Author: Access Account

Secularism is a principle that advocates the separation of religion from politics and governance. It seeks to
establish a society where religious institutions and state institutions are independent of each other.

India As A Secular State

1. Constitutional Guarantee of Secularism:
   a. Equality before Law: All citizens, irrespective of their religion, are treated equally before the law (Article
   14).
   b. Articles 25-28 guarantee freedom of religion, allowing individuals to practice, profess, and propagate
   their faith freely.
   c. Religious and linguistic minorities have the right to preserve their culture and establish educational
   institutions (Article 30).
2. Pluralistic Society with Equal Religious Representation: India’s inclusive secularism celebrates diverse religious festivals, exemplifying Rajeev Bhargava’s idea of “equal respect for all religions,” unlike the Western
   model of strict separation.
3. Judicial Interventions Upholding Secularism – SC in S.R. Bommai Judgment has held Secularism as a Basic
   Feature of the Constitution
4. Positive Model of Secularism
   a. India’s secularism permits personal laws for different religious communities, enabling autonomy in
   marriage, divorce, and inheritance. Eg- Muslim Personal Law.
   b. State Support for Religious and Cultural Practices: Eg. subsidies for the Hajj pilgrimage for Muslims,
   financial support for Hindu pilgrimages, and Sikh langars.

Dilution Of Secularism In India

1. Communal Violence and Polarisation: NCRB Report (2021) recorded more than 5,000 cases of communal
   riots between 2017 and 2021. Eg. The Nuh violence in Haryana in 2023.
2. Use of hate speech and narrative of “us vs them” during election campaigns has contributed to religious
   polarization, with leaders making divisive statements to appeal to specific communities.
3. Mob Lynching and Vigilantism: Incidents of mob lynching, especially targeting minority communities under
   the guise of cow protection or other religious sentiments, have risen. Eg. Recently a man beaten in train
   for carrying beef, sadhu lynching in palghar.
4. Social exclusion based on religious identity – Eg. A 2021 Pew Research Center report found 64% of Indians identify as “Hindus first” rather than “Indians first,” illustrating the rise of religious nationalism. Eg- boycott on Muslim vendors in temple fairs in Karnataka (2022).
5. Challenges in Implementing Secular Principles: A 2019 Lokniti-CSDS survey found significant opposition to the Uniform Civil Code: 55% of Muslims, 54% of Christians, and 40% of Hindus, highlighting the challenge of achieving consensus on secular reforms.

Comparison Of Secular Provisions Between Indian And Us Constitution

Similarities

1. Constitutional Enshrinement: U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment prohibits Congress from establishing
   a religion, while India’s 42nd Amendment explicitly includes “secular” in Preamble, affirming the state’s
   neutrality towards all religions.
2. Freedom of Religion: U.S. First Amendment guarantees free exercise of religion, paralleling Articles 25-28
   of the Indian Constitution, which protect individuals’ rights to profess, practice, and propagate their faith
   without state interference.
3. Judiciary’s Role: Landmark cases like Engel v. Vitale (1962) in U.S. and S. R Bommai case in India ensured
   judicial protection of these principles.

Secularism and Harmony is not “political fashion” but it is “perfect passion” for India and Indians. Thus, Upholding secular values, fostering interfaith dialogue, and promoting inclusive policies are crucial for maintaining a pluralistic society and strengthening the fabric of Indian democracy.

The Supreme Court has defined Public Interest Litigation (PIL) as “a legal action initiated in a court of law for the enforcement of public interest or general interest in which the public or a class of the community have pecuniary interest or some interest by which their legal rights or liabilities are affected.” As per SC observer Data, on an average, the Court receives 26,379 PILs every year.

