Concerns Over Subtle Gender Discrimination
Syllabus: GS1/Society
Context
- The Vice-President of India during his address at the SheShakti2024 event emphasized on paying attention to pervasive subtle gender discrimination in the society.
Different form of subtle gender discrimination
- Gender Stereotyping in Professional Roles: Many jobs in India are still viewed as either male or female roles. This stereotyping affects hiring practices, career progression, and even the way tasks are allocated within a professional environment.
- For instance, engineering, defense, and construction are often seen as male-dominated sectors, while teaching, nursing, and caregiving roles are generally attributed to women.
- Decision-Making Positions: Subtle gender discrimination manifests when women are systematically excluded from key decision-making processes, or when their opinions are not given equal weight.
- The “glass ceiling” persists, making it harder for women to ascend to top management positions.
- Microaggressions in the Workplace: Subtle gender discrimination often takes the form of microaggressions—small, everyday verbal or non-verbal slights.
- Domestic Responsibilities: Even as more women enter the workforce, they are still expected to shoulder the bulk of domestic work.
- This double burden is often overlooked in formal discussions about gender equality but remains a major hindrance to women’s professional growth.
- Education and Career Guidance: Girls are encouraged to choose safe or family-friendly professions, rather than being pushed toward fields like technology or entrepreneurship, which are perceived as more male-dominated.
Government steps to address the issue
- Reservation for Women in Local Governance: The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, which reserve one-third of seats in Panchayats and Municipalities for women, have been instrumental in empowering women at the grassroots level.
- Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017: To reduce workplace discrimination, the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017, increased paid maternity leave from 12 to 26 weeks.
- Women in STEM Initiatives: Recognizing the underrepresentation of women in STEM fields, the government has initiated various scholarships, mentoring programs, and initiatives like the Women Scientist Scheme to encourage greater participation in science and technology fields.
- Gender Budgeting: Gender budgeting is an important tool used by the government to analyze the impact of public expenditure on gender equality.
- By incorporating gender perspectives into budgetary decisions, India is gradually focusing on addressing gender disparities in various sectors like health, education, and employment.
- Stand-Up India Scheme: It encourages entrepreneurship among women by providing easy access to financing. It aims to promote self-employment and business ventures led by women.
- MUDRA Loans: It provides credit specifically for women entrepreneurs. It facilitates financial support for women-led businesses and startups.
Way Ahead
- While India has made great strides in formalizing gender equality through laws and policies, the subtle forms of gender discrimination remain pervasive and deeply embedded in societal structures.
- Addressing these biases requires a multi-pronged approach involving not just policy interventions but also societal transformation in how we perceive gender roles.
- Continued government efforts, coupled with increased awareness and proactive initiatives in the private sector, are critical in dismantling these subtle yet significant barriers to true gender equality.
Source: PIB
U.S.-India Strategic Clean Energy Partnership
Syllabus: GS2/ International Relations; GS3/ Renewable Energy
In News
- The Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP) Ministerial between the United States and India focused on strengthening cooperation in clean energy innovation, energy security, and the clean energy transition.
About
- The meeting reviewed key achievements and future initiatives across five core pillars: Power and Energy Efficiency, Responsible Oil and Gas, Renewable Energy, Emerging Fuels & Technologies, and Sustainable Growth.
- The US-India Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP) enhances bilateral cooperation on clean energy, focusing on power, energy efficiency, renewable energy, emerging technologies, and sustainable growth.
Key Highlights of SCEP
- Renewable Energy Technology Action Platform (RETAP): Launched in August 2023, RETAP focuses on developing actionable roadmaps for hydrogen, long-duration energy storage, offshore wind, and geothermal technologies.
- Energy Storage Task Force: This public-private initiative aims to address policy, safety, and regulatory issues while exploring long-duration energy storage alternatives beyond lithium-ion technologies.
- Projects like Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in Assam and Haryana are already in motion, focusing on grid integration and renewable energy storage.
- Modernisation of Power Distribution: The meeting highlighted India’s efforts in smart metering, power market reforms, and the Indian Railways’ net-zero emissions target by 2030.
- India has pioneered the procurement of 1.5 GW of round-the-clock renewable energy.
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) & Transport Electrification: A comprehensive workshop was launched to advance SAF R&D, certification, and partnerships.
- India’s PM eBus Sewa scheme targets the deployment of 10,000 electric buses, accelerating electrification in medium- and heavy-duty transport.
- Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) & Methane Abatement: Increased cooperation on CCUS technologies and regulatory frameworks, alongside methane abatement efforts in the oil and gas sector through collaboration with India’s Directorate General of Hydrocarbons.
