💥Mains Ready By December. Smash Mains & Smash PYQ Admissions Open
Talk to Mentor

Civilsdaily

Login

GS Paper: GS1

  • Making primary health visible, offering accessible and affordable health care

    Why in the News?

    Public health has evolved with the growing economy and modern lifestyles. Key challenges include antimicrobial resistance, chronic diseases, zoonotic diseases, and mental health, with NCDs making up 60% of global deaths.

    What are the key modern public health challenges faced globally, and how do they impact India?

    • Rise of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): NCDs like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer account for over 60% of global deaths and are projected to rise by 17% in the next decade. India faces a dual burden of NCDs and infectious diseases. Eg: As per National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), over 20% of Indian adults suffer from high blood pressure.
    • Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): Misuse of antibiotics in humans and livestock has led to drug-resistant infections, making common illnesses harder to treat. India is one of the largest consumers of antibiotics, and AMR increases mortality rates and healthcare costs. Eg: A 2019 ICMR report showed a rise in resistance to last-resort antibiotics like colistin in Indian hospitals.
    • Mental Health Crisis: Stress, urbanization, and socio-economic pressures are driving a rise in mental health illnesses, yet policymakers and health systems continue to under-address them. India has a high treatment gap — about 80% of people with mental illness do not receive treatment due to stigma and lack of resources. Eg: WHO estimates that India loses nearly $1 trillion in productivity annually due to mental health issues.

    How does the ‘Ayushman Bharat’ scheme aim to strengthen India’s public health system?

    • Financial Protection through PM-JAY: The Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) offers ₹5 lakh health insurance coverage per family per year to poor and vulnerable populations. It reduces the financial burden of hospitalization and protects against catastrophic health expenditure. Eg: A BPL family needing heart surgery under PM-JAY can avail treatment in empanelled hospitals without paying out-of-pocket.
    • Strengthening Primary Healthcare via Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs): These upgraded Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) provide comprehensive care, including preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative services, close to communities. Eg: A rural health centre now screens for diabetes, mental health, and cancers under the AAM model, increasing early detection and timely treatment.
    • Infrastructure Development through PM-ABHIM: The Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) improves health system preparedness by investing in labs, critical care units, and public health surveillance systems. Eg: District hospitals are being upgraded with ICU beds and disease monitoring labs under PM-ABHIM, boosting emergency response and pandemic readiness.

    What are the reasons behind the lack of trust in India’s public health system?

    • Poor User Experience and Service Quality: Long wait times, overcrowding, and inadequate attention from healthcare staff often lead to patient dissatisfaction and erode trust in public facilities. Eg: Patients at many government hospitals report delays in receiving treatment due to staff shortages and administrative inefficiencies.
    • Inconsistent Infrastructure and Cleanliness: Lack of clean facilities, essential medicines, and functional equipment in some centers diminishes public confidence in receiving quality care. Eg: A 2022 Health Ministry survey found that several PHCs in remote areas lacked basic amenities like running water and power backup.
    • Stigma and Miscommunication in Care Delivery: Lack of sensitivity among staff, especially in mental health and maternal care, coupled with poor communication, creates a sense of neglect or discrimination. Eg: Many rural women avoid public health centers for childbirth due to past experiences of rude treatment or neglect by staff.

    How does the quality and accessibility of private healthcare in India compare to the public sector?

    • Better Infrastructure and Perceived Quality in Private Sector: Private hospitals often offer cleaner facilities, modern equipment, and shorter wait times, making them the preferred choice for many. Eg: Urban patients may choose a private multispecialty hospital over a government facility due to advanced diagnostic tools and faster service.
    • Higher Costs and Risk of Catastrophic Expenditure: While private healthcare ensures timely treatment, it comes at a high cost, which can push middle- and low-income families into debt. Eg: A cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy in a private hospital may face bills in lakhs, unlike subsidized or free treatment in public hospitals under schemes like PM-JAY.
    • Limited Accessibility for Rural and Poor Populations: Private hospitals are concentrated in urban areas and are often unaffordable for rural or economically weaker sections, widening the healthcare gap. Eg: A villager may have to travel over 50 km to access private healthcare, while a nearby government PHC is under-equipped or understaffed.

    What is the role of National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) in enhancing public health services in India?

