GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

The Centre plans to initiate the next census, an official survey of the nation's population, in 2025 after a four-year delay and the process is expected to continue till 2026.

What is Census?

• Population Census is the total process of collecting, compiling, analyzing and disseminating demographic, economic and social data pertaining, at a specific time, of all persons in a country or a well-defined part of a country.
• It also provides the trends in population characteristics.
• Nodal Ministry: The decennial Census is conducted by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, Ministry of Home Affairs.
  • Until 1951, the Census Organisation was set up on an ad-hoc basis for each Census.
• Constitutional Provision:
  • Census is conducted under the provisions of the Census Act, 1948.
  • The bill for this Act was piloted by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the then Home Minister of India.
  • The population census is a Union subject under Article 246 of India Constitution.
  • It is listed at serial number 69 of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution.
• Background
  • The history of the Census began with 1800 when England had begun its Census.
  • In its continuation, a census was conducted in Allahabad (1824) and in Banaras (1827-28) by James Prinsep.
  • The first complete census of an Indian city was conducted in 1830 by Henry Walter in Dacca (now Dhaka).
  • The Second Census was conducted in 1836-37 by Fort St. George.
  • In 1849, the Government of India ordered the local governments to conduct quinquennial (five-yearly) returns of population.
  • First Non-synchronous Census: It was conducted in India in 1872 during the reign of Governor-General Lord Mayo.
  • First Synchronous Census: The first synchronous census was taken under British rule on February 17, 1881, by W.C. Plowden (Census Commissioner of India).
  • Since then, censuses have been undertaken uninterruptedly once every ten years.

What is the need of Census?

• Source of Information: Researchers and Demographers use census data to analyze growth and trends of population and make projections.
• Good Governance: The data collected through the census is used for administration, planning and policy making as well as management and evaluation of various programmes by the Government.
• Demarcation:Census data is also used for demarcation of constituencies and allocation of representation to Parliament, State legislative assemblies and the local bodies.
• Better Access for Businesses: The census data is also important for business houses and industries for strengthening and planning their business for penetration into areas, which had hitherto remained, uncovered.
• Giving Grants: Finance Commission provides grants to the states on the basis of population figures available from the Census data.
• Urbanization and Migration Patterns: Data on migration trends, both domestic and international helps governments plan urban development and infrastructure effectively, especially in rapidly growing cities.
• Disaster Preparedness and Response: It helps governments allocate resources effectively and ensures aid reaches those most in need during emergencies.

The ongoing crises in Ukraine and Gaza have raised concerns about the stability of global fertilizer markets, directly impacting India, one of the world's largest agricultural producers.

Current State of India's Fertilizer Sector

• India's fertilizer sector is grappling with a significant supply-demand imbalance.
• Despite being one of the largest consumers of fertilizers globally, the country relies heavily on imports to meet its agricultural needs.
• The recent report by the Standing Committee of Parliament on Chemicals and Fertilizers indicated that domestic production is insufficient to meet the demand for fertilizers, particularly for Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) and Muriate of Potassium (MOP).
• Current Import Fertilizer Scenario: The Standing Committee's August 2023 report shed light on the dependency on imports. It noted that:
  • Approximately 20% of India's urea requirement is met through imports.
  • About 50-60% of DAP and 100% of MOP needs are satisfied through foreign sources.
• The dependence on imports is especially concerning given the geopolitical tensions in regions like Eastern Europe and West Asia, which could disrupt supply chains and inflate prices.

How Has India’s Fertilizer Production Changed?

• In the 2021-22 agricultural year, India consumed around 579.67 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of major chemical fertilizers, compared to 629.83 LMT in 2020-21. Production figures reveal a persistent shortfall:
  • Urea: Produced 250.72 LMT; consumed 341.73 LMT.
  • DAP: Produced 42.22 LMT; consumed 92.64 LMT.
  • MOP: Entirely imported; no domestic production.
• The production of chemical fertilizers has seen only marginal growth over the past seven years, with an increase of about 50 LMT from 2014-15 to 2021-22. Despite the establishment of new urea plants under the 2012 investment policy, India’s production capacity still falls short of its requirements.

Challenges Facing the Sector

• Dependence on Imports: The significant reliance on imports for key fertilizers like DAP and MOP exposes India to global market fluctuations and geopolitical instability.
• Production Capacity Constraints: Existing fertilizer manufacturing facilities are not sufficient to meet domestic demand, leading to shortfalls and increased reliance on imports.
• Rising Prices: The ongoing crises in Ukraine and Gaza are causing oil prices to rise, directly affecting the cost of fertilizers and impacting farmers' operational costs.

