9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – December 20th, 2023

Mains Oriented Articles

GS PAPER - 2

Measuring digital literacy -Why India must measure digital literacy

Source: The post measuring digital literacy has been created on the article “Why India must measure digital literacy” published in “Indian express” on 20th December 2023.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper2- governance- Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education

News: This article highlights the importance of digital technology in education and the need for youth to have digital skills for the future economy.

What is the current condition of youth education in India?

Increased Elementary Education Enrollment: The percentage of children aged 6-14 not in school dropped to 1.6% in 2022, showcasing significant progress in elementary education.

Slower Secondary School Transition: Despite the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan’s launch in 2009, the transition to secondary education has been gradual, with a decline in out-of-school children aged 15-16 from 16.1% in 2010 to 7.5% in 2022.

COVID-19 Impact: The pandemic led to extended school closures, affecting education, especially at the primary level.

Why should India measure digital literacy?

Supporting Educational Goals: With the increase in smartphone usage from 36% in 2018 to 74.8% in 2022, measuring digital literacy helps ensure that digital tools effectively support education.

Economic Development: As the World Development Report suggests, understanding digital literacy is crucial for realizing the potential of the digital dividend in economic growth.

Pandemic Recovery: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the necessity of digital literacy for uninterrupted learning, making its measurement vital for educational resilience.

Future Workforce Preparedness: Accurate measurement of digital literacy is key to preparing India’s youth for a digital economy, ensuring they can contribute productively.

What are initiatives to enhance digital literacy in India?

National Digital Literacy Mission (NDLM) and Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (DISHA) (2014-2016): Aimed to train 52.50 lakh candidates in digital literacy.

Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) (Since 2017): Targeted to impart digital literacy in rural India, covering 6 crore households.

Way forward

To maximize India’s demographic and digital dividends, India must focus on enhancing digital literacy and accessibility. As smartphone usage in rural areas rose to 74.8% in 2022, leveraging this for educational resources and skills development is crucial. Continued support for youth aspirations will drive economic participation and growth.

Question for practice:

Evaluate the significance of measuring digital literacy in India, considering its impact on education, economic development, and workforce preparedness.

Taxing High Fat Sugar Salt (HFSS) Foods as a public health imperative

Source: The post taxing High Fat Sugar Salt (HFSS) foods has been created on the article “Tax ‘HFSS’ foods, view it as a public health imperative” published in “The Hindu” on 20th December 2023.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper2- governance- Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health,

News: The article discusses how eating too much HFSS food is causing health problems like obesity and diabetes worldwide. It focuses on India, where these unhealthy eating habits are growing fast, and suggests that higher taxes on such foods could help reduce their consumption.

What is HFSS food?

According to Ministry of Women and Child Development, HFSS foods may be defined as foods (any food or drink, packaged or non- packaged) which contain low amounts of proteins, vitamins, phytochemicals, minerals and dietary fiber but are rich in fat (saturated fatty acids), salt and sugar and high in energy (calories) that are known to have negative impact on health if consumed regularly or in high amounts.

What is the need to tax HFSS foods?

Health Risks: HFSS foods contribute to obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure. In India, NCDs due to poor diet have increased from 38% to 65% since 1990, causing 1.2 million deaths annually.

Economic Burden: Obesity’s cost in India was $23 billion in 2017, potentially rising to $480 billion by 2060. This highlights the economic impact of unhealthy diets.

Growing Consumption in India: India, the world’s largest sugar consumer, has seen snack and soft drink sales triple, exceeding $30 billion. This indicates a worrying rise in HFSS food consumption.

What initiatives have been taken to tax HFSS foods?

Global Initiatives

Over 60 countries have implemented taxes on sugary drinks, while 16 countries tax other HFSS foods.

Countries like Denmark, France, Hungary, Mexico, South Africa, the UK, and the US have specific HFSS food taxes.

Colombia recently introduced a law to tax ultra-processed foods.

Indian Initiatives

Kerala’s Fat Tax: In 2016, Kerala introduced a ‘fat tax’, which later merged into India’s Goods and Services Tax in 2017.

