Topics

1. A job and career right the disabled cannot be denied. (The Hindu)
2. More than court action, revisit the Indus Waters Treaty. (The Hindu)
3. NRF: A landmark initiative (Business Standard)
4. Cities, climate change and urban flooding (Business Standard)
5. A boost to education
6. Agri-tech poised for a big take-off (Hans India)

Topic 1: A job and career right the disabled cannot be denied.

Source – https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/a-job-and-career-right-the-disabled-cannot-be-denied/article67098243.ece

In News

• The issue of reservation in promotion for persons with disabilities in India is taking new course in discussion stream.
• Despite the passage of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act in 1995, ensuring equal employment and promotion opportunities for the disabled, the implementation has been hindered due to bureaucratic changes and government apathy.
• The prolonged legal battles have further exacerbated the situation, denying justice to the disabled community.

Historical Background:

• The PwD Act, 1995, recognized the right of disabled individuals to equal employment and promotion opportunities in government jobs.
• The act introduced 3% reservation for the disabled in employment, and this reservation was later extended to Groups A and B.
• However, the Department of Personnel and Training issued contradictory orders, withdrawing reservation in promotion for the disabled in 2005.

Legal Battle:

• Rajeev Gupta filed a case in 2008 against the Union of India in the Supreme Court, seeking to restore the reservation in promotion for the disabled in Groups A and B.
• The final judgment in 2016 granted reservation in promotion, but the government failed to implement it, leading to a contempt case filed by Gupta in 2017.

Upholding Reservation:

• The Supreme Court upheld the reservation for the disabled in several hearings, citing Article 16(1) of the Constitution, which allows preferential treatment for backward classes, including those with physical disabilities.
• The court challenged the previous Indra Sawhney judgment, clarifying that reservation based on physical disability does not violate the principle of equality.

Government’s Response:

• The government filed a miscellaneous application in 2020, attempting to delay the implementation of reservation in promotion.
• The application was dismissed in 2021. Subsequently, a new order in 2022 clarified the reservation for the disabled in recruitment but ignored promotion, further delaying justice for disabled individuals.

Judiciary’s Role:

• While the judiciary has played a significant role in upholding justice for disabled individuals in various cases, the delay in final adjudication for reservation in promotion has compounded government apathy.
• The denial of reservation hampers the disabled community’s progress in organizations, hindering their inclusion in society and their contribution to India’s development.

Conclusion:

The denial of reservation in promotion for persons with disabilities is a grave injustice that affects their right to equal opportunities and growth in society.

The prolonged legal battles and government apathy have hindered the implementation of the PwD Act, 1995, undermining the judiciary’s role in achieving equal opportunity and an inclusive environment for the disabled.

It is essential for the judiciary to proactively decide on this matter to uphold the principles of the Indian Constitution and ensure justice for the disabled community.

Topic 2: More than court action, revisit the Indus Waters Treaty

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/more-than-court-action-revisit-the-indus-waters-treaty/article67098290.ece#:~:text=On%20July%206%2C%202023%2C%20the,in%20Pakistan’s%20request%20for%20arbitration.

Introduction:

• The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), which regulates the use of the Indus river system between India and Pakistan, has been seen as a successful example of cooperation between unfriendly neighbors.
• However, in recent years, disputes have arisen concerning the construction of hydroelectric projects by India on the tributaries of the Indus, leading to an increase in judicial recourse.
• With the effects of climate change altering water availability, the IWT’s fixed allocation of water needs to be revisited to address future challenges.

Disputes and Judicial Recourse:

• Pakistan initiated arbitration at the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration in January, challenging certain design elements of India’s hydroelectric projects.
• The court’s recent decision rejected India’s objections and asserted its competence to resolve the disputes.

Challenges with Fixed Allocation and Climate Change:

• The IWT’s partitioning of rivers into eastern and western, vesting proprietary rights to India and Pakistan respectively, does not consider changing water availability due to climate change.
• As water availability fluctuates, the fixed allocation of water is not sustainable for the growing industrial needs of both countries.

Incorporating Flexibility with Equitable and Reasonable Utilization (ERU) and No Harm Rule (NHR):

• To address these challenges, the IWT should adopt principles of ERU and NHR from international watercourses law.
• These principles emphasize optimal use of water while avoiding significant harm to other riparian states.
• By considering “vital human needs” within the context of ERU and NHR, the differences between India and Pakistan can be bridged.

The Role of the World Bank:

• The World Bank, a party to the IWT, could play a crucial role in facilitating cooperation between India and Pakistan.
• By bringing together epistemic communities with shared interests and knowledge about the Indus waters, convergent state policies could be developed, ultimately leading to the inclusion of ERU and NHR principles in the IWT.

