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GS Paper: GS1

  • Annular Solar Eclipse

    Why in the News?

    An annular solar eclipse will be visible in parts of South America on October 2, 2023.  It, however, will not be visible from India.

    What is a Solar Eclipse?

    • A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves between the Earth and the Sun, blocking the Sun’s light either fully or partially, casting a shadow on certain parts of the Earth.
    • There are four types of solar eclipses:
      1. Total Solar Eclipse: When the Moon completely blocks the Sun, turning the sky dark. People in the path of a total solar eclipse can witness the Sun’s corona (its outer atmosphere), which is normally hidden by the bright sunlight.
      2. Annular Solar Eclipse: Occurs when the Moon is at or near its farthest point from Earth. The Moon does not fully cover the Sun, leaving a visible ring of fire around the Moon. This is what people in parts of South America will witness on October 2, 2023.
      3. Partial Solar Eclipse: Happens when the Moon blocks only a part of the Sun, giving it a crescent shape. During both partial and annular eclipses, areas outside the Moon’s umbra (the darkest part of its shadow) experience a partial eclipse. It is the most common type of solar eclipse.
      4. Hybrid Solar Eclipse: The rarest type, where the eclipse shifts between total and annular as the Moon’s shadow moves across the Earth. Some places see a total solar eclipse, while others see an annular one.

    Frequency of Solar Eclipses

    • A solar eclipse can only occur during the new moon, when the Moon and Sun are aligned on the same side of the Earth.
    • A new moon happens approximately every 29.5 days because that is the time it takes for the Moon to orbit the Earth.
    • However, solar eclipses don’t happen every month. They occur two to five times annually, but not every new moon results in an eclipse.
    • Why don’t they occur every month:
      • The Moon’s orbit around the Earth is tilted by about 5 degrees compared to the Earth’s orbit around the Sun.
      • This means the Moon’s shadow usually misses the Earth.
      • A solar eclipse only occur when the Moon crosses specific points in its orbit, called nodes, where the Moon’s orbit intersects the plane of Earth’s orbit around the Sun.
      • When a new moon occurs at one of these nodes, a solar eclipse is possible.

    PYQ:

    [2019] On 21st June, the Sun

    (a) does not set below the horizon at the Arctic Circle

    (b) does not set below the horizon at Antarctic Circle

    (c) shines vertically overhead at noon on the Equator

    (d) shines vertically overhead at the Tropic of Capricorn

  • Dadasaheb Phalke Award

    Why in the News?

    Veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty will be conferred with the 2022 Dadasaheb Phalke Award.

    Mithun Chakraborty to Receive Dadasaheb Phalke Award 

    • Mithun Chakraborty has played a wide range of roles throughout his career, from a tribal in ‘Mrigayaa’ (1976) to an action hero and a dancing star, becoming one of the most versatile actors in Indian cinema.
    • His performance in ‘Disco Dancer’ (1982) made him an international sensation, with the movie being a massive hit across Asia, then Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, and other regions after Raj Kapoor.
    • He has worked in more than 350 films across multiple Indian languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Odia, Bhojpuri, Tamil, and Punjabi, demonstrating his wide-ranging influence.
    • Mithun has won three National Film Awards for his outstanding performances in films like ‘Mrigayaa’ (1976), ‘Tahader Katha’ (1992), and ‘Swami Vivekananda’ (1998).
    • He was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian honor, in 2023, recognizing his contributions to the arts.
    • As the chairperson of the Film Studios Setting & Allied Mazdoor Union (FSSAMU) for three decades, Mithun has been actively involved in improving the welfare of film industry workers.