Reasons for growth of PIL in India 

1. Relaxation of Locus Standi in Hussainara Khatoon v. State of Bihar (1979), which focused on the inhuman conditions of under-trial prisoners, laid the foundation for broader access to justice.
2. Judicial Activism: Judges like P.N. Bhagwati and V.R. Krishna Iyer promoted PILs as a vehicle for ensuring fundamental rights as enshrined under Article 32 and way to address grievances related to social and economic injustice. 
3. Access to Justice: PILs made it easier for marginalized and disadvantaged sections of society to approach the courts.
4. Societal Concerns: Issues such as environmental degradation, human rights violations, and corruption became areas where citizens could seek judicial intervention, pushing PIL cases to the forefront. Eg- MC Mehta Case
5. Media Attention: Media coverage of PIL cases has increased public awareness, making the judiciary a platform for addressing wide-ranging societal problems.
6. Executive and Legislative Inaction: PILs grew due to perceived inefficiencies or failures of the executive and legislative branches in addressing important social and political issues. Eg- PIL on Paper Leak

Supreme Court as the World’s Most Powerful Judiciary 

Arguments in Favor:

1.  Upendra Baxi, opines PIL has transformed Indian judiciary into an “institution of governance,” taking on functions traditionally vested in the executive and legislative branches.
2. Judicial Activism: Through Public Interest Litigations (PILs), the Indian Supreme Court has actively addressed key social and political issues, such as the right to privacy (Puttaswamy judgment) and environmental protections. 
3. Expansive Interpretation of Rights: It has broadened the interpretation of fundamental rights under Article 21, impacting areas like health, education, and environmental rights.
4. Judicial Review: The Court exercises powerful judicial review, overturning executive and legislative decisions. Eg- NJAC Judgment
5. Intervention in Policy Matters: The Court has played a direct role in governance by issuing landmark judgments on policy issues like environmental regulations (Taj Mahal pollution case) and human rights (Vishakha guidelines for sexual harassment).
6. Suo Motu Powers: The Supreme Court can take cognizance of cases on its own, further extending its reach and influence.

Argument Against

1. Overreach: The Court’s decision to interfere in policy issues like setting the height of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel statue drew criticism for stepping into areas best left to the executive.
2. Inefficiency and Delays: As of 2023, the Indian judiciary had a backlog of over 4.7 crore cases, including in the Supreme Court, leading to delays in delivering justice.
3. Inconsistent Decision-Making: In cases like Sabarimala Temple Entry (2018), where religious rights were pitted against gender equality, the Court’s rulings led to divided public opinion and later contradictions, illustrating inconsistency.
4. Criticism of Policy Interference: The Supreme Court’s intervention in BCCI reforms (Lodha Committee case) raised concerns that it was overstepping into the domain of sports administration, traditionally a non-judicial area.
5. Lack of implementation of court verdicts hinder the successful implementation of PIL.

Way Forward

1. Striking a balance between legitimate cases and frivolous cases: Scrutiny panel or special PIL cells can be set up for scrutiny at first stage.
2. Provision of strict punishment for frivolous PILs.
3. Court should be fully satisfied that substantial public interest is involved before entertaining the petition.

Justice P.N. Bhagwati thus cautioned that PIL must not degenerate into “publicity or private interest litigation”. By striking balance between ensuring access to justice and preventing misuse, PIL can become crucial tool for upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of marginalized and vulnerable citizens..

“Indian Union is a unitary state with subsidiary federal features rather than a federal state with subsidiary unitary features.”  – K.C. Wheare. 

Centre-State relations in India are governed by constitutional provisions outlined in Articles 245 to 263, which detail legislative, administrative, and financial relations. 

Changes introduced by union government in the domain of centre-state relations 

1. GST Compensation Extension: The government extended the compensation cess for states under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system to support state finances post-pandemic.
2. Changes in Financial Relations: Recommendations of 15th Finance Commission were implemented, with a focus on reducing the share of states in central taxes, which some states perceived as diminishing their fiscal autonomy.
3. Strengthening role of NITI Aayog in facilitating cooperative federalism and collaborative decision-making between the Centre and States. Eg: NITI Aayog has conducted workshops with State governments to develop tailored strategies for achieving SDGs.
4. National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 sets national framework for education. However, Some states expressed concerns over uniform national policy that may not consider regional and linguistic diversity, thereby affecting state autonomy in framing educational policies.
5. Disaster Response Funds: Enhanced flexibility given to states in using the SDRF for specific local disasters, post the COVID-19 pandemic.
6. Greater Centralization of powers – Epidemic Diseases Act and Essential Commodities Act dueing COVID
7. River Water Disputes Amendment Bill (2019): This bill aims to streamline the adjudication process for interstate river disputes, empowering the Centre to establish a Dispute Resolution Committee and reducing the time frame for resolution.

