Indian Economy

Oxfam Report: First Crisis, Then Catastrophe

  • GS 3
  • Inclusive Growth & Related Issues

In News

According to a new report by Oxfam, over a quarter of a billion people will be pushed into poverty in 2022.

About the Report

  • Title: First Crisis, Then Catastrophe
  • The Oxfam estimates are based on World Bank projections and earlier research by the World Bank and Centre for Global Development. 
  • The report was released ahead of the spring meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

Key Findings

  • Financial crisis: The worldwide financial crisis will be mainly driven by the price inflation due to:
    • Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and 
    • economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Increasing Gap between rich and poor: The convergence of these two events is also widening the gap between the rich and the poor at an unprecedented rate.
    • Nearly half of the global population (3.3 billion) are living below the poverty line, while a new person becomes a billionaire every 26 hours since the beginning of the pandemic.
  • Pandemic and Rich People:
    • The fortunes of 10 of the richest people in the world have doubled during the pandemic. 
    • At the same time, some 2,744 small billionaires have recorded an unprecedented rise in fortunes compared to the last 14 years
Image Courtesy: Report 
  • People in extreme poverty: The combined impact of COVID-19, inequality and food price hikes could result in 263 million more people living in extreme poverty this year, resulting in a total of 860 million people living below the $1.90 (Rs 144.7) a day extreme poverty line. 
    • This would be an extraordinarily damaging rise that reverses decades of progress in the fight against poverty.
  • Loss of savings for poor: The pandemic resulted in people losing their jobs and savings, while they are faced with a greater food price inflation than the 2011 crisis. 
  • Effect on agriculture companies: Oil companies are making record profits with soaring energy prices and margins while investors expect agriculture companies to rapidly become more profitable as food prices spiral.
  • Food costs and poverty: The increasing poverty is not spread evenly across geographies. 
    • Food costs account for 40 per cent of consumer spending in sub-Saharan African nations, while the same figure is half for those living in advanced economies. 
    • Developing nations, which were already faced with a worrying fiscal condition, are now witnessing debt levels unseen so far. 
  • Hunger and other issues: As many people struggle now to cope with sharp cost-of-living increases, having to choose between eating or heating or medical bills, the likelihood of mass starvation faces millions of people already locked in severe levels of hunger and poverty across East Africa, the Sahel, Yemen and Syria. 
  • Affecting Real term wages: For most workers around the world, real-term wages continue to stagnate or even fall. 
    • The effects of COVID-19 have widened existing gender inequalities too — after suffering greater pandemic-related job losses, women are struggling to get back to work. 
    • In 2021, there were 13 million fewer women in employment compared to 2019, while men’s employment has already recovered to 2019 levels.

Suggestions 

  • The World Bank and IMF should cancel debt payments for 2022 and 2023 for low and lower-middle-income countries. 
  • Cuts in value-added taxes on staple food and cash transfers to support income should be implemented to protect the poorest from inflation. 
  • A 2 percent tax on personal wealth above $5 million, 3 per cent for wealth above $50 million and 5 per cent for wealth above $1 billion should be imposed. This could amount to $2.52 trillion — enough to save 2.3 billion people from poverty. 
  • Special Drawing Rights under the IMF should be reallocated to ensure it is debt- and conditionality-free.
  • Emergency support provided to lower-income countries should be increased.
  • Introduce one-off and permanent wealth taxes to fund a fair and sustainable recovery from COVID-19.
  • Act to protect people from rising food prices, and create a Global Fund for Social Protection to help the poorest countries provide essential income security for their populations, and maintain these services in times of severe crisis.

OXFAM

  • Oxfam is a confederation of 20 independent charitable organisations focusing on the alleviation of global poverty
  • It was founded in 1942 and led by Oxfam International. 
  • It is a major nonprofit group with an extensive collection of operations.
  • HQ at Nairobi, Kenya.
  • Vision: A world where people and the planet are at the centre of our economy. Where women and girls live free from violence and discrimination. Where the climate crisis is contained. And where governance systems are inclusive and allow for those in power to be held to account.

Source: DTE

Daily Factly Articles For UPSC IAS Current Affairs Preparation

International Institutions

East Asia Summit

  • GS 2
  • Agreements Involving India &/or Affecting India’s Interests

In News

Recently, India and Singapore organised an East Asia Summit workshop on Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated  Fishing.

About the Summit

  • The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India and the Government of Singapore organised a virtual East Asia Summit (EAS) Workshop on Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing.
  • It was co-chaired by India and Singapore Food Agency (SFA).  

Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing

  • About: 
    • IUU fishing activities violate both national and international fishing regulations. 
    • Illegal fishing refers to fishing activities conducted in contravention of applicable laws and regulations, including those laws and rules adopted at the regional and international level.
    • Unreported fishing refers to fishing activities that are not reported or are misreported to relevant authorities in contravention of national laws and regulations or reporting procedures of a relevant regional fisheries management organisation.
    • Unregulated fishing occurs in areas or for fish stocks for which there are no applicable conservation or management measures and where such fishing activities are conducted in a manner inconsistent with State responsibilities for the conservation of living marine resources under international law. 
  • Threats: 
    • It is a global problem that threatens ocean ecosystems and sustainable fisheries. 
    • It also threatens economic security and the natural resources that are critical to global food security, and
    • It puts law-abiding fishermen and seafood producers at a disadvantage.
  • Economic losses due to IUU: 
    • Difficult to Quantify: 
      • The inherent nature of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing makes it difficult to accurately quantify the full global economic impacts resulting from these activities.
      • Various studies over the years have assessed regional levels of IUU fishing and estimated global losses, but such estimates are based on data that are now many years old. 
    • NewMethodologies:
      • The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) is currently developing regional IUU estimate methodologies that can be regularly updated. 
      • Implementing the UN’s action plan recommendations will help gauge the actual level of activity and impacts so that they may be appropriately addressed.

About East Asia Summit(EAS)

  • Origin:
    • The concept of East Asia Grouping was first promoted in 1991 by the then Malaysian Prime Minister, Mahathir bin Mohamad. 
  • Formed: 
    • Established in 2005, it is the Indo-Pacific’s premier forum for strategic dialogue. 
  • Aim: 
    • Promoting peace, stability and economic prosperity in East Asia.
  • Different from rest:
    • It is the only leader-led forum at which all key partners meet to discuss political, security and economic challenges facing the Indo-Pacific.
  • Membership:
    • Apart from the 10 ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member states, the East Asia Summit includes India, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Russia.
  • Leader: 
    • ASEAN leads the forum, and the chair position rotates between the ASEAN Member States annually. 
  • India: 
    • India is one of the founding members of the East Asia Summit.
  • Priority areas:
    • There are six priority areas of regional cooperation within the framework of the EAS. These are:
      • Environment and Energy, 
      • Education, 
      • Finance, 
      • Global Health Issues and Pandemic Diseases, 
      • Natural Disaster Management, and 
      • ASEAN Connectivity.

Significance of East Asia:

  • Important Nations: The eastern region of Asia consists of the Asian nations, Greater China (Greater China consists of the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan), Japan, Mongolia, North Korea and South Korea.
  • Economic benefit: It represents nearly 50 per cent of the world’s population with 20 percent of global trade, and comprising 16 nations that are on a dynamic path of economic development.
  • Regional Security: Considering tension on the Korean Peninsula, South China and in the Taiwan Strait, among others, it is vital for Japan, China and South Korea to maintain a common stance and to share a common concern for security in the East Asian region.
  • Global Implications: An East Asia community would play a big role in instilling a sense of responsibility in Asian countries and in leading them jointly in contributing to the resolution of global issues.
  • Importance for India
  • India has been a part of EAS since its inception in 2005 in Kuala Lumpur and the fact that Indian Prime Ministers have participated in all the Summits, stands testimony to the importance India attaches to this process.

Way Ahead

  • Joint effort: Working with other fishing nations through regional fisheries bodies and international partnerships. Strengthening enforcement and data collection programs aimed at detecting, deterring, and eliminating IUU fishing.
  • Restricted port entry: Implementing measures that restrict port entry and access to port services for vessels included on the IUU lists of international fisheries organisations with U.S. membership. 
    • Identifying countries that have fishing vessels engaged in IUU fishing activities. 
  • Capacity expansion: Supporting capacity-building and technical assistance workshops that provide the tools, resources, information, and skills to solve IUU issues, combat IUU fishing, and promote sustainable seafood practices. 

Source: PIB

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Polity & Governance

Norms for quota in promotions

  • GS 2
  • Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections of Population & their Performance

In News 

Recently ,The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has asked all departments of the central government to collect the data on inadequacy of representation of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes before implementing the policy of reservation in promotion in government offices.

Major Points 

  • The government’s memorandum referred to the January 2022 verdict and said three conditions were laid down by the apex court 
    •  the collection of quantifiable data regarding the inadequacy of representation of SCs and STs
    • the application of this data to each cadre separately, 
    • the cadre being the unit of operation of the promotion roster.
  • All ministries are required to ensure that the above conditions are complied with before implementing the policy of reservation in promotions and carrying any promotions based thereon,
  • The document also asked the ministries to appoint a liaison officer to ensure reservation rosters were strictly maintained. 
  • The order also says that any promotion orders issued will be subject to further orders by the Supreme Court in a pending batch of cases on the subject.
  • The DPC (Departmental Promotion Committee), has to “carefully assess” the suitability of officers considered for promotion and the appointing authority will only issue appointment or promotion orders after conditions are met. 
  • The ministries were told to urgently bring these to the notice of all subordinate offices, public sector undertakings and statutory bodies.
  • DoPT laid down the procedure to be followed prior to effecting reservations in the matter of promotions.