Conclusion:

As disputes over water usage persist between India and Pakistan, it is essential to revisit the Indus Waters Treaty to ensure its adaptability to changing conditions.

By incorporating principles of equitable and reasonable utilization and the no harm rule, the treaty can better address future challenges and foster cooperation between the two riparian states.

The involvement of the World Bank and the collaboration of epistemic communities offer promising avenues for enhancing the effectiveness and predictability of the treaty.

Questions:

Q1. What are the principles of equitable and reasonable utilization (ERU) and the no harm rule (NHR) from international watercourses law, and how can they contribute to resolving disputes between India and Pakistan under the IWT?

Q2. What is the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), and why is it considered an example of cooperation between India and Pakistan despite their strained relations?

Topic 3: NRF: A landmark initiative

Source:  https://www.business-standard.com/opinion/columns/nrf-a-landmark-initiative-123071901126_1.html

Introduction

• The NRF is a fund dedicated to scientific research and aims to address the low research and development (R&D) spending in India when compared to other countries.
• Below highlights the positive aspects of the NRF and identifies areas that need improvement.

1. Low R&D Spending in India

• India’s overall R&D spending is only 0.6% of GDP, stagnant for 40 years, while other countries like South Korea, Taiwan, Israel, Singapore, and China have surged ahead.
• Indian industry invests only 0.25% of GDP in in-house R&D, far below the world average of 1.4%.
• Government spending on R&D is reasonable at 0.3% of GDP, but research is primarily conducted in autonomous government institutes, leading to only 0.04% of GDP allocated for research within the higher education system.

2. The Need for Improvement

• Indian industry should increase its investment in in-house R&D by at least a factor of five.
• Investment in publicly-funded research within the higher education system must grow eight times.
• The NRF can play a crucial role in bridging these gaps by allocating ~10,000 crore annually for research in higher education.

3. What the NRF is and is not

• The NRF is meant for scientific research, not technological research, which is covered by other government agencies.
• By primarily locating publicly-funded scientific research in autonomous laboratories, India misses the opportunity to leverage its higher education system.

4. Positive Aspects of the NRF

• The NRF allocates ~50,000 crore over five years for funding research in higher education.
• Scientists working in autonomous national laboratories can be eligible for funding only if they collaborate with academic researchers.
• Both public and private higher education institutions’ academics are eligible for NRF funding.

5. Challenges with the NRF

• Earlier announcements suggested that all ~50,000 crore would be publicly funded, but the article argues that Indian industry should increase its in-house R&D investment before expecting external funding.
• The NRF’s governance is proposed to be overseen by a high-level board chaired by the Prime Minister, but the author suggests a professional board accountable to the Cabinet might be more effective.

6. Affordability and Focus on Accountability

• The article argues that ~50,000 crore of public funding is affordable, citing other substantial subsidies and budgets in various sectors.
• The focus should be on accountability rather than just governance, suggesting a professional board to oversee the NRF’s functioning.

Conclusion

The NRF is a landmark initiative with the potential to transform India’s higher education system and scientific research output.

To succeed, the NRF needs to ensure sufficient and growing public funding, maintain dedication to academics in both public and private education institutions, and establish an accountable governance structure.

Topic 4: Cities, climate change and urban floodin

Introduction:

• Urbanization is an inevitable outcome and a desired goal, but it is intrinsically linked to evolving global contexts such as wars, climate change, epidemics, and pandemics.
• As urban areas expand, the complexity and intensity of their connection with factors like climate change become more pronounced, putting city municipalities to the test.
• Asia, with its coastal cities most vulnerable to disasters, faces serious threats to food, water, energy security, and public health.

Climate Change and Urban Challenges:

• The frequency and intensity of natural disasters have increased due to climate change, leading to unpredictable and intense rainfall, heatwaves, floods, storms, droughts, and cyclones.
• Urban India suffers from frequent waterlogging and flooding, revealing the underpreparedness of city administrations.
• Such disasters strain city budgets, diverting resources from growth and development to recovery and emergency response.

Impact on Socioeconomic Machinery:

• Urban areas, with their concentration of industrial and commercial activity, empower societies.
• However, calamities disrupt transportation and mobility, critical for economic activities, leading to severe financial strains.
• The failure of urban drainage systems due to contaminated runoff further exacerbates flooding issues in cities.