    • Improves Service Delivery and Patient Care: NQAS ensures that healthcare facilities follow standardized procedures, improving the quality, safety, and effectiveness of care provided. Eg: A district hospital certified under NQAS follows set protocols for infection control and patient safety, reducing the chances of hospital-acquired infections.
    • Builds Accountability and Performance Monitoring: Facilities are regularly assessed on key quality indicators, encouraging a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Eg: A Primary Health Centre (PHC) striving for NQAS certification upgrades its infrastructure and staff training to meet quality benchmarks.
    • Enhances Public Trust in Government Facilities: By aligning public health facilities with global standards like ISQua, NQAS boosts confidence among patients to seek care from government institutions. Eg: An NQAS-certified Community Health Centre (CHC) attracts more patients due to its improved cleanliness, better staff behaviour, and reliable service delivery.

    Way forward: 

    • Invest in Quality and Infrastructure: Strengthen public health facilities with adequate staff, modern equipment, and essential supplies to ensure reliable, high-quality care across rural and urban areas.
    • Promote Awareness and Trust: Launch community-based health education campaigns and feedback mechanisms to reduce stigma, improve service perception, and increase public trust in government healthcare systems.

    Mains PYQ:

    [UPSC 2021] “Besides being a moral imperative of a Welfare State, primary health structure is a necessary precondition for sustainable development.” Analyse.

    Linkage: The importance of a strong primary health structure, which is fundamental to making healthcare accessible and achieving broader development goals.

  • Delamination of the Indian Plate

    Why in the News?

    Recent studies reveal that the Indian Plate is splitting into two, with the lower part detaching and sinking into the Earth’s mantle, a process called delamination, as published by the American Geophysical Union.

    About Delamination:

    • Delamination in tectonic plates refers to the process where the lower part of a continental plate, including the lower crust and/or lithospheric mantle, splits and sinks into the Asthenosphere.
    • This process is driven by density differences and can lead to rapid uplift, changes in stress regimes, and altered magmatism.
    • It can occur in various tectonic settings, including compressional zones, subduction zones, and intraplate regions. 
    • The denser lower part of the plate, including the lower crust and/or lithospheric mantle, is less buoyant than the less dense asthenosphere, leading to sinking.
    • High temperatures can also weaken the lithosphere and facilitate delamination.

    Delamination of the Indian Plate

    Indian Plate and Its Splitting:

    • The Indian Plate has been colliding with the Eurasian Plate for about 60 million years, causing the formation of the Himalayas and influencing regional seismic activity.
    • It is shifting northward at a rate of approximately 5 cm per year..
    • The lower, denser part of the Indian Plate is detaching and sinking into the Earth’s mantle.
    • This may lead to increased seismic activity due to shifts in tectonic stress.
    • In regions like the Himalayan collision zone, delamination results in fractures that increase stress in the Earth’s crust, raising the likelihood of seismic events.
    [UPSC 2004] Consider the following geological phenomena:

    1. Development of a fault 2. Movement along a fault 3. Impact produced by a volcanic eruption 4. Folding of rocks Which of the above cause earthquakes?

    Options:

    (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 2 and 4 (c) 1, 3 and 4 (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

     

  • Who was Sir Sankaran Nair (1857-1934)?

    Why in the News?

    PM recently remembered Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair, a nationalist and jurist who famously fought a courtroom battle against British officials involved in the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919.

    Nair’s stand in the courtroom is now a subject of a forthcoming film, Kesari Chapter 2.

    Who was Sir Sankaran Nair (1857-1934)?

    About Sir Sankaran Nair:

    • Born in 1857 in Mankara village, Kerala, Nair came from an aristocratic family.
    • He was educated at Presidency College in Madras and pursued a law degree.
    • Nair began his legal career with Sir Horatio Shepherd, Chief Justice of Madras High Court.
    • In 1897, Nair became the youngest president of the Indian National Congress (Amravati (Mh) Session) and was appointed as a permanent judge of the Madras High Court in 1908.

