Edition: International Table of Contents
| Page 01
Syllabus : Prelims Facts |
India backs UN resolution calling on Israel to leave Palestine |
| Page 07
Syllabus : Prelims Facts |
Study flags agroforestry threat to frogs |
| Page 10
Syllabus : GS 2 – Governance |
Is the caste Census a useful exercise? |
| In News | Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) Scheme |
| In News | Boilers Bill, 2024 |
| Page 09 : Editorial Analysis:
Syllabus : GS 2 : International Relations |
India’s strategic focus on West Africa |
Page 01 : Prelims Fact
India supported a UN General Assembly resolution urging Israel’s withdrawal from Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, and reaffirmed the two-state solution.
- It also backed Israel’s withdrawal from the occupied Syrian Golan Heights.
Analysis of the news:
- India voted in favor of the UN General Assembly resolution for Israel’s withdrawal from Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem.
- The resolution emphasized achieving a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in West Asia.
- Titled “Peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine,” the resolution was tabled by Senegal and adopted by 157 nations.
- Eight countries, including the US and Israel, voted against it, while seven abstained.
- The resolution reaffirmed support for the two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders.
- It highlighted the Palestinian right to self-determination and the creation of an independent state.
- India also supported a resolution calling for Israel’s withdrawal from the Syrian Golan Heights to the June 1967 borders.
Page 07: Prelims Fact
A study by NCF-India and BEAG found that agroforestry practices, such as orchards and paddy fields, harm endemic frog species in Maharashtra’s Western Ghats.
- It emphasizes the need for frog-friendly agroforestry practices to conserve critical freshwater habitats.
Analysis of the news:
- Researchers from NCF-India and BEAG studied the impact of agroforestry on endemic frogs in Maharashtra’s northern Western Ghats.
- The study was conducted in four plateaus: Devi Hasol, Devache Gothane, Gaonkhadi, and Bakale, during the monsoon of 2022.
- Amphibian diversity was lowest in paddy fields, while abundance was least in orchards compared to undisturbed plateaus.
- Endemic frogs like Minervarya cepfi and Minervarya gomantaki were less abundant in modified habitats.
- Minervarya sahyadrensis, a generalist species, was more common in paddy fields.
- Conversion of plateaus into mango and cashew orchards reduces critical frog habitats.
- Researchers recommend frog-friendly agroforestry, retaining water bodies, and providing incentives to landowners.
- The study was funded by On the Edge Conservation, BEAG, The Habitat Trust, and NCF-India.
Page 10 : GS 2 – Governance
The demand for a caste Census has sparked political debates, with proponents advocating for data to ensure proportional representation in government jobs, land, and wealth.
- However, challenges in accurate caste data collection and the flaws in caste-based reservation policies are significant concerns.Some scholars critique this approach as impractical and regressive.
Caste Census: A Political Issue
- The demand for a caste Census has gained momentum, fueled by opposition leaders, NGOs, and even the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
- Proponents argue that a caste Census would provide accurate data on caste populations, which can be used to ensure a proportionate share in government jobs, land, and wealth for each caste.
Historical Background of Caste Census
- The caste Census exercise dates back to the late 19th century, with the first detailed caste Census conducted in 1871-72.
- The 1871 Census collected caste data in regions like North-Western Provinces, Central Provinces, Bengal, and Madras, but the classification of castes was arbitrary and superficial.
- The Census of 1931 identified 4,147 castes, but caste groups often reported different identities across regions.
- These issues persisted in later Census exercises, such as the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) of 2011, which recorded over 7 lakh castes/sub-castes with 8.2 crore acknowledged errors.
- The controversy continues, as seen in the Bihar Census of 2022, which sparked debates over the inclusion of ‘hijra’ and ‘kinnar’ as separate categories.
Challenges in Accessing Accurate Data
- Upward Caste Mobility: Caste claims may be influenced by the perceived prestige of certain groups, leading some communities to claim higher positions in the caste hierarchy for social advantages.
- Downward Caste Mobility: Some respondents may claim lower caste status to gain benefits from reservation policies. This trend is primarily a post-independence phenomenon.
- Caste Misclassification: Similar-sounding castes and surnames can lead to confusion and misclassification. For instance, surnames like ‘Dhanak’ and ‘Dhankia’ in Rajasthan are categorized differently as SC and ST, respectively. Misclassification may also arise due to discomfort among enumerators and respondents discussing caste.
The Problem with Proportional Representation in Reservations
- Proportional representation in reservations, though seemingly fair, is impractical and regressive.
- Proportional representation in reservations means that positions are allocated based on the percentage of each reserved group.
- For example, a group with 27% reservation would get every 4th position in a list of vacancies.
- While this seems fair, applying this to individual castes creates problems. Many castes have very few people, making it hard for them to get reserved positions.
- In some cases, it could take hundreds or even thousands of years for a small caste to get a single reserved vacancy.
- This system is flawed and unfair, as it excludes the smallest and least represented groups.
Conclusion
- The article argues that proportional representation based on caste is not only impractical but also regressive.
- It disproportionately excludes the least populous castes from benefiting from reservations.
- The challenges in accurately classifying castes further undermine the feasibility of a caste Census.
