Context:

• Panama’s National Assembly passed a law banning new mining concessions following protests against a contract with a Canadian miner to operate a key copper mine in the country.

About Panama

• Panama is a  transcontinental country of Central America located on the Isthmus of Panama in the North-Western hemisphere of the Earth and shares its borders with Costa Rica and Colombia. 
• Isthmus: An isthmus is a narrow strip of land that connects two larger land masses and separates two bodies of water. The Isthmus of Panama connects North and South America and separates the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
• Panama Canal: One of the most strategic transportation hubs of the world, around 82-km long canal connects the Atlantic (Caribbean Sea) and Pacific Oceans.

• Resources: Clay, limestone, and salt are the leading mineral products, and gold, ferrous sand, and manganese have been mined on a small scale. 
  • There are commercially significant but largely unexploited deposits of copper, bauxite, phosphates, and coal.
  • Petroleum reserves have been found off the Pacific and Caribbean shores.

News Source: Mint

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Context:

• Journalists and governments face an ethical dilemma in deciding whether to interview terrorists, as seen in the Indian media’s engagement with Taliban leaders despite India seeking them for attacks against Indian personnel.

What are the concerns associated with interviewing terrorists?

• Platform for spreading extremist views: Sometimes the interview of journalists is seen as legitimisation of extremist views of journalists as well as providing a platform to the terrorists for spreading radical thoughts.
  • Example-Media has been criticised for potentially legitimising extremist views by taking interview of Taliban leaders.
• Risk of perpetuating biases or misconceptions: The media has the capability to mould the opinion as per its whims and fancies. Thus, risk of creating biases. 
  • For example, media’s portrayal of the Rohingya crisis.
• Threat of Secessionist ideologies: News outlets have on occasion featured interviews with leaders advocating for Kashmiri separatism.
  • Ex- Bitta Karate interview with Newstrack in which he admitted to killing Kashmiri Pandits.
• Right to a fair trial: Media has the power to shape public opinion, potentially endangering an individual’s right to a fair trial.

What are the arguments in favour of interviewing terrorists?

• Truth: Interview with terrorists offers insights into the mind of a terrorist as well as the reasons behind their acts.
• Fairness: The insights into the truth might help in framing rights policies and strategies in order to deal with them.
• Empathy: The interaction of the terrorists with the media will reveal the reasons behind the growth of such acts and will generate public sympathy towards them.
• Awareness: The interviews will bring the truth of terrorist and radical acts taking place in front of the general public.
• Independence: Media works independently of the government ensure to the reveal the facts in an impartial manner.

News Source: The Hindu

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Context:

• The Government recently permitted certain Indian companies to directly list on select foreign stock exchanges, which will allow these companies to access global capital and boost capital outflows.

Direct listing on foreign exchanges: What does it mean for Indian Companies

According to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), the provision was announced in the Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2020, and came into effect on October 30, 2023.

• In July 2023 government enabled listed and unlisted domestic companies to directly list their equity shares on the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), Ahmedabad.
• How do companies currently list on foreign Stock Markets?
  • Domestic listed companies would use depository receipts — American Depository Receipts (ADR) or Global Depository Receipts (GDR) — to list in the overseas market. 
  • Under this route, Indian companies wanting to get listed on foreign stock exchanges would give their shares to an Indian custodian, and depository receipts would be issued to foreign investors.
• Benefits
  • Better valuation & Global Exposure: It will offer them better valuation and exposure to trade in foreign currency such as the dollar,
  • Fundraising: It may also benefit the startup and unicorn community as another avenue to raise funds and increase their profile globally.
  • Enhanced Foreign Exchange:  It will also add to India’s foreign exchange kitty.
• Challenges
  • Market valuations of these listings by global investors
  • Uncertainty of the commercial benefits of these listings
  • Volatility of Foreign exchange

Source: Indian Express

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Context:

• The Central Government is looking at offering SOPs (Standard Operating Procedure) along the lines of a production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for manufacturing Small Modular Reactors (SMR), aiming to increase the share of nuclear power in India’s energy basket.

