UPSC Key | LAC issue, Minerals Security Finance Network, Assam Accord and more

Front Page

India and China make ‘progress’ on pending LAC issues in eastern Ladakh

UPSC Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.

Mains Examination: GS-II: India and its neighbourhood- relations.

What’s the ongoing story-  India and China are learnt to have made “significant progress” in narrowing their gap on pending issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. This includes exploring the contours of a possible solution that factors in their respective pre-April 2020 positions while agreeing to address existing issues in Arunachal Pradesh, The Indian Express has learnt.

Prerequisites: 

— What is the origin of the border dispute with China?

— What is China’s so-called claim on Arunachal Pradesh and other areas, and on what grounds?

— Map work: McMahon Line,  Pangong Tso, Depsang Plains and Demchok

Key takeaways:

— Sources said this might imply that Indian troops, whose access to certain patrolling points along the LAC were blocked either by Chinese troops or due to the implementation of the buffer zones created in the backdrop of disengagement at specific friction points, might be close to accessing them again.

— Top officials have confirmed that the development took place during the latest diplomatic and political level talks between both sides. The delegation for the 31st Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) talks held on August 29 in Beijing, also had representatives from the Indian military.

— The 22nd round of military talks between India and China at the Corps Commanders’ level is now expected to be held shortly to chalk out the modalities — including the time frame — of the deployment of troops from either side based on the mutual agreement reached.

— On September 12, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had said that about 75 per cent of the “disengagement problems” with China have been “sorted out” but the “bigger issue” has been the increasing militarisation of the border. Subsequently, the Chinese Foreign ministry said that the troops have disengaged at four places in Eastern Ladakh, including Galwan Valley and the situation along the borders is stable.

— A statement issued by the MEA stated that Doval-Wang meeting gave the two sides an opportunity to review the recent efforts towards finding an “early resolution” of the remaining issues along the LAC, which will create conditions to stabilize and rebuild bilateral relations.

— The last formal disengagement along the LAC took place in September 2022, when both sides pulled back troops to disengage from Patrolling Point-15 in the Gogra-Hot Springs area of Eastern Ladakh.

For Your Information:

— The LAC is the demarcation that separates Indian-controlled territory from Chinese-controlled territory. India considers the LAC to be 3,488 km long, while the Chinese consider it to be only around 2,000 km. It is divided into three sectors: the eastern sector which spans Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, the middle sector in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, and the western sector in Ladakh.

— Friction points such as Galwan Valley, north and south banks of Pangong Tso and the Gogra-Hot Springs area have seen some amount of resolution in the last four years with the creation of buffer zones along the LAC.

— While legacy issues of Depsang Plains and Demchok—pre-dating the current ongoing military standoff remained—troops deployed at the Depsang Plains were blocked from accessing their patrol points in an area called the Y junction.

— China has been constructing over 600 Xiaokang or “well-off villages” along India’s borders with the Tibet Autonomous Region for over five years now.

Points to Ponder: 

— The LAC is more heavily contested in the Western Sector, and there are more frequent incursions in Ladakh than in the Eastern Sector. What is the origin of the border dispute with China?

Post Read Question:

(1) Consider the following places:

1. Pasamlung

2. Jakarlung valleys

3. Doklam

What is the correct arrangement of their locations from east to west?

(a) 1-2-3

(b) 3-1-2

(c) 3-2-1

(d) 1-3-2

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

Understanding the disputed LAC and China’s claims over Arunachal

China’s ‘Xiaokang’ border defence villages along the LAC, now being occupied

Explained

Two years of Project Cheetah: Status report and the road ahead

UPSC Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of National & International importance, General issues on Environmental ecology and Biodiversity.

Mains Examination: GS-III: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation.

What’s the ongoing story- Project Cheetah, which saw the introduction of the African sub-species of the wild cat in India, completed two years on September 17.

Prerequisites:

— What is Project Cheetah?

— Difference between Asian and African Cheetah

— Habitat of Cheetah in India

Key takeaways:

— Project Cheetah began with the intercontinental translocation of African cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa to the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. This translocation took place in two batches of eight and then 12 cheetahs.

