UPSC Key: Ustad Zakir Hussain, Carnatic music and Constituent Assembly Debates

A beat goes missing

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.

Mains Examination: General Studies I: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.

What’s the ongoing story: Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain has passed away at the age of 73 due to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis at a hospital in the United States, his family confirmed in a statement.

Key Points to Ponder:

• Personality in News– Ustad Zakir Hussain

• Ustad Zakir Hussain belongs to which gharana?

• Discuss Ustad Zakir Hussain’s contribution to Indian classical music and world music.

• “Ustad Zakir Hussain’s life and music epitomize the seamless fusion of tradition and modernity.”-Discuss

• Analyse the role of Ustad Alla Rakha and Ustad Zakir Hussain in elevating the tabla as a solo instrument in Indian classical music.

• Ustad Zakir Hussain’s impact on India’s cultural heritage-know in detail

• How Ustad Zakir Hussain’s collaborations with international musicians contributed to promoting Indian music globally.

• Discuss the significance of music and art as tools for promoting inclusivity and social harmony, with special reference to Ustad Zakir Hussain’s legacy.

• What do you understand by the term ‘Gharana’?

• Can you name some other Hindustani Music Gharanas?

Key Takeaways:

• The family of Zakir Hussain, 73, confirmed in a statement that he passed away due to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

• He had been hospitalised over two weeks ago. “His prolific work as a teacher, mentor and educator has left an indelible mark on countless musicians. He hoped to inspire the next generation to go further. He leaves behind an unparalleled legacy as a cultural ambassador and one of the greatest musicians of all time,” his family said in a statement.

• Zakir Hussain is often credited for elevating the status of the tabla. “He was a pathbreaker, a game-changer, an icon who put tabla and Indian music on the world map…,” Nayan Ghosh, who plays the sitar and tabla, told the BBC. Hussain, however, always credited the “big three” — Pandit Samta Prasad, Pandit Kishan Maharaj and his father Ustad Alla Rakha — for this feat.

• Hussain was among the musicians to popularise “world music”, an eclectic coming together of musical traditions from around the world, most notably with his Grammy-winning band Shakti, where he partnered jazz guitarist John McLaughlin, violinist L Shankar, and ghatam maestro “Vikku” Vinayakram.

Do You Know:

• Ustad Zakir Hussain is one of the most renowned and celebrated tabla players in the world. Born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai, India, he is the son of legendary tabla virtuoso Ustad Alla Rakha. Ustad Zakir Hussain is widely acclaimed for his exceptional skill, rhythm, and innovation in Indian classical music and beyond.

• Achievements and Contributions:
—Master of Tabla: He is known for his deep understanding of both Hindustani classical music and various global musical traditions.
—Fusion Music: Zakir Hussain has been a pioneer in bridging Indian classical music with jazz, rock, and world music. He has collaborated with many great artists like John McLaughlin in the band Shakti, Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead, and Ravi Shankar.

• Awards:
—Hussain was awarded the titles of Padma Shri in 1988, Padma Bhushan in 2002, and Padma Vibhushan in 2023.
—Grammy Award: In 1992 Planet Drum, an album co-created and produced by Hussain and Mickey Hart, was awarded the first-ever Grammy for Best World Music Album. On 8 February 2009 for the 51st Grammy Awards, Hussain won the Grammy in the Contemporary World Music Album category for his collaborative album Global Drum Project along with Mickey Hart, Sikiru Adepoju & Giovanni Hidalgo On 4 February 2024, Hussain received three awards at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards.

• Global Ambassador of Tabla: Through his concerts, teaching, and collaborations, he popularized the tabla on a global scale.

• Percussionist and Composer: Besides being a performer, Zakir Hussain has composed music for films and international collaborations, contributing to soundtracks for movies like Little Buddha and Vaanaprastham.

• Musical Style: His style is known for its extraordinary precision, speed, and creativity. Zakir Hussain’s improvisations showcase his mastery of taal (rhythm) and laya (tempo), blending tradition with a modern sensibility.

