Indian Society & Social Justice - 1 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Pasmanda Community

Who are Pasmanda Muslims?

• Pasmanda is a Persian term meaning "those who have fallen behind."
• Refers to Muslims belonging to shudra (backward) and ati-shudra (Dalit) castes.
• Adopted as an oppositional identity to dominant ashraf Muslims in 1998 by Pasmanda Muslim Mahaz.
• Pasmandas are socially, educationally, and economically backward.
• Make up the majority of the Muslim community in India.
• Term used by Muslim associations in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and other parts of India.
• Represents Muslim communities historically and socially oppressed by caste.
• Backward, Dalit, and tribal Muslim communities organizing under the Pasmanda identity.
• Some Pasmanda communities include Kunjre, Julahe, Dhunia, Kasai, Fakir, Hajjam, Mehtar, Gwala, Dhobi, Lohar-Badhai, Manihar, Darzi, and Vangujjar.

What are the Provisions Available for Minorities?

1. Constitutional:

• Article 29:
  • Article 29 applies to any section of citizens in India with distinct language, script, or culture
  • Right to conserve their distinct culture is granted
  • Protects both religious and linguistic minorities
  • Supreme Court: scope includes both minorities and majority
  • "Section of citizens" not restricted to minorities only
• Article 30:
  • Minorities have the right to create and manage their own educational institutions
  • Article 30 protection applies only to religious or linguistic minorities
  • Article 29 protection extends to all sections of citizens, not just minorities
• Article 350-B:
  • 7^th Constitutional (Amendment) Act 1956 added article for Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities
  • Special Officer appointed by President of India
  • Officer's duty: investigate matters related to safeguards for linguistic minorities under Constitution

2. Legal:

• National Commission for Minority Education Institution (NCMEI) Act, 2004:
  • The educational institutions are granted minority status based on six religious communities, as specified by the government under the NCMEI Act of 2004. These communities include Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Zoroastrians (Parsis), and Jains.

Who are the minorities notified by the Government of India?

• Communities notified under section 2(c) of the NCM Act, 1992, are considered as minority by the central government
• NCM Act, 1992, transformed the MC into a statutory body, renaming it as the NCM
• First Statutory National Commission established in 1993
• Five religious communities initially notified as minority: Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Zoroastrians (Parsis)
• Jains added as a minority community in 2014

State Ranking Index under the NFSA

About the Index

• Purpose: The index was released to capture the implementation of the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
• Data: This ranking is generated by data provided by the states about their food and public distribution processes, which is vital for ensuring no one goes hungry.
• 3 Pillars were used in this Ranking:
  • NFSA— Coverage, targeting and provisions of the Act:
    • It has 45 percent weightage. 
    • It has been divided into three aspects with 15 percent weightage each:
      • beneficiary coverage and rightful targeting, 
      • other provisions of NFSA and 
      • grievance resolution. 
  • Delivery platform: 
    • It has 50 percent weightage.
    • It has been divided into allocation and movement and last mile delivery with 25 percent weightage each. 
  • Nutrition initiatives:
    • The third is an evolving pillar and accordingly, a minimalistic weightage has been assigned to it.
• Performance:
  • Odisha topped the list of 34 states and Union territories (UTs). 
  • Ladakh was ranked last on the index. 
  • Nine of the 14 special category states and UTs (states in the North East, Himalayan states and island regions), were ranked among the lowest. 
  • Goa came last among the general category states.
  • Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh scored the highest and secured the second and third positions in the Index, respectively. 
    • The states performed very well on all parameters and indicators governing the implementation of NFSA through TPDS.
    • Score: Odisha which got an index score of 0.836 is followed by Uttar Pradesh which got an index score of 0.797, Andhra was close behind with a score of 0.794.
  • Tripura, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim secured the top positions among special category states.
    • Despite the logistical limitations in these areas, they displayed a high degree of accomplishment in competing with the general category states as well.
  • Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu scored the highest in terms of coverage, targeting and implementing provisions of NFSA.
    • They obtained nearly full indicator level scores. 
  • Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana had the best delivery platform displaying the efficiency of the TPDS supply chain.

