Daily Current Affairs

December 26, 2024

Current Affairs

Why are Green Deposits struggling?

Context: In April 2023, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had issued a comprehensive framework for lenders to accept green deposits. It was done with the intent to enable the lenders and customers to further the green cause. However, over 20 months since its introduction, banks still face hurdles in pricing and public engagement.

Relevance of the topic:

Prelims: Key features of Green Deposits.

Mains: Green Deposits- Bottlenecks, Way Forward

What are Green Deposits?

  • A green deposit is a fixed-term deposit for investors looking to invest their surplus cash reserves in environmentally friendly projects.
    • Lenders shall issue green deposits as cumulative/non-cumulative deposits. 
    • On maturity, the green deposits can be renewed or withdrawn at the option of the depositor.
    • According to RBI norms, these deposits shall be denominated in Indian Rupees only.
  • Who can offer green deposits? All scheduled commercial banks (excluding Regional Rural Banks, Local Area Banks, and payment banks) and all deposit-taking NBFCs registered with RBI, including Housing Finance Companies.
  • RBI’s Regulatory Framework for Green Deposits lays down clear allocation guidelines for sectors eligible to receive green deposits.
  • RBI also mandates an independent annual third party audit of allocation of funds raised through green deposits to ensure compliance to green objectives. 
image 179

Eligible sectors/projects to receive green deposits:

Excluded projects: Projects involving new or existing extraction, production and distribution of fossil fuels; Nuclear power generation; Direct waste incineration; Landfill projects; Hydropower plants larger than 25 MW, etc.

Note: Green deposits are different from green bonds. 

Challenges facing Green Deposits in India:

  • Lower interest rate: For instance, SBI offers a 7% interest rate for 2-3 year tenor retail domestic term deposit, whereas a green deposit with similar tenor has 6.65% rate of interest. Customers usually do not consider the nature of deposit as they seek higher returns.
  • Lack of alignment with green goals: Customers are neither aware of nor attracted by the philosophy behind or benefits of green deposits.
  • Poor adoption by private banks: While most public sector banks have started accepting green deposits, private banks have been slow adopters to market green deposits.
  • Absence of Indian green taxonomy: There is a lack of an established Indian green taxonomy in the green deposits framework . Establishing a green taxonomy is essential not only to define what constitutes “green” but also to enhance transparency, prevent greenwashing and effective deployment of green deposits.
    • E.g., the description of the renewable energy sector is mentioned as “incentivising adoption of renewable energy,” which is vague.
  • Weak regulatory enforcement: There are inconsistencies in operational practices across banks. E.g., one bank’s green deposit policy mentions opportunities for green investment in the highly polluting oil and gas sector, raising questions of legitimacy and greenwashing. 

RBI has not enforced any penalties for non-compliance or partial compliance with its related guidelines. 

Way Forward

  • Reduction in CRR: Lowering cash reserve ratio (CRR) requirement for green deposit can boost growth and will help garner more customers.
  • Increased customer awareness:  Customers must be informed that funds they park with banks as green deposits are used for financing renewable energy projects, projects that lower carbon emission, and enable clean transportation. This can boost volumes of green deposits.
  • Streamlining ESG funds: Placing ESG funds (environmental, social and governance) of large corporations in green deposits with banks, will further the green cause.
  • Develop an Indian Green Taxonomy: Clear definition of ‘green’ projects and activities with sector-specific measurable targets. 
  • Robust Regulatory Enforcement: Imposition of penalties for non-compliance or inadequate disclosures by banks. Technological mechanism to monitor the implementation of green deposits framework to prevent greenwashing. 

Ensuring authenticity and the impact of green projects requires robust monitoring and reporting mechanisms. Technology can play a pivotal role in overcoming these challenges. 

Indian Rupee vs Dollar: Currency Exchange Rate 

Context: The Indian Rupee has been weakening in value relative to the US Dollar, for a long time. INR’s exchange rate against USD breached the 85 mark last week, i.e., now $1 = Rs 85.

Relevance of the topic:

Prelims: Exchange rate- different contexts

Mains: Factors affecting exchange rate

What is the Exchange Rate?

  • Exchange rate is the value of one currency relative to another currency.
    • It is the rate at which one can swap currencies of different countries. For instance, how many rupees would buy you a dollar or a euro. 
    • Presently, one would have to pay Rs 85 to buy $1.

