The Union Minister for Culture and Tourism has provided information regarding the National Mission on Libraries (NML) Scheme in Rajya Sabha.
AboutNational Mission on Libraries (NML):
Establishment
Launched in 2012 by the Ministry of Culture to implement National Knowledge Commission (NKC, 2005) recommendations on library and information sciences development.
Objectives
To modernize public libraries, create a digital database, enhance library staff competence, and promote equitable library access, especially in backward areas.
Structural Mandate
Nodal Agency: Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF), Kolkata to oversee and coordinate efforts. (It is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture.)
Key Components:
1.National Virtual Library of India (NVLI): Digital resources, census of libraries, and reading habit studies. 2.Model Libraries: 6 Ministry libraries, 35 state central libraries, 35 district libraries, and 629 district libraries with network connectivity. 3.Library Survey: A survey of 5,000 libraries for infrastructure, resources, and usage data. 4.Capacity Building: Training programs for improving skills and knowledge of library staff.
PYQ:
[2015] India’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) which has a database containing formatted information on more than 2 million medicinal formulations is proving a powerful weapon in country’s fight against erroneous patents. Discuss the pro and cons of making the database available publicly available under open source licensing.
The 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela will take place in Prayagraj from January 13 to February 26.
AboutKumbh Mela
Details
A major pilgrimage and festival in Hinduism, occurring four times in twelve years at different locations in India. It attracts millions of pilgrims for spiritual purification.
Types of Kumbh Mela:
Kumbh Mela: Regular festival, celebrated every 12 years at one of the four locations.
Maha Kumbh Mela: The largest, celebrated once every 12 years at Prayagraj (confluence of Ganges, Yamuna, and Sarasvati).
Ardh Kumbh Mela: Held every 6 years in Prayagraj (half of the full Kumbh Mela).
Purna Kumbh Mela: Held when a complete 12-year cycle is completed.
Locations: Kumbh Mela rotates between four cities:
Haridwar (on the banks of the Ganges),
Prayagraj (confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati river),
Ujjain (on the banks of the Shipra River),
Nashik (on the banks of the Godavari River).
Key Rituals:
Shahi Snan (Royal Bath) – A ritual where pilgrims in Akharas (processions) bathe in the holy river.
Worship and Prayers – Pilgrims offer prayers along riverbanks, attend spiritual discourses, and perform fire rituals.
Religious Processions – Several religious processions involving saints, gurus, and devotees take place.
Community Prayers and Spiritual Discourses – Saints and religious leaders conduct spiritual teachings for the devotees.
Significance and Features
Spiritual Significance: Considered a sacred event for Hindus, aimed at spiritual cleansing, salvation, and liberation from the cycle of rebirth (Moksha).
Cultural Unity: It is a remarkable event showcasing India’s unity and diversity, where millions of people from across the world come together.
Mass Gathering: It holds the Guinness World Record for the largest peaceful gathering, with millions of pilgrims attending the event. In 2019, Kumbh Mela witnessed the largest peaceful public gathering ever recorded, with around 120 million people.
Pilgrimage Tourism – The Kumbh Mela also significantly boosts local tourism, with a major influx of national and international pilgrims, contributing to local and national economies.
UNESCO Recognition – Kumbh Mela was recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2017.
Q) The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 remains only a legal document without intense sensitisation of government functionaries and citizens regarding disability. Comment. (UPSC CSE 2022)
Mentor’s Comment: UPSC Mains have focused on the ‘Challenges faced by Disables’ (in 2017), ‘Acts and Policies’ (2022).
Persons with disabilities (PwDs) in India encounter a multitude of challenges that hinder their social inclusion, economic participation, and overall quality of life. These challenges can be broadly categorized into social, educational, healthcare, employment, and infrastructural barriers.
Today’s editorial highlights the significant Policy implementation issues. This content can be used to present the key arguments regarding policy driven challenges
_
Let’s learn!
Why in the News?
State Commissioners play a crucial role in protecting the rights and freedoms of persons with disabilities, but in many states, they have not fully met their responsibilities.