Significance of Index

• Create competitive, cooperative environment among states
• Address food security and hunger issues
• Increase transparency in the system
• Publish reliable, standard data for public access
• Provide data for global and Indian agencies' research and analysis

National Food Security Act (NFSA)

• NFSA enacted on July 5, 2013
• Conference held to discuss nutritional security, food security, Public Distribution System best practices, crop diversification, and storage sector reforms
• Legal entitlement for 67% of the population to receive highly subsidized foodgrains (75% rural, 50% urban)
• TPDS sells foodgrain at Rs. 1/kg for nutri-cereals, Rs. 2/kg for wheat, and Rs. 3/kg for rice
• "Eligible households" divided into priority households and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families
• Priority households receive 5 kg per person per month
• AAY families receive 35 kg per family per month
• Coverage based on Census 2011 population figures
• Implemented in all 36 States/UTs, covering about 81.35 crore persons

Food Security

• About:
  • Food security ensures sufficient food for everyone's active, healthy life
  • Consists of three dimensions: availability, accessibility, affordability
• Importance of Food Security:
  • India ranks 101st in Global Hunger Index 2021, considered a serious level.
  • Almost 47 million Indian children face undernutrition and stunting, hindering their potential growth (UN)

Challenges to Food Security in India

• Overpopulation and poverty: High percentage of people under Below Poverty Line (BPL)
• Insufficient storage facilities: Inadequate grain storage and cold storage facilities
• Inefficient transportation infrastructure: Poor roads, limited reach of Mandies, and inefficient transport systems
• Food wastage: India experiences around 18% waste of vegetables, worth INR 44,000 crore ($7 billion)
• Policy and administration issues: Fragmented approach, improper implementation, and insufficient monitoring
• Climatic changes: Unpredictable rainfall, flash floods, and cyclones
• Lack of awareness: Limited knowledge about food security programs
• Shift in cultivation: Transition from food crops to fruit cultivation

Way Ahead

• Implement NFSA through TPDS uniformly across the country
• Develop standard framework for measuring efficiency and impact of food security initiatives in all states and union territories
• Promote crop diversification
• Establish food grain banks to support the cause

Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS)

• Launched in June 1997, Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) focuses on providing food aid to the poor in India.
• States required to create foolproof identification and distribution systems for food grains at Fair Price Shops.
• Aimed to benefit 6 crore poor families with an annual allocation of 72 lakh tonnes of food grains.
• Identification of the poor based on State-wise poverty estimates from the Planning Commission for 1993-94.
• Methodology by the "Expert Group on estimation of proportion and number of poor” led by Late Prof Lakdawala.
• Allocation of food grains to States/UTs based on average consumption in the past ten years at the time of TPDS introduction.

National Education Policy, 2020

• NEP 2020's goal: Make India a global knowledge superpower
• Ministry of Human Resource Development renamed to Ministry of Education
• Third major education framework revamp in India since independence
• Previous education policies introduced in 1968 and 1986

Key Points

• School Education:
  • Achieve 100% Gross Enrolment Ratio in school education from preschool to secondary level by 2030.
  • Integrate 2 crore out-of-school children into mainstream education through an open schooling system.
  • Replace the 10+2 system with a 5+3+3+4 curricular structure for ages 3-8, 8-11, 11-14, and 14-18 years.
  • Include the age group of 3-6 years in the school curriculum, focusing on mental faculties development.
  • Implement 12 years of schooling, including three years of Anganwadi/pre-schooling.
  • Simplify board exams for Classes 10 and 12, focusing on core competencies and allowing students to take exams twice.
  • Establish a new accreditation framework and an independent authority for regulating public and private schools.
  • Focus on foundational literacy and numeracy, and remove rigid separation between academic, extracurricular, and vocational streams in schools.
  • Introduce vocational education from Class 6, including internships.
  • Teach up to Grade 5 in mother tongue/regional language, without imposing any language on students.
  • Implement assessment reforms, including a 360-degree Holistic Progress Card for tracking student progress towards learning outcomes.
  • Develop a National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education (NCFTE) 2021, in consultation with NCTE and NCERT.
  • Require a 4-year integrated B.Ed. degree as the minimum qualification for teaching by 2030.
• Higher Education:
  • Increase Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education from 26.3% to 50% by 2035
  • Add 3.5 crore seats in higher education institutions
  • Offer holistic undergraduate education with 3-4 year flexible curriculum
  • Provide multiple exit options and certifications during undergraduate studies
  • Discontinue M.Phil courses and make all courses interdisciplinary
  • Establish Academic Bank of Credits for credit transfer facilitation
  • Set up Multidisciplinary Education and Research Universities (MERUs) as models for global standards
  • Create National Research Foundation to foster research culture and capacity
  • Establish Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) as a single umbrella body, excluding medical and legal education
  • Govern public and private higher education institutions under the same norms
  • Create four independent verticals within HECI: NHERC for regulation, GEC for standard setting, HEGC for funding, and NAC for accreditation
  • Phase out college affiliation over 15 years and establish a graded autonomy mechanism for colleges
  • Encourage colleges to become autonomous degree-granting institutions or constituent colleges of a university
• Other Changes:
  • Creation of National Educational Technology Forum (NETF) for free exchange of ideas on enhancing learning through technology
  • Establishment of National Assessment Centre, 'PARAKH', for student evaluation
  • Allowing foreign universities to set up campuses in India
  • Focus on Gender Inclusion Fund and Special Education Zones for disadvantaged groups and regions
  • Setting up National Institute for Pali, Persian, and Prakrit, along with the Indian Institute of Translation and Interpretation
  • Aim to increase public investment in education to 6% of GDP, up from the current 4.6%

