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Subject: Indian Society

  • Reservation within Constitutional bounds

    Why in the news?

    There’s a big argument between political parties about reservation. The BJP said some exaggerated things about the Congress wanting a caste census, suggesting it’s connected to religion.

    Current debates on Reservation and Sub-categorization:

    • Constitutional Provisions: The Constituent Assembly opposed reservation solely based on religion, and the Constitution guarantees prohibition of discrimination based on religion under Articles 15 and 16.
    • History of Sub-categorization in Karnataka: In Karnataka, all Muslim communities are included within the OBC quota, forming the basis for the BJP’s current campaign.
      • Sub-categorization for Muslims within the OBC quota has existed in Karnataka since 1995.
      • The H. D. Deve Gowda-led government introduced it but was later removed by the Basavaraj Bommai-led government. However, the status quo continues after court observation.
    • Reservation for Muslim and Christian Communities: Socially and educationally backward Muslim and Christian communities are provided reservations under the OBC/MBC category in various states, including Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.
    • Constitutional Language and SC/ST Communities: The Constitution specifies that for SCs, the person should profess Hinduism, Sikhism, or Buddhism, but no such requirement exists for STs.
    • Congress Manifesto Promise: The Congress has promised in its manifesto to work towards removing the 50% cap placed on reservations, suggesting a potential shift in reservation policy if they come into power.

    Affirmative action as per Constitution:

    • Constitutional Provisions: Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution ensure equality to all citizens in actions by the state, including admissions to educational institutions and public employment.
      • They also enable the state to make special provisions for advancing socially and educationally backward classes, including OBC, SC, and ST.
    • Classification of Backward Classes: OBC is a collective term for socially and educationally backward castes, with some states also classifying certain castes as Most Backward Classes (MBC). Reservation percentages vary from state to state.
    • Indra Sawhney Case (1992): Supreme Court upheld 27% reservation for OBC. Caste is considered a determinant of class in the Indian context, and backwardness cannot be determined solely on economic criteria.
      • A cap of 50% was fixed for reservations unless there were exceptional circumstances.
    • Total reservation stood at 49.5% for OBC (27%), SC (15%), and ST (7.5%)—creamy layer exclusion from OBC reservation, with an income limit currently at ₹8 lakhs per annum.
      • Exclusion of children of certain government officials from the reservation.
    • Janhit Abhiyan Case (2022): The court upheld the constitutional validity of the reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). Economic criteria could be a reservation basis, according to the court’s majority opinion.

    Affirmative Actions Globally:

    • In the U.S., there is ‘affirmative action’ that consists of government-approved and voluntary private programs granting special consideration to racial minorities like African Americans and Latin Americans.
      • In Fair Admissions vs Harvard case (2023), the U.S. Supreme Court, however, ruled that race-based affirmative action programs in college admissions violate the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution.
    • In the U.K., the law enables voluntary ‘positive action’ which allows employers to combat the under-representation of disadvantaged groups.
    • France does not have any affirmative action based on race or ethnicity. It provides educational measures designed to increase opportunities for low-income students.

    Way Forward: 

    • Need for Sub-categorization: The Rohini Commission was set up to provide recommendations on sub-categorization among OBC castes, as a significant portion of reserved jobs and seats have been garnered by a small percentage of OBC castes/sub-castes. Similar issues of concentration of benefits persist in the SC and ST categories.
    • Inclusion of Dalit Christians and Muslims: Dalit Christians and Muslims also suffer from discrimination and lack of opportunities. There is a need to extend reservation benefits to these communities and address their marginalization.

    Mains PYQ:

    Q Whether National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) can enforce the implementation of constitutional reservation for the Scheduled Castes in the religious minority institutions? Examine.(UPSC IAS/2018)

  • Niti Aayog report finds ‘huge gap’ in cancer screening at Ayushman centres

    Why in the news? 

    Ayushman Bharat insurance scheme reached 5.47 crore users, but cancer screening at Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs) faces significant gaps, reports NITI Aayog.

    Objective of Ayushman Bharat Scheme:

    • Besides providing a Rs 5-lakh insurance cover, the scheme aimed to upgrade primary health centers to HWCs, offering annual screening for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) including oral, breast, and cervical cancers for individuals aged 30 years or older.

    Coverage of Ayushman Bharat Scheme: 

    • Over 5.47 crore users have utilized the Ayushman Bharat insurance scheme, making it the world’s largest medical insurance scheme.