— The ambitious project has two overarching objectives:

(i) to establish a stable, breeding population of cheetahs in central India; and

(ii)  to use cheetahs as an umbrella species to restore open natural ecosystems such as scrubs, savannahs, grasslands, and degraded forests.

— These cheetahs were initially kept in soft-release bomas, which are small enclosures within the national park that help them adjust to their surroundings. Despite being confined to an area of about 1 square km, the cheetahs sought live animals within these bomas.

— Eight (40%) of the 20 translocated cheetahs perished for a variety of reasons, including attacks during mating and septicaemia induced by tick infestation under the cheetahs’ radio collars. Five of the 17 cubs (29%) have died. Currently, 24 cheetahs (12 adults and cubs each) remain.

— The next batch of 6-8 African cheetahs will be relocated to the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh.

For Your Information:

— The ‘Action Plan for Reintroduction of Cheetah in India’ proposes bringing in 12-14 cheetahs each year from South Africa, Namibia, and other African countries for five years to build a founder stock.

— Due to variances in circadian cycles between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, some cheetahs grew thick winter coats during the Indian summer and monsoon last year in preparation for the African winter (June-September).

— One of the project’s most significant obstacles is a lack of prey. According to the project’s most recent yearly report, the density of chital, the principal prey for cheetahs (and leopards), has dropped from 23.43 animals per square kilometre in 2021 to 17.5 animals per square kilometre in 2024.

Points to Ponder:

— Why is Project Cheetah facing challenges in India?

— What are the challenges faced by Cheetah after being shifted from the Southern Hemisphere to the Northern?

Post Read Question:

(2) Maasai Mara National Reserve, famous for cheetahs is located in:

(a) Namibia

(b) South Africa

(c) Kenya

(d) Botswana

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

Two years of Project Cheetah: India awaits Kenya’s approval for new batch

The 360° UPSC Debate: Project Cheetah — Is it problematic, or is it too early to judge?

Clause 6 of Assam Accord

UPSC Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of National importance, Political System.

Mains Examination: GS-II: Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.

What’s the ongoing story- After a meeting with representatives of the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) on Wednesday, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma set the ball rolling for the implementation of 52 recommendations of the Justice Biplab Sarma Committee regarding Clause 6 of the Assam Accord, as announced by the Assam government earlier this month.

Prerequisites:

— What is the Assam Accord?

— Read about the recommendations of the Justice Biplab Sarma Committee

Key takeaways:

— The historic Assam Accord was a Memorandum of Settlement between the Rajiv Gandhi-led Union government and the leadership of the Assam Movement, primarily the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), which was signed in 1985. The accord ended the six-year-long agitation in Assam against the entry of Bangladeshi migrants into the state.

— Clause 6 of the accord states that “Constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards, as may be appropriate, shall be provided to protect, preserve and promote the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people.”

— In July 2019, the Union Home Ministry constituted a 14-member committee chaired by retired Assam High Court Justice Biplab Kumar Sarma, and comprising judges, retired bureaucrats, writers, AASU leaders and journalists, to suggest ways to implement the clause. Among the key questions before the committee was a definition of “the Assamese people” eligible for the “safeguards” under Clause 6.

— Among the key recommendations made by the committee was that the definition of “Assamese people”, for the purpose of implementing Clause 6, should include “Indigenous Tribals”, “Other Indigenous Communities of Assam”, “Indian citizens residing in the territory of Assam on or before January 1, 1951” and their descendants, and “Indigenous Assamese” people. Based on this, the committee made several recommendations for reservations for “Assamese people”, including in Parliament, the state Assembly, local bodies, and jobs.

For Your Information:

— Chief Minister Sarma said that the state government has accepted 1951 as the “cut-off date” for the specific recommendations of the report. He said, however, that this definition of “Assamese people” is confined to only the context of the report’s recommendations.

— The 67 broad recommendations made by the report can be divided into three broad categories: 40 which come under the exclusive domain of the state government, 12 which will require the concurrence of the Centre, and 15 which are in the exclusive domain of the Centre.

