The Indian Army has installed a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on the bank of Pangong lake at an altitude of 14,300 feet, a region that is close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China in the eastern Ladakh sector.
AboutPangong Lake (Pangong Tso)
Its name is derived from the Tibetan term âPangong Tso,â meaning âhigh grassland lake.â It is an endorheic (landlocked) lake with no outflow.
Location & Size:
Spans 134 km, divided between India (1/3) and the Tibetan Autonomous Region (2/3).
Situated at an altitude of 4,350 meters, covers 604 sq. km, and is 5 km wide at its broadest point.
Water & Climate:
Brackish water that completely freezes in winter.
The lakeâs color shifts with sunlight and weather, displaying shades of blue, green, and red.
Wildlife: Acts as a breeding ground for Bar-Headed Geese, Brahmini Ducks, and Radix freshwater snails.
Strategic Importance: Located in the Chushul approach, a key route for potential Chinese offensives, and was a major site of conflict during the 1962 war.
Political Features:
Border & Control: Lies on the Ladakh-China border, with the Line of Actual Control (LAC) passing through it.
Contested Terrain: The northern bank is a hotspot due to differing boundary perceptions; China has built roads highlighting the lakeâs strategic value.
1999 Incident: During Operation Vijay, China constructed a 5-km road inside Indian territory.
2020 Standoff:
Began on May 5, 2020, following a clash in the Pangong Lake area.
Disengagement on the north and south banks concluded in 2021.
On October 21, 2024, India and China resolved the final friction points (Demchok, Depsang), ending a four-and-half-year border standoff.
The Indian Army contingent has departed for Nepal to participate in the 18th edition of the Battalion-Level Joint Military Exercise SURYA KIRAN.
About the Exercise Surya Kiran
Exercise Surya Kiran is a bilateral joint military exercise conducted annually between India and Nepal since 2011.
The 18th edition is being held in Saljhandi, Nepal, from 31st December 2024 to 13th January 2025.
It alternates between India and Nepal as the host nation.
The Indian Army contingent, consisting of 334 personnel, is led by a battalion from the 11th Gorkha Rifles.
The Nepal Army contingent is represented by the Srijung Battalion.
The exercise aims to enhance interoperability in areas like jungle warfare, counter-terrorism operations in mountainous terrains, and humanitarian assistance under the United Nations Charter.
Features and Significance
Strengthens combat readiness in jungle warfare and counter-terrorism.
Facilitates the exchange of ideas, experiences, and best practices between the armies of both nations.
Reinforces the strong cultural and historical ties shared by India and Nepal.
Prepares both nations to address shared security challenges effectively.
PYQ:
[2024] Which of the following statements about the Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023 is/ are correct?
This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh.
It commenced in Aundh (Pune).
Joint response during counter-terrorism operations was a goal of this operation.
Q. What is the need for expanding the regional air connectivity in India? In this context, discuss the governmentâs UDAN Scheme and its achievements. (CSE 2024)
Mentorâs Comment: UPSC mains have always focused on the development of Airports (2017), and âapplication in aviation â (2013).
The December 5, 2024, incident involving an Air India Airbus A320 at Goaâs Mopa airport highlights ongoing issues in Indian aviation. The crew rejected takeoff after mistakenly entering a taxiway instead of the runway, a recurring problem. The DGCA, often blaming pilots and neglecting deeper issues, continues to overlook systemic failures in regulation and airline practices, failing to learn from past incidents.
Todayâs editorial addresses the systemic challenges in aviation regulation in India. This content can be used in your Mains answer to highlight challenges related to the aviation sector and how should be resolved the challenges.
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Let’s learn!
Why in the News?
The repeated occurrence of similar serious aviation incidents in India highlights shortcomings in regulations and training standards.
What are the key challenges related to regulations in Indian Aviation?
Runway Confusion: There is a long history of runway confusion incidents involving Indian carriers, indicating systemic issues with pilot training and operational protocols.
Example (1993): A Jet Airways Boeing 737 on its inaugural flight to Coimbatore mistakenly landed at the Sulur airbase of the Indian Air Force instead of the Peelamedu civil airport.