Aims of the move

  • The move is likely to benefit Central Secretariat Service (CSS) officials who have not been promoted for the past six years. 
    • The CSS comprises middle to senior management rank officials in various Union government ministries
  • The move appears to be aimed at ameliorating the two communities that are angry at the years-long delay in clearing promotions for officers belonging to these groups. SCs and STs have 15% and 7.5% reservation in government jobs, respectively, and together form more than a quarter of the country’s population. In recent years, they have emerged as a key political lever with the potential to make or break elections, with many political parties vying for their support.

Supreme Court’s Stand

  • In January 2022, the top court turned down the Union government’s plea to dilute the requirement of quantifiable data, emphasising that adequacy of representation cannot be gauged either on the basis of data on representation of SCs/STs with reference to entire service or in proportion of their population.
  • Before providing for reservation in promotions to a cadre, the state is obligated to collect quantifiable data regarding inadequacy of representation of SCs and STs. 
  • Collection of information regarding inadequacy of representation of SCs and STs cannot be with reference to the entire service or class/group but it should be relatable to the grade/category of posts to which promotion is sought,”
  • In February 2022, while hearing some petitions against certain high court orders, the top court made it clear that it was looking for contemporaneous data, and not old data collected by the government. 
  • In March 2022, the top court said it would examine whether the data being cited by the Centre can be considered “contemporaneous cadre-wise data” that it wanted, or not. 
  • During the hearing on that day, the court also rejected a plea by a group of reserved category employees who sought consideration of their objections to the January 28 judgement by which the court required Centre and states to collect quantifiable data for implementation reservation in promotion for SC/ST. 
    • The matter will be heard next on May 11.

Attorney General Views

  • It said that following a January 28 Supreme Court judgement, the Attorney General has opined that three conditions are to be met while implementing the policy of reservation in promotions.
    • (i) Collection of quantifiable data regarding inadequacy of representation of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
    •  (ii) Application of this data to each cadre separately; and
    •  (iii) If a roster exists, the unit for operation of the rooster would be the cadre or which the quantifiable data would have to be collected and applied in regard to the filling up of the vacancies in the roster.”

Arguments Against Quota in Promotions

  • Not a Fundamental Right: The Supreme Court reiterated in a judgement that reservation in promotion in public posts cannot be claimed as a fundamental right.
  • Impact on Efficiency: Promotions to SCs and STs during appointments to services and promotions may make it difficult to maintain the efficiency of administration.
  • Redundancy of Reservation: The SCs and STs are getting the benefits of reservation in the appointments to various servicers. Therefore, it is undesirable and inefficient to provide quota in promotions for key posts.
  • Not a Compulsion for Government: The Constitution empowers the State to make reservation in matters of appointment and promotion in favour of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes only “if in the opinion of the State they are not adequately represented in the services of the State”.

Need for Quota in Promotions

  • Representation in Higher Echelons: The main reason for giving promotions in promotions is that there are very few SC/ST candidates in the higher echelons of government.
  • Proper Access to Opportunity: Centuries of discrimination and prejudice suffered by the SCs and STs in a feudal, caste-oriented societal structure poses real barriers of access to opportunity.
  • Constitutional Mandate: Constitution mandates realisation of substantive equality in the engagement of the fundamental rights with the directive principles
  • Special Measures Needed: Unless special measures are adopted for the SCs and STs in promotions also, the mandate of the Constitution for the consideration of their claim to appointment will remain illusory.
  • False Notion of Efficiency: The Constitution does not define what the framers meant by the phrase efficiency of administration. It is a stereotypical assumption that the promotees drawn from the SCs and STs are not efficient or that efficiency is reduced by appointing them.