Issues

Measures To Build Trust Between Centre And State And Strengthening Federalism.

1. Strengthening Inter-State Council with Regular meetings and enhanced powers can facilitate dialogue and resolve disputes, promoting cooperative federalism. Eg: The revival of the Inter-State Council in 2016 after a decade showed potential for proactive issue resolution.
2. Impartial Role of Governors – Eg: Recommendations from the Sarkaria and Punchhi Commissions to ensure Governors are not seen as central agents.
3. State Involvement in National Policies especially those impacting concurrent and state lists, ensures policies reflect regional needs. Eg: Joint committees for policy areas like agriculture and education to ensure state-specific concerns are addressed.
4. Punchhi commission recommended binding consent of state during central legislations from concurrent list.
5. Cooperative Federalism Projects: Initiatives like Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat encourage cultural and educational exchanges between states and centre and particular state, helpful in building trust.
6. Judicial Precedents on Federal Balance: Upholding S.R. Bommai vs Union of India judgment, reinforces state sovereignty and safeguards against arbitrary central dominance.

As B. R. Ambedkar rightly said, “Federalism is critical for the unity of India; it accommodates the country’s diversity and allows states to flourish within the national framework.” 

In K. S. Puttaswamy Judgment, the nine Judge Bench in this case unanimously reaffirmed the right to privacy as a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. The judgment overturned previous rulings such as the MP Sharma and Kharak Singh cases, which had rejected privacy as a fundamental right. Privacy includes bodily integrity, informational privacy, and personal autonomy.

Right to privacy as intrinsic to life and personal liberty

1. Basic Fundamental Right– Article 12 of the UDHR and Article 17 of the ICCPR provide legal protection to persons against ‘arbitrary interference’ with one’s privacy, family, correspondence, home, reputation, and honour.
2. As Justice D.Y. Chandrachud noted, “Privacy is essential to the exercise of individual freedoms, and allowing people to make personal choices without fear of external judgment or coercion.
3. Protection from Arbitrary State Action and ensures accountability in governance. Eg- invalidation of Section 66A of IT Act.
4. Test for Privacy Infringement: Any restriction on the right to privacy must meet the threefold test established by the Court:
   1. Legality: There must be a law justifying the interference.
   2. Legitimate Aim: The law should promote a legitimate state interest.
   3. Proportionality: The interference must be proportional to the need to achieve the objective.
5. Impact on Laws: The ruling influenced the formulation of data protection laws, leading to the development of the Personal Data Protection Bill and shaping the debate on issues like the Aadhaar program.

Dna Testing Law And Right To Privacy-

Legal Framework for DNA Testing

1. The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971: regulates abortion in India and includes provisions for DNA testing in the context of prenatal diagnosis.
2. The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994: regulates the use of DNA testing for genetic disorders, ensuring that such tests are conducted ethically and legally.
3. The Indian Evidence Act, 1872: Section 45,112 of this act allows for the admissibility of expert opinions, including DNA testing results, in legal proceedings
4. DNA Technology Regulation Bill
5. Guidelines from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

Justification for providing DNA testing 

1. Legal Clarity: DNA testing provides accurate scientific evidence to establish paternity, which can resolve legal disputes related to inheritance, custody, or support claims.
2. Judicial Rulings on Paternity Testing: Courts have increasingly used DNA testing in paternity disputes. Eg. in Dipanwita Roy vs. Ronobroto Roy (2014)
3. Child’s Right to Know and Identity: The Supreme Court upheld a child’s right to know their parentage under Article 21. 
4. Ensuring Fair Justice: DNA testing can help in delivering justice in cases of adultery, marital disputes, or allegations of paternity fraud
5. Preventing Misuse: Regulating DNA testing helps prevent sex-selective abortions and discrimination, promoting the rights and equality of unborn children.