• Legacy and Teaching: He has not only preserved the art of tabla but has also nurtured the next generation of percussionists through workshops and performances worldwide. He is also a co-founder of the Ustad Alla Rakha Institute of Music in Mumbai.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Technical mastery, charisma, innovation: the genius of Zakir Hussain

📍My friend Zakir

📍THANK YOU, USTAD

Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:
📍What are the groups into which musical instruments in India have traditionally been classified? (2012)

GOVT & POLITICS

SC: Krishna not to be recognised as Subbulakshmi award recipient

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: General Studies I: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.

What’s the ongoing story: The Supreme Court in an interim order Monday said musician T M Krishna should not be recognised as a recipient of the Sangita Kalanidhi M S Subbulakshmi award and also restrained him from projecting himself as a recipient of the honour till it decides an appeal challenging the grant of the same to him.

Key Points to Ponder:

• Personality in News-Thodur Madabusi Krishna

• Know in brief-Sangita Kalanidhi award and Madras Music Academy

• What exactly Supreme Court said on T M Krishna and Sangita Kalanidhi M S Subbulakshmi award?

• M S Subbulaxmi-Know about her

• Indian Classical Music-Key Features

• Hindustani Music and Carnatic Music-Compare and Contrast

• Hindustani Music Gharanas-What do you understand by the term ‘Gharana’?

• How many types of Carnatic music are there?

• Genesis of Carnatic music-Is it mentioned in Bharata’s Natyashastra?

• Major Styles of Carnatic music-Know in Brief

• Can you name some Hindustani Music Gharanas?

• Why isn’t there a Gharana system in the Carnatic style of music, yet Gharanas exist in Hindustani classical music?

• Caste and gender politics in Carnatic music-what you know about the same?

• Objective of classical music in a social, political and economic context-elaborate

• Why is the notion of exclusivity still attached to classical music?

• How did Carnatic music come to be associated with the elite?

• Freedom of speech allows individuals to critique cultural and historical figures. However, such critiques often face resistance from sections of society. In the context of T M Krishna’s remarks on MS Subbulakshmi, discuss how the judiciary should balance freedom of expression with respect for cultural icons.

Key Takeaways:

• The award sponsored by The Hindu group was presented to Krishna by the Music Academy in Chennai on Sunday evening, after the Madras High Court on December 14 set aside a single-judge order restraining the Academy from doing so.

• Subbulakshmi’s grandson V Shrinivasan had approached the High Court challenging the Academy’s decision to give the award to Krishna, saying the latter had made objectionable remarks against the late singer, a Bharat Ratna awardee.

• Issuing notice, a bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and S V N Bhatti said “while arguments have been advanced by all the contesting parties in the suit through their respective counsel, the court is mindful of the respect and honour that M S Subbulakshmi commands among music lovers across all the spectrum.

Do You Know:

• In March 2024, Carnatic classical vocalist Thodur Madabusi Krishna, the musician at the forefront of challenging the conventional ideas about caste and gender politics in Carnatic music besides highlighting the institutional issues and non-inclusivity of the famed December Music Season, has been conferred the Sangita Kalanidhi award – the most prestigious recognition in Carnatic music – by the Madras Music Academy.

• Krishna opted out of singing at the Music Academy in a decision he took in 2015 after he felt that the sprawling December Music Season, which had stemmed from the Music Academy’s first annual conference on Carnatic music in 1929, was increasingly being driven by “commodification” besides being “socially stifling”. He also highlighted the non-inclusive nature of the artform and the music season, wherein non-Brahmin musicians and certain art forms such as Pariyattam, Villupattu, Gaana-Pattu and Kuthu were being left out. He spoke of not making classical forms a conserve of certain spaces only, and, started a music festival in the fishing village of Uroor-Olcott Kupppam in an attempt to “push out caste elitism from the existing Carnatic music system” and unite various art forms.

• It was in February this year that Krishna returned to the Academy to present a concert — Tyagaraja Aradhana — as an ode to the Telugu saint-composer. Last year, he also organised a ‘Nadaswaram and Thavil Festival’ in collaboration with Narada Gana Sabha. Most of the nadaswaram and thavil players are not Brahmins and are often not included in the kutcheri circuit. The instruments are considered more appropriate for rituals and weddings.