Constitutional Provisions for Promotion in Reservation

  • Article 16 (4): 
    • Provides that the State can make any provision for the reservation of appointments or posts in favour of any backward class of citizens who, in the opinion of the state, are not adequately represented in the services under the State.
  • Article 16 (4A): 
    • Provides that the State can make any provision for reservation in matters of promotion in favour of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes if they are not adequately represented in the services under the State.
    • It was inserted by the 77th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1995.
  • Article 16(4B): 
    • Added by the 81st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2000 which enabled the unfilled SC/ST quota of a particular year to be carried forward to the next year.
  • Article 335: 
    • It recognises that special measures need to be adopted for considering the claims of SCs and STs to services and posts, in order to bring them at par.
  • 82nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2000: 
    • Inserted a condition at the end of Article 335 that enables the state to make any provision in favour of the members of the SC/STs for relaxation in qualifying marks in any examination.
Image Courtesy: IE 

Way Ahead

  • The government can come up with certain guidelines to accommodate demands of SC/ST quota in promotions.
  • The State is not bound to make reservation for SC/ST in matter of promotions: However, if they wish to exercise their discretion and make such provision, the State has to collect quantifiable data showing backwardness of the class and inadequacy of representation of that class in public employment in addition to compliance of Article 335.
  • Equality and constitutional reasonableness are basic features of the constitution: and cannot be given short shrift for achieving social justice.

Previous Cases

  • Mandal judgment/ Indra Sawhney case 1992:
    • The Supreme Court’s Indra Sawhney vs Union of India(1992) has been hailed as a landmark judgment as it upheld reservations for Other Backward Classes (OBCs). However, this judgment also held that reservations in appointments, under Article 16(4) of the constitution, don’t apply to promotions.
    • The Supreme Court upheld the Mandal Commission’s 27 percent quota for backward classes, as well as the principle that the combined scheduled-caste, scheduled-tribe, and backward-class beneficiaries should not exceed 50 percent of India’s population. At the same time, the court also struck down the government notification reserving 10% government jobs for economically backward classes among the higher castes in 1992. In this case, the Supreme Court stated that;
    • Backward Classes of the Citizens of in Article 16(4) can be identified on the basis of caste and not only on the economic basis.
    • Reservation shall not exceed 50%. The court said that this rule should be applied every year. However, it may be relaxed in favor of people from far-flung and remote areas because of their peculiar conditions. However, extreme caution should be exercised in doing so.
    • Carry forward rule is valid but it is subject to 50%
    • There should be NO reservation in the Promotions.
  • 77th and 85th Constitutional Amendment Acts:
    • The Constitution (77th Amendment) Act, 1995: 
      • According to this Act, the Government has decided to continue the existing policy of reservation in promotion for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. 
      • The Constitution (77thAmendment) Act, 1995 was passed by parliament, inserting Article 16(4A) which allows the State to provide reservations to SCs/STs in matters of promotion, as long as the State believes that this category of the marginalized populations –the SCs and STs – aren’t adequately represented.
    • The Constitution (85th Amendment) Act, 2001: Provided for consequential seniority? in the case of promotion by the virtue of rule of reservation for the government servants belonging to the SCs and STs with retrospective effect from June 1995.
  • Nagraj Case:
    • According to it, the government cannot introduce a quota in promotion for its SC/ST employees unless they prove that the particular Dalit community is backward, inadequately represented and such a reservation in promotion would not affect the overall efficiency of public administration. 
    • The opinion of the government should also be based on quantifiable data. 
    • It was made clear that even if the state has compelling reasons, the state will have to see that it’s reservation provision does not lead to excessiveness so as to breach the ceiling limit of 50% or obliterate the creamy layer or extend the reservation indefinitely.
    • In the 2006 judgment, the apex court had ruled that the government can provide reservation in promotions to SCs and STs provided it was justified through quantifiable data collected by the State on inadequate representation of the two communities in various posts.
    • The State is not bound to make reservations for the SCs and STs in promotions. But, if it seeks to do so, it must collect quantifiable data on three facets:
      • The backwardness of the class.
      • The inadequacy of the representation of that class in public employment.
      • The general efficiency of service as mandated by Article 335 would not be affected.

Source:TH

Daily Factly Articles For UPSC IAS Current Affairs Preparation

International Relations

Inter-Ministerial Coordination Group (IMCG)

  • GS 2
  • India & Foreign Relations

In News

  • The first meeting of Inter-Ministerial Coordination Group (IMCG) on India’s neighbourhood outreach was convened.

Inter-Ministerial Coordination Group (IMCG)

  • The IMCG has been set up as a high-level mechanism (secretary-level) towards mainstreaming of India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy.
  • The IMCG is supported by Inter-Ministerial Joint Task Forces (JTF) convened by the concerned joint secretaries in the Ministry of External Affairs.
  • The IMCG will further improve institutional coordination across government and provide comprehensive direction to this whole-of-government approach on India’s relations with its neighbouring countries.

