets for 2024-25:
  • The Finance Minister’s ambitious target of reducing the fiscal deficit to 5.1% of GDP in 2024-25 presents a strategic challenge.
  • Despite plans for increased capital expenditure, the government aims to rely on tax collections, projecting an 11.5% rise in 2024-25.
• Balancing Act: Taxation vs. Economic Growth:
  • Striking a balance between raising tax rates to augment collections and fostering economic growth is crucial.
  • While reducing fiscal deficit is a priority, excessive taxation may act as a dampener on economic activity.
  • The government’s ability to achieve this delicate equilibrium remains a critical aspect.

Conclusion: Navigating Economic Waters through Fiscal Prudence

• The recent budget announcements and fiscal projections signify a concerted effort towards fiscal consolidation and responsible economic management.
• As the government endeavors to reduce fiscal deficits, manage public debt, and stimulate economic growth, the intricate dance between taxation, expenditure, and market perceptions will shape the nation’s economic trajectory.
• The ambitious targets set forth demand meticulous execution and vigilance in an ever-evolving economic landscape.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/why-is-fiscal-consolidation-so-important-explained/article67808867.ece/amp/

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: A phase-3 trial conducted in Malawi, Africa, has unveiled the sustained efficacy of Bharat Biotech’s conjugate typhoid toxoid vaccine, Typbar, challenging the threat of typhoid fever in endemic regions.

EXPLANATION:

• The study, representing the first randomized, controlled, double-blind trial of its kind, brings promising results regarding the long-term effectiveness of a single dose of the typhoid vaccine.

Typhoid’s Global Impact: The Need for Effective Vaccination

• In 2019, a staggering 9.24 million typhoid cases and 110,000 deaths were reported globally.
• The majority of these cases occurred in South-East Asia and Africa, emphasizing the urgent need for reliable and long-lasting typhoid vaccines.
• Typhoid’s prevalence and mortality underscore the significance of the recent findings in combating this infectious disease.

Bharat Biotech’s Typbar: Study Design and Participants

• The study focused on healthy children aged between nine months and 12 years, residing in a typhoid fever-endemic setting in Malawi.
• The participants were randomly assigned to receive Bharat Biotech’s Typbar or a control vaccine.
• A total of 28,130 children were recruited, with 14,069 receiving the typhoid vaccine and 14,061 receiving the control vaccine, ensuring a robust sample size for analysis.

Long-term Efficacy: A Four-Year Window

• The key revelation from the trial is the sustained efficacy of the Typbar vaccine over a median follow-up period of 4.3 years.
• The overall efficacy was found to be 70.6% for children aged nine months to two years, with even higher efficacy rates exceeding 79% for children above two years.
• This longevity of protection is crucial in the fight against typhoid, especially considering the challenges posed by the bacteria’s rebound in children aged 5-15 years.

Cumulative Vaccine Efficacy: An Encouraging Trend

• The study showcased an encouraging trend in cumulative vaccine efficacy, revealing rates of 83.4% after one year, 80.7% after two years, 80.1% after three years, 77.1% after four years, and 78.3% after 4.61 years – the longest follow-up observed.
• This trend suggests a consistent and reliable level of protection against typhoid, demonstrating the vaccine’s robustness over an extended period.

Impact on Typhoid Cases: A Significant Reduction

• During the follow-up period, children who received the Typbar vaccine exhibited a significantly lower incidence of typhoid fever compared to the control group.
• The absolute risk reduction of 6.1 typhoid infections per 1,000 vaccinated children highlights the tangible impact of the vaccine in preventing typhoid cases.

Future Directions: Booster Dose Considerations

• Acknowledging the potential waning protection over time, the researchers underscore the need for longer-duration vaccine efficacy studies.
• An ongoing immunogenicity study in Malawi is exploring the benefits of a booster dose administered nearly five years after the initial vaccination.
• This could provide insights into whether additional doses enhance and prolong the protective effect against typhoid.