     

    About Dadasaheb Phalke Award

    Details
    Organized by
    • Directorate of Film Festivals, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
    • Presented by the President of India.
    First Presented 1969
    Purpose To honor individuals (filmmakers, actors, singers etc.) for their “great and outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema”
    Named After
    • Dadasaheb (Dhundiraj Govind) Phalke, “Father of Indian Cinema”.
    • He directed and produced India’s first full-length feature film, Raja Harishchandra, in 1913.
    • This landmark film is considered the starting point of the Indian cinema.
    Notable Recipients Devika Rani (1969), Prithviraj Kapoor (1971), Satyajit Ray (1985), Raj Kapoor (1987), Lata Mangeshkar (1989), Asha Bhosle (2000), Yash Chopra (2001), Rajinikanth (2019), Amitabh Bachchan (2018) , Waheeda Rehman (2021).
    Components of the Award
    • ₹1,000,000 (US$12,000) cash prize;
    • Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) medallion, a shawl.
    Selection Criteria Awarded to individuals for their “great and outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema”.
    Selection Committee A committee consisting of eminent personalities from the Indian film industry.

     

    PYQ:

    [2014] What do understand by the concept “freedom of speech and expression”? Does it cover hate speech also? Why do the films in India stand on a slightly different plane from other forms of expression? Discuss.

  • 92% of workers cleaning urban sewers, septic tanks from SC, ST, OBC groups: survey

    Why in the News?

    Government data from over 3,000 urban local bodies across 29 States and Union Territories shows that 91.9% of the 38,000 sewer and septic tank cleaners profiles belong to SC, ST, or OBC communities.

    What are the socio-economic conditions of workers engaged in sewer and septic tank cleaning?

    • Demographics: A significant majority (91.9%) of the 38,000 profiled workers belong to marginalized communities: 68.9% Scheduled Castes (SC), 14.7% Other Backward Classes (OBC), 8.3% Scheduled Tribes (ST), and 8% from the general category.
    • Employment Status: The workforce largely comprises low-income individuals engaged in hazardous, low-status jobs, reflecting persistent caste-based disparities.
    • Capital Subsidies support: Since the launch of the NAMASTE program, ₹2.26 crore in capital subsidies have been distributed to 191 beneficiaries, indicating some financial support for transitioning into self-employment.

    How effective are current policies and rehabilitation schemes for sanitation workers?

    • NAMASTE Programme: Aimed at mechanizing sewer cleaning and providing safety training and equipment, the program is a replacement for the Self-Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS).
    • Enumeration Process: Over 3,326 urban local bodies (ULBs) are involved, with 38,000 workers profiled so far. However, 283 ULBs reported zero workers, suggesting that the profiling might not be comprehensive or that many workers are unrecognized.
    • Rehabilitation Success: Out of 58,098 identified manual scavengers under the previous SRMS scheme, 97.2% were from SC communities. While cash transfers of ₹40,000 were provided, only a fraction pursued skills training or loans for alternative livelihoods.

    What are the challenges?

    • Social Stigma: Predominantly from marginalized communities (SC, ST, OBC), these workers face discrimination, limiting their access to better job opportunities and social mobility.
    • Health Risks: Exposure to hazardous working conditions leads to significant health risks, with a high mortality rate (377 deaths from 2019 to 2023) due to unsafe practices.
    • Ineffective Rehabilitation: Current policies and support programs lack comprehensive coverage, leaving many workers unrecognized and limiting the effectiveness of financial assistance and training initiatives.

    What are the health risks and safety measures for workers in hazardous cleaning roles?

    • Hazardous Working Conditions: Between 2019 and 2023, 377 workers died from hazardous cleaning activities, highlighting the extreme risks associated with sewer and septic tank cleaning.
    • Safety Training: The NAMASTE program aims to provide safety training for workers to minimize health risks, but the effectiveness of such training needs further evaluation.
    • Equipment and Mechanization: The goal is to transition workers from manual cleaning to mechanized processes, reducing their exposure to dangerous conditions and improving overall safety.

