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Subject: Governance

Important aspects of Society

  • MHA extends FCRA Registration of NGOs

    Why in the news?

    The Ministry of Home Affairs extended till June 30 the validity of all FCRA registered NGOs whose licences are expiring on March 31.

    What is Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA)?

    • The FCRA regulates foreign donations and ensures that such contributions do not adversely affect internal security.
    • First enacted in 1976, it was amended in 2010 when a slew of new measures was adopted to regulate foreign donations.
    • The FCRA is applicable to all associations, groups and NGOs which intend to receive foreign donations.
    • It is mandatory for all such NGOs to register themselves under the FCRA.
    • The registration is initially valid for 5 years and it can be renewed subsequently if they comply with all norms.

    What contributes to Foreign Donations?

    • Foreign Contribution’ means the donation, delivery or transfer made by any foreign source of any:
    1. Article (whose market value is not more than one lakh rupees);
    2. Currency (whether Indian or foreign);
    3. Securities
    • Foreign donations may be those from Governments, international agencies, foreign companies, trusts, corporations, foreign citizens
    • However, some agencies like the UN, World Bank, IMF etc. are EXEMPTED from the definition of foreign donors.

    Who cannot accept donations under FCRA?

    According to the FCRA, foreign donations cannot be accepted by:

    1. Election candidates
    2. Editors and publishers of newspapers
    3. Judges and government employees.
    4. Political parties and members of legislature etc.

    What was the recent Amendment?

    The FCRA was amended in September 2020 to introduce some new restrictions:

    • There is now a capping of the administrative expenses of NGOs at 20% of their foreign donations.
    • The new amendment requires them to have a State Bank of India account at a Delhi Branch.
    • It also prohibits the transfer of grants received under FCRA to any other outfit.
    • It also gives sweeping powers to the Ministry of Home Affairs to cancel the FCRA certificate of an NGO.
    • It made legal for political parties to accept foreign aid through Indian subsidiaries.
    • Under the Act, the government may suspend the registration of a person for a period not exceeding 180 days.
    • Providing Aadhar is mandatory for all office bearers, directors or key functionaries of the organization.

     

    PYQ:

    2015: Examine critically the recent changes in the rule governing foreign funding of NGOs under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 1976.

     

    2015: How can be the role of NGOs be strengthened in India for development works relating to protection of the Environment? Discuss throwing light on the major constraints.

     

    Practice MCQ:

    Consider the following statements regarding “Foreign Contribution (regulation) Act”:

    1.    World Bank is excluded from the definition of foreign sources under the act.

    2.    Political parties are prohibited from taking foreign donations under the act.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) Only 1

    (b) Only 2

    (c) Both 1 and 2

    (d) Neither 1 nor 2
  • [27 March 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: A cry for help, a call for reflection and action

    [27 March 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: A cry for help, a call for reflection and action

    PYQ Relevance:

    Mains: 

    Q) The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 remains inadequate in promoting an incentive-based system for children’s education without generating awareness about the importance of schooling. Analyse. (UPSC IAS/2022) 

    Q) Professor Amartya Sen has advocated important reforms in the realms of primary education and primary health care. What are your suggestions to improve their status and performance? (UPSC IAS/2016) 

    Note4Students: 

    Prelims: NA;

    Mains: Governance; Education;

    Mentor comments: In contemporary Indian society, there is a noticeable shift in family structures with a weakening of crucial connections between children and their families. This in turn impacts a child’s ability to engage with their society and environment. The unyielding quest for scholastic distinction often overshadows the social facets of a student’s existence, driving them to sacrifice interpersonal bonds and pursuits that are essential for a well-rounded persona. It is disconcerting to find young students voicing their inner turmoil on social media, signaling distress which ultimately increases suicidal cases as highlighted by the NCRB Report.

    Let’s learn. 

    —

    Why in the News?

    The unyielding quest presents the issue with educational systems often cause many an Indian student to go into a spiral, with tragic outcomes.

    • The transformation of socio-economic dynamics is not only instilling a sense of despondency among youth but is also becoming a cause for stress in their academic endeavors.
    What does the Recent Report say?

    In 2022, according to data in the “Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India 2022” report by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), over 13,044 Indian students ended their lives — 7.6% of the total suicide fatalities in that year. 
    In 2023, there were reports of youngsters preparing for various competitive exams in Kota ending their lives.
    Based on police records, 15 students faded away in 2022; 18 in 2019, and 20 in 2018. 

