Current Affairs 09-OCT-2023 (The Hindu)

Caste Census

(C,B-T,D-H Pg-10,8,6)

Caste Census

Introduction

• Caste census - survey done by the government to get information about different castes.

Need for caste census

• Helps the government to understand employment, education, and other matters regarding caste groups.
• Useful to make policies and programs for marginalized populations.

Significance/Benefits of caste census

• Addressing historical injustices
• Bringing marginalized to the forefront of development and policy making.
• Targeted Development
• Uplifting of underprivileged communities.
• Education, employment, healthcare, and social welfare.
• Affirmative Action
• Effective implementation of reservations in education and public employment.
• Resource Allocation
• Equitable allocation of resources to historically neglected communities.
• Financial & infrastructure development.
• Social Inclusion
• Recognizes socio-economic conditions of caste groups.
• Provides representation in decision-making.
• Data-Driven Policies
• Informed & evidence-based Policy making.
• Efficient resource utilization and program implementation.

Challenges in Caste based census

• Privacy Concern
• People may refuse to disclose their caste identity.
• Complexity of Caste System
• Caste system in India - multifaceted.
• Presence of numerous sub-castes and communities.
• Identification Issues
• Inter-caste marriages.
• Those who identify with multiple castes.
• Challenge in data accuracy.
• Political Sensitivities
• Caste-related data - politically sensitive.
• Risk of misuse of data for political or divisive purposes.
• Stigmatization
• Affect social interactions and opportunities.
• Reinforce caste divisions & promote identity politics.

Way forward

• Public Dialogue
• Government should conduct open & inclusive discussions with various stakeholders.
• Creation of consensus on the need for a caste census.
• Ethical framework
• Addressing concerns related to privacy, data security & potential misuse of caste-related data.
• Comprehensive awareness campaigns
• Informing citizens about the need for the caste census.

Practice Question – Mains

GS – I

Q. Critically examine the reason behind conducting a caste-based census in India, considering its potential impacts on policy formulation and social equity.

(150 words, 10 marks)

Avalanche

(B-D-T,C,H Pg-13,15,11)

Avalanche

Rapid flow of snow, ice, and debris down a slope.

• Reason: Snow & ice becomes unstable and moves down due to gravity.

Snowpack

Compacted accumulated layers of snow.

Depth: Depends on the location, time of year, and climate conditions.

Depth increases in winter.

Density increases with depth.

Causes of Avalanche

• Instability of snowpack.
• Climate Change - Alternating snowfall and high temperature leading to instability in snowpack.
• Steep slopes.
• Anthropogenic activities - skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, and hiking.

Types of Avalanche

Loose Snow Avalanche

Unconsolidated snow moves down the slope.

Less dangerous.

Wet Avalanche

During warm weather and heavy rainfall.

Water-saturated snowpack becomes unstable.

Common in spring season.

Slab Avalanche

Dangerous.

Slab breaks away and moves as a single piece.

Q. Consider the following pairs:

Mountain Peak - State

• 1. Kangchenjunga - Sikkim
• 2. Nanda Devi - Himachal Pradesh
• 3. Mullayanagiri - Karnataka
• 4. Agasthyamala - Kerala

How many of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM AJAY)

(H Pg-3)

PM AJAY

Centrally sponsored scheme.

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Objectives

• Reducing poverty of the SC communities.
• Improving the socio-economic developmental indicators of the SC community.
• Increasing literacy and encouraging enrollment of SCs in schools and higher educational institutions.

Steps to be Taken

• Employment generation through skill development and income generation schemes.
• Extending infrastructure and services to SC-dominated villages.
• Building residential schools and residential buildings in higher educational institutions.

Areas Not Covered

States:

• Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Mizoram.

Union Territories:

• A & N Islands, Dadra Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, Ladakh, and Lakshadweep.

Eligibility Criteria

SC persons living below the poverty lines.

Villages having 50% or more SC population.

Q. Consider the following statements about Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY):

1. It is a centrally sponsored scheme under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
2. Currently, all the states and UTs are covered under the scheme except Jammu and Kashmir.
3. The main objective of the scheme is to increase the living standard of SC community by way of various income generating schemes, skill development, and infrastructure development.

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) Only One

(b) Only Two

(c) All Three

(d) None