Important topics and their relevance in UPSC CSE exam for November 4, 2024. If you missed the November 3, 2024 UPSC CSE exam key from the Indian Express, read it here

FRONT PAGE

Will bring Uniform Civil Code, tribals will be kept out: Shah in Jharkhand

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.

Main Examination: 

• General Studies II: Indian Constitution—significant provisions etc.

• General Studies II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

What’s the ongoing story: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said tribals would be exempted from the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) wherever it is implemented in India and added that there was “no confusion about it”.

Key Points to Ponder:

• Examine the concept of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the context of the Indian Constitution. What are the key arguments for and against its implementation?

• Article 44 of the Indian Constitution and Uniform Civil Code-What is the ongoing debate?

• What is Article 44 of Indian Constitution i.e. Uniform Civil Code?

• Analyse the implications of including the UCC in a state-level political manifesto. How does this align with national policy debates and federal principles?

• Evaluate the challenges in implementing the UCC in a diverse society like India. What steps can be taken to address concerns of different communities while pursuing uniformity in civil laws?

• Discuss the historical evolution of the demand for a UCC in India. How have political parties and social movements influenced this debate?

• Discuss the role of political manifestos in shaping public policy and governance. How do they reflect the priorities and promises of a political party?

• What constitutional experts saying for the implementation of Uniform Civil Code (UCC)?

• Difference Between Fundamental Rights and Directive principles of State Policy

• ‘Reform of Family Law’ report by 21st Law Commission of India on Article 44-Know in detail

• Issues and Controversy with Uniform Civil Code and Why it has not been Implemented even after seven decades of Independence?

• Sarna Religion-What you know about the same?

• Cultural rights of tribals and Uniform Civil Code-Connect the dots

Key Takeaways:

• Speaking at an event in Ranchi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, “The BJP has brought forward a model of UCC before the country in Uttarakhand. In that, we kept tribals, their customs, rituals, and laws out of the purview of UCC. Wherever in the country we bring UCC, we will exclude tribals. There is no confusion about it.”

Do You Know:

• A Uniform Civil Code is one that would provide for one law for the entire country, applicable to all religious communities in their personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption etc. Article 44 of the Constitution lays down that the state shall endeavour to secure a Uniform Civil Code for the citizens throughout the territory of India.

• Article 44 is one of the directive principles. These, as defined in Article 37, are not justiciable (not enforceable by any court) but the principles laid down therein are fundamental in governance. Fundamental rights are enforceable in a court of law. While

• Article 44 uses the words “state shall endeavour”, other Articles in the ‘Directive Principles’ chapter use words such as “in particular strive”; “shall in particular direct its policy”; “shall be obligation of the state” etc. Article 43 mentions “state shall endeavour by suitable legislation” while the phrase “by suitable legislation” is absent in Article 44. All this implies that the duty of the state is greater in other directive principles than in Article 44.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

????Explained: Uniform Civil code — the debate, the status

????The 360° UPSC Debate: Is Uniform Civil Code ‘unnecessary and undesirable’ or ‘justice for all communities’

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: 1. Consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE, 2017) With reference to the Constitution of India, the Directive Principles of State Policy constitute limitations upon 1. legislative function 2. executive function Which of the above statements is/are correct? a) 1 only b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2 Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme: ????Discuss the possible factors that inhibit India from enacting for its citizen a uniform civil code as provided for in the Directive Principles of State Policy. (UPSC CSE, GS2, 2015)

THE CITY

Days after Diwali, AQI hovers near ‘severe’ category

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.

Mains Examination: General Studies III: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.

What’s the ongoing story: Ending the brief respite after Diwali, Delhi saw its 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) hover around the ‘severe’ category Sunday after plummeting to 382 from 316 recorded a day before.

Key Points to Ponder:

• What is Air Quality Index?

• There are six AQI categories-What are those?

• Discuss the impact of Diwali, on air quality in urban areas like Delhi. What measures can be taken to mitigate pollution during such events?

• How crackers affect the air pollution in Delhi?

• How much does Diwali contribute to air pollution?

• Why is Diwali often singled out for air pollution in Delhi despite the presence of other significant pollution sources throughout the year?