What decides the Exchange Rate?

  • Demand for a particular currency decides its value relative to other currencies in the currency market.
  • If Indians demand more US dollars than Americans demand Indian Rupee, the exchange rate will tilt in favour of the US dollar.

Factors deciding demand for Rupee vis-à-vis Dollar:

  • Trade of Goods and Services: For sake of simplification, consider the case of only 2 countries- India and the US. 
  • Investments:
image 178

Factors deciding direction of Trade and Investments:

  • Foreign trade policy:
  • Suppose the US decides to cut imports from India, demand for Indian rupees will fall. This will cause rupee depreciation.
  • High rate of inflation:
    • In the scenario where India is having an inflation rate of 6%, an American investing in India with the expectation of 10% returns annually, will ultimately get only 4% returns. 
    • Comparatively, US markets would be more rewarding, because of less rate of inflation there.
    • This will cause pull out of investments from India, and fall of demand for rupees. 

Lapses in the Disaster Management Bill

Context: Recently, the Lok Sabha has passed the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024 to strengthen the working of National and State disaster management authorities. However, the bill is being criticised for removing the scope for participatory governance, accountability, and efficiency from the Act. 

Relevance of the Topic: Mains: Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill: Scope and Challenges 

Lapses in the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill:

1. Top-down Approach and Exclusion of Local stakeholders: 

  • The Bill uses top-down terminology such as ‘monitor’ and ‘guidelines’, instead of inclusive terms such as ‘supervision’ and ‘direction’.
  • It ignores the role of local communities as the first responders to disasters, as recognised in the Yokohama Strategy, the Hyogo Framework for Action, and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
    • Evidence from Cyclone Aila in Sundarbans (2009), the Kedarnath glacial lake outburst flood (2013), or Kerala floods (2018) shows local people began rescuing people before the National Disaster Response Force or Coast Guards could reach the victims.

2. Neglects Intersectional Vulnerability: 

  • Disasters increase the vulnerabilities of women, the disabled, lower castes, and LGBTQIA communities. The Bill is silent on addressing intersectional discrimination which undermines the inclusivity in disaster management. 

3. No Accountability Mechanism for Authorities: 

  • The bill fails to mandate performance evaluation of district disaster authorities. In the absence of such provision, there is no check for failure in disaster preparedness by such authorities. 

4. Inconsistency in the Bill:

  • The Bill explicitly states that ‘man made causes of disasters’ do not include any ‘law and order’ related matters. (i.e., riots, communal violence etc. are not considered under the DM Act). However, the bill mandates the inclusion of State Director Generals of Police into the State Executive Committees (which are responsible for DM planning and implementation). This raises the questions of inconsistency on the amendment bill. 

5. Omission of Relief Provisions: 

  • Sections 12 and 13 of the DMA, which covered the minimum standards of relief for disaster victims and the possibility of loan repayment relief, have been omitted from the bill. 
  • Section 19, which demanded that State governments follow guidelines on minimum standards of relief, has also been dropped.
    • These Sections also carried special provisions for widows, orphans, the homeless, and provided ex-gratia assistance on loss of life, damage to houses and for restoration of means of livelihood. There is no replacement for this in the Bill.

6. Gaps in Animal Welfare: 

  • The bill overlooks the plight of animals during disasters, despite the introduction of Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023. 

7. Urban disaster management concerns:

  • The Bill suggests the constitution of an Urban Disaster Management Authority (UDMA) for state capitals and cities with a municipal corporation.  The Authority will comprise the Municipal Commissioner as the chairperson. 
  • Given the fact that Municipal Corporation have overlooked encroachments over aquifers, water bodies, city forests, river beds and markets, the bill raises the questions about the necessity/role of an additional authority. 

8. Lack of Regional Collaboration:

  • The bill does not address regional disaster response through groupings such as SAARC, BIMSTEC, and BRICS. It ignores agreements like the 2011 SAARC Agreement on Rapid Response to Natural Disasters. This weakens the scope for regional collaboration in the event of disaster. 

The approach to Disaster management must be holistic, inclusive and participatory and aligning with the global standards. 