Ethical Concerns in Fetal DNA Testing

1. Informed Consent: The mother’s consent must be voluntary, without coercion, with full disclosure of risks to both mother and child.
2. Intrusion into Bodily Autonomy: Forcing a woman to undergo DNA testing during pregnancy may infringe on her bodily autonomy and decision-making rights over medical procedures.
3. Social Stigma: In certain cultural contexts, paternity testing may expose sensitive family matters, leading to social stigma for the mother, child, or family.
4. Potential Harm: Invasive tests like amniocentesis or CVS carry risks to the fetus and should only be used when necessary, with non-invasive methods preferred.
5. Privacy and Data Protection: DNA data must be securely handled to protect both mother and child, preventing misuse that could lead to future stigmatization or discrimination.

In Bhabani Prasad Jena vs. Orissa State Commission for Women (2010), the court emphasized the need to balance DNA testing with personal dignity and privacy, especially regarding pregnant women.

The recent NEET-UG 2024 exam paper leak has put the question mark on integrity of examination system in India. The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 , which was passed by the Indian Parliament to “to curb paper leaks, malpractices, as well as organised malpractices in recruitment examinations like UPSC, SSC etc and entrance tests such as NEET, JEE and CUET.

Aims and Objectives of the Act:

1. Ensuring Examination Integrity: To maintain the fairness of public examinations by curbing malpractices such as cheating and impersonation.
2. Strengthening Accountability: To ensure that candidates, examination staff, and invigilators are held accountable for maintaining examination standards.
3. Deterring Unfair Practices: To establish strict legal consequences to deter individuals and organized groups from engaging in malpractice. Eg. vyapam scam, CBSE paper leak in 2018
4. Promoting Meritocracy: To safeguard the merit-based system, ensuring only deserving candidates succeed in public examinations.
5. Restoring Public Trust: To enhance public confidence in the examination process by ensuring transparency and fairness.

Provisions in the Act:

1. Defining Unfair Means:

1. Leaking question papers or answer keys
2. Assisting candidates during exams (unauthorized communication, providing solutions)
3. Tampering with computer networks or resources
4. Impersonating candidates
5. Conducting fake examinations or issuing fake documents
6. Tampering with documents for merit lists or ranks

2. Criminalisation of Cheating: Engaging in unfair means such as impersonation, leaking exam papers, or using unauthorized devices is considered a criminal offense with penalties including fines and imprisonment.
3. Penalties and Punishments:

1. Individuals:
   1. Imprisonment ranges from 3 to 10 years depending on the offense’s severity
   2. Fines up to Rs. 1 crore for organized crimes
2. Service providers:
   1. Fines up to Rs. 1 crore for involvement in malpractices
   2. Barring from conducting public examinations for 4 years
   3. Personal liability for directors/management involved
3. Organized crimes:
   1. Harsher penalties, with imprisonment between 5 and 10 years and a minimum fine of Rs. 1 crore
   2. The institution involved can face property attachment and forfeiture
4. Additional Measures:

1. Establishing specialized courts for speedy trial of offenses
2. Promoting public awareness about the bill and its implications.
3. Empowering Authorities:

1. Conduct surprise checks at exam centers and seize electronic devices if suspected foul play
2. Blacklist service providers found guilty of malpractices
3. Share information and coordinate across agencies to effectively tackle organized cheating

Challenges in implementation

1. Implementation Across Diverse Regions: The scale, availability, and capacity of resources, infrastructures, and officials as well as coordination among them may impact the measures required by the Act.
2. Technological Infrastructure: smaller examining bodies and institutions can experience difficulties in implementing such enhanced registration and verification methods as biometrics and central controls.
3. Resistance to Change: stakeholders involved in the examination activities may not accept change brought by the Act from the traditional examination practices. 

