Context:

• This article is based on a news “What are the findings of the Parliament panel on the New Education Policy?” which was published in the Hindu. Recently, the Parliament Standing Committee on Education tabled a report on the “Implementation of the New Education Policy (NEP), 2020 in Higher Education.”

New Education Policy Implementation in Higher Education: A Progress Report

• The report assesses the salient features of the New Education Policy’s implementation in the higher education sector and the progress made so far.
• The Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education has informed that there are a total of 1043 Universities in the country at present.
  • Out of which 70% are governed under the State Acts, 18% are governed by the Central Government.
• It has further been informed that 94% of students are enrolled in State/private Institutions while 6% are enrolled in Central Institutions.
• There has been a gradual increase in the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) for all students and it has risen from 24.1% in 2016-17 to 27.3% in 2020-21.
  • Further observes that GER for ST and SC students has also risen from 2016-17 to 2020-21.
• The details of break-up of Universities are given in pie-chart:-

About National Education Policy

• • Background: The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) had constituted a Committee for drafting the new education policy  (Chair: Dr. K. Kasturirangan) in June 2017.
    • The NEP replaces the National Policy on Education, 1986.
  • Emphasis: The NEP 2020 lays particular emphasis on the development of the creative potential of each individual.
  • Principle: New education policy is based on the principle that education must develop the foundational capacities of literacy and numeracy and higher-order cognitive capacities, such as critical thinking and problem solving and also social, ethical, and emotional capacities and dispositions.
  •  Various steps taken to reform education in India:
    • Radhakrishnan Committee
    • Kothari Commission
    • T.S.R. Subramanium Committee
    • Kasturirangan Report (Drafted NEP)

New Education Policy 2020 Implementation: Transforming Higher Education in India

• Fruitful Progress: Through various appreciable measures like PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI), e-VIDHYA, NIPUN Bharat etc. the implementation of the new education policy 2020 is progressing on course with its vision to transform the higher education system to be more inclusive, flexible, and aligned with global standards.
• Best Practices– Jammu and Kashmir (J&K): The UT of J&K is one of the first in the country to implement NEP 2020 from the academic session 2022 in all the Higher Education Institutions.
  • Introduction of “Design Your Degree” based on Choice Based Credit System(CBCS) launched by Jammu University under which students will be offered an opportunity to craft a personalised, interdisciplinary learning experience.
• Focus on Creativity: New education policy 2020 places thrust on developing a student’s ‘Creative Potential’ based on higher-order cognitive capacities and cultivating innovation and creativity in learners through industry-institution linkages and collaborative programs which will transform India into a vibrant knowledge society.
• Internationalisation of Education: Freedom being given to Indian universities to set up campuses in other countries and initiate start-up incubation centres and from among the top 100 universities in the world will be facilitated to operate in India.
  • G20 New Delhi Declaration: Supported promoting open, equitable, and secure scientific collaboration and encouraging mobility of students, scholars, researchers and scientists across research and higher education institutions.
• Implementation of the Multi Entry and Multiple Exit (MEME) options within the framework of the New Education Policy (NEP) is a vital component of NEP 2020, offering students greater flexibility and choice in their educational pathways.

Issues Associated with New Education Policy:

• Multiple Entry And Multiple Exit (MEME): Indian institutions are likely to face several issues in implementing the MEME system under the new education policy.
  • According to the report, while the MEME looked like a flexible system, which was being operated by Western educational institutions effectively, it might not work well in the country. 
• Role of State: Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) Scheme aims to provide strategic funding to eligible state higher educational institutions. Strategic funding to higher educational institutions based on critical appraisal of State’s plans.
• Accessibility: Limited access to higher education in socio-economically disadvantaged areas due to financial barriers, geographical constraints, stereotype threat faced by students of marginalised sections etc.
• Linguistic Issues in New education policy: Most of the HEIs primarily use English as a medium of instruction and there is a  lack of HEIs that teach in local languages. This leads to exclusion of non-english speakers, cultural and regional disconnect, and exacerbation of economic disparities.
• Lack of Funding:  Public investment in the Education sector needs to reach 6% of GDP at the earliest. According to the Economic Survey 2022-23, total education outlay added up to 2.9% of the GDP.