India’s Nuclear Power Capacity

• Currently, India’s installed nuclear power capacity stands at 7.48 GW and is expected to reach 22.28 GW by 2031.
• The push for nuclear power, which is considered to be a cleaner fuel or non-fossil fuel, comes in the backdrop of India’s ambitious net zero goals ( India has pledged to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2070).
• A NITI Aayog report says that given the nascent nature of the technology and investor perceptions of business and regulatory risks, collaborative involvement of government and private sectors is critical to de-risk projects and accelerate commercialization.
• India is having bilateral talks with France, Russia, South Korea, and the US for the required technologies and investments.

What are the Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)?

Small modular reactors (SMRs) are advanced nuclear reactors that have a power capacity of up to 300 MW(e) per unit, which is about one-third of the generating capacity of traditional nuclear power reactors. Small modular reactors, which can produce a large amount of low-carbon electricity, are:

• Small – physically a fraction of the size of a conventional nuclear power reactor.
• Modular – making it possible for systems and components to be factory-assembled and transported as a unit to a location for installation.
• Reactors – harnessing nuclear fission to generate heat to produce energy.

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)- Types

Advantages of SMRs: Many of the benefits of  Small modular reactors (SMRs) are inherently linked to the nature of their design – small and modular.

• Low Cost: Prefabricated units of Small modular reactors can be manufactured and then shipped and installed on-site, making them more affordable to build than large power reactors, which are often custom-designed for a particular location, sometimes leading to construction delays.
• Accessibility: In areas lacking sufficient lines of transmission and grid capacity, SMRs can be installed into an existing grid or remotely off-grid, as a function of its smaller electrical output, providing low-carbon power for industry and the population. 
• Emergency Backup:  Small modular reactors can serve as a backup power supply in emergency situations or replace power generators that are often fuelled by diesel, for example, in rural communities or remote businesses.
• Safety and Nuclear Waste: Compared to existing reactors, proposed SMR designs are generally simpler, and the safety concept for Small modular reactors often relies more on passive systems (no human intervention or external power or force is required to shut down systems).
• Reduced fuel Requirements: Power plants based on Small modular reactors may require less frequent refueling, every 3 to 7 years, in comparison to between 1 and 2 years for conventional plants.
• Green Transition: The SMRs can accelerate the energy transition by facilitating greater penetration of nuclear energy.

What are the challenges associated with Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)?

• Range of Capacity: Since, Small modular reactors have a very wide range of capacity sizes ranging from less than 30 MW(e) to 300+ MW(e), which are too many for sustained growth of the SMR industry. 
• Regulatory Challenge: A large number of technologies, if adopted for deployment at the same time, could not only create regulatory challenges for the nuclear industry but also take away some degree of cost optimization.
• Nascent Technology: The  Small modular reactor industry is yet to realize a fully developed operational fabrication facility for large scale serial manufacturing of SMR components. 
• Capital: Technology developers have challenges in mobilizing finance for technology development, licensing, and construction of prototype plants.

Source: Live Mint

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Context:

• Recently ‘FATF’ released a report titled, ‘Crowdfunding for Terrorism Financing’, stating that ’Violent extremist organizations’ in India collected funds through well-structured networks.

FATF Report – India

• India’s onsite assessment by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)  is slated for November, while the assessment is likely to come up for discussion in the plenary discussion in June 2024. 
• Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the pause in the FATF’s assessment process, the mutual evaluation of India, which was last carried out in 2010, had been postponed to 2023.

What are the key findings of the FATF report?

According to the report’s findings, over 3,000 bank accounts and informal value transfer systems were used by the Popular Front of India (PFI).

• The group’s fundraising tactics included  resorting to solicitation at mosques and public places, offline and online mechanisms, such as circulating QR codes and account details.
• Funds were used to procure arms and ammunition and for training the cadres of the violent extremist organisation, among other purposes. 
• A portion of the funds was also invested and parked in businesses and real estate projects to generate regular income for terrorism activities.

Crowdfunding for Terror Financing 

“The possibility of quickly and easily reaching a global audience can make crowdfunding an attractive method of fundraising for Terror Financing”.

