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  • Mucormycosis infection in COVID-19 patients

    Hospitals across the country have started to report a number of cases of Mucormycosis, an invasive fungal infection affecting patients who have recently recovered from COVID-19.

    What is Mucormycosis?

    • Mucormycosis is an aggressive and invasive fungal infection caused by a group of moulds called micromycetes.
    • It can affect various organs but is currently manifesting as invasive rhino-orbito-cerebral disease, crawling through the sinus and working its way to the brain, affecting the ear, nose, throat, and mouth.
    • While it is not contagious, it can cause a lot of damage internally and can be fatal if not detected early.
    • It is an old disease; perhaps new and concerning is the sudden increase in the invasive form of the sinus variant, which involves the orbit, and at times the brain, leading to blindness, stroke or death.

    What causes the disease?

    • Diabetes mellitus is the most common underlying cause, followed by haematological malignancies and solid-organ transplants.
    • Diabetes mellitus was reported in 54% to 76% of cases, according to a report.
    • What seems to be triggering Mucormycosis in patients post COVID-19 is indiscriminate use of a high dose of steroids in COVID-19 patients, sometimes even in minimally symptomatic patients.
    • This leads to spikes in the sugar level among diabetics, which, in turn, renders them vulnerable.

    Symptoms

    • The symptoms to watch out for are a stuffy nose, bloody, blackish, or brown discharge from the nose etc.
    • Other symptoms include blackish discolouration of the skin, swelling or numbness around the cheek, one-sided facial pain, toothache or jaw pain, drooping of the eyelids or eyelid swelling, double vision, redness of eyes, and sudden decrease in vision.

    Treatment

    • The mainline of treatment is an anti-fungal drug called amphotericin B, which is given over an extended period of time under the strict observation of a physician.
    • Rational use of steroids is necessary, and constant monitoring of sugar levels and resorting to insulin use to control these levels if required is essential.
    • Surgery to remove the fungus growth might also be warranted.

    Preventive measures

    • It is important to keep blood sugar levels under control and ensure that appropriate calibration of oral drugs or insulin is done from time to time.
    • Further, recognising the symptoms and seeking treatment early if there are two or three symptoms at a time is key.
    • Like most illnesses, if detected early, Mucormycosis can be cured.

  • 2-DG: DRDO’s new oral drug for Covid-19

    Defence Minister has released the first batch of the indigenously developed anti-Covid-19 drug, 2-deoxy-D-glucose or ‘2-DG’.

    What is the news?

    • The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) had cleared the formulation on May 1 for emergency use as an adjunct therapy in moderate to severe Covid-19 patients.

    What is 2-DG?

    • 2-DG has been developed by the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), New Delhi, a lab of the DRDO in collaboration with Hyderabad-based pharma company Dr Reddy’s Laboratories (DRL).
    • The 2-DG anti-Covid drug is expected to reduce dependence on medical oxygen in Covid-19 infected patients.
    • The pseudo glucose molecule in the drug stops the virus in the tracts.
    • Hence, it has been prescribed for Coronavirus infected patients requiring critical medical oxygen.

    How does it work?

    • Clinical trial data show that the molecule helps in faster recovery of patients hospitalized with Covid-19, and reduces their dependence on supplemental oxygen.
    • The drug accumulates in virus-infected cells, and prevents the growth of the virus by stopping viral synthesis and energy production.
    • Its selective accumulation in virally-infected cells makes this drug unique.

    Advantages

    • 2-DG being a generic molecule and an analogue of glucose, it can be easily produced and made available in large quantities.
    • The drug is available in powder form in a sachet, and can be taken orally after dissolving in water.

  • Socio-Economic Impact of Pandemic on Women

    The article highlights the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on women and suggests measures to soften the impact.

    Widening gender employment gap

    • Even prior to 2020, the gender employment gap was large.
    • Only 18% of working-age women were employed as compared to 75% of men.
    • Reasons include a lack of good jobs, restrictive social norms, and the burden of household work.
    • The nationwide lockdown hit women much harder than men.
    • Data from the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy Pvt. Ltd. show that 61% of male workers were unaffected during the lockdown while only 19% of women experienced this kind of security.
    • Men who did lose work were able to regain it, even if it was at the cost of increased precarity or lower earnings, because they had the option of moving into fallback employment arrangements.
    • Even as new entrants to the workforce, women workers had poorer options compared to men.
    • Women were more likely to enter as daily wage workers while men found avenues for self-employment.
    •  So, not only did women enter into more precarious work, it was also likely to be at very low earnings compared to men.