Regulatory Oversight Failures: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been criticized for its reactive approach to safety incidents, often blaming pilots rather than addressing underlying systemic failures.
Example(Mopa Airport, December 2024): In a recent incident at Mopa Airport in Goa, a pilot from an Air India Airbus A320 crew was forced to abort takeoff after entering a parallel taxiway instead of the main runway. While the blame was placed on the pilot, such incidents highlight the DGCA’s failure to implement corrective measures across the industry.
Crew Fatigue and Operational Pressure: Indian regulations regarding flight and duty time limitations are considered weak, leading to crew fatigue and pressure to meet on-time performance (OTP) targets.
Example (Kozhikode, 2020): The tragic crash of an Air India Express flight in Kozhikode, which resulted in the death of 21 people, was partly attributed to the pilotâs fatigue and decision-making under pressure. The pilot had been under time constraints due to a tight schedule, resulting in a rushed landing.
What are the issues related to Addressing Aviation Safety?
Inadequate Training: Pilots often lack sufficient training on runway markings and stabilized approach criteria, contributing to repeated errors in navigation and landing.
Systemic Accountability: There is a lack of accountability among airlines and regulatory bodies for safety lapses, which prevents meaningful changes from being implemented.
Pressure from Management: Operational pressures imposed by airline management can lead to violations of safety protocols, as crews may prioritize performance metrics over safety considerations.
What are the international legislations related to aviation accidents signed by India?
⢠Chicago Convention (1944): India is a signatory to the Chicago Convention, which established the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). It sets global standards for aviation safety, air navigation, and accident investigation, obligating India to maintain aircraft airworthiness and investigate aviation incidents. ⢠Annex 13 to the Chicago Convention: India follows Annex 13, which mandates thorough investigations of aviation accidents and incidents, ensuring corrective actions to prevent future occurrences. ⢠Montreal Convention (1999): Ratified by India in 2009, this convention outlines airline liability for passenger injury, death, baggage loss, or cargo damage during international flights, establishing compensation frameworks for aviation incidents. ⢠Warsaw Convention (1929): India is a signatory to the Warsaw Convention, which defines carrier liability for accidents, including passenger injury and death, later modified by the Hague Protocol (1955) and Montreal Convention (1999). ⢠IATA Membership & EU-India Aviation Safety Agreement: India is a member of IATA, ensuring adherence to global safety standards. It also has a safety agreement with the EU to enhance air transport safety and mutually recognize safety protocols.
Case study of Singapore Airlines Singapore Airlines is renowned for its commitment to service excellence and operational efficiency, achieved through a comprehensive digital transformation strategy: ⢠Data Utilization: The airline harnessed data analytics to optimize customer service and streamline operations, ensuring a superior travel experience. ⢠Automation of Processes: By automating various processes, Singapore Airlines improved efficiency and reduced operational costs while maintaining high safety standards. ⢠Continuous Innovation: The airline consistently invests in new technologies, which has helped it remain competitive in the global market.
What should be the steps taken to address the problem related to Aviation Safety? (Way forward)
Strengthening Regulatory Oversight: The DGCA should enhance its safety audits and ensure strict compliance with ICAO standards to foster a culture of accountability within the aviation sector.
Improving Pilot Training: Airlines must invest in comprehensive training programs that emphasize understanding runway markings and adherence to stabilized approach criteria to reduce confusion during operations.
Addressing Crew Fatigue: Revising regulations on flight and duty time limitations is essential to prioritize crew rest and well-being over operational efficiency, thereby enhancing overall safety.
Promoting Systemic Accountability: Both airlines and regulatory bodies should share responsibility for aviation incidents, implementing systemic changes that prevent recurrence rather than placing blame solely on individual pilots.
The rupee has been hitting record lows against the US dollar but has simultaneously reached an all-time high in real effective terms. In November 2024, the Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER) index of the rupee touched 108.14, strengthening by 4.5% during the year, according to the RBI.
What is Effective Exchange Rate (EER)?
