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Type: Explained

These Newscards correspond to the explained section of various newspapers. They become immensely important for both prelims and mains and special attention needs to be paid to them

  • The promise of parametric insurance

    Why in the news? 

    In 2023, natural disaster losses hit $280 billion, with only $100 billion insured, highlighting a need for innovative insurance solutions amid rising extreme weather events.

    Present Method of Disaster Risk Reduction

    • Indemnity-based Insurance Products: Indemnity-based insurance products require a physical assessment of damage after a disaster to determine the payout amount. For example Health Insurance, Motor Insurance and Travel Insurance.

    Challenges:

    • Verification Issues: When large-scale calamities strike, especially in economically disadvantaged areas, it is difficult to verify losses due to the lack of records and widespread destruction.
    • Delays in Payouts: The need for physical assessment can cause delays in providing financial assistance to the affected individuals and communities.
    • Insurance Gap: There is a significant gap in insurance coverage between developed and developing economies, leaving many vulnerable populations without adequate protection.

    Changing course and the associated limitations:

    • Parametric insurance: Payments are made based on predefined parameters of weather events (e.g., rainfall exceeding 100 mm per day for two consecutive days, specific flood levels, wind speed).The payouts are made without the need for physical assessment of losses, enabling quicker disbursements.

    Examples:

    • Disaster-prone Island Countries: Many have adopted parametric insurance for climate adaptation, moving away from risk retention models. For example, Fiji launched its first parametric insurance product in 2021
    • Morocco received $275 million in parametric insurance after a 6.8 magnitude earthquake, arranged with the help of the World Bank.
    • India has initiated crop insurance (e.g., Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and the Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme).

    Associated Limitations

    • Current Focus: Primarily used for low-frequency, high-impact disasters like earthquakes, cyclones, and hurricanes.
    • Data and Infrastructure Requirements: There is challenges related to developing and maintaining the necessary infrastructure for data collection and monitoring can be challenging, especially in developing regions.
    • Affordability and Accessibility issues: It demands high premiums can still be a barrier for economically disadvantaged communities.

    Case Study of Nagaland:

    • Nagaland was the first state in India to buy parametric cover for extreme precipitation in 2021.
    • Based on lessons learned, it improved the product by fixing an absolute annual premium, duration, and rate online, allowing bidders to compete over lower threshold limits and maximized payouts.

    What can be done to ensure effectiveness? (Way Forward)

    • Precise Thresholds and Robust Monitoring: Establish clear, accurate parameters for insurance triggers and implement reliable monitoring systems to track these parameters effectively.
    • Transparent Bidding and Experience Sharing: Follow a transparent bidding process for price discovery and facilitate the exchange of best practices and lessons learned between governments.
    • Widespread Payout Systems and Household Premium Support: Develop comprehensive systems for distributing payouts and promote long-term premium payment by households, leveraging tools like Aadhaar-based payment dissemination.

    Mains PYQ: 

    Q Describe various measures taken in India for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) before and after signing ‘Sendai Framework for DRR (2015-2030)’. How is this framework different from ‘Hyogo Framework for Action, 2005’? (UPSC IAS/2018)

  • The Green Revolution in Maize

    Why in the news? 

    Over the past two decades, India’s maize production has more than tripled, emerging as a private sector-driven green revolution success story. Maize has transitioned from being primarily a feed crop to also serving as a fuel crop.

    What was the Green Revolution?

    • Began in 1968 with the introduction of high-yielding variety (HYV) seeds, especially for wheat and rice, developed by agronomist Norman Borlaug
    • Institutions like CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center) and IARI (Indian Agricultural Research Institute), led by scientists like Norman Borlaug and M S Swaminathan, played a crucial role.
    • The Green Revolution is credited to M.S. Swaminathan, known as the “Father of the Indian Green Revolution”, who introduced Borlaug’s wheat varieties and other technologies.
    • The initiative focused on increasing agricultural productivity through advanced breeding techniques, fertilizers, and irrigation methods.
    • Wheat production increased from 12 million tons in 1964-65 to 20 million tons in 1970-71.India became self-sufficient in food grain production and a major exporter

    Present India’s Maize Production called as a Green Revolution in Maize

    • Significant Production Increase: Over the last two decades, India’s maize production has surged from 11.5 million tonnes in 1999-2000 to over 35 million tonnes in 2023-24, showcasing a remarkable increase in both yield and output.
    • Private Sector Leadership: This growth has been largely driven by the private sector, with more than 80% of the maize area planted with high-yielding hybrids developed by private seed companies, indicating a successful private sector-led green revolution.
    • Diverse Utilization: Maize in India has evolved from being primarily a feed crop for poultry and livestock to also being a vital industrial crop used for starch and ethanol production, reflecting its expanded role in the economy.