    Growing domestic work

    • With schools closed and almost everyone limited to the confines of their homes, household responsibilities increased for women.
    • The India Working Survey 2020 found that among employed men, the number of hours spent on paid work remained more or less unchanged after the pandemic.
    • But for women, the number of hours spent in domestic work increased manifold.
    • This increase in hours came without any accompanying relief in the hours spent on paid work.

    Way forward

    • The following measures are needed now:
    • The National Employment Policy, currently in the works, should systematically address the constraints around the participation of the women’s workforce.
    • Expansion of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and the introduction of an urban employment guarantee targeted to women as soon as the most severe forms of mobility restrictions are lifted.
    • There is a need for coordinated efforts by States to facilitate the employment of women while also addressing immediate needs through the setting up of community kitchens, the opening of schools and anganwadi centres, and engagement with self-help groups for the production of personal protective equipment kits.
    • Further, a COVID-19 hardship allowance of at least ₹5,000 per month for six months should be announced for 2.5 million accredited social health activists and Anganwadi workers, most of whom are women.
    • The pandemic has shown the necessity of adequate public investment in social infrastructure.
    • The time is right to imagine a bold universal basic services programme that not only fills existing vacancies in the social sector but also expands public investments in health, education, child and elderly care, and so on, to be prepared for future shocks.

    Consider the question “Examine the impact of the pandemic on women. Suggest the measures to mitigate the impact.”

    Conclusion

    As the country meets the challenge of the second wave of the pandemic, it is crucial to learn lessons from the first wave to chart the policy path ahead.

  • RBI should return to its dharma of taming inflation

    The article highlights the need for the RBI to focus on inflation instead of pursuing elusive growth.

    Is inflation at a level to be concerned about?

    • Due to the devastation caused by the pandemic, MPC kept its stance to ‘look through’ the sustained rise in prices through much of last year.
    • The release of the consumer-price inflation number for April 2021 (4.3%) might seem to validate their decision.
    • But there are many reasons why the MPC should be concerned.
    • To start with, the April print carries little validity since the base for comparison (April 2020) has been rubbished by RBI in the past on the grounds that it relates to the first month of the lockdown.

    Inflation comes down but after causing devastation

    • Through a combination of the base effect (high level of inflation in the previous comparable period), belated but inevitable monetary policy action and a fall in demand that more than offsets the disruption in supply, inflation will come down.
    • However, before inflation comes down, it brings untold misery to the public at large.
    •  In a country where close to 20% of the population lives below the poverty line and food is a major item of their consumption basket, any rise in inflation, especially food inflation, hurts the poor disproportionately.
    • Add to that the distress caused by job losses on account of the pandemic, and this time round, the pain is likely to be magnified many times over.

    What is causing inflation?

    • Monetary policy acts with long and indeterminate lags.
    • Far from spurring credit offtake through low interest rates excess liquidity has spilled over into price pressures in India.
    • Wholesale price inflation at 7.4% (March 2021) was the highest in 8 years, while it would be naïve to take any solace from the latest consumer price index number.
    • The RBI needs to be appreciated for doing its bit to keep the wheels of our economy moving during the pandemic.
    • However, its failure to shift gear in the face of mounting evidence of inflation cannot be neglected.
    • When inflation was breaching the upper end of RBI’s target band for months on end, the message should have been clear.

    US recovery and its impact on Indian economy

    • Globally, commodity prices are already on the rise.
    • Not without reason, it would seem, as borne out by 12 May’s inflation print of 4.2%, America’s highest in 12 years
    • Part of the reason is the excessive easing of US monetary and fiscal policies.
    • Rising US inflation has huge implications for countries like India that are at the receiving end of US policies.
    • As the US economy recovers, the dollar strengthens and US interest rates rise, the rupee is bound to weaken in response, adding to inflationary pressures here.

    Consider the question “What are the factors stoking inflation in the pandemic? How far the monetary policies pursued by the central bank is responsible for it?”

