UPSC Key | U-Win Portal, Monsoon, Informal Sector and more

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Explained

Behind heavy rain in large parts of India: monsoon trough shift, westerlies

UPSC Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Indian and World Geography

Mains Examination: GS-I, GS-III: Important Geophysical phenomena and environment

What’s the ongoing story- For the first time this season, the southwest monsoon is active over a large geographical area of India. At least 80% of the country last week reported widespread rainfall, with heavy to very heavy spells lashing Assam, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, coastal Maharashtra and Karnataka, Kerala, and Lakshadweep.

Prerequisites: 

— What is the southwest monsoon?

— What are easterly and westerly winds?

Key takeaways: 

— After remaining subdued during mid-June, the southwest monsoon got the much-required impetus towards June-end. The monsoon covered the entire country on July 2, six days ahead of its normal schedule.

— However, since the start of this month, there have been multiple favourable weather systems that have kept the monsoon either active or vigorous (with respect to rainfall events) over southern peninsular, east, northeast, and central India regions.

— There have been two main contributors to the enhanced rainfall. One is the continuous incoming of moisture-laden strong westerly winds from the Arabian Sea.

— The other is the position of the monsoon trough — a semi-permanent, low-pressure area extending between Pakistan and the Bay of Bengal during the monsoon season — which usually oscillates between north and south within the season. Whenever it moves towards the south, as it has done in the present case, more rainfall can take place in central, eastern and peninsular India. When it shifts towards the north, the Himalayan foothills are likely to receive more rainfall but the rest of India sees a drop in rainfall.

— Apart from these two factors, other weather systems have also contributed to the widespread rainfall over all regions, except the extreme north India. They are:

— The persistence of an off-shore trough (a shallow trough of low pressure, which develops along India’s coast during the monsoon) between south Gujarat and north Kerala for more than a week now.

— The intermittent development of a wind shear zone — where winds move with different velocities and directions — along latitudes 20 ° N between central and peninsular India.

— The development of a low-pressure system over the west-central Bay of Bengal, off the Odisha coast, on Monday. The system moved over Chhattisgarh and adjoining Vidarbha on Tuesday, and over southeast Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday.

Points to Ponder: 

— How does monsoon occur in India?

— What are the conditions that determine the onset of monsoon?

— What is the impact of La-Nina and El Nino on monsoon?

— What are the major weather forecasting methods?

Post Read Question:

Why is the South-West Monsoon called ‘Purvaiya’ (easterly) in has this directional seasonal wind system influenced the region? (UPSC CSE 2023)

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

How India’s monsoon rain pattern has been changing amid climate change

State of Informal Sector

UPSC Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Economy 

Mains Examination: GS-III: Economy

What’s the ongoing story- The informal sector — small and medium enterprises and household proprietary and partnership establishments — accounts for almost half of India’s economic output and more than three-fourths of employment. But the sector faces challenges — over the last seven years, many units have shut and about 16.45 lakh jobs have been lost, data from the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Enterprises (ASUSE) show.

Prerequisites: 

— What is the informal sector?

— What is demonetisation?

— What is the Gross Value Added (GVA)?

— What is the purpose of the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS)?

Key takeaways: 

— Outcomes of the 2021-22 and 2022-23 surveys were released by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) recently. The data reflect the impact of three major exogenous shocks suffered by the economy — demonetisation (November 2016), the rollout of GST (July 2017), and the Covid-19 pandemic (beginning March 2020).

— Informal manufacturing establishments were the worst affected compared to the pre-pandemic period. Most new jobs in the sector were created in own-account enterprises rather than hired-worker units, indicating a broad decline in employment quality.

— Unincorporated enterprises are enterprises in the unorganised or informal sector, comprising Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), household units including those with hired workers, and own-account enterprises.

— Before the 2021-22 and 2022-23 rounds, the last available data were from 2015-16. Results of some previous rounds, for instance 2018-19, were not released.

— The informal sector plays a crucial role in generating jobs and absorbing especially semi-skilled and unskilled labour. It is closely watched for employment trends, especially when there is a slowdown in the formal sector.

Data on informal sector.

— Data from the surveys help to understand the impact of the sudden withdrawal of cash from the system (2016), of regulatory compliances and inclusion in the tax net (2017), and of the national lockdown (2020-21), the brunt of which was borne by the informal sector.

— The informal sector registered a decrease in employment, though the number of enterprises increased over the previous round both in 2022-23 and 2015-16. Own-account enterprises increased nearly 4% during the seven-year period, even as hired-worker enterprises contracted by 3.2%.

