Contents
- NMC’s Guidelines for Disabled Candidates Arbitrary, Rules SC
- Concept of Sexual Equality Must Be Part of Syllabus: SC
- Amid Growing Threat from Drones, Army to Strengthen Its Air Defence
- Assam: Move to Recognise Bathouism Highlights Government Commitment to Preserve Nature-Based Faiths
- Restoring Land, Restoring Peace: How Sustainable Land Management Can Ease Global Conflicts
NMC’s guidelines for disabled candidates arbitrary, rules SC
Background:
- The Supreme Court ruled against the National Medical Commission’s (NMC) eligibility criteria requiring MBBS candidates to have “both hands intact, with intact sensation and sufficient strength.”
- The case involved a candidate with 50% locomotor and 20% speech disability who cleared NEET but was denied admission by the NMC’s Assessment Board.
Relevance : GS 2(Social Issues)
Court’s Observations:
- The criterion was termed arbitrary, ableist, and contrary to the Constitution.
- Justice Viswanathan highlighted that such requirements violate:
- Article 41: Right to work, education, and public assistance.
- Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act.
- UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
- The judgment criticized the “a” approach, stressing reasonable accommodation for disabled candidates.
Key Rulings:
- Directed NMC to revise guidelines and submit a report by March 3.
- Allowed the candidate’s admission to Government Medical College, Sirohi, Rajasthan.
Significance:
- Upholds the constitutional and human rights of persons with disabilities.
- Reinforces the principle of inclusion and non-discrimination in medical education.
- Sets a precedent for addressing ableism in statutory regulations.
Implications:
- Medical institutions must adapt to inclusive admission policies.
- Promotes broader discussion on accessibility in professional fields.
- Paves the way for policy reforms supporting disabled aspirants.
Concept of sexual equality must be part of syllabus: SC
Background:
- The Supreme Court asked the Centre to incorporate sexual equality, moral and ethical training, and etiquette into the school syllabus.
- The Bench was led by Justice B.V. Nagarathna with Justice S.C. Sharma.
Relevance : GS 2(Education ,Social Issues)
Court’s Observations:
- Moral education is often neglected in schools; needs mandatory inclusion.
- Equality between sons and daughters must begin at home—parents should avoid gender-based discrimination.
- Society still holds misogynistic beliefs, marginalizing women post-marriage.
Petitioner’s Argument:
- Senior advocate Aabad Ponda highlighted:
- Lack of early education on gender equality contributes to rising crimes against women.
- 50% of the population (women) face insecurity and societal strain.
- Advertisements and visual media should promote zero tolerance for rape and awareness of stringent laws.
- Harsher punishments alone are not sufficient; mindset change is crucial.
Court’s Directions:
- Ordered the Union government to submit measures taken to introduce sexual equality in the curriculum.
- Recalled how Environmental Science became a mandatory subject through SC orders—moral education should follow suit.
Key Takeaways:
- Early education can combat gender bias and violence against women.
- Public awareness campaigns through media and cinema halls recommended.
- Calls for long-term solutions over knee-jerk punitive measures.
Implications:
- Focus on mindset change rather than solely on stricter punishments.
- Schools expected to play a central role in promoting gender sensitivity.
- Reinforces the importance of gender parity for societal progress.
Amid growing threat from drones, Army to strengthen its air defence
Background:
- Growing use of drones, loitering munitions, and disruptive technologies has escalated aerial threats.
- Recent conflicts like the Ukraine war highlight the challenge of quantifying and countering drone-based threats.
Relevance : GS 3(Technology)
Army’s Key Initiatives:
- Induction of new fragmentation ammunition for ~1,300 air defence guns (L-70 & Zu-23).
- Air burst ammunition, laser, and microwave weapons in procurement pipeline.
- Smart ammunition and high-end air defence upgrades underway.
QRSAM System Development:
- Indigenous Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM) contract finalization in 4-5 months.
- Developed by DRDO with a 30 km range.
- First Prototype Model (FoPM) expected 12 months post-contract; full production in 18 months.
- Planned in both wheeled and tracked configurations.
Akash Missile Enhancement:
- Enhanced Akash missile to undergo high-altitude trials in the next 45 days.
Future Plans:
- Tender issued for 30mm fragmentation ammunition for vintage guns.