    Conclusion

    When the MPC meets next in early June, it must re-order its priorities. Instead of chasing elusive growth, it must revert to its swadharma, own dharma, and focus instead on inflation.

  • 17th May 2021 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions

    [WpProQuiz 637]

    [WpProQuiz_toplist 637]

  • It is time to set up a National Tribunals Commission

    Context

    • The Centre has abolished several appellate tribunals and authorities and transferred their jurisdiction to other existing judicial bodies through the Tribunals Reforms (Rationalisation and Conditions of Service) Ordinance 2021.

    Issues with the abolitions of tribunals

    • The Ordinance has met with sharp criticism for not bypassing the usual legislative process.
    • Several tribunals such as the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal were abolished without any stakeholder consultation. 
    • Despite the Supreme Court’s direction in Rojer Mathew v. South Indian Bank (2019), no judicial impact assessment was conducted prior to abolishing the tribunals through this Ordinance.
    • While the Ordinance has incorporated the suggestions made in Madras Bar Association v. Union of India (2020) on the composition of a search-cum-selection committee.
    • But it has disregarded the court’s direction in Madras Bar Association v. Union of India (2020) for fixing a five-year term.

    No NCT constituted

    • Further, the Centre is yet to constitute a National Tribunals Commission (NTC), an independent umbrella body to supervise the functioning of tribunals, appointment of and disciplinary proceedings against members, and to take care of administrative and infrastructural needs of the tribunals.
    • The idea of an NTC was first mooted in L. Chandra Kumar v. Union of India (1997).
    • Developing an independent oversight body for accountable governance requires a legal framework that protects its independence and impartiality.
    • Therefore, the NTC must be established vide a constitutional amendment or be backed by a statute that guarantees it functional, operational and financial independence.
    • As the Finance Ministry has been vested with the responsibility for tribunals until the NTC is constituted, it should come up with a transition plan. 

    Advantages of NTC

    • The NTC would ideally take on some duties relating to administration and oversight.
    • It could set performance standards for the efficiency of tribunals and their own administrative processes.
    • It could function as an independent recruitment body to develop and operationalise the procedure for disciplinary proceedings and appointment of tribunal members.
    • Giving the NTC the authority to set members’ salaries, allowances, and other service conditions, subject to regulations, would help maintain tribunals’ independence.

    Consider the question “What are the issues with Tribunals Reforms (Rationalisation and Conditions of Service) Ordinance 2021? How the constitution of the National Tribunals Commission would help to improve the role played by tribunals?” 

    Conclusion

    The way to reform the tribunal system is to look at solutions from a systemic perspective supported by evidence. Establishing the NTC will definitely entail a radical restructuring of the present tribunals system.

  • 17 May 2021 | Nikaalo Prelims Quiz- TS 15- History Test 2: Revolt of 1857; Socio-Religious Reform Movements; Various Rebellions; Indian National Movement; Important congress sessions

    [WpProQuiz 636]

    [WpProQuiz_toplist 636]

  • Laws Related To Environment Conservantion In India

     
    15th May 2021

    1.Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1981

    • The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 an Act of the Parliament of India to control and prevent air pollution in India
    • It was amended in 1987
    • The Government passed this Act in 1981 to clean up our air by controlling pollution.
    • It states that sources of air pollution such as industry, vehicles, power plants, etc., are not permitted to release particulate matter, lead, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or other toxic substances beyond a prescribed level

    Key Features

    The Act specifically empowers State Government to designate air pollution areas and to prescribe the type of fuel to be used in these designated areas.

    According to this Act, no person can operate certain types of industries including the asbestos, cement, fertilizer and petroleum industries without consent of the State Board.

    The main objectives of the Act are as follows:

    (a) To provide for the prevention, control and abatement of air pollution

    (b) To provide for the establishment of central and State Boards with a view to implement the Act(Central Pollution Control Board and State Pollution Control Board)

    (c) To confer on the Boards the powers to implement the provisions of the Act and assign to the Boards functions relating to pollution

     

    2.Environmental (Protection) Act of 1986

    • Environment Protection Act, 1986 is an Act of the Parliament of India
    • In the wake of the Bhopal Tragedy, the Government of India enacted the Environment Protection Act of 1986 under Article 253 of the Constitution
    • Passed in March 1986, it came into force on 19 November 1986
    • The Act is an “umbrella” for legislations designed to provide a framework for Central Government, coordination of the activities of various central and state authorities established under previous Acts, such as the Water Act and the Air Act.
    • In this Act, main emphasis is given to “Environment”, defined to include water, air and land and the inter-relationships which exist among water, air and land and human beings and other

    Objective of the Act

    The purpose of the Act is to implement the decisions of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment of 1972, in so far as they relate to the protection and improvement of the human environment and the prevention of hazards to human beings, other living creatures, plants and property.