    Way forward: 

    • Comprehensive Training and Support Programs: Enhance the effectiveness of the NAMASTE program by providing robust safety training and resources for workers, coupled with extensive outreach to ensure all workers are identified and supported, including those currently unrecognized.
    • Promotion of Mechanization and Safety Standards: Accelerate the mechanization of sewer cleaning operations to reduce health risks, and establish strict safety standards and regulations to protect workers, ensuring regular monitoring and enforcement of these standards.

  • Keep the fire of the self-respect movement going

    Why in the News?

    This year marks the beginning of the centenary of the “Self-Respect Movement”, a transformative movement with a unique mission to empower individuals and communities to challenge and dismantle the oppressive hierarchical structures that had subjugated them.

    What is the significance of the Self-Respect Movement?

    • Empowerment Against Hierarchical Structures: The Self-Respect Movement, founded by Periyar in 1925, aimed to dismantle the caste-based hierarchy that oppressed lower castes, especially in the Madras Presidency.
    • Social Reform Beyond Political Representation: The movement went beyond advocating for communal representation, focusing on equal rights for women, caste abolition, and the upliftment of the depressed classes.
      • It introduced radical reforms like self-respecting marriages and supported women’s rights such as property ownership, divorce, and widow remarriage.
    • Kudi Arasu’s Role: The Tamil weekly, Kudi Arasu (The Republic), served as a platform to spread Periyar’s critiques of Brahminism and the caste hierarchy, expanding the reach of the Self-Respect Movement.
    • Federalism and Political Autonomy: Periyar and the movement contributed to the evolution of federalism in India by advocating for regional autonomy and opposing the dominance of elite caste groups in politics.

    How can the principles of the self-respect movement be sustained and promoted?

    • Adaptation to Contemporary Issues: The movement must address modern complexities like the intersectionality of caste with class, religion, gender, and sexuality. Expanding the movement’s scope to include LGBTQIA+ rights and evolving gender norms will keep it relevant.
    • Counter-fack news on social media: Active communication with younger generations, particularly in countering right-wing narratives and caste biases on social media, is vital for promoting the movement’s ideals of equality and rationalism.
    • Reframing Social Justice in a Global Context: Sustaining the Self-Respect Movement’s legacy requires integrating its principles with global discussions on social justice, identity politics, and human rights.
    • Advocacy for Policy Reforms: Continuous advocacy for policies that address caste and gender inequalities, such as reservations and legal protection for self-respect marriages, can strengthen the movement’s impact.

    What challenges does the self-respect movement face in the current socio-political climate?

    • Cultural Homogenisation: The rise of Hindutva and right-wing ideologies seeks to homogenise India’s diverse cultures, undermining regional, linguistic, caste, and gender identities that the movement has historically sought to protect.
    • Evolving Caste Dynamics: While traditional caste practices may have declined in some areas, caste-based discrimination persists subtly in other forms, which the movement must continue to confront.
    • Digital Misinformation: The rise of social media has led to the spread of falsehoods that reinforce caste and group prejudices. The movement must actively engage in digital spaces to counter these narratives.
    • Caste-based politics: In states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, many regional political parties engage in caste-based politics, which indirectly obstructs the principles and application of the Self-Respect Movement.

    Way forward: 

    • Promote Inclusive Policy Reforms: The Indian government should enhance policies that target caste and gender inequalities, such as expanding legal protections for self-respect marriages and enforcing anti-discrimination laws, while ensuring marginalized communities have equitable access to resources and opportunities.
    • Strengthen Digital Literacy and Anti-Misinformation Efforts: The government should initiate programs to combat digital misinformation, particularly caste-based narratives, by promoting digital literacy, fact-checking, and inclusive content on social media platforms to foster equality and social harmony.

  • Kolkata Tram

    Why in the News?

    West Bengal has announced the discontinuation of the iconic 150 year old Kolkata trams, India’s last functioning tram system.

