4th October 2024

Article: 4^th October, 2024

Topic: 5 New Classical Languages approved by Cabinet

Relevance: GS Paper: 1 – Culture

Source: Hindustan Times

Context

• Assamese, Bengali, Pali, Marathi, and Prakrit have been given the status of classical languages by the Union Cabinet, making eleven languages officially recognized as classical languages.
• The Centre’s Language Expert Committee’s eligibility requirements for classical languages were also updated by the Cabinet.
  
  

Classical Languages

• India had six classical languages — They are: Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia.
• Sanskrit in 2005, Tamil in 2004, Telugu in 2008, Kannada in 2008, Malayalam in 2013, and Odia in 2014 were all designated as classical languages.
• In the Constitution’s Eighth Schedule, every classical language is mentioned.

• Requirements: Its early writings and documented history must be extremely old, spanning between 1,500 and 2,000 years.
  – a corpus of historical writings or texts that successive generations of speaker’s value as a priceless legacy,
  – the existence of “knowledge texts,” particularly written works in prose, along with evidence from epigraphy and inscriptions, poetry, and other sources;
• these texts should be separated from modern literary forms.
  
  

Benefits:

• To encourage it, the Education Ministry offers a number of rewards, including two significant international awards given each year
• to distinguished scholars studying the mentioned languages,
• the establishment of a Center of Excellence for Studies in the classical language, and
• a request to the University Grants Commission to establish a minimum number of chairs in the classical language at the Central Universities.

Also Read Topics & Concepts:

Prelims Practice Questions

Q. Consider the following statements

1. Sanskrit is not included in the Indian Constitution’s Schedule Eight list of languages.
2. One of India’s classical languages is Sanskrit.

Which of the above statements are correct?

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

Ans: b

Explanation

Sanskrit is included in both schedule 8 and classical languages. Only six languages have been designated as India’s classical languages. Kannada, Malayalam, Odia, Sanskrit, Tamil, and Telugu are among them.

Mains Model Questions Q. What is the current criteria to declare a language as classical? Mention the benefits of the status.

Introduction:

Assamese, Bengali, Pali, Prakrit, Marathi are the five new languages that have been granted classical language status by the Union Cabinet.

Body:

The Classical Languages of India

• India had six classical languages before this decision: Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Sanskrit, and Odia.
• Sanskrit gained classical status in 2005, after Tamil did so first in 2004.
• The current standards used to designate a language as classical
  i) Antiquity: The language needs to have historical records dating back 1500–2000 years, or early texts.
  ii) Literary Heritage: The language ought to contain a corpus of antiquated works that have been valued as important cultural artifacts by successive generations of speakers.
  iii) Original Literary Tradition: Don’t plagiarize from another speech community; instead, create your own literary tradition.

iv) Distinctiveness: There may be a discontinuity between the classical language and its subsequent forms or offshoots, and the classical language and its literature should be distinct from the modern form.

The following languages have been designated as classical: Odia in 2014, Malayalam in 2013, Kannada in 2008, Telugu in 2008, Sanskrit in 2005, Tamil in 2004.


Advantages of Having Classical Language Status

i)Awards: Two significant international awards are given out each year to distinguished scholars of classical Indian languages.
ii) Centers of Excellence: A Center of Excellence for Classical Language Studies will be established.
iii) Academic Support: At the very least in the Central Universities, the University Grants Commission is asked to establish a specific number of Professional Chairs for the Classical Languages.Employment and Cultural Possibilities
1. It is anticipated that the addition of new classical languages will lead to job opportunities in academia, research, and related fields.
2. Jobs in publishing, translation, archiving, and digital media will also be created by the preservation and digitization of ancient texts.

Article: 4^th October, 2024

Topic: PM E-DRIVE Scheme

Relevance: GS Paper: 3 – Economy

Source: News on AIR

Context

• To encourage the quicker adoption of electric vehicles, the government has introduced the PM E-DRIVE Scheme.
  – Through the establishment of a charging infrastructure and the growth of the Indian EV manufacturing ecosystem.
  