     

    3.The Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 17 July 2000

    The rules are framed under the jurisdiction of Environment (Protection) Act.

    Objectives and Key Features

    • These Rules set the deadlines for phasing out of various ODSs, besides regulating production, trade import and export of ODSs and the product containing ODS.
    • These Rules prohibit the use of CFCs in manufacturing various products beyond 1st January 2003 except in metered dose inhaler and for other medical purposes.
    • Similarly, use of halons is prohibited after 1st January 2001 except for essential use.
    • Other ODSs such as carbon tetrachloride and methylchoroform and CFC for metered dose inhalers can be used upto 1st January 2010.
    • Since HCFCs are used as interim substitute to replace CFC, these are allowed up to 1st January 2040.

     

    4.The Energy Conservation Act of 2001

    As a step towards improving energy efficiency, the Government of India has enacted the Energy Conservation Act in 2001.

    Objective

    The Energy Conservation Act, 2001 is the most important multi-sectoral legislation in India and is intended to promote efficient use of energy in India.

    Key Features

    The Act specifies energy consumption standards for equipment and appliances, prescribes energy consumption norms and standards for consumers, prescribes energy conservation building codes for commercial buildings and establishes a compliance mechanism for energy consumption norms and standards.

     

    5.Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)

    • In order to implement the various provisions of the EC Act, Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) was operationalised with effect from 1st March, 2002. The EC Act provides a legal framework for energy efficiency initiatives in the country. The Act has mandatory as well as promotional initiatives.
    • The Bureau is spearheading the task of improving the energy efficiency in various sectors of the economy through the regulatory and promotional mechanism. The primary objective of BEE is to reduce energy intensity in the Indian economy.
    • This is to be demonstrated by providing policy framework as well as through public-private partnership.

     

    6.Forest Conservation Act of 1980

    Background

    First Forest Act was enacted in 1927.

    Alarmed at India’s rapid deforestation and resulting environmental degradation, Centre Government enacted the Forest (Conservation) Act in1980.

    Objective

    It was enacted to consolidate the law related to forest, the transit of forest produce and the duty livable on timber and other forest produce.

    Key Features

    • Under the provisions of this Act, prior approval of the Central Government is required for diversion of forestlands for non-forest purposes.
    • Forest officers and their staff administer the Forest Act.
    • An Advisory Committee constituted under the Act advises the Centre on these approvals.
    • The Act deals with the four categories of the forests, namely reserved forests, village forests, protected forests and private forests.

     

    7.The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010

    Background

    During the Rio de Janeiro summit of United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in June 1992, India vowed the participating states to provide judicial and administrative remedies for the victims of the pollutants and other environmental damage.

    Key Features

    It was enacted under India’s constitutional provision of Article 21, which assures the citizens of India the right to a healthy environment.

    The specialized architecture of the NGT will facilitate fast track resolution of environmental cases and provide a boost to the implementation of many sustainable development measures.

    NGT is mandated to dispose the cases within six months of their respective appeals.

    Enabling Provision

    It is an Act of the Parliament of India which enable the creation of NGT to handle the expeditious disposal of the cases pertaining to environmental issues.

    Members

    The sanctioned strength of the tribunal is currently 10 expert members and 10 judicial members although the act allows for up to 20 of each.

    The Chairman of the tribunal who is the administrative head of the tribunal also serves as a judicial member.

    Every bench of the tribunal must consist of at least one expert member and one judicial member.

    The Chairman of the tribunal is required to be a serving or retired Chief Justice of a High Court or a judge of the Supreme Court of India.

    Jurisdiction

    The Tribunal has Original Jurisdiction on matters of “substantial question relating to environment” (i.e. a community at large is affected, damage to public health at broader level) & “damage to environment due to specific activity” (such as pollution).

    The term “substantial” is not clearly defined in the act.