    The ‘huge gap’ in cancer screening at Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs):

    • NITI Aayog Report Findings: A report from NITI Aayog, based on visits to HWCs in 13 states, highlights a significant gap in cancer screening services.
    • Limited NCD Screening: Although NCD screening is underway in most HWCs, yearly screening is largely absent, with less than 10% of facilities completing a single round of NCD screening.

    Reason behind the ‘huge gap’ in cancer screening at Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs):

    • Methods of Screening: Official protocol mandates distinct screening methods for oral, cervical, and breast cancers. However, implementation of these methods faces challenges.
    • Lack of Awareness and Capacities: The gap in cancer screening is attributed to low awareness levels and lack of capacities among healthcare providers.
    •  Implementation fell short: Auxiliary Nurse and Midwife (ANMs), medical officers, and staff nurses were supposed to be trained in cancer screening methods, but implementation fell short.
    • Suboptimal Screening Activities: Screening for breast cancer relies on beneficiary education for self-examination, while cervical cancer screening remains to be operationalized. Oral cancer screening is performed on a case-by-case basis.
    • Infrastructure and Basic Devices: HWCs generally adhere to infrastructure standards, with basic devices and medicines available free-of-cost. However, the focus remains on improving cancer screening services to align with the government’s prevention and early detection efforts.

    Way forward: 

    • Awareness Campaigns: Launch comprehensive awareness campaigns to educate the public about the importance of cancer screening and early detection. This can involve community outreach programs, workshops, and informational sessions.
    • Utilize Technology: Integrate technology solutions such as telemedicine and mobile applications to facilitate easier access to screening services, especially in remote areas. Digital platforms can also aid in data management and monitoring of screening activities.
    • Performance Monitoring: Implement robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track the implementation of cancer screening programs at HWCs.

    Mains PYQ: 

    Q Appropriate local community level healthcare intervention is a prerequisite to achieve ‘Health for All’ in India. Explain.

  • Meeting Nutrition challenge: What new guidelines prescribe?

    Why in the news? 

    According to the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), approximately 56.4% of India’s overall disease burden is linked to poor dietary habits.

    Guidelines by the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN): 

    The NIN, operating under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), has issued comprehensive guidelines on nutrition for vulnerable groups, including pregnant and lactating women, children, and the elderly.

    • Preventive Measures: A healthy diet coupled with regular physical activity can prevent 80% of Type 2 diabetes cases and significantly reduce the burden of heart disease and high blood pressure.
    • Nutrition for Mother and Child: Proper nutrition from conception to the age of 2 years is crucial for optimal growth and development, preventing undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and obesity in both mothers and children.
    • Suggested general dietary principles: The guidelines recommend getting required nutrients from at least eight food groups, including vegetables, leafy vegetables, roots and tubers, dairy, nuts, and oils.
    • Group-Specific Guidelines:
    1. Pregnant women: Small frequent meals for those experiencing nausea and vomiting. It recommends the consumption of lots of fruit and vegetables, especially those high in iron and folate content.
    2. Infants and children: For the first six months, infants should only be breastfed, and must not be given honey, glucose, or diluted milk. After the age of 6 months, complementary foods must be included.
    3. Elderly: The elderly should consume foods rich in proteins, calcium, micronutrients, and fiber. Apart from pulses and cereals — with at least one-third as whole grains — at least 200-400 ml of low-fat milk or milk products, a fist full of nuts and oilseeds, and 400-500g of vegetables and fruit should be consumed.

    Key concerns as per the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN):

    • Rising Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) Among Adolescents and Children: Due to poor dietary habits led to diseases like cardiovascular disease, cancers, and diabetes are increasingly affecting adolescents and even children in India.
    • Focus on Healthy Dietary Habits: The guidelines emphasize the importance of reducing salt intake and avoiding highly processed foods like packaged snacks, cookies, and sugary treats, which are linked to unhealthy diets and disease burden.
    • High Prevalence of Lifestyle Conditions: The Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey 2019 highlights a concerning prevalence of lifestyle-related conditions even among children, including overweight or obesity, diabetes, pre-diabetes, and abnormal cholesterol levels.
    • Cholesterol Levels: The survey indicates high levels of bad cholesterol (LDL and triglycerides) in children aged 5-9 and pre-teens and teens aged 10-19, along with low levels of good cholesterol in a significant portion of children and adolescents.