Lessons from the 2004 Tsunami

Context: December 26, 2024, marks the 20th year since the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. Disasters have always served as harsh reminders of nature’s overwhelming power and humanity’s vulnerability. 

Relevance of the Topic: Mains: Disaster preparedness: Tsunami 

The 2004 Tsunami

  • The 2004 tsunami is the deadliest tsunami in recorded history, till date.
  • The tsunami was generated by the earthquake of magnitude 9.1 which occurred 30 km below the ocean floor in the Sunda trench (where the Indo-Australian plate subducts beneath the Burma microplate, which is a part of the Eurasian plate).
  • It impacted 17 countries lining the Indian Ocean, killing more than 227,000 people and displacing thousands.
  • Regions impacted: India (particularly Tamil Nadu, Andaman and Nicobar Islands), Indonesia, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Thailand etc. 
image 177

Read more: Tsunami 

Advancements since 2004

  • Enactment of the Disaster Management Act, 2005:
    • The 2004 tsunami exposed critical gaps in India’s disaster management framework, catalysing the enactment of the DM Act, 2005. 
    • Key institutional developments included setting up of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). 
    • State and district authorities were empowered to implement disaster management plans tailored to local needs and covering all phases of the disaster management cycle. 
    • Resilience measures were embedded in urban planning, infrastructure projects, and development policies.
  • Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre(ITEWC):
    • established in 2007 by the Union Ministry of the Earth Sciences.
    • Operates 24/7 from the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) at Hyderabad.
    • ITEWC operates seismological stations as well as bottom pressure recorders and tidal stations across the Indian Ocean basin. These systems can transmit offshore and deep ocean tsunami observations that enable early warnings. 
  • Real-time data sharing by Ocean monitoring systems: 
    • The Ocean monitoring systems, in about 10 minutes, can identify a potential tsunami-producing earthquake and issue tsunami alerts or warnings (depending on the expected severity) for countries bordering the Indian Ocean. 
    • India is the fifth country in the world, after the U.S., Japan, Chile, and Australia, to have such an advanced tsunami warning system.

Critical lessons from the 2004 Tsunami

1. Role of Natural ecosystems:

  • Mangroves provide natural protection to coastal areas and serve as vital buffers against waves. 
  • Concerns: 
    • Significant destruction of mangroves in India and other countries — to promote shrimp farming, meet basic wood and fuel needs, and for tourism — has disrupted the natural ecosystem. 
    • Construction of artificial barriers (brick and mortar walls) may increase people’s susceptibility to the damaging effects of waves.

2. Importance of Public Commons: 

  • Coastal areas and common resources (such as beaches) should remain public to preserve livelihoods and promote community resilience. 
  • Concerns (case study of Thailand): 
    • In Thailand, the privatisation of coastlines (1980s &1990s) allowed private interests to develop hotels and leisure activities which displaced local communities. This led to a large section of the population transitioning to informal sector jobs. 

3. Disasters exacerbate Economic Inequalities:

  • The Tsunami was followed by an increase in the rents, the price of land, goods, and services that benefited only asset owners and service providers. 
  • It caused disruption of local markets & interdependent local economies, replacement of local products with externally sourced goods. This caused people to transition from traditional livelihoods to casual, low-paid labour. 

4. Inequality in relief and rehabilitation: 

  • Evidence from tsunami-affected countries suggests a notable tendency to overlook the needs of vulnerable groups (including labourers, Dalits, tribes, immigrants, ethnic minorities, widows, and single women) in the distribution of relief and rehabilitation, unless some vocal groups advocated their cause.
  • Asset-based damage assessment tended to favour better-off segments of the affected. 
  • Gender-insensitive relief and rehabilitation policies often accentuated the vulnerability of women.
    • Widows from fish worker communities faced difficulties in receiving assistance, as they did not possess identity cards issued by the Fisheries Department. 

5. Engagement with local structures: 

  • It is crucial for relief agencies to respect community-based local institutions and long-term engagement with local structures, especially in coastal communities. E.g., Fishing communities operate through democratic practices such as kuppams. 

