The Study IAS

Author: blogweb

  • OECD

    Context:

    The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development has increased India’s growth forecast by 40 basis points to 6.6% for 2024-25.

     

    About:

    • OECD is an international organisation consisting of 38 member countries.
    • The members are high-income countries with very high Human Development Index (HDI) rankings. 
    • It is recognised as a think tank. 
    • It is an official observer of the United Nations
    • Headquarters: Paris (France)
    • India is not a member of the OECD.

     

    Historical Background: 

    • The Organisation for European Economic Co-operation (OEEC) was established in 1948 to administer the Marshall Plan for the economic reconstruction of Europe after World War II.
    • In 1961, it was renamed OECD  after the United States and Canada joined the group.
    • The OECD Convention was signed in December 1960 and entered into force on September 30, 1961.

     

    Objectives:

    • Promoting global trade and work towards sustainable economic growth, enhancing the standard of living of people living in member countries.
    •  Maintain financial stability and contributing to the development of the world economy.

     

    Reports:

    • Tax Transparency Report

     

  • Gendered Impact of Climate Change

    Context:

    The effects of climate change, specifically heatwaves and water scarcity, exert disproportionate effects on women in India. 

    heatwaves and water crisis

     

    Gendered Impacts:

    The complex relationship among gender dynamics, societal norms, and climate change amplifies the vulnerability of women to heatwaves in India.

    • Physical Strain: Longer journeys to fetch water or working outdoors in agriculture amidst extreme heat.
    • Waterborne Diseases: The “Right to Water” Report of United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHCR), cites prolonged hours of water-related tasks by women, thus exacerbating health risks, particularly due to waterborne diseases.
    • Neglected Health: Women’s health concerns are often sidelined due to cultural norms and devoting strategic gender needs compounding their vulnerability to heat-related illnesses.
    • Lack of Decision Making: It impedes women’s access to essential resources for coping with heat and water scarcity.
    • More Vulnerable: Pregnant and elderly women face heightened risks from heat stress, leading to complications like preterm labour, worsened health conditions, and increased stillbirth rates. 
    • A study of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) indicates that a 1°C temperature rise leads to a 6 percent increase in preterm births.
    • Less Economic Opportunities: Economic opportunities, especially in agriculture are impacted significantly by heatwaves and droughts.
    • According to the Monster Salary Index (MSI), women earn 20 percent less than men on average, and this gap is further widened due to heat waves. 
    • Elevated Indoor Temperatures: Around 54% of Indian women live indoors, where elevated temperatures decrease their work capacity, leading to a potential income loss of up to 30% for home-based workers.

     

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    Feminisation of Disaster

    It refers to the disproportionate impact of disasters on women due to various factors such as social norms, gender roles, and inequalities. Research emphasises that women often face higher mortality rates and increased vulnerability during disasters, influenced by biological, social, and economic factors. 

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    Measures Needed:

    To address the unequal impact of heatwaves and water crises on women and girls, various strategies can be implemented.

    • Promoting women’s leadership: Empowering women in decision-making on water management and climate resilience ensures their inclusion and addresses their specific needs.
    • A World Bank evaluation highlighted that water projects were six to seven times more effective when women were involved compared to projects where they were not.
    • Gender-responsive policy and planning: Implementing Smart economics, as advocated by the World Bank, in climate policies is crucial, directing resources to reduce the vulnerability of women and girls to heatwaves and water scarcity for better, fairer outcomes.
    • Enhancing access to resources: Granting women access to clean water eases their burden of household chores. 
    • India’s Jal Jeevan Mission, targeting individual household tap connections in rural areas, marks substantial progress in this regard.
    • Improving education and employment opportunities: Encouraging women’s education and employment in climate-resilient sectors boosts their ability to adapt to environmental changes.
    • Data-Driven Mechanism: Investing in research and data collection on gendered climate impacts informs effective policymaking. 
    • Sex-disaggregated data on heatwaves and water scarcity effects on women guides targeted interventions.
    • Climate resilience agricultural practices: Ensuring women farmers receive training in climate-resilient techniques and equal access to resources and infrastructure is vital. 
    • For example, the Women-led Climate Resilient Farming (WCRF) Model, developed by the Samaj Pragati Sahayog (SSP) organisation, empowers women to become leaders in sustainable agriculture practices. 

