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SOCIAL ISSUES
Table of Contents
1. WOMEN AND CHILD ________________ 4 3.7. National Achievement Survey (NAS) 2021
____________________________________ 29
1.1. Women in STEM ___________________ 4
3.8. Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIED)
1.2. Gender Pay Parity __________________ 4
____________________________________ 29
1.3. Surrogacy (Regulation) Rules, 2022 ____ 5
3.9. Learning Poverty __________________ 30
1.4. Abortion Law in India _______________ 6
3.10. Other Important News ____________ 32
1.5. Child Adoption_____________________ 8
1.5.1. Review of Guardianship and Adoption Laws
4. HEALTH _________________________ 34
_______________________________________ 8 4.1. Anganwadi System ________________ 34
1.6. Marital Rape ______________________ 9 4.2. National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS)
1.7. Dowry System in India _____________ 10 Report ______________________________ 37
1.8. Protection of Children from Sexual 4.3. Sample Registration System (SRS)
Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012_____________ 10 Statistical Report 2020 _________________ 38
1.9. Child Marriage ____________________ 11 4.4. Civil Registration System (CRS) _______ 38
1.10. Other Important News ____________ 12 4.5. National Health Account (NHA) Estimates,
2018-19 _____________________________ 39
2. OTHER VULNERABLE SECTIONS_______ 15
4.6. Mental Health ____________________ 40
2.1. Manual Scavenging ________________ 15
4.7. Drugs Regulation Ecosystem in India __ 41
2.2. Transgender Rights ________________ 16
4.8. Drug Trafficking in India ____________ 42
2.3. Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) _____ 17
2.3.1. First Global Report on Assistive Technology 4.9. Other Important News _____________ 44
(GReAT) _______________________________ 18 5. NUTRITION AND SANITATION _______ 46
2.4. Denotified Tribes (DNTs) ____________ 19 5.1. Nutritional Security in India _________ 46
2.5. Urban Poverty ____________________ 20 5.1.1. The State of Food Security And Nutrition in
The World (Sofi) Report, 2022 ______________ 47
2.6. Other Important News _____________ 21
5.2. National Food Security Act (NFSA), 201347
3. EDUCATION ______________________ 23
5.3. Swachh Survekshan (SS) 2023 ________ 49
3.1. National Education Policy (NEP), 2020 _ 23
3.2. National Credit Framework _________ 24
6. MISCELLANEOUS __________________ 51
3.3. Promotion of Higher Education in Regional
Languages ___________________________ 25 6.1. Universal Social Security ____________ 51
3.4. Reports on School Education in India __ 26 6.2. World Population Growth ___________ 51
3.5. National Curriculum Framework for 6.3. Crime in India report 2021 __________ 53
Foundational Stage ___________________ 27 6.4. Other Important News _____________ 54
3.6. Foundational Learning Study (FLS) ____ 28
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1. WOMEN AND CHILD
1.1. WOMEN IN STEM
Why in News?
The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) has
launched a new initiative Women in Engineering,
Science, and Technology (WEST) to promote women in
STEM.
About Women in Engineering, Science, and Technology
(WEST)
• Basics of WEST: WEST is a new I-STEM (Indian
Science Technology and Engineering facilities Map:
Linking Researchers and Resources) initiative.
o STEM is a common abbreviation for four closely
connected areas of study: Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics.
o I-STEM is a national web portal for sharing
research equipment/facilities and for promoting
collaborations in R&D and technological
innovation in academia and industry.
o I-STEM is an initiative of PSA under the Prime Minister's Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory
Council (PM-STIAC) mission.
• Objective: Through the WEST initiative, I-STEM shall provide a separate platform to scientifically inclined
women researchers, scientists, and technologists for pursuing research in science and engineering.
o It will provide skill development programs,
access to R&D facilities and R&D software Other initiatives take to promote women in STEM
platforms. • Vigyan Jyoti: By the Department of Science &
Technology (DST) to create a level-playing field for
• Target: Under the WEST initiative, the current
the meritorious girls in high school to pursue STEM.
support being provided to S&T startups by
• Knowledge Involvement Research Advancement
women entrepreneurs by I-STEM will be through Nurturing (KIRAN): This scheme of DST
enhanced. encourages women scientists in the field of S&T.
• Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions
(GATI): It seeks to bring institutional reforms to
facilitate women in STEM and medicine disciplines at
all levels.
• Consolidation of University Research for Innovation
and Excellence (CURIE): It provides support to
women universities in improving their R&D facilities.
• Biotechnology Career Advancement and Re-
orientation Programme (BioCARe): By the
Department of Biotechnology (DBT) for Career
Development of employed/ unemployed women
Scientists upto 45 years of age for whom it is the first
extramural research grant.
1.2. GENDER PAY PARITY

Why in news?
Recently, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a “pay equity policy” for its contracted
women cricketers in the country.
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1.3. SURROGACY (REGULATION) RULES, 2022
Why in news?
The government has issued Surrogacy
(Regulation) Rules, 2022 under Surrogacy
(Regulation) Act, 2021.
About Surrogacy (Regulation) Rules, 2022
• Rules provide form and manner for
registration and fee for a surrogacy
clinic and the requirement, and
qualification for persons employed, at
a registered surrogacy clinic.
• Key Highlights of the rules
o Surrogate Mother
✓ Number of attempts of any surrogacy procedure
on surrogate mother is limited to 3 times only.
✓ She may be allowed for abortion under the
Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971.
✓ She has to give her consent through an
agreement for giving up all her rights over the
child and shall hand over the child/children to the
intending couple.
o Intending couples: Purchase a general health
insurance cover in favour of the surrogate mother (for a period of 36 months) to cover all expenses
for all the complications arising out of pregnancy and postpartum delivery complications.
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Other provisions of the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021
• Punishment for commercial surrogacy: Imprisonment which may extend to five years and with fine which
may extend to five lakh rupees.
• National Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy Board (NARTSB):
o Chairperson: Minister of Health and Family Welfare
o Functions:
✓ Advise the Central Government
✓ Review and monitor implementation
✓ Lay down the code of conduct to be for persons working at surrogacy clinics
✓ Set the minimum standards of physical infrastructure, laboratory and diagnostic equipment and
expert manpower
✓ To supervise the functioning of State Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy Boards
(SARTSB)
• NART and Surrogacy Registry: An online public record system of ART Clinics/Banks and Surrogacy Clinics
in India.
1.4. ABORTION LAW IN INDIA

Why in News?
Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) extended the right to safe and legal abortion up to 24 weeks of pregnancy
to all women in the country, regardless of marital status.
Significance of Supreme Court Judgment
• Constitutional rights: Judgment states that distinction among women on the grounds of marital status is
violation of the right to equality under Article 14 and Right to life under Article 21.
• Acknowledges marital rape: SC ruled that pregnancy of a married woman due to forcible sex by her
husband can be treated as “rape” under MTP Act.
o Women can go for an abortion without the requirement of anybody else’s consent.
• Expands the definition of ‘women’: Judgment clarifies ‘woman’ includes cis-gender women also people
for the purpose of safe abortion.
• Protects the privacy of minors: SC allowed minor females to abort their pregnancies from consensual sex
without disclosing their identity to the police under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences
(POCSO) Act, 2012.
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1.5. CHILD ADOPTION
1.5.1. REVIEW OF GUARDIANSHIP AND ADOPTION LAWS

Why in news?
Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice,
presented the 118th Report on the Subject ‘Review of Guardianship and Adoption Laws'.
Area Observations
Review of Laws • Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act (HAMA), 1956 (applicable only to Hindus) and the
on Adoption Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 (JJ Act) (all religion) both deal with adoption yet have differing
criteria.
• Parents adopting a child under HAMA are not required to register with Central Adoption
Resource Authority (CARA).
• Parents are willing to adopt a child, but there are not many children available for adoption.
• Unregistered Child Care Institution (CCI) and their poor functioning led to death of 762
children.
• Adoption related matters are being dealt by Ministry of Law and Justice and Ministry of
Women and Child Development.
Review of Laws • The Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act makes use of the term ‘illegitimate’ in reference to
on Guardianship a child born out of wedlock.
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1.6. MARITAL RAPE
Why in news?
Recently, a two-judge Bench of the Delhi High Court delivered a split verdict in a batch of petitions challenging
the exception provided to marital rape in the Section 375 of Indian Penal Code (IPC).
More on news
• Section 375 defines rape and lists several notions of consent that, if vitiated, would constitute the offence
of rape by a man. However, the provision lays down two exceptions (refer to the infographics).
• The petition was filed to challenge exception 2 of rape under Section 375 of IPC.
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1.7. DOWRY SYSTEM IN INDIA
Why in news?
The recent deaths of three young brides in alleged dowry-
related cases in Kerala has brought the attention back to this
social evil.
About dowry
• Dowry is defined in the Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961.
o The legal definition does not include the dower or
mahr in the case of persons to whom the Muslim
Personal Law (Shariat) applies.
o Also, parents of the girl can give gifts on her
marriage, as Stridhana, to enable her to meet her
financial needs in case of an emergency.
• The opposite custom is called dower or bride-price in
which payment in cash or kind is paid from the
bridegroom's side to the bride's parents.
o Some tribal communities in India like Yanadis of
Andhra and Baria, Pagi, Damor of Gujarat
customarily pay bride-price.
1.8. PROTECTION OF CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL OFFENCES (POCSO)

ACT, 2012
Why in news?
Recently, the Chief Justice of India (CJI) requested the Parliament to examine the age of consent issue under
the POCSO Act, 2012.
More on news
• CJI made the appeal as POCSO Act, 2012 poses difficulties for judges examining cases of consensual sex
involving adolescents.
• CJI referred to ‘India analysis of Judgements of Special Courts in West Bengal, Assam and Maharashtra -
Romantic Cases under POCSO Act Study’ by Enfold Proactive Health Trust and UNICEF-India. As per this
study,
o One in every four cases under POCSO Act constituted romantic cases.
o 93.8% cases ended with acquittals.
o In 46.6% cases, girl was between 16 to 18 years.
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1.9. CHILD MARRIAGE
Why in news?
Every fourth woman surveyed in the age group of 20 to 24 was married before they turned 18: National Family
Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5). An overall declining trend of early marriage in both the sexes has been observed.
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1.10. OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS
Digital Shakti 4.0 • Launched by: National
Commission for Women,
CyberPeace Foundation and Meta
to create safe cyberspace for
women and girls.
• It is a pan-India project for making
women digitally skilled and aware
to stand up against any
illegal/inappropriate activity
online.
o It aims to sensitize more than
1 million women across India.
• Its first phase was launched in
2018.
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Atal New India • Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) has launched women centric challenges under its ANIC
Challenge (ANIC) program to address the major issues faced by women from all spheres of life.
• ANIC is a flagship program of AIM, NITI Aayog.
o It aims to seek, select, support and nurture technology-based innovations that solve
sectoral challenges of national importance and societal relevance.
• It provides funds up to ₹1 crore through a grant-based mechanism and open for:
o Any Indian Company incorporated under the Companies Act,
• Any company registered as a Start-up, recognized by Department for Promotion of
Industry and Internal Trade.
Thiruvananthapuram • The ‘First National Women Legislators’ Conference in Kerala held in 2022 with adoption
Declaration of Thiruvananthapuram Declaration.
• Thiruvananthapuram Declaration laments the long-pending Women’s Reservation Bill
(since 1996) for 33% reservation for women in Lok Sabha and State Legislatures.
Revamped E-Baal • National Commission for
Nidan portal Protection of Child
Rights (NCPCR) has
revamped the online
portal E-Baal Nidan.
• E-Baal Nidan is a
Complaint Management
System of NCPCR.
o Through this, any
individual or
organisation can
file complaint
relating to the
violation of child
rights through
internet facilities.
• Some of the revamped
features include:
o Bifurcation of
complaints based
on subject matters
like POCSO, Labour, Education etc.
o Tracking of complaints at every stage in a time bound manner.
o Option of transferring complaints from NCPCR to the concerned State Commission.
Operation Megh- • CBI recently launched a major operation code named “Operation Megh-Chakra” against
Chakra circulation and sharing of child sexual abuse material online.
o A similar operation “Operation Carbon” was carried out by CBI in November 2021.
• CBI has an International Child Sexual Exploitation (ICSE) image and video database,
which allows investigators from member countries to share data on cases of child
sexual abuse.
‘Children in Street • National Commission for the
Situations (CiSS)’ Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR)
has launched a “CiSS application”
under Baal Swaraj portal to help in
rehabilitation process of Children in
street.
o Baal Swaraj is a portal launched
by NCPCR for online tracking
and digital real-time monitoring
mechanism of children in need
of care and protection.
✓ The portal has two
functions- COVID care and
CiSS.
o The initiative is taken under
direction of Supreme Court.
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• CiSS application is used for receiving data of children in street situations from all states
and union territories, tracking their rescue and rehabilitation process.
• The program embodies Article 51 (A) of the Constitution, as it provides a platform to the
public to report any child in need of assistance and provide any help that they can to
children in need.
• NCPCR is a statutory body under Commissions for Protection of Child Rights (CPCR)
Act, 2005.
Guiding Principles for • Released by:
Children on the Move United Nations
in the Context of Children's Fund
Climate Change (UNICEF), the IOM
among others
• Provides a set of 9
principles that
address the
unique and
layered
vulnerabilities of
children on the
move both
internally and
across borders as
a result of the
adverse impacts
of climate change.
• The principles are
derived from the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and do not create new
international legal obligations.
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2. OTHER VULNERABLE SECTIONS
2.1. MANUAL SCAVENGING
Why in news?
The Government has formulated NAMASTE scheme
for cleaning of sewers and septic tank.
About National Action for Mechanized Sanitation
Ecosystem (NAMASTE)
• It is launched to promote 100% mechanization,
specially cleaning of sewers, septic tanks,
desilting of drains, garbage lifting, sludge
handling, solid and medical waste disposal etc.
• It is a Central Sector Scheme.
• It is a joint collaboration Ministry of Social Justice
and Empowerment (MoSJE) and Ministry of
Housing and Urban Affairs (MHoUA).
• Implementing agency: National Safai Karamchari
Financial Development Corporation (NSKFDC)
o NAMASTE Management Units
will be setup at the National,
State and City level to facilitate
proper coordination for the
scheme.
• It envisages identifying the
Sewer/Septic Tank Workers (SSWs)
with a focus on informal workforce
who are engaged in hazardous
cleaning operations.
o The identified SSWs and their
families will be covered under
the Ayushyaman Bharat-
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya
Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and will also
be provided livelihood
assistance including capital
subsidy and interest subvention.
o Five hundred cities, converging
with AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation
and Urban Transformation) cities, will be
taken up under this phase of NAMASTE.
o The identified sanitation workers and their
family members will be extended benefits
of all the social security schemes being
implemented by various departments like
PM Suraksha Bima Yojana, Atal Pension
Yojana, etc.
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2.2. TRANSGENDER RIGHTS
Why in news?
Recently, Karnataka has become the first state in the country to provide 1% horizontal reservation for
transgender people in all government services.
About Transgender community
• The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 defines a Transgender person as one whose
gender does not match the gender assigned at birth.
o It includes trans-men and trans-women, persons with intersex variations, gender-queers, and persons
with socio-cultural identities, such as kinnar and hijra.
• Since the transgender community does not fit into the general category of 'male' or 'female', they face
various challenges which render them as the most marginalised communities in the country.
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2.3. PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (PWDS)
Why in news?
Recently, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has released the draft of the national policy for
persons with disabilities for public comments.
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About Draft National policy on PwD
• It seeks to replace the National Policy on Disability, 2006.
• Draft policy is needed due to multiple factors including:
o Signing of United Nations Convention on Rights of Person with Disabilities (UNCRPD) by India in 2007.
o Enactment of Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 which increased the number of
disabilities from seven conditions to 21.
o India is a party to the ‘Incheon Strategy for Asia Pacific Decade for PwDs, 2013-2022’ prepared under
aegis of United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (UNESCAP).
✓ It identifies 10 goals for Asia-Pacific countries to ensure the inclusion and empowerment of PwDs
in conformity with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030.
2.3.1. FIRST GLOBAL REPORT ON ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY (GREAT)

Why in News?
The World Health Organisation
(WHO) and United Nations
Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has jointly
launched the first Global Report on
Assistive Technology (GReAT).
About GReAT Report
• The GReAT report was
developed in response to the
World Health Assembly
resolution (WHA71.8) on
improving access to assistive
technology adopted in May
2018.
o WHO defines assistive
technology is the
application of organized knowledge and skills related to assistive products, including systems and
services.
o Assistive technology is a subset of health technology that includes GPS, power chairs, walkers, etc.
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• The Global Report
recognizes assistive
technology and
enabling environments
as a precondition for
people in need to realize
their human rights, and
shares evidence-based
best practice.
• GReAT report aims to:
o Present a
comprehensive
dataset and
analysis of current
global access to
assistive
technology.
o Support the
implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs)
o Contribute towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in making Universal
Health Coverage (UHC) inclusive, leaving no one behind.
Initiatives for development of assistive technology in India
• As per the Census 2011, the differently abled population in India 2.21 % of the total population.
• Centre for Assistive Technology and Innovation (CATI) was the first Assistive Technology Center (ATC) established
in 2015 at the National Institute of Speech & Hearing (NISH), Kerala.
• Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO):
o It is a Miniratna Category Central Public Sector Enterprises, registered under Companies Act 2013, and
functioning under Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE).
o It is 100% owned Govt. of India and started manufacturing artificial aids in 1976.
o Its objective is to benefiting the PwDs to the maximum extent possible by manufacturing, promoting,
encouraging and developing artificial limbs and Rehabilitation Aids for persons with disabilities.
• Seamless Affordable Assistive Technology for Health (SAATH): It is resource center by the National Trust and is a
Joint venture between India (IIT Kanpur and IISc Bangalore) and Sweden (KTH Sweden and Gavle University
working for assistive devices for PwD in India.
Schemes for promoting assistive technology in India
• Scheme of Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP Scheme)
o The ADIP Scheme initiated by the MoSJE and is in operation since 1981.
o The aids and appliances supplied under the Scheme must have due certification.
o The scheme also envisages conduct of corrective surgeries, wherever required, before providing an assistive
device.
• Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan or Accessible India campaign (AIC): It is a program launched in 2015 to provide equal
opportunities to PwDs to participate in all the aspects of life and live independently with help of assistive devices.
2.4. DENOTIFIED TRIBES (DNTS)

Why in news? About Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes
31st August marked the 70th year of the • All nomadic tribes (NTs) are not DNTs, but all DNTs are NTs.
repeal of the Criminal Tribes Act, 1871. • Nomads and Semi-Nomads are social groups who undertakes a
fairly frequent, usually seasonal physical movement as part of
their livelihood strategy and moves from one place to another.
• Three types of nomadic communities:
o Hunter/trappers of birds and animals, gamer, etc. such as
Konda Reddis, Chenchus etc.
o Pastoral communities such as Pardis, Guzzars, Banjaras,
Bhils, Kurabas, Madhuras, etc.
o Peripatetic groups of peddlers, fortune tellers, storytellers,
acrobats, dancers and dramatists.
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2.5. URBAN POVERTY
Why in news?
According to report of UN habitat, poverty
and inequality are increasingly spreading in
cities globally.
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What is the extent of urban poverty in India?
• According to the report of the Ministry of Housing and
Urban Poverty Alleviation (2001) about 23.5% of urban
households are slum dwellers.
o This percentage had decreased to 17% by 2011 even
though the total number of households living in slums
had gone up.

Going Online as • Launched by: The Ministry of Tribal Affairs with Facebook India
Leaders (GOAL) • Aim: To digitally upskill 10 lakh youth from tribal communities and open up opportunities
Programme for them using digital technology.
phase 2 • It will create a platform for Self-Help Groups and families associated with TRIFED (Tribal Co-
operative Marketing Development Federation of India) to take their products global.
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National Tribal • It will work as a premier national level institute and nerve-centre of tribal concerns, issues
Research Institute and matters in academic, executive and legislative fields.
(NTRI) • It will provide policy inputs to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and State Welfare Departments
with studies and programs to showcase tribal cultural heritage under one umbrella.
• It will collaborate and network with other institutions and monitor projects of Tribal
Research Institutes (TRIs), Centres of Excellence (CoEs), etc.
Supreme Court • SC has issued directions under Article 142 of the Constitution to make conditions conducive
(SC) Recognizes for sex workers to live with dignity as per Article 21.
Sex Work as • Article 142 provides discretionary power to the SC to do complete justice in any cause or
Profession matter pending before it.
• Directions from SC
o No police interference or criminal action against adult and consenting sex workers,
o No separation of child from mother merely on the ground that she is in sex trade,
o Media should not publish their pictures or reveal their identity while reporting rescue
operations.
o Centre and States must involve sex workers or their representatives to reform laws.
o UIDAI to provide Aadhaar cards to sex workers even if they are unable to furnish
residence proof.
✓ It is issued by the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) or the State Health
Department.
• Legal Position of Sex Work in India: Under IPC, Voluntary sex work or prostitution is not
considered illegal but pimping, owning and running a brothel is unlawful under the Immoral
Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956
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3. EDUCATION
3.1. NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY (NEP), 2020
Why in news?
Recently, the Union Minister of Home Affairs launched
several initiatives on the second anniversary of the National
Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Key initiatives launched
• Establishment of IKS-MIC program for technology
demonstration: It is joint program of the Indian
Knowledge Systems (IKS) Division and the Ministry of
Education Innovation Cell.
o Aim: Promote the development of products,
processes inspired from the Indian’s traditional
knowledge systems.
• National innovation and entrepreneurship policy: To
foster the culture of Ideation, Innovation, and
Entrepreneurship (IIE) in schools.
• Skill India Partnership with IGNOU: For the three-year
degree programme and Skill Hubs under Pradhan
Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana.
• Creation of Labs: 750 virtual labs in science and
mathematics, and 75 skilling e-labs for simulated
learning environment, will be set-up in 2022-23.
• NSQF Qualifications: 100+ National Skills Qualifications
Framework
(NSQF) aligned
future skill
qualifications to
be developed
under various
areas.
• National
Initiative for
School Heads
and Teachers
Holistic
Advancement
(NISHTHA)
ECCE: To prepare
an initial cadre of
high-quality early
childhood care
and education
(ECCE) Teachers
in Anganwadis.
• Introduce 75
Bharateeya
games in
schools: Each
month, a
seasonally appropriate Bharateeya game will be introduced in schools through the PT teachers.
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• Public Consultation Survey for
National Curriculum
Framework (NCF): To conduct a
Public Consultation survey in 23
languages to seek inputs and
suggestions for the
development of the NCF with a
target respondents/ citizen
of 1 Crore.
About NEP, 2020
• It was launched to replaces NEP,
1986 (modified in 1992) with an
aim of transforming India into a
vibrant knowledge society and
global knowledge superpower.
• It is built on the foundational
pillars of Access, Equity,
Quality, Affordability and Accountability,
• This policy is aligned to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
3.2. NATIONAL CREDIT Credits in Indian Context

• School Education: At present, there is no established credit
FRAMEWORK mechanism for regular school education. However, under the open
schooling system, the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS)
Why in news?
follows the credit system.
Union Minister of Education launched • Higher Education
the draft of National Credit Framework o Choice Based Credit System (CBCS): Under CBCS, requirement
(NCrF) for public consultation. for awarding a degree or diploma or certificate is prescribed in
terms of number of credits to be earned by the students.
About National Credit Framework ✓ This framework is being implemented in several
(NCrF) universities across States in India.
o Skill Assessment Matrix for Vocational Advancement of Youth
• Purpose: NCrF, proposed as part of (SAMVAY): A credit framework for skill based vocational
NEP 2020, is an umbrella courses which was launched by Ministry of Education.
framework for skilling, re-skilling, o UGC guidelines for providing skill-based education under
up-skilling, accreditation and National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF).
evaluation in educational and ✓ NSQF is a national competency-based skill framework to
skilling institutions and workforce. facilitate mobility both within vocational education and
• Developed by: Jointly developed training/ skilling and between vocational education and
training/ skilling and general education.
by a High-Level Committee with
members from UGC,
AICTE, CBSE, NCERT,
etc.
• Aim: It seeks to
integrate the credits
earned through school,
higher and vocational &
skill education to
ensure flexibility and
mobility among them.
o It will act as
guidelines to be
followed by
schools, colleges
and universities in
adopting the credit
system.
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• Key Features: NCrF will enable learners to earn credits not just through classroom learning but through
co-curriculars, extracurriculars, recognition of prior learning etc.
o Framework enables seamless integration and coordination across regulators and institutions to
enable broad based, multi-disciplinary, holistic education.
o NCrF would be only one credit framework for higher education, school education and skill education
and shall encompass the qualification frameworks for:
✓ Higher Education i.e., National Higher Education Qualification Framework (NHEQF),
✓ Vocational & skill education i.e., National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF),
✓ School Education i.e., National School Education Qualification Framework (NSEQF) also known as
National Curricular Framework (NCF).
3.3. PROMOTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN REGIONAL LANGUAGES

Why in News?
Recently, Union Minister of Home
Affairs launched the Hindi version of
MBBS course books in Madhya
Pradesh.
Development of Education in different
mediums
Colonial Debate
• Anglicists-Orientalist Controversy:
While Orientalist advocated
Sanskrit, Arabic and Persian, the
Anglicists wanted English as the
medium of instruction.
o In this regard, English
triumphed as the main
language, supported by the
Anglicists and Evangelists.
• Macaulay’s minute of 1835 batted
for English education and suggested downward filtration theory.
o Aim was to impart modern education to a hand full of people who will spread the knowledge to the
masses.
• Wood's Despatch (1854) recommended primary education in vernacular languages for the masses, but
secondary and higher education
exclusively in English.
Post-Independence Developments
• Government Committees
o Radhakrishnan Committee report of
1948-49, known as Report of the
University Education Commission,
recommended that English be
replaced by an Indian language as the
medium of instruction for higher
education.
o Official Language Commission, 1956,
that made recommendations on the
progressive use of the Hindi language
for all official purposes of the Union.
o Later Emotional Integration
Committee (1962), National Education Policies (1968, 1986) also discussed about medium of
instruction in higher education.
25
3.4. REPORTS ON SCHOOL EDUCATION IN INDIA
Why in news?
Recently, Department of School
Education and Literacy (Ministry of
Education) released two reports on
school education, Unified District
Information System for Education
Plus report 2020-21 and the Report on
Performance Grading Index (PGI) for
States/UTs for 2020-21.
Unified District Information System
for Education Plus (UDISE+) report
2020-21 (refer infographic for key
highlights)
• UDISE+ Mandate: It has a
mandate of collecting
information from all recognized
and unrecognized schools
imparting formal education from
Pre-primary to XII.
• Utility: It is utilized for the
planning, optimized resource
allocation and implementation of
various education-related
programs and program
assessments.
• Collection Process: Through an
online Data Collection Form.
o The schools which get
onboarded successfully on the platform are provided a UDISE Code, which acts as a national level
unique identifier.
o UDISE+ has the school as the unit of data collection and the district as the unit of data distribution.
o In UDISE+ 2021-22, additional data on important indicators viz., digital library, peer learning, hard spot
identification, number of books available in the school library, etc. have been collected for the first
time to align with the NEP 2020.
Report on Performance Grading Index (PGI) for States/UTs for 2020-21
• Key Features: It is a tool to provide insights on the status
of school education in States and UTs.
o It pinpoints the gaps and helps States/UTs in
prioritising the areas for intervention.
o So far, 3 PGI reports were released, starting 2017-18.
o PGI evaluation classifies States and UTs into grade/
levels, as opposed to ranking.
o PGI comprises of total weightage of 1000 points
across 70 indicators.
• Indicators: Grouped under 2 Categories:
o Outcome (which includes, Learning Outcomes,
Access, Infrastructure & Facilities, Equity).
o Governance & Management (Governance Process).
• Key highlights of PGI-District
o None of the States attained the highest Level (Level
1- points above 950).
26
o No state reached the top 2 levels in 2017-18 and 2018-19 whereas in 2020-21, 7 States have reached
Level-2.
o No state has performed below Level VII (points below 650) in 2020-21.
o The deviation between the maximum and minimum scores obtained by States is 39 %, of the minimum
points.
✓ This disparity was 51 % in 2017-18 indicating that, PGI helped to bridge the performance gap among
States/UTs over the years.
3.5. NATIONAL CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK FOR FOUNDATIONAL

STAGE
Why in News?
Union Minister for Education and Skill Development
launched the National Curriculum Framework for
Foundational Stage.
About National Curriculum Framework (NCF) for
Foundational Stage
• NCF Development: As per the National Education
Policy (NEP), 2020, following four NCFs will be
developed
o National Curriculum Framework for Early Childhood Care and Education (NCFECCE)
o National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE)
o National Curriculum Framework for
Teacher Education (NCFTE)
o National Curriculum Framework for
Adult Education (NCFAE)
• Integrated Framework: NCF, under
NCFECCE, for foundational stage is the
first ever integrated Curriculum
Framework for children between ages 3-8
in India.
o This is the first Stage in the 5+3+3+4
Curricular and Pedagogical
restructuring of School Education
covering education for children up to
the age of 18.
• Objective: To help in positively transforming the school education system as envisioned in NEP 2020.
o It will be the basis for all pedagogy adopted by schools, pre-schools and anganwadis for children
studying between
nursery and Class 2.
• Coverage: It covers a
raft of topics, ranging
from curriculum goals,
approach to language
education and literacy,
home-based learning,
teaching styles, and
methods of assessment.
Key highlights of NCF for
Foundational Stage
• Importance to mother tongue: Students should be taught exclusively in their mother tongue until the
age of eight.
• Less burden on children: For ages three to six, there should not be any prescribed textbooks for the
children, instead NCF recommended simple worksheets for curricular goals and pedagogical needs.
27
• Panchakosha system for education: The
framework has listed the 'panchakosha'
concept for children's education. The
Panchakosha description is in the Taittiriya
Upanishad. It comprises:
o Physical development (sharirik vikas),
o Development of life energy (pranik vikas),
o Emotional and mental development
(manasik vikas),
o Intellectual development (bauddhik vikas)
o Spiritual development (chaitsik vikas)
• Others: Other areas include ethics, learning
through play, gender balance, avoiding
stereotypes in textbooks and better learning
environment.
3.6. FOUNDATIONAL LEARNING STUDY (FLS)

Why in news?
Study titled “Foundational Learning Study 2022” was
jointly conducted by the Union Ministry of Education
and National Council of Educational Research and
Training (NCERT).
More about news
• It is a one-of-a-kind study to arrive at the
benchmarks in Foundational Literacy and
Numeracy (FLN) under the FLS 2022.
o FLN is the ability to read with meaning and
perform basic math calculations by the end
of Class 3.
o The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020
accords the highest priority to achieving
FLN among all children by 2025.
• It is also the largest study that assessed
the learning levels of approx. 86,000
grade 3 students from 10,000 schools
across India.
o It is the only study that has been
conducted in 20 different languages.
o Parameters for foundational literacy
skills included oral language
comprehension, reading
comprehension, oral reading fluency with comprehension, etc.
o Parameters for foundational numeracy skills included number identification & comparison, number
operations, data handling etc.
o Depending on performance,
students were categorised into 4
groups:
✓ Lacking the most basic
knowledge and skills;
✓ Having limited knowledge and
skills;
✓ Developed sufficient
knowledge and skills;
✓ Developed superior knowledge and skills.
28
About NIPUN Bharat or National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy
• NIPUN Bharat has been launched under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘Samagra Shiksha’.
o Vision: To create an enabling environment to ensure the universal acquisition of foundational literacy and
numeracy.
✓ So that by 2026-27 every child achieves the desired learning competencies in reading, writing and
numeracy at the end of Grade III and not later than Grade V.
o Implementing agency: Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education.
o Beneficiaries: Children in the age group of 3 to 9 years including preschool to grade 3 & children who are in class
4 and 5 and have not attained the foundational skills.
o Implementation strategy: A five-tier Implementation mechanism will be set up at National-State-District-Block-
School level.
3.7. NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT SURVEY (NAS) 2021

Why in News?
Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education released the National Achievement
Survey (NAS) 2021 report.
About National Achievement Survey (NAS)
• Purpose: It assesses the health of school education system in the country by conducting comprehensive
evaluation survey of children’s learning competencies at classes III, V, VIII and X with a cycle period of
three years.
o NAS provide system-level feedback by administering standardized survey to students.
• Information Collection: It collects information on relevant background variables such as school
environment, teaching processes, and student home and background factors.
o NAS is not a school-based examination.
o NAS provides a summary of performance at the District, State, and National levels, with the district as
the unit for reporting.
o The last NAS was held in 2017.
About NAS 2021
• Coverage: It covered Government Schools (Central Government and State Government); Government
Aided Schools; and Private Unaided Schools.
o Only the schools selected in sample can participate.
• Subject Matter: Subjects covered are Language, Mathematics & EVS for class 3 & 5; Language,
Mathematics, Science & Social Science for class 8 and Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Science and
English for class 10.
• Conducted by: CBSE was the conducting organisation and NCERT designed its framework and tools.
Key findings
Overall • Learning levels of school students in almost all subjects, including Mathematics and Language,
dropped as they progressed to higher classes.
State-wise • State-wise government schools in Punjab, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have performed
better.
• The states which performed poorly here are Delhi, Arunachal Pradesh, Telangana, and
Chhattisgarh.
Gender-wise • Number of states and UTs in which performance of girls was better than boys increased
significantly this year in comparison with the 2017 survey.
Rural/Urban • Average performance of schools in rural areas remained “significantly below” those urban areas
in same states and UTs.
Category- • Performance of students from the schedule caste (SC)/ schedule tribe (ST)/ Other Backward
wise Classes (OBC) categories remained lower than that of students from the general category.
3.8. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN EDUCATION (AIED)

Why in news?
Recently, The State of Education Report for India, 2022: Artificial Intelligence in Education’ was released by
UNESCO.
29
About the report
• 2022 report aims to guide stakeholders
for leveraging AI in Education (AIED)
systems and outlines major
opportunities and challenges for AI in
the education system in India.
• This report is the 4th edition of the
annual State of Education Report
(SOER) of UNESCO.
Key highlights of the report
• India’s current status in AI
o India has the highest relative AI skill
penetration rate (3.09 times the
global average).
• AI in Education systems have
contributed ed to reach US$7.8 billion
by 2025 at a rate of 20.2% CAGR.
• AI & Women
o India leads the world by far in
terms of women with AI skills.
o Women account for a third of AI-related scientific publications in India.
o In 2018, India had the world’s second-largest AI talent pool, of which 22% comprised women.
o Intelligent Tutoring Systems: Report also
Initiatives taken by India to Promote research in
AI
• Responsible AI for Youth: It was created by
the Ministry of Electronics & IT in
collaboration with Intel India and the
support of the Ministry of Education.
o It is open to school students studying in
classes 8-12 across India to foster a
deeper understanding of AI-tech and
encourage youngsters to become
human-centric designers.
• US-India Artificial Intelligence Initiative: To
foster AI innovation by sharing ideas and
experiences, identifying new opportunities
in research and development, and bilateral
collaboration.
• National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Mission:
It was launched by the Prime Minister's
Science, Technology, and Innovation
Advisory Council (PM-STIAC).
o It works with extensive academia-
industry interactions on developing core
research capability at the national level
including international collaborations.
• AI in Schools: As part of the National
Education Policy (NEP) 2020, AI will now be
a part of the Indian school curriculum.
3.9. LEARNING POVERTY

Why in News?
A World Bank official recently stated that India’s learning poverty has shot up due to COVID-19 pandemic.
30
More on News
• According to a simulation data by World Bank,
before the pandemic about 53% of children were
not able to read a simple text by the age of 10,
but with the pandemic this has shot up to 70%.
o The shocks to education systems caused by
the COVID-19 pandemic is aggravating the
global learning
crisis and impacting
education in
unprecedented
ways.
• This generation will be
harmed compared to
the previous and the
next generation just
because they were born
in specific years and
were between five and
18 years.
31
Mother Tongue • Conducted by: Ministry of Home Affairs
Survey of India • MTSI surveys the mother tongues, which are returned consistently across two and more
(MTSI) Census decades and analyses their linguistic features.
• As per analysis of 2011 linguistic census data:
o More than 19,500 languages or dialects are spoken in India as mother tongues.
o Hindi is the mother tongue of 43.6% of population.
Two Full-time • Guidelines were released by the University Grants Commission (UGC)
Academic Programs • Allows students to pursue two full-time academic programs in physical mode.
Simultaneously • Students can either choose a combination of
o a diploma program and an undergraduate degree
o two bachelor's programs
o two master’s programs
• The adoption of these guidelines is optional for universities.
• The move is in pursuance of National Education Policy 2020.
UGC e-samadhan • To be launched by: The University Grants Commission (UGC)
Portal • A single window for submitting grievances by merging the different portals and helplines
that exist currently.
• Aim is to fast-track resolution of complaints and monitor institutes that are slow in
responding to them.
• Portal will be available 24x7 and also specific timelines have been laid down for addressing
the grievances registered at the portal.
Functionally • Mandla district, a tribal dominated region in Madhya Pradesh has been reported as fully
Literate District 'functionally literate' district.
• A person can be called functionally literate when he or she is able to write his or her own
name, to count and read and write.
• It also refers to the capacity of a person to engage in all those activities in which literacy
is required for effective function of his or her group and community.
PARAKH • PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic
Development) was introduced under National Education Policy 2020.
• Launched by the Ministry of Education for all AICTE (All India Council of Technical
Education) approved institutes.
• It is a national assessment centre.
• PARAKH survey will help colleges to identify learning gaps so that students can be industry
ready.
o It facilitates a platform for students for self-assessment of learning outcomes and 21st-
century life skills acquired by students.
• It helps to improve higher order thinking skills among students.
PM eVIDYA • Use of ICT under PM
eVIDYA, particularly
during the COVID-19
pandemic, has won
UNESCO’s
recognition
(UNESCO’s King
Hamad Bin Isa Al-
Khalifa Prize).
• PM eVIDYA (by
Ministry of
Education) unifies all efforts related to digital/online/on-air education to enable multi-
mode access for imparting education by using technology to minimise learning losses.
• It has been initiated as part of Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan.
Quacquarelli • QS ranking is an annual publication of university rankings which comprises the global
Symonds (QS) overall and subject rankings.
World University o It is measured on basis of academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty/ student
Rankings 2023 ratio, citations per faculty and international student/ faculty ratio.
• Key findings
o Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru has emerged as topmost Indian institute,
ranking at 155th spot.
32
o Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay (172) and IIT Delhi (174) have improved
their rank from previous year.
Collaboration with • The University Grants Commission (UGC) has approved collaboration for Indian and FHEIs
foreign higher can offer three kinds of
education programmes — twinning,
Institutions (FHEI) joint degrees and dual
degrees (refer to the
infographics).
• Key provisions
o Indian institutions
with a NAAC score of
3.01/ top 100 in varsity
category of NIRF, top
1000 in the Times
Higher Education
(THE) or QS ranking
are eligible.
o Foreign institutions
among 1000 of THE
or QS ranking are
eligible.
o Curbs regulator’s supervisory role in facilitating such collaborations.
o For both dual and joint degree programmes, collaborating institutions ensure that
credits earned by students are not from overlapping course content or curriculum.
o In case of a doctoral degree or PhD programme, students will be provided supervision
at each institution, and they will have to spend a minimum of one semester in each of
them.
o Collaborating institutions make provisions for exit pathways for students who are
unable to complete requirements in the three programmes.
33
4. HEALTH
4.1. ANGANWADI SYSTEM
Why in news?
The Ministry of Women & Child
Development (MoWCD) has recently
informed the Parliament that it has spent
over RS 18,000 crores in the last financial
year to strengthen the Anganwadi
system.
About Anganwadi system
• Key Features: The Anganwadi system,
launched under the Anganwadi
Services Scheme (now renamed as
Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0),
is an integral part of the Integrated
Child Development Service (ICDS)
scheme (refer to the infographics).
o The Anganwadi Services Scheme is
a Centrally Sponsored Scheme
under MoWCD.
o It represents one of the world’s
largest and unique
programmes for early
childhood care and
development.
• Aim: The scheme aims to
o improve the
nutritional and health
status of children (0-6
years), pregnant
women and lactating
mothers, and
o reduce the incidences
of mortality,
morbidity and malnutrition.
Saksham Anganwadis
• System Depth: The system serves to • It is a targeted intervention for improving the AWCs. They will
906.17 lakh beneficiaries through be strengthened, upgraded and rejuvenated across the country
Anganwadi Centres (AWCs), for enhancing the overall efficiency and effectiveness.
Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and • Apart from the given goals for Anganwadi, Saksham
Anganwadi Helpers (AWHs). Anganwadis would additionally focus on-
o They are the basic functionaries o Adolescent Girls (14 to 18 years) in Aspirational Districts and
North Eastern Region (NER).
of the ICDS who run the AWCs
o Early Childhood Care and Education [3-6 years] and early
and implement the ICDS scheme. stimulation for (0-3 years).
o One village/ area is managed by • Under it, two lakh AWCs, 40,000 each year will be strengthened
a single Anganwadi worker to make requisite upgrades.
(AWW), who is chosen from the o It will undertake activities like smart learning aids, audio-
community and has been trained and-video tools, water purifiers and devices such as rain-
in areas such as health, nutrition water harvesters.
and childcare.
34
• Digital Inclusivity: AWCs are also digitally strengthened with smartphones for POSHAN tracking systems,
and monitoring devices.
o The ‘Poshan Tracker’ is a job-aid to the AWWs for efficient delivery of services along with reflection
of their efforts.
o This mobile based application is being leveraged for dynamic identification of stunting, wasting,
under-weight prevalence among children and last mile tracking of nutrition service delivery.
• Compensation:
o The AWWs and AWHs are paid fixed honorarium per month as decided by the Government from
time to time.
✓ Honorarium of the AWWs by the Centre has been enhanced to 3500 rupees per month.
o AWWs are also allowed a performance linked incentive of Rs. 500/- per month for using ICDS-CAS
under POSHAN Abhiyaan.
✓ ICDS-Common Application Software (CAS) facilitates the capture of data by frontline
functionaries.
✓ It’s a six-tier dashboard that replaces registers with smartphones.
o Also, most of the States/UTs are paying additional honorarium to these functionaries from their
own resources.
o Insurance coverage: AWWs and AWHs been covered under:
✓ Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima yojana (PMJJBY)
✓ Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima yojana (PMSBY)
✓ Anganwadi Karyakartri Bima yojana (AKBY)
o Other benefits: Paid leave, reservation in promotions, uniforms and other incentives and awards for
rendering exemplary services.
About National Nutrition
Mission (NNM) or POSHAN
Abhiyan
• It was launched in 2017 to
monitor, supervise, fix
targets and guide the
nutrition related
interventions across the
Ministries.
• The objective of POSHAN
Abhiyaan is to reduce
stunting in identified
Districts of India with the
highest malnutrition
burden by improving
utilization of key
Anganwadi Services.
• Its aim to ensure holistic
development and
adequate nutrition for
pregnant women, mothers
and children.
35
Related news
“Grassroot Soldiers: Role of ASHAs in the COVID-19 Pandemic Management in India" Report
• Report is a collaborative endeavor by MoH&FW, National Health Systems Resource Center, and Institute for
Competitiveness. It encapsulates the experience and key role of ASHAs in India’s pandemic response strategy.
36
4.2. NATIONAL FAMILY HEALTH SURVEY-5 (NFHS) REPORT
Why in news?
Recently NFHS-5 was released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
About NFHS-5
• Objective: To provide reliable and comparable data relating to health and family welfare and other.
o Scope of NFHS-5 is expanded by adding new dimensions such as death registration, pre-school
education, expanded domains of child immunization, menstrual hygiene etc.
37
4.3. SAMPLE REGISTRATION SYSTEM (SRS) STATISTICAL REPORT
2020
Why in news?
Office of Registrar General & Census
Commissioner recently released ‘Sample
Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report
2020’.
More on News
• SRS is the only official source of various
demographic indicators in India except
the census.
• It provides annual estimates of various
fertility and mortality indicators.
4.4. CIVIL REGISTRATION SYSTEM (CRS)

Why in news?
Government is planning to revamp the Civil Registration System (CRS) through an IT enabled system to ensure
the registration of birth and death in real-time with minimum human interface.
More about news
• The Registrar General of India (RGI) has also proposed to “maintain the database of registered birth and
deaths at the national level.”
• According to the proposed amendments, the database may be used to update the Population Register,
Electoral Register, Aadhar, Ration Card, Passport and Driving License databases.
38
About Civil Registration System (CRS)
• It is the unified process of continuous, permanent, compulsory and universal recording of the vital events
(births, deaths, still births) and characteristics thereof.
o History of CRS in India dates back to the middle of the 19th century.
o In 1886 a Central Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act was promulgated to provide for
voluntary registration throughout British India.
• Post-independence, the Registration of Births and Death Act (RBD Act) was enacted in 1969 to promote
uniformity and comparability in the registration of Births and Deaths across the country and compilation
of vital statistics based thereon.
o With the enactment of the Act, registration of births, deaths and still births became mandatory in
India.
o The RGI at the Central Government level coordinates and unifies the activities of registration
throughout the country.
o However, implementation of the statute is vested with the State Governments.
• The Act mandates the use of uniform birth and death reporting forms and certificates throughout the
country.
• The scheme of Medical Certification of Cause of Death (MCCD) under RBD Act, provides for causes of
death, a prerequisite to monitoring health trends of the population.
4.5. NATIONAL HEALTH ACCOUNT (NHA) ESTIMATES, 2018-19

Why in News?
6th NHA estimates reports was released recently.
More on News
• NHA estimates 2018-19 is the 6th consecutive NHA estimates report prepared by National Health Systems
Resource Centre (NHSRC),
o NHSRC is designated as NHA Technical Secretariat (NHATS) in 2014 by Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare (MoH&FW).
39
o It is based on framework of System of Health Accounts, 2011, developed by WHO.
o These estimates enable the policymakers to monitor the progress in different health financing
indicators of country.
4.6. MENTAL HEALTH

Why in news?
Recently, Tele Mental Health Assistance and
Networking Across States (Tele-MANAS)
initiative was launched by the Union Ministry of
Health & Family Welfare on occasion of World
Mental Health Day.
About Tele-MANAS
• Launch: It is an initiative under the National
Tele Mental Health Programme (NTMHP)
(announced in the Union Budget 2022-23).
• Objectives: To further improve access to
quality mental health counselling and care
services in the country.
o It aims to provide free tele-mental health services all over the country.
• Working Structure: At least one Tele-MANAS Cell in each State/UT.
40
o National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) is the nodal centre.
• Technical Support: International Institute of Information Technology-Bengaluru (IIITB), IIT-Bengaluru and
National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHRSC).
o A toll-free, 24/7 helpline number has been set up with the language of choice for availing services.
• Integration: Tele-MANAS is also linked with other services like National tele-consultation service, e-
Sanjeevani, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, mental health professionals, Ayushman Bharat health and
wellness centres and emergency psychiatric facilities.
Related News
Unique Friendship Benches Initiative
• It was recently inaugurated by WHO to promote mental health.
• Under the initiative, 32 friendship benches were installed in prominent locations in Doha representing the 32
countries participating in the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
• The project is part of the Sport for Health partnership, led by the World Health Organization and Qatar’s Ministry
of Public Health.
o Its goal is to demonstrate the importance of mental health and offer advice on ways to promote mental well-
being, through the importance of physical activity and sport.
World Mental Health Report
• Released by: The WHO
• Key findings
o Almost a billion people, 14% of whom were adolescents, were living with some form of mental health issues
in 2019.
o Globally, 71% of psychosis patients don’t receive treatment.
o Progress towards Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan (CMHAP) 2013–2030 has been slow.
• About CMHAP
o Adopted by all the 194 members, CMHAP aims to promote mental well-being, prevent mental disorders, etc.
o 3 key ways to achieve CMHAP
✓ Reshaping environments such as homes, communities, schools, workplaces and health care services
✓ Strengthening the quality of mental health care by diversifying it
• Focussed investment in mental health
4.7. DRUGS REGULATION

ECOSYSTEM IN INDIA
Why in News?
After a World Health Organization (WHO) alert on four
India-made cough and cold syrups, the Drug Regulation
Ecosystem in India has been under scrutiny.
More on News
• These syrups have been ‘potentially linked with acute
kidney injuries and over 66 deaths among children’ in
Gambia.
o These syrups were manufactured and exported by an
Indian company - Maiden Pharmaceutical Limited.
o It holds export only permission for these products
(Promethazine Oral Solution BP, Kofexnalin Baby
Cough Syrup, MaKoff Baby Cough Syrup and MaGrip n
Cold Syrup).
• The preliminary enquiry from Central Drugs Standard
Control Organisation (CDSCO) has revealed that the
manufacturer is licensed by the State Drug Controller for
the products under reference.
• The tentative results on syrups have shown presence of
Diethylene Glycol (DEG)/ Ethylene Glycol.
o Present as impurities in propylene glycol, they are
toxic in nature.
41
o In India also, at least five cases of
DEG poisoning have happened since
1972 including the 2020 incident in
Jammu leading to death of 17
children.
About India’s Drug Regulation Ecosystem
• The Indian Drug Regulatory System
originated from the Drugs & Cosmetics
Act, 1940. It regulates the import,
manufacture, distribution and sale of
drugs and cosmetics.
• The 1940 act and its corresponding rules
allow the Centre and State to regulate
different aspects of the drugs
ecosystem (see image on India’s
regulatory environment).
• The 1940 act also provides for other
statutory bodies for various functions (see image).
• To strengthen the effectiveness of the regulatory system, a number of committees [Mashelkar
Committee (2003), Ranjit Roy Chaudhury Committee (2014) etc.] have been constituted in the past.
Good manufacturing practice (GMP)

• It is a system to ensure that products are consistently produced and controlled as per quality standards.
• It helps in ensuring therapeutic effect and boost pharmaceutical export opportunities through international
organization.
• Currently, around 2,000 manufacturing units in India are GMP certified.
4.8. DRUG TRAFFICKING IN INDIA

Why in news?
UNODC recently released the World Drug Report 2022.
About the World Drug Report
• Around 284 million people aged 15-64 used drugs worldwide in 2020, a 26% increase over previous decade.
42
o Though women are in minority in terms
of global drug use, the rate of increase in
drug consumption is more rapid in
women than men.
• Continued growth in drug production and
trafficking.
• As per the report, India is one of the world’s
single-largest opiate markets in terms of
users and likely vulnerable to increased
supply.
About Drug Trafficking in India
• As per the UNODC report, India is one of the world’s single-
largest opiate markets in terms of users and is likely
vulnerable to increased supply.
o India has become a transit hub as well as a destination
for heroin and hashish produced in Golden Triangle (a
tri-junction at the Myanmar, Laos and Thailand) and
Golden Crescent (Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan).
• India also manufactures a lot of synthetic drugs and
precursor chemicals which are smuggled out of the
country.
• As per the UNODC 2020 report, India is also among the
countries with highest illicit cultivation and production of
cannabis from 2010 to
2017.
• Within India, the
worst affected
regions are North
East India (especially
Manipur) and North
West India (especially
Punjab) followed by
Mumbai and Delhi
and now Haryana.
• India’s proximity to
the Golden Crescent
and Golden Triangle
(the major opium
production regions in
the world) has made
India a hub of drug
trafficking.
Related News
Centre raised thresholds for prosecutions, arrests under Customs Act, 1962.
Key changes in the Act
• Thresholds for prosecutions and arrests under the Customs Act has been raised from ₹20 lakh to ₹50 lakh for
smuggling and illegal imports of goods in baggage.
• For commercial fraud, threshold has been increased from ₹1 crore to ₹2 crore.
• However, thresholds will not apply for offences relating to fake currency notes, arms, ammunitions and
explosives, antiques, art treasures, wildlife items and endangered species of flora and fauna.
43
Global Status Released by: The World Health Organization (WHO)
Report on • Measures the extent to which governments are implementing recommendations to increase
Physical physical activity across all ages and abilities.
Activity 2022 • Key Findings
o Less than 50% of countries have a national physical activity policy, of which less than 40%
are operational
o only just over 40% of countries have road design standards that make walking and cycling
safer.
• Recommendations: Countries should prioritize physical activity as key to improving health and
tackling NCDs, integrate physical activity into all relevant policies, and develop tools, guidance
and training to improve implementation.
Notified • In its 139th report, the Parliamentary standing committee on health and family welfare
Disease suggested that Cancer be classified a notifiable disease to tackle its under-reporting.
• A notifiable disease is any disease that is required by law to be reported to government
authorities.
• It becomes legally binding (failure amount to a criminal offense) for a medical practitioner or its
institutes to report cases of the disease to the government.
• Examples of notified diseases: Cholera, diphtheria, encephalitis, leprosy, meningitis, pertussis,
plague, tuberculosis, AIDS, malaria, dengue, etc.
National • Launched
Suicide by:
Prevention Ministry of
Strategy Health and
Family
Welfare
• In line with
WHO’s
South
East-Asia
Region
Strategy
for suicide
prevention,
strategy
• Calls for time-
bound action
plans and multi-
sectoral
collaborations to
achieve
reduction in
suicide mortality
by 10% by 2030
(from 2020
level).
o Around 1.6
lakh
suicides
were
reported in
India during
2021
showing an
increase of
7.2% in
comparison
to 2020.
o Family Problems and illness were the major causes of suicides.
44
• Initiatives taken for suicide prevention: National Mental Health Policy, Mental Healthcare Act,
National Mental Health Program etc.
Paalan 1000 • Government launches Paalan 1000 campaign and parenting app to focus on child health.
• The 'Paalan 1000 - Journey of the First 1000 Days', focuses on the cognitive developments of
children in the first 2 years of its life.
o The first 1000 days establish a solid platform for a child’s physical, mental, emotional,
cognitive and social health.
o The app will provide caregiver with practical advice on what they can do in their everyday
routine.
ABHA for new- • National Health Authority is developing a mechanism under which parents can generate
borns Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) numbers, known as health IDs, for their new-borns
and young children.
o Currently, only individuals above 18 years of age are entitled to enrol for ABHA cards (under
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission).
• ABHA number will enable parents to upload all personal health records from birth, as well as all
healthcare benefits availed, ranging from public health programmes to insurance schemes.
o This will allow parents to track their children’s health records.
45
5. NUTRITION AND SANITATION
5.1. NUTRITIONAL SECURITY IN INDIA
Why in News?
India has slipped to 107th
position in the Global Hunger
Index (GHI) 2022 of 121
countries, from its 101st position
in 2021.
About the Global Hunger Index
• Annually published by
Concern Worldwide and
Welthungerhilfe.
• It was first introduced in
2006. The 2022 edition
marks the 17th edition of the
GHI.
Status of Nutritional Security in
India
• Index Score: With a score of 29.1,
the GHI finds the level of hunger
in India “serious’’.
o India’s GHI score has
decreased from alarming (in
2000) to serious (in 2022).
• Child wasting: The index says
child wasting indicating
undernourishment in the country
is 19.3%, the highest in the world.
• Undernourishment: India’s proportion of undernourished in the population is considered to be at a
medium level, and its under-five child mortality rate is considered low.
• Child stunting: There has Government of India Stand
been a “significant • The Ministry of Women and Child Development said that index is an
decrease” from 54.2% in erroneous measure of hunger and suffers from serious methodological issues.
1998-1999 to 35.5% in • The methodology used is unscientific. Government has highlighted that their
2019-2021, although it is assessment is on the results of a ‘four question’ opinion poll, was conducted
still “considered very telephonically and is unreliable.
high”. • Estimate of Proportion of Undernourished (PoU), population is based on an
• Comparison: India’s opinion poll conducted on a very small sample size of 3000 based on “Food
Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES)” Survey Module.
neighbours such as
Nepal (81), Bangladesh (84), Pakistan (99) and Sri Lanka (64) have got higher rankings in GHI.
Status of Nutritional Security in the world
• Stagnation in hunger reduction: The 2022 GHI score for the world is 18.2, considered moderate, down slightly from
the 2014 score of 19.1.
• Violent conflict: According to the 2022 Global Report on Food Crises, conflict/insecurity was the main driver of
acute food insecurity in 2021.
• Africa South of the Sahara and South Asia are the regions with the highest hunger levels and are most vulnerable
to future shocks and crises.
• The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the economic plight of low- and middle-income countries, slowing economic
growth, driving up prices for goods and services, and increasing projected global poverty rates.
• Climate change is putting stress on agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and aquaculture, increasingly impeding efforts
to meet human needs.
46
5.1.1. THE STATE OF FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION IN THE WORLD (SOFI)
REPORT, 2022
Why in news?
The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the world report 2022 was released recently.
More on News
• It is a joint publication by Food and Agriculture Organization, International Fund for Agricultural
Development, UNICEF, UN World Food Programme and WHO.
• Key findings
o World is moving in reverse, away from the Sustainable Development Goal of ending hunger, food
insecurity, and malnutrition in all its forms, by 2030.
o Major drivers of food insecurity and malnutrition: conflict, climate extremes and economic shocks,
combined with growing inequalities.
• India related findings
o Undernourishment in total population: 16.3%.
o Wasting in children (under 5 years of age): 17.3%
o Stunting in children (under 5 years of age): 30.9%
o Exclusively breastfeeding among infants: 58%
5.2. NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY ACT (NFSA), 2013

Why in news? Mechanism for Procurement of food grain: Ministry of Consumer
Affairs, Food & Public Distribution implemented two types of
The Centre has launched ‘PM Garib procurement policy
Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)’ to • Centralised procurement: Procurement of food grains is
provide free of cost food grains for a year undertaken by FCI directly/indirectly for storage and subsequent
under the National Food Security Act issue.
(NFSA), 2013. o Difference between Economic Cost and Central Issue Price
(CIP), at which food grains are issued to States, is
More on news reimbursed to FCI as food subsidy.
• Decentralized procurement (DCP): Under this scheme, the State
• Under the newly launched PMGKAY, Government itself undertakes direct purchase of paddy/rice and
rice, wheat and coarse grains shall wheat and also stores and distributes these food grains under
be provided free of cost for all NFSA and other welfare schemes.
47
eligible households (both Primary HouseHolds and Antodaya Anna Yojana) under section 3 of the NFSA
from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023.
o Until now beneficiaries were paying the subsidised price called Central Issue Price (CIP) worth Rs.1,
Rs.2 and Rs.3 for Coarse-grains, wheat and rice respectively.
o The subsidised prices are specified in Schedule-1 of the NFSA 2013, which the government can
change by executive order.
• The PMGKAY is subsuming two subsidy schemes (refer box)

o Food Subsidy to Food Corporation of India (FCI).
o Food Subsidy for Decentralized Procurement (DCP).
• However, there will be no changes in the issue prices of food grains supplied to States for other welfare
programmes like mid-day meals (MDMs).
• It should also be noted that this newly launched PMGKAY is different form the PMGKAY that was
launched in 2020 as a pandemic relief measure.
o In 2020 the PM GKAY was launched to provide 5 kg of free food grains to NFSA beneficiaries in
addition to their monthly entitlement (35 kg to a Antyodaya household and 5kg per person in a
Priority Household) of subsidized food grains under the NFSA Act.
o Now, this scheme has been discontinued.
48
Related news
State Ranking Index (SRI) for implementation of NFSA, 2013
• The ranking was released by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.
• Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh secured the top three positions in the Index.
• Tripura, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim obtained the top positions among the special category states (north-
eastern, Himalayan, and Island states).
5.3. SWACHH SURVEKSHAN (SS) 2023

Why in News?
Recently, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
(MoHUA) has launched the 8th edition of SS survey 2023
with the theme of ‘Waste to Wealth’.
More on news
It is aligned with Swachh Bharat Mission Urban (SBM-U)
2.0 commitment to promote circularity in waste
management and focuses on the vision of 'garbage free'
cities.
• About SS-2023
o SS, introduced by MoHUA in 2016, is the world’s
largest annual survey of cleanliness, hygiene
and sanitation in villages, cities and towns
across India.
o Evaluation for SS-23 is based on 3 components:
✓ Service Level Progress -covers Segregated
collection, Processing, and disposal, Used
water management, and Safaimitra
Suraksha.
✓ Certification - for Garbage Free City star rating and ODF/ODF+/ODF++/water + certification.
✓ Citizens’ voice -through feedback, grievance redressal, engagement, etc.
o Additional weightage has been given to source segregation of waste, enhancement of waste
processing capacity of cities and reduction of waste going to dumpsites.
49
o Ranking of Wards within cities is being promoted through SS 2023.
o Assessment of cities will be on dedicated indicators on issues of ‘open urination’ (Yellow Spots) and
‘open spitting’ (Red Spots), being faced by cities.
• SBM-U 2.0, launched in 2021, focus on source segregation of solid waste, ensures grey and black water
(used water) management in all cities other than those covered under AMRUT.

Hunger • Released by: Food and Agriculture Organization and World Food Programme.
Hotspots • Key highlights
Report o Key hunger hotspots include, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Sudan, Somalia, Yemen,
countries in Horn of Africa etc.
o 345 million people in 82 countries/territories are facing Acute Food Insecurity.
o Key Drivers and Aggravating Factors: Conflict/insecurity, Displacement, Dry Conditions,
Economic Shocks, Flood, Political Instability/unrest and Tropical cyclone.
Progress on • Released by: WHO and UNICEF
WASH in • It focuses on WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) and infection prevention and control (IPC).
Health care • Key Findings
Facilities, o Half of world’s healthcare facilities lack basic hygiene services, nearly 4 billion people at risk.
2000–2021 o Lack of potential infection prevention in health facility impacts pregnant mothers, new-
Report borns and children health.
o Unhygienic health care facility influences disease transmission and emergence of antibiotic
resistance.
Initiatives by • "Retrofit to Twin Pit Abhiyan" for promoting twin pit toilets in households towards improved
the Ministry faecal sludge management.
of Jal Shakti • ‘Swachh Jal Se Suraksha’: to create awareness on the importance of clean and safe drinking water
and also help to monitor the quality of water supplied in rural households.
• Swachh Survekshan Grameen (SSG) toolkit for SSG 2023: Toolkit comprises information on
various stages of assessment, baseline rankings of the Panchayats and Districts based on their
ODF Plus progress.
o SSG is being conducted by Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of
Jal Shakti since 2018.
o It ranks the States and Districts on the basis of their performance attained on key quantitative
and qualitative Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen).
50
6. MISCELLANEOUS
6.1. UNIVERSAL SOCIAL SECURITY
Why in News?
Recently, the government panel has recommended a Universal Pension Scheme for gig workers and the self-
employed citing concerns on sustainability of the Employees’ Pension Scheme (1995).
Social Security in India
• Legal standing:
Part of Directive
Principles of the
State Policy such as
Article 41 (Right to
Work),
42(Provisions for
Just and Humane
work and
maternity relief)
and 47 (Duty of the
state to raise the
level of nutrition).
• Centre and State’s Responsibility: Since the subject of Labour falls under the concurrent list, the
extension of Social Security and Social Assistance benefits to citizens is from the centre as well as from
state governments.
• Extent of social security: According to the Economic Survey 2021-22, around 90% of the additional workers
who joined in 2019-20 were in the informal nature of employment and over 98% were in the unorganized
sector.
Recent Government Initiatives
• Code on Social Security, 2020: It consolidates nine central labour legislations on social security to extend
social security to all employees and workers (including the new forms of jobs that are emerging).
o The subsumed laws include Employees’ Compensation Act, 1923, The Employees’ State Insurance Act,
1948, The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, The Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 etc.
• New Social Protection Schemes such as
o Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM), a voluntary and contributory pension scheme to
ensure old age protection for Unorganised Workers.
o National Pension Scheme for Traders, Shopkeepers and Self-Employed Persons, a voluntary and
contributory pension scheme for traders, shopkeepers.
• e-SHRAM Portal: To create a national database of Unorganized Workers, including migrant workers, to
facilitate delivery of social security schemes to the workers.
6.2. WORLD POPULATION GROWTH

Why in news?
The world’s population, recently, reached 8 billion
according to estimates from the United Nations Population
Fund (UNPFA).
Trends in World population growth
• Temporal disparity: Much of the world’s population
growth has come in the last century as better living
standards and health advancements extended life
expectancy.
51
o While the human population reached the first one billion in hundreds of thousands of years, it reached
from 7 billion to 8 billion just since 2010.
• Spatial disparity:
o Declining population growth in developed countries: Population growth slowdown is largely driven
by wealthy countries particularly on account of burden of raising a child and falling marriage rates.
o Rising population in low income countries (LICs): They would drive much of the population growth
with just eight countries accounting for the majority of a projected increase until 2050.
✓ These countries are the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, Pakistan,
the Philippines and the United Republic of Tanzania.
• India’s Population:
By 2050, India would
become the most
populous country
surpassing China.
• Average life
expectancy: Global
life expectancy
soared from 34 years
in 1913 to 72 years in
2022 and is expected
to continue on that
long-term trajectory.
• Slow growth rate:
The global
population is
growing at its
slowest rate since 1950 and has fallen under 1% in 2020.
o It took the global population 12 years to grow from 7 to 8 billion, but will reach 9 billion in about 15
years, in 2037.
52
6.3. CRIME IN INDIA REPORT 2021
Why in news?
Recently, the Crime in India, 2021, annual report of NCRB was released.
53
Related news
Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India Report 2021
• The report was released by the NCRB.
o India saw 120 deaths per million population in 2021 the highest level ever recorded.
o The report highlights the toll the pandemic appears to have taken on the emotional well-being of Indians.
o This report provides age-group-wise and sex-wise details of accidental deaths, traffic accidents and suicides
including farmer’s suicides which is a crucial matter in India.

Action Agenda on • Launched by: United Nation
Internal (UN) Secretary-General
Displacement • Action Agenda sets out
commitments by UN system to
better resolve, prevent and
address internal displacement
crises.
• Action Agenda sets out UN’s
commitments to realize three
goals:
o Help IDPs find a durable solution to their displacement.
o Better prevent new displacement crises from emerging.
o Ensure those facing displacement receive effective protection and assistance.
54
National Air • Launched by: The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MCA)
Sports Policy • Aim: Providing a safe, affordable and sustainable air sports ecosystem in the country.
(NASP) 2022 • Vision: To include India among the top air sporting nations by 2030.
• Covers 11 different air sports and provides a four-tier governance structure.
• Air Sports Federation of India an autonomous body under MCA will be the apex governing
body.
o It represents India at FédérationAéronautiqueInternationale (FAI), headquartered in
Lausanne, Switzerland and other global platforms related to air sports.
o FAI is world governing body for air sports.
Advanced • Offered by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).
Knowledge and • Promotes youth entrepreneurship in and around Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project
Rural Technology (KKNPP).
Implementation • Services offered Technologies/ Consultancy in fields of Biodegradable Waste Processing,
(AKRUTI) Water, Food, and Agriculture.
Programme • Awareness about services under AKRUT through Rural Technology Implementation Kendras
(KRUTIK)
e-Detailed Action • It is a web portal from the Ministry of Roads, Transport and Highways (MoRTH) in
Report (e-DAR) consultation with insurance companies for integrated data and instant information on road
Portal accidents.
• The portal will bring relief to victims’ families, check fake claims etc. through Digitalised
Detailed Accident Reports (DAR).
• It will be linked with Vahaan and the Integrated Road Accident Database (iRAD)- to act as an
e-version of IRAD.
• Also, it will alert PWD/Local Body to examine and record details, helping in identifying the
accident hotspots for necessary solutions to avoid future accidents.
Habitus • The term was popularised by French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu in his book Outline of a
Theory of Practice (1977).
• Habitus refers to a collective entity by and into which dominant social and cultural
conditions of a society are established and reproduced.
• It explains how inequality is reproduced through the dominant social and cultural conditions
that an individual is accustomed to, which then determines their position in society.
o What one considers, 'natural', 'taboo', 'neutral' and 'good' or 'bad' is constructed by
one's habitus.
• It helps instill a sense of the world in individuals by attributing cultural value to material or
immaterial objects.
Important reports
State of World • Released by: United Nations Population Fund
Population 2022, • Key findings of report
report o Over 60% of unintended pregnancies end in abortion and 45% of abortions are unsafe,
causing 5% to 13% of maternal deaths.
• 13% of women in developing countries begin childbearing before they turn 18.
Progress on the • Launched by: UN Women and UNDESA
Sustainable • Key findings
Development o World is not on track to achieve gender equality by 2030.
Goals: The Gender o 380 million women and girls live in extreme poverty.
Snapshot 2022 o Nearly 1 in 3 women face food insecurity.
o Unsafe abortion is a leading but preventable cause of maternal mortality.
o In India, in a quarter of rural households’ women and girls devote more than 50 minutes
per day to collecting water.
‘Cities Alive: • Released by: United Nations Development Programme.
Designing Cities • Report stresses the need to directly engage women in decision-making processes, across all
that Work for aspects of urban planning and development.
Women’ Report • They currently face safety, security, health and hygiene related issues with respect to the
current orientation of urban infrastructure.
Global Gender • Released by: World Economic Forum.
Gap (GGG) • The GGG index benchmarks the current state and evolution of gender parity across four key
Report, 2022 dimensions (refer infographic).
o The GGG index provides scores between 0 and 1, where 1 shows full gender parity and
0 is complete imparity.
55
• Key findings
o In 2022, the
global gender
gap has been
closed by 68.1%
(slight
improvement
from 2021).
o At the current
rate of
progress, it
will take 132
years to reach
full parity.
o Although no country has yet achieved full gender parity, the top 10 economies have
closed at least 80% of their gender gaps.
• India related findings
o India was the worst performer in the world in the “health and survival” sub-index,
where it is ranked 146.
o India recorded a declining score on political empowerment due to diminishing share of
years women served as head of the state.
• India also ranks poorly among its neighbors and is behind Bangladesh (71), Nepal (96), Sri
Lanka (110), Maldives (117) and Bhutan (126).
Global Estimates • Released by:
of Modern International Labour
Slavery, 2021 Organization (ILO).
Report • Modern slavery, as
defined in the report, is
comprised of two
principal components –
forced labour and
forced marriage.
• Both refer to situations
of exploitation that a
person cannot refuse or
cannot leave because of
threats, violence,
deception, abuse of
power etc.
Migration in India • Released by: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation

2020-2021’ Report • Key findings
o All-India migration rate was 28.9%, with 26.5% and 34.9% migration rate in rural and
urban areas respectively.
o Females recorded a higher share of migration rate as compared to males.
o Among females, the highest level of migration rate was seen at 86.8% for marriage.
o Reverse migration during the pandemic led to higher rates of unemployment
agglomeration in rural areas, which caused rural distress.
Global Trends: • Released by: UNHCR
Forced • Provides data on
Displacement in o Refugees
2021 o Asylum seekers
o Internally displaced
o Stateless persons
o People who have returned
to their countries or areas
of origin
• Key findings: By the end of 2021
o Globally, 89.3 million people
were forcibly displaced.
56
o Nearly 5 million people in India were internally displaced due to climate change and
disasters
o US was the world’s largest recipient of new individual applications followed by Germany.
o 69% of all refugees came from just five countries: Syrian Arab Republic, Venezuela,
Afghanistan, South Sudan, and Myanmar.
o Children account for 30% of the world’s population out of 41% forcibly displaced people.
The State of • Released by: The Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM).
Inequality in India • Prepared by Institute for Competitiveness.
Report • Gives a holistic analysis of depth and nature of inequality in India based on inequities in
health, education, household characteristics, income distribution and labour market
dynamics.
• Key findings
o An Indian earning a monthly wage of ₹25,000 is among top 10% of earners in the country.
o Top 1% accounts for 6-7% of total incomes earned while top 10% accounts for one-third of
all incomes earned.
o Failure of trickle-down approach as incomes of the top 1% earners grew 15% during 2017-
18 to 2019-2020 while that of the bottom 10% declined 1%.
o Employment (2019-20): Self-employed workers (45.78%), regular salaried workers (33.5%)
and casual workers (20.71%).
o Nutritional Deprivation still remains a major concern.
Global Report on Released by: Global Network Against Food
Food Crises Crises (GNAFC)
(GRFC, 2022) • Key findings
o Close to 193 million people were
found acutely food insecure in 2021
across 53 countries/territories, an
increase of 40 million people from
previous year.
✓ The United Nations defines
"acute food insecurity" as when
a person's inability to consume
adequate food puts their lives or
livelihoods in immediate danger.
✓ It is hunger that can lead to
famine and widespread death.
• Three main drivers for food insecurity are
conflict, climate change and economic
crises.
• Acute food insecurity is expected to deteriorate further due to war in Ukraine.
• Recommendation
o Need for greater prioritisation of smallholder agriculture as a frontline humanitarian
response, to overcome access constraints.
o Achieve food security and improved nutrition using a 3x3 approach.
• About GNAFC: GNAFC was founded by the European Union, FAO and World Food
Programme (WFP) at 2016 World Humanitarian Summit to prevent, prepare for, and respond
to food crises and support Sustainable Development Goal to End Hunger (SDG 2).
Global Food Policy • Released by: IFPR
Report 2022 on • Report highlights a range of
climate change evidence-based policies
and food system and innovations that
should be prioritized and
implemented now to tackle
adaptation and mitigation
in our food systems.
• Key findings of report
o By 2030, India’s food
production could drop
16% and the number of
those at risk for
hunger could increase
23%.
57
o Global food production will grow by about 60% over 2010 levels by 2050 in context
of climate change.
o Globally, about 70 million more people will be at risk from hunger, including more
than 28 million in East and Southern Africa.
o Meat production is projected to double in South Asia and West and Central Africa
by 2030 and triple by 2050.
• NOTE: CGIAR is a global partnership established in 1971 as a unified international
organization engaged in research for a food-secured future.

58
SOCIAL ISSUES
Table of Contents
1. WOMEN AND CHILD ________________ 3 3. EDUCATION ______________________ 24
1.1. Laws Related to Protection of Women _ 3 3.1. National Education Policy ___________ 24
1.1.1. The Medical Termination of Pregnancy
(Amendment) Act, 2021 ___________________ 3
3.2. Quality of Education in Schools ______ 25
1.1.2. The Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 ___ 3 3.3. Higher Education in India ___________ 26
1.1.3. The Assisted Reproductive Technology
(Regulation) Act, 2021 _____________________ 5 4. HEALTH _________________________ 28
1.1.4. Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on
4.1. National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5)
Marriage) Act, 2019_______________________ 6
Phase II _____________________________ 28
1.2. Domestic Violence Against Women ____ 6
4.2. The National Health Accounts (NHA)
1.3. The Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Estimates____________________________ 29
(Regulation And Prevention Of Misuse)
4.3. Euthanasia _______________________ 29
Amendment Act, 2002 __________________ 8
4.4. Tobacco use in India _______________ 31
1.4. Feminization of Agriculture __________ 8
4.5. Secondary Health Care in India _______ 32
1.5. Permanent Commission for women in
Army ________________________________ 9 4.6. Drug Abuse ______________________ 33
1.6. Child Marriage ____________________ 10 4.7. Gaming Disorder __________________ 34
1.7. Child Adoption____________________ 11 4.8. Health Insurance for India’s Missing
Middle ______________________________ 35
1.8. Child Labour______________________ 12
1.9. The Trafficking in Persons (Prevention, 5. NUTRITION AND SANITATION _______ 36
Care and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2021 _______ 13 5.1. Global Hunger Index (GHI), 2021 _____ 36
1.10. Protection of Children from Sexual 5.2. State of Food Security and Nutrition in the
Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012_____________ 14 World 2021 __________________________ 37
1.11. Global Reports Related to Women & 5.3. Global Nutrition Report 2021 ________ 38
Children ____________________________ 15
5.4. Global Report on Food Crises ________ 39
1.11.1. State of the World’s Children 2021 Report
Released by UNICEF _____________________ 15 5.5. Swachh Survekshan 2021 Report _____ 40
2. OTHER VULNERABLE SECTIONS_______ 16 6. MISCELLANEOUS __________________ 42
2.1. Persons with Disabilities ____________ 16 6.1. Population Control Policy ___________ 42
2.2. Internal Migrants _________________ 17 6.2. National Multidimensional Poverty Index
2.3. Quality of Life for Elderly Index, 2021 _ 18 (NMPI) ______________________________ 42
2.4. Social Security for Informal Workers __ 19 7. APPENDIX: PROVISIONS OF NATIONAL

EDUCATION POLICY, 2020 _____________ 44
2.5. Rights of Transgenders _____________ 20
7.1. School Education __________________ 44
7.2. Higher Education __________________ 46
2.7. Indigenous people _________________ 22
7.3. Other Major Provisions _____________ 47
1
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1. WOMEN AND CHILD
1.1. LAWS RELATED TO PROTECTION OF WOMEN
1.1.1. THE MEDICAL TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2021
Why in News?
Recently, the Centre notified the ‘Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) (Amendment) Rules, 2021’.
About MTP (Amendment) Act, 2021
• The Act seeks to amend Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 to regulate the conditions under
which a pregnancy may be aborted and increases the time period within which abortion may be carried
out.
• The Act provides to set up state level Medical Boards to decide if a pregnancy may be terminated after 24
weeks in cases of substantial fetal abnormalities.
Comparison between MTP Act, 1971 and MTP (Amendment) Act, 2021
Features MTP Act, 1971 MTP (Amendment) Act, 2021
Time upto 12 weeks since • Advice of one doctor • Advice of one doctor
conception
Time 12 to 20 weeks since • Advice of two doctors • Advice of one doctor
conception
Time 20 to 24 weeks • Not allowed • Two doctors for some categories of
since conception pregnant women
Time more than 24 • Not allowed • Medical Board in case of substantial foetal
weeks since conception abnormality
Any time during the One doctor, if immediately necessary to save pregnant woman's life, opinion formed in
pregnancy good faith.
Termination due to • Pregnancy may be terminated up • Any women (irrespective of marital status)
failure of contraceptive to 20 weeks by a married woman can get their pregnancy terminated up to 20
method or device weeks.
Medical Boards • No such provision, only • Medical Board will decide if a pregnancy
registered medical practitioners may be terminated after 24 weeks due to
can decide upon termination of substantial foetal abnormalities.
pregnancy. • All state and union territory governments
will constitute a Medical Board consisting of
a gynaecologist, paediatrician, radiologist/
sonologist, and other members notified by
the state government.
Privacy and punishment • Any person who wilfully • A registered medical practitioner may only
contravenes or wilfully fails to reveal the details of a woman whose
comply with the requirements of pregnancy has been terminated to a person
any regulation shall be liable to authorised by law.
be punished with fine which may • Violation is punishable with imprisonment
extend to one thousand rupees. up to a year, a fine, or both.
1.1.2. THE SURROGACY (REGULATION) ACT, 2021

Why in news?
Recently, the Centre notified the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021.
Key Features of Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021
• Defines surrogacy: Surrogacy is a practice where a woman gives birth to a child for an intending couple
with the intention to hand over the child after the birth to the intending couple.
• New bodies created for regulation:
o Constitution of National Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy Board: With chairman as
Minister in-charge of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Its functions include:
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✓ Advising the Central
Types of Surrogacy
Government on policy
• Altruistic surrogacy: It involves no monetary compensation to the
matters relating to surrogate mother other than the medical expenses and insurance
surrogacy; coverage during the pregnancy.
✓ to review and monitor • Commercial surrogacy: It includes surrogacy or its related
the implementation of the procedures undertaken for a monetary benefit or reward (in cash
Act; or kind) exceeding the basic medical expenses and insurance
✓ to lay down the code of coverage.
conduct of surrogacy o It was first legalised in India in 2002 after which India became
clinics; the ‘rent-on-womb’ capital of the world.
o However, due to lack of proper laws and safeguards for the
✓ to set the minimum
parties involved, multiple ethical legal challenges arose.
standards of physical
• Government has banned surrogacy for foreign nationals in 2015.
infrastructure, laboratory
and diagnostic equipment and expert manpower to be employed by the surrogacy clinics;
✓ to oversee the performance of various bodies constituted under the Act;
✓ to supervise the functioning of State Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy Boards.
o Constitution of State Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy Boards in each state & UT
level.
• Regulation of surrogacy:
o Prohibits commercial surrogacy
but allows altruistic surrogacy.
o Surrogacy is permitted when it is
✓ For intending couples who
suffer from proven infertility.
✓ Only for altruistic surrogacy
purposes.
✓ Not for producing children for
sale, prostitution, or other
forms of exploitation.
✓ For any condition or disease specified through regulations.
o Registration of surrogacy clinics has been made compulsory.
o Central and state governments shall appoint one or more appropriate authorities for evaluating and
taking action against breach of the provisions of the Act.
• Eligibility criteria for surrogate mother: Woman should be:
o a married woman having a child of her own and 25 to 35 years old;
o a surrogate only once in her lifetime;
o possess a certificate of medical and psychological fitness for surrogacy.
• Eligibility criteria for couples: The intending couple should have a ‘certificate of essentiality’ and a
‘certificate of eligibility’ issued by the appropriate authority.
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• Other features
o A child born out of a surrogacy procedure will be deemed to be the biological child of the intending
couple.
o An abortion of the surrogate child requires the written consent of the surrogate mother and the
authorisation of the appropriate authority. This authorisation must be compliant with the Medical
Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971.
o Offences and penalties include imprisonment up to 10 years and a fine up to 10 lakh rupees.
1.1.3. THE ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY (REGULATION) ACT, 2021

Why in News? About ART
The Centre has notified the ART covers a wide spectrum of treatments. Some of them are:
• Ovulation induction: Taking a hormone medication (tablet or injection),
Assisted Reproductive which stimulates the production of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). This
Technology or ART improves chances of conception.
(Regulation) Act, 2021. • Artificial insemination (AI): Insertion of a male partner’s semen through the
female’s cervix and into the uterus at or just before the time of ovulation.
Key highlights of the Act • In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF): Fertilisation of egg and sperm is facilitated in a
culture dish in the laboratory outside the ovary of the woman and the
• Definition: ART means all resultant embryo is then placed into the woman's uterus in a procedure
techniques that attempt called an embryo transfer.
to obtain a pregnancy by • Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT): It is used to help people reduce their
handling the sperm or the risk of passing on a known genetic condition. There are two types of PGT:
oocyte outside the human o PGT for monogenic/single gene defects (PGT-M): To identify embryos
body and transferring the that are not affected by a ‘faulty’ gene that can lead to disease.
gamete or the embryo o PGT for chromosomal structural rearrangements (PGT-SR): To identify
into the reproductive embryos that have the correct amount of genetic material.
system of a woman.
• Regulation of ART clinics and banks: Every ART clinic and bank must be registered under the National
Registry of Banks and Clinics of India. The National Registry will be established under the Bill and will act
as a central database with details of all ART clinics and banks in the country.
• Written informed consent: The clinic shall not perform any treatment or procedure without
o the written informed consent of all the parties seeking assisted reproductive technology;
o an insurance coverage of such amount as may be prescribed for a period of twelve months in favour
of the oocyte donor by the commissioning couple or woman from an insurance company or an agent
recognised by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority
• Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis: This shall be used to screen the human embryo for known, pre-
existing, heritable or genetic diseases only.
• Sex selection prohibited: Subject to the provisions of the Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic
Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994, the clinic shall not offer to provide a couple or woman
with a child of a pre-determined sex.
• Rights of a child born through ART: A child born through ART will be deemed to be a biological child of
the commissioning couple and will be entitled to the rights and privileges available to a natural child of the
commissioning couple. A donor will not have any parental rights over the child.
• Offences: Abandoning, or exploiting children born through ART; selling, purchasing, trading, or importing
human embryos or gametes; using intermediates to obtain donors; exploiting commissioning couple,
woman, or the gamete donor in any form, and transferring the human embryo into a male or an animal.
• Penalties: Contravenes the provisions shall be punishable with a fine of 5 -10 lakh rupees for the first
contravention and for subsequent contravention, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term
between 3 years-8 years and with fine between 10-20 lakh rupees.
• National and State Boards: The National (or State) ART and Surrogacy Board to be constituted under the
Surrogacy Act shall be the National (or State, as applicable) Board for the purposes of this Act.
• Cognizance of offences: No court shall take cognizance of any offence punishable under this Act, save on
a complaint made by the National Board or the State Board or by an officer authorised by it, all the
offences under this Act shall be cognizable and bailable.
• Power to make rules: The Central Government may by notification make rules for carrying out the
provisions of this Act.
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• Application of other laws not barred: The provisions of this Act shall be in addition to, and not in
derogation of, the provisions of the Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of
Sex Selection) Act, 1994 and the Clinical Establishment (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010 or of any
other law for the time being in force.
1.1.4. MUSLIM WOMEN (PROTECTION OF RIGHTS ON MARRIAGE) ACT, 2019

Why in news?
Various forms of Talaq/Separation
Recently, a man in M.P. allegedly pronounced • Instant triple talaq (talaq-e-bidat) was challenged in the
triple talaq to try to end his marriage with his wife court. In the practice of talaq-e-biddat, when a man
pronounces talaq thrice in a sitting, or through phone, or
over a demand of Rs 2 lakh in dowry. writes in a talaqnama or a text message, the divorce is
Major Provisions of the 2019 Act: considered immediate and irrevocable, even if the man
later wishes to re-conciliate.
• It invalidates the practice of instant triple o The only way for the couple to go back to living
talaq (talaq-e-biddat) as void and illegal. together is through a Nikah Halala, and then return to
her husband.
• It makes instant triple talaq a criminal
• Nikah Halala: refers to practice under which a divorced
offence with imprisonment up to three
Muslim woman has to marry another man and
years and fine. consummate the marriage and get a divorce. Only then
• It provides to make the offence can she be eligible to remarry her former husband.
cognizable, if information relating to the • “Talaq-ul-sunnat”: Under this, once the husband
commission of an offence is given to the pronounces talaq, the wife has to observe a three-
Police, by the married Muslim woman upon month iddat period during which the husband can
whom talaq is pronounced or by any arbitrate and re-conciliate with the wife. In case of
person related to her by blood or marriage cohabitation between the couple, during these three
o A cognizable offence is one for which a months, the talaq is revoked.
o However, when the period of iddat expires and the
police officer may arrest an accused
husband does not revoke the talaq, the talaq is
person without warrant.
irrevocable and final.
• The Act also provides scope for o It is considered to be the ideal form of dissolution of
reconciliation without undergoing the marriage contract among Muslims.
process of Nikah Halala if the two sides
agree to stop legal proceedings and settle the dispute.
• A magistrate may grant bail to the husband after hearing the wife.
• Allowance: A Muslim woman against whom talaq has been declared, is entitled to seek subsistence
allowance from her husband for herself and for her dependent children. The amount of the allowance will
be determined by the Magistrate.
• Custody: A Muslim woman against whom such talaq has been declared, is entitled to seek custody of her
minor children. The manner of custody will be determined by the Magistrate.
1.2. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

Why in News?
UN paper ‘The Covid-19 Pandemic and Violence Against Women in Asia and the Pacific’ provides a preliminary
understanding of how the Covid-19 pandemic influences the prevalence of VAW within Asia and the Pacific.
More in News
• COVID-19 pandemic increased VAW in Asia and the Pacific.

