February 4, 2025 10:30 am
📰 Counting Right: On Caste Surveys
Subject and UPSC Paper:
- Subject: Indian Society
- UPSC Mains Paper: GS1 (Social Issues)
Why in News?
- Context: The editorial discusses the significance of caste-based surveys, highlighting the recent caste survey conducted by the Bihar government. It emphasizes the need for comprehensive data to inform policy and tackle social inequalities.
- Source: The Hindu
About Caste Surveys in India
- Definition and Purpose:
- Caste surveys collect demographic and socio-economic data on different caste groups to better understand disparities in income, education, and access to resources.
- Data from these surveys informs policies for social welfare and affirmative action, helping address historical and structural inequalities.
Background
- Historical Context:
- The last comprehensive caste census was conducted in 1931, which offered insights into India’s caste composition.
- Although the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) was conducted in 2011, caste-related data was withheld due to accuracy concerns.
- India’s complex caste system has traditionally shaped socio-economic hierarchies, access to resources, and representation.
Key Aspects
- Significance for Policy and Welfare:
- Accurate data can guide targeted government interventions and ensure equitable resource allocation, benefiting historically marginalized groups.
- It enables policymakers to design more effective affirmative action policies and address specific needs of backward classes in education and employment.
- Data Collection Challenges:
- Complexity: The vast number of castes, sub-castes, and overlapping identities make data collection challenging.
- Accuracy: Self-identification issues and lack of standardized categorization add to data reliability concerns.
- Political Sensitivity: Caste data influences electoral dynamics, making it a contentious issue with potential political ramifications.
- Social Implications:
- The data gathered could reshape reservation policies, addressing disparities that persist among Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes.
- Insights from caste data may reveal patterns of social exclusion, guiding measures to foster inclusive development and promote social justice.
Regulatory or Legal Framework
- Constitutional Provisions:
- Article 15(4) and Article 16(4) allow for reservations in education and public employment for socially and educationally backward classes.
- The Mandal Commission (1980) recommended 27% reservation for OBCs, a landmark decision based on caste data, emphasizing data-backed affirmative action.
Current Challenges
- Risk of Social Division: Critics argue that caste surveys can reinforce caste identities, potentially deepening social divides.
- Political Concerns: States may face challenges implementing caste-based reservations uniformly, with caste census data influencing electoral politics.
Global and Indian Context
- Global:
- Similar surveys in other countries address racial or ethnic disparities, such as the U.S. census, which collects data on racial demographics to inform policies.
- India:
- India’s caste system is unique, making the need for a caste survey critical in addressing specific social inequalities.
- States like Bihar have initiated caste surveys independently, highlighting a growing awareness of the need for data-driven policy.
Future Prospects
- A well-conducted, national caste census could drive India’s affirmative action policies with accuracy and relevance.
- Insights from a caste survey can foster equitable development by addressing disparities across social groups and improving targeted welfare schemes.
Source
- The Hindu
📰 The Third Edit: Being Old and Alone is Okay
Subject and UPSC Paper:
- Subject: Social Issues
- UPSC Mains Paper: GS1 (Indian Society)
Why in News?
- Context: This editorial reflects on changing societal attitudes towards aging and solitude, asserting that choosing to live alone in old age is a valid and acceptable option.
- Source: The Indian Express
About Aging and Solitude in Indian Society
- Definition and Purpose:
- Solitude among the elderly refers to the increasing trend of seniors choosing to live alone for independence, self-reliance, and peace.
- The editorial emphasizes society’s need to respect this choice and view it as autonomy rather than neglect.
Background
- Changing Family Dynamics:
- India has traditionally viewed family as a support system, especially for the elderly, but nuclear family setups and migration trends have led to a rise in elderly individuals living alone.
- Globally, there is a shift in attitudes, with many societies accepting solitude among the elderly as a personal choice, rather than an indicator of isolation.
Key Aspects
- Mental and Emotional Benefits of Solitude:
- Living alone can foster autonomy, providing mental peace and freedom from dependency.