Bharat Biotech’s Typbar:

• Typbar is a highly purified Vicapsular polysaccharide of Salmonella typhi Ty2.
• Typbar would also be the world’s first vegetarian or non-bovine typhoid vaccine.
• Bharat Biotech is the largest primary manufacturer of typhoid vaccine in the country.
• The company dedicated the vaccine to Dr. John R. Robbins, the father of polysaccharide vaccines.

Conclusion: A Milestone in Typhoid Prevention

• Bharat Biotech’s Typbar has emerged as a beacon of hope in the battle against typhoid, demonstrating not only immediate efficacy but also a lasting shield against infectious diseases.
• The implications of this study reach beyond Malawi, offering a potential blueprint for addressing typhoid in other endemic regions globally.
• As the research community eagerly awaits the outcomes of booster dose studies, the Typbar vaccine stands as a testament to the strides made in vaccination science for global health.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/india-made-typhoid-vaccine-efficacy-lasts-for-four-years-study/article67804522.ece/amp/  

TAG: GS 3: AGRICULTURE

THE CONTEXT: Ammonia emissions pose a significant environmental challenge, impacting ecosystems worldwide and posing threats to human health. This study, recently published in the journal Nature, unveils a novel approach to tackle ammonia emissions by employing machine learning to provide precise estimates and strategies for reduction.

EXPLANATION:

• The research is led by a professor from the Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen, China.
• He utilized machine learning to create detailed estimates of ammonia emissions from three major staple crops – rice, wheat, and maize.
• This innovative approach allowed for a cropland-specific assessment of potential emission reductions.
• It marks a crucial step towards targeted and effective fertilizer management.

The Environmental Impact of Agricultural Ammonia Emissions

• Ammonia is a key environmental pollutant, with approximately 51-60% of anthropogenic ammonia emissions attributed to crop cultivation.
• Among these emissions, half are linked to three primary crops: rice, wheat, and maize.
• Understanding the nuances of ammonia emissions at a local level is challenging, requiring consideration of factors such as nitrogen inputs and local emission characteristics.

Building a Comprehensive Dataset for Informed Machine Learning

• To train the machine learning model, researchers compiled a dataset consisting of over 2,700 observations gathered through a systematic review of published literature.
• Variables included in the model encompassed climate conditions, soil characteristics, crop types, irrigation methods, tillage practices, and fertilizer application strategies.
• This dataset provided a foundation for creating a global model estimating that ammonia emissions reached 4.3 teragrams in 2018.

Spatial Optimization: A 38% Reduction Potential

• The machine learning model suggested that spatially optimizing fertilizer management practices based on key variables could potentially lead to a remarkable 38% reduction in ammonia emissions from rice, wheat, and maize crops.
• This optimization strategy involves placing enhanced-efficiency fertilizers deeper into the soil during the growing season, using conventional tillage practices.

Contribution of Individual Crops to Reduction Potential

• The study highlighted that rice crops could contribute significantly to the total reduction potential, accounting for 47%.
• Maize and wheat followed closely, contributing 27% and 26%, respectively.
• This insight underscores the importance of crop-specific strategies in addressing ammonia emissions.

Future Projections: Managing Ammonia Emissions in a Changing Climate

• In the absence of effective management strategies, the study projected that ammonia emissions could surge by 4.6% to 15.8% by the year 2100, contingent on varying levels of greenhouse gas emissions.
• This emphasizes the urgency of implementing targeted fertilizer management practices to mitigate the environmental impact of ammonia emissions in a changing climate.

Conclusion: A Path Towards Sustainable Agriculture

• The intersection of machine learning and agricultural science presents a promising avenue for addressing environmental challenges.
• By leveraging technology to precisely estimate and strategically reduce ammonia emissions from key crops, this research offers a blueprint for sustainable agriculture, underscoring the importance of proactive and targeted interventions in safeguarding our planet’s health.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/reducing-ammonia-emissions-through-targeted-fertilizer-management/article67804549.ece/amp/  

TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: The flightless Aldabra rail went extinct over 130,000 years ago, but the species then reappeared via iterative evolution.