GST and Nutritional Content: In India, the current GST system taxes ultra-processed foods such as salty snacks and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) uniformly. For example, all aerated beverages are subject to the same tax rate, regardless of their sugar content, failing to differentiate based on their health impacts.

What should be done?

The WHO and the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) Recommendations for:  a) It urges the FSSAI to clearly define High Fat Sugar Salt foods, ensuring transparency, b) It recommends a nutrient-based tax model, levying higher taxes on products high in fat, sugar, and salt, and lower taxes on healthier alternatives.

HFSS taxation should aim to improve public health, not just generate income. It should encourage industry to create healthier products and motivate consumers to choose better diets.

Ensure that HFSS taxes are non-regressive and do not disproportionately affect lower-income groups. For example, South Africa’s Health Promotion Levy led to greater reductions in sugary drink purchases among lower-income households.

Question for practice:

Discuss the rising consumption of HFSS foods in India, its implications for public health and the economy, and the potential benefits of implementing higher taxes on such foods.

Mass suspension of MPs – Breach and stain

Source: This post on mass suspension of MPs has been created based on the article “Express View on Opposition removal from Parliament: Breach and stain” published in Indian Express on 20th December 2023.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper 2 – Polity – Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.

News: The article discusses recent problems in India’s Parliament, including security breaches and the suspension of 141 Opposition MPs.

What are the rules on suspension of MPs?

Read here

What are the reasons behind the recent mass suspension of MPs?

Demanding a discussion: Opposition MPs were disrupting Parliament for demand of discussion on the security breach in Parliament.

Nature of Disruptions: Disruptions in Parliament have evolved over time into a political strategy, rather than spontaneous acts. These disruptions often involve shouting and entering the well of the House. These were seen as deliberate acts to stall proceedings, as noted by the Speaker of the 14th Lok Sabha, Somnath Chatterjee.

Government’s Authority in Parliamentary Proceedings: The Indian Constitution, drawing from the British parliamentary system, designed the Parliament primarily for the government to transact its business. The rules of parliamentary procedure give the government significant control over convening and conducting parliamentary proceedings.

What are the consequences of this mass suspension of MPs?

Reduced Representation: The suspension leaves five crore people that MPs represent, without a voice in Parliament.

Undermining Democratic Principles: The suspension is criticized for its disproportionality, suggesting a disregard for the essential democratic process of debate and opposition.

Negative Precedent for Legislatures: This action could set a concerning example for other legislative bodies, potentially encouraging similar measures against opposition parties elsewhere.

Historical Precedent: This mass suspension is unprecedented in scale, exceeding the past record of suspending 63 MPs during Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure.

What are Interventions by the Court?

Judicial actions are typically rare due to the principle of separation of powers:

Article 122 of the Constitution: It prevents courts from questioning parliamentary proceedings, safeguarding legislative independence.

Judicial Intervention Exceptions: Courts can step in for procedural violations or constitutional rights infringements.

Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Case (2021): An example where the Supreme Court intervened. The Assembly suspended 12 BJP MLAs for a year, but the Court deemed this excessive and limited the suspension to the session’s duration.

This instance highlights the court’s role in ensuring procedural correctness and protecting constitutional principles in legislative actions.

What should be done?

Ensure Open Investigation and Debate: Conduct transparent investigations into security breaches and encourage open discussions in Parliament, as demanded by the Opposition regarding the December 13 incident.

Reform Parliamentary Procedures: Update the procedural rules, which are based on the pre-independence British model, to reflect the collaborative essence of a modern democratic legislature.

Address Parliamentary Disruptions: To address deliberate disruption, Parliament could implement structured debates and improved conflict resolution methods.

Incorporate Opposition’s Voice: Parliament could enhance inclusivity and balance in the legislative process by allowing the Opposition a significant role in agenda-setting. This could mirror the UK House of Commons’ approach, where specific days are designated for the Opposition to raise issues.

Question for practice:

Examine the reasons behind the recent mass suspension of 141 Opposition MPs in India’s Parliament and the potential consequences of this action on democratic principles and legislative bodies.

GS PAPER - 3

Turbulence in south – India must ensure better cohesion among agencies during disasters

Source: The post is based on the article “Turbulence in south – India must ensure better cohesion among agencies during disasters” published in “The Hindu” on 20^th December 2023.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 – Disaster Management – Mitigating the impact of Cyclones

News: Cyclone Michaung has caused severe impact in Tamil Nadu, with certain areas experiencing heavy rainfall and disruptions due to upper air circulation.

