Social Issues

“Bulldozer Justice” refers to the controversial practice in India where authorities use heavy machinery, such as bulldozers, to demolish properties belonging to individuals accused of serious crimes like communal violence, murder, or rape. These actions are often criticized for bypassing the due legal processes mandated for demolishing immovable properties, raising …

Context Recent initiatives like the PM Vishwakarma scheme and the National Education Policy (NEP) treat caste as a cultural and occupational identity. While these efforts aim to promote inclusion, they raise concerns about achieving real equality.   Key Concepts Culturalisation of Caste Caste is increasingly seen as part of culture, …

Background: The ILO report titled ‘The Impact of Care Responsibilities on Women’s Labour Force Participation (WLP)’ highlights the barriers that caregiving responsibilities pose to Indian women’s participation in the workforce. Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR): Represents the proportion of individuals within a population who are either employed or actively seeking …

Context: India’s elderly population (those aged 60 and above) is expanding rapidly. In 2023, there are 149 million elderly individuals, making up 10.5% of the total population. By 2050, this figure is projected to reach 347 million, or 20.8% of the population. Challenges of an Ageing Population Increasing Dependency Ratio: …

Context The Satark Nagrik Sangathan’s 2023-24 report has brought attention to issues with the RTI Act, highlighting the pressing need for reforms. Overview of the RTI Act 2005 The RTI Act, enacted in 2005, grants citizens the right to request information from public authorities, promoting transparency, accountability, and participatory governance …

Context (TH): The Ministry of Education has provided a definition for ‘literacy’ and ‘full literacy’ as part of its efforts to enhance adult literacy through the New India Literacy Programme (NILP). New India Literacy Programme (NILP): A five-year initiative (2022-27) that aims to enroll 1 crore learners over the age …

Context: Recently, the Supreme Court of India declined a request to remove a Ryles tube from a patient in a vegetative state, even though the 2018 judgment on passive euthanasia permits the withdrawal of life support in terminal cases. Understanding Euthanasia: Euthanasia, also known as mercy killing, refers to intentionally …

Context: The underrepresentation of SC/ST and OBC officers in senior civil service roles underscores the prevailing dominance of upper castes within the bureaucracy. Challenges in Achieving Social Justice: Underrepresentation of SC/ST Officers: The limited presence of SC/ST officers in high-level government positions restricts their impact on policy-making. For example, only …

Context: In India, although over half of the 642 million eligible voters are women, women’s safety issues receive little attention from political candidates, highlighting a significant discrepancy. Current Situation: Daily, approximately 90 rape cases are reported, nearly half of the women experience domestic violence, and two-thirds of Dalit women face …

Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 Overview Background: The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which aims to reform the governance of Waqf properties, has been referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee following opposition protests. Definition of Waqf Property Waqf: This refers to a donation of personal property by Muslims for religious, charitable, or …

Context: Three UPSC aspirants tragically died due to waterlogging after a drain burst in a cramped basement coaching center in Delhi. This incident highlights alarming civic irregularities and delays in safety measures. With the World Bank predicting that 40% of India’s population will reside in cities by 2036 and Delhi’s …

Unemployment is defined as the condition of being without a job despite actively seeking employment and possessing the necessary qualifications, skills, and willingness to work. Types of Unemployment Frictional Unemployment: Temporary joblessness when individuals are between jobs or changing careers. Structural Unemployment: Occurs due to a mismatch between job seekers’ …

An explosion at a chemical reactor in Dombivli, Maharashtra, caused multiple fatalities and injuries. Frequent Industrial Accidents in Maharashtra: Reports indicate that industrial accidents have been alarmingly frequent in the years 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2023. Causes: Lack of Implementation of Relocation Plans: The Maharashtra government has failed to relocate …

Social Fabric of Alwar State: Relation between Court and the Rajputs Hereditary Rule: Alwar, like other Rajput states, functioned with a hereditary monarchy. The Maharaja held significant power, but not absolute. Rajput Privileges: Rajputs enjoyed land grants, held military positions, and wielded influence in the court. This created a social …

TABLE OF CONTENTS News Concept of NDRF Key Features of NDRF   News: Tamil Nadu on Wednesday filed a suit in the Supreme Court accusing the Union government of treating the people of the State in a “step-motherly” fashion by delaying the release of disaster relief funds of nearly ₹38,000 …

  A day after two men leaped from the visitors’ gallery into the Lok Sabha chamber, leading to a serious security breach, the Parliament building was devoid of sound on Thursday. no selfie-takers no MPs offering sound bites no throngs of people mingling around its premises. Visitors were strictly prohibited, …

Any hydrocarbon fuel that is produced from an organic matter within a short period of time is considered a biofuel. It may be solid, liquid or gaseous in nature. Solid: Wood, dried plant material, and manure Liquid: Bioethanol and Biodiesel Gaseous: Biogas Generations of biofuel First generation Sourced from food-based …

The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 defines a manual scavenger as: “Manual scavenger” means a person engaged or employed, at the commencement of this Act or at any time thereafter, by an individual or a local authority or an agency or a contractor, for …

Syllabus: Poverty and hunger Context While food prices remain relatively low in India, a healthy diet is unaffordable to nearly three-fourth of the people given their low incomes State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World The report, ‘State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World’ (SOFI) 2023, …

The Union government banned the export of non-basmati white rice on Thursday. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade under the Union Commerce Ministry announced in a notification that the ban would come into effect immediately and exemptions would be given only if the loading of non-basmati rice on the ship …