    Coaching Industry and Governance in Kota:

    • Every year, over 2,00,000 aspirants from every corner of India flock to Kota in pursuit of ‘academic excellence’, to prepare rigorously for ‘coveted’ entrance examinations such as the JEE and the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).
    • The number of suicides (students) rose from 10,335 in 2019, to 12,526 in 2020, to 13,089 in 2021. As in NCRB data (2018), nearly 95,000 students faded away between 2007-18.

    Preventive Measures Taken by Local Institutes and Governance:

    • By Local Institutes in Kota:
      • Hostels have been equipped with ‘anti-suicide features’ that include devices fixed to ceiling fans to prevent children from harming themselves and iron grills across balconies and passageways. 
      • In the push towards professional development, there is specialized training in mess administration, psychological support, behavioral counseling, and an emphasis on overall student welfare. 
    • By Local Government in Kota:
      • The local government has stopped all routine testing in coaching institutes for over two months as a temporary measure. 
      • The Kota police have pushed hostel wardens to become more proactive by endorsing campaigns such as “Knock on the Door.” At the same time, kitchen workers and meal service providers have been encouraged to alert authorities immediately if they notice students missing their meals or leaving their food untouched.

    Challenges wrt. present Educational purveyors and Social Facets in India:

    • Intense Competitions: India with an increase in Population, lacks the generation of suitable job opportunities, moreover, a limited number of seats in government institutions, and the high fees charges in private institutions have all created a climate where there is intense competition. 
    • Social and Family Expectations: The relentless strain of competition plays on the young student, which is made worse by the pressures imposed on the child by parents without understanding their child’s wishes. Many face harsh criticism for failing to ‘meet expectations’. 
    • Lack of Government Interventions: According to the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) report (2019-20), only 21.4% of colleges are under governmental administration, with 78.6% under private entities (as reported by the Union Education Ministry). 
    • Poverty Issue: A study in 2008 in The Lancet revealed that nearly 61% of global suicide fatalities were concentrated in Asia. Numerous families in India, face financial constraints that prevent them from providing their children with supplementary educational resources such as coaching and tuition. 
    • Lack of support from faculties: There are numerous instances of faculty members in institutions often chastising students for their subpar academic performance when they should be offering encouragement and assistance instead.

    Way Forward:

    • Building a welfare environment: Creating an atmosphere of empathy and acceptance is crucial to cancel out any potential negative consequences for our younger generation.
    • Discovering the unyielding quest: The unsolvable puzzle for scholastic distinction often overshadows the social facets of a student’s existence, driving them to sacrifice interpersonal bonds and pursuits that are essential for a well-rounded persona. This needs to be worked upon.
    • Investing in Social Infrastructure: Moreover, pupils from socioeconomically underserved communities are confronted with the stark actualities of endemic discrimination, thereby intensifying their hardships. So, there is an urgent need for our social infrastructure to grow more supportive and accommodative and support these young lives.

    https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/a-cry-for-help-a-call-for-reflection-and-action/article67995431.ece

  • [25 March 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: TB Control in India Calls for person-centered Solutions

    PYQ Relevance:Mains: 
    Q) “Besides being a moral imperative of a Welfare State, primary health structure is a necessary precondition for sustainable development.” Analyse. ( UPSC IAS/2021) 

    Q) Appropriate local community-level healthcare intervention is a prerequisite to achieving ‘Health for All’ in India. Explain. (UPSC IAS/2018) 

    Prelims:
    In India, the term “Public Key Infrastructure” is used in the context of  (UPSC IAS/2020) 
    a) Digital security infrastructure
    b) Food security infrastructure
    c) Health care and education infrastructure
    d) Telecommunication and transportation infrastructure

    Note4Students: 

    Prelims: Governance; Health Care; TB Elimination Program 2025;

    Mains: Governance; Health Care Syatem in India; Issues  related to TB and measures;

    Mentor comments:  Globally, and in India, tuberculosis (TB) continues to loom large as a public health challenge impacting millions. About 85% of people who develop TB can be successfully treated with drug regimens of 6 months. Universal health coverage (UHC) is necessary to ensure that all those with the disease can access these treatments. Today although India aims for 2025, the recent TB elimination policy in India necessitates person-centered solutions to address the challenges of tuberculosis effectively. 

    Let’s learn. 

    —

    Why in the News?

    On account of World TB Day (March 24), we must recognize the needs and interests of TB patients, and the communities must form the basis of disease elimination.