This has led to loss of lives, damage to infrastructure, like roads, electric poles, railways, and an overflow of the Tamirabharani River.

Click Here to read more on Cyclone Michaung and its impact.

What shortcomings have been highlighted as a result of the incident?

Ineffective Weather Forecasting: The recent weather event in Tamil Nadu raises concerns about weather forecasting and preparedness effectiveness.

While the Meteorological Department issued warnings, the exact scale and location of the rainfall remained unpredictable.

Inefficient Evacuation Procedures: Some of the evacuation routes were congested and inaccessible in certain areas, which delayed timely relocation of residents.

Inadequate Drainage Systems: Heavy rain in cities like Chennai caused widespread flooding because of the improper drainage system.

Delayed Evacuations: Despite receiving warnings, certain vulnerable communities experienced delays in evacuation, which raised the risk level.

Read More: Cyclone disaster management in India- Explained Pointwise + Infographics

What can be the way ahead?

Better Forecasting System: The limitations of the country’s weather forecasting system in predicting exact rainfall amounts and locations emphasize the need for advancements in precise forecasting.

Better Coordination: There is a need for better coordination between the weather department and Railways to prevent incidents like the stranding of the Tiruchendur train.

Proactive Approach: A more proactive approach and stronger inter-agency cooperation are crucial for mitigating future disasters.

Develop and Maintain Robust Evacuation Plans: There is a need to identify vulnerable areas, establish clear evacuation routes and shelters, and conduct regular drills to practice evacuation procedures.

Investment in Disaster-resilient Infrastructure: There is a need to build durable houses, reinforce critical infrastructure like dams and bridges, and improve drainage systems to mitigate the impact of storms.

Question for Practice: Discuss the shortcomings associated with disaster management in India and provide ways for mitigating the impact of cyclones in India.

Exchange rate flexibility is a key shock absorber for India: IMF

Source: The post is based on the article “Exchange rate flexibility is a key shock absorber for India: IMF” published in “The Indian Express” on 20^th December 2023. 454285671

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 – Economy – Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment

News: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recently reclassified India’s exchange rate regime from “floating” to “stabilized arrangement”. It was due to the rupee’s narrow trading range between 80.8 and 83.4.

The article explains different views between the IMF and Indian authorities over reclassification and provides forecast and recommendations given by the IMF for the Indian economy.

What are the different views of the IMF and the Indian authorities on India’s foreign exchange rate regime?

IMF: The IMF believes India should prioritize exchange rate flexibility to absorb external shocks. It suggests that foreign exchange interventions should be limited to situations of disorderly market conditions. It has been instrumental in India’s economic resilience, allowing for more effective management of high capital inflows and market fluctuations.

India: Indian authorities believe that India’s exchange rate stability reflects improvements in India’s external position and that interventions have been used to prevent excessive volatility.

What are some of the findings of the IMF on India’s economy?

Positive Findings

Foreign Exchange Reserves: It has reached a record high of $606.8 billion due to the capital inflows.

Financial sector: It has become stable and resilient with sustained bank credit growth, low non-performing assets, and enough capital buffers. The sector remains strong and largely unaffected by global financial stress in early 2023.

Economic Growth: India’s economy exhibited robust growth over the past year, with moderated but volatile inflation.

Employment: Employments have exceeded pre-pandemic levels, and despite the ongoing dominance of the informal sector, there has been progress in formalizing the economy.

Negative Findings

Widening Current Account Deficit: India’s current account deficit widened in FY23 due to the post-pandemic recovery in domestic demand and temporary external shocks.

High Public Debt: Although the budget deficit has improved, the public debt remains high which requires the rebuilding of fiscal buffers.

What are the recommendations given by the IMF for India?

Monitoring: IMF suggests monitoring financial stability and addressing emerging vulnerabilities, especially the increase in unsecured personal loans.

Strengthen Financial Reserves: It suggested for the enhancement of regulatory and supervisory standards and encourage public banks to strengthen financial reserves.