Way Forward

• The New Education Policy promotes an all-encompassing and collaborative strategy that incorporates practical experiences, research, stakeholder input, and successful practices for a more scientific approach to education.
• By addressing children's cognitive, social, and physical development stages, the new structure has the potential to elevate India's education system to the same level as leading global nations.

Person with Disabilities in India

• In India, disabilities affect 2.21% of the population, with 7.62% of disabled individuals aged 0-6 years, according to the 2011 Census.
• India ratified the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disability in 2007, emphasizing the importance of disability rights.
• The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 expanded the recognized disabilities from 7 to 21 conditions, providing greater support and recognition for diverse disabilities.
• The focus on addressing disabilities in India has shifted from a medical model to a social and human rights model, emphasizing the need to remove societal barriers and promote equal participation for all.

What are the Various Models of Disability?

• Medical Model:
  • The medical model views disability as a result of individual impairments, such as physical, intellectual, or mental limitations.
  • This perspective places the responsibility on the individual to adjust to their environment through treatments and rehabilitation, as it equates disability with restrictions in daily activities.
• Social Model:
  • The social model emphasizes that disability is a result of societal barriers and limitations placed on individuals with impairments, rather than the impairments themselves.
  • Disability arises from the interaction between individuals and society, highlighting the need for inclusive and accessible environments to accommodate diverse needs.

What is the Constitutional Framework for Disabled in India?

• Article 41 of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) states that the State shall make effective provision for securing the right to work, to education and to public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement, within the limits of its economic capacity and development.
• The subject of ‘relief of the disabled and unemployable’ is specified in the state list of the Seventh Schedule of the constitution.

What are the Issues Related to Persons with Disability in India?

• Discrimination:
  • Persistent discrimination due to disability stigma and insufficient awareness of their rights hinders individuals with disabilities from achieving their desired level of functioning.
  • Women and girls with disabilities face an increased risk of encountering sexual and other types of gender-based violence.
• Health:
  • A significant portion of disabilities can be prevented through addressing medical complications during birth, maternal health, malnutrition, and accidental injuries, but inadequate awareness and care hinder these efforts.
  • The prevention of many disabilities is hindered by insufficient knowledge, inadequate healthcare services, and a lack of accessible medical facilities.
• Education and Employment:
  • Limited availability of specialized schools, trained educators, and accessible resources creates barriers for disabled individuals in accessing quality education.
  • Despite their potential for productivity, disabled adults experience significantly lower employment rates compared to the non-disabled population.
• Political Participation:
  • Insufficient data on disabled population in constituencies
  • Inaccessible voting process, limited braille electronic voting machines
  • Obstacles in participating in party politics
  • Political parties not prioritizing disabled voters' needs
  • Disabled individuals underrepresented in political space
• Lax Implementation:
  • The Indian government has launched commendable initiatives, such as the Accessible India Campaign, to improve the lives of PwDs; however, most buildings remain non-disability-friendly, and many ministries have yet to comply with accessibility guidelines.
  • The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act mandates quota reservations for PwDs in government jobs and higher education institutions, but a majority of these reserved positions remain unfilled.
  • Despite government efforts, there is still significant progress to be made in ensuring accessibility and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities in India.

What Should be the Way Forward?