     

    In summary, tackling the gendered effects of climate change demands a holistic approach, embedding gender perspectives across all facets of resilience planning and execution. Prioritising gender equity in climate initiatives fosters stronger, more sustainable communities for everyone.

  • Determining Proportionality of Compensation in Domestic Violence

    Context:

    The Supreme Court is hearing a petition regarding whether compensation should be based on the degree of domestic violence suffered by the victim or the financial status of the perpetrator.

     

    Digging Deeper: 

    • The Bombay High Court had directed the petitioner to pay Rs 3 crore to his wife. 
    • The directives were given under Section 22 of The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005. 
    • The Supreme Court has to determine the correlation between compensation awarded against the degree of domestic violence suffered by the victim with the guilty party’s financial status. 

     

    The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act: 

    • The Act came into existence in 2005 and extends to the whole of India. 
    • The objective is to provide a wider safety net women’s rights to get a shield against violence of any kind occurring within the family. 
    • The Act ensures the protection of rights enshrined in the Indian Constitution, mentioned under Articles 14, 15(3), 16, 39(a), 39(d), 39A, 51(A) (e), among others.
      • Features of the Act:
        • Aggrieved Person: The act defines a woman who is, or has been, in a domestic relationship with the respondent and alleges to have faced any act of domestic violence by the respondent.
        • It also defines ‘domestic violence’, ‘child’, ‘dowry’, and ‘magistrate’, among others.
        • Judgements within this Act should be made within 60 days of filing the case. 
    • Right to Residence: Section 17 of the Act ensures the Right to residence in a shared household.
        • Seeking Reliefs: Section 12 of the Act allows an aggrieved person or anyone on their behalf to apply to a Magistrate for one or more reliefs under the Act.
    • Magistrate’s Order for Compensation:Section 22 of the Act empowers the Magistrate to order for payment of compensation and damages for the injuries caused by the acts of domestic violence.

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    Domestic Violence In India

    • The National Family Health Survey – 5 reports that 32% of married women (18-49 years) have experienced physical, sexual, or emotional spousal violence. 
    • The highest was in Karnataka at 48%, followed by Bihar, Telangana, Manipur, and Tamil Nadu, and the lowest was in Lakshwadeep at 2.1%. 
    • The report also finds that women in the 40-49 age bracket experience more violence than those in the 18-19 category.
    • The National Crimes Record Bureau (NCRB) data for 2022 also highlighted that a significant proportion of crimes against women under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) involved ‘Cruelty by Husband or His Relatives’ contributing to 31.4% of the Crimes against women.

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    Issues 

    • Illiterate women and women in nuclear families are more prone to domestic violence
    • There is a cultural acceptance of domestic violence. As per the NFHS-5 survey, up to 45.4% of women and 44% of men justified wife beating.
    • Lack of awareness about the legal mechanisms available.
    • Economic dependence of wives on their spouses.

     

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    International Conventions and Other Indian Laws:

    • CEDAW – The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) was adopted in 1979 by the UN General Assembly. The 19th recommendation of this convention talks about Violence against Women.
    • The Beijing Declaration – It came into existence during the Fourth World Conference on Women convened by the United Nations in 1995. The 4th chapter of this declaration discusses Violence against Women.
    • Istanbul Convention – It is a human rights treaty of the Council of Europe opposing violence against women and domestic violence. 
    • Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 – Sections 85 and 86 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita expand the definitions of ‘cruelty’ and outline the consequences for perpetrators of such cruelty

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    Way Forward

    • Awareness programmes and Gender sensitisation initiatives – Civil Societies and NGOs can help spread awareness at the grassroots level.
    • Women’s Empowerment – Improving women’s access to employment can reduce their economic dependence.
    • Strengthening legal frameworks – From police stations to legal officers, the framework should be strengthened for faster justice delivery.

