Subject: Administration

Why in the News?

Reliance on critical mineral imports, especially from China, poses strategic concerns. To address this, the Indian government is advancing its Mineral Diplomacy to enhance security and reduce strategic vulnerabilities.

What are the strategic objectives of India’s Critical Mineral Mission 2024?

India’s Critical Mineral Mission aims to secure a stable supply of essential minerals for its economic and technological growth. The strategic objectives include:

• Reducing Import Dependency: By decreasing reliance on imports, particularly from China, India seeks to enhance its mineral security and mitigate economic risks associated with geopolitical tensions.
• Enhancing Domestic Production: The mission focuses on boosting domestic exploration and production capabilities for critical minerals, thereby fostering self-sufficiency.
• Facilitating Recycling and Sustainable Practices: Emphasis is placed on recycling critical minerals to ensure a sustainable supply chain while addressing environmental concerns.

How is India leveraging international partnerships to enhance its mineral supply chains?

India is actively engaging in international partnerships to enhance its mineral supply chains through several strategic initiatives:

• Bilateral Agreements: India has established partnerships with resource-rich countries like Australia, Argentina, and Kazakhstan to secure supplies of lithium and cobalt. For instance, KABIL signed a memorandum of understanding with Australia for lithium and cobalt projects.
• Joint Ventures: The formation of joint ventures, such as IREUK Titanium Limited with Kazakhstan, aims to develop production capabilities within India, thus integrating into the global supply chain.
• Multilateral Engagements: India is participating in multilateral initiatives like the Quad and the G-7 to align with global best practices in mineral security and facilitate knowledge sharing.

What challenges does India face in its mineral diplomacy efforts?

Despite the positive outcomes of India’s mineral diplomacy, several challenges hinder its effectiveness:

• Lack of Private Sector Participation: The absence of a clear roadmap for private sector involvement in the critical minerals supply chain limits India’s ability to leverage domestic capabilities fully.
• Weak Diplomatic Capacity: Insufficient diplomatic resources and expertise in mineral diplomacy pose challenges in forming sustainable international partnerships.
• Need for Comprehensive Strategy: A cohesive strategy that integrates private sector roles and addresses supply chain vulnerabilities is essential for enhancing India’s mineral security efforts. The current lack of such a strategy hampers effective engagement with international partners.

Way forward: 

• Develop a Comprehensive Critical Minerals Policy: Formulate a cohesive strategy integrating private sector participation, incentivizing domestic exploration, and addressing supply chain vulnerabilities.
• Strengthen Mineral Diplomacy Capacity: Expand diplomatic resources and expertise in mineral partnerships, focusing on resource-rich nations and multilateral platforms. Establish specialized teams to negotiate sustainable agreements, ensuring secure and diversified supply chains.

Mains PYQ:

Q A number of outside powers have entrenched themselves in Central Asia, which is a zone of interest to India. Discuss the implications, in this context, of India’s joining the Ashgabat Agreement, 2018. (UPSC IAS/2018)

Why in the News?

India, the world’s largest democracy, still doesn’t have a top-tier public educational policy institution like those in the United States and Europe.

How can India bridge the gap between public policy education and job market demands?

• Curriculum Alignment: Public policy institutions must develop curricula that align closely with the needs of the job market, emphasizing practical skills alongside theoretical knowledge. This includes training in data analysis, policy evaluation, and understanding local governance dynamics.
• Internship and Field Experience: Integrating mandatory internships and fieldwork into public policy programs can provide students with real-world experience and enhance their employability.
• Focus on Local Contexts: Training should include a focus on India’s unique political dynamics, informal power structures, and socio-economic challenges to prepare graduates for effective policy-making in the Indian context.
• Continuous Learning and Adaptability: Encouraging a culture of lifelong learning among students will equip them to adapt to evolving job market demands. This could involve offering short courses or certifications in emerging areas of public policy.

What structural changes are necessary to improve Public Policy Education?