- Solitude can be positive, allowing the elderly time for reflection, independence, and personal growth.
- Societal Perspectives on Aging:
- Traditionally, Indian society views solitude as undesirable, often stigmatizing elderly individuals who live alone.
- The editorial suggests that society needs to normalize and respect the choice of living alone in old age as a legitimate lifestyle option.
Current Challenges
- Healthcare and Social Security Gaps:
- Limited healthcare support and social security create challenges for elderly individuals living alone, especially those with health conditions.
- The lack of elderly-specific social programs, like home assistance, increases the burden on solitary seniors.
- Mental Health Risks:
- While solitude can foster independence, unintended isolation may lead to loneliness and depression, requiring careful social support systems.
Indian Context
- Rising Elderly Population:
- India’s elderly population is expected to grow significantly, comprising 20% of the population by 2050.
- Given the demographic shift, elderly solitude will likely become more prevalent, necessitating policy measures to support independent living.
- Cultural Shifts:
- As family structures change, more elderly people may opt to live alone, making it essential to develop community services, elderly care facilities, and mental health support.
Future Prospects
- Increased acceptance of solitude in older age could lead to the development of community-based programs and senior-friendly housing.
- Promoting social engagement programs and mental health support tailored to the elderly can help balance the independence of living alone with a supportive environment.
Source
- The Indian Express
📰 Express View on DAP Crisis: Lessons from a Fertilizer Shortage
Subject and UPSC Paper:
- Subject: Economics
- UPSC Mains Paper: GS3 (Agriculture)
Why in News?
- Context: The editorial addresses the recent shortage of Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertilizer, emphasizing the need for proactive planning and policy intervention to prevent future shortages.
- Source: The Indian Express
About DAP Crisis and Fertilizer Management in India
- Definition and Importance:
- Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) is a crucial nitrogen-based fertilizer, widely used in India’s agriculture for high-yield crop production.
- Fertilizer shortages impact crop yields, affecting food security and agricultural incomes, especially for small-scale farmers.
Background
- Agricultural Dependency on Fertilizers:
- India is a major importer of fertilizers, with demand heavily reliant on global markets.
- Past shortages in fertilizers like DAP have often led to price hikes, affecting affordability for Indian farmers.
Key Aspects
- Reasons for the Recent Shortage:
- Supply Chain Disruptions: Global supply chain issues, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, affected DAP availability.
- High Input Costs: Rising raw material prices and logistics costs have driven up DAP prices, making it unaffordable for many farmers.
- Dependence on Imports: India imports a large portion of DAP, making it vulnerable to global price fluctuations.
- Impact on Farmers:
- The shortage and high prices reduce the ability of farmers to afford essential inputs, affecting crop productivity.
- Fertilizer shortages can have a cascading effect on food security, with lower yields impacting both supply and income.
Regulatory Framework
- Fertilizer Subsidy Program:
- The Government of India provides subsidies to ensure that fertilizers are affordable for farmers, particularly smallholders.
- Policies focus on price controls and incentivizing domestic production to reduce import dependency.
Current Challenges
- Over-Reliance on Imports: India’s high dependence on imported DAP makes its fertilizer supply vulnerable to global market shifts.
- Inadequate Domestic Production: Limited infrastructure and high production costs have constrained domestic DAP manufacturing.
Indian Context
- Agricultural Demand:
- Agriculture accounts for nearly 16% of India’s GDP, with fertilizers like DAP playing a crucial role in boosting crop yields.
- Ensuring stable fertilizer supplies is essential for food security and the agricultural sector’s economic stability.
Future Prospects
- Promotion of Indigenous Production: Encouraging domestic production of DAP and other fertilizers could stabilize supply and control prices.
- Sustainable Fertilizer Use: Policies promoting bio-fertilizers and sustainable agricultural practices could reduce dependency on chemical fertilizers.
Source
- The Indian Express