• Preventive Actions:
  • While the Indian government has introduced initiatives like the Accessible India Campaign to support persons with disabilities (PwDs), most buildings still lack necessary accommodations, and many ministries have not yet followed accessibility guidelines.
  • The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act requires quotas for PwDs in government jobs and higher education, but most of these reserved spots remain unoccupied.
  • Overall, considerable work remains to be done to guarantee accessibility and equal opportunities for PwDs in India, despite government efforts.
• Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) Approach:
  • The Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) approach is essential for empowering individuals with disabilities to reach their full potential, access necessary services and opportunities, and achieve seamless integration within their communities.
• Increasing Public Awareness and Understanding of Disability:
  • Governments and organizations should run social campaigns to change attitudes towards stigmatized issues related to people with disabilities (PwDs).
  • Mainstream media has made progress by positively representing PwDs in movies such as Taare Zameen Par and Barfi.
  • The label "special needs" can create stigma, and students in special schools may only interact with peers with similar needs, limiting their exposure to diverse influences.
  • A proper transition between special schools and the broader world is necessary to promote inclusiveness for PwDs.
  • Collaborative efforts among governments, organizations, and media can help create a more inclusive society for people with disabilities.
• Collaboration With States:
  • Increase awareness and care for pregnant mothers, and improve access to quality medical facilities in rural areas to address the prevalence of disabilities.
  • Encourage active support from the union government for fiscal decentralisation in state health sectors, as health is considered a "state subject" in the constitution.

What are the Recent Initiatives to Empowerment of Disables?

• India:
  • Unique Disability Identification Portal
  • Accessible India Campaign
  • DeenDayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme
  • Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/fitting of Aids and Appliances
  • National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities
• Global:
  • Incheon Strategy to “Make the Right Real” for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific.
  • United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disability.
  • International Day of Persons with Disabilities
  • UN Principles for People with Disabilities

Reforms in Education Sector

Why in News?
The Parliamentary Standing Committee conducted a comprehensive review of India's higher education institutions, focusing on education standards, the accreditation process, research, examination reforms, and the overall academic environment.

What are the Findings of the Report?

• The Union Ministry of Education's higher education department revealed that only 30% of universities and 20% of colleges are part of the accreditation system, with less than 9,000 out of 50,000 total colleges being accredited.
• Many deemed universities have begun offering Open Distance Learning courses in an attempt to make quick money, which negatively impacts the quality of research work.
• Numerous state universities struggle to conduct assessments effectively, frequently encountering issues such as leaked question papers and widespread cheating.

What Do We Know About the Accreditation System?

• About:
  • Accreditation involves establishing minimum benchmarks for quality standards in various processes, such as testing, inspection, and certification.
  • It is an independent, formal verification that ensures a program or institution adheres to these established quality measures.
• Significance:
  • Enhancing product and service quality in various sectors, such as health, education, and food, is crucial for promoting the adoption of quality standards, including Quality Management Systems, Food Safety Management Systems, and Product Certification.
  • The improvement of Indian products and services' quality competitiveness is a primary objective, achieved by implementing and adhering to these quality standards and certifications across different industries.
• Grading Process:
  • The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), a UGC-affiliated autonomous body, assesses higher education institutions on various factors such as teaching-learning, research, and infrastructure, assigning grades from A to C, with D indicating non-accreditation.
  • These NAAC grades remain valid for five years, representing the institution's quality evaluation on the specified parameters.
• The International Accreditation Forum:
  • IAF is a global organization that brings together accreditation bodies and other entities focused on evaluating and ensuring compliance in various areas such as management systems, products, services, and personnel.
  • Conformity Assessment Bodies, such as ISO, are organizations responsible for certifying products, processes, services, management systems, or individuals.
  • India is an active member of the IAF, participating in the efforts to promote and maintain international standards of conformity assessment.

What are the Key Recommendations of the Committee?

• Analysis of Issues:
  • Analyze and address the challenges faced by NAAC and the National Board of Accreditation (NBA) in recognizing courses offered by higher education institutions.
• Frequent Accreditations:
  • Establish clear norms for accreditation frequency and periodicity to prevent institutions from relying on outdated scores, avoiding complacency and ensuring continuous quality improvement.
• Exam Management:
  • The committee proposes that exam management competency should be a required criterion for accreditation evaluation in educational institutions.
  • Strict penalties, such as derecognition, should be enforced for higher education institutions involved in malpractices with coaching centers.
  • A scoring system should be implemented to assess the security and integrity of examinations in all universities and colleges.
• Deemed Universities:
  • The So-called “deemed universities” should also be allowed to use the term ‘university’ since there is no such concept in other countries.
• Funding of Institutions:
  • To encourage more funding, it suggested “donations by individuals, alumni and institutions” should be 100% tax deductible.
• Digital Courses Norms:
  • The committee emphasized the immediate need to review and improve the guidelines for initiating online courses to ensure their effectiveness and relevance.
  • For Open Distance Learning courses, the committee firmly advised implementing appropriate measures to control any negative tendencies by thoroughly assessing all available options.

What Initiatives have India Taken for the Education Sector?