     

    8.The Coastal Regulation Zone Notifications

    Background

    The coastal stretches of seas, bays, estuaries, creeks, rivers and back waters which are influenced by tidal action are declared “Coastal Regulation Zone” (CRZ) in 1991.

    CRZ notifications

    India has created institutional mechanisms such as National Coastal Zone Management Authority (NCZMA) and State Coastal Zone Management Authority (SCZMA) for enforcement and monitoring of the CRZ Notification.

    These authorities have been delegated powers under Section 5 of the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986 to take various measures for protecting and improving the quality of the coastal environment and preventing, abating and controlling environmental pollution in coastal areas.

    Key Features

    Under this coastal areas have been classified as CRZ-1, CRZ-2, CRZ-3, CRZ-4. And the same they retained for CRZ in 2003 notifications as well.

    CRZ-1: these are ecologically sensitive areas these are essential in maintaining the ecosystem of the coast. They lie between low and high tide line. Exploration of natural gas and extraction of salt are permitted

    CRZ-2: these areas form up to the shoreline of the coast. Unauthorised structures are not allowed to construct in this zone.

    CRZ-3: rural and urban localities which fall outside the 1 and 2. Only certain activities related to agriculture even some public facilities are allowed in this zone

    CRZ-4: this lies in the aquatic area up to territorial limits. Fishing and allied activities are permitted in this zone. Solid waste should be let off in this zone.

     

    9.Wildlife Protection Act, 1972

    Background

    In 1972, Parliament enacted the Wild Life Act (Protection) Act.

    Objective

    The Wild Life Act provides for

    1. state wildlife advisory boards,
    2. regulations for hunting wild animals and birds,
    3. establishment of sanctuaries and national parks, tiger reserves
    4. regulations for trade in wild animals, animal products and trophies, and
    5. judicially imposed penalties for violating the Act.

    Key Features

    • Harming endangered species listed in Schedule 1 of the Act is prohibited throughout India.
    • Hunting species, like those requiring special protection (Schedule II), big game (Schedule III), and small game (Schedule IV), is regulated through licensing.
    • A few species classified as vermin (Schedule V), may be hunted without restrictions.
    • Wildlife wardens and their staff administer the act.
    • An amendment to the Act in 1982, introduced a provision permitting the capture and transportation of wild animals for the scientific management of animal population.

     

    10.Biological Diversity Act, 2002

    Background

    The Biological Diversity Bill was introduced in the Parliament in 2000 and was passed in 2002.

    Objective:

    India’s richness in biological resources and indigenous knowledge relating to them is well recognized

    The legislation aims at regulating access to biological resources so as to ensure equitable sharing of benefits arising from their use

    Key Features

    • The main intent of this legislation is to protect India’s rich biodiversity and associated knowledge against their use by foreign individuals and organizations without sharing the benefits arising out of such use, and to check biopiracy.
    • This bill seeks to check biopiracy, protect biological diversity and local growers through a three-tier structure of central and state boards and local committees.
    • The Act provides for setting up of a National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) and Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) in local bodies. The NBA will enjoy the power of a civil court.
    • BMCs promote conservation, sustainable use and documentation of biodiversity.
    • NBA and SBB are required to consult BMCs in decisions relating to use of biological resources.
    • All foreign nationals or organizations require prior approval of NBA for obtaining biological resources and associated knowledge for any use.
    • Indian individuals/entities require approval of NBA for transferring results of research with respect to any biological resources to foreign nationals/organizations.

    11.Recycled Plastics Manufacture and Usage Rules, 1999

    Objective

    A rule notified in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (viii) of Sub Section (2) of Section 3 read with Section 25 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986) with the objective to regulate the manufacture and use of recycled plastics, carry bags and containers;

    Key Features

    1. Thickness of the carry bags made of virgin plastics or recycled plastics shall not be less than 20 microns.
    2. Carry bags and containers made of virgin plastic shall be in natural shade or white.
    3. Carry bags and containers made of recycled plastic and used for purposes other than storing and packaging food stuffs shall be manufactured using pigments and colorants as per IS:9833:1981 entitled “List of Pigments and Colorants” for use in Plastics in contact with food stuffs, pharmaceuticals and drinking water.
    4. Recycling of plastics shall be under taken strictly in accordance with the Bureau of Indian Standards specifications IS:14534:1988 entitled “The Guidelines for Recycling of Plastics”.
     