    Other concerns related to the “Dual nutrition challenge”

    • Incidence of micronutrient (zinc, iron, vitamins) deficiencies ranged from 13% to 30% of children between ages 1 and 19. But still, the prevalence of anemia is at 40.6%, 23.5%, and 28.4% in children under age 5, ages 5-9, and 10-19 respectively.
    • However severe forms of undernutrition such as marasmus (a deficiency of macronutrients such as carbohydrates and proteins) and kwashiorkor (deficiency of proteins) have disappeared from the country.

    Conclusion: Implementing these guidelines effectively can significantly contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets, particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

    Mains PYQ: 

    Q How far do you agree with the view that the focus on the lack of availability of food as the main cause of hunger takes the attention away from ineffective human development policies in India? (15M) UPSC 2018

  • The unseen effects of Climate Change on Mental Health

    Why in the News? 

    Studies show that individuals with schizophrenia are more likely to experience fatal effects from extreme heat compared to those with kidney or heart problems as per Geo Health report.

    What is schizophrenia? 

    As per the National Institute of Mental Health, Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. People with schizophrenia may seem like they have lost touch with reality, which can be distressing for them and their family and friends.

    Effects of Extreme Heat  as per the Geo Health Report:

    • Schizophrenia Heat-Related Deaths: GeoHealth in 2023 revealed that an extreme heat event in British Columbia in 2021 led to more fatalities among individuals with schizophrenia compared to those with kidney and heart diseases.
    • Mental Health Conditions: People with mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, were identified as being at higher risk of succumbing to heat-related deaths during extreme heat events.
    • Impact of Extreme Heat Event: British Columbia experienced an eight-day extreme heat event in 2021, with temperatures soaring as high as 40 degrees celsius, significantly above the average temperature of around 20 degrees celsius. The region recorded approximately 740 excess deaths during this heat wave.
      • Researchers analyzed the data based on various medical conditions, including heart disease, schizophrenia, chronic kidney disease, dementia, depression, Parkinson’s disease, and osteoporosis.
    • Higher Risk of Schizophrenia: Contrary to expectations, the study reported a 200% increase in the prevalence of schizophrenia diagnoses during the extreme heat event in 2021 compared to a summer without recorded heat waves.

     Key challenges for treating Schizophrenia:

    • Dysfunction of the Hypothalamus: The dysfunction of the hypothalamus, a structure deep in the brain responsible for maintaining bodily homeostasis, may contribute to increased vulnerability to heat stress among individuals with schizophrenia.
    • Impact of Antipsychotic Medications: Certain antipsychotic medications prescribed for schizophrenia can interfere with the functioning of the hypothalamus, potentially raising body temperature. This side effect, when combined with high ambient temperatures, can lead to fatal outcomes.
    • Psychotic Symptoms and Anosognosia (unable to be aware of the symptoms): Individuals with schizophrenia often experience psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and memory loss. The anosognosia, a condition where individuals are unaware of their illness can further complicate treatment efforts.

    Way Forward:

    • Enhanced Monitoring and Support Systems: Implement enhanced monitoring and support systems for individuals with schizophrenia during extreme heat events.
    • Education and Awareness Campaigns: Conduct education and awareness campaigns to inform individuals with schizophrenia and their caregivers about the risks of heat-related distress and the importance of staying cool and hydrated during extreme heat events.
    • Tailored Treatment Plans: Develop tailored treatment plans for individuals with schizophrenia that take into account the potential impact of antipsychotic medications on body temperature regulation.

    Mains PYQ 

    Q Public health system has limitation in providing universal health coverage. Do you think that private sector can help in bridging the gap? What other viable alternatives do you suggest? (UPSC IAS/2015)

    With inputs from:

    https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2022GH000729

    https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/schizophrenia#:~:text=What%20is%20schizophrenia%3F,for%20their%20family%20and%20friends

  • [8 May 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: A dignified peaceful passing is everyone’s right

    Mains PYQ Relevance: 

    Q) Appropriate local community-level healthcare intervention is a prerequisite to achieving ‘Health for All’ in India. Explain. (UPSC IAS/2018)
    Q) To enhance the prospects of social development, sound and adequate health care policies are needed particularly in the fields of geriatric and maternal health care. Discuss. (UPSC IAS/2020)