Coverage of the Act:

1. Public Examinations: The Act applies to central and state public examinations, including those for recruitment, professional licenses, and government jobs.
2. University and State Education Board Examinations: The Act covers university exams and state education board exams, ensuring fairness in both higher and secondary education assessments.
3. Competitive Examinations: Major national-level exams like UPSC, SSC, and state public service commissions are within the purview of the Act.
4. Private Examination Centres: Examination centres, whether state-run or private, operating under public examination guidelines, are subject to the provisions of the Act.
5. Digital and Online Examinations: Online exams, vulnerable to hacking or unauthorised access, are also included to prevent digital forms of cheating.

Cambridge International Examinations (CIE)They employed advanced scanning technology to detect unauthorized materials and utilized data analytics to identify cheating patterns. CIE also provided training resources for teachers to design integrity-focused assessments.

The Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, is crucial in preserving the fairness of public exams by combating malpractice. As Martin Luther King Jr. said,”Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education,” emphasizing the importance of integrity alongside academic success.

“India and Central Asia are bound together by a shared history, culture, and mutual interest in peace and development.” – PM Modi

Diplomatic Engagement Between India And Central Asia

1. India and CARs share cultural and historical connections that date back to the Silk Road and Mughal era. Since gaining independence in the early 1990s, India has made it a priority to establish robust diplomatic relations with these countries.
2. Institutional frameworks like the India-Central Asia Dialogue facilitate engagement on political and strategic matters, concentrating on regional security, trade, and developmental collaboration.
3. Bilateral Visits and Agreements: High-level exchanges, such as Indian PM’s visit to all five Central Asian nations in 2015.
4. Cultural Diplomacy: The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) actively promotes Indian culture in CARs.

Economic Relationship Between India And Central Asia

• Trade Relations: Bilateral trade accounting for merely $3 billion in 2023. Key exports include pharmaceuticals, machinery, and tea, while imports are predominantly uranium and cotton.
  • 
• Investment Initiatives: Exemplified by ONGC Videsh’s investments in Kazakhstan’s oil fields.
• Connectivity Projects: The INSTC and the development of the Chabahar Port in Iran are pivotal in enhancing connectivity between India and Central Asia
• Energy Cooperation: Symbolized by its pursuit of energy projects such as TAPI pipeline

Strategic Relations

1. Security and Counterterrorism Cooperation: Engagement through platforms like Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) helps address security threats related to terrorism, extremism, and drug trafficking.
2. Balancing Regional Powers: India’s presence in the CARs counters the influence of China and Russia, enhancing its geopolitical standing through diversified strategies, particularly soft power initiatives such as education and cultural exchange.

Increasing Significance of Central Asian Republics in Regional and Global Geopolitics

1. Energy Security: CARs, particularly Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, are vital for global energy security due to their rich nuclear, natural gas and oil reserves, attracting interest from regional powers like Russia, China, and Europe.
2. Geopolitical Importance in Eurasia
   1. Strategic Location at the crossroads of Eurasia, CARs are crucial for major trade and energy corridors, including the Ashgabat Agreement, Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
   2. Great Power Competition: The region serves as a battleground for influence among Russia, China, and the U.S. China’s BRI enhances its economic foothold, while Russia maintains security ties through the CSTO. India aims to balance this competition while preserving its strategic autonomy.
3. Security Concerns due to Afghanistan’s Stability: Central Asia’s security is closely linked to Afghanistan, which poses risks of terrorism, drug trafficking, and refugee flows. 
4. Multilateral Cooperation: SCO and Regional Stability: As a member of the SCO, India plays a role in promoting regional stability and addressing transnational issues like extremism and border security, which are critical for both India and the CARs.

Challenges In India-Central Asia Relations that need to be addressed 

1. Geographical Limitations: Central Asian Republics (CARs) are landlocked,hostile neighbors like Pakistan and China limiting India’s direct connectivity.
2. Chinese Influence: Over the past two decades, China has significantly strengthened its presence in CARs, with trade and investment flourishing, making India’s outreach more challenging.
3. The Taliban’s control over Afghanistan raises security concerns, complicating India’s efforts to secure its interests in the region and engage with CARs.
4. Low Trade Volume: Trade between India and CARs stands at around $2 billion, starkly contrasting with China’s trade, which amounts to approximately $100 billion, indicating a need for stronger commercial ties.

