Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 3

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 3

Is ONDC really the UPI of e-commerce?

News: The article explains the concerns associated with Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).

What is ONDC?

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After the success of UPI, a hype is being created for ONDC that it will revolutionize e-commerce like UPI did with the payment system. However, the situation is different for both.

Why is it inappropriate to compare ONDC to UPI?

Before the launch of the UPI, all debit-based transactions were through a combination of cash exchange, online bank transfers, debit cards, etc. Even before UPI, people hardly used credit cards for payments.

Therefore, the launch of UPI made debit-based transactions easier by leveraging technology. UPI did not compete with any such big players in the market. It only made the existing payment system technology driven.

So, comparing ONDC with the UPI that it will democratize e-commerce by providing technology to the small players, which then will be able to compete with the big e-commerce companies is inappropriate.

What are the challenges with ONDC?

Making Profit: It is argued that ONDC will ensure competitiveness in the market by ending the monopoly of the big e-commerce companies. However, in reality even these big companies suffer in being a profitable.

For instance, it is viewed that platforms like Swiggy and Zomato are exploiting their duopoly power to create super-profits for themselves. However, for the fiscal year 2022, both reported losses.

Hence, even for the ONDC, it cannot be said that it will make huge profits by eliminating monopoly from the market.

Relying on Marketplace Model: One of the aims of ONDC is to create several new vertical marketplaces. However, large e-commerce companies like Amazon have shifted from the marketplace model to a ‘full-stack model’ or into a platform.

This is because the marketplace lacks standardization of pricing, payment terms, logistics, packaging, service levels, returns, resolution of customer complaints, etc.

Therefore, for ONDC, reversal to a marketplace model will bring back all the problems that were inherent in that model.

Ensuring a level playing field: It is argued that ONDC will ensure a level playing field by allowing small sellers to sell their products online.

However, concerns remain over the efficiency of the ONDC that how it will make the economic chain efficient while also offering a small player the opportunity to deliver their products to customers in their locality.

Moreover, some people still prefer shopping offline and most small players do not even target customers who care for the convenience of home delivery.

So, any solution that focuses on home delivery is unlikely to benefit smaller players because they can never beat the e-commerce companies on this.

Therefore, imitating the models of the bigger players is probably not the answer because what has worked for them may not work for others.

What can be the way ahead?

Any such new idea that aims to revolutionize requires fundamental change rather than following the same pattern. Else, similar problems will exist like other e-commerce companies.

India needs to fill the vacuum of its mid-sized enterprises space

News: India has recently focused more on encouraging entrepreneurship through a variety of programmes and initiatives.

What are some of the initiatives that encourage entrepreneurship?

The government of India launched a Startup India in 2016. This increased the recognised startups from 442 in 2016 to 92,683 in 2023. The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme has also funded many businesses.

However, along with these initiatives, there is also a need to scale-up the firms.

Why is there a need to scale-up firms?

As per the MSME Annual Report of Government of India (2022-23), the micro sector makes up for over 99% of the total estimated number of MSMEs. The small sector has 0.33 million enterprises and the medium sector has only 5,000 firms.

Therefore, India needs policies that transform firms from a micro to mid-size stage because it is the mid-sized firms which hold greater potential to grow into a large firm.

According to a Mckinsey report, India is home to over 600 large firms that are 11 times more productive than average and contribute around 40% to total exports.

Therefore, to utilize this potential, India needs to promote micro firms and overcome its challenges.

What are the challenges faced by micro firms?

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Hence, scaling up is required for micro firms. This is because scaling-up enables firms to adopt newer technology, get access to different markets, and streamline production processes, along with boosting productivity.

What measures have been taken to scale up micro firms?

There are two major areas to focus for improving the ease of doing business and transitioning to larger firms – a) to simplify as well as streamline the regulatory framework, and b) promote access to capital.

In the context of streamlining the regulatory framework, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that there has been reduction in compliances along with decriminalizing various legal provisions.

This is important because a high regulatory burden disincentivizes firms to grow and firms prefer to stay small in size and outside the ambit of the formal system.

Additionally, various schemes have attempted to ease access to credit, especially for firms that have remained outside the formal credit system.

For instance, the Udyam Assist Platform, functions with the goal of bringing informal micro enterprises under the formal ambit to help them avail benefits under India’s priority sector lending rules.

Another notable scheme is PM SVANidhi (Prime Minister Street Vendor’s Atmanirbhar Nidhi) that provides credit to small entrepreneurs such as hawkers and street vendors.

