Assam Accord Road Map

The Assam government plans to develop a road map for implementing the recommendations of the Justice Biplab Kumar Sharma Committee regarding Clause 6 of the Assam Accord by 25th October, 2024.

• Clause 6: 
  • Clause 6 of the accord promises Constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards, to preserve and promote the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people. 
  • The main aim was to protect the indigenous identity of the Assamese people. 
    • The clause was added in response to changes in population ratios and the influx of migrants from Bangladesh. 
• Assam Accords: 
  • The Assam Accord, signed in 1985, was a tripartite agreement between the Central Government, the Assam State Government, and leaders of the Assam Movement, aimed at stopping the influx of illegal migrants from Bangladesh.  
  • It led to the introduction of Section 6A into the Citizenship Act, of 1955, exclusively for Assam.

Biplab Sarma Committee Report

• The committee was chaired by retired Assam High Court Justice Biplab Kumar Sarma and included judges, retired bureaucrats, writers, AASU leaders, and journalists. 
• In July 2019, the Union Home Ministry constituted a 14-member committee to suggest ways to implement Clause 6 of the accord. 
• Definition of Assamese: 
  • Indigenous Tribals 
  • Other Indigenous Communities of Assam, 
  • Indian citizens residing in Assam on or before January 1, 1951, and their descendants, 
  • Indigenous Assamese people. 
• The committee completed its report in February 2020, and recommended that the definition of "Assamese people" should include: 
• Recommendations:  
  • Land: 
  • Establish Revenue Circles where only "Assamese people" can own and transfer land, and implement a three-year program to grant land titles to those occupying land without proper documentation. 
  • Conduct a special survey of char areas (riverine regions along the Brahmaputra) and prioritize erosion-affected people in land allotment. 
  • Language: 
  • Establish an Autonomous Language and Literature Academy/Council to preserve and promote Assam''s indigenous languages. 
  • Make Assamese a compulsory subject up to Class VIII or X in all English medium schools under the state board and CBSE. 
  • Cultural Heritage: 
  • Establish an autonomous authority for the development of sattras (neo-Vaishnavite monasteries) with financial assistance. 
  • Create multipurpose cultural complexes in each district to uplift the cultural heritage of all ethnic groups. 
  • The primarily Bengali-speaking Barak Valley is exempted from these recommendations, along with the Sixth Schedule areas. 
• The 52 recommendations primarily focus on safeguards related to language, land, and cultural heritage. 
• Key Points: 
• The Sixth Schedule autonomous councils in Assam — Bodoland Territorial Council, North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council, and Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council — will decide on implementing these 52 recommendations. 
• Recommended reservations for “Assamese people” in Parliament, the state Assembly, local bodies, and jobs.

Recommendations that have been Left Out 

• Some of the most sensitive recommendations by the committee are not included in the 52 points listed by the state government. 
• Key missing recommendations include: 
• The introduction of an Inner Line Permit for entry into Assam, similar to those in Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Mizoram. 
• Reservations for “Assamese people”. 
• Creation of an Upper House (Legislative Council of Assam), fully reserved for “Assamese people.” 

Challenges in Implementation of the Assam Accords

• Complexity of Defining Assamese Identity : The committee''s recommendation to define "Assamese people" can lead to disputes over who qualifies for protections under Clause 6 and this may foster resentment among different ethnic groups. 
• Land Ownership and Rights: Establishing Revenue Circles for exclusive land ownership by "Assamese people" may create significant legal and administrative issues. Conducting a survey for land allotment in char areas presents logistical challenges 
• Language Policies: The requirement to make Assamese the official language and compulsory in schools may face resistance, especially in Bengali-dominant areas like the Barak Valley.  
• Funding and Management: Establishing an autonomous authority for sattras and cultural complexes may require substantial funding and effective management structures. 
• Political and Bureaucratic Resistance: Recommendations requiring concurrence from the Central Government may face delays or resistance, complicating the implementation process.  
• Exemptions for Barak Valley: Exempting the Barak Valley and Sixth Schedule areas from these recommendations may create perceptions of inequity and division within the state, potentially exacerbating existing regional tensions. 