EXPLANATION:

• The Aldabra rail, scientifically known as Dryolimnas cuvieri aldabranus, has captivated scientists with its extraordinary evolutionary journey.
• It originated from the Aldabra atoll, a coral paradise off the southeast coast of Africa.
• This unassuming bird has not only faced extinction but has also defied the odds by evolving flightlessness not once, but twice.
• The Aldabra rail, named after the Aldabra Atoll it inhabits in the Seychelles, is the last surviving native flightless bird in the Indian Ocean region.
• It is a descendant of the flying white-throated rail that is believed to have lost its ability to fly because the lack of predators made it unnecessary.
• It’s about the size of a chicken, with a flecked gray back, a rusty red head and chest and a white throat.
• It is a subspecies of the white-throated rail (Dryolimnas cuvieri) and is the only living flightless bird in the Indian Ocean.

The Atoll’s Ancient Submersion and Initial Extinction (136,000 Years Ago)

• The Aldabra atoll, home to the Aldabra rail, experienced a dramatic event approximately 136,000 years ago when it sank beneath the waves.
• This cataclysmic submersion led to the extinction of various species, including the flightless Aldabra rail subspecies.
• The geological upheaval caused a turnover in the atoll’s fauna, marking a chapter of extinction in the bird’s evolutionary history.

Resurfacing of the Atoll and the Return of the Rail (Approximately 118,000 Years Ago)

• In a surprising turn of events, the Aldabra atoll resurfaced, allowing a recolonization by the white-throated rail (Dryolimnas cuvieri), a bird capable of flight.
• This marked the beginning of a unique evolutionary phenomenon as the white-throated rail embarked on a journey to become flightless once again.

Evidence from Fossil Records: A Window into Evolution

• A pivotal 2019 study published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society provided insights into the Aldabra rail’s evolutionary saga.
• Researchers, led by a paleontologist from the Natural History Museum, London, examined the fossil record of rails on Aldabra.
• Fossils dating back to around 100,000 years ago revealed distinct changes in leg structure, suggesting a transition towards flightlessness.

The Evolutionary Process: From Flight to Flightlessness

• The study’s findings indicated that the rails on Aldabra were gradually becoming heavier and developing more robust legs around 100,000 years ago.
• This transformation was a clear sign of iterative evolution, where the white-throated rail, once again inhabiting the atoll, was losing its ability to fly.
• The researchers attributed this shift to the advantageous trait of flightlessness in the atoll’s environment, where the birds lay their eggs on the ground, necessitating strong legs for survival.

Iterative Evolution: Rising from Extinction

• The Aldabra rail’s journey stands out as a rare case of iterative evolution.
• Unlike instances where different species evolve similar traits independently, the Aldabra rail managed to evolve flightlessness not as a new species but as the very same ancestral bird that had faced extinction over 130,000 years ago.
• This phenomenon of rising from the dead through iterative evolution showcases the resilience and adaptability of the Aldabra rail.

Conclusion: Unraveling Nature’s Intriguing Mysteries

• The story of the Aldabra rail serves as a captivating chapter in the annals of evolutionary biology.
• Its ability to overcome extinction and evolve the same traits twice challenges conventional understanding and opens new avenues for exploring the intricacies of nature’s resilience.
• As scientists continue to delve into the mysteries of iterative evolution, the Aldabra rail stands as a living testament to the enduring spirit of life on Earth.

SOURCE: https://www.livescience.com/animals/birds/aldabra-rail-the-bird-that-came-back-from-the-dead-by-evolving-twice

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THE CONTEXT: Recently, during the inaugural session of the new Parliament, controversy erupted after Members were gifted copies of the Indian Constitution, where the Preamble appeared to have omitted the terms ‘Socialist’ and ‘Secular’. This was followed by civil society debate on whether either of these terms defined the true spirit of the Constitution.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