• An economics graduate, Krishna was a musical prodigy who began learning from Bhagavathula Seetharama Sharma, followed by lessons from Carnatic vocalist Chingleput Ranganathan and Semmangudi Srinivas, the famed colossus in the field. Grandnephew of former Indian finance minister TT Krishnamachari, also one of the founders of the Madras Music Academy, Krishna was 12 when he presented his debut concert at the Academy.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍T M Krishna gets Sangita Kalanidhi award

📍Why T M Krishna’s ‘criticism’ of M S Subbulakshmi is in fact a commentary on society at large

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:
1. With reference to the MS Subbulakshmi award, consider the following statements:
1. The award is named after renowned Carnatic musician MS Subbulakshmi.
2. It is conferred by the central government annually to promote Indian classical music.
3. The award is exclusively for Carnatic musicians.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. None of the above

THE EDITORIAL PAGE

A CRISIS IN THE MAKING

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Economic and Social Development-Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.

Mains Examination: General Studies I: population and associated issues

What’s the ongoing story: Veena S Rao Writes: It is unlikely that a large population will strengthen our economy through high consumption — more likely a large population with low education/skills will increase unemployment, and have little disposable income for high consumption.

Key Points to Ponder:

• What do you understand by demographic dividend?

• When these large demographic numbers can translate into dividends?

• What are the challenges and opportunities this demographic advantage presents in achieving economic growth?

• What is the role of health and nutrition in realizing India’s demographic dividend?

• Despite various skilling programs, a significant skill gap exists among India’s youth, as highlighted by NFHS and ASER data. Discuss the reasons for this gap and suggest measures to align education and skills with contemporary job market demands.

• Does our demographic dividend presently have capacity to achieve this high productivity and wealth creation and achieve our $7 trillion GDP target by 2030?

• Analyse the implications of this demographic shift on India’s economy and suggest long-term policy interventions to address the ageing workforce.

Key Takeaways:

• India’s population has reached its demographic prime. Around 67.3 per cent of our population is between 15-59 years of age, a demographic advantage which will persist for another three decades.

• By 2030, India’s working age population will reach 68.9 per cent, with a median age of 28.4 years and a dependency ratio of just 31.2
per cent. In absolute numbers, India, with 1.04 billion working age persons, will constitute the largest workforce in the world.

• India will start ageing with each passing year after 2030 with the workforce population declining and the ageing population increasing. A growing skill-less, asset-less, ageing population in poor health can become India’s greatest future burden.

• Medical science confirms that 90 per cent of a child brain development happens before the age of 5, and lays the physical, mental, and emotional foundations for future life.

• Optimal brain development therefore becomes the first casualty of the 88.7 per cent children under two, not receiving minimal and adequate diet.

• India’s routine dietary deficit is well documented in national surveys. Not surprising therefore that the resultant under-nutrition, poor health and morbidity, prevents children and adolescents from achieving their complete cognitive and physical potential, and thereafter prevents them from acquiring the education and skills required for emerging higher end job market.

Do You Know:

• As per NFHS 5, among our present demographic dividend (15-49 years), only 41 per cent women and 50.2 per cent men have 10 years plus schooling; 57 per cent women and 25 per cent men are anaemic; and 18.7 per cent women and 16.2 per cent men have Body Mass Index below normal.
—Not surprising therefore, that despite several ongoing skilling programmes, employers are unable to find the skills they want, and unemployment rates of “educated” youth remain high.

• Our immediate demographic dividend, 15-19 years adolescent girls and boys, will constitute India’s work-force for the next three decades.
—Among them, only 34 per cent girls and 35.9 per cent boys of age 15-24 have completed 12 years or more education; 59 per cent girls and 31 per cent boys are anaemic, and only 54.9 per cent girls and 52.6 per cent boys have normal BMI.