    Context:

    • The theme for World TB Day 2024: ‘Yes! We can end TB!‘.
    • The MoHFW along with various development partners of the Health Ministry launched the Tuberculosis (TB) Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan in 2021 under the NSP India 2020–25 for TB Elimination in a major mission activity for ending the epidemic of TB by 2025.
    • Despite ambitious goals set by India’s health authorities to eliminate TB, the challenge is huge and progress is not fast enough. 
    Present Scenario:

    National Strategic Plan for Eliminating TB (2020-25): NSP India 2020–2025 intends to accelerate the national response to TB.
    The actions included:

    Provide top-priority reinforcements to the existing workforce;
    Scale up private provider engagement;
    Changes in approach from passive community to active community participation and ownership;
    Investment in TB surveillance staff and systems for accurate, complete and timely information;
    Deployment of new precision diagnostic tools;
    Support patients comprehensively throughout treatment;
    Redesign and pursue targeted active case finding;

    Deploy and evaluate ambitious plans to implement TB preventive treatment in households and other close contacts, children, People living with HIV (PLHIV), and other locally defined “high-risk” groups, using new and short regimens.

    Why there is a need for a person-centered approach to TB care and management?

    1) Need to Understand through shift paradigm:

    • TB as a human crisis: Tuberculosis is one of the ten major causes of mortality worldwide. The trend of increasing TB cases and drug resistance in India is very disturbing.
    • TB as a gendered crisis: Women and other gender minorities living in violently patriarchal societies face unique challenges in accessing timely diagnosis and treatment for TB. It is particularly difficult for gender minorities to seek care due to structural and social barriers, stigma in the health system, and widespread poverty.
    • TB as an economic challenge: The largest indirect cost of TB for a patient is income lost by being too sick to work. Studies suggest that on average three to four months of work time are lost, resulting in average lost potential earnings of 20% to 30% of annual household income.
    • TB as a Social and Environmental Challenge: For centuries, TB has been linked anecdotally with environmental risk factors that go hand-in-hand with poverty: indoor air pollution, tobacco smoke, malnutrition, overcrowded living conditions, and excessive alcohol use.

    2) Care needs to be more Humane 

    • Need for Strengthening Community-Based Care: Efforts are needed to strengthen community-based TB care models, empowering frontline healthcare workers to deliver comprehensive care that is closer to where patients live.
    • Need for Mental Support: This is important as survivor narratives tell us the stigma, discrimination, and mental stress they go through, not to mention the side effects of treatment.
    • Need to address discrimination: While TB can affect people of any class, religion, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status, it disproportionately affects the most marginalized in society, including children, the urban poor, prisoners, and people living with HIV/AIDS. It is needed to address that disease has gone beyond being a health crisis alone.

    How technology can be tapped to address these challenges?

    • Leveraging technology and innovation: The adoption of AI and digital health solutions for TB diagnosis, adherence, and surveillance can revolutionize the way TB care is delivered and accessed in the country.
    • Working on treatments: The path to TB elimination in India requires a concerted effort to prioritize person-centered care, address social determinants of health, and embrace innovation. By investing in developing better vaccines, we can hope to ultimately eliminate this airborne disease.
      • The System for TB Elimination in the Private Sector (STEPS) has been introduced as a low-cost solution to address gaps in quality care for TB patients accessing the private sector.

    Conclusion: By adopting a holistic and person-centered approach, India can overcome the barriers that stand in the way of TB control and create a healthier future for all its citizens.

    https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/tb-control-in-india-calls-for-person-centred-solutions/article67988183.ece

  • Why has Karnataka banned certain coloring agents?

    Why in the news?

    • Karnataka has become the third state in South India to prohibit the use of specific coloring agents in cotton candy and gobi manchurian due to their identified harmful effects.

    Context-

    • While the Government plans to create awareness among manufacturers, it has also urged consumers to be aware of what they are consuming.
    • The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 stipulates a fine of not less than ₹10 lakh and a jail term of a minimum of seven years, extending to life imprisonment, against those using banned chemical substances in food products.

    What did the survey results show?/Key findings from the sample testing

    • Presence of Harmful Chemicals: Laboratory tests revealed the presence of harmful chemicals in many samples collected from the state.
    • Cotton Candy Samples: Out of 25 cotton candy samples collected, 15 were found to be unsafe as they contained added colors, while the remaining 10 were deemed safe as they were made without added colors.
    • Gobi Manchurian Samples: Among the 171 samples of gobi manchurian collected, 107 were declared unsafe due to the presence of added colors, while 64 were considered safe as they did not contain added colors.

    What were the harmful chemicals?

