Jun 11 2024

New Caledonia

New Caledonia

Recently, massive protests and riots broke out in New Caledonia following the French parliament’s decision to modify the voters’ list.

  • About: New Caledonia, located in the Pacific, is a French overseas territory. 
  • Naming: In 1774, British explorer James Cook gave  the name New Caledonia upon the island, drawing inspiration from the Latin term for Scotland.
  • Background: France annexed the island in 1853, and it officially became a French overseas territory in 1946.
  • Geography: New Caledonia comprises the island where the capital, Noumea, is situated, along with the Loyalty Islands, the Belep Islands, and the Ile des Pins.
  • Diverse Reefs: New Caledonia’s lagoons, renowned for their diverse reefs and associated ecosystems, received UNESCO World Heritage status in 2008.
  • River: The Diahot River holds the distinction of being the longest river in New Caledonia.
  • Ethnic Composition: Melanesians constitute over two-fifths of the population, while Europeans account for approximately one-third.
  • Kanak and Caldoche Ways of Life:
    • Kanak Identity: Rooted in clan affiliation, familial networks, and land tenure rights.
    • Caldoche Lifestyle: Integrated within a cash-based economy.

AIM – ICDK Water Challenge 4.0 

Recently, NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) unveils  the ‘AIM – ICDK Water Challenge 

  • About: The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) has launched the fourth edition of the Water Challenge in collaboration with the Innovation Centre Denmark (ICDK) at the Royal Danish Embassy in India.
  • Aim: This challenge seeks innovative solutions for critical water issues. It is part of a unique partnership between India and Denmark centered on green and sustainable strategies.
  • Eligibility: The challenge is open to students and young entrepreneurs under 35. It particularly encourages early-stage startups, researchers, and young innovators dedicated to environmental sustainability to apply.

National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC)

A meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) was chaired by the Union Cabinet Secretary to review the preparedness to deal with heat waves and forest fires.

About : The NCMC is set up by the Government of India for disaster preparedness and effective coordination and implementation of relief measures and operations and providing support to states during a natural calamity.

    • The NCMC gives direction to the Crisis Management Group as deemed necessary. 
  • Chairman: The NCMC has been constituted under the chairmanship of the Cabinet Secretary. 
  • Members: They include the secretary to the Prime Minister, secretaries of the ministries of home affairs, defense, agriculture and cooperation, RAW and director of Intelligence Bureau. 

 

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Recently, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) releases Images of the Sun Captured by Aditya-L1 Payloads.

Aditya-L1’s SUIT and VELC Capture Solar Fury

The images were taken by the remote sensing payloads Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT) and Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) aboard the Aditya-L1 spacecraft.

  • These images will aid in the study of solar flares, energy distribution, sunspots, understanding and predicting space weather, and monitoring solar activity and UV radiation across a broad wavelength range.

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About SUIT and VELC

  • SUIT (Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope): Designed to image the solar photosphere and chromosphere in the near ultraviolet (UV) spectrum and measure variations in solar irradiance in the near UV range.
  • VELC (Visible Emission Line Coronagraph): Aims to study the solar corona and the dynamics of coronal mass ejections.

Aditya-L1 Mission

  • About: Launched in 2023, Aditya-L1 is India’s inaugural space mission aimed at observing the Sun from a halo orbit around the Lagrange point 1 (L1) of the Sun-Earth system, located approximately 1.5 million kilometers from Earth. 
  • Launching Vehicle: The mission was launched aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) XL (PSLV-C57) and carries seven payloads.
  • Significance of Aditya-L1: To explore the processes of coronal heating and acceleration of solar wind. 
    • To observe the in-situ particle and plasma environment, providing valuable data for the study of particle dynamics originating from the Sun.

Other Solar Missions

  • NASA’s Parker Solar Probe
  • The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory by the European Space Agency
  • China’s Kuafu-1 Solar Probe

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Lagrange Point (L1)

  • About: At Lagrange points, the gravitational force exerted by two massive bodies, such as the Sun and Earth, exactly balances the centripetal force necessary for a small object to orbit with them.
  • Advantage: L1 offers the advantage of unobstructed and continuous observation of the Sun, without any occurrences of occultation or eclipses.
  • Number of Points: There are five Lagrange points, of which three are unstable (L1, L2, L3) and lie along the line connecting the two large masses, while two are stable (L4, L5).

Aditya L1 Mission

 

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Recently, the Health Ministry and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) are working together to launch the National Health Claim Exchange (NHCX).

National Health Claim Exchange

  • About: NHCX, created by the National Health Authority (NHA), is a digital platform aimed at streamlining the sharing of claims-related data among stakeholders in the healthcare and health insurance sectors.
  • Interoperability: NHCX is built to be interoperable, machine-readable, auditable, and verifiable. This guarantees the accuracy and reliability of the shared information, promoting transparency and enhancing efficiency in processes.
  • Centralized Hub: It serves as a single platform for all health claims, alleviating administrative burdens on hospitals that currently manage various portals for different insurers.
  • Adoption and Incentives: The National Health Authority has introduced financial incentives to promote the adoption of digital health transactions.
    • Starting January 2023, hospitals receive ₹500 per claim or 10% of the claim amount, whichever is lower, for transactions conducted through the NHCX.
    • These incentives aim to encourage widespread use of the platform and the digitization of patient health records.

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Benefits National Health Claim Exchange

  • Enhanced Efficiency and Transparency: National Health Claim Exchange endeavours to standardise data presentation and validation, fostering a consistent approach to healthcare pricing and claims processing.
  • Decreased Administrative Burden: Hospitals will enjoy a simplified, paperless, and secure contractual structure, simplifying interactions with insurers.
  • Rapid Processing of Cashless Claims: A stipulated time frame mandates that cashless claims be processed within three hours of discharge authorization, ensuring prompt service for patients.
  • Data Insights: Insurance firms can utilize aggregated data and analytics regarding claims trends, patterns, and outcomes to develop improved products and services.
  • Online Tracking: Beneficiaries have the ability to monitor their claim status online, access their claim history, and receive prompt updates on claim settlements.
  • Monitoring of Performance: Hospitals can track their claims performance, pinpoint areas for enhancement, and compare their performance with others.
  • Comprehensive Oversight: Regulators acquire a thorough and dependable information source regarding the health insurance sector in India.
  • Streamlined Processes: Promotes the digitalization of health transactions and offers financial incentives through the Digital Health Incentive Scheme (DHIS).
  • Advantages: The platform’s objectives include expediting claim settlements, cutting administrative expenses, deterring fraud, and enhancing customer contentment. Additionally, it offers valuable data for policy making, regulatory purposes, and research.

