16 Feb 2024: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

E. Editorials

Category: SOCIAL ISSUES

1. An intervention that will help strengthen legal education

Syllabus: GS-1, Effects of Globalization on Indian Society

Mains: Strengthening the legal education system in India

Introduction:

• The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law, and Justice has submitted a report on legal education in India, proposing significant recommendations.
• Legal education has not received the same attention as fields like medicine and engineering post-independence.
• The establishment of national law universities (NLUs) in the 1990s marked a positive shift, but challenges persist, especially in areas like research and global recognition.

New Regulatory Framework:

• The committee suggests limiting the Bar Council of India’s (BCI) powers in regulating legal education, proposing the establishment of an independent body called the National Council for Legal Education and Research (NCLER).
• The NCLER would focus on regulating aspects of legal education beyond basic eligibility for litigation practice, aiming to set qualitative benchmarks with input from legal experts and academics.

Enhancing Research Focus:

• Many of India’s law schools prioritize teaching over research, leading to a reliance on Western legal knowledge.
• The committee stresses the importance of promoting research in legal education to foster critical thinking among students.
• Recruiting top global researchers and increasing state funding are recommended to bolster the research ecosystem in Indian law schools.

Adapting to Globalization:

• Recognizing the impact of globalization on legal education, the committee proposes initiatives like developing a global curriculum, facilitating international exchange programs for students and faculty, and integrating more international law courses.
• These efforts aim to equip Indian law schools to thrive in a globalized world and broaden students’ exposure to diverse legal systems.

Addressing Institutional Challenges:

• Effective leadership within law faculties and universities is paramount, requiring passionate and visionary individuals who cultivate an atmosphere conducive to achieving excellence.
• Academic freedom and autonomy are deemed essential for promoting a culture of legal research, allowing scholars to express diverse perspectives without fear of reprisal.

Nut Graf: The Parliamentary Committee’s report proposes reforms to enhance legal education in India, advocating for a new regulatory body, increased research focus, globalization initiatives, and addressing institutional challenges, with a call for stakeholder collaboration.

Category: SOCIAL JUSTICE

1. The big diversity blind spot in health policy

Syllabus: GS-2, Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

Mains: Lower women representation in the health sector and its impact

Introduction:

• Only 18% of women hold leadership positions across health panels, revealing a significant gender disparity in India’s health policy.
• The over-representation of privileged groups like men, doctors, bureaucrats, and individuals from New Delhi in key health committees highlights a lack of diversity.
• This centralization of power neglects diverse perspectives critical for effective public health systems.

Gender Disparity in Health Committees:

• Analysis of India’s National Health Committees from 1943 to 2020 shows a stark gender gap, with only 11% of women participating.
• The lack of female representation in decision-making bodies like the Devi Shetty Committee on COVID-19 management underscores the need for diverse expertise in addressing health crises.
• While there’s a slight improvement in gender diversity post-2000, with women’s representation rising from 9% to 15%, significant gaps persist.

Impact of Diversity on Policy and Implementation:

• Committees dominated by privileged men from urban areas often overlook nuanced issues, such as affordability and intra-household dynamics, in health policies.
• Women’s concentration in frontline, low-paid positions, coupled with cultural norms and familial responsibilities, hinders their advancement in the healthcare sector.
• Globally, women occupy only 25% of senior positions and 5% of leadership roles in healthcare, contributing to a cycle of underrepresentation and limited mentorship opportunities.

Recommendations for Inclusive Policy Making:

• Affirmative policies, such as reserving seats for women and marginalized groups on health committees, can address representation gaps.
• Efforts should be made to identify and encourage qualified women for leadership roles, combating entrenched biases and systemic barriers.
• A redefined approach to policy-making should prioritize diversity, preventive care, and meaningful participation of affected communities to ensure inclusive and effective health policies.

Nut Graf: India’s health policy faces a diversity blindspot, with only 18% of women in leadership roles with an overrepresentation of privileged groups. This centralized approach hampers inclusive decision-making critical for effective public health systems.

Q1. On which river is the Omkareshwar Dam situated ?

Q2. Consider the following statements:

Q3. Consider the following statements:

Q4. Consider the following statements:

Which of the following statement(s) is/are true?

Q5. Who among the following is associated with ‘Songs from Prison’, 
a translation of ancient Indian religious lyrics in English?