• The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) (Rural) 2023, found that nationally, only 77 per cent in the 17-18 years category could read Class 2 textbooks, and 35 per cent could do division. Learning trajectory over Grades V, VI, VII and VIII was relatively flat, meaning that there was little difference in learning levels within these grades

• As per NFHS 5, 35.5 per cent children below five years are stunted, 19.3 per cent are wasted, 32.1 per cent are underweight; and 67.1 per cent children between 6-59 months are anaemic. (Figures for the two poorest quintiles are almost 50 per cent higher) But most shockingly, only 11.3 per cent children aged 6-23 months receive minimal adequate diet, improved from 9.6 per cent as in NFHS 4. The foundation of our demographic dividend for the next three decades lies here.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Clash of aspirations 
Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:
2. India is regarded as a country with a “Demographic Dividend”. This is due to (2011)
(a) Its high population in the age group below 15 years
(b) Its high population in the age group of 15-64 year
(c) Its high population in the age group above 65 years
(d) Its high total population
Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:
📍While we flaunt India’s demographic dividend, we ignore the dropping rates of employability.” What are we missing while doing so? Where will the jobs that India desperately needs come from? Explain. ? (GS3, 2014)

THE IDEAS PAGE

In the spirit of the Constitution

Syllabus:

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

Mains Examination: General Studies II: Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.

What’s the ongoing story: Dr Rakesh Sinha Writes: The debate on the Constitution in Parliament not only led to constructive dialogue between the treasury benches and the Opposition but also engaged the people at large.

Key Points to Ponder:

• Discuss the relevance of Constituent Assembly debates

• ‘The debate in parliament on the Indian constitution did not rise to the occasion’-How far you agree?

• Analyse the evolution of secularism in Indian politics

• “The concept of secularism in India has been subject to debate and reinterpretation since the drafting of the Constitution.”-Do you agree?

• Discuss the circumstances under which the First Amendment to the Constitution was passed.

• How First Amendment to the Constitution impacted the freedom of expression?

• ‘Parliamentary debates have historically provided a platform for constructive dialogue and ideological clarity’-Examine

• How recent debates in Parliament, like the one on the Constitution, shape political narratives and public understanding of governance.

Key Takeaways:

• Confusion about the Constitution’s future is not healthy for a democratic polity. The Opposition’s narrative that the government intends to change the basic structure of the Constitution was proved wrong.

• On September 5, 1952, the Speaker of the Provisional Parliament G V Mavalankar, in his farewell speech, announced that “the pages of the Constitution are decorated by scenes of Indian life in ancient period by well-known artist Nandalal Bose.” The sketches included that of Ram, Sita, Krishna, Shiva, Lord Buddha, Mahavira, Shivaji, Guru Govind Singh, Mahatma Gandhi and Subhash Chandra Bose. But when the printed copies were distributed, the sketches had mysteriously disappeared.

• History offers lessons in times of divisions in politics and society. There are three great lessons which today’s political and intellectual class have not absorbed adequately.

• Deshbandhu Gupta of the Congress and a member of the Constituent Assembly opposed the First Amendment Bill. Second, differences of ideas should not lead to hatred among members of the political and intellectual classes — this hurts the evolution of parliamentary democracy. Finally, every member of the Constituent Assembly was a thought leader. They provided intellectual grounds to even tolerate extreme views.

Do You Know:

• Yogendra Yadav Writes in What’s Indian about the Indian Constitution?: We are in the midst of an assault on constitutional republic. Questioning the legitimacy of the Constitution is imperative for this assault. And questioning its Indianness is the most potent ideological weapon in the armoury of the attackers. Let us acknowledge that it is a serious question. Our Constitution was written, thought and deliberated mostly in the language of the colonial masters. The entire exercise of the making of the Indian Constitution used the received alphabet of modern Western constitutionalism. Let us not forget that the question of the Constitution being “alien” and “foreign” was raised in the Constituent Assembly itself.

• Yogendra Yadav asserts that “let us also admit that modernist-universalist hubris is no answer to this question. “Why does modern India’s Constitution need to be Indian?” is a bad retort to the question. Every constitution must pass the test of cultural authenticity in its own context. The modernist response is also counter-productive, as it strengthens the suspicion of cultural inauthenticity that gives credence to this question in the first place. The break from the past that the modern constitution makers were so keen to underline can be easily made to look like a break from Indianness, detached from the cultural mores of our civilisation.”