  • Ayushman Bharat

    About the Scheme : 

    Flagship scheme of Government of India launched in 2018 as recommended by the National Health Policy, 2017, to achieve the vision of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

     

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    Universal Health Coverage (UHC)

    As per WHO, UHC means all people have access to quality health services they need, any time without financial hardship. It covers a full continuum of essential health services, like health promotion to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care. SDG 3 aims to provide good health and well being to all.

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    The Scheme Has 2 components –

    • Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) and  Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)

     

    Health and Wellness Centres(HWCs) : 

    • Creation of 1,50,000 Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) by transforming the existing Sub Centres and Primary Health Centres  to deliver Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC). 
    • Covers both, maternal and child health services and non-communicable diseases, free essential drugs and diagnostic services.

     

    Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana(PM-JAY) : 

    Largest health assurance scheme in the world and aims at providing a health cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation across public and private empanelled hospitals in India.

     

    Features of PM-JAY: 

    • Cashless access to health care services for the beneficiary at the point of service.
    • Mitigate catastrophic expenditure on medical treatment.
    • Covers up to 3 days of pre-hospitalisation and 15 days of post-hospitalisation expenses such as diagnostics and medicines.
    • No restriction on the family size, age or gender 
    • Benefits of the scheme are portable across the country
    • Covers all the costs related to treatment, including drugs, supplies, diagnostic services, physician’s fees, room charges, surgeon charges, OT and ICU charges etc.
    • Public hospitals are reimbursed for the healthcare services at par with the private hospitals.
    • Fully funded by the Government and cost of implementation is shared between the Central and State Governments.

     

    Eligibility : 

    • The households chosen are determined by the levels of deprivation and occupation outlined in the Socio-Economic Caste Census 2011 (SECC 2011) for rural and urban areas.”
    • Beneficiaries under the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY).
    • Eligibility Criteria for Rural Households: 
    • Families living in one room with kucha walls and roof.
    • Households with no adult member within the age group of 16-59 years.
    • Households with a disabled  member.
    • SC/ST households.
    • Landless households earning a major part of their family income from  manual casual labour
    • Eligibility Criteria for Urban Households:
        • Domestic worker
        • Beggar
        • Ragpicker
        • Home-based workers/ artisans/ tailors/ handicrafts workers.
        • Sanitation workers/ sweepers/ mali
        • Construction worker/ labour/ painter/ welder/ security guard/ plumber/ coolie/ mason and other head-load workers
        • Chowkidar/ washer-man
        • Electrician/ mechanic/ assembler/ repair worker
        • Transport worker/ rickshaw puller/ conductor/ cart puller/ driver/ helper to drivers and conductors
        • Waiter/ shop worker/ assistant/ attendant/ helper/ peon in small establishment/ delivery assistant
        • Street vendors/ hawkers/ cobbler/ other service providers on the street.

     

    Challenges:

    1. Low Public expenditure: PM-JAY expenditure is 2.5% of total health expenditure as actual spending is less than allocated.
    2. High Out of Pocket expenditure:India ranks 67 out of 189 countries in terms of out-of-pocket expenditure.
    3. Low QualityPrimary Healthcare Centres (PHCs): PHCs are underutilised and have high wastage and inefficiency like hospital checking whether a person is authorised to receive PM-JAY or not.
    4. Private Better Public: A belief among people that private hospital services are better than government ones leads to more demand for private hospitals despite having government hospitals closer to them.
    5. Empanelled Private Hospitals Syndrome: 
        • Number of people per empanelled healthcare provider (EHCP) is very high in some states. For example :  Bihar having 10,000 families per EHCP.
        • Delays in claiming payments despite having clear guidelines about turnaround time.
        • Claim rejects by insurance companies after operation of patients due to documentation or technical errors.
        • Cap on the amount by the government that can be charged by private hospitals for different treatments.
        • Inactive Empanelled Hospitals: In states like UP, around 39% of empanelled hospitals are inactive and only 50% were active in the last 6 months.