  

About PM E-DRIVE Program

• The plan will go into effect on October 1, 2024, and run through March 31, 2026.
• The PM E-DRIVE program will incorporate the EMPS-2024 (Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme).

• Subsidy: The total incentive under the electric two-wheeler scheme will not surpass Rs 10,000 in the first year. The subsidy has been set at Rs 5,000 per kilowatt hour based on battery power.

• The benefit will not surpass Rs 5,000 overall, and in the second year, it will be cut in half by Rs 2,500 per kilowatt hour.
• A demand incentive of Rs 25,000 for three-wheelers, including e-rickshaws, will be offered in the first year. In the second year, the incentive will be cut in half to Rs 12,500.
• The benefit for cargo three-wheelers in the L5 category is Rs 25,000 for the second year and Rs 50,000 for the first.

• The Ministry of Heavy Industries is launching e-vouchers to allow electric vehicle purchasers to take advantage of the program’s demand incentives.
• There will only be one car permitted per Aadhaar. An electronic voucher will be created as soon as the car is sold.
• For OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) to be eligible to receive reimbursement for demand incentives under the program, they must sign an e-voucher.
• Electric Vehicles Public charging stations (EVPCS) are heavily encouraged by the program, which aims to allay range anxiety among EV purchasers.
• Selected cities with a high percentage of electric vehicle usage, as well as specific highways, will have these EVPCS installed.
  
  

What are Electric vehicles?

• An internal combustion engine, which produces power by burning a mixture of fuel and gases, is not used in an electric vehicle (EV). Instead, an electric motor powers an EV.
• As a result, it is thought that such a car could displace cars of the present generation and address issues like increasing pollution, global warming, the depletion of natural resources, etc.
  
  

The advantages of electric vehicles

• Energy Efficiency: A larger proportion of the energy from the grid is converted into vehicle movement by electric motors, which are substantially more efficient than internal combustion engines.
• Reduced Operating Costs: Compared to a comparable gasoline or diesel vehicle, an electric vehicle has substantially lower ongoing costs.
• Environmental Impact: Since EVs have no tailpipe emissions, they contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.
• Decreased Reliance on Fossil Fuels: By reducing reliance on exhaustible fossil fuels like gas and oil, EVs support energy independence and lessen a country’s susceptibility to changes in fuel prices and supply interruptions.
• Health Benefits: EVs can improve public health by lowering air pollution, which may lower the prevalence of respiratory ailments and other conditions linked to poor air quality.

India’s electric vehicle policy

• The goal of India’s electric vehicle policy is to support the industry’s steady expansion and reach the lofty goal of 30% of private automobiles, 70% of commercial vehicles, 40% of buses, and 80% of two- and three-wheelers having electric vehicle sales by 2030.
• National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP): In order to achieve national fuel security, the NEMMP was introduced in 2013 with the intention of encouraging hybrid and electric automobiles.

• FAME India Program: In order to encourage the production and uptake of EVs, the Faster Adoption and Manufacture of Electric Vehicles (FAME) India program was introduced in 2015.

• GST Reduction: To make electric vehicles (EVs) more accessible to consumers, the Indian government lowered the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on EVs from 12% to 5%.

• Battery Swapping Policy: The government is looking into the possibility of establishing battery swapping stations where EV owners can quickly exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones in order to address concerns about the infrastructure for battery charging and range limitations.

• In 2021, the PLI Scheme for National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Storage was introduced with the aim of improving India’s capacity to produce ACC through manufacturing.