The Effective Exchange Rate (EER) measures the value of a currency relative to a basket of currencies from its major trading partners.
EER is a weighted average of exchange rates, reflecting the importance of each trading partner in a countryâs total foreign trade.
Types of EER:
Nominal Effective Exchange Rate (NEER):
NEER is the weighted average of a currency’s exchange rates with the currencies of its trading partners.
It does not adjust for inflation, representing only nominal changes in currency value.
Higher NEER: Indicates the domestic currency has appreciated compared to the basket of currencies.
Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER):
REER adjusts NEER for inflation differentials between the country and its trading partners.
It measures the real purchasing power of a currency, providing insights into its competitiveness in international trade.
The base year for REER in India is 2015-16, set at 100.
REER > 100: Indicates an overvalued currency, making exports less competitive.
REER < 100: Indicates an undervalued currency, making exports more competitive.
How does it impact Exports?
REER provides a real measure of currency competitiveness, adjusted for inflation:
REER > 100 (Overvalued Currency):
Exports suffer, as Indian goods and services become expensive in global markets.
Imports rise, as foreign goods become cheaper in comparison.
May lead to a widening trade deficit.
REER < 100 (Undervalued Currency):
Exports thrive, as Indian goods and services are priced more competitively in global markets.
Imports decrease, as foreign goods become relatively expensive.
Improves the trade surplus and supports domestic industries.
PYQ:
[2022] With reference to the Indian economy, consider the following statements:
An increase in Nominal Effective Exchange Rate (NEER) indicates the appreciation of rupee.
An increase in the Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER) indicates an improvement in trade competitiveness.
An increasing trend in domestic inflation relative to inflation in other countries is likely to cause an increasing divergence between NEER and REER.
The Parker Solar Probe has reached 6.1 million km from the Sunâs surface â the closest any human-made object has ever been. At this distance, if the Earth and Sun were 1 meter apart, the probe would be 4 cm from the Sun.
What is theParker Solar Probe?
Details
AboutÂ
A NASA mission launched on August 12, 2018, as part of the âLiving With a Starâ program to study the Sunâs corona and solar winds.
Named after Eugene Parker, the first NASA mission named after a living researcher.
Size: Comparable to a small car.
Instruments: Equipped with four instruments to study electric and magnetic fields, plasma, and high-energy particles.
Completed 21 orbits around the Sun and uses Venus flybys to gradually get closer to the Sun.
How did it manage to come so close to the Sun? Â
On December 24, 2024, it reached 6.1 million km from the Sunâs surface, the closest any human-made object has been.
Technologies:
Heat Shield: A 4.5-inch carbon-composite shield withstands temperatures up to 1,377°C while keeping instruments stable at 29.4°C.
Venus Flybys: Gravitational assists from Venus gradually reduced the orbit.
Speed: Travels at 6,92,000 km/h, making it the fastest human-made object.
Significance of the Mission
Scientific Contributions: Provides insights into why the Sunâs corona is much hotter than its surface and the origins of solar winds.
Practical Implications: Improves predictions of space weather events that affect satellites, power grids, and communications on Earth.
Technological Feat: Demonstrates advanced spacecraft engineering to withstand extreme solar conditions.
PYQ:
[2010] In the context of space technology, what is âBhuvanâ, recently in the news?
(a) A mini satellite launched by ISRO for promoting the distance education in India
(b) The name given to the next Moon Impact Probe, for Chandrayaan-II
(c) A geoportal of ISRO with 3D imaging capabilities of India
The US President-elect Donald Trump has expressed support for H-1B Visas but emphasized balancing immigration policies with protecting American jobs.
AboutH-1B Visa Program
Details
What is it?
Allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers for specialty occupations requiring:
High expertise.
A bachelorâs degree or higher.
Administered by the U.S. Department of Labor to address skill shortages in the U.S. workforce.
Employment under H-1B is temporary but renewable.
Key Features
Purpose: Provides access to specialized talent unavailable domestically.
Annual Cap: 65,000 new H-1B visas + 20,000 for workers with U.S. masterâs degrees or higher.