     

    Impact of PMJAY : 

     

    Solutions : 

    • An insurance model where the money isn’t given directly to healthcare providers in advance but on a performance basis.
    • Leveraging Healthcare Cooperatives:  Pooling of health professionals and users to reconcile misalignments between healthcare supply and demand. Singapore has developed this cooperative model and has one of the best health services in the world.
    • PLI Scheme for Medical Devices: Indigenous production of medical devices should be there to bring down overall cost of treatment.

  • PLACES IN NEWS: KENYA

    Context:

    Blockages in tunnels channeling water to Tongi River led to ruptures in Nakuru Dam (Kenya) causing heavy rains and floods in the nearby region.

     

    Geography of Kenya:

    • Capital: Nairobi
    • Neighbouring Countries: Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Somalia.
    • Major Rivers: Tana (Longest River in Kenya), Tongi, Nile, Mara, etc.
    • Located between the Indian Ocean and Lake Victoria

     

  • Paulist Artefact Discovered in Goa

    Context:

    Recently, workers from Panaji found a stone carving dating back hundreds of years during the Portuguese rule in Goa.

     

    More on News

    • The granite/sandstone-made slab is a bearded man playing a musical instrument with a dog near his feet. 
    • The structure of the man has been linked to the “Paulists”.
    • The Jesuit missionaries arrived in Goa in the 16th century intending to propagate Catholicism in the Portuguese Empire’s Asian colonies. 

     

    Key Findings:

    • The sculpture is similar to three other Paulist sculptures and images already existing in the Siridao area.
    • The sculpture dates back to the 19th century, around the time when Panaji (Panjim) became Goa’s capital.

     

    Historical overview of the Paulist Missionary in Goa:

    • They arrived in Goa in the 16th century under King John III of Portugal to spread Catholicism. 
    • They conducted missionary work and religious conversions.
    • St. Francis Xavier established the College of St. Paul, a seminary for priests and the first Jesuit headquarters in Asia. 
    • Their efforts included the destruction of Hindu temples.

     

  • Places in News: Panama Canal

    Context :

    • Climate change led to drought in Panama.
    • The Panama Canal  is an artificial 82-kilometre waterway in Panama. 
    • runs through a narrow strip of land called the Isthmus of Panama 
    • It connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean.
    • It is bordered on the land by two countries: Costa Rica and Colombia.

     

    isthmus

     

    panama

     

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    3 Lakes Through which Panama Canal passes:

    • Gatun Lake 
    • Alajuela Lake
    • Miraflores Lake.

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  • Deepest Under-Ocean Blue Hole

    Context:

    Renowned journal “Frontiers in Marine Science”, published Earth’s Deepest underwater sinkhole has been found in Chetumal Bay (Mexico). It is called the Taam Ja’ Blue Hole.

     

    great blue hole

     

    About Taam Ja’ Blue Hole  

    • Deepest Sinkhole:It extends to 420 metres below sea level (1,380 feet). 
    • Location: It lies on Yucatan Peninsula in Chetumal Bay.

     

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    What are Blue Holes?

    • Blue Holes are diverse biological communities full of marine life, including corals, sponges, mollusks, sea turtles, sharks, etc.
    • Its opening can be several hundred feet underwater. 
    • It was originally reported by fishermen and recreational drivers and not by scientists or researchers.

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    • Prediscoveries: It was originally thought to be around 900 feet deep.
    • Breaking Record: This discovery surpasses Sansha Yongle Blue Hole which lies in the South China Sea

     

  • Safety Advisory to State Governments for Procuring CCTVs and IoT Devices

    Context:

    The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) directed all states and government departments to refrain from purchasing CCTVs from suppliers having a track record of security and data breaches.

     

    More on News:

    • The threat came through the advisory titled “Threat of Information Leakage through CCTV/ Video Surveillance system (VSS)/ Digital Video Recorders /Network Video Recorders”. 
    • The advisory stresses a range of benefits and surveillance technologies being valuable tools for monitoring and security, along with certain concerns and risks.
    • Earlier, a series of advisory issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeITY) regarding the security implications linked with CCTVs and other Internet of Things (loT) devices. 