Challenges and Solutions

  • Enhancing Cooperation: Strengthening the collaboration between hospitals and insurance companies is essential. Both must upgrade their IT systems and provide workforce training to ensure effective implementation.
  • Minimising Discharge Delays: It is crucial to address discharge delays and miscommunication between hospitals and insurers to facilitate smoother operations.
  • Ensuring Data Security: Protecting data from breaches is a critical aspect of the ongoing development of NHCX.

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Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) is a statutory body established under the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 1999, tasked with the overall supervision and development of the insurance sector in India.

  • Objectives:Ensure the interests and fair treatment of policyholders
    • Oversee the insurance sector to ensure its financial stability and fairness.
    • Regularly develop regulations to ensure the industry operates clearly and without ambiguity.
  • Headquarters: Located in Hyderabad.
  • Entities Regulated by IRDAI:

    • Life Insurance Companies: Includes both public and private sector companies.
    • General Insurance Companies: Comprises both public and private sector companies, including standalone health insurance companies that offer health insurance policies.
    • Re-Insurance Companies: Regulated to ensure compliance with industry standards.

 

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Recently, President Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives was one of seven neighboring leaders who attended Indian Prime Minister’s wearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Significance of Maldives President Visit in India

  • Geostrategic Importance: The Maldives is a crucial part of India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision.
  • Geopolitical Dynamics: China’s ‘Belt and Road’ Initiative (BRI), which includes the Maldives, has expanded China’s influence in the region, potentially challenging India’s strategic interests.
  • Geoeconomic Significance: Approximately 50% of India’s external trade and 80% of its energy imports pass through sea lanes near the Maldives, underscoring its critical role in India’s maritime economy.
  • Security Role: The Maldives acts as a strategic ‘toll gate’ between the western and eastern Indian Ocean, enhancing its importance as a net security provider for India.
  • Regional Cooperation: India and the Maldives engage in regional cooperation through platforms such as SAARC, SASEC, IORA, and IONS.

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Neighbourhood First Policy

Neighbourhood First Policy (NFP) was conceived in 2008 wherein the principles of engagement under NFP were 5S (Samman, Samvad, Shanti, Samriddhi and Sanskriti).

  • Aim: It aims to foster stronger ties, enhance regional cooperation, and address mutual concerns with immediate neighbouring countries.
  • Inspiration: The Policy is driven by India’s consultative, nonreciprocal and development-oriented approach.

SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region)

SAGAR, a concept introduced by PM Modi in 2015 during his visit to Mauritius, emphasizes the blue economy. 

  • Aim: This maritime initiative prioritizes the Indian Ocean region to ensure peace, stability, and prosperity for India.
  • Objectives: The objectives include fostering trust and transparency, adherence to international maritime rules and norms,
    • Mutual respect for national interests, peaceful resolution of maritime disputes, and enhanced maritime cooperation. SAGAR aligns with the principles of the Indian Ocean Rim Association.

Significance of India for the Maldives

  • Defense and Security Cooperation: India is a vital security partner for the Maldives, addressing its maritime surveillance needs.
    • India provides 70% of the Maldivian National Defence Force’s (MNDF) training and engages in joint exercises like Ekuverin and Ekatha, as well as disaster management initiatives.
    • The Indian Army played a crucial role in thwarting an attempted coup in Malé in 1988. “Across party lines in the Maldives, they don’t criticize this operation.
  • Trade Relations: India is the Maldives’ largest trade partner, leading export destination, and a traditional donor. 
    • It is heavily dependent on Indian imports in almost all important sectors, from food to life-saving medicines, and aircraft used in search and rescue missions.
  • Infrastructure and Development: India is actively involved in numerous infrastructure projects in the Maldives, including airports at Hanimaadhoo and Gan Island, and the development of Gulhifalhu Port. 
    • Current project is the Greater Male Connectivity Project, with India providing $500 million in funding.
  • Capacity Building: India has allocated Rs 52 crore for the enhancement of Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital and facilitated the establishment of a cutting-edge cancer facility that will link over 150 health centers across various islands. 
    • In the education sector, India established a technical education institute in 1996 and initiated a program to train Maldivian teachers and youth, along with vocational training, in a project worth USD 5.3 million.

Recent Challenges in India Maldives Relations

  • Security Concerns: The current Maldivian government has accused India of infringing on the country’s sovereignty and demanded the removal of Indian troops as part of the ‘India out’ campaign. 
    • Additionally, Male was notably absent from the Colombo Security Conclave meeting in December 2023.
  • Shifting Priorities: In Maldives, public opinion is split between two perspectives: the ‘India out’ campaign and the ‘India first’ campaign, championed by former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
    • For instance, newly-elected President Mohamed Muizzu departed from tradition by making Turkey his first bilateral visit, followed by China, instead of visiting India first
  • Muizzu’s pro-China tilt: Like his mentor, former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, under whose rule (2013-18) the India-Maldives relationship deteriorated severely, Muizzu has openly aligned his country with China.
  • Impact of Maldives’ Domestic Politics: Relations between Maldives and India have been strained since President Muizzu assumed power, with deliberate efforts by Male to create distance from New Delhi. 
    • For example, the termination of the hydrography pact by Maldives can be interpreted as a move to distance itself from India.
  • Lakshadweep Controversy:The controversy arose when three Maldivian deputy ministers made derogatory comments about India and the Prime Minister following his visit to Lakshadweep.
    • They claimed the visit aimed to challenge Maldivian tourism, renowned for its beachside amenities.
  • Diplomatic Turmoil: Under President Muizzu, the Maldives faces a diplomatic crisis. Balancing between India and China has become challenging, leading to tensions. 
    • For example, the Maldivian envoy to India was summoned by the external affairs ministry due to derogatory comments made by Maldivian leaders about India’s PM.
  • Growing Chinese Influence: President Muizzu’s visit to China ahead of India has stirred concerns, hinting at a possible shift towards favoring China. 
    • China views the Maldives as vital to its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and is actively engaging in infrastructure projects in the region to bolster its presence.
  • Supporting Extremists: Maldivians’ increasing involvement with groups like IS and LeT has sparked worries about radicalization. 
    • These groups have exploited charity organizations in the Maldives after the 2004 tsunami. An attack on an Indian embassy’s Yoga event in 2022 underscores this issue.