• The FATF report notes four main ways in which crowdfunding platforms can be abused for terrorist financing purposes:
  • Abuse Of Humanitarian, Charitable, Or Non-Profit Causes.
  • Use Of Dedicated Crowdfunding Platforms Or Websites.
  • Use Of Social Media Platforms And Messaging Apps.
  • Interaction Of Crowd-funding With Virtual Assets (Cryptocurrency).
• For Example: The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), Al-Qaeda, and ethnically or racially motivated terrorist (EoRMT) individuals and groups have exploited it to raise money for terrorist financing purposes.
• In 2022, there were over 6 million crowd-funding campaigns around the world, some estimates have valued the global crowdfunding market at $17.2 billion in 2020 and it is expected to reach $34.6 billion by 2026.

Challenges

• The Anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CFT) regulation is not consistent across the globe.
• Failure to systematically assess the risks related to crowdfunding activity by countries.
• Lack of comprehensive data about its misuse.

Recommendation of FATF Report

• Countries should assess the nature, size, and risks associated with all types and methods of crowdfunding in their particular jurisdiction.
• The countries should also take note of the risk analysis of the sector more globally given the cross-border nature of crowdfunding campaigns and associated financial transfers.
• The countries should recognize that even if their jurisdiction does not have significant terrorism activity domestically, their jurisdiction can still be used as a pass-through for financial flows.

Source: Indian Express

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Context:

• Reverse bankruptcy framework was first proposed by the  Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) in a discussion paper in January. However, even after several industry consultations, MCA has yet to notify the final rules.

Reverse bankruptcy framework – Background, Benefits, and Challenges

The framework Proposed that the insolvency provisions would be applied only on such real estate projects where default has occurred. 

• Benefits: This would ensure minimum disruption of other projects that are doing well in the same company.
• Current Practice: Currently, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) requires insolvency resolution of a company as a whole and there are situations where because of the default in one project, the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) is initiated against the entire company. 
• Challenges in the existing mechanism: This is counterproductive as other solvent projects are also stalled post-commencement. In real estate cases, the default often pertains to specific projects (while other projects continue to do well).
  • As per IBBI (Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India) data, real estate debtors constitute a major chunk, 21% of all IBC cases. In effect over 1200 real estate cases have been admitted under IBC, which would involve lakhs of home buyers.

What is Reverse Bankruptcy?

• In Reverse CIRP, the promoter itself is responsible for infusing the funds into the project and acts as a lender to the concerned project/real estate company (Contrary to CIRP).
• Reverse insolvency is a promoter-driven process as it requires the promoters to fund the project to complete the construction and development of projects. 
• This may lead to conflicts if promoters are disqualified under Section 29A or if a proceeding is initiated against the promoters for related parties or fraudulent transactions.
• This contrasts with the normal Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) procedure where any default triggers insolvency against the whole company.

Source: Live Mint

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Context:

• This article is based on the news “Delhi’s air pollution steadily worsening since 2021: Four key findings of a new air quality study” Which was published in the Indian Express. The study, ‘ Analysis of Air Quality in October for the past five years’, was recently conducted by Respirer Reports. 

What are the key findings of a recent air quality study regarding air pollution in Delhi?

• It involved an examination of PM 2.5 levels in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Patna, Bengaluru and Chennai.
• Out of the eight major state capitals in India that face an air pollution crisis, Delhi had the highest Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 level in October for the past five years. 
• Since 2021, the city has witnessed a consistent rise in PM 2.5 levels which increased by 4.4% in October 2023 as compared to last year.
• Delhi’s air quality has plummeted to hit the ‘severe’ category to reach 476 in the AQI.

Also Read: Mumbai Air Pollution

How does air pollution in Delhi impact?