Challenges

• High Initial Expense: In India, buying an electric car is more expensive up front than buying a car with an internal combustion engine.
• Limited Charging Infrastructure: In India, the lack of adequate charging infrastructure continues to be a major obstacle to the adoption of electric vehicles.
• Range Anxiety: The worry that a battery will discharge before arriving at a charging station.
• Consumer Education and Awareness: The advantages, features, and models of electric vehicles are not well known or understood by many Indian consumers.
• Socioeconomic Factors: The adoption of electric vehicles is influenced by socioeconomic factors such as consumer preferences, income levels, and infrastructure disparities across different regions of India.
  
  

Way Ahead:

• In order to meet the rising demand for lithium-ion batteries, especially in relation to electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy storage, India has been aggressively pursuing the acquisition of lithium resources.
• Telangana and other states want to be India’s center for EV manufacturing.
• Lithium deposits in regions like Jammu and Kashmir are another target for India’s exploitation.
• To solve environmental issues and lessen reliance on fossil fuels, the government has been encouraging the use of electric vehicles.

Also Read Topics & Concepts:

Prelims Practice Questions

Q. Consider the following statements

1. Operating an electric vehicle is far more expensive than operating a gasoline or diesel vehicle.
2. India’s efforts to develop its electric vehicle industry might not lessen the country’s reliance on imports.
3. Especially for long-distance travel, electric roads offer a potential solution to the limited range and lengthy charging times of electric vehicles.

Which of the above statements are correct?

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

Ans: b

Explanation

Compared to operating gasoline or diesel vehicles, electric vehicle maintenance is substantially less expensive.
Due to the reliance on lithium-ion batteries, India’s efforts to develop electric vehicles may not be able to lessen the country’s reliance on imports. Batteries made of lithium-ion are imported. Electric vehicles’ short range and lengthy charging times could be resolved by the construction of electric highways, particularly for long-distance driving.

Mains Model Questions Q. The auto industry is being positively disrupted by electric vehicles. What geographic considerations are involved in the establishment of electric vehicle manufacturing facilities in India?

Introduction:

Electric mobility is being promoted by the government as a way to combat pollution and climate change, improve energy security, and create jobs. Electric mobility can reduce energy demand by 64%, saving Rs 3.9 lakh crores, according to NITI Aayog. Globally, the percentage of electric vehicles is increasing. In Norway, for instance, over 80% of vehicles sold in 2022 were electric. To meet demand, there is an increase in investment in EV manufacturing.

Body:

Advantages of electric cars

• Reduced operating costs: Compared to a comparable gasoline or diesel vehicle, an electric vehicle has substantially lower operating costs. Utilizing electric vehicles
• Instead of utilizing fossil fuels like gasoline or diesel to charge their batteries, electric vehicles use electricity.
• Low maintenance costs: Compared to internal combustion vehicles, electric vehicles have a lot fewer moving parts, which results in extremely low maintenance costs.
• Zero Tailpipe Emissions: Since electric vehicles have no tailpipe emissions, driving one can help you lower your carbon footprint.
• Financial and tax advantages: Compared to gasoline or diesel vehicles, electric vehicle registration fees and road tax are lower.
  
  

Location-related factors for the manufacture of electric vehicles

• Raw Materials: To manufacture EVs, metals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel are needed. These minerals are imported by India. Places close to the port are therefore appropriate.
  – Mumbai and Kochi are two such cities.
• Market: Cities with daily driving distances of less than 100 km on average can offer a healthy market.
  – EVs, for example, can cover about 300 km on a single charge.
• Labor: A skilled and semi-skilled workforce is needed for EV manufacturing.
  – For example, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad are viable locations for EV manufacturing due to their large pools of skilled labor.
• Government Policies: In order to establish EV manufacturing facilities, subsidies and tax breaks are essential.
  – For example, many state governments are providing incentives to set up e-vehicle manufacturing units.
• Agglomeration effect: Developed industrial areas can provide labor, credit, and other reciprocal relationships.
  – For example, Delhi-Gurgaon area.
• R&D: New technologies are driven by R&D in the EV and battery industries.