Also read: India’s GDP Growth Rate: India GDP Growth Rate, Trends and Analysis

Way Forward

• Fulfilment of Goals: By 2030, every district in the country should have at least one multidisciplinary HEI and that the GER in higher education, including vocational education, should be increased to 50% by 2035.
• Effective Funding: Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA) needs to diversify its funding sources beyond government allocations and explore partnerships with private sector organisations, philanthropic foundations, and international financial institutions.
  • Reviewing and adjusting the interest rates on loans provided by HEFA can make them more competitive and affordable for HEIs.
• Patent Filing: There is steady progress in the field of higher education and specific impetus is required to be assigned to factors like anusandhan (research), that can help the country’s ranking in patent filing.
• Digitisation of Education: Various steps are taken to promote the use of digital technologies in education, including the development of digital libraries & SWAYAM PRABHA portal.
  • The creation of a National Educational Technology Forum (NETF) can go a long way in expansion of digital infrastructure to make the country a Global Knowledge Hub.
  • Adopting and harnessing the power of modern cloud based technologies can create a more efficient, transparent, and student-centric ecosystem.
• Student Involvement: Proper involvement of the student community, incorporation of their feedback and suggestions towards the changes proposed in new education policy, creating institutional mechanisms to handle student’s queries on issues such as the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), MEME system can generate beneficial results.
• Inclusive Education: Implementation of certain specific initiatives aimed at enhancing access to education for marginalised communities in accordance with the New Education Policy 2020 through various initiatives like comprehensive awareness campaigns, infrastructure development, teacher training and recruitment, scholarship and financial support, digital inclusivity, etc.
• Ensuring Smooth Operation of MSME: Develop comprehensive guidelines including specific eligibility criteria, credit transfer mechanisms, and providing a clear roadmap for students pursuing different exit points.
  • Implementation of a standardised Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT) system allows students to earn and transfer credits seamlessly across institutions.
•  Improving the Impact of the Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA): HEFA can consider diversifying its funding sources beyond Government allocations, explore partnerships with private sector organisations, philanthropic foundations, and international financial institutions to increase the available funds.

Conclusion

Successful implementation of New Education Policy can help in meeting the 4th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), Education for all while ensuring equitable, inclusive and quality education for all by 2030.

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Context:

• This article is based on a news “Immunity to legislators on bribery: Supreme Court sets up 7-judge bench to review 1998 verdict?” which was published in Indian Express. Recently, Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud has set up a seven-judge bench that will reconsider the correctness of the 1998 five-judge Constitution bench judgment in the P V Narasimha Rao case also Known as the JMM bribery case (1993 ).

Bribery Charges Spark Constitutional Debate: SC to Reexamine Legislator Immunity

• The question arose in the context of bribery charges against Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MLA Sita Soren in connection with the 2012 Rajya Sabha elections to two seats from the state.
• The larger bench would deal with the question of the correctness of the verdict on the interpretation of Articles 105(2) and 194(2) of the Constitution which extends the privilege to a member of Parliament and a member of state legislature, respectively.
• The top court had then said the object of the constitutional provisions under Article 105(2) and Article 194 (2) clearly is not to set apart the members of the legislature as persons who wield higher privileges in terms of immunity from the general criminal law of the land, which citizens of the land do not possess.

The Sita Soren Case: Bribery Charges and Constitutional Immunity

• Sita Soren, a daughter-in-law of JMM chief Sibu Soren, was accused of bribery during the Rajya Sabha elections of 2012 from one R K Agarwal but did not cast a vote in her favour.
• Soren claimed immunity from prosecution under Article 194(2) of the Constitution of India.
• The Jharkhand High Court dismissed Soren’s plea, holding that she could not claim immunity since she had not cast her vote in the manner agreed upon.
• Soren appealed to the Supreme Court against the Jharkhand High Court judgment.

The Bribery Dilemma in the PV Narasimha Rao Case

• A five-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court had in 1998 in PV Narasimha Rao’s case held that a lawmaker was immune to prosecution even if he/she took money to vote on the floor of the House
• However, Two judges on the bench dissented, arguing that this immunity should not apply to cases where bribery is alleged.
• The majority view was that immunity is necessary to protect the independence of parliamentarians and to ensure that they can participate freely in debate.
• The Supreme Court is currently reconsidering the Narasimha Rao judgment, and it is possible that the court will change its position on the immunity of parliamentarians from prosecution for bribery.