• Decentralization of Power: Reforming the decision-making structure within public policy institutions to allow greater input from diverse stakeholders, including civil society and academia, can enhance the relevance and impact of policy education.
• Interdisciplinary Approach: Incorporating interdisciplinary studies that combine economics, sociology, political science, and environmental studies can provide a holistic understanding of public policy issues.
• Strengthening Research Capabilities: Investing in research facilities and encouraging academic contributions to policy debates can help bridge the gap between theory and practice, making institutions more influential in shaping policies.
• Creating Non-Partisan Spaces: Establishing independent platforms for dialogue among various political factions can foster a more inclusive environment for policy discussions, reducing sycophancy and promoting evidence-based policymaking.
• Partnerships with Global Institutions: Collaborating with established international public policy schools can enhance curriculum development and provide exposure to global best practices in governance and policy analysis.

How can India establish itself as a global leader?  

• Promoting Innovation in Policy Making: Encouraging innovative approaches to problem-solving within public policy education can position India as a leader in addressing complex global challenges such as climate change, health crises, and economic inequality.
  • The Indian government has to set a target to increase public investment in education to 6% of GDP, aligning with the recommendations of the Kothari Commission.
• Investment in Human Capital: Prioritizing education and skill development across sectors will create a knowledgeable workforce capable of contributing to both national development and global governance.
  • For example, schools like the Harvard Kennedy School in the U.S. and the London School of Economics train leaders who influence both National and Global politics.
• Fostering Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):  India can bridge the gap in public policy education by aligning curricula with job market needs, promoting internships, and fostering global partnerships. This aligns with SDG Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), ensuring skilled and employable graduates.

Mains PYQ:

Q National Education Policy 2020 is in conformity with the Sustainable Development Goal-4 (2030). It intends to restructure and reorient the education system in India. Critically examine the statement. (UPSC IAS/2020)

Why in the News?

The ghee samples used by ‘Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams’ for ritual offerings and ‘Laddu Prasadam’ were found to contain foreign fats, including fish oil, beef tallow, and lard, as per the NDDB’s analysis report.

What did the ALF of the National Dairy Development Board find in the Tirupati laddus?

• The Centre for Analysis and Learning in Livestock and Food (CALF) of the National Dairy Development Board found that ghee samples supplied to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) for preparing laddus were adulterated with various fats.

• Adulterants detected included:

• • Plant-based fats: soybean, sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, linseed, wheat germ, maize germ, cotton seed, coconut, and palm kernel fat.
  • Animal-based fats: fish oil, beef tallow, and lard (pig fat).

Why maintaining a good baseline data (specific to Indian conditions) is necessary?

• Biological Variation in Indian Cows: Baseline data specific to Indian cows is needed for accurate results. Indian cows may have different genetic and biochemical profiles compared to European cows, meaning the existing international standards for detecting adulteration (like the ‘s-values’) may not accurately reflect the composition of Indian cow ghee.
• Adulterants Unique to Local Conditions: The types of adulterants commonly used in India, such as certain vegetable oils or animal fats, may differ from those in other regions. Establishing baseline data for Indian adulterants would improve the precision of detecting the specific types of foreign fats used in India.
• Accurate Interpretation of Results: Without specific data on the composition of Indian cow ghee, it becomes difficult to interpret the results from methods like gas chromatography. Customized baseline data ensures that the detection methods yield accurate and meaningful conclusions in the Indian context.

Way forward: 

• Strengthen Enforcement Mechanisms: Increase resources for testing facilities and train personnel to implement FSSAI standards more effectively, ensuring regular checks for sophisticated adulteration.
• Develop India-Specific Testing Protocols: Create testing standards based on baseline data specific to Indian cows and local adulterants to improve accuracy in detecting food adulteration.

Why in the News?

India’s land governance system is a tangled web of laws that have significantly impeded the nation’s economic and social progress for many years.

What are the limitations of digitisation in land law reform?

• Failure to Address Legal Complexities: Digitisation alone does not resolve the underlying conflicts in land laws, such as unclear titles, insecure tenure, and legal ambiguities around land ownership and transfers.
• Outdated Records: Even digitised land records may remain outdated or inaccurate, undermining the reliability of property titles and failing to improve access to formal credit.
• Ineffectiveness in Fragmented Land Markets: Digitisation does not solve the issue of land fragmentation, which reduces agricultural productivity and hampers investment.
• Limited Impact on Tenancy and Leasing Laws: Digitisation does not address restrictions on land leasing or tenancy, leaving land markets inefficient and informal.
• Overreliance on Administrative Procedures: The complexities of legal and administrative frameworks still hinder land ownership, transfers, and use, despite digitisation efforts.
• Political Exemptions from Judicial Review: The exclusion of land laws from judicial scrutiny through the Ninth Schedule limits accountability and the ability to challenge unjust political or administrative actions.

