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Recently the Karnataka High Court has suspended all mining licenses for stone quarrying within a 20-km radius of the Krishna Raja Sagar Dam under provisions of the Dam Safety Act, 2021.

About the Krishna Raja Sagar Dam

• Location: The Krishna Raja Sagar Dam is located near the confluence of river Kaveri with its tributaries, Hemavati and Lakshmana Tirtha, in Karnataka.
• It was designed by Sir M. Visvesvaraya. 
• Purpose: To store water from the Cauvery River to support agricultural activities in the surrounding regions.

Also Refer: The Dynamics Of The Kaveri River Water Dispute

Dam Safety Initiatives Taken By the Government of India

• Dam Safety Act 2021: It provides for an empowered institutional framework for dam safety both at the Centre and State and will also help in standardizing and improving dam safety practices across the country.
• Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP): It is used to improve the safety and operational performance of selected existing dams in the country.
• National Hydrological Project: It will help in gathering hydro-meteorological data on a real real-time basis.

Issue of Dam Safety in India

• Ineffective Compliance with the Dam Safety Act, 2021: Only  20 states have some institution that functions as the State Dam Safety Organisation. 
• No Regular Update: The Central Water Commission (maintains a record of dam failure events but the list is collected from states, and is not regularly updated).
• Dam Failure Analysis:  It is currently only addressed by the EIA notification issued under the Environment Protection Act, of 1986. 
  • However, there is no standardization in how dam failure analyses are conducted and reported.

Steps to Improve Dam Safety

• New acceptability criteria need to be evolved for the present and future dams.
• Dam break studies, glacial break studies, and preparation of emergency Action Plans.
• Analysis of structural behavior of Dams with special reference to implemented instrumentation systems in the dams
• Monitoring implementation of Dam Safety Legislation
• The technology upgradation for the rehabilitation of distressed dams in an efficient manner.

Continue To Reading: An Overview of Dam Safety in India

News Source: The Hindu

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India has flagged concerns relating to confidential trade data of its exporters getting compromised while complying with the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

About Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

• The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is a European Union regulation to put a ‘fair’ price on carbon emitted during the production of items identified as carbon-intensive in non-EU countries when they are imported into the bloc. 
• It will be levied in the form of a carbon tax calculated on the basis of the embedded emissions.
• EU’s “Fit for 55 in 2030 package: It is a component of the EU’s “Fit for 55 in 2030 package,” which aims to comply with the European Climate Law by reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 when compared to 1990 levels.
• Targeted Industries: Cement, iron and steel, aluminum, fertilizers, power, and hydrogen imports from nations with less strict climate regulations than the EU will be subject to the CBAM.

Significance of Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism

• Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism will encourage cleaner production in non-EU countries and to ensure that its own climate objectives are not undermined.

How Will the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) Affect India?

• Impact on India’s Energy-Intensive Exports: India’s exports of energy-intensive products, such as steel, aluminum, cement, and fertilizers, will be severely impacted.
  • For Example: India exported 27% of its iron, steel, and aluminum products to the EU in 2022.

Conclusion

India must adopt a multipronged strategy that includes exploring bilateral agreements, expanding its export markets, encouraging greener production, and participating in international forums to resist CBAM. 

Must Read: Green Credit Program (GCP): What Is It? And Its Significance

News Source: The Indian Express

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The Prime Minister held bilateral meetings with the President of Timor Leste and Mozambique, a day before the inauguration of the 10th edition of Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit.

About Timor Leste or East Timor

• About: It is an island country in the eastern Lesser Sunda Islands, at the southern extreme of the Malay Archipelago. 
• Capital: Dili is the capital and largest city.
• Location: It is bounded by the Timor Sea to the southeast, the Wetar Strait to the north, the Ombai Strait to the northwest, and western Timor (part of the Indonesian province of East Nusa Tenggara) to the southwest.

About Mozambique

• Location: Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique, is a country located in Southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west, and Eswatini and South Africa to the southwest. 
• Capital: The capital and largest city of Mozambique is Maputo.
• Mozambique Channel: It separates Mozambique from the Comoros, Mayotte and Madagascar.
• Drainage: The Zambezi River and its tributaries dominate the central region, and the Maputo River forms part of the southernmost boundary with Swaziland and South Africa. 
  • The Zambezi River cuts through the country’s midsection.
• Mozambique was earlier a Portuguese colony, overseas province and later a member state of Portugal. It gained independence from Portugal in 1975.