Must Read: MSMEs: Significance, Challenges and Solutions – Explained

What can be the way ahead?

MSMEs form the backbone of the economy. Therefore, it is a huge responsibility to ensure that the schemes initiated for aiding growth among micro and small firms are implemented effectively.

Save The Summit – on ecological threats of mountaineering

Context: Commercialization of Himalayan expedition has become an ecological threat for the mountain.

The first official ascent of Mt Everest was made by Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary 70 years ago. Over the decades, many others, including Junko Tabei (1975, Japan) and Bachendri Pal (1984, India) achieved this feat. However, with the rise of commercial expeditions in the 1990s, these expeditions became a threat to the mountains.

What are threats associated with commercialization of the Himalayan Expedition?

It has resulted in issues like ‘traffic jams’ and ‘garbage mountains’ on the mountains.

Mountaineering has become an ecological threat.

Over-commercialization and overcrowding are resulting in events like Joshimath flood.

What should be done?

Countries need to recalibrate their approach to mountain tourism and climbing to ensure the long-term preservation of the Everest region.

Why is the 1.5 degree Celsius target critical?

Context: The article discusses the importance of the 1.5-degree Celsius target.

World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) recently released reports indicate that by 2027, the average global temperature will exceed 1.5 degrees, a critical point beyond which there may be no return.

The report has also predicted that 1.5 degree Celsius temperature rise will happen over the next five years rather than the originally predicted timeline of 2033-37, due to el-nino factors.

Initially, for decades 2 degrees was an acceptable level of warming. However, Small Island countries opposed it as it threatened their survival. The 1.5°C target was officially recognized by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 2018.

1.5°C target implies average planetary warming to 1.5 degree.

What is the significance of a 1.5-degree target?

The IPCC’s 2018 report outlined the consequences of crossing 1.5-degree threshold. The report outlined potential outcomes, including more frequent and intense heat waves, droughts, heavy rainfall, a rise in sea levels, and destruction of ecosystems.

What are the causes behind crossing the threshold?

Developed G7 nations, responsible for a significant share of greenhouse gas emissions, have largely failed to fulfill their climate action pledges.

Countries such as Australia, the U.S., Japan, Russia, and Canada have made little progress, while China, Iran, and Saudi Arabia also rank low in climate performance.

The recent cyclone “Mocha”, which hit Myanmar and Bangladesh earlier this month, exemplified these heightened risks.

Now, Covid Pandemic and Ukraine crisis have added to the rising threat.

How recent G7 summit is trying to tackle the climate change?

At leaders’ summit in Hiroshima, the G7 claimed that its own emissions have peaked. It means the bulk of the responsibility now lies with major emerging powers such as China and India.

The final communique asked all major economies to ensure that their individual emissions do not continue to rise after 2025 and reiterated claims to hit net zero by 2050.

However, G7 country’s claim is not rightful, because:

1. First, the cut-off year of 2025 has not been mandated by any international agreement.
2. Second, it is difficult to understand the G7 claims of reaching peak emissions when major powers such as Germany, struggling with lower gas supplies from Russia.
3. Third, developed countries have committed to spending just $100 billion per year in support of climate action in developing countries.

What are the impacts of rising temperatures on the Weather Events?

There is a mass loss of glaciers in High-mountain Asia, Western North America, and South America.

The WMO’s reports suggest an increase in precipitation anomalies and marine heat waves relative to marine cold spells.

Climate change exacerbates food insecurity, displacement, and mortality while negatively affecting crop yields and increasing the risks posed by agricultural pests and diseases.

How does it impact India?

India has been experiencing increased impacts of climate change, including extreme weather events, hotter temperatures, and unpredictable monsoons.

As per India Meteorological Department, India saw 573 climate disasters, causing 138,377 deaths, between 1970 and 2021.

However, India has performed better on Climate Change Performance Index 2023 than many developed nations. India’s performance has been a result of Green Hydrogen Mission and the introduction of green bonds.

Better numbers in private projects

News– The article explains the recent trend of investment growth in the Indian economy and its implications for the economy.

What is the role of the state and financial entity in the economy?

State is a small part of the economy. Almost all output and jobs are made in the private sector. State actions create incentives for private people to invest.

In this fundamental sense, public policy is not a game of muscular action in the economy. It is the game of establishing conditions in which the private sector will engage in investment in the economy.

Similarly, the financial system should best be seen as creating conditions for non-financial firms to build the economy. Policy and finance are the means to achieve vibrant growth.

