Social Justice

Namo Drone Didi Scheme 

Context: Namo Drone Didi Scheme is skilling and training women as drone-pilots and contributing to their economic empowerment and sustainable livelihood generation, in various Indian states. 

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Namo Drone Didi Scheme. 

About Namo Drone Didi Scheme

  • Namo Drone Didi is a central sector scheme to empower women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) by equipping them with drone technology to provide agricultural services. 
  • Aim: To provide drones to 15000 selected Women SHGs during the period from 2024-25 to 2025-2026, for providing rental services to farmers for agriculture purposes (application of liquid fertilisers and pesticides at present). 

Key Features of Namo Drone Didi Scheme                                                                

  • Financial Support and Accessibility   
    • Women SHGs receive substantial financial assistance, covering 80% of the drone and accessory costs, up to Rs. 8 lakhs.
    • For the remaining 20% cost, SHGs can seek loans from the National Agriculture Infrastructure Financing Facility (AIF) with a 3% interest subvention.
  • Collaborative Effort: The scheme is a collaborative venture between:
    • Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
    • Department of Rural Development
    • Department of Fertilisers
    • Lead Fertiliser Companies and other supporting entities. 
  • Cluster-Based Implementation: 
    • Scheme implementation involves selection of area/cluster and SHG groups in Rural Areas under DAY – NRLM (Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana -National Rural Livelihoods Mission), where there is demand for drones to provide agriculture services. 
  • Specialised Training for Women SHG Members: One of the members of the women SHGs will be selected for 15-day training consisting of:
    • 5-day mandatory drone pilot training. 
    • 10 days training for agriculture purposes for nutrient and pesticide application.
Namo Drone Didi Scheme

Benefits of Namo Drone Didi Scheme:                                           

  • Skill Development and Women Empowerment: 
    • Specialised training to women in drone technology and other modern agricultural practices, such as optimal application of fertilisers, pesticides, and herbicides. It enables them to perform tasks like crop monitoring, soil analysis, and precision farming more efficiently.
    • The scheme is expected to generate an additional income of at least Rs. 1 lakh per year for each SHG.
  • Enhancement of Agricultural Efficiency: 
    • Drone technology significantly enhances precise application of pesticides and fertilisers. This reduces overuse of chemicals, minimising environmental impact and lowers input costs for farmers. 
  • Community and Networking Opportunities:
    • Women can connect with a supportive network of fellow participants, industry experts, mentors, and agricultural professionals, creating avenues for mentorship and professional growth.

Sudden Cardiac Deaths in Athletes

Context: Instances of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in athletes, while rare, remain a significant concern that requires careful attention and preventive measures.

Relevance of the Topic: Key facts about Sudden Cardiac Death & Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). 

What is Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD)?

  • The most common cause of SCD is sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), characterised by an unexpected circulatory arrest (a condition where blood circulation suddenly stops) typically due to cardiac arrhythmia, occurring within an hour of symptom onset.
    • Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is the sudden loss of all heart activity due to an irregular heart rhythm.
    • Breathing stops, the person becomes unconscious. Without immediate treatment, sudden cardiac arrest can lead to death.
  • It is concerning as it causes sudden death in a structurally normal heart with no other explanation and a history consistent with cardiac-related death.
- A cardiac arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat. It occurs when the electrical signals that tell the heart to beat don't work properly. The heart may beat too fast or too slow. Or the pattern of the heartbeat may be inconsistent.

-A heart arrhythmia may feel like a fluttering, pounding or racing heartbeat. Some heart arrhythmias are harmless. Others may cause life-threatening symptoms.

Risk Factors:

  • The risk factors for SCA and SCD include: 
    • Coronary artery disease - Narrowing or blockage of coronary arteries (due to plaque/cholesterol buildup in these arteries), which supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart.
    • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy- A disease in which the heart muscle becomes thickened, also called hypertrophied. The thickened heart muscle can make it harder for the heart to pump blood.
    • Arrhythmias - An irregular heartbeat.
    • A genetic predisposition
    • Pre-existing heart conditions
    • Weight issues
    • High-intensity exercise without proper training
    • History of smoking 
    • Increased ambient temperature.

Exercise and Cardiovascular Health: 

  • Exercise is a vital tool for promoting health and well-being. It improves cardiovascular risk factors like lipid levels, hypertension, insulin sensitivity, and weight.
  • Multiple studies have established a positive correlation between moderate aerobic exercise and reduced risk of coronary artery disease.

Guidelines to Prevent Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) in Athletes: 

  • According to International Olympic Committee recommendations, pre-participation screening and periodic health evaluation are the only ways to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular accidents and other injuries in athletes.
  • The World Athletics Health and Science Department, based on IOC guidelines, recommends a pre-participation medical evaluation (PPME) at the start of the season for athletes in competitive sports. 
  • A study conducted on the benefits of pre-participation screening and periodic health evaluation demonstrated a drop in the incidence of SCD by 90% in young athletes.

Challenges: 

  • Concerns with Athletes: During vigorous physical activity by athletes, there is a substantial increase in sympathetic nervous system activity. This surge can trigger arrhythmias and potentially lead to sudden cardiac arrest.
  • Pre-participation screening and periodic health evaluation may not be possible in mass endurance events where the majority of participants are recreational athletes. Despite screening, sudden cardiac arrest may be challenging to predict. 