Key Highlights of the meet

  • The IMCG provided a comprehensive direction with a whole-of-government approach to promote better connectivity, stronger interlinkages and greater people-to-people connect with our neighbours,
  • It deliberated upon and took important decisions on various aspects of India’s bilateral relationship with Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the areas of trade and investment, connectivity, border infrastructure, immigration, development cooperation, border security.
  • It focussed on construction of cross-border infrastructure for enhancing trade with Nepal.
  • It will look after addressing special needs of Bhutan and Maldives besides humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and Myanmar.
  • In addition to the IMCG mechanism, Ministries and Departments have been requested to accord priority to India’s neighbours in their international activities, programmes and projects 
  • the MEA had also organised a “training module” on India’s neighbourhood for civil service trainees this year.

Relevance 

  • The timing of the initiative is significant as it comes within days of the massive protests over the economic situation in Sri Lanka
  •  The IMCG could also be convened to help avoid tensions at the land borders with Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.

India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy

  • It is a core component of India’s foreign policy that focuses on peaceful relations and collaborative synergetic co-development with its South Asian neighbours of the Indian subcontinent.
  • It encompasses a diverse range of topics, such as economic, technology, research and education, connectivity, space program, defence security, environment and climate challenge.
  • This policy creates new avenues as well as leverages existing regional cooperation initiatives, such as SAARC, SASEC, BBIN, and BIMSTEC.
  • It compliments India’s Look East policy focused on Southeast Asia and Look West Policy focused on the Middle East.

Major roadblocks in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy

  • Trust deficit: Since India’s independence, there has been a huge trust deficit between India and its neighbours who consider that India flaunts a “Big Brother” attitude towards its smaller neighbours.
  • Not focussing on other countries: There is also a pervasive impression that barring Pakistan, India does not devote enough time and attention to solving problems or strengthening relations with other neighbours.
  • Relations with Nepal hit a roadblock in 2015: when months-long demonstrations and protests were launched by the Madhesi community of Nepal against the newly adopted Constitution as their demands for greater representation were ignored.
    • This forced a blockade of vehicular movement from India into Nepal delivering a shock to the Nepalese economy.
    • New maps drawn up in 2020 and the Nepalese Constitution amended to show the Indian territories of Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani as belonging to Nepal are some of the other zones of conflict.
  • India’s initiatives to improve relations with Pakistan did not meet with a positive response: Pakistan resorted to increased firing and shelling from across India’s borders and continued to mastermind and support terrorist attacks on Indian Territory.
  • The recent takeover by the Taliban in Afghanistan has introduced great uncertainty and anxiety in India and several other countries in the region and beyond.
  • China doubled down on territorial claims and its transgressions along its borders with South Asia from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh.
    • Other issues include the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers at the Galwan valley.
    • China also laid claim to Bhutan’s Sakteng natural reserves and pushed along the boundary lines with Nepal.

Way forward/ Steps taken by the Government

  • PM went to Bhutan for his first visit: This decision was taken to further cement the “special relationship,” particularly in the wake of a concerted push by China to establish diplomatic ties with Bhutan and settle its borders to the detriment of India’s interests.
    • India is Bhutan’s strongest partner, with cooperation ranging from construction of infrastructure, power plants, roads and cement plants to education and health.
  • India started placing greater emphasis on cooperation in the sub-regional groups of Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) and BIMSTEC whose members include Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan.
  • PM “Samudra Yatra” which inter alia took him to Sri Lanka in 2015: as the first bilateral visit by an Indian PM after a gap of 28 years, was a resounding success.
    • He was able to reach out to all segments of local society and communities and emphasise India’s interest in the integrity, sovereignty, stability, security and prosperity of Sri Lanka.
  • India has invested heavily to the tune of US$ 3 billion in the economic, social and physical infrastructure as well as in development of human resources in Afghanistan. India enjoys century’s old cultural and civilisation links with the Afghan people.
  • India’s relations with Bangladesh today are the friendliest and most fruitful than they have been at any time since 1975 when the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu was assassinated.
  • India has supplied vaccine gratis to all its neighbours, except Pakistan from where there was no request for supply of the vaccines. These have been warmly welcomed by these countries and have significantly strengthened ties with these countries.
  • The government’s response to the challenges has been to assert its Neighbourhood First and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) strategies as foreign policy priorities.
  • As part of its Indo-Pacific policy: India is also encouraging its Quad partners the U.S., Japan and Australia to collaborate on security and infrastructure initiatives in the neighbourhood, along with promoting forays by other partners like the U.K., France and Germany in the region.
  • India approved worth about $2.4 Billion since January 2022, while Bangladesh helped Sri Lanka with a currency swap arrangement.

Source:TH

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History

Mahavir Jayanti

  • GS1
  • Personalities

In News

Recently ,The Prime Minister of India extended his greetings to all on Mahavir Jayanti. 