What are indicators for measuring investment in the economy?

One measure of investment activity is the year-on-year growth of net fixed assets (NFAs) of large non-financial firms. This is data about the annual flow of investment by large firms. NFA growth has declined steadily from about 25% real in 2007-08 to about 0% real in 2021-22.

A good leading indicator of investment is found using the CMIE capex database. It tracks all large investment projects. The methods for the database have been consistently in place from 1995 onwards.

All clear projects with a distinct name are measured in the database. It shows up in various disclosures by the firm and by the state.

What is shown by investment indicators related to the stock of value of private projects under implementation?

It has declined from 2011-12 onwards. Things have now changed.

It was at its bottom in 2020 at a value of about 47 trillion. There was a slow recovery from 2020 and a sharp gain in early 2023. The latest value is at around 55 trillion. It is 17% real above the bottom. The long decline has reversed.

This is an important positive change in Indian economic conditions. The present value of the stock of private investment is far low as compared to the peak value of 2011. But, it is back to the levels last seen in 2018.

What do macroeconomics say about multiplier impacts of demand generation?

A demand impulse generates a multiplier effect. Increased private investment impacts the entire economy. Increased purchases and employment generate greater demand.

This triggers many good responses. These are greater borrowing, greater purchases of durable goods, greater investments in business plans, and non-workers transitioning into unemployment.

Could the present optimism related to high investment can lead to significant recovery?

Under the macroeconomics aggregate lies a lot of things. Some firms are faring well and some firms are collapsing.

The limitations of firm resolution in India have led to the excessive survival of impaired organisations. The rising investment of recent quarters may lift all the firms.

The upsurge in private projects under implementation should reflect an upsurge in investment in the NFA data.

The upsurge in the flow of investment expenses should trigger a significant scale of the “multiplier effect” gains in demand and employment?

The modest macroeconomic recovery should lead to broad-based investment and high growth rate.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

When Roman merchants and soldiers came to Madurai to trade in pepper

Source: The post is based on the article “When Roman merchants and soldiers came to Madurai to trade in pepper” published in The Hindu on 25th May 2023

What is the News?

This article discusses the historical trade routes between Roman merchants and the city of Madurai (Pandya Dynasty).

What are the historical trade routes between Roman merchants and Madurai?

The Roman traders used to take advantage of the monsoonal winds blowing in the Arabian Sea to reach the ports in Kerala.

It was a 45-day journey from a port in Egypt to Musiri in Kerala. From there, they would make the journey by road to cross the Western Ghats.

Cumbum pass and Thandikudi pass: Excavations in this area had yielded silver coins engraved with the bust of Caesar Augustus.

These routes would have been treacherous as they curved their way around the thick shola forests that covered these ghat sections.

Shencottah Pass: This route was taken by traders of precious stones. Wealthy Romans adorned themselves with pearls sourced from Korkai and other precious ornaments from the region.

Post-trade, these traders took the land route to reach the ports on the east coast — Alagankulam, Arikamedu, Kaveripattinam, Kayalpattinam, Korkai, Mamallapuram, Nagappattinam, Periyapattinam and Devipattinam.

About the trade between Romans and Pandyas

Various poems of the Sangam Literature talk of how the tall and burly ‘yavanas’(Romans) rubbed shoulders with the local inhabitants.

The ‘yavanas’ brought with them their rich and glossy pottery known as Arretine Ware which was much sought after by the kings. They also brought with them gold. Some historians say they introduced the people to wine made from grapes.

To buy pepper from its source, a trading centre was established at Thandikudi as early as the 13th Century.

An early form of corporate social responsibility initiative can be traced to the fact that traders constructed tanks and temples during their journey so as to create an atmosphere of goodwill among the local population.

The popular merchant guilds in ancient Tamil Nadu were Ainootruvar, Mani Grammathar, Pathinen Visaayathar and Anjuvannam. These guilds had members who were not only traders but also those who had ships with their own army of soldiers.

What was the significance of Madurai?

Madurai, the capital of the Pandyas, was built around the Meenakshi Sundaraswarar Temple, which many believe was built in the first Century CE.

The city of Madurai was built in the form of a lotus on the southern banks of the Vaigai river. Like the unfurling petals of the lotus, various streets, exclusive for trades, radiated from the centre.

Most soldiers killed in action during UN missions were Indian

Source: The post is based on the article “Most soldiers killed in action during UN missions were Indian” published in The Hindu on 29th May 2023

What is the News?