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Indian Highways Management Company Limited  has invited Global Expression of Interest (EOI) from innovative and qualified companies to develop and implement GNSS-based Electronic Toll Collection system in India. 

  • IHMCL company is promoted by NHAI
  • Objective: To provide National Highway users with a hassle-free tolling experience.

About GNSS-based Electronic Toll Collection System

It is a toll collection method without barriers, using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology.

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Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)

  • This system is a network of satellites. 
    • It broadcasts time and orbital information. 
  • This system is used in all forms of transportations such as  space stations, aviation, maritime, rail, road and mass transit.
  • Calculates tolls based on the distance vehicles travel on tolled highways.
  • Implementation Plan:
    • NHAI plans to introduce GNSS-based Electronic Toll Collection System within the existing FASTag system.
    • Initially, both RFID-based and GNSS-based ETC will operate together.
  • Importance:
    • Facilitates smoother vehicle movement on National Highways.
    • Offers barrier-free tolling for a hassle-free experience.
    • Implements distance-based tolling, charging users only for the distance they travel.
    • Enhances toll collection efficiency by reducing fraud and toll evasion.

Key features of GNSS-based Electronic Toll Collection System

  • Satellite-based technology: Uses Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) to track vehicles and calculate tolls based on the distance travelled.
  • Free-flow tolling: Eliminates toll booths, allowing vehicles to pass through toll plazas without stopping.
  • Distance-based tolling: Users only pay for the highway stretch they use.
  • Improved efficiency: Reduces congestion and improves toll collection by eliminating leakages and evaders.

Benefits of GNSS-based Electronic Toll Collection System

  • Smoother Traffic Flow:  Removal of toll plazas is expected to reduce traffic congestion, especially during busy times.
  • Fair Billing:  Users will only pay tolls for the distance they travel, promoting a fair pay-as-you-use model.

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Challenges of GNSS-based Electronic Toll Collection System

  • Payment Recovery: Recovering tolls from users with insufficient funds or those who manipulate the system remains a concern.
  • Enforcement Infrastructure: Establishing a nationwide network of Automatic Number-Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras for enforcement requires significant infrastructure development.
  • Privacy Concerns:  Ensuring data security and user privacy are adequately addressed is essential.
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Recently, the Indian Ocean has been under a lot of attention due to its rapid warming and the outsized influence on other oceans. 

World Oceans Day 2024

World Oceans Day 2024 is celebrated on June 8th.

  • It was suggested in 1992 by Canada’s International Centre for Ocean Development and Ocean Institute of Canada.
  • Official recognition: In 2008, the UN officially recognized June 8 as World Ocean Day. 
  • Objective: It aims to promote ocean conservation and increase public awareness of the ocean’s importance. 
  • Theme 2024: “Awaken New Depths”

Indian Ocean Warming Accelerates

  • Importance of Understanding Climate Change Response
    • Exploring the Indian Ocean helps us grasp how oceans react to climate change and increasing greenhouse gases.
    • Insights from studying this ocean contribute to strategies for mitigating and adapting to climate change worldwide.

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About Indian Ocean

Indian Ocean is the Third-largest ocean, covering 70,560,000 km², about 20% of Earth’s water surface.

  • Borders: Asia (north), Africa (west), Australia (east), Southern Ocean or Antarctica (south).
  • Major regional  seas: Andaman Sea, Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, Laccadive Sea.

Indian Ocean

  • Naming: Named after India, previously known as the Eastern Ocean.
  • Average depth: 3,741 meters; located entirely in the Eastern Hemisphere.
    • Bordered by land on three sides, resembling an embayed ocean centered on the Indian Peninsula.
  • Strategic significance: Its maritime route manages world’s container traffic and helps India in its  external trade. 
    • The region is also rich in mineral deposits and energy reserves, which make it a major area for  trade. 

Ecological Diversity and Tourism

  • Rich in biodiversity: coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds.
  • Significant tuna catch; home to endangered species.
  • Attracts tourists with dolphins, whales, beaches, and coral reefs from Lakshadweep to the Andaman-Nicobar Islands and Reunion Island.

Unique Features of the Indian Ocean

  • Northern Boundaries: The Asian landmass closes off the northern boundary, with small connections to the Persian Gulf and Red Sea.
  • Southern Boundaries: The southern Indian Ocean connects to the Pacific and Southern Oceans through two oceanic tunnels.
    • First Tunnel: The Indonesian seas allow the Pacific Ocean to transfer up to 20 million cubic meters of water per second into the eastern Indian Ocean. 
      • This water, known as the Indonesian Throughflow, carries heat and affects circulation, temperature, and salinity in the Indian Ocean.
    • Second Tunnel: Connects the Indian Ocean to the Southern Ocean with two-way traffic. Colder, saltier waters flow from the Southern Ocean into the Indian Ocean below 1 km depth.

Heat Dynamics and Influence

  • Water mix: Due to the closed northern boundary, the waters mix upward and with Pacific waters, then exit south.
    • The mix of heat and water in the Indian Ocean significantly influences global ocean heat uptake.
    • Impact of Global warming: It adds extra heat from the Pacific, while cold water from the Southern Ocean is less cold, causing the Indian Ocean to warm rapidly.
      • This rapid warming leads to heatwaves and extreme rainfall over the Indian subcontinent, posing threats to corals and fisheries.
      • Changes in wind circulation due to the warming Indian Ocean affect the Pacific’s ability to absorb heat, impacting global warming rates.