Key Takeaways:

• The Capital recorded the worst air quality in the country, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Several places in Delhi reported air quality in the ‘severe’ category. An AQI between 301-400 signifies ‘very poor’ air quality, while that in the 401-500 range marks ‘severe’ degradation.

• October saw the highest average temperature of 73 years with the monthly maximum at 35.1 degrees Celsius and minimum at 21.2 degrees Celsius, as per the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

• Amid a steady drop in air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR and Adjoining Areas had implemented the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage 2 on October 22 with a GRAP Monitoring Control Room set up on October 15.

• Other actions undertaken as part of GRAP include the deployment of Mechanical Road Sweeping Machines (MRSM), Water Sprinklers (WS) and Anti-Smog Guns (ASGs).

• Vehicular emissions turned out to be the major contributing factor to Delhi’s pollution woes.

• Measures to manage municipal solid wastes have been ensured through regular inspections at illegal dumping sites. Enforcement actions have been undertaken in the industries sector, too, with around 1,300 diesel generator sets inspected and action taken against non-complying units, the sub-committee further stated. Around 1,400 industries in total have been inspected by NCR state agencies.

Do You Know:

• The Air Quality Index (AQI) in India is a standardized system that measures and reports air quality based on the concentration of major air pollutants, including PM10, PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), ozone (O₃), carbon monoxide (CO), and ammonia (NH₃). The AQI is categorized into six levels: Good, Satisfactory, Moderately Polluted, Poor, Very Poor, and Severe, with associated health advisories. This system helps inform the public about local air quality and its potential health effects.

• Among the more harmful pollutants are those of a smaller size, such as particulate matter (PM) 2.5, which is an atmospheric particulate matter of a diameter smaller than 2.5 micrometres (or around 3 per cent of the diameter of a human hair). It causes respiratory problems and reduces visibility. The particles can only be detected with the help of an electron microscope because they are so small.

• Due to their size, the PM 2.5 particles can easily bypass the nose and throat and can easily enter the circulatory system. The particles can also lead to chronic diseases such as asthma, heart attack, bronchitis and other respiratory problems.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

????Delhi gasps: Worst Diwali air quality since 2022

????Warmer, windier: why post-Diwali Delhi air was cleaner this year

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: 2.How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)? (UPSC CSE, 2018) 1. The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPCB has been created by an executive order of the Government. 2. The NGT provides environmental justice and helps reduce the burden of litigation in the higher courts whereas the CPCB promotes cleanliness of streams and wells, and aims to improve the quality of air in the country. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? a) 1 only b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2

EXPRESS NETWORK

Cong govts in Karnataka, Telangana face uphill task in SC sub-quota push

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.

Mains Examination: 

• General Studies I: Social empowerment

• General Studies II: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections

What’s the ongoing story: Despite taking the decision to sub-classify the Scheduled Castes (SCs) for giving quotas within quota to the more backward SC groups, the Congress-led governments in Karnataka and Telangana seem to be struggling to implement it.

Key Points to Ponder:

• What you understand by Sub-classification of Scheduled Castes (SCs)?

• What is the Supreme Court’s decision on the subclassification of SCs and STs?

• Discuss the rationale and challenges of implementing sub-quotas within the Scheduled Castes (SC) category in India. How do political, social, and legal factors influence this process?

• Analyse the impact of sub-categorization of Scheduled Castes on social justice and political representation. How can this policy address or exacerbate intra-community inequalities?

• Examine the constitutional and legal framework guiding the sub-categorization of SCs in India. What are the implications of judicial interventions in this context?

• What are the socio-economic arguments for and against the implementation of SC sub-quotas? Discuss with reference to recent attempts by state governments like Karnataka and Telangana.

Key Takeaways:

• In a landmark judgment in August, the Supreme Court Constitution Bench allowed the states to sub-classify the SCs / STs (Scheduled Tribes) to ensure grant of sub-quotas for more backward castes among these communities.

• On October 28, the Karnataka Cabinet led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah indicated its resolve to implement internal reservations within the SC quota in the state, which was part of the Congress’s promises made in manifesto for the May 2023 Assembly elections.

• In Telangana, CM A Revanth Reddy hailed the apex court ruling, asserting that the state would be the first to implement it. He said this on the day the judgment was pronounced.