Recently, the United Nations has observed the 75th anniversary of its peacekeeping missions. During a ceremony, the UN paid tribute to the more than 4,000 peacekeepers who have died on duty.

Data show that since the inception of UN peacekeeping missions, most of the lives lost during peacekeeping missions due to malicious acts were of Indian troops.

About United Nations Peacekeeping forces

About the loss of life among United Nations Peacekeeping forces

71 operations were conducted till date by United Nations Peacekeeping forces. This has seen participation from 2 million peacekeepers from 125 nations.

In total, more than 4,200 peacekeepers have died — 1,481 due to illness, 1,386 due to accidents, 316 due to other causes, and the rest due to malicious acts.

The first military observers were sent by the UN Security Council to oversee the Israeli-Arab Armistice Agreement in May 1948

About the loss of Indian soldiers in peacekeeping missions

Indian troops and experts have played a significant role in the UN’s peacekeeping missions.

In total, 1,115 peacekeepers have died on the field due to malicious acts, of which 69 were from India.

The United Nations Operation in the Congo (ONUC) between July 1960 and June 1964 proved to be the deadliest for Indian troops and experts, with 36 Indian armed force personnel were killed and 15 dying due to malicious acts.

The United Nations Operation in Somalia II (UNOSOM) between March 1993 and 1995 resulted in the loss of 12 Indian troops and experts due to malicious acts.

Among ongoing missions, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) recorded the deaths of seven Indian troops.

Note: In the ongoing missions, most Indians (2,426) are part of the UNMISS. This is followed by the UN stabilisation mission in Congo (MONUSCO) and United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNFIL).

About the current contribution of troops for UN Peacekeeping Force

Currently, UN peacekeeping missions involve 6,097 Indian personnel. This is the third highest after Bangladesh (7,237) and Nepal (6,264).

Four of the top five contributions come from the Indian subcontinent. Most of the troop and expert contributions have come from poor- or middle-income countries.

Joint Malnutrition Estimate: India sees reduction in stunting; but wasting, obesity are concerns: report

Source: The post is based on the article “India sees reduction in stunting; but wasting, obesity are concerns: report” published in The Hindu on 29th May 2023

What is the News?

Recently, a Joint Malnutrition Estimate was released by the UNICEF, the WHO and the World Bank.

What are the key concerns highlighted by the Joint Malnutrition Estimate?

The world has shown insufficient progress to reach the 2025 World Health Assembly global nutrition targets and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 targets.

Only about one-third of all countries are ‘on track’ to halve the number of children affected by stunting by 2030. Even fewer countries are expected to achieve the 2030 target of 3% prevalence for overweight.

What are the key findings of Joint Malnutrition Estimate?

Stunting: India continues to show a reduction in stunting and recorded 1.6 crore fewer stunted children under five years in 2022 than in 2012.

Stunting among children under five years in India dropped from a prevalence rate of 41.6% in 2012 to 31.7% in 2022.

India’s share of the global burden of stunting also declined from 30% to 25% in the past decade.

Note: Globally, stunting declined from a prevalence rate of 26.3% in 2012 to 22.3% in 2022.

Wasting: The overall prevalence of wasting in 2022 was 18.7% in India, with a share of 49% in the global burden.

Obesity: The prevalence of obesity marginally increased in a decade from 2.2% in 2012 to 2.8% in 2022, thereby contributing to 8.8% of the global share.

Note: The overall classification for obesity is low and much lower than the global prevalence of 5.6%.

Does the global report is in sync with national findings?

The decline in stunting in India is commensurate with National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-5 (2019-2021) data which estimated its prevalence at 35.5% as against 38% in NFHS-4 (2016) and 48% in NFHS-3 (2006).

The NFHS also highlighted that almost two-thirds of children at 12 or 24 months had wasting at birth or at one month of age. This means two-thirds of the wasting is caused by maternal malnutrition.

‘From prevalence in eight States in 2001, dengue now a nationwide infection’

Source: The post is based on the article “‘From prevalence in eight States in 2001, dengue now a nationwide infection’” published in The Hindu on 29th May 2023

What is the News?

Dengue, which was restricted to eight States in 2001, currently covers all the States and Union Territories in India.

What is Dengue?

What is DNA Vaccine for Dengue?

About the geographical spread of dengue in India

During the past two decades, there has been a significant geographical spread of dengue with an 11-fold increase and repeated outbreaks.