Road ahead

• Stakeholder Engagement: 
• Foster continuous dialogue with all stakeholders, including various ethnic groups, civil society organizations, and political entities, to build consensus on the definition of "Assamese people" and ensure inclusive implementation of the recommendations. 
• Phased Implementation: 
• Adopt a phased approach to implementation, prioritizing recommendations that are less contentious and can yield quick wins, such as language policies in education, while gradually addressing more complex issues like land ownership and identity definitions. 
• Capacity Building: 
• Invest in capacity building for local authorities and community leaders to manage land surveys and title distributions effectively. This will ensure transparency and build trust within communities. 
• Resource Allocation: 
• Secure adequate funding and resources to support the establishment of cultural authorities and education reforms, ensuring that these initiatives are sustainable and effectively managed. 

GDP Base Year Revision    

Recently, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) brought together many economists and forecasters to discuss the revision of the base year for India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). 

• It underscores the importance MoSPI places on wider consultation, especially given the criticism and debates surrounding previous base year revisions. 
• The previous base year revision in 2015 changed the base year from 2004-05 to 2011-12 but faced criticism due to perceived flaws in the methodological changes. 

Previous Base Year Revision Controversies

• Methodological Concerns: Previous revision of base year replaced computing GDP of the private corporate sector (PCS) directly from the audited balance sheets of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) database and the use of PCS data for estimating manufacturing sector GVA. 
• It mostly discarded the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) and Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) data in the process. 
• Single Deflator Criticism: Many experts questioned the single deflator used to calculate real GDP growth from nominal GDP growth, rather than the internationally standard technique of double deflation. 
• Single deflator involves deflating  the nominal value-added in each sector by various price indices e.g., CPI, WPI  while double deflation involves deflating output by output prices and inputs by input prices. 
• The GDP price deflator measures the change in the value of all of the goods and services produced in an economy when inflation is taken into account. 
• Discrepancies in GDP Estimates: While overall GDP growth seems robust, consumption appears weak and this is a sign of serious measurement problems. 
• Also, there is a discrepancy between production methods and the expenditure methods of calculating GDP. 
• Weak consumption may indicate underreported economic activities or problems calculation of inflation in GDP calculations. 
• Under-reporting of Data: In the last three decades, there has been significant growth in the number of registered companies, particularly in the services sector, especially finance.  
• However, their contribution to domestic output is unclear because many do not file their audited balance sheets with the Registrar of Companies (RoC). 
• Underestimating Unorganised Sector: The 2015 revision of base year faced criticism for the use of balance sheets of the unorganised sector to calculate GDP, instead of taking value-added figures from the producing units. 
• It means a lower coverage for informal sector producers, who are not listed as companies. 
• Averaging Problem: Averaging production and expenditure sides is acceptable in advanced countries but not in developing countries, as India does not measure the two sides of GDP independently. 
• Also, the data on the expenditure side of which consumption is a part is quite poor. 

Base Year

• About Base Year: A base year is a specific reference year against which Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures for subsequent and prior years are calculated.  
• Need for a Base Year: It provides a stable reference point and serves as a benchmark for measuring economic performance and allows for comparisons over time.  
• By pegging GDP figures to a specific year, analysts can accurately interpret trends and shifts in economic performance. 
• Features of a Base Year: The base year should be a normal year i.e., it must not experience any abnormal incidents such as droughts, floods, earthquakes, pandemic, etc. Also, it should not be too distant in the past. 
• Reasons for Revising the Base Year:  
  • Additionally, evolving data compilation methods may require the incorporation of new classification systems and data sources. 
  • As such, revisions ensure that the GDP figures reflect the current economic reality. 
  • These changes have a ripple effect on a wide array of economic indicators, including trends in public expenditure, taxation, and public sector debt.  
• Fluid Nature of Indicators: The indicators for computing GDP are dynamic and can change over time due to shifts in consumer behaviour, economic structure, and commodity composition.  
• Impact on Economic Indicators: When new data sets are incorporated through base year revisions, it can lead to adjustments in GDP levels.  
• International Standard Practice: United Nations-System of National Accounts 1993 requires countries to revise computation practices from time to time. 
• Frequency of Base Year Revisions: The base year should ideally be revised every 5 to 10 years to keep national accounts in line with the latest available data. 
• History of Base Year Revisions: Since the first national income estimates were published in 1956 with FY 1949 as the base year, India has revised its base year seven times.  
• The most recent revision changed the base year from FY 2005 to FY 2012. 