• According to sources in the Karnataka and the Telangana governments, several MLAs and MPs, mostly from the Congress, belonging to the dominant sub-castes among Dalits have raised objections in both the states to the move to sub-categorise the SCs.

Do You Know:

• In a landmark judgment in August, a seven-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court held that Scheduled Castes do not constitute a socially homogeneous class and can be sub-classified by states for the purpose of providing reservation to the less privileged among them.

• The majority verdict by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and Justices B R Gavai, Vikram Nath, Pankaj Mithal, Satish Chandra Sharma and Manoj Misra overruled the 2004 judgement in E V Chinnaiah vs State of Andhra Pradesh, wherein it was held that Scheduled Castes constituted a homogeneous group and cannot be sub-categorised.

• The ruling said “the power of Parliament to vary the list includes not merely the power to exclude or include ‘any caste, race or tribe’ but also the power to exclude or include ‘parts of or groups within any caste, race or tribe… Article 341(2) bars the State Legislature from removing or adding castes from and to the List respectively. Sub-classification within the Scheduled Castes for the purposes of affirmative action, including reservation, does not include or exclude any caste or group from the List”. —It said “the State, in exercise of its power under Articles 15 and 16, is free to identify the different degrees of social backwardness and provide special provisions (such as reservation) to achieve the specific degree of harm identified…”.

• The ruling also pointed out that the inference in the M Nagaraj & Others vs Union Of India & Others, October 2006 case, “that cadre must be taken as the unit to determine inadequacy of representation … is misplaced”. It said “the cadre as a unit was considered only for the purpose of preparation of rosters to draw a balance between the reserved and open seats”.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

????Use data, reason, don’t split to keep out: How Supreme Court lays down red lines in sub-classification verdict

????Supreme Court verdict on sub-classification of SCs, STs is blinkered to historical discrimination of Dalits

????Apex court rules states can sub-classify SCs and STs for quota: Tribal and Dalit communities that may be affected

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: 3.Consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE, 2023) Statement-I: The Supreme Court of India has held in some judgements that the reservation policies made under Article 16(4) of the Constitution of India would be limited by Article 335 for maintenance of efficiency of administration. Statement-II: Article 335 of the Constitution of India defines the term ‘efficiency of administration’. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I (b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-1 (c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect (d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Committee to assess Goa’s demands on demarcation of eco-sensitive areas

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.

Mains Examination: General Studies III: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.

What’s the ongoing story: The Union Environment Ministry-appointed expert committee, which is tasked with examining views and objections of state governments on eco-sensitive areas (ESA) in the Western Ghats, is likely to visit Goa soon to deliberate on the state’s submissions.

Key Points to Ponder:

• Map Work-Western Ghats

• What you understand by the term ‘Eco-sensitive Areas’?

• What Madhav Gadgil and Kasturirangan Reports Recommended?

• What have been the key recommendations of previous committees regarding the demarcation and management of eco-sensitive areas in the Western Ghats, and how do these recommendations address the balance between environmental conservation and developmental needs?

• Discuss the ecological significance of the Western Ghats and the rationale behind declaring eco-sensitive areas (ESAs). How do such designations contribute to environmental conservation?

• Examine the challenges faced by states like Goa in the implementation of eco-sensitive area demarcations. How do local developmental and conservation priorities conflict?

• Analyse the role of expert panels in guiding environmental policy decisions regarding eco-sensitive zones in India. What are the key recommendations typically made, and how are they received by different stakeholders?

• Evaluate the socio-economic implications of eco-sensitive area notifications on local communities in the Western Ghats. How can sustainable development be balanced with environmental protection?

• Critically assess the effectiveness of government measures in protecting the Western Ghats as a UNESCO World Heritage site. What further steps are required to enhance conservation efforts?

Key Takeaways:

• The Union Environment Ministry-appointed expert committee, which is tasked with examining views and objections of state governments on eco-sensitive areas (ESA) in the Western Ghats, is likely to visit Goa soon to deliberate on the state’s submissions. —The committee, which is headed by Sanjay Kumar, former director-general of forest, will verify along with the state government whether its demands to omit villages marked as ESA are justified.