News Source: Economic Times

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Recently, the Karnataka High Court has allowed the over-a-century-old Yakshagana mela, the Kateel Durgaparameshwari Prasadita Yakshagana Mandali, in Dakshina Kannada will revert to all-night shows from January 14, adhering to Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000.

About Yakshagana (Song of Yaksha)

• A Recreational Activity: It is the most popular dance of Karnataka. 
  • The dance-drama is a night-long event in open-air theaters, typically in village paddy fields after the winter crop has been harvested. 
• Origin: Often traced back to the 11th to 16th centuries CE, it includes stories from Hindu epics like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
  • Parthi Subba is considered the father of Yakshagana. He composed around 18 Yakshagana prasangas (the text of verses).
• Aim: To entertain people living in remote villages of coastal Karnataka, with Yakshagana troupes traveling from village to village, spreading their theatrical magic wherever they go.
• Forms: It has two forms:
  • The Moodalopaya Form: It is commonly performed in the eastern region.
  • The Puduvlopaya Form: It is more common in the western region. 

• Features: 

  • Performance Style: The Yakshagana performance combines songs, music, scholarly dialogues and dance. 
  • Wearing: Performers usually wear “large size headgear, colored faces, elaborate costumes all over the body and musical beads on the legs (Gejje). 
    • Performers need a great physique for several hours, a strong voice, and acting/dancing skills.
  • Performed by: It traditionally featured men portraying all roles. But, now women are also part of these troupes.
  • Used Musical Instruments: Chande (drums), Taala (mini metal clappers), Flute, Harmonium and Maddale.

About Troupes

• Each troupe comprises 15 to 20 actors and a Bhagavatha, who is the master of ceremonies and main storyteller. 
• The Yakshagana troupes are known as ‘melas’ and perform throughout the year, particularly in Udupi, South Canara, and North Canara.
• Renowned Troupes: Saligrama Mela, Dharmasthala Mela and Mandarthi Mela showcase Yakshagana annually.
• Kateel: It refers to the town of Kateel in Karnataka, known for its unique troupes or ‘Melas’ performing this art form.

Also Refer: Classical Dances Of India, Updated 2023-24 List 

News Source: The Hindu

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Recently, researchers have devised an eco-friendly process to manufacture a highly absorbent material using Sisal plant leaves, to transform the production of menstrual hygiene products.

Harnessing Sisal Plants Leaves in Menstrual Products

• Researchers developed a Sisal plant leaf delignification process inspired by termite guts and wood-rot fungi.

• • The termite gastrointestinal tract contains an astonishing consortium of organisms.
• Peroxyformic acid has been used in this process to remove lignin while selectively preserving the structure of cellulose microfibers.
• The approach minimizes environmental damage compared to traditional methods. Decomposed by-products from this process pose minimal harm.

About Sisal Plant Leaves

• Sisal Plant Characteristics

  • The Sisal Plant is a succulent plant well-known for thriving in arid regions and belonging to the Agave species.

• • Features include a robust 90 cm (3 feet) tall stalk with thorns and an unpleasant odor.
  • Forms dense clusters at branch ends, with buds growing in the upper angle between the stem and flower stalk.
  • Indigenous to Central America, cultivated in various countries including Kenya, Mozambique, Brazil, and the Philippines.

• Sisal Plant Leaves and Its Lifecycle and Utility

  • Lifespan: 7-10 years, producing 200-250 usable leaves.
  • Water-retaining properties and sustainable cultivation make it suitable for absorbent materials.

• Historical Significance of Sisal Plant

  • Ancient Aztec and Mayan civilizations pioneered using sisal leaves for diverse purposes.
  • Applications ranged from paper production to the distillation of alcoholic beverages.

• Application of Sisal Plant Leaves

• • Each leaf boasts approximately a thousand fibers, offering sustainable options for rope, paper, and cloth manufacturing.

What is the Situation with Access to Menstrual Hygiene Across Countries?

• In 2022, Ashoka University’s Centre for Economic Data and Analysis documented a substantial increase in the adoption of sanitary practices among individuals.
  • However, there is  Limited access to menstrual hygiene products for approximately 500 million people worldwide.

• • In rural India, only 42% of adolescent women exclusively use hygienic methods for menstrual management.

Continue To Read: Menstrual Hygiene In India

What Steps Have Been Taken to Make Sanitary Napkins More Sustainable?