     

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  • Important Rebellion

     
    14th May 2021

    Important Rebellions

    Causes of the rebellions

    • After seizing the power and starting their rule the British caused dislocation in ways Indian were used to. The areas in which the change was felt the most were viz. economy, administration and land revenue system.
    • The British rule which adversely affected the interests of all sections of society had intensified the land revenue. The only interest of the company was the realization of maximum revenue with minimum effort. Consequently, settlements were hurriedly undertaken, often without any regard for the resources of the land.
    • Traditional landed aristocracy suffered no less. Their estates were confiscated and they suddenly found themselves without a source of income, unable to work, ashamed to beg, condemned to penury.
    • British rule also meant misery to artisans and handicraftsmen. The annexation of Indian states by the Company cut off their major source of patronage. Also, the British policy discouraged Indian handicraft and promoted British goods.
    • The new courts and legal system gave a further fillip to the dispossessors of land and encouraged the rich to oppress the poor. Flogging, torture and jailing of the cultivators for arrears of rent or land revenue or interest on debt were quite common. The ordinary people were also hard hit by the prevalence of corruption at the lower levels of the police, judiciary and general administration.

    Sanyasi Uprising, Bengal- (1770-1820s)

    • At least three separate events are called the Sannyasi Rebellion. One refers to a large body of Hindu sannyasis who travelled from North India to different parts of Bengal to visit shrines. En route to the shrines, it was customary for many of these ascetics to exact a religious tax from the headmen and zamindars or regional landlords
    • However, since the East India Company had received the Diwani or right to collect the tax, many of the tax demands increased and the local landlords and headmen were unable to pay both the ascetics and the English.
    • The other two movements involved a sect of Hindu ascetics, the Dasnami naga sannyasis who likewise visited Bengal on pilgrimage mixed with moneylending opportunities.
    • To the British, these ascetics were looters and must be stopped from collecting money that belonged to the Company and possibly from even entering the province. It was felt that a large body of people on the move was a possible threat.
    • The sanyasis retaliated by organising raids on the Company’s factories and state treasuries. Only after prolonged military action could Warren Hastings contain the raids by the sanyasis.

    Chuar uprising

    • Towards the end of the 18th century, certain portions of the district around Raipur was affected by the Chuar rebellion.
    • The leader of the rebels was Durjan Singha, a former zamindar of Raipur. He had a following of about 1,500 men and created havoc in certain areas.
    • The uprising lasted from 1766 to 1772 and then, again surfaced between 1795 and 1816.

    Moplah Rebellions, Malabar (1835-1921)

    • The Moplah rebellions of Malabar, South India, were not only directed against British but also the Hindu Landlords.
    • The relations of the Arabs traders with the Malayali society can be traced back to the ninth century. The traders helped the local Hindu chieftains and were granted concessions.
    • Many of the Arab traders settled in Malabar marrying mostly Nayar and Tiyar women, and the subsequent descendants came to be known as Moplahs.
    • In the traditional Malabar land system, the Jenmi held land by birthright and were mostly highcaste Hindus, and let it out to others for cultivation.
    • The other main sections of the Malabar society were the Kanamdar, who were mostly Moplahs, the verumpattamdar (cultivators) and agricultural labourers. The peasants were mostly the Muslim Moplahs.
    • The land was given by the ruling raja to Namboodiri Brahmins whose obligation was to look after the temple and related institutions, and to the chieftains (mostly Nayars), who provided martial aid when needed.
    • Traditionally, the net produce of the land was shared equally between the three.
    • But during the reign of Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan, Namboodiri Brahmins and Nayar Chiefs fled and the subsequent vacuum was filled by the Moplahs.
    • The conflict arose when after Malabar’s cession to the British in 1792 and the return of the exiled Namboodiri Brahmins and Nayars, the government re-established and acknowledged their landlord rights.
    • The British by recognizing the Jenmis as the absolute owners of the land gave them the right to evict the tenants at will.
    • This reduced the other two to the status of tenants and leaseholders.
    • The courts and the law officers sided with the Jenmis. Once the Jenmi landlords, who had the backing of the revenue officials, the law court and the police started tightening their hold and demands on the subordinate classes, the Moplah peasantry rose up in revolt.
    • The first outbreak occurred in 1836 and during the period of 1834-54, there were 22 uprisings, with the ones in 1841 and 1849 being quite serious.
    • The second phase of the revolt was recorded in 1882-85, while another spate of outburst in 1876 was also there.