• Early in August, the Centre had issued the sixth iteration of a draft notification declaring 56,825.7 sq. km of the Western Ghats as ecologically sensitive area, for protection of the contiguous, biodiverse hotspot spanning Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

• The July 2024 draft notification on Western Ghats marked 108 villages as ESA in the verdant state that is home to rich riverine as well as coastal biodiversity. These villages are spread over an area of 1,461 sq. km, with 63 located in Sattari taluka alone and the rest are in Canacona, Dharbandora, Sanguem talukas in South Goa district.

• The demarcation of the nearly 60,000 sq. km ESA has been pending for 13 years since the United Progressive Alliance first tasked an expert panel led by senior ecologist Madhav Gadgil to study the issue of protecting Western Ghats.

• The Gadgil panel submitted a report recommending that the entire Ghats region be tagged as ecologically sensitive and creation of an overarching ecological authority to regulate development. However, that report was never adopted and a panel led by space scientist K Kasturirangan was later formed to demarcate ESA’s using the Gadgil panel report as the foundation.

Do You Know:

• The Kasturirangan committee report proposes 37 per cent of the total area of Western Ghats, which is roughly 60,000 square kilometres, to be declared as eco-sensitive area (ESA). —Out of this, 20,668 sq km of the area falls in Karnataka covering 1,576 villages. The report recommended a blanket ban on mining, quarrying, setting up of red category industries and thermal power projects. —It also stated that the impact of infrastructural projects on the forest and wildlife should be studied before permission is given for these activities. —It also stated that the UNESCO Heritage tag is an opportunity to build global and domestic recognition of the enormous natural wealth that exists in the Western Ghats. —The 39 sites are located across the Western Ghats and distributed across the states (Kerala 19), Karnataka (10), Tamil Nadu (6) and Maharashtra (4). —The boundary of the sites, are in most cases, boundaries of the legally demarcated national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, tiger reserves and forest divisions and therefore, already accorded with high level of protection. —The Eco-Sensitive Area mapping and demarcation done by the committee also indicates that all sites are within this area. —The state governments should view this development and build a plan to protect, conserve and value the resources and opportunities of the region. —The state of Karnataka has the highest percentage of the ESA- 46.50 per cent.

• The veteran ecologist Madhav Gadgil criticised the Kasturirangan committee report calling it ‘faulty’ and ‘unscientific’. —The report prepared by the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) was a pro-nature, pro-people report based on sound scientific information and feedback from central and state governments, zilla parishads, gram panchayats and people. —Gadgil was the chairman of the WGEEP which submitted a 522 page-report to the Ministry of Environment and Forests in 2011. —Calling the Western Ghats region as “The Protector of Indian Peninsula”, Gadgil in his report suggested the designation of the entire region as Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) and had classified the 142 taluks in the ghats into ESA 1, 2 and 3.

• Since the government did not implement the Gadgil report, the Centre established the Kasturirangan panel.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

????Western Ghats: Why Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa eco-sensitive areas may get notified before others

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: 4.‘Gadgil Committee Report’ and ‘Kasturirangan Committee Report’, sometimes seen  in the news, are related to (UPSC CSE, 2016) a) constitutional reforms b) Ganga Action Plan c) linking of rivers d) protection of Western Ghats

THE EDITORIAL PAGE

A new tryst with destiny

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Economic and Social Development-Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.

Mains Examination: General Studies III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.

What’s the ongoing story: Manish Sabharwal , Ashish Dhawan Writes: The last 50 years offer an exciting puzzle to economic historians: Why did an autocracy like China deliver strong wage growth but weak public market shareholder returns (about minus 13 per cent in the last 20 years), while a democracy like India delivered strong public market shareholder returns (about 1,300 per cent in the last 20 years) but weak wage growth?

Key Points to Ponder:

• Analyse the historical challenges that have hindered India from achieving mass prosperity.

• Why hasn’t India moved millions from farms to factories since 1991?

• Discuss the role of economic reforms in fostering mass prosperity in India.

• How can India balance economic growth with social equity?

• Examine the impact of globalization and technological advancements on India’s economic trajectory. How can India leverage these to create widespread prosperity?

• Critically assess the government’s role in ensuring inclusive growth and reducing economic disparities. What more can be done to foster mass prosperity?