- Public-Private Collaborations: The role of public-private dialogues was emphasized in shaping policies and reducing clean energy technology costs.
Need For Clean Energy
- Reduces greenhouse gas emissions, helping to combat global warming and environmental degradation.
- Decreases dependency on finite fossil fuels.
- Clean energy reduces air and water pollution, improving overall health outcomes.
- Investments in renewable energy create jobs and foster long-term economic stability.
- Help in role in achieving SDGs like clean energy (SDG 7) and climate action (SDG 13)
Initiatives
- International Solar Alliance (ISA): A global coalition led by India, promoting solar energy through collaborative efforts across solar-rich countries.
- Renewable Energy Technology Action Platform (RETAP): A US-India initiative focused on hydrogen, energy storage, offshore wind, and geothermal technologies.
- Green Hydrogen Mission (India): Launched to promote the use of green hydrogen as a clean energy alternative, particularly in heavy industries and transportation.
- EU’s Green Deal: A European Union strategy aimed at making Europe climate-neutral by 2050 through clean energy investments and policies.
- PM KUSUM Scheme (India): Supports solar power generation for irrigation in agriculture, reducing reliance on fossil fuels in farming operations.
Source: PIB
India’s Gold Imports Have Doubled
Syllabus: GS3/Economy
Context
- Gold imports more than doubled in August to a record high of USD 10.06 billion, according to the Commerce Ministry data.
- It is mainly on account of a drastic cut in customs duty and ongoing festive demand.
Gold Import of India
- Gold accounts for over 5 percent of the country’s total imports.
- India is the world’s second-biggest gold consumer after China.
- The imports mainly take care of the demand by the jewellery industry.
- Switzerland is the largest source of gold imports, with about 40 percent share, followed by the UAE (over 16 percent) and South Africa (about 10 percent).
- India’s gold imports, which have a bearing on the country’s current account deficit (CAD), dipped by 4.23 percent during April-July 2024-25.
- In the Budget 2024, the government slashed the import duty from 15 percent to 6 percent.
Factors Influencing Gold prices:
- Supply and Demand: The availability of gold and the demand for it, both for investment and industrial use, directly impact prices.
- Increased mining output can lower prices, while high demand can raise them.
- Inflation: Gold is often seen as a hedge against inflation. When inflation rises, investors flock to gold to preserve their purchasing power, driving up prices.
- Interest Rates: Lower interest rates decrease the opportunity cost of holding gold, making it more attractive to investors. Conversely, higher rates lead to lower gold prices.
- Geopolitical Stability: Political uncertainty or conflict lead investors to seek safety in gold, boosting demand and prices.
- Currency Strength: Gold is typically priced in U.S. dollars. A weaker dollar makes gold cheaper for holders of other currencies, potentially increasing demand and prices.
- Central Bank Policies: Actions by central banks, such as gold purchases or sales, significantly influence market prices. Central banks often hold gold as part of their reserves.
- Global Economic Conditions: Economic downturns or uncertainties lead to increased demand for gold as a safe haven.
Impact of high Gold Imports
- Trade Balance: Increased gold imports worsen a country’s trade balance, leading to a larger trade deficit if exports do not compensate. This can put pressure on the national currency.
- Currency Value: A high level of gold imports can lead to depreciation of the domestic currency, as demand for foreign currency rises to pay for imports.
- Inflation: If gold is being imported as a hedge against inflation, its rising demand can contribute to inflationary pressures in the economy.
- Investment Flow: High gold imports may indicate strong investor confidence in gold as a safe asset, which can attract more foreign investments in the long run.
- Resource Allocation: Large gold imports might divert financial resources from other sectors, impacting overall economic growth.
Gems and Jewellery Industry in India
- In April-June 2024, India’s gems and jewellery exports were at US$ 6.87 billion.
- Cut and polished diamonds accounted for the highest share of exports (53.47%), followed by gold jewellery (32.39%) and silver jewellery (3.36%).
- The exports of gold jewellery stood at US$ 608.01 million whereas the imports of gold jewellery stood at US$ 88.61 million in June 2024.
- Major Hubs for Gems and Jewellery are: Surat, Mumbai, Jaipur, Thrichor Nellore, Delhi, Hyderabad and Kolkata.
- India’s gems & jewellery exports are expected to reach US$ 100 billion by 2027.
- Based on its potential for growth and value addition, the Government declared the gems and jewellery sector as a focus area for export promotion.