• Pandemic is most likely to exacerbate two varieties of VAW: intimate partner violence and digital
violence. It has also increased women’s burden of unpaid care work.
• Reasons include Increased exposure to perpetrators (Lockdown, School closures etc.), Added stress of
the pandemic, Reduced access to support, security and legal services, Stigma of reporting violence.
Domestic violence in India
• Domestic violence is deeply entrenched and widely prevalent in India. Article 15 (3) gives power to the
legislature to make special provision for women and children. In exercise of this power, the Protection of
Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA) was passed in 2005.
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• PWDVA enshrines principles of the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against
Women (CEDAW), which India ratified in 1993.
Key highlights of the PWDVA, 2005
• Domestic violence encompasses physical, verbal, emotional, economic, or/and sexual abuse.
o The law is broad in its definition— “domestic relationship" includes married women, mothers,
daughters, and sisters.
o This law also protects women in live-in relationships, as well as family members including mothers,
grandmothers, etc.
• Coverage: All women who may be mother, sister, wife, widow, or partners living in a shared household. A
child is also entitled to relief under the Domestic Violence Act. The mother of such a child can make an
application on behalf of her minor child (whether male or female).
• Complaint could be filed against
o Any adult male member who has been in a domestic relationship with the woman
o Relatives of the husband or the male partner
o Includes both male and female relatives of the male partner
• There is also a provision for shelter home or a medical facility to provide shelter or medical aid to the
victim.
• The Act is in addition to existing laws
o Reliefs under the Domestic Violence Act can also be asked for in other legal proceedings e.g. petition
for divorce, maintenance, Section 498A IPC, etc.
o Aggrieved person has the right to file a complaint simultaneously under Section 498A IPC.
▪ Section 498A IPC: Whoever, being the husband or the relative of the husband of a woman,
subjects such woman to cruelty shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend
to three years and shall also be liable to fine.
Related news
Marital rape
Recently, the Centre sought reasonable time from Delhi High Court to share government opinion on Marital Rape after
consultation with all stakeholders.
About Marital Rape and Legal position in India
• Rape represents any nonconsensual sexual intercourse or consent gained by using any kind of fear, fraud or under
situation of unsoundness of mind, intoxication, etc.
○ Rape between non-spouses is illegal but Marital Rape, i.e., the act of having nonconsensual sexual intercourse
with one’s own wife, is kept outside the definition of rape in many countries.
• India is one of only 36 countries where marital rape is not a legal crime.
○ In India also, under Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Sexual intercourse or sexual acts by a man with
his own wife, the wife not being under fifteen years of age, is kept as exception outside the definition of
rape.
✓ Section 376-A criminalizes the rape of judicially separated wife.
○ Also, the either spouse carries the right for ‘Restitution of Conjugal Rights’ under Divorce Act, 1869 (related
to the divorce of persons belonging to the Christian religion), Special Marriage Act (SMA) of 1954 and Hindu
Marriage Act (HMA) of 1955, etc.
Recently the Supreme Court clarified when dowry deaths may be presumed
• Interpreting dowry death, the SC clarified that a dowry death can be presumed if the wife was harassed both
mentally and physically close before her death in the marital home.
• About Dowry death
o Defined by Section 304B (relates to Dowry Death) of the IPC, it is read in conjunction with Section 113B (on
Presumption of Dowry death) of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 in case of a dowry death.
o According to latest SC judgment, the ‘soon before her death’ implies that the cruelty has to be proved during
the close proximity of time of death.
✓ Also, it should be continuous from the accused, making life of the deceased miserable which may force
her to commit suicide.
• About Dowry in Death India
o Dowry, also known as Dahej (North India) or Sthreedhanam (South India), is defined by the Dowry Prohibition
Act of 1961 as-
✓ Any property or valuable security given or agreed to be given either directly or indirectly by one
party/parents to other party in connection with marriage.
o A major social evil for long, dowry death was added as a new offence in IPC only in 1986.
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o Apart from dowry death, cruelty (i.e., torture or harassment of a woman) and domestic violence are other
common types of dowry crimes.
1.3. THE PRE-NATAL DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES (REGULATION AND

PREVENTION OF MISUSE) AMENDMENT ACT, 2002
Why in news?
Recently a (pre-natal diagnostic techniques (PNDT) racket was busted in private hospital at Kurukshetra, Haryana.
Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994
• Act aims to prohibit prenatal diagnostic techniques for determination of the sex of the fetus leading to
female feticide.
• PCPNDT Act, 1994 was amended in 2003 and this may be called the Pre- natal Diagnostic Techniques
(Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Amendment Act, 2002.
• Key highlights of the Act
o No pre-natal diagnostic techniques shall be conducted except for the purposes of detection of any of
the following abnormalities, namely:
▪ chromosomal abnormalities.
▪ genetic metabolic diseases.
▪ haemoglobinopathies.
▪ sex-linked genetic diseases.
▪ congenital anomalies.
▪ any other abnormalities or diseases as may be specified by the Central Supervisory Board.
o No pre-natal diagnostic techniques shall be used or conducted unless the person qualified to do so is
satisfied for reasons to be recorded in writing that any of the following conditions are fulfilled,
namely:
▪ age of the pregnant woman is above thirty-five years.
▪ the pregnant woman has undergone of two or more spontaneous abortions or foetal loss.
▪ the pregnant woman had been exposed to potentially teratogenic agents such as drugs,
radiation, infection or chemicals.
▪ the pregnant woman or her spouse has a family history of mental retardation or physical
deformities such as, spasticity or any other genetic disease.
▪ any other condition as may be specified by the Central Supervisory Board.
o Central Government shall constitute a Board to be known as the Central Supervisory Board under the
Chairpersonship of Minister in charge of the Ministry or Department of Family Welfare. The board
shall perform the following functions, namely:
▪ to advise the Central Government on policy matters relating to use of pre-natal diagnostic
techniques, sex selection techniques and against their misuse.
▪ to review and monitor implementation of the Act and rules made thereunder and recommend to
the Central Government changes in the said Act and rules.
▪ to create public awareness against the practice of pre-conception sex selection and prenatal
determination of sex of foetus leading to female foeticide;
▪ to lay down code of conduct to be observed by persons working at Genetic Counselling Centres,
Genetic Laboratories and Genetic Clinics.
▪ to oversee the performance of various bodies constituted under the Act and take appropriate
steps to ensure its proper and effective implementation.
▪ any other functions as may be prescribed under the Act.
o Similarly, each State and Union territory having Legislature shall constitute a Board to be known as
the State Supervisory Board or the Union territory Supervisory Board.
o Under this law, all centres which have any equipment which can potentially detect sex of foetus pre-
conception or pre-natal have to be registered with the appropriate authorities
o It prohibits advertisements in relation to such techniques for detection or determination of sex
o The Act and Rules deal elaborately with the maintenance and preservation of proper records
o The Act penalizes (monetary as well as imprisonment) all the errant, either involved in sex
determination or non-maintenance of records.
▪ Exception: the woman who was compelled to undergo such diagnostic techniques or such
selection.
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o The Appropriate Authorities are empowered with the powers of Civil Court for search, seizure and
sealing the machines, equipment, and records of the violators of law, creating public awareness, etc.
1.4. FEMINIZATION OF AGRICULTURE

Why in news
The Periodic Labour Force Survey or PLFS (2019-
2020) data shows a surge in female labour force
participation rate in agriculture.
More in News
• There has been a rise in workforce engaged
in agriculture to 45.6 per cent (2019-20)
from 42.5 per cent (2018-19).
• Almost the entire rise in the workforce was
accommodated by agriculture. Agriculture
continues to perform the function of a sink
— absorbing the workforce that cannot find
remunerative employment elsewhere.
• There has been a sharp increase in the female Labour Force
Participation Rate (LFPR) by 5.5 percentage points (30% in 2019-
29 from 24.5% in 2018-19). Much of this is driven by the increased
LFPR of rural women.
• This phenomenon of increased participation by women,
particularly working as agri-labourers, is referred to as the
process of feminization of the Indian Agri-workforce.
Factors driving the feminization in agriculture
• Migration of men due to agrarian distress
• Women have less mobility due to social norms
• Women are preferred for labour intensive woks
• Women labour ensure low production cost as they are low-paid
easy to hire and fire
1.5. PERMANENT COMMISSION FOR WOMEN IN ARMY

Why in news?
Ministry of Defence informed the Parliament that Indian Army has granted permanent commission to 577
women officers since the Supreme Court verdict in February 2020.
Background
• A Permanent Commission means a career in the Army till you retire. For a Permanent commission you
have to join the National Defence Academy or the Indian Military Academy.
• Section 12 of the Army Act, 1950, makes women ineligible for employment or enrolment in the Army unless
the central government by the way of an official gazette allows them to.
• In January 1992, the union government provided a list of areas where female officers can be employed.
These were:
o Army Postal Service.
o Judge Advocate General’s Department;
o Army Education Corps;
o Army Ordinance Corps (Central Ammunition Depots and
Material Management); and
o Army Service Corps (Food Scientists and Catering Officers).
o Corps of signals
o Electrical and mechanical engineering
o Engineers
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o Intelligence corps
o Regiment of artillery.
• This inducement was also only on the Short Service Commission (SSC).
o SSC officers are inducted under the 10+4 scheme, wherein the officer serves for 10 years and can
exercise the option of extending his service by 4 years.
• In Feb 2020, SC (Babita Puniya Case) had directed that women officers in the Army be granted Permanent
Commission rejecting government's stand of their physiological limitations as being based on sex
stereotypes and gender discrimination against women.
o Court ruled that every women officer working on a SSC basis, disregarding whether for 14 years or 20
years, should be considered for granting of PC in the Army, including command postings.
• Women officers still cannot serve in infantry, artillery and armoured corps—combat wings deployed at
the most forward locations facing adversary situations.
• The Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy had already granted Permanent Commission to women officers.
1.6. CHILD MARRIAGE

Why in news
The Odisha government has rolled
out a plan to make the state
completely free of child marriage
by 2030.
More on news
• The Odisha government has
roped in five departments for
observing “convergent action
points on adolescent
empowerment and ending
child marriage” in line with the
state strategy action plan
(SSAP). In 2019 the
state had rolled out five-
year SSAP to end child
marriages in the state.
• These departments
include school and mass
education, skill
development and
technical education,
Scheduled Tribe and
Scheduled Caste
development,
minorities & backward
classes welfare, higher
education, and law.
About child marriage
• Child marriage can be
described as a formal
marriage, or an
informal union entered
into by an individual
before attaining the
prescribed eligible age.
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o As per the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act,
2006, the marriageable age is 21 for males and
18 for females.
o The problem of child marriage is widely spread
across the country, however, it is most common
in northern, eastern and western India like in
Jharkhand, Bihar, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh,
West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, among others.
1.7. CHILD ADOPTION

Why in news?
Recently, the ‘Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Amendment Act, 2021’ was notified by the
Government.
More on news
• The Act seeks to amend the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 to strengthen the
Child protection setup under the 2015 Act.
• It is in line with the various international conventions and rules on the rights of Children & Juveniles (refer
to the box).
• Key features:
o Instead of courts as in the 2015 Act, the District Magistrate (DM) can now issue orders both for intra-
country and inter-country adoptions to fast track the process.
o Defines eligibility parameters for appointment of members of Child Welfare Committees (CWC).
o Redefines serious offences: Serious offences includes the offences for which the punishment under
the Indian Penal Code or any other law for the time being in force, is,
✓ minimum imprisonment for a term more than three years and not exceeding seven years; or
✓ maximum imprisonment for a term more than seven years but no minimum imprisonment or
minimum imprisonment of less than seven years.
✓ This is in line Shilpa
Mittal v State of
NCT in Delhi, in
which SC held such
offences to be
considered as
serious offences
rather than heinous.
o All offences under the
Act will be tried in the
Children’s Court.
Adoption provisions in India
• When there is a child
without a family, the State
becomes the guardian. If
procedure established by law is not followed in adoption, the government can take custody of the child.
o Legal framework
✓ Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (JJ Act): It governs the whole
adoption procedure in the country. It prohibits offering or receiving children outside the
processes laid down under the Act as well as their sale and purchase. Such acts are punishable
with three to five years in jail or ₹1 lakh in fine.
✓ Adoption Regulations 2017: The regulation addresses the need for in-family adoptions, post-
adoption support, child-centric provisions, time-limit on courts for disposing adoption deeds,
consolidation of seniority list, and facilitating the root search even by children below 18 years of
age.
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o Institutions
✓ Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA): It is a
statutory body (under the JJ Act) under the MoWCD to
primarily deal with adoption (including inter-country
adoption).
✓ District Child Welfare Committee (CWC): CWC is the final
authority for exercising the powers and discharge duties in
relation to children in need of care and protection under the
JJ Act. The CWC is required to conduct at least two
inspection visits per month of residential facilities for
children in need of care and protection and make
recommendations for improvement to District Child
Protection Unit and the State Government.
o International Conventions
✓ UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in 1992:
It prescribes standards to be adhered to by all State parties
in securing the best interest of the child. It emphasizes
social integration of child victims, without resorting to judicial proceedings.
✓ Hague Convention on Inter-country Adoption, 1993 establishes minimum standards for inter
country adoption.
• The Adoption Amendment Regulations 2021: It aims to ease inter-country adoptions under the Hindu
Adoptions and Maintenance Act (HAMA),1956. According to the Adoption (Amendment) Regulations
families adopting under the HAMA Act can receive a no-objection certificate nodal adoption body CARA
take the child abroad.
o In cases of countries outside the Hague Adoption Convention in respect of inter-country adoptions, a
letter accepting adoption from the government department concerned of the receiving country shall
be sought by CARA in order to issue the final support letter by the agency.
o Until this regulation, there were no regulations for CARA regarding inter-country adoptions under
HAMA, which covers Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains and the NOC was issued only by a court.
1.8. CHILD LABOUR

Why in news?
Recently, a new report titled ‘Child
Labour: Global estimates 2020, trends
and the road forward’ has been released
by International Labour Organisation
(ILO) and the United Nations Children’s
Fund (UNICEF) on occasion of World Day
against Child Labour (observed every
year on 12th June).
What is Child labour?
• According to ILO, ‘Child labour’ is
often defined as work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential, and their dignity, and
that is harmful to physical and mental development. It refers to work that is:
o Mentally, physically, socially or morally dangerous and harmful to children.
o Interferes with their schooling by depriving them of the opportunity to attend school, obliging them
to leave school prematurely or requiring them to attempt to combine school attendance with
excessively long and heavy work.
• The worst forms of child labour comprise all forms of slavery, such as the sale and trafficking of children,
debt bondage, and forced labour, use of children in armed conflict, pornography or other illicit or
hazardous work that compromises children’s health, morals, or psychological wellbeing of children.
• As per Census (2011), there are 10.1 million working children between age of 5-14 years in India.
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• Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh constitute nearly 55% of total
working children in India.
• Initiatives taken by India to prevent
Child labour
o Gurupadswamy Committee,
1979 was formed to study the
issue of child labour and
recommended a multiple policy
approach in dealing with the
problems of working children.
o India ratified ILO Convention
182 on the Worst Forms of Child
Labour and Convention 138 on
the Minimum Age of
Employment.
o Child Labour (Prohibition and
Regulation) Amendment Act
2016 prohibits the ‘engagement
of children in all occupations
and of adolescents in hazardous
occupations and processes’,
wherein ‘adolescents’ refers to
those under 18 years and
children to those under 14 years.
1.9. THE TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS (PREVENTION, CARE AND

REHABILITATION) BILL, 2021
Why in news?
Ministry of Women and Child Development has invited comments/suggestions from all the stakeholders on
the draft ‘Trafficking in Persons (Prevention, Care and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2021’ (TIP Bill).
About human trafficking
• Human trafficking is the trade of humans, most commonly for the purpose of forced labour, sexual slavery,
or commercial sexual exploitation for the trafficker
or others.
• People can be forced into trafficking by many means
such as physical force being used upon them, or
false promises made by traffickers.
• Currently, the crime of trafficking is covered under
Criminal Law Amendment Act, 2013. Trafficking for
the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation is
covered under the Immoral Trafficking (Prevention
Act of 1956.
• Despite these provisions, the NCRB data shows an increasing trend of cases of trafficking such as these
increased by 14.3% in 2019 as compared to the previous year.
Steps taken
• Ujjawala Scheme: It is a comprehensive scheme that was launched in 2007 to combat trafficking and it
provides for Prevention, Rescue, Rehabilitation, Re-Integration and Re-Patriation of victims trafficked for
commercial sexual exploitation. It is mainly being implemented through non-governmental organizations
(NGOs).
• Anti-Human Trafficking Units: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) under a Comprehensive Scheme of
Strengthening law enforcement response in India against Trafficking in Persons through Training and
Capacity Building, has released fund for establishment of Anti Human Trafficking Units for 270 districts of
the country.
13
o Anti-Trafficking Cell (ATC): Anti-Trafficking Nodal Cell was set up in the MHA in 2006 to act as a focal
point for communicating various decisions and follow up on action taken by the State Governments
to combat the crime of Human Trafficking. MHA conducts coordination meetings with the Nodal
Officers of Anti Human Trafficking Units nominated in all States/UTs periodically.
• Legislative measures:
o The POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act 2012 prohibits a range of sexual
offences against children under the age of 18.
o Criminal Law (amendment) Act 2013, under Section 370 and 370A of the IPC, provides for
comprehensive measures to counter the menace of human trafficking.
• Judicial Colloquium: In order to train and sensitize the trial court judicial officers, Judicial Colloquium on
human trafficking is being held at the High court level.
• Cooperation at International level: India is a signatory of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish
Trafficking in Persons of the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC).
1.10. PROTECTION OF CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL OFFENCES (POCSO)

ACT, 2012
Why in news?
SC quashed earlier rulings of Bombay High Court whereby court had acquitted a man of charges under POCSO
Act stating that “there is no direct physical contact i.e. skin to skin with sexual intent without penetration.”
More on news
• SC Judgement
o It specified that ‘touch’ in Section
7 of POCSO Act covers ‘both
direct and indirect touch’ as
otherwise act would legitimise an
entire range of unacceptable
behaviour which undermines a
child’s dignity and autonomy.
o The act of touching the sexual part
of body or any other act involving
physical contact, if done with
‘sexual intent’, would amount to
‘sexual assault’ within the
meaning of Section 7 of POCSO
Act.
About POCSO Act, 2012
• It is a comprehensive law for the

protection of children (under the age
of 18) from the offences of sexual
assault, sexual harassment and pornography.
o The POCSO Act is only applicable to child survivors and adult offenders. In case two children have
sexual relations with each other, or in case a child perpetrates a sexual offence on an adult, the
Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000, will apply.
• It incorporates child-friendly mechanisms at every stage of the judicial process which include reporting,
recording of evidence, investigation and speedy trial of offences through designated Special Courts.
• The evidence of the child shall be recorded within a period of thirty days of the Special Court taking
cognizance of the offence and reasons for delay, if any, shall be recorded by the Special Court.
o The Special Court shall complete the trial, as far as possible, within a period of one year from the date
of taking cognizance of the offence.
• It also punishes criminals who are in positions of trust of authority like public servants, staff of
educational institutions, police etc.
14
• In 2019 the Act was amended to make it stricter by
o Increasing the minimum punishment for certain assaults
o Widening the scope of aggravated penetrative sexual assault
o Defining child pornography
Section 354 IPC vs. POCSO Act, 2012
Specifics Section 354 IPC POCSO
Age of the victim Punishment for the offence For the protection of children only
irrespective of age of the victim
Gender of the victim Female Gender neutral
Definition of sexual Definition is generic The Act for the first time, defines “penetrative sexual
assault assault”, “sexual assault” and “sexual harassment”
Burden of proof Lies on the prosecution. The accused Lies on the accused. The accused is ‘deemed to be
in ‘deemed to be innocent until guilty until proven innocent’
proven guilty’
Punishment Minimum 1 year this may extend to Minimum 3 Years this may extend to 5 years, in
five years along with a fine. addition to a fine.
1.11. GLOBAL REPORTS RELATED TO WOMEN & CHILDREN

1.11.1. STATE OF THE WORLD’S CHILDREN 2021 REPORT RELEASED BY UNICEF
• Report examines child, adolescent and caregiver mental health.
• Key Findings related to India
o 14% of 15 to 24-year-olds in India feel depressed or has little interest in doing things.
o At least 50 million children in India were affected with mental health issues before COVID; 80 – 90%
have not sought support.
o India has spent only 0.05% of its health budget annually on mental health.
o Only 41% of young people (15 -24 years) were willing to get support for mental health problems.
15
2.1. PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
Why in News?
Recently, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment launched a 6-
month Community Based Inclusive Development (CBID) Program
on rehabilitation of Divyangjan/Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
More on News
• Program aims to create a pool of grass-root rehabilitation
workers at community level who can work alongside ASHA
and Anganwadi workers to handle cross disability issues and
facilitate inclusion of PwDs in the society.
• It has been designed to provide competency-based
knowledge and skills among these workers to enhance their
ability for successfully discharging their duties.
• Mode of training for this course would be both offline/online
considering, the prevailing COVID scenario.
• CBID course has been co-designed by Rehabilitation Council
of India and University of Melbourne.
Disability in India
• "Person with disability" means a person with long term
physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairment
which, in interaction with barriers, hinders his full and
effective participation in society equally with others.
• Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 provides for:
o Reservation in government jobs increased from 3% to
4%.
✓ Recently, considering nature and type of work,
Government exercising its power under section
34 of the Act, has recently, removed 4% quota for
differently abled in Police forces which includes
▪ All posts of IPS,
▪ Railway Protection Force,
▪ Police force for Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar
Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman, Diu, Dadra
and Nagar Haveli,
▪ All combatant posts of Central Armed Police
Forces.
✓ Earlier in 2018, government had exempted all
categories of posts of combatant personnel in the
Armed Forces from the provision.
o Right to free education for every child (6 to 18 years of
age) with benchmark disability.
o 5% reservation in seats in Government and Government
aided higher educational institutions.
• Other initiatives
o National Policy for Persons with Disabilities, 2006
o National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism,
Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple
Disabilities Act, 1999
o Rehabilitation Council of India Act, 1992
16
Schemes for PwDs
• National Fund for Persons with Disabilities
• Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/ Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP Scheme)
• Scheme for Implementing of Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 (SIPDA) which covers:
o Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan)
o Skill Development Programme for PwDs
o To establish early diagnostic and intervention centres at District Headquarters/other places having
Government Medical Colleges
• Unique ID for Persons with Disabilities” project is being implemented with a view of creating a National Database
for PwDs, and to issue a Unique Disability Identity Card (UDID) to each person with disabilities.
o Recently, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), make it mandatory for all
States/UTs to grant certificate of disability through online mode only using Unique Disability Identity (UDID)
portal
o A disability certificate is a necessity for PWDs as they can avail the benefits of different government schemes
by furnishing the document.
2.2. INTERNAL MIGRANTS

Why in news?
The Supreme Court of India took suo motu cognisance
of the plight of the migrant workers at the height of
the exodus last year.
Internal Migration in India
• Internal migration is defined as changes of usual
residence within countries. Migration in India is
primarily of two types (Refer infographic).
• The 2011 Census enumerated 450 million internal
migrants based on place of last residence, or 37
percent of the total population and 68 percent of all
migrants were females.
• A person is considered as migrant by place of last
residence, if the place in which he is enumerated
during the census is other than his place of
immediate last residence.
• The Economic Survey (2017) estimated that an average of 5–6 million Indians migrated annually between
2001 and 2011, leading to an inter-state migrant population of “about 60 million” and an inter-district
migrant population “as high as 80 million”.
• According to
a research
paper, India
has the
lowest rate
of internal
migration in
a sample of
80 countries.
• Five-year interval inter-state migration rate in India is around 1% whereas it is 10% in the US and nearly 5%
in China.
Interventions undertaken for migrants
Policy Sub Area Description
Food Safety One Nation One Ration Card: Distribution of highly subsidised food grains is enabled through
nation-wide portability of ration cards through the operationalisation of biometrically
authenticated ePoS transactions in the State/UTs.
Pension Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Mandhan: for old age protection and social security of unorganised
sector workers.
17
Education of child Project Changathi: Implemented by the Kerala State Literacy Mission, this is a literacy scheme
migrants targeted at migrant children for them to learn Malayalam.
Health Ayushman Bharat Scheme: Launched in 2018 is the world’s largest health insurance/ assurance
scheme fully financed by the government. The benefits of the scheme are portable across the
country i.e. a beneficiary can visit any empanelled public or private hospital in India to avail
cashless treatment.
Legislative • 1979 Interstate Migrant Workmen Act
measures to • 1996 Building and Other Construction Workers Act and the
protect labour and • 2008 Unorganised Sector Social Security Act
migrant workers • Relevant provision referred in Code of Social Security 2020
Employment Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan (GKRA): To boost employment and livelihood opportunities for
migrant workers returning to villages, in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak. It involved skill
mapping of migrant labourers and linking women with self-help groups.
2.3. QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ELDERLY INDEX, 2021

Why in news?
Quality of Life for Elderly Index,
2021 released by Economic
Advisory Council to the Prime
Minister (EAC-PM).
About Index
• Index has been created by
Institute for Competitiveness
at request of EAC-PM.
o It identifies regional
patterns of ageing across
Indian States and
assesses overall ageing
situation in India.
o Using this index as a tool,
the State governments and the stakeholders can identify
the areas they need to work upon to provide their older
generation with a comfortable life.
• Assessment formula
o Index framework includes four pillars: Financial Well-being,
Social Well-being, Health System and Income Security
o Distinction is created between Aged States (having more
than five million Elderly [aged 60 and above]) and Relatively
Aged States (having less than five million elderly) to
establish fair comparison among states.
o Northeast States and Union Territories are two separate
categories considering their geography and share of the
elderly population.
• Key highlights
o Health System pillar observes highest national average,
followed by Social Well-being, Financial Well-being and last
is Income Security pillar.
o Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh are top-scoring regions in
Aged and Relatively Aged States, respectively.
o Chandigarh and Mizoram are top-scoring regions in Union Territory and North-East States category.
Schemes and Programmes for the Welfare of Elderly Persons
• National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP), 1999: The Policy envisaged State support to ensure financial and food
security, health care, shelter and other needs of older persons, equitable share in development, protection against
abuse and exploitation, etc.
18
o National Elderly Policy defines person of 60+ age group as elderly.
• Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007: Maintenance of parents/ senior citizens by
children/ relatives made obligatory and justiciable through Tribunals; revocation of transfer of property by senior
citizens in case of neglect by relatives; penal provision for abandonment of senior citizens; establishment of Old
Age Homes for Indigent Senior Citizens; and adequate medical facilities and security for Senior Citizens.
• National Action Plan for the Welfare of Senior Citizens (NAPSrC): This Plan takes care of the top four needs of the
senior citizens viz., financial security, food, health care and human interaction /life of dignity. It is an umbrella
scheme, effective since 1st April 2020, has four sub-schemes under it, namely:
o Scheme of Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC)
o State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAPSrC)
o Convergence with Initiatives of other Ministries/Departments in Government of India in the field of Senior
Citizens Welfare (CWMSrC)
• National Awards for Senior Citizens-Vayoshreshtha Samman: To recognize the efforts made by eminent senior
citizens and Institutions involved in rendering distinguished services for the cause of elderly persons, especially
indigent senior citizens.
• Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY): Scheme for providing Physical Aids and Assisted-Living Devices for Senior
Citizens.
• Senior Citizens Welfare Fund: It was established in 2016 for such schemes for the promotion of the welfare of
senior citizens, which are in line with the National Policy on Older Persons. The Fund comprises of the amounts
available under Saving Schemes of the Central Government that remain unclaimed for a period of seven years
from the date of the account being declared as an inoperative account.
• National Council of Senior Citizens (NCSrC): It was constituted in 1999 under the Chairpersonship of the Minister
for Social Justice and Empowerment to oversee implementation of the Policy and advise the Government in the
formulation and implementation of policies and programmes for the aged.
• National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE): Being run by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
(MoHFW).
• Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY): Under the Ayushman Bharat, launched by MoHFW.
• Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS): Being implemented by the Ministry of Rural
Development since 2007.
• Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY): It is a Pension Scheme launched in 2017 and extended up to 2023.
• Seniorcare Ageing Growth Engine (SAGE) initiative: It aims to identify, evaluate, verify, aggregate, and deliver
products, solutions and services directly to the stakeholders. It promotes the idea of “silver economy”.
2.4. SOCIAL SECURITY FOR INFORMAL WORKERS

Why in news?
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the gaps in India’s social security policies, specifically towards informal
workers.
19
Social Security & its significance
• According to ILO, social security is based on the recognition of human dignity and social justice
guaranteed by law to all human beings who live from their own labour and who find themselves unable to
work temporarily or permanently for reasons beyond their control.
• Effective social security systems guarantee income security and health protection in any adverse event.
• In India, The Code on Social Security 2020 defines social security as "the measures of protection afforded
to employees, unorganised workers, gig workers and platform workers to ensure access to health care
and to provide income security, particularly in cases of old age, unemployment, sickness, invalidity, work
injury, maternity or loss of a breadwinner by means of rights conferred on them and schemes framed,
under this Code.”
• Other efforts to strengthen the social security of informal workers
o The Labour Bureau is carrying out 5 All India Surveys (with respect to informal workers)
▪ All India Survey on Domestic Workers (AISDWs)
▪ All India Survey on Migrant Workers
▪ All India Survey on Employment generated in Transport Sector
▪ All India Survey on Employment Generated by Professionals
▪ All-India Quarterly Establishment based Employment Survey (AQEES)
o India is a signatory to ILO’s 189th convention, known as Convention on the Domestic Workers; but
has not ratified it yet.
▪ Convention mandates that the domestic workers be given daily and weekly rest hours, their
payment must meet minimum wage requirement, and that they should be allowed to choose
place where they live and spend their leave.
2.5. RIGHTS OF TRANSGENDERS

Why in news?
Recently the Madras High Court (HC) issued directions to remove prejudice against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,
Transgender, Queer and/or
Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual
and/or Ally (LGBTQIA+) community
More on News
• Directions, to protect LGBTQIA+

community from harassment,
include:
o Prohibition on attempts to
cure or change sexual
orientation of LGBTIQA+
people.
o Union ministry of social
justice and empowerment to
publish a list of NGOs who have expertise in handling issues faced by LGBTQIA+ community.
o Change in curricula of schools and universities to educate students on understanding the LGBTQIA+
community.
o Use of Parent Teachers Association in schools to sensitise parents.
o Changes in hiring policies for inclusivity provide support in case of grievances etc.
20
Why in news?
Recently the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has told Parliament that no death were
reported due to manual scavenging.
Current law on Manual Scavenging
• ‘Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act 2013’
o This law makes it an offence to:
✓ Employ people as manual scavengers to clean insanitary latrines
✓ Employ people to clean sewers and septic tanks without protective gear
✓ Construct insanitary latrines
21
✓ Not demolish or convert insanitary latrines within a certain period of this Act coming into force
o Who is a 'manual scavenger'?
✓ Any person who has been employed to handle undecomposed human waste from an insanitary
latrine, open drain or pit or railway track is a manual scavenger under this law.
✓ Exception: Any person who has been employed to clean human waste and does so with the help
of the appropriate protective gear and equipment will not be considered a manual scavenger
under this law.
o Responsibility for identifying manual scavengers: Every local authority (municipality or panchayat),
cantonment board or railway authority is responsible for surveying its area to identify manual
scavengers.
o Rehabilitation of manual scavengers
✓ An initial one-time cash assistance
✓ Scholarship to the children of manual scavenger
✓ Allotment of residential plot and financial assistance for house construction of a ready built house
✓ Training in a livelihood skill with payment of stipend of at least Rs 3000 per month
✓ Provision for subsidy, along with concessional loans, to at least one adult member of the family
o Punishment for violation of the Act: Under section 8 of this Act, a person violating this will be
punishable with imprisonment for up to two years or a fine of up to I2 lakh or both. For any subsequent
violations, the imprisonment may extend up to five years and the fine can go up to I5 lakh or both.
• Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is responsible for rehabilitation of manual scavengers and it
implements the ‘Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers’ (SRMS).
2.7. INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

Why in news?
Recently, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)
released its report on Indigenous people.
About indigenous people
• Indigenous Peoples are distinct social and cultural groups that share collective ancestral ties to the lands
and natural resources where they live, occupy or from which they have been displaced.
• Indigenous Peoples hold internationally recognised rights for the preservation of their food systems
through the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
• PVTGs in India: Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) are more vulnerable among the tribal
groups. There are 75 PVTGs out of 705 Scheduled Tribes. Government of India follows the following criteria
for identifiaction of PVTGs.
o Pre-agricultural level of technology
o Low level of literacy
o Economic backwardness
o A declining or stagnant population
About the report
• This third edition titled “Indigenous Peoples' Food System, Insights of sustainability and resilience from
the front line of climate change” was released with alliance of Biodiversity International and
International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT).
• The report studied eight Indigenous Peoples’ food systems in Amazon, Sahel, Himalayas, Pacific Islands
and Arctic (refer to the map) to document their unique capacity to conserve biodiversity and foster
resilient food security.
• These systems are at high risk from climate change, major infrastructure projects, and the granting of
concessions that allow mining, commercial agriculture on indigenous people's territories.
India Specific Findings
Indigenous Characteristics of their food systems Major changes
people of India
Khasi • Biome: Subtropical evergreen forest, water streams • India’s PDS has changed local
(Meghalaya) • Main livelihood activities: Cultivation, gathering, subsistence system
hunting, fishing, cash crops
22
• Mobile Practice: Shifting Cultivation. • Rice has supplanted local staples
• Food barter: Disappeared. (millet and pulses)
• Wild foods reduced in diet
• Increased cash based economy
Bhotia and Anwal • Biome: Forest, Mountain • reduced access to wild edibles
(Uttarakhand) • Main livelihood activities: Cultivation, livestock, • Land degradation induced by
gathering climate change
• Mobile Practice: Semi-nomadic/ Transhumance • Reduced reliance on traditional
• Food barter: Yes medicine
23
3. EDUCATION
3.1. NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY
Why in news?
India completed one year of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
More on news
Prime Minister launched multiple key initiatives in the education sector to mark the first year anniversary of
the National Education Policy 2020. These are as given under:
Initiative Details
Academic Bank of Credit • It is envisaged as a digital bank that shall deposit Credits awarded by Registered
Higher Education Institutions, for Courses pursued therein, in the Academic Bank
Account of the student.
• It is a major instrument for facilitating multidisciplinary and holistic education and
will allow multiple entry and exit options for students of undergraduate and
postgraduate degree courses.
Vidya Pravesh • It is a preschool preparation programme for Class 1st students.
• The program will consist of a three-month play module for these children to
prepare them for school.
SAFAL (Structured • An assessment programme for CBSE students to assess the progress of
Assessment for Analyzing foundational skills and basic learning outcomes and competencies among students
Learning Levels) in classes 3, 5 and 8.
National Digital Education • It will provide diverse education eco-system architecture for development of digital
Architecture (NDEAR) infrastructure, a federated but interoperable system that will ensure autonomy of
all stakeholders, especially States and UTs.
• It will be beneficial for both Centre and States in planning, administering and
governing school education as well as to teachers, students and schools for having
a seamless digital learning experience.
National Education • To provide a platform for the free exchange of ideas on the use of technology like
Technology Forum (NETF) artificial intelligence, blockchain, machine learning, smart boards, computing
devices to enhance learning, assessment, planning, administration.
• It will provide independent evidence-based advice to central and state government
agencies on technology-based interventions.
NISHTHA 2.0 • It will provide training to teachers as per their needs and they will be able to give
their suggestions to the department. It will have 68 modules including 12 generic
and 56 subject-specific modules and will cover around 10 lakh teachers.
• NISHTHA is the largest teachers’ training programme, first of its kind in the world
to motivate and equip teachers to encourage and foster critical thinking in students.
Other initiatives related to • Mother tongue as medium of instruction in colleges: 14 engineering colleges
language in eight States are going to start engineering studies in five Indian
languages: Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi and Bangla.
• Sign Language as a Subject in Secondary Level: Indian sign language, for the first
time, has been accorded the status of language subject. This will give a boost to
Indian sign language and will help the divyang people.
Background: About NEP

• The NEP, was launched in July 2020 as the
guiding philosophy for changing the
learning landscape, making education
holistic and for building strong foundations
for an Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• This is the first education policy of the 21st
century and replaces the thirty-four-year-
old National Policy on Education (NPE),
1986.
24
• The policy is aligned to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development and aims to transform India into a vibrant
knowledge society and global knowledge superpower by
making both school and college education more holistic,
flexible, multidisciplinary, suited to 21st century needs.
For detailed provisions of National Education Policy, 2020
refer to the appendix at the end of the document.
Related news
• Recently, the Ministry of Education formed a new National Steering Committee (NSC) for the Development of
National Curriculum Frameworks (NCF).
o The NCF serves as a guideline for syllabus, textbooks, teaching and learning practices in schools across the
country. It attempts to address the future requirements of school education.
o NCF was last prepared in 2005 and it was revised in 1975, 1988 and 2000.
• The NSC will be headed by K Kasturirangan, who also headed the drafting committee of National Education Policy
(NEP) 2020.
• It will develop four NCFs for: School Education, Early Childhood Care and Education, Teacher Education and Adult
Education.
• All the NCFs would also reflect upon the implications of situations such as COVID-19 Pandemic on respective areas
for future.
• It will also draw inputs from State Curriculum Frameworks (SCFs).
3.2. QUALITY OF EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS

Why in news?
Recently conducted National
Achievement Survey (NAS) and
Annual Status of Education Report
(ASER) survey have brought the
issues of quality of education in
schools in limelight again.
National Achievement Survey
(NAS)
• It is a nationally representative
large-scale survey of students'
learning undertaken by the
Ministry of Education,
Government of India. NAS
gives a system level reflection
on effectiveness of school
education.
• NAS 2021 intends to provide
information of what India's
students know and can do in
key grades and subjects at
national, state, district and
school type.
25
• During proceedings of the survey, teachers across
states noticed children, particularly those of grades 3
and 5, struggling to make sense of the questions, and
filling the OMR sheets.
Major Highlights of ASER 2021 report:
• There has been a clear shift from private to government
schools between 2018 and 2021, in all grades and among
both boys and girls.
• The proportion of children taking tuition has increased
from 2018 to 2021, mostly amongst disadvantaged
households.
• Across all grades, although over two thirds of all
enrolled children have a smartphone at home, just over
a quarter of these have full access to it for their studies
(27%).
Difference between ASER and NAS (National Achievement
Survey)
ASER Survey NAS Survey
• It is a citizen-led survey (conducted by PRATHAM) • It is conducted by NCERT under Ministry of Education.
• It is a household survey conducted since 2005. • It is a school-based survey.
• One-on-one oral assessments. • It is a pen-paper test.
• Aimed at representative sample of all children • It takes into account the children enrolled in
(whether in school or out of school). government and government aided schools.
• It focuses on foundational skills such as reading • It looks at wider variety of skills.
and math.
• It is limited to rural areas of the country. • It is conducted throughout the country in both rural and
urban areas.
3.3. HIGHER EDUCATION IN INDIA

Why in news?
Recently, the Ministry of Education released All
India Survey of Higher Education (AISHE) report
for the year 2019-20.
About AISHE
• All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) is
an annual web-based survey conducted since
2010-11 by the erstwhile Ministry of Human
Resource Development portraying the status of
higher education in the country.
• The survey is being conducted under the central
sector scheme Higher Education Statistics and
Public Information System (HESPIS).
• Survey is based on voluntary uploading of data
by institutions of Higher Education and covers
all higher education institutions in the country,
which are categorised into 3 broad categories:
o Universities
o Colleges/Institutions
o Stand-alone Institutions (not affiliated with
Universities and are not empowered to
provide degree, therefore run Diploma
Level Programmes)
26
Major initiatives by the government for higher education sector
• Improving Student Enrolment:
o National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 aims at increasing the GER in higher education to 50% by 2035 with
emphasis on making the curriculum flexible through an interdisciplinary approach, creating multiple exit
points, and scholarships to ST, SC, OBC and SEDGs students as per their merit.
o New UGC regulation for Open and Distance Learning that allows entry of reputed institutions to offer
education on the distance mode.
o SWAYAM portal to reach out to people and allow them to secure good quality education.
• Addressing Funding requirements:
o Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), 2013 aims at financing state institutions with respect to their
governance and performance.
o Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA), 2018, a joint venture of MoE and Canara Bank aims to leverage
funds from the market, donations and CSR funds to be used to finance improvement in infrastructure in top
institutions.
• Better regulation of HEIs: Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) was proposed to act as an overarching
regulator of higher education by replacing UGC or AITCE.
• Revitalising Research Ecosystem:
o Revitalising Infrastructure and Systems in Education (RISE) scheme funded by a restructured Higher
Education Financing Agency (HEFA) aims at Increased investments in research and related infrastructure in
premier educational institutions.
o Prime Minister’s Research Fellows (PMRF) Scheme to enhance the quality of technical research
o IMPRINT (IMPacting Research INnovation and Technology) India, Joint initiative of IITs and IISc to boost
original scientific and technological research.
o Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC) aims at improving the research
ecosystem of India’s higher educational institutions by facilitating academic and research collaborations
between Indian institutions and the best institutions in the world.
• Improving quality of HEIs:
o National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2015, a methodology adopted by the MoE to rank higher
education institutions in India in order to encourage institutes to compete against each other and
simultaneously work towards their growth.
o NIRF is also one of the criteria for private institutions assessment for the Institutions of Eminence (IoE)
Scheme that provide the regulatory architecture for setting up or upgrading of 20 Institutions (10 from public
sector and 10 from the private sector) as world-class teaching and research institutions.
o Mandatory Assessments: The UGC has made NAAC assessments compulsory for all HEIs that apply for funding
and the AICTE recently announced that at least half the programmes run by an HEI must be accredited by the
NBA.
27
4. HEALTH
4.1. NATIONAL FAMILY HEALTH SURVEY (NFHS-5) PHASE II
Why in News?
Recently, the NFHS-5 survey was released by the Union Ministry of
Health and Family Affairs.
More on news
• Main objective of successive rounds of the NFHS is to provide
reliable and comparable data relating to health and family
welfare and other emerging issues.
• NFHS-5 includes some new focal areas, such as death
registration, pre-school education, expanded domains of child
immunization, menstrual hygiene, frequency of alcohol and
tobacco use etc.
Key highlights of the survey (All India level)
28
4.2. THE NATIONAL HEALTH ACCOUNTS (NHA) ESTIMATES
Why in news
Recently the NHA estimates for India for 2017-18 was Released.
More on news
• This is the fifth consecutive NHA report produced by National Health Systems Resource Centre,
designated as National Health Accounts Technical Secretariat in 2014 by the Health Ministry.
o The NHA estimates are prepared by using an accounting framework based on the internationally
accepted System of Health Accounts 2011, provided by the World Health Organization.
• Key trends
4.3. EUTHANASIA
Why in News?
Recently, a man in Colombia became the first person with non-terminal illness to die by legal euthanasia.
More about news
• Victor Escobar became the first person in the Andean country with a non-terminal illness to die by legally
regulated euthanasia.
o Escobar suffered from end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which greatly diminishes
quality of life, as well as several other conditions.
The Colombian Constitutional Court had recognized last year that Euthanasia procedure should not be
available just for the terminally ill.
29
About Euthanasia
• Euthanasia can be defined as the intentional killing by act or omission of a dependent human being for
his or her alleged benefit.
o It is also known as ‘Mercy Killing’ which is an act where the individual who, is in an irremediable
condition or has no chances of survival as (s)he is suffering from painful life, ends her/his life in a
painless manner.
• The term was derived from the Greek words ‘eu’ and ‘thanatos’ which means ‘good or easy death’.
• There are primarily two types of Euthanasia.
o Active euthanasia: Physician deliberate act, usually the administration of lethal drugs, to end an
incurably or terminally ill patient’s life.
o Passive euthanasia: Withholding or withdrawing treatment which is necessary for maintaining life.
Euthanasia in India Judicial pronouncements on euthanasia in India
• The Supreme Court in 2011 in Aruna Ramchandra Shanbaug
• Active euthanasia is a crime under section
v. Union of India had held that passive euthanasia can be
302 or 304 of IPC. allowed under exceptional circumstances.
• Passive euthanasia is legal in India under o In Gian Kaur v. State of Punjab (1996), the Supreme
exceptional circumstances. The theory of Court had held that the right to life under Article 21
passive euthanasia got its legal status in does not include the right to die.
the year 2011. • In Common Cause (A Regd. Society) v. Union of India &
• The Medical Treatment of Terminally Anr. (2018), the Supreme Court of India held that a person
ill Patients (Protection of Patients and in persistent vegetative state can opt for passive
euthanasia, and that a person can execute a living will to
Medical Practitioners) Bill, 2016,
refuse medical treatment in case of a terminal illness.
makes provisions for patients of sound o A ‘living will’ is a type of advance directive that may be
mind to make an informed decision used by a person before incapacitation to outline a full
regarding the withholding of medical range of treatment preferences or, most often, to
treatment for themselves, paving the reject treatment.
way for the implementation of passive
euthanasia in the country.
Guideline for living will
o 2018 judgement (refer to the box)
• Living Will shall be voluntarily executed and without any
has made it harder to give passive coercion or inducement or compulsion.
euthanasia an effect as now it • It is mandatory for a living will to be in written format clearly
involves execution of the directive in mentioning as to when can medical treatment be withdrawn
presence of two witnesses, or a specific kind of medical treatment shall be given which
authentication by a: will merely have the effect of procrastinating the death of
o Judicial Magistrate the sufferer that may otherwise only prolong the pain,
o permission from two Medical anguish and suffering of that person.
Boards • It should mention the right of an executor to revoke the
o Jurisdictional collector instructions/directives/authority at any time and the
situations & circumstances under which he/she might do so.
• In response to the apprehensions of
misuse of advance directives (or living wills), the court also issued comprehensive guidelines on the
procedure for execution of an advance directive as well as for giving effect to passive euthanasia.
o The guidelines will remain in force until Parliament enacts a legislation on the subject.
Related news
Palliative care
• The World Health Organization (WHO) defines palliative care as an approach that improves the quality of life of
patients and their families’ facing problems associated with life-threatening illness or serious health-related
sufferings.
o For WHO, “palliative care is a human right and a moral imperative of all health systems.”
• According to the WHO
o Only one in 10 people who need palliative care are receiving it.
o Each year over 56.8 million people need palliative care. Around 78% of those people live in low and middle-
income countries.
o Global demand for care for people with life threatening illnesses, will continue to grow as populations age
and the burden of noncommunicable diseases rises.
o By 2060, the need for palliative care is expected to nearly double.
30
• To address the growing need of palliative, care the WHO releases two new resources to support countries in
assessing the development of palliative care and improving the quality of services. These resources are
o Technical report with indicators that can be used by countries to monitor the provision of services. The goal
is to create a global consensus on indicators, providing data that supports decision-making.
o Technical brief, that includes practical approaches and resources to support policy, strategy, and practice. The
brief guides action at the national, district level, and point of care.
4.4. TOBACCO USE IN INDIA

Why in news?
A WHO study titled “Economic Costs of Diseases and Deaths Attributable to Tobacco Use in India” estimated
that the economic burden of diseases and deaths attributable to use of tobacco in India, amounted to
approximately 1% of GDP.
Tobacco use in India
• Tobacco is the foremost preventable cause of death and disease in the world today, killing half of the
people who use it.
• As per Global Adult Tobacco Survey-India (GATS-India), India is home to over 27 crore tobacco users and
globally it is the second largest producer and consumer of tobacco products.
o However, prevalence of tobacco use has reduced from 34.6% to 28.6% during the period from 2009-10
to 2016-17
• The prevalence of current tobacco use among men is 42.4% as compared with 14.2% among women.
• Among both men and women, the prevalence of tobacco use is higher in rural as compared to urban
areas.
Initiatives taken in India
• India became a Party to
the WHO Framework
Convention on Tobacco
Control (FCTC) in 2005.
• FCTC, the first
international treaty
negotiated under the
auspices of WHO, was
developed in response
to the globalization of
the tobacco epidemic.
• WHO FCTC asserts the
importance of both
demand reduction
strategies as well as
supply issues to address
addictive substances
issues.
• Cigarettes and other
Tobacco Products
(Prohibition of
Advertisement and
Regulation of Trade,
Commerce, Production,
Supply and Distribution) Act (COTPA), 2003 which aims to provide smoke free public places and also
places restrictions on tobacco advertisement and promotion.
• National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) was launched in 2007-08 with objective of ensuring
effective implementation of the provisions under COTPA, 2003 to create awareness about the harmful
effects of tobacco consumption etc.
31
• Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 provides for strict punishment against giving tobacco products to children.
• National Health Policy 2017 has set an ambitious target of reducing tobacco use by 30% by 2025.
• National level tobacco cessation quit-line to provide tobacco cessation counseling services to the
community through a toll-free number.
• Pictorial Health Warnings to cover 85% of the front and back panels of the tobacco product package.
• Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019 which prohibits Production, Manufacture, Import, Export,
Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement of e-Cigarettes.
4.5. SECONDARY HEALTH CARE IN INDIA

Why in News?
Recently, NITI Aayog released a performance assessment report “Best Practices in the Performance of District
Hospitals”.
More on News
• It is the first-ever performance assessment of district hospitals and marks a shift in healthcare delivery
system towards data-driven governance for communities and people availing health services.
• Report is released jointly by NITI Aayog, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and WHO India.
• Key Highlights of the report
o District hospitals in
India have on an
average 24 beds per 1
lakh population, with
Bihar having the
lowest average of six
beds and Puducherry
the highest of 222.
✓ Indian Public
Health Standards
(IPHS) 2012
guidelines
recommend
district hospitals
to maintain at
least 22 beds per 1
lakh population
(based on 2001
census).
o A district hospital in
India has 11 support
services on an average against IPHS identified 14 support services that a district hospital is expected
to maintain.
o Only 189 (around 27%) of the total 707 districts assessed met the doctor-to-bed ratio of 29 doctors per
100 beds in a hospital (based on IPHS norm).
o The average bed occupancy rate in district hospitals in India is 57% (IPHS guidelines recommend at
least 80% bed occupancy).
o District hospitals have been employing unique initiatives in different arenas in order to improve their
service delivery.
o For instance, Belgaum district hospital, Karnataka has an impressive blood bank replacement rate of
0% (0 blood units issued on replacement).
Related news
NITI Aayog Released Report on Not-for-Profit Hospital Model in India
• Private hospitals are largely divided into “for-profit hospitals,” which account for 23.3% of treated ailments and
“not-for-profit hospitals,” which account for only 1.1% of treated ailments.
o Report defined four categories for not-for-profit hospitals (refer infographic).
32
•
Need for Not-for-Profit Model
o Lack of penetration of quality healthcare, especially among the economically weaker sections of society.
o Challenges of unavailability and unaffordability in healthcare services.
o India has a lower Bed density (1/1000 population) than rest of the world.
o Hospitalization services have a high level of concentration in urban areas (72% of the hospital beds).
4.6. DRUG ABUSE

Why in news?
Calling for a humane
approach towards
drug users and
addicts, the Union
Ministry of Social
Justice and
Empowerment has
recommended
changes to the
Narcotic Drugs and
Psychotropic
Substances (NDPS)
Act, 1985to exempt
them from a prison
term.
More about news
• The ministry has
suggested that
drug users and
addicts be
treated as
‘victims’ who
need de-addiction and rehabilitation. Criminal action
should not be taken against them.
• It has also called for decriminalising possession of
‘small quantities’ of drugs for personal consumption.
About drug abuse
• Drug abuse or Substance abuse refers to the harmful
or hazardous use of psychoactive substances,
including alcohol and illicit drugs.
o Psychoactive substances are substances that,
when taken in or administered into one's system,
affect mental processes.
• India is vulnerable to high drug abuse as,
geographically, India lies between the Golden triangle
and the golden crescent, the major opium production
regions. Thus, India acts as a hub for drug trafficking
(refer the map).
33
Major Initiatives taken by government to curb drug abuse
• Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act): It was enacted with the objective to make
stringent provisions and consolidate the law in relation to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
• The Act created Narcotics Control Bureau which carries out functions like coordination among various agencies
engaged in drug law enforcement, collection, and dissemination of intelligence etc.
• Central Sector Scheme of Assistance for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse for Social
Defence Services: The scheme helps Voluntary Organizations for Prevention of Alcoholism and Drug abuse.
• The Mental Health Care Act (2017) has included alcohol and drug use disorders under its ambit. This measure is
likely to increase the availability and access to the minimum standard of care and rehabilitation for people with
substance use disorders.
• National Survey: To analyse the extent of drug abuse in the country, Government conducted the first National
Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India through the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre
(NDDTC) of the AIIMS, New Delhi during 2018.
• National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) for 2018-2025: Formulated and implemented by
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, it aims at reduction of adverse consequences of drug abuse through
a multi-pronged strategy involving Awareness generation programmes, Community outreach, Capacity Building
Programmes, etc.
• ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan’ or a ‘Drugs-Free India Campaign’ launched in 2020 across 272 districts of the
country found to be most vulnerable based on the data available from various sources.
• UN Conventions: India is a party to the three United Nations drug conventions: Single Convention on Narcotic
Drugs 1961, Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971 and Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs
and Psychotropic Substances, 1988.
4.7. GAMING DISORDER

Why in news?
The gaming disorder is quickly growing as the pandemic spurred an increased use of Internet devices.
More on news
• According to the All-India Gaming Federation, India’s online gaming industry is expected to be worth
₹15,500 crore by 2023.
• A 2019 survey by the U.S.-based Limelight Networks found that
o India had the second largest number of gamers after South Korea
o While time spent online is still not as high as in other countries, it found that almost a quarter of adult
Indian gamers had missed work while playing games.
• Recently, China limited gamers under 18 years to just three hours of online games per week, during
specified times, and made the industry responsible for enforcing the restriction.
About gaming disorders
• The World Health Organization (WHO) categorised gaming disorder as a mental health condition in 2018.
• According to the WHO’s definition, a person who has gaming disorder will show the following
characteristics for at least 12 months:
o Lacking control over their gaming habits
o Prioritizing gaming over other interests and activities
o Continuing gaming despite its negative consequences
• Thus, according to WHO, the criteria doesn't include a certain number of hours spent playing. Instead,
the description is of someone with an inability to stop playing even though it interferes with other areas
of one's life, such as family relationships, school, work, and sleep.
• Consequences
o Gaming disorders cause physical, social and emotional damages, impairing sleep, appetites, careers
and social lives.
o A Delhi-based NGO named the Distress Management Collective documented other ways in which
online gaming could lead to financial distress. “For a poor family, even the money needed to recharge
a mobile phone to feed a gaming addiction can bankrupt a family.
o People who remain physically inactive for extended periods due to gaming may also have a higher risk
of obesity, sleep problems, and other health issues.
34
4.8. HEALTH INSURANCE FOR INDIA’S MISSING MIDDLE
Why in news?
NITI Aayog has recently released the report “Health Insurance for India’s Missing Middle”.
More on news
• India has a decentralized approach to health care that allows health insurance to be optional.
• India has multiple types of health insurance schemes.
o Government Subsidized health insurance schemes like Centrally Sponsored AB- PMJAY and state
specific schemes such as ‘Arogya Karnataka Scheme’.
o Social Health Insurance (SHI) Schemes like Employee State Insurance Scheme (ESIS) run by Employee
State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), Central departments such as Railways and Defence have separate
schemes for their employees, and Paramilitary has large hospitals in border areas.
o Private voluntary health insurance (PVHI) schemes
• Report highlights the gap in India’s insurance coverage for 30% of India’s population, or 40 crore
individuals named as the ‘missing
middle’.
o Missing middle is the non-poor
segments of the population
positioned between deprived
poorer sections, and relatively
well-off organized sector who
remain prone to impoverishing
health expenditure, despite the
financial capacity to pay for
contributory health insurance.
o It contains multiple groups across
all expenditure quintiles, in both
urban and rural areas.
o It predominantly constitutes the
self-employed (agriculture and non-agriculture) informal sector in rural areas, and a broad array of
occupations – informal, semi-formal, and formal – in urban areas.
35
5.1. GLOBAL HUNGER INDEX (GHI), 2021
Why in news?
India was ranked 101 among 116 countries in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) for 2021, trailing behind its South
Asian neighbours Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal.
About Global Hunger Index
• The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is a tool designed to comprehensively measure and track hunger at the
global, regional, and country levels.
• High-income countries are not included in the GHI.
• The GHI has been released by Welthungerhilfe (lately in partnerships with Concern Worldwide) since
2000.
• The GHI ranks countries on a 100-point
scale, with 0 being the best score (no
hunger) and 100 being the worst,
although neither of these extremes is
reached in actuality.
Key Highlights of report
• Global Scenario: Global hunger,
represented by a GHI score of 17.9, is in
the moderate category. The world as a
whole will fail to achieve a low level of
hunger by 2030.
• Driving forces: Conflict, climate change,
and the COVID-19 pandemic are the most
powerful forces driving hunger.
• Level of hunger across the world:
o Regions with extreme hunger:
Somalia, suffers from an extremely
alarming level of hunger. Africa,
South of the Sahara and South Asia
are the world regions where hunger
levels are highest. Hunger in both regions is considered serious.
o Better performing countries: Europe and Central Asia has the lowest 2021 GHI score of any region.
• Case in India: With a score of 27.5, India has a level of hunger that is serious. Performance under various
indicators:
o Wasting in children under five years (%):17.3
o Proportion of undernourished in the population (%): 15.3
o Prevalence of stunting in children under five years (%): 34.7
o Under-five mortality rate (%): 3.4
Related news
NITI Aayog convenes the National convention on prevention of Maternal, Adolescent and Childhood obesity
• The aim of the consultation is to develop policy options for prevention of overweight and obesity in children,
adolescents and women in India.
• NITI Aayog described obesity as a ‘silent epidemic’.
o Obesity is defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health. A body mass
index (BMI) over 25 is considered overweight, and over 30 is obese.
o The vast majority of overweight or obese children live in developing countries, where the rate of increase has
been more than 30% higher than that of developed countries.
• Risk factors for obesity:
o Unhealthy food environment (accessibility, desirability, affordability of unhealthy foods)
o Inadequate physical Activity and sedentary lifestyle
o Inadequate breastfeeding practices
36
o Parental obesity, maternal under-nutrition
• India’s action towards reducing obesity:
o FSSAI’s Eat right India initiative: Integrates safe and nutritious food intake, promotes healthy eating around
school premises.
o Fit India initiative: Spread awareness on fitness and physical activities and make fitness reach every school,
college and village.
o Mother’s Absolute Affection (MAA) Programme for Infant and Young Child Feeding.
5.2. STATE OF FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION IN THE WORLD

2021
Why in news?
Food and
Agriculture
Organization (FAO)
has released State
of Food Security
and Nutrition in the
World 2021 report.
About State of
Food Security and
Nutrition in the
World 2021
• It was jointly
prepared by the
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United
Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural
Development (IFAD), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Programme (WFP)
and the World Health Organization (WHO).
• This report presents the first global assessment of food insecurity and malnutrition for 2020 and
highlights the need for a deeper reflection on how to better address the global food security and nutrition
situation.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Goal 2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
• Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable
situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round
o Indicator 2.1.1: Prevalence of undernourishment
o Indicator 2.1.2: Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity in the population, based on the Food
Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES)
Key Findings of report

Parameter Findings
People facing hunger in 2020 • Estimated between 720 and 811 million people
• Around 118 million more than in 2019
• 21 percent of the population was facing hunger in Africa (higher than any other
region)
Prevalence of • World not on track to achieve targets for any of the nutrition indicators by 2030
undernourishment • Remained virtually unchanged from 2014 to 2019
• Increased from 8.4 percent to around 9.9 percent between 2019 and 2020
• More than half live in Asia and more than one-third in Africa
• Adult obesity: 13.1 percent in 2016
Moderate or severe food • Risen from 22.6 percent in 2014 to 26.6 percent in 2019
insecurity (based on the Food • 10 percent higher among women than men in 2020
Insecurity Experience Scale) at • One in three people in the world did not have access to adequate food in 2020
the global level
Child malnutrition • Stunting: 22.0 percent of children under the age of five years
• Wasting: 6.7 percent of children under the age of five years
37
• Overweight: 5.7 percent of children under the age of five years
• 44 percent of infants under 6 months of age were exclusively breastfed in 2019
(37% in 2012)
India Specific findings

Parameter Findings
Prevalence of • 15.3% during 2018-20 (21.6 % during 2004-06)
Undernourishment • Adult obesity: 3.9% in 2016
Child malnutrition • Stunting: 30.9% of children under the age of five years
• Wasting: 17.3% of children under the age of five years
• Overweight: 1.9% of children under the age of five years
• Exclusive breastfeeding among infants 0-5 months of age: 58% in 2019
5.3. GLOBAL NUTRITION REPORT 2021

Why in news?
The 2021 Global Nutrition Report (GNR) reveals
that the world continues to face a nutrition crisis.
About Global Nutrition Report
• GNR is a multi-stakeholder initiative,
consisting of a Stakeholder Group,
Independent Expert Group and Report
Secretariat.
• GNR was conceived following the first
Nutrition for Growth Initiative Summit (N4G)
in 2013 as a mechanism for tracking the
commitments made by 100 stakeholders
spanning governments, aid donors, civil
society, the UN and businesses.
• The GNR offers the world’s most
comprehensive picture of the state of global
nutrition and assesses the scale of the
challenges faced in the fight to tackle poor
diets and malnutrition in all its forms.
o It comes up with an independent analysis of the best data on nutrition which is critical for evidence-
based, timely and effective actions to ensure we deliver on our global commitment to end poor diets.
Key findings
38
India related findings
• There has been a rise in anaemic Indian women since 2016.
• India is among 23 countries that have made no progress or are worsening on reducing ‘childhood
wasting’.
• India is among 105 countries that are ‘on course’ to meet the target for ‘childhood overweight’ and
among 53 countries ‘on course’ to meet the target for ‘exclusive breast feeding’.
• India does not have adequate data on prevalence of ‘low birth weight’.
5.4. GLOBAL REPORT ON FOOD CRISES

Why in news?
Global Network against Food Crises has recently released ‘Global Report on Food Crises’.
About the report
• It provides estimates for populations in countries/territories based on the Integrated Food Security
Phase Classification (IPC) and Cadre Harmonisé (CH) or comparable sources.
• The report focuses on 55 countries that account for 97% of humanitarian assistance.
Key findings of the report
• Around 1.3 lakh people were in the most severe phase – Catastrophe– in Burkina Faso, South Sudan and
Yemen and needed urgent action to prevent widespread death and total collapse of livelihoods.
• Forecast for 2021 puts this figure at around 1.5 lakh people.
• In 2020, over 15.8 million children under 5 years old living in the 55 food crises were suffering from
wasting.
• Nigeria, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sudan accounted for more than one-third
of all children affected by wasting.
• What does 3X3 mean?
o Global Network’s partners operate at 3 levels (Global, regional and national)
o There are 3 interlinked dimensions: understanding food crisis, strategic investment in food and
nutrition security, and Going beyond food
Global Network against Food Crises

• It was founded by the European Union, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP)
at the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit.
• It seeks to
o Reduce vulnerabilities associated with acute hunger
o Achieve food security and improved nutrition
39
o Promote sustainable agriculture and food systems, using a ‘3x3 approach (refer infographic)
About Integrated Food Security Phase Classification
• It is an innovative multi-partner initiative for improving food security and nutrition analysis and decision-making.
• It was originally developed in 2004 to be used in Somalia by FAO’s Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit.
About Cadre Harmonisé
• It is a unifying tool that helps to produce analyses of current and projected food and nutrition situations.
5.5. SWACHH SURVEKSHAN 2021 REPORT

Why in news
The Swachh Survekshan 2021 Report was released by the Ministry of Housing
and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
About the Swachh Survekshan (SS) report, 2021
• SS is an annual survey of cleanliness, hygiene and sanitation in cities and
towns across India under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U).
o It is conducted by MoHUA with Quality Council of India (QCI) as its
implementation partner.
o The objective of the survey is to encourage large scale citizen
participation, ensure sustainability of initiatives taken towards
garbage free cities (GFC) and open
defecation free cities (ODF) among others.
o First Survekshan was done in 2016.
• With the participation of 4,320 cities, the 6th
edition of SS has become the world’s largest
urban cleanliness survey.
o Survey was divided into 3 major parts -
(Refer infographic)
Key Findings
• Indore won title of ‘Cleanest City’ for fifth
consecutive time followed by Surat and
Vijayawada in the ‘more than 1 lakh population’
category.
• Varanasi emerged as ‘Best Ganga Town’ while
Ahmedabad Cantonment won title of ‘India’s
Cleanest Cantonment’,
• Additionally, under Prerak Daaur Samman, a new performance category introduced under Swachh
Survekshan 2021, five cities – Indore, Surat, Navi Mumbai, New Delhi Municipal Council and Tirupati were
categorized as ‘Divya’ (Platinum).
Quality Council of India
• It was set up jointly by the Government of India and the Indian Industry represented by the three premier industry
associations i.e. Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), Confederation of Indian Industry
(CII) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
• It aims to establish and operate national accreditation structure and promote quality through National Quality
Campaign.
• It is governed by a Council of 38 members with equal representations of government, industry and consumers.
• Chairman of QCI is appointed by the Prime Minister on recommendation of the industry to the government
• The Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, is the nodal ministry for QCI.
WASH
• WASH is the collective term for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene. Due to their interdependent nature, these three core
issues are grouped together.
o For example, without toilets, water sources become contaminated; without clean water, basic hygiene practices are
not possible.
o According to the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for WASH report titled ‘Progress on household
drinking water, sanitation and hygiene 2000-2020: Five years into the SDGs India responsible for largest drop in
open defecation since 2015.
40
Related News
SDG India Index 2021: NITI Aayog
• Recently, the third edition of the report titled ‘Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) India Index and Dashboard
2020–21: Partnerships in the Decade of Action’ was released by NITI Aayog.
Key Findings of the report
• India’s overall score across SDGs improved marginally
from 60 in 2019 to 66 in 2021 on accounts of
improvement in performance in providing facilities
including clean water and sanitation (Goal 6), affordable
and clean energy (Goal 7) among others.
o However, there has been a major decline in the
areas of industry, innovation and
infrastructure as well as decent work and
economic growth.
• Kerala retains top rank followed by Himachal Pradesh and Tamil Nadu while Bihar is at bottom followed by
Jharkhand and Assam.
• Chandigarh maintained its top spot among the UTs followed by Delhi.
41
6. MISCELLANEOUS
6.1. POPULATION CONTROL POLICY
Why in News? Related information
• Civil Registration System (CRS) is the unified
Recently, on World Population Day (11th July), Uttar process of continuous, permanent, compulsory
Pradesh (UP) government announced a new population and universal recording of vital events (births,
policy for 2021-2030. This year, the theme of World death, stillbirths) and characteristics thereof.
Population Day 2021 is 'the impact of the Covid-19 o The Registration of Births and Deaths Act,
pandemic on fertility'. 1969 provides for the compulsory
registration of births and deaths.
More on News o Births and deaths are registered only at the
• If enacted, the provisions of the proposed place of their occurrence within 21 days of
legislation titled Uttar Pradesh Population (Control, occurrence of the event.
Stabilization and Welfare) Bill, 2021 will come into force after one year from the date of publication in the
gazette.
• It cites strain on resources due to growing population as the need to have a population control policy in
place.
• UP is India's most populous state with a population of around 220 million.
Measures taken by the Centre for population control
• India was the first country in the world to have launched a National Programme for Family Planning in 1952.
• National Population Policy 2000 gave a focused approach to the problem of population stabilization.
o National Commission on Population was formed in the year 2000. The Commission, chaired by the Prime
Minister, has the mandate to review, monitor and give directions for implementation of the National
Population Policy.
• Mission Parivar Vikas has been introduced for substantially increasing access to contraceptives and family
planning services in 146 high fertility districts in 7 high focus states.
• Expanded Contraceptive Choices: The current contraceptive basket has been expanded with inclusion of new
contraceptives namely Injectable contraceptive (Antara programme) and Cent chroman (Chhaya).
• Post-partum Intrauterine contraceptive device (PPIUCD) incentive scheme under which PPIUCD services are
provided post-delivery.
• Redesigned Contraceptive Packaging: The packaging for Condoms, OCPs and ECPs has now been improved and
redesigned to augment the demand for these commodities.
• Family Planning Media Campaign: A holistic media campaign is in place to generate contraceptive demand.
• Vasectomy fortnight is observed throughout the country in November each year to lay emphasis on male
participation.
• Scheme for Home Delivery of contraceptives by ASHAs at doorstep of beneficiaries has been taken up.
• Family Planning Logistics Management Information System (FP-LMIS) is being implemented to ensure last mile
availability of FP commodities.
6.2. NATIONAL MULTIDIMENSIONAL POVERTY INDEX (NMPI)

Why in news?
Recently NITI Aayog released India’s First NMPI.
• Key findings from MPI report –

o 51.91% of the population in Bihar is poor, followed by Jharkhand (42.16%), Uttar Pradesh (37.79%).
o Kerala registered lowest population poverty levels (0.71%), followed by Puducherry (1.72%).
o 37.6% Indian households are deprived of healthy nutrition levels.
o At least 13.9% households have a member aged 10 years or older who has not completed six years of
schooling.
o At least 52% households are with unimproved or no sanitation facility or are sharing their resources
with other households.
• About NMPI
o It follows the Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (GMPI) launched by United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) and Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI).
42
✓ GMPI had earlier ranked India 62nd out
of 109 nations and showed that 27.9% of
India's population were
multidimensionally poor.
o NMPI based on the National Health Family
Survey-4 (NHFS-4) for 2015-16.
o It is based on three dimensions&12
segments (Refer to infographic).
• Significance of NMPI
o Captures multiple and simultaneous
deprivation faced by households.
o Contribute in instituting a public policy tool
for informed evidence-based and focused
interventions.
43
7. APPENDIX: PROVISIONS OF NATIONAL
EDUCATION POLICY, 2020
7.1. SCHOOL EDUCATION
Dimensions Provisions
Early Childhood Care ● ECCE to be delivered through Anganwadis and pre-schools with universal access for
and Education (ECCE) children of 3-6 years age.
● NCERT to develop a National Curricular and Pedagogical Framework for Early Childhood
Care and Education (NCPFECCE) for children up to the age of 8.
Attainment of ● National Mission on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy by Ministry of Education:
Foundational Literacy Under it, States/UTs will prepare an implementation plan for attaining universal
and Numeracy (FLN) foundational literacy and numeracy in all primary schools for all learners by grade 3 by
2025.
● National Book Promotion Policy is to be formulated to ensure the availability,
accessibility, quality, and readership of books across geographies, languages, levels, and
genres.
● National Repository of high-quality resources on foundational literacy and numeracy will
be made available on the Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing (DIKSHA).
Curtailing Dropout Policy aims to achieve 100% GER in preschool to secondary level by 2030. Following are the
Rates and Ensuring initiatives to achieve this:
Universal Access to ● Providing effective and sufficient infrastructure so that all students have access to safe
Education at All and engaging school education.
Levels ● Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Programmes offered by the National Institute of
Open Schooling (NIOS) and State Open Schools will be expanded and strengthened with
special emphasis on Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs).
● Tracking students as well as their learning levels through counsellors or well-trained
social workers.
Curriculum and
Pedagogy
● Freedom of choosing a variety of subject combination: no rigid separation among

‘curricular’, ‘extracurricular’, or ‘co-curricular’, among ‘arts’, ‘humanities’, and ‘sciences’,
or between ‘vocational’ or ‘academic’ streams.
44
● Introduction of contemporary subjects such as Artificial Intelligence, Design Thinking,
Holistic Health, Organic Living, Environmental Education, Global Citizenship Education
(GCED), etc..
● Vocational education through 10-day bagless period sometime during Grades 6-8 where
students will intern with local vocational experts such as carpenters, gardeners, potters,
artists, etc.
● National Curricular Framework for School Education will be developed by the NCERT.
Student Assessment ● School examinations in Grades 3, 5, and 8 which will be conducted by the appropriate
authority.
● Board exams for Grades 10 and 12 will be continued but redesigned.
● National Assessment Centre, PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis
of Knowledge for Holistic Development), will be set up as a standard-setting body under
Ministry of Education.
● Holistic Progress Card with 360-degree, multidimensional report that reflects the
progress as well as the uniqueness of each learner in the cognitive, affective, and
psychomotor domains. It will also include self-assessment, peer assessment, and teacher
assessment.
● National Testing Agency (NTA) to serve as autonomous testing organization to conduct
entrance examinations for undergraduate and graduate admissions and fellowships in
higher education institutions.
Multilingualism ● Medium of instruction up till grade 5, and preferably till Grade 8 and beyond, will be home
language/ mother-tongue/ local language.
● ‘The Languages of India’ a fun project/ activity on to be taken by every student under the
‘Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat’ initiative.
● Three languages formula with greater flexibility.
● All classical languages (Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia) will be
widely available in schools as options. In addition, Pali, Persian, and Prakrit will also be
widely available as options.
● Indian Sign Language (ISL) will be standardized across the country.
Equitable and ● Setting up of
Inclusive Education o Gender Inclusion Fund for female and transgender students.
(Provisions for Socio- o Special Education Zones (SEZs)- Large populations from SEDGs to be declared SEZs.
● Children with disabilities will be enabled to fully participate in the regular schooling
Economically
process from the foundational stage to higher education.
Disadvantaged ● Every state/district will be encouraged to establish “Bal Bhavans” as a special daytime
groups -SEDGs) boarding school, to participate in art-related, career-related, and play-related activities.
● Free school infrastructure can be used as Samajik Chetna Kendras to promote social,
intellectual, and voluntary activities.
● Special mechanisms for children belonging to tribal groups to receive quality education.
● Fee waivers and scholarships will be offered to meritorious students from all SEDGs
● Additional Schools- Setting-up of additional JNVs and KVs in aspirational districts/SEZs
Robust Teacher ● New and comprehensive National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education (by
Education and 2021).
Recruitment ● By 2030, the minimum degree qualification for teaching will be a 4-year integrated B.Ed.
degree.
● NTA testing for admission to B.Ed.
● Setting-up of National Mission for Mentoring with a large pool of outstanding
senior/retired faculty.
● Teacher Eligibility Tests (TETs) for all teachers across Foundational, Preparatory, Middle
and Secondary stage in both public and private schools.
● More autonomy to teachers in choosing aspects of pedagogy in classroom teaching.
● National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST) will be developed by the National
Council for Teacher Education by 2022.
● Restructuring of NCTE- National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) to be restructured
as a Professional Standard Setting Body (PSSB) under General Education Council (GEC).
School Governance ● The twinning/pairing of one public school with one private school will be adopted across
the country, so that such paired schools may learn from each other, and also share
resources, if possible.
Standard-setting and ● Independent State School Standards Authority (SSSA) to be set up by States/UTs.
Accreditation for ● School Quality Assessment and Accreditation Framework (SQAAF) to be developed by
School Education SCERT.
45
● Public and private schools (except the schools that are managed/aided/controlled by the
Central government) will be assessed and accredited on the same criteria.
● For a periodic ‘health check-up’ of the overall system, a sample-based National
Achievement Survey (NAS) of student learning levels will be carried out by the proposed
new National Assessment Centre, PARAKH
7.2. HIGHER EDUCATION

Institutional ● All higher education institutions to be consolidated into three types of institutions:
Restructuring o Research Universities - equal focus on research and teaching
& o Teaching Universities - primary focus on teaching with significant focus on research
o Autonomous degree-granting colleges – almost exclusive focus on teaching
Consolidation
● Affiliation of colleges is to be phased out in 15 years and a stage-wise mechanism is to be
established for granting graded autonomy to colleges.
● Over a period of time, it is envisaged that every college would develop into either an
Autonomous degree-granting College, or a constituent college of a university.
● There shall, by 2030, be at least one large multidisciplinary HEI in or near every district.
● By 2040, all higher education institutions (HEIs) shall aim to become multidisciplinary
institutions.
● The aim will be to increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education including vocational
education from 26.3% (2018) to 50% by 2035.
Holistic ● The policy envisages undergraduate education with flexible curricula, creative combinations of
Multidisciplina subjects, integration of vocational education and multiple entry and exit points with
ry Education appropriate certification.
● An Academic Bank of Credit is to be established for digitally storing academic credits earned
from different HEIs so that these can be transferred and counted towards final degree earned.
● Multidisciplinary Education and Research Universities (MERUs), at par with IITs, IIMs, to be set
up as models of best multidisciplinary education of global standards.
● The National Research Foundation will be created as an apex body for fostering a strong
research culture and building research capacity across higher education.
Regulation
● Public and private higher education institutions will be governed by the same set of norms for
regulation, accreditation and academic standards.
● Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) will be set up as a single overarching umbrella
body for entire higher education, excluding medical and legal education. HECI to have four
independent verticals (refer to the infographics)
Internationaliz • Internationally relevant curricula, meaningful opportunities for social engagement, quality
ation of HEIs residential facilities and on-campus support, etc.
• An International Students Office at each HEI hosting foreign students will be set up.
• High performing Indian universities will be encouraged to set up campuses in other countries,
and similarly, selected universities e.g., those from among the top 100 universities in the world
will be facilitated to operate in India.
• A legislative framework facilitating such entry will be put in place, and such universities will be
given special dispensation regarding regulatory, governance, and content norms on par with
other autonomous institutions of India.
• Research collaboration and student exchanges between Indian institutions and global
institutions will be promoted.
• Credits acquired in foreign universities will be permitted, where appropriate as per the
requirements of each HEI, to be counted for the award of a degree.
46
Equity and Steps to be taken by Governments
Inclusion • Earmark suitable Government funds for the education of SEDGs
• Set clear targets for higher GER for SEDGs
• Enhance gender balance in admissions to HEIs
• Enhance access by establishing more high-quality HEIs in aspirational districts and Special
Education Zones containing larger numbers of SEDGs
Steps to be taken by all HEIs
• Mitigate opportunity costs and fees for pursuing higher education
• Provide more financial assistance and scholarships to SEDGs
• Make curriculum more inclusive
• Ensure sensitization of faculty, counsellor, and students on gender-identity issue
• Strictly enforce all no-discrimination and anti-harassment rules
7.3. OTHER MAJOR PROVISIONS

Financing ● The Centre and the States will work together to increase the public investment in
Education Education sector to reach 6% of GDP.
● Policy calls for promotion and support for private philanthropic activity in education
sector.
Technology in ● Appropriate integration of technology into all levels of education will be done to improve
education classroom processes, support teacher professional development, enhance educational
access for disadvantaged groups.
Adult Education ● Policy aims to achieve 100% youth and adult literacy.
● Use of schools/ school complexes beyond school hours and public library spaces for adult
education courses.
● Quality technology-based options for adult learning such as online courses, satellite-based
TV channels and ICT-equipped libraries and Adult Education Centres, etc. will be developed.
Online Education ● A comprehensive set of recommendations for promoting online education in order to
and Digital ensure preparedness with alternative modes of quality education whenever and wherever
Education traditional and in-person modes of education are not possible, has been covered.
● A dedicated unit for the purpose of coordinating building of digital infrastructure, content
and capacity building will be created in the MHRD for both school and higher education.
Professional All professional education will be an integral part of the higher education system. Stand-alone
Education technical universities, health science universities, legal and agricultural universities etc. will aim
to become multi-disciplinary institutions.
Promotion of ● Strong departments and programmes in Indian languages, comparative literature, creative
Indian Languages, writing, arts, music, philosophy, etc. will be launched and developed across the country,
Arts, and Culture and degrees including 4- year B.Ed. dual degrees will be developed in these subjects.
● Outstanding local artists and craftsperson will be hired as guest faculty to promote local
music, art, languages, and handicraft.
● Every higher education institution and every school or school complex will aim to have
Artist(s)-in-Residence to expose students to art, creativity, and the rich treasures of the
region/country.
● High-quality programmes and degrees in Translation and Interpretation, Art and Museum
Administration, Archaeology etc will also be created.
● For each of the languages mentioned in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India,
Academies will be established consisting of scholars and native speakers to determine
simple yet accurate vocabulary for the latest concepts, and to release dictionaries on
regular basis.

47
SOCIAL ISSUES
Table of Contents
3.1.2. Higher Education ___________________ 30
1. WOMEN AND CHILD ________________ 3 3.1.3. Other Major Provisions ______________ 32
1.1. Women & Child’s Health _____________ 3 3.2. Strengthening Teaching-Learning and
1.1.1. Safe Motherhood Assurance (SUMAN) ___ 4 Results for States (STARS) Project ________ 32
1.2. Women’s Education _________________ 4 3.3. Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship
1.2.1. STEM Career Opportunities for Women in
(PMRF) Scheme_______________________ 33
India ___________________________________ 4
3.4. Annual Status of Education Report 2020 34
1.3. Protection of Women _______________ 5
1.3.1. Protection of Women from Domestic 3.5. Global Education Monitoring Report 2020
Violence Act (PWDVA), 2005 ________________ 5 ____________________________________ 35
1.3.2. Sexual Harassment __________________ 6
3.6. State of the Education Report for India
1.4. National Consultation on the Review of 2020 ________________________________ 36
Beijing +25 ____________________________ 7
3.7. Institutions of Eminence (IoE)________ 36
1.5. Child Marriage _____________________ 8
3.8. Rankings _________________________ 37
1.6. Paternity Leave ____________________ 9 3.8.1. National Institutional Ranking Framework
1.7. Child Labour _______________________ 9 (NIRF) _________________________________ 37
3.8.2. Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation
1.8. Women in Indian Agriculture ________ 11 Achievements (ARIIA) Rankings _____________ 38
1.9. Important Reports _________________ 12 3.9. Accreditation in India ______________ 38
1.10. Other Important News ____________ 12 3.10. Other Important News ____________ 38
2. OTHER VULNERABLE SECTIONS _______ 14 4. HEALTH _________________________ 40
2.1. Transgenders _____________________ 14 4.1. National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) 40
2.1.1. National Council for Transgender Persons
______________________________________ 14 4.2. COVID 19 and Mental Health ________ 41
2.1.2. Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) 4.3. Drug Abuse in India ________________ 42
Rules, 2020 ____________________________ 15
4.4. Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Bill, 2020
2.2. Right of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) ____________________________________ 43
Act, 2016 ____________________________ 16
4.5. Important Reports _________________ 44
2.3. Scheduled Castes __________________ 17
2.3.1. Ambedkar Social Innovation & Incubation 4.6. Other Important News _____________ 44
Mission (ASIIM) _________________________ 17
5. NUTRITION AND SANITATION _______ 46
2.4. Scheduled Tribes __________________ 18
5.1. Global Hunger Index 2020___________ 46
2.5. Elderly Population in India __________ 19
5.2. Global Nutrition Report 2020 (GNR) __ 47
5.3. Important Reports _________________ 48
2.6.1. Sanitation and Hygiene Fund (SHF) _____ 22
2.7. Modern Slavery ___________________ 23
2.7.1. Bonded Labour ____________________ 24 6. MISCELLANEOUS __________________ 49
2.8. Urban Poor _______________________ 24 6.1. Human Development Report 2020 ____ 49
2.9. Migrant Workers __________________ 25 6.2. The Human Capital Index 2020 _______ 50
3. EDUCATION ______________________ 27 6.3. Global Multidimensional Poverty Index
3.1. New Education Policy 2020 __________ 27 (MPI) _______________________________ 51
3.1.1. School Education ___________________ 28
1
6.4. SDG Investor Map for India __________ 52 6.6. Important Reports _________________ 53
6.5. India’s second Voluntary National Review 6.7. Other Important News _____________ 55
(VNR) _______________________________ 53
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Note:
PT 365 documents comprehensively covers the important current affairs of last 1 year (365days) in a
consolidated manner to aid Prelims preparation.
In our endeavour to further enhance the document in the interest of the aspirants, following additions
have been incorporated:
1. Different colours have been used in the document for easy classification and recollection of a
variety of information.
2. QR based Smart quiz has been added to test the aspirant’s learnings and understanding.
3. Infographics have been added to ease understanding, provide for smoother learning experience
and ensure enhanced retention of the content.
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2
1. WOMEN AND CHILD
1.1. WOMEN & CHILD’S HEALTH
Facts & data related to Women & Child’s Health
Term Definition Data related to it
Under-five • Probability of dying between birth Male Female Overall
mortality rate and exactly 5 years of age, 1990 122 131 93
(U5MR) expressed per 1,000 live births. 2019 34 35 38
Infant mortality • Number of deaths under 1 year of • Declined to 32 in 2018 from 129 in 1971.
rate (IMR) age occurring for 1000 live births in • In last 10 years, IMR declined by about 35% in
a given year. rural areas and about 32% in urban areas.
• Madhya Pradesh has highest IMR at 48 and
Nagaland lowest at 4.
Neonatal • Probability of dying between birth Declined between 1990 and 2019 from 57 to 22.
mortality rate and 28 days of age, expressed per
1,000 live births.
Maternal • Number of maternal deaths per • Declined to 113 in 2016-18 from 122 in 2015-17.
Mortality Rate 1,00,000 live births. • Highest MMR state: Assam (215), Lowest
(MMR) • As per WHO, maternal death is the MMR state: Kerala (43)
death of a woman while pregnant
or within 42 days of termination of
pregnancy.
Adolescent • Probability of dying between 10 Adolescent mortality has declined by nearly 40%
(ages 10–19) and 19 years of age, expressed per since 1990.
mortality rate 1,000 children aged 10.
Birth Rate • Number of live births per 1000 of • Declined from 36.9 in 1971 to 20.0 in 2018.
population per year. • Rural-urban differential has also narrowed.
However, birth rate has continued to be
higher in rural areas.
• Bihar has the highest BR at 26.2 and Andaman and
Nicobar Islands has lowest BR of 11.2.
Death rate (DR) • Number of deaths per 1000 people • Declined to 6.2 in 2018 from 14.9 in 1971.
per year. • Chhattisgarh has highest death rate at 8 and
Delhi has a rate of 3.3.
Sex ratio at birth • Number of male births per female
(SRB) births.
Total fertility • Total number of children born or Reduced from 3.6 in 1991 to 2.2 in 2018.
rate (TFR) likely to be born to a woman in her
life time.
• TFR of about 2.1 children per
woman is called Replacement-level
fertility (RLF).
• TFR lower than RFL leads to a
decline in a country’s population.
Institutional • It refers to childbirth that takes Over past two decades, proportion of women
delivery place at medical facilities that are delivering a child in a hospital (or health care
equipped with technology and also institution) increased by nearly 73% in rural India
under the supervision of skilled and 37% points in urban India.
birth attendants.
3
1.1.1. SAFE MOTHERHOOD ASSURANCE (SUMAN)
Why in News? Related information
Recently, Ministry for Health and Family Sample Registration System (SRS)
Welfare highlighted importance of SUMAN • Recently, SRS Bulletin was released.
at the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn • SRS is a demographic survey for providing reliable annual
and Child Health (PMNCH) Accountability estimates of IMR, birth rate, death rate and other fertility and
Breakfast event. mortality indicators at the national and sub-national levels.
• It was initiated on a pilot basis in 1964-65, and became fully
About SUMAN operational during 1969-70.
• It is an initiative (Ministry of Health and • SRS is conducted by Office of the Registrar General and
Family Welfare) for zero preventable Census Commissioner under Ministry of Home Affairs
maternal and newborn deaths.
• Under the scheme, free healthcare benefits are provided to pregnant women, mothers up to 6 months
after delivery, and all sick newborns.
• Other features of the scheme are
o Zero expense delivery and C-section facility in case of pregnancy complications.
o Free transport to pregnant women from home to health facility and back.
o Zero-tolerance for denial of services at public health facility.
• Services include at least four ante natal check-ups that also includes one checkup during the 1st trimester,
Iron Folic Acid supplementation, Tetanus diphtheria injection etc.
• PMNCH is the world’s largest alliance for women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health, bringing together
over 1,000 partner organizations across 192 countries.
o It enables partners to share strategies, align objectives and resources, and agree on interventions.
The Vice Chairs of PMNCH’s Board are the Government of India and UK.
1.2. WOMEN’S EDUCATION

Facts & data related to Women’s Education
• Females constitute 48.6% of the total enrolment in higher education
• In STEM 40% of graduates are women in India as compared to 35% of the global average.
• Only 14% of researchers in India are women as compared to 30% of the global average.
• Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) for females in higher education is 26.4% against 26.3% for boys.
• Gender Parity Index (GPI) has increased from 0.92 in 2014-15 to 1 in 2018-19.
1.2.1. STEM CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN IN INDIA

Why in news?
Related information
Recently, The Department of Science & Women Entrepreneurship and Empowerment (WEE)
Technology (DST) and IBM India • It is India’s First of its kind social, national initiative by IIT Delhi
announced two collaborations to promote and supported by Department of Science and Technology.
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering • It aims to strengthen women entrepreneurship in the country
and promote an ecosystem that enables creation and sustenance
and Mathematics) learning among
of such enterprises by women.
students. • It helps women ranging from college going students to middle-
More about news aged housewives to take up entrepreneurship as a viable, fulfilling
career option.
• The first collaboration involves DST’s
• It connects women entrepreneurs from all across India to
‘Vigyan Jyoti’ program, the second potential investors and buyers for their products so that they can
collaboration is with Vigyan Prasar (an take their business idea to a financially sustainable enterprise.
autonomous organisation of DST) that
will build and run a technology-driven interactivity platform named ‘Engage With Science’.
• Vigyan Jyoti is a programme to promote STEM learning among girl students.
o It aims to inspire them towards STEM careers by creating a level-playing field for meritorious girls
from grades 9 to 12 to pursue STEM in their higher education, especially from the top colleges in the
areas where girls are hugely underrepresented.
o The partnership with IBM India will strengthen the current activities and expand to include more
schools in future.
o Women tech experts working at IBM India will interact and be role models for inspiring girl students
to plan for a career in STEM under the program.
4
• Engage with Science of Vigyan Prasar aims to build interest and create a community of practice with
students, teachers, and scientists connecting the high school students to the higher education institutions.
o As part of the collaboration for ‘Engage With Science’ initiative, IBM will run the day-to-day activities
of the program, including student workshops, seminars and leverage its expertise to mentor the
students.
Steps being taken to plug the gender gap:
• Science and Technology Policy 2020 (STP)
• Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing (KIRAN):
o In the year 2014, DST restructured all women specific programmes under one umbrella called KIRAN.
o The mandate of KIRAN Program is to bring gender parity in S&T through gender mainstreaming.
o ‘Women Scientist Scheme (WOS)’ under KIRAN provides career opportunities including fellowships
to unemployed women scientists and technologists.
o ‘Consolidation of University Research through Innovation and Excellence in Women Universities
(CURIE)’ Programme under KIRAN only women Universities are being supported for development of
research infrastructure and creation of state-of-the-art research laboratories to enhance women’s
participation in S&T domain.
o Mobility Scheme under KIRAN addresses relocation issues of working women scientists and provides
support in project mode for 2-5 years.
• Indo-U.S. Fellowship for Women in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and
Medicine): It provide opportunities to Indian Women Scientists, Engineers & Technologists to undertake
international collaborative research in premier institutions in U.S.A.
o It is a joint endeavour of Department of Science and Technology and Indo-U.S. Science and
Technology Forum (IUSSTF).
• UDAAN: Launched by Ministry of Education to address the lower enrolment ratio of girl students in
science and engineering colleges.
o It aims to enrich and enhance teaching and learning of Science and Mathematics at Senior Secondary
level by providing free and online resources to every girl, with a focus on special incentives and support
to 1000 selected disadvantaged girls per year.
• Biotechnology Career Advancement and Re-orientation Programme (BioCARe): An initiative of
Department of Biotechnology, it mainly focuses on Career Development of employed/ unemployed
women Scientists upto 55 years of age.
o The purpose is to build capacities for women Scientists employed fulltime in Universities and small
research laboratories or unemployed women Scientist’s after a career break so as to help them
undertake independent R&D projects.
• Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI) under DST is an attempt to bring about gender
balance in the institutions.
o It aims to nudge institutions of higher education and research towards supporting diversity, inclusion
and the full spectrum of demographic talent for their own success and progression.
Related information: Athena SWAN Charter
• It is an evaluation and accreditation programme enhancing gender equity in science, technology, engineering,
mathematics and medicine.
• Department of Science and Technology, under new Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, is incorporating a
system of grading institutes depending on the enrolment of women and advancement of careers of women
faculty and scientists.
o In 2015-16, share of women in scientific research and development was 14.71%
• This concept is borrowed from Athena SWAN (Scientific Women’s Academic Network) program of UK.
1.3. PROTECTION OF WOMEN

1.3.1. PROTECTION OF WOMEN FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACT (PWDVA),
2005
Why in News?
Recently, SC ruled that woman will have the right to residence in the shared house even if it was rented or
owned by the in-laws and the husband had no ownership right over it.
5
Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act
(PWDVA)
• It is a civil law which focuses on the reliefs
given to the aggrieved woman such as
compensation, protection, right to residence in
the “shared household” etc.
o It enshrines principles of the UN
Convention on the Elimination of All
forms of Discrimination Against Women
(CEDAW), which India ratified in 1993.
• Domestic relationship is defined under the
Act. (Refer to infographics)
• It defines shared household as the place where the woman lives or
at any stage has lived in a domestic relationship either singly or along
with the husband and it includes the house "owned or tenanted".
• Act excludes abuses pertaining to martial rape.
• Protection against domestic violence: Under this law, women can
seek financial compensation and they can get maintenance from
their abuser in case they are living apart.
o It provides the Right to Secure Housing i.e. right to reside in the
matrimonial or shared household, whether or not she has any
title or rights in the household. This right is secured by a
residence order, which is passed by a court.
o A magistrate can pass a protection order under the Act to
ensure the abuser doesn't contact or get close to the survivor.
• Punishment: 1-year maximum imprisonment and Rs. 20,000 each or
both to the offenders.
• Protection officer: Provides for appointment of protection officers
and NGOs to help the woman for medical examination, legal aid and
safe shelter.
• Exclusion of liability of informant: Any person who has reason to
believe that an act of domestic violence has been, or is being, or is
likely to be committed, may give information about it to the concerned Protection Officer.
Related News
Maintenance rules
• Recently, Supreme Court (SC) laid down maintenance rules.
• Supreme Court held that deserted wives and children are entitled to alimony/maintenance from the husbands
from the date they apply for it in a court of law.
• It will ensure uniformity of grant of maintenance available under various legislations as well as filling a lacuna
that existed in the Hindu Marriage Act as well as Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act which did not specify when
maintenance order would be enforceable.
Earlier Important judgments on PWDVA
• “Adult male” word was struck down from PWDVA to lay down that a woman can also file a complaint against
another woman, accusing her of domestic violence. (2016 SC Judgement)
• PWDVA intends to safeguard women against marital abuse, will apply even after divorce (2018 SC Judgement)
• A live-in partner can seek maintenance (2018 SC Judgement)
• Granting maintenance does not depend on wife's earning (2019 Delhi HC judgement)
1.3.2. SEXUAL HARASSMENT

Why in news?
Several Indian companies have not effectively implemented the provisions of Sexual Harassment of Women
at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 or the PoSH Act.
The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013
• Act defines sexual harassment at the workplace and creates a mechanism for redressal of complaints.
6
• Act covers concepts of quid pro quo
harassment and hostile work environment
as forms of sexual harassment if they occur
in connection with an act or behaviour of
sexual harassment.
• It provides safeguards against false or
malicious charges.
• It was enacted to implement Vishakha
Guidelines laid down by the Supreme
Court.
• Online platform, SHe-Box enables women
employees to file complaints related to
sexual harassment at the workplace, hence ensuring effective implementation of 2013 Act.
Related information
National Database of Sex Offenders (NDSO)
• NDSO comprising those convicted on charges of rape, gang rape, child sex abuse and eve teasing - has crossed 1
million names.
• NDSO is a central database of sexual offenders in the country which is being maintained by National Crime Records
Bureau (NCRB).
• This online facility is exclusively for the use of law enforcement agencies having access to Inter-operable Criminal
Justice System.
• It was launched by Ministry of Home Affairs in 2018.
1.4. NATIONAL CONSULTATION ON THE REVIEW OF BEIJING +25

Why in News?
To mark 25 years of adoption of Beijing Declaration and
Platform for Action (BPfA), Ministry of Women & Child
Development (MoWCD), National Commission for Women
(NCW) and UN Women organized a National Consultation on
Review of Beijing +25.
About Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action 1995
• BPfA was adopted in Fourth World Conference on
Women (1995), held in Beijing. 
o United Nations has organized four world
conferences (WC) on women. Three others are: First
WC in Mexico City (1975), Second WC in Copenhagen
(1980) and Third WC in Nairobi (1985).
• BPfA sets strategic objectives and actions for
advancement of women and achievement of gender
equality in 12 critical areas of concern.  
• Worldwide progress in implementation of BPfA is
reviewed every five years by Commission on the Status of
Women (CSW).  
• The platform is not a legally binding document, but rather a guide for the U.N. governments and NGOs.
• It for the first time facilitated the “persistent discrimination against and violation of the rights of the girl
child”, getting included as a separate critical area of concern addressing issues such as child marriage,
female infanticide, genital mutilation and prenatal sex selection.
About National Commission for Women (NCW)
• It is the statutory body established in 1992 under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990.
• The commission will consist of one Chairperson, who is committed to the cause of women, five members from
various fields and a member secretary.
• All the members of the commission are nominated by the Central Government.
• Mandate of commission
o safeguard of rights of women granted by the constitution and laws,
o study problems faced by women in the current day and make recommendations to eradicate these problems,
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o evaluating the status of Indian women from time to time and
o funding and fighting cases related to women's rights violations.
About UN Women:
• It is the United Nations entity, established in 2010, dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women.
• It works globally to make the vision of the Sustainable Development Goals a reality for women and girls and stands
behind women’s equal participation in all aspects of life.
1.5. CHILD MARRIAGE

Why in News?
The government is likely to decide on revising the minimum age of marriage for girls based on Task Force
report (headed by Jaya Jaitly) to examine matters pertaining to age of motherhood, imperatives of lowering
MMR and improvement of nutritional levels and related issues.
8
1.6. PATERNITY LEAVE
Why in news?
Recently the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) granted paternity leave to the Indian captain.
Paternity leave Maternity leaves
Definition • It is a leave period (paid) reserved • It is time off that new mothers can use to care for
exclusively for fathers in relation to their newborns.
childbirth and it is granted in addition to
the other annual leaves.
Provisions • No legal provision for paternity leave in • Leave policy is regulated by the Maternity Benefit
in India India. (Amendment) Act, 2017.
• All India and Central Civil Services Rules • Applies to all establishments employing 10 or more
allow Central government employees people.
with less than two surviving children 15 • For the first two surviving child up to 26 weeks of
days of paternity leave. paid maternity leave is granted.
o This also extends to cases where a o Women who are expecting after having 2
child has been adopted. children, paid maternity leave is 12 weeks i.e. 6
o This could be availed up to six weeks pre-delivery and 6 weeks post-delivery.
months from the date of delivery or • For adoptive and commissioning mothers 12 weeks
adoption of the child. of maternity leave is granted.
• Private organisations: There isn’t any • To be eligible for maternity benefit, a woman must
such law that mandates private sectors to have been working as an employee in the
provide the paternity leaves to its establishment for a period of at least 80 days in the
employees. past 12 months.
o Certain private establishments also • Act makes it mandatory for employers to educate
provide paternity leaves. women about the maternity benefits available to
them at the time of their appointment.
Related information
Menstrual Leave
• Zomato recently announced a new paid ‘period leave’ policy for employees.
• The State of Bihar has had two extra days of casual leave per month for women government employees to take
time off for periods since 1992.
• Menstruation Benefit Bill 2017 (Tabled in Lok Sabha in 2018) also seeks to provide women working in the public
and private sectors two days of paid menstrual leave every month as well as better facilities for rest at the
workplace during menstruation.
Child Care leaves
• According to All India Services (Leave) Rules, Women employees and “single male parent” employees with less
than 2 surviving children are granted 730 days (2 years) of aggregate child care leave.
o Out of the total 730 days of leave, employees get full salary during the first 365 days and 80% of salary in the
next 365 days.
o Also, CCL can also be availed by a government servant for a disabled child of any age (earlier it was up to the
age of 22 years of the child).
• This could be availed anytime before the child reaches the age of 18 (for disabled child no ceiling on the age of the
child).
• Child Care Leave was introduced by the 6th Pay Commission. Earlier, CCL was granted to women employees,
however it was extended to Single Male employees in 7th Pay Commission.
• Earlier, in 2019, Ministry of Defence extended the benefits of CCL to single male service personnel.
1.7. CHILD LABOUR

Why in news?
Convention No. 182- Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999, of the International Labour Organization
(ILO), has become the first international labour standard ever to achieve universal ratification (i.e. all 187
member countries of ILO have now ratified it).
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About ILO’s Convention no. 182 Definition of child under different acts
• It calls for the prohibition and elimination of the worst • POCSO Act: Less than 18
forms of child labour, which includes deployment of • Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation)
children in- Act, 2016: Less than 14
o all forms of slavery: such as the sale and trafficking • The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of
Children) Act 2015: Less than 16
of children, debt bondage and serfdom and forced
• Factories Act, 1948: Less than 15
recruitment of children in armed conflict;
o prostitution, or pornography;
o illicit activities, such as production
and trafficking of drugs;
o any work which is likely to harm their
health, safety or morals.
• It is one of the ILO’s eight Fundamental
Conventions and was adopted in a
meeting in Geneva in 1999.
• As ratification rates increased and
countries adopted laws and policies,
including relating to minimum age to
work, the incidence of child labour and
its worst forms has dropped by almost
40% between 2000 and 2016.
About Child Labour
• Child Labour (Prohibition and
Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016,
prohibits “the engagement of children
in all occupations and of adolescents in
hazardous occupations and processes”.
o It imposes a fine on anyone who employs or permits adolescents to work.
o It allows child labour in “family or family enterprises” or “an artist in an audio-visual entertainment
industry”.
o It created a new category of ‘adolescents’ (the 14-18 age group) who can be employed in ‘non-
hazardous’ occupations.
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• National Child Labour Project (NCLP) Scheme: It is a Central Sector Scheme under Ministry of Labour &
Employment which seeks to eliminate all forms of child labour through Identification and withdrawal of
all children in the Project Area from child labour.
o District Project Societies (DPS) are set up at the district level under the Chairmanship of the
Collector/District Magistrate for overseeing the implementation of the project.
o Children in the age group of 9-14 years are withdrawn from work and put into NCLP Special Training
Centres, where they are provided with bridge education, vocational training etc.
1.8. WOMEN IN INDIAN AGRICULTURE

Why in news?
The recent farmers’
protests have cast a
spotlight on a traditionally
overlooked group of
female farmers.
Women in Agriculture
• Women account for
32% of the agricultural
labour force and
contributing an
estimated 55-66% to
farm production.
• As per Agriculture
Census 2015-16, female
operational holdings
increased to 14.0% in
2015-16 against and
12.8% in 2010-11. This
indicates rising
participation of females in management and/or operation of agricultural holdings in the country, also
termed as feminization of agriculture.
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o Also with growing rural to
urban migration by men,
there is feminisation of
agriculture sector, with
increasing number of women
in multiple roles as
cultivators, entrepreneurs,
and labourers.
• Benefits of increasing women’s
ownership:
o Bring a sense of security, self-
confidence, increases
bargaining power and
increases public participation.
o Improved living conditions,
better nutrition and food
sovereignty, improved health
and education outcomes.
1.9. IMPORTANT REPORTS

“Women and • Jointly published by World Bank Group and the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Trade: The Role of • Other Important reports
Trade in Promoting o The World Bank
Women’s Equality” ü Ease of Doing Business
ü World Development Report
ü Global Economic Prospective
o The World Trade Organisation
ü The World Trade Statistical Review
ü The World Trade Report
• This report marks the first major effort to quantify how women are affected by trade
through the use of a new gender-disaggregated labor dataset.
SDG Gender Index • It is a new index launched to measure global gender equality.
• In 2019 India was at 95th among 129 countries.
• It has been developed by Equal Measures 2030, a joint effort of regional and global
organisations including African Women’s Development and Communication Network, Bill
and Melinda Gates Foundation, International Women’s Health Coalition etc
• It includes 51 gender specific indicators across 14 of 17 official SDG that cover aspects such
as poverty, health, education, literacy, political representation and equality at workplace.
• The overall index scores are based on a scale of 0–100. A score of 100 indicates the
achievement of gender equality in relation to the underlying indicators.
“Lost at Home” • It is published by UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Report • Report looks at the risks and challenges internally displaced children face, and the urgent
actions needed to protect them.
• According to report
o In India, total number of new internal displacements in 2019 stood at around 5 million
(majority due to disasters).
o Conflict & violence are key causes of internal displacement for children & their families.

India's First • It will be setup at Angamaly (Kochi), Kerala in consonance with United Nations Sustainable
International Development Goals.
Women's • It aims to accelerate women entrepreneurship and secure gender parity.
Trade Centre
COVID-19 • MyGov in collaboration with UN Women, launched this Challenge in April 2020.
Shri Shakti • It was launched with an objective to encourage and involve women led start-ups to come up
Challenge with innovative solutions that can help in the fight against COVID19 or solve problems that
impact a large number of women.
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Supreme • A mirror order is ancillary or auxiliary in character. It supports order passed by the court which
Court (SC) has exercised primary jurisdiction over custody of a child.
issues o Judgment was based on a petition regarding custody of a child whose father is based in
‘mirror Kenya and mother is in India.
order’ in o SC granted child custody to the father, ordering him to get a mirror order from a court in
child Kenya.
custody case • It is passed to ensure that courts of the country where the child is being shifted are aware of the
arrangements which were made in the country where he had ordinarily been residing.
o It is to safeguard interest of the minor child and to ensure that both parents are equally
bound in each State.
• Mirror orders find a more prominent place where Hague Convention on Civil Aspects on
International Child Abduction, 1980 does not apply.
o Convention seeks to protect children from harmful effects of abduction and retention across
international boundaries by providing a procedure to bring about their prompt return.
o Presently, India and Kenya are not signatory to the convention.
13
2.1. TRANSGENDERS
2.1.1. NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR TRANSGENDER PERSONS
Why in news?
The Centre recently constituted the
National Council for Transgender Persons
under Transgender Persons (Protection
of Rights) Act, 2019.
About the council
• Term: The members of the council
other than the ex officio members,
shall hold office for a term of 3 years.
• Main functions of NCTP:
o Advising central government on
policies, programmes, legislation
and projects with respect to
transgender persons.
o Monitoring and evaluating the
impact of policies and
programmes designed for
achieving equality and full
participation of transgender persons.
o Reviewing and coordinating activities of all departments.
o Redressing grievances of transgender persons.
o Performing such other functions as prescribed by the Centre.
o NCTP was established by Centre under Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.
o Act provides for prohibition against discrimination against transgender persons, right to self-
perceived gender identity, welfare measures by governments, offences and penalties provisions etc.
About Transgenders
• As per the Act, a transgender is a person, whose gender does not match
the gender assigned to that person at birth and includes trans-men or
trans-women, persons with intersex variations, gender-queers, and
persons having socio-cultural identities such as kinnar, hijras, aravani, and
jogta”.
• As per the Census of 2011, Transgender population in India is 4.9 lakh.
• The highest proportion (about 28%), has been identified in Uttar Pradesh
followed by Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and
West Bengal.
Other Provisions of Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019
• Act aims to protect the rights of transgender persons by granting them
recognition and making welfare provisions for them.
• Certificate of identity for a transgender person: A transgender person
may make an application to the District Magistrate for a certificate of
identity, indicating the gender as ‘transgender’.
o A revised certificate may be obtained only if the individual undergoes
surgery to change their gender either as a male or a female.
• Welfare measures by the government: Steps must be taken for their
rescue and rehabilitation, vocational training and self-employment, create
schemes that are transgender sensitive, and promote their participation in
cultural activities.
• Offences and penalties: Penalties for the following offences vary between
6 months and 2 years, and a fine:
o forced or bonded labour (excluding compulsory government service for public purposes),
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o denial of use of public places
o removal from household, and village,
o physical, sexual, verbal, emotional or economic abuse.
• Health care: Govt must take steps to provide health facilities to transgender persons including separate HIV
surveillance centre and sex reassignment surgeries.
o Government shall review medical curriculum to address health issues of transgender persons and provide
comprehensive medical insurance schemes for them.