About Mahavira Jayanti

  • Mahavir Jayanti falls on the 13th day of the Chaitra month. On this auspicious day, the rath yatra is carried out with the idol of Lord Mahavira and the devotees visit temples, worship the idol, seek god’s blessings and prepare delicious traditional delicacies.

About Mahavira Swami

  • Birth: He was born to King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala of the Ikshvaku dynasty, in 599 BC at Kshatriyakund (part of the well known Vaishali republic) in Bihar.
  • Early Life
    • He was named Vardhaman, which means continuously increasing.
    • He was a kshatriya prince of the Lichchhavis, a group that was part of the Vajji Sangha.
    • Though he was born with worldly comforts and luxuries, they never attracted him and at the age of thirty, he left home and went to live in a forest. For twelve years he led a hard and lonely life.
  • Kevaljnan
    • At the age of forty-two he attained Kevaljnan (omniscience) through right knowledge, right faith and right conduct (Three Jewels of Jainism).
    • He became a Jina (conqueror) and the twenty-fourth tirthankara.
      • Rishabh Deva was the first tirthankara.
  • Teachings and Contributions
    • All living beings have a soul and all souls are equal.
    • He questioned the authority of the Vedas and also emphasised individual agency and suggested the masses to attain liberation from the trials and tribulations of worldly existence.
      • This was in marked contrast to the Brahmanical position, wherein, an individual’s existence was thought to be determined by his or her birth in a specific caste or gender.
    • He added one more vow to the four great vows from the time of Lord Parshvanath. The five great vows are
      • Ahimsa (non-violence)
      • Satya (truth)
      • Asteya (non-stealing)
      • Aparigraha (non-possession)
      • Brahmacharya (chastity, added by Mahavira).
  • There are two forms of these five vows
    • Mahavrata: The 5 great vows followed by Jain monks and nuns.
    • Anuvrata: The less strict version of great vows followed by Jain lay people.
  • As the last Tirthankar, he revived the Tirth (religious order) and this order is known as the Jain Sangh (order).
  • He taught renunciation and restraint, love and compassion and modesty and righteousness as the basis to lead a balanced human life.
  • Language
    • He used Prakrit language so that ordinary people could understand the teachings as Sanskrit was not understood by many.
    • There were several forms of Prakrit, used in different parts of the country and named after the regions in which they were used.
      • For example, the Prakrit spoken in Magadha was known as Magadhi Prakrit.
  • Death: He attained mahaparinirvana at the age of seventy-two at Pavapuri near Patna in 527 BC and became a Siddha (free from the cycle of birth and death).

About Jainism

  • The word Jain comes from the term Jina, meaning conqueror.
  • The basic philosophy was already in existence in North India before the birth of Lord Mahavira.
    • According to Jain tradition, Mahavira was preceded by 23 tirthankaras (teachers), literally, those who guide men and women across the river of existence.
  • Jainism was supported mainly by Vaishyas (traders) in opposition to Brahmin-Kshatriya power dynamics.
  • The most important idea in Jainism is that the entire world is animated and even stones, rocks and water have life.
  • Non-injury to living beings, especially to humans, animals, plants and insects, is central to Jain philosophy.
  • According to Jain teachings, the cycle of birth and rebirth is shaped through karma and asceticism and penance are required to free oneself from the cycle of karma. This can be achieved only by renouncing the world, therefore, monastic existence is a necessary condition of salvation. In order to do so, Jain monks and nuns had to take the five vows.
  • Seven Tattvas (elements) of Jain Philosophy
  1. Jiva (living substance)
  2. Ajiva (matter or non-living substance)
  3. Asrava (influx of Karmic matter in the soul)
  4. Bandha (bondage of soul by Karmic matter)
  5. Samvara (stopping of Asrava)
  6. Nirjara (gradual removal of Karmic matter)
  7. Moksha (attainment of perfect freedom or salvation).
  • Karmas are responsible for distortions of the soul and fall into two groups, namely
    • Ghati (Destructive) Karma: These obstruct the true nature of the soul.
  1. Jnanavarniya (Knowledge obscuring) Karma
  2. Darshanavarniya (Perception obscuring) Karma
  3. Antaräy (Obstructing) Karma
  4. Mohniya (Deluding) Karma
  • Aghati (Non-destructive) Karma: These affect only the body in which the soul resides. As long as Aghati karmas will be present, human souls will stay caged in some kind of a body and will have to experience pain and sufferings in many different forms.
  1. Vedniya (Feeling producing) Karma
  2. Nam (Body determining) Karma
  3. Gotra (Status determining) Karma
  4. Ayushya (Age determining) Karma
  5. Vedniya (Feeling producing) Karma
  • Spread of Jainism
    • Over hundreds of years, it spread to different parts of north India and to Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
  • Literature
    • Jain scholars produced a wealth of literature in a variety of languages namely Prakrit, Sanskrit and Tamil.
    • Jain literature is classified into two major categories
      • Agam Literature: This consists of original scriptures compiled by Ganadhars and Srut-kevalis. They are written in the Prakrit language.
      • Non-Agam Literature: This consists of commentary and explanation of Agam literature and independent works, compiled by elder monks, nuns, scholars, etc. and are written in many languages such as Prakrit, Sanskrit, Old Marathi, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannad, Tamil, German and English.