    On Starch and Ethanol Production

    • Maize contains 68-72% starch, with significant industrial applications in textiles, paper, pharmaceuticals, food, and beverages.
    • Maize is emerging as a key feedstock for ethanol production, especially for blending with petrol.
    • IARI has developed a waxy maize hybrid with high amylopectin content, enhancing its suitability for ethanol production.
    • The new Pusa Waxy Maize Hybrid-1 has 71-72% starch with 68-70% recoverable, increasing ethanol yield per tonne.

    Can India adopt new strategies? (Way forward)

    • India can adopt new strategies through innovative breeding techniques like the doubled haploid (DH) technology used by CIMMYT.
    • The DH facility in Karnataka speeds up the development of genetically pure inbred lines, enhancing the efficiency of maize breeding.
    • IARI’s waxy maize hybrid is ready for field trials and commercial release, potentially boosting ethanol production.
    • Collaboration between public sector institutions and private seed companies can drive the adoption of high-yielding, disease-resistant maize varieties.
    • Private sector-bred hybrids account for over 80% of India’s maize area, indicating strong potential for further growth and innovation in maize production.

    Mains PYQ: 

    Q Explain various types of revolutions, that took place in Agriculture after Independence in India. How these revolutions have helped in poverty alleviation and food security in India? (UPSC IAS/2017)

  • India plans to enter into a carbon crediting mechanism with Japan 

    Why in the news? 

    India is set to establish a Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) with Japan for carbon trading and emission-reduction credits.

    Memorandum of Cooperation for Setting Up a Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM)

    • Objective and Framework: India and Japan plan to sign a Memorandum of Cooperation to establish a Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) for sharing emission-reduction credits. The JCM will involve a structured allocation of carbon credits and maintain a registry to track these credits, with projects needing clearance from a Joint Committee.
    • Implementation and Oversight: The mechanism will be governed under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement, adhering to relevant domestic laws and regulations of both countries. A Joint Committee will develop rules, manage project cycles, and oversee monitoring and issuance of credits.

    Emission Cuts

    • Credit Allocation: Credits issued under the JCM will contribute to both Japan’s and India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. The JCM will avoid double counting of credits and may authorize some credits for international mitigation purposes.
    • Technology Transfer and Capacity Building: Japan will support technology transfer, finance, and capacity building to enhance the effectiveness of the JCM and facilitate the adoption of new technologies.

    Significance of JCM:

    • Increased Access to Clean Technologies: The JCM will facilitate the transfer of advanced decarbonizing technologies from Japan to India, such as renewable energy systems, energy-efficient appliances, and waste management solutions.
    • Job Creation and Skill Development: The implementation of JCM projects will create new employment opportunities in sectors like renewable energy, energy efficiency, and waste management

    Bilateral ties between India and Japan

    • Strategic Partnership: The JCM will strengthen bilateral ties between India and Japan by fostering collaboration on low-carbon technologies and climate action, aimed at boosting job creation and investments in clean technologies.
    • Clean Energy Partnership: It was launched in March 2022, the India-Japan Clean Energy Partnership (CEP) aims to enhance cooperation in sustainable energy transitions to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.
    • Investment Commitments: During the 14th India-Japan Annual Summit in March 2022, both nations agreed on a target of $42 billion (JPY 5 trillion) in public and private investment from Japan to India over the next five years
    • Low Carbon Emission Strategies: A $600 million fund was established to focus on environmental sustainability and low carbon emission strategies. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance Japanese investments in India while addressing climate change.

    Way forward: 

    • Prioritize the adoption of cutting-edge decarbonizing technologies: Japan should prioritize the transfer of its most advanced low-carbon technologies to India, such as renewable energy systems, energy-efficient appliances, and carbon capture and storage solutions.
    • Expand the scope of the JCM to include other areas of climate cooperation: While the initial focus of the JCM should be on emission reduction projects, India and Japan could explore expanding its scope to include other areas of climate cooperation, such as adaptation measures, climate finance, and capacity building.