Exemptions: Workers in higher education institutions, non-profits, or government research organizations are not subject to the cap.
How does it benefit in Indians?
Indians account for the largest group of H-1B beneficiaries (72.3% in FY 2023, ~2.79 lakh approvals).
Fields:
65% employed in computer-related occupations.
Others include architecture/engineering (9.5%) and education (6%).
Median Compensation: $118,000 annually in 2023.
Trends and Policy Changes:
1. Admission Trends:
⢠Pre-COVID rise (2018: 5.70 lakh; 2019: 6.01 lakh).
⢠COVID-19 decline (2020: 3.68 lakh; 2021: 1.48 lakh).
⢠Post-COVID recovery (2022: 4.10 lakh; 2023: 7.55 lakh).
2. Denial Rates:
⢠Increased during Trump era (2016: 6%; 2018: 24%).
⢠Declined to 4% by 2021 and stabilized at 2% in 2022.
⢠High denials during Trumpâs term were often overturned upon appeal.
PYQ:
[2020] Indian diaspora has a decisive role to play in the politics and economy of America and European Countriesâ. Comment with examples.
At a New Delhi panel, economist Thomas Piketty proposed taxing India’s super-rich to fund health and education, while Chief Economic Advisor Anantha Nageswaran cautioned against potential fund outflows from higher taxes.
What are the potential benefits of reinstating a wealth tax?
Funding Public Services: A wealth tax could provide significant revenue that could be allocated to critical sectors such as health and education, addressing inequalities in access to these services. This funding could help create a more educated and healthier workforce, ultimately benefiting the economy.
Addressing Wealth Inequality: With wealth concentration at historically high levels, a wealth tax could serve as a tool to mitigate inequality, which is increasingly viewed as a fundamental development issue that affects opportunities for many individuals.
Encouraging Productive Investments: By taxing unproductive assets like real estate and gold while promoting investments in productive assets such as equities and bonds, a wealth tax could potentially shift capital towards more economically beneficial uses.
What challenges and criticisms exist regarding the implementation of a wealth tax?
Measurement Difficulties: Accurately measuring wealth poses significant challenges. The complexities of defining what constitutes wealth and ownership can lead to loopholes and evasion, as individuals may shift their assets to avoid taxation.
Capital Flight Concerns: There is apprehension that high taxation on the wealthy could lead to capital outflows, as individuals may relocate their assets or themselves to countries with lower tax burdens. This concern is particularly pronounced in India, where the public infrastructure may not be sufficient to retain high-net-worth individuals.
Historical Ineffectiveness: Previous implementations of wealth tax in India resulted in low collection rates (less than 1% of gross tax collections). The high cost of collection and the challenges of enforcement contributed to its abolishment in 2016-17.
Misallocation of Resources: Critics argue that simply imposing a wealth tax does not guarantee effective use of the revenue generated. There are concerns about whether additional funds would improve sectors like education, which already face management inefficiencies.
How would a wealth tax impact India’s economy and social structure?
Economic Growth vs. Redistribution: Proponents argue that addressing inequality through a wealth tax can enhance overall economic growth by expanding opportunities for disadvantaged groups.
However, opponents maintain that focusing on growth alone is more beneficial, suggesting that redistribution efforts may not lead to improved outcomes for the economy.
Social Cohesion: A wealth tax could potentially foster greater social cohesion by addressing stark disparities in wealth and opportunity.
However, if perceived as punitive or ineffective, it might exacerbate tensions between different socioeconomic groups.
Investment Climate: A wealth tax could change how people invest in India. Some investors might hesitate because of higher costs, but if the money is used well for public services. It could improve living standards and infrastructure, making India a better place for investment over time.
Case study:Â
Norway is often cited as a successful case study for wealth tax implementation. Norway imposes a wealth tax on individuals with a net worth exceeding a certain threshold, which includes various asset classes such as real estate, stocks, and bonds.
For 2022, a new step for the state rate is introduced. For net wealth in excess of NOK 20 million (NOK 40 million for married couples), the rate is 0.4%. Thus, the maximum wealth tax rate is 1.1%.