• Health: Acute effects like burning eyes, irritation of nose and throat, cough, and feeling of choked breath.
  • Serious harms include heart attacks and brain strokes, which are provoked when atherosclerotic plaques in blood vessels are disrupted by the pollutants, thereby triggering blood clots.
  • Exposure during pregnancy increases the risk of stillbirths, neonatal deaths, low birth weight babies, and birth defects. 
  • Children chronically exposed to air pollution have repeated respiratory infections, susceptibility to asthmatic attacks, lower learning ability, and impaired physical growth.
  • A recent report of the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) estimated that Indians were losing 5.3 years of life expectancy on average due to the health effects of air pollution.
  • Researchers estimated that people in Delhi lose close to 12 years because of the poor air they breathe.
• Economic growth:  It leads to reduced worker output, lower consumer footfall in consumption-led services, hampered asset productivity, and a surge in health expenses and welfare allocations, especially in the productive age groups.
  • A report by Greenpeace Southeast Asia and the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air According to the study, air pollution has an economic cost of $2.9 trillion, about 3.3 per cent of the world’s GDP.
  • As per the report, the costs of poor air quality were manifested in six distinct ways: (i) lower labour productivity, (ii) lower consumer footfall, (iii)lower asset productivity, (iv)increased health expenses, (v) welfare losses, and (vi) premature mortality. 
• Impact on Services sector:  Even in indoor jobs such as those in call centres, air pollution takes a toll on productivity.
  • As per the paper ‘The Effect of Pollution on Worker Productivity: Evidence from Call-Center Workers in China’, for each 10-unit increase in the air pollution index (API) for each city, worker productivity, measured by the number of calls handled, fell by 0.35%.
  • Poor air quality impeded the performance of otherwise highly productive employees as much as it did of less productive workers.
• Environment: Air pollution, particularly sulphur and nitrogen emissions, as well as ground-level ozone, affects the ability of natural ecosystems to function and grow. 
  • For example, harmful concentrations of pollutants directly enter drinking water through groundwater seepage. 
  • Air pollution also diminishes the ability of the ecosystem to capture carbon—a role that it plays in climate change mitigation.

What factors contribute to air pollution in Delhi?

• Stubble burning: There is a surge in stubble burning across neighboring states Punjab and Haryana.
  • According to Indian Agriculture Research Institute Data, nearly 40 per cent of all burning events in the state, 5,140 out of a total of nearly 12,800 documented events since September 15, have happened in the first three days of this month.
  • Northwesterly winds carry stubble-burning smoke from Punjab and Haryana into Delhi-NCR. 
  • According to data from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), the fire count in Punjab has been more than 1,000 over the past five days.
  • Industrial Pollution: Delhi has the highest cluster of small-scale industries in India.With as many as 3,182 industries located across the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR), industrial pollution adds about 18.6 percent to the poor air quality.

• Vehicular emissions: The emission inventory and source apportionment studies suggest that on-road vehicular exhaust emissions account for nine to 38 percent of PM2.5 emissions in the capital.
• Construction: Fine dust from construction activities is a significant contributor to the poisonous mixture referred to as ‘smog’. 
  • According to Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) officials, 30 percent of air pollution in the territory is caused by dust from construction sites.
  • The outskirts of NCT have roughly 360 brick kilns, mostly in the Jhajjar, Faridabad, and Ghaziabad regions.
• Weather conditions:  Calm conditions, with very slow winds, in Delhi, have been making it difficult for pollutants to disperse. 

How has the government responded to air pollution in Delhi?

Graded response plan: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has announced the implementation of the third stage of its graded response plan. The CAQM directed authorities in the NCR to increase parking fees to discourage private transport and enhance the services of CNG or electric buses and metro trains amid a likely increase in pollution levels.

• • The government brought the Commission for Air Quality Management(CAQM) Act 2021 under which CAQM was created for dealing with pollution in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas.
  • 15-point winter action plan:  It was announced to deal with air pollution in the national capital during winter.
  • Odd-Even Scheme:  it was introduced in 2016 by the government to control vehicular pollution and bring down increasing particulate matter levels.
• Red Light On Gaadi Off” campaign:  It aims to reduce vehicular pollution in the national capital by encouraging drivers to switch off their vehicles while waiting for traffic lights to turn green.

What are the suggested ways forward to address air pollution in Delhi?

• Personal protection measures:  Air purifiers may be used to protect persons who are confined in closed spaces.
  • Masks of high quality (N95) offer protection against many pollutants. 
  • It is best to avoid or reduce outdoor activity during smoggy periods. Breathing exercises help to maintain lung function.