    Role in the Jallianwala Bagh Case:

    • Nair challenged Michael O’Dwyer, the Lieutenant Governor of Punjab, for his role in the Jallianwala Bagh massacre (1919), accusing him of following policies that led to the massacre.
    • O’Dwyer sued Nair in England for defamation. Despite biased British courts, Nair refused to apologize, even when O’Dwyer offered to forgo the £500 penalty.
    • The trial highlighted the bias in the British judicial system and fuelled Indian resentment against British rule.

    Other Contributions:

    • Nair made progressive rulings, like supporting inter-caste and inter-religious marriages and ruling against treating converts to Hinduism as outcasts.
    • He supported India’s self-government and played a key role in expanding the Montagu-Chelmsford reforms (1919).
    • In 1922, Nair critiqued Gandhi‘s methods in his work “Gandhi and Anarchy”.
    • He helped draft the 1919 constitutional reforms, pointing out flaws in British rule, with many of his suggestions accepted.
    [UPSC 2007] Which one of the following aroused a wave of popular indignation that led to the massacre by the British at Jallianwala Bagh?

    (a) The Arms Act (b) The Public Safety Act (c) The Rowlatt Act (d) The Vernacular Press Act

     

  • [ 15th April 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: Feminism for polarised times

    PYQ Relevance:

    [UPSC 2019] The long-sustained image of India as a leader of the oppressed and marginalised Nations has disappeared on account of its new found role in the emerging global order”. Elaborate.

    Linkage:  India’s historical role as a voice for the “Global South” and how its current global positioning might be perceived differently. This article argues for the Global South to take a leading role, which resonates with India’s past image.

     

    Mentor’s Comment:   While current talks on delimitation focus on its effect on power-sharing between states and the Centre, another key change depends on it — the rollout of the Women’s Reservation Bill, 2023. The Bill brought gender equality to the forefront of politics. However, this widespread acceptance has, in some ways, made open and critical discussion more difficult. A compassionate, inclusive feminism recognizes both structural and interpersonal challenges women face. It avoids oversimplifying gender struggles, respects men’s societal pressures, and promotes solidarity. 

    Today’s editorial discusses issues related to feminism. This content will be useful for GS Paper I in the Mains exam.

    _

    Let’s learn!

    Why in the News?

    A more compassionate approach to feminism could be the right strategy right now, as it helps gain support rather than create resistance.

    Why is there a caution against applying a heavy structural lens to interpersonal relationships?

    • Complexity of Relationships: Interpersonal relationships are multifaceted and often not reducible to power dynamics or oppression. Eg: A husband may expect dinner but also contribute financially, which shows mutual care rather than domination.
    • Risk of Oversimplification: Applying the structural lens too heavily risks oversimplifying relationships, reducing them to battles for power. Eg: A disagreement over household chores might be seen as oppressive when it could be a negotiation of responsibilities.
    • Love and Care Are Often Present: Many relationships are underpinned by love, care, and mutual respect, which should not be ignored in the analysis. Eg: A father who supports his daughter’s education despite societal barriers demonstrates care beyond structural oppression.
    • Men’s Experiences and Contributions: Men also face societal pressures, including financial and emotional burdens, which can reshape family dynamics. Eg: A man who works long hours in difficult conditions to support his family might experience public humiliation, while his wife remains insulated from such public pressures.
    • Potential for Alienation: Focusing solely on structural analysis may alienate people, particularly those who feel embattled, like many men. Eg: Men who feel misunderstood in feminist discourse, especially those at the margins, may disengage from efforts for equality.

    How can feminist discourse become more inclusive and compassionate?

    • Acknowledge Multiple Forms of Suffering: Feminism should recognize the varied experiences of suffering and responsibility faced by both women and men, especially from marginalized communities. Eg: Recognizing that men, particularly in low-income families, endure public humiliation due to financial pressures, while women often carry unpaid domestic responsibilities.
    • Avoid Oversimplifying Complex Dynamics: Instead of reducing all issues to power struggles, feminist discourse should appreciate the complexity of human relationships, where love, care, and duty often coexist with structural inequality. Eg: A couple might have disagreements over housework, but these can be opportunities for negotiation rather than a sign of patriarchal oppression.
    • Promote Solidarity, Not Antagonism: Feminist discourse should focus on creating solidarity, especially by addressing the emotional and economic pressures that shape men’s lives, inviting them to participate in gender equity efforts. Eg: Instead of criticizing men for their limitations, feminist discourse can encourage mutual understanding and support for gender equality.
    • Recognize the Interconnection of Personal and Political: Feminism should find a balance between the structural and the interpersonal, understanding that both need attention without conflating them. Eg: In rural areas, a woman may face different challenges from a financially independent urban woman, and addressing these separately helps focus on their unique struggles.