    Note4Students: 

    Prelims: Right to life; Right to health; Right to die with dignity;

    Mains: Judicial Intervention in Health Care sector;

    Mentor comments: Death is inevitable, the one certainty in life. When the time comes, and if you have an incurable disease, how would you like to go? Would you prefer your bed in your home, with your loved ones around you? Or would you prefer being all alone in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with a tube in every orifice, hooked to machines that measure the functioning of every vital organ in your body, with each malfunctioning organ supported artificially? When facing an incurable illness, the choice between passing away at home surrounded by loved ones or in an ICU on life support is deeply personal (Right to Privacy). Some prefer the comfort and intimacy of home, while others seek every medical intervention, even if alone. There have been long debates on euthanasia and Palliative care for old people to protect their rights. Courts, through various decisions, have recognized the right to die with dignity as a fundamental right and an integral part of the right to life under Article 21.

    Let’s learn

    —

    Why in the News?

    Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the USA, died at 93 in his home surrounded by his family members (2004). However, India’s former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee died (2018), nine years after a stroke that had left him non-ambulant. 

    • Hence, communicating end-of-life wishes is crucial to ensure one’s final moments align with their values.

    What is the difference between Life support System and Palliative Care?

    Life support SystemPalliative Care System
    What is it?It aims to prolong life by artificially maintaining vital bodily functions.It focuses on improving quality of life by relieving symptoms, pain, and distress, regardless of prognosis.
    Treatment It involves invasive medical interventions like ventilators, dialysis, and feeding tubes.It emphasizes comfort-oriented, non-curative treatments to alleviate suffering.
    GoalsTo sustain life, even if it means prolonging the dying process.To enhance quality of life and provide comfort, even if it means foregoing life-prolonging treatments.
    TimingUsed in critical, end-stage illness when curative treatment is no longer possible.Can be provided at any stage of a serious illness, even alongside curative treatments.

    End-of-Life Practices: West vs. India

    • West Scenario: Advance directives for common, terminally ill allowed Natural Death by withdrawing life support.
    • Europe Scenario: Only 10.3% die on life support, others shifted to Palliative Care.
    • Indian Scenario:
      • 70% of incurable patients die on life support in ICUs, alone.
      • The remaining 30% die through “Left Against Medical Advice” – ethically questionable. A survey in Pune showed 83% prefer to die at home.
    What is the LAMA/DAMA Practice?

    Left Against Medical Advice/Discharged Against Medical Advice (LAMA/DAMA) refers to a patient leaving the hospital against the advice and recommendation of their treating healthcare providers.

    Its Causes:  Financial constraints, Belief in alternative therapies, Dissatisfaction with care, Terminal/advanced illness, and Lack of understanding about the treatment process. It adversely affects patient outcomes, increasing the risk of mortality and the need for readmission.

    The practice is considered ethically questionable, as it represents unplanned treatment limitations without a formal shift to palliative care.

    Challenges in Indian Context:

    • ICU Routinisation: 
      • Society has a mistaken belief in prolonging life at all costs and accepts ICU death as normal 
      • In recent years, a lack of adherence to ethical principles and routinization of intensive care deaths has become more common.
    • Lack of Legal Clarity:
      • Lack of death literacy and inability to make informed decisions plays a major setback in Indian Society.
      • Further, the absence of a Legal Framework for End-of-life Care in India creates wider challenges for hospital staff and patients.
      • The term “Passive Euthanasia” is considered a misnomer by ICMR. Withholding or withdrawing life support in futility is not euthanasia but allowing natural death.

    Initiatives taken on Palliative Care and Living Wills:

    • By WHO:
      • WHO defines health as “physical, social, and mental well-being” beyond just the absence of disease.
      • World Health Day (April 7) has passed and the theme for 2024 was “My health, my right”. 
    • By India (through Judicial intervention):
      • SC in 2018 recognized passive euthanasia and the ‘Right to die with dignity’ as a fundamental right subject to guidelines.
        • India’s Supreme Court (three-member Bench) ruled that the ‘Right to Health’ includes the ‘Right to palliative care’.
      • SC verdict of 2023 recognizes advance medical directives and withdrawal of life support in futility cases.

    Conclusion: The Lancet Commission Report 2022 speaks on the Value of Death and that modern society has become death-illiterate. Therefore, it is much required to bring awareness in our Indian Society on the value system of “dignified death”.