How do socio-political factors influence the effectiveness of digitisation efforts?

• Political Resistance: Local and state-level political interests may resist changes to land laws that could undermine entrenched power structures or vested interests, impeding the effectiveness of digitisation efforts.
• Rent-Seeking Behavior: Complex land laws and administrative procedures encourage rent-seeking, making digitisation ineffective without legal reforms that simplify regulations.
• Cultural Norms and Gender Disparities: Socio-political dynamics, especially regarding gender and caste, influence land ownership patterns, limiting the impact of digitisation in addressing social inequalities.
• State Variability: Differences in state capacity, resources, and political will lead to uneven adoption and success of digitisation efforts across India.
• Lack of Integration in Subsidy Targeting: Social and political factors, such as inefficient targeting of subsidies (e.g., fertiliser subsidies not linked to land records), limit the impact of digitisation on equitable resource distribution.
• Exclusion from Judicial Review: The Ninth Schedule’s protection of land laws from judicial review allows political decisions to go unchallenged, reducing the long-term effectiveness of digitisation reforms.

What additional measures are necessary for effective land law reform? (Way forward)

• Comprehensive Legal Reforms: Overhaul conflicting land laws to ensure clarity, secure property titles, and strengthen property rights.
• Tenancy and Leasing Reforms: Modernise and liberalise tenancy laws to formalise leasing arrangements and reduce the risk of expropriation.
• Land Use Flexibility: Reforms allowing easier conversion of land use between agricultural, industrial, and residential sectors to ensure optimal land utilisation.
• Land Consolidation Policies: Facilitate land consolidation to improve agricultural productivity and attract investment by reducing fragmentation.
• Gender Equality in Land Ownership: Strengthen laws ensuring equal land and property rights for women, addressing gender-based inequalities in land ownership.
• Judicial Oversight: Allow land laws to be subject to judicial review, ensuring fairness and protecting against arbitrary political and administrative decisions.

Why in the News?

Despite growing concerns, India’s decadal Census has been delayed by over three years. In fact, there is an overwhelming misconception among officials about substituting the Census with alternative ways and means of counting the population.

Significance of Calculating Census

• Comprehensive Population Data: The Census provides a detailed population count, which includes locational, familial, and individual information.
  • For instance, the Census can reveal insights into population density, age distribution, educational attainment, and employment status.
• Foundation for Surveys and Indicators: The Census acts as a foundational frame for large-scale surveys like the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) and Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS). 
• Support for SDG Monitoring: In the context of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Census data is crucial for generating accurate indicators, particularly those requiring disaggregated data below the sub-national level.
  • For instance, to monitor progress on goals related to poverty reduction, gender equality, and health, precise demographic data is necessary to identify disparities and target interventions effectively.
• Demographic Transition Insights: The Census is vital for capturing changes in population composition, familial structures, and occupational distribution, especially during periods of rapid demographic transition.
• Global Implications: Given India’s significant influence on global population trends, accurate Census data is crucial for global demographic studies and projections.
  • For example Global Health Security Index and Multidimensional Poverty Indices.

Changes to understand before taking Census Count

• Population Dynamics: Since the last Census, significant changes in population count and composition must be understood, including shifts due to migration, fertility, and mortality rates.
  • For example: In India, the average annual growth rate of the population has slowed from 2.2% in 1971 to 1.1% in 2021, with projections indicating further declines to 0.58% by 2036.
• Impact of COVID-19: The pandemic has had a profound impact on health, employment, and livelihoods, which need to be accurately captured in the Census.
  • For example, The Indian government reported over 500,000 COVID-19 related deaths, which have affected overall mortality statistics and health indicators.
• Socio-economic Transformations: Changes in education, occupation, and employment patterns over the last decade are crucial to understanding current societal trends.
  • For example, The literacy rate in India has improved significantly, rising from 64.8% in 2001 to 77.7% in 2011, with further increases expected.
• Infrastructure and Development Changes: The transformation in physical and digital infrastructure, as well as regional development patterns, must be considered to accurately reflect the current state of the nation.
  • For example, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital technologies, with a reported increase in internet users from 560 million in 2019 to over 800 million in 2022. This digital transformation has reshaped how people work and access services.