Way Forward

  • Prompt and appropriate resuscitation - Evidence points to excellent survival rates after arrest when appropriate resuscitation is started promptly (for every minute delay, there is a 7% decreased chance of survival.) Personnel trained in CPR and access to defibrillators on the route and at sports venues are crucial in reducing the incidence of sudden cardiac death.
  • Periodic health evaluations - As athletes, competitive or recreational, it is important to have periodic health evaluations. The ECG needs to be read by a trained physician who is aware of the physiological and structural adaptations in the heart of an athlete.
  • Correct medical information should be provided honestly by the athletes during their screening.
  • Workouts under trained coach - The risk of sudden cardiac death is higher in those with pre-existing conditions, and hence it is important that exercise be carried out under supervision or with the help of a trained coach.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs): 

CVDs are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels, including: 

  • Coronary heart disease: It happens when the heart's blood supply is blocked or interrupted by a build-up of fatty substances in the coronary arteries.
  • Cerebrovascular disease: It is an umbrella term for conditions that impact the blood vessels in the brain. It may cause a reduction of blood flow to your brain (ischemia) or bleeding (haemorrhage) in a part of your brain.
  • Peripheral arterial disease: A condition where the arteries that supply blood to the legs or arms narrow or become blocked.
  • Rheumatic heart disease: Rheumatic heart disease is a condition where the heart valves have been permanently damaged by rheumatic fever.
  • Congenital heart disease: It is one or more problems with the heart's structure that are present at birth.
  • Deep vein thrombosis: A condition when a blood clot (thrombus) forms in one or more of the deep veins in the body, usually in the legs.
  • Pulmonary embolism: A condition that arises when a blood clot that blocks and stops blood flow to an artery in the lung.

Reservation for Transgender Community

Context: The reservation demand for transgenders in educational institutions and government jobs is picking up pace across the country.

Relevance of the Topic: Mains: Reservation for Transgenders: Debate, Government Initiatives & Way Forward. 

Issue of Reservation for Transgenders

  • Background of Reservation demand: Since the 2014 NALSA judgment by the Supreme Court, there has been a push for reservations for transgender people in government jobs and education.
    • The demand for reservation arises from the socio-economic and educational backwardness of the transgender community.
    • However, there is ambiguity in the nature of reservation to be provided—whether it should be vertical (separate quota) or horizontal (within existing categories).

Arguments for Vertical Reservation

  • Separate category: Vertical reservation treats transgender people as a distinct socio-economic group, similar to SC, ST, and OBC categories.
    • It further ensures a clear, fixed percentage of seats for transgender individuals across sectors.
  • Uniform Identity: Proponents argue that transgender people face discrimination purely on gender identity, not on caste, hence a separate category is justified.
    • It simplifies the process of implementation by avoiding overlap with caste-based reservations.
  • Legal basis: The NALSA judgment identified transgender people as Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC), implying eligibility for OBC-like reservations.
    • Madhya Pradesh has already included transgender people in its OBC list following this interpretation.
image 82

Arguments for Horizontal Reservation

  • Addressing Intersectional Discrimination: Horizontal reservation acknowledges that transgender people belong to various caste groups, facing layered forms of discrimination based on both caste and gender identity.
    • Without horizontal reservation, Dalit and Bahujan transgender individuals may remain underrepresented.
  • Existing High Court Rulings: The Karnataka, Madras, and Calcutta High Courts have ruled in favor of horizontal reservations for transgender people.
    • Horizontal quotas ensure representation in each socio-economic category (SC/ST/OBC/General), preventing exclusion of marginalized caste trans individuals.
  • Grassroots Support: Various activists argue that vertical reservation ignores caste realities and perpetuates caste hierarchies by lumping all transgender people into a single category.
    • Horizontal reservation provides equitable access to resources for trans people across different caste identities.

Significant Cases and Rulings in this context

  • NALSA Judgment (2014): Directed governments to treat transgender people as socially and educationally backward classes, eligible for reservation in jobs and education.
    • However, it created ambiguity by not specifying whether reservation should be vertical or horizontal.
  • Madhya Pradesh Government (2023): Included transgender people in the OBC category, aligning with the vertical reservation approach.
  • High Court rulings: Karnataka (Sangama v State of Karnataka), Madras, and Calcutta High Courts have directed State governments to implement horizontal reservation for transgender individuals.
  • Supreme Court (March 2023): Refused to entertain a petition seeking clarification on the type of reservation to be provided, leaving the ambiguity unresolved.

Way Forward

  • Legislative Framework: A comprehensive legislative framework should be developed to provide clarity on the type of reservation—preferably horizontal, given the layered discrimination transgender people face.
  • Intersectionality in Public Policy: Policy-making must adopt an intersectional approach, recognizing the compounded disadvantages faced by Dalit and Bahujan transgender individuals.
  • Awareness and Sensitisation: Government bodies and society must be sensitized to the unique issues faced by transgender people, ensuring better implementation of reservation policies.
  • Inclusive Dialogue: Engage with diverse stakeholders, including transgender activists from marginalized castes, to ensure that reservation policies reflect the needs of the entire community.
  • Uniformity of Policy across States: A national-level directive should be issued to ensure consistency in reservation policies for transgender people across all States.

Status of progress on Horizontal Reservations for Transgender Persons in India:

  • Absence of Central Government Direction:
    • Despite the Supreme Court’s 2014 NALSA judgment recommending affirmative action for transgender persons, there has been no concrete policy from the central government regarding horizontal or vertical reservations.
    • The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 failed to include any provision for reservations, either vertical or horizontal.

Legislative Attempts so far:

  • Rights of Transgender Bill, 2015 (Private Bill):
    • This bill proposed reservations for transgender persons in both public and private sectors. It was rejected in the Lok Sabha.
  • Parliamentary Standing Committee Recommendation (2018):
    • A committee under the Ministry of Social Justice recommended that transgender persons be provided reservations in education and public employment.
  • Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 (introduced by the Centre):
    • The Act has no mention of reservations for transgender persons.
    • National Council for Transgender Persons: Established under Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.
    • Equal opportunity policy issued in pursuance of Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 and Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules, 2020.