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Constitutionalism’ has become another word for extending colonial legacies

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:
3. What was the exact constitutional status of India on 26th January, 1950? (2021)
(a) A Democratic Republic
(b) A Sovereign Democratic Republic
(c) A Sovereign Secular Democratic Republic
(d) A Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic

ECONOMY

Loan write-offs help banks to show lower NPAs

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national importance and economic development

Mains Examination: General Studies III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilisation, of resources, growth, development

What’s the ongoing story: A massive loan write-off of Rs 9.9 lakh crore in the last five financial years has helped banks to show a big decline in non-performing assets (NPAs). Aided by this write-off, banks reported a 12-year low NPA ratio of 2.8 per cent of advances by March 2024.

Key Points to Ponder:

• What is a write-off of a loan?

• What is the difference between write-off and loan waiver?

• Why do banks write off loans?

• What is the amount written off by private banks?

• Who is at the forefront of write-offs?

• How much did PSU banks write off?

• What is bad loans?

• What are the causes of bad loan?

• India’s public sector banks have struggled with high levels of non-performing assets (NPAs)- What are the Non-Performing Assets (NPAs)?

• What are the reasons for assets becoming non-performing assets?

• What are the impacts of High level of non-performing assets (NPAs) on India’s Economy?

Key Takeaways:

• Total recoveries from write-offs were only 18.70 per cent at Rs 1,85,241 crore in the last five years, according to the Reserve Bank of India data. This means banks were not able to recover 81.30 per cent, or over Rs 8 lakh crore of the loan written off in five years, despite adopting various recovery measures.

• These loan accounts were mostly wilful defaults with promoters and directors of some of the companies even fleeing the country.

• As gross NPAs reported by commercial banks were Rs 4.80 lakh crore as of March 2024, the total NPAs would be over Rs 12.80 lakh crore including the loans written off.

• The Finance Ministry last week said that the gross NPA ratio for scheduled commercial banks witnessed a significant reduction to 2.67 percent in June 2024 from 11.18 percent in March 2018. It was 11.5 per cent in March 2018 and 9.3 per cent (Rs 9.4 lakh crore) in March 2019.

• Banks were able to recover to recover Rs 46,036 crore in 2023-24 from loans written off earlier as against Rs 45,551 crore last year. Total loan write-off was Rs 1.70 lakh crore in FY24, Rs 2.08 lakh crore in FY23, Rs 1.74 lakh crore in FY22, Rs 2.02 lakh crore in FY21 and Rs 2.34 lakh crore in FY20, RBI data from an RTI reply shows.

Do You Know:

• Once a loan is written off by a bank, it goes out from the asset book of the bank. The bank writes off a loan after the borrower has defaulted on the loan repayment and there is a very low chance of recovery. The lender then moves the defaulted loan, or NPA, out of the assets side and reports the amount as loss.

• A loan becomes an NPA when the principal or interest payment remains overdue for 90 days. Public sector banks accounted for nearly 63 per cent of the write-off exercise.

• The nature and purpose of write-offs by banks is governed by several considerations. Once an account becomes NPA, prudential norms require the creation of provisions and on the basis of the aging of the NPA as well as the realisable value of security, these provisions get augmented and reach a stage where the provisions equal the outstanding in the account.

• “Write-offs by banks is purely an accounting entry where an on-balance sheet item moves into off- balance sheet items and they are parked in typically what is known as ‘Advances Under Collection’ and there are specialised teams which follow-up for the recovery thereafter,” it said. The borrower’s liability to repay or the bank’s right to recover is not diminished in any manner, the RBI said.

• According to the RBI, this is purely a balance sheet management. “Banks and regulators focus on such accounts that are parked in a special account to ensure higher recoveries because such recoveries go into aiding the P&L account and then contribute to the financial wellbeing of the bank,” it said.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍What is a loan write-off and why do banks do it?