Demand for Caste Census in India

• Political Motivations: The demand for a caste Census is largely driven by political interests, aiming to establish differential entitlements based on perceived representation and deprivation.
  • For instance, leaders from the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) have emphasized the need for a caste Census
• Historical Context: Caste auditing was part of earlier Census exercises but was discontinued for specific reasons.
  • For example, Caste auditing was part of earlier Census exercises, with the British-era Censuses from 1881 to 1931 enumerating all castes. However, after independence, the Government of India decided not to enumerate castes in the 1951 Census, except for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).
• Assessment of Mobility: There is a lack of systematic assessment of social mobility in education and occupation across caste lines, despite decades of affirmative action. A caste Census could potentially address this gap but is viewed with skepticism.
  • For instance, while reservations exist for OBCs and SCs, the actual impact on social mobility remains unclear due to insufficient data.

Way forward: 

1. Incorporation of Caste Data: Need to amend the Census Act of 1948 to mandate the enumeration of caste data alongside other demographic information. This would provide a legal framework for collecting comprehensive caste-wise data.
2. Independent Studies and Pilot Surveys: The government should conduct independent studies at district and state levels to gather data on castes and sub-castes.

Mains PYQ: 

Q Has caste lost its relevance in understanding the multi-cultural Indian Society? Elaborate your answer with illustrations. (2020)

Why in the News?

The government has introduced the Waqf Act Amendment Bill 2024, in order to improve administration and management of the Waqf properties.

Aim: To address existing issues in the management and administration of Waqf properties, ensuring better transparency and efficiency.

• It also seeks to improve the legal framework governing Waqf boards and their operations across India.

 Features of the Proposed Bill:

• Waqf Board will mandatorily have two Non-Muslim members.
• District magistrates may be involved in overseeing waqf properties to ensure proper management. The survey is to be carried out by the district collector, not by Waqf.
• Properties are to be registered through a Centralized Portal for better scrutiny. Properties already claimed by boards will undergo new verification processes to resolve disputes and prevent misuse.
• Waqf will lose the right to decide whether any property is a Waqf Asset or not.

Significance of the Waqf Board Amendment Bill 2024:

The bill seeks to bring about significant administrative reforms and ensure more inclusive and efficient management of Waqf assets. Here are some of the significances of the Waqf Board Amendment Bill 2024:

• Enhanced Transparency: The bill includes provisions to digitize records and create a centralized database. This will make it easier to track and manage Waqf properties, reducing the potential for fraud and mismanagement.
• Improved Governance: Administrative reforms proposed in the bill by the government will lead to more professional and efficient management of Waqf properties. This could result in better utilization of these resources for charitable and religious purposes​.
• Protection of Waqf Properties: The bill aims to protect Waqf properties by regulating leasing and preventing encroachments. Unauthorized use and exploitation of these properties will be prevented, ensuring they are used for their intended religious and charitable purposes.
• Inclusion and Representation: Including Muslim women and non-Muslims in Waqf Boards is a step toward more inclusive governance, ensuring diverse perspectives in decision-making.
• Efficient Dispute Resolution: The new dispute resolution mechanism will help in resolving conflicts related to Waqf properties more effectively, reducing the burden on regular courts and ensuring quicker justice​.

Why in the News?

In May, a speeding car, allegedly driven by a teenager, resulted in the deaths of two young techies in Pune.

• The Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) initially granted the minor bail on conditions like writing a 300-word essay on road safety. This decision sparked public outrage and criticism from the Maharashtra Deputy CM.
• Later, the JJB canceled the minor’s bail and sent him to an observation home, which was again challenged in the Bombay High Court.
• The Bombay High Court eventually ordered the release of the minor, stating that the JJB’s remand order was illegal and that the minor should be in the care of his paternal aunt as per the Juvenile Justice Act.

What were the provisions led under the previous Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act of 2015?