Considerations for the New Base Year

• Formation of the Advisory Committee: In June 2024, MoSPI set up a 26-member Advisory Committee on National Accounts Statistics (ACNAS) to decide the base year for GDP data, under the chairmanship of Biswanath Goldar. 
• The committee will also take a call on the alignment of GDP with other macro indicators like the WPI, CPI, and IIP.  
• Potential Base Years: The committee is leaning towards 2022-23 as the new base year for GDP, although 2023-24 is also under consideration. 
• Year 2016 (Demonetisation), 2017-18 (ripple effects of GST) and 2019-21 (Covid-19) are not considered because of abnormal changes in the economy. 
• Utilising GST Data: Discussions are underway regarding the inclusion of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) database for GDP calculations to include new databases to capture a better picture of the economy. 
• Methodological Improvements: The advisory committee is also considering changing the composition of indices e.g., inclusion of ASUSE (Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises) and exploring the double deflation method to improve GDP measurement accuracy. 

In light of past controversies surrounding India''s GDP base year revisions, the current initiative by MoSPI to engage experts and establish an advisory committee underscores the necessity for a transparent and methodologically sound approach. The inclusion of updated data sources and rigorous methodologies aims to enhance the accuracy and reliability of GDP estimates.

Launch of Tribal Welfare Projects Under DAJGUA, EMRS and PM-JANMAN

Recently, the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for projects worth over Rs 80,000 crore in Jharkhand, including the launch of Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA). 

• He also inaugurated 40 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) and laid the foundation stone for 25 more, along with several projects under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN).

Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan

• Originally named the PM Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PM-JUGA), is an umbrella scheme to implement existing schemes across 63,000 Scheduled Tribe-majority villages. 
• Dharti Aaba refers to Birsa Munda, a 19th-century tribal leader and anti-colonial icon from Jharkhand. 
• The initiative aims to address critical gaps in social infrastructure, health, education, and livelihood through 25 interventions implemented by various 17 Ministries and Departments of the Government of India.

Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)

• EMRS is a scheme for making model residential schools for Scheduled Tribes (STs) across India. It started in the year 1997-98. Its nodal ministry is the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. 
• These schools are being developed to provide quality education to tribal students, focusing on academic as well as overall development. 
• The EMR Schools generally follow the CBSE curriculum. 
• The scheme aims to build schools similar to Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas and Kendriya Vidyalayas, with a focus on state-of-the-art facilities for preserving local art and culture, as well as providing training in sports and skill development.

Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN)

• PM-JANMAN was launched on 15th November 2023, on Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas,  to improve the socio-economic welfare of PVTGs. 
• It is implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, in collaboration with the State governments and the PVTGs communities. 
• It encompasses various sectors, including safe housing under the PM-Awas Scheme, access to clean drinking water, improved healthcare, education, nutrition, road and telecommunications connectivity, as well as opportunities for sustainable livelihoods. 
• The plan also includes the establishment of Van Dhan Vikas Kendras for trading in forest produce, off-grid solar power systems for 1 lakh households, and solar street lights. 
• The scheme is expected to enhance the quality of life and well-being of the PVTGs, by addressing their multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination and exclusion, and by recognizing and valuing their unique and valuable contribution to national and global development. 

Refugee rights, the gendered nature of displacement

Displacement

• It refers to the forced movement of people from their homes or communities, which various factors, including conflict, natural disasters, development projects and persecution can cause.
• According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), by the end of 2023, 11.73 crore people, worldwide had been forcibly displaced due to persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations or events seriously disturbing public order. Among them, 3.76 crore were refugees.
• With the Israel-Hamas war having escalated since then, the Ukraine-Russia war continuing, and Rohingyas facing fresh threats in Myanmar, the number of refugees worldwide is only expected to multiply significantly.
• Since independence, India has hosted over 200,000 diverse refugee groups. As of January 31, 2022, UNHCR India had 46,000 registered refugees and asylum-seekers, 46% of whom are women and girls.

