Tag: Legal Reforms and Access to Justice UPSC

UPSC 8 July 2025 Current Affairs covers key exam-relevant topics including maternal health reforms, sea level rise, women MSME credit, preventive healthcare, legal simplification, digital census updates, and ethics in leadership. Ideal for UPSC Prelims, Mains, Essay, and GS Paper 2, 3 & 4 preparation. Watch Video – Click 1. Fostering a Commitment to Stop Maternal Deaths What’s the News? India has reaffirmed its dedication to ending preventable maternal deaths by aligning with the WHO-led global initiative known as the Ending Preventable Maternal Mortality (EPMM) strategy. This step reinforces the importance of maternal health as a foundational element of public health in India. With consistent improvements in health services and better access to institutional care, India is gradually making progress in reducing maternal deaths, but more work is needed to meet global standards. Key Points for UPSC: India's Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) has shown a steady decline over the past few years. It reduced from 130 deaths per 1,00,000 live births in 2014–16 to 97 in 2018–20. This is a significant public health achievement but falls short of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.1 target of less than 70 deaths per 1,00,000 live births by 2030. To achieve this, India has rolled out several government flagship schemes: Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY): Provides financial incentives to pregnant women for institutional deliveries. Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA): Offers free antenatal care services to all pregnant women. LaQshya Programme: Aims at improving the quality of care in labor rooms and maternity operation theatres in public health facilities. POSHAN Abhiyaan: Focuses on maternal and child nutrition. Recent Developments & Global Context: Globally, the WHO and UNFPA are at the forefront of implementing the EPMM strategy. India is also a part of the Global Financing Facility (GFF) that supports countries in improving health and nutrition outcomes. Regions like Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia account for nearly 70% of all maternal deaths globally, showing the need for targeted interventions in these areas. Relevant Conventions: Sustainable Development Goal 3: Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all. CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women): Urges member states to eliminate discrimination in healthcare. UN Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health: A roadmap to end preventable maternal and child deaths. Implications: Reducing maternal deaths improves the overall public health indicators. Promotes gender justice and supports women’s rights. Helps break the intergenerational cycle of poverty by ensuring healthier mothers and children. Improves India’s standing in global health rankings and commitments. Way Forward: Improve access to quality maternal care in rural and tribal regions using ASHA workers and Primary Health Centres (PHCs). Ensure universal access to family planning services and dietary support through Anganwadi centres. Use technology and Aadhaar-linked health databases to track maternal health outcomes. Focus on community participation and health education to create awareness and demand for safe motherhood services. 2. Rising Seas, Shifting Lives and a Test of Democratic Values What’s the News? Sea levels around the world are rising due to global warming, putting millions of people living in coastal areas at risk. In India, rising seas are not only a threat to life and property but also challenge the very structures of democratic governance. Climate-induced migration, environmental injustice, and livelihood loss are testing the responsiveness and fairness of democratic institutions. Key Points for UPSC: According to the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report, the world could witness up to a 1-metre rise in sea level by 2100 if greenhouse gas emissions are not controlled. India, with a coastline of over 7,500 kilometers, has more than 170 million people living in coastal districts. States like West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Maharashtra are particularly vulnerable. Impacts include: Displacement of communities and climate refugees. Loss of fertile land and freshwater sources due to saltwater intrusion. Economic loss in fisheries, agriculture, and tourism. Pressure on urban areas due to unplanned internal migration. Recent Global Developments: The COP28 Climate Summit launched a Loss and Damage Fund to support vulnerable countries. Island nations like Tuvalu are investing in digital twin nations to preserve identity and sovereignty. India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and State Action Plans (SAPCCs) include coastal zone resilience strategies. Relevant Conventions: Paris Agreement (2015): Aims to limit global warming to below 2°C. Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction: Focuses on reducing disaster risks including climate impacts. UNFCCC: Promotes the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. Implications: Risk of mass migration and strain on urban infrastructure. Emergence of climate ghettos and social unrest. New border and security issues due to environmental migration. Environmental stress can undermine democratic accountability if not managed transparently. Way Forward: Enact a comprehensive National Climate Migration Policy. Develop early warning systems, storm shelters, and disaster-resilient infrastructure. Mainstream climate justice into urban planning and development. Collaborate with neighboring countries to manage transboundary climate migration. 