Other provisions to protect the community
• Constitutional Safeguards under Articles 14, 15, 19 and 21.
• ‘National Portal for Transgender Persons’: for issuing I-cards to transgender without physical Interface and
without having to visit any office.
• Garima Greh: Shelter home to provide shelter to Transgender persons, with basic amenities like shelter, food,
medical care and support capacity-building.
• Khudol (gift) Initiative in Manipur: Crowdfunded initiative of Ya All, an Imphal-based NGO that had created India’s
first transgender football team.
• Kerala became the first state to formulate a transgender policy in 2015.
2.1.2. TRANSGENDER PERSONS (PROTECTION OF RIGHTS) RULES, 2020

Why in News?
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment framed Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules, 2020.
About rules
• Rules are issued under Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.
• Key Features are:
o District Magistrate will certify the gender of a person based on an affidavit by the applicant, without
any medical or physical examination.
o State governments to constitute welfare boards for transgender persons to protect their rights and
interests and facilitate access to schemes and welfare measures framed by the Centre.
o Provides for review of all existing educational, social security, health schemes, welfare measures etc.
to include transgender persons.
o State governments are required to take steps to prohibit discrimination of transgender persons in
any government or private organisation, or private and public educational institution under their
purview.
o Transgender-sensitive infrastructure such as separate wards in hospitals and washrooms be
constructed within two years of the Rules being notified.
o State governments have to set up Transgender Protection Cell to monitor cases of offences against
transgender persons.
15
Related news
India Workplace Equality Index (IWEI)
• It is India’s first comprehensive benchmarking tool for employers to measure their progress on lesbian, gay, bi
and trans (LGBT+) inclusion in the workplace.
• Index is created by Keshav Suri Foundation in partnership with Pride Circle, Stonewall UK and FICCI.
o Index is built on the expertise of the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index, which launched in 2005.
• The index measures 9 areas: policies and benefits, employee lifecycle, employee network group, allies and role
models, senior leadership, monitoring, procurement, community engagement and additional work.
2.2. RIGHT OF PERSONS

WITH DISABILITIES (RPWD)
ACT, 2016
Why in News?
Government is recently looking to amend
parts of Right of Persons with Disabilities
(RPwD) Act, 2016.
More about news
• As per Ministry of Social Justice and
Empowerment’s, move is aimed to Reservation of PwDs
de-criminalise minor offences for • Reservation for disabled is called horizontal reservation which
improving business sentiment and cuts across all vertical categories such as SC, ST, OBC & General.
unclogging court processes. • Vertical reservation is provided in favour of backward classes like
o It will alleviate the risk of SC/ST, OBC under Article 16(4).
imprisonment for actions which o Horizontal reservations are reservation within reservation
do not necessarily have mala like reservation to female, physically challenged person, etc.
fide intent.
o Uncertainty in legal processes
and time taken for resolution in
the courts hurts ease of doing
business.
• However, activists opposed the
amendments stating it will dilute the
whole effectiveness of RPwD Act, 2016.
About RPwD Act, 2016
• It replaces the Persons with Disabilities (Equal
Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full
Participation) Act, 1995.
• Act fulfils the obligations to UN Convention on the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities, to which India is a
signatory.
• RPwD Act, 2016 provides that appropriate Government
shall ensure that PwD enjoy right to equality, life with
dignity, and respect for his or her own integrity
equally with others.
• It covers 21 types of disabilities and rights of disabled
persons. Centre will have the power to add more types
of disabilities.
• Persons with "benchmark disabilities" are defined as
those certified to have at least 40% of the disabilities
mentioned in the Act.
o Every child with benchmark disability between the
age group of 6 and 18 years shall have the right to
free education.
16
• It has now brought private establishments within its ambit. Though it does not require private
establishments to mandatorily appoint PwD, there are certain obligations imposed on private
establishments under the Act.
• It provides for right to education, right to employment and right to livelihood, reservation in government
offices and educational institutions.
• It provides for penalties & imprisonment for offences committed against PwD.
o Special Courts will be designated in each district to handle cases concerning violation of rights of
PwDs.
• Broad based Central & State Advisory Boards on Disability are to be set up to serve as apex policy making
bodies at the Central and State level.
• National and State Fund will be created to provide financial support to the persons with disabilities.
• For strengthening Prime Minister's Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan), stress has
been given to ensure accessibility in public buildings (both govt. and private) in a prescribed time-frame.
Related information
UN Convention of Rights of Persons with Disability
• Entered into force in 2008, it is the first comprehensive human rights treaty of the 21st century and first legally
binding instrument with comprehensive protection of the rights of persons with disabilities.
• Its guiding principles include- respect for inherent dignity, non-discrimination, participation and inclusion in
society, equality of opportunity, accessibility, equality between men and women and respect for the rights of
children with disabilities.
• Though the convention does not explicitly define disability, it recognizes that the notion of “disability” is not fixed
and can alter, depending on the prevailing environment from society to society.
• India has ratified the convention.
National Disaster Management Guidelines on Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction
• Ministry of Home Affairs released National Disaster Management Guidelines on Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk
Reduction (DiDRR).
• DiDRR strives to reduce the impact of disasters on affected communities by mitigating and reducing risks.
• These guidelines provide practical directions to support implementation mechanism of DiDRR based on
established and nationally accepted norms and practices so that all stakeholder will implement and carry forward
the process.
Assistance to Disabled persons for purchasing / fitting of aids / appliances (ADIP) scheme
• Objective of the scheme is to assist the needy disabled persons in procuring durable, sophisticated and
scientifically manufactured, modern, standard aids and appliances that can promote their physical, social and
psychological rehabilitation and at the same time enhance their economic potential.
• ADIP scheme is major initiative of Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment and it is implemented through
implementing agencies such as NGOs, National Institutes under this Ministry and ALIMCO (a PSU).
2.3. SCHEDULED CASTES

2.3.1. AMBEDKAR SOCIAL
INNOVATION & INCUBATION
MISSION (ASIIM)
Why in News?
Ministry for Social Justice and
Empowerment (MoSJE) launched
Ambedkar Social Innovation & Incubation
Mission (ASIIM) for Scheduled Castes.
Details
• ASIIM was launched under Venture
Capital Fund for SCs (VCF-SC) to
promote innovation and enterprise
among Scheduled Castes (SC) students
studying in higher educational
institutions (HEI).
17
o VCF-SC (by MoSJE) is for developing entrepreneurship amongst SC and Divyang youth, by providing
concessional finance to entities of SC entrepreneurs.
• Under ASIIM, 1,000 initiatives of SC youth would be identified and funded up to Rs. 30 lakhs in three year
as equity.
• Objectives of ASIIM are:
o Promoting entrepreneurship among SC Youth with special preference to Divyangs.
o Supporting (1,000) innovative ideas till 2024 through Technology Business Incubators (TBIs)
ü TBIs are set up by Department of Science and Technology in HEI.
o Support, promote, hand-hold the start-up ideas till they reach commercial stage by providing liberal
equity support;
o Incentivise students with innovative mind-set to take to entrepreneurship with confidence.
Related information
Vanchit Ikai Samooh aur Vargon ki Aarthik Sahayta Yojana (VISVAS Yojana)
• It is an Interest subvention Scheme at 5% interest per annum for:
o SHGs comprising exclusively of SC and/or OBC beneficiaries with loans/borrowings up to Rs.4.00 Lakh
o SC and OBC individual beneficiaries with loan/borrowing up to Rs.2.00 Lakh.
• It is being implemented by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
• It provides direct benefit of lower rate of interest to the eligible SHGs formed under National Rural Livelihood
Mission (NRLM) or National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM) or NABARD/ individual beneficiaries who have
availed loans through PSBs, Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) and similar financial institutions.
• Implementing Agencies:
o National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC) (for SC SHGs/beneficiaries).
o National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC) (for OBC SHGs/beneficiaries).
• SHG members must be having annual family income less than Rs.3.00 Lakh. Also, SHG must be registered with
NRLM/NULM or NABARD
• All individual members having annual family income less than Rs.3.00 lakh belonging to either SC or OBC get
interest subvention.
2.4. SCHEDULED TRIBES

Why in news?
Union Tribal Affairs Minister e-launched Tribal Health & Nutrition Portal “Swasthya” for Scheduled Tribes.
Details
• It is e-portal on tribal health and nutrition which will be providing all health and nutrition related
information of the tribal population of India in a single platform.
o It will curate innovative practices, research briefs etc. collected from different parts of India to
facilitate the exchange of evidence, expertise and experiences.
• Other initiatives launched:
o National Overseas Portal and National Tribal Fellowship Portal to bring greater transparency and
easy information to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students.
o Online Performance Dashboard “Empowering Tribals, Transforming India” under Digital India to
work towards empowering STs and will bring efficiency and transparency.
o e-newsletter on health and nutrition- ALEKH.
Data related to Tribals and Tribal Health
• According to 2011 census, the tribal population in India is over 104 million which is spread across 705 tribes
and accounts for 8.6% of country’s population.
o More than 90% of tribal people live in rural areas.
• Madhya Pradesh has highest tribal population followed by Maharashtra, Odisha and Rajasthan.
• Socio-economic condition of tribals:
o Livelihood status - 40.6% of tribals live below poverty line vis-a-vis 20.5% non tribals.
o Lack of Basic amenities- The 2011 census data shows that access to tap water, sanitation facilities,
o Drainage facilities and clean cooking fuel is much lower among the tribal population.
o Education gap-There is also a stark gap in educational status as 41% of STs are illiterate.
o Sex ratio among tribals is 990/1000 as compared to national average of 933/1000.
• Tribal Health:
o Tribals suffer from a triple burden of diseases
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ü Malnutrition and communicable diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, HIV, hepatitis, viral fevers etc.
Tribals account for 30% of malaria cases and 60% of malaria related mortality.
ü Genetic disorders and lifestyle diseases- like hypertension, diabetes, respiratory diseases etc.
Also, genetic disorder in form of sickle cell anaemia ranges from 1-40%. G-6-PD red cell enzyme
deficiency is reported in tribes like Adiyan, Irula, Paniyan, Gonds.
ü Mental illness and addictions- According to NFHS-3, 72% of tribal men in the age of 15-54 use
tobacco as compared to 56% of non-tribal men
o Other Indicators - The performance related to life expectancy, maternal mortality, adolescent health,
child morbidity, mortality and under five mortality is below national average by 10-25%. Fore.g.:
ü life expectancy of tribals is 63.9 compared to national average of 67 years,
ü Under 5 mortality rate is 74 as against national average of 62
ü 50% Adolescent ST girls are underweight and BMI below less than 18.5.
ü About 80% of tribal children are undernourished and suffering from anaemia. While 40% of under
five tribal children in India are stunted.
Other Initiatives for Tribals
• North Eastern Region Community Resource and Management Program (NERCORMP)
o Livelihood and rural development project aimed to transform the lives of poor and marginalized tribal
families in North East.
o Focus areas:
ü Social mobilization, organization and capacity building
ü Intervene with economic and social activities and infrastructure with predominant thrust on income
generating activities
o Being implemented in four States, viz. Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and Meghalaya.
o Joint initiative of North Eastern Council, Ministry of DoNER and International Fund for Agricultural
Development (IFAD).
• Pre-matric Scholarship Scheme for Tribals: Centrally Sponsored Scheme meant for needy ST students studying in
classes IX and X.
o Under Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
o Its objective is to
ü support parents of ST children so that the incidence of drop-out is minimized.
ü improve participation of ST children in pre- matric stage.
• Online Performance Dashboard “Empowering Tribals, Transforming India”: Interactive and dynamic online
platform that showcases updated & real-time details of 11 schemes / initiatives of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for
achieving SDGs.
o Part of Digital India Initiative to work towards empowering ST and will bring efficiency and transparency in
the system.
o Developed by: Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
• Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED)’s initiatives
o Trifood Project: Joint initiative of Ministry of Food Processing Industry, Ministry of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED.
ü Aims to enhance the income of tribals through better utilization of and value addition to the Minor Forest
Produce (MFP) collected by the tribal forest gatherers.
o Tribes India e-Marketplace: Initiative through which TRIFED aims to onboard 5 lakh tribal producers for
sourcing of various handicraft, handloom, natural food products.
ü Connects tribal forest dwellers and artisans with national and international markets and will further
enable their economic welfare and also bring them closer towards mainstream development.
o Tech for Tribals: Supported by Ministry of MSME it aims at capacity building and imparting entrepreneurship
skills to tribal forest produce gatherers enrolled under the Pradhan Mantri VanDhan Yojana (PMVDY).
ü Trainees undergo a 30 days program over six weeks.
ü Ensure higher success rate of the Tribal Entrepreneurs by enabling and empowering them to run their
business with marketable products with quality certifications.
• Namath Basai: Kerala government’s unique programme of teaching tribal children in their mother tongue.
2.5. ELDERLY POPULATION IN INDIA

Why in News?
• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched Decade of Healthy Ageing (2020-2030) on International
Day for Older Persons (1st October).
• Decade of Healthy Ageing (2020-2030) is endorsed by World Health Assembly in August 2020.
19
About Healthy Ageing
• World Health Organisation (WHO)
defines healthy ageing as “the
process of developing and
maintaining the functional ability
that enables wellbeing in older
age.”
o Functional ability is about
having the capabilities that
enable all people to be and do
what they have reason to
value. For e.g. meeting their
basic needs; make decisions;
be mobile etc.
o It includes all the physical and
mental capacities of an
individual and their interaction
with environment (home,
community etc.)
• Healthy ageing replaces the World
Health Organization’s previous
focus on Active ageing, a policy
framework developed in 2002.
o Active ageing is the process of
optimizing opportunities for
health, participation and
security in order to enhance
quality of life as people age.
o It is based on Madrid International Plan of Action, 2002.
o Madrid Plan of Action offers a bold new agenda for handling the issue of ageing in the 21st-century.
Elderly Population - status in India
• According to Population Census 2011 there are nearly 104 million elderly persons (aged 60 years or above)
in India; 53 million females and 51 million males.
o 71% of elderly population resides in rural areas while 29 % is in urban areas.
• The old - age dependency ratio climbed from 10.9% in 1961 to 14.2% in 2011 for India as a whole.
o The dependency ratio is an age-population ratio of those typically not in the labour force (the
dependent part) and those typically in the labour force (the productive part).
o It is used to measure the pressure on productive population.
• Kerala has maximum proportion of elderly people in its population (12.6%) and the least proportion is in
Dadra & Nagar Haveli (4.0%).
• With India’s elderly population increasing, government is exploring ways to promote the idea of “silver
economy” by developing residential and infrastructure facilities of different grades for seniors through
public-private partnership for a dignified and safe aging experience.
o Silver economy is defined as the market that is being developed around the needs of an ageing
population, with a focus on innovation.
Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007
• Act ensures need-based maintenance for parents and senior citizens and their welfare.
• Key Features of Act
o Children includes son, daughter, grandson and grand-daughter.
o Parents: means father or mother whether biological, adoptive or step father or step mother.
o Relative: means any legal heir of the childless senior citizen who is not a minor and is in possession of or would
inherit his property after his death.
o Maintenance: includes provisions for food, clothing, residence and medical attendance and treatment so that
such parent may lead a normal life.
o Maintenance orders: The upper limit on the maintenance fee which is Rs. 10,000 in the Act.
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o Deposit of maintenance amount: The children or relative who is required to pay any maintenance shall deposit
the amount within thirty days of the date of announcing the order by tribunal.
o Appeals: Any senior citizen or a parent, as the case may be, aggrieved by an order of a Tribunal may, within
sixty days from the date of the order, prefer an appeal to the Appellate Tribunal.
• Maintenance And Welfare Of Parents And Senior Citizens (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was also introduced in Lok
Sabha which seeks to amend 2007 Act.
National Programme for the Health Care for the Elderly (NPHCE)
• It is an articulation of the International and national commitments of the Government as envisaged under:
o the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD),
o National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP) adopted in 1999
o Section 20 of “The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007” dealing with provisions
for medical care of Senior Citizen.
• It provides an easy access to promotional, preventive, curative and rehabilitative services to the elderly through
community based primary health care approach
• Core strategy is based on primary health care approach including domiciliary visits by trained health care workers.
Related News: Longitudinal Ageing Study of India (LASI) Wave-1, India Report
• LASI is a full–scale national survey of scientific investigation of the health, economic, and social determinants and
consequences of population ageing in India.
• It was released by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• Key Findings:
o Growing at around 3% annually, number of elderly people (aged 60 years or above) will rise to 319 million in
2050 from 103 million in the 2011 census.
o About one in two elderly suffers from some chronic disease. 27% elderly have multi-morbidities, around 40%
have a disability and 20% have issues related to mental health.
o People above 45 years in India have an average per capita income of ₹44,901, a third of them suffer from
hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.
o 78% of elderly are neither receiving pension not expected to receive one.

Why in news?
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs launched the
‘Safaimitra Suraksha Challenge’ in 243 cities across
the country to end manual scavenging by 2021.
More on news
• Under the campaign, sewers and septic tanks in
243 cities will be mechanized and a helpline
created to register complaints if manual
scavenging is reported. Cities which reach the end
result will receive prize money.
• Its mission is to prevent any loss of life due to the
issue of ‘hazardous cleaning’ of sewers and septic
tanks.
• The measures are part of the Swachh Bharat
Abhiyaan (Clean India initiative).
About Manual Scavenging
• Manual Scavenging is the practice of manual
cleaning of human excreta from service/dry latrines.
o The scavengers crawl into the dry latrines and collect the human excreta with their bare hands, carry
it as head-load in a container to dispose it off.
o Service/dry latrine is a type of toilet which is waterless and from which human excrement is collected
from buckets, cesspools and privies manually.
Key provisions under Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013
• It prohibits employment of manual scavengers, manual cleaning of sewers and septic tanks without
protective equipment, and the construction of insanitary latrines. Offences are cognizable and non-
bailable.
21
• Provides definition of manual scavenging: All forms of manual removal of human excreta like an open
drain, pit latrine, septic tanks, manholes, and removal of excreta on the railway tracks.
• For Rehabilitation: Initial onetime cash assistance to manual scavengers, skill training to manual scavenges
and one of the adult family members for livelihood,
• Responsibility to identify manual scavengers lies with local authority (municipality or panchayat,
cantonment board or railway authority).
• Under section 8 of this Act, a person violating this will be punishable with imprisonment for up to 2 years
or a fine of up to 12 lakh or both. For any subsequent violations, the imprisonment may extend up to 5
years and the fine can go up to 15 lakh or both.
• Act also has following provisions for the rehabilitation of the identified manual scavengers
o An initial one-time cash assistance
o Scholarship to the children of manual scavenger
o Allotment of residential plot and financial assistance for house construction of a ready built house
o Training in a livelihood skill with payment of stipend of at least Rs 3000 per month
o Provision for subsidy, along with concessional loans, to at least one adult member of the family.
Measures taken so far in India
• Constitutional/Legal/Institutional Measures:
o Sanitation is a State subject.
o India’s Constitution bans the practice of untouchability under Article 17, and the Protection of Civil Rights
Act, 1955, prohibits compelling anyone to practice manual scavenging.
o National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) Act, 1993 enacted to form NCSK to look into matters
concerning the Safai Karamcharis' welfare.
o Employment of
Manual Scavengers
and Construction of
Dry Latrines
(Prohibition) Act,
1993, declared the
employment of
manual scavengers
and construction of
dry toilets to be
punishable with
fines and
imprisonment.
o Superseding the
1993 Act, the
Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, goes beyond
prohibitions on dry latrines, and outlaws all manual excrement cleaning of insanitary latrines, open drains, or
pits.
o National Safai Karmacharis Finance and Development Corporation, established in 1997, mandated to monitor
implementation of programs and extend financial assistance.
• Sanitation Schemes
o Integrated Development of Small and Medium Towns Scheme (1969),
o Total Sanitation Campaign, 1999, renamed Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan
o Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, 2014
• Rehabilitation Schemes
o National Scheme of Liberation of Scavengers and their Dependents, 1992.
o Scheme for Self-Employment for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers, revised in 2013.
• Civil Society/other Initiatives
o Safai Karmachari Andolan (SKA), 1995, currently spearheaded by Wilson Bezwada..
o In 2002, Rashtriya Garima Abhiyan—a coalition of 30 community-based organizations from 13 states—started
a campaign to encourage manual scavengers to voluntarily leave the practice.
• BANDICOOT: Spider-shaped robot in Kerala that cleans manholes and sewers.
2.6.1. SANITATION AND HYGIENE FUND (SHF)

Why in news?
Recently, United Nations (UN) launched the Sanitation and Hygiene Fund (SHF).
22
About SHF Related News
Swachh Bharat Mission Academy (SBMA)
• SHF is global financing mechanism
• It was launched by Ministry of Jal Shakti.
which will provide accelerated
• It is an Interactive Voice Response (IVR)-based training course
funding to countries with heaviest
with modules on Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus programme.
burden of diseases stemming from o ODF Plus is an extension of the ODF programme under the
lack of sanitation services and least Swachch Bharat Mission.
ability to respond. o Its objective is to sustain the ODF programme and to take up
o It aims to raise $2 billion over Solid and Liquid Waste Management.
the next five years to support • SBMA will boost the capacity building efforts in training of
the efforts. Swachhagrahis, community-based organizations, NGOs, SHGs and
o It is hosted by UN Office for others who are associated with phase 2 of SBM(G).
Project Services. Swachhata Abhiyan app
● Launched by: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
• Objective of SHF
● It will identify and geotag data of insanitary latrines and manual
o expanding household scavengers.
sanitation; ● It will help in replacing insanitary latrines with sanitary latrines and
o ensuring menstrual health and to rehabilitate all manual scavengers.
hygiene;
o providing sanitation and hygiene in schools and healthcare facilities;
o supporting innovative sanitation solutions.
• Earlier, WHO’s WASH Strategy 2018-2025 was adopted which describes how WHO will increase its impact
through introduction of transformational approaches, and tackling new results areas like WASH in health
care facilities.
2.7. MODERN SLAVERY

Why in News?
According to a report titled
'Stacked Odds', one in every 130
females globally is living in modern
slavery.
Modern Slavery
• There is no universally accepted
definition of “modern slavery”
or “contemporary forms of
slavery.”. Essentially, it refers
to situations of exploitation
that a person cannot refuse or
leave because of threats,
violence, coercion, deception,
or abuse of power.
• Modern slavery takes many
forms such as
o Human trafficking
o Forced labour
o Debt bondage/bonded labour
o Descent–based slavery: People are treated as property, and their “slave” status was passed down the
parental line.
o Slavery of children including child trafficking, child soldiers etc.
o Forced and early marriage.
Modern slavery in India
• Global Slavery Index reported that there were 8 million people in modern slavery in India.
o 6.10 out of 1000 are estimated proportion of population living in modern slavery
o 55.49people out of 100 has vulnerability to modern slavery
o It was released by the Walk Free.
23
India’s Response to Modern Slavery
• India has criminalised most forms of modern slavery, including trafficking, slavery, forced labour, and child sexual
exploitation in its Penal Code (eg: Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012).
o There is currently no legislation criminalising use of children in armed conflict.
• The Ujjawala and Swadhar schemes initiated by the Ministry of Women and Child Development run shelter and
rehabilitation services for rescued women.
• In 2016, the government adopted the new “Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourers” which
recognises the needs of different groups trapped in bonded labour and provides cash compensation.
• The government ratified two core ILO conventions in 2017, namely No. 138 on Minimum Age to Employment and
No. 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour.
2.7.1. BONDED LABOUR

Why in News?
SC recently asked NHRC to frame Guidelines for Protection & Rehabilitation of Victims of Bonded Labour.
Details
• ILO defines forced or compulsory labour as: all work or service which is exacted from any person under
threat of penalty and for which person has not offered himself or herself voluntarily.
• Bonded labour is a type of forced labour.
• Bonded labour is prohibited under Articles 21 and 23 and Bonded Labour Abolition Act (BLSA),1976.
o BLSA is supported by other legislations like Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act,1970; Inter-
State Migrant Workmen Act,1979; Minimum Wages Act,1948.
o BLSA provide for the abolition of bonded labour system with a view to preventing the economic and
physical exploitation of the weaker sections of the people.
o BLSA is being implemented by the concerned State Govts./UTs.
o BLSA provides for an institutional mechanism at the district level in the form of Vigilance Committees.
o State Governments/UTs may confer, on an Executive Magistrate, the powers of a Judicial Magistrate
of the first class or second class for trial of offences under this Act.
Three-pronged strategy for abolition of bonded labour by Centre
• BLSA,1976 empowers executive • Vigilance committees at district • Scheme for Rehabilitation of
magistrates to exercise powers and sub-divisional levels to Bonded Labour under which
of judicial magistrate of first or identify and rehabilitate bonded Centre and states contribute Rs
second class for trial of offences. labourers. 10,000 each for rehabilitation.
Related information
Domestic Workers
• Recently, DW have brought out a manifesto demanding universal registration of employers and domestic
workers and national legislation.
o In the wake of COVID-19, many are denied their earnings, protective gear, and the rightful access to
information about the virus, and healthcare services.
o At least 85% workers have not received their wages.
• According to ILO, Domestic work refers to housework such as sweeping, cooking, caring of children and such
other work which is carried out for an employer for remuneration.
o It provides an important livelihood source for illiterate women or those with very little education.
o As per National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) 2011-12, there are 37.4 million home-based workers in India.
• With respect to home-based workers, there is no legislation in India which provides social protection, mandates a
minimum wage and fixes the maximum number of working hours per day.
• Some steps have been taken by Government
o Unorganized Workers’ Social Security Act (2008) and Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace
(Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act (2013)
o Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu have constituted Welfare Boards for DW who can avail welfare benefits by
registering.
2.8. URBAN POOR

Why in news?
The disproportionate impact of COVID-19 pandemic on urban informal workers including their migration from
cities to their native places brought into focus the issues of urban poor.
24
Urban Poor in India
• India’s urban population has grown
rapidly over the last century from 25
million in 1901 to 377 million in 2011
which constitute 31.2% of the total
population in the country.
o According to Census 2011, 17.7% of
urban population comprising 65
million people lives in slums.
• Employment guarantee programme
can strengthens the ‘Right to Life’
enshrined under Article 21.
• Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty
Alleviation (MoHUPA) is the nodal
agency at the Centre responsible for
development of urban poor.
2.9. MIGRANT WORKERS

Why in News?
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had sought Supreme Court (SC) intervention on migrant crisis.
Measures suggested
• Insert special provision to Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of
Service) Act, 1979 to deal with emergency situations like COVID-19, natural disasters etc.
• Maximum benefits be extended to migrant labour as provided under Unorganised Workers Social
Security Act, 2008.
Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979
• Act was enacted to regulate employment of inter-state migrant workmen and to provide fair and decent
conditions of employment etc.
25
• It provides for payment of minimum wages
similar to other workmen, journey allowance,
displacement allowance, residential
accommodation, medical facilities and
protective clothing etc.
• It requires all establishments hiring inter-state
migrants to be registered, and contractors who
recruit such workmen be licensed by the
appropriate Government.
o Contractors are obligated to provide details
of all workmen to the relevant authority.
o Contractors are also required to ensure
regular payment, non-discrimination,
provisioning of suitable accommodation,
free medical facilities and protective
clothing for the workmen.
Unorganised Workers Social Security Act, 2008
• It provides social security to all unorganized
workers including domestic workers.
• It provides formulation of social security
schemes viz life and disability cover, health and
maternity benefits & old age protection.
• The State Governments are mandated under
Act to formulate suitable welfare schemes for
the unorganized sector workers including
domestic workers on matters relating to:
o life and disability cover,
o health and maternity benefits,
o old age protection
o relating to provident fund,
o employment injury benefits housing,
o education schemes for children,
o skill up gradation of workers.
26
3. EDUCATION
3.1. NEW EDUCATION POLICY 2020
Why in news?
Union Cabinet approved the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
About the Policy

• New policy aims to pave way for transformational reforms in school and higher education systems in the
country.
• This policy will replace the 34-year-old National Policy on Education (NPE),1986.
• In this line, Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has been re-designated as Ministry of
Education (MoE) to bring the focus back on education and learning.
Vision of the New Education Policy 2020
• An education system that contributes to an equitable and vibrant knowledge society, by providing high-
quality education to all.
• Develops a deep sense of respect towards the fundamental rights, duties and Constitutional values,
bonding with one’s country, and a conscious awareness of one’s role and responsibilities in a changing
world.
• Instils skills, values, and dispositions that support responsible commitment to human rights, sustainable
development and living, and global well-being, thereby reflecting a truly global citizen.
27
3.1.1. SCHOOL EDUCATION
Dimensions Details
Early Childhood • Universal Access for children of 3-6 years: bring the hitherto uncovered age group of 3-6 years
Care and (crucial stage for development of mental faculties of a child) under school curriculum.
Education • ECCE will be delivered through Anganwadis and pre-schools that will have teachers and
(ECCE) Anganwadi workers trained in the ECCE pedagogy and curriculum.
• Pre-school sections covering at least one year of early childhood care and education will be
added to Kendriya Vidyalayas and other primary schools, particularly in disadvantaged areas.
• NCPFECCE
• Implementation to be jointly carried out by Ministries of Education, Women and Child
Development (WCD), Health and Family Welfare (HFW), and Tribal Affairs.
Attainment of • National Mission on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy
Foundational • National Book Promotion Policy
Literacy and • National Repository of high-quality resources on foundational literacy and numeracy will be
Numeracy made available on the Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing (DIKSHA).
Curtailing Following are the initiatives to achieve the target of 100% GER:
Dropout Rates • Providing effective and sufficient infrastructure so that all students have access to safe and
and Ensuring engaging school education.
Universal Access • Open and Distance Learning
to Education at (ODL) Programmes offered
All Level by the National Institute of
Open Schooling (NIOS) and
State Open Schools will be
expanded and strengthened
with special emphasis on
Socio-Economically
Disadvantaged Groups
(SEDGs).
• Tracking students as well as
their learning levels through counsellors or well-trained social workers.
28
Curriculum and • Restructuring school curriculum and pedagogy in a new 5+3+3+4 design (refer infographics)
Pedagogy • Reduced curriculum content to its core essentials to enhance essential learning and critical
thinking.
• Experiential learning will be adopted in all stages, including hands-on learning, arts-integrated
and sports-integrated education.
• Freedom of choosing a variety of subject combination: no rigid separation among ‘curricular’,
‘extracurricular’, or ‘co-
curricular’, among ‘arts’,
‘humanities’, and ‘sciences’,
or between ‘vocational’ or
‘academic’ streams.
• Introduction of
contemporary subjects such
as Artificial Intelligence,
Design Thinking, Holistic
Health, Organic Living,
Environmental Education,
Global Citizenship Education
(GCED), etc.
• Vocational education
through 10-day bagless
period sometime during
Grades 6-8 where students will intern with local vocational experts such as carpenters,
gardeners, potters, artists, etc.
• National Curricular Framework for School Education by the NCERT.
Student • School examinations in Grades 3, 5, and 8 which will be conducted by the appropriate
Assessment authority.
• Board exams for Grades 10 and 12 will be continued but redesigned.
• National Assessment Centre, PARAKH
• Holistic Progress Card with 360-degree, multidimensional report that reflects the progress as
well as the uniqueness of each learner in the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains. It
will also include self-assessment, peer assessment, and teacher assessment
• National Testing Agency (NTA)
Multilingualism • Medium of instruction up till grade 5, and preferably till Grade 8 and beyond, will be home
and the power language/ mother-tongue/ local language.
of language • ‘The Languages of India’ a fun project/ activity on to be taken by every student under the ‘Ek
Bharat Shrestha Bharat’ initiative.
• Three languages formula with greater flexibility.
• All classical languages (Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Odia) will be widely
available in schools as options. In addition, Pali, Persian, and Prakrit will also be widely available
as options.
• Indian Sign Language (ISL) will be standardized across the country.
Equitable and • Setting up of
Inclusive o Gender Inclusion Fund for female and transgender students
Education- o Special Education Zones (SEZs)- Large populations from SEDGs to be declared SEZs.
Provisions for • Children with disabilities will be enabled to fully participate in the regular schooling process
Socio- from the foundational stage to higher education.
Economically • Every state/district will be encouraged to establish “Bal Bhavans” as a special daytime
Disadvantaged boarding school, to participate in art-related, career-related, and play-related activities.
groups -SEDGs • Free school infrastructure can be used as Samajik Chetna Kendras to promote social,
intellectual, and voluntary activities.
• Special mechanisms for children belonging to tribal groups to receive quality education
• Fee waivers and scholarships will be offered to meritorious students from all SEDGs
• Additional Schools- Setting-up of additional JNVs and KVs in aspirational districts/SEZs
Robust Teacher • New and comprehensive National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education (by 2021).
Education and • By 2030, the minimum degree qualification for teaching will be a 4-year integrated B.Ed.
Recruitment degree.
• NTA testing for admission to B.Ed.
• Setting-up of National Mission for Mentoring with a large pool of outstanding senior/retired
faculty
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• Teacher Eligibility Tests (TETs) for all teachers across Foundational, Preparatory, Middle and
Secondary stage in both public and private schools.
• More autonomy to teachers in choosing aspects of pedagogy in classroom teaching
• National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST)
• Restructuring of NCTE- National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) to be restructured as a
Professional Standard Setting Body (PSSB) under General Education Council (GEC).
School • Schools can be organized into complexes or clusters which will be the basic unit of governance
Governance and ensure availability of all resources including a strong professional teacher community.
• Schools will develop School Development Plans (SDPs). These plans will then become the basis
for the creation of School Complex/Cluster Development Plans (SCDPs)
• The twinning/pairing of one public school with one private school will be adopted across the
country, so that such paired schools may learn from each other, and also share resources, if
possible.
Standard-
setting and
Accreditation
for School
Education
3.1.2. HIGHER EDUCATION
30
Institutional • All higher education institutions to be consolidated into three types of institutions:
Restructuring & o Research Universities -
Consolidation equal focus on research
and teaching
o Teaching Universities -
primary focus on
teaching with significant
focus on research
o Autonomous degree-
granting colleges -
almost exclusive focus on
teaching
• Affiliation of colleges is to be
phased out in 15 years and a
stage-wise mechanism is to be
established for granting graded autonomy to colleges.
• Over a period of time, it is envisaged that every college would develop into either an
Autonomous degree-granting College, or a constituent college of a university.
• By 2040, all higher education institutions (HEIs) shall aim to become multidisciplinary
institutions.
• There shall, by 2030, be at least one large multidisciplinary HEI in or near every district.
• The aim will be to increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education including
vocational education from 26.3% (2018) to 50% by 2035.
Holistic • The policy envisages undergraduate education with flexible curricula, creative
Multidisciplinary combinations of subjects, integration of vocational education and multiple entry and
Education exit points with appropriate certification.
• An Academic Bank of Credit is to be established for digitally storing academic credits
earned from different HEIs so that these can be transferred and counted towards final
degree earned.
• MERUs
• National Research Foundation
Regulation • HECI to have four independent verticals -
o National Higher Education Regulatory Council (NHERC) for regulation,
o General Education Council (GEC) for standard setting,
o Higher Education Grants Council (HEGC) for funding,
o National Accreditation Council (NAC) for accreditation.
• Public and private higher education institutions will be governed by the same set of
norms for regulation, accreditation and academic standards.
Internationalization • Internationally relevant curricula, meaningful opportunities for social engagement,
of HEIs quality residential facilities and on-campus support, etc.
• An International Students Office at each HEI hosting foreign students will be set up to
coordinate all matters relating to welcoming and supporting students arriving from
abroad.
• High performing Indian universities will be encouraged to set up campuses in other
countries, and similarly, selected universities e.g., those from among the top 100
universities in the world will be facilitated to operate in India.
• A legislative framework facilitating such entry will be put in place, and such universities
will be given special dispensation regarding regulatory, governance, and content norms
on par with other autonomous institutions of India.
• Research collaboration and student exchanges between Indian institutions and global
institutions will be promoted.
• Credits acquired in foreign universities will be permitted, where appropriate as per the
requirements of each HEI, to be counted for the award of a degree.
Equity and Inclusion Steps to be taken by Governments
• Earmark suitable Government funds for the education of SEDGs
• Set clear targets for higher GER for SEDGs
• Enhance gender balance in admissions to HEIs
• Enhance access by establishing more high-quality HEIs in aspirational districts and Special
Education Zones containing larger numbers of SEDGs
Steps to be taken by all HEIs
• Mitigate opportunity costs and fees for pursuing higher education
31
• Provide more financial assistance and scholarships to SEDGs
• Make curriculum more inclusive
• Ensure sensitization of faculty, counsellor, and students on gender-identity issue
• Strictly enforce all no-discrimination and anti-harassment rules
3.1.3. OTHER MAJOR PROVISIONS

Financing • Centre and States to work together to increase the public investment in Education sector to
Education reach 6% of GDP.
• Policy calls for promotion and support for private philanthropic activity in education sector
Technology in • National Educational Technology Forum (NETF), an autonomous body to be created to
education provide a platform for the free exchange of ideas on the use of technology to enhance
learning, assessment, planning, administration.
• Appropriate integration of technology into all levels of education
Adult Education • Policy aims to achieve 100% youth and adult literacy.
• Use of schools/ school complexes beyond school hours and public library spaces for adult
education courses.
• Quality technology-based options for adult learning such as online courses, satellite-based TV
channels and ICT-equipped libraries and Adult Education Centres, etc. will be developed.
Online Education • A comprehensive set of recommendations for promoting online education in order to ensure
and Digital preparedness with alternative modes of quality education whenever and wherever traditional
Education and in-person modes of education are not possible, has been covered.
• A dedicated unit for the purpose of coordinating building of digital infrastructure, content
and capacity building will be created in the MoE for both school and higher education.
Professional • All professional education to be an integral part of the higher education system.
Education • Stand-alone technical universities, health science universities, legal and agricultural
universities etc will aim to become multi-disciplinary institutions.
Promotion of • Strong departments and programmes in Indian languages, comparative literature, creative
Indian writing, arts, music, philosophy, etc. to be launched and developed across the country, and
Languages, Arts, degrees including 4- year B.Ed. dual degrees will be developed in these subjects.
and Culture • Outstanding local artists and craftsperson to be hired as guest faculty to promote local music,
art, languages, and handicraft, and to ensure that students are aware of the culture and local
knowledge where they study.
• Every higher education institution and even every school or school complex will aim to have
Artist(s)-in-Residence to expose students to art, creativity, and the rich treasures of the
region/country.
• High-quality programmes and degrees in Translation and Interpretation, Art and Museum
Administration, Archaeology etc will also be created.
• For each of the languages mentioned in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India,
Academies will be established consisting of scholars and native speakers to determine simple
yet accurate vocabulary for the latest concepts, and to release dictionaries on regular basis.
3.2. STRENGTHENING TEACHING-LEARNING AND RESULTS FOR

STATES (STARS) PROJECT
Why in news?
The Union Cabinet approved the STARS project under the new National Education Policy.
About STARS project
• It seeks to support the states in developing, implementing, evaluating and improving interventions with
direct linkages to improved education outcomes and school to work transition strategies for improved
labour market outcomes.
• The overall focus and components of the STARS project are aligned with the objectives of National
Education Policy (NEP) 2020 of Quality Based Learning Outcomes.
• The project covers 6 States namely Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala
and Odisha.
o The identified States will be supported for various interventions for improving the quality of
education.
32
• Around 25 crore students (between the age of 6-17) in 15 lakh schools and over 1 crore teachers will benefit
from the programme.
• It would be implemented as a new
Centrally Sponsored Scheme under
Department of School Education and
Literacy, Ministry of Education (MOE).
• Project cost is shared between World
Bank and participating states. World Bank
support is in form of a results-based
financing instrument called ‘Program for
Results’ (PforR).
• Reforms at State level will be ensured
through a set of disbursement-linked
indicators and a State Incentive Grant to
meet desired project outcomes.
• It also aims to focus on initiatives of PM e-
Vidya, Foundational Literacy and
Numeracy Mission and National Curricular
and Pedagogical Framework for Early
Childhood Care and Education as part of
the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
• It will supply multi-year financing for
India’s participation in Program for
International Student Assessment (PISA)
2021.
3.3. PRIME MINISTER’S RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP (PMRF) SCHEME

Why in News?
Ministry of Education (MoE) announced
modifications in PMRF Scheme.
About the scheme
• ‘Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship
(PMRF)’ Scheme was launched for a
period of seven years beginning 2018-
19, for improving quality of research in
various higher educational institutions
in the country.
o Under it, students who have
completed or are in final year of B.
Tech or Integrated M.Tech or
M.Sc. in Science and Technology
streams from
IISc/IITs/NITs/IISERs/IIITs will be
offered direct admission in PhD
programme in IITs/IISc.
o With attractive fellowships,
research grant, it seeks to attract
the best talent into research.
• Now with aim to boost research in-country, MoE has made certain modifications (refer to infographics).
Related information
Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF) scheme
• It is to provide 5 year fellowships in the form of financial assistance to students from six notified minority
communities viz. Buddhist, Christian, Jain, Muslim, Parsi and Sikh, to pursue M. Phil and Ph.D.
• Ministry of Minority Affairs implements MANF through the University Grants Commission.
33
• The selection of candidates for 2019-20 has been made through JRF-NET (Junior Research Fellow- National
Eligibility Test) examination conducted by National Testing Agency.
o Prior to 2019-20, the merit list was prepared on the basis of marks obtained by the candidates in their Post
Graduate examination.
Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS)
● Scheme is being implemented by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).
● PMSSS was instituted in 2010 with the aim to build the capacities of the youths of J&K and Ladakh by Educating,
Enabling and empowering them to compete in the normal course.
• Components of scholarships: Academic fee and maintenance allowance
3.4. ANNUAL STATUS OF EDUCATION REPORT 2020

Why in News?
Recently, fifteenth Annual Status of Education Report (ASER 2020 Wave 1) was released by NGO Pratham.
About ASER report
• ASER is an annual survey that aims to provide reliable annual estimates of children’s schooling status and
basic learning levels for each state and rural district in India.
o Urban areas are not
covered.
• Schooling status is recorded
for children in the age group
3 to 16, and children in the age
group 5 to 16 are tested for
their ability to read simple text
and do basic arithmetic.
• Except for 2015, ASER has
been conducted every year
since 2005.
• ASER is conducted by
volunteers from local partner
organizations in each district.
ASER is facilitated by
Pratham.
• In 2017, ASER 'Beyond Basics'
focused on the abilities,
experiences, and aspirations
of youth in the 14-18 age
group.
ASER 2020 Findings
• Children's enrolment: It
shows small shift in
enrolment from private to
government schools, across
all grades and among both
girls and boys.
• Children not currently
enrolled: It found that 5.3% of
rural children aged 6-10 years
had not yet enrolled in school
this year, in comparison to just
1.8% in 2018.
• Access to Learning Materials and Activities: A higher percentage of private school children received
learning materials/activities as compared to government school children in the same grades.
o There are significant variations by state in children’s receipt of learning materials or activities during
the reference week.
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3.5. GLOBAL EDUCATION MONITORING REPORT 2020
Why in news?
UNESCO recently published Global
Education Monitoring Report 2020 titled
Inclusion and education: All means all.
International declarations for inclusive
Education
• Sustainable Development Goal 4
(SDG 4): It aims to ensure inclusive
and equitable quality education and
promote lifelong learning
opportunities for all.
• 2006 UN Convention on the Rights
of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD):
It guaranteed the right to inclusive
education.
United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
• It is a specialized agency of UN that
seeks to build peace through
international cooperation in
Education, the Sciences and Culture.
• Its headquarters are located in Paris,
France.
• It has 193 Members, including India, and 11 Associate Members.
35
3.6. STATE OF THE EDUCATION REPORT FOR INDIA 2020
Why in News?
State of Education Report 2020: Technical and
Vocational Education and Training (TVET) was
released by UNESCO.
About the report
• Report focuses on TVET and aims to support
India which has already announced skills
development as a key national priority under the
Skill India Mission.
• It focuses on highlighting progress and
achievements, describing the intense on-going
activity around TVET provision, and outlining the
directions for future growth through the
implementation of the new NEP 2020.
About TVET
• UNESCO defines TVET ‘as comprising education,

training and skills development relating to a
wide range of occupational fields, production,
services and livelihoods.
• As per Ministry of Education, Technical
education generally pertains to higher
education while school education up to
secondary level is a part of vocational education.
Related news
Remote Learning Reachability Report released by UNICEF
• Key findings of the report
o At least or 31% (463 million) of school children worldwide cannot be reached by remote learning programs,
mainly due to a lack of necessary household assets or policies geared toward their needs.
o Globally, 3 out of 4 students who cannot be reached by remote learning opportunities come from rural areas
and/or poor households.
• In India, only 24% of households have internet connections to access e-education.
3.7. INSTITUTIONS OF EMINENCE (IOE)

Why in News?
New guidelines have been issued for IoE by University Grants Commission.
Guidelines
• IoEs are allowed to set up campuses abroad after receiving no objection certificates from Ministry of
External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs.
o Norms and standards of the offshore campus shall be the same as that maintained on the main
campus for similar courses.
• IoEs are also permitted to start new off campus centres, with a maximum of three in five years and not
more than one in an academic year.
• The move is in line with government’s new National Education Policy, which says that high performing
universities should be encouraged to set up campuses abroad.
About IoE
• IoE scheme was launched to implement the commitment of the Government to empower the Higher
Educational Institutions and to help them become world class teaching and research institutions.
• 20 institutions were to be selected -- 10 public and 10 private ones.
36
• These institutions will enjoy benefits like additional funding, complete academic and administrative
autonomy, assessment patterns etc.
• Government will provide funding upto₹1,000 crore to public institutions, for private institutions no
financial support.
3.8. RANKINGS
3.8.1. NATIONAL INSTITUTIONAL RANKING FRAMEWORK (NIRF)
Why in news?
Recently, “India Rankings 2020” under
National Institutional Ranking Framework
(NIRF) was released by the Ministry of
Education (MoE).
About NIRF “India Rankings 2020”
• The NIRF was launched by the MoE in
2015.
• This framework outlines a methodology
to rank institutions across the country on
a yearly basis under 10 categories-
Overall, University, Engineering,
Management, Pharmacy, College,
Medical, Law, Architecture and Dental
(newly added in 2020).
• Objective of these rankings:
o To act as a guide to students for
selection of universities based on a
set of criteria.
o Helps universities to improve their performance on various ranking parameters and identify gaps in
research and areas of improvement.
o Ranking of Institutions at national level instill a competitive spirit amongst institutions to perform
better and secure higher rank in international ranking.
• NIRF is a voluntary exercise where only institutions that submit required data are ranked.
• Top three institutes according to ranking included IIT Madras, IISc Bangalore and IIT Delhi.
Related News
QS World University rankings
• Recently, QS World University rankings for the year 2021 were
published.
• IIT Bombay, Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru, and IIT Delhi
featured in the top 200 list.
• It ranks universities on six metrics: Academic Reputation,
Employer Reputation, Faculty/Student Ratio, Citations per
faculty, International Faculty Ratio and International Student
Ratio
• Reasons for drop in rankings include low ratio of international
faculty and students and poor faculty-student ratio.
Times Higher Education (THE) World University Ranking (WUR) 2021
• THE assessed performance of 1527 higher education institutes
from 93 countries or regions on several parameters including
teaching, research, knowledge transfer, and international
outlook.
• 63 universities from India qualified for the ranking (highest ever from India).
o However, none could make it to top 300.
o Among India varsities, the highest rank is occupied by Indian Institute of Science.
• United States is the most represented country with 59 entries in top 200.
• Top spot: UK’s University of Oxford
37
3.8.2. ATAL RANKING OF INSTITUTIONS ON INNOVATION ACHIEVEMENTS
(ARIIA) RANKINGS
Why in News?
Recently, Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation
Achievements (ARIIA) rankings 2020 were announced.
About ARIIA
• It is an initiative of Ministry of Education to
systematically rank all major higher educational
institutions and universities in India on indicators
related to ‘Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Development’ amongst students and faculties.
o In the ARIIA 2020 rankings, IIT Madras has
bagged the top spot for best centrally funded
institution followed by IIT Bombay and IIT
Delhi.
o In the category of private institutions, Kalinga
Institute of Industrial Technology, Odisha has
emerged as the winner.
o College of Engineering Pune, Maharashtra has
topped the list for State-Funded Autonomous Institutions.
o For the first time, ARIIA 2020 rankings had a special prize category for women-only higher educational
institutions.
• ARIIA focus on quality of innovations and try to measure the real impact created by these innovations
nationally and internationally.
3.9. ACCREDITATION IN INDIA

Why in News?
600 Universities, 25,000 Colleges are not accredited In India.
About Accreditation in India
• Accreditation survey was conducted by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).
• Some findings are:
o 26% of institutions didn’t apply for accreditation as they lack permanent faculty and 5.5% for not having
a permanent head of the institution.
o 22 % of higher education institutions (HEI) didn’t participate due to poor grades.
• NAAC is autonomous body established under Ministry of Education.
o It conducts assessment and accreditation of HEI such as colleges, universities or other recognised
institutions to derive an understanding of the ‘Quality Status’ of the institution.
• In 2017, Revised Assessment and Accreditation Framework was introduced to make accreditation ICT
enabled, objective, transparent, scalable and robust.

National Initiative ● Recently, on-line NISHTHA programme was launched due to COVID-19 pandemic.
for School Heads’ ● NISHTHA, launched under Samagra Shiksha is a capacity building programme for
and Teachers’ "Improving Quality of School Education through Integrated Teacher Training".
Holistic ● It aims to build competencies among all the teachers and school principals at the
Advancement elementary stage.
(NISHTHA) ● It aims to train 42 lakhs teachers.
Roadmap for NCERT • NCERT roadmap has been designed keeping in view the decision to set up the Foundational
for the year 2020-21 Literacy and Numeracy Mission under Atma Nirbhar Bharat.
o Mission aims to ensure that every student in Grade 5 and beyond must achieve
foundational literacy and numeracy by 2025.
38
• Under this, NCERT has been asked to prepare infographics, posters and presentations
explaining each of the learning outcome, for each subject and grade for classes one to five
by October this year.
Students Learning ● Guidelines were released by Ministry of Education.
Enhancement ● NCERT has prepared these guidelines to address the issues related to gaps and/or loss of
Guidelines learning among students, during and after the lockdown.
● Also, these guidelines seek to help children who cannot access online learning,
recommending ways to learn at home with their teachers or volunteers.
● National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is an autonomous
organisation set up in 1961 by the Government of India to assist and advise the Central and
State Governments on policies and programmes for qualitative improvement in school
education.
YUKTI (Young India ● It has been launched by Minister of Education.
combating COVID ● It will help to systematically assimilate technologies having commercial potential and
with Knowledge, information related to incubated startups in our higher education institutions.
Technology and
Innovation) 2.0 web
portal
Enterprises ● ERP, SAMARTH, an e-Governance platform has been implemented at National Institute
Resource Planning of Technology, Kurukshetra, to automate processes of Institute.
(ERP), SAMARTH ● It is an Open Standard Open Source Architecture, Secure, Scalable and Evolutionary
Process Automation Engine for Universities and Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs).
● It caters to faculty, students and staff at University/HEIs. It will enhance productivity
through better information management in institutes by seamless access to information,
and its utilization for various purposes.
● Developed by: Ministry of Education, under National Mission of Education in Information
and Communication Technology Scheme.
Institution • IIC was established by Ministry of Education in 2018.
Innovation Council • Major focus of IIC is to create a vibrant local innovation ecosystem, Start-up supporting
(IIC 3.0) Mechanism in HEIs, prepare institute for Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation
Achievements Framework etc.
• So far, IICs have been established in about 1700 higher educational institutions. IIC will be
established in 5000 higher educational institutions under IIC 3.0.
39
4. HEALTH
4.1. NATIONAL DIGITAL HEALTH MISSION (NDHM)
Why in news?
Recently, the National Digital Health
Mission (NDHM) was launched by
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
(MoHFW), in a pilot mode in six Union
territories.
Background
• The genesis of a new digital health
infrastructure in India came about in
the National Health Policy (NHP),
2017 which proposed a new National
Digital Health Authority and
envisaged creation of a digital
health technology eco-system
aimed at developing an integrated
health information system.
• Based on the NHP, 2017, NITI Aayog proposed a visionary digital framework - National health stack (NHS)
in 2018.
• In July, 2019 the National Digital Health Blueprint (NDHB) of the mission was prepared by a panel of
MoHFW to create a framework for the NHS.
About National Digital Health Mission (NDHM)
• NDHM is a voluntary healthcare programme that aims to reduce the gap among stakeholders such as
doctors, hospitals, citizens etc by connecting them in an integrated digital health infrastructure.
• Vision: To create a national digital health ecosystem that supports universal health coverage in an
efficient, accessible, inclusive, affordable, timely and safe manner.
• The scheme will be initially rolled out in the Union Territories of Chandigarh, Ladakh, Dadra and Nagar
Haveli and Daman and Diu, Puducherry, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.
• Features of NDHM
o Building blocks or digital systems:
ü HealthID - a repository of all health-related information of a person, such as medical tests, previous
prescriptions, diagnosis, treatments etc. It can be created voluntarily by every Indian citizen.
ü DigiDoctor – a single, updated repository of all doctors enrolled in nation with relevant details such
as name, qualifications, specializations, registration number, years of experience, etc
ü Health Facility Registry (HFR) - a single repository of all the health facilities (both public and
private) in the country.
ü Personal Health Records (PHR) - an electronic record of health-related information on an individual
that can be drawn from multiple sources while being managed, shared, and controlled by the
individual.
ü Electronic Medical Records (EMR) - a digital version of a patient's chart which contains the
patient's medical and treatment history from a single health facility.
ü Consent Manager and Gateway - The exchange of health information is enabled by the consent
manager and gateway where Health records can only be issued / viewed with patient consent.
o National Health Authority, attached office of MoHFW, will design, build, roll-out and implement the
NDHM.
o Federated Architecture: The Government of India will own, operate and maintain the core building
blocks of NDHM such as Health ID, Digi-Doctor and HFR.
ü All other building blocks will be designed to be operated in a federated model that factors
regional, state-level and institution-level platforms and systems to function independently but in
an interoperable manner.
40
ü Components, like PHR and EMR solutions can be developed by private players, in line with the
official guidelines issued by the government.
o NDHM sandbox has been setup to enable any software to integrate with the digital building blocks
and test their compliance to the guidelines and digital health standards.
o NDHM will be developed by adopting India Enterprise Architecture Framework (IndEA) notified by
MeitY.
ü IndEA is a set of citizen-centric, efficiency-focused and event-driven architectural patterns,
reference models and standards for designing Enterprise Architectures.
MoHFW’s Initiatives related to digital health
• E-Sanjeevani platform: It enables two types of telemedicine services viz. Doctor-to-Doctor (eSanjeevani) and
Patient-to-Doctor (eSanjeevani OPD) Tele-consultations.
o More than 1,50,000 tele-consultations have been completed till date, enabling patient to doctor consultations
from the confines of their home.
• e-Hospital: It is an ICT based Hospital Management System specifically meant for the hospitals in Government
Sector.
• Mera Aspatal: It is a patient feedback system for the services received at the hospital.
• e-Shushrut: It is a hospital Management Information System developed by C-DAC.
• Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN): It is an indigenously developed technology system in India that
digitizes vaccine stocks and monitors the temperature of the cold chain through a Smartphone application.
• National Health Portal (NHP): It aims to establish a single point access for authenticated health information for
citizens, students, healthcare professionals and researchers. Users can access detailed information pertaining to
health related issues.
• Draft Health Data Management Policy of the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM): National Health Authority
(NHA) has recently released this policy which acts as a guidance document across the National Digital Health
Ecosystem (NDHE) and sets out the minimum standard for data privacy protection that should be followed across
the board in order to ensure compliance with relevant and applicable laws, rules and regulations.
4.2. COVID 19 AND MENTAL HEALTH

Why in news?
Widespread psychological distress has been recorded in various COVID-19 affected countries affecting overall
mental health of the people.
Mental Health
• According to an estimate by the World
Health Organization (WHO), mental
illness makes about 15% of the total
disease conditions around the world.
• In India, Mental Health Care Act 2017
provides for mental healthcare and
services for persons with mental illness
and to protect, promote and fulfil the
rights of such persons during delivery of
mental healthcare and services.
• Provisions of the Act includes:
o Rights of person with mental Illness:
every person shall have a right to
access mental health care and
treatment from mental health
services run or funded by the
appropriate government at an
affordable price, free for homeless
and BPL.
o Advance Directives: given by
mentally ill person regarding her treatment and who shall be her nominated representative
o Central and State Mental Health Authority: These bodies are required to regulate various provisions
relating to mental health establishments, professionals, law enforcement officials and other issues.
41
o Suicide is decriminalized: person attempting suicide will be treated as mentally ill and will not be
treated as criminal offence under Section 309 of IPC.
o Mental Health Review Commission: will be a quasi-judicial body that will periodically review the use
of and the procedure for making advance directives and advice the government on protection of the
rights of mentally ill persons.
o Mental Health Review Board to protect the rights of persons with mental illness and manage advance
directives.
o A person with mental illness shall not be subjected to electro-convulsive therapy without the use of
muscle relaxants and anesthesia.
Other initiatives taken
• National Mental Health Programme (NMHP): implemented since 1982, the Government is supporting
implementation of the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) in 517 districts of the country for detection,
management and treatment of mental disorders/ illness.
• National Mental Health Policy 2014
o Universal access to mental healthcare institutions.
o Strengthen leadership in the mental health care.
o Gives out role for central and state governments, local bodies and civil society organizations.
• RAAH app: National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS) created RAAH app. It is a mobile
application which helps people to search for information about professionals such as psychiatrists, psychologists,
psychiatric social workers, etc.
o NIMHANS is a multidisciplinary institute for patient care and academic pursuit in the field of mental health
and neurosciences. In 2012, NIMHANS was conferred Institute of National Importance status.
o It operates autonomously under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
4.3. DRUG ABUSE IN INDIA

Why in news?
• The World Drug Report 2020 was released by The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
that has outlined the possible consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on Illegal Drug Production, Supply
and Consumption.
• In India, ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat:
Annual Action Plan (2020-21)
for 272 Most Affected Districts’
was e-launched by Ministry of
Social Justice and
Empowerment (MoSJE) on the
occasion of “International Day
Against Drug Abuse and Illicit
Trafficking” (June 26).
Drug abuse in India
• Substances of abuse include
alcohol, opiates, cocaine,
amphetamines, hallucinogens,
prescription and over-the-
counter drug abuse.
• As per the UNODC 2020 report,
India is also among the countries with highest illicit cultivation and production of cannabis from 2010 to
2017. In 2018, India topped with largest seizure in South Asia, amounting to 266.5 tons of cannabis herb.
• As per the report submitted by AIIMS in 2019,
o Alcohol is the most common psychoactive substance used by Indians followed by Cannabis and
Opioids.
• Within India, the worst affected regions are North East India (especially Manipur) and North West India
(especially Punjab) followed by Mumbai and Delhi and now Haryana.
• India is the link country between the two major opium producing regions of the world, namely -the
“Golden Triangle” and the “Golden Crescent”.
42
Nasha Mukt Bharat Annual Action Plan (2020-21)
● MoSJE is nodal agency for Drug Demand Reduction in India.
● Annual Action Plan:
o It focuses on 272 most affected districts
o Three-pronged attack will be launched combining efforts of Narcotics Bureau, Outreach/Awareness
by Social Justice and Treatment through Health Dept.
o Components of Action Plan:
ü Awareness generation;
ü Focus on Higher Educational institutions;
ü Community outreach and identification of dependent population;
ü Focus on Treatment facilities in Hospital;
ü Capacity Building for Service Provider.
Legal framework and steps taken by government to deal with drug menace
• Article 47 of the Constitution provides that ‘the State shall endeavour to bring about prohibition of the
consumption except for medicinal purposes of intoxicating drinks and of drugs which are injurious to health’.
• Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in the year 1985 was enacted for the control and
regulation of operations relating to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
o Under it The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) was constituted as the nodal drug law enforcement and
intelligence agency of India responsible for fighting drug trafficking and the abuse of illegal substances.
• Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has prepared a National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction
(NAPDDR) for 2018-2025.
o The Plan aims at reduction of drug abuse through a multi-pronged strategy involving education, de-addiction
and rehabilitation of affected individuals and their families.
• International collaboration:
o India is a signatory to the three UN Conventions namely:
ü Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961,
ü Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971
ü Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988.
o India launched BIMSTEC Conference on Combating Drug Trafficking, an important platform for the Partner
Nations to share ideas and exchange best practices required to combat the drug menace in the region.
4.4. EPIDEMIC DISEASES The Epidemic Diseases Act 1897

• The Act came into effect amidst the outbreak of the bubonic
(AMENDMENT) BILL, 2020 plague in Bombay in the 1890s.
• It is India’s solitary law that has been historically used as a
Why in news?
framework for containing the spread of various diseases
Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Bill, 2020 including cholera and malaria.
was passed by parliament which amends the • The law authorises the Central and state governments to
Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897. It repeals the take “exceptional measures and prescribe regulations” to be
Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Ordinance observed by the citizens to contain the spread of a disease.
that was promulgated in April 2020. o Section 2 of the Act states that State Government may
take measures and prescribe regulations for the
Key features of the amendments
inspection of persons travelling.
• It seeks to provide protections to • It also provides penalties for disobeying any regulation or
healthcare service personnel who are at order made under the Act.
risk of contracting the epidemic • However, it does not define “dangerous”, “infectious”, or
disease while carrying out duties related “contagious diseases”, and an “epidemic”.
to the epidemic. • This Act was applied by states to impose lockdowns during
o They include doctors, nurses, other COVID-19 pandemic.
persons designated by the state
government and any person empowered under the Act to take measures to prevent the outbreak of
the disease.
• It defines ‘act of violence’ committed against a healthcare service personnel, which include, harassment,
harm, injury, hurt, or danger to life, obstruction in discharge of duties, and loss or damage to the property
or documents.
• Act of violence or loss to any property are punishable with imprisonment between three months and five
years, and a fine between Rs 50,000 and two lakh rupees.
• In case, act of violence causes grievous harm, it is punishable with imprisonment between six months and
seven years, and a fine between one lakh rupees and five lakh rupees.
43
o These offences are cognizable and non-bailable.
• Persons convicted of offences will be liable to pay compensation to the healthcare service personnel
whom they have hurt.
• Expands the powers of the central government to regulate the inspection of any bus, train, goods vehicle,
ship, vessel, or aircraft leaving or arriving at any land port, port, or aerodrome. Earlier, it was applicable
only to inspection of any ship or vessel leaving or arriving at any port.

Health in • It was released By Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
India • Report is based on data collected from July 2017 to June 2018, as part of 75th round of National Sample
Report Survey.
o Total expenditure on health, by Centre and states, for FY20 was 1.29% of GDP. Of total public
expenditure, Centre’s share was 25%. Centre spends less as public health and sanitation are State
subjects.
National ● Ministry of Health and Family Welfare released data on 5th NFHS containing detailed information on
Family population, health and nutrition in 17 States and 5 UTs.
Health ● NFHS is a large-scale, multi-round survey conducted in a representative sample of households
Survey throughout India.
(NFHS-5) o It is a collaborative project of the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai,
India; ICF, Calverton, Maryland, USA and the East-West Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.
o Ministry of Health and Family Welfare designated IIPS as the nodal agency, responsible for
providing coordination and technical guidance for the NFHS.
o NFHS was funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) with
supplementary support from UNICEF.
● Key Findings (compared to NFHS-4 2015-16):
o Substantial improvement in maternal and child health indicators.
ü Under-five mortality rate and infant mortality rate (refers to the probability of dying
between birth and five years of age expressed per 1,000 live births), decreased in 18 states.
ü Neonatal mortality rate (per 1,000 live births) dropped in 15 states and UTs.
o Malnutrition indicators have worsened.
ü Share of children who were stunted (low height for their age) increased in 13 states, while
the share of children who had low weight for their height increased in 12 states.
ü Share of underweight and overweight children also increased in 16 and 20 states,
respectively.
o Sex ratio of the total population (females per 1,000 males) increased in 17 states and UTs.
o Fertility rate has further declined, contraceptive use has increased in most Phase I states.
o There is considerable improvement in vaccination coverage among children age 12-23 months
across all states/UTs.
India’s ● Recently, NITI Aayog released a white paper: Vision 2035: Public Health Surveillance (PHS) in India.
Vision o It lays out India’s vision 2035 for PHS through integration of three-tiered public health system
2035 for into Ayushman Bharat.
PHS o It lays the foundation for integrated surveillance of both communicable and non-communicable
diseases.
● VISION 2035: Public Health Surveillance in India
o To make India’s PHS system more responsive and predictive to enhance preparedness for action
at all levels.
o Citizen-friendly PHS system will ensure individual privacy and confidentiality, enabled with a
client feedback mechanism.
o Improved data-sharing mechanism between Centre and states for better disease detection,
prevention, and control.
o Provide regional and global leadership in managing events that constitute a public health
emergency of international concern.

WHO designates • It was designated by 73rd World Health Assembly recognizing the dedication and sacrifice
2021 as the of the millions of health and care workers at the forefront of the Covid-19 pandemic.
International Year • World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of WHO. Its main functions are to
of Health and Care determine the policies of the Organization, appoint the Director-General, supervise
Workers financial policies, and review and approve the proposed programme budget
44
WHO launched • WHO aims to reduce more than 40% of new cases and 5 million related deaths by 2050, with
Global Strategy to a combination of vaccination, screening and treatment.
Accelerate the • For the first time, 194 countries, including India, committed to eliminate cancer, following
Elimination of the adoption of a resolution at the World Health Assembly 2020 in Geneva.
Cervical Cancer • Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the primary cause of cervical cancer, and the HPV vaccine is
a safe and effective way to protect women against infection from HPV.
Pharmacopoeia • Cabinet has approved re-establishment of PCIM&H as Subordinate Office under Ministry of
Commission for AYUSH (MoA) by merging into it Pharmacopoeia Laboratory for Indian Medicine and
Indian Medicine & Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia Laboratory.
Homoeopathy o PCIM&H is an autonomous body under aegis of MoA established since 2010.
(PCIM&H) • Merger is aimed at optimizing use of infrastructural facilities, technical manpower and
financial resources of three organizations for enhancing standardization outcomes of
Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy drugs towards their effective regulation and
quality control.
AarogyaPath • It is a web based National Healthcare Supply Chain Portal to provide real-time availability
of critical healthcare supplies.
• It would serve manufacturers, suppliers and customers.
Janaushadhi • It was launched in 2019, to help people to locate nearby Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya
Sugam Mobile App Janaushadhi Kendra (PMJAK), search Janaushadhi generic medicines, analyze product
comparison of Generic and Branded medicine etc.
• It is developed by Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) under Department of
Pharmaceuticals.
• PMJAK are setup under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana in order to make
available quality generic medicines at affordable prices to all.
• Sanitary Napkins are also distributed from Jan Aushadhi Kendras to underprivileged
women at the minimum price of Rs.1 each
Project Ahana • It is Plan India’s (an NGO) national programme working towards an AIDS free generation.
• Partners: National AIDS Control Organisation; Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and
Malaria (GFATM).
• Its focus is on preventing parent-to-child transmission among women in most vulnerable
and marginalised communities.
45
5.1. GLOBAL HUNGER INDEX 2020
Why in news? Global findings of the report
• Nearly 690 million people are undernourished out of which:
As per Global hunger Index (GHI) report
o 144 million children suffer from stunting,
2020, India has ranked 94 out of 107 o 47 million children suffer from wasting and in 2018,
countries. o 5.3 million children died before their 5th birthday as a result
About Global Hunger Index of undernutrition.
• Worldwide hunger is at a moderate level which translates to a
• It is a tool designed to comprehensively score of 10-19.9 out of 100.
measure and track hunger at global, • South Saharan Africa and South Asia have the highest hunger
regional, and national levels. and undernutrition levels among world regions, with 2020 GHI
• GHI is published by Concern Worldwide scores of 27.8 and 26.0, respectively—both considered serious.
(international humanitarian • The world is not on track to achieve the 2nd Sustainable
organization) and Welthungerhilfe Development Goal - Zero Hunger - by 2030. At the current
pace, approximately 37 countries will fail to even to
(private aid organisations in Germany).
reach low hunger by 2030.
• It is designed to raise awareness and
understanding of the struggle against hunger.
• GHI scores are based on the values of 4 component indicators:
o Undernourishment -share of the population with insufficient caloric intake.
o Child wasting - share of children under age 5 who have low weight for their height.
o Child stunting - share of children
under age 5 who have low height for
their age.
o Child mortality - mortality rate of
children under age 5.
• GHI score is determined on a 100-point
scale - 0 is best possible score (no
hunger) and 100 is the worst. Each
country’s score is classified by severity -
from Low to Extremely alarming.
India’s Hunger Dilemma
• GHI 2020 gave score of 27.2 on a 100 point
scale to India which puts the country in
the “serious” category of hunger.
• Out of the total 107 countries, only 13
countries fare worse than India
(Rwanda, Nigeria, Afghanistan etc.).
Countries like Nepal, Pakistan,
Bangladesh and Indonesia are ahead of
India.
• In terms of overall undernourishment,
14% of India’s population does not get
enough calories.
o Almost 35% of Indian children are
stunted.
o 17.3% of Indian children under ﬁve are
wasted.
o Under 5 mortality rate is at 3.7%.
• Food insecurity, poor sanitation,
inadequate housing, limited access to
healthcare — all result in maternal distress, that leads to the kind of slow, chronic wasting seen in Indian
children.
46
Related concepts
• Hunger: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) defines food deprivation, or undernourishment, as the
consumption of too few calories to provide the minimum amount of dietary energy that each individual requires
to live a healthy and productive life.
o Hunger is usually understood to refer to the distress associated with a lack of sufficient calories.
• Undernutrition: It is the result of inadequate intake of food in terms of either quantity or quality, poor utilization
of nutrients due to infections or other illnesses, or a combination of these factors
• Malnutrition: It refers more broadly to both undernutrition (problems caused by deficiencies) and overnutrition
(problems caused by unbalanced diets).
5.2. GLOBAL NUTRITION REPORT 2020 (GNR)

Why in news? Global Nutrition Targets
According to the Global Nutrition Report 2020, • In 2012, the World Health Assembly Resolution endorsed
a Comprehensive implementation plan on maternal,
India is among 88 countries that are likely to
infant and young child nutrition.
miss global nutrition targets by 2025.
About Global Nutrition Report 2020
• It is a multi-stakeholder initiative that
assesses progress in meeting 2025 Global
Nutrition Targets established by World
Health Assembly (WHA).
• It plays the important role of helping hold
stakeholders to account on the
commitments they have made towards
tackling malnutrition.
India specific findings
• Global Nutrition Targets: India will miss
targets for all four nutritional indicators i.e.
target on stunting, anaemia, overweight & exclusive breastfeeding.
• Stunted and wasted: In India 37.9% of children under 5 years are stunted and 20.8% are wasted, compared
to the Asia average of 22.7% and 9.4% respectively.
o Inequalities are evident for stunting, with stunting prevalence being 10.1% higher in rural vs urban
areas.
• Underweight: Between 2000 and 2016, rates of underweight (low weight for age) have decreased from
66.0% to 58.1% for boys and 54.2% to 50.1% in girls.
o However, this is still
high compared to the
average of 35.6% for
boys and 31.8% for
girls in Asia.
• Overweight: As of 2015,
the national prevalence of
under-five overweight is
2.4%, which has increased
slightly from 1.9% in 2006.
• Adult nutrition: India's
adult population face a
malnutrition burden.
o 51.4% of women of
reproductive age have
anaemia
o 9.1% of adult men have
diabetes, compared to 8.3% of women.
o 5.1% of women and 2.7% of men have obesity.
47
Global Report on • Report is produced by Global Network against Food Crises, an international alliance working
Food Crises to address the root causes of extreme hunger.
(GRFC) 2020 • It was launched by European Union, FAO and WFP during 2016 World Humanitarian Summit.
• Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a five-phase scale, is a common
global scale for classifying the severity and magnitude of food insecurity and malnutrition.
State of Food • The joint report is issued annually by Food and Agriculture Organization, International Fund
Security and for Agricultural Development, UNICEF, World Food Programme and WHO.
Nutrition in the
World 2020
State of Food and • It is a FAO’s report presents new estimates on the pervasiveness of water scarcity in
Agriculture 2020 agriculture and on the number of people affected.
Recommended • Report is prepared by ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition.
Dietary • Report redefines reference age for Indian adult man and woman to 19-39 years instead of
Allowances and 20-39.
Nutrient • Body weight has been put at 65kg for males and 55kg for females while earlier, it was 60kg
Requirements and 50kg respectively.
report • In Recommended Dietary Allowances, cereal-legume-milk composition has been modified
to 3:1:2.5 from 11:1:3.
• It has also recommended a minimum of 400 gm/day of fruits and vegetables to obtain
sufficient amounts of antioxidant nutrients

India State-Level ● ISDBI is collaboration between Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Public Health
Disease Burden Foundation of India (PHFI), Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), and experts
Initiative (ISDBI) and stakeholders from about 100 institutions across India.
Food Coalition ● Recently, UN launched the Food Coalition to prevent COVID-19 food crisis
● It is a multi-stakeholder, multi-sectoral alliance, launched by Food and Agriculture
Organization, a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) that leads international efforts
to defeat hunger.
● It will support innovative COVID-19 initiatives to ensure global food access, to increase the
resilience and transformation of agri-food systems in a more sustainable manner.
48
6. MISCELLANEOUS
6.1. HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2020
Why in News? About Anthropocene
The 2020 Human Development • Anthropocene is not yet formally established as a new geological
Report titled “The next frontier: epoch, but several geologists and Earth system scientists propose its
beginning to the mid-20th century.
Human Development and the
• Humans are about to leave the 12,000-year-old Holocene Age and
Anthropocene” was released. enter a new age named after us — the Anthropocene.
About the Human Development o Holocene has seen major change on our planet, including the
Report (HDR) rapid population growth of our species and the development of
modern civilisations.
• HDR is released by United
Nations Development
Programme (UNDP) and was
released for the first time in the
year 1990.
• HDR Office releases five
composite indices each year:
o Human Development Index
(HDI),
o Inequality-Adjusted Human
Development Index (IHDI),
o Gender Development Index
(GDI), Anthropause
o Gender Inequality Index • It is a term coined, by UK researchers, to refer to coronavirus-induced
(GII), lockdown period and its impact on other species.
o Multidimensional Poverty • Researchers believe studying this period will provide valuable insights
into the relationship between human-wildlife interactions in the 21st
Index (MPI).
century.
• HDI is released as part of first
HDR. This measures
achievement in the basic
dimensions of human
development across
countries. The HDI ranks
countries on the basis of
three parameter:
o Life Expectancy
o Education
o Gross National
Income (GNI) per
capita
• HDI was created to
emphasize that people
and their capabilities
should be the ultimate
criteria for assessing the
development of a
country, not economic
growth alone.
o HDI can also be used
to question national
policy choices, asking
how two countries with the same level of GNI per capita can end up with different human
development outcomes.
49
HDR 2020 findings with respect to India
• India dropped two ranks in HDI this year, standing at 131 out of 189 countries. Norway topped the index,
followed by Ireland.
• India’s gross national income per capita fell to $6,681 in 2019 from $6,829 in 2018 on purchasing power
parity (PPP) basis.
• Life expectancy at birth in 2019 was 69.7 years.
• Indigenous children in Cambodia, India and Thailand show more malnutrition-related issues such as
stunting and wasting.
• In 2019, India ranked fifth for installed solar capacity.
• Evidence from Colombia to India indicates that financial security and ownership of land improve women’s
security and reduce the risk of gender-based violence, clearly indicating that owning land can empower
women.
• However, if the Index were adjusted to assess the planetary pressures caused by each nation’s
development, India would move up eight places in the ranking.
• HDR 2020 presents an adjustment to the index for "planetary pressures" called Planetary-Pressures
Adjusted HDI.
o PHDI adjusts the standard HDI by a country’s level of carbon dioxide emissions and material footprint,
each on a per capita basis.
6.2. THE HUMAN CAPITAL INDEX 2020

Why in news? What is Human Capital?
The World Bank has recently released • Human capital consists of the knowledge, skills, and health that
the report titled ‘The Human Capital people accumulate over their lives, enabling them to realize their
potential as productive members of society.
Index 2020 Update: Human Capital in
• Human capital is intangible and is endogenously built in the body and
the Time of COVID-19’.
mind of its owner. Only the services of the human capital are sold.
About the report • Sources of human capital formation include- Expenditure on
education Health, on the job training, study programmes for adults,
• The 2020 Human Capital Index Migration in search of jobs with better salaries, expenditure on
update includes health and information relating to the labour market and other markets etc.
education data for 174 countries
(additional 17 counties relative to the
2018 edition) — covering 98 per cent
of the world’s population — up to
March 2020.
• Since the cutoff date for the 2020
update is March 2020, before the
consequences of COVID-19, the HCI
2020 can be a baseline to track some of
the effects of COVID-19 on human
capital.
About Human Capital Index (HCI)
• HCI is an international metric that
benchmarks key components of
human capital across countries.
• It was launched in 2018 by the World
Bank as part of the Human Capital
Project (HCP).
• The index measures the human capital that a child born today can expect to attain by her 18th birthday,
highlighting how current health and education outcomes shape the productivity of the next generation of
workers.
• HCI ranges from zero to one, and an HCI value of, for instance, 0.5 implies that a child born today will only
be 50% as productive as a future worker as she would be if she enjoyed complete education and full health.
50
Key findings
• Global HCI: Globally, a child could expect to attain an average of 56 percent of her potential productivity
as a future worker.
• Considerable variation across regions and economies: For instance, a child born in a low-income country
has an HCI of 0.37 as compared to 0.7 in a high-income country.
• Measuring Learning Poverty: It is the share of 10-year-olds who cannot read and understand a simple
story. Around 53 percent of children in low- and middle-income countries suffer from learning poverty.
• Disaggregation of the HCI by gender: Human capital is slightly higher among girls than boys in most
countries.
• Underutilization of Human capital among women: The gender gap in employment rates (a basic measure
of utilization) is 20 percentage points on average worldwide, but exceeds 40 percentage points in South
Asia and the Middle East and North Africa.
• Human capital gains in the previous decade: On average, the HCI increased by 2.6 points between 2010
and 2020.
• India Specific findings
o India ranked at 116th from among 174 countries as compared to 115 out of 157 countries in 2018.
o India’s HCI score increased to 0.49 from 0.44 in 2018.
o India is among the only two countries (other being Tonga), where child survival rates are higher for
girls than for boys.
o India experienced a 13-percentage-point decline in stunting rates for children under 5 from 48 percent
in 2010 to 35 percent in 2020.
6.3. GLOBAL MULTIDIMENSIONAL POVERTY INDEX (MPI)

Why in News?
NITI Aayog will leverage Monitoring
Mechanism of Global Multidimensional
Poverty Index (MPI)
More about News
• Government has decided to monitor
the performance of country in 29
select Global Indices through
“GlobalIndices to Drive Reforms and
Growth (GIRG)” exercise.
o Global MPI is part of this and NITI
Aayog as the nodal agency of MPI
has been assigned the
responsibility of leveraging
monitoring mechanism of MPI to
drive reforms.
o It has also set up MPI Coordination Committee (MPICC) in this regard.
• Objective of GIRG exercise is to
o Measure and monitor India’s performance on various important social and economic parameters.
o Use these indices for self-improvement, bring about reforms in policies, improving last-mile
implementation of government schemes etc.
About Global MPI
• It is an international measure of multidimensional poverty covering 107 developing countries. It identifies
both who is poor and how they are poor.
• It is computed by scoring each surveyed household on 10 parameters in three equally weighted
dimensions- health, education and standard of living (see infographic).
o It utilises the National Family Health Survey (NFHS).
• According to Global MPI 2020, India is ranked 62nd and also accounted for largest reduction in
multidimensional poverty between 2005/2006–2015/2016.
51
6.4. SDG INVESTOR MAP FOR INDIA
Why in News?
The United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP) in partnership with Invest India has
developed the Sustainable Development
Group (SDG) Investor Map for India.
More about News
• SDG Investor Map identifies Investment
Opportunity Areas (IOAs), and White
Spaces (Areas of Potential) aimed at
aiding India's journey at fulfilling the SDG.
• 18 IOAs and 8 White Spaces are identified
across 6 Priority Sectors (refer to
infographics)
• These sectors are identified on basis of
Enhanced productivity, technology
adoption and increased inclusion.
• 8 ‘white spaces’ have seen investor
interest and have the potential to grow
into IOAs in 5 to 6 years with policy
support and private sector participation.
• The Map will help public and private sector stake-holders direct capital towards these IOA’s and
White Spaces that can contribute to the nationally determined sustainable development needs of the
country.
Invest India
• The map also highlights SDG
• It is the National Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency
financing gap. With the emergence of India and acts as the first point of reference for investors in
of the Covid-19 pandemic, SDG India.
financing gap has widened by an • It is set up as a nonprofit venture under the Department of
estimated $400 billion in developing Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Ministry of Commerce
countries, adding to the pre-COVID and Industries.
shortfall of $2-2.5 trillion per annum. • It provide multiple forms of support such as market entry
o The financing gap for SDGs in strategies, deep dive industry analysis, etc.
India has widened further and • It is a joint venture company between DIPP (35% equity),
development progress made Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry
(FICCI) (51% equity), and State Governments (0.5% each).
under millennial development
UNDP
goals also are on verge of
• It is the UN's global development network helping countries to
reversal. achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of
o Investing in the SDGs at this point inequalities and exclusion.
is crucial to ‘building back better’ • UNDP is central to the United Nations Sustainable Development
and making the economy and our Group (UNSDG), a network that unites the 40 UN funds,
societies more resilient and programmes, specialized agencies and other bodies working to
sustainable. advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
About SDG Financing
• SDG financing means channelling global financial flows towards Sustainable Development imperative to
achieving the 2030 Agenda.
• Addis Ababa Action Agenda 2015, provides a global framework for financing sustainable development that
aligns all financing flows and policies with economic, social and environmental priorities.
• India occupies a key role in determining the success of the SDGs globally and it needs $2.64 trillion
investment to meet SDGs.
o India needs to increase its SDG spending by an additional 6.2% of its GDP until 2030. Hence, it is crucial
to make sure that the budget allocations align with SDG priorities.
52
• SDG financing Initiatives: SDGs and India’s commitments
o SDG Financing Lab is an OECD-led • SDG India Index: NITI Aayog undertook extensive
initiative that strives to inform decision- exercise of measuring India and its States’ progress
makers and policy leaders on how to towards the SDGs for 2030, culminating in the
ensure the resources needed to achieve development of the first SDG India Index - Baseline
the 2030 Agenda. Report 2018.
o SDG Fund is an international multi-donor • Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment
Guarantee Act (MNREGA) is being implemented to
and multi-agency development
provide jobs to unskilled labourers and improve their
mechanism created in 2014 by the United living standards. (SDG1, SDG 8)
Nations to support sustainable • National Food Security Act is being enforced to
development activities through provide subsidized food grains. (SDG 2).
integrated and multidimensional joint
programmes.
6.5. INDIA’S SECOND VOLUNTARY NATIONAL REVIEW (VNR)

Why in News?
NITI Aayog presented India’s second Voluntary National Review (VNR) at UN’s High-Level Political Forum
(HLPF) meeting.
About Report
● India VNR 2020 report titled Decade of Action: Taking SDGs from Global to Local was released.
o VNR presents a review of progress on 17 SDGs, India’s approach to localising SDGs, and strengthening
means of implementation.
o HLPF is UN platform for follow-up and review of progress on 17 SDGs.
o NITI Aayog has the mandate of overseeing the adoption and monitoring of SDGs at national and sub-
national level.
● Key findings
SDG 1 (No poverty) Multidimensional poverty reduced by half to 27.5% between 2005-06 and 2015-16.
SDG3 (Good Health Out of pocket expenditure as a percentage of total health expenditure has declined from 64.2%
and Well-being) in 2013-14 to 58.7% in 2016-17.
SDG 4 (Quality Gross Enrolment Ratio at elementary and secondary levels was at 91.64% and 79.6% respectively
Education) in 2018-19.
SDG 5 (Gender In 2017, 77% women’s access to bank accounts, 14.4% MPs in Lok Sabha is Women.
Equality)
SDG 9 (Industry, Ease of Doing Business ranking improved to 63 in 2019.
Innovation and
Infrastructure)
Four crucial areas Improvement of statistical system; monitoring at local level; capacity building of all
of action stakeholders; and SDG financing.
identified:

Poverty and • It is a biennial report of World Bank.
shared • Key highlights of the report:
prosperity o Global extreme poverty is expected to rise for the first time in 20 years because of COVID-
2020 Report 19.
o If the pandemic had not come, poverty rate would have dropped by 7.9% in 2020. Now Global
poverty rate is projected to increase to 9.2% in 2020.
o About India, report cites lack of sufficient data for estimation. However, it states that India
holds largest population of extreme poor.
Sustainable ● Annual report tracks the performance of all UN Member States on the 17 SDGs, measuring the
Development distance remaining to achieve each target.
Solutions o 2020 report is focusing on SDG & Covid-19 and includes SDG Index that presents progress
Network towards each SDG since 2015.
53
released 2020 ● Key highlights:
edition of o World had seen most rapid progress towards: SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 9 (Industry,
Sustainable Innovation and Infrastructure), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)
Development o COVID-19 had negatively affected several goals: SDG 1; SDG 2 (zero hunger); SDG 3 (good
Report health and wellbeing); SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth); SDG 10 (reduced
inequalities).
o Immediate relief to goals due to COVID 19: SDG 12 (responsible consumption and
production); SDG 13 (climate action); SDG 14 (life below water); SDG 15 (life on land).
ü However, these gains will be short-term.
o SDG index
ü India ranked at 117 (of 166) ranking below Pakistan and Afghanistan. Sweden topped
the ranking.
ü India faces major challenges in 10 of the 17 SDGs which include — SDG 2, SDG 3, SDG 5
(gender inequality) etc.
World • Recently, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has released WESO 2020 report
Employment • This report provides an overview of global and regional trends in employment, unemployment,
and Social labour force participation and productivity, as well as dimensions of job quality such as
Outlook: employment status, informal employment and working poverty.
Trends 2020 • It also examines income and social developments and provides an indicator of social unrest.
(WESO) report • According to the new report, almost, half a billion people are working fewer paid hours than they
would like or lack adequate access to paid work.
• Other flagship publications of ILO are:
o Global Wage Report which analyses the latest wage statistics and provides insights on wage
policies.
o The World Social Protection Report which takes a comprehensive look at how countries are
investing in social security, how they are financing it, and how effective their approaches
are.
United • UNHCR works for rights and future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless
Nations High people.
Commissioner o It was created in 1950, during the aftermath of the Second World War, to help millions of
for Refugees Europeans who had fled or lost their homes.
(UNHCR) • Key highlights
Global Trends o Atleast 100 million people were forced to flee their homes in the past decade.
report ü 40% are Children among the displaced.
o Forced displacement has almost doubled since 2010 (41 million in 2010 vs 79.5 million in
2019).
o 80% of world’s displaced people are in countries or territories affected by acute water
scarcity, food insecurity and malnutrition.
o Five countries account for two-thirds of people displaced across borders: Syria, Venezuela,
Afghanistan, South Sudan and Myanmar.
o 85% are in developing countries, generally a country neighbouring the one they fled.
o There are around 1,95,105 refugees in India at end of 2019.
NCRB annual Key Findings
report on • Cases of suicide and accidental deaths registered an increase in 2019 compared to 2018.
suicides and • Suicide rate in cities (13.9%) was higher compared to all-India average (10.4%).
accidental o Leading Causes - Family Problems, Marriage Related Problems and Illness.
deaths • Suicide rate in farming sector accounted for 7.4% of total suicides. Suicides among daily wage
earners was highest.
• Among Accidental death,major causes were traffic accidents (43.9%),sudden deaths (11.5%) and
drowning (7.9%).
State of World • United Nations’ Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nation’s sexual and reproductive health
Population agency, has released a report titled State of World Population 2020, titled ‘Against my will:
2020 defying the practices that harm women and girls and undermine equality’
• Report focuses on gender bias and violence against girls and women
• Key Highlights
o Preference for sons and gender-biased sex selection have led to over 142 million girls
missing globally.
o In India, 46 million girls are missing i.e. they were not born due to sex-selection biases --
each year between 2013 and 2017.
o Missing females: “Missing females” are women missing from the population at given dates
due to the cumulative effect of post-natal and pre-natal sex selection in the past.
54
World • It was recently published by the International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Migration • IOM is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. It was established in 1951 and is a related
Report 2020 organization to the United Nations.
Highlights from the report:
• A total of approx 3.5 percent of the world population has migrated to date, making a 0.1 percent
increase from the last report published in 2017.
• The Total Number of Migrants in the year 2019 is estimated to be 270 million.
• 52% of international migrants were male; 48 percent were female.
• The United States remained as the top destination of the migrants with 51 million out of total
estimated 270 million.
• Two-thirds (around 164 million people) of the migrants migrated in search of a job.
• 141 million, almost half of the international migrants are living in North America and Europe.
• India with a strong 17.5 million diaspora across the world, continues to be the largest country of
origin of international migrants, followed by Mexico with 11.8 million and China with 10.7 million

Learning Poverty • Recently, World Bank released a report titled “Realizing the Future of Learning: From learning
poverty to learning for everyone, everywhere”.
• Learning Poverty is defined as the percentage of 10-year-olds who cannot read and
understand a simple story.
• As per World Bank estimates, more than half (53%) of 10-year-old children in low- and middle-
income countries either had failed to learn to read with comprehension or were out of school
entirely.
o To support efforts to improve foundational learning, World Bank has also launched a
global target: to cut the Learning Poverty rate —at least in half by 2030.
National • It is umbrella program is pioneered by the Department of Science & Technology (DST) for
Initiative for nurturing ideas and innovations (knowledge-based and technology-driven) into successful
Development startups.
and Harnessing • There are various components of NIDHI that support each stage of a budding startup from
Innovations idea to market.
(NIDHI) • Its objectives include:
o To take forward student innovations in (Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development
Centres) IEDC / NewGen IEDC programme to commercialization stage.
o To promote student startup.
National Service • NSS is a Centrally Sector Scheme (Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports) which was launched in
Scheme (NSS) the year 1969 with the primary objective of developing the personality and character of the
student youth through voluntary community service.
• NSS volunteers work on issues of social relevance, which keep evolving in response to the
needs of the community, through regular and special camping activities.
Kumbhar • It is an initiative of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) for empowerment of
Sashaktikaran potters community in the remotest of locations in the country.
Program • The program reaches out to the potters in: U.P., M.P., Maharashtra, J&K, Haryana, Rajasthan,
West Bengal, Assam, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Telangana and Bihar.
• This program provides the following support to potters.
o Training for advanced pottery products
o Latest, new technology pottery equipments like the electric Chaak
o Market linkages and visibility through KVIC exhibitions.
Global Social • Recently, India has been ranked very low at 76th place out of 82 countries on a new Social
Mobility Index Mobility Index.
• Index is compiled by the World Economic Forum.
• It benchmarks 82 global economies and is designed to provide policy-makers with a means to
identify areas for improving social mobility and promoting equally shared opportunities in
their economies, regardless of their development.
• Social mobility can be understood as the movement in personal circumstances either
“upwards” or “downwards” of an individual in relation to those of their parents. In absolute
terms, it is the ability of a child to experience a better life than their parents.
Academic • Index try to quantify the freedom of university scholars to debate politically and culturally
Freedom Index controversial topics without fearing for their safety or studies.
55
• It is the result of a collaborative effort between researchers at Friedrich-Alexander-
Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and the V-Dem Institute, the Scholars at Risk Network,
and the Global Public Policy Institute.
• The index scores countries between 0 (worst) and 1 (best).
• India has scored considerably low in the international Academic Freedom Index (AFI) with a
score of 0.352 which is closely followed by Saudi Arabia (0.278) and Libya (0.238).
Human Freedom • The Human Freedom Index presents the state of human freedom in the world based on a
Index broad measure that encompasses personal, civil, and economic freedom.
• The report is co-published by the Cato Institute and the Fraser Institute.
Global Smart City • Index is released by Institute for Management Development, in collaboration with Singapore
Index (SCI) University for Technology and Design.
• 2020 SCI is topped by Singapore, followed by Helsinki and Zurich in the second and the third
place respectively.
• Hyderabad was placed at the 85th position and New Delhi at 86th position.
Urban Quality of • IIT-Bombay, recently released its Urban Quality of Life Index, wherein the institution
Life (UQoL) compared the life quality in various cities all over India on the basis of some common
Index denominations and ranked them accordingly.
• It has various categories of comparisons including water, power, electricity, literacy rate,
gender parity, the employment rate among others.
Partners in ● Recently, Union Minister of Health addressed the Inter-Ministerial Conference by PPD.
Population and ● PPD is an intergovernmental Alliance of 27 developing countries (including India) created
Development specifically for expanding and improving South-to-South collaboration in the fields of
(PPD) reproductive health, population, and development.
o It was created at the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo
in 1994.
Universal • As part of third round of UPR process, National Human Rights Commission has given certain
Periodic Review recommendations related to -universal basic income,child rights etc.
(UPR) process • UPR involves a review of human rights records of all UN Member States.
o UPR process is under auspices of Human Rights Council (HRC).
o HRC is an inter-governmental body within UN system responsible for promotion and
protection of all human rights.
• UPR aims to improve human rights situation in all countries and address human rights
violations wherever they occur.
Suraksha Store • It has been launched by Department of Consumer Affairs (under Ministry of Consumer Affairs,
Initiative Food and Public Distribution).
• It is a public private initiative to create a safe and secure environment for consumers and shop
owners at Kirana Stores.
• Objective of project is to educate Kirana store owners across country about COVID-19 safety
guidelines and protocols required to be followed while running their businesses.
• Protocols were decided by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and Ministry of
Home Affairs.
"Meri Saheli" • Indian Railways has launched "Meri Saheli" initiative for focused action on the security of
initiative women across all zones.
• The objective of this initiative is to provide safety and security to lady passengers travelling
by trains for their entire journey from starting station to destination station.
• Other such initiatives include:
o Ujjawala scheme aims to prevent the trafficking and rescue, rehabilitation, reintegration,
and repatriation of victims.
o Swadhar Greh scheme aims to cater to the primary need for shelter, food, clothing,
medical treatment, and care of the women in distress and who are without any social and
economic support.
o Sakhi One Stop Centres aims to provide integrated support and assistance to women
affected by violence in public and private spaces, within the family, community, and at
the workplace.
Global Teacher ● A primary school teacher from Maharashtra won $1 million annual Global Teacher Prize 2020.
Prize 2020 ● He was awarded in recognition of his efforts to promote girls' education and trigger a quick-
response (QR) coded textbook revolution in India.
● This annual prize was founded by the Varkey Foundation (global charitable foundation) in
2014 to recognise an exceptional teacher who has made outstanding contribution to the
profession.
56
Lilavati awards • The award is an initiative of All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and aims to
2020 recognise the efforts of AICTE affiliated institutions in treating women.
• Its objective is to create awareness in the issues such as sanitation, hygiene, health and
nutrition using traditional Indian values.
• The award has been named after the 12th century book called “Lilavati”. The book was written
by the mathematician Bhaskara II.
Nobel Peace • It awarded to the United Nation’s (UN) World Food Programme (WFP) for
Prize, 2020 o Its efforts to combat hunger,
o contribution to bettering conditions for peace in conflict-affected areas and
o preventing the use of hunger being weaponized in war and conflict.
• About UN WFP
o Established in 1961 at the Food and Agriculture Organization held in 1960, it is the largest
humanitarian organization addressing hunger and promoting food security.
o Headquarters: Rome, Italy.
o It aims to provide food aid in emergency situations and also build resilience for food
security by way of providing food or by providing cash-based transfers.
o It runs entirely on public donations by governments, corporations and individual and is
member of UNDG (United Nations Development Group).
o WFP is the UN’s primary instrument in achieving the SDG of eradication of world hunger.
o WFP has been working in India since 1963 and has come out with the Country Strategy
Plan for India (2019-23) recently.
• Recently, Centre has also given approval to WPF for a pilot of its ‘Annapurti programme’,
automatic grain dispensers — ATMs for rice— that are aimed at checking malpractices in the
distribution system.