Urban Flooding Challenges in Asia:

• Coastal cities in Asia are prone to urban and coastal flooding, while interior towns face flash floods, river flooding, or urban flooding.
• Human encroachment into flood channels, inadequate flood management practices, and a lack of early warning systems contribute to urban flooding in developing nations.
• Unplanned urban growth over natural resources aggravates flood damage. Ex- Gurugram

Addressing Challenges:

• A multi-pronged approach is necessary to address these challenges.
• Making municipal machinery more efficient and adequately funded, alongside efforts to combat climate change, is crucial.
• Urban planning and architecture that prioritize energy efficiency can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate severe storms and flooding.
• Multilateral initiatives like the 100 Resilient Cities and the Global Covenant of Mayors have been taken to increase resilience and tackle climate change.

Citizen-Led Action and Global Cooperation:

• Citizen-led action plans can complement municipal efforts in combating climate change and increasing city resilience.
• Coordinated strategies and efforts at the global, regional, national, and local levels are essential.
• Clean production methods, renewable energy sources, and emission reduction incentives contribute to reducing pollution and improving air quality in cities, benefiting public health.

Conclusion:

As urbanization continues and climate change poses ever-increasing challenges, city municipalities in Asia must face and address the risks associated with disasters and environmental issues.

Prioritizing climate resilience, efficient urban planning, citizen engagement, and global cooperation can empower cities to navigate these challenges and become more sustainable and prepared for the future.

By working together, cities can create a more resilient and sustainable urban landscape that benefits both current and future generations.

Source: Cities, climate change and urban flooding (business-standard.com)

Questions

Q1. What are the main causes of urban flooding in cities, and how does climate change exacerbate these factors?

Q2. How are cities adapting their infrastructure and planning to mitigate the impacts of urban flooding caused by climate change?

Q3. What are some examples of cities that have successfully implemented measures to combat urban flooding and adapt to climate change?

Q4. How does urbanization contribute to the severity of flooding in cities, especially in the context of climate change?

Topic 5:  A boost to education

Context:

• The Rajasthan School Education Department took on a bold mission to reinstall hope in the public school system by making every child in a government school grade-level competent.
• However, the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted education worldwide, exacerbating existing inequalities in learning levels, particularly in India.
• Rajasthan, which had previously made significant progress in lifting learning outcomes, faced setbacks during the pandemic.
• Nevertheless, the state launched the ‘Rajasthan ke Shiksha Mein Badhte Kadam’ (RKSMBK) programme in 2022 to bridge the learning gap by focusing on conceptual learning and empowering teachers through technology-driven reforms.

A Struggle Amid the Pandemic:

• The COVID-19 pandemic led to a reversal in the slow rise in learning levels observed in India between 2014 and 2018.
• In Rajasthan, the proportion of children who could read at their grade level significantly declined.
• Government schools, especially, were affected as most students lacked access to digital learning solutions or smartphones.

The RKSMBK Programme:

• Launched in 2022, the RKSMBK programme aimed to address the learning gap in Rajasthan’s public schools.
• The key focus was on conceptual learning, and teachers were empowered as agents of change.
• High-quality digital and non-digital assets, such as competency-based workbooks, instructional videos, AI-enabled assessment digitisation, and the RKSMBK Shikshak app, were provided to primary education teachers.

Leadership Priority:

• The programme was a priority for Rajasthan’s leadership, with consistent engagement from the Chief Minister, Education Minister, and Chief Secretary.
• A central pillar of the transformation agenda was assessment reform, shifting towards outcome-based education.
• Standardised tests designed by experts were conducted thrice a year to evaluate students’ conceptual understanding.

AI-Enabled Assessment Digitisation:

• One of the significant challenges in education was the digitisation of large-scale assessment data without burdening teachers.
• Rajasthan tackled this problem with an AI-enabled solution.
• Teachers corrected and digitised students’ answer sheets, reducing the process from 5-6 minutes to just 20 seconds per sheet.
• This approach enabled the digitisation of approximately four crore assessment sheets with 96 per cent accuracy in record time.

Personalised Teaching Recommendations:

• The assessment results were analysed to provide personalised teaching recommendations to over two lakh teachers through the RKSMBK Shikshak app.
• The app played a crucial role in improving teachers’ skills by offering valuable insights and guidance on effective teaching methods.

Gamification for Teacher Motivation:

• To motivate teachers to actively use the app, gamification was introduced.
• Teachers earned coins and badges by completing tasks, and their achievements were displayed on a leaderboard.
• This approach encouraged a sense of healthy competition and allowed teachers to share their earned badges on social media.