3. Batting for Prevention: Rethinking Public Health Strategy What’s the News? India is being urged to prioritize preventive and promotive healthcare as the first line of defense against the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which are not only affecting public health but also creating long-term economic stress on the healthcare system. Key Points for UPSC: NCDs such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer account for 63% of all deaths in India as per Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (2023). The World Bank estimates that every ₹1 spent on prevention saves ₹4 in treatment costs. Government initiatives promoting preventive health include: Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs): Focus on early detection and prevention. Fit India Movement: Encourages physical activity and wellness. Eat Right India Campaign: Promotes safe, healthy, and sustainable diets. National Digital Health Mission (NDHM): Digitizes health records for proactive management. Recent Global Developments: The World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations emphasize the need for early screening, vaccinations, and healthy lifestyles. Countries like Japan and Finland are examples of successful preventive healthcare systems that integrate community participation and technology. Relevant Conventions: WHO Global NCD Action Plan. SDG Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Implications: Reduces dependency on tertiary care hospitals. Builds a healthier and more productive population. Improves access for rural and economically weaker sections. Decreases out-of-pocket expenditure on healthcare. Way Forward: Increase budget allocations for health promotion and preventive care. Introduce AI-based diagnostics and mobile health units in underserved areas. Promote yoga, traditional wellness practices, and AYUSH systems as part of mainstream healthcare. Launch public awareness campaigns to educate citizens on disease prevention. 4. Keep it Simple: Simplification of Laws for People’s Empowerment What’s the News? The complexity and volume of legal language in India often make the justice system inaccessible to the common citizen. This editorial argues for simplifying laws and policies to promote transparency, participation, and inclusiveness, thereby empowering people and enhancing democracy. Key Points for UPSC: Over the years, India has repealed more than 1,500 obsolete laws that no longer served the public. Recent developments include the introduction of new criminal codes such as: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (replacing IPC) Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (replacing CrPC) Digital Legal Literacy and Ease of Justice have become core priorities under India's e-Governance reforms. Recent Developments: Countries like Estonia and Singapore have implemented AI-driven legal accessibility tools that help people understand laws without legal assistance. The UNDP has promoted community paralegals and open governance models to improve legal inclusion in rural areas. Relevant Conventions: SDG Goal 16: Promote peaceful societies and provide access to justice for all. Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 10): Right to a fair and public hearing. Implications: Citizens are better equipped to engage with democratic institutions. Improved awareness reduces corruption and litigation through informed decision-making. Builds trust in governance and boosts social accountability. Way Forward: Translate important legal documents into regional languages for local understanding. Digitize laws and make them accessible via mobile apps and infographics. Establish legal helplines and promote awareness through mass media. Integrate legal education into school curriculums to build legal literacy from a young age. 5. Women MSMEs Still Struggle for Credit Despite Schemes What’s the News? Despite several targeted schemes aimed at improving financial access, women entrepreneurs in the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector continue to face major hurdles in getting timely and affordable credit. This remains a significant barrier to inclusive economic growth, especially in rural and semi-urban areas where women-led businesses are often informal and underfunded. Key Points for UPSC: According to the Ministry of MSME, women own around 20% of all MSMEs in India. However, a report by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in 2023 estimates that there is a $158 billion credit gap for women-led MSMEs. Key government schemes launched to improve women’s access to finance include: Stand-Up India Scheme: Provides bank loans for women entrepreneurs. MUDRA Yojana: Offers micro-credit for small businesses. Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP): Encourages entrepreneurship through credit-linked subsidies. Mahila Coir Yojana: Supports women in the coir industry with tools and working capital. Recent Developments: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) launched the Udyam Assist Platform to help informal enterprises, particularly women-led units, register formally and access institutional credit. The G20 Empower Initiative, under India’s G20 Presidency, focused on unlocking the potential of women-led development. The World Bank and other global institutions advocate for gender-smart financing and removing collateral barriers. Relevant Conventions: CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women). Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995): Advocates for women's economic empowerment. ILO Convention 190: Promotes equality in workplaces and access to resources. Implications: Closing the gender credit gap could increase India's GDP by 27% (as per NITI Aayog). Financial inclusion of women boosts employment, entrepreneurship, and rural development. Helps meet SDG Goal 5 (Gender Equality) and Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Way Forward: Promote digital lending platforms to reach women without physical banking access. Strengthen Self Help Group (SHG)-Bank Linkages and microfinance models. Conduct financial literacy and capacity-building workshops to empower aspiring women entrepreneurs. Create dedicated mentorship platforms and incubation centres for women-led startups. 