Required Measures

Experts and policymakers recommend several strategic measures to enhance India's fertilizer sector:

• Increase Domestic Production: There is an urgent need to expand the production capacity of indigenous fertilizer plants. Investments should be encouraged in both public and private sectors.
• Policy Initiatives: The government must create a conducive environment for investments in fertilizer manufacturing, including incentives for private players.
• Adoption of Sustainable Practices: Encouraging the use of alternatives like nano urea and promoting natural farming methods can help reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers.
• Improving Supply Chain Resilience: Developing robust supply chains for raw materials and fostering partnerships with other nations can mitigate the risks associated with global supply disruptions.
• Investment in Research and Development: Innovating new fertilizer technologies and enhancing the efficiency of existing fertilizers can significantly improve agricultural productivity.

The Hasdeo forest in Chhattisgarh, often referred to as the "lungs of Chhattisgarh," has recently become a flashpoint for conflict between local villagers, environmental activists, and government authorities. The resumption of tree-felling for coal mining in this ecologically rich region has sparked protests, leading to clashes with police and raising significant concerns about biodiversity, tribal rights, and environmental degradation.

What is the Hasdeo Arand Forest?

• The Hasdeo Arand forest is one of the largest un-fragmented forest ecosystems in Central India, spanning approximately 1,879.6 square kilometers across the districts of Sarguja, Korba, and Surajpur. It is characterized by its diverse flora and fauna, including:
• Biodiversity: The forest is home to numerous species, including nine that are specially protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, such as elephants, leopards, and sloth bears. It also hosts 640 floral species, 128 medicinal plants, and various timber-yielding species.
• Ecological Importance: The Hasdeo Arand serves as a crucial habitat and migration corridor for wildlife, particularly elephants and tigers.
• Significance of Mining in Hasdeo
  • The Hasdeo-Arand Coalfield (HAC) is significant for coal mining, with 23 coal blocks identified, covering about 437.72 square kilometers. Notably, several blocks, such as Parsa and Kente Extension, have been auctioned to companies, including Adani Enterprises.
  • Mining activities are considered essential for meeting energy demands; however, they pose a substantial threat to the forest ecosystem and local communities, whose livelihoods depend on agriculture and forest resources.

Reasons for Opposition to Mining

• Environmental Concerns: Villagers argue that mining will devastate their villages, destroy forest cover, and impact their livelihoods, leading to long-term ecological damage.
• Compensation and Resettlement Issues: Many locals are dissatisfied with government compensation and resettlement offers, claiming they are being moved to smaller houses and losing their land.
• Allegations of Improper Procedures: Activists allege that fake gram sabha resolutions were used to secure environmental clearances for mining projects, undermining local governance and consent.
• Demand for Protection: Activists are calling for the cancellation of specific coal blocks and for the protection of the Lemru Reserve Forest, emphasizing the need to respect legislative resolutions aimed at preserving the environment.

The border dispute between India and China has seen recent developments, particularly regarding military disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

What is LAC?

• The Line of Actual Control (LAC) is the de facto border between India and China, extending approximately 4,057 km. It separates the Indian-controlled territories in Jammu and Kashmir from the Chinese-occupied region of Aksai Chin.
• The LAC runs through several regions, including Ladakh, Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.
• Historically, the LAC emerged from the 1962 India-China war, when both nations' troops were positioned at this line.
• Over time, it has become a recognized boundary through agreements made in 1993 and 1996, emphasizing that neither side should advance beyond it.
• However, due to the lack of a clear demarcation, encounters between Indian and Chinese troops frequently occur.

What is LOC?

• In contrast, the Line of Control (LOC) is a military control line between India and Pakistan, spanning about 740 km.
• It divides Jammu and Kashmir into parts controlled by India and Pakistan, and it was established after the first Indo-Pakistani war in 1947.
• Unlike the LAC, the LOC is well-defined, with Indian and Pakistani forces stationed face-to-face along the line, leading to frequent skirmishes.

Key Differences

• Buffer Zone: The LAC typically has a buffer zone where both sides patrol without direct contact, while the LOC is characterized by constant military presence and confrontation.
• Nature of Control: The LAC results from historical conflict and lacks clear demarcation, while the LOC is a clearly defined boundary established after wars and agreements.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Spanish counterpart, President Pedro Sanchez recently inaugurated India's first private military transport aircraft production plant in Gujarat's Vadodra. It is India's first final assembly line in the private aviation industry. 

About the Plant

• The facility is set to manufacture the Airbus C295 aircraft, a crucial addition to the Indian Air Force's tactical airlift capabilities.
• The plant, located on the Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) campus in Vadodara, is the first final assembly line in India’s private aviation industry.
• Key details include:
  • Production Capacity: A total of 56 C295 aircraft are planned, with the first 16 delivered in fly-away condition from Spain. The remaining 40 will be assembled locally.
  • Job Creation: The project is expected to create over 3,000 direct jobs and support more than 15,000 indirect jobs across the supply chain.
  • Infrastructure Development: The establishment includes training and maintenance facilities, enhancing India's aerospace infrastructure.
• Airbus C295 aircraft can perform various missions including troop transport, cargo airlift, and maritime patrol.