    Mains PYQ: 

    Q Clean energy is the order of the day.’ Describe briefly India’s changing policy towards climate change in various international fora in the context of geopolitics. (UPSC IAS/2022)

  • Vasco da Gama’s toxic legacy is now a ‘pandemic’ that kills 8 million globally   

    Why in the news? 

    On July 8th, 1497, Vasco da Gama’s historic voyage began, reshaping global maritime routes and leaving a lasting impact on trade and culture. This era of exploration introduced and disseminated tobacco, profoundly affecting societies in numerous ways.

    Cultivation and Production of Tobacco

    • Historical Introduction: Tobacco was originally cultivated by Native Americans and brought to Europe in the 16th century. It was introduced to South Asia by European traders and colonizers, notably the Portuguese, Dutch, and British.
    • Economic Significance: Tobacco is a drought-tolerant crop providing livelihoods to many. It accounts for about 2% of India’s agricultural exports and employs over 45 million people.
    • Revenue Generation: The tobacco industry is a major source of revenue through taxation and exports, generating over ₹22,000 crores annually.

    Implications on Human Health

    • Health Issues: Tobacco use contributes to various cancers (lung, mouth, throat, oesophagus, pancreas, and bladder), respiratory diseases (COPD, emphysema, chronic bronchitis), cardiovascular problems (heart disease, stroke, hypertension), and other conditions like diabetes, infertility, weakened immune system, and complications in pregnancy.
    • Addiction: Nicotine, a highly addictive substance in tobacco, alters brain function leading to severe addiction.
    • Health Crisis: In India, tobacco use causes over 1.2 million deaths annually. It is responsible for 27% of all cancers and adds significant costs to healthcare and productivity losses, totaling approximately ₹1.82 trillion annually.

    Ethical and Revenue Considerations

    • Economic Benefits vs. Health Costs: While tobacco provides economic benefits and employment, it comes with tremendous human and financial costs due to tobacco-related illnesses.
    • Constitutional Provisions: Under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution guarantees the right to life and health. The Directive Principles of State Policy mandate the state to improve public health and living standards.So,Govt. has responsibility to prevent tobacoo consumption.

    Indian needs to Stack Up Its Priorities

    • Institutional Conflict: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) focuses on eliminating tobacco to mitigate health impacts, while the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) aims to increase tobacco crop yields.
    • Policy and Ethical Dilemma: The conflicting priorities between ICMR and ICAR create significant policy challenges. The constitutional mandate to prioritize public health should guide policy decisions.

    Will CRISPR make a difference?

    • Gene Editing Potential: CRISPR technology offers potential solutions by developing genetically modified tobacco plants with reduced nicotine content.
    • Research Developments: Studies have shown promise in using CRISPR to significantly lower nicotine levels in tobacco plants. However, further characterization is needed to ensure these modifications do not negatively impact other important traits.
    • Collaborative Efforts: Collaboration between ICMR and ICAR is crucial to align scientific advancements with public health goals and agricultural sustainability.

    The Tobacco Lobby and Surrogate Advertising

    • Circumventing Regulations: The tobacco industry employs surrogate advertising to promote its products despite stringent advertising bans. These tactics perpetuate tobacco consumption, especially among youth, undermining public health efforts.
    • Aggressive Lobbying: The tobacco industry has a large network of 1,027 registered lobbyists at the state level in 2024, many of whom are former government employees. They engage in extensive lobbying to weaken, delay or block life-saving tobacco control measures.

    Way forward: 

    • Implement Stricter Regulations: Enforce stringent regulations on tobacco advertising, including surrogate advertising, and ensure compliance through regular monitoring and penalties.
    • Ban on Public Smoking: Implement and strictly enforce smoking bans in public places to reduce exposure to second-hand smoke.

    Mains PYQ: 

    Q What are the research and developmental achievements in applied biotechnology? How will these achievements help to uplift the poorer sections of the society? (UPSC IAS/2021)

  • How do Assam’s Foreigners Tribunals function? 

    Why in the news? 