    About Kolkata Tram

    • Introduced in 1873 in Calcutta (now Kolkata), the first trams were horse-drawn and operated along a 3.8 km route between Sealdah and Armenian Ghat Street.
    • In 1874, horse-drawn trams reached Bombay (now Mumbai), followed by their introduction in Nashik and Patna.
    • However, their dependency on horse labor made them unsustainable.

    Revival and Modernization of Kolkata’s Trams

    • Lord Ripon revived trams in Calcutta in 1880 by experimenting with steam locomotives.
    • While the steam-powered trams improved speed, they introduced issues like pollution, which discouraged other states from adopting this technology.
    • In 1895, Madras (now Chennai) launched the country’s first electric tramcars, reducing noise and pollution.
    • Following this, Calcutta also transitioned to electric-powered trams by 1902, with routes between Esplanade and Kidderpore, and Esplanade and Kalighat.

    Significance of Trams

    • Kolkata’s trams hold historical significance as India’s oldest running tram system, symbolizing the city’s colonial past and cultural identity.
    • They provide an environmentally friendly and affordable mode of transport, making them relevant even today.
    • As a symbol of resilience, Kolkata’s trams have survived while other cities phased them out.
    • They also serve as a unique tourist attraction, offering a nostalgic glimpse of the city.

    PYQ:

    [2020] Which of the following statements correctly explains the impact of Industrial Revolution on India during the first half of the nineteenth century?

    (a) Indian handicrafts were ruined.

    (b) Machines were introduced in the Indian textile industry in large numbers.

    (c) Railway line were laid in many parts of the country.

    (d) Heavy duties were imposed on the import of British manufactures.

  • Bhagat Singh (1907-1931)

    Why in the News?

    September 28th marks 117th birth anniversary of the legendary freedom fighter “Bhagat Singh”.

    Who was Bhagat Singh?

    Details
    Birth  September 28, 1907; Banga, Punjab (now in Pakistan)
    Family  Came from a family involved in anticolonial activities; his father Kishan Singh and uncle Ajit Singh were active freedom fighters.
    Affiliations • Hindustan Republican Association (1924)
    • Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (1928)
    • Naujawan Bharat Sabha (1926)
    Revolutionary Actions • Played a key role in the Lahore Conspiracy Case (1928) by avenging Lala Lajpat Rai’s death and mistakenly killing J.P. Saunders
    • Threw a bomb in the Central Legislative Assembly on April 8, 1929, with B.K. Dutt, to protest oppressive British laws.
    Ideologies and Principles • Advocated Marxist and socialist ideologies
    • Rejected religion in his essay Why I Am an Atheist
    • Emphasized rationalism, equality, and justice.
    Arrest and Trial
    • Arrested in 1929 for throwing a bomb in the Central Legislative Assembly; later rearrested for the Lahore Conspiracy Case (murder of J.P. Saunders).
    • Jinnah opposed a 1929 Bill allowing trials in absentia, delivering a strong speech in the Central Assembly.
    Execution
    • Hanged on March 23, 1931, along with Sukhdev and Rajguru, in Lahore for his revolutionary activities.
    • Nehru and Subhash Chandra Bose visited Bhagat Singh in prison.
    Literary Works
    • Bhagat Singh was fluent in Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi, and English, and familiar with Sanskrit.
    • His jail notebook referenced thinkers like Karl Marx, Thomas Jefferson, Mark Twain, and others, reflecting his intellectual diversity.
    • At 17, he wrote Vishwa Prem (Universal Love), advocating for universal brotherhood and equality.
    • He urged the oppressed classes to rebel against the social order and spoke about the philosophy of revolution in his writings, such as What is Revolution? (1929).
    • In his series What is Anarchism? he described organized religion and the state as forms of mental and physical slavery.
    • He wrote about the power of love in a 1929 letter to Sukhdev, emphasizing its role in personal and political strength.

     

    PYQ:

    [2020] Since the decade of the 1920s, the national movement acquired various ideological strands and thereby expanded its social base. Discuss.