Jain Councils

Jain Councils  Year  Place  Chairman  Development 
1st  300 BC Patilputra Sthulabhadra Compilation of Angas.
2nd  512 AD Vallabhi  Devardhi Kshmasramna Final compilation of 12 Angas and Upangas.

Sects of Jainism

  • Famine in Magadha led to the division of Jaisim into two sects namely Digambar (meaning sky clad) and Shwetamber (meaning white clad).
  • Digambar Sect: It was led by Bhadrabahu, leader of monks who moved to the south.
    • This sect is more austere and is closer in its ways to the Jains at the time of Mahavira.
    • In recent centuries, it has been further divided into various sub-sects.
  • Major sub-sects
    1. Bisapantha
    2. Terapantha
    3. Taranapantha or Samaiyapantha
  • Minor sub-sects
    1. Gumanapantha
    2. Totapantha
  • Shwetambar Sect: It was led by Sthulabhadra, the leader of Monks who stayed in the North.
    • Like the Digambar Sect, it has also been divided into three main sub-sects.
      1. Murtipujaka
      2. Sthanakvasi (avoided Idol Worship/Murtipujak)
      3. Terapanthi (simpler worship pattern than Digambar TeraPanthi)

Differences Between Digambar and Shwetambar

Dimensions Digambar Shwetambar
Clothes They live completely naked. They wear white clothes.
Women Women cannot achieve liberation. Women can achieve liberation.
Images Digambara images of tirthankaras have downcast eyes, are plain and always carved as naked figures. Svetambara images have prominent staring eyes and are richly decorated.

Difference Between Jainism and Buddhism

Dimension Buddhism  Jainism 
Soul  Does not believe in the soul. No soul theory is propounded (Nairatmyavada). Believe in the soul, which is present in everything.
God  Generally silent on questions related to the existence of God. Does believe in God, not as a creator, but as a perfect being.
Varna System  Condemn it. Do not condemn it. 
Incarnation  Do not believe in incarnations.  Believe in incarnations.
Both Jainism and Buddhism condemn the authority of Vedas and support the Karma Theory and rebirth doctrine.

Source:PIB

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Rongali Bihu

  • GS1
  • Art and Culture

In Context 

Rongali Bihu, also known as Bohag is observed in mid-April (14-15th April) and marks the start of the Hindu calendar’s Assamese New Year. 

About Rongali Bihu

  • The word Bihu is taken from the Sanskrit word Bishu meaning to ask blessings and prosperity from the Gods” during harvesting season.
  • Bohag or Rongali Bihu is one of Assam’s three Bihus, and it is one of the most significant festivals for the Assamese community.
    • Bihu, in Assam, is of three types: Rangoli Bihu, Magh Bihu and Maghar Domahi.
  • It falls in the second week of April every year, marking the beginning of the harvest period. 
  • It celebrates the commencement of harvesting season and is also regarded as the first day of the Assamese New Year. 
    • The significance of this festival is purely agricultural in nature. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy throughout the state.
  • It is Assam’s harvest festival which marks the beginning of the Assamese New Year.
  •  This Bihu is all about partying, donning new outfits, and ringing in the New Year with song, dancing, and cultural performances. Hundreds of people turn up to enjoy cultural events.

Source: HT

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Ambedkar Jayanti

  • GS1
  • Personalities

In News 

The Prime Minister of India  has paid tributes to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar on his Jayanti.