    On July 5, the Assam government instructed the Border wing of the State police not to refer cases of non-Muslims who entered India illegally before 2014 to the Foreigners Tribunals (FTs).

    About Foreigners Tribunals: 

    • Foreigners Tribunals are quasi-judicial bodies established to determine if a person staying illegally in India is a “foreigner” or not.
    • They were set up under the Foreigners (Tribunals) Order, 1964, enacted by the central government under the Foreigners Act, 1946.
    • Initially, only the central government could set up these tribunals. But a 2019 amendment empowered district magistrates in all states and UTs to establish Foreigners Tribunals.
    • The tribunals have the powers of a civil court to summon witnesses, require document production, and examine evidence.

    Decision-Making Process of Foreigners Tribunals:

    • Referral: Individuals suspected of being foreigners are referred to FTs by local authorities or border police. This referral can be based on various factors, including lack of documentation or doubtful voter status.
    • Notice Issuance: Upon receiving a reference, the FT issues a notice to the person alleged to be a foreigner. This notice is served in English or the state’s official language.The person has 10 days to respond to the notice and an additional 10 days to submit evidence supporting their claim of citizenship.
    • Submission of Evidence: The individual must present evidence to prove their Indian citizenship. This may include documents like birth certificates, school certificates, land records, or other official records.
    • Verification: The tribunal examines the documents and evidence provided, and may call witnesses or seek additional information if necessary.
    • Hearing: The FT has the authority to summon and examine the individual on oath, and to require the production of additional documents. The tribunal operates with certain powers of a civil court.
    • Judgment: If the evidence provided is deemed insufficient to prove citizenship, the individual may be declared a foreigner. If evidence is adequate, the person is recognized as an Indian citizen.
    • Detention and Deportation: If declared a foreigner and unable to appeal successfully, the person may be sent to a detention center (transit camp) for deportation.

    Role of Border Police:

    • Detection and Referral: The Assam Police Border Organisation is responsible for detecting illegal foreigners and referring suspicious cases to FTs.
    • Patrolling and Defence: They patrol the India-Bangladesh border, work with the Border Security Force, and maintain a second line of defense.
    • Monitoring: They monitor people settled in riverine and char (sandbar) areas.
    • Cases of ‘D’ Voters: They refer cases of ‘D’ (doubtful) voters to FTs as directed by the Election Commission of India.
    • NRC Appeals: People excluded from the NRC can appeal to the FTs through this wing to prove their citizenship.

    Challenges and Criticisms:

    • Supreme Court Rulings: The Supreme Court has overturned FT orders citing grave miscarriages of justice, such as the wrongful declaration of a deceased farmer, Rahim Ali, as a foreigner.
    • Corruption and Malpractice: Observations have been made about corruption within the system, with allegations of notices being improperly served.

    Conclusion: Need to Implement stricter oversight and auditing of Foreigners Tribunals to ensure fairness and adherence to legal procedures. Regular reviews and monitoring can help prevent corruption and malpractice, ensuring that notices are properly served and tribunal processes are transparent.

    Mains PYQ: 

    Q How far are India’s internal security challenges linked with border management particularly in view of the long porous borders with most countries of South Asia and Myanmar? (UPSC IAS/2013)

  • The issue with India’s tree planting schemes

    Why in the news? 

    India’s tree planting schemes have garnered attention as part of the country’s efforts to combat climate change and restore degraded ecosystems. However, these initiatives face several challenges and criticisms.

    Recent Trends of Special Conservation Drives:

    • Increased Initiatives: There has been a surge in global and national tree planting drives, such as the “One Trillion Project” by the World Economic Forum, Pakistan’s “10 Billion Tree Tsunami,” China’s “Great Green Wall,” and the “Bonn Challenge” to restore degraded landscapes.
    • High Media Attention: These drives often feature catchy slogans and glamorous campaigns that attract substantial media attention and public involvement.
    • Annual Events: India celebrates Van Mahotsava annually in July, aiming to promote tree planting and environmental conservation.

    Issues Associated with These Drives:

    • Limited Community Participation: Many programs lack significant involvement from local communities, affecting their effectiveness and sustainability.
    • Post-Planting Measures: Insufficient focus on post-planting care and monitoring hinders the success of tree planting efforts.
    • Monoculture Risks: Some drives promote monoculture, which can be detrimental to biodiversity and carbon sequestration.
    • Ecological Impact: Inappropriate tree planting in non-deforested areas like grasslands or animal habitats can damage ecosystems, increase wildfire risk, and exacerbate global warming.