— This indicates a deterioration in the quality of employment as units shifted to self-owned units, that is, households or one-person units rather than hired-worker units, which are typically a source of labour-intensive enterprises, especially in manufacturing.

— As the economy moved to more capital-intensive manufacturing, the data indicate a dent in employment in labour-intensive manufacturing in the unorganised sector.

—  As per PLFS 2022-23, the share of persons employed in agriculture went up to 45.8% from 42.5% in 2017-18, with the share of women in agriculture rising sharply to 64.3% in 2022-23 from 55.3% in 2018-19. Most of this increase has been for unpaid household work.

Points to Ponder: 

— What is the difference between the formal and informal sector?

— How has the pandemic, demonetisation, and GST impacted the informal sector in India?

— What are the challenges of the informal sector?

— What are the government initiatives for the informal sector?

Post Read Question:

With reference to casual workers employed in India, consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2021)

1. All casual workers are entitled for Employees Provident Fund coverage.

2. All casual workers are entitled for regular working hours and overtime payment.

3. The government can by a notification specify that an establishment or industry shall pay wages only through its bank account.

Which of the above statements are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

After three shocks, 16.45 lakh jobs lost in informal sector over 7 years

Fewer children vaxxed in 2023 than in 2022

UPSC Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: GS-II, III: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources, Science and Technology

What’s the ongoing story- There was a slight dip in childhood immunisation in 2023 compared to 2022, recently released WHO and UNICEF estimates of national immunisation coverage (WUENIC) revealed.

Prerequisites: 

— What is immunization?

— What is the status of immunization in India?

Key takeaways: 

— There was a two percentage point dip (from 95% in 2022 to 93% in 2023) in the coverage of the diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus (DPT) vaccine, used as a proxy for the number of “zero-dose” children — those who have not received any routine immunisation.

— WUENIC showed that immunisation stalled globally in 2023, leaving 2.7 million additional children either unvaccinated or under-vaccinated, as compared to the pre-pandemic year of 2019.

— WUENIC shows that there were 1.6 million zero-dose children in India in 2023, up from 1.1 million in 2022, but much less than 2.73 million seen in 2021.

— “A programme can reach 70% coverage with minimum effort, but to go beyond 90% the strategy changes completely, with more focus on details,” the expert said.

For Your Information: 

— On the occasion of World Immunisation Week, April 24-30, the Indian Academy of Paediatrics has launched a campaign to focus on routine immunisation as the birthright of a child.

— The Lancet reveals that global immunisation efforts have saved an estimated 154 million lives – or the equivalent of six lives every minute of every year – over the past 50 years. The vast majority of lives saved – 101 million – were those of infants.

Points to Ponder: 

— What are the global initiatives for immunization?

— What are the challenges faced by India in its immunization drive?

— What are the major immunization schemes of the Indian government?

(Thought Process: Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), Mission Indradhanush (MI), Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI), and more.)

Post Read Question:

‘Mission Indradhanush’ launched by the Government of India pertains to (UPSC CSE 2016)

(a)  immunization of children and pregnant women 

(b)  construction of smart cities across the country 

(c) India’s own search for the Earth-like planets in outer space 

(d) New Educational Policy 

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

154 million lives worldwide saved by immunisation efforts over 50 years: Study

Front Page

A digital vaccine card for every child: Govt’s U-Win portal to redraw immunisation map

UPSC Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance 

Mains Examination: GS-II: Government policies and interventions related with Health sector

What’s the ongoing story- Ground report from pilot project in MP village shows how ASHA workers are pivoting a digital revolution.

Prerequisites: 

— Who are ASHA workers?

— What is U-Win?

— Who are auxiliary nurses and midwives (ANMs)?

Key takeaways: 

— Tindli village is part of the government’s pilot project in 64 districts to register pregnant women and children on U-Win for last mile coverage of maternal and child care. The platform, which is likely to be formally launched on August 15, will be driven by community health workers, who have already had success in polio and COVID vaccinations.

— This real-time registration of children and online record of vaccination are aimed at reducing the number of “zero-dose” children (those who do not receive their first diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus-containing vaccine), especially among migrant workers, who can now get the children vaccinated at any centre across the country without carrying any documents. 

— The U-Win portal is one of the important steps towards halving the number of zero-dose children by 2030… Better data mining can improve last mile coverage.