    Which aspects of current feminist narratives risk alienating both men and women, especially from marginalised backgrounds?

    • Oversimplification of Gender Struggles: Current feminist narratives often reduce complex interpersonal relationships to mere power struggles, ignoring the nuanced and varied experiences of individuals. This can alienate those who may not fit neatly into these narratives, particularly men from marginalized backgrounds who feel misunderstood. Eg: Depicting all men as perpetrators of patriarchy can alienate men who are struggling with their own economic and social pressures, leading to defensiveness rather than solidarity.
    • Blurring of Inequities: By merging vastly different forms of inequality, such as the struggles of financially independent urban women with those of rural women fearing violence, feminist discourse risks obscuring the real, context-specific challenges faced by each group. This can alienate individuals who feel their unique struggles are being overlooked. Eg: An urban woman’s struggles with household responsibilities may be portrayed in the same light as a rural woman’s safety concerns, which can cause friction and hinder support for both groups.
    • Antagonistic Tone Towards Men: A feminist narrative that is too focused on antagonism between the sexes, without acknowledging the emotional and economic pressures men face, can alienate men and prevent productive dialogue. This risks creating an “us versus them” mentality, undermining the potential for cross-gender solidarity. Eg: Men in low-income families, facing public humiliation due to financial hardship, may feel blamed for perpetuating patriarchal structures, even when they are also victims of societal pressures. This makes it harder for them to support feminist goals.

    What has steps taken by Indian Government? 

    • Legislative Reforms for Women’s Safety and Empowerment: The government has enacted laws to improve women’s safety and protect their rights. Eg: The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (2005) was enacted to provide legal protection to women facing violence within the home. Additionally, the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act (2013) expanded the definition of sexual offenses and introduced stricter punishments for crimes like rape and acid attacks, in response to the Nirbhaya case.
    • Schemes for Economic Empowerment: The government has introduced various schemes aimed at economically empowering women, especially in rural and marginalized communities. Eg: The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (2016) provides free LPG connections to women from below-poverty-line families, reducing their dependency on traditional cooking methods that often expose them to health hazards. Similarly, schemes like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao focus on improving education and access to opportunities for girls.
    • Reservation and Affirmative Action in Education and Employment: The government has implemented affirmative action measures to enhance women’s participation in education and employment. Eg: The Reservation for Women in Local Governance mandates one-third of seats in Panchayats (local governing bodies) be reserved for women, encouraging their participation in political processes and decision-making. Furthermore, policies like the Maternity Benefit Act (2017) aim to protect women’s rights in the workplace by providing paid maternity leave.

    Way forward: 

    • Promote Intersectional Feminism: The government and society should adopt an intersectional approach to feminism, addressing the unique challenges faced by women from diverse backgrounds, including rural, urban, and marginalized communities. Eg: Tailoring policies like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao to address region-specific challenges, such as safety concerns in rural areas and educational disparities in urban areas, can create more inclusive support for all women.
    • Engage Men in Gender Equality Efforts: Foster dialogue and understanding by engaging men in discussions around gender equality, recognizing their societal pressures, and encouraging shared responsibility in family and community roles. Eg: Programs like #HeForShe can be expanded to include more men, emphasizing their role in supporting gender equity at home and in the workplace, helping to bridge the gap between feminist discourse and broader societal change.

  • Study finds a Shift in Peak Time of Maximum Rainfall

    Why in the News?

    A recent study published in Geophysical Research Letters revealed changes in the amount and timing of rainfall using GSMaP Data between 2001-2010 and 2011-2020.

    About Global Satellite Mapping of Precipitation (GSMaP)

    • GSMaP is a specialized precipitation product developed through collaboration between ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency).
    • It provides high-resolution precipitation data with a 0.1° x 0.1° grid and one-hour temporal resolution, focusing on the Indian subcontinent since March 2000.
    • The data supports rainfall trend analysis, climate modelling, and water resource management.