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Impact on Global Climate, North Atlantic Heat Sink

Heat Absorption Mechanism

  • In the North Atlantic, surface waters become dense and sink deep into the ocean, carrying heat with them.

Impact of Global Warming

  • Due to global warming, the sinking of water in the North Atlantic is slowing down, causing reduced heat escape from the surface. 
  • Surprisingly, the warming of the Indian Ocean is actually speeding up the sinking of heat in the North Atlantic, affecting global warming directly, ultimately helping to moderate its effects.

The Indian Ocean’s Role in Human Evolution

Geographic Changes and Evolutionary Impact

  • Around three million years ago, the northward drift of Australia and New Guinea separated the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
    • This separation led to a cooling of the eastern Pacific and changed the El Niño state from permanent to episodic, resulting in arid conditions in East Africa.
  • This environmental change potentially forced ancestral primates to adapt by moving farther and faster, possibly contributing to the development of bipedal movement.
  • World Oceans Day offers an opportunity to celebrate and study the remarkable history and influence of our neighborhood ocean.

 

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An analysis by the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) shows that consumption inequality in the rural areas of 11 states has increased.

Consumption Inequality Increased in Rural Areas of 11 States

  • The Gini coefficient of total consumption expenditure saw an increase between the periods 2011-12 and 2022-23 as per the survey in rural areas.
    • Consumption Inequality Increased in Rural Areas11 out of 25 states taken for analysis, recorded an increase in the GIni Coefficient value.
  • Rural Areas: The rise in Gini coefficient was the sharpest in Nagaland (0.244 from 0.192), followed by Jharkhand (0.255 from 0.206), Maharashtra (0.291 from 0.253), Rajasthan (0.283 from 0.248), Meghalaya (0.223 from 0.19) and Chhattisgarh (0.266 from 0.234).
  • Urban Areas: The Gini coefficient for consumption expenditure has also risen in urban areas for three states ie. Meghalaya (0.266 from 0.226), Himachal Pradesh (0.311 from 0.29) and Manipur (0.221 from 0.209).
  • National Trend: At the country level, The Gini coefficient of total consumption expenditure recorded a general decline showing a decline in spending inequality in the country.
    • The Gini coefficient has gone down to 0.266 in 2022-23 from 0.283 in 2011-12 (rural areas). For urban areas, it has gone down to 0.314 from 0.363 during the same period.

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About The Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES)

  • The HCES survey is designed to collect information primarily on consumption of goods and services by the households and also collects some auxiliary information on household characteristics and their demographic particulars.
  • Purpose: The Information collected in HCES is useful for understanding the consumption and expenditure pattern, standard of living and well-being of the households.
    • The data is  used for preparation of the weighting diagram for compilation of official Consumer Price Indices (CPIs).
  • Conducted by: The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO)
  • Survey Coverage: The survey is an All India exercise. Information has been collected from 8,723 villages and 6,115 urban blocks covering 2,61,746 households (1,55,014 in rural areas and 1,06,732 in urban areas) in total.
  • The consumption basket: The Items basket has been divided into three broad categories, namely,  Food items, Consumables and Services items, and Durable goods in HCES: 2022-23.

About The Gini Coefficient

The Gini Index determines a nation’s level of income inequality by measuring the income distribution or wealth distribution across its population. 

Consumption Inequality Increased in Rural Areas

  • Developed by: The Gini index was developed in 1912 by Italian statistician Corrado Gini.
  • Scale: Gini coefficient measures inequality on a scale of 0 (or 0%) to 1 (or 100%), with 0 representing perfect equality and 1 representing perfect inequality.
  • World Bank ranking: South Africa has the world’s worst level of income inequality, with a  Gini index ranking of 63.0% and Norway had the lowest level of income inequality, at 22.7%. 
    • India has a Gini Coefficient of 32.8 as per the World Bank in 2021. 
  • Graphical Representation: The Gini index is often represented graphically through the Lorenz curve.

 

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After endorsing the BJP-led NDA, the Janata Dal (United) called for a reassessment of the Agnipath scheme for military recruitment.

Agnipath Scheme

Agnipath scheme was aimed at recruiting personnel below officer ranks — soldiers, airmen, and sailors who are not commissioned officers — to the Indian Armed Forces for a period of four years. 

  • Origin: The idea of a short-term recruitment plan, called ‘Tour of Duty’ (ToD), was first suggested about two years ago for selecting officers and jawans, covering a limited number of positions.
  • Eligibility: Under this initiative, individuals aged between 17.5 to 23 will be chosen and designated as Agniveers. 
    • Their enrollment will span four years, during which they will constitute a unique cadre within the Armed Forces, distinct from all existing ranks.
  • Condition: At the end of this tenure, upto 25% of these recruits, the so called ‘Agniveers’, can join the services on a permanent commission (another 15 years), subject to merit and organisational requirements. 
  • Objective: To reduce the current average age in the forces from 32 to 26 within six to seven years.

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Advantages for Agniveers

  • Financial Support: Upon completing the 4-year service, Agniveers will receive a one-time ‘Seva Nidhi’ package totaling Rs 11.71 lakhs, including accrued interest. Additionally, they will be covered by a Rs 48 lakh life insurance policy during this period.
  • Enhanced Payouts: In the unfortunate event of death, beneficiaries will receive over Rs 1 crore, incorporating pay for any unserved tenure.
  • Post-Service Assistance: The government will facilitate the transition of departing soldiers by providing skill certificates and bridge courses to aid in their rehabilitation.
  • Post-Retirement Benefits: Unlike regular service members, Agniveers do not receive pensions after retirement. Only the 25% of Agniveers absorbed into the forces after four years will be eligible for pensionary benefits, with the initial four years of service not counted towards this.

Global Practices

  • Russia: The Russian military uses a hybrid system combining a traditional cadre-and-reserve conscript model (one year of training and one year of service) with a contract-professional system.
  • Israel: In Israel, men serve 32 months and women 24 months of active-duty conscription, followed by compulsory reserve duty for decades.
  • France: French soldiers can enlist on a 1-year contract or a 3-5 year contract, both of which are renewable.