The Role of the State Commissioner
Quasi-Judicial Authority: The State Commissioners have quasi-judicial powers under Section 82 of the RPWD Act, allowing them to operate with the same authority as a civil court.
This includes the ability to conduct inquiries and make recommendations regarding violations of disability rights.
Monitoring and Oversight: They are responsible for monitoring the implementation of the RPWD Act and other related legislation, ensuring that policies and programs are compliant with the rights of persons with disabilities.
Suo Motu Powers: State Commissioners can intervene suo motu (on their own initiative) to identify discriminatory policies or practices that contravene the RPWD Act, thereby playing a critical role in safeguarding the rights of individuals with disabilities.
Engagement with Stakeholders: They are expected to interact consistently with persons with disabilities and their representative organizations to understand their needs and concerns, facilitating a more inclusive approach to policy-making.
Research Promotion: The State Commissioners also have a mandate to promote research in disability rights, which can inform better policies and practices for inclusion.
Capacity Building: They must build their capacity to perform their functions effectively, which includes training on legal frameworks, disability rights, and effective grievance redressal mechanisms.
Case study of Karnataka:
• Effective Implementation: Karnataka has been highlighted as a progressive state in terms of disability inclusion, demonstrating effective practices in appointing State Commissioners who are not part of the civil service, thus ensuring impartiality. • Collaboration with Legal Experts: The Karnataka Commissioner’s office collaborates with law schools and legal experts to strengthen the capacities of its commissioners, enhancing their ability to function as quasi-judicial bodies. • Mobile Adalats: Karnataka has implemented mobile courts (adalats) that reach out to persons with disabilities in remote areas, providing on-the-spot grievance redressal and increasing accessibility to justice. • District Disability Management Review (DDMR): This initiative serves as an inclusive governance tool that allows the State Commissioner to monitor how development programs are implemented at the district level, ensuring that quotas for persons with disabilities are met. • Transparency in Operations: The Karnataka office maintains transparency by publishing information on its website regarding cases received, disposed of, and pending actions, along with annual reports on implementation efforts. • Community Engagement Initiatives: Programs like “Nanhe Farishtey” aim to educate communities about disabilities and promote awareness at Anganwadi centres, fostering early detection and inclusion of children with disabilities. • Intersectional Representation: There is a push for appointing qualified women with disabilities as commissioners to address intersectional discrimination effectively and ensure diverse representation in decision-making processes.
Challenges related to disabilities in India:
Exclusion Due to Social Barriers: Persons with disabilities feel isolated not because of their condition but due to societal designs catering primarily to able-bodied individuals, excluding them from everyday activities.
Inaccessible Infrastructure: Public and private spaces, including buildings, sidewalks, stadiums, theatres, and washrooms, lack adequate accessibility features like ramps and tactile paving, or these exist merely as token gestures.
Limited Recreational Access: The entertainment sector, including cricket stadiums and theatre screenings, fails to consider accessibility needs for wheelchair users or visually impaired individuals, reflecting ableist leisure practices.
Lack of Inclusive Cultural Representation: Mainstream media rarely portrays disabilities sensitively, but films like Margarita with a Straw and Srikanth help challenge stereotypes and foster visibility, giving persons with disabilities a sense of recognition.
Neglect of the Right to Leisure: The absence of efforts to make recreational spaces accessible highlights societal disregard for the right of persons with disabilities to leisure, underlining the need for an inclusive cultural framework.
Way forward:
Judicial Advocacy for Respectful Representation: The Supreme Court ruling, led by former CJI D.Y. Chandrachud, mandates accurate and respectful portrayal of disabilities in visual media to combat discrimination and stereotyping.
Technological Inclusion in Entertainment: Accessibility features like subtitles and audio descriptions on OTT platforms enhance inclusivity, benefiting persons with disabilities, the elderly, and able-bodied audiences alike.
Economic Potential of Accessibility: With the global spending power of persons with disabilities and their networks at $13 trillion, businesses are recognizing inclusivity as a strategic investment, not merely a philanthropic effort.
Building Inclusive Entertainment Ecosystems: Recent initiatives promote active participation of persons with disabilities in the entertainment industry, fostering respect, belonging, and equitable representation in society.