Progress in Various States:

  • Tamil Nadu (2015): The government categorized trans women under the Most Backward Classes (MBC) category, though this policy only applies to trans women and not the entire transgender community.
  • Karnataka (2021): Following the Sangama v. State of Karnataka case, Karnataka became the first state to implement 1% horizontal reservation for transgender persons across all categories (SC/ST/OBC/General).
  • Madhya Pradesh (2023): Transgender persons were included in the OBC category, adopting a vertical reservation model, similar to Tamil Nadu’s earlier approach.

Plight of Migrant Workers

Context: According to a UNESCO report, internal migrants contribute to around 10% of India's GDP, however, migrant workers are often disregarded and considered forgotten citizens. The state mechanisms show lack of care and attention towards the plight of migrant workers.

Relevance of the Topic: Mains- Migration: Status, drivers, challenges associated, government initiatives and way forward. 

Status of Migration in India

  • As per the Census 2011, the total number of internal migrants in India were estimated to be 450 million (37% of the country’s population).
    • This had risen by 139 million from 315 million in 2001 in Census 2011 and 220 million in 1991, a doubling over 1991-2011.
  • As per NSS 2020-21 Survey: One in three Urban Indians is a ‘migrant’ but mostly intra-state. Among migrants, 55% have moved between villages, mostly women moving after marriage.
  • Marriage is a larger driver of migration than jobs for women. Jobs are the biggest reason for migration from men.
  • Himachal Pradesh and Telangana have the highest share of job-related migrants in their total urban male population.
  • Delhi has the highest share of persons (21.3%) who have come from outside its territory.

Drivers of Migration

  • Caste-based discrimination: Disadvantaged caste groups embrace migration as an opportunity to escape unfair practices in their villages, such as caste based discrimination in accessing employment, opting for other livelihood options.
  • Natural disasters and climatic conditions contribute to migration in search of livelihoods.
  • Uneven growth: The central, eastern and north-eastern parts of India have low levels of urbanisation, forcing workers to migrate to the southern and western regions, as they offer more employment opportunities.
  • Social mobility: Migration helps workers to finance expenses for marriage or to enhance their asset base, by means such as improving housing or even buying land.

Caste and Migration

  • According to NSS data, Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) are over-represented in short-term migration streams and under-represented in long-term migration streams.
  • While a substantial portion of migration for all social categories is because of marriage, a high share of both the SC and non-SC/ST categories report migrating for employment.
  • Apart from economic reasons, Lower caste groups also migrate from rural to urban areas to escape from the caste-based discrimination in their source regions.
  • SC and ST migrants are largely confined to construction sector and other informal jobs due to poor skills and lack of social networking.

Issues of Migrant Population:

  • Official Invisibility: The migrant workforce is almost invisible in official data. This absence results in deprivation of social protection programmes offered by the state.
  • No Bargaining Power: Migrant Workforce is a highly diverse group. Hence, they lack any power to bargain collectively and are susceptible to exploitation.
  • Political Exclusion: Political parties do not always recognise migrants as a political constituency and respond to their concerns, since they most often don’t exercise their voting rights in destination places.
  • Exclusion from welfare schemes: Most of the welfare schemes are linked to the place of origin of the migrants. Lack of access to proper government documents (E.g., local address proof for voter ID) deprives them from accessing most govt schemes and policies.
  • Discontinuation of education: Seasonal migrants often take their children along when they migrate for work, which negatively impacts upon the regular and continued schooling of children.
  • Violence: Social exclusion and hostility against the migrants owing to rising sense of regionalism.

Government Intervention for Migrant Workers:

●  e-SHRAM portal: To create a national database of unorganised workers seeded with Aadhaar. It is also to facilitate delivery of Social Security and welfare Schemes to such workers.

●  One Nation One Ration Card: To create a technology system which will be used for enabling migrants to access Ration from any Fair Price Shop in India.

●  Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHC) for Migrant Workers/Urban Poor (under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban ): To cater to the housing needs of eligible beneficiaries.

●  Code on Social Security, 2020: The code broadens the definition of an employee to encompass informal workers to extend the existing social security net. Under this central government will establish social security funds for informal workers, gig workers, and platform workers.

●  Prime Minister Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM-SVANidhi): To offer affordable working capital loans to street vendors, enabling them to restart their livelihoods adversely affected by the Covid-19 lockdown.

●  State Migrant Cell: Established to develop a database of migrant workers in various states, along with comprehensive mapping.

●  Election Commission's remote voting plan for migrants: That would allow domestic migrants to vote in national and regional elections for enabling political inclusion of migrant workers so they can demand their entitlements.

Inter-state Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979:

  • The Inter-state Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act was enacted by the Government of India in 1979 to safeguard the interests of migrant workers.
  • ●  The act provides for payment of minimum wages, equal payment at par with local workers for similar work, payment of journey allowance, suitable accommodation, and medical facilities free of charge among others.
    • Employers must obtain a licence from the relevant authority before employing a migrant worker. Migrant workers must be registered with the district magistrate before being employed.
    • Principal employer: If a contractor does not pay wages and other benefits to migrant workers, the principal employer is responsible.
    • Penalties: The penalty for violations of the act is up to one year in prison or a fine of up to Rs. 10,000.
  • Issues: The Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979 has some issues, including:
    • Poor Compliance: Many migrant workers are not registered with licensed contractors, which means they do not receive the benefits of the act. Migrant workers were recruited through agents/contractors to work on large construction and other projects from outside the state and this system lends itself to various abuses.
    • India’s labour force remains largely informal and unorganised. However, there has been a lack of systematic data on unorganised workers.