Promising Results and Hope for the Future:

• The RKSMBK programme has shown promising results, with widespread adoption of its assets and a commitment to support every child, regardless of their learning level.
• Rajasthan’s government schools have shifted their focus from emulating private school-equivalent education to genuine conceptual learning. The programme led by young and dynamic IAS officer Gaurav Agrawal is a shining example of using technology to improve the quality of education without heavy financial commitments.

 Conclusion:

The Rajasthan ‘Rajasthan ke Shiksha Mein Badhte Kadam’ (RKSMBK) programme is a beacon of hope for public education in India.

By leveraging technology, empowering teachers, and focusing on conceptual learning, the state is making remarkable strides in addressing the learning gap exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The success of RKSMBK demonstrates that technology-driven reforms can be replicated and scaled, offering hope for a better future in education for every child in the country.

Topic 6: Agri-tech poised for a big take-off

Context

• Drones have the potential to revolutionize Indian agriculture and address long-standing challenges faced by the sector, such as sub-optimal yields, eroding soil health, lack of irrigation, and access to formal financial services.
• The government and private sector are exploring the integration of drones to improve agricultural practices, and various use cases for drones in agriculture have shown promising results.

Transformative Potential of Drones in Indian Agriculture:

• Drones, aided by indigenous supply chains, military-civil convergence, robust skilling, and digital financing mechanisms, can facilitate a quantum leap in Indian livelihoods.
• As the agriculture sector faces challenges from climate change, geopolitical tensions, and stressed natural resources, emerging technologies like drones can help address these issues.

 Prominent Use Cases of Drones in Indian Agriculture:

• The major use cases for drones in Indian agriculture include land mapping and agrochemical spraying.
• Other applications like seeding, crop yield assessment, and drone-based analytics hold significant potential to drive precision agriculture and reduce land disputes.
• Early results have indicated cost savings on inputs, minimized skin exposure, and improved crop yields through drone-assisted agrochemical spraying.

Easing of Drone Policy Landscape:

• Since August 2021, the drone-related policy landscape in India has been significantly eased, encouraging the domestic manufacturing sector.
• Enabling mechanisms like the Production Linked Incentive scheme (PLI) and import bans have paved the way for the growth of the drone industry, attracting substantial investments.

Strengthening Infrastructure and Support:

• For drones to become widely accepted in agriculture, the focus must be on strengthening enabling infrastructure beyond policies.
• This includes developing a robust local supply chain, establishing standard operating procedures (SoPs), and providing government support in safety standards and promoting drones as-a-service.
• Civil-military convergence can provide cutting-edge technologies and scale to the emerging drone industry.

Skill Development and Digital Finance:

• Skill development and digital finance are foundational building blocks for the drone industry.
• These interventions can create new livelihoods, spur entrepreneurship, and support the growth of the sector.
• With adequate government support, these measures can help integrate drones effectively into Indian agriculture.

Pilots and Outcome Measurement:

• To ensure the successful integration of drones in Indian agriculture, it is essential to implement pilots at smaller scales with clear indicators for outcome measurement.
• This approach allows for rapid refinement and eventual nationwide roll-out, maximizing the benefits of drone technology.

Potential Impact on Indian Agriculture and Economy:

• If implemented effectively, drones have the potential to transform Indian agriculture and boost the country’s GDP by 1-1.5%.
• Additionally, they can create at least 500,000 new jobs, supporting economic growth and fostering a new digital era of prosperity.

Challenges and Food Security Concerns:

• Indian agriculture faces challenges such as fragmented landholdings, inefficient usage of inputs, lack of credit and financial inclusion, poor market access, and inadequate post-harvest infrastructure.
• The adoption of drones could mitigate some of these challenges, ensuring food security for the nation and contributing to the global food supply chain.

Scaling up Drone Use in Agriculture:

• Currently, there are around 10,000 aerial vehicles used in Indian agriculture.
• However, the need of the hour is to scale up drone use in the sector to fully harness their potential.
• The Agriculture Ministry’s provision of grants for the purchase of drones by agricultural institutes is a step in the right direction.

Collaborative Approach and Learning from Global Examples:

• Promoting civil-military engagement and consulting with experienced strategic partners like Israel, where AI-enabled drones are used for various agricultural tasks, can provide valuable insights and accelerate the adoption of drones in Indian agriculture.

Conclusion

Drones have emerged as a transformative innovation for Indian agriculture, holding the potential to improve productivity, address challenges, and boost the economy.

By fostering a collaborative approach, investing in skill development, and strengthening infrastructure, India can unlock the full potential of drones and usher in a new era of prosperity in the agriculture sector.