According to NFHS-5, 97% of women and 97.5% of men are aware of modern contraceptives, yet the burden primarily falls on women, with female sterilisation being the most prevalent.
What are the current trends in contraceptive decision-making among Indian couples?
Dominance of Female Sterilization: As of the latest reports, female sterilisation accounts for 37.9% of total sterilizations, while male sterilisation through vasectomies remains critically low at just 0.3%.
Decline in Male Sterilization: The use of male sterilization has been steadily decreasing over the past three decades.
Data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) show that the percentage of vasectomies has remained stagnant at around 0.3% in both NFHS-4 (2015-16) and NFHS-5 (2019-20), reflecting a broader trend of declining male participation in family planning.
Government Targets Not Met: The National Health Policy 2017 aimed to increase male sterilization to at least 30%, a target that remains unmet, indicating systemic issues within the family planning framework.
How does societal perception impact men’s involvement in family planning?
Perception of Burden: Many men view vasectomy as an undue burden, fearing loss of wages and questioning their masculinity. Women often echo this sentiment, believing that men should not be “burdened” by sterilization responsibilities due to their economic roles.
Lack of Awareness: There is a widespread lack of awareness regarding the benefits and safety of vasectomies, compounded by misconceptions about their effects on libido and masculinity. This misinformation contributes to low acceptance rates among men.
Cultural Norms: Traditional gender roles reinforce the notion that women should handle family planning, leading to a lack of male engagement in reproductive health discussions.
What strategies can be implemented to promote shared responsibility in contraceptive use? (Way forward)
Education and Awareness Campaigns: Initiatives should focus on educating both genders about reproductive health and shared responsibilities through school programs and community workshops. Early sensitization can help normalize discussions around male sterilization.
Conditional Cash Incentives: Increasing financial incentives for men who opt for vasectomies can encourage participation. Evidence from Maharashtra suggests that cash incentives have led to higher rates of vasectomy acceptance among rural men.
Training Healthcare Providers: Enhancing training for healthcare workers on no-scalpel vasectomies can improve service delivery, particularly in rural areas with limited access to skilled practitioners.
Public Awareness Campaigns: Drawing lessons from countries like South Korea and Brazil, India can implement mass media campaigns to reshape societal attitudes towards male contraceptive responsibility, emphasising the safety and simplicity of vasectomies compared to female sterilization procedures.
Policy Implementation with Concrete Steps: The government should ensure that policies are actionable, with clear steps outlined to achieve targets related to male participation in family planning efforts.
Mains PYQ:
Q Discuss the main objectives of Population Education and point out the measures to achieve them in India in detail. (UPSC IAS/2021)
Union Minister told the Rajya Sabha that more women are now working and looking for jobs. The percentage of women working has gone up from 22% in 2017-18 to 40.3% in 2023-24, and the percentage of women in the labor force has increased from 23.3% to 41.7% during the same period.
Presently, India ranks 165th out of 187 countries in the world.
What factors have contributed to the doubling of the worker population?
Increased Economic Engagement: The WPR for women rose from 22% in 2017-18 to 40.3% in 2023-24, indicating a substantial increase in women’s engagement in economic activities.
Educational Advancements: There has been a notable rise in the employment of educated women. For instance, the employment rate for women with postgraduate education increased from 34.5% to 39.6% during the same period.
Government Initiatives: Various government policies aimed at enhancing women’s employment opportunities and empowerment have played a crucial role in this increase.
Rural Participation: A significant factor has been the rise in female labour force participation in rural areas, which jumped by 23 percentage points from 2017-18 to 2023-24.
How does the increase in women’s worker population ratio compare across different regions and sectors?
Urban vs. Rural Participation: The increase in female labour force participation has been more pronounced in rural areas, from 24.6% to 47.6%. In contrast, urban participation saw a smaller increase from 20.4% to 23.8%.
Sectoral Differences: Women are increasingly participating in various sectors, with significant improvements noted in agriculture and informal sectors, which traditionally employ many women.
What are the implications of economic growth and gender equality in India?
Economic Growth: The rise in women’s workforce participation contributes positively to economic growth by increasing productivity and expanding the labour market. This shift is essential for achieving higher overall economic performance.