  • Why Youth Unemployment is India’s biggest challenge?

    Why in the News?

    The India Employment Report (IER) 2024, brought out by the Institute for Human Development (IHD) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), has attracted widespread attention.

    • The analysis compares four years — 2000, 2012, 2019, and 2022 — which capture the changes over the past 22 years.

    Positives in the IER Report, 2024:

    • Employment Quality Improvement: The report highlights a robust improvement in employment conditions as indicated by the Employment Condition Index, with an increase in non-farm employment and a decline in agriculture employment, suggesting structural transformation in the economy.
    • Female Workforce Participation: There has been a significant increase in the female workforce participation rate, albeit mainly in the agricultural sector and in own-account and unpaid family work. The Female workforce participation (FWFP) rate from 24.5% in 2019 to 37.0% in 2023.
    • Labour Market Resilience Amidst COVID: Despite the global slowdown induced by the pandemic, the labor market in India bounced back well, with wages of casual workers increasing, leading to a reduction in extreme poverty and deprivation.
    • Unemployment Trends: Unemployment and underemployment rates increased until 2018 but have declined thereafter. The unemployment rate has declined from 6 percent in 2018 to 3.2 percent in 2023.

    Challenges as per the IER Report, 2024:

    • Emerging Employment Challenges: Challenges include a skewed employment pattern towards agriculture, increasing capital and skill-intensive production processes, low women’s participation, and rising educated youth unemployment.
    • Youth Unemployment Focus: The report emphasizes youth unemployment as a principal challenge, especially among educated youth, who account for a significant portion of total unemployment.
    • Informal Employment: Despite improvements, the majority of jobs remain informal and of lower productivity, with over 90% of employment being informal and 83% in the informal sector.

    Way Forward 

    • Policy Recommendations: Policy measures suggested include making production more employment-intensive, improving job quality, addressing labor market inequalities, enhancing skills training, and generating reliable statistics to better understand labor market dynamics.
    • Demographic Advantage: India is likely to have a demographic advantage for the next decade, and policy measures are recommended to leverage this advantage for robust economic growth.

    Mains PYQ:

    Q Besides the welfare schemes, India needs deft management of inflation and unemployment to serve the poor and the underprivileged sections of the society. Discuss.(UPSC IAS/2022)

  • Make the poor richer without making the rich poorer

    Why in the News? 

    Since the Congress Party released its Election Manifesto ’Nyay Patra’, the word ‘redistribution’ has dominated the election discourse.

    Arguments against the redistribution of wealth:

    • Against the fair mean: Wealth redistribution stems from a ‘zero-sum’ thought to reduce economic disparity. However, this approach conflates the process of acquiring wealth with the outcome, potentially penalizing even those who acquired their wealth through fair means.
    • Hindrance to Economic Growth: Implementing confrontational policies to make the rich poorer can hinder investments and trigger capital flight, which is essential for economic growth. Economic growth is necessary for increasing the overall economic pie and improving prosperity for all.

    Measures needed to reduce Inequality:

    • On Wealth and Inheritance Taxes: Wealth and inheritance taxes are seen as potentially punitive measures that may not effectively address economic inequality. The government needs to focus on fixing systemic issues rather than penalizing the wealthy.
    • On Policies: Economic growth is emphasized as crucial for addressing inequality. Policies should prioritize investment and avoid hindrances that might deter capital flow.
    • Job Creation and Labour Market Policies: Jobless growth and imbalance in capital-labour relations contribute to inequality. Labor market-focused policy incentives, such as employment-linked schemes and promoting labor-intensive activities, are proposed to rebalance this skew.
    • Overhaul of the taxation structure: The taxation system is criticized for burdening the poor and middle class disproportionately compared to corporations. There’s a call for an overhaul of the taxation structure to ensure fairness and simplicity, with a focus on lowering the tax burden for the common person.
    • Social Welfare Programs: Social welfare programs are deemed essential to provide a safety net for the poor until they can benefit from economic growth. Funding for such programs can come from a combination of faster growth, efficient tax collection, and welfare delivery mechanisms.