  • Places in News: Neom Megacity Project

    Why in the News?

    The Wall Street Journal has highlighted controversies surrounding the Neom Megacity Project, a key project of Saudi Arabia and world’s largest construction real-estate project.

    About Neom Megacity Project:

    Details
    Location Northwestern Tabuk Province, Saudi Arabia, along the Red Sea
    Launched
    • 2017 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
    • Part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
    Objective To diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy and reduce its reliance on oil.
    Size
    • 26,500 sq km
    • Initially $500 billion, now estimated at $1.5 trillion
    Completion Year Expected by 2039
    Key Projects
    • The Line: 170-km long linear city for 9 million residents
    • Oxagon: Octagonal industrial city
    • Trojena: Mountain resort for 2029 Asian Winter Games
    • Magna: Luxury coastal city
    • Sindalah: Luxury island, opening in 2024
    Technological Focus
    • Renewable energy (solar, wind)
    • AI and robotics
    • Green hydrogen production
    Environmental Goals
    • Powered by 95% renewable energy
    • Focus on sustainable development

    Controversies surrounding the Project:

    • Displacement of Indigenous Tribes: The Huwaitat tribe has been forcibly displaced, leading to human rights concerns.
    • Slow Progress: Construction is behind schedule, with only 1.4 km of The Line expected to be completed by 2030.
    • Workplace Misconduct: Reports of toxic culture and unethical leadership, including neglect of worker safety.
    • Surveillance Concerns: Critics worry about the project’s use of real-time monitoring, raising privacy concerns.
    • Cost Overruns: The project’s budget has ballooned from $500 billion to $1.5 trillion, leading to scaled-down plans.

  • Deendayal Upadhyaya’s Birth Anniversary

    Why in the News?

    September 25 marks the 108th birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, one of the most influential thinkers of India’s right-wing movement.

    About Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya (1916-1968)

    Details
    Born • September 25, 1916 in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh

    • Antyodaya Diwas is observed on this day since 2014.
    Affiliations Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS)
    Political Role • One of the key leaders of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS)
    • Served as President of BJS
    Key Contributions • Founder of the Integral Humanism philosophy
    • Introduced the concept of Antyodaya for the upliftment of the poorest
    • Promoted self-reliance (Swadeshi) and decentralization of power
    Doctrine of ‘Antyodaya’ • Antyodaya means “upliftment of the last person in society.”
    • It focuses on improving the living conditions of the poorest and most marginalized sections of society.
    • Upadhyaya believed that true development can only be measured by the welfare of the weakest sections, promoting policies aimed at economic, social, and educational inclusion of these groups.
    Legacy • Antyodaya Anna Yojana and Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana inspired by his ideas

    • In 2015, NRLM was renamed Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-NRLM.
    Death February 11, 1968, under mysterious circumstances in Mughalsarai, Uttar Pradesh

  • How does the selection works at Oscar Awards?  

    Why in the News?

    India has announced its official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 97th Academy (Oscar) Awards, set to take place early next year.

    About the Film Federation of India (FFI)

    • The FFI is the main body representing the interests of the Indian film industry, including producers, distributors, and exhibitors.
    • It was established in 1951.
    • The FFI’s primary goal is to promote and protect the Indian film industry, both in India and internationally.
    • It plays a key role in selecting India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the Oscar Awards.

    How does the FFI make the choice?

    • Submission Process: The FFI invites filmmakers to submit their films for consideration. To be eligible, the film must:
      • Be at least 40 minutes long.
      • Have more than 50% of its dialogue in a non-English language.
      • Have had a theatrical release of at least seven days between November 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024.
    • Jury Selection: The FFI appoints a 13-member jury made up of experienced individuals from the creative field, who evaluate the films and select India’s entry.
      • The jury chairperson is nominated by the FFI and oversees the selection process.
    • Screening and Voting: The jury watches all the submissions and conducts discussions before making a final decision via voting.