• Growing environmental issues about menstrual sanitation waste have prompted scientists to explore more sustainable options for sanitary napkins.

• Various institutions have used plant fibers, such as banana plants to reduce synthetic superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) in napkins.
• In addition to it, Sisal, a succulent plant with water-storing capabilities, has also been proposed as an alternative for environmentally sustainable sanitary napkins.
• The absorbent capability of sisal’s fluff pulp is high compared to cotton sourced from commercially produced sanitary napkins.

Also Refer: Draft Menstrual Hygiene Policy For Social Justice In India

What are the Health Risks Associated with Sanitary Napkins?

• Dioxin Content: Single-use sanitary napkins contain dioxin, a persistent environmental pollutant.
  • Dioxin is classified as a “known human carcinogen” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
• Health Hazards: Exposure to dioxin in sanitary napkins poses potential health risks, including increased cancer risk.
• Environmental Impact: Improper disposal of sanitary napkins contributes to environmental pollution due to the non-biodegradable waste they generate.

Conclusion

Incorporating sisal plants in menstrual hygiene items signifies notable progress in tackling period poverty and environmental sustainability. However, there is a need for its successful implementation. 

News Source: The Hindu

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Researchers from China and Japan have identified indications of superconductivity in the contentious material LK-99. 

Meissner Effect in LK-99: A Breakthrough in Superconductivity

• The researchers identified a near-RTP superconductivity indication LK-99.
• The researchers witnessed the manifestation of the Meissner effect in LK-99.
• The new group used an advanced synthesis method for LK-99 samples and conducted additional tests for different superconductivity indicators.
• They performed hysteresis experiments by applying and removing a magnetic field to observe how the material responds at different temperatures, utilizing direct current measurements. 

What Is LK-99?

• Definition: It is as a superconductor under the conditions of room temperature and standard atmospheric pressure.
• LK-99 comprises powdered lead, oxygen, sulfur, and phosphorus compounds.
• Subjected to high temperatures, it transforms into a dark grey solid.
• Korean scientists have suggested its potential as a room temperature and pressure (RTP) superconductor.

What Is Superconductivity?

• It is the property of certain materials to conduct direct current (DC) electricity without energy loss when they are cooled below a critical temperature (referred to as Tc). 
• These materials also expel magnetic fields as they transition to the superconducting state.

What Are Superconductors?

• Superconductors are substances that, when cooled to extremely low temperatures, display a complete absence of electrical resistance.
• It enables the transmission of electricity without any energy loss.
• Note: Two common low-temperature superconductors: lead and mercury.

Types of Superconductors

Two types of superconductors, determined in part by their response to a magnetic field.

• Type I superconductors lose their superconducting state entirely when exposed to a strong magnetic field, allowing field penetration into the material.
• Type II superconductors gradually reduce superconductivity as the magnetic field strength increases, completely vanishing at a higher threshold.

Study Challenges and Constraints

• The study faced limitations due to the small size of the superconducting portions in the material, resulting in a reduced critical magnetic field strength.
• Molecular structure analysis using X-rays was impeded by the interference caused by cuprous sulphide.

News source: The Hindu

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The Ecuadorian President declared a state of emergency for 60 days after a jailbreak incident.

• Jail Break Incident: The gang leader Adolfo Macías of the mafia group  Los Choneros,  escaped from prison following a declaration of a national state of emergency on January 8.

About Republic of Ecuador

• Location: It is a country situated in the north-west of the continent of  South America. It falls on the Equator, from which its name derives. 
• It is part of the Andes Mountains and occupies part of the Amazon basin.
• Neighbours: It borders Colombia to the north, Peru to the east and the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west, and includes the Pacific archipelago of the Galapagos Islands.
• Capital City: The country’s capital is Quito and its largest city is Guayaquil.
• Official language: Spanish
• Importance: It is one of 17 megadiverse countries in the world. 
• Ecuador’s constitution is the first in the world to recognize legally enforceable Rights of Nature, or ecosystem rights.

Also Refer: Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization

News source: livemint

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Recently, The International Labour Organisation (ILO) released the World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2024 Report.

ILO World Employment and Social Outlook Report: Key Highlights of Reports 

• The  ILO’s flagship report (Employment and Social Outlook)details the impact of the economic slowdown on the global labour market.
• Objective: It covers the extent and consequences of the labor market disruption caused by overlapping economic and geopolitical crises.
• Focus: It pays particular attention to the impact of the different crises on productivity, job quality, and job opportunities and how these trends risk undermining social justice around the world.