Recommendations of NITI Aayog

To overcome the challenges faced by the migrants, NITI Aayog prepared a Draft policy on Migrant workers. Major recommendations of the policy are:

  • Rights-based Approach: This approach towards Migrant workers will lead to enhancing the agency and capability of the community.
  • Political inclusion of Migrant Workers to enhance accountability of political leadership towards welfare of migrant workers of their respective states.
  • Amending Inter State Migrant Workers Act, 1979 as the existing law protects only labourers migrating through a contractor, and left out independent migrants.
  • Collecting credible data on Migrants and Creation of a central database to help employers fill the gap between demand and supply and ensure maximum benefit of social welfare schemes.
  • Setting up Inter-State Coordination mechanisms and adopting strategies to check distress migration.

Addressing various challenges of Migrants is crucial for seamless migration of labourers across the country and economic unification of the country.

UDISE+ Report: Drop in School Enrollment in 2023-24

Context: Recently, the Ministry of Education has released the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) report that indicates a drop in the school enrollment ratio. The number of enrolled students in 2022-23 were 25.17 crore, while the figures for 2023-24 stood at 24.80 crore.

Relevance of the topic:

Prelims: Key facts about the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) report. 

Mains: Analysis of causes of dropping enrollment and other trends in the Report. 

Major Highlights of the UDISE+ Report

  • Decline in School Enrollment Rate:
    • The number of enrolled students in 2022-23 were 25.17 crore, while the figures for 2023-24 stood at 24.80 crore.
      • In 2018-19 total enrollment was 26.02 crore, which increased in 2019-20 by 1.6%. 
      • Enrollment slightly fell in the 2020-21 due to COVID-19 led lockdown. 
      • In 2021-22, enrollment slightly improved by 0.76% (due government schemes like PRAGYATA scheme of digital education and lockdown upliftment).
    • There is a sharp increase in the enrollment in the private schools as compared to the government schools, suggesting shifting back to private institutions.
  • Drop-out rates rise sharply at higher education levels, from 5.2% in middle school to 10.9% at the secondary stage.
    • Increase in Dropout Rate for Boys: From 2018-19 to 2023-24, boys enrollment percentage dropped by 4.87%, while in similar duration girls dropout reduced by 4.48%.
  • Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER): While the preparatory level boasts a GER of 96.5%, the foundational level is at a mere 41.5%. Middle and secondary levels are at 89.5% and 66.5%, respectively. 
  • State-wise trends: 
    • States like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra witnessed the highest dropouts as per the report.
    • State-wise discrepancies: West Bengal has 79% foundational and preparatory schools but only 11.6% secondary schools, creating a risk of higher dropout rates. 
image 17
  • State of School Infrastructure:
    • While over 90% of schools have basic amenities like electricity and gender-specific toilets, advanced facilities such as functional desktops, internet access and ramps with handrails remain limited.
    • Only 57.2% of schools have functional computers, 53.9% have internet, and 52.3% are equipped with ramps, underscoring significant gaps in accessibility and tech readiness.

About UIDSE+

  • Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) Plus is a data aggregation platform maintained by the Ministry of Education ministry to collate school education data from across the country.
    • UDISE+ is an upgraded version of the original UDISE (Unified District Information System for Education).
    • UDISE+ system was developed by the Department of School Education & Literacy in the year 2018-19.
    • Aim:
      • To enhance the efficiency, accuracy, and accessibility of education data.
      • To overcome the issues related to erstwhile practice of manual data filling in paper format. 
  • UDISE+ 2023-24 attempted to collect student-wise data along with their Aadhaar numbers on a voluntary basis to establish a uniqueness. Overall, more than 19.7 crore students provided Aadhaar numbers by 2023-24.
  • Significance: The shift from aggregated school-level data to individual student records, facilitated by Aadhaar-linked unique educational IDs-
    • Gives a more accurate picture of the education system. 
    • Enhances the monitoring of progression and retention. 
    • Streamline beneficiary identification for government schemes, reducing duplication and promoting equitable resource distribution.
image 18

Potential Reasons for the Decline in School Enrollment

  • Change in Data Collection Methodology: In 2022-23, MoE started a revitalised UDISE+ ecosystem which captures data on more than 60 fields for each student and Aadhaar details were also collected on a voluntary basis.
    • More efforts have been put in to accurately establish student and teacher credentials to remove duplicate/ghost entries for specific identification of beneficiaries. 
    • UDISE+ 2022-23 data is not strictly comparable with the previous reports on various educational indicators like Gross Enrolment Ratio, Net Enrolment Ratio, dropout rates etc. 
    • Apart from Aadhaar, a separate unique educational ID (EID) for every student has been created in the UDISE+ portal to cover each and every child under the ecosystem of UDISE+. 
  • Alternate Education Choices: There is increasing preference for homeschooling and the alternate means of education, reducing enrollment in the schools.
  • Post-pandemic school preference: Post pandemic there is high enrollment in the private schools, suggesting changes in parental preferences and perception of quality education. 
  • Demographic change: A slight reduction in the birth rate in India may also be impacting the enrollment numbers of school-age children. 
  • Infrastructure and Resource challenges: Issues like insufficient smart classrooms, low teacher to student ratio may also impact enrollment. E.g., Only 12% of government schools have a functional smart classroom. 

Way Forward

  • Enhancing budget: There should be a 6% of GDP allocation (in line with the recommendation of National Education Policy, 2020) to education to improve physical and digital infrastructure and resources in schools.
  • Proper monitoring: There should be a timely and proper monitoring of the learning outcomes of the students not only in the form of examinations but also in terms of problem solving assessments. 
  • Inviting guest faculty: There should be a provision for regular inclusion of guest faculty for improved learning outcomes of the students. E.g., Vidyanjali scheme of voluntary guest faculty in schools.

Conclusion: The report suggests a reduction in overall enrolment of the students, suggesting a scope of improvement in standards of the education. The focus should be in enhanced fund allocation, improved monitoring, inviting expertise, and quality enhancement by gaining public feedback to promote higher enrollment. Curtailing dropouts and ensuring universal access to education at all levels by 2030 is one of the primary goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and Sustainable Development Goals.