    Why has the FFI come under criticism?

    • All-Male Jury: The FFI’s current jury has drawn criticism for being composed entirely of men. This led to public discussions about the absence of women on the jury, especially since India’s official entry for the 97th Oscars focuses on women’s issues.
    • Arbitrary Process: FFI’s selection process can be arbitrary, and there have been calls for greater transparency and inclusiveness in choosing films for international awards like the Oscars.

    PYQ:

    [2014] What do understand by the concept “freedom of speech and expression”? Does it cover hate speech also? Why do the films in India stand on a slightly different plane from other forms of expression? Discuss.

  • Why Ambedkar and Gandhi disagreed on question of separate electorates for SC’s?

    Why in the News?

    On September 20, 1932, Mahatma Gandhi began a fast unto death in Yerawada Jail, Pune, to protest against the provision of separate electorates for Scheduled Castes.

    Gandhi vs Ambedkar on Caste

    • Gandhi’s Views on Caste: Initially orthodox, Gandhi supported social prohibitions like restrictions on inter-dining and inter-marriage but later rejected untouchability, referring to untouchables as “Harijans.” However, he did not reject the institution of caste itself, as it was tied to Hindu religious practices.
    • Ambedkar’s Radical Approach: Ambedkar believed that to truly abolish caste, one needed to attack the divine authority of the Hindu scriptures (shastras) that justified it. He argued that reforms short of rejecting the religious basis of caste were insufficient.
      • Ambedkar’s strategy was to focus on lower castes achieving political power to challenge their subjugation within the Hindu social order.

    Ambedkar’s Argument for Separate Electorates

    • Distinct Identity of Depressed Classes: Ambedkar argued that the Depressed Classes (Scheduled Castes) formed a distinct group, separate from the Hindus. Despite being part of Hindu society, they did not enjoy equal treatment and were subject to systemic oppression.
    • Political Machinery for Representation: Ambedkar advocated for separate electorates with a double vote system, where Scheduled Castes would vote for their own candidates as well as in the general electorate.
    • Protection from Majority Rule: Ambedkar warned that joint electorates would allow the Hindu majority to control the election of Dalit representatives, making it impossible for lower castes to effectively protect their interests against the tyranny of the majority.

    Why Gandhi Opposed Separate Electorates

    • Integration of Lower Castes: Gandhi opposed separate electorates because he believed they would marginalize lower castes further.
      • Instead of being restricted to a limited share of seats, Gandhi thought lower castes should aim for broader participation in political leadership.
    • Fear of Dividing Hindu Society: Gandhi feared that separate electorates would divide Hindu society, further weakening it.
      • He believed this division would help the British continue their “divide and rule” policy, undermining India’s struggle for independence.
    • Strategic Concerns: The introduction of separate electorates for Scheduled Castes, in addition to those for Muslims, would fragment the Hindu political base, reducing the power and influence of upper-caste Hindu leadership.

    Culmination of the Debate: The Poona Pact

    • Gandhi’s Fast: In 1932, Gandhi went on a fast unto death to oppose separate electorates, pressuring Ambedkar to concede. Ambedkar, despite his misgivings, agreed to the Poona Pact, which provided for reserved seats for Scheduled Castes but within a joint electorate.
    • Ambedkar’s Dissatisfaction: Ambedkar was never fully satisfied with the outcome, believing the joint electorate allowed upper-caste Hindus to nominate Dalit representatives, effectively controlling their political voice.

    Conclusion: The Gandhi-Ambedkar debate on caste culminated in the Poona Pact, with Gandhi opposing separate electorates to maintain Hindu unity, while Ambedkar sought political power for lower castes. Though Ambedkar agreed, he remained dissatisfied with the compromise.

    Mains PYQ:

    Q Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B R Ambedkar, despite having divergent approaches and strategies, had a common goal of amelioration of the downtrodden. Elucidate. (UPSC IAS/2015)