- Request For Proposal (RFP) out for successor to L-70 and Zu-23 guns (220 units) with smart ammunition.
- Trials in July 2025, contract award expected by May-June 2026.
- Focus on indigenous procurement—no imports planned.
Implications:
- Strengthening air defence capabilities to counter evolving aerial threats.
- Boosts self-reliance in defence technology through indigenous systems.
- Addresses challenges posed by swarm drones and disruptive warfare technologies.
Assam: Move to recognise Bathousim highlights government commitment to preserve nature-based faiths, says expert
Background:
- Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) in Assam now includes Bathouism as an official religion option in application forms (e.g., admissions, birth & death certificates).
- Move aims to preserve nature-based indigenous faiths and distinct Bodo identity.
Relevance : GS 2(Governance)
About Bathouism:
- Traditional faith of the Bodos—largest plains tribe in Assam.
- Bathoubwrai (Sibwrai): Supreme God symbolizing the supreme soul (Poromatma).
- Philosophy based on five elements:
- Bar (Air) | San (Sun) | Ha (Earth) | Or (Fire) | Okhrang (Sky)
- Parallels with Panchatatva in Hinduism.
- Sijou plant (Euphorbia splendens): Living symbol of Bathoubwrai; central to worship rituals.
Government Initiatives:
- Bathou Puja: Declared state holiday on second Tuesday of Magh month.
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah reaffirmed commitment to preserve nature-centric faiths at the 13th Triennial Conference of All Bathou Mahasabha (Jan 2024).
Significance of Recognition:
- Reinforces cultural roots while embracing modernity.
- Promotes religious inclusivity and identity preservation.
- Comparable to recognition of Sarnaism (practiced in Chota Nagpur Plateau)—both emphasize nature worship and ancestral reverence.
Implications:
- Strengthens Bodo community’s cultural heritage.
- Reflects government’s inclusive approach towards indigenous beliefs.
- Potential to inspire similar recognition for other tribal faiths in India.
Restoring land, restoring peace: How sustainable land management can ease global conflicts
Key Focus:
- Addressing land degradation is vital not only for environmental health but also for conflict prevention and community rebuilding.
Relevance : GS 2(International Relations) , GS 3(Environment and Ecology)
Highlights of the Ground for Peace Report (Dec 2024):
- Land Degradation & Conflict Link:
- Environmental degradation and resource scarcity escalate regional and global conflicts.
- 80 percent of conflicts (1950–2000) occurred in biodiversity hotspots.
- Case Studies:
- Rohingya Migration (Bangladesh): Forest cover dropped from 8,500 ha to 4,500 ha (2016–2018) due to refugee pressure.
- Nigeria: Peace agreement between Tiv and Igede groups improved resource-sharing and stability.
- Colombia: Peace deals enhanced land restoration and cocoa farmers’ community cohesion.
Initiatives & Global Efforts:
- Peace Forest Initiative (PFI):
- Launched at UNCCD COP14 (2019, New Delhi).
- Aims to ease intercommunity tensions via Sustainable Land Management (SLM).
- Targets 17 sites across 44 countries.
- Other Key Frameworks:
- COP28 Declaration, Rio Convention, NATO’s 2023 Climate Change and Security Assessment.
Challenges:
- Funding Shortage:
- 40 percent of intrastate conflicts stem from natural resources, yet less than 10 percent of global funding targets land issues.
- Private investments mostly favor biodiversity hotspots.
- Implementation Hurdles:
- Complex funding processes, capacity gaps, and poor planning can worsen conflicts.
- Examples:
- Banni Grasslands (India): Introduction of invasive species disrupted livelihoods.
- Chilika Lake (Odisha): Restoration led to economic distress for traditional fishers.
Recommendations & Way Forward:
- Integrate land restoration into peacebuilding and security strategies.
- Leverage climate funds, donor support, and international agreements.
- Focus on community-driven, situation-specific solutions.
- Promote technical diplomacy and multi-level cooperation.
- Scale up efforts through the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration and global reforestation initiatives.
Bottom Line:
Restoring degraded land is pivotal for environmental stability, peace, and socio-economic resilience. Sustainable and inclusive approaches, backed by robust funding and political will, are essential to break the cycle of degradation and conflict.
