GS PAPER 1
Prelims Fact
The Kerala High Court allowed victims of sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry to file complaints with a nodal officer by January 31.
- These grievances will be forwarded to the SIT for investigation.
- Privacy safeguards and periodic SIT updates were mandated.
Hema Committee Report:
- The Hema Committee Report, submitted in December 2019, addressed concerns of sexual harassment and gender discrimination in the Malayalam film industry. Here’s a summary:
- Committee: Headed by retired Justice K. Hema, including actress Sharada and former IAS officer KB Vatsalakumari.
- Findings: Revealed widespread sexual harassment, wage gaps, and blacklisting of women.
- Recommendations: Suggested establishing a grievance redressal mechanism, implementing the POSH Act, and promoting gender sensitization.
- Impact: Highlighted systemic issues and initiated discussions on improving working conditions for women in the industry.
- Initially kept confidential, the report was released to the public in August 2024 after RTI requests and court orders.
GS PAPER 2
Prelims Fact
The Spot-billed Pelican, a Near Threatened species under IUCN, is vital for understanding biodiversity, conservation, and wetland ecosystems.
Spot-billed Pelican:
- The Spot-billed Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis) is a large water bird native to South Asia.
- Conservation status: Near Threatened (IUCN), making it relevant to biodiversity and conservation topics.
- Distribution: Found in India, Sri Lanka, and parts of Southeast Asia, linking it to biogeography.
- Habitat: Inhabits large inland and coastal waters, especially shallow lakes. This connects to wetland ecosystems and their importance.
- Threats: Habitat loss, degradation, and human disturbance are key factors endangering the species, highlighting environmental challenges.
- Protection: Covered under Schedule IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 in India, showcasing legal frameworks for wildlife conservation.
- Importance: Plays a role in the ecosystem as a predator, thus relevant to food chains and ecological balance.
- Recent news: Initiatives like the Spot-billed Pelican Conservation Breeding Programme in Cambodia can be linked to international conservation efforts.
GS PAPER 3
Social Justice
India’s National Medical Commission (NMC) faces criticism for excluding disability and queer rights in its curriculum, impacting marginalized communities.
- Globally, these issues remain underrepresented in health policies.
- Addressing inclusivity is crucial for equitable healthcare and human rights.
Exclusion of Disability and Queer Rights in Medical Curriculum
- India’s National Medical Commission (NMC) has been criticized for allegedly not including disability and queer rights in its medical curriculum.
- A commentary published in The Lancet Regional Health – Southeast Asia highlights the need to integrate these rights into medical education.
Impact on Human Rights and Health Policies
- Exclusion from medical education hampers human rights and undermines the Agenda 2030 goal of “leaving no one behind.”
- Globally, 16% of the population experiences disability, with this number increasing annually.
- India’s high road accident fatalities and status as the “diabetes capital of the world” contribute significantly to disability rates.
Vulnerabilities of Marginalized Communities
- Both disability and transgender communities in India share vulnerabilities, including mistrust toward the medical establishment.
- These groups face health inequities and require representation in medical policy frameworks.
Role of Medical Education
- India produces the highest number of medical graduates globally, many of whom work internationally.
- Training compassionate and inclusive medical professionals is vital to addressing structural and attitudinal barriers in healthcare.
Language and Inclusivity in Healthcare
- Non-inclusive language perpetuates inequality and warrants urgent attention.
- Policymakers and the medical community should prioritize clear, consistent, and respectful language.
NMC’s Responsibility and Legal Concerns
- The NMC emphasizes equitable healthcare and ethical medical standards.
- Its alleged omission of disability and queer rights is considered a failure of duty and potentially illegal under parent legislation.
National Medical Commission (NMC)
- The National Medical Commission (NMC) is a statutory body in India that regulates medical education and professionals.
- Here’s some key info:
- Established: September 25, 2020, replacing the Medical Council of India (MCI).
- Purpose: To improve medical education quality, ensure adequate medical professionals, and promote accessible healthcare.
- Responsibilities: Grants recognition to medical qualifications.Accredits medical schools.Registers medical practitioners.Monitors medical practice and infrastructure.
- Governance: Operates through four autonomous boards overseeing undergraduate and postgraduate medical education, medical assessment and rating, and ethics and medical registration.
- Focus: Emphasizes outcome-based regulation and accreditation, along with promoting digital healthcare initiatives.
GS PAPER 4
Prelims Fact
The political crisis in South Korea revolves around the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol by the National Assembly on December 14, 2024.
- Yoon, once a prosecutor admired for tackling corruption, faced criticism for authoritarian actions, including an attempted martial law.
- This turmoil highlights South Korea’s deep political polarization and fragile democratic institutions.
- 20 December 2024: Daily Current Affairs – India’s National Medical Commission (Nmc) Faces Criticism For Excluding Disability And Queer Health From Its Medical Curriculum. This Omission Undermines Equitable Healthcare And Human Rights, Impacting Marginalized Communities.
Background
- The crisis involves President Yoon Suk Yeol, elected in 2022, who faced impeachment on December 14, 2024, due to declining popularity and alleged misuse of power.
- Political polarization between conservatives and liberals has worsened over the years, deeply dividing South Korean society.
Key Events Leading to the Crisis
- Appointment Controversy: Yoon, initially close to the Democratic Party, opposed Justice Minister Cho Guk’s appointment, leading to a public fallout.
- Shift in Alliances: Once seen as a liberal ally, Yoon joined the conservative People Power Party (PPP) and became its Presidential candidate.