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:
4. With reference to the governance of public sector banking in India, consider the following statements: (2018)
1. Capital infusion into public sector banks by the Government of India has steadily increased in the last decade.
2. To put the public sector banks in order, the merger of associate banks with the parent State Bank of India has been affected.
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

5. Which of the following statements best describes the term ‘Scheme for Sustainable Structuring of Stressed Assets (S4A)’, recently seen in the news? (2017)
(a) It is a procedure for considering ecological costs of developmental schemes formulated by the Government.
(b) It is a scheme of RBI for reworking the financial structure of big corporate entities facing genuine difficulties.
(c) It is a disinvestment plan of the Government regarding Central Public Sector Undertakings.
(d) It is an important provision in ‘The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code’ recently implemented by the Government.

EXPLAINED

IDIOPATHIC PULMONARY FIBROSIS(IPF), WHICH LED TO ZAKIR HUSSAIN’S DEATH

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: General Science.

Mains Examination: General Studies II: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

What’s the ongoing story: As Zakir Hussain, tabla maestro and five-time Grammy Award winner, passed away on Sunday in San Francisco due to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), there are concerns as to how this happens and the age group vulnerable to it.

Key Points to Ponder:

• What is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)?

• Why does scarring happen in IPF?

• What are symptoms?

• How is IPF diagnosed?

Key Takeaways:

• According to Dr Deepak Bhasin, Senior Director, Pulmonology, Critical Care, Max Hospital, Mohali, “idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive lung disease characterised by scarring (fibrosis) of the lung tissue, leading to irreversible loss of lung function. The exact cause of IPF is unknown, so it is termed idiopathic.”

• This scarring thickens and stiffens the lungs, reducing their ability to expand and take in oxygen. “Unlike many lung conditions, IPF specifically targets the interstitium, the tissue surrounding the air sacs (alveoli), making it harder for oxygen to move into the bloodstream. Over time, this leads to persistent breathlessness, fatigue, and reduced quality of life,” adds Dr Mahavir Modi, pulmonologist and sleep specialist, Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune.

• The exact cause of the initial injury to lung tissue is unknown, which is why it is called “idiopathic” (meaning without a clear origin). “However, the body’s healing process plays a critical role in scarring.

• When the lungs experience injury — due to environmental factors like dust, smoke, or infections, or possibly even from autoimmune responses — the body attempts to repair the damaged tissue. In a healthy response, this repair is controlled and temporary. However, in IPF, this repair process becomes dysregulated, and the body overproduces collagen and other fibrous materials.

• Fibrosis causes the lungs to stiffen, making breathing harder. “Symptoms include shortness of breath (dyspnea), dry cough, fatigue, and weight loss. Over time, oxygen levels in the blood drop, causing complications such as pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, or respiratory failure,” says Dr Bhasin.

Do You Know:

• There is no specific treatment for IPF, says Dr Deepak Bhasin, Senior Director, Pulmonology, Critical Care, Max Hospital, Mohali. However, there are medications available that slow down the fibrosis, he says. “The rate of progression of the disease is not predictable as it varies from person to person. Depending on how much the disease has progressed, patients may need supplemental oxygen. Some patients, who are eligible, may be recommended for a lung transplant. For others, pulmonary rehabilitation (exercises to help make breathing easier during day-today-activities) are crucial,” he says. Treatment for gastro-oesophageal reflux may also be prescribed. At present, estimates indicate that the five-year survival for patients of IPF is between 50 and 60%, he adds.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Ustad Zakir Hussain passes away from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis at 73: know all about the respiratory condition

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:
6. With reference to Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), consider the following statements:
1. IPF is a chronic respiratory condition characterized by scarring of lung tissue.
2. The exact cause of IPF is well known and linked to bacterial infections.
3. Common symptoms include shortness of breath and persistent dry cough.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a.)1 and 2 only
b.) 1 and 3 only
c.) 2 and 3 only
d.) 1, 2, and 3

In Constituent Assembly, Ambedkar & Munshi’s views on UCC

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance

Main Examination: 

• General Studies II: Indian Constitution—significant provisions etc.

• General Studies II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

What’s the ongoing story: Prime Minister Narendra Modi renewed his pitch for a nationwide Uniform Civil Code (UCC) on Saturday (December 14), recalling the views of veteran leaders Dr BR Ambedkar and KM Munshi on the matter.
Key Points to Ponder:

• What KM Munshi said on UCC

• What Ambedkar said on UCC

• What happened at the end of the debate?