• National Education Policy:
  • NEP 2020, the third major education policy revamp since India's independence, aims to transform India into a global knowledge superpower by renaming the Ministry of Human Resource Development to the Ministry of Education.
  • The two previous education policies were implemented in 1968 and 1986, making this new policy a significant milestone in India's educational framework.
• Margadarshan:
  • Top-performing institutions with strong accreditation records are chosen to mentor 10-12 newer institutions, sharing their best teaching and learning practices to improve mentee institutions' performance.
  • Mentee institutions receive up to Rs. 50 lakhs (per institution) over three years for activities such as training, workshops, and conferences, fostering growth and development.
• Academic Bank of Credit:
  • The envisioned digital bank will store students' credits from various courses, promoting multidisciplinary and holistic education while offering multiple entry and exit options in higher education.
  • This approach will prepare youth for an AI-driven economy, fostering a future-oriented mindset and expanding their career opportunities.

Manual Scavenging

About Manual Scavenging

• Manual scavenging is the process of removing human waste from public spaces, dry latrines, septic tanks, gutters, and sewers, which has evolved from traditional methods to include modern sanitation practices.
• The scope of manual scavenging now encompasses not only the removal of excreta from dry latrines but also the hazardous cleaning of drains, sewer lines, septic tanks, and latrine pits using manual labor and often without proper safety measures.

Concerns

• Manual scavenging is primarily performed by the marginalized Dalit community, also known as "untouchables" in India's caste system, leading to social exclusion and poverty.
• The persistence of manual scavenging in some Indian regions is due to government apathy and societal prejudices against the Dalit community.
• Urban policies often lack proper planning for sewerage, septic tank, and waste disposal system maintenance, which contributes to the continuation of manual scavenging.
• The number of fatalities among manual scavengers has been on the rise, with 2019 recording the highest number of deaths in the past five years.

 Government Measures to Tackle Manual Scavenging

• Legislative
  • Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act 1993: Imprisonment up to one year and fine of Rs 2,000 for forcing manual scavenging.
  • Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS) 2017: Rehabilitate remaining manual scavengers and their dependents in alternative occupations in a time-bound manner.
  • Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013: Prohibits all forms of manual cleaning, carrying, disposing, or handling of human waste.
  • National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK): Monitors implementation of the Act and enquires into complaints regarding contravention of provisions.
  • Amendment Bill, 2020: Proposes complete mechanization of sewer cleaning, on-site protection, and compensation for manual scavengers in case of sewer deaths. Bans employing manual scavengers without protective gear.
  • National Commission for Safai Karamcharis: Established in 1994 as a statutory body to monitor and address issues related to manual scavenging.
  • NHRC recommendations: Provide Rs. 10 lakh loan to manual scavengers' family members for starting a business, include sewer deaths in NCRB reports, expand the definition of manual scavenging or enact a new law for hazardous cleaning.
• Supreme Court Directions
  • In 2014, the Supreme Court provided guidelines to combat manual scavenging, including measures to prevent the practice and prosecute those responsible for it.
  • The court also ordered the government to compensate families of manual scavenging victims, giving Rs. 10 lakh to each family who lost a member to this practice since 1993.
• Constitutional Safeguards
  • The Constitution's Part III, which outlines Fundamental Rights, inherently ensures the Right to Live with Dignity for all citizens.
  • Article 46 specifically mandates the State to safeguard weaker sections, particularly Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, from social injustice and exploitation.

Way Forward

• The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan should prioritize expanding the sewer network and implementing a scientific maintenance scheme to eliminate manual septic tank cleaning, while ensuring strict enforcement of laws against manual scavenging.
• Trials of protective gear should be conducted alongside improving healthcare facilities, insurance, pension plans, and promoting education on preventive and social medicine for manual scavengers.

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)

• Established on 12 October 1993
• Created under the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA) 1993, amended in 2006
• Conforms to the Paris Principles endorsed by the UN General Assembly

Key roles of NHRC

• Protector of human rights
• Advisor on human rights matters
• Monitor of human rights situations
• Educator in the field of human rights

Composition of NHRC

• Chairperson: retired Chief Justice of India or a Judge of the Supreme Court
• One member: current or former Judge of the Supreme Court of India
• One member: current or former Chief Justice of a High Court
• Two members: persons with knowledge or experience in human rights matters

Functions of NHRC

• Investigate complaints of human rights violations or negligence by public servants
• Study treaties and international instruments on human rights, recommend implementation measures to the Government
• Promote human rights awareness and literacy at national and international levels

Paris Principles for National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs)

• Monitor situations of human rights violations
• Advise the Government on specific violations, legislation, and compliance with international human rights instruments
• Engage with regional and international organizations
• Educate and inform in the field of human rights
• Possess quasi-judicial competence, in some cases