• Evaluate the importance of education, healthcare, and skill development in achieving mass prosperity.

• How can India enhance its human capital to support sustained economic growth?

Key Takeaways:

• India has made remarkable progress since 1947; we have created the world’s largest democracy on the infertile soil of a hierarchical society, raised life expectancy from 31 to 68 years, and become a middle-income country.

• India’s social justice ambitions — social mobility is 40 per cent lower in middle-income countries than in high-income countries — confront the long odds of history.

• India’s challenge of employed poverty (not unemployment) arises from labour force stock: Only 11 per cent are in manufacturing, 14 per cent in construction, 45 per cent in agriculture, and 30 per cent in services.

Do You Know:

• India’s domestic consumption is an asset; our fastest-growing jobs today are in services like sales, customer service and logistics. China is now criticised for neglecting domestic consumption at the altars of investment and exports.

• Automobile companies have built scale, supply chains and exports because of the level playing field for domestic and foreign companies to sell in India.

• India’s trade-to-GDP ratio in 1970, 1980 and 1990 was sinfully low at 7 per cent, 14 per cent and 15 per cent respectively. But that number is 50 per cent today. —Small countries like Singapore, Thailand, and Hungary have 336 per cent, 133 per cent, and 186 per cent, but they have no choice. —However, countries with large domestic markets must use smart policy packages, including tariffs, non-tariff barriers and incentives, while remaining aware that input tariff levels must keep exports competitive. —Using policy nudges that staple market access to domestic production will create learning-by-doing, technology transfer and manager alumni effect, which raise economic complexity, value addition, and wages.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

????The myth vs reality of China’s economy: It is not in free fall

Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme: ????Bring out the FDI and employment implications of China being a manufacturing hub and India a services hub? (UPSC GS3, 2010)

THE FRUGAL INNOVATION

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Economic and Social Development

Mains Examination: General Studies II: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

What’s the ongoing story: Vikram Patel Writes: In 1978, ‘The Lancet’ called Oral Rehydration Therapy the most significant medical advance of the 20th century and, in 1987, UNICEF stated, ‘No other single medical breakthrough of the 20th century has had the potential to prevent so many deaths in such a short time and at such low cost’

Key Points to Ponder:

• Richard Cash-Know about him

• What is Oral Rehydration Therapy?

• Why the Lancet’ called Oral Rehydration Therapy the most significant medical advance of the 20th century?

• Discuss the significance of Richard Cash’s invention in the context of global health.

• Analyse the role of scientific research and innovation in addressing public health challenges. What lessons can be learned from Richard Cash’s work for future health interventions?

• Examine the challenges faced in the implementation of public health innovations like those introduced by Richard Cash. What strategies can enhance the effectiveness of such programs?

• Critically assess the relationship between public health policy and innovation. How can governments foster an environment conducive to health-related inventions that benefit society?

Key Takeaways:

• Richard Cash, physician and global health scholar, died on October 22 at the age of 83 in his home in Cambridge, US.

• In 1978, The Lancet called ORT the most significant medical advance of the 20th century and, in 1987, UNICEF stated, “No other single medical breakthrough of the 20th century has had the potential to prevent so many deaths in such a short time and at such low cost.”

• At a time when the world is seemingly entranced by commercially driven high-tech medicine, ORT is an exemplar of the idea of a frugal innovation, one which empowers ordinary people to take control of their well-being.

Do You Know:

• David Nalin, Richard conducted the first clinical trials of Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) in cholera patients in Bangladesh in the late 1960s, demonstrating that this low-cost intervention could effectively and safely reduce intravenous fluid needs. In the early 1970s, during a severe cholera epidemic among refugees from the Bangladesh Liberation War, Dilip Mahalanabis, an Indian paediatrician, demonstrated that ORT could reduce mortality from diarrhoea by up to 90 per cent in these vulnerable settings.

• The most important feature of this discovery was its simplicity: Boiled water, sugar and salt, a mixture which could be cooked up in any kitchen and was virtually free. According to one estimate, ORT saved more than 80 million lives, particularly children, since its inception.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

????India continues to suffer from high child mortality rate due to diarrhoea

EXPRESS NETWORK

‘Alarming’: Odisha orders probe into 50 unnatural deaths of elephants this yr

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: General Studies III: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.

