UPSC 12 July Current Affairs bring major headlines like the induction of the Astra missile, Maratha Forts receiving UNESCO recognition, and the growing debate around One Nation, One Election. This comprehensive analysis covers all essential topics for UPSC Prelims and Mains. [caption id="attachment_26331" align="aligncenter" width="300"] UPSC 12 July: Astra, ONOE, Gender Gap Explained[/caption] 1. SIMULTANEOUS ELECTIONS: "ONE NATION, ONE ELECTION" (ONOE) 📌 What’s the News? The Ram Nath Kovind Committee (2023-24) submitted its final report supporting the implementation of simultaneous elections across India. The report revived debates around the feasibility, benefits, and challenges of holding concurrent elections for the Lok Sabha and all State Legislative Assemblies. 🧾 What Are Simultaneous Elections? Simultaneous elections involve conducting Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections at the same time every five years. India practiced this model till 1967, after which the electoral cycle was disrupted due to: Premature dissolution of Assemblies Fall of governments Imposition of President's Rule ✅ Why ONOE? (Arguments in Favour) Reduced Election Expenditure Frequent elections are costly (e.g., 2019 Lok Sabha: ₹60,000 crore+). Simultaneous polls would reduce repeated spending on logistics, security, staff, and infrastructure. Less Policy Paralysis Frequent elections invoke the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), halting ongoing schemes and announcements. ONOE would reduce MCC disruptions, ensuring smoother governance. Administrative Efficiency Government officials and security forces are heavily diverted during elections. ONOE helps in better deployment and governance continuity. Focus on Governance Political parties stay in perpetual election mode, impacting long-term policies. ONOE allows governments to focus on development and reforms. Better Voter Turnout Common elections may increase participation by reducing voter fatigue. Curb on Populism With fewer elections, political parties may avoid short-term giveaways and focus on substantive policy. ⚠️ Challenges and Concerns Constitutional Amendments Required Articles needing revision: Art. 83 & 172: Fixed terms of Lok Sabha & State Assemblies Art. 356: President’s Rule Amendments to Representation of the People Act, 1951 (Sections 14, 15). Democratic Accountability Risks If a government loses a no-confidence motion mid-term, how to: Maintain uniformity? Appoint interim government? Impact on Federalism Might dilute regional identity and state autonomy, affecting the federal structure. Logistical Overload Massive need for EVMs, security, polling staff, booths across the country at once. Voter Behavior Concerns National issues may overshadow regional issues, hurting regional parties. By-elections Will Still Happen Vacancies due to resignations/deaths will require mid-term by-elections. 📚 Key Reports & Committees Law Commission (1999 & 2018 Reports): Suggested constitutional pathways for ONOE. Parliamentary Standing Committee (2015): Advocated phased ONOE adoption. NITI Aayog (2018): Suggested two-phase model — grouping states based on current election timelines. Ram Nath Kovind Committee (2023-24): Final report submitted to President; explored feasibility, legal amendments, and political consensus. ✅ Way Forward Phased Implementation: Start with a few states whose elections align with Lok Sabha. Constitutional and Legal Amendments: Ensure judicial and political support. Broad Political Consensus: Engage opposition and regional parties for buy-in. Administrative Planning: Strengthen ECI with funding, staff, and logistics support. Watch Video – Click 2. INDIA’S GENDER GAP: CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES 📌 What’s the News? India ranked 129 out of 146 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index 2024 (WEF). The report highlights major gaps in economic participation, health, education, and political representation for women. 📊 Key Dimensions of Gender Inequality 1. 💼 Economic Participation Low Female Labour Force Participation (FLFP): Less than 20% of Indian women are part of the workforce. Gender Wage Gap: Oxfam (2023): Women earn only ₹63 for every ₹100 earned by men. Unpaid Work Burden: Women spend 4-6 hours/day on unpaid care vs. men’s 1-2 hours. Underrepresentation in Leadership: Few women in boardrooms, judiciary, or bureaucracy. 2. 🎓 Education Enrolment gaps reduce in primary education but rise at higher levels. Low participation in STEM fields due to: Gender roles Lack of role models Societal bias 3. 🏥 Health & Survival Skewed Sex Ratio: Due to female foeticide and son preference. Malnutrition & Anemia: Rural women most affected. Maternal Mortality: High rates in states with poor health infrastructure. 4. 🗳️ Political Representation Parliament: Women hold only 14.4% seats in Lok Sabha. State Assemblies: Rarely exceed 10% female representation. Panchayats: 33% reservation, but often influenced by male proxies. 🧩 Causes of Gender Inequality Patriarchy and Traditional Norms Lack of Safe Infrastructure (toilets, transport, lighting) Limited Access to Digital Tools Intersectional Discrimination (for Dalit, tribal, minority women) ✅ Way Forward: Gender Justice 🏫 Education Promote universal secondary education for girls. Encourage girls in STEM through scholarships and mentorship. Ensure gender-sensitive curricula. 💰 Economic Empowerment Support women entrepreneurs and SHGs with credit and marketing access. Enforce Equal Pay for Equal Work. Build crèches, community kitchens, and eldercare centers. 🏥 Healthcare Expand access to reproductive health and nutrition. Address anaemia and maternal health in rural India. 🗳️ Political Empowerment Enact the Women’s Reservation Bill (33% seats). Incentivize political parties to field women candidates. 💬 Changing Mindsets Launch mass campaigns to break stereotypes. Promote male allyship in gender equality. Encourage positive female role models in media. Watch Video – Click 3. ENGLISH DREAMS: LANGUAGE POLICY IN INDIA 📌 What’s the News? The NEP 2020 emphasizes mother tongue as the medium of instruction till at least Class 5, while also allowing English and other classical languages as part of a flexible Three-Language Formula. India’s Language Policy Framework ✅ Constitutional Provisions Article 343: Hindi is the official language in Devanagari script. Article 348: English to be used in courts and legislatures. Article 351: Duty of Union to promote Hindi. Official Language Act, 1963: Continued use of English alongside Hindi. 