6. India’s Space Startups on the Launchpad What’s the News? India is witnessing a surge in private space sector activity, with startups like Agnikul Cosmos and Skyroot Aerospace making significant advancements. Key Points for UPSC (Mains & Prelims) Agnikul Cosmos launched Agnibaan SOrTeD, India’s first semi-cryogenic engine rocket from a private launchpad. Skyroot Aerospace became the first private Indian firm to launch a rocket (Vikram-S). Over 200 space startups emerged since 2020. ISRO has opened access to its facilities for private players through IN-SPACe. Recent Developments & Global Context In 2020, India allowed private players into the space sector. 2023: IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center) started operations. Global trend: SpaceX and Blue Origin have led the way for commercialized space activities. Relevant Conventions and Treaties India is a signatory to the Outer Space Treaty (1967) which governs responsible use of space. Emphasis on peaceful and sustainable space exploration. Implications for India and the World Boosts India’s space economy, expected to reach $44 billion by 2033 (IN-SPACe estimate). Encourages Make in India in the space sector. Helps India become a global launch hub for small satellites. Way Forward Strengthen public-private partnerships. Encourage R&D and skill development in advanced aerospace engineering. Establish clear regulations on space debris, satellite collisions, and space mining. 7. Coastal Ecosystems: Law and Conservation What’s the News? Concerns are rising over unregulated coastal development and its impact on India’s ecologically sensitive coastal ecosystems. Key Points for UPSC (Mains & Prelims) Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification first issued in 1991, updated in 2011 and 2019. Focus on protection of mangroves, coral reefs, estuaries, and coastal biodiversity. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) oversees CRZ regulations. India’s coastline spans 7,517 km, with 130+ million people dependent on it. Recent Developments & Global Context Projects like Sagarmala and coastal infrastructure often clash with environmental conservation. Rising sea levels and cyclones (like Biparjoy, Tauktae) threaten coasts. Relevant Conventions and Treaties UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) India’s National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) Implications for India and the World Poor coastal planning leads to habitat loss, marine pollution, and displacement of communities. Threat to climate resilience and livelihood of fisherfolk. Urgent need for climate-smart planning along coasts. Way Forward Integrate Blue Economy principles with environmental safeguards. Strengthen community participation and eco-tourism. Enforce CRZ norms strictly, especially in CRZ-I areas (most ecologically sensitive). 8. Wildlife Conservation: Challenges Beyond the Forest What’s the News? Human-wildlife conflict is increasing as animals venture beyond forests due to habitat loss and shrinking corridors. Key Points for UPSC (Mains & Prelims) Nearly 30% of India’s tigers live outside Protected Areas (PAs). Elephant and leopard conflicts have become common in Assam, Odisha, and Maharashtra. Over 500 human deaths reported annually due to wildlife conflict. India has 106 national parks and 564 wildlife sanctuaries. Recent Developments & Global Context Supreme Court orders on eco-sensitive zones and buffer areas. Increasing infrastructure like highways and railways fragment habitats. Global examples: African elephant corridors, Yellowstone connectivity. Relevant Conventions and Treaties Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) India’s Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and Project Tiger (1973) Implications for India and the World Disrupted animal movement leads to aggressive encounters. Threatens India’s conservation success. Reduces ecological resilience against climate change. Way Forward Implement eco-bridges, underpasses for animal crossings. Involve local communities through eco-development committees. Update land-use plans with wildlife corridors using GIS and remote sensing. 9. What the Parliament is Debating: Electoral Bonds and Their Fallout What’s the News? After the Supreme Court struck down the Electoral Bonds Scheme, Parliament is debating alternatives for transparent political funding. Key Points for UPSC (Mains & Prelims) Electoral Bonds were introduced in 2017 via Finance Bill. Supreme Court (2024) ruled them unconstitutional citing violation of Right to Information. Lack of donor transparency violated Article 19(1)(a). Recent Developments & Global Context Globally, political financing laws demand disclosure. Countries like UK, US, and Canada have strict transparency rules. India's reforms pending under the Law Commission’s proposals. Relevant Conventions and Treaties Not governed by international treaties but linked to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions). UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) encourages transparency in governance. Implications for India and the World Boosts public confidence in democracy. Prevents crony capitalism and black money in elections. Calls for robust alternatives: State funding, electoral trust model. Way Forward Implement recommendations from Law Commission Report (255th Report). Mandate disclosure of all political donations above ₹2,000. Encourage digital platforms for real-time reporting. Watch Video – Click

Tag: Legal Reforms and Access to Justice UPSC

UPSC 8 July 2025 Current Affairs: Top Topics for Mains & Prelims

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