Conclusion: India has a special chance to assume the lead in the EV industry, become a major global manufacturer, and establish itself as Aatma Nirbhar. To turn India into an EV hub, more money should be spent on research and development of hydrogen fuel cells and batteries, as well as more promotion of renewable energy.

Article: 4^th October, 2024

Topic: Caste bias, Segregation in prisons

Relevance: GS Paper: 2 – Polity

Source: The Hindu

Context

The Supreme Court ruled that discrimination against prisoners based on their caste is oppressive to their basic human dignity and individuality.

About

• The Supreme Court discovered that prison handbooks from over ten states—including West Bengal, Odisha, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Uttar Pradesh—contain clauses that legalize caste-based discrimination and forced labor in prisons.
• Prison regulations currently contain biases regarding the distribution of manual labor, the segregation of barracks, and the treatment of prisoners who belong to denotified tribes and repeat offenders differently.
• Prisoners are not assigned menial jobs because they are members of a particular caste that is not used to them.
• Thevars, Nadars, and Pallars were segregated in various areas of the Tamil Nadu’s Palayamkottai Central Jail which was one such instance of caste-based segregation of barracks.
• Even the Union government rates “habitual offenders,” who are primarily members of denotified tribes, differently in the Model Prisons and Correctional Services Act of 2023 and the Modern Prison Manual of 2016.

• These laws use caste and religion to determine who gets to cook and do kitchen chores in prisons. Prisons still grant privileges based on caste.
  
  

Principal Takeaways from the Ruling

• The SC cited the Constitution’s Article 15(1), which upholds the fundamental right to be free from discrimination.

• According to the SC, discrimination is at its worst when it occurs within the state itself against a citizen.
• The Supreme Court ruled that treating prisoners unfairly and allocating jobs based on caste amounted to untouchability, which is prohibited by Article 17 of the Constitution.
• The right against forced labor guaranteed by Article 23 of the Constitution is violated by oppressive practices and degrading labor.
• Prison manuals perpetuate discrimination based on colonial caste systems by portraying members of the denotified and nomadic tribes as “born criminals” and repeat offenders.
• The court ruled that all ambiguous allusions to “habitual offenders” in prison manuals that are not supported by statutes are unconstitutional.
• Also, it mandated that the board of visitors established under the central model prison manual and the district legal services authority work together to perform routine inspections in order to find instances of discriminatory practices that are still in place in jails.

Also Read Topics & Concepts:

Prelims Practice Questions

Q. Consider the following statements regarding Model Prisons Act, 2023

1. The Act suggests giving transgender inmates and women inmates separate accommodations.
2. As part of the reforming prison management, it offers scientific and technological interventions in prisons as well as video conferencing with the courts.
3. The Act contains a clause permitting prisoners to use mobile phones.

Which of the above statements are correct?

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

Ans: c

Explanation

The Act suggests giving transgender inmates and women inmates separate accommodations. As part of the reformation of prison administration, it offers scientific and technological interventions in prisons as well as video conferencing with the courts.
A provision of the Model Prisons Act allows for the punishment of both inmates and jail personnel for using forbidden items, such as cell phones, in jails.

Mains Model Questions Q. Indian prisons are a living example of the violation of human rights and require significant reform. Discuss.

Introduction:

The number of people arrested in 2021 increased by 7.7 lakh over 2020, according to data released by Prison Statistics India (PSI) 2021. In 2020, 1.39 crore persons were arrested; in 2021, 1.47 crore people were arrested.

Body:

India’s prisons face the following challenges:

• When a jurisdiction’s prison capacity is exceeded by the demand for space, a phenomenon known as prison overcrowding results.
• Prisons frequently experience staff corruption as well as guard corruption, which is a less severe version of the same problem.
• Inadequate living conditions are a result of prison overcrowding. Numerous prisons across the nation still have inadequate living conditions, unhygienic food, clothes, and living conditions.
• The Human Rights Watch report specifically mentions nations like India where there is a “rigid” class system in the jails.
• It says that regardless of the crimes they have committed, the small percentage of prisoners who are from the upper and middle classes receive special treatment under this system.
• Another ongoing issue in Indian prisons is the guards’ physical abuse of the inmates.