Way Forward

  • Incorporating Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) measures:
    • Construction of multi-hazard-resistant homes, supported by integrated risk transfer via comprehensive insurance. 
    • Establish disaster-ready infrastructure (health-care facilities, anganwadi centres, schools, community halls) which can be transformed into multi-hazard shelters. 
    • Coastal defences should be fortified with seawalls, shelter belt plantations, and multi-hazard shelters. 
    • Utilising technology like GIS mapping, AI-driven risk assessments, and mobile applications to enhance preparedness. 
  • Post-Tsunami:
    • Quick and dignified disposal of bodies should be prioritised to prevent disease outbreaks &  coastal areas should be disinfected using microbial inoculants and chemicals. 
    • Revive livelihoods through self-help groups, empowering coastal communities with strengthened infrastructure, including modern ports, fishing harbours, and improved agricultural practices. 
    • Utilising non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to provide essential services such as medical aid, trauma counselling, sanitation, and livelihood restoration. 
    • Leveraging local knowledge and sharing regional expertise on disaster risk reduction can enhance community-level resilience.

Disaster management is no longer just about survival. It is about ensuring that the response system is well-rounded, looking at every aspect from natural systems to social structures. The learnings from disasters can be utilised for disaster preparedness and building a resilient future.

What is the India-Myanmar border Free Movement Regime?

Context: In February 2024, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced its decision to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar. However, the formal orders on ending FMR are still awaited. 

Relevance of the topic:

Prelims: Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar

Mains: Bilateral relations: India-Myanmar. 

Background:

  • India and Myanmar share a largely unfenced 1,643 km border, which goes through the states of Manipur, Mizoram, Assam, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
  • February 2024: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced the scrapping of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar.
    • FMR was being scrapped to ensure the internal security of the country and to maintain the demographic structure of India’s northeastern States. 
    • MHA also announced that a fence will be constructed along the entire border. 
    • However, these were verbal announcements on ending FMR and formal orders are still awaited. 
  • December 2024: MHA has released new guidelines “Instructions for regulation of cross-border movement of people of border area across the Indo-Myanmar Border (IMB)” to introduce stricter regulations such as reducing the range of free movement from the earlier 16 km to the present 10 km.
image 176

What is the Free Movement Regime?

  • The Free Movement Regime along the India-Myanmar border came into existence in 1968 shaped by the deep ethnic and familial connections between residents of India and Myanmar’s Chin state.
    • The Mizo, Kuki, and Chins, collectively known as Zo people (on either side of the border) share a common ancestry and robust ethnic ties. 
    • The border between India and Myanmar was demarcated by the British in 1826 which resulted in the dispersion of Zo people across international boundaries.
  • Earlier, the territorial limit of free movement along the borders was 40 km, which was reduced to 16 km in 2004, and additional regulations were enforced in 2016.

What are the New Guidelines?

  • Recently, the Ministry of Home Affairs has brought in fresh protocol to regulate the movement of people living within 10 kilometres on either side of the largely unfenced international border.
  • According to the new guidelines, a resident crossing the border from India to Myanmar will be given a “border pass” by the Assam Rifles for stay up to seven days in the neighbouring country.
    • The Assam Rifles is the primary border guarding force along the India-Myanmar Border.
  • For entry into India from Myanmar, individuals will have to report at the designated border crossing points and fill a form.
    • The Assam Rifles will conduct the document inspection followed by a security and health check by the State police and health department officials, respectively. 
    • The Assam Rifles will upload all the forms on the Indo-Myanmar Border portal, record biometrics and issue a border pass with a photograph of the applicant and a QR code. 
    • The pass will have to be deposited on return at the same crossing point before completion of seven days. The same process will be followed for Indians who want to visit Myanmar.
  • The police will do physical checks to verify the visit of Myanmar nationals as per the details provided in the border pass and anyone violating the conditions will face legal action.

Challenges in implementing FMR:

  • The implementation of the FMR was never robust, as there are no standard documents or border pass recognised by both the countries. 
  • Some Indian states (Nagaland and Mizoram) and civil society groups have opposed the scrapping of FMR. 

Also Read: India-Myanmar Border Issues 

Given the interests of the local population, neither the complete removal of the FMR nor full fencing of the border may be desirable as livelihoods will be impacted, and essential travel for health care and education may be hit. However, the reconsideration of the FMR is grounded in the unsettling realities of insurgencies, smuggling, the drug trade, and the increased influx of Myanmar nationals following the 2021 coup.