     

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    A Video Surveillance System (VSS), also commonly known as Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV), is a system that uses video cameras to monitor and record activity in a specific area for security, safety, or monitoring purposes.

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    • The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-in) flagged “vulnerabilities” in some foreign firms’ equipment as well. 
    • These firms are Chinese firms Hikvision, Milesight and Dahua; Germany-headquartered Mobotix, ABUS and Bosch.

     

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    Some Notable Initiatives

    • Operation Trinetra: It is a significant initiative in Uttar Pradesh aimed at enhancing security and reducing crime through the installation of CCTV cameras in all 75 districts of the state. .
    • IP-based Video Surveillance System (VSS): The Indian Railways is deploying this at major railway stations across the country to enhance passenger safety and security. 

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    Associated Risks:

    • Privacy Concerns:
        • Surveillance and Intrusion: It may impinge on individuals’ privacy and freedom due to the sense of constant monitoring it creates.
        • Data Misuse: Recorded footage with personal information can be misused for stalking, discrimination, or identity theft.
    • Security Risks:
        • Hacking and Data Breaches: CCTV systems are susceptible to hacking, risking unauthorised access to sensitive footage and compromising security networks.
    • Other Risks:
        • Misuse by Authorities: CCTV data can be misused by authorities for profiling, social control, or suppressing dissent.
        • Cost and Maintenance: Installing and maintaining CCTV systems can be expensive, requiring ongoing resources for upkeep and data storage.

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    Rogue devices are unauthorised or unapproved devices that are introduced into a network without the knowledge or consent of the IT department to bypass cybersecurity controls such as firewalls and endpoint protection, posing a significant security threat to organisations. 

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  • Antares Red Star

    Context:

    The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) Bengaluru has filmed the moon passing in front of the bright red star Antares.

     

    What is Antares Star?

    • Antares, also known as Alpha Scorpii or Cor Scorpii, is the brightest star in the constellation of Scorpius. 
    • It is flanked by σ Scorpii and τ Scorpii near the center of the constellation.
    • It is often referred to as “the heart of the scorpion,”. 

     

    About Antares:

    • Brightness and Variability: It is distinctly reddish when viewed with the naked eye.
    • Distance: It is located about 170 parsecs (550 light-years) from Earth at the rim of the Upper Scorpius subgroup.
    • Stellar Properties: Classified as spectral type M1.5Iab-Ib, Antares is a red supergiant.
    • It Antares is approximately 700 times larger than the sun but has a mass only 10 to 15 times greater.
    • Its exact size remains uncertain (if placed at the center of the Solar System, it would extend out to somewhere between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter).
    • Binary System: Antares appears as a single star when viewed with the naked eye, but it is actually a binary star system with two components being 
    • α Scorpii A (the brighter red supergiant) and α Scorpii B (a fainter hot main sequence star).

  • Better Infrastructure Boosting Faster Ship Movement

    Context:

    Turnaround time at major ports improved by 9% from 52.8 hrs to 48 hrs in a year.

     

    More on News: 

    • Faster movements through ports leads to high cargo loading ability.
    • Total traffic at major ports experienced a 4.5 percent increase and reaching 819 million.

     

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    What are major and minor ports?

    Major Ports are owned and managed by the Central government via the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways and regulated under The Major Port Authorities Act, 2021 while Minor Ports are managed by the State Government.

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    Reasons for Faster Movement : 

    • Investment in new technological advanced cranes resulted in more mover per hour.
    • Monitoring and tracking systems enables to get real time data points.
    • Improving operational efficiencies and processes.
    • Digital services like Sagar setu facilitates real time port operations.
    • Project UNNATI– launched to enhance operational and financial performance of ports.
    • Sagarmala Project – promotes port-led development in the country through harnessing India’s 7,500 km long coastline.

  • Phishing

    Context:

    India is one of the key countries affected by phishing attacks, reported Verizon Business, a renowned cyber-security solutions provider.