Gender Equality: Enhanced participation of women in the workforce is a critical step toward achieving gender equality. As more women enter the labour force, it challenges traditional gender roles and promotes equal opportunities.
Income Growth: With increased participation comes improved earnings for women across different employment categories, further contributing to household income and economic stability.
Way forward:
Skill Development and Inclusive Policies: Expand skill training programs tailored to women’s needs, particularly in non-traditional and high-growth sectors like technology, finance, and entrepreneurship.
Strengthening Rural and Informal Sector Opportunities: Invest in rural employment initiatives, such as MGNREGA, and formalize informal sector jobs by improving access to social security benefits, childcare support, and credit facilities for women entrepreneurs.
Mains PYQ:
Q ‘Women’s movement in India has not addressed the issues of women of lower social strata.’ Substantiate your view. (UPSC IAS/2016)
• Located in Halebidu, Karnataka.
• Built in the 12th century during the Hoysala dynasty under King Vishnuvardhana.
• Dedicated to Lord Shiva.
• Famous for its detailed sculptures, depicting mythological stories, deities, and animals.
• Hoysala style architecture with a star-shaped platform and intricate stone carvings.
• Temple is a masterpiece of the Hoysala architectural style, with complex stonework and frieze detailing.
• UNESCO tentative list for World Heritage status.
Amrutheshwara Temple
• Located in Amruthapura, Karnataka, near Tarikere.
• Built in the 14th century by King Harihara II of the Vijayanagara Empire.
• Dedicated to Lord Shiva.
• Architectural style reflects Vijayanagara influence with a prominent pillared hall.
• Famous for its stone carvings, particularly those on the Shiva Linga.
• Notable for its tank and the beautiful courtyard surrounding the temple.
• Temple follows the tradition of Chola and Hoysala architecture, with distinct Vijayanagara elements.
Gol Gumbaz
• Located in Vijayapura, Karnataka.
• Built in the 17th century by Sultan Muhammad Adil Shah of the Bijapur Sultanate as his tomb.
• Second-largest dome in the world after St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
• Acoustic marvel: The dome has a whispering gallery, where sounds can be heard clearly from great distances.
• The central dome spans 44 meters in diameter and is flanked by four towers.
• The structure is made of lime mortar and stone.
• Reflects Deccan Sultanate architectural brilliance, combining Persian, Ottoman, and Indian elements.
Gomatesvara Temple
• Located in Shravanabelagola, Karnataka.
• Features the 57-feet monolithic statue of Lord Bahubali (Gomatesvara), carved from a single block of granite in 981 AD.
• The statue is the largest monolithic statue in India.
• A major pilgrimage site for Jains; it commemorates the spiritual enlightenment of Bahubali.
• The temple complex includes tall steps leading up to the statue, with pilgrims performing a ritual of climbing the steps.
• Maha Mastakabhisheka: Every 12 years, the statue is anointed with milk, water, and saffron in a grand ritual.
• The temple and statue are considered an architectural marvel in Jain art and sculpture.
PYQ:
[2015] With reference to art and archaeological history of India, which one among the following was made earliest?
The implementation guidelines for MGNREGA are outlined in Master Circulars issued by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) annually or biennially.
Mahatma Gandhi NREGA provides a number of legal entitlements to the job seekers through a series of provisions in the Act. While the Act makes provision for at least 100 days work per rural household in a year, it is the strong legal framework of rights and entitlements that come together to make the hundred days of work per year possible.
Every household residing in any rural area is entitled to a Job Card which contains the names and photographs of all adult members of the household so that they can demand and receive work.
According to the Master Circular for 2021-22, job cards can only be deleted under specific circumstances:
when a household has permanently migrated
if the job card is identified as a duplicate,
if it was issued using forged documents.
According to Chapter 4 (Schedule II) of the annual circular, “Every adult member of a registered household whose name appears in the job card shall be entitled to apply for unskilled manual work.
The Ministry mandates the provision of an additional 50 days of wage employment (beyond the stipulated 100 days) to every Scheduled Tribe Household in a forest area, under the FRA Act, 2006.
