Investing in Persons with Disabilities
Context: Persons with disabilities (PwDs) continue to face widespread social stigma, marginalization across all sectors, and discrimination in education and employment, all of which undermine their dignity. Educational institutions often lack the infrastructure and support systems needed for PwDs, while workplaces fall short in implementing robust diversity policies that would ensure proper representation of PwDs. Relevance: […]
Reducing Work Hours of Women
Context: The last thing a rape and murder require are empty words, yet a tired and predictable response is being offered after the brutal killing of a female doctor on duty at Kolkata’s R.G. Kar Hospital on August 9. The West Bengal government has issued guidelines, including one that suggests minimizing night shifts for women. Relevance: […]
Celebrating the 4th Anniversary of NEP 2020
Context: Recently, the Union Ministry of Education celebrated the 4th anniversary of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 with a week-long campaign called “Shiksha Saptah.” This campaign is designed to promote and celebrate the achievements and objectives of NEP 2020. Relevance: GS II: Education Dimensions of the Article: Initiatives Under Shiksha Saptah Vidyanjali Program: Tithi […]
Examination Controversies and Education Debate
Context; The NEET-UG exam has been marred by controversies including issues with grace marks, paper leaks, and other irregularities. The UGC-NET exam was cancelled after it was conducted, and the CSIR-NET and NEET-PG exams have been postponed. Relevance: GS II: Education Dimensions of the Article: Status of Education– Historical Background Pre-Independence: Post-Independence: Subsequent Developments: Prevailing […]
India will be a True Welfare State when Discrimination is Eliminated
Context: In India’s vibrant democratic fabric, the concept of a welfare state has been fundamental since its inception. Rooted in the Constitution, the commitment to justice, equality, and the advancement of general welfare defines India’s core values. Yet, within this noble vision lies a stark reality often overlooked—the profound challenges confronting individuals with disabilities. Relevance: GS2- […]
The Vulnerabilities of India’s Elderly
Context: The aging phenomenon is one of the most significant experiences of this century, characterized by a remarkable increase in human longevity alongside historically low reproduction rates. While the scale and growth of this phenomenon may seem alarming, efforts are being made to redefine it not just by age, but by other related factors influenced by […]
QS World University Rankings 2024
Context: 2024 edition of the QS World Ranking for the Universities has been released, recently. Relevance: GS II: Education Dimensions of the Article: QS World University Rankings: Key Highlights of the QS World University Rankings 2024 Overview Indian Universities in the Rankings Asian Rankings Most Represented Indian Universities Research Insights Overall Research Trends -Source: The […]
Forced Labour and its Economic Implications
Context: The International Labour Organization (ILO) recently unveiled a report titled ‘Profits and poverty: The economics of forced labour’, shedding light on the dire economic implications of forced labour globally. According to the report, forced labour is responsible for generating illegal profits amounting to a staggering USD 36 billion annually. This alarming revelation underscores the […]
Making Higher Education Future Ready
Context: Education, as the cornerstone of comprehensive development, empowers individuals, societies, and nations alike. High-quality contemporary education facilitates economic, intellectual, and social advancement by equipping young people with essential qualities such as critical thinking, creativity, skill enhancement, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Given India’s significant demographic dividend, the nation’s commitment to providing high-quality education tailored to the […]
Higher Engagement Better Learning
Context: The Annual Status of Education Report 2023 indicates that over 86.8% of individuals aged 14-18 are enrolled in educational institutions, yet a quarter of them struggle to read a Class 2-level text fluently in their regional languages. India has long grappled with a learning deficit, a challenge highlighted in Pratham’s annual surveys. Despite increased awareness, little […]