Employment and Social Outlook: Key Findings of Reports

• Deteriorating Macroeconomic Environment: The central banks across the advanced and emerging economies are raising their interest rates, in response to global Inflation due to ongoing geopolitical tensions (Russia-Ukrain Crisis, Israel-Hamas Conflict), resulting in capital outflows from developing economies and causing adverse impact on global industrial activity, investment, and trade.
  • China, Türkiye, and Brazil slowed down considerably.
• Global Unemployment Rate: Joblessness and the jobs gap have both fallen below pre-pandemic levels (The global unemployment rate in 2023 was 5.1%) but unemployment rates will rise globally in 2024 with growing social inequalities as a result of the fallout.
• Wages Growth:  Real wage declined in the majority of G20 countries as wage increase was not proportionate to inflation growth. Only China, the Russian Federation, and Mexico enjoyed positive real wage growth in 2023.
• Extreme poverty: The number of workers earning less than US$2.15 per day in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms grew by about one million globally.
• Inequality rising: Weak labour productivity and falling living standards coupled  with persistent inflation create the conditions for greater inequality and undermine efforts to achieve social justice.
• Silver Lining: 
  • 2023: Global growth in 2023 was modestly higher than anticipated, and labour markets showed resilience despite the economic slowdown,
  • Strong job growth: The global jobs gap although improved but at 435 million, still remained elevated. But  both the unemployment rate and the jobs gap have declined below pre-pandemic values in 2023
  • The labour market participation rates had largely also recovered from their pandemic lows.

Also Refer: ILO Report On Occupational Safety And Health (OSH)

News Source: The Hindu

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This article is based on the news “Export potential” which was published in the Business Standard. The Indian government targets to double agricultural exports to around $100 billion by 2030.

Agriculture Export of India: Latest Data

• Current Agriculture Export Value: The value of India’s agriculture exports was $52.50 billion in 2022-23, while in 2021-22 it was $50.21 billion. 
• Need for Accelerated Growth: Thus, the growth will need to be accelerated significantly in order to attain the target of $100 billion, which will help push agricultural growth in the country and raise farmers’ incomes.

Status of Agriculture Export and Import from India

• Share in Global Production and Exports: India ranks second in global agriculture production, but its share in global agricultural exports is only 2.4 percent, placing it eighth in the world (WTO’s Trade Statistical Review, 2022). 
  • In 2023, India exported 44 MMT and imported 25 MMT of agriculture products.
• Share in GDP:  In terms of domestic contributions, agricultural exports make up less than 2 percent of India’s GDP, which is lower compared to other developing agrarian countries.
• Top Agriculture Imports: Vegetable oil, pulses, and fresh and dry fruits account for 72.1% of agriculture imports of India in 2023. 

• • Vegetable oil is the largest import constituent, accounting for 51.9% of the total agriculture imports of India.
• Top Agricultural Exports from India: Basmati rice, non-basmati rice, sugar, spices, and oil meals – account for 51.5 percent of India’s total agriculture exports.

Agriculture Export Policy in India:

• It  is framed with a focus on agriculture export-oriented production, export promotion, better farmer realization, and synchronization within policies and programmes of the Government of India.

Agriculture Export Policy, 2018:

• It is the most recent agricultural policy of India aimed at doubling agricultural exports and integrating Indian farmers and agricultural products with the global value chains. 
• Objectives of the Agriculture Export Policy:
  • To double agriculture exports by 2022 and reach US$ 100 Billion in the next few years with a stable trade policy regime.
  • To diversify the export basket, and destinations and boost high-value and value-added agricultural exports including a focus on perishables.
  • To promote novel, indigenous, organic, ethnic, Traditional, and Non-traditional Agri products exports.
  • To provide an institutional mechanism for pursuing market access, tackling barriers and dealing with sanitary and phyto-sanitary issues.
  • To strive to double India’s share in world agri exports by integrating with the global value chain at the earliest.
  • Enable farmers to benefit from export opportunities in overseas markets.

What Are the Factors Affecting Indian Exports?