    Study finds a Shift in Peak Time of Maximum Rainfall

    Key Findings of the Study:

    • Rainfall Trends:
      • West-Central India: Increased daily rainfall (2 mm/day) from 2011-2020 compared to 2001-2010.
      • Eastern India: A decrease of ~1 mm/day in rainfall during the same period.
      • Regional Shifts: Northeastern and eastern India saw decreased rainfall, while the Indo-Gangetic Plain and southern India experienced increases.
    • Vegetation & Soil Moisture:
      • West-Central India saw an increase in vegetation (NDVI from 0.2 to 0.4) and soil moisture linked to increased rainfall.
      • Eastern India had decreased soil moisture during the same period.
    • Shifts in Peak Rainfall Timing:
      • Indo-Gangetic Plain: Peak rainfall advanced by 2-4 hours.
      • West-Central India: Peak rainfall delayed by 1-2 hours.
    • Factors responsible for this Shift:
      • Higher soil moisture supports rainfall, while reduced moisture, particularly in eastern India, decreases rainfall.
      • Higher aerosol concentrations in polluted areas like the Indo-Gangetic Plain lead to earlier rainfall peaks.
      • Changes in atmospheric circulation, topography, and coastal influences also affect rainfall distribution and timing.
    [UPSC 2012] Consider the following statements:

    1. The duration of the monsoon decreases from southern India to northern India.

    2. The amount of annual rainfall in the northern plains of India decreases from east to west.

    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

     

  • What is Atmospheric River?

    Why in the News?

    Earlier this month, severe weather in the United States, including heavy rainfall, strong winds, and thunderstorms, was caused by an Atmospheric River.

    What is an Atmospheric River?

    • An atmospheric river is a narrow, fast-moving band of moisture and wind that transports large amounts of water vapor across vast distances.
    • They form when large-scale weather patterns align, creating channels of moisture transport from tropical oceans, guided by low-level jet streams toward the coast.
    • They typically span 402-606 km in width and can extend over 1600 km in length.
    • The most powerful atmospheric rivers transport moisture equivalent to the Mississippi River’s flow.
    • Example: The Pineapple Express, a well-known atmospheric river, transports moisture from Hawaii to the West Coasts of the U.S. and Canada.
    • The intense rainfall from atmospheric rivers leads to flooding, mudslides, and infrastructure damage, with wind speeds comparable to hurricanes.

    Impact and Climate Change:

    • Rising global temperatures cause more water to evaporate, and warmer air can hold more moisture.
    • For every 1°C increase, the atmosphere can hold 7% more moisture, leading to stronger storms.
    • Research indicates such events will likely grow longer and more intense.
    [UPSC 2023] With reference to the Earth’s atmosphere, which one of the following statements is correct?

    (a) The total amount of insolation received at the equator is roughly about 10 times of that received at the poles.

    (b) Infrared waves are largely absorbed by carbon dioxide that is concentrated in the upper atmosphere.

    (c) Infrared waves are largely absorbed by water vapour that is concentrated in the lower atmosphere.  

    (d) Ultraviolet rays are absorbed by the ozone layer lying in the ionosphere.

     

  • [12th April 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: The Beijing India Report as milestone and opportunity

    PYQ Relevance:

    [UPSC 2019] What are the continued challenges for women in India against time and space?

    Linkage: The challenges that women still face are a major concern under the Beijing Platform for Action and are likely to be reviewed in the Beijing India Report. Pointing out these ongoing issues shows how much more needs to be done to reach the goals of the Beijing Declaration.

     

    Mentor’s Comment:  It’s been 30 years since the Beijing Declaration set a global plan for gender equality across areas like education, health, and politics. In India, it led to key laws like the Domestic Violence Act and the POSH Act, and encouraged women’s economic empowerment. However, poor implementation still creates a gap between legal rights and the real experiences of women.

    Today’s editorial discusses how gender inequality and climate change are interconnected. This topic is relevant for GS Paper 1 (Women’s Issues), GS Paper 2 (Policy Making), and GS Paper 3 (Impact of Climate Change). It highlights the challenges women face due to climate change and the need for better policies to address these issues.

    _

    Let’s learn!

    Why in the News?