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permission of Vision IAS.
57
SOCIAL ISSUES
Table of Contents
3.1.1. Samagra Shiksha - Integrated School
1. WOMEN AND CHILD RELATED ISSUES __ 3 Programme _____________________________ 18
1.1. Harassment of Women at Workplace __ 3 3.1.2. The RTE Amendment Act 2019 ________ 18
3.1.3. Program for International Student
1.2. National Database on Sexual Offenders 3 Assessment (PISA) _______________________ 19
3.1.4. Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) 19
1.3. Adultery __________________________ 4
3.1.5. Operation Digital Board ______________ 19
1.4. Section 498a of IPC _________________ 4 3.1.6. ASER Annual Education Report ________ 20
3.1.7. Performance Grading Index (PGI) ______ 20
1.5. Paternity Leave ____________________ 4 3.1.8. Happy Schools Project _______________ 21
1.6. The Protection of Children from Sexual 3.1.9. Bharatiya Shiksha Board _____________ 21
Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012______________ 5 3.2. Higher Education __________________ 21
1.7. Draft Child Protection Policy__________ 5 3.2.1. Draft Higher Education Commission of India
(HECI) Bill, 2018 _________________________ 21
1.8. PCPNDT Act 1994___________________ 6 3.2.2. Institutions of Eminence _____________ 22
3.2.3. The Global Initiative on Academic Network
1.9. Adoption in India___________________ 6
(GIAN) Course ___________________________ 22
1.10. Regulating Child Marriage __________ 7 3.2.4. All India Survey on Higher Education
(AISHE) ________________________________ 22
1.11. New Division for Women Safety______ 7 3.2.5. Revitalising Infrastructure and Systems in
1.12. Recent Initiatives Under Nirbhaya Fund 8 Education (RISE) By 2022 __________________ 23
1.12.1. One Stop Centres __________________ 8 3.2.6. National Testing Agency (NTA) ________ 23
1.12.2. Safe City Project ___________________ 8 3.2.7. Consortium for Academic and Research
1.12.3. Mahila Police Volunteer _____________ 8 Ethics _________________________________ 24
3.2.8. Bhasha Sangam Program _____________ 24
2. OTHER VULNERABLE SECTIONS________ 9
4. HEALTH, NUTRITION AND SANITATION 25
2.1. Study on Transgenders ______________ 9
4.1. Health___________________________ 25
2.2. Manual Scavenging _________________ 9 4.1.1. National Health Profile-2018 __________ 25
4.1.2. National Health Resource Repository
2.3. Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakaram
(NHRR) ________________________________ 25
(PMJVK) ____________________________ 10 4.1.3. Integrated Health Information Platform _ 26
2.4. Census 2021 to Collect OBC Data _____ 11 4.1.4. National Health Stack _______________ 26
4.1.5. Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan
2.5. The Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Arogya Yojana___________________________ 26
Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2018 __ 11 4.1.6. National Health Authority (NHA) _______ 27
4.1.7. Janaushadhi Suvidha - Oxo-Biodegradable
2.6. Prevalence of Bonded Labour in India _ 12
Sanitary Napkin _________________________ 28
2.7. All India Pension Adalat ____________ 13 4.1.8. Scheme for Pharmacovigilance of AYUSH
Drugs __________________________________ 28
2.8. National Trust ____________________ 13 4.1.9. National Action Plan for Drug Demand
2.9. Development and Welfare Board for Reduction (2018-2023) ___________________ 29
Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic 4.1.10. WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco30
Communities ________________________ 13 4.1.11. 71st Assembly of WHO _____________ 30
4.1.12. WHO Releases New Global Classification
2.10. Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups in of Diseases _____________________________ 31
Andaman and Nicobar _________________ 14 4.1.13. Delhi Declaration on Digital Health ____ 31
4.1.14. Astana Declaration _________________ 31
2.11. Eklavya Model Residential Schools __ 15 4.1.15. Partners Forum 2018 _______________ 31
2.12. Van Dhan Vikas Kendras ___________ 16 4.1.16. 2nd World Integrated Medicine Forum
2019 __________________________________ 32
3. EDUCATION ______________________ 18
4.2. Nutrition ________________________ 32
3.1. Primary & Secondary Education ______ 18 4.2.1. Guidelines for Severe Acute Malnutrition 32
4.2.2. Poshan Abhiyaan ___________________ 33
1
DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD | AHMEDABAD | LUCKNOW 8468022022
4.2.3. Mid-Day Meal Scheme ______________ 34 5.2. Dubai Declaration’ Adopted to Measure
4.2.4. ASHA, ANM and Anganwadi Workers __ 34 Progress of SDGs ________________________ 38
4.2.5. Important Reports in News___________ 35 5.3. World Summit on Accreditation _________ 39
5.4. UN Global Media Compact _____________ 39
4.3. Sanitation _______________________ 36 5.5. South-East Asia Regulatory Network _____ 39
4.3.1. Swachh Survekshan 2019 ____________ 36
5.6. Web-Wonder Women Campaign ________ 39
4.3.2. Darwaza Band Campaign ____________ 37
5.7. Women's Global Development and Prosperity
4.3.3. Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign _________ 37 (W-GDP) Initiative _______________________ 39
5. MISCELLANEOUS __________________ 38 5.8. Good Samaritan Law __________________ 39
5.1. SDG India Index - Baseline Report 2018 __ 38 5.9. Reports and Indexes __________________ 40
2
8468022022 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD | AHMEDABAD | LUCKNOW
1. WOMEN AND CHILD RELATED ISSUES
Additional Information
1.1. HARASSMENT OF WOMEN AT Criticism of the Act
WORKPLACE • The Act does not cover the agricultural workers
and armed forces.
Why in news? • It is not a gender-neutral legislation and protects
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has amended only women from sexual harassment at workplace.
the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014 and has SHe-Box
• It seeks to ensure effective implementation of the
made the disclosure of compliance (under the
Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace
Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act) (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.
mandatory in the Annual Reports of Private • Once a complaint is submitted to the portal, it will
companies. be directly sent to the ICC/LCC of the concerned
The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace authority having jurisdiction to take action into the
(Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 matter.
• It seeks to protect women from sexual • Both, Ministry of Women & Child Development
Ministry as well as complainant, can monitor the
harassment at their place of work. The Act
progress of inquiry.
defines sexual harassment at the workplace
• Users of SHe-Box also have the option of
and creates a mechanism for redressal of interacting with Ministry of WCD through this
complaints. portal, with an assured time-bound response.
• The definition of “aggrieved woman,” who
will get protection under the Act, is extremely 1.2. NATIONAL DATABASE ON
wide to cover all women, irrespective of their
age or employment status and whether in the
SEXUAL OFFENDERS
organized or unorganized sectors, public or Why in News?
private, and covers clients, customers and
domestic workers as well. India recently became the ninth country in the
• The Act covers concepts of quid pro quo world to launch a National Database on Sexual
harassment and hostile work environment as Offenders (NDSO). It was rolled out by the
forms of sexual harassment if they occur in Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) along with
connection with an act or behaviour of sexual Ministry of Women and Child Development.
harassment. Features of NDSO
• An internal complaint committee (ICC) is
mandatory in every private or public • Contains details of around 4.5 lakh people
organisation that has 10 or more employees. convicted of various sexual offences: It will
• The Internal Complaints Committee has been include names and aliases, address,
given powers of a civil court for summoning, photograph, identifiers including PAN and
discovery and production of documents etc. AADHAAR, criminal history, fingerprints and
• Each Internal Committee requires palm prints among others of the people
membership from an NGO or association convicted under charges of rape, Protection
committed to the cause of women. of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO)
and of “eve-teasing”, from 2005 onwards.
• A ‘Local Complaints Committee’ is required to
be constituted in every district by the • Maintained by National Crime Records
respective State government (which will Bureau (under Ministry of Home Affairs): It
receive complaints from organizations having will also track regular updation of records by
less than 10 workers or if the complaint is the State Police.
against the employer himself). • Accessible only to Law Enforcement
o An additional ‘Local Complaints Agencies: for the purpose of investigation and
Committee’ shall also be constituted at monitoring cases of sexual offences and
the block level to address complaints in employee verification.
situations where the complainant does • Would not compromise any individual’s
not have recourse to an Internal privacy: will have details of persons above 18
Complaints Committee or where the years of age and appeals against a conviction
complaint is against the employer himself. will have to be updated by state prisons. An
• It also provides safeguards against false or accused can be tracked until an acquittal on
malicious charges. appeal.
3
• Help keep track of released convicts who extend to three years and shall also be liable
have moved from one place to another. to fine.
About online portal–cybercrime.gov.in • The offence is non-bailable.
• Another portal – cybercrime.gov.in was launched
by the government to receive complaints from 1.5. PATERNITY LEAVE
citizens on objectionable online content related to
child pornography, child sexual abuse material, and Why in News?
sexually explicit material such as rape and gang
As per the recent DoPT notification, male
rape.
personnel in the central government who are
single parents to dependent children can now
1.3. ADULTERY avail of child care leave (CCL) of a total 730 days
Why in News? during their entire period of service, a provision
that till now applied only to women employees.
The Supreme Court unanimously struck down
Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) that More on News
makes adultery a punishable offence. • Child Care Leave was introduced by the 6th
Court’s Stand Pay Commission.
• Current move comes after the
• SC held that the law was unconstitutional and th
recommendation of the 7 Pay Commission.
fell afoul of Article 21 (Right to life and
A single male government employee has been
personal liberty) and Article 14 (Right to
defined as “an unmarried or widower or
equality). It destroys and deprives women of
divorcee government servant”.
dignity and offends sexual freedom of
women. Paternity Leave in India
• Mere adultery can't be a crime unless it • In Government Sector: The Central
attracts the scope of Section 306 (abetment Government in 1999, by notification under
to suicide) of the IPC. It can be ground for civil Central Civil Services (Leave) Rule 551 (A)
issues including dissolution of marriage but it made provisions for paternity leave –
cannot be a criminal offence. o for a male Central Government employee
• The apex court also declared Section 198(1) (including an apprentice and probationer)
and 198(2) of the CrPC, which allows a o with less than two surviving children
husband to bring charges against the man o for a period of 15 days to take care of his
with whom his wife committed adultery, wife and new born child.
unconstitutional. • In private sector: There isn’t any such law that
mandates private sectors to provide the
1.4. SECTION 498A OF IPC paternity leaves to its employees. Some of the
major MNCs have already taken steps through
Why in News? their HR policies such as Microsoft (12 weeks),
The Supreme Court restored an immediate arrest Infosys (5 days), Facebook (17 weeks), TCS (15
provision in the Section 498A of IPC. days).
Background Related Information
Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017
• The Supreme Court last year ordered that • It provides for full paid absence from work for a
‘family welfare committees’ to be set up in period of 26 weeks (earlier 12 weeks) to take care
districts and these committees were of the child.
supposed to act as a vanguard against misuse • The Act is applicable to all establishments
of the anti-dowry harassment provision of employing 10 or more women.
Section 498-A. • For women who are expecting after having 2
• Supreme Court in its latest verdict held that children, the duration of paid maternity leave shall
such panels had no place under the be 12 weeks.
• Maternity leave of 12 weeks to be available to
established criminal procedural law and they
mothers adopting a child below the age of three
were beyond the Criminal Procedure Code. months from the date of adoption as well as to the
Section 498A IPC “commissioning mothers”.
• The Act makes it mandatory for employers to
• It says - Whoever, being the husband or the educate women about the maternity benefits
relative of the husband of a woman, subjects available to them at the time of their appointment.
such woman to cruelty shall be punishable • Any establishment which has 50 or more
with imprisonment for a term which may employees shall have the facility of creche.
4
which provides for death penalty for
1.6. THE PROTECTION OF aggravated sexual assault on children,
CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL making it gender neutral and introducing
OFFENCES (POCSO) ACT, 2012 provisions against child pornography and for
enhancing punishment for certain offences.
Why in news? Related Information
The Supreme Court recently directed all high POCSO e-box
courts in the country to constitute judges’ • It is a National Commission for Protection of Child
committees to monitor cases pending under the Rights (NCPCR) initiative to help children report
POCSO Act and set up special child-friendly courts such crimes directly to the Commission.
for trials. • The online complaint management system enables
easy reporting and timely action against the
About POCSO Act
offenders under the POCSO Act, 2012.
• The Act defines a child as any person below National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights
eighteen years of age and regards the best • This statutory body at the National and State level
interests and well-being of the child as being has been set up under the Commission for
of paramount importance at every stage, to Protection of Child Rights Act 2005.
ensure the healthy physical, emotional, • It is under the control of the Ministry of Women &
intellectual and social development of the Child Development, set up in 2007.
child. • It consists of one Chairman and Six other member
• It defines different forms of sexual abuse, (out of which atleast two are woman having
including penetrative and non-penetrative experience in Child Psychology, Education etc.).
assault, as well as sexual harassment and
pornography, and deems a sexual assault to 1.7. DRAFT CHILD PROTECTION
be “aggravated” under certain circumstances, POLICY
such as when the abused child is mentally ill or
when the abuse is committed by a person in a Why in News?
position of trust or authority vis-à-vis the Recently, Ministry of Women and Child
child, like a family member, police officer, Development has released Draft Child Protection
teacher, or doctor. Policy.
• The Act also makes it mandatory to report Highlight of the draft Policy
such cases. It makes it the legal duty of a
• It’s a first policy dedicated to the protection
person aware of the offence to report the
of children, which until now was only a part of
sexual abuse. In case he fails to do so, the
the broader National Child Policy, 2013.
person can be punished with six months’
• Aim: It aims at providing a safe and conducive
imprisonment or fine.
environment for all children through the
• Each district shall designate a Sessions Court
prevention and response to child abuse,
to be a Special Court. It shall be established
exploitation and neglect.
by the state government in consultation with
the Chief Justice of the High Court. The Court National Child Policy 2013
shall, as far as possible, complete the trial
• It recognizes a child to be a person below the
within one year. The trial shall be held in
age of 18 yrs.
camera and in the presence of the child’s
• It recognizes that children are not a
parents or any person trusted by the child.
homogenous group and require different
• The National Commission for Protection of
responses.
Child Rights/ State Commission for
• It aims to give a social safety net to family to
Protection of Child Rights is mandated to
help nurture child.
monitor the implementation of the Act.
• It says that every child has universal,
• It also provides for relief and rehabilitation of
inalienable and indivisible human rights.
the child, as soon as the complaint is made.
• It has four priority areas:
The Special Juvenile Police Unit or the local
o Survival, health and nutrition
police are also required to report the matter
o Education and development
to the Child Welfare Committee within 24
o Child Protection
hours of recording the complaint, for long
o Child Participation
term rehabilitation of the child.
• National Action Plan for Children (NPAC),
• Recently the government has introduced in
2016 links the 2013 Policy to actionable
Lok Sabha amendments to the POCSO Act,
strategies under its priority areas.
5
Related Information Related News
Integrated Child Protection Scheme • Ireland passed a Bill (popularly called Savita Law)
• It has been introduced to bridge the gaps in to legalise abortion following a referendum.
previous schemes & their implementation and to
provide safe and secure environment for overall 1.9. ADOPTION IN INDIA
development of children in difficult circumstances,
by the Ministry of Women and Child Why in news?
Development.
• There is a provision for opening up of ‘Open The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of
Shelters’ for children in the need of care and Children) Amendment Bill, 2018 seeks to empower
protection, including the street children, in urban the District Magistrate, instead of the court, to
and semi-urban areas, activities of which includes issue adoption orders to ensure timely processing
access to vocational training, recreation, bridge of adoption cases.
education, etc.
• It provides for setting up of District Child Adoption Rules in India:
Protection Societies (DCPS) by the State • Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act, 2015 has provisions
Governments/ UT Administrations in every district
for adoption of orphaned, abandoned and
of the State responsibility of which includes
identifying families and children at risk to prevent surrendered (OAS) children and also adoption
destitution of children. of children by relatives.
• It provides financial resources to States/UT • All adoptions under the Act must proceed as
Administrations for the effective implementation per the Adoption Regulations framed by
of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Central Adoption Resource agency (CARA)
Children) Act, 2000. and notified by the Central Government.
• The Act mandates the State Government for
1.8. PCPNDT ACT 1994 recognizing one or more institutions or
organizations in each district as a Specialized
Why in news?
Adoption Agency (SAA) for the rehabilitation
Data released by the Union health ministry has of orphan, abandoned and surrendered
revealed that Haryana has the maximum number children through adoption and non-
of sex determination tests in the country. institutional care.
About the Act
Adoption Regulations as notified in 2017
• The main purpose of enacting the Pre-
Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic • Intercountry and intra-country adoption
Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994 has been to: procedures (including adoption by relatives)
o Ban the use of sex selection techniques have been defined clearly.
before or after conception • CARA will report and facilitate all adoptions
o Prevent the misuse of pre-natal diagnostic under the JJ Act, 2015 through Child Adoption
techniques for sex selective abortions Resource Information & Guidance System
o Regulate such techniques (CARINGS).
• Under this law, all centres which have any • For safeguards, CARA would maintain
equipment which can potentially detect sex of adoption records and ensure post-adoption
foetus pre-conception or pre-natal have to be follow up.
registered with the appropriate authorities. • Currently only biological parents or adoptive
• It prohibits advertisements in relation to such parents are recognized leaving out the step
techniques for detection or determination of parent of any legal responsibility. The
sex. regulation:
• The Act and Rules deal elaborately with the o Defines the step parent legally.
maintenance and preservation of proper o Allows birth certificate of the adopted
records. child to have their name in it.
• The Appropriate Authorities are empowered • District Child protection Unit (DCPU) will
with the powers of Civil Court for search, maintain a panel of professionally qualified or
seizure and sealing the machines, equipments trained social workers.
and records of the violators of law including Eligibility criteria for prospective adoptive
sealing of premises and commissioning of parents (PAPs)
witnesses.
• The prospective adoptive parents shall be
• It was amended in 2003 to improve regulation
physically, mentally and emotionally stable,
of technology capable of sex selection.
6
financially capable and shall not have any life- outset. Currently, child marriages are valid, but
threatening medical condition. can be annulled on request.
• Any prospective adoptive parents,
The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006
irrespective of his marital status and whether
or not he has biological son or daughter, can • It defines child, child marriage, minor, etc.
adopt a child subject to following, namely: and declares all the marriages void, after or
o the consent of both the spouses for the even before the passing of the act at the
adoption shall be required, in case of a option of the contracting party who was a
married couple; child at the time of the marriage, in which
o a single female can adopt a child of any one of the two parties is a minor.
gender; • The district court shall have the power to add
o a single male shall not be eligible to adopt to, modify or revoke any order made for
a girl child; maintenance and custody of child, and if
• No child shall be given in adoption to a couple there is any change in the circumstances at
unless they have at least two years of stable any time during the pendency of the petition
marital relationship. and even after the final disposal of the
Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) petition.
• It is a statutory body (under JJ Act) of Ministry of • It lays down punishment for an adult male
Women & Child Development. It functions as the marrying a minor or someone who promotes
nodal body for adoption of Indian children and is or solemnizes such a marriage.
mandated to monitor and regulate in-country and
• Notwithstanding anything contained in the
inter-country adoptions.
Code of Criminal Procedure, an offence
• CARA is designated as the Central Authority to
deal with inter-country adoptions in accordance punishable under this Act shall be cognizable
with the provisions of the Hague Convention on and non-bailable.
Inter-country Adoption, 1993, ratified by India in • The State Government shall, by notification,
2003. appoint for the whole State, or part of state,
• CARA primarily deals with adoption of orphan, an officer or officers to be known as the Child
abandoned and surrendered children through its Marriage Prohibition Officer having
associated /recognised adoption agencies. jurisdiction over the area or areas specified in
Child Adoption Resource Information & Guidance the notification.
System (CARINGS)
• Other laws that may provide protection to a
• It is an e-governance measure to facilitate child
adoption.
child bride include the Juvenile Justice (Care
• It is a centralized data bank of adoptable children and Protection of Children) Act, 2000, the
and PAPs. Domestic Violence Act, 2005, and the
Related Information Protection of Children from Sexual Offences
Hague Adoption Convention Act, 2012.
• The Hague Convention of 1993 on Protection of
Children and Co-operation in Respect of 1.11. NEW DIVISION FOR WOMEN
Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption
Convention) protects children and their families
SAFETY
against the risks of illegal, irregular, premature or
Why in news?
ill-prepared adoptions abroad.
• The Convention operates through a system of
Recently, Ministry of Home Affairs has created a
national Central Authorities and reinforces the UN new division to address issues related to women
Convention on the Rights of the Child (Art. 21) to safety in comprehensive manner in coordination
uphold the best interest of children. with relevant Ministries/ Departments and State
• It also seeks to prevent the abduction, the sale of, Governments.
or traffic in children. About the Division
• This new Division will also deal with
1.10. REGULATING CHILD o Crimes against SCs &STs.
MARRIAGE o Crimes against children, elderly persons.
o Anti-trafficking Cell.
Why in news? • Matters relating to
o Prison legislation and prison Reforms
The Centre is moving ahead with a proposal to
o All schemes under NIRBHAYA fund.
amend an existing law so as to make all future
o Crime and Criminal Tracking & Network
child marriages in the country invalid from the
System (CCTNS)
7
o National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)
Related Information
• Further, the division would focus to enhance
National Mission for Empowerment of Women
capacity of the existing administrative,
• It is an initiative of the Government of India (GOI)
investigative, prosecution and judicial with a view to empower women socially,
machinery, along with appropriate measures economically and educationally by securing
for rehabilitation of victims and bringing convergence of schemes/programmes of different
attitudinal changes in the society. Ministries/Departments as well as effective
Nirbhaya Fund implementation of various social laws concerning
• It is a dedicated fund set up by Ministry of Finance, women.
in 2013, for implementation of initiatives aimed at • In this endeavour, the Mission seeks to utilise
enhancing the safety and security for women in existing structural arrangements of participating
the country. Ministries, wherever available, and make use of
• It is a non-lapsable corpus fund. Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) as far as
• Ministry of Women and Child Development is the possible.
nodal Ministry to appraise schemes under Nirbhaya • It has a National Mission Authority (NMA) at the
Fund and also to review and monitor the progress apex level under the Chairmanship of the Prime
of sanctioned Schemes in conjunction with the line Minister, which is meant to provide policy
Ministries/Departments. direction to the Mission and enable convergence
• Central Victim Compensation Fund has been across ministries.
created under Nirbhaya, which is a corpus fund to
support States/UTs for their Victim Compensation 1.12.2. SAFE CITY PROJECT
Scheme. This helps in ensuring adequate and
timely support for women survivors of crime and • Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has
violence. approved a Safe City project for Lucknow at a
total cost of Rs.194.44 crore under the
1.12. RECENT INITIATIVES UNDER Nirbhaya Fund Scheme.
NIRBHAYA FUND • This approval is a part of MHA’s plans to
implement Safe City projects in 8 selected
cities, namely, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata,
1.12.1. ONE STOP CENTRES
Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad
Ministry of Women and Child Development has and Lucknow under Nirbhaya Fund with the
approved 100 additional One Stop Centres. purpose of strengthening safety and security
of women in public places.
One Stop Centre (OSC) Scheme
• The project is implemented with collaboration
• It is a sub-scheme under National Mission for of the Ministry of Women and Child
Empowerment of Women being run by Development, Ministry of Urban
Ministry of Women & Child Development. Development, Ministry of Electronic and
• It is aimed at supporting women affected by Information Technology, respective
violence in private and public spaces, within municipal and police commissioners of the
the family, community and at the workplace. cities besides civil society organizations.
• Establishment of OSCs was one of the key
components of Nirbhaya Fund. Every OSC is 1.12.3. MAHILA POLICE VOLUNTEER
integrated with newly operational Women's • The Ministry of Women and Child
Helpline (181). Development in collaboration with the
Services Offered by OSC Ministry of Home Affairs has envisaged
• Emergency response and rescue services.
engagement of Mahila Police Volunteers
• Medical Assistance to women affected by
(MPVs) in the States/UTs who will act as a link
Violence.
• Skilled counsellor to provide Socio-Psychological
between police and community and help
Support/ Counselling. women in distress.
• Assistance to women in lodging FIR. • Haryana is the first state to adopt this
• Temporary shelter to aggrieved women. initiative.
• Legal Aid and Counselling. • For implementing the initiative of Mahila
• Video Conferencing to facilitate speedy and hassle- Police Volunteer, fund will be released out of
free police and court proceedings. Nirbhaya Fund to the States.
8
in Relation to Issues of Sexual Orientation and
2.1. STUDY ON TRANSGENDERS Gender Identity’ should be applied as a matter of
national law.
Why in news?
• These were published as the outcome of an
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) for international meeting of human rights groups in
the first time did a study on the conditions of Yogyakarta, Indonesia, in November 2006.
transgenders in India.
Findings of the study
Why in news?
• The total population of transgenders
according to 2011 census is 4.8 lakhs. However Recent deaths of manual scavengers in Delhi
various other estimates suggest there are 50 highlights how the practice of manual scavenging
to 60 lakh transgenders in India, but most persists.
keep it a secret to avoid discrimination. Manual Scavenging: Related constitutional and
International provisions:
Efforts taken to improve the situation of
transgenders in India • Sanitation is a State subject.
• National Legal Services Authority versus • The Constitution of India, in conformity with
Union of India: The Supreme Court of India the international position, abolishes
legalized the presence of transgender people untouchability (Art. 17) and prohibits caste-
in 2014, and allowed the legal creation of a based discrimination (Art. 15).
“third gender” category. • Under the Constitution human dignity is an
o The judgement also called for affirmative inalienable right which is part of the
action in education, primary health care, fundamental right to life under Art. 21.
and that transgenders be identified as • It is a universally recognized right, endorsed
beneficiaries of social welfare schemes. by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
• Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) by way of Articles 1, 22 and 23.
Bill, 2016 defined a transgender person and Current law on Manual Scavenging
prohibited discrimination against them.
o Offences like compelling a transgender • The Parliament has enacted the ‘Prohibition
person to beg, denial of access to a public of Employment as Manual Scavengers and
place, physical and sexual abuse, etc. their Rehabilitation Act 2013’.
would attract up to two years’ • It intends to:
imprisonment and a fine. o Eliminate the insanitary latrines.
o It directs Central government to o Prohibit Employment as Manual
constitute a National Council for Scavengers, Hazardous manual cleaning
Transgender headed by the Union of sewers and septic tanks.
Minister of Social Justice and o Survey of Manual Scavengers and their
Empowerment. rehabilitation.
• Important steps taken by states: • The Act thus prohibits dry latrines and all
o Tamil Nadu established a transgender kinds of manual cleaning of excrement as
welfare board in 2008 (West Bengal, well as cleaning gutters, sewers, and septic
Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka tanks without protective gear.
have also established the board). • Under section 8 of this Act, a person violating
o Kerala brought the ‘State Policy for this will be punishable with imprisonment for
Transgenders in Kerala 2015’ to provide up to two years or a fine of up to I2 lakh or
the “right to live with dignity.” It was the both. For any subsequent violations, the
first state to have a transgender policy. imprisonment may extend up to five years
o Odisha is the first state to give and the fine can go up to I5 lakh or both.
transgender people social welfare • The Act also has following provisions for the
benefits. rehabilitation of the identified manual
Related information scavengers
Yogyakarta principles o An initial one-time cash assistance
• Supreme Court has held that the 'Yogyakarta o Scholarship to the children of manual
Principles on the Application of International Law scavenger
9
o Allotment of residential plot and financial Amenities and Socio-economic
assistance for house construction of a parameters were taken up as MCTs. Now,
ready built house the Towns which were found backward in
o Training in a livelihood skill with payment either or both criteria have been taken up
of stipend of at least Rs 3000 per month as MCT.
o Provision for subsidy, along with o Now the population criteria for selection
concessional loans, to at least one adult of cluster of villages has been lowered to
member of the family. 25% population of minority community
• Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (which was earlier at least 50%).
is responsible for rehabilitation of manual • Funding of the scheme would be from
scavengers and it implements the ‘Self budgetary provision of the Ministry of
Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Minority Affairs. The recurring/maintenance
Manual Scavengers’ (SRMS). expenses will be borne by the State
Related information Government/UTs/Organization.
• Bandicoot- India’s first ‘manhole cleaning robot’ is o 80% would be earmarked for projects
an exoskeleton robot which cleans manholes related to education, health and skill
without the need for humans to enter the pit. development.
o 33 to 40% would be specifically allocated
2.3. PRADHAN MANTRI JAN for women centric projects.
VIKAS KARYAKARAM (PMJVK) • The PMJVK would now cover five more
States/UTs namely Himachal Pradesh, Tamil
Why in news? Nadu, Nagaland, Goa and Pondicherry (total
The Multi-sectoral Development Programme 32 States/UTs).
(MsDP) under Ministry of Minority Affairs has been o Minority Concentration Areas of 61
restructured and renamed as Pradhan Mantri Jan districts out of 115 Aspirational districts
Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK). have been covered under PMJVK.
o Unit area of implementation has been
MsDP further broadened by including Minority
• It has been identified as one of the Core of the Core Concentration Districts Headquarters in
Schemes under National Development Agenda of
addition to the minority concentration
NITI Aayog.
Blocks, Minority Concentration Towns and
• The programme was launched in the year 2008-09
in 90 identified Minority Concentration Districts cluster of minority concentration villages.
(MCDs) having at least 25% minority population. • The area to be covered under PMJVK would
• It was designed to address the developmental be 57% more (308 districts) as compared to
gaps/deficits in identified backward minority the existing MsDP (196 districts).
concentration areas by topping up of existing • Monitoring Mechanism:
Centrally Sponsored Schemes of various Central o An online module along with geo-tagging
ministries/departments without any change in the has been included.
norms, guidelines and the funding pattern.
o All implementing agencies are to be
• The projects considered are additional class rooms,
brought under Public Finance
laboratories, school buildings, hostels, toilets,
buildings for Polytechnics, ITIs, Community Health
Management System (PFMS) and its
Centres, Primary Health Centres / Sub-centres, effective use ensured to monitor fund
Anganwadi Centres, Rural Housing etc. utilization has been made in PMJVK.
• It also provides for taking up innovative projects Transformation of Aspirational Districts
which are not covered by any of the existing CSS of • It aims to quickly and effectively transform the
various ministries and these are funded in the ratio chosen 115 districts, with at least one from 28
of 60:40 (90:10 for NE and Hilly States) between states (excluding Goa).
the Centre and States. • The broad contours of the programme are
PMJVK or Restructured MsDP Convergence (of Central & State Schemes),
Collaboration (of Central, State level 'Prabhari'
• The criteria for identification of Minority Officers & District Collectors), and Competition
Concentration Towns (MCTs) and Cluster of (among districts driven by a mass Movement).
Villages has been rationalised and is based on • The states would be the main drivers of this
2011 census. programme while NITI Aayog will anchor it.
o Earlier only those Towns which were • The Key Performance Indicators chosen to
found backward in terms of both in Basic monitor the progress of districts are to be district
specific.
10
• 5 sectors identified to monitor the progress are- responsibility will be taken up by the local
Health & Nutrition, Education, Agriculture and police station.
Water Resources, Basic Infrastructure and • Protection and rehabilitation: It requires the
Financial Inclusion and Skill Formation. central or state government to set up
• The programme includes appointment of Central
Protection Homes. These would provide
and State Government Officers at the level of
shelter, food, counselling, and medical
Additional/Joint Secretary as the “Prabhari” and
Nodal Officers. These officers are to act as a bridge services to victims.
between centre, state and district. • Designated courts will be established in each
district to provide time-bound (within an
2.4. CENSUS 2021 TO COLLECT year) judgement. The bill also provides
penalties for various offences.
OBC DATA
Other Steps taken to combat human trafficking
Why in news?
• India ratified the United Nations Convention
Census 2021 will for the first time collect data on Against Transnational Organised Crimes,
Other Backward Classes (OBC). 2000, including its Protocol to Prevent,
About Census of India Suppress and Punish Trafficking in person.
• The Government of India applies the Criminal
• The responsibility of conducting the decennial Law (Amendment) Act 2013, as well as Section
Census rests with the Office of the Registrar 370 and 370A IPC provides stringent
General and Census Commissioner, India punishment for human trafficking; trafficking
under Ministry of Home Affairs. of children for exploitation in any form
• The Census Act was enacted in 1948 to including physical exploitation; or any form of
provide for the scheme of conducting sexual exploitation, slavery, servitude or the
population census with duties and forced removal of organs.
responsibilities of census officers. • Ujjawala scheme for prevention of trafficking
• For the first time Census was conducted in and rescue, rehabilitation, re-integration and
1872. repatriation of victims of trafficking.
• The 2011 Census collected information in 29 • Apart from this, there many other laws and
categories that included a separate column provisions that protect people from
for Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribes. exploitation, like-
o Article 23 (1) of Indian Constitution
2.5. THE TRAFFICKING OF prohibits Trafficking in Human and forced
PERSONS (PREVENTION, labour
PROTECTION AND o The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act,
1956 for prevention of trafficking for
REHABILITATION) BILL, 2018 commercial sexual exploitation
o Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act,
Why in news?
1976
Lok Sabha passed the Trafficking of Persons Related news
(Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill, • Recently the UN Office on Drugs and Crime
2018. (UNODC) has released 'Global Report on
Salient Features of the Anti-trafficking Bill, 2018 Trafficking in Persons 2018'.
• As per the Report, Women and girls make up most
• A National Anti-Trafficking Bureau (NATB) trafficking victims worldwide: Almost three-
will be established for coordinating, quarters of them are trafficked for sexual
monitoring and surveillance of trafficking exploitation, and 35 per cent (women and girls) are
cases. It will also deal with crimes having inter- trafficked for forced labour. Children now account
state ramifications. for 30 per cent of those being trafficked.
• Anti-Trafficking Relief and Rehabilitation About UNODC: It was established in 1997 through a
Committees to be established at the national, merger between the United Nations Drug Control
Programme and the Centre for International Crime
state, and district levels.
Prevention.
• Anti-Trafficking Units: ATUs will deal with the
• UNODC relies on voluntary contributions, mainly
prevention, rescue, and protection of victims from Governments, for 90 per cent of its budget.
and witnesses, and for the investigation and • It created United Nations Convention against
prosecution of trafficking offences. In Transnational Organized Crime (entered into force
districts where an ATU is not functional, this 2003-04), which have supported international law’s
11
ability to combat human trafficking. It was ratified o The financial assistance for rehabilitation
by India in 2011. Its two related protocols are- is 100% funded by the Central
o United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, Government.
and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially o It also provides for financial assistance to
Women and Children
the States for conducting survey of
o United Nations Protocol against the
Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea, and Air,
bonded labourers.
• In support of enforcing these instruments, the o The release of rehabilitation assistance
UNODC established the United Nations Global has been linked with conviction of the
Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN-GIFT) in accused.
2007. o It provides for creation of a Bonded
Additional tools of international law that include Labour Rehabilitation Fund at District
segments against the trafficking of persons include level by each State at the disposal of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948); District Magistrate for extending
International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights immediate help to the released bonded
(1966); the United Nations Convention for the
labourers.
Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the
Related Information
Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others (1949) and
• India is a founder member of the International
Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of
Labour Organization (ILO), which came into
Discrimination against Women (1979).
existence in 1919 as part of the Treaty of Versailles
that ended World War I.
2.6. PREVALENCE OF BONDED • Conventions and Recommendations: ILO sets
LABOUR IN INDIA International labour standards in the form of
conventions and recommendations.
Why in news? o Conventions are legally binding international
treaties that may be ratified by member states
In the last week of December 2018, while recommendations serve as non-binding
52 trafficked labourers had been rescued from a guidelines.
ginger farm in Karnataka. • Fundamental conventions: The ILO's Governing
Body has identified eight conventions as
Bonded Labour
"fundamental" or Core. These principles are also
According to the ILO Forced Labour Convention, covered in the ILO's Declaration on Fundamental
1930, forced or compulsory labour is "all work or Principles and Rights at Work (1998).
service which is exacted from any person under • India has now ratified 6 out of 8 core ILO
the threat of a penalty and for which the person conventions.
has not offered himself or herself voluntarily.". • The six core ILO conventions ratified by India are:
o Forced labour convention
Safeguards and measures taken to combat o Abolition of Forced Labour convention
prevalence of bonded labour o Equal Remuneration convention
o Discrimination (Employment and Occupation)
• Constitutional Safeguards: Under the Art 23 it convention relating to removing
provides to eradicate any form of bonded discrimination between men and women in
labour system. employment and occupation.
• Legal Provisions include Bonded Labour o The Minimum Age Convention
System (Abolition) Act, 1976 which abolishes o The Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention
bonded labour system throughout the • Two core ILO conventions which are yet to be
country, Minimum Wages Act (1948), Contract ratified by India are:
o Freedom of Association and Protection of the
Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970,
Right to Organise Convention
Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act o Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining
and IPC (Section 370). Convention
Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of • India is a signatory to the International Labor
Organization’s 189th convention, known as the
Bonded Labourer, 2016
Convention on Domestic Workers, but has not
• It is the revamped version of Centrally ratified it yet.
Sponsored Plan Scheme for Rehabilitation of
Bonded Labour (1978). The salient features of
the scheme are as under:
o It provides financial assistance to people
rescued from ostensible sexual
exploitation.
12
the National Trust can hold office for a
2.7. ALL INDIA PENSION ADALAT term of three years from the date of their
Why in news? appointment or until their successors are
appointed, whichever is longer.
The ‘All India Pension Adalat’ was organised by ✓ The Bill amends this provision to fix
the Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare, the tenure of the Chairperson and
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and members of the Board to three years.
Pensions, Government of India. ✓ Further, the Bill states that the central
About Pension Adalats government will initiate the process
for appointment of the Chairperson
The Pension Adalats are being convened with the or any member of the Board, at least
objective of on-the-spot redressal of pensioners’ six months prior to the expiry of his
grievances within legal framework by bringing on tenure.
a common table the aggrieved pensioner, the o Resignation of Chairperson: The Act
concerned department, the bank or Central states that if the Chairperson or members
Government Health Scheme (CGHS) of the Board resign, they will continue in
representative. office until the appointment of their
Other Initiatives for Pensioners successor is made by the central
government.
• Grievance Portal for the Central Government ✓ The Bill amends this to allow the
pensioners called CPENGRAMS (Centralized Chairperson or members of the Board
Pensioners Grievance Redress And to hold office till their resignation is
Monitoring System) accepted by the central government.
• Bhavishya- an online Pension Sanction & About National Trust
Payment Tracking System • National Trust is a statutory body of the
• Sankalp- to provide a platform for the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment,
pensioners to access opportunities available Government of India.
for useful interventions in the society. It also • The objectives of the National Trust are:
facilitates the Organizations working in these o to enable and empower persons with
areas to select appropriate skill and expertise disability to live as independently and as
from the available pool of volunteers. fully as possible within and as close to
• Anubhav- A platform for retirees to share their community as possible;
experience of working with the Government. o to facilitate the realisation of equal
This facility provides a sense of fulfilment and opportunities, protection of rights and full
satisfaction to the retirees and also create a participation of persons with disability;
data base of useful suggestion and o to extend support to its registered
information. organisations to provide need-based
• Jeevan Praman: It is a biometric enabled services; and
Digital Life Certificate for Pensioners o to evolve procedures for appointments of
Scheme. Pensioners of Central Government, guardians and trustees for persons with
State Government or any other Government disabilities.
organization can take benefit of this facility.
2.9. DEVELOPMENT AND
2.8. NATIONAL TRUST WELFARE BOARD FOR
Why in news? DENOTIFIED, NOMADIC AND
Parliament recently passed the National Trust for SEMI-NOMADIC COMMUNITIES
Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Why in news?
Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities The Union Cabinet has given its approval for
(Amendment) Bill, 2018 to amend the tenure of constitution of Development and Welfare Board
the Chairperson and members of the Board of the for Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-nomadic
National Trust. Communities (DNCs).
More on news Details
• The Amendments:
o Tenure of the Board: Under the Act, the • During the British colonial rule, if the local
Chairperson and members of the Board of government had reason to believe that a gang
13
or a tribe had “addicted to systematic
commission of non-bailable offences”, then it
2.10. PARTICULARLY
was registered as criminal tribe under the VULNERABLE TRIBAL GROUPS IN
Criminal Tribes Act, 1871. ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR
• Next came the Criminal Tribes Act (CTA),
1924. Under this act, the local government Why in news?
may establish reformatory schools and The Central government is planning to reimpose
separate criminal tribe children from their Restricted Area Permit (RAP) in the North
parents and guardians and place them in such Sentinel Island where an American was killed by
schools. members of the Sentinelese tribe.
• Nomadic Tribes and Denotified Tribes both
are the ones that were regarded as criminal More on news
tribes under CTA. Most Denotified Tribes are • Due to security reasons, certain areas have
spread across the Scheduled Castes (SC), been declared as Protected Area/Restricted
Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Areas where no foreigner can enter or stay
Classes (OBC) categories. without obtaining permit from the competent
• After the Ananthsayanam Ayyangar authorities.
Committee (gave a comprehensive report on • Under the Foreigners (Restricted) Areas
how CTA worked throughout India), the CTA Order, 1963, parts of Sikkim and entire
was repealed in August 1949 and former Andaman & Nicobar Islands have been
“criminal tribes” were denotified in 1952, declared as `Restricted’ Areas.
when the Act was replaced with the Habitual • Under the Foreigners (Protected Areas)
Offenders Act, 1952 of Government of India. Order, 1958, all areas falling between the
• In 2002, Justice Venkatchaliah Commission ‘Inner line’ and the International Border of the
recommended for strengthening the State have been declared as ‘Protected
programmes for economic and educational Areas’.
development of De-Notified Tribes (DNTs). It • Currently Protected Areas are located in- all of
also recommended constituting a special Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, parts of
commission to look into the needs and Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir,
grievances of the DNTs. Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Rajasthan and
• Consequently, a National Commission for Uttarakhand.
Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic • The North Sentinel island is one of 29 islands
Tribes was constituted in 2005 under the for which government had relaxed the RAP in
chairmanship of Balkrishna Sidke Renke, to order to promote tourism and boost
study the socio-economic conditions of these employment opportunities.
groups.
• Another National Commission for Denotified
Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes chaired by
Bhiku Ramji Idate was constituted in 2015 for
a three-year period. It submitted its report viz
“Voices of the Denotified, Nomadic & Semi-
Nomadic Tribes” in 2018.
• In consonance with the recommendations of
Idate Commission, the Union cabinet has
approved a permanent Development and
Welfare Board under the Societies
Registration Act, 1860 under the aegis of
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• Various challenges faced by DNT include:
social discrimination, economic hardships,
declining populations and lack of census data,
large scale exclusions etc.
14
Tribes of Andaman & Nicobar o A small population
o Relatively physically isolated
• There are 6 aboriginal tribes in Andaman & o Primitive Social institutions
Nicobar Islands belonging to two broad o Absence of written language
groups of Negrito and Mongoloid. Except o Relatively simple technology and a slower rate
Nicobarese (Mongoloid), the rest 5 are of change
recognized as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal o Their livelihood depends on food gathering,
Groups (PVTGs) i.e. Sentinelese (Negrito), Non-Timber Forest Produce, hunting, livestock
rearing, shifting cultivation and artisan works.
Great Andamanese (Negrito), Ongs (Negrito),
Efforts to protect PVTGs
Jarawas (Negrito) and Shom Pens • The ANTRI (Andaman and Nicobar Tribal Research
(Mongoloid). and Training Institute) has been set up with an
• Sentinelese: They the only remaining tribe in objective of formulation of policies for tribal
the Andamans to still maintain their isolation integration and protection of PVTGs.
from the rest of the world and live like hunter • The A&N (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes)
gatherers. Regulation, 1956 provides protection to the
o They are connected to the Jarawa on the aboriginal tribes by declaring their traditional areas
basis of physical, as well as linguistic as reserves and prohibited entry of all persons
except those with authorisation.
similarities.
• With regard to Sentinelese tribes, the A&N
o Both Sentinelese men and women do not
Administration has adopted an ‘eyes-on and hands-
wear cloths. off’ policy to ensure that no poachers enter into
• Great Andamanese: The great Andamanese is the island.
a collective term used for 10 different tribes • The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing the
that lived in most of the large islands in the “Development of PVTGs” scheme which covers
Andaman. the 75 identified PVTGs among Scheduled Tribes in
o They are also known for their brave various states/UTs.
History where they fought with bows and • Recently, Odisha government in partnership with
arrows with the English men who tried to UNICEF India has launched "Jiban Sampark" to
occupy their land (The Battle of generate awareness about the development and
welfare initiatives of state government among the
Aberdeen).
Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups of the state.
o Today most tribes are extinct and their
cultural and linguistic identities largely
2.11. EKLAVYA MODEL
been lost. (e.g. their members now speak
mostly Hindi). RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS
• Jarawa: Jarawas continue to be hunting and
Why in news?
gathering nomadic tribe and are often hostile
to outsiders. Recently Government approved revamping of
o Men fish with bows and arrows in the 'Eklavya Model Residential Schools' set up for
coastal waters while women catch fish Tribal students.
with basket. Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)
• Onge: They are hunting and gathering tribe • Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing
settled at Dugong Creek and South Bay on Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) in
Little Andaman Island. tribal areas.
• Shompen: The Shompens are primarily • EMRS are set up in States/UTs with grants
hunter-gatherers and also practise a little bit under Article 275(1) of the Constitution of
of horticulture and pig rearing. India.
• Nicobarese: They are largest of tribes and are • Management of each EMRS is under a
primarily horticulturalists. committee which include, among others,
About Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) reputed local NGOs involved with education.
• In 1973, the Dhebar Commission created Primitive
Tribal Groups (PTGs) as a separate category, who Objectives of EMRS
are less developed among the tribal groups. They
• Provide quality middle and high-level
were later renamed as PVTG.
• States/UTs submit proposals to the Central
education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in
Ministry of Tribal Welfare for identification of remote areas.
PVTGs. • Enable them to avail of reservation in high and
• Some basic characteristics of PVTGs are: professional educational courses and in jobs in
o Mostly homogenous government and public and private sectors.
15
• Construction of infrastructure that provides
2.12. VAN DHAN VIKAS KENDRAS
education, physical, environmental and
cultural needs of student life. Why in news?
Coverage of Scheme Ministry of Tribal Affairs proposed to expand Van
• As per existing guidelines at least one EMRS is Dhan Vikas Kendras in Tribal Districts across the
to be set up in each Integrated Tribal country.
Development Agency (ITDA)/ Integrated Van Dhan Scheme (Van Dhan Vikas Karyakram)
Tribal Development Project (ITDP) having 50%
ST population in the area. • It is primarily a component under the
• As per the budget 2018-19, every block with Mechanism for Marketing of Minor Forest
more than 50% ST population and at least Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support
20,000 tribal persons, will have an Eklavya Price (MSP) & Development of Value Chain.
Model Residential School by the year 2022. • It is an initiative targeting livelihood
Status of Tribal Education in India generation for tribals by harnessing the
• Low Literacy Level: According to census 2011 wealth of forest i.e. Van Dhan. The
literacy rate for STs is 59% compared to national programme aims to tap into traditional
average of 73%. knowledge & skill sets of tribals by adding
• Interstate disparity: Wide Interstate disparity technology & IT to upgrade it at each stage
exists across the states e.g. in Mizoram and and to convert into a viable economic activity.
Lakshadweep STs literacy is more than 91% • Under the Van Dhan Scheme, TRIFED will
whereas in Andhra Pradesh it is 49.2%. In fact, in facilitate establishment of MFP-led multi-
most of the north eastern states like Meghalaya,
purpose Van Dhan Vikas Kendras, a cluster of
Mizoram and Nagaland, STs are at par with the
general population. 10 SHGs comprising of 30 tribal MFP gatherers
• Gender disparity: Literacy level among ST men is at each, in the tribal areas.
68.5% but for women it is still below 50% • Each Kendra would act as common facility
Other facts on tribal communities centres for procurement cum value addition
• According to 2011 census, the tribal population in to locally available MFPs and skill-based
India is over 104 million which is spread across 705 handicraft. Training and technical support is
tribes and accounts for 8.6% of country’s provided by TRIFED.
population. • The scheme is being implemented through
• Numerically M.P. has highest tribal population
Ministry of Tribal Affairs as Nodal
(15mn) followed by Maharashtra (10mn), Odisha
Department at the Central Level and TRIFED
and Rajasthan.
• Majority of tribals live in rural areas.
as Nodal Agency at the National Level.
• Sex ratio among tribals is 990/1000 as compared to • At State level, the State Nodal Agency for
national average of 933/1000. MFPs and the District collectors are envisaged
• Livelihood status - 40.6% of tribals live below to play a pivot role in scheme implementation
poverty line vis-a-vis 20.5% non tribals. at grassroot level.
Constitutional provisions for Tribal education • Locally the Kendras are proposed to be
• Article 46 of Indian constitution lays down that, managed by a Managing Committee (an SHG)
the state shall promote, with special care, the consisting of representatives of Van Dhan
educational and economic interests of weaker SHGs in the cluster.
sections of the people, and in particular, of the
• It aims at convergence of various schemes
scheduled caste and scheduled tribes.
• Article 29(1) provides distinct languages script or and initiatives of other Central/State level
culture. This article has special significance for departments/ agency/ institutions.
scheduled tribes. • Besides, partnership models with Banks/
• Article 15(4) empowers the state to make any PSUs/ private sector shall also be explored for
special provision for the advancement of any their active participation and financial
socially and educationally backward classes of assistance under CSR funds.
citizen or for SCs or STs. • The first multipurpose “Van Dhan Vikas
• Article 275(1) provides Grants in-Aids to states Kendra” on pilot basis is being run in
(having scheduled tribes) covered under fifth and
Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh for providing
six schedules of the constitution.
skill upgradation and capacity building
• Article 350A states that state shall provide
adequate facilities for instruction in mother-tongue training and setting up of primary processing
at the primary stage of education. and value addition facility.
16
About TRIFED
• The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) came into existence in 1987. It is a
national-level apex organization functioning under the administrative control of Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Govt. of
India.
• The ultimate objective of TRIFED is socio-economic development of tribal people in the country by way of
marketing development of the tribal products on which the lives of tribals depends heavily.
Minor Forest Produce (MFP)
• MFP, also known as Non Timber Forest Produce (NTFP), is a major source of livelihood and provides nutrition,
medicinal needs and cash income to a large number of STs who live in and around forests.
• The Mechanism for Marketing of Minor Forest Produce through Minimum Support Price & Development of Value
chain for MFP scheme is designed as a social safety net for improvement of livelihood of MFP gatherers by
providing them fair price for the MFPs they collect.
o The Ministry of Tribal Affairs will be the nodal Ministry for implementation and monitoring of the scheme. The
Minimum Support Price would be determined by the Ministry with technical help of TRIFED.
o The responsibility of purchasing MFP on MSP will be with State designated agencies.
o The scheme supports primary value addition as well as provides for supply chain infrastructure like cold
storage, warehouses etc.
o The scheme is applicable in all States.
17
3. EDUCATION
consultancy services in all areas of
3.1. PRIMARY & SECONDARY education and human resource
EDUCATION development, both within India and
overseas.
3.1.1. SAMAGRA SHIKSHA - • States are expected to bring a single Plan for
INTEGRATED SCHOOL PROGRAMME the entire school education sector.
• The fund sharing pattern for the scheme
Why in news? between Centre and States is 90:10 for the 8
The Government of India has launched Samagra North-Eastern States and 3 Himalayan States
Shiksha - An Integrated Scheme for school and 60:40 for all other States and Union
education. Territories with Legislature. It is 100% centrally
About the Programme sponsored for Union Territories without
• It is an overarching programme for the school Legislature.
education sector which envisages the ‘school’ • Some of the interventions proposed under
as a continuum from pre-school, primary, the scheme include:
upper primary, secondary to senior secondary o Universal Access including Infrastructure
levels Development and Retention;
• It subsumes the three erstwhile centrally o Gender and Equity, Inclusive Education
sponsored schemes i.e. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Quality;
(SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan o Financial support for Teacher Salary;
(RMSA) and Teacher Education (TE). o Digital initiatives;
• The major objectives of the Scheme are o RTE Entitlements including uniforms,
o Provision of quality education and textbooks etc.;
enhancing learning outcomes of students; o Pre-school Education, Vocational
o Bridging Social and Gender Gaps in Education and Sports and Physical
School Education; Education;
o Ensuring equity and inclusion at all levels o Strengthening of Teacher Education and
of school education; Training;
o Ensuring minimum standards in schooling • In interventions under the scheme,
provisions; preference would be given to Educationally
o Promoting vocationalisation of education; Backward Blocks (EBBs), LWEs affected
o Support States in implementation of districts, Special Focus Districts (SFDs), Border
Right of Children to Free and Compulsory areas and the 115 Aspirational districts.
Education (RTE) Act, 2009;
o Strengthening and up-gradation of 3.1.2. THE RTE AMENDMENT ACT 2019
SCERTs/State Institutes of Education and
DIET as nodal agencies for teacher Why in News?
training. The President has given assent to The Right of
• It will be implemented as a Centrally Children to Free and Compulsory Education
Sponsored Scheme by the Centre through a (Amendment) Act, 2019 to abolish the ‘No-
single State Implementation Society (SIS) at Detention’ policy in schools.
the State/UT level. Details
• At the National level, there would be a • The 86th Constitution Amendment Act, 2002
Governing Council headed by Minister of requires the State to provide free and
Human Resource Development and a Project compulsory elementary education to all
Approval Board (PAB) headed by Secretary, children. The Right of Children to Free and
Department of School Education and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 seeks
Literacy. to give effect to this Amendment under which
• The Department will be assisted by a all children between the ages of 6 and 14
Technical Support Group (TSG) at Educational years have the right to elementary education
Consultants of India Limited (EdCIL). (class 1-8) in a neighborhood school.
o EdCIL is a Mini Ratna Category-1 CPSE • The Section 30 (1) of the RTE Act states that a
under Ministry of Human Resource child cannot be detained in any class till the
Development offering management and completion of elementary education.
18
• In recent years, two expert committees-Geeta provide outcomes of learning and not
Bhukkal (2014) and TSR Subramanian (2016)- outcomes of schooling.
reviewed the no-detention provision in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and
RTE Act and recommended it be removed or Development (OECD)
be discontinued in a phased manner. • It is an intergovernmental economic organisation
• As per the amended Act, regular examination which aims to promote policies that will improve
the economic and social well-being of people
will be held in Classes 5 and 8 and if a child
around the world.
fails there is a provision to give his/her
• It has 36 member countries and was founded in
additional opportunity to take a re- 1960 by 18 European nations plus the United States
examination within two months. and Canada.
o If s/he fails again in the re-examination, • India is not a member of OECD.
the relevant Central or State Government
may decide to allow schools to detain the 3.1.4. KASTURBA GANDHI BALIKA
child. VIDYALAYA (KGBV)
o But, no child shall be expelled from a
school till the completion of elementary Why in News?
education. A recent Supaul incident of sexual harassment
reveals the problems with KGBV administration in
3.1.3. PROGRAM FOR INTERNATIONAL country.
STUDENT ASSESSMENT (PISA) About the Scheme
Why in news? • Objective: KGBV scheme under Sarva Shiksha
Government of India has decided that India will Abhiyan (SSA) provides residential
participate in the Programme for International elementary educational facilities at upper
Students Assessment (PISA) to be conducted by primary level to girls belonging to Scheduled
the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward
Development (OECD) in 2021. Classes, minority communities and families
below the poverty line in Educationally
More on News
Backward Blocks.
• India had stayed away from the assessment • Present Status: There are 3703 KGBVs, out of
when it was ranked dismally low- 72nd among which 3697 KGBVs are operational, enrolling
74 countries in 2009. India, subsequently, 3.78 lakh girls.
chose to not participate in the 2012 and 2015 • Convergence with other Scheme: Under the
cycle. newly launched Integrated Scheme of School
• Government-run Kendriya Vidyalayas, Education-Samagra Shiksha, provision has
Navodaya Vidyalayas and schools in been made to upgrade the existing KGBVs at
Chandigarh will participate in the test. upper primary level to upto senior secondary
About PISA level in convergence with the erstwhile Girls
• It is an international assessment that Hostel Scheme.
measures 15 years old students’ reading,
mathematics, science literacy and even 3.1.5. OPERATION DIGITAL BOARD
innovative subjects like collaborative problem
Why in News?
solving and money literacy every three years.
• By design, PISA emphasizes functional skills Recently, Ministry of Human Resource
that students have acquired as they near the Development launched Operation Digital Board
end of compulsory schooling. It is (ODB).
a competency-based assessment and not About Operation Digital Board
content-based assessment. • It aims to set up one digital and interactive
• It was first conducted in 2000 and is board per classroom in government and
coordinated by Organisation for Economic government-aided schools by 2022.
Cooperation and Development (OECD). • It will be introduced in schools from class 9th
• It assesses students in 80 countries and onwards as well as in higher education
education system and helps to understand the institutions.
education system and how it can be • It aims to make the learning as well as the
improved. teaching process interactive and popularize
• The result is shown not individually but it flipped learning as a pedagogical approach.
shows a national mean score. Its goal is to
19
• It will work on emerging technologies • Decrease in out of School girls in the age
including Machine Learning (ML), Artificial group 11 to 16.
Intelligence (AI) and Data Analytics and • Stable Private School enrolment indicating
provide ‘Intelligent Tutoring’ to students overall trust in public schooling.
based on their personal requirements. • Improvement in school infrastructure in
• University Grants Commission (UGC) will be terms of girls’ toilet, boundary walls and
the implementing agency of ODB for higher playground
education institutions. • The Early Childhood (0-8 yrs) Education: At
Flipped Learning age 3, two-thirds of children were enrolled in
• It is a pedagogical approach in which the some form of preschool. Enrolment patterns
conventional notion of classroom-based learning is only stabilize at age 8 when over 90% of
inverted, so that students are introduced to the
children are enrolled in primary school.
learning material before class, with classroom time
then being used to deepen understanding through Areas of Concern
discussion with peers and problem-solving • Equity in Learning – State-wise Disparities:
activities. While learning levels are up in most states in
Other digital initiatives for Education Std III and Std V, wide disparity exists in
• SWAYAM: A Web portal where Massive Open
learning levels in the same grade.
Online Courses (MOOCs) will be available free of
cost on all kinds of subjects with a provision of • Only Marginal Improvement in Reading
certificate / credit-transfer. Abilities of Class V and Class VIII students who
• Swayam Prabha: It is a group of 32 DTH channels can read Class II text.
devoted to telecasting of high-quality educational • No Improvement in Mathematical Ability
programmes on 24X7 basis using the GSAT-15 such as subtraction etc.
satellite. • Gender-gap in mathematical ability: The
• Diksha: National Digital Infrastructure for Proportion of girls who can read atleast a Std
Teachers portal, to help teachers to create training II text is very similar to that of boys at 77%,
content, profile, in-class resources, assessment
although girls outperform boys in many
aids, news and announcement and connect with
states. But in basic arithmetic, boys seem to
teacher community.
hold a substantial advantage.
3.1.6. ASER ANNUAL EDUCATION Difference between ASER and NAS (National
REPORT Achievement Survey)
Why in News? ASER Survey NAS Survey
Recently, 13th Annual Status of Education Report It is a household survey It is a school-based survey.
(ASER) by Pratham NGO was published which conducted since 2005.
threw light on status of primary education in rural One-on-one oral It is a pen-paper test.
assessments.
India.
Aimed at representative It takes into account the
Additional Information on ASER Report
sample of all children children enrolled in
• In 2017, it conducted the first alternate-year design
(whether in school or out government and
known as ASER ‘Beyond Basics’, focusing on youth
of school). government aided schools.
in the 14 to 18 age group in 28 districts across India.
It focuses on It looks at wider variety of
• In 2018, ASER returns once again to the ‘basic’ foundational skills such skills.
model.
as reading and math.
About ASER 2018 Survey: The report covers three It is limited to rural areas It is conducted throughout
major aspects of status of education of the country. the country in both rural
• School enrollment and attendance among and urban areas.
children aged 3-16 years. It is a citizen-led survey It is conducted by NCERT
• Basic reading and math abilities among (conducted by under Ministry of Human
PRATHAM). Resource Development.
children aged 5-16 years.
• School infrastructure with sports 3.1.7. PERFORMANCE GRADING INDEX
infrastructure
(PGI)
Key Findings of the Report
Positive Takeaways Why in news?
• Increased school Enrolment: It has now The Ministry of Human Resource Development
crossed 97% with the proportion of children in (MHRD) has introduced the Performance Grading
this age segment who are out of school falling Index or PGI to assess the quality of school
below 3% for the first time. education offered by all states.
20
About PGI 3.1.9. BHARATIYA SHIKSHA BOARD
• The Index will grade States and UTS thus
Why in news?
allowing for more than one State/UT to
Ministry Human Resource Development has given
occupy the same grade, and therefore all 36
its approval for the setting up of country’s first
States and UTS to ultimately reach the highest
national school board for Vedic education-
level.
Bhartiya Shiksha Board (BSB).
• It has been conceptualised as a tool to
About the Board
encourage States and UTS to adopt certain
• Its objective is to standardise Vedic education
practices like online recruitment and transfer
through drafting syllabus, conducting
of Teachers, electronic attendance of
examinations and issuing certificates.
Students & Teachers etc.
• BSB will also be assigned the responsibility of
• It has 70 indicators divided into two
evolving new kinds of schools that offer a
categories viz Outcomes and Governance
blend of Vedic and modern education apart
processes.
from affiliating traditional pathshalas.
o The first category is divided into four
• The board will be setup as per the model bye
domains viz. Learning outcomes, Access
laws framed by Maharshi Sandipani Rashtriya
outcomes, Infrastructure and Facilities
Vedavidya Pratishthan, an autonomous body
and Equity outcomes.
under the Ministry of Human Resource
o The second category covers attendance,
Development.
teacher adequacy, administrative
• MSRVP was set to develop and propagate
adequacy, training, accountability and
oral studies of the Vedas.
transparency.
o It currently affiliates 450 institutions of
3.1.8. HAPPY SCHOOLS PROJECT traditional learning like pathshalas and
guru-shishya parampara yojana across
Why in news? the country.
Recently, Happy School Project was launched by o Although this organisation has been
UNESCO with the involvement of UNESCO conducting Class X and XII examinations,
Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace its certificates are not considered
and Sustainable Development (MGIEPS) in India. equivalent to mainstream levels of
education by several institutions.
About the Project
• It was launched in 2014 with the aim of 3.2. HIGHER EDUCATION
promoting learner well-being and holistic
development in school. 3.2.1. DRAFT HIGHER EDUCATION
• It aims to bring happiness and the quality of COMMISSION OF INDIA (HECI) BILL,
education together by calling for education 2018
systems to shift away from traditional
measures and to instead embrace a diversity Why in news?
of talents and intelligences by recognizing • The Ministry of Human Resource and
values, strengths and competences that Development (MHRD) has prepared a HECI
contribute to enhancing happiness. (Repeal of University Grants Commission Act)
• The Project framework consists of 22 criteria Bill 2018 and has placed it in public domain for
for a happy school under three categories – comments and suggestions.
People, Place and Process. • The Bill repeals the University Grants
Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Commission Act, 1956 and establishes the
Sustainable Development Higher Education Commission of India (HECI).
• It is the first UNESCO specialized education University Grants Commission (UGC)
institute in India, and the first Category 1 institute • It came into existence on 28th December, 1953 and
in the Asia-Pacific region. became a statutory Organization in 1956.
• Its role will be to support member governments, • It has the unique distinction of being the only
provide advocacy, commission research and grant-giving agency in the country which has been
enhance capacity building. vested with two responsibilities: that of providing
• It will also act as a clearing house for Education for funds and that of coordination, determination and
Sustainable Development (ESD) and Peace maintenance of standards in institutions of higher
Education. education.
21
3.2.2. INSTITUTIONS OF EMINENCE o fix and charge fees from foreign students
without restriction;
Why in news? o flexibility of course structure in terms of
number of credit hours and years to take
The Ministry of Human Resource Development
a degree;
(HRD) has granted Institution of Eminence (IoE)
o complete flexibility in fixing of curriculum
status to six institutions, three public — IIT Delhi,
and syllabus, etc.
IIT Bombay and IISc Bangalore – and three private
— BITS Pilani, Manipal University, and the yet-to- • World Class Institutions: They will get more
open Jio University. opportunity to scale up their operations with
more skills and quality improvement so that
Background they become World Class Institutions in the
• None of the Indian universities had found a field of education.
place in World University (top 100) Rankings • World Ranking: It is expected that the above
in 2017. Thus, in budget 2016, the government selected Institutions will come up in top 500
had committed to empower Higher of the world ranking in 10 years and in top 100
Educational Institutions to help them become of the world ranking eventually overtime.
world class teaching and research institutions.
3.2.3. THE GLOBAL INITIATIVE ON
• In this context, the government had formed
an Empowered Expert Committee (EEC)
ACADEMIC NETWORK (GIAN) COURSE
chaired by N. Gopalaswami to recommend 20 Why in news?
institutions as Institutions of Eminence.
Second GIAN Course on ‘Urban Analytics:
What is IOE?
Evaluating and Measuring Sustainability of Cities’
• IOE is a tag given to institutions which was released recently.
o are either among Top 50 in the National
institution Ranking Framework (in their About GIAN (Ministry of Human Resource
category) or among Top 500 in Development)
internationally recognised rankings like • GIAN in Higher Education aims at tapping the
the Times Higher Education World talent pool of scientists and entrepreneurs
University Rankings; internationally to encourage their
o have a good mix of foreign and domestic engagement with the institutes of Higher
students as well as faculty; Education in India
o have international standard infrastructure • It would help to augment the country's
and are multi-disciplinary in their existing academic resources, accelerate the
approach. pace of quality reform, and elevate India's
National Institution Ranking Framework scientific and technological capacity to global
• This framework outlines a methodology to rank excellence.
institutions across the country, launched in 2015.
• The initiative provides participation of foreign
• The parameters broadly cover “Teaching, Learning
faculty as Distinguished / Adjunct / Visiting
and Resources,” “Research and Professional
Practices,” “Graduation Outcomes,” “Outreach
faculty / Professors of Practice, etc. in
and Inclusivity,” and “Perception”. delivering Short or Semester-long Courses in
IITs, IIMs, Central Universities, IISc Bangalore,
Benefits of declaration as IoE
IISERs, NITs and IIITs and subsequently cover
• Financial Assistance: financial assistance up to good State Universities.
Rs. 1000 Crore over the period of five years. • These lectures would be made available later
• Autonomy: These Institutions shall be to the students across the country through
provided with greater autonomy to: the SWAYAM and the National Digital
o admit foreign students up to 30% of Library.
admitted students;
o recruit foreign faculty upto 25% of faculty 3.2.4. ALL INDIA SURVEY ON HIGHER
strength; EDUCATION (AISHE)
o offer online courses upto 20% of its
programmes; Why in news?
o enter into academic collaboration with Recently the results of All India Survey on Higher
top 500 in the world ranking Institutions Education (AISHE), 2017-18 were released.
without permission of UGC;
22
About AISHE avoid all cost/time over-runs, moving from
the block-grant mode to project-mode for
• Ministry of Human Resource Development
all infrastructure projects.
(MHRD) initiated an AISHE in the year 2010-11
o To cater to the requirements of the
to build a robust database and to assess the
Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya
correct picture of higher Education in the
Vidyalayas, and medical institutions like
country.
AIIMSs in a faster time frame.
• The main objectives of the survey were to –
• Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA)
o identify & capture all the institutions of
has been tasked to mobilise Rs. 1,00,000 crore
higher learning in the country
for this initiative.
o collect the data from all the higher
• As per this initiative, the scope of institutions
education institutions on various aspects
to be funded through HEFA has been
of higher education
enlarged to encompass School Education and
• Indicators of educational development such
Medical Education institutions, apart from
as Institution Density, Gross Enrolment Ratio,
Higher Education.
Pupil-teacher ratio, Gender Parity Index, Per
Student Expenditure is also calculated from About HEFA
the data collected through AISHE. • HEFA was setup in 2017 by the Central
• The survey is now an annual exercise. Government as a Non-Profit, Non-Banking
Data is being collected on following broad items Financing Company (NBFC) for mobilising
• Institution’s Basic Details extra-budgetary resources (funds from the
• Teacher’s Details market using market-based instruments) for
• Details of Non-Teaching Staff building crucial infrastructure in the higher
• Programme conducted under various educational institutions under Central
Faculties/Schools & departments/Centres Government.
• Students enrolled in these Programme
• The total authorized equity capital of HEFA
• Examination result of terminal year of each
has been raised to Rs.10,000 crore.
Programme
• Financial Information such as Receipt and • HEFA is a joint venture of Ministry of Human
Expenditure under various heads Resource Development (MHRD) and Canara
• Availability of Infrastructure Bank with an agreed equity participation in
• Scholarships, Loans & Accreditation the ratio of 91% and 9% respectively.
• Mission of HEFA: To provide timely finance at
3.2.5. REVITALISING INFRASTRUCTURE competitive interest rates for capital assets
AND SYSTEMS IN EDUCATION (RISE) creation in India’s educational institutions and
BY 2022 supplement it with grants by channelizing CSR
funds from the corporate and donations from
Why in news? others.
• The Government approved an initiative
named “Revitalising Infrastructure and 3.2.6. NATIONAL TESTING AGENCY
Systems in Education (RISE) by 2022” (NTA)
About RISE by 2022 initiative Why in news?
• Its objectives include: NTA decided to hold NEET, JEE Mains twice a year
o Qualitatively upgrade the research and from 2019.
academic infrastructure in India to global About NTA
best standards by 2022.
o Make India into an education hub by • It has been established as a premier,
making available high-quality research specialist, autonomous and self-sustained
infrastructure in Indian higher educational testing organization to conduct entrance
institutions. examinations for admission/ fellowship in
o To allow access of HEFA funding to higher educational institutions.
institutions like Central Universities, • It is a registered society under the Societies
AIIMS, IISERs and newly created Institutes Registration Act, 1860.
of National Importance, without creating • The major examinations to be conducted by
any additional burden to the students. NTA include University Grant Commission-NET
o To bring greater accountability and speed Eligibility (UGC-NET), JEE (Main), CMAT, GPAT
in execution of infrastructure projects and and NEET.
23
• All the examinations of NTA were mandated UGC and the Members of the Consortium at
to be conducted twice a year for the benefit their respective websites.
of students.
• It will be chaired by an eminent educationist 3.2.8. BHASHA SANGAM PROGRAM
appointed by MHRD. Why in News?
• The objectives of the NTA, inter-alia, are
The Department of School Education & Literacy
conducting efficient, transparent tests
under MHRD has initiated Bhasha Sangam
designed in a scientific manner for assessing
Program – as part of ‘Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat’.
competence of students. It will train subject
matter experts and prepare test items in About the Program
collaboration with psychometricians to ensure • Its objectives are:
that the tests are well balanced. o To enhance linguistic tolerance and
respect, and promote national
3.2.7. CONSORTIUM FOR ACADEMIC integration.
AND RESEARCH ETHICS o To introduce school students to all the 22
Indian Languages of Schedule VIII of the
Why in news?
Constitution of India.
University Grants Commission (UGC) has decided • This will be run by the State/UT Department
to set up Consortium for Academic and Research of School Education.
Ethics (CARE) to refine and strengthen research • This initiative is not mandatory and there
publication. would be no formal testing of any kind.
More on news Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat
• The good quality Research Journals in • Launched on 31st Oct, 2015 on 140th Anniversary of
Sardar Patel, this program intends to enhance
disciplines under Social Sciences, Humanities,
interaction between people of different
Languages, Arts, Culture, Indian Knowledge
States/UTs.
Systems etc., will be maintained by CARE and • Under this, there is a pairing of States/UTs for one
referred to as ‘CARE Reference List of Quality year, during which they will exchange and connect
Journals’. people through culture, tourism, language,
• This will be used for all academic purposes. education, trade etc.
The ‘CARE Reference List of Quality Journals’
will be regularly updated and published by the
24
4. HEALTH, NUTRITION AND SANITATION
to 2011-13. MMR is highest for Assam (300 per
4.1. HEALTH 1, 00,000 live births) and lowest for Kerala
(61) in 2011-13.
4.1.1. NATIONAL HEALTH PROFILE- • Infant mortality rate (IMR) has declined
2018 considerably i.e. 37 in 2015; however, there is
Why in News? a huge gap between IMR of rural (41 per 1000
live births) and urban (25 per 1000 live
Government has released the National Health
births).
Profile (NHP).
• Health Finances: India spends only 1.02% of its
About National Health Profile GDP (2015-16) as public expenditure on
• Objective of this annual publication is to health. However, per capita public
create a database of health information of expenditure on health in nominal terms has
India which is comprehensive, up-to-date and gone up.
easily accessible to all stakeholders in the o Out of total persons covered under
healthcare sector. insurance, 79% were covered by public
• National Health Profile covers- Demographic insurance companies, with the remaining
information, Socio-economic information, being covered by private insurance
Health status, Health finance indicators, companies.
Comprehensive information on health Important Terms Used –
infrastructure and human resources in • Natural Growth Rate – It refers to the difference
health. between the number of live births and the
number of deaths occurring in a year, divided by
• It is prepared by Central Bureau of Health
the mid-year population of that year, multiplied by
Intelligence. a factor (usually 1,000). This measure of the
Central Bureau of Health Intelligence (CBHI) population change excludes the effects of
• Established in 1961 by the Act of Parliament on the migration.
recommendation of Mudaliar committee, it is the • Total Fertility Rate - It refers to total number of
Health Intelligence Wing under Directorate General children born or likely to be born to a woman in
of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family her life time if she were subject to the prevailing
Welfare (MoHFW). rate of age-specific fertility in the population.
• Its vision is to have “A strong Health Management o TFR of about 2.1 children per woman is called
Information System in entire country”. Replacement-level fertility. This value
The Objectives of CBHI are: represents the level of fertility at which a
• To collect, analyze & disseminate Health Sector population exactly replaces itself from one
related data of the country for evidence-based generation to the next.
policy decisions, planning and research activities. • Maternal mortality rate - Number of registered
• To identify & disseminate innovative practices for maternal deaths due to birth- or pregnancy-
Health Sector Reforms. related complications per 100,000 registered live
• To develop Human Resources for scientifically births
maintaining medical records in both Government & • Infant Mortality Rate - number of deaths per 1,000
private medical Institutes in India. live births of children under one year of age.
• To function as collaborating centre (CC) for WHO
Family of International Classification in India & 4.1.2. NATIONAL HEALTH RESOURCE
South-East Asian Region countries.
REPOSITORY (NHRR)
Key Findings
Why in news?
• Estimated birth rate, death rate and natural
growth rate are showing a declining trend. Government has recently launched National
• Total Fertility Rate –in 12 States has fallen Health Resource Repository (NHRR).
below two children per woman and 9 States
About NHRR
have reached replacements levels of 2.1 and
above. Delhi, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal • It is the first ever registry in India of
have lowest fertility. Fertility is declining authentic, standardised and updated geo-
rapidly, including among the poor and spatial data of all public and private
illiterate. healthcare resources which inter-alia
• The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) has includes, hospitals, diagnostic labs, doctors
shown a decrease of 11 points during 2010-12 and pharmacies, etc.
25
• NHRR is conceptualised by CBHI. ISRO is the • Integrated Disease Surveillance Project
project technology partner for providing (IDSP): aims to strengthen/maintain
data security. decentralized laboratory-based IT enabled
• Under the Collection of Statistics Act 2008, disease surveillance system for epidemic
healthcare establishments such as hospitals, prone diseases to monitor disease trends and
doctors, clinics, diagnostic labs, pharmacies to detect and respond to outbreaks in early
and nursing homes would be enumerated rising phase through trained Rapid Response
under this census. Team (RRTs).
• It aims to strengthen evidence-based • IDSP as a segment of IHIP intends to receive
decision making and develop a platform for person-level data from health facilities across
citizens and provider-centric services by all States and Union Territories on all health
secured Information Technology (IT)- events.
enabled repository of India’s healthcare Related information
resources. National Health Portal (NHP)
• It shall enable advanced research towards • The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
(MoHFW), has set up the National Health Portal in
ongoing & forthcoming healthcare
December 2014 in pursuance to the decisions of
challenges arising from other determinants
the National Knowledge Commission, to provide
of health like – disease, environment etc. healthcare related information to the citizens of
• It shall also enhance the coordination India and to serve as a single point of access for
between central and state government for consolidated health information.
optimization of health resources, and • This portal serves as a single point of access for
decentralize the decision making at district consolidated and authentic information and
and state level. resources on the health sector to a wide spectrum
• It shall promote convergence between of users such as academicians, citizens, students,
healthcare professionals and researchers.
similar programmes by providing
interoperability.
4.1.4. NATIONAL HEALTH STACK
4.1.3. INTEGRATED HEALTH Why in news?
INFORMATION PLATFORM NITI Aayog has unveiled the blueprint of National
Health Stack (NHS), a shared digital healthcare
Why in news?
infrastructure.
Government recently soft-launched the About NHS
Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme • It is a collection of cloud-based services.
(IDSP) segment of Integrated Health Information • Scope:
Platform (IHIP) in seven states viz. Uttar Pradesh, o Induction of Private Hospitals and Private
Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Karnataka, Telangana, Practitioners into the Primary and
Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. Secondary healthcare ecosystem;
Integrated Health Information Platform o Focus on Non-Communicable Diseases
• IHIP is a web-enabled near-real-time (NCD); Disease Surveillance; Health
electronic information system to enable the Schemes Management Systems; Nutrition
creation of standards compliant Electronic Management; School Health Schemes;
Health Records (EHRs) of the citizens on a Emergency Management; e-Learning
pan-India basis. Platform for health, Telehealth, Tele-
• Key features of IHIP radiology; Diagnostic Equipment; Health
o Real time data reporting (along through Call Centre(s) etc.
mobile application); accessible at all levels • It will be India's first futuristic
(from villages, states and central level) nationally shared digital healthcare
o Advanced data modelling & analytical infrastructure usable by both the Centre and
tools states across public and private sectors.
o GIS enabled Graphical representation of 4.1.5. AYUSHMAN BHARAT - PRADHAN
data into integrated dashboard
o Role & hierarchy-based feedback & alert
MANTRI JAN AROGYA YOJANA
mechanisms Why in news?
o Geo-tagging of reporting health facilities Prime Minister recently launched the world’s
o Scope for data integration with other largest state funded health insurance scheme,
health programs
26
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), at o It allows enough flexibility to states in
Ranchi, Jharkhand. terms of packages, procedures, scheme
Details design, entitlements as well as other
Initially announced in the General Budget 2018-19, guidelines while ensuring that key
it has two components - benefits of portability and fraud detection
• Health and Wellness Centre: As envisioned in are ensured at a national level.
the National Health Policy, 2017, 1.5 lakh o The States will have the option of
centres will provide comprehensive health implementing this scheme through a
care, including for non-communicable Trust model or Insurance Company based
diseases and maternal and child health model, though the Trust model will be
services. These centres will also provide free preferred.
essential drugs and diagnostic services. o For giving policy directions and fostering
• National Health Protection Scheme (Pradhan coordination between Centre and States,
Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana): covers over 10 it is proposed to set up Ayushman Bharat
crore poor and vulnerable families National Health Protection Mission
(approximately 50 crore beneficiaries) Council (AB-NHPMC) at apex level Chaired
providing coverage upto 5 lakh rupees per by Union Health and Family Welfare
family per year for secondary and tertiary care Minister.
hospitalization. • Fraud detection and Data privacy: NHA
Features of the Scheme Information Security Policy & Data Privacy
Policy are being institutionalized to provide
• Beneficiary Identification: PMJAY primarily
adequate guidance and set of controls on the
targets the poor, deprived rural families and
secure handling of Beneficiaries Personal Data
identified occupational category of urban
& Sensitive Personal Data in compliance with
workers’ families as per the latest Socio-
all laws and regulations applicable. It is the
Economic Caste Census (SECC) data for both
first healthcare scheme with Privacy policy.
rural and urban areas as well as the active
• Pradhan Mantri Aarogya Mitra (PMAM): The
families under the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima
scheme is creating a cadre of certified
Yojana (RSBY). There is no cap on family size
frontline health service professionals called
and age as well as restriction on pre-existing
Pradhan Mantri Aarogya Mitras (PMAMs)
conditions.
who will be primary point of facilitation for
• Hospitalization cover from inpatient care to
the beneficiaries to avail treatment at the
post hospitalization care: The Yojana will
hospital and thus, act as a support system to
provide a coverage up to Rs. 5,00,000 per
streamline health service delivery.
family per year, for secondary and tertiary
o NSDC will skill them in terms of behavior,
care hospitalization through a network of
knowledge and presentation.
Empanelled Health Care Providers (EHCP). The
o NSDC will use its network of PM Kaushal
services will include 1350 procedures covering
Kendra (PMKK) under PM Kaushal Vikas
pre and post hospitalization, diagnostics,
Yojana (PMKVY).
medicines etc.
o They will also be certified by Health Care
• Universality: One unique feature of the Sector Skill Council (non-statutory body
PMJAY is its national portability once fully for health sector under NSDC).
operational. The beneficiaries will be able to
move across borders and access services 4.1.6. NATIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITY
across the country through the provider (NHA)
network seamlessly. The beneficiaries will not
need a special card. Their Aadhaar numbers Why in news?
will suffice. The Union Cabinet has approved the restructuring
• Implementation agency: The National Health of existing National Health Agency as "National
Agency (NHA) will provide overall vision and Health Authority".
stewardship for design, roll-out, More on news
implementation and management of Pradhan • It has now been made an attached office to
Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) in alliance Ministry of Health & Family Welfare for
with state governments. This has been better implementation of Ayushman Bharat-
renamed as National Health Authority. Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).
• Alliance with the States: The Scheme is • The Cabinet also approved a proposal to
principle based rather than rule based - upgrade the post of the NHA CEO to that of a
27
Secretary to the Government of India. Now • The implementing agency for the scheme is
the CEO will have- Bureau of Pharma PSU of India
o Full financial powers (Till now, all funds o It was established in 2008 comprising all
released by the NHA were done through the Pharma CPSUs under the Department
the Ministry of Health). of Pharmaceuticals.
o Complete administrative control of the o It brings about effective collaboration and
NHA. cooperation in furthering the working and
• The existing multi-tier decision making resources of these organizations.
structure has been replaced with the Related information
Governing Board: The Ujjwala Sanitary Napkins initiative
o It will be chaired by the Minister for • It is an initiative by three oil marketing companies –
Health and Family Welfare IOCL, BPCL and HPCL (under Petroleum and
Natural Gas Ministry) – was launched in Odisha.
o Its members will include NITI Aayog CEO
• The Ujjwala pads will be made of virgin wood pulp
and NHA CEO.
sheet, non-woven white sheet and a gel sheet
o Due representation has been provided to which are all biodegradable in nature.
domain experts and the states shall also Menstrual Hygiene for Adolescent girls Schemes
be represented on the Board on • It is under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
rotational basis. • Under the scheme, funds are provided to
o The board will meet at least once in three States/UTs through National Health Mission for
months. decentralized procurement of sanitary napkins
The Union Cabinet took this step through an packs for provision primarily to rural adolescent
executive order, thus taking the Pradhan Mantri girls at subsidized rates as per proposals received
Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) out of the ambit of from the States and UTs in their Programme
Implementation Plans.
the Ministry of Health whose role will now be
• This scheme encompasses provision of funds to
limited to acting as the nodal ministry for NHA in
ASHAs to hold monthly meeting with adolescents
parliamentary matters, like the presentation of to discuss issues related to menstrual hygiene.
annual reports. Related facts
• According to the National Family Health Survey 4,
4.1.7. JANAUSHADHI SUVIDHA - OXO- about 58% of women aged between 15 to 24 years
BIODEGRADABLE SANITARY NAPKIN use locally prepared napkins, sanitary napkins and
tampons.
Why in news? • Further, about 78% women in urban areas use
Government launched the ‘JANAUSHADHI hygienic methods of protection during menstrual
SUVIDHA’ – Oxo-biodegradable Sanitary Napkin – period; only 48% women in rural areas have access
under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi to clean sanitary napkins.
Pariyojana (PMBJP).
Details 4.1.8. SCHEME FOR
• The affordable sanitary napkins (at Rs. 2.50 PHARMACOVIGILANCE OF AYUSH
per pad) will now become available at DRUGS
Janaushadhi Kendras. This will go a long way
in making the basic hygiene requirement aid Why in news?
for women affordable for the Ministry of AYUSH has introduced new Central
underprivileged sections. Sector scheme for promoting pharmacovigilance
• Jan Aushadhi Suvidha comes with a special of AYUSH Drugs.
additive, which makes it biodegradable when
About pharmacovigilance
it comes in contact with oxygen after being
• It is defined as the science and activities relating to
discarded, thus ensuring ‘Swachhta, the detection, assessment, understanding and
Swasthya and Suvidha’ for the prevention of adverse effects or any other drug-
underprivileged Women of India. related problem.
About Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Related News
• Ministry of AYUSH recently launched e-AUSHADHI
Pariyojana (PMBJP)
portal for Online Licensing System of AYUSH
• It is a campaign launched by the Department Medicine.
of Pharmaceuticals, to provide quality • It will provide real time information of the licensed
medicines at affordable prices to the masses manufactures and their products, cancelled and
through special kendra’s known as spurious drugs and contact details of the
concerned authority for specific grievances.
Janaaushadhi Kendra.
28
About the scheme Golden Crescent
• It is the second major area of illicit opium
• Objective: To develop the culture of production in Asia spanning across three nations;
documenting adverse effects & undertake Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan.
safety monitoring of AYUSH drugs. • It is located at the crossroads of Central, South and
• It will undertake surveillance of misleading Western Asia.
advertisements appearing in the print and
About NAPDDR
electronic media.
• All India Institute of Ayurveda, an • Objectives: It aims to employ a multi-pronged
autonomous body under the Ministry of strategy such as
AYUSH, has been designated as National o Preventive Education, awareness
Pharmacovigilance Centre for coordinating generation, counseling, de-addiction,
various activities of the initiative. treatment and rehabilitation of affected
• Representatives of Central Drug Standards individuals and their families.
Control Organisation as the national drug o Training and capacity-building of service
regulatory authority and the Indian providers through collaborative efforts of
Pharmacopoeia Commission being the WHO the Centre, state and NGOs.
Collaborating Centre for Pharmacovigilance in • Administrative Mechanism
the country are associated in the initiative as o Coordination with implementing
mentor and guide. agencies for controlling sale of sedatives,
About Central Drug Standards Control Organisation painkillers and muscle relaxant drugs, and
(CDSCO) checking online sale of drugs by stringent
• It is the national drug regulatory authority under monitoring by cyber cell.
Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of
o A multi ministerial steering committee
Health & Family Welfare.
with representatives from Ministries of
• It is responsible for approval of New Drugs,
Clinical Trials in the country and laying down the Social Justice, Health, Home Affairs,
standards for Drugs. Human Resource Development and skill.
• It exercises control over the quality of imported • Initiatives to be taken
drugs and coordination of the activities of State o Holding awareness generation
Drug Control Organisations. programmes at educational institutes,
• It provides expert advice with a view of bringing workplaces and for police functionaries,
about the uniformity in the enforcement of the etc.
Drugs and Cosmetics Act. o Increasing community participation and
About Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission
public cooperation in the reduction of
• It is an autonomous institution under the Ministry
demand by involving local bodies and
of Health & Family Welfare.
• It is dedicated for setting of standards for drugs,
other local groups like Mahila Mandals,
pharmaceuticals and healthcare devices/ self-help groups etc. is also planned.
technologies etc. o Modules for re-treatment, ongoing
• It also provides Reference Substances and treatment and post-treatment of addicts
Training. of different categories and age groups
While CDSCO has sole responsibility for Periodic Safety and database on substance use.
Update Reports, Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission
(IPC) is in charge of co-ordinating Adverse Drug
Reports (ADRs).
4.1.9. NATIONAL ACTION PLAN FOR