As per Ambassador Ashok Sajjanhar, “Central Asian Republics constitute the extended neighborhood of India. Security, stability and prosperity of this region is intimately linked with that of India and world ultimately.”

As the economic and geo-political center of gravity of the world has shifted towards the indo-Pacific,

India has emerged as an ideal ‘swing state’, especially pursued by the west to counter China.

India As An Alternative To Reduce Dependence On China’s Supply Chain

1. Expanding Manufacturing Base: Companies like Apple and Samsung are ramping up production in India, reducing reliance on China’s manufacturing hubs.
2. Strengthening Supply Chain Resilience: The Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI) with Japan and Australia helps build secure, diversified supply chains outside of China.
3. Revising Trade Privileges: Renegotiations under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) enhance India’s export potential to Western markets, directly competing with Chinese products.

India Being A Strategic Ally To Counter China’s Political And Economic Dominance

1. Indo-Pacific Strategy: NATO’s support for India’s role in the Indo-Pacific strengthens its position in maritime security, providing a counterbalance to China’s growing influence in the region.
2. Multilateral Influence: India’s growing role in the Quad and BRICS enables it to assert influence on regional policies, effectively countering China’s dominance in global platforms​.
3. Military Modernization: India’s procurement of advanced defense systems from the US, Israel, and France strengthens its military capabilities, particularly along its contested borders with China.
4. Naval Cooperation: The Malabar Naval Exercises with the Quad nations (US, Japan, and Australia) significantly enhance India’s naval capabilities and strategic presence along key maritime routes, countering China’s assertiveness.
5. India’s diplomatic support from the UN and G7 summits during its border disputes with China highlights strong Western backing, reinforcing India’s global standing and regional influence.
6. Defense Technology: The BECA agreement with the US improves India’s access to advanced defense technologies, giving it a crucial edge in surveillance and targeting capabilities against China.
7. Tech Collaboration: The Indo-US Artificial Intelligence Initiative promotes joint technological development, reducing India’s reliance on Chinese technology while boosting its innovation capacity in key sectors.

VALUE ADDITION Emerging global dominance of china China’s Supply Chain Control GloballyManufacturing Hub: China accounts for 28% of global manufacturing output Eg. It produces 70% of the world’s smartphones.Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)   It involves over 140 countries and is projected to invest around $1 trillion to enhance trade connectivity across Asia, Europe, and Africa.China’s Political and Economic DominanceEconomic Growth: second-largest economy with a GDP of approximately $17 trillion, maintained an average growth rate of about 6% over the past decade.Geopolitical Influence: China is a permanent member of UNSC and plays a dominant role in international organizations like NSG,SCO,G20 and BRICS.

As S. Jaishankar noted, while economics and demographics will bring India and the West closer, “the real difference would be made by politics and values.” For this partnership to thrive, both must align their worldviews and deepen collaboration to create a balanced global order.

As per OSCE, the Doctrine of Democratic Governance is a system of government where institutions function according to democratic processes and norms, both internally and in their interaction with other institutions.

Importance of public perception of integrity and commitment of civil servants

Integrity:

1. Transparency: Eg- Ashok Khemka, an IAS officer, is known for his transparency, especially during his whistleblowing on land scams in Haryana.
2. Accountability: Integrity ensures accountability, as seen in Kiran Bedi’s tenure as Director General of Tihar Jail, where she introduced reforms that improved conditions and ensured greater transparency.
3. Fairness: Eg- T.N. Seshan, former Chief Election Commissioner, enforced electoral laws with strict impartiality, boosting public confidence in the electoral system.
4. Encouragement of Participation: During COVID-19, IAS Iqbal Singh Chahal with his Dharavi model, engaging communities in awareness campaigns showcased commitment, leading to higher public participation in health measures.