Benefits of Agniveer Scheme

  • Expanding Military Exposure: Agnipath Scheme or Tour of Duty broadens the Indian population’s exposure to military life, fostering a wider understanding.
  • Fostering Discipline: It cultivates a sizable, disciplined workforce with diverse skill sets, benefiting the nation.
  • Promoting National Unity: By instilling rule-abiding behavior and transcending regional and sectarian biases, the scheme enhances citizens’ physical fitness and promotes national unity.
  • Reserve Capabilities: Trained personnel can serve as reservists during national emergencies, bolstering national security.
  • Addressing Fiscal Challenges: One of the key motivations behind the scheme is to mitigate the escalating salary and pension expenditures associated with long-term military service, thereby contributing to fiscal sustainability.

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Concerns related to Agnipath Scheme

  • Fostering Unity: The timeframe for Agnipath is insufficient for fostering cohesion, which typically evolves over an extended period through shared living, training, and experiencing the challenges of field operations, high-altitude missions, and counter-insurgency operations together.
  • Operational Capability Decline: Expanding the Agniveer scheme risks worsening the operational efficiency of the military due to its short-term nature, potentially exacerbating existing issues with the tooth-to-tail ratio.
  • Attracting Less Desirable Candidates: Many top candidates may prefer more permanent options like the police or paramilitary forces. This could lead to the army being chosen as a second or third choice by young aspirants.
  • Abolishing State Quotas: The Agnipath scheme eliminates state-based recruitment quotas, preventing dominance by any single state, linguistic group, or ethnicity. 
    • Research indicates that such imbalance can strain democracy and heighten the risk of civil conflict, a concern in India’s current political climate.
  • Class-Based to All-India Recruitment: This major shift could harm the armed forces by disrupting their management, leadership, and operating philosophy. 
    • Soldiers in the Indian Army are not only professionally trained but also motivated by their social identity and reputation within their caste, village, or social group.
  • Untested Scheme: The Agnipath scheme, the primary recruitment method for all three services, lacks independent studies, pilot projects, or test runs to evaluate its viability. 
    • Analysts note that Russian soldiers, with limited training before the Ukraine war, performed poorly.
  • Mismatch Between Requirement and Recruitment: The armed forces face a shortfall of 155,000 personnel, with the Army having 136,000 vacancies. 
    • Over 90% of these are non-officer combat ranks targeted by the Agnipath scheme. Releasing 75% of trained recruits after four years would be wasteful.

Tooth-to-tail ratio

The Tooth-to-Tail Ratio (T3R) is a military planning concept that measures the balance between combat forces (the “tooth”) and support personnel (the “tail”). 

Tooth: The “tooth” comprises frontline fighters like infantry, combat pilots, and combat vehicles, while the “tail” encompasses support functions such as logistics, administration, and medical services. 

Significance: A high T3R signifies a greater number of support personnel relative to combat forces, suggesting robust support and operational sustainability within the military.

Suggestions for Improvement

  • Service Period Extension:  The Indian Army suggested increasing the service period from 4 years to 7-8 years.
    • Additionally, they recommended increasing the entry age for Agniveers in the technical field to 23 years. 
  • Disability Compensation: They also suggested that ex-gratia should be provided for disability during training and that exit management should be handled by a professional agency.
  • War Casualty support: Moreover, if an Agniveer dies in war, their family should receive a subsistence allowance.

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Conclusion

The Indian Army’s recommendations for the Agnipath scheme focus on enhancing the inclusion and training of Agniveers to maintain operational efficiency and address concerns related to the lack of experience and expertise among new recruits.

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Recently, over 6.6 lakh pensioners utilized ‘Facial Authentication Technology’ in 2023-24 to verify their digital life certificates (DLCs) for EPFO pensions.

Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)

  • About: It is a statutory body established under the Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act of 1952.
  • Administration: The Act and its associated schemes are overseen by a tripartite board called the Central Board of Trustees, Employees’ Provident Fund, comprising representatives from the Government (both Central and State), Employers, and Employees.
    • The EPFO operates under the administrative jurisdiction of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India.

About Facial Authentication Technology

Facial recognition, a type of biometric software, can uniquely identify or verify individuals by analyzing patterns in their facial contours.

  • Components: The majority of Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) systems consist of three primary components:
    • A camera
    • A database containing stored images
    • An algorithm that generates a “faceprint” from captured images for comparison with those in the database.
  • Operation: The facial recognition system operates by initially capturing facial features via a camera, followed by the reconstruction of these features using diverse software. 
    • Subsequently, the captured facial data, along with its features, is stored in a database, capable of integration with various software applications utilized for security measures, banking services, etc.

Facial Authentication Technology

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Applications of Facial  Authentication Technology

  • Identification of Face: Facial recognition systems distinguish individuals based on their facial images.
    • For instance, they are employed to eradicate duplicates within a nationwide voter registration system, addressing instances where the same individual was allocated multiple identification numbers.
  • Access Control: In numerous access control scenarios, such as office entry or computer login, the number of individuals requiring recognition is typically limited. 
    • Consequently, the facial recognition system used in these applications can attain high accuracy with minimal user cooperation.
  • Security: Airport security relies heavily on facial recognition technology to swiftly identify potential threats.
    • For example, Facial Authentication Technology  systems are being tested at airports in Kolkata, Varanasi, Pune, Vijayawada, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad as part of the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s Digi Yatra initiative.
  • Image Database Searches: This involves querying image databases containing records of licensed drivers, welfare recipients, missing children, immigrants, and individuals booked by the police.
    • For example, the Department of Personnel and Training  introduced a “unique” face recognition technology aimed at serving as a “proof of life certificate” for pensioners, thereby enhancing convenience for retired and elderly citizens.
  • Identity Verification in Various Fields: This encompasses electoral registration, banking, electronic commerce, newborn identification, national IDs, passport issuance, and employee identification.
  • Surveillance: In addition to security applications in public spaces, face recognition systems serve another purpose in surveillance.
    • For instance, as part of a larger initiative by Indian Railways, facial recognition technology is being considered for implementation at railway stations to “detect criminals.”
  • Healthcare: Hospitals utilize facial recognition to enhance patient care. Healthcare providers are exploring the use of facial recognition for tasks such as accessing patient records, simplifying patient registration, identifying emotions and pain levels in patients, and even aiding in the identification of specific genetic diseases.

