DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam –1st September 2023

Syllabus

• Prelims –Environment and Ecology

Context: In India, 172 incidents of seizures of red sand boa were recorded from 2016 to 2021 as per the recent report.

Key Highlights of the report:-

• Incidents of illegal sand boa trade were documented in 18 States and one Union Territory covering 87 districts across India; the highest number was recorded in Maharashtra (59) followed by Uttar Pradesh (33).
• The study also highlights the role of social media in the illegal trade of the species.
• The report also suggested that local and international conservation organizations should conduct formative research to better understand the situation of the illegal reptile trade and demand.

About Red sand boa:-

• Scientific Name: Eryx johnii.
• Family: Boidae.
• Habitat: arid and semi-arid regions.
• Distribution: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and parts of Bangladesh.
• The Red Sand Boa is a rare non-poisonous snake.
• It is a non-venomous snake
• It is predominantly nocturnal.
  • Nocturnal: most active during the night.
• It is Ovoviviparous.
  • Ovoviviparous: They produce young ones by means of eggs which are hatched within the body of the parent.

Ecological importance:-

• Like other snake species, the Red Sand Boa also plays a significant role in the ecosystem by maintaining a healthy population between prey and predator. ( Species in news: Gharials)

Application:-

• It has applications in medicine, cosmetics, and even black magic, making it highly valued in the global market. (Wildlife Protection)

Conservation Status:-

• IUCN: Near Threatened.
• CITES: Appendix II.
• Wildlife Protection Act of 1972: Schedule IV.

MUST READ: Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI)

SOURCE: THE HINDU

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Which one of the following makes a tool with a stick to scrape insects from a hole in a tree or a log of wood? (2023)

1. Fishing cat
2. Orangutan
3. Otter
4. Sloth bear

Q.2) Which of the following is not a bird? (2022)

1. Golden Mahseer
2. Indian Nightjar
3. Spoonbill
4. White Ibis

Syllabus

• Prelims – Government Schemes

Context: As per recent reports, the Government will celebrate the sixth Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2023 in September.

Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2023:-

• Objective: to comprehensively tackle malnutrition through a life-cycle approach.
• The focal point of Poshan Maah 2023 is to cultivate widespread awareness concerning critical human life stages comprising pregnancy, infancy, childhood, and adolescence.
• The aim of this celebration is to foster nutritional understanding across India.
• Theme: “Suposhit Bharat, Sakshar Bharat, Sashakt Bharat” (Nutrition-rich India, Educated India, Empowered India).

About POSHAN:-

• Launched: 2018.
• Ministry: Ministry of Women and Child Development.
• Vision: to ensure the attainment of Malnutrition Free India by 2022.

Historical Background:-

• The Government launched the POSHAN Abhiyaan, earlier known as the National Nutrition Mission, on March 08, 2018.
• Objective: to address the problem of malnutrition in the country.

Salient Features of POSHAN:-

• POSHAN Abhiyaan is the Government of India’s flagship programme to improve nutritional outcomes for children, adolescent Girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.
• The Abhiyaan targets to reduce:-
  • Stunting by 2% per annum
  • Undernutrition by 2% per annum
  • Anemia (among young children, women, and adolescent girls) by 3% per annum
  • Low birth weight by 2% per annum
• It is a Multi-Ministerial Convergence Mission.
• It aims to reduce malnutrition in the country in a phased manner through a life cycle approach.
• Under the POSHAN Abhiyaan, ‘Rashtriya Poshan Maah’ is celebrated each year in September with the aim of creating awareness about nutrition and healthy food. (POSHAN Maah)

Mission Poshan 2.0:-

• Mission Poshan 2.0, an integrated nutrition support programme, subsumed the Supplementary Nutrition Programme and POSHAN Abhiyaan.
• It was announced in the Union Budget 2021-2022 for all States/UTs.
• Objective: to strengthen nutritional content, delivery, outreach, and outcomes with a focus on developing practices that nurture health, wellness, and immunity to disease and malnutrition. (PM Poshan Shakti Nirman Scheme)

Targets of Poshan 2.0:-

• Nutrition Support for POSHAN through the Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) for children of the age group of six months to six years, pregnant women and lactating mothers (PWLM), and Adolescent Girls in the age group of 14 to 18 years in Aspirational

Districts and North Eastern Region (NER).