Commitment:

1. Responsiveness: Eg- Durga Shakti Nagpal, an IAS officer, took a strong stand against illegal sand mining in Uttar Pradesh, showcasing her commitment to enforcing the law.
2. Effectiveness and Efficiency: E. Sreedharan, known as the “Metro Man,” exemplified commitment by ensuring the timely and efficient completion of the Delhi Metro project, enhancing public perception of governance.
3. Rule of Law: Sanjukta Parashar, an IPS officer in Assam, is known her active role in combating insurgency.
4. Inclusiveness: Armstrong Pame, an IAS officer in Manipur, built a 100 km road connecting remote villages without government funds
5. Trust Building: Eg. IPS Atul Kulkarni started bharosa cell as grievance redressal platform for women and transgenders.

Challenges

Way forward

Corruption: Corruption scandals can significantly tarnish civil servants’ images, thereby tarnishing image of whole administration. Bureaucratic Red Tape: Excessive bureaucratic procedures can frustrate citizens, leading to negative perceptions. Bureaucrats are often seen as unapproachable, diminishing trust. Political Interference: Civil servants face challenges due to political interference, affecting their ability to act impartially. Instances of pressure to act against principles lead to skepticism about commitment. Media Scrutiny: Negative media portrayals can shape public perception unfairly. Civil servants vilified in the media despite acting in public interest create narratives undermining their integrity.

360-degree appraisal: Replacing lower-level interviews with multi-stakeholder feedback (MSF) performance evaluations. Insulating Civil Servants from Political Interference, establishing a civil service posting and transfer board, Professionalisation with Stability of Tenure & Competition Building a Citizen-Centric Administration: In 2004, the Hota Committee suggested using ICT for effective and accountable service delivery Outcome-Oriented – Model Code of Governance to compare governance standards. Clear guidelines should be formulated for Mission Karmayogi which enshrines rule to role based governance.

“Every civil servant of India should help the countrymen in making their dreams come true,”PM Narendra Modi. With this vision,there is a critical need for positive public perception of civil servants to ensure effective democratic governance. 

United Nations defines poverty as “a state in which an individual or group lacks the financial resources to meet their basic needs for a minimum standard of living.” WHO defines malnutrition as “the condition that results from eating a diet in which one or more nutrients are either not enough or too much, causing health problems.

 

How Poverty and Malnutrition Create a Vicious Cycle:

1. Economic Barriers to Nutrition: Low-income households often lack access to nutritious food due to financial constraints, exacerbating malnutrition. 
2. Impacts of Malnutrition on Poverty: Eg. ASER reports show higher dropout rates and lower literacy levels among malnourished children in India.
3. Healthcare Costs of Malnutrition: Eg. Malnutrition-related diseases increase healthcare expenditure, limiting resources for other essentials like education.
4. High Child Mortality: 68.2% of death of children below five years old are caused by malnutrition.
5. Educational Limitations Due to Cognitive Delays: Eg. The ASER report indicates that malnourished children are more likely to drop out of school.
6. Productivity Loss and Economic Growth: Eg. The World Bank estimates that malnutrition costs between 5% and 11% of GDP in regions like Africa and Asia.
7. Social Exclusion: Malnourished individuals are often socially excluded due to their reduced economic and social contributions, further deepening poverty.
8. Intergenerational Transfer of Poverty: Malnourished parents are less able to provide for their children, who then grow up in poverty, continuing the cycle.

Steps to Break the Cycle:

1. Innovative PDS reforms like distributing e-food coupons similar to e-Rupi as experimented in Assam, home delivery of ration material and PDS reforms in accordance with recommendations of Shanta Kumar Committee will help reduce both poverty and hunger problem.
2. Nutrition Programs: Strengthen schemes like POSHAN Abhiyaan and the Mid-Day Meal Scheme to ensure access to nutritious food, especially for children and pregnant women. Eg. Tamil Nadu has introduced Breakfast in  Mid-Day Meal 
3. Women Empowerment: Eg. Kerala’s Kudumbashree program empowers women, enhancing their role in family health and economic decision-making.
4. Economic Empowerment: Expand livelihood programs like MGNREGA to provide stable incomes, improving access to food and healthcare.
5. Community Nutrition Education: Educating communities on proper nutrition and food safety can help address malnutrition at the grassroots level. Brazil’s Fome Zero (Zero Hunger) program has successfully reduced hunger through community-driven nutrition education.

