9 PM UPSC Current Affairs Articles 3rd December, 2024

Mains Oriented Articles

GS PAPER - 1

Challenges of a Three-Child Norm in India

Source: The post Challenges of a Three-Child Norm in India has been created, based on the article “Reversing family planning: A three-child norm is regressive” published in “Business Standard” on 3rd December 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper1-Society-population and associated issues

Context: The article discusses India’s declining fertility rate, highlighting concerns about population policies. It critiques Mohan Bhagwat’s suggestion for a three-child norm, emphasizing its negative impact on women and societal progress. It advocates improving education, healthcare, and welfare instead of encouraging larger families. Challenges of a Three-Child Norm in India

For detailed information on Population control measures in India read this article here

What is the Current Fertility Rate in India?

1. India’s total fertility rate (TFR) has fallen from over five births per woman in 1965 to 2.01 in 2022.
2. This rate is now below the replacement rate of 2.1.
3. A study by Lancet predicts that by 2050, India’s TFR could drop to 1.29.

What are the Concerns with a Three-Child Norm?

1. Impact on Women’s Rights: Women will bear the disproportionate burden of having and raising children, reversing progress in education and employment.
2. Low Female Labour Participation: India’s female labour participation rate is already low at 37%, and this policy may worsen it.
3. Negative Effects on Poor Families: Women from poorer and conservative families will be the most affected, further entrenching gender inequality.
4. Administrative Challenges: India lacks the socio-economic progress and welfare efficiency seen in Scandinavian countries, which successfully support larger families through incentives like equal paternity leave.

What are the Implications for Southern States?

1. Andhra Pradesh, led by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, has removed a two-child limit for candidates in local elections and is considering incentives for larger families. Telangana might follow this example.
2. Southern states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala, which have effectively controlled their population growth, worry about negative impacts on financial awards from the Finance Commission and reduced parliamentary representation. These concerns suggest a need for national policy adjustments.

For detailed information on What is “Maharashtra’s two-child norm” for govt employees?  read this article here

What Should Be the Way Forward?

1. Encouraging larger families would harm social progress.
   2. Instead, India should focus on strengthening education and healthcare.
   3. This would ensure balanced development and avoid burdening women or reversing societal gains.

Question for practice:

Evaluate the potential social and economic impacts of implementing a three-child norm in India, as discussed in the article.

Religious nationalism threatens democracy and minority rights

Source: The post Why Manual Scavenging Still Exists in India has been created, based on the article “Pratap Bhanu Mehta writes: Why the South Asian neighbourhood is on edge” published in “Indian Express” on 3rd December 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper1-Society-Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.

Context: The article discusses the rise of religious nationalism in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. It warns that this ideology harms democracy, increases sectarian violence, and threatens minorities. It argues that religious nationalism will lead to authoritarianism and destroy both human rights and democratic values in these countries. Religious nationalism threatens democracy and minority rights

For detailed information on Threat of Majoritarianism to Indian and US Democracies read this article here

What is the main issue in South Asia?

South Asia, including India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, is witnessing rising religious nationalism. This threatens democracy, peace, and human decency. These countries show similar symptoms of communalism, with state policies increasingly targeting minorities and fostering religious conflicts.

What is happening in Bangladesh?

1. Loss of Legitimacy: Sheikh Hasina’s government faces declining legitimacy. Political rivalry between the Awami League and its opponents dominates Bangladesh’s political history.
2. Rise of Islamism: Islamist groups are gaining influence, creating risks for minorities, especially Hindus.
3. Communal Targeting Denials: The elite deny Hindu targeting, citing reasons like collateral damage or performative secularism. India often exaggerates the situation for political gains, worsening the issue.

What role does India play?

1. Concerns About Minorities: India claims concern for minorities in Bangladesh but uses it politically to stoke communalism domestically.
2. Internal Majoritarianism: India is normalizing hate speech, lynching, and prejudice. For example, actions like mosque claims and Waqf Board issues escalate communal tensions.
3. Ayodhya Effect: The Ayodhya dispute’s outcome fuels further Hindu nationalist agendas rather than resolving communal issues.

What is Pakistan’s situation?