Structural Reforms: It also emphasized the need for comprehensive structural reforms to leverage India’s demographics for inclusive and sustainable growth.

Terms Used

Floating Exchange Rate: In a floating exchange rate regime, the value of a country’s currency is determined by market forces, i.e., supply and demand in the foreign exchange market.

Stabilized Arrangement: This suggests that the central bank has actively manage the exchange rate to maintain stability within a certain range.

Question for Practice: India is experiencing strong economic growth, despite an expanding Current Account Deficit and high public debt. Discuss the reasons behind it and also highlight the concerns in the context of the latest IMF report.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

States can borrow an extra ₹2 lakh crore this fiscal year

Source- This post is based on the article “States can borrow an extra ₹2 lakh crore this year” published in “The Hindu” on 19th December 2023.

Why in the News?

The Finance Ministry has allowed states to access approximately ₹2.04 lakh crore overall as additional borrowings beyond their net borrowing limits for the current fiscal year.

What is the recent decision taken by the Centre?

1) The Centre has allowed extra borrowing of Rs 60,876.80 crore to States, on top of their net borrowing ceilings of 3% of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).

2) 22 states have been granted this additional borrowing for meeting pension liabilities under the National Pension System (NPS).
Note- The NPS has been overseeing government employee retirement savings since 2004.

What are the borrowing ceiling for States?

1) The normal net borrowing ceiling for states is fixed at 3 per cent of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).
– For FY24, this is equivalent to Rs 8,59,988 crore as recommended by the Fifteenth Finance Commission.

2) States are allocated an extra 0.5 per cent of GSDP in borrowing capacity as a performance-based incentive for power sector reforms.
– According to this, States are eligible to borrow Rs 1.43 lakh crore on the recommendation of the power ministry for FY24.

What are the Related Constitutional provisions?

Article293(3) -A State may not without the consent of the Government of India raise any loan if there is still outstanding any part of a loan which has been made to the State by the Government of India or by its predecessor Government

– In Practice, the Centre has been utilizing this authority following the guidance provided by the Finance Commission.

UPSC Syllabus- Indian Economy

Gyanvapi Mosque: Religious character of a place of worship can be decided only in a trial, says Allahabad HC

Source: The post is based on the article “Religious character of a place of worship can be decided only in a trial, says Allahabad HC” published in “The Hindu” on 20th December 2023

Why in the News?

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that the Places of Worship Act, 1991 does not prevent lawsuits seeking to determine the religious character of a place of worship or to reclaim a place of worship. 

What is the case about?

1) A petition was filed in 1991 seeking the restoration of a temple where the Gyanvapi mosque now exists (in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh).

2) Against this, several petitions were filed in the Allahabad High Court by the Gyanvapi Mosque Committee and the UP Sunni Central Waqf Board. 

2) The petitioners argued that the 1991 lawsuit was not maintainable as it was barred by The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991.

What did the High Court rule on this?

1) Lawsuit maintainable: The Court dismissed the petition and ruled that the lawsuit is not barred by the Places of Religious Worship Act, 1991

2) 1991 Act not an absolute bar: The Court ruled that the Act isn’t an absolute barrier to seeking legal recourse regarding the religious character of a place of worship. 

3) Religious character undefined: The Act does not define “religious character,” leaving it to the courts to determine on a case-by-case basis through evidence.

4) Challenging conversions that took place before the Act: The court also held that if the “conversion” of a religious place had taken place “much before” the commencement of the Act, relevant party could still move the court.

– In the Gyanvapi case, the Hindu petitioners said that the temple was brought down by the “Farman of Emperor Aurangzeb in the year 1669” which is much before the commencement of the 1991 Act.

What is the Places of Worship Act, 1991?

Click Here to read

Hydrogen cyanide found in Saturn’s icy moon Enceladus

Source: The post is based on the article “Hydrogen cyanide found in Saturn’s icy moon Enceladus” published in “PIB” on 15th December 2023

Why in the News?

Based on data from NASA’s Cassini spacecraft, scientists have found Hydrogen Cyanide in the oceans of Saturn’s moon Enceladus.

What have the scientists found on Saturn’s moon Enceladus?