• Expiry of Nairobi Package: The 10th Ministerial Conference (MC) at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in 2015 in Nairobi provided India a sunset clause for developing countries and LDCs to phase out export subsidies provided by them for their agriculture exports. 
  • Thus, India is bound to put an end to its export subsidies by the end of 2023. 

• • India’s large public stockholding for food security is a contentious issue and the US dragged India to the WTO, challenging Indian export subsidy programs as trade distorting and WTO non-compliant.
• Limited Agri-Export Basket: According to the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), India’s agri-export basket is dependent on just five commodities making the sector vulnerable to fluctuations in global prices and demand.
  • These five products – Basmati Rice, Non-basmati Rice, Sugar, Spices, and Oil Meals– account for 51.5 percent of India’s total agriculture exports.

• India’s Uncertain Trade Policies: India has banned exports of those products in which it has held a leadership position in the world market for several years. 
  • For example, India imposed a ban on the export of rice which contributes to over 40 percent of worldwide rice exports. 
  • Imposing restrictions not only affects global food security, particularly for less affluent nations in the Global South but also undermines India’s reputation as a dependable food supplier. 
• Infrastructural Issues: The sector is hindered by inadequate cold chain infrastructure (CCI) and inefficient logistics and there is little awareness of the need for farmgate packhouses (pre-cooling units with cold rooms) or other CCI components.
• • This leads to spoilage and export competitiveness issues, including problems related to the quality of products. 
  • According to the APEDA, approximately 40% of the country’s food is spoiled due to this impacts the farmer’s income.
• Small and Fragmented Landholdings: Small and marginal landholdings, coupled with a lack of access to credit present challenges in transitioning to commercial production. 
  • Small and marginal farmers with less than two hectares of land account for 86.2% of all farmers in India.
• Geopolitical Conflicts: India’s agricultural exports have faced the logistical challenges arising from the Red Sea crisis which resulted in high freight rates and container shortages. 
  • About 15 percent of global shipping traffic transits through the Suez Canal, the shortest shipping route between Europe and Asia, connecting the Red Sea and the Mediterranean.
  • Iran-aligned Yemen Houthi militant group recently launched a drone attack on a cargo vessel in response to Israel’s assault on the Gaza Strip.
  • India’s exports to Europe through the Suez Canal (in the Red Sea) include food products, apparel, and electronics, among others, and its imports include crude oil. 

Must Read: State Of Food And Agriculture Report 202

Government Initiatives to Boost Agriculture Exports

• India’s Agriculture Export Policy: It calls for overhauling infrastructure and logistics, greater involvement of state governments, and developing export-centric clusters to ensure surplus produce that meets standard quality parameters. 
• Agri-Cells: Agri-cells in Indian embassies across 13 countries have also been set up to provide inputs on a real time basis to improve Indian exports at these destinations. 
  • Ex- Vietnam, USA, Bangladesh, Nepal, UAE, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, China, Japan and Argentina.
• Free Trade Agreements (FTAs): India has signed FTAs with various countries in an effort to remove trade barriers.
• Export-oriented agricultural produce processing and storage facility: State-owned Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) plans to build it in Maharashtra.
  • The proposed facility aims to enhance processing efficiency, reduce multiple handling, and address infrastructure deficiencies, thereby curbing avoidable wastage in export and import.
• GI Tag to Agri-Food Items: 158 food and agri Geographical Indications (GIs) and the identification of 708 unique food items across districts under the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative.
• Sea Protocols for Agricultural Exports: India is developing sea protocols for various fresh fruits and vegetables like bananas, mangoes, pomegranates and jackfruit to promote their exports through ocean routes.
  • The protocol includes understanding voyage time, scientifically understanding the ripening of these commodities, their harvest time, and the training of farmers.
• Other Schemes include: 
  • The Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP scheme), 
  • The Advance Authorisation Scheme
  • The Duty Drawback Scheme (DBK scheme)