1. Religious Identity Crisis: Pakistan’s state identity, based on religion, puts minorities like Ahmadiyyas and Shias at risk. Recent Shia-Sunni violence, such as in Kurram, highlights this problem.
2. Perpetual Crisis: The military’s weakening legitimacy and religious benchmarking contribute to ongoing instability.
3. Lessons for Others: Pakistan demonstrates how state-enforced religion leads to authoritarianism and violence, influencing Hindutva ideologies in India.

What is the key lesson?

1. The identities of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh remain tied due to their shared history of partition and current communal politics. Each uses the other’s turmoil to justify its actions, worsening the regional crisis.
2. State-sponsored religious nationalism always leads to authoritarianism, undermines democracy, and causes humanitarian crises.
3. Examples include the communal targeting in Bangladesh, India’s majoritarian politics, and Pakistan’s religious identity crisis.

Question for practice:

Discuss how religious nationalism in South Asia threatens democracy and minority rights in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

GS PAPER - 2

Why Manual Scavenging Still Exists in India

Source: The post Why Manual Scavenging Still Exists in India has been created, based on the article “Express investigation of manual scavenging: The apathy must end” published in “Indian Express” on 3rd December 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- Governance-Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Context: The article highlights the continued practice of manual scavenging in India despite legal bans and safety mandates. Why Manual Scavenging Still Exists in India? It discusses government failures, lack of accountability, and the social inequalities that force marginalized workers into hazardous sewer-cleaning jobs, risking their lives.

What is the Current Status of Manual Scavenging in India?

1. Manual scavenging is officially banned in India since 1993, but the practice persists.
2. The 2013 law mandates 44 types of protective gear for workers cleaning sewers, yet compliance is poor.
3. Between 2018 and 2023, 443 workers died while cleaning septic tanks and sewers, according to the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
4. Enforcement is weak, with only one conviction for 75 sewer deaths in Delhi over 15 years.
5. Municipalities deny the practice and often fail to provide safety equipment.
6. Private contractors avoid accountability by not keeping proper records.
7. Many deaths occur in prominent locations, such as malls and hospitals in Delhi.

Why do government efforts fail?

1. The Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act (2013) and Supreme Court orders have not been implemented effectively.
2. Civil society groups highlight caste-based discrimination, economic inequalities, and poor sewerage infrastructure as reasons.
3. Machines are often too large for narrow urban lanes, forcing manual work.

For detailed information on Manual Scavenging read this article here

What Needs to Be Improved?

The government needs to strengthen enforcement of existing laws, hold contractors and local bodies accountable, and address the social issues that force people into this dangerous work. The success of initiatives like Swachh Bharat Mission should also include the safety and well-being of sewer workers.

Question for practice:

Examine the reasons for the persistence of manual scavenging in India despite legal bans and government efforts.

The role and challenges of State Commissioners under the RPWD Act 2016.

Source: The post the role and challenges of State Commissioners under the RPWD Act 2016 has been created, based on the article “Citizens with disabilities, making their rights real” published in “The Hindu” on 3rd December 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Context: The article highlights the role and challenges of State Commissioners under the RPWD Act 2016. It discusses issues like delayed appointments, lack of independence, ineffective functioning, and suggests best practices, such as Karnataka’s initiatives, for better disability rights implementation. The role and challenges of State Commissioners under the RPWD Act 2016.

What is the status of disability in India?

1. According to the 2011 Census, persons with disabilities constitute 2.21% of India’s population, but the 2019 WHO survey reported severe disability among 16% of Indian adults, indicating underreporting.
2. India ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2007 and enacted the RPWD Act, 2016. It aligns national legislation with the UN Convention principles.
3. The Act promotes a rights-based approach and creates the position of State Commissioners for Disabilities.

What are the role and challenges of State Commissioners under the RPWD Act 2016?