    • Harmful Chemicals: The unsafe samples of cotton candy contained traces of sunset yellow, tartrazine, and rhodamine-b, while unsafe gobi Manchurian samples had tartrazine, sunset yellow, and carmoisine. Rhodamine-b, a suspected carcinogen, is already banned.
    • Restrictions on Tartrazine: Although tartrazine is an approved artificial food color, there are restrictions on its usage. It can only be used in specific packed food items, with prescribed amounts. It cannot be used in freshly prepared food items.
    • Health Concerns: The Food Safety Commissioner emphasized that prolonged consumption of snacks containing artificial colors can lead to severe diseases like cancer, highlighting the importance of the ban in safeguarding public health.

    What are the Penalties?

    • Prohibition on Artificial Colors: Rule 16 of the Food Safety and Standards Act prohibits the use of artificial colors in the preparation of gobi manchurian.
    • Approved Limits for Food Colors: While certain food colors are allowed within approved limits, non-permitted colors like rhodamine-b should not be used in the preparation of cotton candy.
    • Penalties for Offenders: Violators face severe penalties, including cancellation of licenses for commercial activities, hefty fines, and imprisonment. The Food Safety and Standards Act specifies a minimum fine of ₹10 lakh and a jail term of at least seven years, which can extend to life imprisonment, for those found using banned chemical substances in food products.

    Way Forward:

    • Enforcement and Monitoring: Health safety officials will likely conduct random checks to ensure compliance with the ban on harmful chemicals and artificial colors.
    • Public Awareness Campaigns: The government will continue its efforts to raise awareness among manufacturers and consumers regarding the risks associated with harmful chemicals and artificial colors in food products.
    • Regulatory Review: There might be a review of existing regulations and standards related to food safety to further strengthen controls and ensure comprehensive coverage of potentially risky food items beyond gobi manchurian, such as kebabs, that may use coloring agents.
    • Collaboration with Stakeholders: Collaboration between government authorities, food manufacturers, and other stakeholders in the food industry will be crucial to implement and enforce the ban effectively. This may include consultations, partnerships, and dialogues to address challenges and ensure compliance with regulations.

    Conclusion: Karnataka banned certain coloring agents in response to findings of harmful chemicals in food samples. Strict penalties and enforcement measures are in place, alongside awareness campaigns and collaboration with stakeholders to ensure compliance and safeguard public health.

  • Data marketplaces: the next frontier

    Why in the news?

    The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeiTY) released the National Data Governance Framework Policy (NPD Framework) which was touted as the first building block of the digital architecture being conceived to maximize data.

    Context:

    • The role of digitization in realizing India’s vision of becoming a $5 trillion economy cannot be overstated.
    • As per a NASSCOM report, data and artificial intelligence (AI) can add approximately $450-500 billion to India’s GDP by 2025.

    Types of data:

    • Personal Data – Data containing identifiers that can be used to identify specific individuals.
    • Non-Personal Data (NPD)- data excluding personal data. It constitutes the primary type of citizen data obtained by the government and holds the potential to serve as a ‘public good’.

    Significance of Non-personal data-

    • NPD as a Public Good: NPD (Non-Personal Data) is considered the primary type of citizen data collected by the government. It holds the potential to serve as a ‘public good’, implying its utility and value to society as a whole.
    • Integration of NPD in Public Services: Advocates for integrating NPD into the delivery of public services to create synergies and scalable solutions. Integration aims to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of public service delivery.
    • Application of Advanced Analytics and AI: Utilizing high-value advanced analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) on NPD can lead to predicting socially and economically beneficial outcomes. Such applications can span across various sectors of the economy.
    • Key Sectors for Data-Driven Insights: Meteorological and disaster forecasts: Utilizing NPD to enhance predictions and preparedness for weather-related events and disasters. Infrastructure capacity and citizen use patterns: Understanding how citizens interact with infrastructure to optimize usage and planning.
    • Mobility and housing patterns: Analyzing data to inform transportation and housing policies.
    • Employment trends: Using NPD to predict and address changes in employment patterns and workforce needs.
    • Informing Governance and Public Functions: NPD-driven insights can better inform decision-making in governance and public functions. Data analytics can provide valuable information for policy formulation and resource allocation.