Also Refer: Centre Approves Minimum Support Prices for Rabi Crops 2024-25

Reforms Needed to Push Indian Exports

• Diversification of Food Export Basket: India needs to increase diversification in its food export basket to contain the risk to overall exports with a decline in the production of one item or the other. 
  • For this, India should give a boost to exports of value-added millet products. Higher diversification will help India insulate itself from fluctuations in global prices and demand.
• Focusing on Increasing Productivity: Competitiveness results primarily from increasing productivity requires massive investments in agriculture R&D, seeds, irrigation, fertilizers, better farming practices including precision agriculture. 
  • India’s overall investment in agriculture R&D is around 0.5% of the agri-GDP which is meagre and needs to be immediately doubled.
  • Despite having the highest area under rice cultivation, significantly more than China, India is the second-largest producer due to its lower yield rates, standing at 2,809 kg/hectare in contrast to 6710 kg per hectare of China.
• Developing Robust Export Infrastructure:  To increase agricultural exports, there is an urgent need for the development of high-quality infrastructure at seaports and airports, which serve as the main exit points for imports and exports.
  • Attracting private investment in processing and related activities will help boost exports. 
• Focusing on ready-to-eat foods: India’s focus should be on the export of large-scale food processing rather than exporting only raw materials.
  • This includes segments like “ready-to-eat” foods.
• Brand India through Strong Marketing and Promotion: In this regard, the government should allocate separate funds for campaigns, exhibitions, digital campaigning, and promotion strategies for Indian products both at the domestic and international levels. 
  • Trade and industry associations and Indian missions abroad can also play a prominent role in this.
• Balancing Export Earnings with Environmental Costs: Rethinking on the agricultural export policy is needed as India’s export basket is based on water-intensive crops and export earnings do not justify environmental costs in most cases.
  • Ex-China, which has higher rice productivity than India  does not encourage the export of rice as every kg of rice product can consume up to 80 litres of water.
• Removing Trade Barriers: A task force needs to be established within the Commerce Ministry to identify and eliminate trade barriers.

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This article is based on the news “SC judge: Need more women for gender-neutral judiciary” which was published in the Times of India. Recently, the Supreme Court judge Justice B V Nagarathna, who will be the 54th Chief Justice of India and the first woman CJI in 2027, advocated for the appointment of more women judges.

Women in Judiciary: Statistics 

• India Justice Report (IJR) 2022: As per India Justice Report (IJR) 2022, only 13% of High Court judges and 35% of Subordinate Court judges are women.
  • Representation of Women Judges at District Level: Goa (70%), Meghalaya (62.7%), Telangana (52.8%), and Sikkim (52.4%).Representation of Women in India’s Supreme Court:
  • Negligible Representation: Among the total 268 judges in the Supreme Court’s history, only 11 have been women. It means, only 4.1% of all Supreme Court judges have been women.
  • Current Scenario: There are only three female judges.

• Representation of Women in Judiciary (High Courts):

  • Representation: Presently, India has 25 high courts with a total sanctioned strength of 1,114 judges. Among these, only 107 judges, or 13% of all HC judges, are female.

• Representation of Women in Judiciary (Lower Courts):

• • Better Representation: In comparison to the higher judiciary, the lower judiciary has better representation of women judges. 
  • Reasons: Perhaps the entry to the lower judiciary is through an examination, while the higher judiciary is based on the collegium which informally chooses candidates.
  • Availability of Reservation: Several states have provided quotas for women, including Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Uttarakhand.
    • They provide 30% to 35% of the total seats for which recruitment is done through direct appointment.
    • According to a 2018 study by the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, women in judiciary (lower courts) is relatively higher at 27%, it hit a glass ceiling in higher appointments — as district judges and subsequently at the high court level.

Also Refer: Pendency Of Cases In Indian Judiciary

Reasons for Low Representation of Women in Judiciary

• Patriarchal Attitude: The “old boys’ club mentality” makes it harder for women to lobby for judicial posts.
  • Also, inadequate support from family results in women frequently dropping out mid-career and it shows the patriarchally prescribed gender roles.
• Household Responsibilities: Women can get into the formal workforce but are often hindered due to the lack of sharing of household chores and the responsibility of bringing up kids.
• Rules and Regulations: 
  • Continuous Practice: The 7-year criteria of continuous practice for appointment of District Judge under Article 233.
  • Age Bar: Most States’ Judicial rule of a minimum age of 35 years for entry as a district judge through direct recruitment. 
    • Also, no one below the age of 55 years can be appointed as a judge in the Supreme Court. 
  • Marriage and Family responsibilities in this age group hampers the women’s representation.
• Gender Bias in the Recruitment Process: Appointments to Higher Judiciary is through an opaque Collegium System where the eligibility and selection criteria are not known. As per critics, this system of appointment is based on favorable evaluations and professional/personal networks.
  • As per a Research Paper ‘Structural and Discretionary Bias: Appointment of Women Judges in India’ 13 Judges out of 19 interviewed acknowledged the gender bias that exists in the appointment procedure of Judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts.
• Missing a Bond: In 2017, senior advocate Indira Jaising said that though representation of women is increasing but they are isolated and not very bonded.
  • Male judges have a friendly body when speaking to male lawyers.
• No Support through Reservation in Higher Judiciary: While reservations for women are available in the lower courts of many states, these policies are yet to be implemented in the Higher Judiciary. 
• Neglect of Academicians: There is no provision for the appointment of any distinguished jurist, (where women can make their way) to the supreme court. 
• Miscellaneous Factors: Sexual harassment, clients not trusting women advocates with high-stake cases, and lack of supportive infrastructure, from toilets to maternity leave.
  • In 6,000 courts across the country, 22% of them do not have separate toilets for women. 

