Current Affairs 26-FEB-2024 (The Hindu)

Overseas Citizens of India (OCI)

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Overseas Citizens of India (OCI)

Establishment and Enhancement:

• OCI established in 2005.
• Enhanced in 2015 by merging with PIO(Person of Indian Origin).
• Aims to deepen diaspora engagement with India.

OCI Eligibility Criteria:

• Former Indian citizens and their descendants.
• Excludes individuals with ties to Pakistan or Bangladesh.

OCI Benefits:

• Lifelong visa for travel to India.
• No requirement for police registration.
• Rights to live, work, and study in India.
• Permission to own non-farm property.
• Financial privileges.
• Pathway to citizenship after five years of residency.

OCI Limitations:

• No voting rights or eligibility for public office.
• Restrictions on agricultural land purchase or unrestricted area access.
• Delineates OCI status from full citizenship.

Constitutional and Legislative Framework:

• Indian Constitution Articles 5-11 outline citizenship basics.
• Citizenship Act of 1955 (amended in 2015) details OCI/PIO policies.

Practice Question – Prelims

Consider the following statements about Overseas citizens of India (OCI)

1. OCI cardholders are entitled to a multipurpose, lifelong visa allowing them to visit India as many times as they wish.

2. OCI cardholders have the right to vote in Indian elections and can hold any public office in India.

3. An individual is not eligible for OCI status if they, their parents, or grandparents have ever been a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh.

Which one of the following is/are correct?

A) 1 only

B) 1 and 2 only

C) 2 and 3 only

D) 1 and 3 only

Issues in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)

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Practice Question – Mains GS - II

Discuss various issues in the Indian higher education system. Suggest some measures to improve it. (250 words, 15 marks)

Issues in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)

Cost of Higher Education and Legacy Admissions:

• Cost and legacy admissions policies can exclude low-income students.
• Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) is estimated at 28.4 for the age group 18-23, indicating limited access.

Insufficient Institutions to Meet Demand:

• High demand for higher education exceeds existing institutional capacity.
• Strain on infrastructure and resources leads to secondary problems.

Shortage of Qualified Faculty:

• Lack of qualified faculty affects teaching quality and student learning.

Outdated Curriculum:

• Curriculum may not align with current industry needs or technological advancements.

Political Influence:

• Political interference can affect institutional autonomy and decision-making processes.

Measures to Solve

1. Quality Enhancement:

   Implement schemes like Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) to enhance education quality in HEIs.

2. Infrastructure Upgradation:

   Focus on innovation and infrastructure development through schemes like Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure (FIST).

3. Expansion of Institutions:

   Concentrate colleges with low GER at the district level and increase the number of central universities.

4. Global Academic Initiatives:

   Implement state-run workshops and programs like Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN) and SWAYAM effectively.

Conclusion

Despite rapid expansion, accessibility and quality of higher education remain concerns. Economic development requires investing in education infrastructure, faculty expertise, curriculum relevance, and inclusivity.

India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)

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Red Sea,Mediterranean Sea,IMEC

Red Sea

• An inlet of the Indian Ocean located between Africa and Asia, underlain by the Red Sea Rift, and part of the Great Rift Valley.

Bordering Countries:

• Africa: Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti.
• Asia: Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel, Yemen.

Mediterranean Sea

• Located between Europe (north), Africa (south), and Asia (east), connected to the Atlantic Ocean.

European Bordering Countries:

• Spain, France, Monaco, Italy, Malta, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Turkey (partly), Cyprus (geopolitically European).

Middle Eastern Bordering Countries:

• Turkey (Asian part), Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine (Gaza Strip).

African Bordering Countries:

• Egypt (Sinai Peninsula), Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco.

India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)

• Announced at the G-20 summit in 2023, the IMEC is designed to streamline and enhance trade routes between India, the Middle East, and Europe through various transportation modes and infrastructure development.

Structure:

• East Corridor: Connects India with the Gulf region.
  Northern Corridor: Extends connectivity from the Gulf to Europe.

Key Locations:

• India: Ports such as Mundra, Kandla, and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust.
  Middle East: Fujairah, Jebel Ali, Abu Dhabi, Dammam, and Ras Al Khair.
  Europe: Ports of Piraeus, Messina, and Marseille; rail connectivity through Haifa port in Israel.

Practice Question – Prelims

Consider the following statements regarding the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)

1. The IMEC is designed to connect India directly with Northern Europe through a series of land and maritime routes, including the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.

2. Key Indian ports such as Mundra, Kandla, and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust are identified as the southern anchors for the IMEC.

Which one of the following is/are correct ?

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) All the above

d) None