     

    Highlights of the report:

    • The most common types of data compromised are credentials (69%), internal (37%), and secrets (24%).
    • The APAC has experienced a 180% growth in vulnerability exploitation.
    • System intrusion, social engineering, and basic web application attacks represent 95% of breaches in APAC.
    • The espionage attacks dominate Asia-Pacific’s (APAC’s) cyber security landscape, including that of India. 
    • In terms of percentage, it is 25% in APAC which is significantly greater than Europe and North America
    • Reporting Practices: In India, reporting improvised, with 20% of users identifying and reporting phishing during simulation tests. 

     

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    Phishing:

    • It is a type of cybercrime where attackers deceive individuals into revealing sensitive information or installing malware. 
    • Methods of Phishing: Sending emails, texts, phone calls, or other forms of communication (Appearing as legitimate sources, such as a bank, credit card company, or even a friend).
    • Common types of phishing attacks:
    • Email Phishing: The most common type, using fraudulent emails designed to look like they come from a trusted source.
    • Spear Phishing: Highly targeted attacks aimed at specific individuals or organisations.
    • Smishing: Phishing attempts via SMS text messages.
    • Vishing: Phishing done over phone calls.
    • Whaling: Targeting high-profile individuals like CEOs or executives.

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  • ISRO Study Reveals Enhanced Possibility of Water Ice in Lunar Polar Craters

    Context:

    A study by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientists has found evidence of enhanced possibility of water ice occurrence in the polar craters of the moon.

     

    More on News:

    • The study involved scientists from ISRO’s Space Applications Centre (SAC).
    • It was collaborated by IIT Kanpur, University of Southern California, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and IIT (ISM) Dhanbad.

     

    Highlights:

    • Sub-surface ice in both lunar poles within the first few meters is significantly more abundant and estimated to be five to eight times greater than surface ice.
    • Drilling on the moon to extract or sample this ice is crucial for future missions and establishing a sustained human presence.
    • The quantity of water ice in the northern polar region is twice that found in the southern polar region.
    • The findings support the hypothesis that sub-surface water ice in lunar poles originates from out-gassing during the Imbrian period of volcanic activity.
    • The distribution of water ice is likely influenced by mare volcanism and preferential impact cratering.
    • Accurate understanding of the distribution and depth of water ice in the lunar poles is essential for planning future missions and effectively exploring and characterizing lunar resources.

     

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    Imbrian period

    The Imbrian period refers to a specific geological era in the history of Earth’s Moon. The Imbrian period is divided into Early and Late epochs.

    Early & Late Imbrian Epochs:

    • The Early Imbrian epoch occurred approximately 3,850 million years ago and extended to about 3,800 million years ago while the Late Imbrian epoch spanned from approximately 3,800 million years ago to about 3,200 million years ago..
    • It began with a significant impact that created the Mare Imbrium basin, one of the large basins on the lunar near side.
    • Other prominent basins, such as Mare Crisium, Mare Tranquillitatis, Mare Serenitatis, and Mare Fecunditatis, also formed during this period.
    • During the Late epoch, the mantle below the lunar basins partially melted, leading to the filling of these basins with basalt.
    • The melting likely occurred due to the impacts during the Early Imbrian, which thinned the overlying rock.

     

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  • No Validity Without Ceremonies: SC Take on Hindu Marriages

    Context:

    The Supreme Court has ruled that a Hindu marriage is a ‘ritual’ or ceremony that cannot be recognized under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 unless it is performed properly.

     

     

    More on News

    • The Bench stressed the need for young people to think carefully about the sacred institution of marriage before getting married.
    • The order came after a divorce petition by two commercial pilots without a legally recognised Hindu marriage.

     

     

    About Hindu Marriage

    • It is a sacred union that transcends physical desire and includes duties, property, and spiritual liberation (Moksha). 
    • It plays an important role in shaping the Hindu social structure, emphasizing family, lineage continuity, and household establishment (‘Grihastha’).  
    • The wedding rituals and traditions reflect the social values ​​of harmony, intimacy, and love among the partners.