What’s the ongoing story: The Odisha government on Sunday ordered an investigation into the “unnatural deaths” of at least 50 elephants in the state this year. Instructions have been issued for the probe report to be submitted within a month.

Key Points to Ponder:

• Distribution and Population of Elephants in India-Know in detail

• Why Elephant Corridors in India is required?

• Have you heard of Project Elephant?

• What Current Data on Elephants says in India’s context?

• Map Work-Elephant reserves in India

• What is the Constitutional Provisions for Wildlife in Indian Constitution?

Key Takeaways:

• State Forest Minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia said the matter was “alarming”, and questioned the sincerity of forest officials in ensuring a safe environment for elephants.

• Even though the All Odisha Elephant Census-2024, conducted by the state government, found a slight increase in the number of elephants in Odisha, their unnatural deaths – caused mostly by poachers – have been a cause for concern. The 2024 elephant census report, which was released in June, found that there were 2,098 elephants in Odisha’s 38 forest divisions, compared to 1,976 in the 2017 survey.

• The 2,098 elephants include 313 adult tuskers, 13 adult makhna (Asiatic male elephants without tusks), 748 adult females, 148 sub-adult males, 282 sub-adult females, 209 juvenile elephants and 385 calves.

Do You Know:

• elephants have defined social structures. Herds of elephants are matriarchies, with the oldest female leading the way. They consist of female family members of any age and male offspring. Pubescent male elephants leave their herds and generally operate in bachelor male herds. Older males are often solitary.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: ????Govt printed, then shelved its report on elephant census: Count fell by 20% in 5 years

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: 5.With reference to Indian elephants, consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE, 2020) 1. The leader of an elephant group is a female. 2. The maximum gestation period can be 22 months. 3. An elephant can normally go on calving till the age of 40 years only. 4. Among the States in India, the highest elephant population is in Kerala. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 4 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 3 and 4 only

EXPLAINED

Paradox of stagnant rural wages

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Economic and Social Development-Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.

Mains Examination: 

• General Studies I: Social empowerment

• General Studies II: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.

• General Studies II: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

• General Studies‐ III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment

• General Studies III: Inclusive growth and issues arising from it

What’s the ongoing story: The Indian economy has grown at an average annual rate of 4.6% from 2019-20 to 2023-24, and 7.8% in the last three fiscal years (April-March) alone. The farm sector’s growth has averaged 4.2% and 3.6% for these respective periods. However, these macro growth numbers are not reflected in rural wages.

Key Points to Ponder:

• Discuss the factors contributing to stagnant rural wages in India and their impact on the rural economy.

• Analyse the relationship between rural wages and rural poverty in India.

• What role does rural employment play in India’s economic development? How can wage stagnation be addressed?

• Evaluate the impact of government schemes like MGNREGA on rural wages and employment.

• Examine the gender disparities in rural wages and their implications for socio-economic development in rural India.

• Why are real rural wages stagnant, if not negative, when the country’s GDP and even farm sector growth have been decent-to-good in recent times?

• What about female labour force participation rate (LFPR) in India?

• “Rising Labour Force Participation Rates (LFPR) among women, especially in rural India”-Why this is significant?

Key Takeaways:

• The Labour Bureau compiles daily wage rate data for 25 agricultural and non-agricultural occupations, collected every month from 600 sample villages spread over 20 states.

• The wage growth has been estimated in both nominal (current value) and real (after deducting annual inflation based on the consumer price index for rural India) terms, and for all rural as well as agricultural occupations. —The latter includes ploughing/tilling, sowing, harvesting/threshing/winnowing, picking of commercial crops, horticulture, animal husbandry, watering/irrigation, and plant protection operations.

• While the rural female LFPR has soared between 2018-19 and 2023-24, so has agriculture’s share in the employment of this workforce – from 71.1% to 76.9% over this period. Thus, although more women are entering the rural labour force, they are working in greater numbers on farms. The movement is from home to field, not to factory or office.

Do You Know:

• The average nominal year-on-year growth in rural wages during the five years ended 2023-24 worked out to 5.2%. It was higher, at 5.8%, for only agricultural wages. But in real inflation-adjusted terms, the average annual growth was -0.4% for rural and 0.2% for agricultural wages during this period.