Brazil’s Bolsa Família Programfinancial aid to low-income families, conditional on their children attending school and getting regular health check-ups, including vaccinations.Stunting reduced by 13%, Extreme poverty dropped by 15%.

As Mark Winne states, “We cannot end hunger unless we end poverty.” Thus, Only by sustained efforts can we regain progress towards goals of Zero poverty(SDG-1) and Zero Hunger(SDG -2).

 

A public charitable trust is a legal entity (established under the Indian Trusts Act of 1882) that serves the public by carrying out charitable activities. They are created to pool resources and assets to achieve philanthropic goals. Eg-  Tata Trusts, Azim Premji Foundation,etc. 

Public Charitable Trusts and Their Role in Inclusive Development in India

1. Poverty Reduction – Eg- Tata Trusts’ Lakhpati Kisan Initiative in Jharkhand aims to create sustainable livelihoods by empowering tribal farmers with improved agricultural practices
2. Educational Enhancement: Eg. scholarships by Dhirubhai Ambani Foundation .
3. Healthcare Accessibility: Eg. telemedicine services by Piramal Swasthya initiative  in Assam have delivered over 5 million consultations.
4. Empowerment Through Skill Development – Eg- The Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) has uplifted over 1.5 million women by providing vocational training and access to financial services.
5. Infrastructure Development – Eg- The Infosys Foundation focuses on building infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, and sanitation facilities in rural areas. 
6. Complementing Government Efforts: Charitable trusts assist in implementing government schemes, such as Swachh Bharat, by providing water, sanitation, and health services in rural areas.
7. Social Inclusion- Eg-  The Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) works in tribal regions of Gujarat, promoting social inclusion through watershed management and livelihoods for marginalized communities.
8. Environmental Sustainability – The Sundarban Social Development Centre in West Bengal works on mangrove restoration and eco-friendly livelihoods, supporting 10,000 families while preserving the environment.
9. Leveraging CSR for Development: Eg- Azim Premji Foundation signed pact with karnataka government to provide eggs in mid day meals.

Case Study: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundationthe Avahan Program to combat HIV/AIDS succeeded in reducing the spread of the disease, reaching over 300,000 high-risk individuals with prevention measures.

Issues with public charitable trust in india

1. Misuse of Funds: In 2020, the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Smriti Manch faced scrutiny after the Delhi High Court flagged irregularities in fund usage, with donations being misappropriated for non-charitable purposes.
2. Governance Issues: The Tata Trusts were involved in a legal dispute with the Income Tax Department over misuse of tax exemptions.
3. Lack of Accountability: In 2021, the Gandhi Smarak Nidhi Trust faced criticism for lack of transparency and ineffective program implementation, raising concerns about accountability.
4. Impact Measurement Challenges: McKinsey’s India Impact Evaluation Report 2020 revealed that only 12% of public charitable trusts have mechanisms to track long-term social outcomes effectively.
5. Dominant top-down approach: Development programs driven by donors often impose a top-down approach, where external organizations dictate priorities and goals instead of considering local needs and perspectives.
6. External interference: Relying heavily on donor funding diminishes the ability to negotiate and involve communities due to the conditions imposed by donors.
7. Dependency Theory: Dependency theory suggests that international aid, including that provided by donor agencies, can create a cycle of dependency among recipient nations. The aid leads to reliance on foreign funds rather than fostering domestic growth and self-sufficiency.

Way forward

1. Monitoring: There should be better coordination between Ministries of Home Affairs and Finance in terms of monitoring and regulating illicit and unaccounted funds. 
2. Streamlined Registration Process: Simplify and standardize the registration process for charitable trusts across states to reduce bureaucratic hurdles. This can encourage more organizations to formalize their operations.
3. Capacity Building and Training: Provide training programs and resources for trustees and staff of charitable trusts to enhance their governance skills, financial management, and operational efficiency.

“Public charitable trusts and NGOs are crucial pillars of democracy. They fill the gap between government actions and societal needs, ensuring more inclusive development.” – Amartya Sen.