DRUG DEMAND REDUCTION (2018-
2023)
Why in news?
Recently Ministry of Social Justice and
Empowerment unveiled National Action Plan for
Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR).
Asia's two principal areas of illicit opium production Legal/ Constitutional Framework for Drugs Control
Golden Triangle • Article 47 of the Constitution directs the State shall
• It is the region between the borders of Myanmar, to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of
Laos, and Thailand. living of its people and to improve public health. It
29
asks for prohibition of the consumption drinks generations from the devastating health,
and drugs which are injurious to health. social, environmental and economic
• United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in consequences of tobacco consumption and
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances exposure to tobacco smoke.
o It provides comprehensive measures against
• The convention recommends large pictorial
drug trafficking, including provisions against
money laundering.
health warnings.
o It provides for international cooperation • India is a party to WHO FCTC. India, for the
through, for example, extradition of drug first time, hosted the 7th session of COP
traffickers, controlled deliveries and transfer meeting of FCTC.
of proceedings. Related News
• The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances The Supreme Court ruled that the tobacco products will
Act, 1985 (NDPS Act) continue to carry pictorial warning covering 85 per cent
o Essentially, the Act deals with supply of the packaging space.
reduction activities. It prohibits a person to • The Union Health Ministry notified the new health
produce/manufacture/cultivate, possess, sell, warnings in its gazetted notification in April’2018
purchase, transport, store, and/or consume under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products
any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance. (Packaging and Labelling) Amendment Rules, 2014
o Certain provisions for health care for drug (COTPA) for a mandatory display of 85% of the
dependent individuals also exists. It pictorial warning on both sides of tobacco
authorizes Central Government to take product packages all over India.
necessary measures for identification, • The image must be printed with “Tobacco Causes
treatment, aftercare, rehabilitation of addicts Cancer” wordings along with quit line number- a
and preventive education. dedicated toll-free number for free support and
o It gives the Central Government the power to guidance for the tobacco users.
establish, maintain and regulate treatment
centres. 4.1.11. 71ST ASSEMBLY OF WHO
o It permits supply of “drugs” to registered
addicts, and use of these substances for Why in news?
medicinal and scientific purposes. The World Health Organization’s 71st World
o There is no provision for compulsory Health Assembly was recently held.
treatment of addicts under this Act.
o As a follow up to the act, Narcotics Control Highlights of the assembly
Bureau (NCB) was constituted and • The meet’s primary focus this year was universal
empowered to coordinate all activities for health coverage.
administration and enforcement of the Act. • It has developed a new strategic plan for the
o The death penalty was introduced in the Act in next five years to help the world achieve the
1989, to deter narco-terrorism. Sustainable Development Goals – with a
o The law also provides a mandatory minimum
particular focus on SDG3- ensuring healthy
sentence of 10 years for offences involving
lives and promoting wellbeing for all at all
commercial quantities of drugs. This
determination assumes that people found ages by 2030.
with commercial quantities of drugs are drug • It sets three targets to ensure that by 2023
traffickers. o 1 billion more people benefit from
universal health coverage;
4.1.10. WHO FRAMEWORK o 1 billion more people are better protected
CONVENTION ON TOBACCO from health emergencies; and
o 1 billion more people enjoy better health
Why in News? and wellbeing.
Cabinet has given approval for India to accede to • WHO estimates that achieving this “triple
the Protocol under WHO Framework convention billion” target could save 29 million lives.
on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) to eliminate • Digital health resolution initiated by India
unlawful trade in tobacco products. was adopted as its first resolution on digital
Background health.
• The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco • The Assembly also adopted a resolution to
Control (WHO FCTC) is the first international help countries tackle snake bites.
public health treaty negotiated under the World Health Assembly
• It is the decision-making body of WHO, attended
auspices of the WHO.
by delegations from all WHO Member States and
• The objective of this Convention and its focuses on a specific health agenda prepared by
protocols is to protect present and future the Executive Board.
30
• The main functions of the World Health Assembly • It promotes and supports a standardized
are to determine the policies of the Organization, approach to the collection, analysis and sharing
appoint the Director-General, supervise financial of AMR data at a global level by encouraging and
policies, and review and approve the proposed facilitating the establishment of national AMR
programme budget. surveillance systems that are capable of
• It is held annually in Geneva, Switzerland. monitoring AMR trends and producing reliable
and comparable data.
4.1.12. WHO RELEASES NEW GLOBAL
CLASSIFICATION OF DISEASES 4.1.13. DELHI DECLARATION ON
DIGITAL HEALTH
Why in News?
Why in news?
Recently, WHO released its 11th edition of
International Classification of Diseases (ICD- 11). Recently, the Delhi Declaration on digital health
for sustainable development was adopted at the
About ICD 4th Global Digital Health Partnership Summit.
• It is the bedrock for health statistics. It maps More about declaration
the human condition from birth to death: any
injury or disease we encounter in life − and • It called for WHO’s leadership in digital
anything we might die of − is coded. health.
• Not only that, the ICD also captures factors • It committed to accelerate and implement the
influencing health, or external causes of appropriate digital health interventions to
mortality and morbidity, providing a holistic improve health of the population at national
look at every aspect of life that can affect and sub-national levels by 2023.
health. • The Global Digital Health Partnership Summit
• The ICD serves as a foundation for identifying was hosted by the Ministry of Health and
global health trends and is used by health Family Welfare in collaboration with World
insurers whose reimbursements depend on Health Organization (WHO) and the Global
ICD coding. Digital Health Partnership (GDHP).
• Some significant features of ICD-11 which will o The Global Digital Health Partnership
be presented at the World Health Assembly in (GDHP) is a collaboration of governments
May 2019 for adoption include: and territories, government agencies and
o It includes more codes and closely WHO, to support the effective
reflects the progress in medicine and implementation of digital health services.
advances in scientific understanding. For
eg: the codes relating to antimicrobial 4.1.14. ASTANA DECLARATION
resistance in the new ICD are more closely Why in news?
aligned with the Global Antimicrobial
Recently, Global Conference on Primary Health
Resistance Surveillance System (GLASS).
Care by UNICEF and World Health Organisation
o It better captures data regarding
(WHO), has concluded with Astana Deceleration
healthcare safety.
in Kazakhstan. All the 192-member countries of
o It also uses for the first time an electronic
the United Nations, including India, signed the
and user-friendly format.
Astana Declaration.
o Inclusion of new chapters, including ones
on traditional medicine and sexual More on news
health. • It is the global commitment to strengthen
o Addition of gaming disorder to the Primary Health Care.
section on addictive disorders. • This declaration reaffirms the historic 1978
About Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Declaration of Alma-Ata. Alma-Ata
System (GLASS) Declaration was the first declaration which
• Launched in October 2015, it is being developed to identified Primary Health Care as a key to the
support the global action plan on antimicrobial attainment of the goal of Health for All.
resistance.
• It is aimed at supporting global surveillance and 4.1.15. PARTNERS FORUM 2018
research in order to strengthen the evidence base
on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and help Why in news?
informed decision-making and drive national,
regional, and global actions. The fourth Partners’ Forum was recently held in
New Delhi.
31
Details Severe Acute Malnutrition
• It was hosted by the Government of India, in • SAM is the most extreme and visible form of
association with the Partnership for undernutrition. Its face is a child – frail and
Maternal, Newborn and Child Health skeletal – who requires urgent treatment to
(PMNCH). survive.
• The PMNCH is an alliance of more than 1000 • As per the National Family Health Survey-4
organizations in 192 countries from the (2015-16), 7.5% children under 5 years of age
sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, have severe acute malnutrition in the country.
child and adolescent health communities, as About the guidelines
well as health influencing sectors. • The measures are part of the community-
• It was launched in September 2005 to based health management of children
accelerate efforts to reduce child and suffering from SAM. The government had, till
maternal mortality, improve adolescent, now, only put in place guidelines for the
child, newborn and maternal health. hospitalisation of severely wasted children
• Its Secretariat is hosted at the World Health who develop medical complications.
Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. • The guidelines outline the role of anganwadi
• The PMNCH Partners' Forum serves as a workers and auxillary nurse midwives
regular global platform to consolidate and (ANMs) in identifying severely wasted
increase members’ commitment to the children, segregating those with oedema or
objectives of The Partnership and maintains medical complications and sending them to
and reinforces high level political the nearest health facility or nutrition
commitment. rehabilitation centres.
• This is the second time India is hosting the • Anganwadi workers have to provide modified
Partners’ Forum (earlier in 2012). morning snacks, hot cooked meals and take
home ration for SAM children. It is also
4.1.16. 2ND WORLD INTEGRATED suggested that local self-help groups,
MEDICINE FORUM 2019 mothers or village committees be engaged for
the preparation of these meals.
Why in news? National Technical Board on Nutrition (NTBN)
nd
Recently the 2 World Integrated Medicine Forum • It has been constituted under the chairmanship of
2019 on the ‘Regulation of Homeopathic Medical Dr. Vinod Paul, member of NITI Aayog, under
Products; Advancing global collaboration’ was Ministry of Women and Child Development to
organized in Goa. make technical recommendations on policy
relevant issues on Nutrition.
More on news • NTBN shall meet once in three months to review
• The mission of the World Integrated Medicine technical recommendations on policy relevant
issues in nutrition. The Board for their day-to-day
Forum is to further develop evidence based
work shall be serviced by the concerned divisions
Traditional and Integrated Systems of Medicine
of NITI Aayog.
by promoting public-private co-operation.
• Role of Board is advisory and important terms of
• It was organised by Central Council for Research reference include-
in Homoeopathy (CCRH), Ministry of AYUSH, o Advise the states/UTs on preventive measures
Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia Convention of (including behaviour change) and
the United States (HPCUS), Pharmacopoeia management of SAM children.
Commission for Indian Medicine and o To coordinate the collation, synthesis of
Homoeopathy and Central Drugs Standard existing scientific and operational research,
Control Organization (CDSCO). identify research gaps and make technical
recommendations for the research agenda.
4.2. NUTRITION o To provide technical guidance on the design of
nutrition surveys proposed by States/UTs,
4.2.1. GUIDELINES FOR SEVERE ACUTE other sectors and institutions and their
coherence with ongoing National Health and
MALNUTRITION other surveys.
o Formulation of India specific growth indicators
Why in news?
including stunting.
The National Technical Board on Nutrition (NTBN)
has approved guidelines proposed by Ministry of About NFHS
Women and Child Development for severe acute • The 2015-16 National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4)
is the fourth in a series of national surveys; earlier
malnutrition (SAM).
32
National Family Health Surveys were carried out in across districts, using data from the National
1992-93 (NFHS-1), 1998-99 (NFHS-2) and 2005-06 Family Health Survey 4 (2015-2016).
(NFHS-3). • According to it, high‐stunting districts are heavily
• All National Family Health Surveys have been clustered in the northern and central states of
conducted under the stewardship of the Ministry India. They are home to 80% of the stunted
of Health and Family Welfare, with the children in India. In comparison, all the southern
International Institute for Population Sciences, states put together account for about 13% of the
Mumbai, serving as the nodal agency. stunted children in India.
• NFHS-4 funding was provided by the Government • About International Food Policy Research Institute
of India, the United States Agency for International o It was established in 1975 to provide research-
Development (USAID), the United Kingdom based policy solutions that sustainably reduce
Department for International Development (DFID), poverty and end hunger and malnutrition in
the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, UNICEF, the developing countries.
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the o It is a research center of CGIAR (Consultative
MacArthur Foundation. Group on International Agricultural Research),
a worldwide partnership engaged in
Other Important findings of National Family
agricultural research for development.
Health Survey-4 (not for remembering, only
o Its releases Global Food Policy Report
indicative) annually.
Indicators NFHS-4 (2015-16) NFHS-3
(2005- 4.2.2. POSHAN ABHIYAAN
06)
Urban Rural Total Total Why in news?
Infant mortality rate 29 46 41 57 POSHAN Abhiyaan (PM’s Overarching Scheme for
(IMR)
Under-five mortality 34 56 50 74
Holistic Nourishment) was formally launched by
rate (U5MR) the Prime Minister from Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan.
Current Use of Family 57.2 51.7 53.5 56.3 Details
Planning Methods
(currently married
• POSHAN Abhiyaan aims to reduce mal-
women age 15–49 nutrition from the Country in a phased
years) manner, through the life cycle concept, by
Mothers who had full 31.1 16.7 21.0 11.6 adopting a synergised and result oriented
antenatal care (%) approach.
Institutional births (%) 88.7 75.1 78.9 38.7 • Implementation strategy and targets: It
Children age 12-23 63.9 61.3 62.0 43.5
would be based on intense monitoring and
months fully
immunized (BCG, Convergence Action Plan right upto the grass
measles, and 3 doses root level. NNM will be rolled out in three
each of polio and DPT) phases from 2017-18 to 2019-20.
(%) • NNM targets to reduce stunting,
Under- five Stunted 31.0 41.2 38.4 48.0 undernutrition, anemia (among young
(height-for-age) (%)
children, women and adolescent girls) and
Under- five Wasted 20.0 21.5 21.0 19.8
(weight-for-height) (%) reduce low birth weight by 2%, 2%, 3% and 2%
Under- five Severely 7.5 7.4 7.5 6.4 per annum respectively. Although the target
Wasted (weight-for- to reduce Stunting is atleast 2% p.a., Mission
height) (%) would strive to achieve reduction in Stunting
Under- five 29.1 38.3 35.8 42.5 from 38.4% (NFHS-4) to 25% by 2022 (Mission
Underweight (weight- 25 by 2022).
for-age) (%)
All women age 15-49 50.8 54.3 53.1 55.3
• One of the key activities of Abhiyaan is
years who are implementation of ICDS-Common Application
anaemic (%) Software. Anganwadi workers feed the
Under- five Anaemic 56.0 59.5 58.6 69.4 information regarding the services delivered,
Children (6-59 through the mobile devices installed with
months) (%) ICDS-CAS application.
Related News The POSHAN Abhiyaan, as an apex body, will monitor,
• Recently, a research ‘Understanding the supervise, fix targets and guide the nutrition related
geographical burden of stunting in India’ was interventions across the Ministries.
published by the International Food Policy The proposal consists of
Research Institute (IFPRI). It has tried to • Mapping of various Schemes contributing towards
understand the geographical burden of stunting addressing malnutrition
33
• Introducing a very robust convergence mechanism o Repair of kitchen-cum stores: Assistance
• ICT based Real Time Monitoring system for the kitchen-cum-stores constructed
• Incentivizing Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) for ten years ago on sharing basis between
using IT based tools Center and States.
• Social Audits o Fortification of food items in a systematic
• Setting-up Nutrition Resource Centres, involving manner through Food Corporation of
masses through Jan Andolan for their participation
India (FCI) starting with rice Kitchen
on nutrition through various activities, among
others.
gardens in each school will be
• An Executive Committee has been set up under encouraged.
the Chairpersonship of Secretary, Ministry of • Delegation of power of implementing the
Women & Child Development to provide policy scheme with minor modifications from the
support and guidance to States/ UTs under existing guidelines to District Level Committee
POSHAN Abhiyaan from time to time. Chaired by the District Magistrate.
• A National Council on India’s Nutrition Challenges • Other norms include:
has also been set up under the Chairpersonship of o Use of Pulses from buffer stock -The
Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog for policy direction,
States and UTs may procure pulses as per
review, effective coordination and convergence
their local taste for the Mid-Day Meal
between Ministries which have a sectoral
responsibility for the challenge of nutrition. from the Central buffer stock created by
• September 2018 has been celebrated as the the Government of India.
Rashtriya Poshan Maah across the Country. o Monitoring of attendance – All States and
UTs are required to ensure that daily data
4.2.3. MID-DAY MEAL SCHEME from 100% schools is uploaded through
Automated Monitoring System (AMS).
Why in news? o Menu under MDM - States and UTs are
Recently Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs required to adopt ways to develop a
has approved the revision of norms under Mid- menu that reflects local taste and local
Day Meal (MDM) Scheme. produce that is different on different
About the Scheme days.
• It envisages to provide cooked mid-day meal o Tithi Bhojan: to encourage people from
with 450 calories and 12 g of protein to every the community to celebrate important
child at primary level and 700 calories and 20 g days such as child birth, marriage,
of protein at upper primary level. birthdays etc. by contributing to the MDM
• It also involves providing nutritional support Scheme. Tithi Bhojan is not a substitute
to children of elementary stage in drought- to MDM but it supplements or
affected area during summer vacation. compliments MDM.
• It is a Centrally-Sponsored Scheme and the o Usage of Jails, Temples, Gurudwaras etc.
cost of the MDMS is shared between the for MDM- All States and UTs are being
central and state governments. advised to involve community and other
o The central government provides free agencies such as Jails, Temples,
food grains to the states. Gurudwaras etc. in the Mid Day Meal
o The cost of cooking, infrastructure Scheme.
development, transportation of food
4.2.4. ASHA, ANM AND ANGANWADI
grains and payment of honorarium to
cooks and helpers is shared by the centre WORKERS
with the state governments. The central Why in news?
government provides a greater share of
funds. • The Prime Minister announced the doubling
o The contribution of state governments of routine incentives given by the Union
differs from state to state. Government to ASHA workers. In addition, all
ASHA workers and their helpers would be
Recent revised norms
provided free insurance cover under Pradhan
• Annual increase in Cooking cost linked to
Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Prime
Inflation Index to offset the impact of
Minister Suraksha Bima Yojana.
inflation on the food items under Mid Day
• Prime Minister also announced significant
Meal Scheme.
increase in the honorarium given to
• Two new components have also been
Anganwadi workers (AWWs).
approved
34
India has three cadres of Community Health
Workers.
• Auxiliary Nurse-Midwife (ANM) – they
manage immunization and Maternal and Child
Healthcare programs. They are based out of
sub-centers, the lowest facility in the rural
public health care system.
• Anganwadi Worker (AWW) – they manage
nutritional supplementation at anganwadi
centers for young children, adolescent girls,
and lactating women. They also help with
promotion of healthy behaviors and
mobilization of the community for improved
water and sanitation, participation in
immunization activities and other special
health activities.
• Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA)-
they encourage women to seek Ante-Natal
Checkup and give birth in health centers,
assist the ANM with health events such as
immunization days, and provide basic first aid
and medical supplies such as ORS,
contraceptive pills and iron folic acid tablets.
o ASHA workers are to be based in their
villages, and they refer people to their
local primary health center and
community health center.
• The ANM cadre is the most well-educated and
oldest cadre among the village-level health
workers, having been established in the
1960s. The AWW is also well-established in the • The State of Food Security and Nutrition in
domain of childcare and nutrition, having the World - This is an annual report jointly
been part of the health care system since the prepared by the Food and Agriculture
mid-1970s. The ASHA is an entirely new cadre, Organization (FAO), the International Fund
launched in 2005 by the National Rural Health for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the
Mission. As the new and often younger United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the
addition, ASHAs are monitored and supported World Food Programme (WFP) and the World
by the ANM and AWW. Health Organization (WHO).
o It seeks to inform on progress towards
4.2.5. IMPORTANT REPORTS IN NEWS ending hunger, achieving food security
and improving nutrition and to provide in-
• Global Hunger Index 2018- It is a tool designed depth analysis on key challenges for
to comprehensively measure and track achieving this goal in the context of the
hunger at global, regional, and national levels. 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
It was published jointly by Welthungerhilfe Development.
and Concern Worldwide. o One of the measures used by the report -
o India has been ranked at 103 out of 119 Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES),
countries in the GHI 2018, with hunger which is a new tool (introduced in 2017)
levels in the country categorised as based on direct interviews to measure
“serious”. India’s ranking has dropped people's ability to access food.
three places from 2017. o 2018 report confirms a rise in world
o Apart from child wasting, India has shown hunger: the number of people who suffer
improvement in three of the indicators. from hunger has been growing over the
past three years, returning to levels from
almost a decade ago.
35
• Global Nutrition Report - It came into Swachh Survekshan 2019
existence following the first Nutrition for • This fourth edition Swachh Survekshan 2019
Growth Initiative Summit (N4G) in 2013 as a aims to increase the coverage of the ranking
mechanism for tracking the commitments exercise to all cities under Swachh Bharat
made by 100 stakeholders spanning Mission-Urban. (Swachh Survekshan 2018
governments, aid donors, civil society, the UN ranked 4,203 Cities.) The Quality Council of
and businesses. India (QCI) is responsible for carrying out the
o It has observed that India is facing a major assessment.
malnutrition crisis as it is the country with • The distinctive features of the survey include
the highest number of ‘stunted’ and encouraging large-scale citizen participation,
‘wasted’ children in the world. ensuring sustainability of initiatives taken
towards garbage free and open defecation
4.3. SANITATION free cities, providing credible outcomes which
would be validated by third party certification
4.3.1. SWACHH SURVEKSHAN 2019 etc.
• Data will be collected from 4 broad sources –
Why in news? ‘Service Level Progress’, Direct Observation,
• Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs recently Citizens Feedback and Certification (newly
launched Swachh Survekshan 2019, SBM introduced). Certification will be done on two
ODF+ and SBM ODF++ Protocols and web- different components-
based citizen engagement platform Swachh o Star Rating of Garbage Free Cities (20%
Manch. weightage of marks)- It includes
• Results of Swachh Survekshan 2019 have been components such as cleanliness of drains
announce recently. & water bodies, plastic waste
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Urban) management, managing construction &
• The Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) aims at demolition waste, etc. which are critical
o elimination of open defecation drivers for achieving garbage free cities.
o eradication of manual scavenging o Open Defecation Free Protocols (5%
o modern and scientific municipal solid waste weightage)
management Quality Council of India
o to effect behavioural change regarding • It was set up jointly by the Government of India
healthy sanitation practices and the Indian Industry represented by the three
o generate awareness about sanitation and its premier industry associations i.e. Associated
linkage with public health Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India
o capacity augmentation of Urban Local Bodies (ASSOCHAM), Confederation of Indian Industry
and (CII) and Federation of Indian Chambers of
o to create an enabling environment for private Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
sector participation in capital and operation • It aims to establish and operate national
and maintenance expenditure. accreditation structure and promote quality
• At the core of this mission lie six components: through National Quality Campaign.
o Individual household toilets (IHHL); • It is governed by a Council of 38 members with
o Community toilets; equal representations of government, industry
o Public toilets; and consumers.
o Municipal Solid Waste Management; • Chairman of QCI is appointed by the Prime
o Information and Educating Communication Minister on recommendation of the industry to the
(IEC) and Public Awareness; government.
o Capacity Building • The Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion,
Results of Swachh Survekshan 2019 Ministry of Commerce & Industry, is the nodal
• Indore was adjudged India’s cleanest city for the ministry for QCI.
third straight year. The second and third positions SBM ODF+ and ODF++ Protocol
in the category were grabbed by Ambikapur in • The original ODF protocol, issued in March
Chhattisgarh and Mysore in Karnataka. 2016, said, “A city/ward is notified as ODF
• While the New Delhi Municipal Council area was city/ward if, at any point of the day, not a
given the ‘Cleanest Small City’ award,
single person is found defecating in the open.
Uttarakhand’s Gauchar was adjudged the ‘Best
Ganga Town’ in the central government survey.
With 18 states / UTs and 3,223 cities declared
The ‘Cleanest Big City’ award has been bagged by ODF. The ODF+ and ODF++ protocols are the
Ahmedabad, while Raipur is the ‘Fastest Moving next step for the SBM-U and aim to ensure
Big City’. sustainability in sanitation outcomes.
36
• The ODF+ protocol says that a city, ward or bring about a behavioral change in men who
work circle could be declared ODF+ if, “at any have toilets but are not using them.
point of the day, not a single person is found • In part 2 of the campaign it aims to further
defecating and/or urinating in the open, and promote the use of toilets and to sustain the
all community and public toilets are functional open defecation free status of villages across
and well-maintained.” India.
• The ODF++ protocol adds the condition that • World Bank is supporting the ongoing part
“faecal sludge/septage and sewage is safely two of the Darwaza Band campaign.
managed and treated, with no discharging
and/or dumping of untreated faecal 4.3.3. SWACHHATA HI SEVA
sludge/septage and sewage in drains, water CAMPAIGN
bodies or open areas.”
• Thus, the SBM ODF+ protocol focuses on Why in news?
sustaining community/ public toilet usage by Recently, Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) Campaign was
ensuring their functionality, cleanliness and launched.
maintenance while SBM ODF++ will focus on
About the Campaign
achieving sanitation sustainability by
addressing complete sanitation value chain, • It is the second edition of the campaign
including safe containment, processing and launched in 2017, which aims at accelerating
disposal of faecal sludge and septage. the vision for a Clean India.
Swachh Manch web portal • Objectives of SHS
o Accelerate the momentum of Swachh
• It is a web-based platform which aims to bring Bharat in the run-up to its 4th anniversary.
together every stakeholder contributing to o Re-energise the Swachh Bharat Jan
the Swachh Bharat Mission under a common Andolan and lay down the foundation of
platform. It will allow stakeholders to sustainability.
create/invite/participate in volunteering o Reinforce the concept of “Sanitation as
opportunities around neighborhoods. everyone’s business”.
• It will enable uploads of pictorial evidence of o Commence Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth
citizens and organizations participating in the year celebrations with a nationwide
initiatives, as well as record the number of campaign.
hours volunteered, as acknowledgement of • It also aims at engaging sharamdan activities
citizens’/organisations’ efforts and with huge community mobilisation through
contributions to the cause of ‘swachhata’. grassroot swachhata champions such as
• The Swachh Manch will also be integrated woman sarpanches, students, film celebrities,
with the existing Swachhata App to act as a sports persons etc.
citizens’ grievance redressal platform. • The Campaign also aims to engage with media
Including Public Urination in New Protocol - This is the which has been playing crucial role in creating
first time that the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) is awareness about the Swachh Bharat Mission.
officially including the elimination of public urination in
Related News
its agenda.
Swachh Shakti-2019 Programme
• It is a convention of Women Sarpanches, aimed at
4.3.2. DARWAZA BAND CAMPAIGN
empowering the women, which was held in
Why in news? Kurukshetra.
• It aims to bring in to focus the leadership role
Ministry of Drinking Water and sanitation has played by rural women in Swachh Bharat Mission.
launched part two of the nation-wide campaign • It is being organized by the Ministry of Drinking
called Darwaza Band to promote toilet use and Water and Sanitation in association with the
freedom from open defecation. Government of Haryana.
More on news • The Swachh Shakti program was first held in 2017
at Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
• It is promoted under the aegis of Swachh
Bharat Mission (Grameen) and envisages to
37
5. MISCELLANEOUS
• SDGs were born at the United Nations Conference on
5.1. SDG INDIA INDEX - BASELINE
Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro in 2012.
REPORT 2018 o GOAL 1: No Poverty
o GOAL 2: Zero Hunger
NITI Aayog recently came up with the SDG India o GOAL 3: Good Health and Well-being
Index- Baseline report 2018. o GOAL 4: Quality Education
SDG India Index o GOAL 5: Gender Equality
o GOAL 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• NITI Aayog has developed the SDG India Index in o GOAL 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
collaboration with the Ministry of Statistics & o GOAL 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Global o GOAL 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Green Growth Institute and United Nations in o GOAL 10: Reduced Inequality
India. o GOAL 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• The SDG India Index tracks progress of all o GOAL 12: Responsible Consumption and
States and UTs on 62 Priority Indicators Production
selected by NITI Aayog, which in turn is guided o GOAL 13: Climate Action
o GOAL 14: Life Below Water
by MoSPI’s National Indicator Framework and
o GOAL 15: Life on Land
based on multiple-round consultations with o GOAL 16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions
Union Ministries/Departments and States/UTs. o GOAL 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal
• It measures their progress on the outcomes of
the interventions and schemes of the 5.2. DUBAI DECLARATION’ ADOPTED
Government of India. TO MEASURE PROGRESS OF SDGS
• SDG India Index spans across 13 out of 17 SDGs
(excluding Goals 12, 13, 14 and 17). At the conclusion of the UN World Data forum, 2018,
• A composite score has been computed between ‘Dubai Declaration’ was adopted.
the range of 0-100 for each State and UT. About the Declaration
• If a State/UT achieves a score of 100, it signifies • It is hard to measure the actual progress of the
that it has achieved the 2030 national targets. SDGs due to lack of data for two-thirds of the
• Classification Criteria based on SDG India indicators. Only 0.3% of aid goes to the
Index Score is as follows: development of statistical systems.
o Aspirant: 0-49 • Recognizing this, Dubai Declaration was
o Performer: 50-64 adopted which detailed measures to boost
o Front Runner: 65-99 funding for data and statistical analysis for
o Achiever: 100 monitoring and speeding up progress towards
• Kerala and Himachal Pradesh are the top the 2030 SDGs.
performers among states with a score of 69. • Aimed towards mobilizing domestic and
Chandigarh leads the UTs with a score of 68. international funds and activating more
• According to the SDG India Index, the nation as effective data partnerships, this Declaration
a whole has a score of 58, showing the country supports the implementation of the Cape Town
has reached a little beyond the halfway mark in Global Action Plan for Sustainable Development
meeting the SDGs. Data.
• The Index can be useful to States/UTs in
About Cape Town Global Action Plan for
assessing their starting point on the SDGs.
Sustainable Development Data
Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI)
• Informally launched at the 1st UN World Data
• It is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental
Forum and was adopted by the UN Statistical
organization dedicated to supporting and promoting
strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in Commission in March 2017.
developing countries and emerging economies. • Intended to provide a framework for discussion
• India is not yet a member country of the GGGI but is on, and planning and implementation of
recognised as a partner. statistical capacity building necessary to achieve
the 2030 Agenda.
Sustainable Development Goals About UN World Data Forum
• In 2015, the General Assembly adopted the 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development that includes 17 • It was created after recommendation of a report
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). titled ‘A World That Counts’ by UN Statistical
• These seek to build upon Millennium Development Commission.
Goals (MDGs). MDGs were a set of eight goals set by • The first United Nations World Data Forum was
the UN in 2000.
hosted from 15 to 18 January 2017 in Cape Town.
38
• It is meant for intensifying cooperation between (ISP) Gateway for SEARN developed by Centre
professional groups (IT Experts, Geospatial for Development of Advanced Computing
Information Managers, Data Scientists etc. as (CDAC).
well as civil society stakeholders. • SEARN was launched by the WHO South-East
• In India the review process is led by NITI Aayog, Asia Region member countries to enhance
Research and Information system, a think tank information sharing, collaboration and
attached with Ministry of External Affairs and convergence of medical product regulatory
the Ministry of Statistics and Programme practices across the Region to guarantee access
Implementation. They prepare the Voluntary to high-quality medical products.
National Review (VRN) Report. o It is led by a steering group of which India is
a permanent member.
5.3. WORLD SUMMIT ON
5.6. WEB-WONDER WOMEN
ACCREDITATION
CAMPAIGN
Why in news?
• The Ministry of Women and Child Development
The World Summit on Accreditation (WOSA-2018)
has launched an online campaign, ‘#www: Web-
was held New Delhi, which provides platform to
Wonder Women’.
stakeholders to share their knowledge and
• The Campaign aims to discover and celebrate
information on accreditation.
the exceptional achievements of women, who
About WOSA
have been driving positive agenda of social
• It is a biennial summit organized by National
change via social media. It will recognize and
Board of Accreditation (NBA).
acknowledge the efforts of these meritorious
• The theme of WOSA 2018 is “Challenges and
women.
Opportunities in Outcome Based
• Indian-origin women, working or settled
Accreditation”.
anywhere in the world, are eligible for
About NBA
nomination. The shortlisted entries will be open
• It is an autonomous organisation under Ministry
for public voting on Twitter and the finalists will
of Human Resource Development.
be selected by a specialized panel of judges.
• It was initially established under AICTE (All India
Council of Technical Education) act, in 1994. 5.7. WOMEN'S GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT
• It is engaged in quality assurance of programs AND PROSPERITY (W-GDP) INITIATIVE
offered by professional and technical
institutions in India through accreditation. • The White House has launched the W-GPD
• It has been accorded Permanent Signatory Initiative, a government project led by Ivanka
Status of Washington Accord since 2014. Trump.
• It aims to coordinate current programs and
5.4. UN GLOBAL MEDIA COMPACT develop new ones to assist women in areas
such as job training, financial support, and
Why in News? legal or regulatory reforms.
Recently more than 30 organizations from across • Its goal is to reach 50 million women in the
the world including India's Ministry of Information developing world by 2025.
and Broadcasting have come together to form a • The effort will draw on public and private
global media compact. resources, with the U.S. Agency for
More about the compact International Development -initially setting up a
• It is an initiative of the United Nations, in USD 50 million fund.
collaboration with the UN Foundation.
• It is aimed at advancing awareness and ensuring 5.8. GOOD SAMARITAN LAW
accountability in the Governments regarding • Karnataka became the first state in the country
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be with a Good Samaritan law in place
achieved by 2030.
More on news
• It seeks to inspire organisations around the
world to create content partnerships with the • The legislation aims to give protection to good
UN and leverage their resources and creative Samaritans and ensure immediate medical
talent to advance the Goals. assistance for road accident victims within the
'golden hour' and encourage people to offer
5.5. SOUTH-EAST ASIA REGULATORY first aid to victims without fear of harassment in
NETWORK the hands of police and investigations.
• In medical terminology, the 'golden hour' is the
• Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare first hour after a traumatic injury when
launched the Information Sharing Platform emergency treatment is very crucial.
39
Global • The report is titled Migrations,
5.9. REPORTS AND INDEXES Education Displacement and Education and
Report/Indexes Details Monitoring discusses impact of migration on
Global Peace • It is a measure of global Report 2019 by education.
Index, 2018 by peacefulness. UNESCO • India is home to some of the
the Institute • It uses 23 indicators under three world’s largest internal population
for Economics thematic domains – movements alongside China.
and Peace o The level of Societal Safety The Global • The 2018 Global Slavery Index
and Security Slavery Index provides a country by country
o The extent of on-going 2018 by the ranking based on 3 key indicators:
Domestic and International Walk Free number of people in modern
conflicts Foundation slavery, governments response to
o The degree of Militarisation modern slavery, and the factors
• India has been ranked 136 out of that make people vulnerable.
163 in 2018. • This is the 4th edition with others
• Iceland remained the most being 2013, 2014, and 2016.
peaceful country while Syria the Global Gender • It was introduced in 2006 as a
least peaceful country Gap Report framework for capturing the
Global • It is an annual index which ranks 2018 by World magnitude of gender-based
Liveability global cities according to their Economic disparities and tracking the
Index 2018 by living conditions. Forum progress overtime.
The Economist • It is based on 30 indicators • The Report benchmarks 149
Intelligence covering five broad categories– countries on their progress towards
Unit stability (25%), healthcare (20%), gender parity across four thematic
culture and environment (25%), dimensions: Economic Participation
education (10%) and infrastructure and Opportunity, Educational
(20%) and uses New York as a Attainment, Health and Survival,
baseline to measure each city and Political Empowerment.
• While Damascus (Syria) is the least • In 2018, India recorded
liveable city, Vienna has come at improvements in wage equality for
the top of the 2018 list similar work and fully closed its
• Delhi and Mumbai are the only two tertiary education gap for the first
cities from India to feature on the time, but progress lags on health
Global Liveability Index which and and survival, remaining the world’s
they have been ranked 112 and 117 least improved country on this sub-
respectively. index over the past decade.
Global Wage • It is an annual publication of ILO
Report 2018-19 which focuses on different aspects
by of labour wages and its impact on
International equitable growth and social justice.
Labor • Findings of Global Wage Report
Organization 2018-19
o Real global wage growth in
2017 (1.8%) fell to its lowest
growth rate since 2008
o High income countries have
lower wage inequality than
low- and mid-income countries.
E.g. Sweden has the lowest
wage inequality.
o India has the highest average
real wage growth (5.5%) in
South Asia in 2008-17.
o India and Pakistan had the
highest gender pay gap

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40
SOCIAL ISSUES
(May 2017 – February 2018)
Table of Contents
3.1.1. National Council of Senior Citizens ____ 16
1. GENDER RELATED ISSUES _____________ 3 3.1.2. Policy Response to Aging ____________ 16
1.1. Misuse of Anti-Dowry Legislation ______ 3 3.2. Disabled _________________________ 17
1.2. Triple Talaq ________________________ 3 3.2.1. The Rights of Persons with Disability Act,
2016 _________________________________ 17
1.3. She-Box ___________________________ 4 3.2.2. Divyang Sarathi Mobile App __________ 18
1.4. Global Gender Gap Report 2017 _______ 4 3.3. Minority _________________________ 18
3.3.1. Garib Nawaz Skill Development Centres 18
1.5. Women Set to be Inducted in Territorial
3.3.2. Jiyo Parsi _________________________ 18
Army (TA) _____________________________ 4
3.4. Tribals ___________________________ 19
1.6. Schemes for Economic Empowerment of
3.4.1. Habitat Rights to PVTGS _____________ 19
Women ______________________________ 5 3.4.2. Eklavya Schools ___________________ 19
1.6.1. Kanyashree Prakalpa Scheme __________ 5
1.6.2. Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendra 3.5. Other Issues ______________________ 20
(PMMSK) _______________________________ 5 3.5.1. Maharashtra Social Boycott Act _______ 20
1.6.3. 'SheMeansBusiness' Programme _______ 6 3.5.2. Manual Scavenging ________________ 20
3.5.3. Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood
1.7 Schemes in Context of Violence Against and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2017 __ 20
Women ______________________________ 6 3.5.4. Inclusive India Initiative _____________ 21
1.7.1. Swadhar Greh Scheme _______________ 6 3.5.5. 2016 Indian Exclusion Report (IXR) ____ 22
1.7.2. Nirbhaya Fund______________________ 6
4. EDUCATION _______________________ 23
1.8. Schemes to Deal with Son Preference &
Girl Child Discrimination _________________ 6 4.1. Primary & Secondary Education ______ 23
1.8.1. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao _____________ 6 4.1.1. Integrated School Education Scheme __ 23
1.8.2. Mission for Protection and Empowerment 4.1.2. National Achievement Survey ________ 24
for Women _____________________________ 7 4.1.3. The Right of Children to Free and
Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill, 2017 25
1.9. Schemes Related to Women’s Health __ 8
1.9.1. Project Stree Swabhiman _____________ 8 4.2. Higher Education __________________ 25
1.9.2. Sub-Schemes Under ICDS _____________ 8 4.2.1. All India Survey on Higher Education ___ 25
4.2.2. Institutions of Eminence ____________ 26
1.10. Maternity Benefit Schemes__________ 9 4.2.3. Revitalization Infrastructure and Systems in
1.10.1. Vatsalya-Maatri Amrit Kosh __________ 9 Education _____________________________ 26
1.10.2. Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana 9 4.2.4. Technical Education Quality Improvement
1.10.3. Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 201710 Programme (TEQIP) _____________________ 26
1.11. Other Schemes ___________________ 10 4.2.5. Madhyamik and Uchchtar Shiksha Kosh 27
1.11.1. Online Portals ‘Nari’ and ‘E-Samvaad’ _ 10 4.3. Miscellaneous_____________________ 28
1.12. Developments Related to Transgender 11 4.3.1. Education Development Impact Bond __ 28
4.3.2. Creation of National Testing Agency ___ 28
2. CHILD RELATED ISSUES ______________ 12 4.3.3. Global Education Monitoring Report ___ 28
4.3.4. New Online Education Initiatives ______ 29
2.1. Child Labour ______________________ 12
5. HEALTH ___________________________ 30
2.2. Child Sex Abuse ___________________ 13
5.1. Healthcare Status in India ___________ 30
2.3. Safe Childhood Programme _________ 14
5.1.1. Healthy States, Progressive India Report 30
2.3.1. National Policy for Children 2013 ______ 15
5.1.2. Private Health Care ________________ 30
2.3.2. National Action Plan for Children, 2016 _ 15
5.1.3. Focus on Newborns ________________ 31
3. OLD AGE/DISABLED/VULNERABLE 5.1.4. Infant Mortality Rate _______________ 31
SECTIONS ___________________________ 16 5.1.5. Integrated Health Information Platform
(IHIP)_________________________________ 32
3.1. Elderly in India ____________________ 16
1
DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD 8468022022
5.2. Nutrition _________________________ 32 5.5.3. Mental Healthcare Act ______________ 45
5.2.1. Global Hunger Index ________________ 32 5.5.4. Evin Project ______________________ 45
5.2.2. Global Nutrition Report 2017 _________ 33 5.5.5. Index for Tracking Performance of Hospitals45
5.2.3. The State of Food Security and Nutrition in 5.5.6. ECHO Clinic _______________________ 46
the World Report _______________________ 33 5.5.7. AMRIT Outlets ____________________ 46
5.2.4. Urban Nutrition in India _____________ 34 5.5.8. Janaushadhi Pariyojana _____________ 46
5.2.5. National Nutrition Strategy___________ 34
5.2.6. ‘Zero Hunger' Programme ___________ 36
6. MISCELLANEOUS ___________________ 48
5.2.7. Swasth Bachche, Swasth Bharat 6.1. Labour Ministry: Social Security Schemes48
Programme ____________________________ 36
5.2.8. Therapeutic Food __________________ 36 6.2. Indexes and Reports _______________ 48
6.2.1. Social Progress Index: State of India ___ 48
5.3. Family Planning ___________________ 37 6.2.2. Global Human Capital Index __________ 49
5.3.1. Fertility Trend in India _______________ 37 6.2.3. SDGS Index _______________________ 49
5.3.2. Mission Parivar Vikas _______________ 37
6.3. Programmes and Schemes __________ 50
5.4. Diseases _________________________ 38 6.3.1. Swatch Bharat Abhiyan _____________ 50
5.4.1. Global Burden of Disease Study _______ 38 6.3.2. Swacchta Hi Seva __________________ 50
5.4.2. India State Level Disease Burden Report 39 6.3.3. Arunachal Becomes Open Defecation Free
5.4.3. National Strategic Plan (2017-24) & Mission (ODF) ________________________________ 51
Sampark ______________________________ 40 6.3.4. India Youth Development Index and Report
5.4.4. National Strategic Plan for Malaria 2017 _________________________________ 51
Elimination ____________________________ 41 6.3.5. Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan ___________ 52
5.4.5. Pictorial Warning on Tobacco Products _ 42 6.3.6. LPG Panchayat ____________________ 52
5.4.6. India Health Fund __________________ 42 6.3.7. Utkrisht Impact Bond _______________ 53
5.4.7. Joint Monitoring Programme 2017 _____ 42 6.3.8. National Rural Drinking Water Programme53
5.5. Government Schemes ______________ 43 6.3.9. Swajal Yojana _____________________ 53
6.3.10. World Inequality Report____________ 54
5.5.1. NHPS ____________________________ 43
5.5.2. Mission Indradhanush ______________ 44

All rights are reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any
form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission 2 of
Vision IAS.
8468022022 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD
1. GENDER RELATED ISSUES
1.1. MISUSE OF ANTI-DOWRY 1.2. TRIPLE TALAQ
LEGISLATION Why in news?
Why in News? The two recent developments related to triple
Supreme Court has ordered a number of talaq are:
safeguards to prohibit the misuse of the anti- • Recently, constitution Bench set aside the
dowry provisions, under section 498a of IPC. practice of instant triple talaq (talaq-e-bid’a)
Anti Dowry Act 1961 in Shayara Bano case.
• It prohibits the giving and taking of dowry. • Also, Lok Sabha passed ‘The Muslim Women
• It had consolidated the anti-dowry laws which (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017’.
had been passed in certain states.
Background
• It defined dowry as any property or valuable
• In 2002 case, a two-judge bench of the Apex Court
security given or agreed to be given in
had delegitimised this instant talaq (Shamim Ara
connection with the marriage.
case). However, it was invalid only when it was
• It does not apply for the presents given at the
not properly pronounced and not preceded by
time of wedding.
attempts at reconciliation.
Changes by Supreme Court • This latest ruling completely and unconditionally
invalidates talaq-e-bid’a
• It called for involvement of civil society and • The Koranic procedure of talaq is the only way by
sensitisation of investigation officers. which Muslim husband will be able to divorce his
• The court ordered setting up of Family wife from now on.
Welfare Committees (to be set up by District
The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on
Legal Services Authorities) in every district to
Marriage) Bill, 2017
look into complaints related to Section 498a
of IPC. • It makes all declaration of talaq, including in
• No arrest should normally be affected until written or electronic form, to be void and
the committee submits its report on the illegal. It defines talaq as talaq-e-biddat or
matter. any other similar form of talaq pronounced
• There must be a designated officer to by a Muslim man resulting in instant and
investigate such complaints who should be irrevocable divorce. Talaq-e-biddat refers to
cautious in matters of bail. the practice under Muslim personal laws
• The court also made it clear that these where pronouncement of the word ‘talaq’
directions will not apply in offenses in which thrice in one sitting by a Muslim man to his
there is tangible physical injury or death. wife results in an instant and irrevocable
divorce.
Related Provisions of IPC • Offence and penalty- It makes declaration of
• Section 498A- Whoever, being the husband talaq a cognizable and non-bailable
or the relative of the husband of a woman, offence. A husband declaring talaq can be
subjects such woman to cruelty shall be pun- imprisoned for up to three years along with a
ished with imprisonment for a term which fine.
may extend to three years and shall also be • Allowance- A Muslim woman, against whom
liable to fine. It is separate from the Anti talaq has been declared, is entitled to seek
Dowry Act. subsistence allowance from her husband for
• Section 304B relates to Dowry Deaths. herself and for her dependent children. The
amount of the allowance will be decided by a
First Class Magistrate.
• Custody of minor children will be determined
by the Magistrate.
3
1.3. SHE-BOX 1.4. GLOBAL GENDER GAP
Why in News?
REPORT 2017
Recently government launched an online Why in news?
platform, SHe-Box, which enables women Recently, World Economic Forum released the
employees to file complaints related to sexual Global Gender Gap Report.
harassment at the workplace.
Global Gender Gap Report
Highlights of SHe-box
• It seeks to ensure effective implementation of the • The report was introduced by the World
Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Economic Forum in 2006 as a framework for
(Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 capturing the magnitude of gender-based
[SHW ACT]. disparities and tracking their progress over
• Once a complaint is submitted to the portal, it will time.
be directly sent to the ICC/LCC of the concerned • It captures four dimensions Economic
authority having jurisdiction to take action into Participation and Opportunity, Educational
the matter.
Attainment, Health and Survival and
• Both, Ministry of Women & Child Development
Political Empowerment.
Ministry as well as complainant, can monitor the
progress of inquiry. Findings of the Report
• Users of SHe-Box also have the option of
interacting with Ministry of WCD through this • According to the latest report, about 32% of
portal, with an assured time-bound response. the gender gap still remains to be closed as
compared to 31.7% in 2016.
Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace • Iceland was ranked 1st in the list of 144
(Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, countries.
2013:
• A significant feature of the 2017 report is that
• It defines sexual harassment at the work it analyses the dynamics of gender gaps
place and creates a mechanism for redressal across industry talent pools and occupation.
of complaints. It also provides safeguards It found that men were distinctively under-
against false or malicious charges. represented in Education and Health sector
• It includes all women both from organised where as women in Engineering,
and unorganised, public or private sectors, Manufacturing Construction and IT etc.
regardless of hierarchy. The domestic
Gender Gap in India
workers are also included within its ambit.
• Every employer is required to constitute an • India has closed its gender gap by 2 per cent
Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) at each in a year but slipped 21 ranks to 108.
office or branch with 10 or more • India’s greatest challenge lies in the
employees. The District Officer is required to economic participation and opportunity
constitute a Local Complaints Committee pillar where it ranked 139 and health and
(LCC) at each district, and if required at the survival pillar where it ranks 141.
block level. • India ranked 15th in terms of political
• The Complaints Committees have the participation and 112 in terms of education
powers of civil courts for gathering evidence. attainment.
They are required to provide for conciliation
before initiating an inquiry, if requested by 1.5. WOMEN SET TO BE
the complainant. INDUCTED IN TERRITORIAL
• Penalties have been prescribed for employers
for non-compliance of the act and repeated
ARMY (TA)
violations. Why in news?
Delhi High court has paved way for induction of
women into TA units by quashing Centre’s
notification barring the same.
4
• India was named first in the Asia-Pacific
group for the category: ‘Reaching the Poorest
and Most Vulnerable through Inclusive
Services and Participation’.
About Kanyashree Prakalpa Scheme
• It seeks to improve the status and wellbeing
of girls, specifically those from socio-
economically disadvantaged families through
Conditional Cash Transfers aimed at
incentivizing for continuing education and
disincentivizing marriage till the age of 18.
1.6.2. PRADHAN MANTRI MAHILA

SHAKTI KENDRA (PMMSK )
Why in news?
Recently the Government introduced a new
scheme ' Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendra'
Details (PMMSK) under the umbrella scheme "Mission
• Section 6 of the Territorial Army Act,1948 for Protection and Empowerment for Women"
lays down rules on who is eligible for of the Ministry of Women and Child
enrolment in the Territorial Army, which is Development.
also known as the second line of defense More about PMMSK
after the regular Army.
• As per the rules, TA recruited only gainfully • It will act as -
employed men and thus barring women’s o One-stop convergence support service
entry in infantry units in army. for empowering rural women with
• The two judge High Court bench held that opportunities for skill development,
policy of restriction on enrolment of women digital literacy, health and nutrition and
ultra vires Articles 14, 15, 16 and 19(1)(g) of employment.
the Constitution of India. o Way to improve declining child sex ratio
(CSR).
Current Status of women in Defense forces o An interface for rural women to approach
• The Indian Army, the Indian Navy and the IAF government for getting their
allow women in various courses but till entitlements.
recently restricted their entry into combat o It is envisaged to work at various levels.
roles. While, National level (domain-based
• Indian Airforce and Indian Navy in 2015 and knowledge support) and State level (State
Indian Army in 2017 allowed women in Resource Centre for Women) structures
combat roles. will provide technical support to the
respective government on issues related
1.6. SCHEMES FOR ECONOMIC to women, the District and Block level
EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN Centres will provide support to MSK and
also give a foothold to BBBP in 640
1.6.1. KANYASHREE PRAKA LPA districts to be covered in a phased
SCHEME manner.
o Student volunteers will provide an
Why in news? interface for rural women to approach
• West Bengal Government’s Kanyashree the government for availing their
Prakalpa scheme has won the United Nations entitlements.
Public Service Award.
5
1.6.3. 'SHEMEA NSBUSI NESS' • 3 such schemes are- ‘One Stop Centre’,
PROGRAMME ‘Universalisation of Women Helpline’ and
‘Mahila Police Volunteer’.
• Recently Odisha Government launched • Central Victim Compensation Fund has been
SheMeansBusiness program to train women created under Nirbhaya, which is a corpus
entrepreneur and Self Help Groups (SHGs). fund to support States/UTs for their Victim
• Under the Scheme, 25,000 women Compensation Scheme. This helps in ensuring
entrepreneurs and Self Help Groups will be adequate and timely support for women
provided training on Digital Marking skills survivors of crime and violence.
within next one year free of cost.
• Facebook will also develop a database of 1.8. SCHEMES TO DEAL WITH
entrepreneurs and track their growth, SON PREFERENCE & GIRL
turnover and profit after one year.
CHILD DISCRIMINATION
• This is a joint venture between MSME
Department, Directorate of Mission Shakti 1.8.1. BETI BACHAO BETI PADHAO
and Facebook.
Why in news?
Mission Shakti
• It is one of the key initiatives undertaken by • Recently, The Ministry of Women and Child
government of Odisha for women empowerment Development (WCD) had claimed an increase
• It promotes women’s SHGs with a specific aim of in sex ratio under BBBP scheme.
economic empowerment.
Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB): is the number of girls born
1.7 SCHEMES IN CONTEXT OF per 1,000 boys.
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN Child Sex Ratio: is the number of girls per 1,000 boys
between 0-6 years of age. In India it is 919 females per
1000 males.
1.7.1. SWADHAR GREH SCHEME
Other Initiatives to augment the BBBP outcomes
• It targets the women victims of difficult • ‘Sukanya Samriddhi Account: is a small deposit
circumstances (including the victims of sexual scheme for the girl child with a higher interest rate
harassment) who are in need of institutional of 9.1 per cent and income-tax benefit. It is also a
support for relief and rehabilitation, so that part of BBBP.
they could lead their life with dignity. • Selfie with daughter: An initiative with the aim to
• Ministry of Women and Child Development motivate society to feel proud to be parents of a
girl child.
is administering the scheme, focusing on
• Balika Manch- under BBBP to encourage girl
establishing one Swadhar Greh in each
students’ participation and improve awareness
district. related to gender issues.
• It is incumbent upon the State/UTs to setup
the Swadhar Grehs in their State/UTs. Background
• The trend of decline in the Child Sex Ratio
1.7.2. NIRBHAYA FUND
(CSR), defined as number of girls per 1000 of
• The Ministry of Finance, Government of India boys between 0-6 years of age, has been
had set up a dedicated fund called Nirbhaya unabated since 1961.
Fund in 2013, for implementation of • The decline from 945 in 1991 to 927 in 2001
initiatives aimed at enhancing the safety and and further to 919 in 2011 is alarming.
security for women in the country. • The decline in the CSR is a major indicator of
• It is a non-lapsable corpus fund. women disempowerment. CSR reflects both,
• Various schemes and programmes, related to pre-birth discrimination manifested through
security of women, are being implemented gender biased sex selection, and post birth
under the fund by the Ministry of Women discrimination against girls.
and Child Development along with various Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme
other ministries.
• Launched in 2015 at Panipat, Haryana to
address the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR)
6
and related issues of women empowerment • Registration of births
over a life-cycle continuum. Ministry of Human Resource Development
• It is a tri-ministerial effort of Ministries of • Universal enrolment of girls
Women and Child Development, Health & • Decreased drop-out rate
Family Welfare and Human Resource • Girl Child friendly standards in schools
Development. • Strict implementation of Right to Education
• The objectives of this initiative are: • Construction of Functional Toilets for girls.
o Prevention of gender biased sex selective
About PCPNDT Act, 1994
elimination
o Ensuring survival & protection of the girl • At the national level the Act was enacted on
child September 20, 1994. This act came into force
o Ensuring education and participation of in the year 1996.
the girl child • It was amended in 2003 to improve
• The scheme has no provision for individual regulation of technology capable of sex
cash transfer component or Direct Benefit selection.
Transfer scheme. • The main purpose of enacting the PC & PNDT
• The efforts include; (prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994 has
o Enforcement of Pre-Conception & Pre- been to:
Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) o Ban the use of sex selection techniques
Act, 1994 before or after conception
o Nation-wide awareness and advocacy o Prevent the misuse of pre-natal
campaign and multi-sectoral action in diagnostic techniques for sex selective
select districts (low on CSR) in the first abortions
phase. o Regulate such techniques
o Emphasis on mindset change through • All bodies under the Act cannot function
training, sensitization, awareness raising unless registered.
and community mobilization on ground. • It prohibits sex selection before or after
• Help from grass root participants like, ANM conception and misuse of pre-natal
(Auxiliary Nurse Midwife) and ASHA diagnostic techniques for determination of
(Accredited Social Health Activists) is the sex of the foetus and also advertisements
prescribed to ‘encourage’ the community and in relation to such techniques for detection
its members to promote girls’ education, or determination of sex.
nurture their health, etc. • The Act and Rules deal elaborately with the
• It is mandatory to display gender maintenance and preservation of proper
disaggregated data related to birth of girls records.
and boys through the ‘Guddi-Gudda’ boards • The Appropriate Authorities are empowered
which are to be displayed at prominent public with the powers of Civil Court for search,
places like Panchayats, Anganwadi Centres, seizure and sealing the machines,
etc. equipments and records of the violators of
The scheme is a collaborative initiative under-
law including sealing of premises and
commissioning of witnesses.
Ministry of WCD
• Promote registration of pregnancies in first 1.8.2. MISSION FOR PROTECTION
trimester in Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) AND EMPOWERMENT FOR WOME N
• Undertake training of stakeholders
• Community mobilization & sensitization Why in news?
• Involvement of gender champions Recently, Cabinet approved the expansion of
• Reward & recognition of institutions & frontline
Mission for Protection And Empowerment for
workers.
Women.
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
• Monitor implementation of Pre-Conception and About Mission for Protection and Empowerment
Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCP&DT) Act, for Women
1994
• It is a social sector welfare schemes for care,
• Increased institutional deliveries
protection and development of women.
7
• It aimed at improving the declining Child Sex Common Services Centers (CSCs) are ICT enabled
Ratio; ensuring survival & protection of the kiosks with broadband connectivity for delivery of
girl child; ensuring her education and essential public utility services, social welfare
empowering her to fulfill her potential. schemes, healthcare, financial, education and
agricultural services, apart from host of B2C services
About National Mission for empowerment of Women to citizens in rural and remote areas of the country.
• Aim: To achieve holistic empowerment of women
through convergence of schemes/programmes of • The product will be sold under local brand
different Ministries/ Department of Government name and marketed by village level
of India as well as State Governments. entrepreneurs.
• It provides expert and technical support in • Each facility will employ 8-10 women to
o Poverty alleviation economic empowerment, educate women of their society to overcome
o Health and nutrition, this social taboo.
o Gender budgeting & Gender mainstreaming, • It also has a menstrual hygiene related
o Gender rights gender based violence & law awareness generation component and is also
enforcement,
expected reduce drop out rates in girls on
o Empowerment of vulnerable & marginalised
groups,
reaching puberty.
o Social empowerment & education. Other related schemes
o Media and advocacy and Menstrual Hygiene Scheme (MHS)
o Information technology • Being implemented by Health Ministry as part of
• Nodal agency: Ministry of Women and Child Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram.
Development (MWCD) • It provides subsidized sanitary napkins among
• Coverage area: All State/UTs will be covered under adolescent girls residing primarily in rural areas.
this Scheme through the State Resource Centre for • Aim: to reach 15 million girls aged 10 to 19 and in
Women (SRCWs). 152 districts across 20 states
• Implemented through the States/UTs and Menstrual Hygiene Management National
Implementing Agencies. Guidelines, 2015
• Issued by Ministry of Drinking Water &
1.9. SCHEMES RELATED TO Sanitation.
WOMEN’S HEALTH • It covers the aspects of providing adolescent girls
with menstrual hygiene management choices and
1.9.1. PROJECT STREE SWA BHIMAN menstruation hygiene management infrastructure
in schools and the safe disposal of menstrual
Why in news? waste.
Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan
Recently, Ministry of Electronics and Information • Under this centrally sponsored scheme of
technology (MeITY) announced a project Stree Ministry of Human Resource Development,
Swabhiman. sanitary pads are provided in schools and girls
About the project hostels.
• It aims to create a sustainable model for 1.9.2. SUB-SCHEMES UNDER ICDS

providing adolescent girls and women
Why in news?
affordable sanitary products in rural areas.
• According to health ministry data, only 12% Recently, Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
of India’s 355 million women use sanitary approved the continuation of the sub-schemes
napkins while remaining resort to unsanitary under ICDS.
alternatives due to which 70% of these Supplementary Nutrition Programme (ICDS)
women suffers from the incidents of • Designed to bridge the gap between the
reproductive tract infection. Recommended Dietary Allowance (FDA) and the
• Under this project, sanitary napkin micro Average Daily Intake (ADI).
manufacturing units (semi-automatic and • Provide Take Home Ration (THR) in the form of
manual process production unit) are being Micronutrient Fortified Food and/or energy-dense
set up at Common Service Centres across food marked as ‘ICDS Food Supplement’ for
India, particularly those operated by women various age groups of children.
entrepreneurs.
8
Integrated Child Development Scheme
1.10. MATERNITY BENEFIT
• It is a flagship government scheme which SCHEMES
aims to improve the nutrition and health
status of children in age group of 0-6 years 1.10.1. VATSALYA-MAATRI AMRIT
and lays foundation of psychological, physical KOSH
and social development of the child.
• It was launched to reduce the incidence of Why in News?
mortality, morbidity, malnutrition and school • National Human Milk Bank and Lactation
dropout among children. Counselling Centre (Vatsalya – Maatri Amrit
• It provides an integrated package of six Kosh) has been set up at Lady Hardinge
services which include i) Supplementary Medical College Delhi.
nutrition programme (ii) Immunization (iii) • It is established in collaboration with the
Health check-up (iv) Referral services (v) Pre- Norwegian government, Oslo University and
school non-formal education and (vi) Norway India Partnership Initiative (NIPI).
Nutrition & health education.
• It involves 5-tier monitoring and review MAA (Mothers Absolute Affection)
mechanism at National, State, District, Block • Flagship programme to ensure that adequate
and Anganwadi Levels. awareness is generated among masses,
• It also aims to enhance the capability of especially mothers and related family of
mothers to take care of the health and newly born child, about the benefits of
nutritional needs of the children. breastfeeding.
• In 2016-17, government had rationalised • To enhance optimal breastfeeding practices.
some schemes such as Anganwadi Programme will focus on initiation of
Services, Scheme for Adolescent Girls, Child breastfeeding within an hour of birth,
Protection Services and National Crèche exclusive breastfeeding for the first six
Scheme and brought them under Umbrella months, and continued breastfeeding for at
ICDS as its sub-schemes. These schemes have least two years
been continuing since 12th Five year plan. • Training for nurses in government hospitals,
Sub-Schemes under Umbrella ICDS Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA),
Auxiliary Nurse Mid-wives (ANM) to provide
• Anganwadi Services – It is for holistic relevant information and counselling support
development of children under the age of 6 to mothers for breastfeeding.
year and pregnant and lactating women. • MAA secretariat and a steering committee
• Scheme for Adolescent Girls – It aims to will be created in all states and at the district
facilitate, educate and make them self-reliant level.
through improved nutrition and health • The programme will be monitored by UNICEF
status. and other partners.
• Child Protection Services – It aims to provide
Background
safe and secure environment for children in
• In India, nearly 13% of newly born children die
conflict with law and children in need of care below 5 years of age, owing to poor breastfeeding
and protection and reduce vulnerabilities. practices.
• National Crèche Services –It aims to provide • Despite the institutional delivery has increased to
a safe place for children of working mothers 78.9% of total delivery, the early initiation of
while they are at work. Thus, empowering breastfeeding is only 40% of total lactating mother.
them to take up employment.
1.10.2. PRADHA N MA NTRI MATRU
VANDA NA YOJA NA
Why in News?
• Recently, draft guidelines for implementation
of Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana
(PMMVY) have been prepared by the
Ministry of Women and Child Development.
9
Pradhan Mantri Matritva Vandana Yojana was Important Provisions of the Act
previously known as Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog
Yojana. • It amends the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.
• It has increased the duration of paid
Features maternity leave available for women
• The draft guidelines provide for employees to 26 weeks from 12 weeks.
o Aadhaar linkage However, the increased Maternity Benefit is
o Direct Benefit Transfer of Rs. 5000 in only available for the first two children.
beneficiary’s bank/post office account in • It has extended the benefits applicable to
three instalments the adoptive and commissioning mothers
✓ at the stage of early registration of and provides that woman who adopts a child
pregnancy will be given 12 weeks of maternity leave.
✓ after six months of pregnancy on at • It has introduced an enabling provision
least one antenatal check-up and relating to “work from home” that can be
registration of child birth & exercised after the expiry of 26 weeks’ leave
✓ first cycle of immunization of the period.
child. • It has mandated crèche facility for every
• It is Centrally Sponsored Scheme. The cost establishment employing 50 or more
sharing ratio between – employees.
o The Centre and the States & UTs with • Every establishment will be required to
Legislature is 60:40 provide woman, at the time of her initial
o For North-Eastern States & three appointment, with information about every
Himalayan States, it is 90:10, & benefit available under the Act.
o 100% Central assistance for Union
Territories without Legislature. 1.11. OTHER SCHEMES
About the Scheme 1.11.1. ONLINE PORTA LS ‘NARI’
• It is available to all Pregnant Women & AND ‘E-SAMVAAD’
Lactating Mothers (PW&LM) except those in
Why in news?
regular employment with the Central or
State Government or PSU or those who are The government has launched two online portals-
in receipt of similar benefits under any law ‘NARI’ and ‘e-Samvaad’.
for the time being in force. NARI
• It is available for first living child of the
family as normally, the first pregnancy of a • Due to scattered information on various
woman exposes her to new kind of women centric schemes/legislations there is
challenges and stress factors. a lack of awareness among people regarding
• The objectives of the scheme are- the same. To address this problem
o providing partial compensation for the government launched NARI portal as a single
wage loss in terms of cash incentives so window access to information and services.
that the woman can take adequate rest • It is a Mission Mode Project under the
before and after delivery of the first National E-Governance Plan (designed and
living child; and developed by National Informatics Centre
o the compensation provided would lead (NIC), Ministry of Electronics & Information
to improved health seeking behavior Technology).
amongst the Pregnant Women and e-samvaad Portal
Lactating Mothers.
• It is a platform for NGOs and civil society to
1.10.3. MATERNITY BENEFIT interact with the Ministry of Women and
(AMENDMENT) ACT, 201 7 Child Development (MWCD) by providing
Why in News? their feedback, suggestions, put up
grievances, share best practices etc.
Maternity Benefit Amendment Act, 2017 were
recently notified.
10
• This will help in formulation of effective • Kerala was the first state which formulated
policies and measures for welfare of women the Transgender Policy to enforce the
and children. constitutional rights of transgenders.
• Odisha is the first region in the country to
1.12. DEVELOPMENTS give transgender people social welfare
RELATED TO TRANSGENDER benefits - such as a pension, housing and
food grains.
• India’s First Transgender Sports meet was • Andhra Pradesh, also, recently announced
organized by the Kerala State Sports Council pension scheme for transgender community.
at Thiruvananthapuram.
11
2. CHILD RELATED ISSUES
2.1. CHILD LABOUR states while recommendations serve as non-binding
guidelines. In many cases, a convention lays down the
Why in news? basic principles to be implemented by ratifying
countries, while a related recommendation
India has ratified two key ILO conventions on supplements the convention by providing more
child labour: The Minimum Age Convention (No detailed guidelines on how it could be applied.
138) and the Worst Forms of Child Labour Recommendations can also be autonomous, i.e. not
Convention (No 182). linked to any convention.
Fundamental conventions: The ILO's Governing Body
Background has identified eight conventions as "fundamental" or
• The main bottleneck in the way of India Core. They cover subjects that are considered as
ratifying Conventions 182 and 138 was fundamental principles and rights at work. These
principles are also covered in the ILO's Declaration on
addressing forced or compulsory recruitment
Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (1998).
of children and appropriately raising the age
of employment in hazardous occupations With ratification of these two core ILO conventions,
India has now ratified 6 out of 8 core ILO conventions.
from 14 to 18 years.
The other four core ILO conventions ratified by India
• Consequent to the passing of the Child are:
Labour (Prohibition and Regulation)
• Forced labour convention (No 29) and Abolition of
Amendment Act, 2016 by the Indian Forced Labour convention (No 105) relating to
Parliament, prohibiting the employment of abolition of forced labour,
children up to 14 years of age, and children • Equal Remuneration convention (No 100)
up to 18 years of age in hazardous • Discrimination (Employment and Occupation)
occupations, India could now ratify convention relating to removing discrimination
Conventions 182 and 138. between men and women in employment and
occupation.
The Minimum Age The Worst Forms of Child
Convention (No 138) Labour Convention (No 182) Two core ILO conventions which are yet to be ratified
by India are:
It requires ratifying By ratifying this Convention, a • Freedom of Association and Protection of the
states to pursue a country commits itself to Right to Organise Convention (No 87)
national policy for taking immediate action to • Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining
effective abolition of prohibit and eliminate the Convention (No 98).
child labour and to worst forms of child labour.
raise progressively National Child Labour Policy (NCLP)
the minimum age for The worst forms of child
admission to labour prohibited under this • The National Policy on Child Labour, 1987
employment or work. are all forms of slavery or contains the action plan for tackling the
practices similar to slavery, problem of child labour. It envisages-
such as the sale and o A legislative action plan
trafficking of children, debt o Focussing and convergence of general
bondage and serfdom and
development programmes for benefiting
forced or compulsory labour,
children wherever possible, and
including forced or
compulsory recruitment of o Project-based action plan of action for
children for use in armed launching of projects for the welfare of
conflict. working children in areas of high
concentration of child labour.
Related Information • In pursuance of National Child Labour Policy,
India is a founder member of the International Labour the National Child Labour Project
Organization (ILO), which came into existence in 1919. Scheme(NCLPS) was started in 1988 to
Conventions and Recommendations: ILO sets rehabilitate child labour.
International labour standards in the form of • NCLPS is a central sector scheme where 100%
conventions and recommendations. They are legal of the funding is provided by the Government
instruments. Conventions are legally binding of India through the Ministry of Labour and
international treaties that may be ratified by member Employment. It seeks to-
12
o Eliminate all forms of child labour and the general public in achieving the target of
through child labour free society.
✓ Identification and withdrawal of all • Its main components include-
children and preparing them for o Child Tracking System
mainstream education along with o Complaint Corner
o State Government
vocational training;
o National Child Labour Project
✓ Ensuring convergence of services o Convergence
provided by different government
departments/agencies for the Constitutional Provisions Against Child Labour
benefit of child and their family; • Article 23(1) provides that trafficking in
o Contribute to the withdrawal of all human beings and beggar and other similar
adolescent workers from Hazardous forms of forced labour are prohibited and any
Occupations / Processes and their skilling contravention of this provision shall be an
and integration in appropriate offence punishable in accordance with law
occupations by facilitating vocational • Article 24 provides that no child below the
training opportunities for such age of fourteen years shall be employed to
adolescents through existing scheme of work in any factory or mine or engaged in any
skill developments; other hazardous employment.
o Raise awareness amongst stakeholders
• Article 39(e) provides that the state shall, in
and target communities on the issue; and
particular, direct its policy towards securing
o Creation of a Child Labour Monitoring,
that the health and strength of workers, men
Tracking and Reporting System. and women, and the tender age of children
Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) are not abused and that citizens are not
Amendment Act, 2016 forced by economic necessity to enter a
• It seeks to amend the Child Labour vocation unsuited to their age or strength.
(Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986.
• In light of the Right of Children to Free and 2.2. CHILD SEX ABUSE
Compulsory Education Act, 2009, the Act
Why in News?
seeks to prohibit employment of children
below 14 years in all occupations except National Commission for Protection of Child
where the child helps his family after school Rights has now enhanced its scope to handle
hours. cyber bullying, cyber stalking, morphing of
• It adds a new category of persons called images and child pornography.
“adolescent”. An adolescent means a person Nobel Peace laureate Kailash Satyarthi
between 14 and 18 years of age. It prohibits announced ‘Bharat yatra’ to increase national
employment of adolescents in hazardous awareness regarding child sex abuse.
occupations as specified (mines, inflammable
substance and hazardous processes). What is Child Sexual Abuse (CSA)?
According to 1999 WHO Consultation on Child Abuse
• The central government may add or omit any
Prevention, “Child sexual abuse is the involvement of
hazardous occupation from the list included a child in sexual activity that he or she does not fully
in the Act. comprehend, is unable to give informed consent to, or
• It enhances the punishment for employing for which the child is not developmentally prepared
any child in an occupation. It also includes and cannot give consent, or that violates the laws or
penalty for employing an adolescent in a social taboos of society.”
hazardous occupation.
UN Convention on Rights of Child
• It empowers the government to make
• It came into force in 1990. It prescribed a set
periodic inspection of places at which
of standards to be followed by all State
employment of children and adolescents are
parties in securing the best interests of the
prohibited.
child. India ratified it in 1992.
PENCIL (Platform for Effective Enforcement for Child • It is the first legally binding international
Labour) Portal instrument to incorporate the full range of
• It is an electronic platform that aims at involving human rights for children —civil, cultural,
Centre, State, District Governments, civil society economic, political and social.
13
• State parties to the Convention on the Rights • For the more heinous offences of Penetrative
of the Child are required to undertake all Sexual Assault, Aggravated Penetrative
appropriate measures to prevent— Sexual Assault, Sexual Assault and Aggravated
o The inducement or coercion of a child to Sexual Assault, the burden of proof is shifted
engage in any unlawful sexual activity; on the accused.
o The exploitative use of children in • The media has been barred from disclosing
prostitution or other unlawful sexual the identity of the child without the
practices; permission of the Special Court.
o The exploitative use of children in
POCSO e-box
pornographic performances and • It is a National Commission for Protection of Child
materials. Rights (NCPCR) initiative to help children report
• Apart from this there are 3 Optional such crimes directly to the Commission.
Protocols (under the Convention on the • The online complaint management system
Rights of the Child) which state may enables easy reporting and timely action against
independently choose whether or not to be the offenders under the POCSO Act, 2012.
bound by them.
o Increase the protection of children from 2.3. SAFE CHILDHOOD
involvement in armed conflicts PROGRAMME
o Protection from sexual exploitation
o Allowing children to bring complaints Why in News?
directly to the Committee on the Rights Recently, NCPCR, Ministry of Panchayati Raj and
of the Child. UNICEF has released the handbook about the
*India has ratified only the first two guideline on safe childhood programme.
protocols. Related News
About Protection Of Children from Sexual UNICEF recently released a report named- ‘State of
World’s Children Report: Children in the Digital
Offences
World, 2017’.
• It protects children from offences of sexual
About Safe Childhood Programme
assault, sexual harassment and pornography
• It provides children (aged three to ten) with a
and provides for establishment of Special
set of skills to help them prevent sexual,
Courts for trial of such offences and for
emotional, and physical abuse.
matters connected therewith or incidental
• It emphasizes on child’s security which can
thereto.
be enhanced without creating
• It defines a child as any person below the age
misunderstanding, fear, or anxiety or
of 18 years and provides protection to all
reducing a child’s sense of trust.
children under the age of 18 years from the
• It will contribute in improving the current
offences of sexual assault, sexual harassment
scenario related to health, development,
and pornography.
education and protection of children.
• For the first time it listed aspects of touch as
well as non-touch behaviour (example- it Related Information
brought photographing a child) under the National Commission for the protection of Child
ambit of sexual offences. Rights
• It incorporated child friendly procedures for • This statutory body at the National and State
reporting, recording of evidence, level has been proposed to be set up under
investigation and trial of offences. the Commission for Protection of Child Rights
• The attempt to commit an offence has also Act 2005.
been made liable for punishment for up-to • It is under the control of the Ministry of
half the punishment prescribed for the Women & Child Development, set up in
commission of the offence. 2007.
• It also provides for punishment for abetment • It consists of one Chairman and Six other
of the offence, which is the same as for the member (out of which atleast two
commission of the offence. This would cover are woman having experience in Child
trafficking of children for sexual purposes. Psychology, Education etc.).
14
Bal Panchayat: Initiated and supported by the • It has four priority areas:
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), this o Survival, health and nutrition
model. o Education and development
o Child Protection
• The formation of the Bal-Panchayat ensures
participatory governance in the village and
inculcates a sense of democratic values in the 2.3.2. NATIONAL ACTION PLAN FOR
children. CHILDREN, 2016
• India has ratified the United Nations Child
Rights Convention in the year 1992 and this Some of the provisions of the National Child
Act was passed as one of the necessary steps Action Plan of 2016 are as follows-
to protect the rights of the children in the • On Child Survival, Health and Nutrition
country. o It will help in the improving child health
Integrated Child Protection Scheme by universalizing the maternal and child
• It has been introduced to bridge the gaps in healthcare.
previous schemes & their implementation and to o It will also give emphasis on new born
provide safe and secure environment for overall care by initiatives like universal
development of children in difficult immunization.
circumstances, by the Ministry of Women and o It will prevent mental and physical
Child Development.
disabilities through timely measures for
• There is a provision for opening up of ‘Open
pre-natal, peri-natal and post-natal care
Shelters’ for children in the need of care and
protection, including the street children, in urban
of mother and child.
and semi-urban areas, activities of which includes • On Education and Development
access to vocational training, recreation, bridge o It will provide universal and equitable
education, etc. access to quality Early Childhood Care
• It provides for setting up of District Child and Education (ECCE) for all children
Protection Societies (DCPS) by the State below six years of age.
Governments/ UT Administrations in every district o It will promote affordable and accessible
of the State responsibility of which includes quality education up to the Secondary
identifying families and children at risk to prevent level for all children.
destitution of children.
• On Child Protection
2.3.1. NATIONAL POLI CY FOR o It will help strengthen legislative,
CHILDREN 2013 administrative, and institutional redressal
mechanisms for Child Protection at all
• It recognizes a child to be a person below the level.
age of 18 yrs. • On Child Participation
• It recognizes that children are not a o It will ensure that children actively
homogenous group and require different participate in planning and
responses. implementation of programmes
• It aims to give a social safety net to family to concerning them.
help nurture child.
• It says that every child has universal,
inalienable and indivisible human rights.
15
3. OLD AGE/DISABLED/VULNERABLE SECTIONS
Policy Response to Ageing
3.1. ELDERLY IN INDIA
• Maintenance & Welfare of Parents and
3.1.1. NATIONAL COUN CIL OF senior citizen Act 2007: This act provides a
SENIOR CITIZENS legal framework for the maintenance of the
elderly parents & grandparents and was
Why in News?
promulgated by the States and Union
Recently, Ministry of Social Justice and Territories in stages. It defines the senior
Empowerment has organised second meeting of citizen as any person being a citizen of India,
National Council of Senior Citizens (NCSrC). who has attained the age of 60 years and
Related Information- above.
• Article 41: The State shall, within the limits of its • Integrated Programme for Older Persons: It
economic capacity and development, make is a central sector scheme.
effective provisions for securing the right to work, o Its objective is to improve the quality of
to education and to public assistance in cases of
life of the Senior Citizens by providing
unemployment, old age, sickness and
disablement.
basic amenities like shelter, food, medical
• India is signatory of Madrid Plan of Action and care entertainment opportunities and by
Barrier Free Framework which intend to work encouraging productive and active
towards an inclusive, barrier-free and age-friendly ageing.
society. o It aims at generating support for capacity
building of Government/Non-
About National Council of Senior Citizens
Governmental Organizations (NGOs)/
• It was originally known as National Council Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs)/ local
for Older Persons (NPOP) and was renamed bodies and the community at large.
in 2012. • Health care for Older Persons: The health
• It is chaired by the Minister of Social Justice & care programme namely National
Empowerment and have to meet at least Programme of Health Care for Elderly
twice a year. (NPHCE), for the elderly is being
• It is the highest body to advise the Central implemented by the MOHFW from 2011
and State Governments on issues related to under the National Rural Health Mission.
the welfare of senior citizens and • Social Pensions: The National Social
enhancement of their quality of life. Assistance Programme was launched to
About Rastriya Vayoshri Yojana provide social assistance to the poor and the
destitute.
• It provides Physical Aids and Assisted-living • National Policy for Older Persons (NPOP),
Devices for Senior citizens belonging to BPL 1999
category’ with 30% of the beneficiaries in o The policy is aimed at providing assistance
each district to be women. to senior Citizens through Pension
• It is a Central Sector Scheme which is being Scheme, Tax Exemption, and Subsidised
implemented with the expenditure being met Food and health services.
from "Senior Citizens' Welfare Fund". o Established a Multi-Service Citizens
• Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation Centre, outreach services, supply of
(ALIMCO) is the sole implementing agency, a disability related aids and appliances etc.
PSU under the Ministry of Social Justice and and setting up a welfare fund for older
Empowerment. persons.
• Senior Citizens Welfare Fund
3.1.2. POLICY RESPONSE TO A GING o Established under Senior Citizen Welfare
Recently the report, “Caring for Our Elders: Early Rule 2016.
Responses, India Ageing Report – 2017 o It is an interest bearing account in the
(UNFPA)”, has been released that takes stock of Public Account of India and shall be
ageing concerns and policy response in the administered by the Committee.
country.
16
o The fund will be credited from unclaimed • The Act is in line with the principles of
PPF, EPF and other Govt sponsored Small the United Nations Convention on the Rights
Savings funds such as National Saving of Persons with Disabilities and aims at
Certificate, Kisan Vikesh Patra, Sukanya encouraging establishments to have a
Samriddhi Accounts etc. disabled friendly workplace.
• The National Policy on Senior Citizen, 2011, • The types of disabilities have been increased
also, focused on various aspects related to from existing 7 to 21 and the Central
old age like Income security, healthcare, Government will have the power to add more
safety security, housing, productive aging, types of disabilities.
welfare, multigenerational bonding, etc. It • Persons with "benchmark disabilities" are
also established a National Council for defined as those certified to have at least 40
Senior Citizens to suggest required policy per cent of the disabilities mentioned in the
changes for the elderly. Act.
United Nations Population Fund • Additional benefits such as reservation in
• It is the UN’s reproductive health and rights higher education, government jobs,
agency created in 1969. reservation in allocation of land, poverty
• It calls for the realization of reproductive rights for alleviation schemes etc. have been provided
all and supports access to a wide range of sexual for persons with benchmark disabilities.
and reproductive health services – including • Every child with benchmark disability
voluntary family planning, maternal health care between the age group of 6 and 18 years
and comprehensive sexuality education. shall have the right to free education.
• Reservation in vacancies in government
3.2. DISABLED establishments has been increased from 3%
to 4% for certain persons or class of persons
3.2.1. THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS
with benchmark disability.
WITH DISA BILITY ACT, 2016
• It has now brought private establishments
Why in News? within its ambit. Though it does not require
private establishments to mandatorily
The Rights of Persons with Disability Rules, 2017
appoint Persons with Disabilities (PwD), there
(Rules) were notified to supplement the
are certain obligations imposed on private
provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disability
establishments under the Act.
Act, 2016.
• Broad based Central & State Advisory Boards
UN Convention of Rights of Persons with Disability on Disability are to be set up to serve as apex
• Entered into force in 2008, it is the first policy making bodies at the Central and State
comprehensive human rights treaty of the 21 st level.
century and first legally binding instrument with
• Creation of National and State Fund will be
comprehensive protection of the rights of persons
created to provide financial support to the
with disabilities.
• Its guiding principles include- respect for inherent
persons with disabilities.
dignity, non-discrimination, participation and • For strengthening the Prime Minister's
inclusion in society, equality of opportunity, Accessible India Campaign, stress has been
accessibility, equality between men and women given to ensure accessibility in public
and respect for the rights of children with buildings (both Government and private) in a
disabilities. prescribed time-frame.
• Though the convention does not explicitly define • It provides for penalties for offences
disability, it recognizes that the notion of committed against persons with disabilities
“disability” is not fixed and can alter, depending on
and also violation of the provisions of the
the prevailing environment from society to society.
new law.
• India has ratified the convention.
• Special Courts will be designated in each
Provisions of the Act district to handle cases concerning violation
• It replaces the Persons with Disabilities (Equal of rights of PwDs.
Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full
Participation) Act, 1995.
17
3.2.2. DIVYANG SARATHI MO BILE • It has been divided into three verticals: Built
APP Environment; Transport and Information &
Communication Technology (ICT) ecosystem.
• The GoI recently launched a mobile app
named “Divyang Sarathi” for easy 3.3. MINORITY
information dissemination to Divyanjans
(Persons with disabilities) 3.3.1. GARIB NAWAZ SKI LL
• It aims at providing all relevant information DEVELOPMENT CENTRES
pertaining to the Department of
Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities • The Minister of State for Minority Affairs &
(DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Parliamentary Affairs said that Garib Nawaz
Empowerment, including its various acts, Skill Development Centres will be established
rules, regulations and guidelines, schemes, in 100 districts of the country.
information about the various outreach • These centres will effectively ensure
institutions, employment opportunities, and employment-oriented skill development of
the disability market in an accessible format. youth belonging to Minority communities.
• It is also an integral part of the ICT • The courses will be short term (2 to 6
(Information and Communication months) in fields such as mobile and laptop
Technology) component of the Accessible repairing, security guard training,
India Campaign. housekeeping training, etc.
Related Information Other skill development schemes for minorities are:

Sugamaya Pustakalaya • Seekho aur Kamao
• It is an online platform that makes accessible • USTTAD (Upgrading the Skills and Training in
content available to print-disabled people. Traditional Arts/ Crafts for Development)
• It has been created by Department of • Nai Manzil
Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities • Maulana Azad National Academy for Skills
(Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice and (MANAS)
Empowerment in collaboration with member • PM’s 15 points programme for welfare of minority -
organizations of Daisy Forum of India and Lending to minority
powered by TCS Access. • Nai Roshni
• Books are available in Accessible formats for
people with visual impairment and other print 3.3.2. JIYO PARSI
disabilities.
Why in News?
• One of the unique features of the app is its
Union Ministry of Minority Affairs launched the
audio notes. This is so because the app
2nd phase of publicity campaign of “Jiyo Parsi”.
comes embedded with (text-to-voice
conversion software) which converts the About Minorities
written information into an audio file as well • Minorities in India are notified by the
as the adjustable font size which can be Government of India.
altered as per the user’s requirement. • Presently, minorities in India include: Sikhs;
Muslims; Christians; Zoroastrians (Parsi);
Accessible India Campaign Buddhists; Jains.
• It is the nationwide flagship campaign of About Jiyo Parsi
the Department of Empowerment of
• It is a central sector scheme formulated in
Persons with Disabilities(DEPwD).
September 2013 for containing population
• The aim of the Campaign is to make a barrier
decline of Parsis in India.
free and conducive environment for
• Need of the Scheme: Population of Parsi
Divyangjans all over the country.
community in India declined from 114,890 in
• It is based on the principles of the Social
1941 to 57,624 as per Census 2011, thus
Model of Disability, that disability is caused
declining by almost 50% in last 60 years.
by the way society is organised, and not the
• Objective of Scheme: To target an increase
person’s limitations and impairments.
in the Total Fertility Rate of the Parsi
18
community, in order to stem or at least slow • It came into force in 2006. The Nodal Ministry
its population decline. for the Act is Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
• The Scheme will be implemented by the • It has been enacted to recognize and vest the
Parzor Foundation with the help of the forest rights and occupation of forest land in
Bombay Parsi Panchayat (BPP) and through forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other
the organizations/societies /Anjumans and traditional forest dwellers, who have been
Panchayat of the community concerned in residing in such forests for generations, but
existence for not less than three years. whose rights could not be recorded.
• It not only recognizes the rights to hold and
3.4. TRIBALS live in the forest land under the individual or
common occupation for habitation or for self-
3.4.1. HABITAT RIGHTS TO PVTGS cultivation for livelihood, but also grants
Why in news? several other rights to ensure their control
over forest resources.
The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes • The Act also provides for diversion of forest
(NCST) has temporarily banned displacement of land for public utility facilities managed by
tribals from forest areas and critical tiger reserves the Government, such as schools,
to ensure tiger conservation does not infringe on dispensaries, fair price shops, electricity and
tribal rights. telecommunication lines, water tanks, etc.
Background with the recommendation of Gram Sabhas.
Mankidia, one of the 13 Particularly Vulnerable 3.4.2. EKLAVYA SCHOOLS
Tribal Groups (PVTG) in Odisha, were recently
denied habitat rights inside the Similipal Tiger Why in news?
Reserve (STR) under the Scheduled Tribes and In his budget speech 2018-19, the Finance
Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Minister announced establishment of Eklavya
Forest Rights) Act, 2006. Schools.
About Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups Details
(PVTGs) • They are to be established in all Tribal blocks
with more than 50% ST population and at
• In 1973, the Dhebar Commission created
least 20,000 Tribal persons will have Ekalavya
Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) as a separate
Model Residential School (EMRS) by 2022.
category, who are less developed among the
• Ekalavya schools provide boarding and
tribal groups. They were later renamed as
lodging facilities to tribal students.
PVTG.
• They are at par with the Jawahar Navodaya
• States/UTs submit proposals to the Central
Vidyalayas (schools aimed at providing high
Ministry of Tribal Welfare for identification of
quality education to all students irrespective
PVTGs.
of their socio-economic backgrounds).
• Some basic characteristics of PVTGs are:
• These schools will have special facilities for
o Mostly homogenous
preserving local art and culture besides
o A small population
providing training in sports and skill
o Relatively physically isolated
development.
o Primitive Social institutions
o Absence of written language Census 2011
o Relatively simple technology and a slower • 104.2 million Indians notified as STs (8.6% of the
rate of change total population and 11.3% of the total rural
o Their livelihood depends on food population).
gathering, Non-Timber Forest Produce, • literacy rate-58.96%
• Drop-out rate 70.9% in Classes I to X in 2010-11
hunting, livestock rearing, shifting
• Mizoram has the highest population of STs (94.5%)
cultivation and artisan works.
ASHRAM SCHOOLS: These are also residential schools
What is the Scheduled Tribes and Other which impart education up to the secondary school
Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of level to ST children. They are established throughout
Forest Rights) Act, 2006? India under central scheme funded by Ministry of
Tribal affairs.
19
3.5. OTHER ISSUES • Offences under the Act are cognizable and
non-bailable and attract stringent penalties.
3.5.1. MAHARASHTRA SOCIAL • Vigilance/Monitoring Committee at sub-
BOYCOTT ACT Division, District, State and Central Govt.
levels.
Why in news? • National Commission for Safai Karamcharis
The Maharashtra government’s Prohibition of (NCSK) would, inter alia, monitor
Social Boycott Act got the assent of the President. implementation of the Act and enquire into
complaints regarding contravention of the
What is Social Boycott? provisions of the Act.
If any individual or group tries to prevent or obstruct
• Provision of construction of adequate
another member or group from observing any social
number of sanitary community latrines in
or religions custom or from taking part in a social or
community function, the act amounts to social urban areas, within three years from the
boycott. date of commencement of this Act to
eliminate the practice of open defecation.
Provisions of the Act
The National Career Services also has listed the
• Maharashtra is the first state in the country manual scavengers under ‘unorganised sector’ thus
to formulate such a law which is against the recognising their work.
parallel justice system of the gaviks or jati National Career Services
panchayats. This Act can lead to other states • It is an ICT based portal launched by the Ministry
following this step. of Labour and Employment.
• It provides for prohibition of social boycott of • The portal facilitates registration of job seekers,
a person or group of persons, by an individual job providers, skill providers, career counsellors
or a group like caste panchayat. etc.
3.5.2. MANUAL SCAVEN GING 3.5.3. STREET VENDORS

(PROTECTION OF LIVELI HOOD AND
Why in news? REGULATION OF STREET VENDI NG)
Recently Madras High Court passed an order ACT, 2017
asking Government to take stringent measure to Why in news?
enforce the Prohibition of Employment as
Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, A series of studies and reports have pointed out
2013. that there is an uneven implementation of the
Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and
About the Act Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2017 across
• This Act intends to, inter alia, achieve its the country.
objectives to: Important Provisions of the Act
o Eliminate the insanitary latrines.
o Prohibit: • It aims to protect the livelihood rights of
✓ Employment as Manual Scavengers street vendors as well as regulate street
✓ Hazardous manual cleaning of sewer vending through demarcation of vending
and septic tanks. zones, conditions for and restrictions on
o Survey of Manual Scavengers and their street vending.
rehabilitation, within a time bound • It provides for constitution of a Town
manner. Vending Authority in each Local Authority,
which is the fulcrum of the Act, for
implementing the provisions of the Act.
Main features of the Act are: • Any person intending to undertake street
vending needs to register with the Town
• Definitions of manual scavengers and
Vending Committee (TVC) and then apply for
insanitary latrines widened to cover not only
vending certificates.
dry latrines but other insanitary latrines as
well. • TVC comprises of the municipal
commissioner, representatives of street
vendors, local authority, planning authority,
20
local police, resident welfare association and o Inclusive Employment
other traders associations. ✓ Engage with corporate sector
• Procedure for relocation, eviction and organisations; public and private, for
confiscation of goods has been specified and creating awareness towards inclusive
made street vendor friendly. employment
• State government shall frame a scheme for o Inclusive Community Life
street vendors. The local authority shall, in ✓ Civil Society organisations and State
consultation with the planning authority, Government connect initiative
frame a street vending plan once every five creating awareness among general
years. public, ensuring that the people
becomes sensitive towards the focus
3.5.4. INCLUSIVE INDIA INITIATIVE group.
Why in News? • The conference stressed need to take
advantage of all 10 schemes of the national
• Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment in trust namely;
collaboration with key partners organised the o DISHA: Early Intervention and School
conference-Inclusive India Initiative: Towards Readiness Scheme
an Inclusive India. o VIKAAS: Day care scheme, primarily for
• National Trust will be the nodal agency for enhancing interpersonal and vocational
the initiative. skills.
o SAMARTH: Respite Care for orphans or
The National Trust
abandoned, families in crisis and also for
• A statutory body of the Ministry of Social Justice
Persons with Disabilities (PwD) from BPL
and Empowerment.
• CEO of trust is Joint Secretary level officer.
& LIG families including destitute.
• Established under National Trust for the Welfare o GHARAUNDA: Group home for adults
of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental and an assured home and minimum
Retardation and Multiple Disabilities” Act (Act 44 quality of care services throughout the
of 1999). life of the PwD.
• Works towards providing opportunities for o NIRAMAYA: affordable insurance for
capacity development of Persons with Disability pwd, health insurance cover upto 1 lakh.
namely education, employment and community o SAHYOGI: Provide training and create a
sensitisation. skilled workforce of care associates to
• Evolving procedures for appointments of provide adequate and nurturing care for
guardians and trustees for persons with
Person with Disabilities (PwDs) and their
disabilities.
families who require it
More on News o GYAN PRABHA: to pursue higher
education or skill development courses.
• A vision document on ‘Inclusive India
o PRERNA: Marketing assistance to create
Initiative’ was released with the collaboration
viable and widespread channels for sale
of various partner and ministries.
of products and services produced by
• The three core focus areas of Inclusive India
PwDs.
Initiative are:
o SAMBHAV: collate and collect the aids,
o Inclusive Education
software and other form of assistive
✓ Awareness campaigns and
devices developed with a provision of
involvement of private organisations
display and demonstration of the devices.
for making the infrastructure of
o BADHTE KADAM: aims at community
educational disabled friendly.
awareness, sensitisation, social
integration and mainstreaming of
Persons with Disabilities.
21
3.5.5. 2016 INDIAN EXCLUSION digital access, agricultural land, and legal
REPORT (IXR) justice for undertrials.
• Most severely and consistently excluded from
• The 2016 Report released by Center of provisioning tend to be the same historically
Equity Studies reviews exclusion with respect disadvantaged groups: Dalits, Adivasis,
to four public goods: pensions for the elderly, Muslims, and persons with disabilities and
age-related vulnerabilities.
22
4. EDUCATION
special training for mainstreaming out-of-
4.1. PRIMARY & SECONDARY
school children, residential facilities,
EDUCATION transportation or escort facilities, and
providing uniforms and text books.
4.1.1. INTEGRATED SCHOOL • Bridging Gender Gaps in Elementary
EDUCATION SCHEME Education through interventions like opening
Why in news? of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya,
Separate girls’ toilets and digital gender atlas.
Government has decided to subsume Sarva
• Sub-Programmes under SSA
Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik
o The Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat (PBBB)
Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and Teacher Education
is focusing on foundational learning in in
(TE) which were operational since more than 15
classes I and II with an emphasis on
years under an integrated school education
reading, writing and comprehension and
scheme. mathematics.
Objectives of the Scheme o The Rashtriya Aavishkar Abhiyan (RAA)
aims to motivate and engage children of
The integrated scheme will be in place from 2018,
the age group 6-18 years, in science,
to 2020, with an estimated allocation of Rs.
mathematics and technology. Schools
75,000 crore over the period, a 20% increase over
have been adopted for mentoring by
the current allocation.
institutions of higher education like IIT’s,
• Provision of quality education and enhancing IISER’s and NIT’s.
learning outcomes of students; o Vidyanjali: The aim of the programme is
• Bridging Social and Gender Gaps in School to strengthen implementation of co-
Education; scholastic activities in government
• Ensuring equity and inclusion at all levels of schools through services of volunteers
school education; and enhance community and private
• Ensuring minimum standards in schooling sector involvement in Government run
provisions; elementary schools.
• Promoting vocationalization of education; o ShaGun portal - an Initiative to monitor
• Support States in implementation of Right of the implementation of SSA.
Children to Free and Compulsory Education • Teacher Training via in-service teacher
(RTE) Act, 2009; and training and distance education programmes.
• Strengthening and up-gradation of State • Academic Support System by setting up of
Councils for Educational Research and Block Resource Centres (BRCs) and Cluster
Training (SCERTs)/State Institutes of Resource Centres (CRCs) to provide
Education and District Institutes for decentralized academic support, training and
Education and Training (DIET) as nodal supervision to teachers and schools.
agencies for teacher training. • Infrastructure improvement through
flexibility to states in the execution of civil
Key Interventions under Sarva Sikhsa Abhiyan
works repair of old school buildings and
(SSA)
retrofitting of school buildings.
SSA is being implemented since 2001 for • School Management Committees and
universalization of elementary education. After Community Participation wherein the
enactment of Right to Free and Compulsory parents/guardians of students studying in the
Education Act 2009 which confers the right to respective school are the members.
elementary education on all children, in the age • Admissions under Section 12(1) (c) of the
group of 6-14 years, SSA became the central RTE Act: It mandates all private unaided
programme to fulfil its objectives. schools and special category schools to
• Universal Access: SSA has made significant reserve a minimum of 25 per cent of seats for
progress in achieving near universal access economically weaker sections.
and equity through opening of new schools,
23
Key Provisions of Rashtriya Madhyamik o ‘India Teacher Education Portal
Shiksha Abhiyan (Prashikshak)’ launched in 2016 for
monitoring of Teachers Education
• RMSA was launched in 2009 with the
Institutions and in providing
objective to enhance access to secondary
comprehensive information to
education and improve its quality.
prospective students and teachers to
• The scheme envisages to enhance the
select the right institute as per choice.
enrolment by providing a secondary
school with a reasonable distance of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV): KGBV are
habitation, with an aim to ensure GER of residential upper primary schools for girls from SC, ST,
100 per cent and universal retention by OBC Muslim communities and BPL girls which are set
2020. up in educational backward blocks for out of school
• Some of the significant initiatives, under girls in the 10+ age group who are unable to complete
primary school. KGBVs provide for a minimum
RMSA for improving quality of education
reservation of 75 per cent seats for girls from
are: SC/ST/OBC and minorities communities and 25 per
o Shaala Sidhi: It is a portal for School cent to girls from families that live below the poverty
Standards and Evaluation Framework line.
launhed in 2015.
Digital Gender Atlas for Advancing Girls’ Education: It
o Shaala Darpan: It was launched in
is developed by Department of School Education and
2015 to provide services based on Literacy with the support of UNICEF, to help identify
school management systems to low performing geographic pockets for girls,
students, parents and communities particularly from marginalized groups including girls
vis a vis Kendriya Vidyalyas. with disabilities.
o National Achievement Survey
o Kala Utsav is an initiative of MHRD to 4.1.2. NATIONAL ACHI EVEMENT
promote Arts (Music, Theatre, Dance, SURVEY
Visual Arts and Crafts) in education Why in news?
by nurturing and showcasing the
artistic talent of school students. Recently, National Achievement Survey (NAS)
o Focus on Science and Maths as part was released by the HRD Ministry.
of Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan About National Achievement Survey
launched in 2015
o National Award for Teachers using It assesses performance of students in five major
ICT For Innovation in Education. subjects -English, Mathematics, Science, Social
Science and Modern Indian Languages.
Key Provisions of Centrally Sponsored Scheme
for Teacher Education (CSSTE):
• Strengthening Teacher Education: The
Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Teacher
Education was initiated in 1987 pursuant to
the formulation of the National Policy of
Education, 1986. It aims to establish District
Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) in
all districts created up to 2011, strengthen
Colleges of Teacher Education (CTEs),
Institutes of Advanced Studies in Education
(IASEs) and establish Block Institutes of
teacher education (BITEs) in identified SC/ST/
minority concentration districts.
• Quality in Teacher Education via creation of Findings of the Survey
Separate Cadre for teacher educators.
• New Activities/Initiatives under CSSTE • The performance of students declined in
Scheme: environmental science, language and maths
as one moves from class III to class VIII.
24
• Rural students scored higher than those in 4.2. HIGHER EDUCATION
cities which is contrary to the perception that
the quality of education in urban areas is 4.2.1. ALL INDIA SURVEY ON
superior to that in rural areas. HIGHER EDUCATION
• Also, in classes V and VIII, OBC students
outscored the general category. Why in news?
• At all levels, average scores were lowest for Recently, 8th All India Survey on Higher Education
ST students while SC students scored a tad for the year 2016-17 was released.
higher.
• Female students performed better than male All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE)
students. 2016-17
Beyond Basics ASER’s recent survey • AISHE is a Pan India, annual web-based
• Since 2006, ASER has focused on the age group of survey which covers all the Higher
5 to 16. However, this year, the survey titled Educational Institutions in the country
“Beyond Basics” is focusing on youth who are 14 conducted by Ministry of Human Resource
to 18 years old and have moved just beyond the Development.
elementary school age. • Various parameters on which the data is
• It reports on children’s schooling status and their collected are teachers, student enrolment,
ability to do basic reading and arithmetic tasks in programs, examination results, education
its previous reports. This year, a wider set was
finance, infrastructure etc.
considered including four domains - activity,
ability, awareness, and aspirations. Major Findings of AISHE
4.1.3. THE RIGHT OF CHILDREN TO • Institutions: There exists a regional disparity
FREE A ND COMPULSORY in college density (number of colleges per
EDUCATION (AMENDMENT ) BILL, lakh eligible population) which varies from 7
2017 in Bihar to 59 in Telangana as compared to All
India average of 28.
Why in news? • Enrolment: Total enrolment in higher
Lok Sabha has passed the Rights of Children to education has been estimated to be
Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill, 2017. 35.7million with an overall increase of 18.3%
as compared with 2012-13.
More on News • Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER): A high
• After the passage of Right to Education Act, percentage of the eligible population is still
new schools were established to foster the outside college as shown by the GER in
aim of universal education. The Act also lays Higher Education in India of 25.2% (calculated
down the Pupil Teacher Ratio for 18-23 years of age group).
o Primary Level – 30:1 o The GER for male population is 26%
o Upper Primary Level – 35:1 (22.7% in 2012-13) and female is 24.5%
o Secondary Level – 30:1 (According to (20.1% in 2012-13).
Rashtriya Madhyamik Shisksha Abhiyan) • Gender Parity Index: There is a marginal
• At present close to 8.5 lakh unqualified increase in the Gender Parity Index (GPI) (a
teachers hold jobs which would now be given ratio of proportional representation of
a chance to attain the degrees according to female and male) for all categories from 0.89
the amendment to Compulsory Education in 2012-13 to 0.94 in 2016-17.
Act. • Pupil Teacher Ratio (PTR): in Universities and
• Under the amended Act the deadline to Colleges is 22 which have remained stable
possess the minimum qualification will be from 21 in 2012-13.
relaxed up till March 31, 2019. • The foreign student enrolment has also been
increased from 34,774 in 2012-13 to 47,575
in 2016-17 with a greater increase in male
foreign students as compared to female
students.
25
• Uttar Pradesh tops in student enrolment in govern all such institutions, ensuring their
Universities followed by Maharashtra and complete academic, administrative and
Tamil Nadu. financial autonomy.
• These regulations will override all other UGC
4.2.2. INSTITUTIONS OF EMINENCE regulations and free the institutions of UGC’s
Why in news? restrictive inspection regime, the regulatory
control over fee and curriculum.
Government constituted a panel, headed by N
Gopalaswami, for identification of top 20 best UGC
• It came into existence on 28th December, 1953
higher education institutions.
and became a statutory Organization in 1956
• It has the unique distinction of being the only
grant-giving agency in the country which has been
vested with two responsibilities: that of providing
funds and that of coordination, determination and
maintenance of standards in institutions of higher
education.
4.2.3. REVITALIZATION
INFRASTRUCTURE A ND SYSTEMS IN
EDUCATION
Why in news?
Government unveiled a new scheme named
Revitalization Infrastructure and Systems in
Education (RISE) in Union Budget, 2018.
About RISE
• It is a new initiative to step up investments in
centrally funded institutions like IITs, Central
Universities and others such institutes
• Funding will be provided through Higher
Education Financing Agency (HEFA).
Features of such institutions
About HEFA
• It should preferably be multi-disciplinary and • It is a joint venture of MHRD Government of India
have both teaching and research focus of an and Canara Bank.
exceptionally high quality. • RBI granted license to operate as Non-Banking
• Apart from the regular courses, it should also Financial Company (NBFC)
offer various inter-disciplinary courses, • It seeks to introduce a market-linked education
including in areas of emerging technology as financing structure
well as those relevant to the development • It aims to lend low-cost funds to government
concerns of countries like India. higher educational institutions.
• There should be a reasonably good mix of 4.2.4. TECHNICA L EDUCATION
domestic and foreign students. QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
• There should be a transparent merit based PROGRAMME (TEQI P)
selection in admissions.
• The faculty student ratio should not be less Why in news?
than 1:10 after three years of declaration The government has decided to employ
• It should have student amenities comparable graduates from premier colleges like IITs, NITs
with that of globally reputed institutions. etc to teach in engineering colleges in backward
• The Institution should have reasonably large districts for a period of 3 years as a part of TEQIP
owned campus with adequate space for Phase 3.
expansion etc.
• The UGC (Institutions of Eminence Deemed
to be Universities) regulations, 2017 will
26
About TEQIP known as "Madhyamik and Uchchtar Shiksha
Kosh" (MUSK).
• The scheme, launched by HRD Ministry in
2002, aimed to overhaul the quality of About the Fund
technical education in the Low Income States
• Administration and maintenance of the
and Special Category States (SCS).
MUSK pool would be done by the Ministry of
• The project commenced with the World Bank Human Resource Development.
assistance to Government of India to launch a
• The Ministry of Human Resources
TEQIP as a long term programme of 10-12
Development can allocate funds for any
years and in 2 or 3 phases.
future programme/scheme of secondary and
• The present 3rd Phase of the schemes has higher education, based on the requirement,
central, eastern and north-eastern region and as per prescribed procedures.
hill states as its focus states
• The expenditure on schemes of the
• The measures under TEQIP include: Department of School Education & Literacy
o Institution based: accreditation of the and Department of Higher Education would
courses through NBA, governance be initially incurred from the gross budgetary
reforms, improving the processes, digital support (GBS) and the expenditure would be
initiatives, securing autonomy for the
financed from the MUSK only after the GBS is
colleges. exhausted.
o Student based: improving the quality of
• The fund would be operationalised as per the
teaching, teacher training, equipping the
present arrangements under Prarambhik
class rooms, revision of syllabus, industry
Shiksha Kosh (PSK) wherein the proceeds of
interaction, compulsory internships for
cess are used for Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA)
students, training the students in
and Mid-Day Meal (MDM) Schemes of the
industry-relevant skills, preparing them
Department of School Education & Literacy.
for the GATE exam etc.
• The MUSK would be maintained as a Reserve
Fund in the non-interest bearing section of
the Public Accounts of India.
Utilization of the Fund
The fund would be utilised for:
• For Secondary Education-
o ongoing Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha
Abhiyan Scheme
o National Means-Cum-Merit Scholarship
Scheme and
o National Scheme for Incentives to Girls
for Secondary Education.
• For Higher Education-
o Ongoing Schemes of Interest Subsidy and
contribution for guarantee funds,
Scholarship for College & University
Students
o Rashtriya Uchchtar Shiksha Abhiyaan
o Scholarship (from Block Grant to the
institutions) and National Mission on
4.2.5. MADHYAMIK A ND UCHCHTAR Teachers and Training.
SHIKSHA KOSH Education Cess Rate:
Why in News? The rate at which education cess is calculated is a
combination of the two types of cess applied on the
The Union Cabinet has accorded its approval for taxable income.
creation of a non-lapsable pool in the Public • The education cess the rate is 2% of the tax
Account for secondary and higher education payable and
27
• The Secondary and Higher Education Cess (SHEC) • In view of the need to have a specialized body in
the rate is 1% of the tax payable. Together they India like the most advanced countries, the
form the education cess rate of 3% of the tax Finance Minister in the Budget speech of 2017-18
payable. had announced setting up of a National Testing
Agency (NTA).
4.3. MISCELLANEOUS Details
4.3.1. EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT • It is created as a Society registered under the
IMPACT BOND Indian Societies Registration Act, 1860, and
as an autonomous and self-sustained premier
Why in news? testing organization to conduct entrance
The British Asian Trust created a 10-million- examinations for higher educational
dollar Education Development Impact Bond institutions.
(EDIB) for India. • It would be an independent body dedicated
on the lines of the Educational Testing
About the Bond
Service (ETS) in the United States.
• It is intended as an innovative and • It will conduct entrance tests entrusted to it
sustainable social impact investment tool by any department or ministry.
which will be tied in with performance and
Features
outcomes of educational initiatives in India.
• It would initially conduct those entrance
• It will provide funding for delivering a range
examinations which are currently being
of activities including principal and teacher
conducted by the CBSE. Other examinations
training, direct school management, and
will be taken up gradually after NTA is fully
supplementary programmes.
geared up.
• The concept of Development Impact Bonds is
• The entrance examinations will be conducted
intended as a result-oriented way to attract
in online mode at least twice a year, thereby
new capital into development, with a strong
giving adequate opportunity to candidates to
emphasis on data and evidence.
bring out their best.
• The focus is to improve literacy and
• To serve the requirements of the rural
numeracy learning levels for over 200,000
students, it would locate the centres at sub-
primary school students from marginalized
district/district level and as far as possible
communities in Delhi, Gujarat and Rajasthan.
would undertake hands-on training to the
• The bond has been described as a step
students.
towards a greater focus on social impact
• It will be given a one-time grant of Rs.25
financing as a transformational tool for
crore from the Government to start its
philanthropy.
operation in the first year. Thereafter, it will
• The UK government’s Department for
be financially self-sustainable.
International Development (DfID) will
NTA composition
contribute technical assistance and insights
• It will be chaired by an eminent educationist
to the project as part of a wider partnership. appointed by Ministry of Human Resource
Development.
4.3.2. CREATION OF NATIONAL
• The CEO will be the Director General to be
TESTI NG AGENCY appointed by the Government.
Why in News? • There will be a Board of Governors comprising
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister has members from user institutions.
• The Director General will be assisted by 9 verticals
approved creation of National Testing Agency
headed by academicians/ experts.
(NTA).
Background 4.3.3. GLOBAL EDUCATION
• NTA was recommended in the national education MONITORING REPORT
policy 1986 but it was never implemented by
previous governments. • The 2nd edition of the Global Education
• The National Knowledge Commission in its Report Monitoring Report (GEM Report, 2017-18)
to the Nation (2006-2009) also mentions the was recently released by UNESCO with the
setting up of a National Testing Service. theme ‘Accountability in Education’.
28
• The report talks about various Swayam Prabha
Accountability Mechanisms that may be
• It is a group of 32 DTH channels devoted to
effective with certain actors, in certain
telecasting of high-quality educational
contexts, for certain ends like- political
programmes on 24X7 basis using the GSAT-15
mechanism, legal or regulatory routes,
satellite.
performance-based approaches, social
accountability, and professional or internal National Academic Depository (NAD)
accountability. • It is 24X7 online store house of all academic
4.3.4. NEW ONLINE EDUCATION awards viz. certificates, diplomas, degrees,
INITIATIVES marks sheets etc. duly digitised and lodged by
academic institutions / boards / eligibility
Swayam assessment bodies.
• A Web portal where Massive Open Online • It ensures easy access to and retrieval of an
Courses (MOOCs) will be available free of academic award and also validates and
cost on all kinds of subjects with a provision guarantees its authenticity and safe storage.
of certificate / credit-transfer. Programme 17 for 17
• It is designed to take the best teaching
• A 17 point action plan for 2017 – for building
learning resources to all, including the most
digital campuses and high quality education.
disadvantaged.
• The action plan covers measures like
universal adoption of digital education, digital
financial transactions in the campuses from
the current academic year.
29
5. HEALTH
5.1. HEALTHCARE STATUS IN
INDIA
5.1.1. HEALTHY STATES,
PROGRESSIVE I NDIA REPORT
Why in news?
Recently, NITI Aayog released a comprehensive
Health report named Healthy States, Progressive
India Report.
About the Report
• It is an annual report which will rank States
and UTs on incremental changes in health
outcomes and overall performance with
respect to others.
• It has been developed by NITI Aayog in
consultation with Technical Assistance
Agency of World Bank, Ministry of Health
and Family Welfare (MoHFW), States and 5.1.2. PRIVATE HEA LTH CARE
Union Territories, domestic and international
sector experts and other development Why in news?
partners. Health being a state subject, the government has
• The Health Index is based on three main been persuading states for implementation of
domains which focus on outcomes, ‘The Clinical Establishments (Registration &
governance and information, and critical Regulation) Act, 2010’.
inputs–
o Health Outcomes – 10 indicators The Clinical Establishments (Registration and
weighing 70% of the total index. Regulation) Act, 2010
o Governance and Information - 3 • Objective: To provide for the registration
indicators which weigh 12%. and regulation of clinical establishments with
o Key Inputs and Processes – 10 indicators a view to prescribe minimum standards of
weighing 18%. facilities and services.
• The states have been categorised based on • Applicability: All types of clinical
the availability of data and the fact that establishments, except those run by the
similar states should be compared amongst armed forces, fall within the ambit of this Act.
themselves. Therefore, the states have been • Implementation: Through a three-tier
categorised as Larger states, Smaller States structure — the Central Council, the State
and UTs. Council and the District Registering Authority.
• Based on the above categories the states are • Penalty: Running a clinical establishment
grouped into three categories – Aspirants without registration would be punishable
(bottom one third states with score below with a fine of Rs 50,000 for the first offence,
48), Achievers (middle one third state with Rs 2 lakh for the second offence and Rs 5 lakh
score between 48 and 63) and Front runners for the subsequent offence.
with scores above 63. • Monitoring: The Act permits health
authorities to conduct inspections and
penalize or cancel licenses of hospitals that
are found to be fleecing patients, either by
prescribing needless tests and procedures, or
overcharging.
30
5.1.3. FOCUS ON NEWBORNS framework of the National Health Mission
(NHM).
Why in News? o Six pillars of intervention include:
UNICEF recently released a report on new born ✓ Preconception and antenatal care
deaths titled “Every Child Alive”. ✓ Care during labour and child birth
✓ Immediate newborn care
• Neonatal mortality includes deaths in the first 28 ✓ Care of healthy newborn
days of life. ✓ Care of small and sick newborn
• Child mortality refers to death of children below 5
Care beyond newborn survival.
years per 1000 live births (50 per 1000 live births
in 2015-16). What is RMNCH+A?
• Maternal mortality Rate refers to number of • Launched in 2013 Strategic approach to
women who die as a result of pregnancy and Reproductive Maternal, Newborn, Child and
childbirth complications per 100,000 live births in Adolescent health.
a given year (174 per 100, 000 live births in 2015). • It will provide continuum of care to ensure equal
Situation in India focus on various life stages.
• Address the issue of anaemia through National
• At 6,40,000 newborn child deaths in 2016, Iron + initiative.
India has the largest number of babies dying in
the world. 5.1.4. INFANT MORTALITY RATE
• The number of annual under-five deaths in Why in News?
India has gone below one million for the first
time in 2016. • As per latest data, IMR has reduced by 58% in
• The under-five mortality rate for girls was 11 India during the period of 1990-2015 which is
per cent higher at 41 per 1,000 as against 37 more than the Global decline of 49% during
per 1,000 for boys. the same period.
• India’s current under-five mortality rate is The National Health Mission is India’s flagship health
39/1000. sector programme to revitalize rural and urban health
• With the current rate of decline, India is back sectors.
on track to meet the Sustainable Development The National Health Mission comprises of 4
Goals (SDG) target for the under-five mortality components namely the National Rural Health
of 25 per 1,000 live births by 2030. Mission, the National Urban Health Mission, Tertiary
• India’s neonatal mortality rate (2016) is Care Programmes and Human Resources for Health
25.4/1000. and Medical Education.
The National Health Mission represents India’s
Related Information endeavour to expand the focus of health services
• Every Newborn Action Plan beyond Reproductive and Child Health, so as to
o It is led by WHO and UNICEF. address the double burden of Communicable and
Non-Communicable diseases as also improve the
o In 2014, 194-member states of the Sixty-
infrastructure facilities at District and Sub-District
Seventh World Health Assembly, Levels.
including India, endorsed the action plan.
o It provides a road map of strategic What is IMR?
actions for ending preventable newborn
• The Infant Mortality Rate is the number of
mortality and stillbirth and contributing
deaths under one year of age occurring
to reducing maternal mortality and
among the live births in a given geographical
morbidity.
area during a given year, per 1,000 live births
• India Newborn Action Plan (2014)
occurring among the population of the given
o It is India’s committed response to the
geographical area during the same year.
ENAP to advance the Global Strategy for
• The latest government data on child health
Women s and Children’s Health.
indicators shows that India’s IMR is now at 39
o Its goal is to attain Single Digit Neonatal
per 1,000 live births as against 40 the
Mortality and Stillbirth Rates by 2030.
previous year.
o It is to be implemented within the existing
Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child • The target for IMR under National Health
and Adolescent health (RMNCH+A) Mission is 30 per 1000 live births by 2020.
31
SDG 3 provisions related to child and maternal entitles them to receive high per capita
health- funding, relaxed norms, enhanced monitoring
By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to and focused supportive supervisions and
less than 70 per 100,000 live births. encouragement to adopt innovative
By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and approaches to address their peculiar health
children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming challenges.
to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12
per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least Ama Sankalpa in Rayagada of Odisha
as low as 25 per 1,000 live births. • This initiative has brought down the infant
mortality rates in district from 48 to 33 out of
Various steps taken by the Government (under 1,000 in 1 year
the National Health Mission) • Measures included
o keeping track of pregnant women’s expected
• Under Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) and date of delivery
Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK), o upgrading primary health centres
the number of institutional deliveries have o directing Anganwadi and ASHA workers, ANMs
improved. These programmes entitle all to identify pregnant women in high risk
pregnant women delivering in public health category & bring them to Maa Gruhas
o operating Maa Gruhas round the clock to
institutions to absolutely free ante-natal
ensure medical assistance and nutritional food
check-ups, delivery including Caesarean
to women
section, post-natal care and treatment of sick o promoting vegetable cultivation in rural parts
infants till one year of age. of the district through Integrated Tribal
• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Development Agency.
launched MAA-Mothers’ Absolute Affection
programme in August 2016 for improving 5.1.5. INTEGRATED HEA LTH
breastfeeding through mass media and INFORMATION PLATFORM (IHIP)
capacity building of health care providers in
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW)
health facilities as well as in communities.
has set up an IHIP to enable the creation of
• Village Health and Nutrition Days (VHNDs)
Electronic Health Records (EHRs) of citizens and
are observed for provision of maternal and
make them available nationwide online for
child health services and creating awareness
medical history, with the help of Health
on maternal and child care including health
Information Exchange.
and nutrition education.
• Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) is • MoHFW had notified Electronic Health
being supported to provide vaccination to Record EHR Standards Version 2016 with the
children against many life-threatening intent to bring standardisation and
diseases. homogeneity, inter-operability in capture,
• Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) storage, transmission, use etc. of healthcare
for health screening, early detection of birth information across various health IT systems.
defects, diseases, deficiencies, development
delays including disability and early 5.2. NUTRITION
intervention services has been
operationalized to provide comprehensive 5.2.1. GLOBA L HUNGER I NDEX
care to all the children in the age group of 0- Why in news?
18 years in the community.
• Iron and folic acid (IFA) supplementation for India has ranked 100 among 119 developing
the prevention of anaemia among the countries as per report titled “2017 global hunger
vulnerable age groups. index: The inequalities of hunger”.
• Various trainings are being to build and Related National health policy 2017
upgrade the skills of health care providers in recommendations
basic and comprehensive obstetric care of • Increase utilization of public health facilities by 50%
mother during pregnancy, delivery and from current levels by 2025.
essential newborn care. • Ensure availability of paramedics and doctors as
per Indian Public Health Standard (IPHS) norm in
• Low performing districts have been identified
high priority districts by 2020.
as High Priority Districts (HPDs) which
32
• achievable target of raising public health despite being world’s second largest food
expenditure to 2.5% of the GDP in a time bound producer.
manner.
• targeted approach to reach under-serviced areas in 5.2.2. GLOBA L NUTRITION REPORT
infrastructure and human resource development. 2017
• enhanced outreach of public healthcare through
Mobile Medical Units. • It is an independently produced annual
• Retain a certain excess capacity in terms of health stock-take of the state of the world’s
infrastructure, human resources, and technology to nutrition.
effectively handle medical disasters. • In all 140 countries studied, the report found
• establishing cadres like Nurse Practitioners and the vast majority (88%) of countries studied
Public Health Nurses to increase their availability in face a serious burden of two or three of
most needed areas. these forms of malnutrition: childhood
• CSR should be leveraged for filling health stunting, anaemia in women of reproductive
infrastructure gaps in public health facilities.
age and overweight adult women.
About the Global Hunger Index • Double burden of malnutrition in India- 38%
of children under-5 are affected by stunting
• It has been released by Washington-based
and 21% of under-5s are defined as 'wasted'.
International Food Policy Research Institute
On the other hand, 16 per cent of adult men
(IFPRI) in association with Concern
and 22 per cent of adult women are
Worldwide of Ireland and Welthungerhilfe
overweight.
(German non-profit organization)
• It ranks countries on a 100-point scale with 0 5.2.3. THE STATE OF FOOD
representing no hunger. SECURI TY A ND NUTRITI ON I N THE
• GHI scores are based on four indicators: WORLD REPORT
o UNDERNOURISHMENT: the share of the
population whose caloric intake is • It is an annual flagship report jointly prepared
insufficient. by Food and Agriculture Organization of the
o CHILD WASTING: the share of children United Nations (FAO), the International Fund
under the age of five who have low for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the
weight for their height. United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the
o CHILD STUNTING: the share of children World Food Programme (WFP) and the World
under the age of five who have low Health Organization (WHO).
height for their age. • For the first time, the report provides two
o CHILD MORTALITY: the mortality rate of measures of food insecurity. Indicator of the
children under the age of five (a extent of hunger, the prevalence of
reflection of the fatal mix of inadequate undernourishment, is complemented by the
nutrition and unhealthy environments). prevalence of severe food insecurity using the
Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) which
Status of Hunger across the world
includes direct interviews.
• The level of hunger across the Globe has • In addition, the report assesses the trends for
declined by 27% since 2000. six nutrition indicators: anaemia in women of
• South Asia and Africa South of the Sahara reproductive age, stunting, wasting,
have the highest levels of hunger, at 30.9 and overweight, obesity and levels of exclusive
29.4, respectively. breastfeeding.
• The Central African Republic has the worst Related Information
score and is the only country in extremely
‘Alarming’ hunger level category in 2017. • World Food Programme
o It is the UN agency focused on hunger
Performance of India
alleviation and food security.
• With a score of 31.4, India is at the high end o It is a member of the United Nations
of “serious” hunger problem category. Development Group (a consortium of
• India has seen low improvement (i.e. 38.2 in 32 United Nations agencies created in
2000 to 31.4 in 2017) in hunger prevalence 1997 to improve the effectiveness of
33
UN development activities at the • Recently, Lancet study raised concern about
country level). double burden of malnutrition, that is,
o Globally, it responds to emergencies underweight as well as obese children in
making sure food reaches where it is India.
needed, especially in times of civil strife
Highlights of the Report
and natural disasters.
o In India, WFP has moved from providing • It showed a small difference between boys
direct food aid to providing technical and girls for all indicators of malnutrition.
assistance and capacity building services • It shows a significantly higher prevalence of
to the Government of India. malnutrition among children whose mothers
o Currently, WFP is focusing on- had little or no schooling.
✓ improving the efficiency, • The prevalence of child malnutrition among
accountability and transparency of households in the higher wealth quintiles
India’s own subsidized food was significantly lower than among
distribution system. households in lower wealth quintiles. While
✓ pioneering the multi-micronutrient in terms of over-nutrition, children from the
fortification of school meals in higher wealth households were more.
which the pilot project saw rice • Only 37.4% households accessed a public
fortified with iron. distribution system in the month preceding –
✓ supporting the Odisha lowest being in Surat (10.9%) and highest
government’s Poverty and Human being in Kolkata (86.6%).
Development Monitoring Agency in • Less than one in four children was fed a diet
establishing a State-level Food that meets the minimum requirements for
Security Analysis Unit. healthy growth and development.
• International Fund for Agricultural
Dual Burden of Malnutrition
Development (IFAD)
o It is an international financial institution Malnutrition refers to deficiencies, excesses or
and a specialized agency of the United imbalances in a person’s intake of energy and/or
nutrients. The term malnutrition covers 2 broad
Nations dedicated to eradicating
groups of conditions- undernutrition and overweight.
poverty and hunger in rural areas of
developing countries.
o It was established as an international 5.2.5. NATIONA L NUTRITION
financial institution in 1977 as one of STRATEGY
the major outcomes of the 1974 World Why in News?
Food Conference. A high-level panel under Niti Aayog has drawn up
o Its headquarters is in Rome and is a a 10-point nutrition action plan that includes
member of the United Nations governance reforms in line with the vision for
Development Group. “Kuposhan Mukta Bharat- Vision 2020”
5.2.4. URBAN NUTRITI ON IN INDIA Related Provisions
Why in News? • Article 47 of the Constitution mentions the
“duty of the state to raise the level of
• The Urban HUNGaMA (Hunger and
nutrition and the standard of living and to
Malnutrition) Report on Urban Nutrition was
improve public health.
released based on the survey that was
• The Copenhagen Consensus has identified
conducted in 2014 by Citizens Alliance
twice several nutrition interventions as some
against Malnutrition, capturing essential
of the most high-yielding of all possible
nutrition data of children aged 0-59 months
development assessments.
in the 10 largest cities of India.
• The National Nutrition Mission,
• The data collected in the survey was related
recommended by the Prime Minister’s
to Nutrition (weight, height, age) &
National Council on India’s Nutrition
Household (parent’s years of schooling,
Challenges in 2010, was launched in 2014, to
religion, access to services).
34
address the problems of maternal and child to enable integration of nutrition-related
under-nutrition in the country. interventions cutting across sectors like
• The government recently laid down the women and child development, health, food
National Health Policy, 2017, that also talks and public distribution, sanitation, drinking
about Child & Adolescent health and water, and rural development.
interventions to address malnutrition and Related News
micronutrients deficiencies, among other
issues. • The Government of Indian has approved
setting up of the National Nutrition Mission.
National Nutrition Strategy Provisions
About the Mission
• Reducing all forms of malnutrition by the
end of 2030. • It would be executed with the Ministry of
• The nutrition strategy envisages a framework Women and Child Development (WCD)as
wherein the four proximate determinants of the nodal ministry along with Ministry of
nutrition – uptake of health services, food, Drinking Water and Sanitation and Ministry
drinking water & sanitation and income & of Health and Family Welfare.
livelihoods – work together to accelerate • Implementation and Target
decline of under nutrition in India. o The mission has a target to reduce
• Decentralised Approach- With this the stunting, under-nutrition, and low birth
Strategy aims to strengthen the ownership of weight by 2 per cent per annum, and
PRIs and urban local bodies over nutrition anaemia by 3 per cent annually.
initiatives as subjects allocated to PRIs o It aims to focus mainly on children up to
include those addressing the immediate and the age of 6 years, pregnant and lactating
underlying determinants of undernutrition women, and adolescent girls.
like sanitation and water. o It would also strive to achieve reduction
• Governance reforms envisaged in the in stunting from 38.4% (NFHS-4) to 25%
Strategy include: (i) convergence of state and by 2022 (Mission 25 by 2022).
district implementation plans for ICDS, NHM o It will be implemented in three phases:
and Swachh Bharat, (ii) focus on the most 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20. 315 ‘high
vulnerable communities in districts with the burden’ are to be covered in the first
highest levels of child malnutrition, and (iii) phase, 235 in next and the remaining in
service delivery models based on evidence of last.
impact. • Features
• Nutrition Social Audits are to be undertaken o NNM as an apex body will monitor,
to track the children and their health supervise, fix targets and guide the
progress. nutrition related interventions.
• National Nutrition Surveillance System- o Mapping of various schemes contributing
Undernourished endemic zones of the under malnutrition
country will be mapped for identifying ‘high o ICT (Information and Communication
risk and vulnerable districts’ & the cases of Technology) based real time monitoring
severe under nutrition in children should be system
included in the routine disease reporting o Incentivising states/UTs for meeting
system. targets
• Institutional Arrangements- Institutional o Incentivising Anganwadi Workers (AWW)
arrangements like the National Nutrition for using IT based tools and eliminating
Mission Steering Group (NNMSG) and the the need for registers
Empowered Programme Committee (EPC) o Measurement of height of children at
respectively under the chairpersonship of Anganwadi Centres
Minister and Secretary of Women and o Social Audits to track the health progress
Children and the Secretary will be of the children
constituted. o Setting-up Nutrition Resource Centres.
• National Nutrition Mission- The Strategy
aims to launch a National Nutrition Mission,
similar to the National Health Mission. This is
35
5.2.6. ‘ZERO HUNGER' PROGRA MME About Swasth Bachche Swasth Bharat
Programme
Why in News?
• It is the step of Kendriya Vidyalaya
Three districts --Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh), Sangathan in pursuit of building active
Koraput (Odisha) and Thane (Maharashtra)- have Schools.
been chosen for the launch of India's ambitious • It will provide a comprehensive and inclusive
'Zero Hunger' programme through interventions report card for children, covering all age
in farm sector on October 16 (World Food Day). groups and children of different abilities.
Related Information- State of Food and Agriculture • It is objected toward making students,
• State of Food and Agriculture is FAO's major teachers and parents aware about
annual flagship publication which aims at bringing importance of good health & fitness and
to wider audience balanced science-based encouraging 60 minutes of play each day.
assessments of important issues in the field of food • It will use technology for data capture and
and agriculture. analytics, and giving access to schools,
• The 2017 Report focuses on Leveraging food
parents and teachers.
systems for inclusive rural transformation.
About the Programme 5.2.8. THERAPEUTIC FOOD
• It will be initiated by the Indian Council of Why in news?
Agricultural Research (ICAR) in association Recently, Maharashtra Government stopped
with the Indian Council of Medical Research implementation of Ready-to-use Therapeutic
(ICMR), the M S Swaminathan Research Food to treat malnourished children after
Foundation and the Biotechnology Industry notification from the Centre Government.
Research Assistance Council (BIRAC). The
concerned state governments will also be What is Ready-to-use Therapeutic Food (RUTF)?
involved in the programme. • It is a medical intervention to cure Severe
• It will focus on agriculture, health and Acute Malnutrition (SAM) among children
nutrition in a symbiotic manner to develop which includes readymade packed paste
an integrated approach to deal with hunger & made of high energy fortified supplements
malnutrition. (peanuts, oils, dried milk etc.) being
• It will consist of organising farming systems administered to the child under doctor’s
for nutrition, setting up genetic gardens for supervision.
biofortified plants crops and initiation of a • The paste is administered to children aged
`Zero Hunger' training. between 6 months and 6 years daily for
• It will ensure suitable methods of measuring about a month.
the impact of intervention. • It is cost-effective and hygienic as it has low
• There will be intensive training programme in human contact as compared to freshly
order to identify the nutritional maladies in cooked food.
each district and the appropriate • It is being implemented under the global
agricultural/horticultural and animal initiative Scaling Up Nutrition movement
husbandry remedies. (SUN) and ICDS in India, through
• It will work in addition to the government's collaboration with the state governments.
other plans to make India malnutrition free
SUN Movement
by 2022 and attaining the SDG (No. 2) for
• It began in 2009 with the development of Scale Up
‘Zero Hunger’. Nutrition Framework.
• It unites people—from civil society, the United
5.2.7. SWASTH BACHCHE, SWASTH
Nations, donors, businesses and researchers—in a
BHARAT PROGRAMME collective effort to improve maternal and child
Why in News? nutrition.
• Recently, Ministry of Human Resource Nutraceutical Industry in India