    Challenges related to NDP:

    • Privacy and Security Concerns: The unprotected inter-flow of NPD across government departments, third parties, and citizens can lead to privacy breaches and make sensitive data vulnerable. This vulnerability can disproportionately benefit capacity-carrying actors such as Big Tech.
    • Risk of Faulty Decision-making: Imperfect analysis of crucial public trends resulting from the exchange of NPD can lead to faulty decision-making. The inefficient exchange of data fails to unlock the power of interdisciplinary legislative and policy-making.
    • Gaps in the NPD Framework: The NPD Framework lacks actionable guidance and practical operationalization, focusing on abstract high-level principles and objectives. It overlooks mechanisms for pricing data, appropriate legal structures for data exchange, and standardized governance tools.
    • Lack of Legislation and Operationalization: While legislation is expected, the practical implementation and operationalization of the NPD Framework are overlooked. Questions remain unanswered regarding stakeholder rights and obligations across sectors.

    Steps by Government:

    • Agriculture Data Exchange in Telangana: Telangana State has developed an agriculture data exchange platform. The platform aims to facilitate the exchange of agricultural data among various stakeholders. It is likely designed to enhance decision-making, productivity, and innovation in the agriculture sector.
    • India Urban Data Exchange (IUDX): The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science, has established the India Urban Data Exchange (IUDX).
      • IUDX enables better urban planning, infrastructure development, and governance through data-driven insights.
    • Data Exchanges for Geospatial Policy: The Department of Science & Technology has announced plans to establish data exchanges to implement aspects of the National Geospatial Policy.

    Measures to address these challenges:

    • Need for Critical Evaluation and Enhancement: A critical evaluation of the NPD Framework is necessary to address existing gaps. Enhancements to the framework can supplement MeiTY’s efforts to regulate NPD and facilitate interoperability across sectors.
    •  Learn from International practice: countries like Australia, the UK, and Estonia highlight the adoption of data exchange frameworks and protocols. These frameworks have been applied across various sectors such as housing, employment, aged care, and agriculture to address specific issues like unemployment.
    • Regulatory Design for Data Exchanges: Creating a regulatory design for data exchanges in India can digitize and automate public welfare functions. It can reduce administrative burden, facilitate inter-sectoral integration, and build safeguards for using and sharing NPD, making civic functions more participatory.
    • Stakeholder Consultation: Engage stakeholders from government, industry, academia, and civil society in the evaluation process. Gather feedback on practical challenges faced in implementing the framework and areas needing clarification or enhancement.

    Conclusion: A comprehensive evaluation and enhancement of the NPD Framework are imperative. Learning from international practices, establishing regulatory designs for data exchanges, and fostering stakeholder consultations will pave the way for effective governance of non-personal data.

  • Centre notifies Fact-Check Unit to screen online content

    Why in the news? 

    The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has designated the Press Information Bureau’s Fact Check Unit to point out misinformation about Central government departments on social media platforms ahead of the election.

    Context-

    • According to the IT Rules of 2021, social media platforms might lose their legal protection from being held responsible for content posted by users if they decide to keep the misinformation flagged by the Fact Check Unit.

    Background of this news-

    • Due to the controversy surrounding the concept, the Union government had delayed officially notifying the Fact Check Unit as there was ongoing litigation at the Bombay High Court challenging the provision.
    • However, this month, the court decided not to prolong a temporary halt that prevented the government from implementing the rules.

    Key points as per IT Rules, 2021-

    • Mandates: In essence, the IT Rules (2021) demand that social media platforms exercise heightened diligence concerning the content present on their platforms. Legal obligation on intermediaries to make reasonable efforts to prevent users from uploading such content.
    • Appoint a Grievance Officer: Social media platforms are mandated to set up a grievance redressal mechanism and promptly remove unlawful and inappropriate content within specified timeframes.
    • Ensuring Online Safety and Dignity of Users: Intermediaries are obligated to remove or disable access within 24 hours upon receiving complaints about content that exposes individuals’ private areas, depicts them in full or partial nudity, shows them engaged in sexual acts, or involves impersonation, including morphed images
    • Informing users about privacy policies is crucial: Social media platforms’ privacy policies should include measures to educate users about refraining from sharing copyrighted material and any content that could be considered defamatory, racially or ethnically offensive, promoting pedophilia, or threatening the unity, integrity, defense, security, or sovereignty of India or its friendly relations with foreign states, or violating any existing laws.