• Even for the current fiscal (April-August), overall rural wages have risen only 5.4% year-on-year in nominal and 0.5% in real terms. The corresponding growth rates in agricultural wages have continued to be higher, at 5.7% and 0.7% respectively.

• LFPR is the percentage of the population aged 15 years and above that is working or seeking/willing to work for a relatively long part of a particular year. The all-India average female LFPR was only 24.5% in 2018-19. It rose to 30% in 2019-20, 32.5% in 2020-21, 32.8% in 2021-22, 37% in 2022-23 and 41.7% in the latest official Periodic Labour Force Survey for 2023-24 (July-June).

• The Finance Ministry’s Economic Survey for 2023-24 has attributed the sharp jump in the rural female LFPR (21.2 percentage points since 2018-19) mainly to the government’s schemes such as Ujjwala, Har Ghar Jal, Saubhagya, and Swachh Bharat. —These flagship programmes, the survey claims, have not just substantially expanded household access to clean cooking fuel, electricity, piped drinking water, and toilets. —They have also freed up rural women’s time and effort that went into fetching water or collecting firewood and dung. —Being able to cook faster using LPG cylinders or even electric mixer grinders has enabled them to deploy their energies towards more productive outside employment, instead of only mundane household tasks.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

????State of employment in India: what a new report says about youths & women, concerns & caution

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: 6. With reference to the Indian economy after the 1991 economic liberalization, consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE, 2020) 1. Worker productivity (Rs. per worker at 2004 — 05 prices) increased in urban areas while it decreased in rural areas. 2. The percentage share of rural areas in the workforce steadily increased. 3. In rural areas, the growth in non-farm economy increased. 4. The growth rate in rural employment decreased. Which of the statements given above is/are Correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 and 4 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 4 only

The worsening impact of climate change

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.

Mains Examination: General Studies II: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

What’s the ongoing story: People across the world are facing record-breaking threats to their wellbeing, health, and survival from climate change, which has raised temperatures to dangerous new heights, a new report from Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change has revealed.

Key Points to Ponder:

• Discuss the major consequences of climate change on global ecosystems and human societies.

• Analyse the economic impacts of climate change on developing countries like India. Evaluate the effectiveness of international agreements like the Paris Agreement in mitigating climate change.

• What role can sustainable development play in addressing the worsening impacts of climate change?

• Discuss India’s initiatives to combat climate change and their potential impact on its economy and environment.

Key Takeaways:

• The report showcases the work of 122 leading researchers from UN agencies, including the World Health Organisation, and academic institutions worldwide.

• According to the report: —48% of the world’s land area faced extreme drought conditions last year. —151 million more people would be experiencing food insecurity due to such extreme weather events, compared with the years 1981-2010. —60% of lands were affected last year by extreme rainfall which unleashed floods and raised risks from water contamination or infectious disease. —512 billion potential labour hours, worth $835 billion in potential income, were lost due to extreme heat in 2023.

Do You Know:

• The report, an annual publication that tracks climate impacts on human health at the global level, has pointed out that health-threatening temperatures are getting increasingly prolonged in India. In 2023, every person in the country was exposed to at least 2,400 hours of heat, equivalent to 100 days, that could have resulted in moderate to serious heat-related diseases, says the report.

• The 2024 report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change notes that 10 of the 15 indicators it uses for monitoring climate change-related health hazards globally have reached “concerning new records”.

• In India, besides the risk of heat-related diseases, the report has flagged potential health impacts from rising instances of flooding, increasing vulnerability from infectious diseases, and high levels of air pollution, all of which are getting exacerbated due to climate change.

• The biggest risk, according to the report, is from heat because of which about 181 billion potential labour hours were lost last year, an increase of 50% from the 1990-1999 annual average.

• The report says that about 38% of the nearly 1.6 million deaths that were attributable to air pollution in 2021 could be blamed on high usage of fossil fuels. It notes the rising share of renewable energy in India’s energy mix, but says more needs to be done.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

????Health risk from excessive heat rising in India: Lancet report

For any queries and feedback, contact priya.shukla@indianexpress.com

Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.