— The 52 recommendations in the first two categories will be implemented by April 2025, for which the state government will submit a roadmap to AASU by October 25 this year. These 52 recommendations largely deal with safeguards on language, land, and cultural heritage.

— Some of the most sensitive recommendations by the committee, however, do not find mention in the 52 points listed by the state government. Among them are the introduction of an Inner Line Permit for entry into Assam as is in place in Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Mizoram, as well as numerous reservations for “Assamese people”.

Points to Ponder:

— What are autonomous councils?

— Read about sixth schedule

— What is Inner line permit?

Post Read Question:

(3) Which of the following states does not share a border with Assam?

1. Sikkim

2. West Bengal

3. Tripura

4. Mizoram

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 3 and 4 only

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

Govt to implement 52 recommendations of Clause 6 panel of Assam Accord: CM Himanta

Explained: What is the Assam Accord that is fueling protests in the state?

 

The Editorial Page

Terms of Protection

UPSC Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues

Mains Examination: GS-II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation; Structure, organisation and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary

What’s the ongoing story- The Supreme Court judgment on Monday on sexual exploitation of minors signals a necessary broadening of the conversation. 

Prerequisites: 

— Read about the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Information Technology (IT) Act. 

— What are the constitutional provisions concerning the children’s rights?

— What are the various issues related to child exploitation in India?

Key takeaways: 

—  In a landmark ruling, it said that viewing, possession and storage of sexually explicit materials involving minors constitute a crime under the POCSO Act and the Information Technology (IT) Act, whether or not it is shared or transmitted further. 

— But this expansion of the ambit of legal action against such exploitation also raises a question about guard rails, and about whether harsher laws are better deterrents. This raises concerns at a time when the state has been known to weaponise laws and curb freedoms, especially of the voiceless and vulnerable.

(Thought Process: Do you think harsher laws serve as better deterrents? Aside from legislation, what additional measures should be taken to ensure the safety of children and women in India?)

— The apex court rightly says that, “Child sexual exploitation is one of the most heinous crimes imaginable, and the offence of child pornography is equally as heinous if not more, as in the latter the victimisation and exploitation of the child do not end with the initial act of abuse..”

— But this approach, while empathetic to victims, may not keep enough room for kinds of adolescent behaviour which require sensitive handling, not criminalisation, including online exploration of sexuality. 

— The ruling also sidesteps the question of regulation of what it recommends be referred to as “child sexual exploitative and abuse material” (CSEAM) instead of “child pornography”, and it does not recognise the possibilities of rehabilitation or the necessity of the infrastructure that is required for it. Its emphasis on mandatory reporting downplays the risk of facing apathy, victim blaming and harassment by the police.

— For the judgment to really move the needle on CSEAM, a lot will depend on the implementation. As it rightly points out, awareness about consent and its limits needs to be built through sex education, in schools, colleges and at home and through access to counselling and therapy. 

— Another important aspect remains the sensitisation of police forces to deal with such complaints, with compassion, following due process. The SC judgment has its heart in the right place, but it is imperative to ensure that its stringency is not misused to penalise rather than to protect.

For Your Information: 

— Section 15 of the POCSO Act penalises storage of child pornography with an “intention to share or transmit” it.

— Section 15 of POCSO also prescribes a graded punishment in its three-sub sections ranging from fines to imprisonment of up to three to five years.

Points to Ponder: 

— What initiatives have been taken by the government of India for ensuring child and women’s safety in India?

— What are the challenges of enforcing child pornography laws?

— What are the landmark judgements related to child pornography?

Post Read Question:

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

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

Viewing child porn punishable under POCSO, IT laws, says SC

 

Economy

To push clean energy transition, India joins US-led Minerals Security Finance Network

UPSC Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of National & International importance.

Mains Examination: GS-II, GS-III: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests, Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.

What’s the ongoing story- India is now formally a part of the Minerals Security Finance Network, a US-led initiative aiming to strengthen cooperation among members to secure supply chains for critical minerals.

Prerequisites:

— What is the Minerals Security Finance Network (MSFN)?

— What are critical minerals?

— What are rare earth minerals?