Ken-Betwa Link Project

Context: The Prime Minister of India laid the foundation stone for the Ken-Betwa river linking project in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh. 

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Ken-Betwa link project; Ken river; Betwa river. 

Ken-Betwa link project

  • The Ken-Betwa link project envisages transferring of surplus water from Ken basin to water short areas of Betwa basin by substitution. Both rivers are tributaries of the Yamuna. 
Ken-Betwa link project
  • The Ken-Betwa link project will be implemented in two phases.
    • Phase I: involves construction of 77 m high Daudhan dam across river Ken.
    • Phase II: involves construction of Lower Orr dam, Kotha Barrage and Bina Complex.
  • The estimated cost of the project is around ₹45,000 crore.

Ken River:

  • It is an interstate river between Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
  • It is a tributary of the Yamuna.
  • It originates from the north-west slopes of the Kaimur hills in the Jabalpur district of Madhya Pradesh.
  • The river joins the Yamuna river near village Chilla (Banda district), near Fatehpur in Uttar Pradesh.
  • The river is the last tributary of Yamuna before the Yamuna joins the Ganga.
  • The important tributaries of Ken are - Alona, Bearma, Sonar, Mirhasan, Shyamari, Banne, Kutri, Urmil, Kail and Chandrawal.

Betwa River:

  • The Betwa river originates in the Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh south-west of Bhopal.
  • It is an interstate river between the two states viz. Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. 
  • It flows in a northeasterly direction through Madhya Pradesh and enters into Uttar Pradesh near village Bangawan of Jhansi district.
  • The river joins the Yamuna near Hamirpur in Uttar Pradesh.
  • Important tributaries of Betwa are - Bina, Jamini, Dhasan, Birma, Kaliasote, Halali, Bah, Saga, Narain and Kaithan.

Background:

  • Ken-Betwa Link is the first project under the National Perspective Plan for interlinking of rivers, which was prepared in 1980.
  • A major breakthrough came in the year 2005 when a tripartite memorandum of understanding for preparation of a detailed project report (DPR) was signed among the Central government, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
  • In 2008, the Centre declared the Ken Betwa Link Project (KBLP) a National Project. Later, it was included as part of the Prime Minister’s package for the development of the drought-prone Bundelkhand region.

Significance:

  • The project is expected to provide annual irrigation to 10.62 lakh hectares (8.11 lakh ha in MP and 2.51 lakh ha in UP) of land, and supply drinking water to about 62 lakh people.
    • It is aimed at solving the water woes of the Bundelkhand region, spread across parts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. 
    • It will benefit the water-starved region, especially the districts of Panna, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Sagar, Damoh, Datia, Vidisha, Shivpuri and Raisen of Madhya Pradesh, and Banda, Mahoba, Jhansi and Lalitpur districts of Uttar Pradesh.
  • It aims to generate more than 100 MW of hydropower and 27 MW of solar energy.

Challenges and Criticism: 

1. Environmental: 

  • The project will involve large-scale deforestation inside the heart of the Panna National Park and Tiger Reserve.
    • Experts have raised serious concerns about submergence of around 98 sq km of Panna national park, and felling of about two to three million trees.
    • The Supreme Court’s Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has pointed out that the project will undo the successful tiger reintroduction that helped the tiger population bounce back from local extinction in 2009.
  • CEC also noted that in its downstream side, Daudhan dam is likely to affect the Gharial population in the Ken Gharial sanctuary along with vulture nesting sites.
  • A study published by IIT Bombay highlighted that moving large quantities of water as part of river linking projects can affect land-atmosphere interplay and feedback and lead to a mean rainfall deficit by up to 12 per cent.

2. Economic: 

  • The Supreme Court’s Central Empowered Committee (CEC) had raised questions on the economic viability of the project. It suggested that the first focus should be on  exhausting other irrigation options in the upper Ken basin before taking up any such large scale project.

3. Social:

  • Since its inception the project has witnessed severe protest over the issue of inadequate compensation and rehabilitation plans. The dam will displace 5,228 families in Chhatarpur district and 1,400 families in Panna district due to submergence and project-related acquisition. 

As per the Ministry of Jal Shakti the project will pave the way for more river interlinking projects to ensure that scarcity of water does not become an inhibitor for development in the country.