    India’s Accountability and Challenges Toward Environmental Goals:

    • Achievements: India claims to have fulfilled its Paris Agreement commitments and achieved an additional carbon sink of 1.97 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent.
    • Encroachment and Loss: Approximately 10 million hectares of Indian forests are under encroachment, and about 5.7 million hectares have been lost for non-forestry purposes.
    • Dependence on Forests: Nearly 27.5 crore people rely on forests for subsistence, highlighting the importance of sustainable management.
    • Restoration Goals: India aims to restore 26 million hectares of degraded forests by 2030, but faces challenges such as encroachment and the need for effective tree planting strategies.

    Way forward: 

    • Community Involvement: Need to foster local participation in tree planting drives by involving communities in planning, execution, and ongoing maintenance.
    • Monitoring and Maintenance: Try to implement robust post-planting monitoring and care systems to ensure the survival and growth of planted trees.
    • Policy and Strategy Improvements: To address criticism of mass planting drives, India needs to prioritize adequate financing, active community participation, and technical considerations in forestry and restoration strategies.

  • The State of India’s Informal Economy    

    Why in the news? 

    The NSSO’s 2021-22 and 2022-23 survey outcomes reveal effects of significant economic shocks due to demonetisation, GST implementation, and the COVID-19 pandemic on India’s economy.

    About NSSO: 

    • The NSSO is India’s premier agency for conducting large-scale nationwide sample surveys on socio-economic aspects that collects data on employment, consumption, health, education, and other areas to provide essential inputs for policy and planning.
    • The NSSO was merged with the Central Statistical Office in 2019 to form the National Statistical Office.

    Key highlight as per the recent survey by NSSO   

    • Impact of Economic Shocks: The surveys reflect the aftermath of major economic events such as demonetisation (November 2016), the rollout of GST (July 2017), and the COVID-19 pandemic (starting March 2020).
    • Employment Trends: There has been a noticeable decline in employment within the informal sector over the past seven years, with around 16.45 lakh jobs lost.
    • Sectoral Dynamics: The unincorporated manufacturing sector saw a significant contraction, with the number of enterprises declining by 9.3% from 19.7 million in 2015-16 to 17.82 million in 2022-23.

    What are unincorporated enterprises?  

    • Unincorporated enterprises are informal businesses not legally registered as companies.
    • They include MSMEs, household units, own-account enterprises, and partnerships, operating outside formal regulatory frameworks but contributing significantly to employment and economic activity.

    Why are these survey results important and what do they represent?  

    • Timely Insights: These survey results offer current data crucial for understanding the evolving role of the informal sector in job creation, particularly during economic slowdowns when formal sector employment may decline.
    • Impact Assessment: They provide a detailed analysis of how significant economic events like demonetisation, GST implementation, and the COVID-19 lockdowns have affected the informal sector, highlighting vulnerabilities and resilience.
    • Policy Relevance: The findings inform policymaking aimed at supporting and regulating the informal sector, ensuring that measures address its unique challenges and contributions to overall economic stability and inclusivity.

    What has been the pattern of ‘Informal Employment’ across states?

    • The data shows a mixed pattern across states, with 16 out of 34 states/UTs recording a decline in informal sector workers in 2022-23 compared to 2015-16.
    • Around 63 lakh informal enterprises shut down due to GST between 2015-16 and 2022-23, resulting in a loss of about 1.6 crore jobs.
    • The number of informal enterprises plunged from 50.32 lakh with 85.6 lakh workers in April-June 2021 at the peak of the COVID-19 second wave, to 1.91 crore firms with 3.12 crore employees in January-March 2022.

    Way Forward: 

    • The government should provide targeted support and incentives to help informal enterprises adapt to the post-GST and post-pandemic environment.
    • Policymakers should aim to facilitate a gradual transition of informal enterprises to the formal sector.

    Mains PYQ: 

    Q How globalization has led to the reduction of employment in the formal sector of the Indian economy? Is increased informalization detrimental to the development of the country? (UPSC IAS/2016)

  • On political representation of women  

    Why in the News?