Negative impact of displacement on people 

• Loss of life and livelihood: Many displaced individuals lose family members, homes, land, and sources of income leaving them economically vulnerable.
• Psychological trauma: Exposure to violence, witnessing deaths, sexual abuse, or being forcibly separated from loved ones leads to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety.
• Health crises: Refugee camps or temporary settlements can become breeding grounds for diseases due to overcrowding, inadequate sanitation, and lack of healthcare.
• Loss of common property resources: When people lose access to shared resources that are essential for their survival, this affects not only the economic aspect of their lives but also their social and communal relationships.
• Marginalisation: Exacerbates inequalities and reinforces the vulnerability of already disadvantaged groups, including women, children, and ethnic minorities.
• Food insecurity: Malnutrition and hunger become critical issues, particularly for children, pregnant women, and the elderly in displaced communities.
• Social disarticulation: The disarticulation of communities also erodes social cohesion, cultural practices, and traditions, leading to psychological distress and a loss of identity.

Challenges to female refugee 

• Gendered responsibilities: Burdened with caregiving for children, the elderly, and family survival, often being the last to flee conflict zones.
• Physical and mental health: Refugee women are affected by a multitude of stressors spanning deaths of partners and children, hardships of camp life, complex alterations in family dynamics, limited access to community networks, and reduced safety.
• Gender-based abuse: Prolonged conflict, shifting gender roles, broken social support systems, and socio-economic challenges expose refugee women to higher risks of gender-based abuse, including transactional sex.
• Psychological and psychosocial conditions: They are twice as likely to develop PTSD and four times more likely to suffer from depression than men. 
• A study in Darfur, Sudan found 72% of displaced women experienced PTSD and distress due to trauma and camp conditions, showing their higher risk of mental health issues compared to male refugees.
• Social and gender inequalities: Especially when refugee populations belong to patriarchal societies, lead to the experiences and testimonies of displaced women being dismissed.

Legal framework available to displaced women

Global level: 

• The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) Recognises ‘long-term mental or intellectual impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder full and effective participation in society’ as ‘psychosocial disability’ and guarantees a plethora of rights to the affected persons. 
• The UNCRPD also recognises that ‘women and girls with disabilities are subject to multiple discrimination’ and mandates measures to ensure ‘full and equal enjoyment by them of all human rights and fundamental freedoms’ (Article 6). 
• These guarantees are required to be secured to all without any discrimination (Article 5).

India

• India ratified the UNCRPD and enacted the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPWDA). RPWDA does not explicitly use the term ‘psychosocial disability,’ it recognizes “mental illness” under the RPWDA.
• The RPWDA guarantees rights to persons with disabilities, including healthcare (Section 25) and equal rights for women with disabilities (Section 4).
• The Supreme Court of India has upheld the right to life under Article 21,includes the right to health, for refugees.

Measures to strengthen the protection of displaced women

• Effective policy-making also depends on the collection of disaggregated data on their health conditions, necessitating swift and systematic identification and registration processes.
• India may consider signing the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol to protect and define refugees'' rights.
• Specific domestic legislation addressing refugees specifically addresses the needs of displaced women, including protection from gender-based violence (GBV), access to healthcare, and economic opportunities.
• Establish safe spaces and services for women and girls in displacement settings to prevent and respond to GBV, including shelters, counselling, and support services.
• To secure the implementation of the aforesaid guarantees, it is crucial to integrate refugees with disabilities into relevant policies and programmes in an accessible manner. 

SC Strike Down ‘Casteist’ Provisions in India’s Prison Manuals

  Recently, the Supreme Court ruled that caste-based division of labour in prisons is “unconstitutional,” marking a key step towards eliminating institutional biases in India’s correctional system.   The SC invalidated several provisions in State prison manuals that upheld caste distinctions, declaring them a violation of prisoners'' fundamental rights.