• Article 44 of the Indian Constitution and Uniform Civil Code-What is the ongoing debate?

• What is Article 44 of Indian Constitution i.e. Uniform Civil Code?

• What is Directive principles of State Policy (DPSP)?

• Difference Between Fundamental Rights and Directive principles of State Policy

• ‘Reform of Family Law’ report by 21st Law Commission of India on Article 44-Know in detail

• Issues and Controversy with Uniform Civil Code and Why it has not been Implemented even after seven decades of Independence?

• Know how the government’s stance on a uniform civil code (UCC) has evolved between the year 1991 to 2024?

• What are arguments for implementing Uniform Civil Code in India?

• What are arguments against implementing Uniform Civil Code in India?

• What constitutional experts saying in this regard?

Key Takeaways:

• During a discussion in Lok Sabha on the “Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India”, Modi said, “The Constituent Assembly engaged in a long and deep discussion on the UCC. They decided that it would be good for the future elected government to… implement the UCC in the country. That is what they directed… Babasaheb Ambedkar greatly advocated for ending religion-based personal laws.”

• He added: “(Congress leader) KM Munshi described the UCC as being integral for national unity and modernisation.” The PM said that keeping in mind the sentiments of the people who drafted the Constitution, the government was exerting its full force to have a “secular civil code”.

• UCC refers to the idea of a common set of laws governing personal matters (succession, marriage, etc.), instead of the current system, where different religious communities in India come under different sets of personal laws. It has been debated since the inception of the Indian Constitution.

Do You Know:

• The debate in the Constituent Assembly on November 23, 1948, focused on a draft Article on the UCC, to be included in the “Directive Principles of State Policy”. This section included the broad ideas that the state ought to incorporate in policymaking, though it would not be legally bound to abide by them.
Draft Article 35 said, “The State shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India” and was put to vote.

• During the debate, Munshi supported having a UCC and countered its criticism, about it being “tyrannical” to minorities. “Is it tyrannical? Nowhere in advanced Muslim countries the personal law of each minority has been recognised as so sacrosanct as to prevent the enactment of a Civil Code.”

• He also addressed the Hindus, saying, “I know there are many among Hindus who do not like a uniform Civil Code, because they take the same view as the honourable Muslim Members who spoke last. They feel that the personal law of inheritance, succession etc. is really a part of their religion. If that were so, you can never give, for instance, equality to women.

• Munshi also linked UCC with national unity. “There is one important consideration which we have to bear in mind – and I want my Muslim friends to realise this – that the sooner we forget this isolationist outlook on life, it will be better for the country. Religion must be restricted to spheres which legitimately appertain to religion, and the rest of life must be regulated, unified and modified in such a manner that we may evolve, as early as possible a strong and consolidated nation…

• Ambedkar said during this debate that he would not discuss the merits or demerits of India having a UCC, but advocated for Article 35.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Explained: After CJI’s remarks on Uniform Civil Code, a look at its status, debate around it

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:
7. Consider the following provisions under the Directive Principles of State Policy as enshrined in the Constitution of India: (2012)
1. Securing for citizens of India a uniform civil code
2. Organising village Panchayats
3. Promoting cottage industries in rural areas
4. Securing for all the workers reasonable leisure and cultural opportunities
Which of the above are the Gandhian Principles that are reflected in the Directive Principles of State Policy?
(a) 1, 2 and 4 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:
📍Discuss the possible factors that inhibit India from enacting for its citizens a uniform civil code as provided for in the Directive Principles of State Policy. (2015)

Religion and reservation

Syllabus:

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

Mains Examination: 

• General Studies I: Social empowerment

• General Studies II: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections
What’s the ongoing story: The recognition of a religious community, such as Muslims, as OBC beneficiaries based on religion has led to contentious debates. Whether Scheduled Caste religious converts are eligible for reservation is another issue that has been challenged in court.

Key Points to Ponder:

• What is reservation under the Indian Constitution?

• What do you understand by affirmative action?

• Religion as criteria for OBC reservations-What Supreme Court said?

• Is religious conversion part of Article 25 of the Indian Constitution?