• Preamble enforcing the republican character: The enactment of the Constitution is seen as the culmination of a decades-long process of dialogue among contending political actors, with focus on character of the envisaged republic. The preamble explicitly enforce this legitimising ends of the republic in terms of securing justice (social, economic and political), liberty (of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship), and equality (of status and of opportunity) to all Indian citizens.
• Spirit of the term ‘we the People’: The emphasis on the revolutionary potential of the Constitution is rooted in the spirit of “We the People.” The reduction of sovereignty of the “political community” to mere state sovereignty, reduces the constitutional promises. The Constitution can only remain a living force in our democracy as long as the phrase, ‘we the people’, can somehow approximate to a citizens which effectively discharges its agency as vigilant participants.
• Tendency to marginalize non-elite counter-sphere: There is distinction between the elite public sphere and the non-elite counter-sphere in civil society. There is an inertia of the elite public sphere in addressing constitutional challenges. It highlights the potential danger of marginalizing non-elite counter-sphere movements as emotional or sectional. There is potential loss of liberatory potential if the counter-sphere is not given equal standing in civil society.
• Popular sovereignty: The meaning or character of our popular sovereignty is often treated as a convenient myth or as a purely abstract assumption in our civil society discussions. In this respect, the constitutional scholar Sarbani Sen argued in her book, The Constitution of India: Popular Sovereignty and Democratic Transformations, the revolutionary potential of the Constitution inheres in this very spirit of popular sovereignty.

DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE

Ambedkar’s framing of the Preamble and his emphasis on morality as a governing principle:

• R. Ambedkar had framed the Preamble for a “way of life, which recognizes liberty, equality, and fraternity as the principles of life and which cannot be divorced from each other.
• Liberty cannot be divorced from equality; equality cannot be divorced from liberty. Nor can liberty and equality be divorced from fraternity.
• Without equality, liberty would produce the supremacy of the few over the many. Equality without liberty would kill individual initiative”.
• Equally, he refused to harbour naive presumptions about the self-perpetuating character of these constitutional principles.

Gandhi’s concept of ‘Swaraj’ as a creative process of self-realization and the importance of dialogue and empathy:

• It is enlightening to juxtapose Ambedkar’s plea for a transcendent civil morality with Gandhi’s conception of swaraj or ‘self-rule’. In the monograph, Unconditional Equality: Gandhi’s Religion of Resistance (2016), historian Ajay Skaria explains that ‘Swaraj’ for Gandhi did not confine itself to a mechanistic self-rule, but a creative process of self-realisation through which one might reach out towards a more secure and substantive plane of freedom and equality.
• The means to achieve Swaraj was thus ‘satyagraha’ which is defined as “truth force” and “love force”. For Gandhi, sovereign power is not exemplified only in the state. Rather, every self is deeply divided, and sovereignty is universal which is always exercised by the self.

THE WAY FORWARD:

• Engage in dialogue: There is a need to move beyond chauvinistic pride and engage in honest, introspective dialogue. It can be done by promoting empathetic engagement and dialogue to foster mutual understanding. This is not the shallow but the commonplace mode of dialogue but a form of debate focused on achieving a framework of objectively correct knowledge.
• Understand the position of alternative views: The particular form of dialogue stressed by Gandhi, Ambedkar and modern theorists of deliberative democracy seeks to understand the position of the ‘other’. It is through this empathetic engagement with the concerns and the world views of ‘others’ that we can build a stable foundation of mutual self-understanding, thus opening up possibilities for genuine solidarity.
• Inclusive and plural civil society: There is a need to advocate for an inclusive and plural civil society that recognizes the equal standing of all communities. It is like having a civil society that functions as the handmaiden of an authoritarian state.
• Encourage active participation: There is a need to encourage active participation in civil society, especially from non-elite counter-sphere movements. But the alternative is a civil society with little self-knowledge beyond chauvinistic pride, and little agency beyond being the handmaiden of an increasingly authoritarian state.

THE CONCLUSION:

It becomes clear that a progressive civil society in India can only be a plural civil society, if it is structured on the free and equal participation of every community. In this respect, emphasizing the need to understand popular sovereignty as a dynamic force rather than a static concept is the need of the hour.

UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTION

Q. Can Civil Society and Non-Governmental Organisations present an alternative model of public service delivery to benefit the common citizen? Discuss the challenges of this alternative model. (2022)

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Highlight the significance of inclusive dialogue, empathy, and a pluralist civil society for the true realization of constitutional principles.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/the-path-towards-a-pluralist-civil-society/article67811543.ece

THE CONTEXT: The WTO’s Dispute Settlement Mechanism is currently facing a deadlock due to the United States’ resistance to appoint new members to its Appellate Body. This deadlock has led to the inability to enforce rulings, thus diminishing the WTO’s capacity to resolve trade disputes effectively. The 13th ministerial meeting in Abu Dhabi aims to address this crisis and explore potential resolutions to revitalize WTO’s DSM by forging a consensus among member nations.

ISSUES:

• Crisis in Dispute Settlement Mechanism (DSM): The impasse due to the United States blocking appointments to the AB since the end of 2019 crippled the appellate body. Countries bypass compliance with WTO panel rulings by appealing to a dysfunctional appellate body. There is a threat to a rules-based global trading system due to the inability to enforce dispute settlements.
• US Obstructionism: The US’s resistance to the appellate body is strategic blocking, stemming from its loss in several critical disputes. The USA desires to limit the judicial nature of international trade dispute resolutions (De-Judicialization).
• Voluntary vs. Mandatory Jurisdictions: The Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA) is voluntary, which carries forward the critical implications of non-binding awards on non-parties. There is a proposal to allow countries to opt out of compulsory jurisdiction and its potential ramifications.
• Legal Certainty and Predictability: A diluted Appellate Body has serious consequences of a weakened Appellate body and the potential loss of jurisprudence and clarity in WTO law. There is a risk to the stability and predictability of global trade due to a weakened dispute resolution mechanism.
• Differential Impacts on Developing Countries: A weakened or optional DSM mechanism might disadvantage developing countries like India. The absence of a binding appellate body could affect the reliance on established WTO jurisprudence for future rulings and erosion of legal precedents.
• Strategic Considerations for India and Other Developing Countries: India and other developing nations have the strategic push to re-establish a fully functional appellate body. India and like-minded nations are negotiating various options and looking for strategic impacts in pursuing a fair and effective DSM.
• Legitimacy and Equity in Global Trade Governance: Drawing parallels with the non-compulsory nature of the ICJ as a potential model for a voluntary appellate mechanism. Evaluating the proposal for a selective AB and its potential to maintain integrity within the WTO system.

THE WAY FORWARD:

• Revitalization of the Appellate Body (AB): Discuss and deliberate upon the strategies for fully restoring the AB as it operated before 2019. Consider reform options acceptable to major WTO players, especially the US.
• Adoption of the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA): Evaluation of steps to enhance the MPIA’s framework effectiveness during the AB impasse. Institutionalization for the MPIA to serve as a permanent alternative to the AB.
• Considering a Diluted AB: Detailed Analysis of a compromised version of the AB with limitations to address certain member concerns. There is a need to investigate the Implications of a diluted AB’s decisions on future WTO jurisprudence.
• Strengthening the Panel Stage of Dispute Resolution: Measures to enhance the quality of panel findings to reduce reliance on the appellate stage. Looking into the Viability of making panel decisions more conclusive in the absence of the AB.
• Ensuring Predictability and Security in Trade: Maintaining a Rule-Based System so that the Role of WTO to provide a predictable and safe global trading environment remains intact. Use the established AB rulings to maintain continuity and predictability.
• Building Consensus Among Members: Strategic alliances among members, especially developing countries, advocating for a functional DSM. Approaches to persuade reluctant members to support the restoration of a fully functional DSM need to be advocated by developing nations.
• Learning from Other International Adjudicative Bodies: Drawing Insights from the experience of the ICJ to navigate voluntary participation in the AB. Ensuring the continued legitimacy and relevance of WTO in the international legal order.
• Engaging in Strategic Flexibility: Willingness to work with interim measures while striving for the ideal long-term solution. A deep Assessment of the feasibility and effectiveness of interim arrangements for India and other developing countries is needed.