1. Role of State Commissioners under the RPWD Act, 2016
2. Monitoring and Review: Oversee the implementation of the RPWD Act across states and ensure compliance with its provisions.
3. Quasi-Judicial Powers: Act like civil courts under Section 82, with powers to investigate violations of the law.
4. Policy Intervention: Address policies, programs, and actions that violate disability rights and recommend corrective measures.
5. Promoting Research: Undertake studies on disability-inclusive policies and practices, like social protection and climate change impacts.
6. Community Engagement: Interact with persons with disabilities and organizations to address concerns and ensure inclusivity.
7. Challenges Faced
8. Delayed Appointments: Highlighted in Seema Girija Lal v. Union of India (2021).
9. Lack of Independence: Majority of Commissioners are civil servants, with only 8 states appointing non-civil service experts.
10. Poor Functioning: Many fail to resolve complaints or address discriminatory practices, eroding public trust.
11. Missed Opportunities: Few states like Karnataka and Delhi ensure proactive engagement through mobile adalats and district reviews.

What are the best practices for effective functioning?

1. Some states like Karnataka have taken positive steps by working with law schools and legal experts to strengthen the capacities of State Commissioners.
2. They also organize mobile courts to address grievances of disabled individuals in remote areas directly and quickly.
3. Additionally, designating District Magistrates as Deputy Commissioners for disabilities has been effective in making local governance more inclusive.
4. Karnataka’s practices, like capacity building through law schools, show how evidence-based approaches enhance governance and grievance redressal.

How Can Research Enhance Disability Rights?

1. State Commissioners are encouraged to conduct and promote research on disability rights.
   2. Collaborating with UN entities to explore areas such as disability-inclusive social protection and the impact of climate change on disabled persons can help develop more inclusive policies and improve the overall rights situation for persons with disabilities in India.

Question for practice:

Discuss the role, challenges, and best practices for State Commissioners under the RPWD Act, 2016, in ensuring disability rights in India.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra

 

News: An Ajmer court’s recent decision to admit a petition for a survey of the Ajmer Sharif Dargah has sparked calls for a similar investigation into the historic Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra.

Ajmer’s deputy mayor has claimed that the site was originally a Sanskrit college and Jain temple before being converted into a mosque in the 12th century. Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra.

About Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra

• It is one of the oldest mosques in the country, located in Ajmer, Rajasthan. It is also the second oldest completed mosque in North India, after the Quwwat ul Islam mosque in Delhi.
• It was commissioned by Qutabuddin Aibak after the Muhammad of Ghor defeated Prithviraj III (popularly known as Prithviraj Chauhan) in the Second Battle of Tarain.
• The structure was completed in 1199 CE and was further enhanced by Iltutmish of Delhi in 1213 CE.
• It is an example of early Indo-Islamic architecture.

Historical Claims

• The site of the mosque originally had another structure.
• According to Jain tradition, this structure was constructed by Seth Viramdeva Kala in 660 CE as a Jain shrine to celebrate Panch Kalyanaka ( a five-day celebration to mark the five auspicious events in the life of a Jain tirthankara).
• ASI excavations from 1874-75 at the site uncovered a number of inscriptions which referred to a Sanskrit college which was built in 1153 by the Chauhan emperor Visaladeva.
• The original building was partially destroyed and converted into a mosque by Qutb-ud-Din-Aibak of Delhi in the late 12th century.

Inner Line Permit (ILP) system

News: Recently, the Manipur government began reviewing the ILP system due to violations, emphasizing the need for stricter enforcement.

About Inner Line Permit (ILP)

• It is an official travel document issued by the concerned state government to allow inward travel of an Indian citizen into a protected area for a limited period.
• It is obligatory for Indian citizens from outside those states to obtain a permit for entering into a protected state.
• NRIs (Indians who are staying abroad for more than 6 months), PIO Card holders, and OCI holders are not eligible for Inner Line Permit.
• Origin– Under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act of 1873, the British imposed rules to restrict the entry and stay of outsiders in certain areas to protect the Crown’s interests.
• Current governing Law: Currently regulated under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958 for foreign tourists and state-specific ILP guidelines for Indian citizens.
• States under ILP: Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Manipur.
• The inner line permit for the foreign tourist is called the Protected Area Permit (PAP), which is different from the inner line permit for domestic tourists.
  