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. 

High dropout rates in Eklavya Model Residential Schools

Context: The government data shows that Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) are struggling to meet a sub quota of 5% for the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in admissions.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS). 

Major Highlights:

The findings show that: 

  • Just 3.4% of students in EMR schools now are from PVTG communities.
  • The States that had the most students (Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Gujarat) were also struggling to meet the 5% quota. 
  • In Madhya Pradesh, PVTG students account for 3.8% of the total students. 
  • In Chhattisgarh, they make up 2.74% of the student population.  
  • In Gujarat, just 21 students out of the total 10,688 belong to PVTG communities.
  • Data tabled in Lok sabha highlighted that more and more PVTG students had been dropping out of these schools for the past three years.

Eklavya Model Residential Schools

  • EMRS is a central sector scheme which aims to provide quality education to Scheduled Tribes (ST) students from Class 6 to Class 12.
    • The government planned to establish one EMRS in every block with more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal population as per 2011 census.
    • In blocks, where density of ST population is higher than 90%, Eklavya Model Day Boarding Schools (EMDBS) can be set up on an experimental basis. 
  • Education is provided free of cost to tribal students in EMRS.
  • These schools focus not only on academic education but on the all-round development of students.
    • These schools have special facilities for preserving local art & culture besides providing training in sports and skill development.
    • Each school has a capacity of 480 students and is on par with Navodaya Schools.
  • States can also run EMRS in alternative buildings preferably in Government buildings till the construction of schools is completed.
  • Implementation:
    • This scheme is administered by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
    • National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), an autonomous organisation, has been created to manage and implement the scheme of EMRS.

Note:

  • The provision to introduce a 5% sub-quota for PVTG students in admissions to Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) was introduced after their administration was centralised by setting up the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) in 2019.
  • As of July 2024, 708 EMRSs have been sanctioned across the country, out of which 405 schools are functional.

Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG)

  • There are some tribes who are more vulnerable because of their extreme backwardness and low literacy. They are categorised as particularly vulnerable tribal groups.
    • In 1973, the Dhebar Commission created Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) as a separate category, which are less developed among the tribal groups.
    • In 2006, the Government of India renamed the PTGs as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
  • Criteria for identification of PVTGs: 
    • Pre-agricultural level of technology  
    • Low level of literacy
    • Economic backwardness   
    • A declining or stagnant population Accordingly,
  • 75 PTVGs have been identified across the country, spread over 18 states and 1 Union Territory (Andaman & Nicobar) Among the 75 listed PVTGs the highest number are found in Odisha (13), followed by Andhra Pradesh (12).

Factors contributing to High dropout rates in EMRS:

The following factors which are primarily responsible for the persistent dropout rates in EMRS:

  • Quality of Education: The academic performance of EMRSs has been below national averages.
    • Achievement Surveys from 2017 show that EMRSs scored lower than the national average, with the highest score being just 52.8%, slightly above the national average for Scheduled Tribe students. 
  • Infrastructure Gaps: Many EMRSs lack adequate facilities affecting the learning environment.
    • As of June 2023, out of 684 sanctioned schools, only 46 had their own premises; the rest operated in rented or government buildings.
  • Teacher Shortage: There's a significant deficit of qualified teachers which adversely impacts educational quality.
    • In 2021, 3,400 teaching posts were advertised, but the recruitment process was cancelled in 2022. Consequently, about 70% of teachers are either contractual or on deputation.
  • Pressure to Work: Tribal students often face economic hardships, compelling them to work and contribute to family income, leading to higher dropout rates.
    • The Tribal Development Report 2022 indicates that 48.2% of tribal children leave school before completing Class 8, and this number rises to 62.4% by Class 10. 

To reduce dropout rates in EMRS, there is a need to prioritise infrastructure development and teacher recruitment. The government must ensure financial aid to tribal families and establish vocational training. Use of digital tools along with their robust monitoring would enhance academic and will foster long-term educational inclusivity.

NITI Aayog proposes S.A.F.E. Accommodations

Context: The NITI Aayog recently released a report “S.A.F.E. Accommodation - Worker Housing for manufacturing growth” suggesting the Central Government to build mega housing projects near manufacturing plants where industrial workers could rent a room for as low as Rs 3000.

Relevance of the Topic: Mains: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States. (S.A.F.E. Accommodations for Workers)

India’s Manufacturing Aspirations: 

  • India aims to increase the manufacturing sector’s contribution to GDP (from the current 17% to 25%) and become a global manufacturing hub, as part of its vision for ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047. 
  • As per the Economic Survey 2023-24, India needs to add 7.85 million jobs every year until 2030 to sustain economic growth. A productive workforce is central to attain the vision. 
  • India needs to create more jobs for women and increase Female Labour Force Participation Rate. In India, women contribute only 18% to the GDP. (In China, women’s contribution to GDP is around 41%)
India’s Manufacturing Aspirations

Issues due to Inadequate Housing near Industrial hubs: 

Why S.A.F.E. Accommodation Matters?

  • Enhance Workforce Productivity
    • Lower commute time
    • Affordable housing for workers 
    • Improves workers’ quality of life 
    • Enables labour mobility 
  • Win-Win-Win Scenario:
    • S.A.F.E. accommodation for labour, Increases FLFP rate. 
    • Lower attrition rate, lower recruitment costs and stable workforce for Companies.
    • Promotes planned Urban development. 
    • Ensures attractive returns on investment for Private developers. 
    • Promotes competitiveness of the Indian manufacturing sector & attracts global investment. 
    • Aligns with Global Labour Standards (E.g., ILO Labor Welfare Conventions)

Note: 

  • Factories Act, 1948: Mandates basic welfare amenities for workers which can be extended to housing. (As per the Act: Factories employing more than 150 workers must provide and maintain adequate and suitable shelters/restrooms, and lunchrooms for the use of workers)
  • Social Security Code, 2020: Consolidates the laws relating to social security benefits including housing to all employees either in the organised, unorganised or any other sectors. 