Mehrauli Archaeological Park

Context: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has told the Supreme Court that two structures inside the Mehrauli Archaeological Park in Delhi bear religious significance as devotees visit daily to the 13th century Ashiq Allah Dargah and Chillagah of Baba Farid, the revered 13th century Sufi saint.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about important structures in the Mehrauli Archaeological Park.

About Mehrauli Archaeological Park

  • It is a large area spanning over 200 acres in South Delhi and belongs to pre-Sultanate to Colonial period architecture.
  • It covers over 400 monuments including destroyed temples (Jain and Hindu), masjid, Dargahs, Qutub Complex, forts and tombs of many rulers including Balban.
  • Archaeological structures in this park showcase Indo-Islamic architecture mostly belonging to the Delhi Sultanate era.

Important structures:

1. Rajon ki Baoli:

  • It is a stepwell and also includes a mosque and tomb. It was built during the period of Daulat Khan Lodhi (1506 CE). 
  • The name Rajon Ki Baoli is derived from the 'Rajbirs' or 'Mistris' - the term used for masons. It got its name in the early 20th century because of the masons that moved in permanently into the area.
Rajon ki Baoli

2. Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb: 

  • It is the tomb of a Sufi saint Shaikh Jamali Kamboh and possibly his disciple Kamali. They belonged to the period of transition between Lodhis and Mughals.
Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb

3. Tomb of Ghiyas ud din Balban:

  • It was built in 1287 in rubble masonry style. According to many historians it had India’s first true Islamic Dome (Alai Darwaza of 1311 being the earliest surviving dome).
Tomb of Ghiyas ud din Balban

4. Jahaz Mahal: 

  • It was so named, since its reflection (illusion) in the surrounding reservoir looked like a ship floating on a lake. 
  • It is inferred to have been built during the Lodi dynasty period (1452–1526) as a pleasure resort, Sarai or an inn.
Jahaz Mahal

5. Zafar Mahal: 

  • It is considered as the last monumental structure built as a summer palace during the fading years of the Mughal era. It was built near the Dargah of sufi saint Hazrat Khwaja Quttubuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki.
  • Nomenclature: Named after the last Mughal ruler Bahadur Shah Zafar (who built the doorway or Hathi Gate in the palace and completed the structure in 1847).
  • Patronage: began during Mughal ruler Akbar Shah II (18th century).
Zafar Mahal

6. Moti Masjid:

  • The royal mosque is situated adjacent to the wall of Dargah of Hazarat Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki. 
  • This is a very small mosque with a double entrance. One door opens inside the premises of Dargah, and another opens in the Zafar Mahal. This was built by Bahadur Shah I.
Moti Masjid

End to 'No Detention Policy’ for class 5th and 8th

Context: The Central Government has scrapped the 'No detention policy’ for class 5 and class 8 in Central schools. The No detention policy stated that no student can be held back for not fulfilling the promotion criteria after the exam. Now, the students who do not pass their year-end exams will be marked as failed and will need to retake the tests.

Relevance of the topic:

Prelims: Key aspects of Right to Education Act (RTE), 2009. 

Mains: Education reforms and schooling outcomes. 

Major Highlights:

  • The Ministry of Education has amended the Right of Children Free and Compulsory Education Rules, 2010 to insert a section on detaining students in class 5 and class 8.
    • Previously, Section 16 of the Right to Education Act (RTE), 2009, restricted schools from detaining students up to Class 8. 
    • Parliament amended the RTE Act in March 2019, allowing states to conduct regular exams in Classes 5 and 8 and officially ending the ‘No Detention Policy.’
  • Rules will impact over 3,000 schools run by the central government:
    • Kendriya Vidyalaya, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya under the Ministry of Education. 
    • Sainik Schools under the Ministry of Defence.
    • Eklavya Model Residential Schools under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. 
  • Additional exam provision: Children who do not meet the promotion criteria will have a chance to retake the exams within two months of the result declaration. If a student still lacks the promotion criteria then they will be retained in Class 5 or Class 8.
  • Targeted support: During this period, the class teacher will work closely with the student, and if required their parents too will provide targeted support to address any learning gaps.
  • Note: 
    • Education is a state subject, so the States and Union Territories can still decide whether to continue or end the policy in their schools.
    • Already 16 states and 2 UTs including Delhi have abandoned the no-detention policy for these two classes.
image 174