UPSC Mains PYQ : 2020
Ques : Has caste lost its relevance in understanding the multi-cultural Indian Society? Elaborate your answer with illustrations. (150 words/10m)
In News : Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) Scheme
Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched in 2021-22 to uplift Scheduled Caste (SC) communities.
- It focuses on improving socio-economic indicators, reducing poverty, and promoting education through infrastructure and residential facilities.
Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY)
- Launch Year: PM-AJAY is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented since 2021-22.
- Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
- Components:
- Adarsh Gram: Focus on improving socio-economic indicators in SC-dominated villages.
- Grants-in-Aid: Support for district/state-level projects for the socio-economic betterment of Scheduled Caste (SC) communities.
- Hostel Component: Provision of residential facilities to promote education for SC students.
- Objectives:
- Infrastructure Development: Ensure adequate infrastructure and essential services in SC-dominated villages.
- Poverty Reduction: Generate employment opportunities through skill development and income-generating initiatives.
- Educational Support: Encourage SC student enrolment in schools and higher education by providing residential facilities, particularly in aspirational districts and SC-dominated blocks.
Achievements (2021-2024):
- Hostel Component:
- Hostels Sanctioned: 46 hostels.
- Beneficiaries: 5,185 SC students.
- Funding Released: ₹126.30 crores.
The scheme aims to empower SC communities by addressing socio-economic challenges and promoting education through targeted interventions.
UPSC Mains Practice Question
Ques : Discuss the constitutional provisions and safeguards available for the protection and empowerment of Scheduled Castes in India. How effective are they in addressing historical discrimination? (250 Words /15 marks)
In News : Boilers Bill, 2024
The Rajya Sabha passed the Boilers Bill, 2024, through a voice vote, replacing the outdated Boilers Act, 1923.
- The legislation aims to modernize regulations on boiler safety, ensure protection against explosions, and create a uniform framework for registration and operation across India.
- Analysis of News:
Key Provisions
- Safety Measures: Focuses on the safety of workers and property by mandating qualified personnel for boiler repairs and maintenance.
- Decriminalization: Reduces penalties for non-critical offences, retaining criminal penalties only for four major offences involving serious risks to life and property.
- MSME Sector Benefits: Simplifies compliance and reduces the regulatory burden, aiding micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that extensively use boilers.
Implications
- The new bill is expected to enhance industrial safety, reduce administrative hurdles, and promote ease of doing business while ensuring accountability in cases of severe negligence or accidents.
Page : 09 Editorial Analysis
Context :
- Prime Minister Modi’s recent visit to Nigeria, the first by an Indian PM in 17 years, highlights India’s strategic engagement with Africa.
- Strengthening ties with Nigeria, Africa’s largest democracy and economy, reinforces India’s role in the Global South.
- This visit also counters China’s growing economic influence in Nigeria and Africa.
Significance of the Visit
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stop in Nigeria en route to Brazil for the G-20 Summit marks his first visit to Africa in his third term.
- This visit is historically significant, being the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Nigeria in 17 years.
- Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu welcomed Mr. Modi at Abuja airport and honored him with Nigeria’s second-highest national award, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger.
India-Nigeria Relations
- Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy and democracy, as well as a regional hegemon in West Africa.
- The country plays a crucial role in the African Union and serves as a democratic role model, mediating disputes across the continent.
- Strengthened ties with Nigeria have broader implications for Africa, given its leadership status.
Strategic Areas of Cooperation
- The Prime Minister’s visit emphasized strengthening partnerships in defense, energy, technology, trade, health, and education.
- Key security concerns include terrorism, separatism, piracy, and drug trafficking.
- India is aiding Nigeria in counterterrorism efforts, including combatting Boko Haram.
- Nigeria has shown interest in purchasing Indian arms, reinforcing defense ties.
- The Prime Minister’s visit followed an earlier trip by an Indian defense industry delegation to Lagos, showcasing India’s growing role as a defense supplier in Africa.
Developmental Partnership
- India has extended developmental assistance to Nigeria through concessional loans worth $100 million and capacity-building training programs.
- This partnership is distinctively shaped in what is termed the ‘India Way.’
Nigeria’s Ties with China
- Nigeria hosts over 200 Chinese companies and is China’s largest export market in Africa.
- Trade ties are substantial, with China funding 22 major infrastructure projects worth $47 billion in Nigeria.
- Examples include the Lekki Deep Sea Port and Abuja Light Rail project.
- Chinese loans total $3.121 billion, representing 11.28% of Nigeria’s external debt.
- Huawei, a leading Chinese tech firm, has trained thousands of Nigerian youth and civil servants while expanding telecommunications infrastructure.
Challenges and Opportunities
- Despite China’s dominant presence, India maintains strong ties with Nigeria.
- Bilateral trade between India and Nigeria has decreased from $14.95 billion in 2021-22 to $7.89 billion in 2023-24 due to India’s growing oil imports from Russia.
- However, both countries continue to collaborate as leaders of the Global South.
Conclusion
- Prime Minister Modi’s visit underscores Nigeria’s significance in India’s foreign policy.
- Sustained efforts are needed to transform diplomatic goodwill into tangible outcomes, bolstering bilateral ties and benefiting the Global South.