Source: IE
Relative Economic Performance of Indian States
Syllabus: GS3/Economy
Context
- ‘Relative Economic Performance of Indian States: 1960-61 to 2023-24’ paper has been released by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM).
About
- It examines the relative economic performance of states over the past six and a half decades using two indicators- Share in India’s GDP and Relative per capita income.
- The state’s share in India’s GDP is calculated by dividing the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of the state by the sum of GSDP of all states.
- Relative per capita income is calculated as the ratio of the per capita Net State Domestic Product (NSDP) of the state as a percentage of the all-India per capita Net National Product.
- The data is taken from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
Key Findings
- Southern states: Before 1991, southern states did not show expectational performance. However, since the economic liberalization of 1991, the southern states have emerged as the leading performers.
- In 2023-24, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala and Tamil Nadu together accounted for approximately 30 percent of India’s GDP.
- In addition, per capita income of all southern states became higher than the national average after 1991.
- Western states: Maharashtra has maintained the highest share of India’s GDP for almost all of the period.
- Gujarat’s share began to increase rapidly- from 6.4 percent in 2000-01 to 8.1 percent in 2022-23.
- Both Gujarat and Maharashtra have had per capita incomes exceeding the national average since the 1960s.
- Goa has excelled in per capita income terms, with its relative per capita income doubling since 1970-71.
- Northern States:Delhi and Haryana have performed notably well, while Punjab’s economy has deteriorated after 1991.
- Delhi saw its share of India’s GDP increase from 1.4 percent to 3.6 percent during this period.
- Haryana’s share of India’s GDP now exceeds that of Punjab, and its relative per capita income has reached 176.8 percent, compared to Punjab’s 106.7 percent in 2023-24.
- Eastern states: West Bengal, which held the third-largest share of national GDP at 10.5 percent in 1960-61, now accounts for only 5.6 percent in 2023-24.
- West Bengal’s per capita income has declined to 83.7 percent in 2023-24 from 127.5 percent.
- The relative per capita income of undivided Bihar was 70.3 percent in 1960- 61, it declined to 31 percent in 2000-01 for the bifurcated state of Bihar.
- Odisha per capita income increased from 54.3 percent in 1990- 91 to 88.5 percent in 2023-24.
- Central states: Uttar Pradesh had a share of 14.4 percent in India’s GDP in 1960-61. However, its share started to decline thereafter, which continued even after bifurcation.
- Madhya Pradesh followed a five-decade period of decline (82.4 percent in 1960-61 to 60.1 percent in 2010-11). Its relative per capita income increased from 60.1 percent in 2010-11 to 77.4 percent in 2023-24.
- North-eastern states: In 1980-81, Sikkim’s per capita income was below the national average. However, it’s per capita income surged from around 100 percent of the national average in 2000-01 to 320 percent in 2023-24.
- Assam, which initially had a per capita income slightly above the national average experienced a decline reaching 73.7 percent in 2023- 24.
Reasons for regional disparities among the states
- Unequal Resource Distribution: Natural resources like minerals, fertile land, and water are unevenly distributed, benefiting some states more than others.
- Infrastructure Gaps: States with better infrastructure (roads, electricity, ports) attract more investment and development, leading to growth disparities.
- Industrialization: Industrialized states experience faster economic growth, while states with limited industries remain underdeveloped.
- Governance and Policy Implementation: States with efficient governance and policies tend to grow faster compared to those with poor policy execution and governance issues.
- Human Capital and Education: States with better educational facilities and skilled labor force attract more businesses, leading to economic growth, while others lag behind due to lower human development indices.
Conclusion
- Overall, the western and southern regions of the country are outperforming others, with notable success also observed in parts of the north.
- The eastern part of the country continues to be a concern.
- The maritime states have clearly outperformed the other states, with the exception of West Bengal.
- Even the coastal state of Odisha which was traditionally a laggard state has seen improved performance in the last two decades.
Source: IE
Signal Modulation
Syllabus :GS 3/Science and Tech
In News
- Signal modulation streamlines the technology needed to transmit information, such as news on TV or music on the radio.
Modulation
- Modulation, in electronics, technique for impressing information (voice, music, pictures, or data) on a radio-frequency carrier wave by varying one or more characteristics of the wave in accordance with the information signal.
- There are various forms of modulation, each designed to alter a particular characteristic of the carrier wave.
- Modulation allows multiple signals to coexist without interference.
- Digital transmissions are less affected by static noise, enhancing communication technologies.
Modulation Types:
- Frequency Modulation (FM): It involves changing the frequency of the waves to convey information (e.g., Morse code with closely spaced waves for dots).