1) Researchers have re-analysed data from the Cassini spacecraft which orbited Saturn from 2004 to 2017.

2) They detected hydrogen cyanide along with methanol, ethane, and oxygen in the plumes of water vapour erupting from the surface of Enceladus.

3) This suggests that Enceladus subsurface oceans may possess more chemical energy than previously thought, potentially supporting the creation and persistence of complex organic compounds.

4) These findings also strengthen the case for the Enceladus habitability, indicating that it may contain essential molecules for life and provide insights into the formation of complex biomolecules.

What is Enceladus?

1) Enceladus is one of Saturn’s 146 moons. It has a white, icy surface made of water ice covering a warmer, salty ocean underneath.

2) It’s about 500 km wide and has a freezing surface temperature of -200°C.

3) Enceladus is also an active source of water volcanism, ejecting plumes of water, ice, dust and gases into space. These materials contribute to the Saturn’s rings.

What is Hydrogen cyanide (HCN)?

1) Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) is a colourless chemical compound composed of hydrogen, carbon, and nitrogen atoms.

2) It is highly toxic as it interferes with the body’s use of oxygen and may cause harm to the brain, heart, blood vessels and lungs.

3) It is used commercially for fumigation, electroplating, mining, chemical synthesis, and the production of synthetic fibres, plastics, dyes and pesticides.

What is Cassini Spacecraft?

Click Here to read

UPSC Syllabus: Science and Technology

Noma added to WHO’s list of Neglected Tropical Disease

Source- This post is based on the article “Noma added to WHO’s list of Neglected Tropical Disease ” published in “DownToEarth” on 18th December 2023.

Why in the News?

World Health Organisation (WHO) has recently added ‘Noma’ to its official list of neglected tropical diseases (NTD).

What is Noma?

1) It is a severe gangrenous (decaying because the blood has stopped flowing there) disease affecting the mouth and face. Noma eats away facial tissue and bones if not treated early.

2) It is caused by the bacteria spirochete Borrelia vincenti, commonly found in the mouth.

3) It typically begins as inflammation of gums but progresses rapidly, leading to extensive tissue destruction and eventually exposing facial bones.

4) It is also called cancrum oris or gangrenous stomatitis.

5) It has a mortality rate of around 90%.

6) It primarily affects children aged 2 to 6 years old who are malnourished, infected with infectious diseases, living in extreme poverty with poor oral health, or who have weakened immune systems.

7) Treatment- Immediate action with antibiotics, rehydration, correcting electrolyte imbalances, and providing nutritional supplements can halt the disease’s progression.

8) Preventive measures- Enhancing living conditions and healthcare access for vulnerable populations, ensuring proper nutrition, immunization, oral hygiene, and sanitation practices.

9) The illness’s neglected nature is most likely due to the fact that it affects the world’s most marginalised children.

What are Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD)?

Click Here to read

UPSC Syllabus – Science & Technology

Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2023

Source– This post is based on the article “PM addresses participants of Grand Finale of Smart India Hackathon 2023” published in “PIB” on 19th December 2023.

Why in the News?

Recently PM Narendra Modi engaged in discussions with the participants during the Grand Finale of Smart India Hackathon 2023.

What is Smart India Hackathon (SIH)?

Aspect	Details
What is it?	It is a nationwide initiative to provide students a platform to solve some of the pressing problems we face in our daily lives.
Aim	It aims to foster a culture of product innovation, problem-solving, and out-of-the-box thinking in students.
Launched in	2017
Nodal Ministry	Ministry of Education
Who can participate?	1) SIH JUNIOR– Class 6th-12th Students 2) SIH SENIOR– Higher Educational Students like Graduate/Post Graduate/PH.D
Key features	1) SIH is being run in two formats: SIH Software and SIH Hardware Editions for higher education students. 2) Participants propose solutions across various themes such as Space Technology, Smart Education, Disaster Management, Robotics and Drones, Heritage, and Culture. 3) SIH 2023 offers a total prize pool exceeding Rs 2 crore, with each winning team receiving a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh per problem statement.

UPSC Syllabus- Science & Technology/Schemes and Programmes

Criteria for SC status in India

Source- This post is based on the article “National Commission for Scheduled Castes directs States to grant Scheduled Caste status to rehabilitated Bengali people” published in “PIB” on 19th December 2023.