Applications of Facial Recognition Systems in India

  • Life Certificate proof: As a proof of ‘life certificate’ for pensioners.
  • Operation Smile: Implemented in Operation Smile by the Telangana Police for regular campaigns aimed at combating child labor and locating missing children.
  • State Law Enforcement Utilization: Facial recognition deployment by state law agencies (Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, etc.) for investigative purposes.
  • Education Sector Application: Providing digital mark sheets to students by CBSE.
  • Financial Services Pilot Program: UIDAI’s pilot program, in conjunction with the National Payments Corporation, testing the functionality of FRT for financial services.
  • Automated Facial Recognition System: National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) to develop an Automated Facial Recognition System (AFRS) utilizing police records.

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Views on Facial Recognition Technology by various countries

  • Facial Recognition Surveillance: Integration with existing CCTV systems, AI, and data analytics raises concerns about mass surveillance.
    • Example: China’s utilization for monitoring and controlling Uighur Muslims.
    • It was also used in the UK to monitor football fans arriving for a match in 2020. 
    • In India too there have been concerns over the use of facial recognition technology by police, especially during protests.
  • United States of America: In the US, some Congress members have proposed the Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act, seeking to ban federal entities from using facial recognition and other biometric technologies like voice and gait recognition.
  • European Union: The European Union has passed a non-binding resolution banning police use of facial recognition technology. This issue will be central to the upcoming debate and vote on the EU’s AI Act in the EU Parliament.

Issues Regarding the Use of Facial Recognition Technology

  • Accuracy Concerns: Facial recognition technology yields probabilistic results and has been shown to be disproportionately inaccurate when applied to specific demographics.
  • Function Creep Risk: This occurs when a technology or system gradually expands its scope from its initial purpose to encompass broader functions.
  • Potential Violation of Fundamental Rights: The right to privacy under Article 21 may be compromised due to ambiguity and absence of consent regarding data collection, storage, sharing, usage, and accountability.
    • The right to free movement within India’s territory under Article 19(1)(d) may be undermined by eroding privacy in public areas.
  • Data Protection Concerns: Concerns arise due to the lack of data protection regulations in India regarding the collection, retention, security, and sharing of datasets within both public and private entities.
  • Cybersecurity Risks: Facial data, categorized as sensitive personal information, poses a threat if breached by hackers, potentially resulting in fraud, identity theft, etc.
  • Limitations of Technology: Several factors impact the ability of facial recognition technology to accurately identify individuals, including camera angles, lighting conditions, image or video quality, disguises, and changes in physical appearance over time.

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Recently, the Madras High Court ruled that cooperative societies are not amenable to the Right to Information (RTI) Act of 2005.

Cooperative Societies Not Public Authorities, Not Bound By Right To Information Act- Madras High Court

  • The Madras High Court has set aside an order passed by Tamil Nadu Information Commission (TNIC) directing a cooperative society to disclose details regarding the loans extended by it.
  • Legal Rationale:  The court clarified that cooperative societies under the Tamil Nadu Cooperative Societies Act of 1983 are not ‘public authority’ as per Section 2(h) of the RTI Act of 2005.

About Cooperative Societies

  • Formation: Cooperatives are organizations formed at the grassroots level by people to harness the power of collective bargaining in the marketplace. 
    • This can mean different kinds of arrangements, such as using a common resource or sharing capital, to derive a common gain that would otherwise be difficult for an individual producer to get.
  • Example: In agriculture, cooperative dairies, sugar mills, spinning mills etc. are formed with the pooled resources of farmers who wish to process their produce. Amul from Gujarat is perhaps the best-known cooperative society in India.
  • Jurisdiction: Cooperatives are a state subject under the Constitution.
    • The subject ‘Cooperative Societies’ is mentioned in entry 32 of the State List under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution.

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The Right to Information Act

  • Right to Freedom of Speech & Expression: It was passed by the Parliament in 2005 to enable the citizens to exercise their freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) of Indian Constitution. 
  • Mandate: It provides the right to information for citizens to secure access to information under the control of public authorities in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority.
  • Provision: Under the provisions of the Act, a citizen may request information from a “public authority” (a body of government) which is required to reply within thirty days.
    • However, there are many societies whose members and areas of operation are spread across more than one state. For example, most sugar mills along the districts on the Karnataka-Maharashtra border procure cane from both states.
  • Constitutional Provisions:
    • The 97th Constitutional Amendment, Part IXB (The Co-Operative Societies) was inserted into the Constitution. 
    • The Right to Form Cooperative Societies was included as the Right to Freedom under Article 19 (1).
    • Article 43-B that deals with Promotion of Cooperative Societies was also inserted as one of the Directive Principles of State Policy.
    • In 2021, the Ministry of Cooperation was created by the Government of India for realizing the vision of ‘Sahkar se Samriddhi’.

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Recently, the Supreme Court issued a notice to the National Testing Agency (NTA), seeking a reply in the NEET-UG result irregularities case. 

Supreme Court issues notice to NTA over NEET-UG 2024 paper leak allegations

  • There have been 41 paper leaks over the last five years in 15 states such as UP Constable Recruitment and Promotion Exam Paper, 2023, Rajasthan Eligibility for Elementary Teachers (REET), etc.
  • About the NEET 2024 Issue: 
    • Allegations of Irregularities: The NEET UG 2024 results revealed a historic occurrence with 67 candidates achieving a perfect score, sparking allegations of irregularities. Reports of paper leaks and fraud also have surfaced.
    • Technical Glitches and Exam Mismanagement: Technical issues and delays were reported at several exam centers and hence grace marks were awarded to some students as per NTA.
  • Action Taken:
    • Formation of Expert Panel to Review: The NTA clarified that grace marks were awarded to compensate for exam time loss, prompting the Ministry of Education to form a panel to review the situation.
    • Judicial View: The Supreme Court is currently hearing multiple petitions regarding these issues. 