• Early Childhood Care and Education [3-6 years] and early stimulation for (0-3 years).
• Anganwadi Infrastructure including modern, upgraded Saksham Anganwadi POSHAN Abhiyaan.
• Poshan 2.0 also focuses on Maternal Nutrition, Infant and Young Child Feeding Norms, Treatment Protocols for Severely Acute Malnourished (SAM) / Moderately Acute Malnourished (MAM) and wellness through AYUSH practices to reduce wasting and under-weight prevalence besides stunting and anaemia.

MUST READ: Year End Review-2022: Ministry of Women and Child Development

SOURCE: AIR

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Which of the following is/are the aim/aims of the “Digital India” Plan of the Government of India? (2018)

1. Formation of India’s own Internet companies like China did.
2. Establish a policy framework to encourage overseas multinational corporations that collect Big Data to build their large data centres within our national geographical boundaries.
3. Connect many of our villages to the Internet and bring Wi-Fi to many of our schools, public places, and major tourist centres.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 3 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Q.2) Regarding Digi Locker’, sometimes seen in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2016)

1. It is a digital locker system offered by the Government under the Digital India Programme.
2. It allows you to access your e-documents irrespective of your physical location.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Syllabus

• Prelims –Economy

Context: The invoice incentive scheme – Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar scheme began recently.

About Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar:-

IMAGE SOURCE: PIB

• Launched: 1st September, 2023.
• Ministry: Ministry of Finance.
• Objective: to bring a cultural and behavioural change in the general public to ‘Ask for a Bill’ as their right and entitlement.
• Duration: This Pilot Scheme will run for a period of 12 months.

Salient Features of Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar:-

• This scheme is a Goods and Services Tax (GST) invoice incentive programme that offers cash incentives for uploading invoices.
  • Invoice: a commercial document that itemizes and records a transaction between a seller and a buyer.
• It will initially be launched as a pilot in the States of Assam, Gujarat & Haryana, and UTs of Puducherry, Dadra Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
• A monthly and quarterly draw of lots will be made, and winners will be eligible for cash reward prizes beginning from Rs 10,000 to up to Rs 1 crore.
• Eligibility: –
  • All residents of India will be eligible to participate in this Scheme irrespective of their State/UT.
  • The invoice uploaded on the app should have the GSTIN of the seller, invoice number, amount paid, and tax amount. ( GST Council)
• Minimum value of invoices: to be considered for a lucky draw is 200.
• Maximum value for invoices: A maximum of 25 invoices can be uploaded by an individual on the App/web portal in a month to be considered for the lucky draw.
• Mobile Application: Invoices can be uploaded on the Mobile Application ‘Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar’.
  • It is available on IOS and Android as well as on the web portal ‘web.merabill.gst.gov.in’.
• Acknowledgement Reference Number (ARN): will be generated for each uploaded invoice, which will be used for the draw of prizes.

Prizes:-

• In this scheme, the government will select 800 people every month, who will get a reward of ten thousand rupees.
• In Bumper Draw, which will held quarterly, two people will get a reward of one crore rupees.
• Selection of Winner: Winning invoices will be picked by a method of random draw at regular intervals (monthly/quarterly).

Benefits of Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar:-

• It will help simplify the tax system of the country and end Inspector Raj.
• It will reduce the tax burden on the citizens.

MUST READ: GST Compensation

SOURCE: AIR

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Which of the following situations best reflects “Indirect Transfers” often talked about in media recently with reference to India? (2022)

1. An Indian company investing in a foreign enterprise and paying taxes to the foreign country on the profits arising out of its investment
2. A foreign company investing in India and paying taxes to the country based on the profits arising out of its investment
3. An Indian company purchases tangible assets in a foreign country and sells such assets after their value increases and transfers the proceeds to India
4. A foreign company transfers shares and such shares derive their substantial value from assets located in India

Q.2) What is/are the most likely advantages of implementing ‘Goods and Services Tax (GST)’? (2017)

1. It will replace multiple taxes collected by multiple authorities and will thus create a single market in India.
2. It will drastically reduce the ‘Current Account Deficit’ of India and will enable it to increase its foreign exchange reserves.
3. It will enormously increase the growth and size of the economy of India and will enable it to overtake China in the near future.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Syllabus

• Prelims –Science and Technology

Context: Pakistani actress Mahira Khan recently revealed that she was suffering from bipolar disorder.