• Clean transport:  cessation of stubble and garbage burning, good construction practices, and efficient debris disposal. 
• Improving DPCC capacity: The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) should be strengthened as an institution and vacant positions in the committee should be filled. 
• Integrated clean public transport: Electric vehicles, increased use of public transport in place of personal vehicles, and rapid transition to renewable energy sources from fossil fuels supported by walking and cycling infrastructure are needed.
  • Ex-e-buses in Delhi
• Checking Household air pollution:  It needs to be addressed through the substitution of biomass with natural gas and better ventilation of kitchens.
  • For example:  schemes such as Ujjwala are a step in the right direction by the government.
• Clean energy transition across industry and households: This is achieved through 100 per cent waste collection and segregation, recycling, and remediation of legacy waste at dump sites.
  • It is necessary to scale up the stringent multi-sector action plan across the entire NCR region and beyond to minimize the regional influence on local air pollution in Delhi.

Conclusion:

The recent air quality study highlights the alarming escalation of air pollution in Delhi, with severe health, economic, and environmental implications, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive and sustained measures to address the multifaceted sources of pollution in the region.

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Context:

• Recently, the Supreme Court said that the Army’s approach of denying women officers empanelment as colonel was “arbitrary”, and directed the authorities to reconvene the special selection board within a fortnight for their promotion.

Supreme Court Upholds Gender Equality: Rejects Vacancy Argument

• The Supreme Court rejected the argument of inadequate vacancies, noting that 108 out of 150 available vacancies had been filled. 
• This decision is part of an ongoing battle for gender equality, following the court’s 2020 verdict granting permanent commission for women officers in the Indian Army and Navy.

Women In Armed Forces – Background

• 1992: The induction of women officers in the Indian Army begins. Recruits under the Women Special Entry Scheme (WSES) had a shorter pre-commission training period than their male counterparts who were commissioned under the Short Service Commission (SSC) scheme.
  • Women officers were commissioned for a period of five years in specific streams such as the Army Education Corps, Corps of Signals, Intelligence Corps, and Corps of Engineers.
• 2003: A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) is filed before the Delhi High Court, seeking a permanent commission for women Short Service Commission (SSC) officers in the Army.
• 2006: The WSES scheme was replaced with the SSC scheme, which was extended to women officers.
• 2008: The Defence Ministry orders that PC would be granted prospectively to SSC women officers in the Judge Advocate General (JAG) department and the Army Education Corps (AEC).
• 2010: The Delhi High Court passes a judgment, granting PC at par with male SSC officers to women officers of the Air Force and Army on SSC who had sought permanent commission. 
• 2019: The government passed an order in February 2019, granting PC to SSC women officers in eight streams of the Army, in addition to the JAG and AEC. 
  • However, these women officers would not be offered any command appointments and would serve only in staff posts.
• February 2020: The Supreme Court grants permanent commission to women officers with retrospective effect. This judgment places women officers in 10 streams of the Army on par with their male counterparts.
  • The Court said that an absolute restriction on women seeking command appointments is against the constitutional right to equality under Article 14.2023: As of 2023, women are not eligible for service as combat troops in specialist forces such as the Parachute Regiment but they can join some of its non-combat wings like the signal corps, engineers, etc.

Current Status of Women in Armed Forces 

• Indian Air Force (as of July 01, 2023):
  • At present, women are serving in Officer’s cadre in the Indian Air Force (IAF).
  • There are 1,654 women officers in the IAF, excluding Medical and Dental branches.Women officers hold key positions, including Commanding Officers in Combat Units, with gender-neutral rules for appointments.
• Indian Navy (as of July 26, 2023):
  • Women officers are employed in officer ranks in the Indian Navy.
  • There are 580 women officers in the Indian Navy, excluding Medical and Dental officers.
• Indian Army (as of January 01, 2023): The Army, being the largest of the three services, has the largest number of women officers at 1,733.
  • Commission granted to Women Officers.
  • Gender-neutral Career Progression policy implemented on 23.11.2021, ensuring equal opportunities for women officers in the Arms/Services.

Women in Peacekeeping Missions: The United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, adopted in October 2000, reaffirmed “the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peace-building.