Amendment in 2021 

• Empowering District Magistrates: The amendment authorized District Magistrates, including Additional District Magistrates, to issue adoption orders under Section 61 to ensure speedy disposal of cases and enhance accountability.
• Strengthening Child Welfare Committees (CWCs): The eligibility parameters for the appointment of CWC members were redefined, and criteria for disqualification were introduced under Section 28 to ensure that only competent and capable individuals were appointed.
• Categorization of Offences: The amendment categorized offences where the maximum sentence is more than 7 years imprisonment but no minimum sentence is prescribed or the minimum sentence is less than 7 years as “serious offences” under Section 2(54).
• Addressing Implementation Challenges: The amendment introduced changes to remove difficulties arising in the interpretation of various provisions of the Act and to clarify the scope of certain provisions.

Need for Accountability:

• Promoting Justice and Fairness: Accountability ensures that juvenile offenders are held responsible for their actions in a manner that aligns with principles of justice and fairness.
• Preventing Recidivism and Ensuring Rehabilitation: Holding juvenile offenders accountable helps in addressing underlying issues that contribute to their offending behaviour.
• Maintaining Public Confidence and Trust: Accountability in the juvenile justice system enhances public confidence in the legal process and ensures transparency in decision-making.

Conclusion: Implement comprehensive rehabilitation programs that are tailored to the individual needs of juvenile offenders, focusing on mental health support, educational opportunities, vocational training, and family reintegration.

Mains PYQ: 

Q Examine the main provisions of the National Child Policy and throw light on the status of its implementation. (2016)

Why in the news?

Heavy rain brought Delhi and NCR to a standstill, causing severe water-logging, traffic snarls, power cuts, property damage, and 11 deaths from structural collapses and electrocution.

• Climate change and rising temperatures have intensified the overflow of rivers and lakes, snowmelt, storm surges (such as hurricanes and cyclones), and abnormally heavy rains. This, coupled with locational vulnerabilities, has resulted in increased instances of urban flooding.

Principal Reasons Behind Chronic Urban Flooding in Delhi

• Unchecked Urban Expansion: Rapid, ill-planned urban growth without considering natural topography and drainage patterns.
• Inadequate Drainage Systems: Existing drainage systems are unable to handle high-intensity rainfall, leading to significant runoff.
• Concrete Overdevelopment: Excessive construction on low-lying areas and flood plains, leaving little room for water absorption.
• Destruction of Water Bodies: Reduction of water bodies that could manage floodwaters, with many converted into real estate.
• Neglect of Water in Urban Planning: Lack of a comprehensive water masterplan that integrates water management into urban development.

Present Scenario of Rapid Urbanization in Delhi NCR

• Fastest Urban Expansion: Delhi is one of the fastest-growing cities globally, with its geographic size almost doubling between 1991 and 2011.
• Population Growth: Predicted to overtake Tokyo as the world’s most populous city by 2030, with an estimated population of 39 million.
• Urban Sprawl: Expansion primarily on the peripheries, converting rural areas into urban zones, and rapid urbanization in NCR cities like Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Noida, and Gurugram.

Challenges and Limitations

• Topographical Neglect: Building in low-lying areas and on flood plains, disrupting natural drainage and increasing flood risks.
• Inadequate Infrastructure: Insufficient desilting of drains, inadequate stormwater management systems, and improper solid waste management.
• Lack of a Water Masterplan: Absence of comprehensive planning for clean and wastewater flows, leading to issues like the flooding of new infrastructures like the Pragati Maidan Tunnel.
• Reduction of green space and water bodies: Conversion of green spaces and water bodies into concrete developments, further aggravating flood situations.
• Inconsistent Urban Planning: No systematic approach to integrating natural water flows and gradients into urban development plans.

Recommendations (Way Forward)

• Integrated Urban Planning: Develop a water masterplan that prioritizes water management in urban development.
• Protection of Water Bodies: Preserve and restore existing water bodies to manage floodwaters effectively.
• Sustainable Development: Implement policies to prevent construction in low-lying and flood-prone areas.
• Infrastructure Improvement: Enhance drainage systems, desilting processes, and solid waste management to reduce water logging.
• Public Awareness: Increase awareness about the importance of sustainable urban planning and the risks of unchecked urbanization.

Mains PYQ: 

Q Account for the huge flooding of million cities in India including the smart ones like Hyderabad and Pune. Suggest lasting remedial measures. (UPSC IAS/2020)