- Contentious Presidency: Yoon’s bold yet unpopular policies, including Japan outreach and the doubling of medical seats, alienated many citizens.
Impeachment and Martial Law
- Martial Law Declaration: On December 3, 2024, Yoon declared martial law, arresting Opposition leaders, which was repealed by the National Assembly within hours.
- Impeachment: On December 14, 2024, the National Assembly impeached Yoon with 204 votes, sending the matter to the Constitutional Court.
Implications
- The crisis exposes weaknesses in South Korea’s political and democratic institutions.
- Public discontent highlights a broader existential challenge for South Korean democracy.
South Korea’s Political System
- Republic with a presidential system: The President is the head of state and government.
- Unitary state: Central government holds primary authority.
- Three branches of government: Executive, legislative, and judicial.
- Executive branch: Led by the President, who appoints the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
- Legislative branch: Unicameral National Assembly (Gukhoe) with 300 members.
- Judicial branch: Independent, with a Supreme Court and Constitutional Court.
- Multi-party system: Two major parties dominate: the liberal Democratic Party and the conservative People Power Party.
- Elections: President serves a single five-year term; National Assembly members serve four-year terms. Universal suffrage for citizens 18 years and older.
- Constitutional democracy: Guarantees individual freedoms and rights.
In News : Protected Area Regime in 3 Northeastern states
The Union Home Ministry has reimposed the Protected Area Regime (PAR) in Manipur, Mizoram, and Nagaland due to rising security concerns over foreign influx from neighboring countries.
- The decision highlights the government’s renewed focus on monitoring foreign movements and addressing security issues in these sensitive regions.
What is the Protected Area Regime?
- The PAR is a set of regulations established under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958, which is aimed at regulating foreign visitors to areas that are considered strategically important or vulnerable to external threats, particularly in the northeastern states and other border regions of India.
Key Features of the PAR:
- Restricted Access: Foreigners are not allowed to visit areas under the PAR without prior government approval.
- To enter these areas, they must apply for and obtain a Protected Area Permit (PAP), which allows authorities to monitor the movement of foreign nationals in sensitive regions.
- The areas covered by the PAR are deemed sensitive due to their proximity to international borders or because of ethnic tensions, insurgency, or political instability.
Relaxations and Reimposition:
- In the past, there have been temporary relaxations to encourage tourism in some regions, like in Manipur, Mizoram, and Nagaland, where the PAR was relaxed in 2010 for promoting tourism.
- However, such relaxations were reversed when security concerns arose, as seen with the recent reimposition of the PAR in these states.
GS PAPER 5
Editorial Analysis
Context :
- The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, proposes aligning the tenures of the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies to a fixed five-year term.
- It aims to streamline elections and reduce costs while preserving mid-term polls for dissolved legislatures.
- The Bill raises concerns about federalism and legislative autonomy.
Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024
Key Provisions of the Bill
- The Bill mandates a fixed five-year term for the Lok Sabha, with elections for State Legislatures aligned to this cycle.
- If the Lok Sabha or any State Assembly is dissolved prematurely, mid-term elections will be held for the remainder of the five-year term rather than resetting the tenure.
Impact on Governance and Electoral Expenditure
- The proposed system is claimed to reduce electoral expenses, but a significant portion of spending comes from political parties, not just government budgets.
- Frequent elections ensure political accountability, compelling representatives to engage with the electorate more regularly.
- The Bill permits mid-term elections but limits the new legislature’s term to the remaining tenure, introducing a new dynamic in governance.
Federalism and Political Plurality
- Aligning the tenure of State Assemblies with the Lok Sabha is perceived as a threat to federalism, as it compromises the independent functioning of State legislatures.
- Critics argue that State Assemblies’ autonomy could be undermined if they are prematurely dissolved to align with parliamentary elections.
- Historical evidence demonstrates that voters can distinguish between Central and State elections, preserving political plurality.
Addressing Political Stability and Horse-Trading
- The system might deter destabilizing practices like horse-trading but is not guaranteed to eliminate such occurrences.
- Instances of defections or political instability, such as those witnessed in certain States, indicate the potential for continued challenges under the proposed framework.
- Concerns remain about the implications of shorter tenures if governments collapse prematurely.
Managing Political Exigencies and Deadlocks
- The Bill allows for mid-term elections in cases of political deadlocks, such as hung Assemblies, ensuring continuity through reduced tenure legislatures.
- While it introduces stability through fixed terms, the flexibility to dissolve legislatures remains essential for addressing political instability effectively.
Lessons from International Examples
- Comparisons with systems like the K.’s Fixed-term Parliaments Act of 2011, which was repealed due to inefficiencies, highlight potential risks of fixed legislative terms.
- Unlike the U.K.’s system, the proposed Bill retains the option for mid-term elections, avoiding full five-year terms for prematurely elected legislatures.
Concerns Over Implementation
- Political instability at the State level could lead to frequent mid-term elections, disrupting governance.
- The current system allows for greater autonomy and flexibility, which proponents argue should be preserved to address the complexities of India’s federal structure.
- Simultaneous elections might create administrative and political turmoil, diverting attention from more pressing challenges affecting the population.
Conclusion
- The proposal seeks to streamline electoral processes and introduce stability but raises significant concerns about its impact on federalism, governance, and political accountability.
- While it may reduce disruptions caused by frequent elections, it risks undermining the existing framework that ensures the autonomy and flexibility of India’s legislative bodies.