Development has launched ‘Swath Bachche • Nutraceuticals are supplements and foods
Swasth Bharat’ Programme. that aren’t drugs but purported to contain
36
ingredients essential to well-being such as 36%, is female sterilization. Male sterilization
obesity pills, diet regimens shake with accounts for a mere 0.3%.
exaggerated benefits etc.
• In a 2017 report, the Associated Chambers
of Commerce and Industry of India
estimated the global nutraceutical industry
to be growing by about $15 billion annually.
In India alone, it is worth more than $2
billion.
• Recently, a centre was set up under National
Institution of Nutrition Hyderabad to
regulate nutraceutical industry according to
the guidelines by FSSAI last year.
5.3. FAMILY PLANNING

5.3.1. FERTILITY TRE ND I N INDIA
Why in news?
Recently the fourth round of the National Family
Health Survey (NFHS-4) report on the variations
in the total fertility rate (TFR) of different
communities was released.
Total Fertility Rate (TFR) may be defined as average
number of children that would be born to a woman if 5.3.2. MISSION PARIVAR VIKAS
she experiences the current fertility pattern
throughout her reproductive span (15-49 years).
Why in News?
• It is a more direct measure of the level of fertility • On the World Population Day (July 11, 2017),
than the birth rate, since it shows the potential
Minister of Health and Family Welfare
for population change in a country.
launched Mission Parivar Vikas.
• Total fertility rate declined in India from 2.7 in
2005-06 (NFHS-3) to 2.2 in 2015-16 (NFHS-4). National Population Policy 2002
Replacement level fertility is the level of fertility at • long term objective of achieving a stable
which a population exactly replaces itself from one population by 2045
generation to the next. Below 2.1 populations begin to • To address the unmet needs for contraception,
decline. health care infrastructure, and health personnel
• To provide integrated service delivery for basic
Details
reproductive and child health care.
• Geographic variance: The fertility rate in 23 • Maternal Mortality Rate: below 100 per lakh
states and Union territories—including all the birth.
southern states—is below the replacement • Infant Mortality Rate: 30 per 1000 live birth.
rate while it is higher in a number of states in • Achieve 80% institutionalized deliveries, to reduce
central, east and north-east India. MMR
o Bihar has the highest rate at 3.41, • Achieve universal immunization of children.
• Promote delayed marriage for girls, not earlier
followed by Meghalaya at 3.04 and Uttar
than age 18 and preferably after 20 years of age.
Pradesh and Nagaland at 2.74.
• Compulsory school education, reduce dropout
o Total fertility rate in rural areas was 2.4 rate.
while in urban areas it was 1.8. • Promote small family norm to achieve
• Impact of education: Women with 12 years replacement levels of TFR.
or more of schooling have a fertility rate of • Convergence in implementation of related social
1.7, while women with no schooling have an sector programs.
average rate of 3.1.
• Skewed pattern of contraceptive usage: The
most popular contraceptive method by far, at
37
Mission Parivar Vikas o Santushti Strategy- invitation to private
sector gynaecologists and vasectomy
• It aims to control Total Fertility Rate of 146
surgeons to conduct sterilization
districts in seven states, constitute the 28 of
operations in Public Private Partnership
total country population.
mode.
• Mission will utilise the RMNCH+A strategy,
Family Planning Logistics Management National Family Welfare Programme launched in
Information System (FP-LMIS) and consumer 1951 with the objective of "reducing the birth rate to
friendly website on family planning. the extent necessary to stabilize the population at a
level consistent with the requirement of the National
• Strategic focus on improving access through;
economy. The Family Welfare Programme in India is
o Provision of services: distribute a kit recognized as a priority area and is being
(Nayi Pahal) containing products of implemented as a 100% Centrally sponsored
family planning and personal hygiene programme.
among newly-wed couples.
o Commodity security: it will increase Other Initiatives
sterilization services, roll out injectable • The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
contraceptive at sub-centre level and has launched two new contraceptives, an
generate awareness about condoms and injectable contraceptive named ‘Antara’ and
pills. a contraceptive pill ‘Chhaya’, to meet the
o Promotional schemes: Special buses emerging needs of couples.
called ‘SAARTHI-Awareness on Wheels’ • The sterilization compensation scheme has
will to generate awareness, sensitize the been enhanced in 11 high focus states (8
community and disseminate family EAG, Assam, Gujarat, Haryana).
planning messages. • Appointment of dedicated RMNCH+A
o Capacity building: ‘SAAS BAHU counsellors at high case load facilities.
SAMMELANS’ will be held to bridge the • Under ‘National Family Planning Indemnity
gap in their attitudes and beliefs about Scheme’ (NFPIS) clients are insured in the
reproductive and sexual health. eventualities of deaths, complications and
o Enabling environment: ASHA workers to failures following sterilization and the
encourage inter-spousal communication providers/ accredited institutions are
and consensual decision-making on indemnified against litigations in those
reproductive and sexual health, delaying eventualities.
the birth of the first child and spacing the • Under the Compensation scheme for
second. sterilization acceptors the beneficiaries are
o Intensive monitoring: find out the causes provided compensation for loss of wages on
of high Fertility rate and half yearly account of undergoing sterilisation.
review of the programme and correlate
the achievements with time. 5.4. DISEASES
Jansankhya Sthirata Kosh (JSK)
• It was set up with a corpus grant of Rs 100 5.4.1. GLOBA L BURDEN OF DISEASE
crore in 2003 to raise awareness for STUDY
population stabilization strategies. Why in news?
• Recently, government approved the
proposal for its closure as an Autonomous Newborns in India have a lesser chance of
Bodies. Although, it will continue to play a survival than babies born in Afghanistan and
significant role in population stabilization Somalia, according to the latest Global Burden of
strategies. Disease (GBD) study published in the medical
• It organizes various activities with target journal The Lancet.
population as a part of its mandates. Highlights of study
• Strategies adopted-
• In the GBD rankings for healthcare access and
o Prerna Strategy- for helping to push up
quality (HAQ), India has fallen 11 places, and
the age of marriage of girls and delay in
now ranks 154 out of 195 countries.
first child and spacing in second child
birth.
38
• Further, India’s healthcare index of 44.8 is the o Disparity among states is also visible with
lowest among the sub-continental countries, a range of 66.8 years in Uttar Pradesh to
as Sri Lanka (72.8), Bangladesh (51.7), Bhutan 78.7 years in Kerala for females, and from
(52.7), and Nepal (50.8) all fared better. 63.6 years in Assam to 73.8 years in
• Access to tuberculosis treatment in India was Kerala for males in 2016.
scored lower than Pakistan, Congo and o Child and Maternal Nutrition: The
Djibouti. disease burden due to Child and
About the study Maternal malnutrition has dropped to
15% but it still remains single largest risk
• The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and factor in India.
Risk Factors study is put together by the • Non-Communicable Diseases and
Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation Epidemiological Transition
(IHME) o Over the past 26 years the pattern of
• IHME is an independent population health diseases has shifted from communicable,
research centre associated with the maternal, neonatal, and nutritional
University of Washington, along with a diseases (CMNNDs) to non-
consortium of 2,300 researchers in more than communicable diseases (NCDs) and
130 countries. injuries.
o Among the leading non-communicable
5.4.2. INDIA STATE LEVEL DISEASE diseases, the largest disease burden or
BURDEN REPORT DALY rate increase from 1990 to 2016
was observed for diabetes, at 80%, and
Why in news? ischaemic heart disease, at 34%.
India State Level Disease Burden Report was • Reduction in Infectious diseases but
published as a part of Global Burden of Disease prevalence still high in many states
Study 2016 to provide state level-disease burden o The burden of infectious diseases has
and risk factors trends from 1990 onwards. reduced since 1990.
o DALY rates for whole of India for this
About the Report group was 2.5 to 3.5 times higher than
• It has been prepared by Indian Council of the average globally for other countries
Medical Research (ICMR) along with Public with similar levels of development.
Health Foundation of India and Institute for • Increasing burden of diseases among states
Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). o Injuries due to road accidents, suicides
• The findings of the study can be used to track etc. are the leading contributors to the
subnational disease burden in India using injury burden in India.
DALY. • Unsafe Water and Sanitation
o The Disease burden due to above is
Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) improving but it continues to contribute
• Years of healthy life lost to premature death and 5% of total disease burden though it has
suffering.
improved since 1990.
• It is composed two components: Years of Life Lost
(YLL) and Years of life lived with disability (YLD). • Household air pollution improving and
• DALYs instead of causes of death alone provides a worsening outdoor air pollution
more accurate picture of the main drivers of poor o Outdoor Pollution – The contribution of
health. pollution remained high during 1990 and
2016 which causes a mix of NCDs and
Findings of the Report
infectious diseases.
• Health Indicators and disparities among o Household pollution – it has considerably
States decreased due to reduced use of solid
o Life Expectancy: As compared to 1990s fuels for cooking.
the life expectancy at birth improved • Rising risk of cardiovascular diseases and
from 58.3 years among men and 59.7 diabetes
years among women to 66.9 years for
males and 70.3 years for females.
39
o The contribution of this group has
increased from 10% to 25% when 1990
and 2016.
o All these risks are generally higher in
females than males.
5.4.3. NATIONAL STRA TEGIC PLAN

(2017-24) & MISSION SAMPARK
Why in News?
The Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare on
World AIDS Day launched-
• National Strategic Plan 2017-24, &
• Mission SAMPARK
More about News
• National Strategic Plan (2017-24)- It aims to
strive, along with partners, towards fast track
strategy of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 Provisions for protection of AIDS patients in
and is expected to pave a roadmap for India
achieving the target of 90:90:90. Apart from various constitutional protections in
• Mission SAMPARK- Aim is to trace those who terms of Fundamental Rights, there are other
are Left to Follow Up and are to be brought provisions for helping people with AIDS like-
under Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) services.
“Community Based Testing” will be taken up • India is currently in the fourth (since 2012)
for fast-tracking the identification of all who phase of National AIDS Control Programme,
are HIV positive. launched with two principal objectives-
o 50% reduction in new infections (using
2007 as baseline)
o Provision of comprehensive care and
support to people living with HIV.
• National AIDS Prevention and Control Policy
(2002, adopted under NACP II)- The main
purpose of this policy was to bring in a legal
sanction to prevent discrimination of people
living with HIV in work and social, medical
and financial settings.
• Indian Medical Council Act, 1956
(Professional Conduct, & Ethics) Regulations,
2002)- It lays down certain duties on the part
of doctors towards the HIV/AIDS patients.
• Immoral Trafficking Prevention Act, 1986- It
provides for conducting compulsory medical
examination for detection of HIV/AIDS among
the victims of trafficking.
• HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Act, 2017-
It criminalises discrimination against people
living with HIV/AIDS. Some of its important
features are-
o Provision for appointment of an
ombudsman by State/UT Governments to
address grievances related to violation of
40
the Act and penal action in case of non- • India has the third highest malaria burden in
compliance the world thus an immediate action plan was
o Provides an environment for enhancing long needed.
access to health care services by ensuring
informed consent and confidentiality for Efforts to eliminate Vector Born Diseases
HIV-related testing, treatment, and • The National Framework for Malaria
clinical research. It also provides ground Elimination (NFME) last year outlined India’s
for penal action for any health care commitment for eliminating malaria by 2030.
provider, except a physician or a • To implement this commitment the National
counsellor to disclose the HIV positive Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination was
status of a person to his or her partner. launched in July 2017.
The National AIDS Control Programme (NACP), • The government would like to eliminate
launched in 1992, is being implemented as a malaria by 2027 and urged the states for
comprehensive programme for prevention and control active cooperation. It gives strategies for
of HIV/AIDS in India. working towards the ultimate goal of
NACP-IV Components elimination of malaria by 2030.
Component 1: Intensifying and Consolidating • The strategies involve strengthening malaria
Prevention services with a focus on High-Risk Group surveillance, establishing a mechanism for
(HRG) and vulnerable populations. early detection and prevention of outbreaks
Component 2: Expanding IEC services for (a) general of malaria, promoting the prevention of
population and (b) high risk groups with a focus on malaria by the use of Long Lasting
behavior change and demand generation. Impregnated Nets (LLINs), effective indoor
Component 3: Comprehensive Care, Support and residual spray and augmenting the
Treatment. manpower and capacities for effective
Component 4: Strengthening institutional capacities. implementation.
Component 5: Strategic Information Management
National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination
Systems (SIMS).
(2017-22)
Following are the provisions of NSPME-
• It divides the country into four categories
between 0-3, viz, -
o Category 1 (0)- includes 75 districts
where there has been no case of malaria
in last 3 years.
o Category 2 (1)- has as many as 448
districts in which API (Annual Parasite
Incidence) in a year is < 1 among every
1000 persons.
o Category 3 (2)- are the regions where the
API is one or above, but <2 per 1000
5.4.4. NATIONAL STRA TEGIC PLAN persons.
FOR MALARIA ELI MINATION o Category 4 (3)- are the regions where the
API is 2 or >2 per 1000 persons.
Why in News?
• The plan aims to eliminate Malaria
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare completely by 2022 in the category 1 and 2
launched the National Strategic Plan for Malaria districts, while the other two categories will
Elimination (2017-22). be brought under pre- elimination or
Background elimination programmes.
• The plan aims at achieving Universal Case
• India that is a breeding ground for at least six Detection and treatment services in the
major vector-borne diseases—malaria, endemic districts to ensure full diagnosis and
dengue, chikungunya, filariasis, Japanese treatment of all the cases.
encephalitis and visceral leishmaniasis.
41
• Based on the WHO recommendations, 5.4.6. INDIA HEALTH FUND
following are the 4 components of the plan:
Why in news?
o Diagnosis & case management
o Surveillance & Epidemic Response The India Health Fund (IHF), an initiative by Tata
o Prevention by Integrated Vector Trusts, in collaboration with the Global Fund has
come forward to financially support innovations
Management
and technologies designed to combat
o Cross Cutting interventions including tuberculosis and malaria.
communication, R & D, etc.
Key facts
5.4.5. PICTORIAL WARNING ON
• TB and malaria pose long-standing health
TOBACCO PRODUCTS
challenges for India. The two diseases
Why in News? account for over 4.23 lakh deaths and around
15 million lab-confirmed cases every year.
• Supreme Court has stayed the Karnataka
• It is aligned with the country’s goal of
High Court decision on reducing the size of
eliminating TB by 2025 and malaria by 2030.
Pictorial warning on Tobacco products form
• The IHF aims to support individuals and
85% to 40%.
organisations with already germinated
Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Packaging innovative strategies, services, products. It is
and Labelling Rules) amendment rule 2017. not a fellowship to do research from scratch.
• It was mandated that “the specified health • The Global Fund is designed to accelerate the
warning shall cover at least eighty-five per cent end of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as
(85%) of the principal display area of the package. epidemics. Founded in 2002, it is a
• Sixty per cent (60%) shall cover pictorial health partnership between governments, civil
warning and twenty-five per cent (25%) shall
society, the private sector and people
cover textual health warning.
affected by the diseases.
Other initiatives to control tobacco use
• India had ratified WHO the Framework 5.4.7. JOINT MONI TORING
Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in PROGRAMME 2017
2004.
• MPOWER- (a policy package intended to reduce Why in News?
the demand of Tobacco) initiative of WHO is • In July 2017, WHO and UNICEF under Joint
being implemented in India.
Monitoring Programme (JMP) released the
• National Tobacco Control Programme: for
report titled 'Progress on drinking water,
greater awareness about the harmful effects of
tobacco use and tobacco control law. sanitation and hygiene 2017 update and
o National Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC) nodal Sustainable Development Goal baselines'.
agency for overall policy formulation, Joint Monitoring Programme
planning, monitoring and evaluation of the • The WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for
different activities. Water Supply and Sanitation (JMP)
• The Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Act • Maintains global database and estimates the
2000: prohibited tobacco advertising in state progress on drinking water, sanitation and hygiene
controlled electronic media and publications (WASH) since 1990.
including cable television. • Focuses on further enhancing global monitoring of
• Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products drinking water, sanitation and hygiene in the
(Production Supply and distribution) act 2003: context of the new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
prohibition of smoking in public places, selling to Development
minors, and ban on sale of tobacco products • Each sector is dependent on the presence of the
within 100 yards of all educational institutions. other. For example, without toilets, water sources
• Prevention of Food Adulteration Act mandates become contaminated; without clean water, basic
statutory warnings regarding harmful health hygiene practices are not possible.
effects for paan masala and chewing tobacco.
• Higher Tax: Under GST, there will be an additional
cess charged on the tobacco-related products,
over and above the GST charged at the rate of
28%.
42
About the Report • Augmented by induction of non-physician
healthcare providers such as nurse practitioners,
• This is the first global assessment of “safely in addition to the existing staff, the HWC will
managed” drinking water and sanitation provide essential drugs and basic diagnostic free
services”. of cost.
• The report focus on; • Various vertical disease control programmes will
o Ending open defecation (SDG 6.2) find convergence at this delivery point.
o Achieving universal access to basic • Using technology, HWCs can generate real time
services (SDG 1.4) data for monitoring various health indicators.
o Progress towards safely managed Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna (RSBY)
services (SDG targets 6.1 and 6.2). • Launched in 2007-08, it is a health insurance
UN-Water scheme for BPL families and workers in the
unorganized sector.
• United Nations (UN) inter-agency coordination • It provides for IT-enabled and smart–card-based
mechanism for freshwater related issues, cashless health insurance, including maternity
including sanitation (no single organisation for benefit cover up to Rs. 30,000/- per annum on a
water related aspect) family floater basis.
• UN-Water launched its 2014-2020 Strategy in • Funding Pattern: Contribution by Government of
support of the 2030 Agenda. India to Sate Government is in ratio of 75:25.
World water Development report (WWDR) • It is implemented by the Ministry of Health and
Family Welfare.
• Published by UN-Water Members and Partners it
represents. Highlights
• The report production is coordinated by the
• Aim- To provide medical cover up to Rs5 lakh
World Water Assessment Programme and the
theme is harmonized with the theme of World
per year per household for secondary and
Water Day (22 March). tertiary health care.
• Coverage- An estimated 10 crore households
UN-Water Global Analysis and Assessment of
across the country, constituting 40% of total
Sanitation and Drinking-Water (GLAAS)
population on the basis of “deprivation and
• By the World Health Organization (WHO) onbehalf
of UN-Water. occupational criteria” as per Socio-Economic
• It is a substantive input into the activities of and Caste Census (SECC) data, 2011.
Sanitation and Water for All (SWA). • Using JAM- It would be a cashless and
Aadhaar enabled for better targeting of
5.5. GOVERNMENT SCHEMES beneficiary.
• Finance- It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme
5.5.1. NHPS with ratio of contribution towards premium
will be
Why in News?
o 60: 40 ratio Share between Centre and
In budget 2018, a flagship National Health State in all states and UTs with
Protection Scheme (NHPS) was announced under legislature.
Ayushman Bharat programme for a New India o 90: 10 ratio between Centre and
2022. northeastern states & 3 Himalayan
Ayushman Bharat programme has two component
states.
viz. National Health Protection Scheme & Health and o 100% Centre’s contribution in case of
Wellness Centre. union territories (UTs) without
Health and Wellness Centre: They were envisioned legislature.
under National Health Policy, 2017. o Central funding: Initial corpus of Rs 2000
• Under this 1.5 lakh centres will bring health care crore was announced and rest will be
system closer to the homes of people. funded from 1% additional cess (Budget-
• These centres will provide comprehensive health 2018).
care, including for non-communicable diseases • NHPS scheme will subsume Rashtriya
and maternal and child health services. Swasthiya Bima Yojana (RSBY) under it.
• Contribution of private sector through CSR and
• National Health Agency (NHA)- It will be set
philanthropic institutions in adopting these
centres is also envisaged. up to manage NHPS.
43
• It will operate around the insurance principle • Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) will give
of risk pooling. When a large number of protection against 13 types of pneumococcal
people subscribe to an insurance scheme, bacteria.
only a small fraction of them will be Highlights of Intensified Mission Indradhanush
hospitalised in any given year. (IMI)
Significance • It will be done through mapping of all
• It would be the world’s largest government- underserved population in urban areas and
funded health programme. need-based deployment of ANMs (auxiliary
• Consolidating Fragmented Healthcare nurse midwife) for providing vaccination
Insurance facility available in different states. services in these areas.
• It will focus on children up to 2 years of age
5.5.2. MISSION INDRA DHANUSH and pregnant women who have missed out
on routine immunization. However,
Why in news?
vaccination on demand to children up to 5
• Union Health Ministry launched Intensified years of age will be provided during IMI
Mission Indradhanush to achieve full rounds.
immunization. • A distinctive feature is that there is greater
• PMO will review the mission through multi- focus on convergence with other ministries,
modal platform PRAGATI (Pro-Active especially women and child development,
Governance and Timely Implementation) Panchayati Raj, urban development, youth
platform. affairs etc.
Mission Indradhanush • It will primarily focus on:
o Areas with vacant sub centres- Auxiliary
• It is a strategic endeavour under Universal Nurse Midwife not posted or absent for
Immunisation Programme 1985. more than 3 months
• It targets to immunize all children below two o Unserved/low coverage pockets in sub-
years of age either unvaccinated or are centre or urban areas, due to issues
partially vaccinated as well as all pregnant around vaccine hesitancy of program
women. reach; sub centre/ANM catering to
• Immunisation against seven vaccine populations much higher than norms
preventable diseases namely; Diphtheria, o Villages/areas with three or more
Pertussis, Tetanus, Childhood Tuberculosis, consecutive missed routine
Polio, Hepatitis B and Measles. immunization sessions.
• Moreover, Vaccines for Japanese o High risk areas identified by the polio
Encephalitis, Haemophilus influenza type B, eradication program that are not having
inactivated polio vaccine, Rotavirus vaccine independent routine immunization
and Measles Rubella vaccine are also being sessions and clubbed with some other
provided in selected states. routine immunization sessions such as;
• Mission is technically supported by WHO, ✓ Urban slums with migratory
UNICEF, Rotary International and other donor population
partners. ✓ Nomadic sites (brick kilns,
construction sites, other migrant
Universal Immunisation Programme 1985
• The UIP provides free of cost vaccines to all
settlements-fisherman villages,
children during the first year of life. riverine areas with shifting
• To protect them against 12 life threatening populations, underserved and hard-
diseases: tuberculosis, diphtheria, pertussis to-reach populations-forested and
(whooping cough), tetanus, poliomyelitis, tribal populations, hilly areas, etc.)
measles, Hepatitis B, Diarrhoea, Japanese ✓ Areas with low routine
Encephalitis, rubella, Rotavirus and Pneumonia immunization coverage identified
(added in May 2017). through measles outbreaks, cases
Pneumonia vaccine of diphtheria and neonatal tetanus
• India accounts for nearly 20% of global in the last two years.
pneumonia deaths.
44
5.5.3. MENTAL HEALTHCARE ACT live in the community and not be segregated
in large institutions and make provisions for
Why in news? half-way homes, group homes and other such
• The Centre has proposed to establish facilities for rehabilitating persons with
“halfway homes” in an attempt to mental health problems.
rehabilitate the mentally ill. • It requires the government to meet
internationally accepted norms for the
What are “Halfway Homes”? number of mental health professionals within
• Halfway homes are transitional living facilities for
10 years of passing this law.
mentally ill patients who have been discharged
from hospital but are not fully ready to live on 5.5.4. EVIN PROJECT
their own or with the family.
• Such halfway homes will run outside the campus Why in news?
of mental health establishments and will be
Electronic vaccine intelligence network (eVIN)
registered as mental health establishments under
the Act. project of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
• They will be required to comply with all the has been lauded by various developing countries.
standards and other requirements to be observed About eVIN
by mental health establishments.
• The patients will be encouraged to do various • eVIN is an indigenously developed technology
activities and will be paid for their services system in India that digitises vaccine stocks
• They will be allowed to move freely with the and monitors the temperature of the cold
establishment and form relationships within in chain through a smartphone application.
the community. They shall also be allowed to • The technological innovation is implemented
move out under supervision at the discretion of by the United Nations Development
the medical officer in-charge within fixed timings.
Programme (UNDP).
• Such an initiative will give persons with mental
illness a second chance to mingle in society and • By streamlining vaccine flow network, it
start afresh and will help them overcome their strengths health systems by easy and timely
fears and inhibitions before they are actually availability of vaccines.
exposed to the real world.
5.5.5. INDEX FOR TRACKING
Important Provisions of the Act PERFORMA NCE OF HOSPI TALS
• It has decriminalized suicide by ‘reading Why in news?
down’ the power of section 309 of the Indian
Penal Code. Niti Aayog along with the Health ministry has
• The law takes a rights-based approach to all started ranking district hospitals through ‘Health
aspects of mental healthcare. It provides of our Hospitals’ index.
persons with mental illness protection from Details
cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment,
right to information about their illness and • Its aims to provide comprehensive secondary
treatment, right to confidentiality of their health care services to the people in the
medical condition and right to access their district at an acceptable level of quality and
medical records to be responsive and sensitive to the needs of
people and referring centers.
• It makes provision for writing an advance
directive through which which people can • The hospitals are assessed on the basis of-
state their preferences for treatment, o Number of functional hospital beds per
including how they would like to be treated 1,00,000 population,
for mental illness. o ratio of doctors, nurses and paramedical
staff,
• The government is explicitly made
o stock out rate of essential drugs,
responsible for setting up programmes for
o blood bank replacement rate and
the promotion of mental health, prevention
o post-surgical infection rate etc.
of mental illness and suicide prevention
programmes.
• It requires the government to make
provisions for persons with mental illness to
45
5.5.6. ECHO CLI NIC 5.5.8. JANAUSHADHI PARIYO JANA
• ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Why in News?
Outcomes) is a concept of weekly or
• The railway ministry has given an in-principle
fortnightly virtual clinics using
approval to opening up of Jan Aushadhi
teleconferencing by best specialists to reach
Kendras at railway stations and other railway
out to underserved areas.
establishments under the Pradhan Mantri
• ECHO clinics do not provide care directly to Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana.
patients like in telemedicine. Instead, they
equip primary healthcare clinicians in Generic Medicines
remote areas with the knowledge and • It is a low-cost version of a formulation that is
support to manage complex cases. equivalent to branded product in quality, dosage,
strength, route of administration and efficacy.
• It helps in bringing specialist care and
• Due to patency issues generic drugs are not sold
knowledge to areas where there is none. in the market unless the patent of the branded
India’s first ECHO clinic began in 2008 as a drug expires.
collaboration between the National Aids Control • Even after the patency, generic drugs are
Organization (NACO) and Maulana Azad Medical available under brands and are called Branded
generics.
College (MAMC) on managing HIV AIDS patients.
Current regulation regarding Generic Drugs in India
Since then, ECHO clinics and handling various
• The Medical Council of India's ethics code for
diseases in the country.
doctors made generic prescription mandatory in
Project ECHO began in 2003 in New Mexico when a October 2016, though it was not enforced.
liver disease specialist in US realized that there were • Health Ministry has proposed changes in the
thousands of cases of Hepatitis C in New Mexico Drugs and Cosmetics Act to ensure the generic
without access to any treatment. Thus, he brought names is printed in bigger fonts than the brand
together local clinicians and specialists through ECHO names.
clinics. Drug Controller of India has directed states to order
the approval of drugs based on generic names only.
5.5.7. AMRIT OUTLETS
About the Scheme
Why in news?
• Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) Pariyojana is a campaign launched by the
to open AMRIT outlets in all districts. Department of Pharmaceuticals, to provide
About AMRIT quality medicines at affordable prices to the
masses through special kendra’s known as
• It was launched in 2015 by MoHFW as an Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi
Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants Kendra (PMBJK).
for Treatment (AMRIT) programme with an • Bureau of Pharma Public Sector
aim to Reduce the expenditure incurred by Undertakings of India (BPPI), established
patients on treatment of cancer and heart under the Department of Pharmaceuticals
diseases. with the support of all the Central PSUs,
• AMRIT medicine outlet will be opened across coordinates procures, supplies and markets
India to cater medicines at very low costs. It generic drugs through PMBJK.
is being implemented through Mini-Ratna • All drugs procured under this scheme are
PSU, HLL Lifecare Ltd. The country’s 1st tested for quality assurance at NABL
AMRIT outlet was opened at AIIMS. (National Accreditation Board Laboratories)
• AMRIT will be launched in all Central Govt accredited laboratories and is compliant with
hospitals. The AMRIT pharmacy would be WHO GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices)
selling 202 cancer and 186 cardio-vascular benchmarks.
drugs, and 148 types of cardiac implants at
very affordable prices (60 to 90 percent
discounted price than Market).
46
• State Governments provide space in o Any NGOs/Charitable Society/Institution/
Government Hospital premises or any other Self-help Group/Individual Entrepreneurs
suitable locations for the running of the Jan /Pharmacist/Doctor can also open the Jan
Aushadhi Kendra. PMBJK may also be opened Aushadhi Kendra at outside of the
by any Government agencies in any hospital premises or any other suitable
Government building owned by Government place.
bodies.
47
6. MISCELLANEOUS
6.1. LABOUR MINISTRY: 6.2. INDEXES AND REPORTS
SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEMES
6.2.1. SOCIAL PROGRESS INDEX:
Why in News?
STATE OF INDIA
• Minister of State for Labour and
Employment, launched two schemes namely; Why in News?
One IP- Two Dispensaries and Aadhaar • Recently, Social Progress Index 2017 for the
based Online Claim Submission. States of India was released by Social
Highlight of the Schemes Progress Imperative and Institute of
Competitiveness.
• Two Dispensaries scheme of ESIC has given
an option to an Insured Person (IP) to choose About the Social Progress Index (SPI)
two dispensaries, one for self and another for • It measures the progress of a society across
family through an employer. different states, beyond the traditional
• It will benefit all IPs, especially migrant economic measurement tools (Income GDP,
workers who are working in other than home GVA etc.)
State. • SPI measures three broad criteria of social
• Moreover, Aadhaar based online Claim progress.
Submission scheme will provide an easy PF o The capacity of a society to meet the
(Provident Fund) final settlement under basic human needs of its citizens,
EPFO. o Allow citizens and communities to
What is EPFO What is ESIC (Employee enhance and sustain the quality of their
(Employee Provident State Insurance lives, and
Fund Organisation)? Corporation)? o Create the conditions for all individuals to
reach their full potential.”
• It is statutory body • It is a statutory, • It has three dimensions and four tiers of
under Ministry of autonomous
score to measure the society progress (See
Labour and corporation under
Box).
Employment Ministry of Labour and
implementing Employment
retirement benefit Established in 1948.
scheme that’s • It implements medical
available to all and cash benefits to
salaried employees. employee of organised
• EPF scheme is sector against the
applicable to events of sickness,
establishments maternity,
employing 20 or disablement and
more persons. death due to
• Does not apply to employment injury.
the co-operative • Applicable to all the
societies employing States except
less than 50 persons Manipur, Sikkim,
and the Arunachal Pradesh
organisation who and Mizoram.
have their own EPF • Mandatory for non-
scheme but seasonal factories
supervisor rest with employing 10 or more Four tiers of score
EPFO. persons and
establishments
employing 20 or more
persons in certain
states.
48
Highlights of the report • India has also performed among lowest in
Gender gap but has fared well on skills
• India ranked 93rd out of 128th countries and
needed for future with a rank of 65 among
scored 58.39 out of 100.
130 countries.
• Denmark ranks 1st with a score of 90.57.
• State wise Social Progress (Highest to 6.2.3. SDGS I NDEX
Lowest); Kerala (68.09)→ Himachal Pradesh
(65.39)→ Tamil Nadu (65.34)→Mizoram Why in News?
(62.89) Delhi (60.17)→Haryana (44.89). • India rank 116th out of 157 country on SGDs
Index and Dashboard report conducted by
6.2.2. GLOBA L HUMA N CA PITAL Sustainable Development Solutions Network
INDEX (SDSN).
Why in news? Highlights of Dashboard Report
• India has been placed at a lower rank on the • India is ranked 116th on the index is behind
WEF’s Global Human Capital Index. the countries such as Nepal, Iran, Sri Lanka,
• The report measures 130 countries against Bhutan and China. Pakistan is ranked 122.
four key areas among (shown in figure) five • The rising trend of nationalism and
distinct age groups to capture the full human imperialism is impeding the implementation
capital potential profile of a country. of goals.
World Economic Forum • The poor performances regarding
It is a not-for-profit foundation established in 1971 sustainable consumption and production are
and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. one of the greatest obstacles to achieving the
Major Reports and Indices by WEF global goals for high-income countries.
• Global Competitiveness Report • Small developed countries are closest to
• Global Gender Gap Report fulfilling the goals.
• Global Human Capital Report • Richest countries are nowhere near achieving
• Inclusive Development Index the global policy objectives but also
• Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report deteriorate the implementation process for
• Global Energy architecture performance index poorer countries because of negative spill
report.
over effects.
Sustainable Development Solutions Network
(SDSN).
• Established in 2012 has been operating under
the auspices of the UN Secretary-General.
• An independent global network of research
centres, universities and technical
institutions.
• It is part of the UN’s response to the outcome
of the UN Conference on Sustainable
Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20).
Functions
• It works closely with United Nations agencies,
multilateral financing institutions, the private
Performance of India sector, and civil society.
• To mobilize scientific and technical expertise
• India has improved its rank by 2 places last
for problem-solving in relation to sustainable
year but it still ranks last among G-20 and
development.
lowest among BRICS countries.
• It provides practical solutions for SDGs and
• Even among its South Asian neighbours India
Pairs Climate Change Agreement.
is ranked lower than Sri Lanka (70) and Nepal
(98).
49
the village may witness some ‘slip back’ into
6.3. PROGRAMMES AND
open defecation due to old habits.
SCHEMES • Behaviour change campaigns through
effective information, education and
6.3.1. SWATCH BHARAT A BHIYAN communication (IEC) such as ;
Why in News? o “Darwaza Bandh” (on open defecation)
campaign.
• Various Civil Societies and assessment groups o Incentive based trained grass roots level
had come up with data about the sanitation motivators, or swachhagrahis, to
on third year 2017 of Swatch Bharat Abhiyan. stimulating community-level demand for
Swatch Bharat Abhiyan (SBA) toilets.
o Involving locally elected representatives,
• The campaign aims to achieve the vision of a
grass roots-level organisations, NGOs and
‘Clean India’ by 2nd October 2019 on the
school students and least one trained
mark of 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma
grassroots-level swachhagrahi in each
Gandhi.
village in India.
• Launched, under two submission namely;
SBA Gramin and SBA Urban, implemented by 6.3.2. SWACCHTA HI SEVA
the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation
and the Ministries of Urban Development Why in news?
respectively. • The government recently asked companies to
Earlier Initiatives on Sanitation contribute 7 percent of their CSR (Corporate
In 1986, government launched the first nationwide Social Responsibility) funds to Swacchta Hi
sanitation program under Central Rural Sanitation Seva Campaign.
Program (CRSP). Corporate Social Responsibility
In 1999, CRSP had been restructured under Total • It is a management concept where companies take
Sanitation Campaign (TSC), augmented with up the responsibility to assess the impact of their
incentives scheme in the form of an award for total corporate plans on the environment and social
sanitation coverage, maintenance of a clean well-being of the people and integrate it in their
environment and open defecation-free panchayat business models.
villages, blocks and districts, called Nirmal Gram • According to Companies Act, 2013, companies with
Puraskar. a net worth of Rs500 crore or revenue of Rs1,000
Urban Sanitation Policy (NUSP) in 2008, instated a crore or net profit of Rs5 crore should spend 2% of
framework for cities to prepare City Sanitation Plans their average profit in the last three years in
under the scheme of a State Sanitation Strategy. pursuance of its Corporate Social Responsibility.
Urban Sanitation awards and ratings were also
What is a Swacchta Hi Seva Campaign?
introduced, based on the benchmarking of sanitation
services. • Swacchta Hi Seva Campaign is a 15 day
Centrally sponsored schemes such as JNNURM, Urban campaign undertaken by the government
Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and under the Swacch Bharat Mission (SBM). The
Medium Towns (UIDSSMT), Rajiv Awas Yojna, etc. campaign was co-ordinated by the Ministry
provide funds for creation of sanitation assets like
of Drinking Water and Sanitation.
individual toilets, community toilet blocks and
wastewater disposal and treatment facilities at the city • Under this campaign, people from all walks of
level. life were encouraged to undertake
In 2012, the TSC was renamed to Nirmal Bharat shramdaan (voluntary labour) to make SBM
Abhiyan (NBA). On October 2, 2014 the campaign was a janandolan (mass movement).
relaunched as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan • The campaign targeted the cleaning of public
How different from earlier Initiatives? and tourist places. It mobilised the masses for
cleanliness and toilet construction.
• SBM had moved from outputs (number of • The campaign was significantly successful as
toilets built) to outcomes (ODF villages). the participation ranged from the President
• It emphasizes on sustainability by giving of India, legislators, common citizens,
verification mechanism (90-day) on Post celebrities, army personnels, schools kids and
ODF-declaration, because it is possible that more.
50
• The campaign culminated on October 2 How a state is declared as ODF free?
Gandhi Jayanti which is also Swacch Bharat
• Sanitation is a State subject.
Diwas (Clean India Day).
• The Ministry of Drinking Water and
Please refer to Vision IAS Current Affairs August Sanitation has given two criteria for granting
2017 to know more about Swacch Bharat of ODF status to a Gram Panchayat or village.
Mission. ✓ No visible faeces should be found in the
environment/village; and
Other Similar Initiatives Under Swacch Bharat ✓ Every household as well as
Mission
public/community institutions must use
• Swacch Sankalp se Swacch Siddhi – Under this
safe technology options for the disposal
campaign, essay, short films and painting
competitions were organised for general public
of faeces. (Safe technology option here
with a special focus on school children. means no contamination of surface soil,
• Swacchathon-The Swacch Bharat Hackathon – It groundwater or surface water’ excreta
invited innovative technology based solutions to inaccessible to flies or animals; no
some of the most challenging questions being handling of fresh excreta; and freedom
faced by Swacch Bharat Mission (Gramin) such as from odour and unsightly condition)
usage of toilets in non-intrusive manner at scale, • Quality Council of India has been tasked to
how to spark behaviour change at scale , frugal substantiate Open Defecation Free (ODF)
technology designs for difficult terrains etc. claims of Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban)
6.3.3. ARUNACHAL BEC OMES OPEN while in case of rural areas State may choose
DEFECATION FREE (ODF) through whom to verify - it can be through
own teams or through third party.
Why in news?
6.3.4. INDIA YOUTH D EVELOPMENT
Recently, Arunachal Pradesh emerged as the INDEX A ND REPORT 2017
second state in the Northeast, after Sikkim, to be
declared Open Defecation Free. Why in news?
Details Recently, government released the India Youth
Development Index and Report 2017.
• Swachh Arunachal Mission is also launched
alongside, which envisages Swachh Protocol Global Youth Index
(Cleanliness Protocol) aimed at ensuring • It is developed by the Commonwealth Secretariat
sustainability of assets created under SBM using a comprehensive measure across five
domains - education, health, employment, and
(Gramin)
civic and political participation.
• Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh and Kerala,
• It helps policy makers to make informed decisions
Uttarakhand and Haryana are the first 5 regarding young people’s needs and
states out of total 11 states and UTs declared opportunities and help to achieve the Sustainable
ODF free across India. Development Goals.
• Sanitation coverage in rural India has
increased substantially from 39% in 2014 to India Youth Development Index, 2017
76%. • The Index has been constructed by The Rajiv
Swachh Bharat Gramin (SBG) Gandhi National Institute of Youth
It aims to achieve a clean and ODF rural India by 2nd Development (RGNIYD) with an objective of
October, 2019 through: tracking the trends in Youth Development
• Accelerating sanitation coverage in rural areas, across the States.
• Motivating communities to adopt sustainable • According to the Report ‘Youth’ refers to a
sanitation practices and facilities, stage of life in transition between
• Developing community managed sanitation adolescence and adulthood in the age
systems focusing on scientific Solid & Liquid Waste bracket of 15 to 29 years. (As accepted by
Management systems, Commonwealth and National Youth Policy
• Creating significant positive impact on gender and 2014).
promote social inclusion.
• The various dimensions on which the YDI
2017 has been formed are
o Education
51
o Health • It endeavours to identify the bright minds
o Political Participants among the student community, who are keen
o Civic Participation on subjects related to science.
o Work • The government will conduct an annual
o Social Inclusion (new dimension added in talent search exam at the national level to
IYDI 2017). identify students who have a scientific bent
Highlights of YDI-2017 of mind.
• India has 65% of the population less than the age • It is an initiation of Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA),
of 35 years and 50% below 25 years of age and it in collaboration with National Council of
is expected to be youngest in the world by 2020 Education Research and Training, an
with median age of 29 years. institution under the Ministry of Human
• The National YDI value is 0.569 with wide range of Resources and Development and Vigyan
variations between states e.g. Bihar (0.466) and Prasar, an autonomous organization under
Himachal Pradesh (0.689). the Department of Science and Technology,
• YDI score for male 0.625 and female 0.535. Government of India.
• Youth Gender Development Index score is 0.856.
• Youth Education Index stands at 0.513. 6.3.6. LPG PANCHAYAT
• Youth Health Index score is 0.632
• Youth Work Index and Youth Civic Participation Why in news?
scores are 0.572 and 0.191 respectively.
• The Centre has launched LPG Panchayat in
• Youth Political Participation Index score at
order to back-up its scheme Pradhan Mantri
national level is 0.436 which implies that the
scope of youth to be politically more active.
Ujjawala Yojana.
• Youth Social Inclusion Index score is 0.785. Pradhan Mantri Ujjawala Yojana
• It aims to provide 500 crore LPG connections to
National Youth Policy 2014 BPL families by 2019.
• It was formulated with an aim to empower • It was launched in May 2016 under the Ministry of
youth to achieve their full potential, and Petroleum and Natural Gas
through them enable India to find its rightful • LPG Connections under the scheme will be issued
under the name of women of the household in
place in the community of nations.
order to empower women.
• The priority areas are education, skill
• Identification of BPL families under the scheme will
development and employment, be done through Socio Economic Caste Census
entrepreneurship, health and healthy Data.
lifestyle, sports, promotion of social values, • It will not only provide additional employment and
community engagement, participation in business opportunity but will also boost the “Make
politics and governance, youth engagement, in India” campaign.
inclusion and social justice.
How will the LPG Panchayat Work?
6.3.5. VIDYARTHI VIG YAN • The centre plans to organise one lakh LPG
MANTHA N panchayat across the country in the next one
Why in News? and half year.
• LPG Panchayats will bring together about 100
• Recently, government has launched mobile LPG users of an area and create an interactive
App for Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan (VVM). platform to discuss safe and sustainable
Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA), usage of LPG, its benefits and linkages
• It is one of the largest science movement in the between using clean fuel and empowering
country led by eminent scientists and to inculcate women as their health risks are reduced.
and generate scientific temper, foster excellence • The panchayats will also include safe
in students and mentor them for their careers in practices, quality of service provided by
pure sciences. distributors and availability of refill cylinders.
About the Programme
• The program is for educating and
popularizing science among school students
of VI to XI standards.
52
6.3.7. UTKRISHT IMPA CT BOND • The Mission adopted the specifications of Bureau
of Indian Standard for drinking water to declare it
Why in news? contaminated.
United States Agency for International About the Programme

Development (USAID) has launched a Rajasthan • Launched in 2009, under the Ministry of
Development Impact Bond (Utkrisht Impact Drinking water and Sanitation,
Bond) at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in operationalized through strategic plan 2011-
Hyderabad. 2022.
About the bonds • It emphasized on ensuring sustainability of
water availability in terms of portability,
• It has been launched to reduce maternal and adequacy, convenience, affordability and
neo-natal deaths in Rajasthan by improving equity.
the quality of services at private healthcare • It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with
facilities and adhere to the government’s 50:50 fund sharing between the Centre and
quality standards. the States.
• It is a world's first Development Impact • It prescribed certain norms for drinking water
Bond (DIB) in healthcare and has been such as;
developed in a public-private partnership and o 40 liters per capita per day (lpcd) of safe
will provide financial assistance to 440 small drinking water for human beings.
healthcare organisations. o 30 lpcd additional for cattle in the Desert
• Target: To reach up to 600,000 pregnant Development Programme Areas.
women with improved care during delivery o One hand-pump or stand post for every
and save lives of up to 10,000 women and 250 persons.
newborns by the next five years. o The water source should exist within the
Development Impact Bond (DIB) habitation/ within 1.6 km in the plains
• They are outcome based bond, under which and within 100 mtrs. elevation in the hilly
donor pay back private investors investment with areas.
interest, if the service providers achieve pre- • Other components include-
determined targets. o Focus on piped water supply, increase
level of service delivery, thrust on
6.3.8. NATIONAL RURAL DRINKING coverage of water quality affected
WATER PROGRAMME habitations.
Why in News? o Coverage of Open Defecation Free (ODF)
declared villages, Saansad Adarsh Gram
Cabinet has recently approved the continuation Yojana, Integrated Action Plan (IAP)
and restructuring of National Rural Drinking districts, Border Out Posts (BOP) with
Water Programme (NRDWP). piped water supply and Institutional set
More on News up for proper O&M of water supply
assets etc.
• The restructuring is to make it outcome-
based, competitive and better monitored 6.3.9. SWAJAL YOJANA
with increased focus on sustainability
(functionality) of schemes. Why in news?
• National Water Quality Sub-Mission • Recently, Ministry of Drinking Water and
(NWQSM) will be funded under the NRDWP. Sanitation launched Swajal Pilot project at
NWQSM Village Bhikampura, Karauli district,
• Launched by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Rajasthan.
Sanitation, in 2017, to bring the water quality of About Swajal Project
country at par of International Standard by 2020.
• It will provide clean water to habitations affected • It is a community owned drinking water
by major physio-chemicals pollutants such as programme which will not only ensure round-
arsenic, fluoride, iron, salinity and nitrate, by the-year availability of clean drinking water
March 2021. but also generate employment.
53
• Besides ensuring the availability of clean Findings of the Report
drinking water to every household round the
• The report shows that among nations
year, the project would also generate
inequality has been decreasing as
employment.
traditionally poor countries are catching up
• It is the second project under the Swajal with other developed countries however
Yojana. Prior to this, it has been launched in inequality has been deepening steadily
Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. within every nation.
• 90% of the project cost will be taken care of • Income inequality varies greatly across world
by the government while the rest 10% of the regions with lowest in Europe and highest in
project cost which will be contributed by the Middle East.
community.
• The project derives its name from an old Income inequality in India
Swajal project, a World Bank project • The report points that income inequality in
dedicated to rural water and environmental India has risen very high with top 1% earners
sanitation launched in 1996 in UP. grossing 22% of the national income and top
6.3.10. WORLD INEQUA LITY 10% was 56% (2014).
• Since deregulation policies in 1980s, the top
REPORT
0.1%earner have captured more than bottom
Why in news? 50% and middle 40% have seen relatively
little growth in income.
Recently World Inequality Report was released by
World Inequality Lab at the Paris School of
Economics and University of California.

54
VISIONIAS
www.visionias.in
Classroom Study Material

SOCIAL
JUNE 2016 – FEBRUARY 2017
NOTE: March 2017 to 15th May 2017 current affairs for PT 365 will be updated on our website on third week
of May.

form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of Vision
IAS.
Table of Contents
1. GENDER RELATED ISSUES ____________________________________________________________6

1.1. Gender Gap Report 2016 ________________________________________________________________6
1.2. Triple Talaq ___________________________________________________________________________6
1.3. Changes in Domestic Violence Act_________________________________________________________7
1.4. Sex Ratio in Haryana ___________________________________________________________________7
1.5. Nodal Agency to Check Pre-Natal Sex Selection ______________________________________________8
1.6. Women Entry to Religious Places: Bombay HC _______________________________________________8
1.7. The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) ACt, 2017 ______________________________________________9
1.8. Commercial Surrogacy Bill _______________________________________________________________9
1.9. Supreme Court Decision on MTPA 1971 ___________________________________________________10
1.10. National Women’s Parliament _________________________________________________________10
1.11. Govt Schemes _______________________________________________________________________10
1.11.1. Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana __________________________________________________________ 10
1.11.2. The Janani Suraksha Yojana ___________________________________________________________________ 11
1.11.3. “Pink” Initiatives in KERALA ___________________________________________________________________ 11
1.11.4. Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) _____________________________________________ 12
1.11.5. Mahila Shakti Kendra ________________________________________________________________________ 12
1.11.6. Mahila Police Volunteer ______________________________________________________________________ 12
1.11.7. Sakhi – One Stop Centre Scheme _______________________________________________________________ 13
1.11.8. Prerna Scheme _____________________________________________________________________________ 13
1.11.9. Tread Scheme ______________________________________________________________________________ 13
1.12. Transgender issues ___________________________________________________________________13
1.12.1. Transgender Rights __________________________________________________________________________ 13
1.12.2. The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2016 ___________________________________________ 14
1.12.3. LGBT Community: Ensuring Social Justice ________________________________________________________ 15
2. CHILD RELATED ISSUES _____________________________________________________________16

2.1. Adoption Regulations 2017 _____________________________________________________________16
2.2. Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2016 ______________________________16
2.3. 100 Million for 100 Million Campaign _____________________________________________________17
2.4. Child Rights __________________________________________________________________________17
2.5. International Children’s Peace Prize ______________________________________________________18
2.6. The Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction Bill, 2016 __________________________________18
2.7. UNICEF: State of Children’s Report _______________________________________________________19
2.8. Governement Schemes/initiatives _______________________________________________________19
2.8.1. National Action Plan for Children, 2016 __________________________________________________________ 19
2.8.2. Tejaswini Project_____________________________________________________________________________ 20
2.8.3. National Child Labour Project (NCLP) ____________________________________________________________ 21
2.8.4. Rashtriya Kishore Swasthya Karyakram ___________________________________________________________ 21
2.8.5. Aarambh Initiative ___________________________________________________________________________ 22
2.8.6. India Newborn Action Plan (INAP) _______________________________________________________________ 22
2.8.7. Rashtriya Yuva Sashaktikaran Karyakaram ________________________________________________________ 22
2 www.visionias.in ©Vision IAS

2.8.8. Rajasthan Drive to End Child Marriages __________________________________________________________ 23
3. OLD AGE/DISABLED/VULNERABLE SECTIONS ___________________________________________24

3.1. Elderly in India _______________________________________________________________________24
3.1.1. National Newspaper for Senior Citizens __________________________________________________________ 24
3.1.2. Vayoshreshtha Samman _______________________________________________________________________ 24
3.1.3. National Centre for Ageing _____________________________________________________________________ 24
3.1.4. Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 ____________________________________ 25
3.1.5. IPOP _______________________________________________________________________________________ 25
3.1.6. IGNOAPS ___________________________________________________________________________________ 25
3.2. Disabled ____________________________________________________________________________25
3.2.1. New Disability Act ____________________________________________________________________________ 25
3.2.2. Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyaan) ______________________________________________ 26
3.2.3. Marrakesh Treaty Comes into Force _____________________________________________________________ 26
3.2.4. Universal Identity Cards for Physically Challenged __________________________________________________ 27
3.2.5. Braille Atlas _________________________________________________________________________________ 27
3.3. Minorities ___________________________________________________________________________28
3.3.1. Hamari Dharohar Scheme _____________________________________________________________________ 28
3.3.2. Waqf Properties _____________________________________________________________________________ 28
3.3.3. UDAAN scheme _____________________________________________________________________________ 28
3.3.4. Nayi Manzil Scheme __________________________________________________________________________ 29
3.3.5. Nayi Roshni Scheme __________________________________________________________________________ 29
3.3.6. Jews Get Minority Status in Maharashtra _________________________________________________________ 30
3.4. Other Vulnerable sections ______________________________________________________________30
3.4.1. SECC ______________________________________________________________________________________ 30
3.4.2. Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes ____________________________________________________ 31
3.4.3. National tribal carnival ________________________________________________________________________ 31
3.4.4. NBCFDC ____________________________________________________________________________________ 32
3.4.5. Revamped Bonded Labour Scheme, 2016 _________________________________________________________ 32
3.4.6. Tribal Issues ________________________________________________________________________________ 33
4. EDUCATION _____________________________________________________________________34
4.1. Higher Education Finance Agency (HEFA) __________________________________________________34
4.2. Subramanian Committee Report on Education _____________________________________________34
4.3. RTE ________________________________________________________________________________35
4.3.1. Harmonising RTE with Minority Schools __________________________________________________________ 35
4.3.2. Review of No Detention Policy Under RTE ________________________________________________________ 35
4.4. PISA ________________________________________________________________________________35
4.5. Kadiyam Srihari Committee _____________________________________________________________35
4.6. Subramanian Committee Report on Education _____________________________________________36
4.7. Ashok Kumar Roopanwal Committee Report _______________________________________________36
4.8. Universal Education Goals of India _______________________________________________________37
4.9. Mother Language as Medium of Instruction in School ________________________________________37
4.10. New Delhi Declaration on Education_____________________________________________________37
4.11. National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) ______________________________________________37
4.12. School Education Quality Index (SEQI) ___________________________________________________38
4.13. Indian Institute of Management Bill, 2017 ________________________________________________38
4.14. Government initiatives/Schemes _______________________________________________________38
4.14.1. Vidyanjali Scheme___________________________________________________________________________ 38

4.14.2. ‘ShaGun’ – A Web-Portal for Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan _______________________________________________ 39
4.14.3. National Academic Depository_________________________________________________________________ 39
4.14.4. Swayam Prabha ____________________________________________________________________________ 39
4.14.5. Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat ___________________________________________________________________ 39
4.14.6. Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan_________________________________________________ 40
5. HEALTH _________________________________________________________________________41
5.1. National Index for Performance of Health Outcomes ________________________________________41
5.2. New Health Index _____________________________________________________________________41
5.3. Kerala Imposes Fat Tax ________________________________________________________________41
5.4. Global Nutrition Report ________________________________________________________________42
5.5. Potassium Bromate ___________________________________________________________________42
5.6. Detecting melamine in milk _____________________________________________________________42
5.7. Digital India Awards 2016 ______________________________________________________________43
5.8. Regulating Online Sale of Medicines ______________________________________________________43
5.9. Draft Public Health Bill 2017 ____________________________________________________________43
5.10. Autism Tools INCLEN and ISAA _________________________________________________________43
5.11. World Health Organization ____________________________________________________________44
5.11.1. Global TB Report____________________________________________________________________________ 44
5.11.2. WHO Report on The Health Workforce in India ___________________________________________________ 44
5.11.3. MNTE & Yaws-Free Status to India _____________________________________________________________ 44
5.11.4. WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) ___________________________________________ 45
5.12. Pictorial Warnings on Tobacco _________________________________________________________45
5.13. United Nations High Panel Report on Access to Medicines ___________________________________45
5.14. India Declared Free From Bird Flu _______________________________________________________46
5.15. India’s Fight Against Growing Hepatitis __________________________________________________46
5.16. Food Regulations ____________________________________________________________________46
5.16.1. Draft Regulations on Fortification of Foods ______________________________________________________ 46
5.16.2. Law Commission Recommendation on Food Laws _________________________________________________ 47
5.16.3. Swacch Swasth Sarvatra ______________________________________________________________________ 47
5.16.4. Coronary Stent Price Capped __________________________________________________________________ 48
5.16.5. Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) _____________________________________________________ 49
5.17. DISEASES ___________________________________________________________________________50
5.17.1. Leprosy ___________________________________________________________________________________ 50
5.17.2. Recurrence of Polio _________________________________________________________________________ 50
5.17.3. Scrub Typhus_______________________________________________________________________________ 51
5.17.4. Norms for Brain Death _______________________________________________________________________ 51
5.17.5. Hysterectomy among Young Women: Survey _____________________________________________________ 51
5.17.6. Foot & Mouth Disease (FMD) _________________________________________________________________ 51
5.18. Governemnt Schemes/initiatives _______________________________________________________52
5.18.1. My Hospital/Mera Aspatal Initiative ____________________________________________________________ 52
5.18.2. National E-Health Authority ___________________________________________________________________ 52
5.18.3. Mission Parivar Vikas ________________________________________________________________________ 52
5.18.4. Jeevan Rekha: E-Health Project ________________________________________________________________ 53
5.18.5. Arogya Raksha for All ________________________________________________________________________ 53
5.18.6. Universal Immunisation Programme ____________________________________________________________ 53
5.18.7. Swasthya Raksha Programme _________________________________________________________________ 54
5.18.8. Mission Madhumeha through Ayurveda _________________________________________________________ 54
5.18.9. Sterilisation Initiative ________________________________________________________________________ 55

5.18.10. ‘Solar for Healthcare’ Initiative _______________________________________________________________ 55
5.18.11. Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) ______________________________________________ 55
5.18.12. MAA Programme __________________________________________________________________________ 55
5.18.13. Nationwide Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF) _________________________________________ 56
5.18.14. National Institute of Sowa Rigpa ______________________________________________________________ 56
6. MISCELLANEOUS _________________________________________________________________57
6.1. SC Ruling on Wage Disparity ____________________________________________________________57
6.2. Swachh Bharat Mission: 2nd Anniversary __________________________________________________57
6.3. Smart Gram Initiative __________________________________________________________________58
6.4. Gift Milk Scheme _____________________________________________________________________58
6.5. Nidhi Apke Nikat Programme ___________________________________________________________58
6.6. Khelo India Scheme ___________________________________________________________________59
6.7. Task Force for Next 3 Olympics __________________________________________________________59
6.8. Liquor Ban___________________________________________________________________________59
6.9. India Moves Up in the World Giving Index _________________________________________________60
6.10. India Social Development Report 2016 ___________________________________________________60
6.11. Telangana first Children’s Court in Hyderabad. ____________________________________________60
6.12. Devdasi System _____________________________________________________________________61

1. GENDER RELATED ISSUES
1.1. GENDER GAP REPORT 2016
Why in news?
 India has substantially improved its
rank in the Global Gender Gap index
2016- moving from 108th to 87th
position within a year.
About the report
 Global Gender Gap Report is
released by World Economic Forum
(WEF).
 The WEF measures the gender gap
index of the countries by taking four
factors into account-economy,
health, education and political
representation.
 In the latest edition, the report finds that progress towards parity in the key economic pillar of gender has
slowed dramatically with the gap-which stands at 59%-now larger than at any point since 2008.
 Globally, the leading four nations continue to be Scandinavian: Iceland, Finland, Norway and Sweden, in that
order.
India’s performance
 It has closed its gender gap by 2% in a year: its gap now stands at 68% across the four pillars.
 The major improvement, however, has been in education, where it has managed to close its gap entirely in
primary and secondary education.
1.2. TRIPLE TALAQ

Background
 The Supreme Court is presently hearing a case by Petitioner Shayara Bano who has challenged the
constitutionality of Section 2 of the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937, in so far as it
seeks to recognise and validate polygamy, triple talaq and 'nikah halala'.
 The central government also got involved in the process as the Court had asked for its response on the
matter.
 The Government, in its affidavit, supports the petition saying that these practices are not "integral to the
practices of Islam or essential religious practices". Thus, they must be reformed keeping in light the rights of
women.
Triple Talaq & Nikal Halala
 'Talaq-e-bidat' is a Muslim man divorcing his wife by pronouncing more than one talaq in a single 'tuhr' (the
period between two menstruations), or in a 'tuhr' after coitus, or pronouncing an irrevocable instantaneous
divorce at one go i.e. unilateral triple-talaq.
 Nikah Halala is the temporary marriage a victim of instant talaq is forced to undergo with another man to
remarry her first husband. This second marriage also needs to be consummated.
 The practice has been described as inhuman and uncivilized by social activists including many Muslim
groups.
 The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), however, has lent support to the practice saying that it is
a way to save marriages. It says that the mandatory nature of Nikah halala deters the husband from giving
hasty divorces.

 Further, the activists say that the practices are not of Islamic origin and many Islamic countries have
abolished them.
 The practice of instant triple talaq has already been invalidated by the SC in 2002 in Shamim Ara case. By
that decision Nikah Halala is also rendered redundant.
1.3. CHANGES IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACT

About
 The Supreme Court has struck down the words “adult male” from the pertinent provision in the DV Act to lay
down that a woman can also file a complaint against another woman, accusing her of domestic violence.
Reasoning of Court
 Since the perpetrators and abettors of domestic violence can also be women, insulating them would
frustrate the objectives of the Act. Under this immunity females and minors can continue to commit
domestic violence.
 It makes DV gender neutral which and would help in serving the purpose of the law in a better way.
The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005
 It was brought into force from 26 October 2006. The Act provides for the first time a definition of "domestic
violence".
 It is a broad definition including not only physical violence, but also other forms of violence such as
emotional/verbal, sexual, and economic abuse.
 It is a civil law meant primarily for protection orders and not meant to penalize criminally.
 The act does not extend to Jammu and Kashmir, which has its own laws.
 Different kinds of order issued by the Magistrate are Protection orders, Residence orders, Monetary relief,
Custody orders and Compensation orders.
1.4. SEX RATIO IN HARYANA

Why in news?
 Haryana for the first time in past 2 decades has Haryana government scheme:
crossed 900-mark in Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB). SRB  Aapki beti hamari beti scheme:
in December 2016 was recorded at 914.  It is launched to combat the problem of
 The SRB refers to the number of girls born per declining child sex ratio in the state.
1000 boys.  As per the scheme, first girl child born on or
after January 22, 2015, in SC family and BPL
Steps taken families will be eligible to receive Rs 21,000
 Similarly, all second girl child born on or after
 Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) campaign January 22, 2015 of all families will get Rs
launched in Panipat in January 2015 by central 21,000.
government provided initial flip and motivation to  Families, where twin girls or multiple girls are
improve the pathetic sex ratio in the state. born, will get Rs 21,000 per girl child.
 Convergence, cooperation and coordination of all  They will be provided fund from Haryana Kanya
departments was strictly enforced at district level Kosh.
 Special B3P cell was created at the chief minister  Haryana kanya kosh:
office for regular monitoring of the programme.  It is a special fund set up for welfare and
development of girl child and women in the
 State Government ensured strict implementation
state.
of Pre-conception and Pre Natal Diagnostic  The girl child belonging to the families of poor
Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994 and Medical and Scheduled Castes will be provided financial
Terminal of Pregnancy (MTP) Act. assistance from this fund.
 State launched a massive drive against sex  Anybody could contribute in this fund for the
selection, sex selective abortion and female welfare of girls.
foeticide.

 Regular meeting, rallies and street plays were conducted both at urban and rural areas to sensitize the
public. Campaign like “Selfie with daughter” was immensely successful in achieving this.
 Haryana girls like Deepa Malik, Sakshi Malik, Geeta Phogat, Babita Phogat wining laurels for the country in
sports significantly promoted the cause.
 Recent state government schemes like “Aapki beti hamari beti”, “Haryana kanya kosh” proved to be step in
the right direction.
Haryana: As per the Census 2011
 It has the lowest sex ratio of 877 females to that of 1000 males as compared to national average of 943.
 Even it recorded the lowest child sex ratio (0-6 years) of 834 among all the states compared to national
average of 919.
1.5. NODAL AGENCY TO CHECK PRE-NATAL SEX SELECTION

Why in News? Initiatives towards checking decline
in child sex ratio
 The Supreme Court had recently directed the government to
 Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Yojana,
constitute a nodal agency to monitor and trigger search engines to
 Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana,
crack down on online pre-natal sex determination advertisements.  Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal
About the step taken Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT)
Act (1994)
 The step has been taken as part of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal  The Girl Child Protection Scheme of
Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act (1994) which states that no Andhra Pradesh government
one shall be permitted to propagate sex selection in India.  Aapki Beti, Humari beti by Haryana
 Nodal agency would give advertisements on TV, radio and in government.
newspapers, that if anybody comes across anything which identifies  Ashray scheme of Rajasthan
a girl or a boy [at pre-natal stage], it should be brought to the notice government.
of the nodal agency.  Sivagami Ammaiyar memorial girl
child protection scheme of Tamil
 Once it is brought to the notice, the agency shall inform the search
Nadu government.
engines and they, after receiving the information, are obliged to
 Mukhya Mantri Kanya Suraksha
delete it within 36 hours and inform the nodal agency. Yojana of Bihar government.
About PCPNDT Act
 Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994 was enacted to stop female
foeticides and arrest the declining sex ratio. The act banned prenatal sex determination.
 It was amended in 2003 to Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex
Selection) Act to improve the regulation of the technology used in sex selection.
1.6. WOMEN ENTRY TO RELIGIOUS PLACES: BOMBAY HC

Why in news?
 The Bombay High Court in a landmark verdict allowed entry
of women up to the mazar in the Sufi dargah in Mumbai.
Background
 Four years ago the Dargah Trust barred women from
entering the sanctum sanctorum of the Haji Ali dargah.
 The trust had cited verses from the Quran and Prophet
Mohammed to claim that Islam does not permit women to
enter dargahs/ mosques.
 The trust had claimed the fundamental right “to manage its
own affairs” under Article 26 of the Constitution.
Observations of the High Court
 The Bombay High Court lifted the ban saying it contravenes the Constitution and women should be allowed
entry “at par with men”.

 HC held that the Trust cannot enforce a ban “contrary to the fundamental rights” enshrined in the
Constitution.
 Article 14 (equality before law),
 Article 15 (prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth)
 Article 25 (freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion) of the
Constitution.
1.7. THE MATERNITY BENEFIT (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2017

Why in news?
 The act amends the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961. The Act regulates the employment of women during the
period of child birth, and provides maternity benefits.
 It also amends provisions related to the duration and applicability of maternity leave, and other facilities.
Key Features of the Bill
 The act is applicable to all establishments employing 10 or more persons.
 Duration of maternity leave: The Act states that every woman will be entitled to maternity benefit of 12
weeks. The Bill increases this to 26 weeks.
 Under the Act, this maternity benefit should not be availed before six weeks from the date of expected
delivery. The Bill changes this to eight weeks.
 In case of a woman who has two or more children, the maternity benefit will continue to be 12 weeks, which
cannot be availed before six weeks from the date of the expected delivery.
 Maternity leave for adoptive and commissioning mothers: The Bill introduces a provision to grant 12 weeks
of maternity leave to:
o a woman who legally adopts a child below three months of age
o a commissioning mother. A commissioning mother is defined as a biological mother who uses her egg to
create an embryo implanted in another woman.
 Option to work from home: The Bill introduces a provision that states that an employer may permit a
woman to work from home even after the leave period.
 Crèche facilities: The Bill introduces a provision, which requires every establishment with 50 or more
employees to provide crèche facilities within a prescribed distance.
Informing women employees of the right to maternity leave: The Bill introduces a provision requiring every
establishment to intimate a woman at the time of her appointment of the maternity benefits available to her.
1.8. COMMERCIAL SURROGACY BILL

Why in News?
The Union cabinet has approved the introduction of a bill that seeks to ban commercial
surrogacy and allow only infertile couples to bear a child using a surrogate mother.
Provisions of Proposed Bill
 Non-resident Indians or People of Indian Origin card-holders will not be allowed to
take recourse to a surrogate mother in India.
 Out of purview: Single men and women, heterosexual couples who choose not to opt
for marriage, gay couples, transgender persons, single parent cannot have baby
through surrogacy.
 Legally wedded Indian couples can have a surrogate child only after five years of
legal marriage and will require a medical certificate as proof of infertility.
 The bill makes it mandatory for surrogate mothers to be married and be a close
relative of the couple wanting a child. She should also have given birth to a healthy
child before bearing a baby for another couple.
 A woman can only bear one surrogate child.
 Violating the law can earn 10 years in jail term or fine of 10 Lakh rupees.

 A national surrogacy board chaired by the health minister will be created to oversee implementation.
 The rights of surrogate mother and children born out of surrogacy will be protected.
1.9. SUPREME COURT DECISION ON MTPA 1971

Why in news?
 In a rare order, the Supreme Court allowed an alleged rape victim to terminate her pregnancy after law-
mandated 20 weeks.
 The court accepted the recommendations by a medical board that opined her life was in danger owing to the
multiple congenital anomalies in the foetus.
Background
 The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971, came into force, following the recommendation of the
Shantilal Shah Committee Report in 1966 that stated that abortion and reproductive rights need to be
regulated by law.
 The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act does not allow abortion beyond stipulated 20 weeks. However
the foetus can be aborted even after 24 weeks, if there is a medical threat to the life of the mother.
1.10. NATIONAL WOMEN’S PARLIAMENT

Why in News?
 A three-day National Women’s Parliament (NWP), was organized by Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly
and a government school in Amravati recently.
About the National Women’s Parliament
 This is the first such initiative that will connect over 10,000 higher secondary girls with eminent women
personalities.
 The theme of the National Women’s Parliament was ‘Empowering Women — Strengthening Democracy’.
 It brought people from diverse backgrounds (governments, NGOs, etc.) to share ideas and knowledge on
women’s Parliament. 7 plenary sessions were held with discussions on subjects like –
o Socio-political challenges in women empowerment.
o Women’s status and decision-making.
o Building own identity and vision for the future.
1.11. GOVT SCHEMES

1.11.1. INDIRA GANDHI MATRITVA SAHYOG YOJANA
Why in News?
 On New Year’s Eve, PM Narendra Modi announced that every pregnant woman would get Rs. 6000 for
hospital stay, vaccination and nutrition.
What is it?
 This benefit advanced to pregnant woman falls under Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY) which
was started by the previous government in 2010. The scheme was started on a pilot basis in 53 districts.
 However, the National Food Security Act of 2013 made its universal coverage compulsory. Section 4(b) of
the National Food Security Act states that every pregnant and lactating women is entitled to maternity
benefits of not less than Rs. 6000
 IGMSY originally provided a benefit of Rs. 4000 which was increased to Rs. 6000 with National Food Security
Act, 2013. This cash transfer scheme is applicable to pregnant and lactating women of age 19 and above for
up to 2 living children.
 All pregnant women are eligible unless they have already received paid leave or maternity benefits from
their employers in the private or government sector.

Recent update
 The Women and Child Development Minstry has formulated a plan and will be distributing the Rs. 6000
benefits in 3 installments for the first two live births.
 States will bear 40% of the cost while the Centre will provide the rest.
 The centre has allocated Rs. 2700 crore for the implementation of this scheme in budget 2017-18.
1.11.2. THE JANANI SURAKSHA YOJANA

Why in News?
 As per a study the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) achieved a successful feat of 22% increase in women
delivering in government hospitals between 2004 and 2014.
About Janani Suraksha Yojana
 The scheme was launched in 2005.
 It is the world’s biggest conditional cash-transfer scheme, aimed to promote institutional delivery instead
of delivering babies at home.
 It aims to improve India’s infant and maternal mortality rates.
 Under the scheme pregnant women choosing to deliver at the hospital and Accredited Social Health
Activist who motivated her to take the decision get cash incentives — Rs.1,400 for the woman and Rs.600
for the ASHA in rural areas and Rs.1,000 and Rs.200 respectively in urban areas.
 The cash incentive was intended to reduce financial barriers to accessing institutional delivery.
About NCAER
 National Council of Applied Economic Research is a New Delhi based non-profit think tank of economics.
 It was established in 1956 with financial support from the Ford Foundation, Finance Ministry and Tata Sons.
1.11.3. “PINK” INITIATIVES IN KERALA

Why in news?
 Inspired by Pink taxis driven by women in Kerala’s cities, Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC)
will roll out Pink-Coloured Buses exclusively for women in Thiruvanantpuram.
 Both the Bus drivers and Conductors of these buses will be women.
 Aim is to provide safe and comfortable public transportation to women especially during peak hours when
buses are overcrowded.
 Earlier, state government had launched the “She Taxi” service in 2013 under the Gender Park initiative to
provide safe journey to women through cabs driven by women.
Gender Park Initiative
 Located in Kozhikhode, it is an innovative initiative of the Department of Social Justice, Government of
Kerala.
 Being first of its kind in the world it aims to become the premier convergence point for gender related
activities in the region.
 Apart from She taxi service other initiative taken under Gender Park are:
 The International Institute for Gender and Development (IIGD): It is dedicated to carry out high quality
research, design effective capacity development program and provide innovative, practical
recommendation to policymakers and public to foster gender equality.
 International Conference on Gender Equality (ICGE): Park hosts a biennial conference bringing
scholars, practitioners, policy makers and professionals from around the world to a common platform
to explore obstacles to gender-just development.
Additional Information
 Last year Kerala introduced Pink Police Patrol (also known as Pink Beat Patrol) team for enhancing the
safety for women and children in public places. It includes specially trained women police personnel only.

 Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has introduced unique and modern electronic toilets (e-
toilets) for women called “She toilets”. These have smart and eco-friendly lighting and flushing systems.
1.11.4. PRADHAN MANTRI SURAKSHIT MATRITVA ABHIYAN (PMSMA)

About the PMSMA
 It has been launched by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW).
 It aims provide assured, comprehensive and quality antenatal care, free of cost, universally to all pregnant
women on the 9th of every month.
 It envisages to improve the quality and coverage of Antenatal Care (ANC) including diagnostics and
counseling services as part of the Reproductive Maternal Neonatal Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A)
Strategy.
The Highlight of PMSMA
 Participation of the Private Practitioners: The programme follows a systematic approach for engagement
with private sector which includes motivating private practitioners to volunteer for the campaign developing
strategies for generating awareness and appealing to the private sector to participate in the Abhiyan at
government health facilities.
 Identification and follow up of high risk pregnancies. A sticker indicating the condition and risk factor of the
pregnant women would be added onto MCP card for each visit:
 Green Sticker- for women with no risk factor detected
 Red Sticker – for women with high risk pregnancy
 A National Portal for PMSMA and a Mobile application have been developed to facilitate the engagement of
private/ voluntary sector.
1.11.5. MAHILA SHAKTI KENDRA

Why in news?
 Budget 2017-18 speech mentioned that Mahila Shakti Kendra will be set-up at village level in 14 lakh ICDS
Anganwadi Centres.
About Mahila Shakti Kendra
 It will provide one stop convergent support services for empowering rural women with opportunities for skill
development, employment, digital literacy, health and nutrition.
 It will increase access of essential services for women.
1.11.6. MAHILA POLICE VOLUNTEER

Why in News?
 Haryana became the first state to adopt the Mahila Police Volunteer Initiative by launching the scheme in
Karnal and Mahendragarh districts.
 The state has inducted the first batch of 1000 Mahila Police volunteers.
More About the Scheme
 Mahila Police Volunteer Initiative is a joint initiative between Ministry of Women & Child Development and
Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
 This initiative undertaken by the Ministry of Women & Child Development is to create a safe and enabling
environment for women.
 The primary job of these women volunteers is to keep an eye on situations where women in the village are
harassed or their rights and entitlements are denied or their development is prevented.
 One Mahila Police Volunteer per Gram Panchayat is to be assigned under this scheme.
 MPV will be chosen through a laid out procedure from among the empowered, responsible, socially aware
women who will facilitate police outreach in cases of gender concerns.

1.11.7. SAKHI – ONE STOP CENTRE SCHEME
 It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, formulated by Ministry of women and child development, a sub - scheme
of Umbrella Scheme for National Mission for Empowerment of women
 It aims to provide integrated support (Rescue Services, Medical/Legal assistance, Psycho - social support etc.)
to women affected by violence (in private or public space) under one roof
 These one stop centres will be established across the country to support all women including girls below 18
years of age irrespective of caste, class, religion, region, sexual orientation or marital status.
 Sakhi centre will provide temporary shelter facility with admissibility at discretion of centre administrator
 For long term shelter, they will be sent to Swadhar Greh/Short Stay Homes managed or affliated by wither
government of NGO.
 State Government/ UT Administration will implement this scheme with 100% central assistance including
funding through Nirbhaya Fund.
1.11.8. PRERNA SCHEME

 It is a Responsible Parenthood Strategy under which financial incentives are given to parents of girl child to
help push up the age of marriage of girls and space the birth of children in the interest of health of young
mothers and infants.
 It is provided by ‘Jansankhya Sthirtha Kosh’, an autonomous body under Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare
 It has been launched in all districts of seven focus states namely Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh,
Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Rajasthan.
 The scheme is meant only for BPL families and the strategy recognizes and awards couples who have broken
the stereotype
o Marrying the girl after 19 years of age
o giving birth to the first child after at least 2 years of marriage
o giving birth of the second child after at least 3 years of the first child
o Either parent voluntarily accepting permanent method of family planning within one year of the birth of
the second child etc.
 The amount of award is given in the form of National Saving Certificate (NSC).
1.11.9. TREAD SCHEME

Why in News?
Recently the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) started operating the scheme titled
“Trade Related Entrepreneurship Assistance and Development (TREAD)” to promote women entrepreneurs.
About the scheme
 The scheme envisages economic empowerment of women through trade related training, information and
counseling activities related to trades, products, and services.
 Under the scheme, there is a provision for Government of India grant up to 30% of the loan/ credit
maximum up to Rs. 30.00 lakh as appraised by lending institutions/ banks.
 The lending institutions/ banks would finance loan assistance for a group of women through NGOs for
undertaking non- farm activities.
1.12. TRANSGENDER ISSUES

1.12.1. TRANSGENDER RIGHTS
Why in News?
 Delhi government has decided to introduce “transgender category” in forms for registration of birth and
death certificates.
 In another development Christian transgenders may get equal property rights soon.

 Also, Government of Odisha conferred the Below Poverty Line status to transgenders in Odisha.
Birth and Death Certificates
 The Delhi government has issued notices to all registrar offices to duly make the changes in birth and death
certificate forms.
 Registration of birth and death from transgender community is very less and even those who do, register as
females.
 After the SC order in 2014 recognizing transgender as third gender this is one of the first changes on ground.
Christian Transgenders
 The Law Commission of India had asked the Delhi Minorities Commission (DMC) for recommendation on the
India Succession Act.
 The DMC consulted with the Advisory Committee of Christians.
 They suggested that Section 44 of the India Succession Act be amended to include transgenders, giving them
equal rights as men and women on ancestral property.
 Once cleared the bill will be tabled in the parliament.
 Significance: Transgenders can now take recourse to legal measures if discriminated against in property
rights, with the inclusion of term ‘transgender’ in the Succession Act.
BPL Status to Transgenders in Odisha
 This move will benefit around twenty two thousand transgenders in Odisha.
 This makes Odisha the first state in India to grant the BPL status to transgenders.
 The state government has also decided to cover the transgenders under the National Food Security Act.
1.12.2. THE TRANSGENDER PERSONS (PROTECTION OF RIGHTS) BILL, 2016

Why in News?
The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2016 was introduced in Lok Sabha in August, 2016
Provisions of the Bill
 Definition of a transgender person: The Bill defines a transgender person as one who is (i) neither wholly
female or male; (ii) a combination of female and male; or (iii) neither female nor male.
 Prohibition against discrimination: It protects transgenders from discrimination or denial of service in
essential areas such as education, employment, healthcare, access to public places, goods and services, right
to movement, settlement and ownership among others.
 Right of residence in the household: This is important to prevent discrimination right at the beginning.
The person may be placed in a rehabilitation center on the orders of a competent court if the family is
unable to care for the transgender person.
 Health care: The government would take steps to provide health facilities to transgender persons
including separate HIV surveillance centres, sex reassignment surgeries, etc. .
 Certificate of identity for a transgender person: This will be
National Legal Services Authority v. Union of
issued by the District Magistrate on request. This certificate India is a landmark decision by the Supreme
will be used as the basis for recording gender in all official Court of India, which declared
documents and will be the basis for conferral of rights as a transgender people to be a 'third gender',
transgender person. affirmed that the fundamental rights granted
 Welfare measures by the government: The government will under the Constitution of India will be
take measures to ensure the full inclusion and participation equally applicable to transgender people,
of transgenders in mainstream society via rehabilitation, and gave them the right to self-identification
vocational training, employment schemes etc. of their gender as male, female or third-
 Offences and Penalties: The Bill recognizes the following gender. Moreover, the court also held that
because transgender people were treated as
offences:
socially and economically backward classes,
 begging, forced or bonded labour; they will be granted reservations in
 denial of use of a public place; admissions to educational institutions and
 denial of residence in household, village, etc.; jobs.

 physical, sexual, verbal, emotional and economic abuse.
 These offences will attract imprisonment between six months and two years, and a fine.
 National Council for Transgender persons (NCT) will be set up to advice the central government on the
formulation and monitoring of policies, legislation and projects with respect to transgender persons.
1.12.3. LGBT COMMUNITY: ENSURING SOCIAL JUSTICE

Why in news?
December 11 was the third anniversary of the Supreme Court judgment in Koushal
vs Naz Foundation case, in which it overturned Delhi High Court ruling,
recriminalizing homosexuality.
Developments Since Koushal Judgement
 The Gujarat High Court held Gujarat Government failure to grant a tax
concession to a film depicting homosexuality as unconstitutional.
 In NALSA case (2014), the Supreme Court held that transgenders should be
treated as a ‘third gender’ for accessing public services.
 The Allahabad High Court decided that transgenders would be entitled to be
treated as the “head of a household” under food security legislation.
 A ‘third gender’ option is now available in railway reservation forms, ration card
applications, passport applications among other services.

