Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

GS Paper 3

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

Diagnostic imaging of the Rajasthan Right to Health Act

News: The Rajasthan Right to Health (RTH) Bill has been controversial and there have been oppositions to it.

What are some of the flaws in the Rajasthan’s Right to Health (RTH) Bill?

Addition of extra provisions:  The problem with the bill is that additional changes/amendments have been added in the bill other than those recommended by the select committee.

For instance, the term ‘designated health care centres’ was introduced, and a reimbursement clause for unpaid emergency care was added.

These extra additions are praiseworthy but most other changes in the amended Bill were not beneficial in protecting public health interests.

Lack of representation of medical representatives: The bill initially included three representatives, from ayurveda, homoeopathy, and unani, as ex-officio members from the state health authority.

However, the amended bill had provision for only one representative from the alternative medical systems, with medical education representatives filling for the remaining two.

Further, the amended Bill swapped public health experts with Indian Medical Association (IMA) representatives as nominated members. This left state and district health authorities with little or no representation.

Restricting powers of the administrative organs: The grievance redress system proposed in the initial iteration underwent a considerable change in the amended Bill.

For example, the grievance redress system was initially proposed to be handled through web portals, helpline centres, and officers concerned within 24 hours.

However, patient grievances will now be handled by the concerned health-care institution within three days. This may lead to conflict of interests and add more burdens to the hospitals.

Lacks in public health representation: Health care laws should also focus on health promotion, disease prevention, and nutrition. However, the RTH does not aim to serve these purposes.

Repealing the Act: Some of those opposing the bill have called to repeal the law due to the ambiguous definitions of some terms such as the definition of emergency.

However, there are ambiguities even with widely accepted medical definitions. Therefore, it is required that all parties should come together to best elaborate the definitions rather than repealing a Bill.

What are some of the advantages of the bill?

The State government has stated that private multispecialty hospitals with less than 50 beds, and those that have not received government subsidised land/buildings, will be temporarily exempted from the bill.

This provision of the bill was widely accepted by the doctors’ associations.

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What lessons can be learnt from the RTH bill of Rajasthan?

The lessons learnt are – a) laws should be carefully drafted to avoid oppositions, b) the government should not get influenced by organised medical interest alone in preparing any health policy, c) governments and the medical community should also make themselves aware of the broader social dimensions of health and health legislation and d) governments should be aware that adopting such kind of legislation without being financially ready might backfire.

Strategic convergence between India and US is growing

Context: India-US relations are growing under the present government.

Previously India has seen US, with the suspicion and tried to renew the idea of non-alignment. However, present government discarded India’s “historic hesitations” in engaging the US over the last decade.

What are the strong points of India US relations in the recent years?

The US is now India’s largest trading partner with the trade worth $190 billion. Unlike China, it supports India on issues of territorial integrity and terrorism.

The US is offering to modernize India’s defence production and transfer advanced civilian and military technologies.

India found common ground with the US in the Indo-Pacific and Middle East.  India participates in such coalitions as the Quadrilateral Forum with US, Japan and Australia in the east and with Washington, Tel Aviv, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh to the west of the Subcontinent.

AYUSH collaboration with ICMR for scientific validation is right step

News: Ministry of AYUSH and ICMR have at last joined hands to undertake quality human clinical trials.

The collaboration will generate evidence on the benefits of using ayurveda along with modern medicine in treating certain disease conditions of national importance.

This collaboration will be for ayurveda only, initially. The other systems of AYUSH will be included when central councils of the respective AYUSH systems are ready to work with the ICMR.

How will it create a path for inclusion of Ayurveda along with modern medicines?

First, an expert committee will soon decide the area/disease conditions to be included for detailed clinical testing.

Second, clinical trials for each disease will be done by two arms: 1) modern medicine as the standard of care, 2) A combination of modern medicine and ayurveda.

Third, if clinical trials scientifically validate the superiority of combining ayurveda and modern medicine, it will form the basis on which integrated medicine will be offered to patients.

Fourth, trial outcomes will form the basis on which integrated medicine will be offered to patients.

What is the significance of this collaboration?

It is the first major step in the evidence-based approach of validating AYUSH medical interventions.

Previous trials conducted for validating use of AYUSH medicines were not successful.

Evidence-based approach of ICMR will be helpful for scientific validation of traditional medicines in India.

Welfare spending has been getting a regular pruning

Context: The Union Budget has been criticised for decreasing allocations for welfare schemes. Central government spending on essential social programmes has been for last 6-7 years.

Government has done well in providing tangible goods like cooking fuel, electricity, and promoting financial inclusion of women. However, there has been a decline in traditional government services like primary education and child nutrition.

During pandemic, significance of social security programmes was acknowledged by the government when it raised the Budget allocation for all the social schemes to 4.3% of GDP; but the allocation if again back to just 1.5%.