• Discuss the constitutional implications of religious conversions undertaken solely for availing reservation benefits. How has the Supreme Court addressed this issue in its judgments?

• Know the Landmark Judgements of Supreme Court and High Courts on Conversion

• What Supreme Court of India, said in the Lily Thomas and Sarla Mudgal cases regarding religious conversion?

• Examine the role of the judiciary in balancing the right to freedom of religion with the need to prevent fraudulent practices in religious conversions. Illustrate your answer with relevant Supreme Court judgments.

• Analyse the ethical and constitutional challenges posed by individuals converting to another religion solely to avail reservation benefits. How has the judiciary responded to such practices?

Key Takeaways:

• On Monday (December 9), the Supreme Court orally observed that “Reservation cannot be on the basis of religion”. Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan were hearing a challenge to the Calcutta High Court’s decision in May to strike down reservations granted to 77 classes — predominantly from the Muslim community — within the quota for Other Backward Classes (OBC).

• Weeks earlier, on November 26, the Supreme Court refused to recognise the Scheduled Caste (SC) status of a woman after holding that she and her family had converted to Christianity.

• The Supreme Court is also currently considering whether OBC reservations can be provided to a religious group as a whole. In 2005, the Andhra Pradesh government introduced a law to provide 5% reservations to Muslims within the OBC quota that was subsequently struck down by the AP High Court that same year.

• Similar to the Calcutta HC ruling, the court held that the government did not use “objective criteria” to label Muslims as a whole as a backward class. Though the SC stated it would hear the case after deciding the challenge to reservations for Economically Weaker Sections, which it did on November 7, 2022, there has been no movement on the matter.

Do You Know:

• Article 25(1) of the Constitution guarantees the “freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practise and propagate religion”. It is a right that guarantees a negative liberty — which means that the state shall ensure that there is no interference or obstacle to exercise this freedom. However, like all fundamental rights, the state can restrict the right for grounds of public order, decency, morality, health and other state interests.
—Over the years, the Supreme Court has evolved a practical test of sorts to determine what religious practices can be constitutionally protected and what can be ignored. In 1954, the Supreme Court held in the Shirur Mutt case that the term “religion” will cover all rituals and practices “integral” to a religion. The test to determine what is integral is termed the “essential religious practices” test.

• Article 16(4) of the Constitution gives states the power to provide reservations “in favour of any backward class of citizens which, in the opinion of the State, is not adequately represented in the services under the State”.

• Reservations for Muslims in Karnataka were provided after the Third Backward Classes Commission of the state, chaired by Justice O. Chinnappa Reddy, submitted its report in 1990. The commission found that Muslims “as a whole” could be considered a socially and economically backward class.

• The Justice Rajender Sachar Committee in 2006 — mandated by the Centre to draft a report on the social, economic, and educational status of Muslims — found that the representation of Muslim OBCs was “abysmally low” in Central Government departments and agencies, suggesting the “benefits of entitlements meant for the backward classes are yet to reach them”.

• The Supreme Court’s landmark judgment in Indra Sawhney v Union of India (1992) added a new dimension to the issue. The court stated that the purpose of OBC reservations was to address historical discrimination faced by different groups, and that “No class of citizens can be classified as backward solely by reason of religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth, residence or any of them”. Essentially, the court held that religion and other group identities were relevant, but could not be the sole criteria to provide reservation within the OBC quota.

• Article 341(1) of the Constitution gives the President the power to “specify the castes, races or tribes or parts of or groups within castes, races or tribes which shall for the purposes of this Constitution be deemed to be Scheduled Castes”. Shortly after the Constitution came into force, the President issued The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 (Scheduled Castes order) which contains a list of Scheduled Caste communities in each state.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Conversion only for reservation, without ‘actual belief’, a fraud on Constitution: Supreme Court

Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:
📍Whether National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) can enforce the implementation of constitutional reservation for the Scheduled Castes in the religious minority institutions? Examine. (UPSC CSE, GS2, 2018)

PRELIMS ANSWER KEY

1. (a)  2. (b) 3. (b) 4. (b) 5. (b) 6.(b) 7.(b)

 

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