2. CHILD RELATED ISSUES
2.1. ADOPTION REGULATIONS 2017
Why in News?
 Government recently notified Adoption regulations CARA
2017 framed by Central Adoption Resource  It is a statutory body of Ministry of Women & Child
Authority (CARA) to replace the 2015 adoption Development under Juvenile Justice Act, 2015.
guidelines.  It is a nodal body for adoption of Indian children.
 It deals in orphan, abandoned or surrendered
Background children.
 Earlier legal adoption was available only to the  It deals with inter-country adoptions according to the
Hague Convention on Inter-country Adoption, 1993.
Hindu community under Hindu Adoptions and
Maintenance Act 1956.
 Other communities could only act as legal guardians under the Guardians and Wards Act 1890.
 Juvenile Justice Act (JJ Act) promoted uniform code
for adoption for all communities. Section 68 of the Juvenile Justice Act 2015 makes CARA
responsible to
What does the regulation say?  Promote in-country and interstate adoptions.
 Frame regulations on adoptions.
 Intercountry and intra-country adoption
 Promote intercountry adoptions as per Hague
procedures have been defined clearly.
Convention on Intercountry Adoption.
 CARA will report and facilitate all adoptions under
the JJ Act, 2015 through CARINGS.
 For safeguards, CARA would maintain adoption records and ensure post-adoption follow up.
 Currently only biological parents or adoptive parents are
recognized leaving out the step parent of any legal Central Adoption Resource Information
Guidance System (CARINGS)
responsibility. The regulation –
 It is an e-governance measure to facilitate child
 Defines the step parent legally
adoption.
 Allows birth certificate of the adopted child to have
 It will be a centralized data bank of adoptable
their name in it. children and PAPs.
 District Child protection Unit (DCPU) will maintain a  All DCPUs will be connected online to CARINGS
panel of professionally qualified or trained social
workers.
 Couples with more than three children shall not be eligible for adoption except in special needs.
Significance of the regulation
 It is a part of reforms towards a Uniform Civil Code as per the Constitutional Article 44.
 It would remove the challenges faced by CARA and adoption agencies to streamline adoption process.
 It makes the adopted children legal heirs in matters of inheritance of property.
2.2. CHILD LABOUR (PROHIBITION AND REGULATION) AMENDMENT

BILL, 2016
Why in news?
The Lok Sabha passed the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2016. Earlier it was passed
by Rajya Sabha.
Salient features
 The Bill amends the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, which prohibits the employment of
children younger than 14 in 83 hazardous occupations and processes.
 The amendment:
 Extends this ban on employment of children under 14 across all sectors,
 Prohibits the employment of adolescents aged 14-18 years in hazardous occupations and

 Introduces more stringent jail term and fines for offenders: a jail term of six months to two years and a
fine upto Rs 50,000
 The bill brings down the list of hazardous occupations from the earlier 83 to just three: mining, inflammable
substances, and hazardous processes under the Factories Act, and the centre will decide which processes are
hazardous.
 The Bill has a provision of creating Rehabilitation Fund has also been made for the rehabilitation of children.
2.3. 100 MILLION FOR 100 MILLION CAMPAIGN

Why in news?
 President launched a ‘100 Million for 100 Million’ Campaign organized by the Kailash Satyarthi Children’s
Foundation.
 The theme of Universal Children’s Day 2016 on 20th November was - "Stop Violence Against Children"
Aims and Objectives of the campaign
 The Campaign aims to mobilise 100 million youth for 100 million underprivileged children across the world,
to end child labour, child slavery, violence against children and promote the right of every child to be safe,
free, and educated, over the next 5 years.
Provisions of the campaign
 The campaign would use social media for the purpose of sensitising people, building awareness, petitioning,
creating demands on governments and international community and asking corporates to ensure no child
labour, child slave or trafficked youth is involved in their supply and production chains.
Related info
 Along with the 100 million for 100 million campaign, "The Laureates and Leaders" would be a new initiative
and platform of moral power for the betterment of children.
 While the "100 million for 100 million campaign" would be a partnership initiative that will engage
universities, youth student organisations and teachers associations to build global citizenship, "Laureates
and Leaders" will be initiated by Satyarthi's foundation with support from other individuals and institutions,
2.4. CHILD RIGHTS

The world celebrated International Child Rights Week (ICRW) from November 14 to 20. Child Rights Day is
celebrated on 20th November in India. It is also celebrated as
Laws to safeguard child rights:
the Universal Children Day (International Child Rights Day)
across the world to make people aware about the rights of  The Protection of Children from sexual
their children. offences (POCSO) Act 2012 is in place to
address the heinous crimes of sexual abuse
Background and sexual exploitation of children.
 Child labour (Prohibition and protection)
 In 1954, the United Nations General Assembly
Act 1986.
recommended that all countries should introduce  Factories Act 1948
Universal Children’s Day to encourage fraternity and  The Immoral Traffic (prevention) Act, 1956
understanding between children all over the world and  Juvenile Justice( Care and Protection of
promote welfare of children. Children) Act, 2010
 In 1959, the UN General assembly adopted the Declaration  National Food Security Act, 2013
of the Rights of the Child and in 1989 it adopted the  Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006
Convention on the Rights of the Child.  Right to Free and Compulsory education Act
2009 etc.
Government initiatives for child protection and development
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) - The commission’s Mandate is to ensure that
all Laws, Policies, Programmes, and Administrative Mechanisms are in consonance with the Child Rights
perspective as enshrined in the Constitution of India and also the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

 Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme
 To improve the nutritional and health status of children in the age-group 0-6 years.
 To lay the foundation for proper psychological, physical and social development of the child.
 To reduce the incidence of mortality, morbidity, malnutrition and school dropout.
 General grant in aid scheme in the field of women and child development
 Integrated Child Protection Scheme(ICPS)
 It aims at building a protective environment for children in difficult circumstances.
 The scheme will set up a child protection data management system to formulate and implement
effective strategies and monitor their outcomes.
 Kishori Shakti Yojana
 Early Childhood Children Education Policy
 Beti Bacho, Beti Padhao initiative etc.
2.5. INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S PEACE PRIZE

Why in News?
 UAE based teenage activist Kehkashan Basu has been awarded The International Children’s Peace Prize 2016
for campaigning to protect the environment
 In 2013, Kehkashan Basu (at the age of 12) founded her organisation Green Hope.
 This organisation runs waste collection, beach cleaning and awareness campaigns in 10 countries.
International Children’s Peace Prize
 The International Children’s Peace Prize was launched by Kids Rights Foundation in 2005.
 The prize is awarded annually to a child, anywhere in the world for his/her work promoting child’s rights.
2.6. THE CIVIL ASPECTS OF INTERNATIONAL CHILD ABDUCTION BILL,

2016
Why in news?
 Union ministry of women and child development (WCD) has drafted the Civil Aspects of International Child
Abduction Bill, 2016, that once approved will facilitate prompt return of any child under 16 who has been
“wrongfully removed to or retained in other state which is not his/her habitual residence.”
 The bill will provide an enabling legislation to implement the provision of the Hague convention.
About Hague convention
 The Hague Convention seeks “to protect to protect children internationally from the harmful effects of their
wrongful removal or retention and to establish procedures to ensure their prompt return to the State of
their habitual residence, as well as to secure protection for the rights of access.”
 Ninety-four states are party to the Hague Convention on Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.
 India is not a signatory to the Hague Convention. A country has to have a domestic law in place before it can
become a signatory.
SDGs related to Children
 Target 2: Zero Hunger
 End hunger and ensure access by infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round
 End all forms of malnutrition, stunting and wasting in children under 5 years of age
 Address the nutritional needs of adolescent girls
 Target 3: Good Health and Well being
 End preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age,
 Reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least
as low as 25 per 1,000 live births.
 Target 4: Quality Education
 Complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective
learning outcomes

 Access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education so that they are ready
for primary education
 Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive
 Provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all
 Equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the children in vulnerable situations
 Target 5: Gender Equality
 Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation
 Target 8: Decent work and Economic growth
 Prohibit and eliminate of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers,
 End child labour in all its forms by 2025
 Target 11: Sustainable cities and Communities:
 Special attention to the needs children in building sustainable transport systems
 Universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces
 Target 16: Peace Justice and Strong institutions
 Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere
 End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children
2.7. UNICEF: STATE OF CHILDREN’S REPORT

Why in news?
 Each year, UNICEF’s flagship publication, THE STATE OF THE WORLD'S CHILDREN, closely examines a key
issue affecting children.
About UNICEF
 The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund was created by the United Nations General
Assembly on 11 December 1946.
 It is headquartered in New York City.
 It provides humanitarian and developmental assistance to children and mothers in developing countries.
 It is a member of the United Nations Development Group.
2.8. GOVERNEMENT SCHEMES/INITIATIVES

2.8.1. NATIONAL ACTION PLAN FOR CHILDREN, 2016
Why in News?
National Policy of Children 2013
 National Action Plan for Children, 2016 (NAPC) was  It recognizes a child to be a person below the age
launched by Ministry of Women and Child of 18 yrs.
Development (WCD) to celebrate the National Girl Child  It recognizes that children are not a homogenous
Day. group and require different responses.
Background  It aims to give a social safety net to family to help
nurture child.
India brought the National Policy of Children in 2013 for  It says that every child has universal, inalienable
emerging issues and also proposed a National Action Plan and indivisible human rights.
to implement it.  It has four priority areas:
Provisions of the Action Plan o Survival, health and nutrition
o Education and development
Some of the provisions of the National Child Action Plan of
o Child Protection
2016 are as follows-
 On Child Survival, Health and Nutrition
 It will help in the improving child health by Article 23 of the constitution gives the right to
universalizing the maternal and child healthcare. people (especially children) against
 It will also give emphasis on new born care by exploitation and the State’s duty to protect it.
initiatives like universal immunization.

 It will prevent mental and physical disabilities through timely measures for pre-natal, peri-natal and
post-natal care of mother and child.
 On Education and Development
 It will provide universal and equitable access to quality Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) for all
children below six years of age.
 It will promote affordable and accessible quality education up to the Secondary level for all children.
 On Child Protection
 It will help strengthen legislative, administrative, and institutional redressal mechanisms for Child
Protection at all level.
 On Child Participation
 It will ensure that children actively participate in planning and implementation of programmes
concerning them.
2.8.2. TEJASWINI PROJECT

Why in news?
 Recently World Bank has signed an agreement with India to provide $63 million loan for Project Tejaswini to
empower adolescent girls and young women in state of Jharkhand.
About Tejaswini
 It aims to empower adolescent girls and young women (between 14-24 years) with basic life skills and
further provide opportunity to complete their secondary education and acquire market driven skills. This
program was approved by World Bank in 2016.
 Project will be implemented in 17 districts of Jharkhand and estimated 6.8 lakh adolescent girls and young
women are expected to benefit from this programme.
 This is the first World Bank project in India that is solely focused on the welfare of adolescent girls and
young women.
More about Tejaswini Project
Highlights of the Project
 It has 3 main components namely:
 Expanding social, educational and economic opportunities.
 Intensive Service Delivery.
 State capacity-building and implementation support.
 The project will operate at two levels:
 Community level: In this community based platforms like clubs/centers will hold regular counseling
sessions, educate in life skills, provide livelihood support services and disperse information about
training and courses for adolescent girls and young women.
 Institutional level: Partnered institutions will provide vocational training, business skill training and
non-formal education will be provided to target groups.
 Life skills education has four core modules:
 Resilience and soft skills: It includes communication and problem-solving skills, goal-setting, and
techniques to maintain psychological wellbeing through during difficult times.
 Rights and protections: It is related to early marriage, child labor, safe migration, gender-based
violence, and accessing services and entitlements.
 Health and nutrition: It includes sanitation and hygiene, nutritional habits for self and children, and
sexual and reproductive health.
 Financial literacy: This module would help teach numeracy, saving, budgeting, and accessing credit
and financial institutions.
 Non-Governmental Organizations will play an important role in conducting meetings/sessions and
sensitizing common people in general and adolescent girls and young women in particular about the
scheme and resulting benefits.

2.8.3. NATIONAL CHILD LABOUR PROJECT (NCLP)
Why in news?
Kailash Satyarthi expressed disappointment over an increment of just 8% for the National Child Labour Project
in the Budget.
National Child Labour Project (NCLP)
A project of Ministry of Labour, its basic objective is to suitably rehabilitate the children withdrawn from
employment thereby reducing the incidence of child labour in areas of known concentration of child labour.
The NCLP Scheme seeks
 To eliminate all forms of child labour through

 Identification and withdrawal of all children in the Project Area from child labour,
 Preparing children withdrawn from work for mainstream education along with vocational training
 Ensuring convergence of services provided by different government departments/agencies for the
benefit of child and their family
 To contribute to the withdrawal of all adolescent workers from Hazardous Occupations and their Skilling
and integration in appropriate occupations through facilitating vocational training opportunities through
existing scheme of skill developments
 Raising awareness amongst stakeholders and target communities, and orientation of NCLP and other
functionaries on the issues of ‘Child Labour’ and ‘employment of adolescent workers in hazardous
occupations/processes’
 Creation of a Child Labour Monitoring, Tracking and Reporting System.
Target Group
 All child workers below the age of 14 years in the identified target area.
 Adolescent workers below the age of 18 years in the target area engaged in hazardous occupations.
 Families of Child workers in the identified target area.
2.8.4. RASHTRIYA KISHORE SWASTHYA KARYAKRAM

Why in news?
 Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has recently launched “Saathiya Resource Kit” and “Saathiya Salah”
mobile app for adolescents as part of Rashtriya Kishore Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK).
About the Apps
 The kit has been launched to help Peer Educators, the most important component of RKSK, to communicate
with adolescents and answer all their questions concerned with health at the grass root/village level.
 Peer Educators (1.6 lakhs) will be recognized as “Saathiya” (a good friend of adolescents) and will be trained
in phase manner.
 The Resource Kit comprises of Activity book, Bhranti-Kranti game, Question-Answer book and education
diary.
 Any adolescent who is unable to interact with Peer Educators out of any reasons like shyness, family
members can access useful information through Saathiya- Salah mobile app or toll free Saathiya helpline.
About Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (National Adolescent Health Programme)
 It was launched in 2014 by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to comprehensively address the health
needs of adolescents under the National Rural Health mission.

2.8.5. AARAMBH INITIATIVE
Why in news?
It is the country's first-ever hotline to curb sexual abuse of children through the Internet and to remove child
pornographic content online unveiled.
About initiative
 Aim: To eliminate the scourge of online child pornography and further the cause of child protection in online
spaces.
 It is a network of organizations and individuals working on child protection in the country, has collaborated
with the U.K.-based Internet Watch Foundation (IWF).
 The hotline in India will be hosted on aarambhindia.org and will enable users to report child sexual abuse
images and videos in a safe and anonymous environment.
 It is a simple, accessible form (available in Hindi & English) that any informed user who stumbles across
sexually explicit imagery of a child on the public internet can use to report the content. Latter it will be
started in other languages.
2.8.6. INDIA NEWBORN ACTION PLAN (INAP)

 It is a vision and a plan for India to end preventable newborn deaths and stillbirths and attain Single Digit
Neonatal Mortality and Stillbirth Rates by 2030.
 For the first time, INAP also articulates government’s specific attention on preventing stillbirths.
 INAP is to be implemented within the existing Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent
health (RMNCH+A) framework of the National Health Mission (NHM).
 It will serve as a framework for the States to develop state-specific action plans
 Birth Defect surveillance has also been started recently in 37 Medical Colleges across the country to expand
the availability of standard data on congenital anomalies.
 It is India’s committed response to the Global Every Newborn Action Plan (ENAP), launched in June 2014 at
the 67th World Health Assembly
2.8.7. RASHTRIYA YUVA SASHAKTIKARAN KARYAKARAM

Why in News?
 The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has integrated 8 of its schemes under one umbrella scheme known
as Rashtriya Yuva Sashaktikaran Karyakaram (RYSK).
About the Scheme
 This scheme will act as the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
 The scheme will benefit youth in the age group of 15-29 years as per the definition of “youth” in National
Youth Policy, 2014.
 Two schemes under the ministry have been kept out of this umbrella scheme. They are National Service
Scheme (NSS) and Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD).
 The integration of the schemes will help achieve better implementation and improve the effectiveness of the
various schemes by utilizing the existing field-administrative setup.
 The schemes that have been integrated under RYSK are as follows:
 Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS)
 National Youth Corps (NYC)
 National Programme for Youth and Adolescent Development (NPYAD)
 Youth Hostels (YH)
 Assistance to Scoring and Guiding Organisations
 National Discipline Scheme (NDS)
 National Young Leaders Programme

2.8.8. RAJASTHAN DRIVE TO END CHILD MARRIAGES
 Under the banner of “Sajha Abhiyan” of the Rajasthan government, UNFPA and UNICEF, a district-level
Abhiyan Yatra was started for complete elimination of child marriages in the State.
 As part of ‘Sajha Abhiyan multiple stakeholders, interventions and sectors are converging to address child
marriage in the State as a unified force.
 The yatra will bring the community on a united platform to work towards making the State child marriage-
free.

3. OLD AGE/DISABLED/VULNERABLE SECTIONS
3.1. ELDERLY IN INDIA
3.1.1. NATIONAL NEWSPAPER FOR SENIOR CITIZENS
Why in news?
 Ministry for Social Justice and Empowerment released the first issue of a National Newspaper dedicated to
Senior Citizen called 'Saanjhi Saanjh'.
About the newspaper
 It will be a bilingual newspaper - Hindi and English
 It will be published by Harikrit which is an NGO for the elderly.
 It will carry important and useful news pertaining to elderly persons besides inspirational stories.
 It will also promote the objectives of the National Programme for health care of elderly (NPHCE) by creating
avenues for grievance redressal of the elderly population, both for men and women
National programme for Health care of Elderly (NPHCE) 2010
 It was started in XI plan.
 It is an articulation of the National Policy on Older Persons 1999
 It aims for providing promotional, preventive, curative and rehabilitative services. For this the programme
aims to set up Department of geriatric care at regional medical centres.
3.1.2. VAYOSHRESHTHA SAMMAN

Why in news?
Union Government Presented ‘Vayoshreshtha Samman’ to Older Persons & Institutions on International Day of
Older Persons
About the award
 Vayoshreshtha Samman is a Scheme of National Awards instituted by the Ministry of Social Justice &
Empowerment (D/o Social Justice & Empowerment) initially in 2005.
 It was upgraded to the status of National Awards in 2013
 Among other awards KA was awarded best state in implementing the maintenance and welfare of parents
and senior citizens act, 2007 and providing services and facilities to senior citizens.
About International day of older persons
 International Day of Older Persons is observed on 1st of October every year pursuant to the adoption of a
resolution by the UN General Assembly to observe the year 1999 as the International Year of Older Persons
with the theme, “a society for all ages”.
3.1.3. NATIONAL CENTRE FOR AGEING

• The Union Health Ministry recently approved two National Centre for Ageing to come up in India.
What are the National Centres for Ageing? What is Geriatric Care?
• Highly specialized centers of excellence for geriatric care or care Also known as Ageing Life Care, is the
of the elderly. process of planning and coordinating
• They will develop manuals for home care and provide training to care of the elderly and others with
physical or mental impairments to meet
the specialists and formulate protocols in areas of elderly care.
their long term care needs, improve
• The Centres will be set up under the National Programme for their quality of life and maintain their
Health Care of the Elderly. independence for as long as possible.
• They will be set up during the twelfth five year plan period at
the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi and the other at the Madras Medical College in
Chennai.

3.1.4. MAINTENANCE AND WELFARE OF PARENTS AND SENIOR CITIZENS ACT,
2007
• The Act defines senior citizen 'any person being a citizen of India, who has attained the age of sixty years or
above'.
• It makes maintenance of parents and senior citizens by children/ relatives obligatory and enforceable
through tribunals.
• It also permits state governments to establish old age homes in every district.
3.1.5. IPOP
• The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing a Central Sector Scheme of Integrated
programme for Older Persons (IPOP) since 1992
• It aims for improving the quality of life of senior citizens by providing basic amenities like shelter, food,
medical care and entertainment opportunities and by encouraging productive and active ageing.
• Under this Scheme, financial assistance is provided to Non-Governmental/Voluntary Organisations,
Panchayati Raj Institutions etc. for maintenance of Old Age Homes, Respite Care Homes and Continuous
Care Homes, Multi-service centres, mobile medicare units, Day care centres for Alzheimer’s disease
/Dementia patients, physiotherapy clinics for older persons etc.
3.1.6. IGNOAPS
• Old age pension is provided under the Indira Gandhi Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) which is a
component of National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), implemented by Ministry of Rural
Development.
• Under IGNOAPS, central assistance of Rs. 200/- per month is provided to persons in the age group of 60-79
years and Rs. 500/- per month to persons of 80 years and above and belonging to below poverty line (BPL)
household as per the criteria by Government of India.
• State/UTs have been requested to contribute at least the same amount under the scheme.
3.2. DISABLED
3.2.1. NEW DISABILITY ACT
Why in news?
 The Parliament passed The Rights of Persons with Disability Bill, 2016 which will replace Persons with
Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995.
 India is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
The Bill makes Disability Law of 1995 compliant with the UNCRPD provisions.
Key Provisions
 The types of disabilities have been increased from existing 7 to 21 and the Central Government will have the
power to add more types of disabilities.
 Reservation in vacancies in government establishments has been increased from 3% to 4% for certain
persons or class of persons with benchmark disability.
 It makes a special mention of the needs of women and children with disabilities, and lays down specific
provisions on the guardianship of mentally ill persons.
About UNCRPD
 The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is an International Human Rights Treaty of the
United Nations intended to protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.
 Parties to the Convention are required to promote, protect, and ensure the full enjoyment of human rights
by persons with disabilities and ensure that they enjoy full equality under the law.
 It is also the only UN human rights instrument with an explicit sustainable development dimension.
 It was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2006, following ratification, it came into force on
3 May 2008.

 As of December 2016, it has 160 signatories and 172 parties, which includes 171 states and the European
Union.
 The Convention is monitored by the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
3.2.2. ACCESSIBLE INDIA CAMPAIGN (SUGAMYA BHARAT ABHIYAAN)

Why in news?
Facts & Figures
 On International day of persons with disability (3rd December),  Over 1 billion people in the world have
government launched Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya some form of disability, that’s 1 in 7.
Bharat Abhiyan) as a nation-wide flagship campaign for  More than 100 million disabled persons
achieving universal accessibility for persons with disabilities. are children.
 Children with disabilities are almost four
 The campaign targets three separate verticals for achieving
times more likely to experience violence
universal accessibility namely the built up environment,
than non-disabled children.
transportation eco-system and information & communication  80% of people with disabilities live in a
eco-system. developing country.
 Theme of the international day of Persons with disabilities 2015  50% of disabled persons cannot afford
was – Inclusion matters: access and empowerment for people health care.
of all abilities.  153 countries signed the Convention on
the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Aims and Objectives of the program
 It is aimed at making transport, government buildings, tourist spots, airports, railway stations and internet
technology friendly for differently-abled people.
 The campaign has ambitious targets with defined timelines and will use IT and social media for spreading
awareness about the campaign and seeking commitment of various stakeholders.
 Atleast 50% of all the government buildings of National Capital and all the State capitals, all international
airports and railway stations of A1, A and B category, at least 10% of government transport carriers and 50%
of public documents will be made fully accessible for persons with disabilities soon.
National laws and International conventions
 India is a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
 Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act 1995, as per
the act the States are required to provide for:
 Ramps in public buildings
 Provision of toilets for wheelchair users
 Braille symbols and auditory signals in elevators or lifts
 Ramps in hospitals, primary health centres and other rehabilitation centres.
3.2.3. MARRAKESH TREATY COMES INTO FORCE

Why in News?
 On Sep 29th, Marrakesh Treaty came into force, after 22 countries ratified the treaty adopted in 2013 by
members of World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
What is Marrakesh Treaty?
 Marrakesh Treaty or Marrakesh VIP Treaty is formally known as Marrakesh treaty to facilitate Access to
Published works by Visually Impaired Persons and Persons with Print Disabilities.
 It is also called “Books for Blind” treaty.
Highlights of the treaty
 The treaty allows for copyright exceptions to help for the creation, export and import, sharing, translation of
the books in any format for accessible versions of copyrighted books and other works for the people with
impaired visibility.
 The treaty is expected to alleviate the “book famine” experienced by 300 million people suffering from such
disability, according to WHO.

Implementation of Treaty
 World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), a United Nations Organisation based in Geneva,
administers the Marrakesh Treaty and leads an alliance of private and public partners known as the
Accessible Books Consortium (ABC).
 The ABC has established a free centralized electronic database of accessible books produced by libraries for
the blind around the world. It is a library-to-library service.
India and Marrakesh Treaty
 India was the first country to ratify the Marrakesh Treaty back in July 2014 and has set an example for other
countries to follow.
 India has begun implementation of the Marrakesh Treaty through a multi-stakeholder approach, which
includes collaboration among key players such as government ministries, local champions like the DAISY
Forum of India, and the private sector.
 In line with Marrakesh treaty, India launched Accessible India Campaign (Sugama Bharat Abhiyan) and has
set up Sugamya Pustakalaya, which has 2,00,000 volumes.
(Note: It is not to be confused with Marrakesh Agreement signed at the end of Uruguay round of discussions
for establishing WTO.)
Sugamya Pustakalaya
 “Sugamya Pustakalaya” launched by department of empowerment of persons with disabilities, (DEPwD), is
an online library for Persons with print disabilities as part of the Accessible India (Sugamya Bharat)
Campaign.
 The online library has been created in collaboration with National Institute of Visually Handicapped (NIVH),
member organization of Daisy Forum of India (DFI), Bookshare and powered by TCS Access.
 The library will focus on collection of all accessible materials from all over the country in single online library
system.
 The e-library platform will work in collaboration with international agencies such as 'Bookshare' and
'Accessible Books Consortium' to make accessible books from all over the world available to users in India.
 Person with Print Disability, School/College/Library, Publisher/Government House/Textbook Production
House, NGO, and Corporate can be the end user of this online library.
3.2.4. UNIVERSAL IDENTITY CARDS FOR PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED

 Universal Identity Cards for the Persons with Disabilities to be released soon
 State Governments is identifying the persons in their respective states, so that within one and half year all
the disabled persons can have universal identity cards.
 It is being implemented under minister for social justice and empowerment
 These cards will be linked with the Aadhar card and data will be available online to ensure transparency in
availing Government schemes and reservation.
3.2.5. BRAILLE ATLAS

 Ministry of Science and Technology has recently launched first-of-its-kind Braille Atlas to let visually
impaired people especially students study maps.
 The atlas has been developed both in Hindi and English by the National Atlas and Thematic Mapping
Organisation by using indigenously developed silk-screen painting technology.
 Atlas consists of 20 maps on different themes of physical, socio-economic and cultural aspects like river
system, crops pattern, natural vegetation, crops, roads and railways, etc.
 It consists of raised maps embossed with simple lines and point symbols to facilitate its users to find out any
location and area coverage, easily distinguishable in terms of shapes and textures.
 Each Map has a legend and reference in Braille script to help in navigating the map.
 In India first Braille map was made in 1997.

National Atlas and Thematic Mapping Organisation (NATMO), Kolkata
 It was founded in 1954 as National Atlas Organisation to compile national atlas of India.
 It is a premier agency under the Ministry of Science and Technology and is primarily engaged in preparing
different thematic maps and atlases and other documents on national, state, district, block level and many
other monograms
3.3. MINORITIES
3.3.1. HAMARI DHAROHAR SCHEME
Why in News?
 The first sitting of the Committee on Cultural Harmony Conclave under the “Hamari Dharohar” scheme
took place recently.
 This Committee has been formulated to organise events that will help spread awareness about minority
culture and heritage in India.
Hamari Dharohar
 It is a central sector scheme launched in 2014 by the Ministry of Minority Affairs in order to preserve the
rich heritage of minority communities under the overall concept of Indian culture.
 Implementation of the scheme is expected to improve general awareness about the culture and heritage of
the minority communities and also strengthen the social fabric of the country.
 Exhibitions, preservation of literature/documents, promotion of calligraphy and R&D are some of the
activities to be carried out.
 The six minority communities notified under the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992 are to be
covered. They are: Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis and Jains.
 Two other schemes formulated for the benefit of minorities are: Padho Pradesh and Nayi Roshni.
3.3.2. WAQF PROPERTIES

Why in news
The Union Minority Affairs Ministry has been planning for the commercial and institutional utilisation of Wakf
Board land across the country, including building malls, schools, hostels and offices.
Recommendations of Justice GR Bhattacharya Commission
 Decentralize Waqf properties management and form district Waqf boards in view of the mess over listed
and unlisted properties throughout the state.
 Prevent concentration of power and plug the routes to escape responsibilities by the Waqf Board members
and Waqf Commissioner.
 Fix collective and individual responsibility and bar anybody from holding office for more than one term. A
member or his close relatives should not be involved in transfer and transaction of Waqf property.
 Laws and rules regarding lease and tenancy should be changed.
 Complete survey and enrollment of Waqf properties in the quickest possible time.
 Empower trustees of Waqf properties to move court against unauthorized sale.
 No sale of Waqf properties to be registered without the board’s permission.
3.3.3. UDAAN SCHEME

There are two schemes with name UDAAN
UDAAN for minorities
 It is an initiative implemented by National Skill Development Corporation (in partnership with corporates
and MoHA) for J&K to provide skills and enhance employability of youth.
 The Scheme will cover graduates, post graduates and three year engineering diploma holders.
 It aims to cover 40,000 youth of J&K over a period of five years.

UDAAN for girls
 It is a project launched by CBSE under guidance of Ministry of Human Resource Development to address low
enrolment of girl students in engineering institutions.
 It will address these issues at three levels - curriculum design, transaction and assessments.
 Under this program, students will be provided free offline / online resources through virtual weekend
contact classes and study material for Class XI and Class XII.
 There is a provision for financial assistance based on the number of reward points collected by student
during the course.
3.3.4. NAYI MANZIL SCHEME

Why in News?
 Recently, the Union government and the World Bank signed a $50-million credit agreement for Nai Manzil
project.
 Recently, this scheme has been launched for the first time in Jammu and Kashmir by the Minister of Minority
Affairs.
Features of the scheme
 This scheme is launched by the Ministry of Minority Affairs in August 2015.
 The aim of the scheme is employment generation of the youths and also extending loans for opening
enterprises.
 The scheme will address educational and livelihood needs of minority communities in general and Muslims
in particular as it lags behind other minority communities in terms of educational attainments.
 The scheme is intended to cover people in between 17 to 35 age group from all minority communities as
well as Madrasa students.
 The scheme would provide ‘bridge courses’ to the trainees and get them Certificates for Class XII and X
through ‘distance medium educational system’ and at the same time also provides them trade basis skill
training in 4 courses – Manufacturing, Engineering, Services, Soft skills.
 Minimum 30% seats are earmarked for minority girls.
 It includes a Non-residential programme of 9-12 months duration involving a Basic Bridge Programme (For
Class VIII or Class X) for their education, along with training in trade based skills for sustained
livelihood/gainful employment.
 The scheme covers the entire country.
3.3.5. NAYI ROSHNI SCHEME

Why in News?
 NITI Aayog conducted an evaluation study on Nai Roshni Scheme in 2015-16 and the report was presented
in June 2016.
About the Scheme
 The Nai Roshni scheme is a leadership development programme launched by the Ministry of Minority
Affairs in 2012-13.
 The scheme has been implemented through NGOs, civil societies and government institutions.
 The scheme also includes Educational Programmes, Health and Hygiene, Swacch Bharat, Financial Literacy,
Life Skills, Legal Rights of Women, Digital Literacy, Advocacy for social and behavioural change.
 Minority women can apply for training online as well.
 Data on training modules is available for public domain.
 The scheme helps in fighting different social stigmas such as poverty.
 It empowers the minority women to stand up for their rights.

About the Study
 The main objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of the scheme on minority and to identify the
setbacks faced in the implementation of the scheme.
 The study covered 15 districts, 30 blocks, 87 villages, 27 NGOs spread over 8 states namely Assam, West
Bengal, Punjab, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh.
 As per study the scheme has been successful in instilling confidence and leadership skills in minority women.
 Trained women are utilizing their knowledge to help their families and neighbours in raising their essential
demands and claims from various government authorities.
3.3.6. JEWS GET MINORITY STATUS IN MAHARASHTRA

 The state cabinet in Maharashtra decided to grant Jews minority status in the state.
 Maharashtra State Minority Commissions Act, 2004, empowers the government to declare a community as
minority.
 The Jews will now be counted independently as a community and can avail all schemes meant for minorities.
 This made Maharashtra the second state, after West Bengal, to declare Jews as minority.
3.4. OTHER VULNERABLE SECTIONS

3.4.1. SECC
Why in News?
 Government has decided to use SECC 2011 instead of Poverty line method for implementing socio-
economic welfare programmes to effectively tackle poverty by removing undeserving beneficiaries.
 SECC will now be used in schemes like MGNREGA, Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin, National Rural
Livelihood Mission, etc to identify beneficiaries and expand the direct benefit scheme as a part of its plan to
build upon the JAM (Jan Dhan-Adhaar-Mobile) trinity.
 An Expert group headed by Sumit Bose on Socio Economic and Caste census (SECC) recently presented its
report to Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) earlier.
 Sumit bose panel was set up to -
 Study the criteria for allocation of resources to states as per SECC.
 Identification of beneficiaries under various pro-poor programmes using SECC data.
Socio Economic and Caste Census (2011)
 SECC was conducted both in urban and rural areas in the country, to collect socio-economic and caste data
of households.
 It was conducted by MoRD, Ministry of Urban Development, Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty
Alleviation, The Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner and the State Governments.
 It used different committee methodologies in urban and rural areas –
 NC Saxena committee (for rural areas) – It was established to suggest design of new BPL census. It
recommended a three-fold classification of households (HHs) -
o Excluded - These HHs would be identified by assets and income and would be excluded from
welfare benefits of the Government.
o Automatically included – It would include HHs with extreme social destitution and would be
automatically included for government benefits.
o Others – They would be ranked on the basis of multiple deprivation indicators and would be eligible
for graded benefits. Eg. Presence of an able and literate adult etc.
 SR Hashim committee (for urban areas) –
o It also followed a three step approach like NC Saxena.
o Only difference is that both committees used different parameters for classification.
E.g. In urban areas pucca houses with greater than 4 rooms was excluded whereas in rural areas it
was three rooms or more.
 Major findings of SECC are – Only rural SECC has been publicly released till now.
 About 19% of India’s rural population was having at least one of seven socio-economic parameters of
deprivation.

 30% of rural HHs are landless and derive income from manual, casual labour.
 The second most common form of deprivation was literacy with 23.5% rural HHs having no literate
adults above the age of 25.
Why SECC is better than Poverty line method

 While poverty line method identifies number of poors, SECC identifies who actually are the poor. Hence it is
more targeted and precise.
 It will even help in fine tuning the beneficiaries list by excluding undeserving candidates’ especially affluent
people and thus tackle fraud and duplication issue.
 The BPL approach was narrow as it focused on income and consumption expenditure on the other hand
SECC gave a holistic and complete picture.
 Binary approach of BPL method either include the households in all schemes or exclude them from all
however if SECC will be used each household will be mapped on different deprivation factors and if found
deprived they will be eligible for that specific scheme. For example some households may be eligible for food
subsidy while other may be eligible for LPG subsidy. So SECC will help in eradicating not only poverty but also
various deprivations.
3.4.2. DENOTIFIED, NOMADIC AND SEMI-NOMADIC TRIBES

Why in News?
 The National Commission for Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-nomadic Tribes has given its report in 2016.
 While some of these communities want recognition as SCs/STs and OBCs, others want recognition as
DNTs/NTs.
Difference between Scheduled, Nomadic and Semi-nomadic
Background Tribes
 During the British colonial rule, if the local  The term “Scheduled Tribe” appeared first in the
government had reason to believe that a Constitution of India. Article 366 (25) defined them as
gang or a tribe had “addicted to systemtic “such tribes or tribal communities as are deemed under
commission of non-bailable offences” then it Article 342 to be Scheduled Tribes for the purpose of this
Constitution.”
was registered as criminal tribe under the
 They are called Scheduled because they are included in
Criminbal Tribes Act, 1871.
one of the Schedule of the Constitution.
 Next came the Criminal Tribes Act, 1924.  Nomadic Tribes and Denotified Tribes both are the ones
Under this act, the local government may that were regarded as criminal tribes under CTA.
establish reformatory schools and separate  According to its literally meaning, nomadic tribes are
criminal tribe children from their parents and those who wander from place to place.
guardians and place them in such schools.
 The CTA was repealed in 1949 and was replaced by the Habitual Offenders Act, 1951.
 In 2002, Justice Venkatchaliah Commission recommended for strengthening the programmes for economic
and educational development of DNTs. It also recommended constituting a special commission to look into
the needs and grievances of the DNTs.
 Consequently, a National Commission for Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes was constituted in
2005.
3.4.3. NATIONAL TRIBAL CARNIVAL

Why in news?
 Prime Minister inaugurated First National Tribal Carnival on October 25, 2016
About carnival
 It aims to promote a sense of inclusiveness amongst the tribals by showcasing and promoting various facets
of tribal culture on a large scale.
 It will promote the ideals of tribal people like - community living, living cheerfully despite troubles etc.
 The deliberations will also be held on important subjects affecting tribal development.
 It will also give an exposure of marketability to tribal products like textiles, paintings etc. to promote income-
generating activities and tribal livelihood.

3.4.4. NBCFDC
Why in news?
 Recently Silver Jubilee celebrations of National Backward Classes Finance & Development Corporation
(NBCFDC) were held.
About NBCFDC
 It is a Govt. of India Undertaking under the aegis of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
 It aims at promoting economic and developmental activities for the benefit of Backward Classes and assists
the poorer section within them in skill development and self-employment ventures.
 It provides financial assistance through State Channelising Agencies (SCAs) nominated by the State
Governments/ UTs
 The corporation assist for income generating venture in various sectors such as
o Agriculture and Allied Activities
o Small Business
o Artisan and Traditional Occupation
o Technical and Professional Trades/Courses
o Transport and Service Sector etc.
3.4.5. REVAMPED BONDED LABOUR SCHEME, 2016

Why in news? BONDED LABOUR definition as per ILO
 Government has revamped the Central Sponsored Scheme for convention, 1954 (Article 2): All work or
Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourers known as “Central Sector service which is exacted from any person
Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourers, 2016”. under the menace of any penalty and for
which the said person has not offered
Background
himself voluntarily.
 As per Article 23 of Indian Constitution specific provision
declaring traffic in human beings, begar and similar forms of forced labour is made a punishable offence.
 To pursue above objective law named Bonded Labour
 As per Global slavery Index 2016 by Walk free
System (Abolition) Act, 1976 was enacted.
foundation of Australia, India has the highest
o The act contains provisions for economic and social number of modern slavery in the world in
rehabilitation of freed bonded labourers and absolute numbers totaling 18.35 million.
protection under forced eviction.  Most of the Bonded Labour comprises of
o It is the State government responsibility to identify, socially and economically weaker sections of
release and Rehabilitate bonded labour. society like SC’s, ST’s, Poor etc.
Key Features of the Scheme
 The revised scheme is a Central Sector Scheme (earlier it was central sponsored scheme). So the State
Government is not required to pay any matching contribution for the purpose of cash rehabilitation
assistance.
 Survey: Rs 4.50 lakh will be provided per district for survey of bonded labourers.
 Financial assistance:
o One lakh per adult male beneficiary.
o 2 lakh for special category beneficiaries such as orphan children, women, etc.
o 3 lakh in cases of bonded or forced labour involving extreme cases of deprivation or marginalization such
as trans-genders or women or children rescued from brothels etc.
 Release of rehabilitation assistance is linked to conviction of accused.
 Bonded Labour Rehabilitation Fund: it will be created at District level by each State with a permanent
corpus of at least Rs. 10 lakh at the disposal of the District Magistrate for extending immediate help to the
released bonded labourers.
 Funding source: Labour and employment ministry will release the fund to District National Child Labour
Project Society which in turn will release the fund to implementing agencies including the district
administration.
 The benefits prescribed above shall be, in addition to, other benefits for which the beneficiary is entitled to
under other such schemes.

3.4.6. TRIBAL ISSUES
Why in news?
 Recently some reports alleged violation of the Forest What is the Forest Right Act?
Rights Act by the Odisha Mining Corporation in tribal  Schedule Tribes and Other Forest Dwellers
areas of Odisha. Act or Recognition of Forest Rights Act came
into force in 2006. The Nodal Ministry for
Violation of Forest Rights Act the Act is Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
 The Acts seeks to recognize the rights and
 Under the Constitutional scheme, non-tribals are not
occupation of traditional forest dwellers and
entitled to property ownership in the tribal areas but
Schedule Tribes in such forests.
mining in the tribal areas is exploitative in nature as  It provides for diversion of forest land only
benefits do not reach to tribal people of the region. The with the recommendation of the gram
Forest Rights Act, thus, was enacted to take care of the sabhas.
issue.  Also includes right of self-cultivation for
 However, there are allegations that 60 per cent of the livelihood, rights over minor forest produce,
claims of tribals under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) have community rights such as nistar etc.
been rejected by the government.
 Diversion of forest land for industrial purpose by displacing tribals.
 Bypassing of the consent of gram sabha clause to expedite development projects.
 Alienation of tribals from forestland is one of the major reasons for fuelling Left Wing Extremism in the
country.

4. EDUCATION
4.1. HIGHER EDUCATION FINANCE AGENCY (HEFA)
Why in news?
 The Union Cabinet has approved the creation of the Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA) to give a
major push for creation of high quality infrastructure in premier educational institutions.
About HEFA
 It will be jointly promoted by the identified Promoter and the Ministry of Human Resource Development.
 It would be formed as a SPV within a PSU Bank/ Government-owned-NBFC (Promoter). It would leverage the
equity to raise up to Rs. 20,000 crore for funding projects for infrastructure and development of world class
Labs in IITs/IIMs/NITs and such other institutions.
 It would also mobilise CSR funds from PSUs/Corporates, which would in turn be released for promoting
research and innovation in these institutions on grant basis.
 It would finance the civil and lab infrastructure projects through a 10-year loan.
 The principal portion of the loan will be repaid through the ‘internal accruals’ (earned through the fee
receipts, research earnings etc) of the institutions. The Government would service the interest portion
through the regular Plan assistance.
 For joining as members, the Institution should agree to escrow a specific amount from their internal accruals
to HEFA for a period of 10 years. This secured future flows would be securitised by the HEFA for mobilising
the funds from the market.
 All the Centrally Funded Higher Educational Institutions would be eligible for joining as members of the
HEFA.
Significance
 HEFA marks the beginning of a market-linked education financing structure in India and a departure from the
traditional grant-based system of funding higher educational institutions.
 The agency is expected to ease pressure on the government, which currently is the sole funder of such
institutions.
4.2. SUBRAMANIAN COMMITTEE REPORT ON EDUCATION

Why in news?
 Recently a committee headed by T.S.R. Subramanian has submitted its report for evolution of a National
Education Policy.
 Two previous education policies had come one in 1968 and another in 1986, under Indira Gandhi and Rajiv
Gandhi govts respectively. The National Education Policy (NEP) of 1986 was revised in 1992.
About UGC
 The University Grants Commission (UGC) of India is a statutory body set up by the Union government in
accordance to the UGC Act 1956 under HRD Ministry.
 It has been mandated to initiate important decisions and dialogues which have an important bearing on the
entire student population of the country
 The three primary functions of UGC include
 Overseeing distribution of grants to universities and colleges in India.
 Providing scholarships/fellowships to beneficiaries, and
 Monitoring conformity to its regulations by universities and colleges.

4.3. RTE
4.3.1. HARMONISING RTE WITH MINORITY SCHOOLS
 The Kerala High Court has ruled that Section 16 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education
Act, 2009 (RTE Act), that mandates schools to not detain any child before she completes elementary
education, is applicable to minority educational institutions as well.
 The Court located this obligation not in the Act but under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which
guarantees right to life and liberty.
 It ruled that no-detention policy (NDP) is in the “best interest” of the child and could independently be
considered a fundamental right.
About RTE Act
 It was enacted on 4 August 2009, which provide right to free and compulsory education for children
between 6 and 14 in India under Article 21A of the Indian Constitution.
 India became one of 135 countries to make education a fundamental right of every child when the act came
into force on 1 April 2010.
4.3.2. REVIEW OF NO DETENTION POLICY UNDER RTE
Why in news?
 In reply to HRD ministry, at least 18 state governments want this section to be repealed.
 Recently, T S R Subramanian panel appointed to suggest Education policy also recommended that the
government should bring back the pass-fail system from Class VI.
What is No Detention Policy?
 As per Section 16 of RTE Act, the students up to class VIII are automatically promoted to the next class
without being held back even if they do not get a passing grade.
 This has been implemented as part of the Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) under the RTE
Act to ensure all-round development of students.
4.4. PISA
Why in News?
 The HRD Ministry has decided to take part in PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) again
from 2021. India boycotted the test after 2009.
What is PISA?
 It is a global evaluation system launched by OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation Development) in
2000.
 It tests the learning levels of teenage students (15 year olds) in reading, mathematics and science.
 The test is carried out every three years.
 PISA’s data can be used to improve India’s school system and bring them at par with the global standards.
4.5. KADIYAM SRIHARI COMMITTEE

Why in news?
 Recently sub-committee of Central Board of Advisory Education (CABE) under the chairmanship of Kadiyan
Srihari has been constituted by Union Human Resource Development Ministry to look into the matter of girls’
education.

Central Board of Advisory Education
 It is highest advisory body to advise the Central and State Governments in the field of education.
 It is headed by Union HRD minister and consists of nominated members representing various interests in
addition to elected members from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
 Major functions of CABE are to review the progress of education from time to time, to assess the extent and
manner in which education policy has been implemented by central and state governments and other
concerned agencies and to give appropriate advice in the matter.
4.6. SUBRAMANIAN COMMITTEE REPORT ON EDUCATION

Why in news?
 Recently a committee headed by T.S.R. Subramanian has submitted its report for evolution of a National
Education Policy.
 Two previous education policies had come one in 1968 and another in 1986, under Indira Gandhi and Rajiv
Gandhi govts respectively. The National Education Policy (NEP) of 1986 was revised in 1992.
About UGC
 The University Grants Commission (UGC) of India is a statutory body set up by the Union government in
accordance to the UGC Act 1956 under HRD Ministry.
 It has been mandated to initiate important decisions and dialogues which have an important bearing on the
entire student population of the country
 The three primary functions of UGC include
 Overseeing distribution of grants to universities and colleges in India.
 Providing scholarships/fellowships to beneficiaries, and
 Monitoring conformity to its regulations by universities and colleges.
About National Education Policy
4.7. ASHOK KUMAR ROOPANWAL COMMITTEE REPORT

Why in News?
 The one-man commission constituted by the HRD ministry was set up to look into the Rohith Vemula’s death
at the Hyderabad Central University and suggest measures to prevent such.
Recommendations of the report
 Counselling Centers with professionally counselors should be set up.
 The university should evolve an appellate mechanism for students to appeal of excesses in the university.
 Monitoring Committee needs to be constituted to provide guidance on the matters related to the subjects
studied by the students. Immediately report to Vice Chancellor on serious issues.
 Equal opportunity cell headed by the Anti-discrimination Officer as per the UGC (Promotion of Equity in
Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations 2012 should be made functional.
 Grievance Redressal Committee headed by the Ombudsman as per the UGC (Grievance Redressal)
Regulations 2012 should be made effective and should dispense grievances weekly.
 A strong induction programme, a local guardian system for outstation students and suitable student
volunteers to act as mentors and help freshers are needed for better acclimatization.
 Remedial teaching for academically weak students.
 Strict compliance of Hostel Admission Rules and Regulations in allotting hostel accommodation and
supervision.

4.8. UNIVERSAL EDUCATION GOALS OF INDIA
Why in News?
 In its Global Monitoring Report, 2016, UNESCO claimed that India will achieve
 Universal primary education by 2050.
 Universal lower secondary education (grades 6-8 in case of India) by 2060
 Universal upper secondary education (grades 9-12 in case of India) by 2085.
 UNESCO also informed that these projections have been made on past trends in education in India and that
it has not involved the HRD ministry in this exercise.
About UNESCO
 The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO is a specialized agency of the
United Nations (UN) based in Paris.
 Its declared purpose is to contribute to peace and security by promoting international collaboration through
educational, scientific, and cultural reforms in order to increase universal respect for justice, the rule of law,
and human rights along with fundamental freedom proclaimed in the United Nations Charter.
 It has 195 member states and nine associate members.
 It pursues its objectives through five major programs: education, natural sciences, social/human sciences,
culture and communication/information.
4.9. MOTHER LANGUAGE AS MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION IN SCHOOL

 Recently, Karnataka government wants union government to make amendment in constitution empowering
states to make mother language compulsory in primary school.
 Article 350A: it deals with interest of Linguistic Minorities says that every state and local authority must
provide adequate facilities for instructions in local language at primary stage and President is empowered to
issue direction for the same.
4.10. NEW DELHI DECLARATION ON EDUCATION
Why in news
BRICS nations adopted the 'New Delhi Declaration on Education at 4th meeting of BRICS Ministers of Education.
Key points
SDG Goal 4: Ensure
inclusive and quality
 The main aim is to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote
education for all and
life-long learning opportunities for all. promote lifelong
 Develop an enabling framework to promote research cooperation and knowledge learning
transfer among BRICS countries.
 Use information and communication technologies (ICTs) for improving access to education, enhancing the
quality of teaching-learning process, teacher development, and strengthening educational planning and
management
 Initiate actions to formulate country-specific targets within the broader scope of the SDG4 and
corresponding targets.
 Share the best practices available in BRICS countries on collaboration in education, research and innovation
through the BRICS Network University.
4.11. NATIONAL ELIGIBILITY CUM ENTRANCE TEST (NEET)

 The Lok Sabha passed the landmark bill awarding statutory status to the controversial National Eligibility
cum Entrance Test (NEET) from the next academic session.
 Main objectives behind the move are to end the multiplicity of examinations, Have fair and transparent
examinations and Adopt non-exploitative process.

 The Bill seeks to amend the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 and the Dentists Act, 1948 and replace the
Ordinances that were promulgated by the government to circumvent the Supreme Court order for
implementation of NEET examination this session itself.
4.12. SCHOOL EDUCATION QUALITY INDEX (SEQI)

 Niti Aayog has organised the first regional workshop on School Education Quality Index (SEQI) to improve
the learning outcomes among school children.
About SEQI
 The SEQI is a composite index that will report annual improvements of States on key domains of education
quality, conceptualized and designed by NITI Aayog and the MHRD.
 The larger vision of the index is to shift the focus of States from inputs towards outcomes, provide objective
benchmarks for continuous annual improvements, encourage state-led innovations to improve quality and
facilitate sharing of best practices.
 In order to precisely report the quality of education imparted across India, the SEQI is divided into two
categories: 1.Outcomes and 2.Governance Management.
 These are further divided into three domains of Outcomes (Learning, Access and Equity) and two domains
of Governance & Management (Governance Processes and Structural Reforms). Currently the index has 34
indicators and 1000 points, with the highest weightage given to learning outcomes (600 out of 1000 points).
4.13. INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT BILL, 2017

Why in news?
 Recently Cabinet has approved Indian Institute of Management Bill, 2017
Salient features of bill
 IIMs would be declared as Institutions of National Importance (statutory status) to enable them to grant
degrees to their students.
 At present, they are separate autonomous bodies registered under the Societies Act. Thus, not authorized
to award degrees rather diploma or fellow program only.
 They would be given complete autonomy with adequate accountability. Thus, the board will select the
Chairperson and Director of an Institution.
 Coordination Forum of IIMs (with 33 members) as an advisory body - facilitate the sharing of experiences,
ideas and concerns with a view to enhancing the performance of all institutes. HRD minister will not be the
convener of this forum
4.14. GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES/SCHEMES

4.14.1. VIDYANJALI SCHEME
 The Ministry of HRD recently launched the Vidyanjali scheme aimed at boosting the education system by
delivering volunteer teachers to government schools.
 Volunteers who fulfill the criteria can apply through the government portal www.mygov.in
 It will not replace the regular and professionally qualified teachers in the government schools
 The volunteer’s responsibility is towards overall development of the child, not academics.
 The volunteer service will be used in developing skills like public speaking, creative writing, counseling, music
and dance.
 The project is being started in 2200 schools across 21 states in its first phase, it will be gradually expanded to
the all the government run schools of the country.
Eligibility and Selection
 No qualification is required to volunteer for this scheme.
 Foreign nationals can also apply if they have an OCI Card in their charge.

 Block Development Officer has been given the responsibility for scrutinizing the applications of the
volunteers.
4.14.2. ‘SHAGUN’ – A WEB-PORTAL FOR SARVA SHIKSHA ABHIYAN

 ‘ShaGun’ is a web-portal for Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan launched by Minister of Human Resource Development.
 It aims at continuous monitoring of the flagship scheme - Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and assess
performance of States and UTs on key parameters through codifying learning outcomes.
 State government will choose, upload and manage their own content.
About SSA
 It is a centrally sponsored scheme providing universal access to education to children in the age group of 6
to 14 years of age.
 Its overall goals include
o universal access and retention
o bridging of gender and social category gaps
o enhancement of learning levels of children
 The interventions under SSA include
o building of school infrastructure
o provisioning for teachers and their training
o residential schools for girls known as the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas
o identification of children with special needs
o Local level accountability by engaging with community based organisations etc.
4.14.3. NATIONAL ACADEMIC DEPOSITORY

 HRD minister inaugurated the National Academic Depository (NAD) , a digital depository of academic awards
 It aims to replicate digitization and dematerialization of financial security depositories for the educational
awards,
 The awards will be verified, authenticated, accessed and retrieved in a digital depository
 It is a move to enhance transparency and authenticity
 NAD will develop an online portfolio of all education certificates across Academic Institutes, which can be
submitted easily for employment, higher education, and loans
 NAD will also integrate directly with Boards / Universities which issue Certificates and hence, will ensure
authenticity of certificate records
4.14.4. SWAYAM PRABHA

 It is a project for providing high quality educational contents, developed by experts, through 32 DTH (direct
to home) Television Channels with aim of uniformity in standards of education
 It will be available to all and there will be new content of 4 hours to be telecasted 6 times a day. This will
allow students to choose the timings of their convenience
 It will cover diverse disciplines of all levels of education in various languages (initially only in English to be
expanded later)
 Students can clear their doubts through a toll-free helpline number that to be uplinked by the
Bhaskaracharya Institute of Space Applications and Geo Informatics (BISAG).
4.14.5. PADHE BHARAT BADHE BHARAT

 It is a sub-programme of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan with special focus on improving language development and
to create interest in mathematics through - Early reading and writing with comprehension (ERWC) and Early
mathematics (EM)
 As a follow up to this foundational programme, the National Reading Initiative was also launched to
develop and promote the habit of reading among students in elementary schools.

4.14.6. PRADHAN MANTRI GRAMIN DIGITAL SAKSHARTA ABHIYAN
Why in news?
 Cabinet recently approved 'Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan’ for covering 6 crore rural
households covering people from age group 14 to 60 years
About PMGDISHA
 It is expected to be one of the largest digital literacy programmes in the world implemented under the
overall supervision of Ministry of Electronics and IT in active collaboration with States/UTs through their
designated State Implementing Agencies, District e-Governance Society (DeGS), etc.
 This year’s target is to train 275 lakh taking an average of 200-300 candidates from each of the 250,000
Gram Panchayats to ensure equitable geographical reach
 The Scheme aims to bridge the digital divide, specifically targeting the rural population including the
marginalised sections of society like SC, ST, Minorities, BPL, women, differently-abled and minorities.

5. HEALTH
5.1. NATIONAL INDEX FOR PERFORMANCE OF HEALTH OUTCOMES
Why in news?
 NITI Aayog launched the index on “Performance of Health Outcomes”.

 Index is developed with technical assistance from World Bank.
 It will help rank the states on the basis of their performance on measurable health parameters.
Salient features of the index
 It comprises of a set of indicators grouped into relevant domains and sub-domains such as Health outcomes,
Governance & Information and Key inputs/processes.
 The maximum weightage is awarded to measurable Health outcomes.
 Indicators have been selected based on their continuous availability of the data.
 Composite index would be calculated and any change in index from base year to reference year will show
incremental improvement in that state.
 It will rank various States on the basis of their performance on measurable health indicators like infant
mortality rate, sex ratio at birth and functional 24x7 public health centres.
 Indicators have been selected based on their periodic availability through existing data sources like SRS etc.
 This index aims to bring improvements in the social sector outcomes, which have not kept pace with the
economic growth in India.
 Monitorable indicators that form a part of Sustainable Development Goal in Health have been included in
order to align these initiatives.
 Data will be entered and results published on a dynamic web portal hosted by NITI Aayog.
 The index is meant to capture the annual incremental improvements by States, rather than focus on
historical achievements.
5.2. NEW HEALTH INDEX

Why in news?
 The first global analysis that assesses countries on sustainable development goal (SDG) health performance
was launched at a special event at the UN General Assembly recently and published online in The Lancet.
 The scores ranked countries which nations are closest to achieving the targets.
How the ranking was done?
 The study was carried out by an international collaboration on the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) which
analyzed each country’s progress towards achieving health-related SDG targets by creating an overall SDG
Index score.
 By using data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries and Risk Factors (GBD) study between 1990 and
2015, the current status of 33 of the 47 health-related indicators were estimated.
 To enable easier comparison, a health-related SDG index was created with a rating of 0-100 that combines
these 33 health-related indicators to measure progress for 188 countries between 1990 and 2015.
 India’s performance: It has ranked India at 143 in a list of 188 countries with a score of 42/100. India is six
places ahead of Pakistan and way behind countries like Sri Lanka (79), China (92), even war-torn Syria (117)
and Iraq (128).
5.3. KERALA IMPOSES FAT TAX

Kerala has introduced a ‘fat tax’ of 14.5% on the consumption of junk food items like pizzas and burgers sold
through branded restaurants.

Why fat tax?
The tax is aimed at making people more conscious about food choices and curbing obesity. Kerala has most
people suffering from obesity after Punjab, according to a National family health survey.
5.4. GLOBAL NUTRITION REPORT

India Rankings
 On stunting, India ranks 114 out of 132 countries, with the incidence of stunting at 38.7%.
 On wasting, India ranks 120 out of 130 countries, at 15.1 %.
 On the prevalence of anaemia in women of reproductive age, India ranks 170 out of 185 countries at 48.1%.
Salient points
 India almost doubled the rate of stunting reduction in the past 10 years compared with the previous decade.
This is highly significant as India is home to more than one-third of the world’s stunted children.
 India must pay attention to its growing rate of overweight and, in particular, high rate of diabetes.
 Out of six Indian states that have an independent state nutrition mission only two states have clear,
measurable time-bound targets for improvements in nutrition outcomes.
 One reason the nutrition missions are not backed up by targets is likely that they are typically housed in the
state health department or department of Women and Child Development. Issues that fall in the domain of
other departments do not get articulated in plans or missions.
 Hence there is need for multi-sectoral missions or agencies, with clearly defined and measurable targets and
monitorable action points for all sectors.
About Global Nutrition Report
 The Global Nutrition Report is an independent and comprehensive annual review of the state of the world’s
nutrition.
 It is a multi-partner initiative that holds a mirror up to our successes and failures at meeting
intergovernmental nutrition targets. The World Health Organization is a Global Nutrition Report Partner.
 It documents progress on commitments made on the global stage, and it recommends actions to accelerate
that progress.
 This year’s report focuses on the theme of making—and measuring— SMART commitments to nutrition and
identifying what it will take to end malnutrition in all its forms by 2030.
5.5. POTASSIUM BROMATE

 The government banned the use of potassium bromate as a food additive following a Centre for Science and
Environment (CSE) study that found its presence in bread
caused cancer. According to the CSE, potassium bromate
 Potassium iodate is also used as a food additive and it too is typically increases dough strength, leads to
said to be carcinogenic, it has been also referred to a higher rising and gives uniform finish to
scientific panel. baked products. Potassium iodate is a flour
 A CSE study had found that 84 per cent of 38 commonly treatment agent.
available brands of pre-packaged breads, including pav and
buns, tested positive for potassium bromate and potassium iodate.
 The two food additives are banned in many countries and are listed as “hazardous” to public health.
 According to the CSE, potassium bromate typically increases dough strength, leads to higher rising and gives
uniform finish to baked products. Potassium iodate is a flour treatment agent.
5.6. DETECTING MELAMINE IN MILK

Why in news?
 A handheld device has been developed by IISc, Bangalore to detect melamine in milk. It makes the process
extremely easy, quick and inexpensive.

About device
 Leaf extract of a commonly seen weed parthenium along with silver nitrate is used for detecting the
presence.
 The sensor can detect melamine even at a low concentration of 0.5 ppm in raw milk.
 Melamine content of more than 1 ppm in infant formula and more than 2.5 ppm in other foods is viewed as
adulteration according to FSSAI.
 Prior to melamine detection, the milk is processed to remove fat and proteins as they tend to interfere with
detection.
 The silver nanoparticles are reddish yellow in the absence of melamine, while it becomes nearly colourless
when melamine is present.
5.7. DIGITAL INDIA AWARDS 2016

 The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare won gold in the Web Ratna category in Digital India awards, 2016
 These awards are given by the Ministry of Electronics & IT to promote more innovative e-governance
initiatives
 It is given on the basis of parameters like comprehensive web presence, accountability in terms of quantity,
quality, innovation ascertaining user satisfaction etc.
 Digital India awards were earlier known as the Web Ratna Awards which were instituted under the Ambit of
National Portal of India.
 The website of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare conforms to the UUU trilogy, is totally bilingual,
visually challenged users friendly, compliant to Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW), regular
updation through Content Management System (CMS) and secure.
5.8. REGULATING ONLINE SALE OF MEDICINES

Why in News?
 A sub-committee constituted by Drugs Consultative Committee to examine online drugs sale has recently
submitted its report.
Drugs Consultative Committee
 It is a statutory body under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 constituted by the Central government.
 It is advises central, state governments on uniformity of this act throughout India.
 It has representatives from central and state governments.
5.9. DRAFT PUBLIC HEALTH BILL 2017

Why in news?
The draft Public Health (Prevention, Control and Management of Epidemics, Bio-Terrorism and Disasters) Bill,
2017 has been released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Objectives: The Bill aims to provide for the prevention, control and management of:
 epidemics
 public health consequences of disasters
 Acts of bio terrorism or threats.
5.10. AUTISM TOOLS INCLEN AND ISAA

 Recently workshop was held on Autism tools - International Clinical Epidemiology Network (INCLEN) and
Indian Scale of Assessment of Autism (ISAA) by National Trust.
 IT was organized by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
 Its aim is to train and empower health care professionals like paediatricians, psychologists & psychiatrists to
be trained as Master Trainers.

 Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder spanning entire life with no definitive cure, thus, increasing the
importance of early identification and intervention to minimize effect.
About National Trust
 It is a statutory body under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) in
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
 It is working for the welfare of persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple
Disabilities.
5.11. WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

5.11.1. GLOBAL TB REPORT
Why in news?
The Global TB Report 2016, recently released, has revised the estimates for the tuberculosis (TB) burden in India
upwards.
About Report
 WHO has been publishing a global TB report every year since 1997.
 The main aim of the report is to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the TB epidemic,
and of progress in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease at global, regional and country levels.
Associated facts
 The Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterium causes TB.
 It is spread through the air when a person with TB (whose lungs are affected) coughs, sneezes, spits, laughs
or talks.
 Since antibiotics began to be used to fight TB, some strains have become resistant to drugs.
 Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) arises when an antibiotic fails to kill all of the bacteria that it targets, with
the surviving bacteria developing resistance to that antibiotic and often others at the same time.
5.11.2. WHO REPORT ON THE HEALTH WORKFORCE IN INDIA

Why in News?
Recently, WHO has published a study titled ‘The Health Workforce in India’, on India’s healthcare workforce on
the basis of census 2001 data.
Findings of the report
 For a population of 1.02 billion in 2001, there were
just 20 lakh health workers in India.
 Of all doctors, 77.2% were allopathic and 22.8% were
Ayurvedic, Homeopathic or Unani (AYUSH).
 57% of the practitioners did not have any medical
qualification.
 Nearly one-third of allopathic doctors were educated
only up to Class 12.
 Among nurses and midwives, 67.1% received education only up to secondary school level.
 It was found that only 18.8% of healthcare workers had a medical qualification.
 Of all health workers, 59.2% were based in urban areas (home to just 27.8% of the population) and only
40.8% were based in rural areas (home to 72.2% of India's population.)
5.11.3. MNTE & YAWS-FREE STATUS TO INDIA

India is first nation to be formally acknowledged to be yaws-free through official citation from WHO and UNICEF.
Its significance increases as the target was to eliminate it by 2020

What is yaws?
 Yaws is a chronic infection that affects mainly the skin, bone and cartilage.
 The disease occurs mainly in poor communities in warm, humid, tropical areas
 It affects mainly children below 15 years of age.
 It is caused by the bacterium - Treponema pallidumm and transmitted by skin contact.
 Yaws occurs in overcrowded communities, with limited access to basic amenities, such as water and
sanitation, as well as health care.
India was validated for Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination (MNTE) much ahead of the global target of
December 2015. The elimination of Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus as a public health problem means that the
annual rate of Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus is now less than 1 per 1000 live births.
What is MNTE?
 Unhygienic conditions during delivery and inadequate umbilical cord care are the chief causes of the disease
in mother and child. It is caused by the bacterium Clostridium Tetani.
 Symptoms include lockjaw, muscle spasms, fever, fast heart rate, sweating and high blood pressure.
 Immunisation and enhancing quality maternal and newborn care is critical in the elimination of the disease.
5.11.4. WHO FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON TOBACCO CONTROL (FCTC)

Why in News?
The seventh session of the Conference of the Parties (COP7) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco
Control (FCTC) was held in New Delhi.
About WHO FCTC
 The WHO FCTC is an evidence-based treaty that reaffirms the right of all people to the highest standard of
health.
 The WHO FCTC was developed in response to the globalization of the tobacco epidemic.
5.12. PICTORIAL WARNINGS ON TOBACCO

 India ranks 3rd globally among 205 countries with 85 per cent implementation of pictorial warnings on
tobacco products pack.
 The top two countries are Nepal and Vanuatu.
 India has demonstrated global leadership by implementing 85 per cent pictorial warnings on all tobacco
packages.
5.13. UNITED NATIONS HIGH PANEL REPORT ON ACCESS TO MEDICINES

Why in News?
 The UN released its High-Level Panel report on Access to
Medicines showing concerns over non-accessibility of
medicines due to high prices.
 The report has urged governments to
 “Urgently” increase their current levels of investment in
health technology innovation.
 De-link drug prices from R&D costs.
 To globally prioritise research on disease whose needs are
unmet such as growing emergence of infectious diseases like Ebola and Zika.
 The panel has recommended making the drug prices transparent both to the consumers and governments.
 The report calls for human rights to be placed above intellectual property rights so that all countries are
able to use flexibilities granted under TRIPS to access affordable medicines.

 The report has also lashed out powerful nations on threatening weaker countries from overriding drug
patents under TRIPS flexibilities.
5.14. INDIA DECLARED FREE FROM BIRD FLU

Why in news?
 India has declared itself free from the highly contagious avian influenza or bird flu.
 Bird flu (avian influenza) is a disease caused by strains of influenza virus that primarily affects birds.
Causes
 Bird flu is caused by strains of the influenza virus that have evolved to be specially adapted to enter avian
cells. There are three main types of influenza: A, B, and C.
 The virus that causes bird flu is influenza A type with eight RNA strands that make up its genome.
 Influenza viruses are further classified by analyzing two proteins on the surface of the virus. The proteins are
called hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N).
 There are many different types of hemagglutinin and neuraminidase proteins. For example, the recent
pathogenic bird flu virus has type 5 hemagglutinin and type 1 neuraminidase. Thus, it is named "H5N1"
influenza A virus.
5.15. INDIA’S FIGHT AGAINST GROWING HEPATITIS

Why in news?
 The Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme of the NCDC received notification of 290,000 cases of acute
viral hepatitis in 2013.
 Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver caused by viruses A, B, C, D or E. These viruses can be distinguished
depending on the predominant mode of transmission — water or blood — and show significant differences
in their epidemiology, presentation, prevention and control.
Important features
 Syringe safety to prevent new cases of hepatitis from arising.
 Awareness drives on the use of sterile razors in barber shops, use of new instruments for pedicure and
manicure and on the use of disposable syringes for patients.
 Multiple stakeholders like the government, politicians, the media and individuals from different sectors.
 Lower cost of Hepatitis drug. The country was able to treat its patients, at 1/10 the global price of the drugs.
 It carried out its first hepatitis survey in 1996 and its latest in 2015. India is yet to conduct one.
 Egypt has now introduced a birth-dose policy to prevent new infections.
5.16. FOOD REGULATIONS

5.16.1. DRAFT REGULATIONS ON FORTIFICATION OF FOODS
Why in News?
 Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued draft regulations to allow food fortification in
foods for public health benefit.
FSSAI
Food Fortification  It is a statutory body as per Food Safety
 It is the addition of vitamins and minerals such as iron, iodine, and Standards Act 2006.
zinc, Vitamin A, D to staple foods such as rice, milk and salt to  It comes under the Ministry of Health
improve their nutritional content. and Family Welfare.
 Its aim is to establish a single reference
 These nutrients may or may not have been originally present in
point for all matters relating to food
the food before processing. safety and standards.
 It helps overcome micronutrients (vitamins and minerals)
deficiency.

 It neither changes existing food patterns, habits nor individual compliance.
Bio-fortification
 Biofortification improves nutritional quality of food crops through agronomic practices, conventional plant
breeding, or modern biotechnology.
 Biofortification increases nutrient levels in crops during plant growth rather than through manual means
during crop processing as in conventional fortification.
Significance of the regulation
 The regulations provides for specific role of FSSAI in promotion for food fortification.
 It allows mandating of food fortification based on health severity as per scientific analysis.
 There would be a fortification logo for the first time which will help raise consumer awareness.
 It will help solve the problem of hidden hunger i.e. the absence of vital micronutrients in human body.
 It shifts focus from only food security towards attaining a nutritional security.
5.16.2. LAW COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION ON FOOD LAWS

Why in news?
The Law Commission of India in its 264th report has recommended life imprisonment for traders, businessmen
and shopkeepers found guilty of the death of their customers by intentionally selling them adulterated or
“noxious” food and drink.
The Present Legal Framework
 Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (Food Act) was brought in to consolidate all previous existing food laws
thus creating a single reference point for all matters relating
Food Adulteration under the IPC
to food safety and standards.
 It establishes an independent statutory authority- Food Safety  Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) under
and Standards Authority (Food Authority) which has sections 272 and 273 also provides for
following functions- penal provisions with food adulteration.
 Laying down scientific standards for articles of food and  The food act provides for a maximum
punishment of life imprisonment.
 Regulating their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale
 In comparison to the Food Act, the IPC
and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome
prescribes punishment of maximum 6
food for human consumption. months of imprisonment or a fine of one
Recommendations of Law Commission thousand rupees or both.
 States like Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and West
 Sections 272 and 273 of the IPC should be amended to bring Bengal have brought in legislations to
the penal framework in it on par with the existing amend IPC to enhance the punishment to
punishments scheme provided in the Food Act and the State imprisonment for life and also the fine.
Amendments to the Code.
 The punishment should be graded with proportion to the harm caused to the consumer due to
consumption of adulterated food and drinks.
 IPC should be amended to provide for life imprisonment as maximum punishment in cases where food
adulteration leads to death.
5.16.3. SWACCH SWASTH SARVATRA

Why in News?
 It is a joint initiative between the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation and the Ministry of Health and
Family Welfare.
 The objective of this programme is to build on and manifest the achievements of two different schemes
 Swacch Bharat Mission by Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation
 Kayakalp of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
 Another joint initiative Swasth Bacche Swasth Bharat was also launched at the same event.

Features
 The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation has declared over 700 blocks as Open Defecation Free (ODF).
Community Health Centres (CHCs) in ODF blocks of the country will get Rs 10 lakhs to focus on sanitation
and hygiene
 Under Kayakalp, one Primary Health Centre (PHCs) in each district is awarded for meeting quality standards
including sanitation and hygiene.
 The Gram Panchayat under which PHC is awarded will be noted and special focus will be given to make it
ODF under SBM.
5.16.4. CORONARY STENT PRICE CAPPED

Why in news?
What is a Stent?
 National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA)  It is a tube-shaped device which is inserted into a
capped coronary stents prices up to 40 per cent blocked blood vessel.
lower than their existing market rates.  It helps clear the blockage in arteries, sometimes
 It is valid for all stents sold within India – whether through physical means (Bare Metal stents) and
domestic or imported. often through the drugs it gives out at a slow rate
(Drug eluting stents).
Background
 Thinner the stent, more sophisticated and
 In 2016, Coronary stents were included in the expensive it is supposed to be.
National List of Essential Medicines (2015).
 Later the Department of Pharmaceuticals
National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM)
incorporated coronary stents in Schedule  As per the WHO, Essential Medicines are those that satisfy the
I of the Drug Prices Control Order, 2013 priority health care needs of the population.
making it a ‘scheduled formulation’.  NLEM 2015 contains 376 medicines.
Need of price cap  Criteria for inclusion into this list includes public health
emergency, cost effective medicine etc.
 Presently nearly two-thirds of the high
 Core Committee formed by the Ministry of Health reviews and
out-of-pocket expenditure on health
revises the medicines in the NLEM.
incurred by Indians went towards drugs.
 Lancent research has shown a rise in irrational use of National Pharmaceutical Pricing Policy 2012
medical technologies, including cardiac stents and  The criteria to fix the price ceiling of any
knee implants. commodity is calculated as the simple average
 Indian stent market is about $500 million. It is expected of all brands of that particular product that
to grow further due to rise in incidence of hypertension have a market share of at least 1 per cent.
and diabetes.
National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority
 Coronary artery disease is becoming a major health
 It is an independent body under Department of
problem in India. Therefore it has become the first
Pharmaceuticals under Ministry of Chemicals and
medical device to be brought under price control. Fertilizers.
Significance of the order  Its functions are:
 This order would reduce the ‘unethical markups’ o To fix/ revise the controlled bulk drugs prices
in the prices of the medical devices like stents and formulations.
o To enforce prices and availability of the
making healthcare more affordable.
medicines under the Drugs (Prices Control)
 NPPA report had found out that there was a Order, 1995/2013.
‘vulgar profiteering’ by raising the medical device o To recover amounts overcharged by
prices in an irrational manner. This order would manufacturers for the controlled drugs from
curb this practice. the consumers.
 Quality levels of the stent may drop if the o To monitor the prices of decontrolled drugs in
monitoring is not adequate. order to keep them at reasonable levels.

5.16.5. ADVERTISING STANDARDS COUNCIL OF INDIA (ASCI)
Why in news?
 ASCI and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) have signed a MoU to check misleading
advertisements in the food and beverages sector.
Important points about the MoU
 ASCI gets a suo motu monitoring mandate by FSSAI to process complaints against misleading advertisements
of food and beverages along with the complaints from FSSAI.
 The review will include violation of the Food Safety Standards Act 2006 and regulations related to
advertisements making misleading, unsubstantiated or false claims.
 ASCI would report to FSSAI about the non-compliance as per provisions of the FSS Act.
About ASCI
 A self-regulatory voluntary organization of the advertising industry in India, founded in 1985.
 The three main constituents of the industry viz. advertisers, advertising agencies and media came together
to form this independent NGO.
 The aim of ASCI is to maintain and enhance the public's confidence in advertising. Their mandate is that all
advertising material must be truthful, legal and honest, decent and not objectify women, safe for consumers
esp children and fair to their competitors.
 It deliberates upon individual complaints against any advertisements for its compliance with ASCI code and
other laws.

5.17. DISEASES
5.17.1. LEPROSY
What is Leprosy?
 Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae.
 The disease mainly affects the skin, the peripheral nerves, mucosal surfaces of the upper respiratory tract
and the eyes.
 Leprosy is known to occur at all ages ranging from early infancy to very old age. Leprosy is curable and early
treatment averts most disabilities.
 The exact mechanism of transmission of leprosy is not known. At least until recently, the most widely held
belief was that the disease was transmitted by contact between Milestones in NLEP
cases of leprosy and healthy persons.  1955 - National Leprosy Control
Programme (NLCP) launched
Recent initiatives  1983 - National Leprosy Eradication
 Leprosy Case Detection Campaign – Programme launched
o The campaign, spearheaded by the National Leprosy  1983 - Introduction of Multidrug
Elimination Programme, covered 149 districts across 19 therapy (MDT) in Phases
states and mobilized almost 300 000 health workers.  2005 - Elimination of Leprosy
o A record 320 million Indians have been screened in a door- at National Level
to-door leprosy detection campaign, revealing thousands of
“hidden” cases.
o It involved volunteers from the Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) project.
 Introduction of Made-in-India Leprosy Vaccine –
o A novel vaccine, developed in India, is to be launched on a pilot basis in five districts in Bihar and
Gujarat.
o If it yields positive results, the leprosy vaccine programme will be extended to other high-prevalence
districts.
 WHO’s global strategy to end leprosy –
o The strategy aims to, by 2020, reduce to zero the number of children diagnosed with leprosy and related
physical deformities; reduce the rate of newly-diagnosed leprosy patients with visible deformities to less
than one per million; and ensure that all legislation that allows for discrimination on the basis of leprosy
is overturned.
o The new global strategy is guided by the principles of initiating action, ensuring accountability and
promoting inclusivity.
5.17.2. RECURRENCE OF POLIO

 Telangana was under national and international attention after a polio strain was detected from a sewage
sample collected near the Secunderabad Railway Station.
 The samples from the state showed the presence of Type 2 vaccine derived polio virus (VDVP), which had
undergone ten nucleotide changes.
 If the weakened type-2 virus used in oral polio vaccine [OPV] continues to multiply for long, mutations may
arise.
 If six or more nucleotide changes happen then it is called vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDVP).
 VDVP is extremely rare and found in children with immune-deficiency and among populations with low
immunity levels.
Vaccination Drive
 Although no cases of Polio was found in the state, as a precautionary measure, Telangana will soon see the
largest ever mass vaccination drive with Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV).
 Trivalent OPV used until now contained live but weakened type 1, 2 and 3 polio viruses.
 Subsequently, the country switched to bivalent oral polio vaccine or BOPV by dropping type 2 as this variant
was responsible for vaccine-derived polio cases.

 Following this, the injectable IPV was introduced, containing killed viruses of all three types; viral-shedding is
a non-issue with IPV.
 IPV is made from heat-killed virus that cannot cause the disease in any case, because the pathogen is not
alive.
5.17.3. SCRUB TYPHUS

 Various cases and deaths are being reported in Himachal Pradesh due to Scrub Typhus
 Scrub Typhus is caused by a bacterium Orintia Tsutsugamushi, transmitted by the bite of infected mite larva
present in the soil having scrub vegetation
 Symptoms of the disease include fever, a primary lesion, a macular rash, and lymphadenopathy.
 Himachal is an endemic region of large scrub vegetation.
5.17.4. NORMS FOR BRAIN DEATH

Why in News?
 The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) have begun to frame uniform guidelines on
brain death certification all over the country.
National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization
 NOTTO is the nodal agency that frames policy guidelines and protocols involved in organ donation and
transplantation.
 It has been set up under Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
 It has following two divisions:
o National Human Organ and Tissue Removal and Storage Network
o National Biomaterial Centre
5.17.5 . HYSTERECTOMY AMONG YOUNG WOMEN: SURVEY

Why in News?
 A Hyderabad-based NGO undertook a door-to-door survey and recorded 728 such cases of hysterectomy in
the villages of Kowdipally mandal of Medak district.
 They have published the comprehensive data on the rampant practice of hysterectomy among young
women.
 Also, for the first time, the National Family Health Survey-4 has included a question on hysterectomies. This
data is yet to be published.
What is Hysterectomy?
A hysterectomy is an operation to remove a woman’s uterus for different reasons, which generally includes:
 Cancer of the uterus, cervix, or ovaries
 Endometriosis
 Abnormal vaginal bleeding
 Chronic pelvic pain
 Adenomyosis, or a thickening of the uterus
Hysterectomy for noncancerous reasons is usually considered only after all other treatment approaches have
been tried without success.
5.17.6. FOOT & MOUTH DISEASE (FMD)

Ministry of Agriculture has allocated 100.00 crore rupees for FMD control under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana in
order to achieve the objective of FMD Mukt Bharat’ in next few years.
Background
 Foot & Mouth Disease (FMD) is one of the most economically devastating contagious viral animal diseases
affecting all susceptible cloven-footed animals.

 As per the estimates by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), direct loss due to milk and meat
is to the tune of RS. 20,000 crores per annum.
 In order to prevent economic losses due to Foot and Mouth Disease, a programme named ‘Foot and Mouth
Disease Control Programme (FMD-CP)’ is under implementation since 10th Plan Period.
5.18. GOVERNEMNT SCHEMES/INITIATIVES

5.18.1. MY HOSPITAL/MERA ASPATAL INITIATIVE
 Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched “Mera Aspataal /My Hospital” aimed at empowering
patients by seeking their views on the quality of experience in a public healthcare.
 The ICT-based Patient Satisfaction System (PSS) “Mera Aspataal / My Hospital” will be implemented in public
and empanelled private hospitals.
 A multi-channel approach will be used to collect patients’ feedback through web portal, mobile app, SMS
and Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS).
 ‘Mera Aspataal’, together with the Kayakalp awards, as part of Swacchata Abhiyaan will spur the States in a
spirit of friendly competition to get highest ratings for all their facilities.
5.18.2. NATIONAL E-HEALTH AUTHORITY

Why in News?
Recently the Government has announced the setting up a National eHealth Authority for the promotion of e-
Health standards by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
About NeHA
 It will be the nodal authority that will be responsible for development of an Integrated Health Information
System (including Telemedicine and mHealth) in India.
 It will also be responsible for enforcing the laws & regulations relating to the privacy and security of the
patients health information & records.
 NeHA will be setup through an appropriate legislation (Act of Parliament)
 The Chairman will be an eminent person in the field of Medicine, Public Health or Judiciary.
Functions of NeHA
 To guide the adoption of e-Health solutions at various levels and areas in a manner that meaningful
aggregation of health and governance data and storage/exchange of electronic health records happens at
various levels in a cost-effective manner.
 To facilitate integration of multiple health IT systems through health information exchanges.
 To oversee orderly evolution of state wide and nationwide Electronic Health Record Store/Exchange System
that ensures security, confidentiality and privacy of patient data and continuity of care.
 To engage with stakeholders through various means so that eHealth plans are adopted and other policy,
regulatory and legal provisions are implemented by both the public & private sector stakeholders
 To promote setting up of state health records repositories and health information exchanges.
 To address the issues relating to privacy & confidentiality of Patients’ EHR in the legislation.
5.18.3. MISSION PARIVAR VIKAS

 Health Ministry to launch “Mission Parivar Vikas” for
Why these districts chosen?
improved family planning services.
 It was launched in 145 high-focus districts of Uttar Pradesh, These 145 districts have been identified
based on total fertility rate and service
Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand
delivery for immediate, special and
and Assam.
accelerated efforts to reach the replacement
 Objective: To accelerate access to high quality family level fertility goals of 2.1 by 2025.
planning choices based on information, reliable services and
supplies within a rights-based framework.

5.18.4. JEEVAN REKHA: E-HEALTH PROJECT
Why in news
 Recently Kerala government launched the World Bank aided e-health project called JEEVAN REKHA.
About the project
 This is first of its kind initiative in the country. It has two components –public health component and
hospital automation module.
 Main aim of the project is to create integrated healthcare cloud that will contain the health records of all its
citizens in electronic form.
 Public health component envisage the development of Electronic health records (EHR) of the population
while hospital automation module envisage the digitization of all government hospitals.
 System will automatically provide a unique identification number for any person who will access the
healthcare system and also store his health record in electronic form (EHR) in central server.
 It has a privacy clause to ensure that patient health records are not leaked in public domain.
5.18.5. AROGYA RAKSHA FOR ALL

Why in news
 Andhra Pradesh government has launched a new health scheme called “Arogya Raksha scheme”.
 It will provide medical insurance to people who are not covered under any of the existing health schemes of
the state government.
 A.P. can now claim to be the first State in true sense to fulfill the health for all vision of WHO.
Features of the scheme
 It is a Universal Health Coverage scheme that will be provided to Above Poverty Level families.
 Every individual in the family will be able to get the medical insurance coverage for a premium as low as
1200 per year. The health insurance cover is offered up to 2 lakh.
 Several government and private hospitals are roped in to provide treatment for 1044 diseases under
secondary and tertiary care deploying end to end cashless system.
 Students of medicine, psychology, nursing and home sciences will have to visit villages as part of Swasthya
Vidya Vahini scheme and prepare a disease profile of each individual so that hospital can treat them better.
5.18.6. UNIVERSAL IMMUNISATION PROGRAMME

Why in News?
 The GoI is set to introduce two new vaccines: measles-rubella (MR) vaccine and Pneumococcal Conjugate
Vaccine (PCV) in the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP).
 Also, rotavirus vaccine is being included under UIP in five new states.
Measles-Rubella Vaccine Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP)
 Measles is a viral infection which mainly affects children  It was first launched 1985 in a phased
and is responsible for child deaths worldwide. Measles manner.
vaccine has been known to be quite successful in curbing  UIP includes preventive medications that
its spread world over. every child born in India is entitled to.
 Rubella on the other hand is also a viral infection that is  As of now, the UIP basket includes 10
vaccines which are: tuberculosis,
characterised by red rashes.
diphtheria, pertussis (whopping cough),
 Rubella also known as German measles is known to affect tetanus, poliomyelitis, measles, Hepatitis
approximately 25000 children born in India every year. B, Diarrhoea, Japanese Encephalitis and
 Symptoms include cataract and deafness. It can also affect Pneumonia.
the heart and brain.
 The measles-rubella vaccine would be introduced in February 2017 in five states and UTs namely Goa,
Karnataka, Lakshwadeep, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu.
 Once the MR vaccine is introduced, the monovalent measles vaccine (presently part of UIP) will be
discontinued.

Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV)
 PCV is a mix of several bacteria of pneumococcal family.
 Pneumonia caused by pneumococcal bacteria is one of the most common types.
 Estimates say that pneumonia is responsible for 20 percent of under-5 mortality in India.
 PCV will be introduced in Himachal Pradesh, parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar from March 2017.
 Three doses will be administered at one and a half months, three and a half months and nine months.
Rotavirus Vaccine
 Rotavirus vaccine was first included in UIP in April 2006.
 Rotavirus infections are the most common cause of diarrhoea.
 The vaccine is currently being administered in HP, Haryana, Odisha and AP. From February, it will be part of
UIP in Assam, Tripura, Rajasthan, MP and TN
5.18.7. SWASTHYA RAKSHA PROGRAMME

Why in news? Pathya-Apathya
 AYUSH ministry has launched Swasthya Raksha Yojana recently The aahar-vihar which is beneficial and
to promote health and health education in rural villages. nutritional to the body and also give the
About the programme happiness to the mind is known as Pathya
and opposite to that is known as Apathya.
 It has been launched on the lines of Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan
It is a curative factor in Ayurveda.
but with a focus on traditional healthcare services.
 Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine
(CCRUM), Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) and Central Council for Research in Siddha
(CCRS) are implementing agencies.
 It will be implemented in selected villages in different districts.
Objectives of the programme
 To organize Swasthya Rakshan OPDs, Swasthya Parikshan Camps and Health/Hygiene awareness
programme.
 Awareness about cleanliness of domestic surroundings and environment.
 Provide medical aid/incidental support in the adopted Colonies/villages.
 Documentation of demographic information, food habits, hygiene conditions, seasons, lifestyle etc.,
incidence/prevalence of disease and their relation to the incidence of disease.
 Assessment of health status and propagation of Ayurvedic concept of pathya-apathya and extension of
health care services.
5.18.8. MISSION MADHUMEHA THROUGH AYURVEDA

Why in News?
Diabetes in India
 On the occasion of National Ayurveda Day (28 October), the
 India ranks among top 3 countries with
Ministry of AYUSH launched “Mission Madhumeha through diabetic population (China, India and
Ayurveda”. USA).
 The Mission will be implemented throughout the country  The WHO estimates that 80% of diabetes
through a specially designed National Treatment Protocol for deaths occur in low and middle-income
effective management of Diabetes through Ayurveda. countries and projects that such deaths
Highlights will double between 2016 and 2030.
 The guidelines in the protocol will be sent to various state governments, which will further circulate them
across various medical institutions.
 The Madhumeha Assessment Tool (MAT) based on Ayurvedic philosophy has also been developed for the
self-assessment of the people with regards to possibilities of diabetes.
 The government is set to launch a mobile app which will suggest Ayurvedic medicines for diabetic patients.
o The app will be meant for use by both practitioners of Ayurveda as well patients.
o It will help in identifying the type of diabetes a patient is suffering from as well as recommend which
Ayurvedic medicines can be administered to a patient.
o The app is based on a set of guidelines issued by AYUSH.

5.18.9. STERILISATION INITIATIVE
Why in News? What is Vasectomy?
The government observed ‘Vasectomy Fortnight’ Vasectomy is a form of birth control for men where health
care provider closes or blocks the tubes that carry sperm.
between November 21 and December 4, 2016.
When the tubes are closed, sperm cannot leave a man's
Aim of the initiative body and prevents pregnancy. It is meant to be
permanent.
 The aim of the ‘‘Vasectomy Fortnight’ was to
create awareness about male sterilisation and to facilitate district administrations reach sterilisation
targets through campaigns.
 The government also aims to achieve ‘replacement level fertility’ of 2.1 through such initiatives (presently it
is 2.3). It will also be a step in the direction of fulfilling objectives of the National population policy.
National Population policy 2000, Objectives
 The immediate objective was to meet the unmet needs for contraception, health infrastructure and
manpower, and integrated service delivery for basic reproductive and child health care.
 The medium-term objective was to bring TFR to replacement levels by 2010
 In the long term, it targeted a stable population by 2045, ‘at a level consistent with the requirements of
sustainable economic growth, social development, and environmental protection.
5.18.10. ‘SOLAR FOR HEALTHCARE’ INITIATIVE

 The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW)
has signed a MoU to launch ‘Initiative on Solar for Healthcare’.
 It aims at providing effective health care delivery at the last mile by reducing uncertainty in critical
infrastructure like electricity supply.
 It will bring convergence in clean energy mandate of National Solar mission and ‘time to care’ objective of
National health mission.
 Under this collaboration, solar systems will be set up at select PHCs on pilot basis in 3 states - Tamil Nadu,
Haryana and Rajasthan.
5.18.11. PRADHAN MANTRI SWASTHYA SURAKSHA YOJANA (PMSSY)

Why in news?
 In budget speech 2017-18, Phase-VI was announced under which 2 new AIIMS, one each in Gujarat and
Jharkhand, will be set up.
About PMSSY
 It was announced in 2003
 It aims at correcting regional imbalances in the availability of affordable/ reliable tertiary healthcare services
and also to augment facilities for quality medical education in the country.
 PMSSY has two components:
o Setting up of AIIMS like Institutions
o Upgradation of Government Medical College Institutions.
 The project cost for upgradation of each medical college institution is shared by Central Government and
respective State Governments
5.18.12. MAA PROGRAMME

 MAA - Mothers Absolute Affection is a nation-wide breastfeeding promotion program, launched recently by
the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
 It promotes breastfeeding and provision of counselling services for supporting breastfeeding.
 The chief components of the Programme are Community awareness, strengthening communication through
ASHA, Skilled support for breastfeeding at Delivery points in Public health facilities, Monitoring, Awards, etc.
 Early initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth and thereafter exclusive breastfeeding for the first
six months is essential for the wellness of the child.

 Around 20% new-born deaths and 13% under-five deaths can be prevented by early initiation of
breastfeeding.
5.18.13. NATIONWIDE INTENSIFIED DIARRHOEA CONTROL FORTNIGHT (IDCF)

 Ministry of Health has launched nationwide “Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF)”.
 It will be observed from 11th to 23rd July across the country.
 It aims at reaching out to the under-five children during onset of monsoon and preventing child diarrhoea
 Various activities under this includes
o ASHAs visiting all households with children below five years of age for pre-positioning the ORS and
explaining its benefits.
o All health facilities shall have ORS corners which shall continuously demonstrate the way to prepare the
ORS mixture and also administer ORS and Zinc to children.
o awareness campaigns on hygiene and promotion of ORS and Zinc therapy
5.18.14. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF SOWA RIGPA

Why in news?
 National Institute of Sowa Rigpa is being set up at Leh (J & K)
About Sowa Rigpa
 IT is a Tibetan Medicine system also known as Amchi.
 It is practiced in many parts of India especially in Himalayan regions, including Ladakh (Jammu & Kashmir);
Sikkim; Darjeeling, Kalimpong (West Bengal); Mon Tawang and West Kameng regions of Arunachal Pradesh;
Lahaul, Spiti, Kangra and Kinnaur regions of Himachal Pradesh.
 The theory and practices of “Sowa-Rigpa” are similar to Ayurveda and some Traditional Chinese Medicine.
 It is believed to have been taught by Buddha himself and is closely linked with Buddhist philosophy.

6. MISCELLANEOUS
6.1. SC RULING ON WAGE DISPARITY
 Supreme Court has held that they daily wagers, temporary, casual and contractual employees should be
paid at par with regular employees doing the same
job as them. The petitioners were daily wagers International Covenant on Economic, Social and
working for Punjab Government. Cultural Rights (ICESCR)
 SC cited that India has been a signatory for the past  It is a multilateral treaty adopted by United Nations
37 years to Article 7 of the International Covenant General Assembly in 1966
on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of 1966.  It commits its parties to work toward the granting
 According to different constitutional provisions of economic, social, and cultural rights (ESCR) to
and the law declared by the Court under Article the Non-Self-Governing and Trust Territories and
individuals, including labour rights and the right to
141 of the Constitution, the principle of 'equal pay
health, the right to education, and the right to an
for equal work' constitutes "a clear and adequate standard of living.
unambiguous right and is vested in every
employee, whether engaged on regular or The ICESCR is part of the International Bill of Human
Rights, along with the Universal Declaration of Human
temporary basis".
Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Civil
 The Constitution of India 1949: Art. 39 (d) say the and Political Rights (ICCPR).
state has to ensure that there is equal pay for equal
work for both men and women.
6.2. SWACHH BHARAT MISSION: 2ND ANNIVERSARY

 Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh are the first states to have become open defecation free (ODF) in urban areas.
 The State of Himachal Pradesh has been declared Open Defecation Free (ODF), making it the second State in
the country after Sikkim to achieve the feat in rural areas.
About Swachh Bharat Misssion
 It was launched on 2 October 2014 to make India clean and open defecation free by 2019, Mahatma
Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary.
 The programme is divided into two categories -- Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) and Swachh Bharat
Mission (Urban).
 The Ministry for Drinking Water and Sanitation is looking Swachhta Status Report in 2015, reports for
at the rural part of the scheme. more than half of the rural population (52.1 per
 The Urban Development Ministry is implementing the cent) of the country still defecates in open.
programme in urban areas.
Problems associated with open defecation
 Malnutrition- About 43 per cent of children in India suffer from some degree of malnutrition.
 Diarrhoea and worm infection are two major health conditions that affect school-age children impacting
their learning abilities.
SWACHCHATA DOOT
Kerala Declared Open Defecation Free
These are Sanitation Messengers- who
 Under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin/Rural) Kerala has are village level motivators who work to
become the third State to be declared Open Defecation strengthen communication machinery at
Free(ODF), Sikkim was first and Himachal Pradesh was second to the village level with participatory social
mobilization, engagement of village level
be declared ODF.
motivators (may be undertaken by the
 Kerala, with a rural population of approximately 3.5 crores, is States in accordance with these
also the largest State so far to have achieved the ODF Status, guidelines.
after Sikkim (6 lakhs) and Himachal Pradesh (70 lakhs).
 Earlier, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh became the first states to be declared ODF in Urban Areas.

