31 Jan 2024: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

B. GS 2 Related

Nothing here for today!!!

E. Editorials

Category: GOVERNANCE

1. A blurred mapping of internal female migration

Syllabus: GS-2, Government Policies and Interventions for Development in various sectors and Issues arising out of their Design and Implementation

Mains: Underrepresentation of women in Periodic Labour Force Survey – Implication and way forward 

Context: India’s internal migration faces gender bias as national surveys inaccurately portray the challenges faced by migrant women.

Inaccuracies in National Surveys:

• The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) estimates internal migration in India at 27% from June 2020 to 2021.
• Conventional literature often portrays migration as a male-dominated narrative, neglecting the significant presence of working-age women.
• National surveys, such as PLFS, provide an inaccurate picture, primarily focusing on the primary reasons for migration without delving into secondary motivations like climate shocks or food insecurity.
• The data on migrant women’s labour force participation is often misleading, with underreporting of employment status, especially in casual employment sectors like agriculture and domestic help.

Underreporting of Employment Status:

• The PLFS data during the COVID-19 pandemic indicates that approximately 75% of migrant women are unemployed, but anecdotal evidence suggests significant engagement in casual employment.
• Definitional issues and women’s beliefs contribute to the underreporting of employment, as many women view unpaid family work or self-employment as extensions of domestic commitments rather than formal employment.
• The definition used by national surveys classifies women without formal contracts as unemployed, leading to a skewed representation of their actual involvement in the labour force.

Human and Social Capital Barriers:

• Entry barriers to the formal labour force for migrant women may be attributed to the need for more human and social capital.
• PLFS data reveals that 85% of migrant women have less than 10 years of education, potentially limiting their employment opportunities.
• Lack of social networks, especially after migration, further hinders employment chances for women.
• Despite comparable educational levels between migrant and non-migrant women, the former are proportionally less employed, emphasizing the role of social and human capital in labour force participation.

Invisible Challenges and Policy Gaps:

• Female migration for labour increased by 101% between 2001 and 2011, yet these women face significant hurdles and marginalization.
• Women migrants remain largely invisible in political discourse, leading to a lack of targeted policies addressing their unique needs.
• The absence of female-specific data in policymaking results in poorly informed decisions, as demonstrated by initiatives like One Nation One ration card and e-Shram predominantly catering to male migrants.
• To address these issues, steps are recommended, including enhanced data collection on socio-economic conditions post-migration, increased awareness through changed narratives, and a focus on female-specific data in policymaking.

Nut Graf: Despite comprising a significant portion of India’s internal migrant pool, women’s challenges remain overlooked. Inaccurate surveys, underreported employment, and policy gaps contribute to their marginalized status in labour migration.

1. Astronomers spot unusual objects that fall within the black hole ‘mass gap’

Context: In a groundbreaking study published in Science, astronomers unveil a celestial enigma that defies conventional explanation. 

About: 

• Neutron stars, some of the universe’s densest entities, push the boundaries of our understanding of extreme matter. 
• Compact yet massive, these stellar remnants may collapse into even denser black holes.
• In the star cluster NGC 1851, astronomers spotted an intriguing duo: a millisecond pulsar paired with a mysterious, unseen companion. 
• Despite being invisible across all light frequencies, the pulsar’s stable spin provides a unique window into the system.
• Using the MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa, researchers meticulously tracked the orbits of these objects, revealing a combined mass nearly four times that of our Sun.
• Remarkably, the companion’s mass falls within the elusive “black hole mass gap,” presenting a profound astrophysical conundrum.

Significance: This discovery hints at a pulsar orbiting the remnants of a neutron star merger, challenging established theories of cosmic dynamics. Ongoing research promises to unravel the mysteries of this celestial dance, shedding light on the universe’s most extreme phenomena.

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Consider the following statements:

1. The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) is an index which ranks countries “by their perceived levels of public sector corruption”, as determined by expert assessments and opinion surveys.
2. For the sixth consecutive year, Denmark has secured the top position as per the Global Corruption Index 2023.
3. The index is published annually by the non-governmental organization Transparency International since 1995.

Which of these statement(s) is /are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. 1 & 3
4. All of the above

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: d

Explanation: All statements are correct.

• The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) ranks countries based on their perceived levels of public sector corruption.
• Denmark has consistently secured the top position in the Global Corruption Index for six years.
• The index has been published annually by Transparency International, a non-governmental organization, since 1995.

Q2. Consider the following statements:

1. Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat is known for housing Indian peafowl.
2. Known to be the largest lake of Goa, the Carambolim or Karmali Lake is a man-made freshwater lake.

Which of these statement(s) is /are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. 1 & 2
4. None of the above

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: b

Explanation:

Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary is not located in Gujarat; it is situated in Goa. Renowned as the largest lake in Goa, Carambolim or Karmali Lake presents breathtaking scenery. This man-made reservoir serves as a sanctuary for various birds, enhancing its allure for nature lovers.

Q3. Consider the following statements:

1. The Finance Commission is constituted by the President under Article 280 of the Constitution.
2. The commission is appointed every six years and consists of a chairman and four other members.

Which of these statement(s) is /are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. 1 & 2
4. None of the above

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation: The Finance Commission is constituted by the President under Article 280 of the Constitution. The Finance Commission is not appointed every six years; rather, it is constituted every five years or at such earlier time as the President considers necessary. 

Q4. Consider the following statements:

1. TRAI is a statutory body that governs the country’s telecommunications sector and was established by an Act of Parliament called the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act (1997).
2. Japan had launched the world’s first full-fledged 5G mobile networks in 2019.

Which of these statement(s) is /are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. 1 & 2
4. None of the above

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) is a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament called the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act (1997). It regulates the telecommunications sector in India, ensuring fair competition, protecting consumer interests, and promoting the orderly growth of the industry.

Statement 2 is incorrect: While Japan is known for its advancements in technology, South Korea was the first country to launch full-fledged 5G mobile networks in April 2019, followed by countries like the United States and China.

Q5. International Labour Organization’s Conventions 138 and 182 are related to?

1. Child labour
2. Adaptation of agricultural practices to global climate change
3. Regulation of food prices and food security
4. Gender parity at the workplace

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation: 

International Labour Organization’s Conventions 138 and 182 are related to child labour. Convention 138 sets the minimum age for employment, while Convention 182 addresses the worst forms of child labour, including slavery, trafficking, and hazardous work. These conventions aim to protect children from exploitation and ensure their right to education and a safe childhood. They provide a framework for governments and organizations to combat child labour globally.