About No Detention Policy

  • The No Detention Policy was introduced in 2009 under the Right to Education Act, as part of the Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation process (CCE) for elementary schools as against the year-end traditional examination process.
  • The primary goal of the policy was to prevent students from being held back due to poor academic performance, as this was seen as a major factor contributing to school dropouts.
    • By allowing automatic promotion, the policy aimed to create equal opportunities for children from diverse backgrounds and enable them to complete elementary education regardless of academic challenges.
    • Experts argued that the policy was crucial for preventing dropouts and improving school retention rates.

Criticism of No Detention Policy:

  • Higher Failure rate in higher classes: Many states opposed the policy arguing that it left students ill-prepared for board exams and contributed to higher failure rates in Class 10. 
  • Reduced accountability of schools: It has been argued that the policy led to erosion of accountability in elementary education, and schools are just centres for the mid-day meal, as education and learning are missing.

Reasons to scrap No Detention Policy:

  • Improve learning outcomes: In 2016, the Central Advisory Board on Education (CABE) recommended scrapping the policy as students were no longer serious about their studies. Through changes in the rules, schools will be able to pay attention to those students who are not good at studies to improve learning outcomes. 
  • Enhance competitive spirit: Detention may help in promoting the competitive spirit among the students. 
  • Sync with NEP 2020: Improving the examination standard is a mandate of National Education Policy 2020, and detention may help in improving the standards of the exams. 

What more can be done?

Education is a balance of learning and testing of learnings. Detention will help the testing part but learning can be improved by working on:

  • Enhancing school infrastructure
  • Teacher training in emerging fields like AI, Data and e-learning
  • Liberalising the subjects by inclusion of real-life skill training. 

Conclusion: Scrapping no detention policy will have a positive impact on the mindset of the students, but to enhance the learning outcomes a holistic policy of infrastructure, curriculum and pedagogy need to be implemented. 

Why do we lose Muscle Mass with Age? 

Context: Researchers have found out that mutations in Mitochondria result in gradual decline in mitochondrial functions which leads to the death of muscle cells. The death of muscle cells in turn leads to loss of muscle mass. 

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Mitochondria and Age-related muscle loss. 

What is Sarcopenia?

  • Age-related muscle loss, called sarcopenia, is a natural part of aging. 
  • After age 30, humans begin to lose muscle mass as much as 3% to 5% per decade.
  • Less muscle means greater weakness and less mobility, both of which may increase your risk of falls and fractures. 
Age-related muscle loss

What are Mitochondria?

  • Mitochondria are cellular organelles found in the cytoplasm. They are called powerhouse of the cell as they generate most of the cell's energy currency- ATP (adenosine triphosphate).
  • Some DNA is also present in the mitochondria (mtDNA). mtDNA codes for a small number of genes, essential for the proper functioning of mitochondria. 
  • Mitochondria are the descendants of free-living bacteria that our early single-celled ancestors then absorbed. Today, mitochondria can not survive independently of their host cell.
  • Inheritance: mtDNA is inherited almost exclusively from the mother. (Nuclear DNA comes from both parents)
  • Mitochondrial DNA is more prone to mutations compared to nuclear DNA as it is exposed to free radicals generated during energy production, which can damage DNA. 
  • When mitochondria are impaired they do not produce sufficient energy. It causes inherited conditions like heart problems, liver failure, brain disorders, blindness and muscular dystrophy. There is no cure for mitochondrial DNA diseases at present. 

Mitochondria and Age-related Muscle Loss

image 173
  • mtDNA molecules can suffer from age-related deletion mutations. (A deletion mutation is when one to few thousands of base-pairs become deleted from a gene)
    • The deletion mutations accumulate in the mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) and can affect the expression of normal mtDNA.
    • Over time, this leads to critical shortage of functional mitochondria (those producing ATP) in the muscle cells.  
    • If the number of functioning mitochondria becomes too low, the muscle cell is unable to properly contract and dies. This underlies the loss of muscle mass.
  • Significance: mtDNA deletion mutations are a useful predictor of biological age. A better understanding of the process that causes deletion mutations can help researchers develop new ways to delay age-related decline in mtDNA quality. 

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