Freedom Without Fear: Exploring the Purpose of Immunity for MPs and MLAs

• Purpose of immunity

• • The purpose of these Articles is to ensure that MPs/MLAs are able to discharge their duties in an atmosphere of freedom without fear of consequences that may follow in the manner in which they speak or exercise their vote on the floor of the House.
  • Article 105(2) of the Constitution states, “No member of Parliament shall be liable to any proceedings in any court in respect of anything said or any vote given by him in Parliament or any committee thereof.”
  • However,  Article 194(2) of the Constitution provides similar immunities to State legislatures.

Also read: Election Commission of India (Article 324 to 329)

Bribery and Democracy: Assessing the Impact of Immunity on Accountability

• • Anomaly: If a person [MP/MLA] accepts a bribery and votes, then there is immunity. If a person accepts the bribery and does not fulfill the bargain by abstaining from the vote or does not give the speech, he or she is liable to be punished.
  • Attorney General K K Venugopal said that Narasimha Rao’s judgment does not apply to the facts of the case as the immunity is only for actions with respect to the business of the House.
  • Subverting anti-corruption law
    • The Supreme Court of India, in (P.V. Narasimha Rao-1998) – has held that MPs and MLAs are public servants and can be prosecuted for offenses under the Prevention of Corruption Act. 1988. The said judgment has been consistently followed and the proposition was reiterated in Abay Singh Chautala -Vs- CBI in 2011.

• Against the Notion of Equality

• The term ‘equality’ means the absence of special privileges to any section of the society, and the provision of adequate opportunities for all individuals without any discrimination.

• Article 14 Of the Constitution seeks to It establish equality before the law and provide equal protection of the law to all.

• Constitutional Morality and Constitutionalism

• The issue of bribery has a significant bearing on the morality of polity which demands transparency and accountability of parliamentarian actions.

Way Forward

• Codification of Privileges
  • There is a need for proper codification of privileges, as suggested by the National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution in its report in 2002.
  • For this, India can look into Australia, as the country has codified the privileges and working without much tussle since 1987.
• Prosecution of MPs/MLAs:
  • creating a narrow exception for cases of bribery and corruption while keeping Immunity Provisions. This would allow legislators to be prosecuted under general common laws (Prevention of Corruption Act-1988) while protecting their independence.
• Special Tribunal:
  • There is a need for a special body to investigate and prosecute allegations of bribery against legislators. This body could be made up of independent judges and experts, and it could be given the power to compel witnesses to testify and to produce evidence.

Conclusion

The Supreme Court’s decision to reevaluate legislator immunity in bribery cases is a significant step towards ensuring transparency and accountability in India’s parliamentary system. The debate surrounding this issue underscores the delicate balance between upholding legislative independence and combating corruption. There are strong arguments on both sides of the issue. It is important to weigh the competing interests carefully and to find a solution that balances the need for legislative independence with the need for accountability.

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Subject: GS-01: Geography

Context:

• The reports by central technical and scientific institutions that studied the unprecedented land subsidence phenomenon in Joshimath, Uttarakhand have been made available to the public.

Key observations made by various institutions about  Land subsidence in Joshimath:

• Central Ground Water Board: It suggested that trenches along with the retention wall may be constructed at different topographic levels so that groundwater pressure may be dissipated and cracks do not appear in the future.
  • It also recommended that construction activities in the spring zone area should be immediately stopped.