Key takeaways:

— The announcement, made by the US State Department on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly on September 23, involved a pact entered by 14 countries and the European Union.

— The Minerals Security Finance Network (MSFN) is a new initiative that emerged from the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), a framework established by the United States in 2022. India was included in the MSP in June 2023.

— The strengthening of the MSP with an extra offshoot in the MSFN comes at a time when there is an overwhelming reliance on countries like China for crucial resources, particularly rare earth minerals.

— Under this new partnership, signatory nations acknowledged that the scope and scale of meeting the rapidly increasing global demand for critical minerals to achieve the proposed clean energy transition was “beyond the purview of any single institution” and that the public sector and private sector in member countries “would need to work together to deploy capital into new and existing markets in this sector”.

For Your Information:

— This new partnership brings together DFIs (development finance institutions) and ECAs (export credit agencies) from the participating nations to “create synergies, and increase impact”.

— According to industry insiders, the MSP grouping is focused on mineral supply chains, including cobalt, nickel, lithium, and the 17 “rare earth” minerals.

— Cobalt, nickel, and lithium are necessary for electric car batteries, whereas rare earth minerals are needed in small amounts in semiconductor and high-end electronics manufacture.

— Rare Earth consists of 17 elements that are divided into two categories: light RE elements (LREE) and heavy RE elements. Some REs, such as lanthanum, cerium, neodymium, praseodymium, and samarium, are available in India, however, others, such as dysprosium, terbium, and europium, which are categorised as HREE, are not extractable from Indian deposits.

Points to Ponder:

— How critical minerals and rare earth minerals are useful for clean energy?

Post Read Question:

(4) Which of the following countries/union is not a member of the Minerals Security Partnership?

(a) European Union

(b) United States

(c) New Zealand

(d) India

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

India to leverage US-led Minerals Security Partnership to help PSUs secure critical mineral assets abroad

 

The Ideas Page

Fortifying the basic structure

UPSC Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Indian polity and Governance- Constitution, Political System

Mains Examination: GS-II: Polity, Parliament and State legislatures, Constitutional Bodies. 

What’s the ongoing story- Janay Jain writes— “With the Union Cabinet accepting the report prepared by the High-Level Committee advocating for simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, the argument over “One Nation One Election” (ONOE) has taken centre stage again.” 

Prerequisites: 

— What are the constitutional provisions related to the elections in India?

— Know about the Election Commission of India.

— What are simultaneous elections?

Key takeaways: 

— “Some have taken the view that simultaneous elections would benefit the citizenry at large, others argue that it would serve as an assault on the basic structure of the Indian Constitution.”

— “Before we delve into these arguments, it might be beneficial to appreciate that India was never a stranger to holding simultaneous elections. In fact, our democratic journey began with this very idea. The first general election saw us voting simultaneously for both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. This practice continued in 1957 with the second general elections wherein several assemblies (Bihar, Bombay, Madras, Mysore, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal) were dissolved to align with national polls, ensuring synchronicity.”

— “In 1962, the Election Commission of India in its Report on the General Elections emphasised that “it is obviously desirable that the duplication of effort and expense should, if possible, be avoided”. …The Law Commission in its 170th Report went a step further as it not only advocated simultaneous elections but also pinned the blame on the misuse of Article 356.”

— Benefits of holding simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies

1. “First and foremost, voters will only need to visit polling stations once to elect both their national and state representatives.”

2. “Second, the logistical burden on authorities would be greatly reduced: Election authorities can deploy polling personnel, build polling stations, divert security forces and make other arrangements only once.”

3. “Third, at a time when the Opposition’s favourite political argument is that elections in India don’t have a level playing field, simultaneous elections would benefit these political parties by ensuring that their campaign expenses remain limited.”

4. “Fourth, ONOE would alleviate the policy paralysis that occurs due to frequent impositions of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). Each time the MCC is imposed, governance comes to a standstill as new schemes or projects cannot be announced or implemented. Simultaneous polls would significantly reduce these periods of administrative limbo.”