THE CONCLUSION:

WTO faces a crucial juncture where decisive action is imperative to preserve the integrity of the DSM. Developing countries must collectively pursue viable interim solutions while advocating for the restoration of the Appellate Body to uphold the rule of law in international trade. The upcoming negotiations present an opportunity to reaffirm commitment to a functional, equitable, and binding dispute settlement mechanism within the WTO framework.

UPSC PAST YEAR QUESTION:

Q. What are the key areas of reform if the WTO has to survive in the present context of the ‘Trade War’, especially keeping in mind the interest of India? (2018)

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION:

Q. Examine the challenges posed by the current crisis in the WTO’s Dispute Settlement Mechanism (DSM) and analyze the potential solutions and their implications for the multilateral trading system.

SOURCE:

https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/ukraine-war-gaza-conflict-middle-east-strikes-risk-management-political-risk-9144168/

THE CONTEXT: Considering the postponed decennial Census, the proposal for a high-powered committee to assess demographic challenges highlights India’s evolving population dynamics, marked by a declining fertility rate amidst regional discrepancies. It underscores the urgency of navigating the entwined socio-economic issues—job adequacy and social security for an aging population—to capitalize on the country’s demographic dividend without succumbing to divisive political narratives.

ISSUES:

• Delay in the Census and its Implications: The unprecedented postponement of the decennial Census, which has been a consistent exercise since 1881, creates a data vacuum on contemporary demographic patterns. Without current census data, the Indian government lacks the direct evidence needed to address issues affected by population changes.
• Population Growth and Fertility Rates: India’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has dropped significantly, indicating that population growth, like the 20th century’s rate, is no longer the norm. Regional Variations in TFR and Higher fertility rates in certain states suggest uneven demographic transitions, necessitating state-specific policy interventions. For instance, the total fertility rate (TFR) in India has fallen to 2 overall, with only a few States — Bihar (2.98), Meghalaya (2.91), Uttar Pradesh (2.35), Jharkhand (2.26) and Manipur (2.17) — having a TFR above 2.1.
• Demographic Shifts and Socio-Economic Impact: Southern states’ reduced population share reflects the impact of better socio-economic outcomes and education on population dynamics. The population share of the southern States was reduced to 21% in 2011 from 26% in 1951. The rise in life expectancy presents both challenges in terms of elderly support and opportunities for tapping into the experience of older cohorts.
• Demographic Dividend and Employment: The demographic dividend is underutilized due to limited job creation, high unemployment, and insufficient focus on skilled jobs. Social safety nets are needed to secure the aging working population, ensuring sustainability in the workforce.
• Urbanization and Mechanization: Addressing issues stemming from rapid urbanization, including infrastructure, housing, and essential services. The mechanization and automation of work pose threats and opportunities; policies must adapt to these changing labor dynamics.
• Political Narratives and Governance Focus: Concerns about a committee prioritizing politically motivated issues such as religion or immigration over core demographic challenges. Emphasizing the importance of a governance approach that objectively focuses on demographic data for the country’s overall development.

THE WAY FORWARD:

• Expedite the Census for Policy Guidance: Prioritize and expedite the organization of the decennial census to provide an accurate, up-to-date demographic database for informed policymaking. Utilize comprehensive data from the Census to determine the specific needs and priorities across different regions.
• Evidence-Based Policy rather than Politically Charged Narratives: Ensure that the committee addressing population growth focuses on scientific data and demographic trends instead of political or religious biases. Promote an inclusive approach that incorporates the views of various stakeholders and communities, fostering national unity and social cohesion.
• Addressing Fertility Rate Variations: Implement state-specific programs to address high TFRs where necessary, focusing on education, healthcare, and women’s empowerment. Augment family planning services, particularly in states where TFR remains high, ensure easy and respectful access to reproductive health services.
• Leveraging the Demographic Dividend: Develop policies that stimulate job creation, particularly focusing on the manufacturing and service sectors, which can absorb as many workers as possible. Invest in education and vocational training to equip the young population with skills that match industry requirements and encourage entrepreneurship.
• Enhancing Social Security: Design and implement robust social security systems to support the aging population, including pensions, health insurance, and elderly care services. Explore the feasibility of schemes like Universal Basic Income to ensure a basic standard of living for all citizens, enhancing social security.
• Cooperative Federalism: Encourage states to share insights and best practices for managing demographic challenges and implementing successful socio-economic strategies. Strengthen the principle of cooperative federalism wherein the central and state governments work in partnership to develop holistic demographic policies.