Challenges in Scaling Up Worker Accommodation:

  • Restrictive Zoning Laws: Residential developments are often prohibited in industrial zones unless explicitly permitted. 
  • Restrictive Building Laws: Low Floor Area Ratios (FAR) and other inefficient land-use regulations limit the potential for high-capacity housing on available land.
  • High Operating Costs: Hostel accommodations in industrial zones are often classified as commercial establishments, leading to higher property taxes and utility rates.
  • Financial Viability: High capital costs and low returns make large-scale worker accommodation projects unattractive to private developers. 

Proposed Solutions by NITI Ayog: 

1. Regulatory Recommendations:

  • Classification of S.A.F.E Accommodation: S.A.F.E accommodation should be classified as a distinct category of residential housing. This classification would ensure:
    • GST Exemption for accommodations meeting specified criteria (E.g., ₹20,000 per person per month for a continuous stay of 90 days).
    • Residential Rates: Application of residential property tax, electricity, and water tariffs to reduce operating costs. 
  • Long-term, dormitory-style affordable accommodations designed exclusively for industrial workers, located near their workplaces.
  • Zoning Reforms: Allow ‘mixed land use’ in industrial zones or designate ‘SAFE accommodation as a permitted use in industrial zones’ to enable construction of working houses close to workplaces.
  • Environment Clearance Exemption: Include S.A.F.E. accommodations under the exemptions provided for industrial sheds, schools, colleges, and hostels in the draft notification issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).

2. Financial Recommendations:

  • Provision of Viability Gap Funding (VGF):
    • Provide up to 30-40% of the total project cost (excluding land) through VGF, with 20% contributed by the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) and 10% by the sponsoring nodal ministry (MoHUA). Additionally, State Governments may provide a VGF up to 10%. 
    • Amend Annexure 3 of the VGF scheme to include affordable rental housing as an eligible sector.
  • Retrofitting Existing Facilities: The VGF can also be leveraged to retrofit / upgrade existing brownfield workers’ accommodation facilities. 
  • Competitive Bidding: Determine VGF support through a transparent and competitive bidding process. 

Conclusion: As India progresses towards becoming a $5 trillion economy, addressing workers accommodation challenges is a priority. By aligning the regulatory and financial frameworks, India can unlock the potential for sustainable worker housing solutions that would bolster the manufacturing ecosystem, enhance workforce productivity, and attract global investments. 

Universal Health Coverage (UHC)

Context: Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is essential for ensuring that all individuals in India can access quality healthcare without facing financial hardship. Public spending on health plays a crucial role in achieving this goal.

Relevance of the Topic: Mains: Issues relating to development and management of services relating to Health.

Universal Health Coverage: 

  • Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. 
  • The concept of Universal Health Coverage covers three key elements — access, quality, and financial protection. 
  • India is committed to achieving Universal Health care for all by 2030, which is fundamental to achieving the other Sustainable Development Goals.
Universal Health Coverage

Extent of Public Spending on Health in India:

  • Total Health Expenditure (THE) for India is estimated to be around 3.3% of GDP and ₹4,863 per capita.
  • Share of Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) in Total Health Expenditure declined from 62.6% in 2014-15 to 47.1% in 2019-20.
  • Share of Government Health Expenditure in Total Health Expenditure increases from 29% (2014-15) to 41.4% (2019-20).
  • Government Health Expenditure’s share in the country's total GDP increases from 1.13% (2014-15) to 1.35% (2019-20).
Extent of Public Spending on Health in India 1
Extent of Public Spending on Health in India 2

Despite the significant increase in government expenditure on Health, it is still way below the target of National Health Policy (2017)-  2.5% of GDP.

Need for Government Health Expenditure:

  • Preventive Healthcare: Unlike private Health expenditure, public spending invests heavily on preventive health care services like Immunization and Nutrition which ultimately reduces the expenditure burden on curative Healthcare.
  • Reduce Catastrophic Expenditure: In a country like India whose workforce is predominantly concentrated in the informal sector and devoid of social security net, there is more probability for incidence of catastrophic health expenditure on its population. Hence, significant public spending on health is necessary to reduce catastrophic health expenditure and incidence of poverty as a result of it.
  • Limitations of Private Participation:
    • Affordability: Since private institutions require heavy investment in infrastructure, advanced equipment and quality professionals, health services are not affordable. This causes heavy out-of-pocket expenditure by households, especially in secondary & tertiary care.
    • Issues in Private insurance: Adverse selection (asymmetric information between buyer and insurer) and moral hazard (reckless attitude of insured consumers), lead to higher pay-out by insurance companies. This cost is adjusted by increasing premium prices, which makes health insurance less attractive for the majority of Indians.
    • Issues with private participation in public-funded health protection schemes:
      • Supply-induced demand: When patients are protected under schemes like PMJAY, private hospitals can resort to over-prescription of medication, non-standardised tests, and a longer duration of therapy to generate additional revenue.
      • High cost of premium due to 18% GST burden.
      • Low-reimbursement tariffs set by the government deter genuine private hospitals to be part of such schemes.
    • Overpriced drugs: Private firms have invested heavily in R&D for new drugs, especially for secondary and tertiary care; hence, the price of patented drugs is passed on to consumers.

Conclusion: Private participation can only complement but can not replace public spending on Health to achieve the goal of Universal Health Coverage. ​​To move India towards UHC, the government, civil society, health-care providers, and communities need to work together.                      

AIIMS devises new Breast Cancer Detection Tool

Context: The All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) in New Delhi has recently unveiled an AI-based solution to assist in the early detection of Breast Cancer. 