How have Welfare schemes faced funding cuts recently and what are the issues associated with it?

The Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 programmes designed to fight child malnutrition have experienced a significant decrease in allocation, even though malnutrition rates remain high in India.

The mid-day meal (MDM) scheme has seen a 50% decrease in Budget allocation as a share of GDP. Evidence shows that the scheme has led to an improvement in class attendance, learning as well as nutritional outcomes and reduced stunting in children.

The PM Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) that offers maternity benefits to women in the unorganised sector has also been underfunded.

MGNREGA and the Public Distribution System were key to averting disaster during the pandemic. However, the allocation to both these schemes has been reduced.

Out-of-pocket expenditure on health in India remains much higher than the global average, which leads to financial distress and pushes millions into poverty each year.

Central expenditure on school education (primary and secondary) has steadily declined from 0.37% in 2014-15 to 0.23% 2023-24.

There is an urgent need to increase allocations for welfare schemes, especially those aimed at education, nutrition, and health. It is essential for India to invest in its human capital if it aspires to become a global superpower.

Asymmetry, power – on SC judgement in the LG vs Delhi Government case

News: The article provides and analysis of the SC judgment in the Delhi case

Asymmetric federalism has been a key positive feature of India’s polity, but it hasn’t always ensured peaceful relations between the Centre and its constituent units. The ongoing disagreement between the Union government and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) serves as a prime example. The Supreme Court has frequently intervened to clarify the governance parameters of the territory.

SC Ruling in the Delhi Case

Read – The SC ruling in the LG Vs Delhi Government case

What is the significance of SC ruling in the Delhi Case?

In the judgement, SC emphasised on the sui generis (unique) nature of Delhi and stated that the Union Territory’s status should not be used to curtail the role of the elected government.

The verdict reinforces the principle that a representative regime shouldn’t be undermined by an unelected administrator.

The judgement reaffirms Thomas Jefferson’s idea that “just government should derive its powers from the consent of the governed”.

It emphasises that the central government has a significant mandate, but its consent is to govern the country, not Delhi. Delhi’s elected representatives have a more legitimate constitutional right to govern.

The Court maintained that Union Territories (UTs) with their own legislative assemblies should be treated akin to states. The judgment dismissed the idea of a homogenous class of UTs.

Justice Chandrachud emphasised the importance of federalism in a diverse country like India. He argued that recognising regional aspirations strengthens the unity of the country.

The Court disagreed with the argument that the Constitution has strong unitary features in respect of UTs. Quoting B. R. Ambedkar, it reiterated that the Indian Constitution is neither a league of states nor are the states administrative units or agencies of the government. Instead, the Centre and states under the Constitution are co-equals.

GS Paper 3

Home to 70% of the world’s tigers, India has a huge part of the species’ total genetic variation

News: Every organism on earth has genetic material which is passed on from generation to generation. The article explains how molecular genome research can help in conserving endangered species.

How does molecular genome research help with conserving species?

Endangered species live in specific habitats. These habitats are often taken up by the people and infrastructure.

This fragmentation of habitat causes endangered species to undergo population crash, thereby decreasing in the population and leading them into isolation.

Hence, genome research can provide information about the loss in genetic variation and the impacts of loss of habitat on genetic variation.

Further, genetic variation is extremely important to study the small populations of endangered species. This is because small populations can undergo chance events where certain genetic variants increase or decrease.

For instance, a study conducted on the population of tigers in Odisha found how by chance, in a very small population, the frequency of a black mutation and the corresponding phenotype has grown more common.

Another problem with the small population of endangered species is that inbreeding amongst them causes disadvantageous mutations or inbreeding depression which further lower survival rates.

Studying these can help conservation strategies of endangered species.

What are some of the findings on tiger genomes in India?

India is home to 70% of the world’s tigers. Hence, a large proportion of the total genetic variation of the species is found in India.

Studies have found isolated populations of tigers in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve have chances of inbreeding twice compared to other regions.

This is because tiger habitat around highways and densely populated areas are harmful to the species connectivity.

Moreover, there are efforts going on to figure out tigers’ predatory nature which often leads to animal-human conflicts and historical samples are being used to study the lost genetic variation. These studies would help in tiger conservation.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Lack of committees against sexual harassment is disquieting, says SC

Source: The post is based on the article “Lack of committees against sexual harassment is disquieting, says SC” published in The Hindu on 13th May 2023

What is the News?

The Supreme Court has said that there are “serious lapses” and “uncertainty” in the implementation of the Protection of Women from Sexual Harassment (PoSH) Act leaving many working women no choice but to leave their jobs.

What are the observations made by the Supreme Court on the PoSH Act?

Working women are reluctant to report instances of sexual harassment either due to uncertainty about whom to approach or because of their lack of confidence in the process itself and its outcome.