State Governments are mandated to put in place multiple mechanisms by which rural households can submit applications for demand for work at the Gram Panchayat (GP), Block and District levels.
What were the reasons behind the decision to delete references to the ‘Right to work’ in recent legislation or policy?
Administrative Efficiency: Governments may argue that streamlining policies and removing cumbersome regulations can enhance efficiency in employment programs.
Aadhaar-Based Payment Systems (ABPS): The push for ABPS has led to increased deletions of job cards, as officials focus on compliance metrics rather than ensuring workers’ rights are upheld.
Political and Economic Pressures: There may be external pressures to reduce welfare spending or adjust labour policies in response to economic conditions, leading to a perception that the ‘right to work’ is less critical.
What does the term ‘right to work’ entail, and why is it significant in the context of labor laws?
The ‘right to work’ is a fundamental principle in labour laws that guarantees individuals the opportunity to engage in employment and earn a livelihood.
In the context of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), specifically provides rural households with a legal entitlement to at least 100 days of wage employment per year.
This right is significant because it aims to alleviate poverty, promote social justice, and ensure economic security for rural populations. The act also mandates due process in the deletion of workers from job cards, emphasising the importance of transparency and accountability in employment practices.
How might the deletion of the ‘right to work’ impact workers, unions, and the broader labour market?
Workers’ Rights: It undermines the legal protections afforded to workers, making it easier for authorities to arbitrarily delete job cards without proper verification or due process.
Unions and Collective Bargaining: Unions may find it challenging to advocate for workers’ rights when legal entitlements are diminished, weakening their bargaining power.
Labour Market Dynamics: A reduction in guaranteed employment can lead to increased unemployment and underemployment, exacerbating poverty and economic inequality among rural populations.
Way forward:
Strengthen Oversight and Accountability: Implement independent audits, regular reviews, and grievance redress mechanisms to ensure adherence to due process in job card deletions, with active involvement of Gram Sabhas and worker representatives.
Enhance Worker Protections: Reinforce legal safeguards for the ‘right to work’ by improving transparency in employment programs, ensuring compliance with MGNREGA mandates, and addressing systemic issues like ABPS-linked exclusions through inclusive digital solutions.
Mains PYQ:
Q An essential condition to eradicate poverty is to liberate the poor from the process of deprivation.” Substantiate this statement with suitable examples. (UPSC IAS/2016)
On Constitution Day (November 26), President Murmu acknowledged the significant role of women members in the Constituent Assembly of India.
5 Notable Women in the Constituent Assembly
Name
Their Contributions
Ammu Swaminathan (1894-1978)
• Co-founded the Women’s India Association in 1917 with leaders like Annie Besant.
• Advocated for women’s education and rights.
• Spoke on the Hindu Code Bill and gender equality in the Constituent Assembly.
• Became the first woman elected to the Madras legislature.
• After independence, served as India’s goodwill ambassador to countries like Russia, China, and the US.
Annie Mascarene (1902-1963)
• Born in Travancore to a Latin Christian family considered at the bottom of the caste system.
• Advocated for universal adult franchise and against caste-based voting rights.
• Joined the Travancore State Congress and fought for political representation of marginalized communities.
• As a member of the Constituent Assembly, called for a strong Centre and autonomy for local governments.
• Elected as an independent candidate in 1952 from Thiruvananthapuram.
Begum Qudsia Aizaz Rasul (1909-2001)
• Hailing from a prominent family in Punjab, she faced resistance for her education, with a fatwa issued against her convent schooling.
• Fought for women’s rights and opposed separate electorates based on religion.
• Stayed in India post-partition and joined the Indian National Congress.
• Elected to the Rajya Sabha in 1952.
• Helped promote women’s hockey in India.
Dakshayani Velayudhan (1912-1978)
• First Dalit woman to graduate in science and the first Dalit woman in the Cochin Legislative Council.
• Advocated for nationalism and opposed separate electorates for Dalits.
• Strongly committed to social justice despite facing discrimination.
• After independence, remained involved in the Dalit movement and continued advocating for social justice.