For Your Information: 

— The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched the Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH) virtually, a platform for sharing knowledge and digital products among countries.

— The initiative will be a network of networks with four main components — country needs tracker, country resource portal (a map of resources available in a country), transformation toolbox that will share quality-assured digital tools, and knowledge exchange.

Points to Ponder: 

— What is the National Health Mission?

— Which diseases are covered under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP)?

— How e-technology is transforming the health sector?

Post Read Question:

Critically analyse the role of Artificial Intelligence in the healthcare sector?

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

WHO launches digital health platform agreed upon in India’s G20 presidency

The Ideas Page

What’s needed in Jammu

UPSC Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: GS-III: Security

What’s the ongoing story- Syed Ata Hasnain writes: The flurry of recent terrorist encounters in the Jammu division of Jammu and Kashmir has mostly gone against the Indian security forces (SF), resulting in a large number of casualties. Questions are being raised on how and why, after 35 years of experience, the Army — the Rashtriya Rifles (RR), in particular — is having such adverse encounters with terrorists.

Prerequisites: 

— What are over-ground workers (OGWs)?

— What is the difference between militants and terrorists?

Key takeaways: 

— It’s important for Pakistan to re-establish its relevance, which was severely diminished after August 5, 2019. The selected area to up the ante in Jammu includes terrain and comparative distances between locations that remain in favour of the terrorists. 

— “My assessment is that Pakistan’s primary aim is the reactivation of an effective proxy war in all of J&K, notwithstanding the abrogation of Article 370.” 

— “The activation of Jammu is a matter of convenience so as not to lose any further relevance and keep elements in Kashmir equally motivated by supposed success in the Jammu region. The subsidiary aim remains the targeting of the impending assembly elections and creating the conditions to keep them from happening.”

—  A cursory analysis of both leads us to the conclusion that, so far, we have only seen some of the extent to which Pakistan may go to achieve its nefarious ends. It’s difficult to determine the level of risk that Pakistan is willing to undertake in the execution of its aims. However, considering its political, economic and internal security situation, it is unlikely to take a higher risk. 

— In view of the above, a full-spectrum counter strategy — with a few specifics related to the context of the situation in Jammu — needs to be considered. It should start with active diplomacy to convey to Pakistan and to the international community the risks involved in the re-activation of the proxy war in J&K…

— The influential big powers need to sensitise Pakistan’s political and military leadership. Past failures in this arena must be disregarded. 

— Politically, the Indian government’s decision to conduct Lok Sabha elections in the Valley… should all clearly convey that there is a need for early assembly elections to take forward the ongoing integration of J&K. There are arguments against doing this in the prevailing environment of apparent insecurity in Jammu. 

—  I firmly believe in a larger operational “sweep and churn” of Pir Panjal South to disturb and destroy logistics and hideouts with the neutralisation of those terrorists who come in contact. 

— Technology and the Special Operation Group’s intelligence capability must be fully exploited. Poonch, Surankote and Rajouri have already been stabilised and focus should not shift from there while Reasi, Doda and Kathua are addressed.

— Lastly, let the media hold its horses and not pressure either the government or the Army. Counter-proxy war is a game of patience, and setbacks are inevitable, as are successes.

For Your Information: 

— According to Shashank Ranjan: “The message that terrorists and their handlers seem to be sending is that Jammu and Kashmir is not yet ready for assembly elections. The overarching agenda of the government must be the revival of the political process, come what may. The longer people are deprived of representation, the deeper the damage to the overall welfare and security of Jammu and Kashmir. In both the long and medium term, the region requires political, not military solutions.”

Points to Ponder: 

— Why has Jammu become the new belt of terrorist attack?

— What are the internal security issues in the border states?

— What are the initiatives taken by the government to counter terrorism?

Post Read Question:

Winning of Hearts and Minds’ in terrorism-affected areas is an essential step in restoring the trust of the population. Discuss the measures adopted by the Government in this respect as part of the conflict resolution in Jammu and Kashmir. (UPSC CSE 2023)

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

Kathua attack: Security, with democracy

Kathua terror attack: Why a military response isn’t enough

 

Govt & Politics

President returns Punjab Bill seeking removal of Governor as Chancellor

UPSC Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national importance and Indian Polity

Mains Examination: GS-II: Constitution and Polity

What’s the ongoing story- President Droupadi Murmu has refused to clear a Punjab government Bill seeking the removal of Governor Banwarilal Purohit as the Chancellor of state-run universities. The state government has now decided to seek legal option.