Way forward:Â
Efficient Tax Design and Implementation: Develop a clear and transparent framework for wealth taxation to minimize evasion, ensure equitable enforcement, and balance revenue generation with economic growth.
Focus on Public Infrastructure: Prioritize effective allocation of tax revenue to critical sectors like health and education, addressing inefficiencies to build trust and maximize social and economic benefits.
Mains question for practice:
Q “Reinstating a wealth tax in India could be a tool for reducing inequalities and funding critical public services. However, its implementation poses several economic and administrative challenges.” Critically analyse this statement in the context of India’s socio-economic landscape. (250 words) 15M
Mains PYQ:
Q Enumerate the indirect taxes which have been subsumed in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India. Also, comment on the revenue implications of the GST introduced in India since July 2017. (UPSC IAS/2019)
The Captive Elephant (Transfer or Transport) Rules contain ambiguities that could enable the illegal trade of elephants.
What are the current welfare standards for captive elephants?
Legal Framework: Elephants are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972, but enforcement is weak.
The Kerala High Court has issued directions to ensure compliance with the Kerala Captive Elephants (Management and Maintenance) Rules, 2012, yet many elephants lack proper ownership documentation, indicating illegal possession.
Exploitation for Commercial Gain: Captive elephants are often used in religious festivals and tourism, which the Kerala High Court described as “commercial exploitation” devoid of concern for their well-being.
This exploitation is exacerbated by the competitive nature of temple festivals where the number of elephants paraded is prioritized over their welfare.
Physical and Psychological Impact: Captive elephants endure harsh conditions, including inadequate diets, lack of proper medical care, and exposure to stressful environments during festivals.
Mortality rates among captive elephants due to these factors is approximately 33% of recorded captive elephants in Kerala died between 2018 and 2024.
What are the Kerala Captive Elephants (Management and Maintenance) Rules, 2012?Â
The rules for captive elephants mandate age-based definitions, housing space standards, nutritional requirements (e.g., 250 kg fodder for adults), regular health monitoring, and restrictions on using elephants in the musth.
A management committee oversees implementation, ensuring welfare through multi-department collaboration, including forestry, veterinary, and animal welfare representatives.
What are the ambiguities in the Captive Elephant (Transfer or Transport) Rules?
The Captive Elephant (Transfer or Transport) Rules, 2024, introduced by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), aim to regulate the movement of captive elephants within and between states in India. However, these rules contain several ambiguities that raise concerns among animal rights activists and experts regarding their potential misuse
Ambiguity in Transfer Rules: Vague criteria for elephant transfers, such as inadequate care or potential for better maintenance, risk enabling unauthorized sales disguised as legitimate transactions.
Ownership Transfer Oversight: Shifting application responsibility to the deputy conservator of forests, instead of the CWW, weakens protections and facilitates improper transfers, potentially treating elephants as movable assets.
Transport Justification Gap: The absence of a requirement to justify temporary interstate transport allows leasing or renting of elephants, further commodifying and jeopardizing their welfare.
Weak Genetic Profiling: Despite mandates for recording genetic profiles, lax monitoring can enable illegal captures to be misrepresented as legitimate ownership.
Database Deficiency: The lack of a national database tracking ownership and genetic details of captive elephants hampers regulation and increases the risk of illegal transfers.
Inadequate Exploitation Safeguards: The rules fail to sufficiently prevent the commercial use of elephants in religious events or entertainment, incentivizing wild captures under false pretences.
How do captivity conditions affect the physical and psychological well-being of elephants?
Physical Health: Elephants in captivity often suffer from malnutrition due to a poor diet that lacks the variety available in the wild. For instance, some are only fed glucose-rich fodder instead of a balanced diet.
Psychological Well-being: The social nature of elephants means that isolation and abusive training methods can lead to severe psychological distress. The use of capture belts and other coercive training devices has been criticized for causing both physical and emotional harm.
High Incidence of Distress: Anecdotal evidence suggests that captive elephants frequently exhibit signs of distress, including aggressive behavior or attempts to escape, which can endanger both themselves and surrounding humans.