– In numerous Indian prison systems, unjustified beatings are a standard component of prison life.

– Moreover, female inmates in Indian jails are especially susceptible to sexual abuse during incarceration.

Actions:

• Reform the Criminal Justice System: A significant decrease in the number of people awaiting trial is necessary to alleviate prison overcrowding. Of course, cooperation between the police and the courts is necessary for this to occur.
• Enhance Living Conditions: Improving prison conditions does not imply softening prison life; rather, it calls for making it more reasonable and humane for inmates.
• Standardize Jail Manuals: It is imperative that the security measures for inmates outlined in jail manuals be adhered to scrupulously, and that qualified staff members be assigned to search for safety precautions.

Conclusion: An arrested person’s basic dignity must be maintained, and those who have been found guilty must be treated with respect. Article 21 of the Indian Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights both mention the protection of such dignity. Furthermore, despite all the talk, reforming jails will be challenging without appropriate prioritization and allocations, so more funding and space are required.

Article: 4^th October, 2024

Topic: Marital Rape

Relevance: GS Paper: 1 – Society

Source: Business Standard

Context

• The Union Government informed the Supreme Court that making non-consensual sexual acts in a marriage illegal under the term “rape” could cause a rift in marriages and undermine the institution of marriage.
  
  

Background

• In response to multiple lawsuits filed by the public seeking the repeal of Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 375, Exception 2, the Union government was taking legal action.
• The clause states that non-consensual sex between a husband and wife, provided the woman is over 15, is not considered “rape.”
  
  

Arguments in Favor of Making Marital Rape a Crime

• Getting married is not a permit: A husband should not be allowed to rape his wife forcibly and without consequence just because they are married.
• The Indian Constitution’s Article 21 grants a woman the right to refuse having sex with her husband because the right to bodily integrity and privacy is an intrinsic part of Article 21 of the Constitution.
• In the State of Karnataka v. Krishnappa case, the Supreme Court ruled that sexual violence is an illegal infringement on a woman’s right to privacy and her sanctity in addition to being a dehumanizing act.
• Indian women are entitled to equal treatment under Article 14 of the Constitution, which states that no one has the right to violate another person’s human rights, not even their spouse.
• Human Rights Perspective: International human rights conventions that promote the criminalization of all forms of sexual violence, including those that occur within marriage, include the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), to which India is a party.
• Global precedent: Marital rape has already been made illegal in many nations, which acknowledge it as a form of sexual violence.

Arguments Against Making Marital Rape a Crime

• Destabilize marriage as an institution: It has the potential to bring families to complete chaos and undermine marriage as an institution.
• Abuse of the law: It could be used as a simple means of harassing husbands in a manner akin to the increasing abuse of section 498A of the IPC, which deals with harassment of married women by their husbands and in-laws.
• Implementation problems: Making marital rape a crime will lead to problems with evidence in courts, the credibility of witnesses, etc.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs maintained that a woman’s ability to consent or not is unaffected by her marital status. The Indian Penal Code has additional laws in place to safeguard a woman’s consent during a marriage.
  – Section 354: Penalties for using force or assault to violate the modesty of a woman.
  – Section 354A: Addresses harassment that is sexual.
  – Punishment for assault or use of force with the intent to undress a woman is found in Section 354B.
  – Section 498A: Deals with abuse committed by a spouse or family members.
  
  

Way Forward

• The belief that a woman is her husband’s sole property is maintained by the ongoing exclusion of marital rape from the criminal code.
• Laws must guarantee women’s autonomy and consent while also safeguarding the institution of marriage.
• But just making marital rape illegal might not be enough to put an end to it, since “moral and social awareness” is a key component.