     

    Legal Framework: 

    The Hindu Marriage Act of 1955 governs marriages between Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs in India.

    • Objective: To amend and codify marriage laws among Hindus and others, providing clear guidelines for solemnising marriages and establishing uniformity in registration. 
    • The Act made monogamy lawful, established requirements for marriage eligibility, registration, and dissolution, and permitted religious and intercaste marriages under certain situations.
    • Unless a Hindu marriage is performed with appropriate ceremonies and in due form, it cannot be considered ‘solemnised’ as per Section 7(1) of the Act.
    • The marriage becomes complete and binding when the bride and groom jointly take the seven steps known as Saptapadi before the sacred fire.

     

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    Right to Marry vs Right to Marry of One’s Choice

    • Article 21 somewhere encompasses the notion of marriage-related rights in India.
    • Right to marry is not recognised as a “fundamental right” as held by the apex court in the Supriyo Chakraborty vs Union of India case (2023).
    • The right to marry is more about tying nuptials as a matter of entitlement given to all individuals.
    • However, the Supreme Court has given the right to marry of one’s choice under Article 21 through the Shafin Jahan vs KM Ashokan case (2018).
    • The right to marry of one’s choice deals with the matter of expressing the choice or consent of an individual to tie nuptials.
    • Right to consent is considered an integral part of personal liberty and is protected under the Constitution of India which guarantees freedom and liberty in choosing a partner.

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  • ‘Uncomfortable Truth’- Workplace Culture Remains Hostile for Women

    Context: 

    A recent report, Deloitte’s 2024 global Women@Work survey, highlights that the post-Covid bounce-back in business globally has failed to address the lack of progress in improving workplace conditions for women.

     

    More in the News:

    • The report discusses the term “uncomfortable truth“ regarding stagnating progress both inside and outside the workplace.
    • The transition to full-time work has presented challenging adjustments for women.
    • Covering 5,000 women across 10 countries, including India, the survey suggests that this issue is widespread.
    • The root cause seems to be hostile workplace environments, which hinder women’s progress both internally and externally.

     

     

    About Deloitte’s Women @ Work: A Global Outlook:

    • Deloitte’s annual report has highlighted challenges for women in the workplace.
    • 2021-2022: Focused on COVID-19’s impact, hybrid working, exclusion, and burnout.
    • In 2023, with a slight decrease in challenges, but issues like work/life balance and women’s health persisted.

     

    concerned about factors like financial security, women's rights etc

    who has greater responsibility men or women comparison done

    Key Highlights of the Recent Reports:

    • Nearly half of surveyed women reported increased stress levels, with about 40% receiving mental health support from employers, a figure unchanged over three years.
    • Only a third of women felt comfortable discussing mental health with employers, down from 43% in 2022.
    • Between 40% and 50% of women bore the disproportionate burden of household responsibilities.
    • 95% of women believe flexible work arrangements negatively affect career progression, suggesting hostile corporate cultures.
    • Roughly a third of women felt excluded from decision-making due to hybrid work arrangements.
    • Nearly half of women expressed workplace safety concerns, with 43% experiencing non-inclusive behaviours, mainly micro-aggressions.
    • Despite challenges, some positives were noted, including 27% feeling uncomfortable discussing personal issues, but only 15% believed it would harm career progression.

     

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    What are Deloitte-Identified Gender Equality Leaders:

     

    • Only 6% of women are employed by such organizations, yet they exhibit high levels of employee loyalty.
    • Employees at these organizations often recommend them to others, and staff members are inclined to remain with the company for longer periods due to perceived career advancement opportunities.
    • The survey primarily centered on the corporate workplace.

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    India’s Concern:

    • Poor standards in office environments extend to factory floors, where work cultures are less sophisticated and often unsafe for women.
    • Cultural reforms are needed in both white-collar offices and factory settings to encourage women to join the workforce.
    • Ensuring safer and more inclusive workplace environments is essential for promoting gender equality and empowering women in India.