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About National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET) and the Raising Issue

  • Deals With: The NEET, formerly the All-India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT), is the qualifying test for MBBS and BDS programmes in Indian medical and dental colleges.
    • Introduced in 2013, by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and is now conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).

Tamil Nadu’s  Opposition to NEET Entrance

  • Violation of Federalism: The state said that NEET is imposed by the Centre without consulting the state governments and disregards the diversity and needs of different regions.
  • More Inclusive Indigenous System: It also said that it has its own admission system based on the marks obtained in the Class 12 board exams, which is considered more inclusive and equitable than NEET.
  • Discrimination for Students: According to A.K. Rajan committee, appointed by the Tamil Nadu Government in 2021, NEET disproportionately benefited repeaters (71% in 2021) and coached students (99% in 2020) and discriminated against first-time applicants.
    • It was alleged to favor CBSE students.
  • Rise in Student Suicides: Many students who have performed well in their board exams or have a passion for medicine have lost hope and confidence after failing to clear NEET.

About National Testing Agency (NTA)

  • Establishment: NTA has been established as a premier, specialist, autonomous and self-sustained testing organization to conduct entrance examinations for admission/fellowship in higher educational institutions.
  • Mandate: The NTA is entrusted to maintain international standards, efficiency, transparency and error free delivery for admissions and recruitment and address issues using best in every field, from test preparation, to test delivery and to test marking.

Major Issues with the Indian Examination System

  • Lack of Credibility: There is a lack of credibility and consistency in examinations conducted by different boards and universities. 
    • Frequent Scandals: There are frequent reports of scandals related to paper leaks, cheating, and fake degrees, which erodes public trust in the examination system. 
    • Separate Assessment: Employers often disregard university/board certificates and conduct their own assessments of candidates.
  • Overemphasis on Memory: Exams tend to test only rote learning and memory instead of higher-order skills like application, analysis, critical thinking, etc. 
    • Miss on Understanding: It leads to teaching practices focused solely on making students memorize content instead of truly understanding concepts.
  • Flawed Assessments: Question papers often have errors, ambiguous questions, test irrelevant content, etc. 
    • Lack of Quality: Evaluation of answer sheets is also not standardized and differences in student learning are not properly reflected in grades awarded. This shows a lack of quality control in setting papers and checking them.
  • Secrecy and Lack of Transparency: The entire exam process from setting papers to evaluating answer sheets is highly confidential. This lack of transparency allows mediocre practices to continue and facilitates exam malpractices. 
  • Inadequate Regulations: Regulators promote academic autonomy for colleges but do not enforce enough oversight on them. The decentralized system has led to a lack of standardization in learning assessments across institutions. 
  • Inadequate Penalties and Enforcement: The existing laws which criminalize cheating have not led to convictions which demonstrates lack of effective enforcement and penalties.
  • Lack of Special Investigation Agency: India lacks a dedicated agency to investigate all types of examination offenses and bring culprits to justice quickly.

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Impacts of Frequent Paper Leaks in India

  • Emotional, Mental and Physical Fatigue: With the cancellation of exams, there is an increase in the fatigue of students and the fear of a new generation of aspirants joining the queue.
    • Also, students from remote rural backgrounds and marginalized castes are disproportionately impacted as they come from economically backward backgrounds and such a cancellation of exams impacts them a lot.
  • Disruption of Academic Calendars: The postponement and cancellation of exams due to paper leaks throw the academic schedules into disarray and cause uncertainty for students.
  • Loss of Trust and Confidence: The frequent paper leaks lead to students losing their faith in the fairness of exams and questioning the value of their efforts and education.

About Public Examinations Bill 2024

  • The Public Examinations Bill 2024 comes against the backdrop of the cancellation of a series of competitive tests such as: 
    • Teacher recruitment exam in Rajasthan. 
    • Common Eligibility Test (CET) for Group-D posts in Haryana. 
    • Recruitment exam for junior clerks in Gujarat. 
    • Public Examinations Bill Constable recruitment examination in Bihar following question paper leaks.
  • According to estimates, there have been more than 70 cases of question paper leaks in the country between 2016 and 2023 and more than 1.5 crore students have been affected by paper leaks.

Major Highlights of Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024  

  • Objective of the Bill: To bring greater transparency, fairness and credibility to the public examination systems and to prevent unfair means in the public examinations. 
  • Serve as Model Draft: The Bill will serve as a model draft for States to adopt at their discretion which will aid States in preventing criminal elements from disrupting conduct of their State level public examinations.
  • Defines Public Examinations: It is defined as any examination conducted by a public examination authority listed in the Schedule of the Bill, or any such other authority as may be notified by the Central Government. 
    • Schedule Lists Five Public Examination Authorities: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS), and National Testing Agency (NTA).
  • Unfair Means in Examination: Bill lists at least 15 actions that amount to using unfair means in public examinations for monetary or wrongful gain, including: 
    • Leakage of question paper or answer key, tampering with answer sheets, directly or indirectly assisting the candidate, conduct of fake examination, etc. 
  • Punishment for Violations: 
    • Person Resorting to Unfair Means: Three to five years in prison, and a fine up to Rs 10 lakh
      • If the convict fails to pay the fine, additional punishment of imprisonment shall be imposed, as per the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
    • Service Providers: Those engaged to provide for the conduct of the examination can be fined up to Rs 1 crore, along with other penalties. 
    • Organised Paper Leaks: Imprisonment for a term not less than five years, may extend to ten years and a fine which shall not be less than one crore rupees”. 
    • Does Not Target Candidates: Candidates appearing for the exams have been left out of its purview.
  • National Technical Committee on Public Examinations: The bill proposes a high-level committee that will make recommendations to make the computerised examination process more secure. 

Anti Cheating Laws in States

  • Uttarakhand: Uttarakhand Assembly passed the Bill to bar and penalise the use of unfair means in public examinations in March 2023. 
  • Gujarat: In 2023, the Gujarat Assembly passed a law to penalise cheating in public examinations.  
  • Other States: Rajasthan (Act passed in 2022), Uttar Pradesh (Act passed in 1998) and Andhra Pradesh (Act passed in 1997) also have similar laws.