    Fake news on social media can have several negative impacts on governments-

    • Undermining Trust- Fake news can erode public trust in government institutions and officials. When false information spreads widely, it can lead to scepticism and doubt about the government’s credibility.
    • Destabilizing Democracy- Misinformation can distort public perceptions of government policies and actions, potentially leading to unrest, protests, or even violence. This can destabilize democratic processes and undermine the functioning of government.
    • Manipulating Public Opinion- Fake news can be strategically used to manipulate public opinion in favour of or against a particular government or political party. By spreading false narratives, individuals or groups can influence elections and policymaking processes.
    • Impeding Policy Implementation- False information circulating on social media can create confusion and resistance to government policies and initiatives. This can impede the effective implementation of programs and reforms.
    • Wasting Resources- Governments may be forced to allocate resources to address the fallout from fake news, such as conducting investigations, issuing clarifications, or combating disinformation campaigns. This diverts resources away from other important priorities.
    • Fueling Division- Fake news can exacerbate social and political divisions within a country by spreading divisive narratives or inciting hatred and hostility towards certain groups or communities. This can further polarize society and hinder efforts towards unity and cohesion

    Measures to Tackle Fake News on Social Media:

    • Mandatory Fact-Checking: Implement a requirement for social media platforms to fact-check content before dissemination.
    • Enhanced User Education: Promote media literacy and critical thinking skills to help users discern reliable information from fake news.
    • Strengthened Regulation: Enforce stricter regulations on social media platforms to curb the spread of misinformation and hold them accountable for content moderation.
    • Collaborative Verification: Foster partnerships between governments, fact-checking organizations, and social media platforms to verify the accuracy of information.
    • Transparent Algorithms: Ensure transparency in algorithms used by social media platforms to prioritize content, reducing the spread of false information.
    • Swift Removal of Violative Content: Establish mechanisms for prompt removal of fake news and penalize users or entities responsible for spreading it.
    • Public Awareness Campaigns: Launch campaigns to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of fake news and promote responsible sharing practices.

    Conclusion: To address misinformation, governments should enforce IT Rules (2021), empower fact-checking units, and promote media literacy. Collaboration between authorities, platforms, and citizens is vital for combating fake news and upholding democratic values.

  • [pib] NIXI and MeitY to unveil BhashaNet Portal  

    What is the news-

    • The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) is proud to announce the launch of the BhashaNet portal for the upcoming Universal Acceptance (UA) Day.
    Universal Acceptance is the principle that all domain names and email addresses should be treated equally, regardless of the characters used in them.

     What is BhashaNet Portal?

    • The Bhasha-Net Portal is a digital platform launched by NIXI, aimed at promoting Universal Acceptance (UA).
    • The portal specifically focuses on ensuring that individuals, regardless of the language or script they use, can fully participate in the digital world.
    • The portal is designed to provide resources, tools, and information to support the integration of diverse languages and scripts into online platforms, websites, and applications.

    Objectives:

    1. To provide a truly multilingual internet, where local language website name and local language email id, work everywhere seamlessly.
    2. To foster digital inclusivity by addressing linguistic barriers and promoting the use of local languages and scripts in digital communication.

    About National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI)

     

    • Established on June 19, 2003, the NIXI is a not-for-profit organization under the auspices of MeitY.
    • NIXI is dedicated to enhancing internet penetration and adoption in India by facilitating essential infrastructure and services.
    • It plays a crucial role in enabling the internet ecosystem to be accessible and utilized by the masses, thereby promoting digital empowerment and inclusion nationwide.

    Four key services include-

    1.    Setting up Internet Exchange Points,

    2.    Managing the .IN Registry,

    3.    Promoting IPv4 and IPv6 address adoption through IRINN, and

    4.    Offering data center services under NIXI-CSC.

    Back2Basics:

    IPv4 IPv6
    Address Format 32-bit address format (e.g., 192.0.2.1) 128-bit address format (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334)
    Address Representation Decimal dotted notation (e.g., 192.0.2.1) Hexadecimal colon-hex notation (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334)
    Address Space Limited address space (~4.3 billion addresses) Vast address space (approximately 3.4×10^38 addresses)
    Header Length Fixed-length header (20 bytes) Variable-length header (40 bytes or more)
    Header Options Limited options Expanded options for quality of service, security, and mobility
    Broadcast Uses broadcast addresses for network discovery and ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) Uses multicast addressing for efficient communication
    Security Limited built-in security features Built-in IPsec (Internet Protocol Security) support for end-to-end encryption and authentication
    Adoption Status Widely deployed and used Increasing adoption but not yet fully ubiquitous

     

    PYQ:

    2011: What is “Virtual Private Network”?