About Dr BR Ambedkar

  • Birth: In a Dalit (Hindu Mahar) family on 14th April 1891 in a small town at Mhow Cantt in erstwhile Central Provinces (now Madhya Pradesh).
  • Often termed as the ‘Father of the Indian Constitution’, he always worked for the welfare of the poor, Dalits and deprived sections.
    • He was a social reformer, jurist, economist, author, scholar and thinker.
    • He envisioned a better and just society and fought for it throughout his life and wanted to create a modern India where there would be no prejudice based on caste or any other reason, where women and communities subjected to backwardness for centuries would enjoy equity of economic and social rights.
    • He considered the Right to Constitutional Remedy (Article 32)  as the soul of the constitution.
  • Major Contributions
    • 1920: Started a fortnightly newspaper, the ‘Mooknayak’ (Dumb Hero), with the support of Shahu Maharaj of Kolhapur.
    • 1924: Founded the Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha also known as Outcastes Welfare Association, with an aim to spread education and awareness among the dalits.
    • 1927: Led the Mahad Satyagraha in Maharashtra to challenge the regressive customs of the Hindu.
    • 1929: Decided to cooperate with the British Simon Commission, which drew sharp criticism from Congress.
    • 1930: Started Kalaram Satyagraha in Nashik, which was a temple entry movement for the untouchables.
    •  1932: He, on behalf of untouchables, signed the Poona Pact with Mahatma Gandhi, who was representing Congress.
      • The pact provided the provisions for reserved seats for the depressed class instead of a separate electorate in the regional legislative assemblies and Central Council of States.
      • He participated in all the three Round Table Conferences in 1930, 1931 and 1932, voicing for untouchables and the depressed class.
    • 1936: Formed the Independent Labour Party, which was later transformed into the Scheduled Castes Federation.
    • 1937: Contested for the Central Legislative Assembly from Bombay.
    • 1939: During the Second World War, he called upon Indians to join the Army in large numbers to defeat Nazism, which in his opinion, was another form of Fascism.
    • 1942-46: Worked as Minister of Labour in the Viceroy’s Executive Council.
    • 1947: Worked as the first Law Minister of India in Jawahar Lal Nehru’s cabinet and was also made the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of Constitution.
    • 1955: Founded the Bharatiya Bauddha Mahasabha.
    • 1956: Embraced Buddhism along with many of his followers in a public ceremony in Nagpur.
  • Major Literary Works
    • The Untouchables: Who Were they and why they Became Untouchables?
    • Who were the Shudra?
    • Mr. Gandhi and the Emancipation of the Untouchables
    • Annihilation of Caste
    • Pakistan or the Partition of India
    • The Buddha and His Dhamma
    • What Congress and Gandhi Have Done to the Untouchables
  • Death: In New Delhi on 6th December 1956.
    • In 1990, he was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna (highest civilian honour of India).

Source:PIB

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Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA)

  • GS 2
  • Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections of Population & their Performance

In News

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the continuation of the revamped RGSA from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2026 to develop governance capabilities of panchayati raj institutions (PRIs).

About

  • Under the revamped RGSA, the focus will shift towards “capacitating” the elected representatives of PRIs for leadership roles to develop an effective third tier of government.
  • The total financial outlay of the scheme is Rs 5,911 crore with the central share of Rs 3,700 crore and that of the states Rs 2,211 crore
  • The approved scheme of RGSA will help more than 2.78 lakh rural local bodies including traditional bodies across the country to develop governance capabilities to deliver on SDGs through inclusive local governance with focus on optimum utilisation of available resources.
  • The initiative is expected to enable them to deliver on localization of SDGs (sustainable development goals) for nine themes, – poverty free and enhanced livelihood in villages; healthy village, child-friendly village, water sufficient village; clean and green village; self-sufficient infrastructure in village, socially secured village; village with good governance; and engendered development in village.
  • The revamped RGSA will help improve Panchayati Raj Institutions and ensure development in villages.
  •  It will help bridge the gap between the rural and urban areas and strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions across the country

About Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA)

  • RGSA is proposed to be implemented as a core Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for four years viz., from 2018-19 to 2021-22 with State and Central shares.
  • The sharing ratio for the State components will be in the ratio of 60:40 except NE and Hilly States, where the Central and State Ratio will be 90:10.
    • For all UTs, the Central share will be 100%.
  • The main central components of the scheme included incentivisation of panchayats and mission mode projects on e-Panchayat including other activities at central level.
  •  RGSA enables Panchayats to function effectively to achieve SDGs and other development objectives that require significant Capacity building efforts.

Source: TH

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Mirat-ul-Akhbar

  • GS1
  • Modern Indian History

In Context

  • India’s first Persian newspaper Mirat-ul-Akhbar was seen in the news 

About 5-😀😀😀😀😀😔-Akhbar

  • Raja Rammohun Roy started India’s first Persian newspaper the Mirat-ul-Akhbar.
    • An erudite Persian scholar and a tenacious social reformer, he believed in ‘searching for the truth through the light of discussion.’
  • The newspaper was first published on 12 April 1822.
    • It was published on a weekly basis on Fridays.
  • Persian was chosen because it was still recognised in courts, and was seen as a means to reach the intelligentsia, the top policymakers of the country.

Rammohan also realised that he could express himself best in a language he was most comfortable with.

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