- FM is widely used in FM radio broadcasting, where the quality of sound is crucial. It provides better resistance to noise and interference compared to AM.
- Amplitude modulation (AM) : It involves varying the amplitude of the waves while keeping frequency constant (e.g., using heavy and light stones to represent dots and dashes).
- Phase Modulation (PM): It changes the phase of waves to encode messages, allowing for clearer digital transmission since it’s less affected by amplitude fluctuations
- PM is used in certain digital communication systems and radar applications.
Uses of Modulation:
- Radio Broadcasting: Both AM and FM modulation are used for radio transmission. AM covers long distances but is susceptible to interference. FM provides better sound quality and is ideal for music.
- Television Broadcasting: TV signals are also modulated (usually using vestigial sideband modulation).
- This allows us to watch our favorite shows with clear audio and video.
- Cellular Communication: Mobile phones use various modulation techniques to transmit voice and data over cellular networks.
- Wireless Internet (Wi-Fi): Wi-Fi signals are modulated to carry data wirelessly between devices.
- Satellite Communication: Satellites use modulation to relay signals across vast distances.
| Do you know ? – Digital transmission uses discrete signals (0s and 1s), while analog transmission uses continuous signals. – PM is digital and better for data transmission, whereas AM and FM are used for analog radio and TV broadcasts. |
Measures Needed to Achieve Sustainable Agriculture
Syllabus: GS3/Agriculture
Context
- During an address at the International Research Conference, the RBI Deputy Governor highlighted solutions that could go a long way in addressing the issue of financing sustainable agriculture.
What is Sustainable Agriculture?
- Sustainable agriculture refers to farming practices that meet today’s food needs while preserving resources for future generations.
- This means adopting methods that protect the environment, reduce reliance on chemical inputs, and use water and land efficiently.
- This approach is designed to maintain a balance between productivity, environmental health, and socio-economic equity.
Benefits of sustainable Agriculture
- Environmental Conservation: Sustainable farming reduces soil degradation, conserves water, and promotes biodiversity.
- Economic Stability: By adopting sustainable practices, farmers can reduce their reliance on expensive chemical inputs, improving profitability.
- Improved Food Security: Sustainable agriculture contributes to long-term food security by enhancing soil health, promoting crop diversity, and ensuring that farming systems are resilient to climate change.
- Social Equity: FPOs and cooperative models empower small and marginal farmers by providing them access to technology, markets, and financial resources. This enhances their bargaining power and ensures fair distribution of agricultural benefits.
What are the challenges?
- Low Productivity per Unit of Land: Small and fragmented landholdings, which predominate in India, make it difficult for farmers to invest in sustainable practices or mechanize their farms.
- Over-dependence on Rainfall: Indian agriculture is largely rain-fed, with around 60% of the cultivated area depending on monsoon rains. This makes farmers vulnerable to erratic weather patterns, especially in the face of climate change.
- Agricultural Price Volatility: Price volatility forces farmers to sell their produce at low prices during peak harvest seasons.
- Without sufficient financial buffers or market linkages, farmers are unable to hold on to their produce and wait for better prices.
- Limited agricultural processing capacity and low levels of mechanization leads to post-harvest losses. Farmers are also unable to add value to their produce, leading to lower returns.
- Access to Finance: Small farmers face difficulties in accessing credit and financial services. The formal banking system usually favors large agribusinesses, leaving smaller farmers without the resources to invest in sustainable practices or technologies.
Initiatives taken for sustainable agriculture
- Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs): FPOs have emerged as a key tool to support small and marginal farmers by aggregating their produce, providing access to technology, and improving their market presence.
- By March 2023, over 24,000 Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) were formed, significantly enhancing farmers’ access to resources and market opportunities.
- Warehouse Receipt Financing: Warehouse receipt financing allows farmers to store their produce and sell it later when prices are more favorable.
- This model helps stabilize commodity prices and provides farmers with financial flexibility.
- Priority Sector Lending (PSL): To boost financing for FPOs, RBI regulations provide that loans up to Rs 2 crore for agriculture-related activities qualify as PSL.
- For FPOs engaged in assured marketing of their produce, loans up to Rs 5 crore fall under PSL, ensuring better financial support for collective farming initiatives.
- Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA): India has adopted Climate-Smart Agriculture practices including integrating crop production systems with advanced water management, drought-resistant crops, and sustainable land-use planning.
- Technology Integration and Mechanization: Government programs, such as the “Per Drop More Crop” initiative under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), focus on promoting efficient water use technologies like micro-irrigation.