What reforms are necessary to improve the management and care of captive elephants? (Way forward)
Strengthening Regulation: There is a need for clearer regulations to prevent the commercial exploitation of elephants. The current rules allow for ownership transfers without prohibiting commercial transactions, which could facilitate illegal wildlife trade.
Implementation of Humane Practices: Mandating humane birth control measures and prohibiting the use of live elephants in entertainment could help reduce the number entering captivity.
Alternatives like electronic simulations could replace live elephants in religious ceremonies.
Monitoring and Accountability: The rules should require post-mortem examinations for deceased elephants during transfers to ensure accountability.
Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborative efforts involving civil society, government bodies, and NGOs are essential to develop comprehensive guidelines that prioritize elephant welfare over commercial interests.
Mains question for practice:
Q Discuss the ambiguities in the Captive Elephant (Transfer or Transport) Rules, 2024 and suggest reforms needed to address these issues. (250 words) 15M
PYQ Relevance: Q) Debate the issue whether and how contemporary movements for assertion of Dalit identity work towards annihilation of caste. (UPSC CSE 2015)
Mentorâs Comment: UPSC mains have always focused on Inequality (2020),âCaste Systemâ (2018 & 2020), and âInclusive Growthâ (2022).
The Human Rights Watch Report of 2007 reports that nearly 60% of children who drop out of school are Dalit children, indicating significant barriers that lead to high dropout rates within this community.
Todayâs editorial addresses the systemic barriers faced by marginalized communities, particularly Dalits, in accessing quality education in India. This content can be used in your Mains answer to highlight how caste-based discrimination continues to impact educational opportunities, thereby perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality.
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Let’s learn!
Why in the News?
One Dalit student’s plight gained significant attention on social media, leading the Supreme Court to intervene and grant him admission by exercising its extraordinary powersunder Article 142, highlighting the systemic inequalities that often leave deserving students without opportunities.
He had nearly lost his admission to IIT Dhanbad after missing the fee payment deadline due to financial constraints and technical issues
Key Highlights of “Hidden Apartheid” in India (Human Rights Watch Report 2007):
⢠Literacy Rates: As of the Census of India 2011, the literacy rate among Dalits is 66.1%, significantly lower than the national average of 73%. ⢠Enrollment Rates: Between 1983 and 2000, enrollment rates for Dalit boys increased from 47.7% to 63.25%. In comparison, upper-caste boys’ enrollment rose from 73.22% to 82.92% during the same period. ⢠Female Enrollment Disparities: The enrollment rate for Dalit girls improved from 15.72% to 32.61%, while upper-caste girls’ enrollment climbed from 43.56% to 59.15%, indicating a stark contrast in educational access between genders and castes. ⢠Dropout Rates: Informal data suggests that nearly 60% of children who drop out of school are Dalit children, indicating significant barriers that lead to high dropout rates within this community.By 1931, only 4% of Dalit children had access to primary education despite educational policies being established decades earlier, reflecting a long history of exclusion from educational opportunities. ⢠Systemic Barriers: The report emphasizes ongoing practices of “untouchability” and discrimination that create hostile environments for Dalit students in educational institutions, further complicating their access to quality education.
What are the major challenges presently faced by Dalit students in the Indian Education system?
While past restrictions were overt, contemporary obstacles are more insidious, manifesting through rising tuition fees and financial barriers.
Rise in Tuition Fees: Under the âAtmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan,â the Government of India has promoted self-reliance in educational institutions, resulting in significant tuition hikes at prestigious colleges such as the IITs and IIMs.
For example, in 2016, IITs raised undergraduate tuition fees by 200%, escalating costs from âš90,000 to âš3 lakh annually. Similarly, recent increases at IIMs have seen fees rise by nearly 30% at some institutions.
Insufficient Support Measures: In response to criticism over these fee increases, the government introduced the Vidyalakshmi scheme, which offers interest-free scholarships for marginalized communities.
However, this initiative falls short of addressing the broader financial challenges faced by Dalit students as tuition continues to soar, despite their academic achievements.
