UPSC Daily Current Affairs - 7th January 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

GS-I

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

Subject: History

Why in News?

Leaders like Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose are “immortal” and do not need bestowing of a recognition through a judicial diktat, the Supreme Court said recently.

GS-II

The Ayes always have it: Why voice votes in Parliament are bad for democracy

Subject: Polity

Why in News?

The article discusses the absence of voting records during the recent Parliament session, highlighting the significance of recorded votes in representing legislators’ stances and fostering transparency in the legislative process. It also explores the impact of the Anti-Defection Law on MPs’ dissent and the increasing use of voice votes, leading to a lack of accountability.

Key Highlights:

• 19 bills were passed in the recent Parliament session, but voting records were not made available.
• The use of voice votes, lacking individual records, is a preferred method for passing legislative motions.
• The Anti-Defection Law has limited MPs’ ability to dissent, reducing the significance of debates and votes.
• The scarcity of voting records hampers Opposition parties in communicating their positions to the electorate.

Key Challenges:

• Lack of transparency due to the absence of voting records.
• The impact of the Anti-Defection Law on MPs’ freedom to dissent.
• Dismissal of division calls during crucial legislative moments.

Key Terms:

• Voice vote
• Anti-Defection Law
• Division call
• Legislative transparency
• Accountability
• Dissent

Key Phrases:

• “A shadow of opacity has fallen over our legislative processes.”
• “The scarcity of voting records can be a symptom of a deeper problem.”
• “The impact of the Anti-Defection Law on MPs’ dissent is a matter of concern.”

Key Quotes:

• “Transparency defines the measure to which our parliamentarians’ political decisions are traceable, which begets accountability.”
• “The right to a division, meant to be readily available, has become shrouded in subjective judgement.”

Key Examples and References:

• The passage of the Jan Vishwas Bill 2023 and the farm bills through voice votes.
• Asaduddin Owaisi’s dissent on various bills, illustrating the importance of voting records.
• Dismissal of division calls during the passage of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Bill and the Electricity Amendment Bill.

Key Facts:

• In Modi I, 40 divisions were raised for 180 bills, while in Modi II, only 20 divisions were allowed for 209 bills.
• Only 15.4% of bills in the BJP’s 10-year tenure have voting records.

Critical Analysis:

The article critically examines the impact of voice votes, the Anti-Defection Law, and the dismissal of division calls on legislative transparency and accountability. It emphasizes the need for voting records to ensure a clear representation of MPs’ stances.

Way Forward:

• Reevaluate the impact of the Anti-Defection Law on MPs’ dissent.
• Ensure the availability of voting records to enhance legislative transparency.
• Address the dismissal of division calls to uphold the right to record votes.
• Promote a more accountable and transparent legislative process through recorded votes.

In essence, the article advocates for the restoration of transparency in the legislative process through the provision of voting records and a reconsideration of the Anti-Defection Law’s impact on MPs’ dissent.

Source: The Hindu

The need to examine the examination system

Subject: Governance

Why in News?

The article discusses the challenges and inadequacies in the current examination systems of educational institutions in India. It emphasizes the need for transparency, oversight, and credibility in assessments to ensure that degrees and certificates truly reflect students’ learning achievements.

Key Highlights:

• Credibility of the examination system is crucial for maintaining educational standards.
• Decentralized systems in India with numerous universities and boards face challenges in maintaining transparency and standardization.
• The article criticizes the focus on memory-based testing, inflation of marks, and a lack of emphasis on higher-order thinking skills.
• Employers often rely on their own assessments rather than institutional certifications.
• The article suggests the use of technology, external audits, and adherence to minimum standards to improve assessment processes.

Key Challenges:

• Lack of transparency and oversight in examination processes.
• Inconsistency and inadequacies in syllabi and teaching methods.
• Confidentiality leading to malpractices and scandals in examinations.
• The need for balancing autonomy with proper oversight in educational institutions.
• Negligence, fraud, and quality issues in assessment processes.

Key Terms:

• Decentralized system
• Transparency
• Oversight
• Standardization
• Higher-order thinking
• Autonomy
• External audit
• Credibility
• Minimum standards
• Technology in assessment

Key Phrases:

• “Credibility of assessment and standard of education can be ensured only through transparency in teaching and assessment.”
• “Inconsistency of the examination system is cause for concern.”
• “Confidentiality is also a cause for scandals in examinations.”
• “Transparency and proper oversight take lead roles in the examination systems.”

Key Quotes:

• “A credible examination system is one of the key ways to improve the standard of education.”
• “The employability of a graduate depends on higher order learning, while examination boards do not certify students on those skills.”
• “The higher education regulator truly believes in decentralization through autonomous institutions without oversight.”

Key Examples and References:

• Instances of question papers with language errors, conceptualization issues, and irrelevant questions.
• Employers disregarding institutional certifications in favor of their own assessments.
• The coaching market for competitive examinations and skilling due to a lack of faith in institutional certifications.

Key Facts:

• India has over 1,100 universities, 50,000 affiliated colleges, and 60 school boards.
• Total enrollment in higher education is 40.15 million students.
• Employers conduct rigorous assessments of candidates’ academic achievements and suitability for employment.

Critical Analysis:

The article provides a critical examination of the challenges in the current education system, emphasizing the need for transparency, oversight, and credibility. It highlights the disconnect between institutional certifications and actual learning outcomes, calling for a shift towards higher-order thinking skills.

Way Forward:

• Emphasize transparency in teaching and assessment processes.
• Implement external audits of assessment systems to ensure reliability and consistency.
• Balance autonomy with proper oversight in educational institutions.
• Use technology to standardize question paper setting and evaluation processes.
• Codify and address issues of negligence, fraud, and academic inadequacies in assessments.
• Release audit reports regularly to assess examination boards in terms of transparency, reliability, and consistency.

Source: The Hindu

GS-III

Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary

Subject: Environment and Ecology

Why in News?

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.) in Bengaluru have found that many bird species have started shifting to higher elevations due to rising temperatures in Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary.

Source: The Hindu

Laokhowa and Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuaries

Subject: Environment and Ecology

Why in News?

Two rhinos have recently returned to the Laokhowa and Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuary after almost a 40-year gap following a successful anti-encroachment operation.