6.3. SMART GRAM INITIATIVE
Why in News?
 President Pranab Mukherjee had inaugurated a smart model village pilot project at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
 The five villages which will be developed into the smart villages under this pilot project are Dhaula, Alipur,
Harichandpur and Taj Nagar from Gurgaon district and Rojka Meo from Mewat district of Haryana.
 Recently there initiatives were inaugurated in these villages by the Chief Minister of Haryana.
About Smart Gram
 A smart gram would have the required basic physical and social infrastructure with a layer of smart
information and communication embedded in the infrastructure to improve governance and delivery of
services, livelihood and economic opportunities.
 The focus of Rashtrapati Bhavan is on creating a sustainable and inclusive development model that can be
easily replicated.
 This model is based on the convergence of resources and effort by the central government, state
government, district administration, panchayati raj institutions, public sector, private sector and enlightened
villagers.
6.4. GIFT MILK SCHEME

Why in News?
 Union Government has approved a proposal for setting up an Institution for promotion of nutrition through
milk/milk products (especially for children) utilizing Corporate Social Responsibility funds of NDDB.
 Initiative is known as “Gift Milk” to improve child nutrition thought consumption of milk & milk products by
providing milk free of cost.
 The supply of milk / milk product would be facilitated through dairy cooperatives only.
The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)
 The National Dairy Development Board is an institution of national importance set up by an Act of
Parliament of India - the NDDB Act 1987. The main office is in Anand, Gujarat with regional offices
throughout the country.
 Objective of NDDB is to replace exploitation with empowerment, tradition with modernity, stagnation with
growth, transforming dairying into an instrument for the development of India's rural people.
6.5. NIDHI APKE NIKAT PROGRAMME

Why in News?
 The review of this programme shows a positive trend with only 268 grievances pending out of the total
17000 filed since its inception.
About The Programme
 Nidhi Aapke Nikat is a public outreach programme of the Employee Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).
 The EPFO rechristened Bhavishya Nidhi Adalat as Nidhi Aapke Nikat.
 The programme was launched in July 2015.
 The programme is held on the 10th of every month in all the 122 field offices of EPFO.
 The programme aims to bring all the different stakeholders (employers/employees) on the same platform.
 The various new initiatives in the interest of the employees/employers taken up by the organisation are
explained during this programme.
 Apart from dealing with grievances, the organisation invites feedback and suggestion through this
programme.

6.6. KHELO INDIA SCHEME
Why in News?
 Khelo India National Level Competitions under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports took place in January.
 The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is set to start off rural games as “Grameen Khel Mahakumbh”
under Khelo India Scheme.
Khelo India Scheme
 It is a national programme which aims to develop grassroots level talent by providing them with a national
level platform.
 Khelo India Scheme is based on Gujarat’s model of “Khel Mahakumbh” in which schools and colleges from
across the country participate in 27 different disciplines.
 The GOI of India merged the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan with Khelo India in 2016.
 Two other schemes that were brought under the umbrella of Khelo India are: Urban Sports Infrastructure
Scheme (USIS) and National Sports Talent Search Scheme (NSTSS).
6.7. TASK FORCE FOR NEXT 3 OLYMPICS
Why in news?
 India had to content itself with two medals in the Rio Olympics, although a larger number of sportspersons
qualified for the 2016 Games than for the previous events.
 The medal tally came down from six in London Olympics of 2012 to just two.
 This led the PM to announce the setting up of a task force which will help to plan for the “effective
participation” of Indian sportspersons in the next three Olympics, to be held in 2020, 2024 and 2028.
Functions and aims of task force
 It will prepare an overall strategy for facilities, training, selection procedures and other related matters.
 The task force will consist of Indian and foreign experts in sports administration.
 The task force in place will come up with long-term plan for three Olympics.
6.8. LIQUOR BAN
Why In news?
 Supreme Court upheld the Kerala Govt.’s decision to prohibit liquor in December 2015 , however, in Oct.,
2016 Kerela Govt (LDF) has sought for reversal in its policy of banning liquor.
 The Bihar Excise & Prohibition Act, 2016 that had come into force from October 2, 2016 proposing total
liquor ban and its stricter provisions.
 Strict state regulation is aligned with the preservation of DPSP (Article 47) that places a responsibility on all
state governments to “at least contain, if not curtail, consumption of alcohol” (Article 47).
 Health implications: Alcohol, especially in large quantities, can damage people’s kidneys and livers, and can
eventually lead to death.
States where total ban is imposed
 Gujarat, after its formation in 1960 out of Bombay State, continued the ban even after independence and
still enforces it to this day.
 Nagaland, a complete ban has been in effect since 1989.

6.9. INDIA MOVES UP IN THE WORLD GIVING INDEX
Why in news?
Charities Aid Foundations (CAF) released 7th World Giving Index.
About the report

 It is released by Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), which is an international non-profit organization promoting
effective giving and philanthropy.
 India received a 29% overall score in the world giving index.
Findings about India

 The proportion of Indians participating in helping a stranger has increased by 6 percentage points to 43%
whilst those donating have increased from 20% in 2014 to 22% during 2015.
 But even with 203 million people donating money, 401 million people helping a stranger and 200 million
people volunteering time, India ranks 91 in the index.
 This is because in terms of numbers India is among the highest but when taken as a percentage of the total
population, India lags behind.
6.10. INDIA SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2016

Why in News?
 The Council of Social Development recently Council of Social Development
released India Social Development Report 2016.  It is a society registered under society’s act 1860.
About the report  It is a research and advocacy institution (like a think
tank) that has the objective of social development
 The theme of the report is “Disability Rights with equality and justice.
Perspective "addressing the fundamental elements  It was established in 1962. It was founded by
of non-derogable rights of the differently abled Durgabhai Deshmukh.
people.
 The report drew on data from the Census, the NSS, India Human Development Survey, and the National
Family Health Survey.
 It provides adequate data for government to prepare a databank for disabled population and prepare
adequate niche schemes for men, women, children and elderly. It will also help fulfill obligations of the
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities of which India is also a signatory.
6.11. TELANGANA FIRST CHILDREN’S COURT IN HYDERABAD.
Why in news?
 Telangana has recently inaugurated south India’s first children court to ensure fast disposal of cases related
to children
About Hyderabad court

Telangana has become the third state, after Goa and Delhi, to have a child-friendly court and it is the sixth court
in the country to be child friendly.

6.12. DEVDASI SYSTEM
Why in news?
 The apex court started hearing on the Devadasi issue when apprised of how Dalit girls were dedicated as
Devadasis in Uttangi Mala Durga Temple in Davanagere district of Karnataka.
 SC directed all States and Union Territories, especially Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, to strictly
enforce the Central law to check “undesired and unhealthy” practice of forcing young girls to serve as
Devadasis.
Who are Devadasis - 'Devadasis' are women dedicated to temple services for the rest of their lives and many of
them are often victims of sexual abuse.

IAS.

VISIONIAS
www.visionias.in
Classroom Study Material

SOCIAL
JULY 2015 – APRIL 2016
NOTE: May 2016 and June 2016 current affairs for PT 365 will be updated on our website on second week
of July 2016.
IAS.
Table of Contents
A.1. Women Entry to Religious Places Issue __________________________________________________ 5
A.2. Devdasi System _____________________________________________________________________ 5
A.3. Gender Discrmination in Temple Worship ________________________________________________ 6
A.4. Uniform Services: Women_____________________________________________________________ 6
A.5. Navy Grants Permanent Commission for Women __________________________________________ 7
A.6. Women in Armed Forces ______________________________________________________________ 7
A.7. Gender Inequality - Territorial Army_____________________________________________________ 8
A.8. Sex Determination of Foetus ___________________________________________________________ 8
A.9. Surrogacy __________________________________________________________________________ 9
A.10. Daughter as Inheritor _______________________________________________________________ 9
A.11. Women Right to Ancestral Property ___________________________________________________ 10
A.12. Dowry Deaths ____________________________________________________________________ 11
A.13. Domestic Violence _________________________________________________________________ 11
A.14. Cybercrime Against Women _________________________________________________________ 11
A.15. Pam Rajput Committee _____________________________________________________________ 12
A.16. Triple Talaq ______________________________________________________________________ 12
A.17. Women Transforming India Campaign _________________________________________________ 13
A.18. Mahila E-Haat ____________________________________________________________________ 13
A.19. SDG and Women __________________________________________________________________ 13
A.20. India’s First Gender Park ____________________________________________________________ 15
B. CHILD ________________________________________________________________________ 16
B.1. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao _____________________________________________________________ 16
B.2. Need for Special Law for Child Rape (Failure of POSCO) ____________________________________ 16
B.3. Ban on Child Pornography ____________________________________________________________ 17
B.4. SDG and Child ______________________________________________________________________ 17
B.5. Balamurtham Programme ____________________________________________________________ 18
B.6. Kilkari Project ______________________________________________________________________ 18
B.7. UNICEF Rapid Survey On Children (2013 - 14) ____________________________________________ 19
C. OLD AGE/DISABLED _____________________________________________________________ 20
C.1. Universal ID for Persons With Disability _________________________________________________ 20
C.2. Disability in India ___________________________________________________________________ 20
C.3. National Centre for Ageing ___________________________________________________________ 20
C.4. Ageing India _______________________________________________________________________ 21
C.5. Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyaan) ____________________________________ 21
C.6. Anubhav __________________________________________________________________________ 23
D. SC/ST/OBC ____________________________________________________________________ 24
D.1. Socio-Economic Caste Census _________________________________________________________ 24
D.2. Forest Rights Act Implementation Issues ________________________________________________ 25
D.3. National Tribal Advisory Council _______________________________________________________ 25
D.4. New Manual Scavenging Law _________________________________________________________ 26
D.5. Rules for Amended SC/ST Act _________________________________________________________ 26
D.6. 'Bultoo radio' experiment ____________________________________________________________ 27
D.7. Reservation in India _________________________________________________________________ 27
E. EDUCATION ____________________________________________________________________ 29
E.1. Poor Implementation of RTE Act _______________________________________________________ 29
E.2. Mid-Day Meal Rules, 2015 Notified_____________________________________________________ 29
E.3. Kerala Becomes the First to Achieve 100% Literacy ________________________________________ 30
E.4. Framework for ranking Indian institutes_________________________________________________ 30
E.5. Atal Innovation Mission ______________________________________________________________ 31
E.6. Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan ___________________________________________________________ 31
E.7. Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN) ___________________________________________ 32
F. HEALTH _______________________________________________________________________ 33
F.1. National Deworming Initiative ________________________________________________________ 33
F.2. National Framework for Elimination of Malaria ___________________________________________ 33
F.3. Traditional Medicine ________________________________________________________________ 34
F.4. Integration of Homoeopathy/Yoga with NPCDCS __________________________________________ 34
F.5. National Family Health Survey ________________________________________________________ 34
F.6. HIV-Aids __________________________________________________________________________ 36
F.7. Sunrise Project _____________________________________________________________________ 36
F.8. End of Ebola Epidemic _______________________________________________________________ 37
F.9. Diabetes __________________________________________________________________________ 37
F.10. Global Report on Urban Health _______________________________________________________ 38
F.11. Poor Health Cover: Health In INDIA REPORT by NSSO _____________________________________ 38
F.12. Healthcare System: Lancet Report ____________________________________________________ 39
F.13. Mental Health_____________________________________________________________________ 39
F.14. Mission Indradhanush Phase-2 _______________________________________________________ 40
F.15. PM Swasthya Suraksha Yojana _______________________________________________________ 40
F.16. Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) ________________________________________________ 41
F.17. Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi _____________________________________________________________ 41
F.18. State of the World's Antibiotics Report, 2015 ___________________________________________ 42
F.19. India and MDG ____________________________________________________________________ 42
F.20. Prime Minister’s Jan Aushadhi Yojna __________________________________________________ 43
F.21. IAP HealthPhone Programme ________________________________________________________ 43
G. MISCELLANEOUS _______________________________________________________________ 45
G.1. Swachh Bharat Mission (SBA) _________________________________________________________ 45
G.2. Swachh Survekshan _________________________________________________________________ 46
G.3. Nai Manzil Scheme _________________________________________________________________ 47
G.4. Protecting Good Samaritans __________________________________________________________ 47
G.5. Racial Intolerance __________________________________________________________________ 48
G.6. First project under Housing for All Mission ______________________________________________ 48
G.7. Nation and Nationalism _____________________________________________________________ 49
G.8. Transgender Policy _________________________________________________________________ 49
G.9. Revamp of Rehabilitation Scheme _____________________________________________________ 50
G.10. Social Innovation __________________________________________________________________ 50
G.11. Human Development Report 2015 ____________________________________________________ 51
G.12. Global Hunger Index 2015 ___________________________________________________________ 52
G.13. UN Report on Population in India _____________________________________________________ 53
A. WOMEN
A.1. WOMEN ENTRY TO RELIGIOUS PLACES ISSUE
Background
 Shani Shignapur: Recently a group of women called the Bhumata Rangaragini
Brigade tried to break the 400 year old tradition of the Temple barring women
from entering its inner sanctum.
 Sabrimala Temple Entry Issue:
o Sabarimala is a Hindu pilgrimage center located in Kerala. It is the largest
annual pilgrimage in the world with an estimated 50 million devotees
visiting every year. Women between the ages of 10 and 50 are not allowed
to enter the temple, since they are in the menstrual age group.
o The Supreme Court has asked the temple trust if it has any constitutional
reason to keep women out.
 Hazi Ali:
o The Maharashtra government recently backed the entry of women into the Haji Ali
Dargah, and told the Bombay High Court that equality must rule over tradition and
customs.
o It said that unless the Dargah Trust is able to prove that the ban is part of their
religious practice with reference to Koran, women should be allowed to enter the
sanctum sanctorum.
Significance
 Law vs Religion:
o The ban violates the principle of equality guaranteed by the Constitution
while Customary Right allows respect of religious traditions and customs.
o While the Constitution protects religious freedom, clause 2(b) of Article 25
allows the state to intervene in religious practice.
 Faith vs Rationality: Validity of a God that is easily threatened by presence of
women.
 Women becoming increasingly aware of progressive promises in Constitution
and regressive practices in reality. Entering temples is symbolic of larger
discrimination against women.
 Temple entry movements have historically been used to challenge power
hierarchies e.g. for Dalits.
 Regressive attitudes deep rooted in religion cannot be changed by force and
have to be changed through slow grass root level work.
A.2. DEVDASI SYSTEM

Why in news?
 The apex court started hearing on the Devadasi issue when apprised of how
Dalit girls were dedicated as Devadasis in Uttangi Mala Durga Temple in
Davanagere district of Karnataka.
 SC directed all States and Union Territories, especially Karnataka, Maharashtra,
Andhra Pradesh, to strictly enforce the Central law to check “undesired and
unhealthy” practice of forcing young girls to serve as Devadasis.
Who are Devadasis?

 'Devadasis' are women dedicated to temple services for the rest of their lives
and many of them are often victims of sexual abuse.
Relevant Laws to prevent Devadasi system
 State-level legislation such as the Karnataka Devadasis Prohibition of

Dedication Act, 1982, and Maharashtra Devadasis Abolition Act, 2006, had
completely abolished such practices.
 Section 372 of the IPC, which prohibits selling minors for purposes of
prostitution.
 Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956, also makes prostitution an offence in or
in the vicinity of public places.
A.3. GENDER DISCRMINATION IN TEMPLE WORSHIP

Why in news?
The Supreme Court has delivered a verdict recently, which determines who gets to
enter the sanctum sanctorum of an Agama-protected Hindu temple as a priest. SC
ruled that appointment of Archakas in Tamil Nadu temples as per the Agamas is not
a violation of the right to equality.
What is the judgement?
The judgment strike down the Tamil Nadu government order of May 23, 2006, which
allowed any qualified and trained Hindu to be appointed as priest in Hindu temples
in the State.
Agamas
The Agamas are a collection of scriptures of several Hindu devotional schools.
Agamas in Sanskrit mean “that which has come to us”.
These texts are in Sanskrit and in some south Indian languages like Tamil.
There are two kinds of Agama texts, Agama and Tantra, the former practised in
Shaivite and Vaishnavite temples, and the latter in Sakthi temples
Agamas expound a variety of subjects and they are really the stylebook, on which
Hindu rituals are based while some Saivite temples practise Tamil Agamas too,
rituals in Vaishnavite temples are based on Vaikhanasa Agamas and the
Pancharathra Agamas, or the Five Nights.
According to the Agama texts poojas can be performed only by Archakas belonging
to a particular and distinct sect/denomination, failing which, there will be defilement
of deity requiring purification ceremonies
A.4. UNIFORM SERVICES: WOMEN

 Punjab and Haryana HC held that women cannot be permanently barred from
joining the Army Medical Corps for reason of pregnancy.
 HC concluded that forcing a choice between bearing a child and taking up
employment interferes both with a woman’s reproductive rights as well as her
right to employment, and that such an action has “no place in modern India”.

 The Directorate General, Armed Forces Medical Services, argued that they could
not allow a woman to join if she was carrying a child on the date of joining duty -
and she would have to undergo the entire process from scratch after she had
given birth.
Similar Practices in other Forces
 Forces like the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, uniformed combatant women

doctors are allowed to flexibly join service after the birth of a child.
 The guidelines of the Ministry of Home Affairs also provide that
o Women should be considered fit for reporting for duty even during
pregnancy for all services which do not involve physical training.
o While in cases of services with physical training, the vacancy should be kept
reserved along with protection of seniority — and that such women should
be able to join service six weeks after confinement.
A.5. NAVY GRANTS PERMANENT COMMISSION FOR

WOMEN
 Recently the Indian Navy granted permanent cadres to seven women officers
and plans to introduce Permanent Commission in eight branches from 2017.
 It is subject to medical fitness and good Annual Confidential Report.
 From 2017, branches opened for women will include education, law,
meteorology, air traffic control, logistics, observers, pilots on maritime
reconnaissance aircraft and naval constructors.
Background
 Women until now were only allowed Permanent Commission in select streams
of the Army and Air Force.
 Navy until now permitted only Short Service Commission for 14 years, which
means they were denied pension.
 The Indian Air Force last year announced induction of women in the fighter
stream, being the first Indian armed force to allow women in the combat role.
This however is only on an experimental basis.
A.6. WOMEN IN ARMED FORCES

Women in Combat Roles
 Reversing its earlier position of not allowing women in combat roles in armed
forces, the Ministry of Defence has approved the induction of women into the
Fighter (Combat) stream of the IAF.
 The decision was taken after IAF made a formal request to this effect to the
Ministry and it is expected that by June 2017 the first batch of women fighter
pilots would be serving the Air Force.
 The present progressive decision goes against the recommendations on the
Induction of women in combat duties based on the studies carried out by the
Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQIDS) in 2006 and High Level Tri-
Services Committee in 2011.
Present status of women in Armed Forces

 The Indian Army, the Indian Navy and the IAF allow women in various courses
but till recently restricted their entry into combat roles.
 With this decision, women have become eligible for induction in all branches
and streams of the IAF.
 After the IAF, the Indian Navy has also taken a decision to allow women in
various flying streams but for now they will be shore-based till necessary
infrastructural needs are addressed.
 In September 2015, Delhi High Court had granted Permanent Commission for
women and had pulled up the Navy and the Defence Ministry for "sexist bias" to
block women's progress.
A.7. GENDER INEQUALITY - TERRITORIAL ARMY

Recently the Delhi High Court issued notices to the Defence Ministry and the
Territorial Army on a petition challenging a provision in the law governing the
Territorial Army that prohibits recruitment of gainfully employed women.
Concerns:
 Not allowing women to join amounts to “institutional discrimination,” which
violates fundamental freedoms and human rights.
 Discrimination on grounds of gender went against the spirit of the Constitution.
 At present, TA recruits only males (gainfully employed).
 The country ranks 127th on gender inequality index and 114th on gender gap in
the world.
Territorial Army
 The Territorial Army is the country’s second line of defence, after the regular
army. It comprises volunteers who receive military training for mobilization in
emergency situations.
 The Territorial Army is not an occupation or a source of employment. Gainful
employment or self-employment in a civil profession was a pre-requisite for
joining the Territorial Army.
 It also helps in maintenance of essential services in situations where life is
affected or the security of the country is threatened.
 Under the provisions of the Territorial Army Act women are not eligible to join
the organization.
A.8. SEX DETERMINATION OF FOETUS

Why in News?
 The Union Minister for Women and Child Development recently suggested that
child sex determination during pregnancy be made compulsory and the gender
of the child be registered right from that moment. In this way the birth can be
tracked.
 This twin strategy of tracking sex-determined foetuses and requiring
institutional deliveries is expected to ensure that female babies are not aborted,
or killed at birth.
Present Scenario

 Currently India’s strategy to combat declining sex ratios hinges on the PCPNDT
Act (the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, 1994)
 PCPNDT Act prohibits ultrasonography for the purpose of determining the sex
of the foetus.
 India is among the countries with the worst child sex ratio in the world. The
2011 Census showed that the child sex ratio has dipped from 927 girls in 2001 to
919 girls in 2011.
A.9. SURROGACY
Why in News?
 The Bombay High Court on Monday directed the Central Railway (CR) to grant
three months’ maternity leave to its employee who became a mother by using a
surrogate.
 The court ruled that a mother enjoys the same benefits of maternity leave as
any other working woman under the Child Adoption Leave and Rules.
 While challenging the CR for disallowing her leave, the woman’s lawyers argued
that if the maternity leave was refused, it would certainly violate the right of a
child to develop a bond with the mother.
Surrogacy in India: Current scenario
 Commercial surrogacy has been legal in India since 2002.
 At global level, India is a sought after destination in surrogacy-related fertility
tourism, also referred as “reproductive tourism”.
 Surrogacy in India is relatively low cost and the legal environment is favorable.
 At present the Surrogacy Contract between the parties and the Assisted
Reproductive Technique (ART) Clinics guidelines are the guiding force.
 In 2008, the Supreme Court of India in the Manji's case (Japanese Baby) had held
that commercial surrogacy is permitted in India with a direction to the
Legislature to pass an appropriate Law governing Surrogacy.
 Giving due regard to the apex court directions, the Legislature has enacted ART
BILL, 2008 which is still pending.
 Exploitation of the women and commodification of children through surrogacy
are major worrying factor, which the law has to address.
Law Commission Report on Surrogacy
 The Law Commission of India has submitted the Report on “NEED FOR
LEGISLATION TO REGULATE ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY CLINICS AS
WELL AS RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF PARTIES TO A SURROGACY.”
 The Commission has strongly recommended against Commercial Surrogacy.
 One of the intended parents should be a donor as well, because the bond of love
and affection with a child primarily emanates from biological relationship.
 Legislation itself should recognize a surrogate child to be the legitimate child of
the commissioning parent(s) without there being any need for adoption or even
declaration of guardian.
 Right to privacy of donor as well as surrogate mother should be protected.
 Sex-selective surrogacy should be prohibited.
 Cases of abortions should be governed by the Medical Termination of Pregnancy
Act 1971 only.
A.10. DAUGHTER AS INHERITOR

The Delhi High Court in a recent judgement announced that the eldest daughter can
be the karta of the Hindu Undivided Family property.
Background
 Karta under the Hindu Succession Act is the coparceners or eldest of those
entitled to inherit the property of a Hindu Undivided family (HUF).
 The Karta has the right to manage the property and business of the HUF even
without the consent of the rest of the family.
 The Hindu Undivided family is different from ‘joint family’ as it’s purely for
revenue assessment of ancestral property.
 It is one where property hasn’t been partitioned between sons and daughters
and does not include in- laws.
 The HUF applies to all Hindus and all persons who is not a Muslim, Christian,
Paris or Jew. It thus includes Buddhists, Sikhs and Jains also.
 After the 2005 amendment to Hindu Succession Act, all members born into the
family including daughters have equal rights to property.
 Recent judgement announced that elder daughters can be karta while the other
side’s argument was that daughters can only have a share in the property and
not any right to manage it.
 Court also extended role of karta to married daughters.
 The Hindu Undivided Family does not make distinction between married and
unmarried women and gives equal rights of inheritance to Hindu males and
females.
 The challenge is that very few women actually practice in the management of
business and property.
A.11. WOMEN RIGHT TO ANCESTRAL PROPERTY

 The Hindu Succession Act, 1956, WHY IN NEWS?
originally did not give daughters
inheritance rights in ancestral The Supreme Court has said that the 2005
property. amendment in Hindu law will not give
 They could only ask for a right to property rights to a daughter if the father
died before the amendment came into force.
sustenance from a joint Hindu
family. But this disparity was
removed by an amendment to the Act on September 9, 2005.
 This ruling clarifies applicability of the amendment for the right of women
seeking equal share in ancestral property.
Overall, limitations on women’s right to inheritance are:
 Cannot ask for a share if the property if the property has been alienated or
partitioned before the bill was introduced.
 The amended provisions cannot have retrospective effect despite it being a
social legislation. It is imperative for the father to have been alive when the
amendment came into force.

A.12. DOWRY DEATHS
Why in news?
According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data released recently, the
highest number of dowry deaths during the last three years have been reported
from the state of Uttar Pradesh followed by Bihar.
Dowry Prohibition Act 1961
 The implementation of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 is the responsibility of

the respective State Government in the country.
 The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 lays down a built-in implementation
mechanism in the form of Dowry Prohibition Officers to ensure effective and
efficacious enforcement of the law.
 The Ministry (Ministry of Women and Child Development) reviews with the
States time to time for effective implementation of the Dowry Prohibition Act,
1961.
 Section 304 B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) - deals with dowry death related
cases. A person convicted under this section can be punished with imprisonment
of 7 years to life term.
A.13. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Why in news?
Recently Ministry of statistics and program implementation (MoSPI) has released a

report titled ‘Women and Men in India 2015’ which says that domestic violence
shares highest share in crime against women.
Domestic Violence Act
 It was brought into force by the government from 26 October 2006.

 The Act provides for the first time in Indian law a definition of "domestic
violence", with this definition being broad and including not only physical
violence, but also other forms of violence such as emotional/verbal, sexual, and
economic abuse.
 It is a civil law meant primarily for protection orders and not meant to penalize
criminally.
 The act does not extend to Jammu and Kashmir, which has its own laws, and
which enacted in 2010 the Jammu and Kashmir Protection of Women from
Domestic Violence Act, 2010.
What is cybercrime?
A.14. CYBERCRIME
AGAINST WOMEN  Cybercrime is a criminal activity that
involves a computer and a network.
Why in news?  Offences committed against people
Online harassment of women - with a criminal motive to cause physical
Cybercrimes against women are or mental harm, or loss to the victim
increasing and recently government directly or indirectly, using modern
has taken several steps to prevent telecommunication networks such as
cybercrimes. Internet and mobile phones.
 In such crimes computer can be used in
order to commit the crime and in some
cases, the computer may have been the
target of the crime.
 Cybercrimes threaten a nation’s
security and financial health.
Recently the Government has taken following steps for prevention of Cyber Crimes:
 Cyber Crime Cells have been set up in States and Union Territories for reporting
and investigation of Cyber Crime cases.
 Government has set up cyber forensic training and investigation labs in the
States of Kerala, Assam, Mizoram etc. for training of Law Enforcement and
Judiciary in these States.
Cybercrimes which specially target women:
 Programmes on Cyber Crime
investigation - Various Law  Harassment via e-mails
schools are engaged in conducting  Cyber-staking
several awareness and training  Cyber pornography
programmes on Cyber Laws and
 Defamation
Cybercrimes for judicial officers.
 Morphing
 Training is imparted to Police
 Email spoofing
Officers and Judicial officers in the
Training Labs established by the
Government.
 The Scheme for Universalisation of Women Helpline has been approved to
provide 24 hour emergency and non-emergency response to all women affected
by violence.
A.15. PAM RAJPUT COMMITTEE
The High Level Committee on Status of Women was set up in 2013 to do a

comprehensive study on the status of women since 1989, and to evolve appropriate
policy interventions based on a contemporary assessment of economic, legal,
political, education, health and socio-cultural needs of women. The first such
committee was set up 42 years ago in 1971 on the request of the UN.
Reports of the Committee
 It wants the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) to be repealed, gay sex
decriminalized, and at least 50 % reservation for women at all levels of
legislature, right up to the Parliament.
 To deal with violence against women, the committee called for several
legislative interventions.
 Calling for 50 % reservation of seats for women in the local bodies, state
legislative assemblies, Parliament, cabinet and all decision-making bodies of the
government, the committee noted: “Gender parity in governance and political
participation is a pre-requisite to the realization of gender equality.”
 It also recommended that all elected representatives - MPs, MLAs and members
of Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies - should be accountable
for the sex ratio in their respective constituency, inviting rewards and
recognition for progress, and prosecution for negligence, inaction, and
complicity.
A.16. TRIPLE TALAQ

Why in news?
 Supreme Court issued a notice to the centre to respond to the petition against
the Triple Talaq provisions in the Muslim personal Law.

 The petition was filed by a Muslim women in the SC on Triple Talaq and others
provisions in Muslim Personal Law for grant of divorce.
 Significance of the above petition lies in the need for the realization for a Universal Civil
Code (Article 44).
A.17. WOMEN TRANSFORMING INDIA CAMPAIGN

Why in News?
 Niti Aayog in collaboration with the UN in India and MyGov launched the
“Women Transforming India” Initiative on March 8th, 2015 on the occasion of
International Women’s Day.
What is it?
 It is designed like a contest seeking entries of women breaking new ground,
empowering themselves or others and challenging stereotypes.
 It will encourage women’s leadership particularly in economic, socio-cultural
and environmental fronts.
 The winning entries will get a certificate of appreciation from Niti Aayog and UN
in India. Also a chance to directly interact with policy makers in the government.
 India supported the need for a stand-alone goal on gender (under SDGs) and
that women have a critical role to play in all of the SDGs.
 Niti Aayog has been given the role of monitoring and coordinating all efforts
across the Centre and states on the SDGs.
A.18. MAHILA E-HAAT

 The Ministry of women and Child Development (WCD) launched Mahila e-Haat-
Digital marketing portal for women entrepreneurs to strengthen women
empowerment.
What is Mahila E-Haat?
 'Mahila E-Haat' is an online platform, where women entrepreneurs can sell their
products directly.
 The portal has been set up with an investment of under Rs.10 lakh from the
Rashtriya Mahila Kosh-an autonomous body under the WCD ministry for the
socio-economic empowerment of women.
 The only eligibility criteria to register is that the sellers—any women or women
members of a self-help group-have to be above 18 years of age to eliminate the
problem of child labour.
A.19. SDG AND WOMEN

Sustainable Development Goals
 The Sustainable Development Goals are the set of 17 goals and 169 targets
adopted by member countries of United Nations at the UN Sustainable
Development Summit. The goals are to be achieved by all member countries
within next fifteen years i.e. by year 2030.
 These goals intend to achieve sustainable development and are more
comprehensive than earlier Millennium Development Goals.
SDGs related to Women:

Target 2: Zero Hunger

 Address the nutritional needs of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women
and older persons.
Target 3: Good Health and Well Being
 Reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live
births
 Universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for
family planning, information and education
 Integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmes
Target 4: Quality Education

 Equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical,
vocational and tertiary education, including university
 Build and upgrade education facilities that are gender sensitive and provide safe,
non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all.
Target 5: Gender Equality

 End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere
 Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and
private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation
 Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and
female genital mutilation
 Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for
leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life
 Equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to ownership and control
over land and other forms of property, financial services, inheritance and natural
resources
 Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and
communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women
 Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the
promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at
all levels
Target 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

 Access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open
defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those
in vulnerable situations.
Target 8: Decent work and Economic growth
 Full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men.
 Equal pay for work of equal value
 Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all
workers, in particular women migrants
Target 10: Reduce inequalities
 Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all,
irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or
other status
Target 11: Sustainable cities and Communities:

 Special attention to the needs women in building sustainable transport systems
 Universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces
Target 13: Climate Action
 Raise capacity for effective climate change-related planning and management
focusing on women

Target 16: Peace Justice and Strong institutions
 Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere
 End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture
of children
A.20. INDIA’S FIRST GENDER PARK

The park is an initiative of the Social Justice Department of the Kerala government to
bring together the state, academia and civil society on a common platform to
address the gender issues.
Objectives of the Institution
 To generate a space for women development activities, emphasizing

entrepreneurship in service and cultural activities.
 To undertake research and documentation of the history of the role of women
in every field of society of Kerala.
 To strengthen women development activities undertaken by various
departments/agencies/civil society movements.
 To create an environment to share global knowledge and experiences in
reducing gender inequalities
 It would cover issues pertaining to all three genders in accordance with the
2015 gender and transgender policies of the state government.

B. CHILD
B.1. BETI BACHAO BETI PADHAO
New initiative to spread awareness about Scheme:
 The initiative has

been launched to
generate
awareness among
100 million mobile
users in India
about the scheme.
 The private
company Celltick
uses its patented
Live Screen
platform to send
interactive
message on mobile
phones.
 The mobile user
can interact with
messages on the homescreen of their device
 It will enable ease of use in accessing information about scheme
 The technology enables to reach users based on their location as well as their
language of preference.
B.2. NEED FOR SPECIAL LAW FOR CHILD RAPE

(FAILURE OF POSCO)
Why in News?
• In 2015 Madras HC suggested the centre for considering castrating child sexual
abusers while dismissing a petition filed by a UK national seeking to quash sex
abuse proceeding against him
• Consequently SC in 2016 while hearing a petition filed by the Supreme Court
women lawyers association advised Parliament to consider a law for harsher
punishment for such crimes.
About POSCO
• Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 which came into
effect from 14th November, 2012 is a comprehensive law to provide for the
protection of children from the offences of sexual assault, sexual harassment
and pornography, while safeguarding the interests of the child at every stage of
the judicial process by incorporating child-friendly mechanisms for reporting,
recording of evidence, investigation and speedy trial of offences through
designated Special Courts.

B.3. BAN ON CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
Why in news?
 The Indian Penal Code and the
 The Supreme Court on Friday asked Information Technology (IT) Act
prohibit the production or
the central government to inform the
transmission of so-called “obscene
court on how it plans to ban child material” even though there is no law
pornography on the Internet. explicitly prohibiting pornography.
 The question came during the  Publishing or transmitting obscene
hearing of a public interest litigation material electronically can carry a
filed to ban pornography websites in three years sentence, if an offender is
the country. convicted under the IT Act.
B.4. SDG AND CHILD

Sustainable Development Goals
 The Sustainable Development Goals are the set of 17 goals and 169 targets
adopted by member countries of United Nations at the UN Sustainable
Development Summit.
 The goals are to be achieved by all member countries within next fifteen years
i.e. by year 2030.
 These goals intend to achieve sustainable development and are more
comprehensive than earlier Millennium Development Goals.
SDGs related to Children
Target 2: Zero Hunger
 End hunger and ensure access by infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food
all year round
 End all forms of malnutrition, stunting and wasting in children under 5 years of
age
 Address the nutritional needs of adolescent girls
Target 3: Good Health and Well being
 End preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age,

 Reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and
under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births.
Target 4: Quality Education
 Complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading
to relevant and effective learning outcomes
 Access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education
so that they are ready for primary education
 Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender
sensitive
 Provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all
 Equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the children in
vulnerable situations

Target 5: Gender Equality
 Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and
female genital mutilation
Target 8: Decent work and Economic growth

 Prohibit and eliminate of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment
and use of child soldiers,
 End child labour in all its forms by 2025
Target 11: Sustainable cities and Communities:

 Special attention to the needs children in building sustainable transport systems
 Universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces
Target 16: Peace Justice and Strong institutions

 Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere
 End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture
of children
B.5. BALAMURTHAM PROGRAMME

• Balamrutham is the weaning food Other Government Nutrition Initiatives
introduced under ICDS to provide in India
improved supplementary nutrition to
children between 7 months to 3  National programmes such as Sarva
years. Shiksha Abhiyan, Mid-Day Meal
• It is fortified and thus provides 50% of Programme, the NRHM or Janani
iron, calcium, vitamins and other RDA Shishu Suraksha Karyakram.
 National Nutrition Mission.
that children require per day.
 Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram
• The Balamrutham Programme was
 Weekly Iron Folic Acid
started by the Andhra Pradesh
Supplementation
Government in 2013.  Universal supplementation of iron and
• Under this programme children vitamin A.
enrolled with Anganwadis were given
Balamrutham of 2.5kg per child to provide quality diet to infants.
B.6. KILKARI PROJECT

Why in news
Kilkari, a mobile voice message service will be launched by Central Government

soon.
Salient Features of the Scheme
 This service will deliver weekly messages to families about pregnancy, family
planning, nutrition, childbirth and maternal and child care.
 The database for the Kilkari programme will be taken from the successful
Mother and Child Tracking System (MCTS) to monitor pregnant women and
babies.
 Every woman registered with MCTS will receive weekly messages relevant to the
stage of pregnancy and age of the infant.

 The messages will be delivered in languages chosen by the user. In phase one,
scheme will be launched in Hindi, Odiya and hopefully Santhaali and
Chhotanagpuri.
 In phase two, it will be various dialects of Rajasthan, and then we will extend to
other languages.
 The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has provided the mobile phone
application for Kilkari and mobile academy.
 In Bihar, same scheme has been already launched as a paid service.
B.7. UNICEF RAPID SURVEY ON CHILDREN (2013 - 14)

Important Findings
 No State reported an
increase in the
proportion of children
underweight or stunted,
a significant reversal
from past trends.
 All States have
performed poorly in
reducing the number of
underweight adolescent
girls.
 At the national level,
stunting is higher in rural
areas (41.7 per cent)
than in urban areas (32.1
per cent), as is the case
for underweight children.
 Tamil Nadu, West Bengal,
Uttarakhand and Tripura
are the only States which
have reduced the
proportion of
underweight adolescent
girls
 Kerala remains the best performing State in the number of child stunting cases
 Manipur and Mizoram have the lowest numbers of underweight children.
 Uttar Pradesh still has the highest levels of child stunting, with over 50 per cent
of the children under the age of five underdeveloped
 Jharkhand has the highest number of underweight children under the age of
five
 Among the developed States, Gujarat is the only one to perform worse than the
national average in reducing the numbers of child stunting cases and
underweight children.
However, The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has

raised concerns on the sampling design and methodology adopted for UNICEF’s
Rapid Survey on Children (RSOC).

C. OLD AGE/DISABLED
C.1. UNIVERSAL ID FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITY
Why in News?
 Centre recently announced universal ID for person with disabilities. This will be
under the charge of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
What is it?
 The ID cards will have a unique number through which all their details can be
assessed and eliminate the hassle of carrying certificates for different purposes.
 It will include details like personal, bank, disability certificate, education,
employment and income status of every person.
 It will be valid throughout the country and will allow the persons with disability
to avail benefits of schemes and reservations.
C.2. DISABILITY IN INDIA

Why in News?
• Prime Minister has made a suggestion of changing the nomenclature of

disabled from “viklang” to “divyang”.
• Several disabled people’s organizations have opposed the use of the term
“divyang”.
Definition of Disability in India

• Persons with Disability Act, 1995 defines Disability under seven categories:
blindness, low vision, leprosy-cured, hearing impairment, loco motor disability,
mental retardation and mental illness. 2001 Census says 2.21% are disabled in
India.
C.3. NATIONAL CENTRE FOR AGEING

• The Union Health Ministry recently approved two National Centre for Ageing to
come up in India.
What are the National Centres for What is Geriatric Care?

Ageing?
Also known as Ageing Life Care, is the
process of planning and coordinating
• Highly specialized centers of
care of the elderly and others with
excellence for geriatric care or care of
physical or mental impairments to meet
the elderly. their long term care needs, improve
• They will develop manuals for home their quality of life and maintain their
care and provide training to the independence for as long as possible.
specialists and formulate protocols in
areas of elderly care.
• The Centres will be set up under the National Programme for Health Care of the
Elderly.
• They will be set up during the twelfth five year plan period at the All India
Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi and the other at the Madras Medical
College in Chennai

Objectives
• To provide specialized health care to the elderly as they are highly prone to
diseases.
• To fill the gap caused by no specialization in geriatric medicine in India.
• Training of health professionals in the area.
• Research Activities in geriatric care.
• 200 bedded in patient facility for the elderly.
C.4. AGEING INDIA

Why in news? Age Dependency Ratio: Ratio of
 The Ministry of Statistics recently released a older dependents (people above
64) to the working age population
report called “Elderly In India 2016”
(those between 15 and 64).
 The number of Indians above the age of 60 increased 35 percent from 2001 to
2011.
 The state with the maximum percentage of elderly is Kerala with 12.6% of the
population. Other states with high ageing population are Goa, Tamil Nadu,
Punjab and Himachal.
 71 percent elderly reside in villages while 29 percent reside in cities.
 The state with the lowest percentage of elderly is Arunachal Pradesh where only
4.6 percent of the population is above sixty.
 India’s age dependency ratio is also increasing from 10.9% in 2001 to 14.2% in
2011.
 The proportion of literates among elderly increased from 27% in 1991 to 47% in
2011.
C.5. ACCESSIBLE INDIA CAMPAIGN (SUGAMYA

BHARAT ABHIYAAN)
Why in news? The Convention on the Rights of Persons with

Disabilities is an international human rights treaty of
 On International day of the United Nations intended to protect the rights and
persons with disability dignity of persons with disabilities.
(3rd December), The convention came into force in May 2008.
government launched As of May 2016, it has 160 signatories and 164 parties,
Accessible India Campaign including 163 states and European Union.
(Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan)
as a nation-wide flagship campaign for achieving universal accessibility for
persons with disabilities.
 The campaign targets three separate verticals for achieving universal
accessibility namely the built up environment, transportation eco-system and
information & communication eco-system.
 Theme of the international day of Persons with disabilities 2015 was - Inclusion
matters: access and empowerment for people of all abilities.

Aims and Objectives of the program
 It is aimed at making transport, government buildings, tourist spots, airports,

railway stations and internet technology friendly for differently-abled people.
 The campaign has ambitious targets with defined timelines and will use IT and
social media for spreading awareness about the campaign and seeking
commitment of various stakeholders.
 Atleast 50% of all the government buildings of National Capital and all the State
capitals will be made fully accessible for persons with disabilities by July 2018.
 All the international airports in the country and railway stations of A1, A & B
categories will be made fully accessible by July 2016.
 Atleast 10% of government owned public transport carriers in the country will
be converted into fully accessible carriers for these persons by March 2018.
 It will also be ensured that atleast 50% of all public documents issued by the
Central Government and the State Governments meet accessibility standards for
persons with disabilities by March 2018.
National laws and International conventions
 India is a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with

Disabilities (UNCRPD).
 Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full
Participation) Act 1995, as per the act the States are required to provide for:
 Ramps in public buildings
 Provision of toilets for wheelchair users
 Braille symbols and auditory signals in elevators or lifts
 Ramps in hospitals, primary health centres and other rehabilitation centres.
Initiatives & Few proposed measures
 Government will create ‘Accessible police stations’, ‘Accessible hospitals’ and

‘Accessible tourism’ respectively across the country
 For enhancing accessibility of Television programmes – incorporation of features
like captioning, text to speech and audio description
 A web portal and mobile application for creating a crowd sourcing platform to
get information about inaccessible areas
 An Accessibility Index is also underway to measure the level of disabled
friendliness of a system
 Replacement of the term ‘Viklang’ (disabled) used for the differently-abled with
‘divyang’ (divine body) is proposed.
 Separate institute for deaf and dumb persons and development of new brail
language.

C.6. ANUBHAV
 The Department of Pension & Pensioner’s welfare has launched online software
- ‘Anubhav’.
 It will showcase the outstanding work by retiring employee and sharing
experience of working with the Government.
 It will also provide facility to upload recorded voice message by the retiring
employee.
 Over a period of time, this will create a wealth of institutional memory with
replicable ideas and suggestions.

D. SC/ST/OBC
D.1. SOCIO-ECONOMIC CASTE CENSUS
 The Ministry of Rural Development
The SECC, 2011 has the following
Government of India carried out the Socio three objectives:
Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011, in
June 2011 through a comprehensive door to  To enable households to be
door enumeration across the country. ranked based on their Socio-
 The SECC, 2011 was conducted through a Economic status. State
comprehensive programme involving the Governments can then
Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of prepare a list of families
living below the poverty line
Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, The
 To make available authentic
Office of the Registrar General and Census information that will enable
Commissioner, India and the State caste-wise population
Governments. enumeration of the country
 The SECC covered 24.39 crore households  To make available authentic
nationally, out of which 6.48 crore households information regarding the
were automatically excluded. Thus, only 17.91 socio economic condition,
crore rural households were surveyed. and education status of
 SECC provided for automatic exclusion on the various castes and sections
basis of 14 parameters, automatic inclusion of the population.
on the basis of 5 parameters and grading of
deprivation on the basis of seven criteria.
o Those that were automatically included were households without shelter,

destitute living on alms, manual scavengers, primitive tribal groups and
legally released bonded labourers. This figure has been pegged at less than 1
%.
o The automatically excluded category included households with any of the
following: motorised vehicles, mechanised agricultural equipment, Kisan
credit card with credit limit of Rs 50,000 and above. They also included
households with any member as a government employee, with non-
agricultural enterprises registered with the government, any family member
earning more than Rs 10,000 a month, those paying income/professional
tax, living in houses with three or more rooms with all having pucca walls
and roof, owning a refrigerator, landline phone, possessing irrigated land,
etc.
7 deprivation indicators
 Households with only one room, kucha walls and kucha roof
 No adult member between the ages of 16 and 59
 Female headed households with no adult male member between 16 and 59
 Households with disabled member and no able bodied adult member
 SC/ST household
 Households with no literate adult above 25 years
 Landless households deriving a major part of their income from manual casual
labour

D.2. FOREST RIGHTS ACT IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES
Why in News?
 Reports of alleged violation of the Forest Rights Act by the Odisha Mining
Corporation in tribal areas of Odisha have brought the Act under the spotlight.
What is the Forest Right Act?

 Schedule Tribes and Other Forest Dwellers Act or Recognition of Forest Rights
Act came into force in 2006. The Nodal Ministry for the Act is Ministry of Tribal
Affairs.
 The Acts seeks to recognize the rights and occupation of traditional forest
dwellers and Schedule Tribes in such forests.
 It provides for diversion of forest land only with the recommendation of the
gram sabhas.
 Also includes right of self-cultivation for livelihood, rights over minor forest
produce, community rights such as nistar etc.
D.3. NATIONAL TRIBAL ADVISORY COUNCIL

 Government has decided to set up a National Tribal Advisory Council for
effecting monitoring and implementation of various tribal welfare schemes.
 The council will be chaired by the Prime Minister and will meet once or twice in
a year.
 It is being established for effective real-time monitoring and implementation of
various tribal development programmes and schemes in the country.
Tribes Advisory Council (TAC)

 As per the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution, there shall be TAC in each State
having Scheduled Areas therein and , if the President should directs, also in any
State having Scheduled Tribes but non-Scheduled Areas Therein.
Composition of TAC
 As per provisions of Fifth Schedule, the members of TAC should be not more
than 20 of whom, as nearly as may be, three-fourths shall be the representatives
of the STs in the Legislative Assemble in the State.
Role of TAC
 To advise on such matters pertaining to the welfare and advancement of the
Scheduled Tribes in the State as may be referred to them by the Governor.
Details of TAC constituted by the States

 Tribes Advisory Council has been constituted in the nine Scheduled Area State of
Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya
Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan and Telangana and two non-Scheduled
Areas States of Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. The directions of the Hon’ble
President has also been conveyed to the non-Scheduled Area State of
Uttarakhand for constitution of TAC in the State.

D.4. NEW MANUAL SCAVENGING LAW
 The latest Socio-Economic Caste Census data released on July reveals that 1, 80,
657 households and 7.84 people are still engaged in this degrading work for a
livelihood.
 Maharashtra, with 63,713, tops the list with the largest number of manual
scavenger households, followed by MP, UP, Tripura and Karnataka, as per
Census data.
Features of The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their

Rehabilitation Act 2013
1. It also seeks to expand the definition of manual scavengers.

2. Every unsanitary latrine is to be demolished or converted into sanitary latrines
within 9 months of coming of the law.
3. Falls under residual powers under the Union list (Entry 97).
4. National Commission for Safai karmachari is the implementing authority.
5. Rehabilitation of estimated 2 lakh manual scavengers with one-time cash
assistance, Rs 3,000 per month during training for other livelihood options,
concessional loans for at least one member of the family and financial
assistance for building a house.
6. It also fixes the responsibility on local governments for ensuring sanitary
community toilets.
7. It seeks to more strict punishment for employing manual scavengers with a fine
of Rs 50,000 or/and imprisonment up to a year. While the practice of
hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks will attract a fine of Rs 2 lakh and
up to 2 years of imprisonment.
D.5. RULES FOR AMENDED SC/ST ACT

Why in News?
 The Ministry of Social Justice and
Empowerment recently notified
the rules for the implementation
of the amended SC/ ST Act of
1989.
Background
 The Centre had amended the SC/
ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act of
1989, in December, 2015.
 The objective of the amendment
was to speed up process of
dispensation of justice to SC/ ST
and to liberalize and expedite
access to relief for victims of
atrocities, ensuring special sensitivity in cases of offenses against women.

Important Provisions
 Amended provision increases relief package from 75000 to 7,50,000 and 85000
to 8,50,000 depending on the nature of offence.
 Also provides for admissible relief to SC/ST women for offences of grievous
nature, on conclusion of trial, even though they may not have ended in
conviction.
 Regular reviews of the scheme in assessing justice at the state, district and sub-
divisional level committees in their meetings.
 Completing investigation and filing a charge sheet within sixty days.
 Provision of relief within seven days to victims, their family members and
dependents.
 Also for the first time provision of relief for rape and gang rape.
 No medical examination will be needed to seek relief for non-invasive offenses
such as sexual harassment, gestures or acts intended to insult the modesty of
women.
 Adds newer offences to the list of atrocities including denying access to
irrigation facilities, forest rights etc.
D.6. 'BULTOO RADIO' EXPERIMENT

 “Bultoo radio” is the use of Bluetooth technology by the tribals to share
information and improve governance in maoist affected regions of Chattisgarh.
Here the tribals transfer audio and video files using Bluetooth technology in
their mobile phones. This technology has played a key role in the governance
also.
 The complaints of local people are recorded verbaly on mobile phones in their
local language. All the messages are then collected into a single phone via
bluetooth and then taken to gram panchayat office.
 These messages are then transferred to a central computer connected via the
Internet, where get translated into Hindi and English. The messages are then
delivered to appropriate authorities and the issues of tribals are addressed.
D.7. RESERVATION IN INDIA

Why in News?
 Gujjars in Rajasthan, the Kapus in Andhra Pradesh, Patels in Gujarat and Jats in
Haryana are protesting to include them in OBC category so that they can enjoy
the benefits of quota system.
Constitutional Provisions
 Article 15(3) - State can make special provision for women and children
 Article 15(4) - State can make special provision for the advancement of any
socially and educationally backward classes of citizens or for the Scheduled
Castes and the Scheduled Tribes.
 Article 16(4) - State can make provision for the reservation of appointments or
posts in favour of any backward class of citizens.
 Article 46 - To promote the educational and economic interests of SCs, STs, and
other weaker sections of society.

Important Supreme Court Judgments
 Mandal Case: Under this, Supreme Court restricted total reserved quota up to
50 percent and excluded advanced section in other backward castes from
benefits of reservation
 Justice O. Chinnappa Reddy in his 1985 judgment: efficiency cannot be used as
a camouflage to let the upper classes take advantage of the backward classes in
its name and to monopolise the services, particularly the higher posts and the
professional institutions”.
 Jat Reservation: The Supreme Court ruled that “caste” and “historical injustice”
cannot blind a state in according backward status to a community and that new
emerging groups such as transgenders must be identified for quota benefits.
Need of Reservation in India
 Social empowerment of disadvantaged section of society

 Reduce discrimination by providing educational and employment opportunities

E. EDUCATION
E.1. POOR IMPLEMENTATION OF RTE ACT
Why in News?
 The report ‘State of the Nation: RTE Section 12 (1) (c)’ highlights the status of
implementation of the Section 12 (1)(c) of RTE Act.
 The report is a collaborative effort of the RTE resource centre at IIM
Ahmedabad, Central Square Foundation, Accountability Initiative (Centre for
policy research) and Vidhi Centre for legal Policy.
What is Section 12 (1)(c) of RTE Act?
 RTE Section 12(1)(c) mandates private unaided schools (except minority and
residential schools) to keep 25 percent of the seats (at entry level) reserved for
children belonging to economically weaker sections.
 This was aimed to increase educational opportunities and to create inclusive
schooling system.
E.2. MID-DAY MEAL RULES, 2015 NOTIFIED

The following are the silent provision of the rules:
 Every child within the age group of six to fourteen years studying in classes I to
VIII who enroll and attend the school, shall be provided hot cooked meal having
nutritional standards of 450 calories and 12 gm of protein for primary and 700
calories and 20 gm protein for upper primary free of charge every day except on
school holidays.
 The School Management Committee mandated under Right to Free and
Compulsory Education Act, 2009 shall also monitor implementation of the Mid-
day meal Scheme and shall oversee quality of meals provided to the children,
cleanliness of the place of cooking and maintenance of hygiene in
implementation of mid-day meal scheme.
 The Headmaster or Headmistress of the school shall be empowered to utilize
any fund available in school for the purpose of continuation of Mid-Day Meal
Scheme in the school in case of temporary unavailability of food grains, cooking
cost etc.
 Hot cooked meal provided to children shall be evaluated and certified by the
Government Food Research Laboratory or any laboratory accredited or
recognized by law, so as to ensure that the meal meets with the nutritional
standards and quality.
 The Food and Drugs Administration Department of the State may collect
samples to ensure the nutritive value and quality of the meals.
 If the Mid-Day Meal is not provided in school on any school day due to non-
availability of food grains, cooking cost, fuel or absence of cook-cum-helper or
any other reason, the State Government shall pay food security allowance by
15th of the succeeding month.

E.3. KERALA BECOMES THE FIRST TO ACHIEVE 100%
LITERACY
• Kerala became the first state in the country to achieve 100 percent primary
education.
• This has been achieved through the primary education equivalency drive of the
state literacy mission - Athulyam.
More about Athulyam
• It was launched in March 2013 and was carried out in two phases.
• It had identified people who had not completed their primary education.
• The programme was meant to provide primary school education to people
aged between 15 and 50.
• After this these people were given five-month training, enabling them to
attend the fourth equivalency examination.
• Two Lakh people were enrolled under this programme.
E.4. FRAMEWORK FOR RANKING INDIAN INSTITUTES
The Union Ministry of HRD launched National Institutional Ranking Framework

(NIRF) for educational institutions.
What is NIRF?
 This framework
outlines a
methodology to
rank institutions
across the
country.
 Although the
Ranking
Frameworks are
similar, the exact
methodologies
are domain specific. Ranking methods have been worked out for engineering
and management institutions, while those for other domains will be announced
soon.
 The framework follows an Indian approach which considers India-centric
parameters like diversity and inclusiveness apart from excellence in teaching
learning and research.
 The parameters are under the five broad headings:
1. Teaching learning and resources- these parameters are related to the core
activities of any place of learning. These lay emphasis on measuring
numbers and quality of faculty, library and lab resources and general
facilities for development of young persons.

2. Research, consulting and collaborative performance- These parameters
attempt to measure the quantity and quality of research output as seen
through international data bases, IPR generation and interface with industry
and fellow professionals.
3. Graduation outcomes- is parameter forms the ultimate test of the
effectiveness of the core teaching/learning activity, and measures the
student graduation rate and their success in finding appropriate placement
in industry and Government or taking up higher studies.
4. Outreach and Inclusivity- the Ranking framework lays special emphasis on
representation of women and socially challenged persons in student and/or
faculty populations, and also on outreach activities of the institution.
5. Perception- The ranking methodology gives a significant importance to the
perception of the institutes by its stakeholders. This will be accomplished
through Stakeholder Surveys.
Importance of NIRF
 It would enable parents, students, teachers, educational institutions and other

stakeholders to rank institutions on the basis of a set of objective parameters
and a transparent process.
 It will facilitate a level playing field in ranking for institutions
 The institutions which have been working in languages other than English and
excelled relatively in the recent past will be greatly benefited.
 It will give Indian institutions a competitive platform free of any international
bias.
 To promote social inclusion in the institutes.
E.5. ATAL INNOVATION MISSION

 Atal Innovation Mission is an innovation promotion platform which is under NITI
Ayog.
 It has initial corpus of 150 cr for Research and development.
 It will involve industry, academics, entrepreneurs, researchers and other players.
 National Innovation Mission is to make traditional knowledge base of India more
enriched and promote innovation.
E.6. RASHTRIYA AVISHKAR ABHIYAN

 Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan is a unique concept developed by the Ministry of
Human Resource Development that aims to inculcate a spirit of inquiry,
creativity and love for Science and Mathematics in school children.
 Under Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan, government schools will be mentored by
Institutes like IITs/ IIMs/ IISERs and other Central Universities and reputed
organisations through innovative programmes, student exchanges,
demonstrations, student visits, etc. to develop a natural sense of passion
towards learning of Science and Maths.

E.7. GLOBAL INITIATIVE OF ACADEMIC NETWORKS
(GIAN)
 Aim: to boost the quality of the country's higher education through
international collaboration.
 GIAN is envisaged to catalyze higher education institutions in the country, and
will initially include all IITs, IIMs, Central Universities, IISc Bangalore, IISERs, NITs
and IIITs and subsequently cover good State Universities.
 Faculty from 38 countries like Russia, Japan, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland,
Portugal, the Netherlands, Malaysia and South Korea are scheduled to deliver
courses and do research in Indian institutions.
 The courses are free for students from the host institution, charged at nominal
rates for others and webcast live as well.
 These lectures would also be made available later to the students across the
country through the SWAYAM, the MOOCs platform and the National Digital
Library.
 A web portal (gian.iitkgp.ac.in) has been designed by IIT Kharagpur to allow
electronic registration and online assessment.
 IIT Kharagpur is the nodal institution and national coordinator for this flagship
programme.

F. HEALTH
F.1. NATIONAL DEWORMING INITIATIVE
The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare launched the National Deworming
initiative.
Objective
 Aims to protect more than 24 crore children in the ages of 1-19 years from
intestinal worms. After getting the ‘Polio-free’ status, India now wants to target
intestinal parasitic worms among the children to achieve status of being ‘Worm-
free’.
 In the first phase about 14 crore children across eleven States/UT of Assam,
Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Haryana, Karnataka, Maharashtra,
Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Tripura will be covered; while
nearly 10 crore will be targeted in the second phase.
 Albendazole tablets will be given to all targeted children; half tablet to 1-2 years
children and one full tablet for 2-19 years.
 Initiative will be coupled with improved sanitation, hygiene, and availability of
safe drinking water for reducing worm load.
 The deworming initiative would help to achieve the aim of ‘Swachh Bharat’.
What is deworming?
 It is administering an anthelmintic drug to a human or animal to rid them of

parasites, such as roundworm, hookworms, flukes and tapeworm.
 Mass deworming campaigns of school children have been used both as a
preventive as well as a treatment method for helminthiasis, which includes soil-
transmitted helminthiasis in children.
F.2. NATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR ELIMINATION OF

MALARIA
 The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched the National Framework
for Malaria Elimination (NFME) 2016-2030, which outlines India’s strategy for
elimination of the disease by 2030.
Objectives
 Eliminate malaria from all low (Category 1) and moderate (Category 2) endemic
states/UTs (26) by 2022
 Reduce incidence of malaria to less than 1 case per 1000 population in all
States/UTs and the districts and malaria elimination in 31 states/UTs by 2024
 Interrupt indigenous transmission of malaria in all States/ UTs (Category 3) by
2027
 Prevent re-establishment of local transmission of malaria in areas where it has
been eliminated and to maintain malaria-free status of the country by 2030
Strategic Approaches
 Programme phasing considering the varying malaria endemicity in the country

 Classification of States/UTs based on API as primary criterion (Category 0:
Prevention of re- introduction phase; Category 1: Elimination phase; Category 2:
Pre-elimination phase; Category 3: Intensified control phase)
 District as the unit of planning and implementation
 Focus on high endemic areas; and special strategy for P. vivax elimination
F.3. TRADITIONAL MEDICINE

Why in news?
The Union Cabinet has given its approval to the Agreement for collaborative
activities to be signed in the area of Traditional Medicine between Ministry of
AYUSH, Government of India and the World Health Organization, Geneva.
How would it help?
 The long-term collaboration with WHO would help in improving International

acceptability and branding of AYUSH system.
 It will facilitate awareness generation regarding AYUSH systems of Medicine by
means of education
 It will help in skill development and capacity building through workshops and
exchange programs between AYUSH and WHO.
 It will facilitate advocacy and dissemination of information on AYUSH systems
amongst the Member States.
 It will lead to collaboration with third Parties for creating synergies in
implementation of WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014-2023 particularly
in the context of AYUSH systems.
F.4. INTEGRATION OF HOMOEOPATHY/YOGA WITH

NPCDCS
 Ministry of AYUSH and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare launched the pilot
project ‘Integration of Homoeopathy/Yoga with National Programme for
Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases & Stroke
(NPCDCS) in Krishna District’ at Gudivada near Amaravathi, Andhra Pradesh.
 The program aims to aid in reduction of Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs)
burden by providing primary prevention of common NCDs through an integrated
approach of
 health education (promotion of healthier life styles including yoga),
 timely screening of population for early detection/diagnosis of NCDs and
 Early management of NCDs through homoeopathic treatment alone or as
add on to standard care.
F.5. NATIONAL FAMILY HEALTH SURVEY

Why in News?
• The first set of the Fourth National Family Health Survey Report was released in
early 2016. It covers data for only 13 states.

What is the National Family Health Survey?
• It is a large scale household sample survey conducted in a representative

sample of households in India under the stewardship of Ministry of Health and
Family Welfare.
• It is the main source of detailed health statistics in India.
• The first round of NFHS Survey took place in 1992-93. Three surveys have been
conducted so far, third being in 2005-06.
• The International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) Mumbai, is the nodal
agency for the survey.
Highlights of the Fourth Survey
• States Covered: The 13 states covered are Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Bihar,
Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu,
Telangana, Tripura, Uttarakhand and West Bengal plus Union Territories of
Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Puducherry.
• Infant Mortality
o Infant Mortality has reduced in all the states and Union Territories covered.
All states have below 51 deaths per thousand births.
o But it varies from 10 in Andaman to 51 in Madhya Pradesh.
• Sex Ratio and Female Literacy
o Nine out of eleven states showed a declining sex ratio. These states are
Goa, Meghalaya, UK, Tripura, TN, Sikkim, MP, Karnataka, Haryana, Bihar,
and WB.
o Only Uttarakhand saw its sex ratio rise. Meghalaya saw it stabilize.
o Women’s literacy has risen in all these eleven states. It has increased by
12.5% in all these states since the last survey.
o Goa tops the list in women’s literacy rate with 89% literacy rate.
• Fertility Rate
o Women are having fewer children - FR varies from 1.2 in Sikkim to 3.4 in
Bihar.
o All First Phase States/UTs except Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Meghalaya
have either achieved or maintained replacement level of fertility
• Institutional Deliveries
o Children delivered in a medical institution under supervision increased by
32%.
o In Bihar, it rose to three-fold, Haryana and MP also showed substantial
increase.
• Immunisation
o Full immunization coverage among children age 12-23 months varies widely
o 6 out of 10 children have received full immunization in 12 of the 15 States/
UTs.
o Coverage of full immunization among children has increased substantially
in the States of Bihar, MP, Goa, Sikkim, West Bengal and Meghalaya.
• Nutrition
o Fewer children under five years of age are now found to be stunted,
showing intake of improved nutrition.
o But in Bihar, MP and Meghalaya more than 40% of children are stunted.
o Anaemia has also declined, but still remains widespread. More than half of
children are anaemic in ten of the 15 States/UTs.
o Each state with the exception of Puducherry showed a sharp rise in obesity
levels in both men and women.

 Water and Sanitation
o Indian families in the First Phase households are now more inclined to use
improved water and sanitation facilities.
o Over two-thirds of households in every State/Union Territory have access
to an improved source of drinking water.
o More than 50% of households have access to improved sanitation facilities
in all First Phase States/UTs except Bihar and MP.
• Stress: Since the last survey the number of people suffering from hypertension
is more in rural India than in Urban India.
• Child Marriages
o Child marriages saw a reduction since the last survey in the eleven states.
o It has reduced by 13.17 % for females and 6.7% for males.
• Awareness of HIV
o Awareness about HIV/AIDS among women has been reducing substantially.
o The percentage of women with comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS in
MP declined from 20.3% to 18.1%.
o Similarly, in Bihar, it decreased from 11.7% to 10.1%.
• Women’s Empowerment
o Marked increase in the percentage of women in the age group of 15-49
years having a savings account that they use themselves.
o Goa at 82.8% has the maximum number of women who manage their own
finances. But Tamil Nadu has shown a 83% increase from previous survey.
o Bihar tops the list of women owning property with women owning up to
58% property while West Bengal has the least number of women owning
property.
F.6. HIV-AIDS
Recently on the occasion of World AIDS day (1st December) Union Minister of
Health and Family Welfare announced major policy decisions in the fight against
HIV-AIDS and reaffirmed India’s commitment in ending epidemic by 2030.
The theme of World AIDS day 2015 is- ‘on the fast track to end AIDS’.
F.7. SUNRISE PROJECT

 Injecting drug users (IDUs) continue to be the prime factor for the spread of
HIV-AIDS in north-eastern region even as the government has increased medical
facilities for testing and treatment.
 Five-Year SUNRISE Project has been launched aiming at upscaling of HIV
interventions in the north-east region with special focus on IDUs in 20 priority
districts.
 The Center for Disease Control, a US government body is supporting this
programme, which will adopt innovative strategies like increasing availability of
safe needle, syringes in remote areas, community based testing for HIV and pilot
studies on 'take home' policy for opioid substitution drugs.
 Budget for the National AIDS Control Programme has been increased by 15
percent during the current Financial Year.
 The government has also decided to make it a Central Sector Scheme in which
all the funds would be provided by the Center.

F.8. END OF EBOLA EPIDEMIC
Background
• The Ebola virus causes viral hemorrhagic fever.

• Symptoms: Early symptoms include sudden onset of fever, weakness, muscle
pain, headaches and a sore throat.
• It kills between 25 and 90 percent of those infected, with an average of about
50.
• The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human
population through human-to-human transmission.
• The worst affected countries were Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia.
• Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia had very weak health systems and lacked
human and infrastructural resources.
What is the current status of the disease in Africa?
• Liberia was declared free of the disease by WHO in May, 2015 and then again in
January 2016 as new cases emerged two times after that.
• November 2015, Sierra Leone and Guinea were declared free of Ebola virus by
WHO.
How does WHO declare a country to be free of the virus?
• Declared free after the last confirmed case has tested negative twice on the
blood samples a country has to go through an incubation period of 42 days.
• Bur thereafter the countries are placed on a 90 days heightened surveillance.
F.9. DIABETES
Why in News?
This year the theme of the World Health Day observed on April 7th was “Beat
Diabetes”.
Why Diabetes?
 WHO report and Lancet study shows fourfold increase in diabetes cases from
1980 to 2014 and half of them live in India, China, Brazil, Indonesia and USA.
 In India cases increased from 11.9 million in 1980 to 64.5 million in 2014.
 By 2030, India is expected to be the diabetes capital of the world.
Background
 Diabetes is a non-communicable disease associated with high blood sugar levels
either due to inadequate insulin production or body not responding to insulin or
both.
 Types: Type 1: little or no insulin production; Type 2: body shows insulin
resistance; Gestational: associated with females during pregnancy; and pre-
Diabetes: blood sugar not high to be Type 2
 Causes: Rapid urbanization, sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diet. Obesity is
chief risk factor.
 Symptoms: common are increased urination, thirst and hunger.
 Effects: Can lead to complications like blindness, kidney failure or loss of limbs,
risk of heart attack, pregnancy complications etc.

F.10. GLOBAL REPORT ON URBAN HEALTH
Why in News?
“Global Report on Urban Health: Equitable, Healthier cities for Sustainable
Development” was recently released by the WHO and the UN Human Settlement
Programme (UN-Habitat).
 It provides evidence that in cities, progress in health depends not only on the
strength of health systems, but also on shaping healthier urban environments.
 Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) present not only a threat to human health
but also have significant economic implications.
 Non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular, diabetes and cancer can
cost Indian economy 6.2 trillion during 2012-2030 period.
 Increasing urbanization and the associated lifestyle can fuel the increase of NCDs
in cities.
 Inadequate planning for urbanization is creating a social and environmental
unsustainability.
 In India and China, cardiovascular and mental health diseases present the
greatest economic threats followed by diabetes and cancer.
F.11. POOR HEALTH COVER: HEALTH IN INDIA

REPORT BY NSSO
In News
 National Sample Survey Office released a report titled ‘Health in India’.
 This report draws data from the 71st round of the NSS conducted from January
to June 2014.
 Over 80 per cent of India’s population is not covered under any health insurance
scheme.
 Poor Performance of RSBY – Only 12% of urban and 13% of rural population had
access to insurance cover.
 Medicines contributes hugely to out of pocket expenditure - Out of all health
expenditure, 72% in rural and 68% in urban areas was for buying medicines for
non-hospitalized treatment
 Private Doctors are the most significant source of treatment - 72 per cent of the
treatment provided in rural areas and 79 per cent in urban areas was availed in
the private sector.
 Higher Expenditure incurred by people in private sector hospitals – On an
average rural population spent Rs.5,636 for hospitalized treatment in a public
sector hospital and Rs.21,726 at a private sector hospital.
Reason for poor health coverage

 Financial constraint - Biggest hurdle in both rural and urban areas.
 Non-availability of health facilities - This is a big factor in rural areas due to lower
density of private hospitals and poor conditions of govt. hospitals.
 Rising cost of medicines and cuts in budgetary allocation to government
hospitals has led higher expenditure on medicines.

 The government’s allocation to healthcare as a percentage of GDP has fallen to
1.05% in 2015-16 from 1.47% in 1986-87.
 Poor financial inclusion and financial literacy has led to low coverage of
insurance.
F.12. HEALTHCARE SYSTEM: LANCET REPORT
Why in news?
 According to a report published by Lancet on healthcare India is the poorest
performer in the BRICS nations.
7 key challenges faced by the Indian Healthcare system – As per the lancet report
 A weak primary health care sector
 Unequally distributed skilled human resources
 Large unregulated private sector.
 Low public spending on health.
 Fragmented health information systems.
 Irrational use and spiralling cost of drugs.
 Weak governance and accountability
F.13. MENTAL HEALTH

Mental Health Policy in India:
World Mental Health Day 2015
 The Union Health minister on
10th October 2014 launched  World Mental Health Day (10 October) is a day
for global mental health education,
India's first-ever National
awareness and advocacy. It was first
Mental Health Policy to celebrated in 1992 at the initiative of the
provide universal psychiatric World Federation for Mental Health.
care to the population.  The theme for this year’s World Mental Health
 The vision of the policy is to Day, is "Dignity in mental health".
promote mental health,  This year, WHO will be raising awareness of
prevent mental illness, what can be done to ensure that people with
enable recovery from mental mental health conditions can continue to live
illness, promote de- with dignity, through human rights oriented
stigmatization and policy and law, training of health
professionals, respect for informed consent to
desegregation and ensure
treatment, inclusion in decision-making
socio-economic inclusion of processes, and public information campaigns.
person affected by mental
illness by providing
accessible, affordable and quality health and social care to all such persons
through their life-span within a rights-based framework.
Objectives:
 To provide universal access to mental health care.
 To increase access to and utilization of comprehensive mental health services
(including prevention services, treatment and care and support services) by
persons with mental health problems.
 To increase access to mental health care especially to vulnerable groups
including homeless persons, persons in remote areas, educationally, socially and
deprived sections.

 To reduce prevalence and impact of risk factors associated with mental health
problems.
 To reduce risk and incidence of suicide and attempted suicide.
 To ensure respect for rights and protection from harms of persons with mental
health problems.
 To reduce stigma associated with the mental health problems.
 To enhance availability and equitable distribution of skilled human resources for
mental health.
F.14. MISSION INDRADHANUSH PHASE-2

The Union Health Ministry has launched the second phase of Mission Indradhanush.
In this phase, 352 districts have been selected including 279 mid priority districts, 33
from the North East states and 40 districts from phase one where large number of
missed out children were detected.
Mission Indradhanush:
 It aims to achieve more than

90% full immunization in the
country by 2020
 The vaccines covered under the
mission are
o Diphtheria
o Pertussis (Whooping cough)
o Polio
o Tuberculosis
o Hepatitis B
o Measles
o Tetanus
 In addition to these, vaccines for Japanese Encephalatis and Haemophilus
Influenza are also provided in selected districts
Achievements of Mission Indradhanush - Phase 1:

 About 2 crore vaccines were administered to the children and pregnant women.
 About 75.5 lakh children were vaccinated and about 20 lakh children were fully
vaccinated.
 More than 20 lakh pregnant women were vaccinated with tetanus toxoid
vaccine
 To combat the problem of diarrhoea, zinc tablets and ORS packets were freely
distributed to all the children
F.15. PM SWASTHYA SURAKSHA YOJANA

Three more AIIMS-like institutions to be set up
 The Union Cabinet approved setting up of three more AIIMS-like institutions at

Nagpur in Maharashtra, at Mangalagiri in Andhra Pradesh and at Kalyani in West
Bengal.
 It will take the number of AIIMS-like institutions to eleven
 These institutions are set up under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna
(PMSSY)

Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna (PMSSY) - Salient Features
 It aims at correcting the imbalances in the availability of affordable healthcare

facilities in the different parts of the country in general, and augmenting
facilities for quality medical education in the under-served States in particular
 The scheme was approved in March 2006.
 The first phase in the PMSSY has two components - setting up of six institutions
in the line of AIIMS; and upgradation of 13 existing Government medical college
institutions.
 In the second phase of PMSSY, the Government has approved the setting up of
two more AIIMS-like institutions, and upgradation of six medical college
institutions
 In the third phase of PMSSY, it is proposed to upgrade more medical college
institutions
 It is hoped that consequent to the successful implementation of PMSSY, better
and affordable healthcare facilities will be easily accessible to one and all in the
country.
F.16. RASHTRIYA SWASTHYA BIMA YOJANA (RSBY)

An evaluation of the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) has concluded that the
scheme had little or no impact on medical impoverishment in India.
Findings of report:
 Despite high enrollment in RSBY, the proportion of out-of-pocket expenses have

steadily increased. Between 2004-05 and 2011-12, hospitalization expenses
have increased at high rate.
 There is a serious concern of rampant systemic leakage of resources.
 The report pointed out that a “major design flaw in RSBY and other such state
health insurance programmes is their narrow focus on secondary and tertiary
care hospitalisation.
 The study concluded that RSBY was being used mostly by those who already had
better access (to healthcare services) and the most marginalized sections were
being excluded further.
F.17. RASHTRIYA AROGYA NIDHI

 Set up in 1997, it provides financial assistance Why in News?
to patients living below poverty line and are
suffering from major life threatening diseases The Union Government has
related to heart, liver, kidney and cancer enhanced the limit of financial
cases, etc. assistance under Rashtriya
 It enables to receive medical treatment at any Arogya Nidhi from Rs. 2 lakh to
of the super specialty Government hospitals / Rs. 5 lakh. It will ease access to
financial assistance in cases
institutes or other Government hospitals.
where emergency surgery is to
 In cases for financial assistance beyond be conducted.
prescribed limit, it is required to be approved
by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

F.18. STATE OF THE WORLD'S ANTIBIOTICS REPORT,
2015
 The report is published by Centre for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy:
Washington, D.C. It focused on the greater risk posed by the growing antibiotic
resistance all over the world.
 The report indicates that around the world there has been an overall decline in
the total stock of antibiotic effectiveness: resistance to all first-line and last-
resort antibiotics is rising.
 The patterns of which bacteria are resistant t
 Specific antibiotics differ regionally and by country, mirroring patterns of
infectious disease and antibiotic use.
What are Antibiotics?

 Antibiotics or antibacterial are a type of antimicrobial used in the treatment and
prevention of bacterial infection.
 Since their introduction into medicine in the 1940s, antibiotics have been central
to modern healthcare. Their role has expanded from treating serious infections
to preventing infections in surgical patients, protecting cancer patients and
people with compromised immune systems.
How Antibiotic resistance is developed?

 Antibiotic resistance is a direct result of antibiotic use. The greater the volume of
antibiotics used, the greater the chances that antibiotic-resistant populations of
bacteria will prevail in the contest for survival of the fittest at the bacterial level.
For instance: Escherichia coli (E. coli) and related bacteria have become resistant
to newer third-generation cephalosporins, indicating that they are difficult-to-
treat.
 Due to indiscriminate use of antibiotics, the bacteria is generating resistance
against most available antibiotics and consequently once-treatable infections
are becoming difficult to cure, raising costs to healthcare facilities, and patient
mortality is rising, with costs to both individuals and society.
F.19. INDIA AND MDG
 India has made remarkable progress in achieving the MDG health-related

targets. The country has been able to substantially reduce its under-five
mortality rate from 126 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1990 to 53 deaths per
1,000 live births in 2013.
 Mart initiatives, such as the Call to Action, India’s Newborn Action Plan and the
Integrated Action Plan for Pneumonia and Diarrhoea, have paid tremendous
health dividends.
 But there is still a long way to go.
 Of the nearly six million children under the age of five who die from preventable
causes every year around the world, 21 per cent are from India. Many of these
children die because of malnutrition and infectious diseases.
What are MDGs?
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs: 2000-2015) are the world's time-bound
and quantified targets for addressing extreme poverty in its many dimensions-

income poverty, hunger, disease, lack of adequate shelter, and exclusion-while
promoting gender equality, education, and environmental sustainability. They are
also basic human rights-the rights of each person on the planet to health, education,
shelter, and security.
F.20. PRIME MINISTER’S JAN AUSHADHI YOJNA

Why in news?
In the Union Budget the government announced that it will open 3,000 Jan
Aushadhi stores across the country in 2016-17. Also the scheme, which was started
in 2008, renamed as Prime Minister’s Jan Aushadhi Yojana.
What is it?
Jan Aushadhi’ is launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals in association with

Central Pharma Public Sector Undertakings, to provide quality medicines at
affordable prices to the masses.
Jan Aushadhi stores have been set up to provide generic drugs, which are available
at lesser prices but are equivalent in quality and efficacy as expensive branded
drugs.
Generic Medicine
Generic medicines are unbranded medicines which are equally safe and having the
same efficacy as that of branded medicines in terms of their therapeutic value. The
prices of generic medicines are much cheaper than their branded equivalent.
F.21. IAP HEALTHPHONE PROGRAMME

 It has been launched by the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) in partnership
with the Ministry of Women and Child Development, UNICEF and supported by
Vodafone India.
 The programme is the world’s largest digital mass education programme for
addressing the malnutrition in women and children.

 The IAP HealthPhone is a public-partnership initiative that leverages the
increasing penetration of mobile phones in the country to educate over 6
million girls and women between 13 and 35 years of age and their families on
better health and nutrition practices by 2018.
 The programme will achieve its objectives by widely promoting and distributing
four re-edited videos from the Poshan (nutritional videos) series, jointly
produced by MoWCD and UNICEF in 18 Indian languages.
 As next step, IAP HealthPhone partners will also equip ASHAs and ANMs with a
HealthPhone microSD card, containing a library of videos, to enable them to
share health and nutrition knowledge with women, families and the
communities they serve.

G. MISCELLANEOUS
G.1. SWACHH BHARAT MISSION (SBA)
 Launched on 2 October
2014 at Rajghat, New Delhi. Earlier Campaigns aimed at Cleanliness
 Massive mission that seek  Central Rural Sanitation Programmme : Started
to create a Clean India by in 1986 to provide sanitation facilities in rural
2019, 150th birth areas and also to provide privacy and dignity to
anniversary of Gandhi. women.
 Covers 4041 statutory
 Total Sanitation Campaign: Launched in 1999
towns and rural India ,in this program, the concept of sanitation was
expanded to include personal hygiene, home
Objectives of Swachh Bharat
sanitation, safe water, garbage disposal, excreta
Abhiyana
disposal and waste water disposal.
 Elimination of open  Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan: Encouraged by the
success of NGP, the TSC was renamed as
defecation.
“Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan” (NBA) in 2012. On 2
 Conversion of unsanitary
October 2014 the campaign was relaunched as
toilets to pour flush toilets Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Gramin).
(a type of pit latrine,
usually connected to two Program Components:
pits) 1. Swachh Bharat Mission for Urban Areas
 Eradication of manual scavenging. 2. Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin)
 100% collection and processing/ 3. Rashtriya Swachhta Kosh
disposal/reuse/recycling of municipal
solid waste
 A behavioral change in people regarding healthy sanitation practices.
 Generation of awareness among citizens about sanitation and its linkages with
public health.
 Supporting urban local bodies in designing, executing and operating waste
disposal systems.
 Facilitating private-sector participation in capital expenditure and operation and
maintenance costs for sanitary facilities.
Few initiatives for Swachh Bharat:
Cities to be rated for sanitation
 The Ministry of Urban Development has commissioned a survey of sanitation

scenario to rate 75 major cities and state capitals.
 The survey parameters have been aligned with the objectives of Swachh Bharat
Mission with more focus on solid waste management.
 It is considered that poor Solid Waste Management is adversely impacting
cleanliness in urban areas
The survey:
 The proposed survey and subsequent ratings to be completed in January next

year
 The initiative is aimed at fostering a spirit of competition among the major cities
and state capitals to ensure sanitation in urban areas.
 The parameters include
o The Solid waste management is being given 60% weightage

o The availability and use of household individual toilets and public and
community toilets
o City level sanitation plans and
o Information, Education and Behaviour Change Communication (IEBC)
activities.
New Tariff Policy to support Mission:
 The New Tariff Policy the Government will make it compulsory for the power
plants located within the radius of 100 kms of the city to use processed waste
water and release clean water for drinking purpose in the vicinity.
 It will make compulsory for the local power distribution companies to buy
electricity generated from the waste.
 These measures will give a push to Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
G.2. SWACHH SURVEKSHAN

Why in News?
 To assess the Swachh Bharat

Mission, the Ministry of Urban
Development has decided to
study and rank 75 cities under
the mission “Swachh
Survekshan”.
 The task of executing the
mission has been entrusted
with the Quality Council of
India.
 It will cover all state capitals
and 53 other cities.
Parameters for evaluation
Work will be evaluated under six measurable aspects of sanitation and hygiene.
 Strategy for Open Defecation Free town (ODF) and Integrated Solid Waste
Management (SWM).
 Information, Education and Behaviour Change Communication (IEBC) activity.
 Sweeping, door to door collection and transportation (of solid waste).
 Processing and disposal of solid waste.
 Provision of public & community toilet seats.
 Construction of household individual toilets.
Calculation of Ranking
 Out of the total marks of 2,000 for assessing the performance of efforts of 75
cities
o 60 per cent were assigned for solid waste management related parameters.
o 30 per cent for construction of toilets.
o 5 per cent each for city level sanitation strategy and behaviour change
communication.
 Based on above Mysuru has emerged as the country’s cleanest city followed by
Chandigarh and Tiruchi.

 Of the cities surveyed, 32 have improved ranks since the last survey including 17
from the North India.
Quality Council of India
 Quality Council of India (QCI) was set up in 1997 by Government of India jointly
with Indian Industry as an autonomous body.
 The objective was to establish and operate the National Accreditation Structure
for conformity assessment bodies and providing accreditation in the field of
education, health and quality promotion.
 It also promotes the adoption of quality standards relating to Quality
Management Systems (ISO 14001 Series), Food Safety Management Systems
(ISO 22000 Series) and Product Certification and Inspection.
 It has been assigned the task of monitoring and administering the National
Quality Campaign a plan scheme of the department, and also to oversee
function of the National Information and Enquiry Services.
G.3. NAI MANZIL SCHEME

 The Ministry of Minority Affairs launched a new Central Sector Scheme – Nai
Manzil.
 The aim of the scheme would be employment generation of the youths and also
extending loans for opening enterprises.
 The scheme will address educational and livelihood needs of minority
communities in general and Muslims in particular as it lags behind other
minority communities in terms of educational attainments
 The target group of scheme will be all out of school / dropped out students and
those studying in Madrasas. It is so because they will not be getting formal Class
XII and Class X Certificates rendering them largely unemployed in organised
sector.
 The scheme is intended to cover people in between 17 to 35 age group from all
minority communities as well as Madrasa students.
 The scheme would provide ‘bridge courses’ to the trainees and get them
Certificates for Class XII and X through ‘distance medium educational system’
and at the same time also provides them trade basis skill training in 4 courses -
Manufacturing, Engineering, Services, Soft skills.
 This scheme will provide avenues for continuing higher education and also open
up employment opportunities in the organised sector.
G.4. PROTECTING GOOD SAMARITANS

Why in news?
 Supreme Court recently passed an order making the Good Samaritans guidelines
mandatory for all states and union territories.
What is it?
 The initiative was taken on a PIL filed by the NGO, SaveLIFE in 2012.
 The Centre had issued the guidelines to protect Good Samaritan i.e. a person
who’s a bystander or passer-by and chooses to help an accident victim or person
in distress on the road.

 The SC made these guidelines binding until the government issues legislation.
 Guidelines say there should be no criminal or civil liability against those who
help the accident victims.
 They should be treated respectfully and without discrimination on the grounds
of gender, religion, nationality, caste or any other.
 No compulsion to disclose identity of good Samaritans and no harassment by
police or in court.
G.5. RACIAL INTOLERANCE

Why in news?
A Tanzanian girl and her friends were attacked and their car was torched by an angry
mob in the southern Indian city of Bangalore on 31 January. The group of students
were driving by an accident site where a Sudanese student's car ran over a local
woman killing her.
Government Initiatives
 The Union Ministry of

Home Affairs has
decided to amend
the Indian Penal
Code to make “racial
discrimination” a
non-bailable criminal
offence. It is in the
process of finalising a comprehensive Bill for insertion of new Sections 153C and
509A in the IPC.
 Under the amended law, any word, sign or gesture insulting the race of a person
will be punishable with a three-year prison term. Any word, gesture, written
statement or activity aimed at discriminating against the race of a person or
promoting violence against a particular race will invite a prison term of five
years.
G.6. FIRST PROJECT UNDER HOUSING FOR ALL

MISSION
 The central government has granted approval to Chhattisgarh for taking up
affordable housing projects in urban areas under Prime Minister’s Awas Yojana
(PMAY)
 The state government proposed to build affordable houses in 11 cities and
towns in the state. The beneficiaries belong to Economically Weaker Sections
(EWS) and Low Income Group (LIG).
 The 35% of the houses proposed to be built shall be reserved for EWS.

G.7. NATION AND NATIONALISM
Why in News?
 The recent JNU controversy has brought the debate on Nationalism to the
forefront.
 The row revolves around “anti-India” sloganeering by some JNU students in an
event organised to commemorate the hanging of Afzal Guru, a convicted
terrorist, within the campus.
Difference between Nation and Nationalism?
 The concept of “Nation-state” and “Nationalism” are relatively modern

phenomena that can be traced back to the Treaty of Westphalia of the 17th
century Europe.
 History shows Nation-state is not a natural entity but is an artificial construction
to recognize sovereignty of nation-states.
 While nation is a mental construct reflected in a sense of belonging, state is a
political construct with four elements; territory, population, government and
sovereignty.
 There can one nation and two states like Korea, or one state and two nations
like Sri Lanka, one state and one nation like Japan or one state and many nations
like India.
G.8. TRANSGENDER POLICY

Why in news?
Kerala has become the first state to have a
policy for transgenders.
Kerala’s Transgender Policy
 The policy envisages to end the societal
stigma towards the sexual minority
group and ensure them non-
discriminatory treatment.
 The policy aims to enforce the
constitutional rights of transgenders
(TGs), taking into account the Supreme
Court judgement (2014) and the
findings of the recent Kerala State TG
Survey.
 The policy covers all the categories of
TGs, including male to female TGs and
intersex people.
 It emphasises the right of the minority
group to self-identify themselves as
man, woman or TG as stated in the
Supreme Court judgement.
 It also ensures them equal access to
social and economic opportunities,
resources and services, right to equal treatment under the law, right to live life
without violence and equitable right in all decision making bodies.

 It also recommends the setting up of a TG Justice Board with state Minister for
Social Justice as its chairperson.
G.9. REVAMP OF REHABILITATION SCHEME

 To liberate children, transgender
Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act,
and others trapped in human 1976
trafficking, beggary or any such
forms of forced labour, the Union At present, executive magistrates are
government has proposed a major empowered to conduct a summary trial of
revamp of the rehabilitation offences to release bonded labourers and
scheme for rescued bonded issue release certificates under the Bonded
workers, raising aid from the Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976.
present Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 3 lakh. The penalties under the Act include
 Also, the government has finalized imprisonment for a term of up to 3 years
a proposal to and a fine of up to Rs. 2,000.
institute a three-tier rehabilitation
funding scheme.
 Under this scheme rescued transgender or disabled person will get Rs. 3 lakh,
women or children Rs. 2 lakh and adult men Rs. 1 lakh.
 To ensure a sustainable flow of money, a significant chunk of the rehabilitation
sum will be credited to the bank accounts of the rescued persons in the form of
fixed monthly deposits.
 Under the new system, the Collector will be able to keep a tab on the rescued
workers as he or she will have to sign the money deposit slip every month.
G.10. SOCIAL INNOVATION

It refers to “new Solutions to social challenges
Vice President inaugurated the
that have the intent and effect of equality, rd
3 national seminar on Social
justice and empowerment” Innovation in Pune.
Examples of Social Innovation in India: Self-help
groups, Co-operatives, Micro credit societies, Distance learning, community courts -
new ideas that work to meet pressing unmet needs and improve peoples’ lives.
Importance
 Provides a unique opportunity to step back from a narrow way of thinking about
social enterprises, business engagement, and philanthropy and to recognize
instead the interconnectedness of various factors and stakeholders.
 Helps in changing social power structure
 Important for sustainable economic growth by helping in developing alternative
models of economic growth that enhance rather than damage human
relationships and well-being.
 Opens up new markets that require social solutions.
 Integrates marginalized populations into the formal economy and involves
citizens in public decision-making.
 Finally, it not only contributes to the mobilization of people in the innovation
process but also provides the impetus for economic growth and social equality.

G.11. HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015
• The latest Human Development Report, What is Human Development
2015 was released in December 2015 by Report?
UNDP.  An annual milestone published
by the UNDP which includes
Background discussions of major
development issues, trends and
• Human Development Report was first policies in the world.
launched in the year 1990 by the United  Also provides an annual ranking
Nations Development Programme (UNDP). of countries based on the
• This approach was developed by Human Development Index.
economist Mahbub Ul Haq and Nobel
Laureate Amartya Sen.
• HDR was a result of change in thinking from monetary indicators of national
progress (like GDP) to broader indicators of human progress like health and
education.
Three dimensions of Human Development
• First is Standard of Living which is calculated though the Gross National Income
Per Capita.
• Second is Health which is calculated through Life Expectancy at Birth.
• Third is Education which is calculated through mean years of education among
the adult population and expected years of schooling for children.
• HDR also includes four other indices,

o Inequality Adjusted HDI: It calculates the HDI after taking account of the
inequality prevalent in the country.
o Gender Development Index: It compares female and male HDI values.
o Gender Inequality Index: Presents a composite measure of gender
inequality using three dimensions: reproductive health, empowerment and
the labour market.
o Multidimensional Poverty Index: Measures non income dimensions of
poverty.
Highlights of the 2015 Human Development Report
• The report studies 188 countries and territories of the world.

• Explores “WORK” as the one fundamental factor which increases or decreases
human capability.
• It differentiates between “work” and “job”. While work is not necessarily always
rewarded, a job is work done for a predetermined payment. Difference in their
monetary evaluation causes widening inequality.
• Norway has ranked first with an HDI value of 0.944.
• Norway is followed by Australia, Switzerland and Denmark.

• United States ranks 8th while China ranks 90th.
• Pakistan and Bangladesh have a rank of 147 and 142 respectively.
• Sri Lanka ranks a very high of 73 and falls in the ambit of High HDI countries.
• India ranks lower than countries like Namibia, Tajikistan, Guatemala and even
Iraq.
India
• HDI: India ranks 130th with an HDI value of 0.609 and falls in category of
Medium Developed Countries, while the very high human development
countries have an average value of 0.896
• Health: India’s Life Expectancy at Birth is 68 years while the very high human
development countries have an average of 80.5 years.
• Education: India’s expected years of schooling are 11.7 years while the very high
human development countries have an average of 16.4 years.
• India’s Mean years of schooling is 5.4 years while the very high human
development countries have an average of 11.8 years.
• Progress: From 2009 to 2014 India has risen six points in terms of HDI value.
• India’s improved ranking is not through improvements in education and health
but mainly through income growth.
• Inequality: When India’s HDI is adjusted for inequality its value drops 28%, from
0.609 to 0.435. This trend is similar for neighbours, Pakistan and Bangladesh
also.
• Gender: India’s Gender Development Index Value is 0.795 and India ranks below
Bangladesh (0.917).
• India’s Gender Inequality Index value is 0.563 ranking 130 among 155 countries
falling behind Bangladesh and Pakistan.
• Multidimensional Poverty Index: 55.3 per cent of India’s population were multi-
dimensionally poor in 2005-06, while another 18.2 per cent lived near
multidimensional poverty.
• Maternal Mortality Rate for India is 190 (deaths per 100000 live births) while
the very high human development countries have an average of 18.
• Infant Mortality Rate for India in 2013 is 41.4 (per 1000 live births) while the
very high human development countries have an average of 5.1.
Comparability of HDR 2015 with its Earlier Versions
• The 2015 report uses 2011 published PPP data while previous reports used 2005
data making comparisons with previous rankings misleading
• This report also uses new population data released by UN Population Division.
This has impacted the rankings of countries.
G.12. GLOBAL HUNGER INDEX 2015

Global Hunger Index
 Calculated annually by International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), the

GHI highlights successes and failures in hunger reduction and provides insights
into the drivers of hunger.
 By raising awareness and understanding of regional and country differences in
hunger, the GHI aims to trigger actions to reduce hunger.
 The GHI ranks countries on a 100-point scale. Zero is the best score (no hunger),
and 100 is the worst, although neither of these extremes is reached in practice.

 To reflect the multidimensional nature of hunger, the GHI combines the
following four indicators components in one index number:
1. Undernourishment: the proportion of undernourished as a percentage of
the population (reflecting the share of the population with insufficient
calorie intake)(weight = 1/3rd);
2. Child wasting: the proportion of children under the age of five who suffer
from wasting (that is, low weight for their height, reflecting acute
undernutrition) (weight= 1/6th);
3. Child stunting: the proportion of children under the age of five who suffer
from stunting (that is, low height for their age, reflecting chronic
undernutrition)(weight=1/6th); and
4. Child mortality: the mortality rate of children younger than the age of five
(partially reflecting the fatal synergy of inadequate dietary intake and
unhealthy environments) (weight=1/3rd).
 India has moved up to 55 from 63 in The Global Hunger Index, but fighting
hunger remains a challenge. Undernourishment and mortality among children
remain alarmingly high.
G.13. UN REPORT ON POPULATION IN INDIA

 India is on course to be the world’s most populous nation by 2022, surpassing
China sooner than previously estimated, according to the UN’s 2015 Revised
World Population Prospect report. In its earlier version, the report said India
would overtake China in population size only by 2028.
 The estimates forecast a remarkable quickening of India’s population growth
between 2015 and 2050, while China’s is projected to remain flat and then start
declining.
 In 2030, India would be home to 1.5 billion and a staggering 1.7 billion in 2050.
 The country’s population will rise despite a fall in its fertility rates, mainly
because of its mostly poor but younger population in states such as Bihar and
UP.
 India is expected to remain a relatively young country in the decades going
forward. Its median age in 2015 is 26.6 years and this would grow to 31.2 years
in 2030, 37.3 years in 2050 and 47 years in 2100.
 The population pressures mean the country has to prepare to deal with the
stress and also reap what we call as India’s current “demographic dividend”, or a
positive population scenario of more younger, employable people than old.
IAS.


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SOCI

Copyright © by Vision IAS

1.2. GENDER PAY PARITY

1.4. ABORTION LAW IN INDIA

1.5.1. REVIEW OF GUARDIANSHIP AND ADOPTION LAWS

1.8. PROTECTION OF CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL OFFENCES (POCSO)

2.3.1. FIRST GLOBAL REPORT ON ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY (GREAT)

2.4. DENOTIFIED TRIBES (DNTS)

2.6. OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS

3.2. NATIONAL CREDIT Credits in Indian Context

3.3. PROMOTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN REGIONAL LANGUAGES

3.5. NATIONAL CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK FOR FOUNDATIONAL

3.6. FOUNDATIONAL LEARNING STUDY (FLS)

3.7. NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT SURVEY (NAS) 2021

3.8. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN EDUCATION (AIED)

3.9. LEARNING POVERTY

4.4. CIVIL REGISTRATION SYSTEM (CRS)

4.5. NATIONAL HEALTH ACCOUNT (NHA) ESTIMATES, 2018-19

4.6. MENTAL HEALTH

4.7. DRUGS REGULATION

Good manufacturing practice (GMP)

4.8. DRUG TRAFFICKING IN INDIA

5.2. NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY ACT (NFSA), 2013

• The PMGKAY is subsuming two subsidy schemes (refer box)

5.3. SWACHH SURVEKSHAN (SS) 2023

5.4. OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS

6.2. WORLD POPULATION GROWTH

6.4. OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS

Migration in India • Released by: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation

Copyright © by Vision IAS

2.4. Social Security for Informal Workers __ 19 7. APPENDIX: PROVISIONS OF NATIONAL

Copyright © by Vision IAS

1.1.2. THE SURROGACY (REGULATION) ACT, 2021

1.1.3. THE ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY (REGULATION) ACT, 2021

1.1.4. MUSLIM WOMEN (PROTECTION OF RIGHTS ON MARRIAGE) ACT, 2019

1.2. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

• COVID-19 pandemic increased VAW in Asia and the Pacific.

1.3. THE PRE-NATAL DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES (REGULATION AND

1.4. FEMINIZATION OF AGRICULTURE

1.5. PERMANENT COMMISSION FOR WOMEN IN ARMY

1.6. CHILD MARRIAGE

1.7. CHILD ADOPTION

1.8. CHILD LABOUR

1.9. THE TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS (PREVENTION, CARE AND

1.10. PROTECTION OF CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL OFFENCES (POCSO)

• It is a comprehensive law for the

1.11. GLOBAL REPORTS RELATED TO WOMEN & CHILDREN

2.2. INTERNAL MIGRANTS

2.3. QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ELDERLY INDEX, 2021

2.4. SOCIAL SECURITY FOR INFORMAL WORKERS

2.5. RIGHTS OF TRANSGENDERS

• Directions, to protect LGBTQIA+

2.7. INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

Background: About NEP

3.2. QUALITY OF EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS

3.3. HIGHER EDUCATION IN INDIA

4.4. TOBACCO USE IN INDIA

4.5. SECONDARY HEALTH CARE IN INDIA