    Poligar Rebellions, Kurnool (1799-1805)

    • The Poligars of Dindigal and Malabar rose up against the oppressive land revenue system under the British during 1801-06.
    • The sporadic rising of the Poligars in Madras Presidency continued till 1856.
    • In September 1799, in the first Polygar War, the poligars of Tirunelveli District rose up in open rebellion.
    • Kattabomma Nayak of Panchalamkurichi was considered as the main leader of the rebellion. Though he managed to escape initially, he was later captured in Pudukottai, and publicly hanged in front of other Polygars as a warning.
    • The Second Polygar war of 1800-01, given the magnitude of participation, is also known as the “South Indian Rebellion”.
    • The rebellion broke out when a band of Polygar armies bombed the British barracks in Coimbatore.
    • The suppression was followed by signing of the Carnatic Treaty on July 31, 1801, whereby the British assumed direct control over Tamil Nadu.
    • The Polygar system, which had flourished for two and half centuries, came to a violent end and the company introduced the Zamindari settlement in its place.

    Ramosi Risings (1822, 1825-26)

    • The Ramosis, the hill tribes of the Western Ghats, had not reconciled to British rule and the British pattern of administration.
    • They rose under Chittur Singh in 1822 and plundered the country around Satara. Again, there were eruptions in 1825-26 and the disturbances continued till 1829.
    • The disturbance occurred again in 1839 over deposition and banishment of Raja Pratap Singh of Satara, and disturbances erupted in 1840-41 also. Finally, a superior British force restored order in the area.

    Kolhapur and Savantvadi Revolts (1844)

    • The Gadkaris were a hereditary military class which was garrisoned in the Maratha forts.
    • These garrisons were disbanded during an administrative reorganisation in Kolhapur state after 1844. Facing the spectre of unemployment, the Gadkaris rose in revolt and occupied the Samangarh and Bhudargarh forts.
    • Similarly, the simmering discontent caused a revolt in Savantvadi areas.
    • A number of Sawantwadi rebels were tried for treason and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment.
    • Ultimately, after the imposition of martial law and meting out brutal punishment to the rebels, the order could be restored in Sawantwadi region.

    Santhal Rebellion

    • The Santhals of Rajmahal Hills resented the oppression by revenue officials, police, money-lenders, landlords—in general, by the “outsiders’ (whom they called diku).
    • The Santhals under Sido and Kanhu rose up against their oppressors, declared the end of the Company’s rule and asserted themselves independent in 1854.
    • It was only in 1856 after extensive military operations that the situation was brought under control. Sido died in 1855, while Kanhu was arrested in 1866.
    • A separate district of Santhal Parganas was created by the Government to pacify the Santhals.

    Khond Uprising

    • The Khonds lived in vast hill tracts stretching from Tamil-nadu to Bengal, covering central provinces, and in virtual independence due to the inaccessible mountainous terrain.
    • Their uprisings from 1837 to 1856 were directed against the British, in which the tribals of Ghumsar, china-ki-medi, Kalahandi and Patna actively participated.
    • The movement was led by Chakra Bisoi in the name of the young Raja.
    • The main issue was the attempt by the government to suppress human sacrifice (Mariah), the introduction of new taxes by the British and the influx of Zamindars and sahookars (money-lenders) into their areas which was causing the tribals untold misery.
    • The British formed a Maria agency, against which the Khonds fought with Tangi, a king of battle-axe, bows-arrows and even swords.
    • Latter Savaras and some local militia clans also joined in, led by Radha Krishna Dand Sena. Chakra Bisoi disappeared in 1855 after which the movement petered out.