    The report lacks a strong link between climate and gender, and this needs to be fixed through policy improvements and changes at the grassroots level.

    Why does this report lack a strong link between climate and gender?

    • Limited Focus on Gender-Specific Impacts: The report fails to adequately highlight how climate change specifically affects women, especially in rural areas. Eg: It doesn’t emphasize the extra burden women face in collecting water or gathering fuel during droughts, which worsens due to climate change.
    • Insufficient Data on Gendered Vulnerabilities: The report lacks comprehensive data on the gendered impacts of climate change, leaving out how women are disproportionately affected by disasters and resource scarcity. Eg: It overlooks how climate-induced migration increases women’s vulnerability to gender-based violence.
    • Absence of Gender-Responsive Climate Policies: The report doesn’t propose clear actions for integrating gender into climate policies, limiting women’s participation in climate adaptation and decision-making. Eg: There are no specific recommendations for promoting women’s leadership in local climate action plans or agricultural adaptation strategies.

    What challenges do rural women face due to gender inequality and climate change?

    Challenge Impact on Rural Women Example/Evidence
    Education Disruption Climate-induced migration and household burdens force girls to drop out of school. In Dhanelikanhar village, Chhattisgarh, girls are leaving school due to displacement caused by climate stress and migration.
    Unpaid Care Work Resource scarcity increases women’s burden of water, fuel collection, and caregiving, limiting their economic opportunities. Arsht-Rock report: Rural Indian women work over 8 hours daily, with 71% of their labor unpaid, deepening gender inequality.
    Health Vulnerability Malnutrition, anaemia, and reproductive health issues rise due to food insecurity and lack of healthcare access. Over 50% of pregnant women in India are anaemic; food-insecure women are 1.6x more likely to suffer from anaemia.
    Livelihood Loss Extreme weather reduces agricultural output and affects non-farm livelihoods where women are largely employed. Climate change causes up to 33% income loss in rural areas, with women in non-farm sectors most affected.
    Exposure to Violence and Safety Risks Climate stress and resource conflicts heighten risks of intimate partner violence and general insecurity. A study shows every 1°C rise in temperature leads to 8% more physical violence and 7.3% more sexual violence against women in India.

    Why is a gender-climate lens vital for India’s sustainable future, as per the Beijing India Report 2024?

    • Inclusive Policy Design: A gender-climate lens ensures that women’s specific vulnerabilities are addressed in climate policies. Eg: Only 6% of climate policies globally mention women, leading to gender-blind strategies in India’s rural development.
    • Strengthening Resilience: Recognizing women’s roles in natural resource management and agriculture strengthens community resilience to climate shocks. Eg: Rural and tribal women preserve climate-resilient seeds, essential for adaptive farming during droughts and floods.
    • Reducing Inequality: Targeted climate budgeting and gender audits help close gaps in access to resources, services, and decision-making power. Eg: Women’s unpaid work, like water and fuel collection, could rise to 8.3 hours/day by 2050 without gender-responsive policies.
    • Boosting Food Security: Closing the gender gap in agricultural resources increases productivity and national food security. Eg: Empowering women farmers can raise farm yields by 20%-30%, feeding up to 150 million more people.
    • Empowering Local Leadership: Women-led climate initiatives promote local innovation, disaster preparedness, and sustainability. Eg: Women’s self-help groups in climate-vulnerable areas act as first responders during disasters and promote eco-friendly practices.

    What are the steps taken by the Indian government?

    • Inclusion in National Climate Frameworks: The government has integrated gender concerns into major climate policies like the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and State Action Plans (SAPCCs). Eg: Some SAPCCs include women’s role in sustainable agriculture and water management initiatives.
    • Legislative and Policy Support for Women’s Empowerment: Laws like the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act and POSH Act strengthen the overall gender rights framework, which intersects with climate resilience. Eg: These laws provide safety nets that support women’s participation in community and environmental activities.
    • Promotion of Women-Led Livelihoods in Rural Missions: Schemes like the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) support women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to engage in sustainable practices. Eg: Women SHGs in Odisha and Chhattisgarh are trained in climate-resilient farming and forest produce collection.