About Bipolar disorder:-

IMAGE SOURCE: findatopdoc.com

• It is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression).
• The symptoms of the condition can cause unpredictable changes in mood and behavior, resulting in significant distress and difficulty in life. (Mental Health)

Types of Bipolar Disorder:-

There are several types of bipolar and related disorders.

Bipolar I disorder:-

• One has had at least one manic episode that may be preceded or followed by hypomanic or major depressive episodes.

Bipolar II disorder:-

• One has had at least one major depressive episode and at least one hypomanic episode, but never had a manic episode.

Cyclothymic disorder:-

• One has had at least two years or one year in children and teenagers of many periods of hypomania symptoms and periods of depressive symptoms (though less severe than major depression).

Other types:-

• These include, bipolar and related disorders induced by certain drugs or alcohol or due to a medical condition

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder:-

Symptoms of mania (“the highs”):-

• Excessive happiness, hopefulness, and excitement
• Sudden changes from being joyful to being irritable, angry, and hostile
• Restlessness
• Rapid speech and poor concentration
• Increased energy and less need for sleep
• Unusually high sex drive
• Making grand and unrealistic plans
• Showing poor judgment

Symptoms During depressive periods (“the lows”):-

• Sadness
• Loss of energy
• Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
• Not enjoying things they once liked
• Trouble concentrating
• Forgetfulness
• Talking slowly
• Less of a sex drive
• Inability to feel pleasure
• Uncontrollable crying
• Trouble making decisions
• Irritability

Treatment:-

• Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, but one can manage your mood swings and other symptoms by following a treatment plan.
• In most cases, bipolar disorder is treated with medications and psychological counseling (psychotherapy). (Deep Brain Stimulation)

MUST READ: Address Stigma and Discrimination in Mental Health

SOURCE: DOWN TO EARTH

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Which one of the following statements best describes the role of B cells and T cells in the human body? (2022)

1. They protect the environmental allergens. body
2. They alleviate the body’s pain and inflammation.
3. They act as immunosuppressants in the body.
4. They protect the body from diseases caused by pathogens.

Q.2) In the context of hereditary diseases, consider the following statements: (2021)

1. Passing on mitochondrial diseases from parent to child can be prevented by mitochondrial replacement therapy either before or after in vitro fertilization of the egg.
2. A child inherits mitochondrial diseases entirely from the mother and not from the father.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Syllabus

• Prelims –Environment and Ecology

Context: According to a joint assessment by UNESCO and IUCN done recently, Protecting the UNESCO World Heritage sites can help conserve biodiversity.

Background:-

• UNESCO World Heritage sites are home to 75,000 species of plants, and over 30,000 species of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians — a fifth of all the species mapped globally.

About UNESCO World Heritage sites:-

• A World Heritage site is classified as a natural or man-made area or a structure that is of international importance.
• It is a space that requires special protection.
• These sites are officially recognized by the UN and the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
• The list is:-
  • Maintained by: the International World Heritage Programme.
  • Administered by: the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.
  • It is composed of 21 UNESCO member states which are elected by the General Assembly.
• Each World Heritage Site remains part of the legal territory of the state wherein the site is located and UNESCO considers it in the interest of the international community to preserve each site.
• Eligibility: To be selected, a World Heritage Site must be an already classified landmark, unique in some respect as a geographically and historically identifiable place having special cultural or physical significance.
• Significance: The sites classified as World Heritage are important for humanity, and they hold cultural and physical significance.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India:-

• The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is the nodal agency for forwarding any request for World Heritage status to any Indian site whether cultural or natural.
• India currently has 40World Heritage Sites:-
  • 32 cultural (UNESCO Heritage Sites in Maharashtra)
  • 7 natural sites and
  • One mixed site.

MUST READ: World Heritage Sites Under Threat

SOURCE: DOWN TO EARTH

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following statements: (2022)

1. The Climate Group is an international non-profit organization that drives climate action by building large networks and running them.
2. The International Energy Agency in partnership with the Climate Group launched a global initiative “EP100”.
3. EP100 brings together leading companies committed to driving innovation in energy efficiency and increasing competitiveness while delivering on emission reduction goals.
4. Some Indian companies are members of EP100.
5. The International Energy Agency is the Secretariat to the “Under2 Coalition”.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1,2, 4 and 5
2. 1,3 and 4 only
3. 2,3 and 5 only
4. 1,2, 3, 4 and 5

Q.2) Climate Action Tracker” which monitors the emission reduction pledges of different countries is a : (2022)

1. Database created by a coalition of research organizations
2. Wing of “International Panel of Climate Change”
3. Committee under “United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change”
4. Agency promoted and financed by the United Nations Environment Programme and World Bank

Syllabus

• Prelims – Environmental and Ecology

Context: Recently, the Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary in Assam turned in to a forest island after having lost connectivity with surrounding forest patches.

About Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary:-

• Location: Jorhat district of Assam.
• The Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary was renamed in
• It was formerly known as the Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary or Hollongapar Reserve Forest.
• It is an isolated protected area of evergreen forest.

Vegetation:-

• The upper canopy of the forest is dominated by the Hollong tree, while the Nahar dominates the middle canopy.
• The lower canopy consists of evergreen shrubs and herbs.

Fauna:-

• The sanctuary has a rich biodiversity and is home to the only apes in India, the western Hoolock, as well as the only nocturnal primate found in the northeast Indian states, the Bengal slow loris.
• Other animals: Stump-tailed macaque, northern pig-tailed macaque, eastern Assamese macaque, rhesus macaque, capped langur, etc.

About Hoolock Gibbon:-

• It is the only ape found in India.
• It is native to eastern Bangladesh, Northeast India, Myanmar, and Southwest China.
• Like all apes, they are extremely intelligent, with distinct personalities and strong family bonds.
• It is categorized into Western Hoolock Gibbon and Eastern Hoolock Gibbon.

Western Hoolock Gibbon:-

• It is found in all the states of the northeast, restricted between the south of the Brahmaputra River and east of the Dibang River.
• Conservation Status:-
• IUCN Red List: Endangered

Eastern Hoolock gibbon:-

• It inhabits specific pockets of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in India, and southern China, and northeast Myanmar.
• Conservation Status:-
  • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable

MUST READ: Kaziranga National Park

SOURCE: THE HINDU

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Recently, there was a proposal to translocate some of the lions from their natural habitat in Gujarat to one of the following sites (2017)

1. Corbett National Park
2. Kuno Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary
3. Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
4. Sariska National Park

Q.2) What is/are unique about ‘Kharai Camel’, a breed found in India? (2016)

1. It is capable of swimming up to three kilometers in seawater
2. It survives by grazing on mangroves
3. It lives in the wild and cannot be domesticated

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Syllabus

• Mains – GS 2 (Governance) and GS 4 (Ethics)

Context: Recently, the National Medical Commission (NMC) Registered Medical Practitioner (Professional Conduct) regulations, 2023 were suspended, making it mandatory for doctors to only prescribe generic drugs.

Provisions of the new guidelines on professional conduct:

• Right to refuse treatment: Doctors have the right to refuse treatment to patients and their relatives who exhibit abusive, unruly, or violent behavior.
  • Allowed to deny treatment to patients who cannot afford it, except in cases of medical emergencies.
  • Discrimination based on factors such as gender, race, religion, caste, or social status is strictly prohibited.
• Prescription and medication guidelines: Doctors are required to write prescriptions in clear and legible capital letters.
  • Encouraged to prescribe generic medicines, promote the judicious use of fixed-dose combinations, and educate patients about the equivalence of generic and branded medicines.
• Social media usage: Doctors are allowed to share accurate and verifiable information on social media platforms, but they must avoid disseminating misleading or false content.
  • Prohibited from discussing patient-specific treatment details, sharing patient scans, or endorsing patient testimonials.
• Conference participation guidelines: CPD sessions and conferences must not be sponsored by the pharmaceutical industry to ensure unbiased and evidence-based education.
  • They are advised to refrain from participating in third-party educational activities that are sponsored by pharmaceutical companies.
  • Acceptance of gifts, hospitality, cash, or grants from pharmaceutical companies is strictly prohibited.
• Continuous Professional Development (CPD): Medical professionals are required to engage in ongoing learning activities throughout their active years to stay updated with the latest medical advancements and practices.
  • They are mandated to earn a minimum of 30 credit points in their relevant fields every five years as part of their CPD requirements.
• Other guidelines: Doctors are prohibited from soliciting patients directly or indirectly through social media platforms.
  • They are also prohibited from practicing medicine while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Issues with NMC guidelines:

• One of the main concerns raised by doctors is the quality and efficacy of generic drugs available in India.
  • They claim that there is a lack of standardization and regulation of generic drugs and that many of them are substandard, spurious, or counterfeit.
• According to IMA less than 0.1% of the drugs manufactured in India are tested for quality.
  • Doctors argue that prescribing generic drugs without ensuring their quality and safety could compromise patient care and outcomes, and expose them to legal and ethical risks.
• Dedication and the duty of care: Dedication is the sense of deep rooted commitment to devote oneself to a cause.
  • This includes a duty to provide care to those in need, regardless of their financial status.
• In India, out-of-pocket health expenditure accounts for more than half of total health expenditure pushing many households into poverty.
  • This shows the dire need for empathy and compassion towards those in need.
• Justice and Equity: The principle of justice requires that healthcare be distributed fairly and equitably.
  • Denying treatment to a patient solely based on their inability to pay could be seen as unjust, perpetuating disparities in healthcare access.
• Hippocratic oath: Physicians pledge to do what is in the best interest of their patients and to avoid causing harm.
  • Physicians promise to treat all patients fairly, regardless of their background, and to provide care to the best of their abilities without bias.
• Unholy nexuses: Many doctors form nexuses with drugmakers to prescribe specific drugs from their brand instead of generic drugs leads to considerable rise in treatment costs for patients.
  • For example, freebies given to doctors including travel expenses, gifts etc. by drugmakers is a common practice.
• Compassion: It is the desire to end someone’s suffering which forms the core principle of a medical practitioner.
  • Refusing treatment to individuals on certain grounds could lead to the possibility of crisis of conscience among several practitioners.
• Loss of trust and credibility: The medical profession relies on public trust, and denying treatment to those in need could erode that trust and damage the reputation of the medical community.
• Responsibility: Some argue that healthcare professionals have a broader social responsibility to address systemic issues in healthcare, including affordability and access.
  • Refusing treatment might be seen as abdicating this responsibility.
• Undermining Right to Life: Providing a legal caveat for the registered physicians to refuse treatment is against the fundamental right guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Suggestive measures:

• Persuasion: Influencing patients to follow prescribed norms for behaviour and ensuring smooth functioning.
  • For example, during COVID-19 pandemic, voice messages were circulated using caller tune to make people aware of the importance of vaccination and prevent attacks on health workers.
• Enhancing affordability: Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) is a scheme that aims to provide quality generic medicines at affordable prices through dedicated Jan Aushadhi stores.
• Emotional Intelligence: Equipping and training medical personnel with necessary skills so that they can manage their emotions and try to avoid escalation of situation and providing practical solutions to the given problems.
• Regulatory framework: Strengthening the regulation of drug prices and ensuring the quality of generic medicines can build trust among patients.
  • The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) is responsible for regulating the prices of pharmaceutical products in India.
• Transparent Approaches: Consider alternative approaches before refusing treatment. This might involve social workers, mental health professionals, or conflict resolution experts to address the underlying issues contributing to the unruly behaviour.
  • For example, Doctors in San Diego (USA) refer patients to low-cost family health centers that provide caring, affordable, high-quality health care and supportive services to everyone.
• Consent: Communicating the decision clearly to the patient, and explaining the reasons behind it thus ensuring that the patient understands the potential consequences of their behaviour on their health and the doctor-patient relationship.
• Offering Continuity of Care: If possible, provide recommendations for alternative sources of care, whether within your healthcare institution or elsewhere. Ensure the patient’s ongoing health needs are addressed.

Way Forward:

Therefore, it is important to approach each situation with sensitivity, professionalism, and a commitment to upholding the well-being of patients, healthcare staff, and the broader community. Consulting with colleagues, supervisors, and ethics committees can provide valuable guidance in making these difficult decisions.

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus

• Mains – GS 2 (Governance)

Context: There is a shift in Central govt’s policy towards minority education in the past few years.

About Religious minorities in India:

• India is home to over 30 crore (20%) people from religious minority communities.
  • These include six religions notified under Section 2(c) of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992.
• As per the Census 2011, the percentage of minorities in the country is about 3% of the total population of the country.
  • The population of Muslims is 14.2%; Christians 2.3%; Sikhs 1.7%, Buddhists 0.7%, Jain 0.4% and Parsis 0.006%.
• The Constitution of India does not define the term minority.
• Article 29(1) of the Indian Constitution calls for the Protection of interests of minorities.
  • Any section of the citizens residing in the territory of India or any part thereof having a distinct language, script or culture of its own shall have the right to conserve the same.
• Article 30(1) grants Right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions.
  • All minorities, whether based on religion or language, shall have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.
• Article 350-B: Originally, the Constitution of India did not make any provision with respect to the Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities.
  • But, the Seventh Constitutional Amendment Act of 1956 inserted Article 350-B in the Constitution.
• Parliamentary Provisions: National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992 defines a minority as “a community notified as such by the Central government.’