Colonial Stereotypes in Prisons

• • West Bengal Jail Code: The court highlighted Rule 404 of the West Bengal Jail Code, which states that a convict overseer may only be appointed as a night guard if they do not belong to tribes considered to have a "strong natural tendency to escape," such as wandering tribes. 
  • Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala Prison Manuals: These manuals define "habitual criminals" as those who, by "habit," engage in crimes like robbery, housebreaking, theft, forgery, or extortion—even without prior convictions. 
  • Restrictions on Labour: In Andhra Pradesh, members of "wandering or criminal tribes" are equated with individuals of "bad or dangerous character" or those who have escaped custody. As a result, they are barred from being employed in labor outside prison walls. 
  • Colonial Legacy: The now-repealed Criminal Tribes Act, 1871, allowed the British colonial regime to label certain marginalised communities as "criminal tribes," based on the false stereotype that they were "born criminals." 
  • Denotified Tribes: After the Act''s repeal, these communities were reclassified as "denotified tribes." However, prison manuals continued to categorize them as "habitual offenders" despite no convictions. Example: 
  • Perpetuation of Discrimination: The court observed that this continued classification reinforces colonial-era caste-based discrimination, worsening the social and economic marginalisation of these groups. 
• Examples of Caste Based Discrimination in Prisons: 
  • Tamil Nadu Prison: The segregation of Thevars, Nadars, and Pallars into separate sections at the Palayamkottai Central Jail in Tamil Nadu was a caste-based segregation of barracks. 
  • Rajasthan Prison: The Rajasthan Prison Rules, 1951, assigned latrine duties to the "Mehtar" caste, a Scheduled Caste community, while Brahmins or high-caste Hindu prisoners were placed in kitchens. 

Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes 

• They are also known as ''Vimukt Jatis. These communities are among the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. 
• Denotified communities, once labelled as ''born criminals'' during British rule under laws like the Criminal Tribes Act, 1871. 
• They were officially de-notified by the Indian Government in 1952. 
• A few of these communities which were listed as de-notified were also nomadic. 
• Nomadic and semi-nomadic communities are defined as those who move from one place to another rather than living in one place all the time. 
• Historically, Nomadic Tribes and De-notified Tribes never had access to private land or home ownership. 
• While most DNTs are spread across the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) categories, some DNTs are not covered in any of the SC, ST or OBC categories.

Fundamental Rights of Prisoners Violated

• Caste Classification Limitation: The Supreme Court emphasised that caste can only be used as a classification criterion if it benefits victims of caste discrimination. Eg.  Caste based affirmative action (reservation). 
• Segregating prisoners based on caste reinforces caste differences and animosity, should be eliminated. 
• The prison manuals failed to serve this purpose and violated Article 14 of the Constitution. 
• Direct and Indirect Discrimination: The SC highlighted both direct and indirect discrimination against marginalized communities.  
• Assigning cleaning and sweeping jobs to lower castes, while allowing higher castes to perform tasks like cooking, is a clear example of direct discrimination under Article 15(1). 
• The allocating certain tasks to these communities based on traditional roles, rather than offering them more skilled or dignified work, results in indirect discrimination. 
• Violation of Equality: Differentiating inmates based on “habit,” “custom,” “superior mode of living,” or “natural tendency to escape” undermines the principles of substantive equality. 
• The SC highlighted prison rules that mandate food be cooked by a “suitable caste” or assign “menial duties” to certain communities, classifying these practices as untouchability, which is prohibited under Article 17. 
• Right to Life and Dignity: The court underscored that prison rules restricting the reformation of marginalised prisoners violate their right to life and deprive them of dignity and equal treatment, further marginalizing them. 

Constitutional and Legal provisions Against Discrimination 

• Constitutional Provisions: 
• Equality Before Law: According to Article 14 no person shall be denied treatment of equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India. 
• Prohibition of Discrimination: Article 15 of the Constitution of India states that the State shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them. 
• Abolition of Untouchability: Article 17 of the constitution abolishes Untouchability. 
• Legal Provisions:  
• The Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955: The act was enacted to enforce Article 17 of the Constitution of India, which abolished the practice of untouchability. 
• The SCs and the STs (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989: It was enacted to safeguard the members of SCs and STs from caste-based discrimination and violence.

Directives Issued by SC

• Amend Prison Manuals: All States and Union Territories were ordered to revise their prison manuals and rules within three months to eliminate discriminatory practices. 
• Removal of Caste References: The court mandated the removal of the “caste column” and any references to caste from the registers of undertrials and convicts maintained in prisons. 
• Issues in Model Prison Manual and Act: The Union government’s Model Prison Manual, 2016, and the Model Prisons and Correctional Services Act, 2023, were flagged for shortcomings such as caste discrimination. 
• The 2016 manual was particularly criticized for its vague definition of “habitual offender,” allowing States to perpetuate stereotypes against denotified tribes. 
• The court ordered that reforms be made to both the 2016 and 2023 Act within three months. 
• Compliance Monitoring: District legal services authorities and boards of visitors were tasked with conducting regular inspections to ensure compliance with these directives. 
• Police Instructions: Police authorities were instructed not to arbitrarily arrest members of denotified tribes, ensuring adherence to guidelines established in previous Supreme Court rulings.