    Where should policies and budgets focus to support gender-responsive climate action? (Way forward)

    • Gender-Responsive Climate Budgeting: Policies must ensure budgets address the specific climate vulnerabilities of women and prevent greenwashing. Eg: Creating separate budget lines for women’s disaster relief and climate-resilient livelihood schemes in rural areas.
    • Climate Education and Skill Building: Invest in capacity building for women to participate in climate action and green jobs. Eg: Training rural women in solar panel installation or eco-friendly farming techniques.
    • Support Hubs and Safety Services: Establish community hubs that offer healthcare, disaster relief, and protection from gender-based violence. Eg: Setting up women-centric climate support centers in flood-prone regions of Assam.
    • Non-Farm Livelihood Diversification: Promote alternative income sources for women affected by climate-related agricultural losses. Eg: Funding mushroom farming or tailoring units for women in drought-hit Bundelkhand.
    • Inclusion in Local Governance and Decision-Making: Ensure women’s representation in local climate planning and governance bodies. Eg: Mandating women’s participation in State and District Climate Action Committees in Madhya Pradesh.

  • Who was Mahatma Jyotiba Phule (1827-1890)?

    Why in the News?

    On April 11, 2025, the Prime Minister paid tribute to Mahatma Jyotiba Phule on his 199th birth anniversary.

    Who was Jyotiba Phule (1827-1890)?

    About Mahatma Phule

    • Jyotirao Govindrao Phule, born on April 11, 1827, near Pune, was from the Mali caste.
    • His father was a vegetable vendor, and his mother died when he was young.
    • He pursued education at the Scottish Mission High School in Pune despite caste-based discrimination.
    • He was inspired by Western thinkers like Thomas Paine and John Stuart Mill, fuelling his social justice dedication.
    • At 13, he married Savitribai Phule, who became his partner in social reforms, particularly promoting education for women and marginalized communities.

    His Contributions as a Social Reformer:

    Educational Reforms:

    • In 1848, Phule and his wife established India’s first girls’ school in Pune.
    • He focused on educating Dalits and lower-caste groups, traditionally excluded from education.
    • He founded night schools for working-class individuals, especially women.

    Fighting Caste Discrimination:

    • Phule criticized the caste system, calling it a means of oppression.
    • In 1873, Phule’s book Gulamgiri condemned caste discrimination, comparing Dalits’ plight to slavery.
    • Phule coined the term ‘Dalit’ to describe those outside the caste system.

    Women’s Welfare and Empowerment:

    • Phule advocated for widow remarriage and provided a dignified life for widows.
    • In 1863, he opened homes to help pregnant widows.
    • He co-founded an infanticide prevention center, tackling the killing of female infants.

    Social Justice and Equality:

    • Phule founded Satyashodhak Samaj in 1873 to promote social equality, rational thinking, and religious reform.
    • The Samaj rejected idolatry and supported a more rational spiritual approach.
    • He broke the social stigma of untouchability by opening his house and water-well to the oppressed.

    Religious and Philosophical Contributions:

    • Phule was an advocate for critical thinking of religion, rejecting superstition and blind faith.
    • He believed in equality and justice across religions and cultures.
    • He was influenced by Bhakti saints like Sant Kabir and Sant Tukaram in his fight against social oppression.

    His Literary Contributions:

    • Gulamgiri (Slavery) (1873): Critiqued the caste system and called for Dalit liberation.
    • Shetkaryacha Asud (Farmer’s Whip) (1881): Addressed the exploitation of farmers and advocated for land reforms.
    • Sarvajanik Satya Dharma Poostak: Promoted rationalist thought and social justice.
    • Tritiya Ratna (1855): A significant work in advocating for social equality.
    • Brahmananche Kasab (1869): Criticized the exploitation by the Brahmin class.
    • Powada: Chatrapati Shivajiraje Bhosle Yancha (1869): A work celebrating the legacy of Shivaji Maharaj.
    • Satsar Ank (1885): Another rationalist work addressing societal issues.
    • Akhandadi Kavyarachana: A literary contribution reflecting Phule’s thoughts on social justice.
    [UPSC 2016] Satya Shodhak Samaj organized:

    (a) a movement for the upliftment of tribals in Bihar’

    (b) a temple-entry movement in Gujarat

    (c) an anti-caste movement in Maharashtra

    (d) a peasant movement in Punjab

     

  • Navkar Mahamantra Divas

    Why in the News?