The Tamil Nadu government has gazette notified heat waves as a state-specific disaster, which will allow it to provide relief for the affected population under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).  With the declaration, families of heat wave victims would get Rs 4 lakh relief.

About Heat Wave

• Heat wave is a condition of air temperature which becomes fatal to human body when exposed.
• Quantitatively, it is defined based on the temperature thresholds over a region in terms of actual temperature or its departure from normal.

• For declaring a heat wave, the temperature should be 4.5 °C above normal for that time in a region.
• The criteria for the coastal station maximum temperature should be greater than or equal to 37 °C.

• Impact of Heat Waves over different sectors
• Health effects:  Hyperthermia, also known as heat stroke, becomes common during periods of sustained high temperature and humidity.
• Mortality: Heatwaves have killed more than 17,000 people in 50 years in India, according to a research study by IMD scientists.
• Crop losses: heat waves and excessive heating impact the standing crops of the regions, as they are not immune to more heat at that time of the year.
• Psychological and sociological effects: In addition to physical stress, excessive heat causes psychological stress, to a degree which affects performance, and is also associated with an increase in violent crime.
• Increase in surface ozone: ozone pollution in urban areas is especially concerning with increasing temperatures, raising heat-related mortality during heat waves. During heat waves in urban areas, ground-level ozone pollution can be 20% higher than usual.
• Lead to wildfires: If a heat wave occurs during a drought, which dries out vegetation, it can contribute to bushfires and wildfires.
• Power outages: Heat waves often lead to electricity spikes due to increased air conditioning use, which can create power outages, exacerbating the problem.

Recent research from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) has brought new insights into the relationship between sleep apnoea and stroke. As stroke is a leading cause of mortality and disability globally, this study highlights the importance of evaluating sleep disorders in stroke patients, especially as October 29 marks World Stroke Day.

Key Findings from the Study

• Prevalence of Sleep Apnoea: The study examined 105 stroke patients aged over 50. It found that 88% had sleep apnoea, with 38% experiencing severe cases at the initial assessment.
• Improvement Over Time: Follow-up evaluations showed that 26% of patients had sleep apnoea three months after the stroke, and only 12% had severe sleep apnoea. This indicates that a portion of sleep apnoea cases may improve on their own post-stroke.
• Laterality Effects: The study identified a novel aspect of sleep efficiency related to the side of the brain affected by the stroke. Patients with damage to the right side experienced difficulties in initiating sleep and felt drowsy in the morning, suggesting a specific impact on sleep quality based on the stroke's location.
• Need for Further Research: The researchers emphasized the need for long-term studies to determine if the observed improvements in sleep apnoea persist. Currently, many stroke patients are not evaluated for this disorder, despite its potential implications for recovery and future stroke risk.
• Snoring as a Risk Factor: The study also highlighted snoring as a vital risk factor for stroke, although not all individuals who snore have sleep apnoea. Sleep apnoea, characterized by breathing pauses during sleep, can lead to reduced oxygen levels in the blood, increasing the risk of stroke.

The under-representation of women in the Indian judiciary has gained attention following the release of the Supreme Court's "State of the Judiciary" report (2023), revealing that while there is progress at entry-level positions, women remain significantly underrepresented at higher judicial levels, highlighting systemic barriers affecting their career advancement.

Current Representation

• Under-Representation at Higher Levels: Despite 36.3% women in the district judiciary, only 13.4% of High Court judges and 9.3% of Supreme Court judges are women as of January 2024. Some states have no women judges at all, exacerbating gender disparity in the judiciary.
• The pipeline from lower to higher judicial roles is narrow, indicating systemic barriers to promotion.

Policy Gaps and Challenges

• Barriers to Entry and Retention: The lack of maternity benefits and the need for continuous practice make it challenging for women to advance in their judicial careers. Harsh transfer policies further complicate career growth for women, who often juggle family responsibilities.
• Additionally, inadequate infrastructural support, such as insufficient restroom facilities, hampers women's participation in courts.

Need for Female-Centric Policies

• Adopting a Feminist Lens: Incorporating a female perspective in judicial policy-making can address the unique challenges faced by women in the judiciary.
• Greater representation in decision-making bodies is crucial to ensure that women's needs are recognized and prioritized.
• Effective measures must include gender-sensitive recruitment policies and the provision of supportive amenities in court environments.

Practice Question

Q. Discuss the implications of the under-representation of women in the Indian judiciary and evaluate how adopting a female-centric approach in policy-making can enhance women's participation and retention in this system.