    Steps taken by the Government:

    • For addressing Social Inequality
        • Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) and Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana- National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM): These schemes aim to create additional employment opportunities in both rural and urban areas.
        • Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA): This scheme provides a legal guarantee for 100 days of employment per year to rural households
        • Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana: This scheme provides affordable housing to the urban and rural poor
    • For improving Financial Inclusion
        • Atal Pension Yojana: This pension scheme targets the unorganized sector and private sector employees without pension benefits
        • Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana: This scheme aims to provide universal access to banking facilities for all households
    • For enhancing Access to Basic Necessities
      • Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana: This scheme provides LPG connections to women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) households
      • Swachh Bharat Mission: This program focuses on providing toilets for every household and cleaning India’s cities and villages

    Conclusion: The Indian government implements schemes to reduce inequality. For example targeting financial inclusion, health protection, and economic development to reduce inequality. Beneficiaries include rural and urban poor, low-income families, and women from Below Poverty Line households.

    Mains PYQ:

    Q Can the vicious cycle of gender inequality, poverty, and malnutrition be broken through the microfinancing of women SHGs? Explain with examples. (UPSC IAS/2021)

  • Recognize ‘this leave’ as a woman’s right

    Why in the news?

    The DMK’s 2024 election manifesto in Tamil Nadu pledges to advocate for a law mandating menstrual leave for women, promoting gender equality and women’s welfare.

    Tracking Regional Progress:

    • Indian States:
        • The Kerala Sahitya Academy published work, Kerala in 19th Century, mentions that Kerala was the first (in the Cochin State) to recognize the need for “ period leave” for students and allowed it during examinations in 1912.
        • Kerala, in January 2023, introduced menstrual and maternity leave to all students above the age of 18.
        • Bihar, in 1992, allowed government employees two-day menstrual leave.
    • Asian Countries: 
      • Japan introduced menstrual leave in 1947, Indonesia in 1948, and South Korea. Taiwan and Vietnam have also implemented paid leave. But concerning the Asian countries, the progress made by the western world, except in Sweden and Spain, is still abysmal.

    Global Scenario:

    • International Labour Organisation report, in 2003, asked nations to recognise menstrual leave.
    • The World Health Organization recognised a non-governmental organisation driven World Menstrual Hygiene Day on May 28 from 2014.
    • India’s new code on Social Security, 2020, passed by Parliament, which consolidated existing labour laws (yet to be notified), has not included the aspect of menstrual leave in its code.

    Evidence related to impact:

    Women laborers in the sugarcane fields of Maharashtra and agricultural laborers in Telangana have been documented to have hysterectomies as menstrual-related absences could endanger their livelihoods.

    Legal Initiatives in India:

    • Bill in Tamil Nadu: In December 2021, S. Jothimani, Congress Member of Parliament (MP) from Tamil Nadu, had introduced a Private Member Bill named, ‘Right to Menstrual Hygiene and Paid Leave Bill, 2019’, which sought to bring menstrual leave into the ambit of the rights of a woman.
    • Bill in Arunachal Pradesh: Congress MP from Arunachal Pradesh, introduced a private member Bill on menstrual leave in 2017 (the Menstruation Benefit Bill, 2017).
    • Bill in Kerala: Shashi Tharoor, Congress MP from Kerala, introducing a similar Bill named The Women’s Sexual, Reproductive and Menstrual Rights Bill, 2018.
    • The Supreme Court of India, early in 2023, refused to entertain a public interest litigation in Shailendra Mani Tripathi vs Union of India which sought direction to the state on menstrual leave; it thought that it is in the policy domain of the government. 

    Way Forward: 

    • Legislation and Policy Implementation: Advocate for the passage of bills at both the state and national levels that mandate menstrual leave for women. Additionally, ensure effective implementation and enforcement of these policies to guarantee that women can avail themselves of their entitled leave without fear of discrimination or repercussions.
    • Awareness and Education: Launch comprehensive awareness campaigns to remove shame of menstruation and promote understanding of its biological, social, and cultural aspects.

    Mains PYQ 

    Q Women empowerment in India needs gender budgeting. What are requirements and status of gender budgeting in the Indian context?

  • Inequality can no longer be ignored

    Why in the news?

    The Congress’s party’s election manifesto, the Nyay Patra, has triggered a debate on inequality, concentration of wealth and the measures to address these.