• Civilian Peacekeepers
  • Women serve in various civilian roles in UN peacekeeping missions, contributing to multiple aspects of peace and security. 
  • For example, the Electoral Officer in Mali: The UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and the members of its Electoral Affairs Section, have provided a wide range of support and assistance since the mission’s inception in 2013. Here, they are preparing materials ahead of Mali’s presidential election in July 2018
• Military Peacekeepers
  • UN Peacekeeping boasts a growing number of women military personnel, who serve in leadership roles, military observation, staff positions, and as troops. 
  • For example, Peacekeepers on patrol in South Lebanon: Patrolling by the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has helped keep the peace in the south of the country. Here, a Spanish peacekeeper patrols at night along the Blue Line on the outskirts of Kafar Kela.

What are the challenges faced by the Indian Army?

• Change in Attitudes and Mindsets: The Supreme Court has highlighted the need for changing attitudes and mindsets in the armed forces to recognize the commitment to the values of the Constitution, ensuring equal opportunities for both men and women.
• Gender Quotas vs. Open Merit: Balancing gender quotas with open merit at the entry stage presents a challenge. The need for administrative reasons and infrastructure development may require the initial use of quotas.
  • Example: The US military, which follows a merit-driven entry service in all arms including fighting arms and services, has 15-16 per cent women serving across all ranks.
• Addressing Sexual Assault and Harassment: The armed forces will face the challenge of addressing sexual assault and harassment of women within their ranks.
  • The “warrior culture” and close proximity of men and women in the military can exacerbate this problem.
    • For example: Despite Sweden’s reputation for promoting gender equality, an in-depth study of Swedish women officers found that many were subjected to intimidation, harassment, and threats from male officers.
• Infrastructure Development: Creating necessary gender-based infrastructure, especially in field areas, to accommodate mixed units/sub-units is a practical challenge.
• Physical Fitness Standards: The issue of setting appropriate physical fitness standards for women is a grey area, and it affects operational efficiency and career progression.

Way Forward

• Education and Awareness: The armed forces should focus on education and awareness at all ranks to foster acceptance of gender integration and promote a culture of equality.
  • Opportunities for a career in IAF are widely publicized. An opening has also been provided through NCC Special Entry for flying SSC (Women) from July 2017 onwards. 
  • ‘DISHA’ cell at Airforce HQ conducts various Induction Publicity programmes across the country related to the induction/ career of Officer Cadre in the IAF. 
• Policy Framework: A comprehensive study should be conducted to frame a policy for entry, training, terms/conditions, and management of women in the armed forces, drawing from the experiences and best practices of modern militaries. In the Indian Navy, gender-neutral policies are present including  spouse co-location, re-settlement postings, and compassionate grounds postings.
  • For example: Opening key staff assignments in higher headquarters for women officers is crucial. Gaining experience in these roles will equip them to handle the challenges associated with unit command. This expertise is essential for preparing women officers for senior ranks.
• Gradual Transition: The armed forces should gradually transition towards a gender-neutral and merit-driven entry system, starting with gender quotas for administrative reasons and progressively increasing the proportion of women.
• Detailed Study on Sexual Assault: As women’s numbers in the armed forces increase, a detailed study should be conducted to address sexual assault and harassment issues. This should inform the development of policies, rules, regulations, and laws.
  • Drawing inspiration from the United States: One of the first actions of US President Joe Biden was to order a “90-Day Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault in the Military”. The Commission, chaired by Lynn Rosenthal, was charged with conducting “an independent, impartial assessment” of the military’s current treatment of sexual assault and sexual harassment.
• Review of Physical Fitness Standards: The armed forces should undertake a scientific study to review and potentially revise physical fitness standards for both men and women, ensuring operational efficiency and inclusivity.
• Utilizing Israel’s IDF as a Learning Experience:
  • The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is among the only armies in the world that conscript women into its ranks under a mandatory military draft law. As of 2021, women make up about 40% of the IDF’s conscript soldiers and about 25% of the officer corps.

Also Read: A Call for Comprehensive Police Reforms with a Focus on Women Police

Conclusion:

The journey toward gender equality in the Indian Armed Forces faces challenges, as highlighted by the recent Supreme Court directive, necessitating a comprehensive and gradual approach to policy reform, cultural change, and the recognition of women’s contributions.”

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