THE CONCLUSION:

The ongoing deferral of India’s Census holds critical implications for evidence-based policymaking amidst demographic transitions. The high-powered committee must focus on the pragmatic aspects of employment and social security to leverage the demographic dividend. Ensuring non-empirical narratives do not sidetrack policies will be vital for India to harness its human resource potential and secure a sustainable and inclusive future.

UPSC PAST YEAR QUESTIONS:

Q.1) The crucial aspect of the development process has been the inadequate attention paid to Human Resource Development in India. Suggest measures that can address this inadequacy. (2023)

Q.2) Development and welfare schemes for the vulnerable, by their nature, are discriminatory in approach. Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer. (2023)

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION:

Q.1) Considering the current demographic data trends, analyze the potential role of the proposed high-powered committee in addressing employment, social security, and demographic challenges.

SOURCE:

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/population-priorities-on-interim-budget-statement-and-the-census/article67805120.ece

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1.  Aldabra rail: The bird that came back from the dead by evolving twice READ MORE

2. Indian economy set for 6.7% growth till 2031, says CRISIL Report READ MORE

3. Reducing ammonia emissions through targeted fertilizer management READ MORE

4. India-made typhoid vaccine efficacy lasts for four years: study READ MORE

5. Why is fiscal consolidation so important? | Explained READ MORE

6. Seven cheetahs born in Kuno: Challenges, survival chances, and the wild-vs-protected debate READ MORE

7. Why PETA wants to ban two age-old Assamese traditions READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. Role of diaspora in furthering India’s religious nationalism globally READ MORE

2. Population priorities: On Interim Budget statement and the Census READ MORE

3. Stree shakti READ MORE

4. Deep Seabed Mining in the Arctic READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Criminal defamation: Misuse of the law remains rampant READ MORE

2. Stop using ED as a political weapon READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. With largest global population of undernourished, Viksit Bharat is a distant reality READ MORE

2. Are Anganwadis ready to provide quality early childhood education? READ MORE

3. The role of reviews and ratings in healthcare READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. How to restore WTO’s authority READ MORE

2. NAM at a crossroads: Analysing India’s diplomatic choices and priorities READ MORE

3. Maldives, China and a challenge to India’s soft power diplomacy READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. A sunshine initiative: On the government’s rooftop solar panel plan READ MORE

2. Micro-credentials, the next chapter in higher education READ MORE

3. Paytm Bank fiasco raises fintech regulation concerns READ MORE

4. How R&D tax credits can drive price competition in Indian industries READ MORE

5. An Interim Budget for the transforming economy READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Collaborative innovation: Reshaping climate technology for a sustainable future READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. Artificial Intelligence – A Gift Or A Curse? The finest artificial minds at play, are manipulating choice READ MORE

INTERNAL SECURITY

1. Radicalisation bodes ill for strife-torn Manipur READ MORE    

2. Govt should reconsider India-Myanmar border fence. Costs & benefits don’t justify it READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. In Morbi’s debris, the role of the State in PPP projects READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Tackling corruption: Selective action undermines campaign READ MORE

2. Non-violence the best path for Palestine READ MORE

3. Ahimsa: The Path to Peaceful Existence READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. The right to reputation needed to be adequately protected against defamatory speech and imputation but the misuse of the criminal defamation law to silence political a ‘chilling effect’ on free speech. Comment.

2. India’s adept use of diaspora engagement as a tool for global legitimacy showcases the intricate interplay between domestic religious nationalism and international outreach. Comment.