Why in the News?

National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) directs States to grant Scheduled Caste status to the Namashudra, Paundra and Rajvanshi sub-castes of rehabilitated Bengali society.

What is the Status of these Sub-Castes of Rehabilitated Bengali people in India?

1) The people who came from East Pakistan in 1947 were rehabilitated in 18 States by the Government of India since 1960.

2) In 8 states, Namashudra, Paundra and Rajvanshi sub-castes of Bengali society have been given the status of Scheduled Caste.

3) However, in the remaining 10 states i.e Delhi, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, and Karnataka, they remain without Scheduled Caste status.

4) NCSC will take action under Article 338 of the Constitution of India to grant them Scheduled Caste status.

Note- Under Article 338, the NCSC monitor safeguards for these groups as per the Constitution and other laws.

What is the Criteria for SC Status in India?

1) Article 341(1) of the Indian Constitution empowers the president to designate castes in the country and specific states as Scheduled Castes.

2) Inclusion in the SC list is based on significant social, educational, and economic backwardness resulting from historical untouchability, though not explicitly mentioned in the constitution.

3) The concerned State Governments/ Union Territory Administrations make proposal for inclusion in the SC list. Such a proposal must be approved by the Registrar General of India (RGI) and the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC).

4) As per Article 341(2), Parliament may by law make further amendments to the list of Scheduled Castes as notified by the President.

For more information on criteria for SC status Click Here to read

What is National Commission for Scheduled Castes?

Click here to read

UPSC Syllabus- Polity and Nation

New Swarnima Loan Scheme

Source– This post is based on the article “NEW SWARNIMA LOAN SCHEME” published in “PIB” on 19th December 2023.

Why in the News?

Recently government has filed a reply in the Lok Sabha regarding the implementation of the Swarnima loan scheme.

What is New Swarnima Loan Scheme?

Aspect	Details
What is it?	Loan scheme to provide financial assistance to women entrepreneurs from backward classes.
Aim	Inculcating the spirit of self-dependence among the women of Backward Classes under Term Loan.
Nodal Ministry	Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Introduced by	National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC)
Implemented by	State Channelising Agencies (SCAs) which act as the nodal agency.
Eligibility	1) Women belonging to Backward Classes, aged between 18 and 55 years. 2) Total annual family income should not be more than ₹3 lakh.
Benefits	1) A loan of maximum ₹2,00,000 per beneficiary is provided. 2) The rate of interest on the amount of loan is less as compared to the general loan scheme of the Corporation. 3) Loan is to be repaid in quarterly instalments with maximum 8 years.

What is NBCFDC?

1) NBCFDC is a Government of India undertaking under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

2) It was established on January 13, 1992, under Section 25 of the Companies Act 1956 (now section 8 of Company Act, 2013).

3) Aim- To foster economic and developmental initiatives for the benefit of Backward Classes and support skill development and self-employment ventures for the economically disadvantaged within these groups.

UPSC Syllabus- Schemes and Programmes

Shakti Sadan: Rehabilitation of Trafficking Survivors

Source- This post is based on the article “REHABILITATION OF TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS” published in “PIB” on 19th December 2023.

Why in the News?

The erstwhile ‘SwadharGreh’ and ‘Ujjawala Homes’, under ‘Mission Shakti’, have been merged and will now be known as ‘Shakti Sadan’. It is aimed at rehabilitation of women trafficking survivors.

What is Shakti Sadan?

1) Shakti Sadan is part of Mission Shakti of Ministry of Women and Child Development.

2) It serves as an Integrated Relief and Rehabilitation Home for women in distress situations and difficult circumstances.

3) Shakti Sadan residents will receive shelter, food, clothing, counseling, primary health care, and other essential needs.

4) Residents will also be given vocational training, help with bank account openings, and access social security benefits through relevant departmental schemes.

5) So far, 445 Shakti Sadans are functional, benefitting about 10955 women.

What is Mission Shakti?

Click Here to read

What is Swadhar Greh?

Click Here to read

What is Ujjawala Scheme?

Click Here to read

UPSC Syllabus- Schemes and Programmes