    Prime Minister has inaugurated and participated in Navkar Mahamantra Divas at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

    What is Vishwa Navkar Mahamantra Divas?

    • The event is observed annually on April 9 to promote peace, non-violence, and spiritual harmony globally by chanting the Navkar Mantra collectively.
    • The mantra venerates the 5 supreme beings:
      1. Arihants: Represent those who have attained “Keval Gyan” (perfect knowledge) and guide “Bhavya Jeevas” (souls destined for liberation). They possess twelve divine qualities.
      2. Siddhas: Those who have eradicated all karmas and attained Moksha. They are endowed with eight pure qualities.
      3. Acharyas: The leaders who follow Mahavrat and guide others on the spiritual path. They embody 36 virtues.
      4. Upadhyayas: Scholars who impart knowledge related to the path to Moksha, with 25 virtues.
      5. Sadhus: Renunciants who refine themselves through penance, with 27 significant qualities.

    Key Jain Principles Associated:

    • Ahimsa (Non-Violence): The Navkar Mantra embodies the principle of Ahimsa, advocating for peace and harmony by acknowledging the interconnectedness of all life forms, thus promoting Maitri (friendliness) towards all beings.
    • Anekantavada (Non-Absolutism) and Syadvada: This principle promotes appreciating diverse perspectives and truths, which was emphasized as a solution to global challenges like terrorism and environmental degradation, reflecting the Jain concept of Syadvada (conditional truth).
    • Tapas (Self-Discipline) and Vairagya (Detachment): The mantra is seen as a spiritual tool for self-realization, mental stability, and fostering inner peace, encouraging Tapas and Vairagya as means to achieve spiritual growth.
    • Samyak Darshana (Right Faith) and Samyak Jnana (Right Knowledge): The teachings of the Navkar Mantra were connected to building a developed India rooted in heritage while embracing progress without losing cultural values, emphasizing the importance of Samyak Darshana and Samyak Jnana.
    • Svadhyaya (Self-Study) and Sadhana (Spiritual Practice): The mantra encourages self-discipline and truth as guiding principles for personal growth and societal harmony, promoting Svadhyaya and Sadhana as essential practices.
    [UPSC 2011] The Jain philosophy holds that the world is created and maintained by:

    (a) Universal Law (b) Universal Truth (c) Universal Faith (d) Universal Soul

     

  • What are Mesoscale Convective System (MCS)?

    Why in the News?

    A recent study in Nature Geoscience suggests that soil moisture levels could help predict severe thunderstorms, like mesoscale convective systems (MCSs), especially in regions like India.

    About Mesoscale Convective Systems (MCS):

    • MCSs are larger than individual thunderstorms but smaller than larger weather systems like cyclones.
    • They typically cover areas between 100 to 1,000 km in diameter.
    • They form when warm, moist air rises, creating storms that feed off each other, growing in size and intensity as they move across the region.
    • They can cause flash floods, damaging winds, and severe thunderstorms, and are often responsible for large-scale weather events.
    • In tropical regions, MCSs account for 50 to 90 % of total rainfall, making them a major cause of severe weather-related damage.
    • A notable example is the March 2024 thunderstorm in West Bengal, which caused significant property damage and loss of life.

    Soil Moisture’s Role in MCS as per the Study:

    • Shifts in soil moisture can be detected two to five days before the formation of storms, providing critical lead time for early warnings in vulnerable regions.
    • Contrasting soil moisture levels over large areas (hundreds of kilometers) lead to changes in atmospheric conditions, including A notable example is the March 2024 thunderstorm in West Bengal, which caused significant property damage and loss of life.
    • Larger contrasts in moisture content between dry and wet regions cause greater temperature differences, which in turn lead to changes in wind direction and speed.
    • These variations contribute to turbulence, making storms more intense and spreading rainfall over a wider area.
    [UPSC 2013] During a thunderstorm, the thunder in the skies is produced by the

    1. meeting of cumulonimbus clouds in the sky 2. lightning that separates the nimbus clouds 3. violent upward movement of air and water particles

    Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

    (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 (c) 1 and 3 (d) None of the above produces the thunder