Renuka Ray (1904-1997)
• Came from an affluent family with a civil servant father and a progressive mother.
• Joined the freedom struggle after meeting Mahatma Gandhi in 1920.
• Advocated for women’s rights, particularly on divorce and inheritance.
• Represented women’s organizations in the Central Legislative Assembly in 1943.
• Opposed women’s reservation in legislatures, seeing it as a hindrance to women’s growth.
• After losing the 1952 elections, returned to politics and worked on women’s empowerment.
PYQ:
[2011] With reference to Indian freedom struggle, Usha Mehta is well-known for:
(a) Running the secret Congress Radio in the wake of Quit India Movement
(b) Participating in the Second Round Table Conference
(c) Leading a contingent of Indian National Army
(d) Assisting in the formation of Interim Government under Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
The petition in Sambhal is like those filed for Varanasi’s Gyanvapi Mosque and Mathura’s Shahi Idgah. The main issue is how the law – ‘Places of Worship Act, 1991’, is understood.
What were the causes of the strikes?
The district court in Sambhal ordered a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid based on a plea claiming it was built on a Hindu temple site. This order led to protests from local Muslim residents who viewed it as an attack on their religious rights and heritage.
Protests escalated into violence when a large crowd gathered to oppose the survey. Reports indicate that protesters clashed with police, resulting in injuries and fatalities among both protesters and law enforcement officials.
The ongoing disputes over religious sites in India, particularly those involving claims of historical conversions, have heightened communal sensitivities.
Similar cases in Varanasi and Mathura have set precedents that contribute to public unrest when surveys or legal actions are perceived as threatening the status quo of religious sites.
What Does the Law Say About the Petitioners’ Claim?
Civil Suit Framework: The petitioners filed a civil suit seeking to establish their claim over the mosque site. In civil suits, initial claims are generally accepted at face value (prima facie), allowing for further evidence to be presented later if the suit is deemed maintainable.
Challenges Under Places of Worship Act: However, any claim that seeks to alter the religious character of a place of worship is barred under the Places of Worship Act, 1991.
This Act aims to maintain the status quo of religious sites as they existed on August 15, 1947.
What Does the Places of Worship Act, 1991 Say?
Preservation of Religious Character: The Act prohibits any conversion of places of worship and mandates that their religious character must remain as it was on August 15, 1947. Specifically, Section 3 bars any conversion in full or part into a place of worship of a different denomination or sect.
Legal Proceedings: Section 4 states that any legal proceedings regarding changes to a place’s religious character that existed on that date are abated (terminated), preventing new suits from being filed regarding such conversions.
Exemptions: Notably, the Act does not apply to disputes already sub-judice at its enactment, such as the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi case, which has complicated its application in contemporary disputes.
How have Courts allowed these Title Suits?
Judicial Interpretations: Despite the provisions of the Places of Worship Act, courts have allowed title suits related to places like Gyanvapi and Mathura by ruling them maintainable. This has occurred even while constitutional challenges to the Act are pending before higher courts.
Supreme Court Observations: A significant observation by the Supreme Court indicated that while changing a place’s religious nature is prohibited under the Act, inquiries into its historical character may still be permissible. This interpretation has provided grounds for district courts to entertain such petitions without directly contravening the Act’s intent.
Sambhal Case Specifics: In Sambhal’s case, the court ordered a survey before determining whether the civil suit was maintainable. This ex-parte decision (made without hearing both sides) has led to further disputes regarding its legality and fairness.
Way forward:
Strict Adherence to the Places of Worship Act: Courts must uphold the intent of the 1991 Act by ensuring that disputes challenging the religious character of sites as of August 15, 1947, are dismissed, avoiding unnecessary surveys or actions that could inflame communal tensions.
Fostering Interfaith Dialogue: Governments and local authorities should facilitate interfaith discussions to address historical grievances peacefully and promote mutual understanding, reducing the risk of violent clashes and fostering communal harmony.
Mains PYQ:
[2019] What are the challenges to our cultural practices in the name of Secularism?
![[pib] Maha Kumbh Mela, 2025](https://d18x2uyjeekruj.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/123440263_830927117657028_1327487884602532791_n.jpg)