The Supreme Court''s recent ruling to abolish these discriminatory practices marks a significant step towards achieving substantive equality in prisons. By mandating the removal of caste references, revising outdated definitions, and addressing biases against marginalised communities, the court has reinforced the importance of dignity, fairness, and reform for all prisoners. This decision paves the way for a more just and inclusive correctional framework in India. 

Space Based Surveillance (SBS) Mission

Recently, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has approved phase 3 of the Space Based Surveillance (SBS) mission. 

• It will help in better land and maritime domain awareness for civilian and military applications. 
• It will involve the launch of at least 52 satellites in low earth orbit and geostationary orbit for surveillance.  
• 21 satellites will be built by ISRO and the remaining 31 by private companies. 
• The SBS mission is being handled by the National Security Council Secretariat and Defence Space Agency under the Ministry of Defence. 
• The three armed forces will have dedicated satellites for their land, sea or air-based missions. 
• SBS 1 was launched in 2001, and involved the launch of four satellites e.g., Risat 2 while SBS 2 came in 2013 with the launch of six satellites e.g., Risat 2A.  
• The SBS 3 mission will be supported by India''s acquisition of 31 Predator drones from the US, joint construction of military satellites with France and anti-satellite missile capabilities. 
• India aims to acquire capabilities to detect enemy submarines in the Indo-Pacific and monitor infrastructure construction by adversaries along its land and sea borders. 

 Sustainable Agriculture to Recover Groundwater

According to the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Gujarat, replacing around 40% of the area currently sown with rice with other crops could help recover 60-100 cubic kilometers of groundwater lost in northern India since 2000.

• Key Highlights:  
  • Such unsustainable cropping patterns, if left unchecked, could significantly strain the already overexploited groundwater resources, further aggravating water security challenges. 
  • The prevailing agricultural practices, particularly those centered around rice cultivation, heavily depend on groundwater resources for irrigation. 
  • A continued rise in global temperatures have contributed to the depletion of groundwater reserves, with estimates indicating a potential loss ranging between 13 to 43 cubic kilometers. 
  • The nexus between agricultural practices and groundwater depletion underscores the urgent need for adaptive strategies in cropping patterns to mitigate the impending ecological crisis. 
• Impact of Climate Change: 
  • The 2018 Special Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on Global Warming of 1.5°C warns that, if current trajectories persist, global warming is expected to reach 1.5°C between 2030 and 2050, with a potential rise to 3°C by 2100. 
  • In comparison, maintaining the existing cropping patterns under global warming scenarios of 1.5 to 3°C would result in a far lower recovery of groundwater, estimated between 13 to 43 cubic kilometers. 
• Recommendations:  
  • It recommends shifting towards cereals in Uttar Pradesh and oilseeds in West Bengal as alternatives to rice cultivation. 
  • These findings carry significant policy implications, suggesting that optimal crop patterns must be identified for sustainable groundwater management in irrigated regions of northern India while safeguarding farmers'' livelihoods. 
  • The report emphasises the urgent need to alter crop patterns, particularly in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, to enhance groundwater sustainability while maintaining farmers'' profitability.  
  • These findings carry significant policy implications, suggesting that optimal crop patterns must be identified for sustainable groundwater management in irrigated regions of northern India while safeguarding farmers'' livelihoods. 

Note: 

• Heavy Reliance: Groundwater accounts for 62% of irrigation, 85% of rural water supply, and 45% of urban water consumption . 
• Depletion Rates: India''s groundwater depletion rate could triple by 2080, primarily due to climate-induced over-extraction . 
• Over-Extraction: Several regions, including Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi, extract more groundwater than can be replenished, with withdrawal rates exceeding 100% of available resources. 
• Geographical Disparities: The Indo-Ganga-Brahmaputra plains contain 60% of India’s groundwater resources but cover only 20% of the country.  
• Agricultural Dependency: Over 60% of irrigated agriculture relies on groundwater, putting immense pressure on resources, particularly in agricultural hubs . 