3. Despite large-scale food safety programmes, improvement in the nutritional status of the population has been sluggish and micro-nutrient deficiencies have increased. Examine how the scaling up biofortification in staple crops on a large scale can effectively address chronic malnutrition in India?

4. India’s championing of the Global South at the G20, including the induction of the African Union as a member, brought forth the salience of existing institutions in the Global South. Discuss how the institutions like NAM can be gamechanger for India?

5. Without investing in people, without creating a robust foundation of rights and social infrastructure, and without creating decent jobs, just riding on increased capex on mega infrastructure and corridors will not benefit the people at large. Critically comment.

6. Addressing the complex challenge of climate change requires a nuanced and collaborative approach that considers the diverse socio-economic landscapes of nations and careful balance between environmental responsibility and economic development is crucial to ensure equitable and sustainable solutions. Comment.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• The need of the hour for the armed forces is to embrace change and adopt cutting-edge technology.
• Higher education institutes in India can be the catalysts in integrating micro-credentials with existing academic programmes.
• To ensure that micro-credentials denote a genuine acquisition of skills, they must be aligned with higher education standards in the areas of delivery, assessment, grading and the awarding of qualifications.
• Indian HEIs must serve as agents of transformation and consider introducing micro-credentials a vital element of their strategic institutional objectives. Regulators and HEIs must work towards harmonising micro-credentials with existing academic programmes by coming up with clear validation metrics.
• The misuse of the criminal defamation law to silence political adversaries, activists and journalists is causing a ‘chilling effect’ on free speech.
• Radicalisation of the kind that Arambai Tenggol symbolises has to be nipped in the bud. The Indian republic cannot afford to stand by and watch such absurd abandonment of authority.
• India’s evolving role in the Non-Aligned Movement and its strategic choices at the recent Kampala Summit underscores the challenges and changing dynamics within the organization.
• Geopolitically, India needs the Maldives in its new symbiotic bonding, also because that makes sense to ensure security to India.
• Apath of non-violent struggle can often be the best forward when the cause is deeply rooted in justice and there is widespread recognition of this being so.
• India’s adept use of diaspora engagement as a tool for global legitimacy showcases the intricate interplay between domestic religious nationalism and international outreach.
• Despite large-scale food safety programmes, improvement in the nutritional status of the population has been sluggish and micro-nutrient deficiencies have increased.
• Scaling up biofortification in staple crops on a large scale can effectively address chronic malnutrition in India by introducing nutrient-rich varieties.
• Border fencing is perhaps justified for Pakistan and Bangladesh. But on the Myanmar border, where the population is sparse and the threat of terrorism low, the proposal should be revisited.
• India’s championing of the Global South at the G20, including the induction of the African Union as a member, brought forth the salience of existing institutions in the Global South.
• Collaborative spirit is now indispensable in the urgent realm of climate technology, where the need to combat global warming races against time

ESSAY TOPIC

• Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.

50-WORD TALK

• Interim budget announced a committee to look into challenges emerging from “fast population growth”. A quick reality check here: India’s population growth is slowing and most developing nations are increasingly concerned about their contracting populations. Before analysis can start, India needs facts. The next Census cannot be delayed any longer.
• Jharkhand governor Radhakrishnan’s delay in government formation looks deliberate, unwarranted. This will encourage horse-trading and make ED’s action against ex-CM Hemant Soren look suspect. It flies in the face of PM Modi’s constant refrain about democratic values and constitutionalism. Governor must immediately invite Champai Soren to take oath as CM.
• IMF’s upward revision of India’s growth for current and next two years shows our economic fundamentals are strong. Our low base necessitates maintaining this growth rate for many more years. With subdued consumer demand compounding private sector’s unwillingness to invest, pressure’s going to be on Centre to keep spending big.
• CJI Chandrachud has flagged long vacations among judiciary’s structural problems. Long breaks add to piling pendency, throw off rhythm of work. While judges need breaks like us all, justice must avoid long vacations. We’ve heard pious words before, just that a bold leader to institute this vital change is awaited.

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.

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