    In the recently concluded general elections in the U.K., a record 263 women MPs, making up 40% of the total, have been elected to the House of Commons.

    Political representation of Women in the world: 

    Have women been fairly represented in Parliament in independent India?

    Women were granted the right to vote from the First General Elections in 1952, yet their representation in the Lok Sabha has been low.

    • Statistics about women’s representation: The women’s representation in Lok sabha in between of  1952 and 2004 was about ranged from 5% to 10%.
      • The percentage women’s representation had increased to 12% in 2014 and stands at 13.6% in the 18th Lok Sabha while in the Rajya Sabha (upper house), the figure is 13%.
    • Constitutional Amendments: The 73rd and 74th amendments in 1992/1993 provided one-third reservation for women in panchayats and municipalities, but similar reservations for the Lok Sabha and State assemblies have not been successful until recently.

    Note: The global average of 26.9% of women in National parliaments.

    Women’s Representation in State Legislatures:

    • No state has more than 20% women representation in its legislative assembly.
    • Chhattisgarh has the highest representation with 18% women MLAs.
    • Himachal Pradesh has just one woman MLA and Mizoram has none.

    Should political parties provide internal reservations to increase women’s political participation?

    • Globally, higher representation for women is achieved through voluntary or legislated compulsory quotas for candidates within political parties or reserved seats in parliament.
    • So, quotas within political parties offer more democratic choices to voters and flexibility in candidate selection. It means quota in Political parties could be the most important step to increase women’s representation in Parliament.
    • Some parties, like Naam Tamilar Katchi in Tamil Nadu, have adopted voluntary quotas (50% for women candidates), but such measures alone have not significantly improved overall representation.

    When will the 106th constitutional amendment be implemented?

    • The 106th Amendment Act provides for 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies, including the Delhi Legislative Assembly.
    • The reservation will come into effect after an exercise of delimitation is undertaken following the first census conducted after the commencement of the 106th Amendment Act.
    • The women’s reservation will be in operation for a period of 15 years from its commencement.

    Way Forward: 

    • Public Awareness and Advocacy: Need to conduct widespread awareness campaigns to highlight the importance of gender equality in political representation.
    • Capacity Building and Support Mechanisms: Need to implement comprehensive capacity-building programs aimed at empowering women politically. For example,provide training in leadership skills, campaign management, and legislative processes.

    Mains PYQ: 

    Q The reservation of seats for women in the institutions of local self-government has had a limited impact on the patriarchal character of the Indian Political Process.” Comment. (UPSC IAS/2019)

  • Choosing the right track to cut post-harvest losses

    Why in the News? 

    India holds the position of the second-largest agricultural producer globally however, it only accounts for 2.4% of global agricultural exports, ranking eighth worldwide due to the post-harvest loss.

    A closer look at India’s post-harvest loss:

    • Economic Impact: India faces annual post-harvest losses amounting to approximately ₹1,52,790 crore, significantly impacting farmer incomes and the agricultural economy.
    • Perishable Commodities: The biggest losses occur in perishable commodities like livestock produce (22%), fruits (19%), and vegetables (18%). Export processes further add to these losses, particularly at the import-country stage.
    • Supply Chain Inefficiencies: There is Inefficiencies in storage, transportation, and marketing, alongside a lack of assured market connectivity, contribute to significant post-harvest losses. Small and marginal farmers, who make up 86% of the farming community, struggle with economies of scale and market access.

    Initiatives taken by the Railways Department:

    • Truck-on-Train Service: Indian Railways introduced the truck-on-train service, allowing loaded trucks to be transported on railway wagons. This service has been expanded following successful trials with commodities like milk and cattle feed.
    • Parcel Special Trains: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Railways introduced parcel special trains to transport perishables and seeds between producers and markets, ensuring timely delivery and reducing post-harvest losses.
      • The DFI (Doubling farmers’ income) committee recommends streamlining loading and unloading processes to minimize transit times and address staffing shortages through recruitment and training initiatives.
    • Kisan Rail Scheme: It was launched to connect production surplus regions with consumption regions. This scheme facilitates the transportation of perishables (including milk, meat, and fish) more efficiently.
    • Specialized Wagons and Facilities: Investment in specialized wagons for temperature-controlled transport and establishing rail-side facilities for safe cargo handling are essential steps taken by the Railways.