    The reason behind the inequality in India:

      • Taxation Disparities: India’s tax-GDP ratio is comparatively low, standing at 17% as opposed to 25% in Brazil, indicating room for improvement in revenue generation. The taxation structure in India leans towards indirect taxes, which contribute significantly (about two-thirds) to overall tax revenue collection.
      • Regressive Taxation Structure: India’s tax system is described as regressive, indicating that it disproportionately impacts low-income individuals compared to high-income individuals. Indirect taxes, which are a significant component of overall tax revenue, tend to burden lower-income groups more than higher-income groups.
      • Lack in Tax Progressivity: There are concerns about the lack of progressivity in India’s direct tax regime, where higher-profit companies enjoy relatively lower effective tax rates compared to lower-profit companies.

    Welfare spending is low

      • Low Spending on Welfare and Social Sector: India’s expenditure on welfare and the social sector is significantly lower compared to other countries. Public spending on health remains low, approximately 1.3% of GDP, falling short of the National Health Policy (NHP) target of 2.5% of GDP by 2025.
      • Eventual decline Budget Allocations: Major budgetary allocations for programs like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), education, and budgets for children have either declined as a proportion of total expenditure or GDP.

    Way forward

    • Revenue Mobilization and Spending Priorities: There’s a pressing need to improve revenue mobilization progressively, ensuring that the burden of taxation is distributed fairly and equitably.
      • Simultaneously, increasing spending on areas that directly affect the lives of the poor is crucial. This includes healthcare, education, social protection programs, and employment generation schemes like MGNREGA.
    • Achieving Policy Targets: Meeting targets set by policies like the NHP requires a concerted effort to ramp up healthcare spending in line with national goals.

    Mains PYQ 

    Q) Despite the consistent experience of high growth, India still goes with the lowest indicators of human development. Examine the issues that make balanced and inclusive development elusive.  (UPSC IAS/2019)

    Q) Critically discuss the objectives of Bhoodan and Gramdan movements initiated by Acharya Vinoba Bhave and their success.  (UPSC IAS/2013)

  • Towards a less poor and more equal country

    Why in the news? 

    In March, World Inequality Lab, a Global Research Center focused on inequality and public policies, published in a paper titled, ‘Income and Wealth Inequality in India, 1922-2023: The Rise of the Billionaire Raj’. 

    Income and wealth inequality as per the World Inequality Lab: 

    • Income Inequality: In 2022-23, the top 1% of Indians received 22.6% of the national income, the highest in a century. The top 0.1% earned nearly 10% of the national income. Wealth inequality was also stark, with the top 1% holding 40.1% of the wealth in 2022-23, the highest since 1961.
    • Wealth Inequality Trends: Wealth concentration increased significantly between 1961 and 2023. The top 10% held 65% of the wealth in 2022-23, up from 45% in 1961. The bottom 50% and middle 40% saw declines in their share of wealth.
    • Comparison with Other Countries: India’s wealth inequality, while not as extreme as in Brazil and South Africa, increased threefold between 1961 and 2023. India’s income inequality is among the highest globally, surpassing South Africa, Brazil, and the U.S.
    • Impact of 1991 Economic Reforms: Inequality increased notably after the 1991 economic reforms in India. Growth in China has been broad-based compared to India, resulting in lesser income inequality despite higher growth rates in China.

    Present Dilemma in Human Development:

    • The Human Development Report (HDR) 2023-2024 ranked India 134 out of 193 countries. 
    • India is now the fifth-largest economy but it still ranks lower than Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Bangladesh in human development. Its economic growth has not translated into growth in human development.

    Measures to Improve Human Development:

    • Investment in Education: Ensure access to quality education for all, from primary to higher levels. Focus on improving educational infrastructure, teacher training, and curriculum development.
    • Healthcare Access and Quality: Expand access to affordable and quality healthcare services, including preventive, primary, and specialized care. Invest in healthcare infrastructure, medical personnel, and technology.
    • Poverty Reduction: Implement social welfare programs to provide basic needs such as food, shelter, and clothing to the disadvantaged. Promote inclusive economic growth to create employment opportunities and increase household incomes.

    Conclusion: The Indian government has taken several steps including the creation and organization of women’s self-help groups, sending civil servants to areas with poor levels of human development,  and implementing land reforms. However, a major necessity of raising awareness is through an organic approach.

     

    Mains PYQ 

    Q Despite the consistent experience of high growth, India still goes with the lowest indicators of human development. Examine the issues that make balanced and inclusive development elusive (UPSC IAS/2019)