The NCRB Data (2021) revealed that over the past seven years, 122 students from IITs and IIMs took their own lives, with many citing financial stress and employment anxiety.
Prevailing Disparities: An RTI filed by IIT-Bombay students further exposed the disparities, showing that 24 departments had no SC faculty, 15 lacked ST representation, and nine had no OBC faculty. A 2019 report revealed that 95% of faculty positions in IITs were held by individuals from upper-caste backgrounds.
These statistics highlight the deep-rooted caste-based inequalities that persist in both employment and education.
The issue of dropouts: Many students who manage to enroll themselves in prestigious institutions eventually drop out due to their inability to afford rising education fees.
The HRD Ministry reported that 2,461 students dropped out of IITs in just two years (2017 and 2018). In 2023, this issue was raised in the Lok Sabha, revealing that over the past five years, more than 13,500 students from the SC/ST/OBC had dropped out of courses in the central universities.
Previous Government Initiatives:
⢠Scholarship Schemes: Various scholarship programs are available for Dalit students, including the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme, which provides financial assistance for education beyond matriculation, ensuring that economic barriers do not prevent Dalit students from pursuing higher education. ⢠Indian Institute of Dalit Studies (IIDS): This research institute focuses on studying issues related to Dalits and has contributed to formulating guidelines against caste-based discrimination in schools. ⢠Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry: DICCI promotes entrepreneurship among Dalits by providing support and resources for business development. Its initiatives aim to empower Dalit youth to become job creators rather than job seekers. ⢠Protection of Civil Rights Act (1955) and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act (1989): These acts are designed to prevent atrocities against Dalits and ensure their rights are protected. They provide legal recourse for victims of caste-based discrimination and violence, although implementation has faced challenges.
Did you know? A recent survey in 29 States on urban sewer and septic tank workers revealed that 92% belong to SC/ST/OBC.
Way Forward:
Strengthen Reservation Policies: Establish robust mechanisms to monitor compliance with reservation policies and hold institutions accountable for non-compliance.
Address Discrimination and Hostility: Enforce strict anti-discrimination policies and training programs within educational institutions, ensuring that any caste-based harassment is addressed promptly.
Promote Mental Health Support: Create peer mentoring programs that connect Dalit students with mentors who can provide guidance and support.
Reform Employment Opportunities: Enhance job placement services for Dalit graduates, ensuring they have access to employment opportunities post-education.
China has announced the construction of worldâs largest dam on the Brahmaputra River (known as Yarlung Zangbo in Tibet), sparking concerns in India and Bangladesh, the lower riparian states.
About the Dam
This project is part of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) and its long-term development strategy through 2035.
The dam will be constructed in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River in Tibet, near the Indian border.
It is situated at a massive gorge in the Himalayas, where the river takes a U-turn to flow into Arunachal Pradesh and then to Bangladesh.
Its investment exceeds $137 billion, dwarfing any other infrastructure project, including Chinaâs Three Gorges Dam.
Three Gorges Dam: It is a hydroelectric gravity dam that spans the Yangtze River near Sandouping in Yiling District, Yichang, Hubei province, central China, downstream of the Three Gorges.
What are the concerns associated with the Dam Construction?
Geopolitical Control: Chinaâs ability to regulate water flow raises fears of disruption and misuse during conflicts.
Environmental Impact: Risks to biodiversity, sediment flow, and downstream ecosystems in a fragile Himalayan zone.
Seismic Hazards: The damâs location on a tectonic plate boundary increases earthquake risks.
Livelihood Disruption: Potential harm to agriculture, fishing, and local communities dependent on the river.
Transparency Issues: Limited data sharing and unilateral decisions heighten distrust among riparian states.
PYQ:
[2011] The Brahmaputra, Irrawady and Mekong rivers originate in Tibet and flow it through narrow and parallel mountain ranges in their upper reaches. Of these rivers, Brahmaputra makes a “U” turn in its course to flow into India. This “U” turn is due to:
(a) Uplift of folded Himalayan series
(b) Syntaxial bending of geologically young Himalayas
(c) Geo-tectonic disturbance in the tertiary folded mountain chains