— “It appears that for years even those who were amenable to the idea of ONOE dismissed it as a noble but unfeasible reform. However, the report of the High-Level Committee, which comprised a former President of India, former Leader of Opposition, distinguished bureaucrats and constitutional experts, has provided a concrete roadmap for implementation.”

Points to Ponder: 

— What are the issues associated with the current election format of India?

— What electoral reforms have been introduced in India?

— What are the issues and challenges associated with the simultaneous elections?

Post Read Question:

(5) With reference to the High-level Committee (HLC) on “One Nation, One Election”, consider the following statements:

1. The committee recommended the preparation of single electoral roll and electoral photo identity cards.

2. The Constitution should be amended to enable simultaneous elections.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

One nation, one election set in motion, will be in two phases

An uncertain love affair

UPSC Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: GS-II: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests. 

What’s the ongoing story- Sanjaya Baru writes— “A quarter century ago a common complaint about the bilateral relationship between India and the United States used to be that the ballast was not heavy enough to steady the ship in uncertain waters. That is no longer true. A variety of factors have stabilised the relationship to the point where disagreements no longer disrupt.”

Prerequisites: 

— How have India-US bilateral ties evolved over the years?

— What is the current status of India-US bilateral relations?

— What are the key takeaways from the recent Modi-Biden meeting?

Key takeaways: 

— “For the first time in a quarter century, since the creation of the office of the National Security Advisor in 1998, the NSA has not accompanied the Prime Minister on a visit to the United States. Therein hangs a tale. One of the problems with the close to one score strategic partnerships that India has signed up with all manner of countries is that they do not help clarify how to handle situations like the one that the Indian NSA, Ajit Kumar Doval, finds himself in.”

— “On the one hand the ballast in the bilateral relationship is heavy enough to tide over such diplomatic storms. On the other hand, the manner in which this issue and many others on the bilateral agenda have been handled by the Biden administration suggests that there is still a lack of clarity on what exactly both countries mean when they speak of a “comprehensive and global strategic partnership”.”

— “It is not just the Pannun case and US response to “Khalistani activism” that has raised questions about the scope and definition of the strategic partnership, but also a range of other issues that have come up with respect to defence equipment sales, the terms of engagement in critical and emerging technologies, policy regimes for trade and investment and so on. Differences on issues such as democracy in Bangladesh and the war in Ukraine have only added to this list.”

— “It appears of late that a considerable part of the conversation is within echo chambers of mutual bonhomie with constant re-assurances being given, as in an uncertain love affair rather than a time-tested marriage. Both sides are responsible for this given some fundamental differences on a range of issues, including how they view relations with Russia and China.” 

— “If indeed the India-US partnership is “comprehensive, global and strategic”, and not just transactional — with India buying US defence equipment and US turning a blind eye to Indian misgovernance — then the two need to engage in wider and meaningful conversations, going beyond the partisan interests of one political party or another in either country.”

For Your Information: 

— India and the US have signed a Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA) and Memorandum of Agreement regarding the Assignment of Liaison Officers, the latest in a series of bilateral military agreements that have enhanced defence and security cooperation between the two countries over the past decade.

— SOSA: Under SOSA, the US and India will provide reciprocal priority support to each other for goods and services that promote national defence. 

— MOU ON LIAISON OFFICERS: The Memorandum of Agreement regarding the Assignment of Liaison Officers is a progression on a decision taken earlier to increase information-sharing between India and the US, and to post Indian armed forces officers in key strategic US Commands.

Points to Ponder: 

— What are the areas of cooperation between India and the US?

— How have India-USA defense relations evolved in recent years?

— What are the challenges and opportunities in India-USA trade relations?

Post Read Question:

Prelims 

(6) As part of defence industrial cooperation, which of the following countries has agreed to co-produce an infantry combat vehicle?

(a) India and USA

(b) India and Russia

(c) India and Israel

(d) India and France

Mains

Indian diaspora has a decisive role to play in the politics and economy of America and European Countries.’ Comment with examples (UPSC CSE 2020)

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

India, US ink pact to set up semiconductor fab for national security, next-gen telecom

The job lags and gaps

UPSC Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Economic Development

Mains Examination: GS-III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilisation, of resources, growth, development and employment.