    Early Munda Uprising (1789-1832)

    • In the period of 1789-1832, the Munda rose up in rebellion seven times against the landlords, dikhus, money-lenders and the British, who instead of protesting them sided with the oppressors.
    • In the post-1857 period with a hope of a better future, many Mundas turned to the Evangelical Lutheran mission, which was overseeing mission work in Chhotanagpur.
    • However, many apostates became more militant and broke away, spearheading the cause of seeking redressal of their grievances once they realized that the missionaries could not provide the solution to them.
    • Their movement identified as ‘sardariladai’ or ‘war of the leaders’ was fought with the aim of expelling dikhus; and restoration of the Munda domination over their homeland.
    • The tribal chiefs rose up against the erosion of Khuntkatti System or Joint tenures.
    • While it failed it did not peter out but remained dormant and in need of a charismatic leader. It was given a new life by Birsa Munda in 1899.

    Bhils and Kolis Uprisings:

    • The Bhils were concentrated in the hill ranges of Khandesh in the previous Maratha territory. The British occupation of this region in 1818 brought in the outsiders and accompanying dislocations in their community life.
    • A general Bhil insurrection in 1817-19 was crushed by the British Military forces and though some conciliatory measures were taken to pacify them, they again revolted under the leadership of Seva Ram in 1825 and the situation remained unsettled until 1831 when the Ramosi Leader Umaji Raje of Purandhar was finally captured and executed.
    • Minor revolts again took place in 1836 and 1846 as well.
    • The Bhils’ local rivals for power, the Kolis of Ahmednagar district, also challenged the British in 1829 but were quickly subdued by a large army contingent.
    • The seeds of rebellion, however, persisted, to erupt again in 1844-46, when a local Koli leader successfully defied the British government for two years.

    Prelims Spotlight is a part of “Nikaalo Prelims 2020” module. This open crash course for Prelims 2020 has a private telegram group where PDFs and DDS (Daily Doubt Sessions) are being held. Please click here to register.

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  • (3 pm,today) Webinar by Sudhanshu sir | How to crack UPSC IAS exam in the very first attempt?

    (3 pm,today) Webinar by Sudhanshu sir | How to crack UPSC IAS exam in the very first attempt?

    Register here for the webinar (click here)

    Those who have registered will get the Zoom link at 2 pm.

    Webinar Date: 16th May 2021

    Timings: 3 PM

    As complicated as it may appear, the UPSC Civil services exam is more about carrying nerves. It’s also about maintaining discipline for the time being and till you succeed. Nor the subjects are esoteric or unheard of. But the character for one to be able to sacrifice the beauty called life and family is rare. Your stay in the game with the zeal to come out winning is very important.

    Philosophy aside, but keeping the practical elements in mind, let’s dig a little deeper.  Also, find out what it takes for one to jump that threshold and what our toppers have said. Why have they not been able to clear earlier and what changes they made to succeed?. These are the most sought-after info and are available on the internet. But from an individual’s perspective, one can not ignore his/her inconclusiveness due to lack of a distinct plan or direction.

    Hence, we are coming up with an open session. To counter myths and give some facts which will help you see the light on the other side of the tunnel about the exam.

    In this open session, we are going to give a clear insight which is important for one to save time, energy, and effort. Which might otherwise be getting wasted in the wrong direction? This is important because for an individual the first year is the year with maximum energy, expectation from self, go-getter attitude, etc..

    Register here for the webinar (click here)

    We tend to get lost in the sea of advice and sources of studies. To save one from such torrents of information, it’s sometimes said that we need to better know “what not to follow than what to follow”.

    Anyways such hypotheses aside, your time in this open session is going to be full of interaction. Some previous year aspirants are also expected to be present. We do expect that all your confusion about the exam will get clear.

    Attendees can expect some takeaways too in the form of softcopies relevant to the exam. They will be available to you via email once you have done the registration for the open session.

    In this webinar, Sudhanshu Mishra, Core-Faculty@Civilsdaily will give you an overview:

    – What UPSC expects out of you?

    – Avoiding Mistakes which can cost you an attempt?

    – What to do to master the IAS-Exam?

    – How to clear the exam -Step-by-Step learning plan?

    – An interactive Q&A session with an experienced audience?

    – How to clear the exam in the very first attempt?

    – Important Civilsdaily softcopies takeaway for exam preparation.

    A quick bit about Sudhanshu Sir :

    Sudhanshu Sir has firsthand experience of 3 mains and two interviews of UPSC. He has served in the defence ministry for 10 years with keen interests in regional and global geopolitics and has ample experience of various other competitive exams as well. 

    Register here for the webinar (click here)

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