• Central Building Research Institute: Joshimath town is situated on Vaikrita groups of rocks overlain by morainic deposits composed of irregular boulders and clay of varying thicknesses, which are less cohesive and susceptible to slow subsidence and landslide subsidence.
• The Indian Institute of Remote Sensing: It outlined that  “Land Subsidence phenomenon in Joshimath may be due to a toe-cutting phenomenon, slope instability as a result of seepage of local drainage water in the soil, terrain and edaphic characteristics, loose and unconsolidated moraine materials of the slope (due to old landslide) and flash flood events in and around the area in the recent past.”
• IIT Roorkee: The main reason for the subsidence appears to be internal erosion caused by the subsurface drainage, which may be due to infiltration of rainwater/melting of ice from households and hotels.
  • Recommendation: Though subsidence is a continuous phenomenon, it can be minimized by controlling infiltration of water, which helps in minimizing internal erosion.
• National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI): Subsidence was observed in the middle and western side of the town, although isolated subsidence was observed throughout the Joshimath areas.
• The National Institute of Hydrology (NIH): It  studied the water seepage point in the Jaypee colony area of Joshimath from where the water kept flowing with great force for days, causing concern among authorities, it outlined that, an eruption was caused by blockage of sub-surface channels.

Also read: Himalayan Blunders that are Ravaging the Himalayas

Importance of Joshimath

• Strategic importance: Joshimath lies on national highway NH58. It connects Delhi with Badrinath and Mana Pass in Uttarakhand near the Indo-Tibet border and is also en route to Barahoti, a disputed territory along the border.
• Religious importance: Joshimath is one of the four institutions that were established by Adi Shankara.
• Gateway to pilgrimage & heritage sites: The town is also a gateway to noted sites of pilgrimage – Badrinath, Hemkund Sahib; the international skiing site of Auli; and the Valley of Flowers, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

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Subject: GS-03: Science and Technology

Context:

• Geospatial intelligence has proven to be a valuable tool in providing critical insights to help governments aid in disaster response and preparedness efforts.

What is Geospatial Intelligence?

• Geospatial intelligence is the collection and integration of data from a network of technologies, including satellites, mobile sensors, ground-control stations and aerial images.
•  Potential: The industry is projected to grow from a US$61 billion enterprise in 2020 to more than $209 billion in 2030.

Need for Geospatial Intelligence:

• The need for geospatial intelligence is more important than ever due to the following reasons:
  • Rising Temperature: Average temperature is projected to increase between 1.1 to 5.4 degrees Celsius by the end of the century.
  • Growing Population: The global population is expected to reach 11 billion by 2100, and urban areas are becoming denser and more prone to disasters.

Whether reconstructing the past, describing the present or anticipating the future, geospatial intelligence provides valuable information to help keep people and communities safe.

Also read: Disaster Management in India

Applications of Geospatial Intelligence

• Better Decision-Making: By providing comprehensive and accurate data using geospatial intelligence about the physical environment, policymakers can develop a better understanding of the risks and opportunities that exist in the country’s surroundings.
• Real-Time Threat Assessment: This data is used to produce real-time maps and simulations to help identify when, where and to what extent a threat is likely to emerge.

• Facilitating Search-and-Rescue and Recovery Operations: Geospatial intelligence also provides valuable guidance for search-and-rescue and recovery efforts following a disaster. For example, in the immediate aftermath of the February 2023 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria, maps and aerial images quickly identified the extent of damage and the populations affected.
• Environmental monitoring:  Monitoring temperature, precipitation, snowpack and polar ice status through geospatial intelligence helps scientists and government officials anticipate and prepare for potential disturbances.
• Forecasting Weather Events: For instance, understanding temperature profiles – past, current and forecasted temperatures over an area – provides information on when, where and to what extent that area is likely to be affected by events such as heat waves.
• Digital Twins: It is used in the development, implementation and evaluation of digital twins.

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Context: In his address at the conference for directors of urban cooperative banks in India, the Reserve Bank of India Governor outlined that the quality of board discussions should be free and frank because the idea of cooperation is based on the idea of democracy.

Democratic Governance in Urban Cooperative Banks In India

• The board members of the Urban cooperative banks in India are elected and the underlying principle of the functioning of the co-operative bank is democracy.
• The board should not be static and there should be new inductions, new minds and younger persons coming into the board.

Also read: Cooperative Societies

Urban Cooperative Banks In India

• Urban Cooperative Banks in India are refers to primary cooperative banks located in urban and semi-urban areas.
• Urban Co-operative Banks in India are play an important role as financial intermediaries in urban and semi-urban areas catering to the needs of the non-agricultural sector, particularly small borrowers.
• Urban co-operative banks come under the supervisory jurisdiction of the Reserve Bank, rural co-operatives are regulated by the NABARD. There is thus no clear demarcation of regulatory powers.