Rural areas contributed approximately 32% of the total cases in 2015-16 and have increased to 41%-45% now.

About the global spread of dengue

The World Health Organization estimates the global incidence of dengue has grown over recent decades, with half of the world population now at risk.

The ICMR said that this risk from dengue is now endemic in more than 100 countries.

What are the various reasons for controlling the spread of Dengue?

Dengue has been propelled by several factors, including climate change, increased urbanisation and increased travel, intermittent water supply and poor waste management at construction sites.

The dengue vector is very different from the malaria vector and so, bio-environmental strategies alone will not work.

Various problems in controlling Aedes: These include day-biting habit, multiple biting, long incubation period, fast transport, eggs retained up to one year, container breeding, etc.

How India is aiming to control the spread of dengue?

Apart from vaccines, the government is also increasing awareness and promoting prevention, people’s participation, and the use of the latest technology, including satellite imaging and drones to map vulnerable areas.

Shrinking snow cover continues to haunt Himachal Pradesh

Source: The post is based on the article “Shrinking snow cover continues to haunt Himachal Pradesh” published in The Hindu on 29th May 2023

What is the News?

The trend of a gradual reduction in snow cover in ecologically fragile Himachal Pradesh has increased. Also, the mean maximum and minimum average temperature is on the rise in the Himalayan region.

About the research on shrinking snow cover in Himachal Pradesh

Recently, a “Seasonal Snow Cover Variations in Himachal during 2022-23 and its comparative analysis with reference to 2021-22” report was released.

This latest scientific report was conducted jointly by the Himachal Pradesh’s State Centre on Climate Change (HIMCOSTE) and the Geo-Sciences, Hydrology, Cryosphere Sciences Applications Group (GHCAG) and the Space Applications Centre (SAC-ISRO).

The total area under snow cover was estimated using Advanced Wide Field Sensor (AWIFS) satellite data during 2022-23.

What are the findings of the research on shrinking snow cover in Himachal Pradesh?

Himachal Pradesh has been witnessing an erratic, inconsistent and decreasing trend of snowfall, besides a shift in its pattern and precipitation, triggered by climate change.

In the 2022-23 winter period (October-April), there was an overall reduction of about 14.05% in the total area under snow cover in Himachal Pradesh in comparision to 2021-22.

During the peak winter months (December-February), all four basins — Chenab, Beas, Ravi and Satluj had negative trends in comparison to the last winter period.

The research also observed a reducing precipitation trend in the ecologically fragile State.

What is the importance of snow cover in the Himalayas and Himachal Pradesh?

Glaciers in the Himalayas have been reported to be retreating. These retreating glaciers, depleting snow cover and Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) are of immediate concern in the mountain environment.

Most of the major rivers like the Chenab, Beas, Parvati, Baspa, Spiti, Ravi, Satluj and their perennial tributaries originating from the Himalayas, depend on the seasonal snow cover for their discharge dependability.

So, decreases in snow accumulation and glacial retreat might lead to acute water shortages in the future.

Himachal Pradesh receives winter precipitation in the form of snow at the higher altitudes. About one-third of the total geographical area of the State remains under thick snow cover during the winter season.

A Foucault pendulum swings inside the new Parliament

Source: The post is based on the article “A Foucault pendulum swings inside the new Parliament” published in The Hindu on 29th May 2023

What is the News?

The new Parliament building’s one of the key features includes a Foucault pendulum suspended from its ‘Constitutional Gallery’ area. It was designed and installed by the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), Kolkata.

What is a Foucault pendulum?

It is a deceptively simple device used to illustrate the earth’s rotation.

Founded by: The Foucault pendulum is named for Léon Foucault (1819-1868), the French physicist who devised the apparatus in the 19th century.

How does the Foucault pendulum function?

The pendulum consists of a bob suspended at the end of a long, strong wire from a fixed point in the ceiling.

As the pendulum swings, the imaginary surface across which the wire and the bob swipe is called the plane of the swing.

For instance,

a) If the pendulum is installed at the North Pole, it will basically be swinging as the earth rotates ‘below’, b) If the pendulum is installed over the equator, the plane won’t appear to shift at all because it will be rotating along with the earth, and c) On any other latitude, the plane will shift through 360 degrees in “one sidereal day divided by the sine of the latitude of its location

A Foucault pendulum is not easy to set up. It must be designed, installed, and set swinging in such a way that the bob’s motion is influenced to the extent possible only by gravity.