- Additionally, increasing mechanization through initiatives like Custom Hiring Centre (CHC) helps reduce labor costs and improve productivity.
Way Ahead
- Climate change and sustainability are two pressing issues that have captured global attention of late. In this context, sustainable agriculture emerges as a crucial solution.
- This will involve transforming conventional farming practices into technology driven systems, enhancing agricultural commodities’ processing and preservation techniques, and contributing to value addition at the farm level.
- Also there is a need to align crop production systems with climate-smart agriculture along with adequate finance.
PM IAS SHORT NOTES
Karma Festival
Syllabus: GS1/ Culture
Context
- Tribal populations in various states celebrated the harvest festival of Karma or Karam Parv on September 14-15.
Karma festival
- Regions: The festival is celebrated mainly in the states of Jharkhand, West Bengal, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Assam, and Odisha.
- The festival is popular especially among the Munda, Ho, Oraon, Baiga, Kharia, and Santhal peoples.
- It is traditionally celebrated on the Ekadashi tithi (eleventh day) of the lunar fortnight in the month of Bhado/ Bhadra, which corresponds to August-September in the Gregorian calendar.
- At the heart of the Karma festival is the Karam tree, the object from which the festival takes its name.
- Traditionally it is seen as a symbol of Karam Devta or Karamsani, the god of strength, youth, and vitality.
- Towards the end of the festival, branches from sal trees are planted in the fields with the hope that the Karam Raja/ Devta will protect their crops.
Source: IE
Periyar EV Ramasamy
Syllabus: GS1/ History
Context
- Rationalist social reformer Periyar EV Ramasamy was remembered on the occasion of his 146th birth anniversary.
About
- Periyar EV Ramasamy was born in 1879.
- He was an Indian social activist and politician who started the Self-Respect Movement to redeem the identity and self-respect of Tamils.
- He is known as the ‘Father of the Dravidian movement’.
Political Career:
- Periyar started his political career as a Congress worker in his hometown Erode.
- However, over the question of separate dining for Brahmin and non-Brahmin students at Gurukkulam, a Congress-sponsored school, Periyar resigned from the party in 1925.
- Periyar’s fame spread beyond the Tamil region during the Vaikom Satyagraha of 1924, a mass movement to demand that lower caste persons be given the right to use a public path in front of the famous Vaikom temple.
- In the 1940s, he envisaged a Dravida homeland of Dravida Nadu, and launched a political party, Dravidar Kazhagam (DK).
Legacy of Periyar EV Ramasamy
- As a social reformer, he focused on social, cultural and gender inequalities, and his reform agenda questioned matters of faith, gender and tradition.
- The Self Respect Movement promoted weddings without rituals, and sanctioned property as well as divorce rights for women.
- He instituted inter-dining with food cooked by Dalits in public conferences in the 1930s.
Source: IE
Polar Vortex
Syllabus :GS 1/Geography
In News
- Antarctic ozone hole formation begins late due to the weak polar vortex.
About Polar Vortex
- The polar vortex is a large area of low pressure and cold air surrounding both of the Earth’s poles.
- It always exists near the poles, but weakens in summer and strengthens in winter.
- The term “vortex” refers to the counter-clockwise flow of air that helps keep the colder air near the Poles.
- Many times during winter in the northern hemisphere, the polar vortex will expand, sending cold air southward with the jet stream.
Impact
- It develops in late summer as sunlight decreases at the North Pole, causing polar stratospheric air to become colder than tropical stratospheric air.
- It persists through winter until mid to late spring when the North Pole begins to receive more sunlight, warming the polar stratosphere.
- During winter, the vortex can expand, pushing Arctic air southward, which often leads to cold outbreaks in the Northern Hemisphere, including the U.S., Europe, and Asia.
Source :DTE
Account Aggregator (AA) Framework
Syllabus :GS 3/Economy
In News
- The Account Aggregator (AA) framework has facilitated loans amounting to Rs 42,300 crore till March 2024 since its launch three years back,
About Account Aggregator (AA)
- The Account Aggregator (AA) network, introduced by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) through the Master Direction on September 2, 2016
- It serves as a financial data-sharing system.
- It allows Non-Bank Finance Companies (NBFCs) to collect and retrieve customers’ financial information only with their explicit consent.
- Importance : It enables individuals to securely and digitally access and share their financial information among regulated institutions in the AA network.
- Importantly, data can only be shared with the individual’s consent.
- It replaces traditional, lengthy terms and conditions with a more transparent and granular permission process, allowing users to control how their data is used step by step.