🧠 Three-Language Formula (1968) Designed for linguistic harmony and multilingualism. States to teach: Mother tongue / regional language Hindi or English Modern Indian language / Foreign language 📚 National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 on Language Mother Tongue Medium: Till Class 5, preferably till Class 8. No Language Imposition: States and students have flexibility. Promotion of Classical Languages: Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Odia, etc. Multilingualism as Skill: Promotes cognitive and cultural growth. ⚖️ English in Indian Society ✔️ Advantages Global Language: Access to international jobs and education. Link Language: Among diverse linguistic communities. Knowledge Access: Most academic and technical resources are in English. ❌ Concerns Inequity: Private English-medium schools vs. government regional-language schools. Erosion of Regional Languages: English dominance may endanger dialects and cultural heritage. Job Disparity: Urban elite fluent in English have greater opportunities. 🔄 Ongoing Debates Should children learn in their mother tongue or English? Mother Tongue: Better learning, cultural link English: Competitive advantage, global mobility States like Tamil Nadu, West Bengal oppose Hindi imposition. Implementation gaps in Three-Language Formula due to politics and logistics. 🏛️ Key Institutions Involved Ministry of Education NCERT (textbook development) UGC Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) Watch Video – Click 4. Astra BVR Missile: A Leap in Indigenous Defence Technology 📌 What’s the News? India’s indigenously developed Astra missile, a Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile, has been successfully inducted and integrated with Indian Air Force platforms, marking a significant step toward self-reliance in advanced weapon systems. 🔍 Key Features of Astra Missile Type: Air-to-Air, BVR missile Developer: DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation), Hyderabad (DRDL) Propulsion: Solid-fueled rocket motor Range: Astra Mk-I: >100 km Astra Mk-II & Mk-III: Under development with extended range Guidance System: Inertial Navigation System (INS) + Terminal Active Radar Homing Platforms: Currently integrated with Sukhoi Su-30MKI Planned: Tejas LCA, Mirage 2000, MiG-29 Strategic Significance Self-Reliance in Defence Reduces dependence on Russian/Rafale-origin missiles Aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing Enhanced Air Superiority Provides Indian fighter jets with standoff capability — can destroy enemy targets without visual contact Export Potential Could become a viable export item to friendly nations, boosting India's defence exports Deterrence and Security Enhances IAF’s capacity to counter aerial threats from adversaries like Pakistan and China 🔑 Prelims Pointers Astra Missile: BVR, Air-to-Air Developer: DRDO Range: >100 km (Mk-I) Integration: Su-30MKI, Tejas, Mirage 2000 5. Maratha Forts Get UNESCO Heritage Tag 📌 What’s the News? A group of Maratha forts, known for their military, cultural, and architectural significance, have been granted UNESCO World Heritage status, giving them global recognition. 🏛️ Understanding the UNESCO Heritage Tag UNESCO: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage Site: Sites of “Outstanding Universal Value” in terms of culture or natural beauty Process: Tentative list → Nomination → Evaluation → Inscription 🏯 About Maratha Forts Built and fortified during the Maratha Empire (17th–18th century), especially under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Forts exhibit indigenous military architecture adapted to different terrains: Hill Forts: Raigad, Sinhagad, Torna, Rajgad Sea Forts: Sindhudurg, Murud-Janjira Land Forts: Shivneri, Panhala 🧱 Architectural Significance Natural Topography: Utilized hilltops, cliffs, and coastal islands for natural defence Minimal Ornamentation: Focus on function over form Granite, laterite: Locally available stones used Unique features: fortified gateways, secret escape routes, water storage systems 🌍 Significance of UNESCO Tag Cultural Identity Reinforces Maharashtra's rich historical legacy International Recognition Showcases India’s pre-colonial military engineering to the world Tourism & Local Economy Boosts sustainable tourism, employment, and local artisan economy Conservation Funding UNESCO and international agencies may assist in preservation and maintenance 🔑 Prelims Pointers UNESCO HQ: Paris India’s First World Heritage Site: Ajanta Caves (1983) Maratha Architecture: Military, strategic, functional 6. Net Direct Tax Collections Fall by 1.3% 📌 What’s the News? The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) reported a 1.3% decline in net direct tax collections compared to the same period last year — indicating possible challenges in revenue mobilization. 📊 What Are Direct Taxes? Direct Taxes: Levied directly on individuals and corporations Examples: Income Tax, Corporate Tax Net Collections: Gross tax revenue minus tax refunds ⚠️ Why This Decline Matters Revenue Shortfall Less money for infrastructure, health, and welfare schemes Higher Fiscal Deficit May increase government borrowing and public debt Economic Indicator Could signal slowdown in corporate profits or job market Budgetary Impact Affects budget targets and may lead to spending cuts or reallocation 📉 Possible Reasons for the Fall Economic Slowdown: Reduced corporate profits and job creation Tax Refunds: Larger than usual refunds processed Policy Changes: Previous tax rate cuts for corporates in 2019-20 still impacting revenue Compliance Issues: Under-reporting or evasion of income Sectoral Weaknesses: IT or manufacturing slowdown affecting tax receipts 🔑 Prelims Pointers CBDT: Under Ministry of Finance Direct Taxes: Income Tax, Corporate Tax Fiscal Deficit: Difference between government’s total expenditure and total receipts (excluding borrowings) Watch Video – Click