  Protected and Restricted Areas Under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order of 1958, areas between the ‘Inner Line’ and the ‘International Border of the State’ are designated as “Protected Areas,” while areas between the ‘Inner Line’ and the ‘Territory occupied by indigenous tribes’ are classified as “Restricted Areas.” Currently, Protected Areas are located in the following States: a. Whole of Arunachal Pradesh b. Parts of Himachal Pradesh c. Parts of Jammu & Kashmir d. Whole of Manipur e. Whole of Mizoram f. Whole of Nagaland g. Parts of Rajasthan h. Whole of Sikkim (partly in Protected Area and partly in Restricted Area) i. Parts of Uttarakhand Under the Foreigners (Restricted Areas) Order, 1963, Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Entire UT) and Sikkim (Part of the State) are included as ‘Restricted’ Areas.

Ratapani Tiger Reserve

News: The Madhya Pradesh government has officially notified the Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary as a Tiger Reserve. Ratapani is now the state’s eighth tiger reserve. Ratapani Tiger Reserve

About Ratapani Tiger Reserve

• Location– It is situated in the Vindhyachal Mountain Ranges across Raisen and Sehore districts of Madhya Pradesh.
• Origin: It was first declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1976, extended in 1983, and received approval from the NTCA to become a tiger reserve in 2008.
• Rivers- It runs parallel on the northern side of the Narmada River. The Kolar River forms the western boundary of the Sanctuary.
• Vegetation– Dry deciduous and moist deciduous type
• Flora– Teak (55 percent of area is covered by teak), Bamboo etc.
• Fauna– Tiger,leopard,Chinkara, sloth bear, hyena, spotted deer, sambar deer, paradise flycatcher (the state bird of Madhya Pradesh) among others.
• Significance– The Sanctuary has Bhimbetka, a group of rock shelters and rock paintings, which is one of the ” World Heritage Site ” declared by UNESCO.

About Tiger Reserves of India

• The tiger reserves in India were established under Project Tiger, launched in 1973.
• They are administered by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) of the Government of India.
• As of December 2024, there are 57 protected areas that have been designated as tiger reserves.
• Tiger reserves consist of a core area, which includes parts of protected areas like national parks or wildlife sanctuaries, and a buffer zone, which is a combination of forested and non-forested land.
• State governments notify areas as tiger reserves based on the NTCA’s recommendations.
• The tiger reserve designation enables the state to receive funding from the NTCA. It will ensure better management and conservation efforts for wildlife.

PRAGATI Platform

News: A recent Oxford study has praised India’s PRAGATI platform for its outstanding role in digital governance, particularly in infrastructure and social development.

About PRAGATI Platform

• PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance And Timely Implementation) was launched on March 25, 2015.
• It is a multipurpose and multi-modal platform designed to address public grievances. It also monitors and reviews key programs and projects of the Government of India, along with those identified by State Governments.
• The PRAGATI platform combines three advanced technologies: digital data management, video conferencing, and geo-spatial technology.

Key features

• It is a three-tier system (PMO, Union Government Secretaries, and Chief Secretaries of the States)
• Prime Minister will hold a monthly programme where he will interact with the Government of India Secretaries, and Chief Secretaries through Video-conferencing enabled by data and geo-informatics visuals.
• Issues to be flagged before the PM are picked up from the available database regarding Public Grievances, on-going Programmes and pending Projects.

Significance

• It is a robust system for bringing e-transparency and e-accountability with real-time presence and exchange among the key stakeholders.
• It promotes cooperative federalism by bringing together Government of India Secretaries and State Chief Secretaries on a single platform.

Windfall tax

 

 

News: The government recently removed the windfall tax on domestically produced crude oil and exports of petrol, diesel, and aviation turbine fuel after a decline in international oil prices.

About Windfall tax

• Windfall tax is a tax imposed by governments on companies that have earned unexpectedly high profits due to favorable market conditions, policy shifts, or external factors.
• It is typically imposed on industries like oil, gas, and mining.
• The aim is to seize a portion of the exceptional profits earned by companies and redirect it for the benefit of the public.
• India introduced windfall profit taxes on July 1, 2022 to curb profits made by oil & gas companies during Russia-Ukraine war.
• It is levied in the form of Special Additional Excise Duty (SAED).
• The tax rates are reviewed every two weeks based on the average oil prices from the previous fortnight.