    1. It is a private computer network of an organization where the remote users can transmit encrypted information through the server of the organization
    2. It is a computer network across a public internet that provides users access to their organization’s network while maintaining the security of the information transmitted
    3. It is a computer network in which users can access a shared pool of computing resources through a service provider
    4. None of the statements (A), (B) and (C) given above is a correct description of Virtual Private Network

  • [pib] NCW-RPF Collaboration to prevent Women Trafficking

    What is the news-

    NCW-RPF MoU: Key Objectives

     

    1. Prevention and Rescue: The MoU aims to prevent human trafficking and facilitate the rescue of trafficked women through joint efforts.
    2. Role of RPF Personnel: RPF personnel stationed at railway stations are crucial in preventing trafficking and addressing crimes against women.
    3. Expanding Collaboration: NCW, which established an Anti-Human Trafficking Cell on April 2, 2022, has already been working with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to combat the trafficking of women.

     

    About National Commission for Women (NCW)

    • The NCW is the Statutory Body generally concerned with advising the government on all policy matters affecting women.
    • It was established on 31 January 1992 under the provisions of the Indian Constitution as defined in the National Commission for Women Act, 1990.
    • The first head of the commission was Jayanti Patnaik.
    • The Indian Constitution doesn’t contain any provision specifically made to favor women intrinsically.
    • Article 15 (3), Article 14 and Article 21 protect and safeguard women. They are more gender-neutral.

    Objectives

    • The objective of the NCW is to represent the rights of women in India and to provide a voice for their issues and concerns.
    • The subjects of their campaigns have included dowry, politics, religion, equal representation for women in jobs, and the exploitation of women for labor.
    • They have also discussed police abuses against women.

    Composition of the NCW

    The Commission shall consist of:

    • Chairperson: To be nominated by the Central Government.
    • Five Members: To be nominated by the Central Government from amongst persons of ability, integrity and standing who have had experience in law or legislation, trade unionism, management of an industry potential of women, women’s voluntary organizations (including women activists), administration, economic development, health, education or social welfare;
    • Special Representations: At least one Member each shall be from amongst persons belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes respectively;

    Powers of NCW

    • Provide consultation on all major policy matters that affect women.
    • Issuing summons for the examination of documents and the witnesses.
    • Requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any court or office.
    • Receiving evidence on affidavits
    • Discovery and production of documents
    • Summoning and enforcement

    Functions of the NCW

    • Submission of Annual Reports: Table reports should be submitted to the Central Government every year, when deemed appropriate by the commission. These reports focus on the functioning and working of the safeguards.
    • Investigation and Examination: Proper investigation and examination are conducted under the Constitution and other laws, primarily aimed at protecting the rights of women.
    • Review and Scrutiny of Laws: Constant review and scrutiny of all laws are undertaken, with necessary amendments and alterations made to meet the needs of the current world.
    • Prevention of Violations: Ensuring there is no violation against women and taking due care of such cases to protect their rights.
    • Handling Complaints and Suo Motu Matters: Handling complaints and addressing suo motu matters about the deprivation of rights of women, with a focus on implementing laws favoring women’s welfare.
    • Assessment of Development and Progress: Assessing the development and progress of the women community at both the Center and State levels.
    • Identification and Mitigation of Systemic Limitations: Understanding the limitations in the system and devising strategic plans and mechanisms to address them effectively.

    Issues faced by NCW

    • Limited Enforcement Power: The NCW is only recommendatory and lacks the power to enforce its decisions, often taking action only when issues are brought to light.
    • Lack of Constitutional Status: The Commission lacks constitutional status, resulting in no legal powers to summon police officers or witnesses.
    • Dependency on Grants: NCW’s functions are heavily dependent on grants offered by the central government, with insufficient financial assistance to cater to its needs.
    • Limited Autonomy in Member Selection: The Commission does not have the power to choose its own members, impacting its autonomy and effectiveness.

    PYQ:

    Q.Is the National Commission for Women able to strategize and tackle the problems that women face at both public and private spheres? Give reasons in support of your answer. (2017)

     

    Q.According to the Constitution of India, it is the duty of the President of India to cause to be laid before the Parliament which of the following?

    1. The Recommendations of the Union Finance Commission
    2. The Report of the Public Accounts Committee
    3. The Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
    4. The Report of the National Commission for the Scheduled Castes

    Select the correct answer the using the codes given below:

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 and 4 only
    3. 1, 3 and 4 only
    4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

    Practice MCQ:

    Which of the following does not constitute to the powers of National Commission for Women (NCW)?

    1. Issuing summons
    2. To make any record public
    3. Receiving evidence on affidavits
    4. Enforcing legal action against individuals

  • [pib] Government e Marketplace (GeM)  

    gem

    Why in the news-

    • The government’s procurement portal, GeM (Government e-Marketplace), is looking to encourage more and more start-ups and small and micro enterprises to list themselves as sellers.