The court referred to a newspaper survey which revealed that out of 30 national sports federations in the country, only 16 had constituted Internal Complaints Committees mandated under the 2013 Act.

Hence, the court directed the Union, States and Union Territories to undertake a time-bound exercise to verify whether Ministries, Departments, government organizations, authorities etc had constituted Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) under the Act. 

These bodies have been ordered to publish the details of their respective committees on their websites.

What is the Protection of Women from Sexual Harassment (PoSH) Act,2013?

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What does the PoSH Act say about the complaints’ committee?

The PoSH Act mandates that every employer must constitute an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) at each office or branch that has 10 or more employees. It defined various aspects of sexual harassment and lay down procedures for action in case of a complaint.

What is the procedure for a complaint under the Act?

It is not compulsory for the aggrieved victim to file a complaint for the ICC to take action. If the woman cannot complain because of physical or mental incapacity or death or otherwise, her legal heir may do so.

Under the Act, the complaint must be made within three months from the date of the incident. However, the ICC can “extend the time limit” if it is satisfied that the circumstances were such which prevented the woman from filing a complaint within the said period.

After receiving the complaint, the ICC may either forward the victim’s complaint to the police or it can start an inquiry that has to be completed within 90 days. The ICC has powers similar to those of a civil court in respect of summoning and examining any person on oath and requiring the discovery and production of documents.

When the inquiry is completed, the ICC must provide a report of its findings to the employer within 10 days. The report must also be made available to both parties.

If either the aggrieved woman or the respondent is not satisfied, they may appeal in court within 90 days.

Centre prepares new Model Prisons Act with focus on reform

Source: The post is based on the article “Centre prepares new Model Prisons Act with focus on reform” published in The Hindu on 13th May 2023

What is the News?

The Union government has announced that it has prepared a Model Prisons Act, 2023 to replace the current 130-year-old law i.e., Prisons Act, 1894.

Why has the Government come up with the Model Prisons Act, 2023?

The present ‘Prisons Act, 1894’ is a pre-independence era Act and is almost 130 years old. 

The Act mainly focuses on keeping criminals in custody and enforcement of discipline and order in prisons. 

There is no provision for the reform and rehabilitation of prisoners in the existing Act.

As per the provisions of the Constitution of India, ‘prisons’/ ‘persons detained therein’ is a ‘State’ subject. 

The responsibility of prison management and prisoners administration solely vests with State Governments who alone are competent to make appropriate legislative provisions in this regard.

However, given the critical role that efficient prison management plays in the criminal justice system, the Government of India attaches a high degree of importance to supporting the States/UTs in this regard.

Hence, the Central Government has come up with the Model Prisons Act,2023.

Who has prepared the Model Prisons Act, 2023?

The Ministry of Home Affairs has assigned the task of revision of the Prisons Act, 1894 to the Bureau of Police Research and Development.

Along with Prisons Act, 1894, ‘The Prisoners Act, 1900’ and ‘The Transfer of Prisoners Act, 1950’ has also been reviewed by the Ministry of Home Affairs and relevant provisions of these Acts have been assimilated in the Model Prisons Act, 2023.

What are the key provisions of the Model Prisons Act, 2023?

Security assessment and segregation of prisoners;

Prison development board;

Use of technology in prison administration;

Protecting society from criminal activities of hardened criminals and habitual offenders;

Punishment for prisoners and jail staff for use of prohibited items such as mobile phones in jails;

Establishment and management of high-security jails, open jails;

Provisions for providing legal aid to prisoners, parole, furlough and premature release to incentivise good conduct.

Union WCD Minister launches “Poshan Bhi, Padhai Bhi”, an Early Childhood Care and Education program under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0

Source:  The post is based on the article “Union WCD Minister launches “Poshan Bhi, Padhai Bhi”, an Early Childhood Care and Education program under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0” published in PIB on 12th May 2023

What is the News?

The Union Minister for Women and Child Development has launched the government’s flagship program ‘Poshan Bhi, Padhai Bhi’.

What is the Poshan Bhi, Padhai Bhi program?

Poshan Bhi, Padhai Bhi will focus on Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) at Anganwadi across the country.

– Note: ECCE is an important component of Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 (Mission Poshan 2.0) and is envisaged under the National Education Policy.

The aim of the program is to 1) transform Anganwadi centres into not just nutrition hubs but also education-imparting centers and 2) make these Anganwadi centres a space for pre-school learning and holistic development with special focus on children aged 3 to 6 to make them school ready for grade 1. 

Nodal Training Institute: The National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD) will provide training for Anganwadi workers.

Features: The ECCE program will prioritize education in the mother tongue, aligning with the principles of the New Education Policy.

– Under the program, every child would be provided with at least two hours of high-quality preschool instruction daily.