Significance of Having More Women in Judiciary

• Improve the Quality of Judicial Review and Adjudication: It is because having more women in judiciary is about:
  • The matter of the credibility and legitimacy of courts
  • The language and vocabularies of judgments 
  • The gender-neutral administration of courts
    • Having more women on the bench can contribute to a more effective space to deliver justice in India.
    • Example: Justice Sujata Manohar was responsible for writing up the revolutionary Vishakha Guidelines.
• A Step towards the Empowerment of Indian Women: The Indian judiciary marshaled women’s fights for equality, equal opportunity, dignity, and autonomy, and having more women on the bench, will lead to women’s empowerment and justice.
• Wider Justice and Inclusivity: It can help to reduce the high pendency of cases in the judiciary, and also, higher numbers of female judges can increase the willingness of more women to seek justice.
  • Adequate women’s representation will meet the needs of women and other underserved communities.
• Availability of Varied Views: A high diversity of judges would bring different and better perspectives and enrich and strengthen the ability of judicial reasoning to encompass and respond to varied social contexts and experiences.
• Increase Gender Sensitivity in the Judgements: There are various instances when women’s protection laws are diluted without considering the issue’s sensitivity. But with more women representation in the judiciary, this problem will also be resolved.
• Action on International Obligations: Sustainable Development Goal 5 of the United Nations calls for attaining gender equality and the greater representation of women in judiciary would be a desirable step in the achievement of the obligations.

Way Forward to the Gender-Neutral Judiciary 

• Sensitization through Inclusivity: There is a need to bring institutional, social, and behavioral change by sensitizing and emphasizing inclusivity. All India Bar Examination should contain questions or sections relating to gender sensitization.
  • Former CJI Justice Chandrachud correctly observed that the Feminist approach should be imbibed while dealing with the law. 
• Overcoming Patriarchal Mindset: The representation of women in judiciary needs to be increased, and for this, the change of patriarchal mindset is most important. Unless women are empowered, justice cannot be done for them.
  • It should be the realization that women are not subordinate in marriage and should be encouraged to balance work and family life.
• Reservation for Women in Higher Judiciary: For Women, in the appointment of higher judiciary the provision of the reservation should be incorporated without diluting the merit.
  • Former CJI Justice Ramanna had exhorted women lawyers to strongly raise their demand for 50% reservation in the judiciary. 
• Formation of Gender Bias Task Forces: Similar to the Gender Bias Task Forces in the US, which look at how gender affects court systems, India needs to form such a committee to provide significant suggestions (International Association of Women Judges, 2019).
• A Mentorship System to Counter Challenges: The Geneva Forum on Women in Judiciary (2013) suggested a mentorship system where senior women judges and lawyers can help and guide their younger peers by providing valuable suggestions to counter the challenges they face.
• Modifications in the Rules and Regulations: There is a need to lower the minimum age requirement for the appointment of a district judge. 
  • The government and Judiciary can provide relaxation to the seniority principle to ensure gender diversification and justice.
  • There is a need to enhance transparency in the judicial system. 
    • Conducive environments and adequate opportunities should be created for women.
• Inclusion of Distinguished Women Jurists: It can help in tackling the criteria of geographical representation in the Supreme Court as many times there are no women judges in a particular geography.
• Need For a Road Map: To counter the gender gap, the apex court is required to create a vision document to bridge the gender gap in the Judiciary.

Conclusion

The lower representation of Women in judiciary (higher) remains a persistent challenge that needs to be addressed comprehensively. The steps need to be taken to promote diversity and equal opportunities, which would consecutively strengthen the Indian Justice System.

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