    About Government e-Marketplace (GeM) 

    • The GeM is a one-stop National Public Procurement Portal to facilitate online procurement of common use Goods & Services required by various Government Departments / Organizations / PSUs.
    • It was launched in 2016 by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
    • It has been developed by the Directorate General of Supplies and Disposals (under MCI) with technical support from the National e-governance Division (MEITy).

    Functions for GeM

    • Enhancement of Public Procurement: GeM aims to enhance transparency, efficiency, and speed in public procurement processes.
    • Paperless and Cashless Transactions: It is a completely paperless, cashless, and system-driven e-marketplace that enables procurement of common-use goods and services with minimal human interface.
    • Facilitation of Best Value: GeM provides the tools of e-bidding, reverse e-auction, and demand aggregation to facilitate government users in achieving the best value for their money.
    • Mandatory Purchases by Government Users: The purchases through GeM by Government users have been authorized and made mandatory by the Ministry of Finance by adding a new Rule No. 149 in the General Financial Rules, 2017.

    Key Developments on GeM:

    • GeM Outlet Stores: GeM has introduced outlet stores for various product categories like SARAS, Ajeevika, Tribes India, Startup Runway, Khadi India, India Handloom, India Handicraft, Divyangjan, etc.
    • Bamboo Market Window: GeM, in collaboration with the National Bamboo Mission, has introduced a dedicated window on its portal for marketing Bamboo Goods.
    • Country of Origin Tag: Since 2020, the government has made it mandatory for sellers on the GeM portal to clarify the country of origin of their goods when registering new products.

    PYQ:

    Q.‘SWAYAM’, an initiative of the Government of India, aims at (2016) –

    1. Promoting the Self Help Groups in rural areas
    2. Providing financial and technical assistance to young start-up entrepreneurs
    3. Promoting the education and health of adolescent girls
    4. Providing affordable and quality education to the citizens for free

     

    Practice MCQ:

    With reference to the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), consider the following statements:

    1. It is a one-stop National Public Procurement Portal launched in 2016.
    2. It is developed by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)

    Select the correct option:

    1. Only 1
    2. Only 2
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2

  • [pib] ULLAS Initiative

    Why in the news

    • The Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education recently conducted the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT), under the ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram Initiative.

    Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT)

     

    • FLNAT is a nationwide assessment test conducted as part of the ULLAS initiative.
    • It aims to evaluate the foundational literacy and numeracy skills of registered non-literate learners aged 15 and above.
    • The assessment covers three aspects – Reading, Writing, and Numeracy – and is conducted in all districts of participating states/UTs.
    • The test plays a crucial role in assessing the impact of teaching-learning sessions conducted under the ULLAS program and promoting literacy and numeracy skills among citizens.
    • It is conducted in the regional language of the learners, aligning with the NEP 2020’s emphasis on multilingualism
    • Qualifying learners receive a certificate from the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS).

     What is ULLAS Initiative?

    • ULLAS stands for Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society.
    • It seeks to advance lifelong learning and bridge literacy gaps among individuals aged 15 and above.
    • The program aims to equip citizens with fundamental knowledge and skills essential for personal and national development.
    • The ULLAS User-Friendly Mobile Application serves as a digital platform providing access to a wide range of learning resources via the DIKSHA portal.

    Key Features of ULLAS

    1. Emphasizes continuous learning across all stages of life.
    2. Cultivates a culture of knowledge-sharing and individual growth.
    3. Provides participants with digital literacy skills.
    4. Promotes awareness and empowerment in financial matters.
    5. Imparts vital life skills such as legal literacy and digital competence.
    6. Enhances citizenship awareness and empowerment.
    7. Grants school/university credits to student volunteers.
    8. Offers recognition through certificates, letters of appreciation, and felicitation ceremonies.

    PYQ:

    Consider the following statements:

    1. As per the Right to Education (RTE) Act, to be eligible for appointment as a teacher in a State, a person would be required to possess the minimum qualification laid down by the concerned State Council of Teacher Education.
    2. As per the RTE Act, for teaching primary classes, a candidate is required to pass a Teacher Eligibility Test conducted in accordance with the National Council of Teacher Education guidelines.
    3. In India, more than 90% of teacher -5 education institutions are directly under the State Governments.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?  (2018)

    1. 1 and 2
    2. 2 only
    3. 1 and 3
    4. 3 only

    Practice MCQ:

    1. Consider the following statements about the ULLAS Initiative:
    2. It focuses on Foundational Literacy.
    3. Individuals aged 15 and above are eligible under this initiative.

    Which of the given statements is/are correct?

    1. Only 1
    2. Only 2
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2