Relevance of The Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Breast Cancer; New AI Cancer Detection Tool

What is Breast Cancer?

  • Breast cancer results from abnormal growth in breast cells which form tumours.
    • Breast cancer cells begin inside the milk ducts and/or the milk-producing lobules of the breast. The cells can spread into nearby breast tissue and create tumours. 
    • The earliest form (in situ) is not life-threatening if detected in early stages. 
    • In later cases, invasive cancers can spread to nearby lymph nodes or other organs (metastasize). Metastasis can be life-threatening and fatal.
  • Females at highest risk: Approximately 99% of breast cancers occur in women and 0.5–1% of breast cancers occur in men.
  • Treatment: Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgical removal of breasts etc.
  • Prevalence in India: Breast Cancer is the most common cancer in women in India. India ranks highest in the number of estimated breast cancer deaths (98,337) for the year 2022 among females.  
factors increasing & decreasing

Risk Factors: 

Certain factors increase the risk of breast cancer, they include-

  • Increasing age (females over 40 years). 
  • Lifestyle factors: Obesity, harmful use of alcohol, tobacco use, history of radiation exposure etc.
  • Genetic factors: The risks of developing breast cancer are markedly increased in people who inherit mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. 
    • BRCA1 or BRCA2 are tumour suppressor genes present in both males and females. They produce proteins that repair DNA and are responsible for the stability of genetic material. 
    • Mutations in these genes increase the chances of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer and pancreatic cancer. 
BRCA genetic mutation

About New AI Cancer Detection Tool:

  • The All India Institute Of Medical Science (AIIMS) in New Delhi has recently unveiled an AI-based solution that assists with the early detection of Breast Cancer. 
  • Aim: Improving early breast cancer detection and reducing mortality by identifying breast cancer patterns specific to Indian women. 
  • The project is part of the Indian government’s flagship scheme to establish three Centres of Excellence (CoE) in AI, focusing on healthcare, agriculture, and sustainable cities.

How will the AI model work?

  • The AI model will first scan a five-year database of women tested for breast cancer at some medical institutions (presently pilot study- AIIMS Delhi, NCI Jhajjar and PGI Chandigarh) regardless if they were tested negative or had developed cancer. 
  • For identifying Indian risk factors for breast cancer, ASHA workers will collect data (after detailed conversations with families about their personal health status and family history of diseases) which will be fed into the AI tool. 
  • After analysing the data, the AI tool will predict the risk of developing breast cancer by combining a patient’s general test results with their lifestyle and family history data.
    • It will extract common risk factors and then recommend mammograms (specialised X-rays to check for signs of breast cancer) for women it thinks are cancer-prone. 
    • It will also help codify what constitutes a no-risk category.

Benefits of AI Cancer detection Tool:

  • Facilitate early screening: AI-trained systems can recognise complex features in mammograms that indicate cancer, thus picking up even the smallest signs. 
  • Data-profiling based on risk factors: AI can interpret the data pool and identify which women may need mammograms while reassuring others with low-risk profiles. 
  • Reduce cost: The AI-trained systems would not require a radiologist, help reduce the amount of manual work involved in screening which can lower costs.
  • Facilitate cancer detection in remote areas: The tool can provide advanced breast cancer screening, even in remote areas where there is a shortage of trained radiologists.

Presently, a pilot project has been initiated. If the AI tool is found to be effective, then an economic assessment will be conducted on the cost required to scale this up pan-India and take it up for licensing. 

Demographic Issues in India

Context: As the most populous nation in the world, India is facing a demographic dilemma. The dual challenge lies in harnessing the potential of its youthful population while addressing the growing burden of an ageing society. 

Relevance of the Topic: Mains: Population Issues & Demographic Transition- Trends, Concerns. 

India’s Demographic Transition:

  • Young Nation: India is among the youngest nations with a median age of 29 years and 65% of its population below the age of 35 years. 
  • Regional Variation: All States, except Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh have witnessed their total fertility rate (TFR) declining below 2.1. TFR in Tamil Nadu is the lowest (1.4), followed by Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Kerala (1.5) and Karnataka (1.6), far below the national average of 2.0.
  • Increased Share of Working Age Population: India has been witnessing a growing proportion of its population in the working-age group, which presents an opportunity for economic growth.
  • Ageing Population: With low TFR levels and increased longevity, India is expected to witness a declining share of young population (<15 years). Also UNFPA’s “India ageing report 2023” postulates that the share of elderly (60+ years) in total population would nearly double from 10.5% in 2022 to 20.8% by 2050.
  • Steadily declining population growth rate: According to the UN, India’s population growth rate has been steadily declining since the 1990s. In 2021, the average annual rate of change of population was barely 1%. At this rate, India’s population will continue to grow, peak by 2060 and thereafter, start to decline.
image 109

Concerns for states with Ageing Population:

Due to massive strides in socio-economic development indicators like education, health, nutrition and employment, southern States have much more pronounced Population ageing vis-a-vis northern States.

  • Economic challenges:
    • Consequently, southern States face potential risks of declining future economic growth potential and rise in inbound migration. 
  • Political challenges:
    • Chances of significant potential decline in resource transfers from the Centre and erosion of political representation in Parliament after next delimitation exercise.
    • This could accentuate the already widening trust deficit between the Centre and States, eventually leading to “confrontationist federalism”, instead of “cooperative federalism”.
  • Social challenges:
    • The rapidly evolving uneven demographic landscape could exacerbate inter-State migration — from the northern and eastern States to the more affluent southern States.
    • This demographic rebalancing can create social disharmony, economic slowdown, political disequilibrium, and constitutional complications.