What’s the ongoing story-  C Rangarajan, M Suresh Babu writes— “Data on employment growth in India reveals contrasting trends. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI’s) Capital, Labour, Energy Materials, Services (KLEMS) data reports a 6 per cent increase in job growth for FY24, a significant rise from the 3.2 per cent growth in FY23. However, the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) offers a less optimistic view.”

Prerequisites: 

— Read about the National Statistical Commission.

— What is the status of India’s labour market?

— Status of skill development in India.

— Why is there a requirement for skill development of the workforce?

Key takeaways: 

— “ According to Citigroup Research, India needs to create about 1.2 crore jobs every year over the next decade to absorb the number of new entrants to the labour market. However, with a 7 per cent growth rate, the country can generate around 80–90 lakh jobs annually, a deficit of around 30–40 lakh jobs.”

— “Given the disparate trends in employment growth from different agencies, it is important that the National Statistical Commission address data discrepancies by improving data quality, improving coordination between agencies and increasing transparency in reporting. In fact, much of the difference is due to the differing definitions of employment used.”

— “The incommensurate pace of employment generation is due to two major factors. First, imperfections in labour markets create rigidities resulting in persistent shortages and excesses.”

— “Apart from the institutional factors, which influence wage setting, there are several irritants in the operation of the labour market of which the “skill gap” is important. There are two kinds of skill gaps. One, when job seekers, despite acquiring qualifications, fall short of skills due to poor training. Second, when there is a complete lack of skill training.In India, both gaps co-exist. Compounding skill gaps is the non-availability of jobs that meet the aspirations of job seekers — the aspirational gap.”

— “Second, is the incongruence between growth in output and labour absorption due to technological changes resulting in the decline of employment elasticity…The emergence of AI, or mechanical minds, raises another question: Will the demand for human brain labour fall? Idea creators and professionals who can apply new technologies will thrive. However, there’s a distinct possibility of the middle management being downsized.”

— “Mechanical muscles pushed horses out of the economy, while mechanical minds can do the same to humans unless we equip the workforce to cope with the change.”

(Thought Process: How are emerging technologies presenting both opportunities and challenges to the labor market?)

— “Meeting future job requirements calls for substantial educational and skilling reforms. A balance between economic growth and employment growth can be achieved by pursuing a two-pronged strategy.

1. First, concerted attempts need to be made to push industrialisation in sectors that absorb more labour. These sectors normally have strong inter-sectoral linkages and the ability to cater to the domestic market.

2. Second, international competitiveness needs to be improved in technology-intensive sectors. They have higher technology adoption rates, increased research and development and the ability to cater to global markets.

— “A comprehensive policy framework focussing on sectors needs to be evolved to tackle the question of employment generation. The cardinal principle of such a framework should also be to enhance growth rates, as growth per se is important for generating jobs.”

Points to Ponder: 

—What are the reasons behind the incommensurate pace of employment generation in India?

— What are the key challenges faced by the Indian labour market? 

— What initiatives have been taken by the government for the promoting skill development?

— What are the issues and challenges associated with skill development in India?

Post Read Question:

Skill development programmes have succeeded in increasing human resources supply to various sectors. In the context of the statement analyse the linkages between education, skill and employment. (UPSC CSE 2023)

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

Fill the skill gap

UPSC Ethics & Essay Snippet

Deendayal Upadhyaya’s integral humanism 

Deendayal Upadhyaya propounded the idea of Integral Humanism. The doctrine of ‘integral humanism’ was born from the desire to have ‘uniquely Indian’ ideas guiding the journey of the newly independent nation, as opposed to the many Western ‘isms’.

At its core, Upadhyaya’s integral humanism talks about unity and harmony among the various components that make up a human individual, and among individuals and society as a whole. According to this philosophy, the individual is made up of the body, mind, intelligence, and the soul, and the development and fulfillment of each is important.

Another cornerstone of the doctrine is the concept of four purusharth, or areas of human effort. These are dharma, artha, kama and moksha, on which this article will elaborate.

 

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