Note: In 1991, the then-new Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Pune, commissioned the country’s first Foucault pendulum for public display from the NCSM. After several studies and failed tests, the NCSM installed the set-up in 1993. 

ISRO’s new NavIC satellite launches successfully: Why a regional navigation system matters to India

Source: The post is based on the article “ISRO’s new NavIC satellite launches successfully: Why a regional navigation system matters to India” published in the Indian Express on 29th May 2023

What is the News?

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the first of the second-generation satellites for its navigation constellation successfully.

What is Navigation with the Indian Constellation(NavIC)?

What is the significance of NavIC for India?

What’s new in the second-generation NavIC satellite?

Atomic Clock: The satellite will have a Rubidium atomic clock onboard. The space-qualified Rubidium atomic clock was indigenously developed by Space Application Centre-Ahmedabad. It is an important technology which only a handful of countries possess.

Longer mission life: The second-generation satellites will also have a longer mission life of more than 12 years. The existing satellites have a mission life of 10 years.

L1 signals for better use in wearable devices: The second-generation satellites will send signals in a third frequency, L1, besides the L5 and S frequency signals.

The L1 frequency is among the most commonly used in the Global Positioning System (GPS), and will increase the use of the regional navigation system in wearable devices and personal trackers that use low-power, single-frequency chips.

What is the significance of the atomic clock in the second-generation NavIC satellite?

A satellite-based positioning system determines the location of objects by accurately measuring the time it takes for a signal to travel to and back from it using the atomic clocks on board. Several of the existing satellites stopped providing location data after their onboard atomic clocks failed.

Currently, only four IRNSS satellites are able to provide location services. The other satellites can only be used for messaging services such as providing disaster warnings or potential fishing zone messages for fishermen.

How does the second-generation NavIC satellite help users?

A 2018 report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India said that the Cabinet cleared funding of Rs 200 crore to develop user receivers in 2006. But the project started only in 2017, by which time seven launches had already taken place.

The receivers have now been developed, and NavIC is in use for projects like public vehicle safety, power grid synchronisation, real-time train information systems, and fishermen’s safety.

The government is also working on a common alert protocol based on emergency warnings, time dissemination, geodetic network, and unmanned aerial vehicles for adopting the NavIC system.

What are the potential applications of NavIC satellites?

NavIC signals come to India at a 90-degree angle, making it easier for them to reach devices located even in congested areas, dense forests, or mountains. GPS signals are received over India at an angle.

What is the Model Prisons Act announced by the MHA?

Source: The post is based on the article “What is the Model Prisons Act announced by the MHA?” published in the Indian Express on 29th May 2023

What is the News?

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced that it has finalised the preparation of the Model Prisons Act, 2023.

Why has the Government come up with the Model Prisons Act 2023?

About the formulation of Model Prisons Act 2023

The pre-Independence Prisons Act, 1894, focused on keeping criminals in custody and enforcing discipline and order in prisons, leaving “no provision for reform and rehabilitation of prisoners”.

The MHA assigned the task of revising the Prisons Act, 1894, to the Bureau of Police Research and Development. The bureau, after holding wide-ranging discussions with state prison authorities and correctional experts, among others, prepared the draft, which culminated in the 2023 Act.

Along with the Prisons Act, 1894, the Prisoners Act, 1900, and the Transfer of Prisoners Act, 1950’ have also been reviewed by the MHA, and their relevant provisions have been assimilated into the Model Prisons Act, 2023.

What are the new provisions being proposed in the Model Prisons Act 2023?

-Create provisions for the grant of parole, furlough, and remission to prisoners to encourage good conduct,

-Provide separate accommodation for women and transgender inmates,

-Ensure the physical and mental well-being of prisoners, and focus on the reformation and rehabilitation of inmates,

-Intends to bring about “attitudinal change towards prisoners” and initiate vocational training and skill development for prisoners for their reintegration into society.

– Focus on “transparency in prison management” by including provisions for grievance-redressal; prison development board; use of technology in prison administration; and protecting society from criminal activities of hardened criminals and habitual offenders.

Is the Model Prisons Act 2023 binding on states?

No, as per the Constitutional provisions, ‘prisons’ and ‘persons detained therein’ fall under the State List.

This means that the responsibility of prison management and administration solely vests with the state government. So, the state alone is competent to make appropriate legislative provisions in this regard.

But the MHA stated that the adoption of model law by states is crucial owing to the critical role played by “efficient prison management” in the criminal justice system. So, the Model Act “may serve as a guiding document for the States.”