Recent discussions highlight the urgent need to improve educational support for students with learning disabilities in India, where 8-15% of school-going children, approximately 50 million, are affected. The existing educational framework often fails to accommodate these students, exacerbating their challenges, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Understanding the Complexity of Learning Disabilities

• Communication Struggles: Learning disabilities impact not only reading and writing but also how students think and process information. Interruptions during classroom discourse can hinder students' ability to articulate thoughts, stunting their intellectual growth and learning opportunities.
• Misunderstandings and Prevalence: Officially recognized under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, specific learning disabilities often go unsupported in schools due to a lack of resources. Misconceptions label affected students as "lazy" or "stupid," obscuring their real needs and capabilities.
• Mental Health Consequences: Students with learning disabilities frequently experience higher rates of anxiety and depression. Many suffer silently, unable to articulate their struggles, which contributes to a sense of failure and hopelessness. 

The Need for Teacher Training and Policy Implementation

• Importance of Teacher Training: For effective support, teacher training programs must focus on neurodiversity and adaptive teaching methods. Current B.Ed programs often lack this critical emphasis, limiting teachers' ability to support diverse learning needs.
• Challenges of NEP 2020: The National Education Policy (NEP), 2020, sets important standards for inclusivity, but translating these into practical strategies in the classroom remains challenging. Enhanced motivation and specialized training for teachers are essential for successful implementation.
• Early Identification Programs: Establishing comprehensive programs for early identification and intervention is vital. While countries like Finland have successful models, India must develop tailored strategies to address its unique challenges and demographics.

Leveraging Technology and Cultural Shift

• Role of Technology: Technological tools, such as text-to-speech software and AI learning aids, can greatly assist students with learning disabilities. Initiatives like PM e-Vidya and DIKSHA aim to enhance access to digital education, yet ensuring equitable access remains a significant challenge.
• Cultural Awareness: Changing societal perceptions about learning disabilities is crucial. Public awareness campaigns and educational films can help destigmatize these conditions, while parents play a key role in recognizing early signs and advocating for necessary support.
• Collaborative Efforts: A concerted approach involving government bodies, NGOs, and educational institutions is needed to develop effective solutions. Incentivizing teachers to pursue specialized training in neurodiversity will help create an inclusive educational environment.

Practice Question

Q. Examine the challenges faced by students with learning disabilities in India's education system. What comprehensive measures can be implemented to ensure their effective support and integration?

Solar energy is increasingly recognized as a pivotal resource in India's energy landscape, with its potential for decentralization and socio-economic empowerment coming to the forefront. This shift is especially relevant in light of India's ambitious renewable energy targets and the need for sustainable, inclusive energy solutions.

Decentralisation of Power Generation

• Empowering Communities: Decentralized solar energy allows power generation close to consumption, breaking barriers that exclude marginalized communities from the energy economy. This democratization fosters local participation, particularly empowering women, who traditionally bear the brunt of poor energy access.
• Impact on Women: In Gujarat, women salt farmers transitioning from diesel to solar pumps have seen income boosts of 94%, while significantly reducing CO2 emissions. Initiatives like Barefoot College and Solar Sister enable women to become solar engineers, enhancing community health and safety.
• Job Creation: The solar photovoltaic industry employed around 4.9 million people in 2022, with women making up 40% of the workforce. With projected job creation of three million by 2030 in India’s solar sector, there is a significant opportunity for women's economic empowerment.

Uplifting Marginalized Communities

• Sustainable Pathways: Unlike coal, which perpetuates the ‘resource curse’ in mining regions, solar energy provides sustainable development opportunities for impoverished communities. Distributed solar systems link energy production to community well-being, driving resilience against climate change.
• Rural Economic Development: Off-grid solar projects deliver clean energy to rural areas lacking traditional electricity sources, promoting economic development. Rooftop installations and mini-grids create local jobs while minimizing environmental impact compared to large-scale projects.
• Community Engagement: Effective community engagement is essential for the success of solar initiatives. Institutions like self-help groups and local energy committees can oversee operations, ensuring thorough energy access and maximizing benefits for the entire community.

Challenges and Policy Implications

• Geographical and Sectoral Imbalance: Investments in solar are disproportionately concentrated in developed nations, leaving many developing regions, particularly in Africa, behind. Funding largely favors large-scale solar farms over crucial applications like solar pumps and cold storage.
• Lifecycle and Waste Management: Addressing the life cycle of solar technologies is vital for sustainability. Clear recycling guidelines and producer responsibility frameworks must be established to manage waste effectively and enhance the solar sector's environmental health.
• Inclusive Energy Transition: A just energy transition requires a reevaluation of energy policies through a gender lens. Integrating electrification initiatives with sectors like agriculture can dismantle barriers affecting women, ensuring that solar energy benefits all communities equitably.

Practice Question

Q. Discuss the socio-economic implications of decentralized solar energy in India, particularly concerning women's empowerment and community development. What challenges must be addressed to ensure an inclusive energy transition?