Challenges Related to Sustainable Agriculture in India

• Water Scarcity: Over-reliance on water-intensive crops and inefficient irrigation methods have resulted in groundwater depletion and water shortages. 
• Climate Change: Unpredictable weather patterns, rising temperatures, and increasing frequency of extreme events such as floods and droughts negatively impact crop yields and agricultural sustainability. 
• Fragmented Landholdings: Small and fragmented farms make it difficult to adopt sustainable agricultural practices, mechanization, and efficient resource use. 
• Overuse of Chemical Inputs: Excessive use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides has led to soil and water pollution, harming ecosystems and long-term agricultural productivity. 
• Inadequate Policy Support: Insufficient government policies and incentives specifically promoting sustainable farming practices limit the transition to eco-friendly agriculture.

Government Initiatives Related to Sustainable Agricultural Methods 

• Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) 
• National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture 
• Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) 
• Sub-mission on AgroForestry (SMAF) 
• Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana 

Road ahead

• Promote Water-Efficient Practices: Adoption of water-efficient technologies such as drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting, along with crop diversification towards less water-intensive crops, to address water scarcity issues. 
• Enhance Farmer Training and Awareness: Conduct widespread training programs and workshops to educate farmers on sustainable agricultural practices such as organic farming, agroforestry, crop rotation, and integrated pest management. 
• Strengthen Policy and Incentive Support: Formulate and implement stronger policies that incentivize sustainable farming practices through subsidies, grants, and tax exemptions for adopting eco-friendly technologies and inputs. 
• Improve Access to Technology and Markets: Facilitate access to modern sustainable agricultural technologies and create efficient supply chains and market linkages for farmers to sell organic and sustainably grown produce at fair prices. 
• Encourage Research and Innovation: Invest in research and development focused on sustainable agricultural methods, climate-resilient crops, and affordable eco-friendly inputs, while promoting collaboration between government institutions, research bodies, and farmers. 

Telangana Begins Sub-Categorization of SCs

 Recently, the Telangana government has initiated the process of categorizing Scheduled Castes (SCs) into four distinct sub-groups: A, B, C, and D.  

• This development follows the Supreme Court''s landmark judgment which granted states the authority to sub-classify reserved categories, including Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), for reservation purposes. 
• Supreme Court Ruling: 
• The Supreme Court, in a review-judgment of Punjab and Haryana High Court,  allowed states to sub-classify SCs and STs under Article 14 of the Constitution  based on varying levels of backwardness. 
• It ruled that the ''creamy layer'' principle, previously applied only to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) (as highlighted in Indra Sawhney Case), should now also be applied to SCs and STs.  

It also held that reservations are applicable solely to the first generation; if a family member has availed of the benefits, the second generation becomes ineligible. 

Yield Curve

• Government securities (G-Sec) are debt instruments (bonds) that governments issue to raise capital. The value at which the G-Sec is issued is regarded as its face value, and the value at which the G-Sec is traded in the secondary market is referred to as its market value.
• Bond Yield is the return received by the investor on the capital invested in a particular bond. The yield of a bond depends on its market value. 
• If the market value increases above the face value of the bond (the price at which it was purchased in the primary market when it was issued), then the rate of returns on the bond purchase in the secondary market decreases. This phenomenon is often known as the softening of bond yields. 
• On the other hand, if the market value decreases below the face value of the bond, then the rate of returns on purchasing the bond in the secondary market increases. This phenomenon is known as the hardening of bond yields. 

A yield curve is a graph that depicts yields on bonds ranging from short-term debt such as one month to longer-term debt such as 30 years.

Types of Yield Curve & their interpretation

• The yield on bonds depends upon the risk involved. The higher the risks, the higher the yields.
• Normal Yield Curve: Normally, the yield on short-term maturity bonds is lower than that of long-term maturity bonds. This can be attributed to increased risk in the longer term (say 30 years). A normal yield curve indicates that yields on longer-term bonds may continue to rise, responding to periods of economic expansion.
• Inverted Yield Curve: When there are signs of a slowdown in an economy, it would mean that the economy faces risk in the short term. However, the economy may return to normalcy in the long term. Hence, the yield on short-term bonds becomes higher than the yields of long-term bonds. (Inverted Yield Curve). Hence, an inverted yield curve points towards a probable economic recession.