    Way for Untapped Opportunities:

    • Enhanced Environmental Benefits: Rail transport generates up to 80% less carbon dioxide for freight traffic compared to road transport.
    • Public-Private Partnerships: The private sector can play a crucial role in enhancing operational efficiency and strengthening rail infrastructure through public-private partnerships, thereby improving the overall logistics ecosystem for agricultural produce.
    • Budgetary Support and Infrastructure Development: The budgetary allocation for agriculture in 2024 aims to bridge the farm-to-market gap with modern infrastructure and value-addition support.
    • Technology Integration: Incorporating advanced technologies like real-time tracking, temperature monitoring, and automated loading/unloading systems.

    Way forward: 

    • Expand climate-controlled storage facilities and cold storage capacity to accommodate a larger share of agricultural produce.
    • Provide small and marginal farmers access to storage facilities through cooperatives or subsidies.
    • Invest in specialized rail wagons for temperature-controlled transport and establish rail-side cargo handling facilities.

    Mains PYQ: 

    Q How do subsidies affect the cropping pattern, crop diversity and economy of farmers? What is the significance of crop insurance, minimum support price and food processing for small and marginal farmers? (UPSC IAS/2017)

  • The problems with sub-caste reservations

    Why in the News?

    The Supreme Court has reserved its decision on sub-caste reservations for SC/STs. Any ruling on this matter must be substantiated not only legally but also academically.

    What is the Sub-categorization of castes?

    It refers to the practice of further dividing larger caste categories into smaller groups or sub-groups based on specific criteria such as socio-economic status, geographical location, historical background, or specific needs for policy implementation.

    Background of the Case:

    • The case involves the validity of sub-classification within the SC and ST categories for providing reservations in government jobs and education.
    • In 2004 Supreme Court strikes down Andhra Pradesh Scheduled Castes (Rationalisation of Reservations) Act, 2000, citing violation of the right to equality in the E.V. Chinnaiah v State of Andhra Pradesh case and emphasised that the SC list should be treated as a single, homogeneous group
      • Only Parliament has the power to sub-classify SCs and STs for reservations
      • The Supreme Court is now considering whether states have the power to create sub-classifications within these reserved categories.
    • The case stems from a 1975 Punjab government notification that divided its 25% reservation for SCs into two categories: half for Balmikis (Valmikis) and Mazhabi Sikhs, and the other half for the remaining groups within the SC category.

    Objectives behind the implementation of reservations and present SC scenario:

    • Objective of Reservations: The primary objective of reservations, as advocated by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, is to ensure equitable representation and opportunities for historically marginalized communities, particularly Scheduled Castes (SCs).
    • Present SC scenario: Despite reservations, certain sub-castes within SCs continue to face challenges in securing adequate representation in jobs and education. This under-representation is often attributed to factors such as inadequate educational opportunities, economic disparities, and historical discrimination.

    The policy of economic empowerment in India and its associated challenges:

    • Policies for Economic Empowerment: These policies complement reservations by focusing on enhancing the ownership of capital assets (like land and businesses) and improving educational attainment among SC individuals
      • For example, Self-Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS), National Scheduled Castes Finance & Development Corporation (NSFDC) and National Safai Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation (NSKFDC).
      • These policies are aimed at building capabilities and enabling greater participation in economic activities.
    • Challenges: There are challenges in implementing economic empowerment policies including inadequate access to credit and financial resources, lack of skill development initiatives, and persistent socio-economic barriers that hinder the upward mobility of SC communities.
      • Intersection with Reservations: Integrating economic empowerment with reservations is crucial to ensure that individuals from SC backgrounds not only secure reserved positions but also have the necessary skills and resources to thrive in competitive environments.

    What must be our focus? (Way Forward)

    • Holistic Approach: There is a need for a holistic approach that combines reservations with targeted economic and educational interventions. This approach should address both systemic discrimination and socio-economic barriers faced by SC communities.
    • Capacity Building: There should be emphasis on enhancing the educational infrastructure and skill development programs tailored to the needs of SC individuals.
    • Data-Driven Policy: The policy decisions related to sub-caste reservations should be informed by empirical data that assesses the actual impact of discrimination versus socio-economic factors on under-representation.

    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)