Also read: Types of Banks in India

Regulatory frameworks for Urban Cooperative Banks in India

• Licensing of New Primary (Urban) Cooperative Banks: For starting the banking business, a primary (urban) cooperative bank, as in the case of a commercial bank, is required to obtain a license from the RBI as per the BR Act.
• Licensing of Existing Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks in India: A primary credit society which would like to become a primary (urban) cooperative bank (by fulfilling the share capital and reserve norms) should avail a license from the RBI.
• Branch Licensing: Primary (urban) cooperative banks in India are required to obtain permission from the RBI to open branches.
• Statutory Provisions: Some of the statutory provisions under the BR Act is also applicable for UCBs, and they will be monitored on the basis of these provisions.

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Trends in India’s Labour Market

• The State of Working India 2023, published by the Centre for Sustainable Employment  shows major trends in India’s labor market. 
  • The analysis uses data from surveys by the National Statistical Office including Employment- Unemployment Surveys and the Periodic Labour Force Surveys.

• Changing compos itinerary of employment type with caste:

• • Regular wage workers: Charts 2 (top right) shows that between 1983 and 2021, the proportion of regular wage workers belonging to SCs increased, but remained significantly lower than the proportion of regular wage workers in the ‘Others’ (general) category (22% against 32% in 2021). 
  • Self Employment: The rate of self-employment was also higher among the ‘Others’ compared to SCs.

• Differential intergenerational upward economic mobility:  In 2004, 86.5% of sons of SC/ST casual wage were also casual wage workers; this fell to 75.6% in 2018. The fall for sons of ‘general’ caste casual wage worker fathers was steeper -from 83.2% to 53% over the same period.

Female workforce participation rate(Chart 1):

• Prominent industries: Women’s representation in industries like tobacco, education, health and social work, and textiles increased between 1983 and 2021, and decreased in waste management and sewerage over the same period. 
  • However, compared to men, women continued to be overrepresented in these sectors.
  • Over this same period, the share of SCs in industries like waste management and sewerage, and leather and leather products fell sharply.
  • However, SCs remained overrepresented compared to other castes.
• Factor of husband’s income: As it increases, the probability of the wife being employed reduces (the male “bread-winner” norm). In rural areas, this trend is slower.
  • Urban areas show a fall in the probability of the wife being employed up to the earnings threshold of Rs 40,000 per month.
  • As the husband’s earnings increase beyond this, the probability of the wife being employed also increases. This is because husbands in higher income brackets have better-educated wives with aspirations and access to better-paid work.
• Factor of mother-in-law presence and status: Compared to households where no mother-in-law is present, married women in households with an unemployed mother-in-law are 20% (rural) to 30% (urban) less likely to be employed. 
  • However, if the mother-in-law is employed, the likelihood of the married woman being employed rises from 50% (rural) to 70% (urban). 
  • The presence of an unemployed mother-in-law in the household significantly reduces the likelihood of a married woman being employed; 
  • The presence and employment status of a mother-in-law is therefore a determinant of whether married women participate in the workforce.

Female participation rates by education(Chart 3):

• Except for “diploma and above”, women in rural areas have higher workforce participation rates for all levels of education compared to women in urban areas. 
• The analysis also notes that as of 2021-22, about 40% of SC women were employed, as opposed to only 21% of ‘general’ caste women.

Concentration of unemployment among educated youth(Chart 4):

• Among those younger than 25 years, graduates have the highest unemployment rate of all education levels.
• The unemployment rate reduces as the education level decreases. 
• As people grow older, the probability of their being employed increases, mostly because unemployment becomes unsustainable.

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Scarborough Shoal

Context:

• China recently installed a floating barrier in part of the Scarborough Shoal. 

About Scarborough Shoal:

• Scarborough is the largest atoll in the South China Sea, located some 220 kilometers from the Philippines. 
• The shoal is located inside the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Philippines but has been claimed by China as its ancestral territory since the 13th century. 
• Claimed by China, the Philippines, and Taiwan, it is called Huangyan Island by China and Panatag Shoal by the Philippines. 
• The surrounding waters have rich fishing grounds, and the seabed is believed to hold substantial mineral resources, including petroleum and natural gas.

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