Budgetary allocation for minorities:

• The Central govt slashed the budgetary allocation for the Ministry of Minority Affairs by 38.3%, a drop from Rs 5,020.5 crore in 2022-23 to Rs 3,097 crore in 2023-24.
  • Notably, the 2022-23 estimates were revised to Rs 2,612.66 crore, indicating an under-utilisation of nearly 48% of funds.
• The shift in policy came despite a significant drop in beneficiaries (7%) between 2019 and 2022, even as funds remained underutilised.
  • During the period, the government spending on six educational schemes for religious minorities dropped by around 12.5%.
• For instance, the pre-matric scholarship, which has benefitted the maximum number of minority students, the ministry spent Rs 43.95 crore out of the revised estimate of Rs 556 crore.
  • Similarly, Rs 29 crore was the actual expenditure on post-matric scholarship when the budget estimate was Rs 515 crore.
• A 2022 report by the Centre for Budget and Governance Accountability (CBGA) highlighted a “declining trend” in the share of the overall budget expenditure towards minorities.
  • Even the allocation of funds for the year 2022-23 was not in line with proportional representation of minorities.

Impacts of the policy:

• The restructuring of programmes, under-utilisation of funds, and reduced budgetary allocations have impacted the implementation and goals of educational schemes for minorities.
• As a result of all these factors, gaps in education and economic parameters are expected to widen.
  • There are other challenges in implementation as well, including poor coverage of beneficiaries and low unit costs.
• According to the experts, eliminating scholarships and limiting the scope of scholarships will negatively affect the community and affect their enrollment rates, which are already alarming.

Welfare schemes for the educational empowerment of minorities:

• Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme: to minority students from class 1 to 10 and ranged between Rs 1,000 and Rs 10,700 for each selected candidate. 30% of the scholarships were earmarked for girls.
• Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme: for students of class 11 and above (till Ph.D.), with a scholarship ranging between Rs 2,300 and Rs 15,000. Like the pre-matric, 30% of the post-matric scheme was also earmarked for girls.
• Merit-cum-Means based Scholarship Scheme: Launched in 2008, this scheme targeted professional and technical courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, with 30% earmarked for girl students. Eligible candidates are reimbursed full course fees,
• Maulana Azad National Fellowship
• Padho Pardesh: The scheme was launched to provide better opportunities for higher education abroad, providing an interest subsidy on education loans for overseas studies to students belonging to economically weaker sections of minority communities.
• Naya Savera: To provide free coaching to minority students of classes 11-12 with science subjects for entrance to technical and professional courses and competitive examinations.
• Scheme for Providing Education to Madrasas and Minorities (SPEMM): Under it recognised madrasas receive financial assistance to introduce ‘modern’ subjects such as science, mathematics, social studies, Hindi and English in their curriculum.

Way Forward:

A recent yearbook by the Institute of Objective Students on the status of Muslim school dropouts estimated that dropout rates stand at 23.1% as compared to the national average rate of 18.96%. Therefore an affirmative action is the need of the hour to improve the socio-economic status of religious minorities, particularly Muslims, who continue to lag behind the rest of the population in several areas.

Source:The Hindu

Q1) Consider the following pairs:

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Q2) Consider the following statements

Statement-I:

Red sand boa is endemic to India.

Statement-II:

It is ovoviviparous.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
3. Statement-I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement II is correct

Q3) Consider the following statements

Statement-I:

The Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar Scheme will be launched on 1st September 2023.

Statement-II:

It is available only on Android currently.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
3. Statement-I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement II is correct

Mains Practice Questions

Q.1) Discuss the provisions of the Registered Medical Practitioner (Professional Conduct) Regulations, 2023 along with the challenges to the adoption of Generic Drugs in India. Suggest innovative measures to address them. (250 words)

Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!!

ANSWERS FOR ’ 1st September 2023 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – b

Q.2) – c

Q.3) – c