Government Initiatives to Enhance Transparency in Examinations

  • Introducing self-attestation. 
  • Shortening examination cycle (18-22 months to 6-10 months).
  • Doing away with interviews for recruitment to Group ‘C’ and ‘D’. 
  • Introduction of computer-based tests. 
  • Issuance of appointment letters through digital means under “Rojgar Mela”.

Way Forward

  • Enhanced Security Measures: To prevent paper leaks and malpractices, there is a need to implement stricter security protocols such as more robust digital encryption and increased surveillance at exam centers.
    • The NTA must, with the assistance of States, ensure that technical glitches and cheating scams, including premature release of question papers, and using proxies, do not recur. 
  • Technological Improvements: To address technical glitches, better infrastructure and backup systems are required to ensure a smooth exam process. 
    • Example: Transition to online exams could be a better solution, as it reduces the risks associated with printing and distribution. 
      • Real-time support and troubleshooting teams can help to mitigate issues during the exam. 
    • It is essential for the NTA to enhance its security measures further to prevent such incidents by incorporating better technology for paper distribution and more rigorous checks at exam centers.
    • Use of technology for standardized question paper setting and automated evaluations.
  • Modification in the Syllabus: Greater emphasis on evaluating higher-order skills, not just memory recall.
    • To address the issue of regional board students, it is required to modify the NEET syllabus to ensure a level playing field for all candidates.
  • Policy and Structural Reforms: To address the allegations that NEET is facing from its formation, there is a need to establish a review committee to regularly assess its process and suggest improvements.
    • External audit of exam boards and publishing performance reports periodically.
    • Continuous assignments and assessments in addition to final exams.
    • Grievance redressal mechanisms for students regarding evaluation.
    • Need to ensure minimum quality standards through stricter monitoring.
    • Grading institutions on exam quality parameters like transparency, reliability, etc.

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  • Maintain Transparency and Build Communication: Improved transparency from the NTA regarding the steps taken to ensure exam integrity can help rebuild trust among students. 
    • Also, a clear and timely communication about the examination process and any issues that arise will be critical.
    • Ensuring transparency in the exam process through external oversight.
  • Shift Education to the State List: It is desirable and required that education can be shifted from the Concurrent List to the State List of the Constitution as it would give more autonomy and flexibility to the states to decide their own admission policies and criteria.
    • It would also enable the states to design their education system according to their regional needs and aspirations and avoid conflicts with the Centre over common entrance tests like NEET.
  • Strike a Balance between Equity and Quality: There is a need to devise a more inclusive and holistic admission process that considers both NEET scores and Class XII marks, as well as other factors such as aptitude, socio-economic status, regional diversity, and rural service.
    • It would ensure and promote both merit and social justice.
  • Compensation in Case of Exam Cancellation: Compensation should be provided to candidates for years of labor, exorbitant financial cost, and the emotional toll incurred.
  • Establishment of Fast-track Courts: It must be established for the trial and convictions for people involved in paper leaks.
  • Strict Penalties and its Enforcement: As per the Public Examinations Prevention of Unfair Means Act, there is a need to impose stringent penalties on persons resorting to unfair means.
  • Public Awareness: Creating awareness among the public, particularly students, about the consequences of engaging in malpractices by engaging with educational institutions, civil society organisations, and the media and fostering a culture of integrity.
  • Strengthening Examination Administration: Addressing corruption within examination administration requires stringent measures to detect and punish offenders, ensuring accountability and transparency in the conduct of examinations is imperative.

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Recently, renowned Urdu poet Gulzar and Sanskrit scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya have been named the recipients of the 58th Jnanpith Award 2024.

58th Jnanpith Award 2024

This is the second time the Jnanpith Award 2024 has been given to Sanskrit and the fifth time for Urdu. Goan writer Damodar Mauzo has received the prestigious award for 2022.

2024 Jnanpith Award Winners List

Here is the list of Jnanpith Award winners 2024;

About Gulzar

  • Renowned for Sampooran Singh Kalra, popularly known as Gulzar, is celebrated for his works in Hindi cinema and is considered one of this era’s finest Urdu poets.

Jnanpith Award

    • In poetry, he invented a new genre, ‘Triveni’, a non-muqaffa poem of three lines. 
  • Earlier Achievements: Sahitya Akademi Award for Urdu in 2002, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2013, Padma Bhushan in 2004, and at least five National Film awards for his works.
    • One of his finest works includes the song “Jai Ho” for the film “Slumdog Millionaire”, which received an Oscar award in 2009 and a Grammy Award in 2010.

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Rambhadracharya

Jnanpith Award

  • He is the founder and head of Tulsi Peeth in Chitrakoot. He is a renowned Hindu spiritual leader, educator and writer of more than 240 books and texts, including four epics.
  • Famous Literary Works: Śrīrāghavakṛpābhāṣyam, Bhṛṅgadūtam, Aṣṭāvakra.
    • He is a polyglot who speaks 22 languages, Rambhadracharya is a poet and writer in several Indian languages, including Sanskrit, Hindi, Awadhi, and Maithili.
      • He was named Giridhara Misra and lost his eyesight at the age of two months due to trachoma.
  • Earlier Achievements: In 2015, he received the Padma Vibhushan award.
    • He is one of the four Jagadguru Ramanandacharyas of the Ramananda sect and has held this position since 1982.

About Jnanpith Award

  • Establishment: In 1944.
    • It was instituted in 1961, and the first award was given in 1965. 
  • Sponsored by: The cultural organization Bharatiya Jnanpith.
  • Eligibility: The Award is open for only Indian citizens.
  • The Highest Literary Award in India: The Jnanpith Award is given annually for outstanding contributions to Indian literature. 
    • It is given annually for the best creative literary writing to writers in any Constitutionally recognized 22 Scheduled Languages and, since 2013, in English.Honor: The prize carries a cash award of Rs 21 lakh, a citation, and a bronze replica of Vagdevi (Saraswati), the goddess of learning. 

22 Scheduled Languages:

  • 22 Scheduled Languages: Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Bodo, Santhali, Maithili and Dogri.

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