Also Read Topics & Concepts:

Prelims Practice Questions

Q. Consider the following statements regarding Marital rape

1. Marital rape is not currently illegal in India according to the law.
2. To date, no formal committee has suggested that the government outlaw marital rape.

Which of the above statements are correct?

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

Ans: a

Explanation

One nation where marital rape is not even acknowledged is India. In India, there is currently no legislation that makes marital rape illegal.
The purpose of the Justice Verma Committee’s establishment in 2012 was to make the nation’s anti-rape legislation stronger. The committee was adamant that the exclusion for rape committed during marriage be eliminated.

Mains Model Questions Q. “In India, marital rape is still a contentious issue that raises concerns about women’s rights and gender equality.” Describe the possible drawbacks and advantages of making marital rape a criminal offense in order to support gender justice and empower women.

Introduction:

Forced non-consensual sexual relations between spouses is known as marital rape. It is controversial in India because it is not specifically illegal, which sparks discussions about women’s rights, cultural values, and the sanctity of marriage. To protect victims, female activists push for legal recognition. This act is not yet covered by IPC Section 375 as a rape offense (provided the wife is not under the age of 18).

Body:

Possible obstacles to India’s criminalization of marital rape

• Cultural Resistance: Marriage is revered as a sacred union by many Indians. Making marital rape a crime could be viewed as a challenge to these customs. Since a woman in some communities is expected to carry out her “duties” after marriage, the idea of marital rape is foreign to them.
• Proof and Prosecution: In matrimonial settings, obtaining proof can be difficult. For example, if a wife is raped by her husband, it’s possible that she doesn’t have witnesses or obvious injuries, so her testimony is the main evidence and can be easily refuted in court.
• Potential Abuse: Although laws are meant to protect, there is always room for abuse. Instances of IPC Section 498A being abused for personal grudges, for example, have been documented, which raises concerns that a marital rape law could similarly weaponised.
• Economic Repercussions: Families, particularly those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, may experience financial hardship if a husband is imprisoned on charges of marital rape. This can result in severe financial circumstances in rural areas where the husband is frequently the only source of income.
  
  

Advantages of Making Marital Rape a Crime in Order to Advance Gender Justice and Empower Women:

• Encourages Equality in Marriage: The state makes it abundantly evident that marriage is a partnership of equals by making marital rape a crime. This is in contrast to traditional Indian beliefs, which frequently view the husband as the dominating partner.
• Increases Awareness in Society: Criminalizing marital rape can start a conversation in society. Campaigns for awareness, like those run by Indian NGOs Jagori and Akshara, can gain traction and further educate the public on the issue.
• Gives Victims the Power to Seek Redress: Victims can come forward without worrying about legal reprisals once they are recognized by the law. Since many Indian women are still silent about abuses because of social pressure, having the law on their side can help them come forward.
  
  

Way Ahead with Regards to the Criminalization of Marital Rape:

• Legal Reformation: To close the loophole in the Indian Penal Code, marital rape must be made a crime in India. This measure will be similar to those in many Western nations and even some of India’s neighbours, such as Nepal, where it is illegal for married women to rape their spouses.
• Awareness Campaigns: To carry out these kinds of campaigns, the government and NGOs ought to collaborate. Similar to how the “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” campaign has increased awareness of the value of educating and safeguarding girls,
• Sensitization and Comprehensive Sex Education: Stress consent and healthy relationships in your comprehensive sex education curriculum. Expanded to include sexual health and rights, Kerala’s “She Pad” program, which taught schoolgirls about menstrual hygiene, could serve as a model.

Conclusion: Essentially, identifying marital rape in India necessitates a complex strategy. India can address this serious injustice and work toward establishing a society in which everyone’s rights and dignity—regardless of gender—are respected and valued by implementing a comprehensive plan.