Prerequisites: 

— Office of Governor and President-know the historical background

— Constitutional provisions related to the Governor, President and State Government.

— Comparison between the functions and powers of the President and Governor.

Key takeaways: 

— The Bill, sent to the President in December, was recently returned to the Punjab Raj Bhavan. Following a November 10 Supreme Court ruling that “governors cannot sit on state Bills”, Purohit had reserved three pending Bills — The Punjab Universities Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023, The Sikh Gurudwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and The Punjab Police (Amendment) Bill, 2023 — for the President’s consideration. The other two Bills are still with the President.

— According to government sources, the Punjab Universities Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023 was passed by the Assembly as Purohit, Vice Chancellors of state universities, was not clearing the appointments of several experts, stating he was the Chancellor of these universities. But Purohit sent the three Bills to the President in December last year, a month after the SC ruling.

— “The Governor cannot be at liberty to keep the Bill pending indefinitely without taking any action whatsoever. Failing to make a decision and keeping a duly passed Bill pending for indeterminate periods is a course of action inconsistent with that expression,” said a Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud. 

Points to Ponder: 

— What is the standard legislative procedure in the state legislature?

— What is the role of the governor in legislative procedure in the state legislature?

— What is the relationship between the Governor and the state government?

— What were the recommendations of various committees with regard to the role of the Governor? 

(Thought Process: Recommendations of Administrative Reforms Commission of 1968, the Rajamanar Committee of 1969, the Sarkaria commission of 1988 and Punchhi Commission)

Post Read Question:

Prelims

Consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2018)

1. No criminal proceedings shall be instituted against the Governor of a State in any court during his term of office.

2. The emoluments and allowances of the Governor of a State shall not be diminished during his term of office.

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

Mains

Discuss the essential conditions for exercise of the legislative powers by the Governor. Discuss the legality of re-promulgation of ordinances by the Governor without placing them before the Legislature. (UPSC CSE 2022)

Haryana announces 10% Agniveer quota in recruitment for police, forest dept

UPSC Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination:  Current events of national importance and Indian Polity

Mains Examination: GS-II: Government policies and interventions

What’s the ongoing story- The BJP-led Haryana government Wednesday announced a 10 per cent horizontal reservation to Agniveers in recruitment for the posts of constable and forest guard, among others.

Prerequisites: 

— What is the Agnipath scheme?

— What are the objectives of the Agnipath scheme?

Key takeaways: 

— “Our government has decided to provide 10 per cent horizontal reservation for Agniveers on the posts of constable, mining guard, forest guard, jail warders and SPOs. We have also decided to give a three-year age-relaxation for Agniveers recruitment in Group-B and Group-C posts. But, Agniveers’ first batch shall get five-year age relaxation in recruitment for Group-B and Group-C posts,” said Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday.

— The Agnipath scheme, introduced by the BJP government at the Centre in 2022 for short-term induction of personnel in the armed forces, has faced severe criticism from several quarters, including Opposition parties.

For Your Information: 

— Agnipath was aimed at recruiting personnel below officer ranks — soldiers, airmen, and sailors who are not commissioned officers — to the Indian Armed Forces for a period of four years. At the end of this tenure, upto 25% of these recruits, the ‘Agniveers’, can join the services on a permanent commission (another 15 years), subject to merit and organisational requirements.

— Unlike soldiers in regular service, Agniveers do not draw pensions post-retirement. Only the 25% of Agniveers who get absorbed into the forces after four years will receive pensionary benefits, although the initial four years of service will not be considered for these.

— Critics say that the scheme creates a “lesser” cadre of soldiers, who work on the same tasks as those with full commission, but with lesser pay, benefits, and prospects.

Points to Ponder: 

— What are the benefits of the Agnipath scheme?

— What are the concerns associated with the Agnipath scheme?

— What reforms have been taken by the government in the defence sector?

Post Read Question:

Consider the following statements regarding Agnipath Scheme?

1. Agnipath scheme is a recruitment scheme for youth to serve in all three defense services.

2. On completion of the engagement period of five years, Agniveers will be paid one time non contributory Seva Nidhi Package.

3. Agniveers will be provided non contributory Life Insurance Cover of Rs. 24 lakh for their duration of their engagement period in the Indian Armed Forces.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None of the above

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

Explained: What is the Agnipath scheme and the opposition to it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RziHTJ1-4jI?si=ztRI6mshnIjYj-ME