Way Forward:

  • Tapping into the potential of the Silver Economy: Harnessing the “silver dividend" by expanding safety nets, fostering care economy, and support systems for the greying population.
  • Investing in Human Capital: To harness the demographic dividend, it is crucial to invest in health, education, and skill development. This will enhance the productivity of the workforce and ensure sustainable economic growth.
  • Addressing the Increasing Share of the Elderly Population:
    • As the old age population grows, it is essential to establish a robust social security net that includes pensions, provident funds, and insurance to provide financial stability.
    • Develop geriatrics care infrastructure, including care homes and assisted living devices, to support the elderly population effectively.
    •  Consider increasing the retirement age to align with changing demographics and ensure a sustainable workforce.
  • Facilitating Inter-State Migration: With variations in Total Fertility Rate (TFR) levels among states, mass inter-state migration may occur. To accommodate this, the government should:
    • Invest in mass transport infrastructure to facilitate easy movement.
    • Implement the three-language formula to ease integration.
    • Remove local quotas on jobs to promote equitable access to employment opportunities.
  • Delimitation of Constituencies: Adjusting the delimitation of constituencies and changing representation in Parliament according to shifting demographics will ensure fair representation and address the needs of diverse populations.
  • Adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI): Utilising AI can help address labor shortages in certain states by automating processes and improving efficiency, thus complementing the existing workforce.
  • Consolidation of Primary Schools: In light of the declining share of the young population, consolidating or merging primary schools can enhance their viability.

Conclusion: The Union government needs to frame pragmatic policies to manage demographic transition and reap demographic dividend. By implementing these policies, the government can effectively navigate demographic changes, promote economic stability, and ensure that all citizens benefit from the evolving socio-economic landscape.

PoSH Act and its applicability to Political Parties

Context: The Supreme Court heard a PIL stating that the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (PoSH Act) should apply to political parties.

Relevance of the Topic:Prelims: Key facts about PoSH Act. 

Salient features of the PoSH Act

  • The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, commonly known as the PoSH Act, was passed in 2013. 
  • The act defines sexual harassment at the work place and creates a mechanism for redressal of complaints. It also provides safeguards against false or malicious charges.

What constitutes sexual harassment under the PoSH Act?

  • Sexual harassment includes “any one or more” of the following “unwelcome acts or behaviour” committed directly or by implication:
    • Physical contact and advances
    • A demand or request for sexual favours
    • Sexually coloured remarks
    • Showing pornography
    • Any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of sexual nature.

Key provisions of the Act: 

  • Every employer is required to constitute an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) at each office with 10 or more employees.  
  • The District Officer is required to constitute a Local Complaints Committee at each district, and if required at the block level.
  • The Complaints Committees have the powers of Civil Courts for:
    • gathering evidence
    • summoning and requiring the attendance of any person and interrogating him under oath
    • Requirement to discover and produce documents.
  • The Complaints Committees are required to provide for conciliation before initiating an inquiry, if requested by the complainant. 
  • Non-compliance with the provisions of the Act shall be punishable with a fine of up to Rs 50,000. Repeated violations may lead to higher penalties and cancellation of licence or registration to conduct business.
image 97

Applicability of PoSH Act:

  • Section 3 (1) - Prevention of sexual harassment – “No woman shall be subjected to sexual harassment at any workplace.”
  • Definition of Workplace is Expansive and it includes:
    • Organisations, institutions, and other public sector bodies that are established, owned, controlled or wholly or substantially financed by funds provided directly or indirectly by the appropriate government.
    • Organisations in the private sector, hospitals, nursing homes, sports venues, houses.
    • It also covers locations visited by an employee during the course of employment. 
  • The aggrieved victim under the Act can be a woman of any age whether employed [at the workplace] or not, who alleges to have been subjected to any act of sexual harassment. 

Also Read: Sexual Harassment at Workplace [POSH Act]

Applicability of PoSH Act on Political Parties:

  • Provisions of the constitution of the Internal Complaint Committee (ICC) by political parties have not been made clear in the text of the Act.
  •  Kerala High Court has addressed this question previously in the case of Centre for Constitutional Rights Research and Advocacy v/s State of Kerala and others (2022)
    • In this case the court took up several petitions seeking the establishment of ICCs in television, film, news and political organisations.
    • On the subject of political parties, the court held that “there is no employer- employee relationship with its members and political parties do not carry out any private venture undertaking enterprises institution establishment etc. in contemplation of workplace under the PoSH Act”.
    • Thus the court held that political parties are not liable for establishment of internal complaint committee
  • In the present case, the Supreme Court directed the petitioner to first approach the Election Commission of India (ECI) to prevail upon the recognised political parties for creation of an in house mechanism to deal with complaints of sexual harassment.

Challenges w.r.t Political parties:

  • Defining Workplace: Party workers often have little interaction with high level officials and are hired temporarily to operate on the field without a defined “workplace”.
  • Defining Employer: As the employer is responsible for setting up the ICC. The court or the ECI will have to clarify who the employer is in the context of a political party.

What do experts have to say?

  • The term “workplace” under the PoSH Act includes locations visited by an employee, which could allow the Act's protection to extend to party workers in the field.
  • The Act also provides a wide definition for the term “employee”. It includes people who are employed temporarily, contract workers, volunteers with or without the knowledge of the principal employer.
  • Moreover, political party constitutions often provide organisational hierarchies which could help determine who the “employer” would be.

Current handling of sexual harassment complaints:

  • Currently parties handle internal discipline through their committees, for example BJP has Disciplinary Action Committee while Congress has higher level committees to take action against individual members and committees that are subordinate to it.
  • However, there is no requirement for these committees to have women or external members as would be required for an ICC under the POSH Act.
  • Moreover, sexual harassment could only fall under certain actions that would be considered “Breach of Discipline”, amounting to lower the prestige of the party or being guilty of offences involving moral turpitude.