Funding: The Ministry has allocated Rs 600 crore for the training of Anganwadi Workers (AWW) to effectively implement ECCE.

For Santiniketan, Unesco World Heritage status has been a decade-long wait

Source: The post is based on the article “For Santiniketan, Unesco World Heritage status has been a decade-long wait” published in Business Standard on 13th May 2023

What is the News?

The International Council on Monuments and Sites, a UNESCO advisory body, has recommended that Santiniketan be included in the list of World Heritage Sites.

If selected, Santiniketan would be the second cultural symbol from West Bengal to be included in the UNESCO list.

In 2021, UNESCO included ‘Durga Puja in Kolkata’ in its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

What is Santiniketan?

Santiniketan is a renowned cultural and heritage place located in Birbhum District, West Bengal.

It holds historical significance as it was the home of Rabindranath Tagore, where he lived and composed many of his literary works, including songs, poems, and novels.

It was originally an ashram built by Debendranath Tagore (father of Rabindranath Tagore) where anyone, irrespective of caste and creed, could come and spend time meditating on the one Supreme God. 

​​Santiniketan includes the entire Visva-Bharati University Campus, the core ashram area and the Uttarayan complex.

The core ashram area includes Patha Bhavana (the first school set up by Tagore in 1901), Upasana Griha (prayer hall, locally known as the glass temple), Kala Bhavana (institute of fine arts), Sangit Bhavana (institute of music) and Santiniketan Griha (the first house bought by Tagore’s father Debendranath). 

The Uttarayan complex includes five houses of Tagore and a museum.

Santiniketan is also adorned with splendid sculptures, frescoes, murals, and paintings created by renowned artists such as Rabindranath Tagore, Nandalal Bose (one of the pioneers of modern Indian art) and Ramkinkar Baij (master sculptor and painter) among others.

Union Health Ministry launches SAKSHAM Learning System

Source: The post is based on the article “Union Health Ministry launches SAKSHAM Learning System” published in PIB on 13th May 2023

What is the News?

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched the SAKSHAM Learning Management Information System (LMIS).

What is SAKSHAM?

Developed by: National Institute of Health & Family Welfare (NIHFW)

Full-Form: SAKSHAM stands for Stimulating Advanced Knowledge for Sustainable Health Management.

Purpose: It is a dedicated and unified platform for providing online training and medical education to all health professionals in the country.

– It ensures the inclusive capacity building of health professionals from primary health centres located in rural and remote areas up to tertiary care and corporate hospitals in metropolitan cities.

Note: Currently, SAKSHAM: LMIS hosts over 200 public health and 100 clinical courses, accessible through online mode.

Maharashtra crisis: Why the 2016 Nabam Rebia ruling has been referred to a 7-judge Bench

Source: The post is based on the article “Maharashtra crisis: Why the 2016 Nabam Rebia ruling has been referred to a 7-judge Bench” published in Indian Express on 13th May 2023

What is the News?

The Supreme Court has decided to refer to a larger bench its 2016 ruling in the Nabam Rebia case. 

What is the Nabam Rebia case?

In Nabam Rebia vs Deputy Speaker, Arunachal Legislative Assembly (2016), the Supreme Court had ruled that it would be constitutionally impermissible for a Speaker of the House to adjudicate upon disqualification petitions under the anti-defection law as per Tenth Schedule while a motion of resolution for his/her own removal from Office of Speaker is pending.

How was Nabam Rebia case used in the Maharashtra political crisis case?

One group had cited the Nabam Rebia ruling when the crisis unfolded in June 2022 in Maharashtra to contend that the Deputy Speaker cannot proceed under the Tenth Schedule against the dissident Sena MLAs as a notice seeking his removal was pending.

Contesting this, the other camp had told the Bench that by invoking it, MLAs who want to defect can pre-empt and stall disqualification proceedings against them by seeking the Speaker’s removal through a notice. Hence, they urged the court to refer Nabam Rebia to a seven-judge Bench.

Why did the court refer the Nabam Rebia case to a larger bench?

The Supreme Court has referred the Nabam Rabia case to a larger bench as some aspects were not considered in the Nabam Rebia judgment.

Among them was whether temporary disablement of the Speaker is prone to misuse by MLAs who anticipate disqualification petitions against them, or by MLAs against whom disqualification petitions have already been instituted.

The court further said that the Nabam Rebia verdict was in conflict with a 1992 constitution bench judgment in the Kihoto Hollohan case.

While the Nabam Rebia verdict doubted the ability of the speaker to remain neutral while deciding disqualification petitions after a resolution to remove them is moved, the Kihoto Hollohan order of the SC had stated there was no reason to doubt the independence and impartiality of the Speaker when adjudicating such proceedings under the Tenth Schedule.