The article highlights the plight of Anshakalin Stri Parichars (ASPs) in Maharashtra and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) nationwide. Despite being the backbone of rural healthcare, delivering maternal care and immunizations, they are often classified as 'volunteers' rather than employees. This classification denies them minimum wages, job security, and social benefits. Their monthly wages have stagnated for years, often falling below subsistence levels. The neglect reveals a gendered and caste-inflected hierarchy in public health where skilled work by rural women is devalued. Protests across states demand fixed honoraria and recognition as government staff to secure rural health rights.
ASPs and ASHAs are essential for rural health but lack formal worker status, leading to exploitation and low wages.
The 'volunteer' label is used by states to justify underpaid labor and the absence of social security benefits like pensions.
Rural women health workers face significant occupational risks, including snakebites and accidents, without insurance or compensation.
Exam Points
ASHAs were created under the National Rural Health Mission in 2005.
A labor court in Nagpur (2023) acknowledged that ASPs deserve protection under the Minimum Wages Act.
ASP monthly wages in Maharashtra have stagnated at ₹3,000 since 2016.
Marking its centenary, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) remains a cornerstone of Indian democracy, ensuring merit-based recruitment. Established following the Lee Commission recommendations, it evolved from the Federal Public Service Commission under the 1935 Act to its current form under the 1950 Constitution. The article emphasizes its role in maintaining an efficient, impartial civil service free from political influence. Recent reforms include the PRATIBHA Setu initiative for interview-stage candidates and the use of AI for efficient processing. It continues to manage complex examinations in 22 languages for diverse administrative cadres, maintaining public trust through transparency.
The UPSC ensures a merit-based civil service, vital for the impartial execution of government policies and administrative stability.
The commission originated from the Government of India Act 1919 and was formally established in 1926 following Lee Commission reports.
Modernization efforts include face-recognition technology and the Professional Resource And Talent Integration Bridge for Hiring Aspirants (PRATIBHA) Setu.
Exam Points
The Lee Commission (1924) recommended the setting up of the Public Service Commission.
The Government of India Act 1935 elevated the body to the Federal Public Service Commission.
UPSC conducts exams for 48 disciplines with options in 22 languages recognized under the Constitution.
India's dugong population has dwindled to a few hundred due to poaching, habitat loss, and pollution. However, recent initiatives like the notification of the Dugong Conservation Reserve in Palk Bay (2022) show promise. This reserve protects 12,000 hectares of seagrass meadows. Success is attributed to community participation, where fishers are encouraged to release dugongs caught as by-catch. The IUCN has recognized this reserve as an exemplar for its innovative restoration techniques. Despite progress, challenges remain, including inconsistent funding from the compensatory afforestation fund and threats from mechanized fishing and rising sea temperatures.
The Dugong Conservation Reserve in Palk Bay is India's first such reserve notified under the Wildlife (Protection) Act.
Seagrass meadows are critical habitats for dugongs and require protection from dredging, pollution, and mechanized fishing.
Community engagement with local fishers is essential to mitigate by-catch and create local constituencies for marine conservation.
Exam Points
The Dugong Conservation Reserve in Palk Bay was notified in 2022.
The reserve protects over 12,000 hectares of seagrass meadows.
WII (Wildlife Institute of India) surveys suggest the dugong population in Palk Bay is now over 200.
Over the last decade, India has seen a transformation in girls' education, driven by initiatives like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP). Launched in 2015, BBBP aimed to prevent female foeticide and promote education. The program's success is visible in improved sex ratios at birth and higher female literacy rates. In Gujarat, the Kanya Kelavani campaign (2003) served as a precursor, addressing barriers like lack of school toilets. These efforts have led to a positive feedback cycle where educated women marry later, have fewer children, and are more likely to seek institutional healthcare and join the workforce.
BBBP is a multi-ministerial effort involving Women and Child Development, Health, and Education ministries for coordinated change.
Improved female literacy directly correlates with lower fertility rates and better maternal and child health outcomes.
The initiative has shifted social mindsets, leading to increased support for delaying early marriage and promoting higher education.
Exam Points
The Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) initiative was launched nationwide in 2015.
India's sex ratio at birth improved from 919 (2015-16) to 929 (2019-21).
India's Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has dropped to 2.0, which is below the replacement level.
While India's Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) has risen significantly, reaching 41.7% in 2023-24, a closer look reveals underlying vulnerabilities. The increase is primarily driven by rural women entering the workforce as 'helpers in household enterprises' or in self-employment, rather than regular salaried jobs. Much of this work is unpaid or low-paying, and real earnings for most categories of women workers have actually declined or stagnated. This suggests that while more women are entering the labor market, they are often doing so out of economic necessity into poor-quality, informal roles rather than dynamic, remunerative employment.
FLFPR rose from 23.3% in 2017-18 to 41.7% in 2023-24, largely driven by rural women.
The shift is characterized by a move from 'attending domestic duties' to 'unpaid helper' roles in family businesses.
Real wages for regular salaried and self-employed women in rural areas have seen a downward trend despite higher participation.
Exam Points
FLFPR for women aged 15 and above reached 41.7% in 2023-24.
Rural female participation in agriculture increased from 71.1% in 2018-19 to 76.9% in 2023-24.
Data is sourced from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) and NSSO.
The latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report for 2023 highlights several critical social and legal issues. Illegal migration cases under the Foreigners Act were highest in West Bengal and Tripura. Farmer suicides remain a major concern, with Maharashtra and Karnataka accounting for over 60% of cases, often attributed to government policies and import duties. Additionally, crimes against children rose by 9.2%, with kidnapping and POCSO cases being the most prevalent. The report also noted a significant 30.4% increase in environmental offences, primarily related to tobacco products and noise pollution regulations.
West Bengal recorded the highest number of cases (1,050) under the Foreigners Act and Passport Act in 2023.
Maharashtra (38.5%) and Karnataka (22.5%) reported the highest percentages of farmer suicides in India.
Crimes against children reached a rate of 39.9 per 1,00,000, with Madhya Pradesh topping the list of total cases.
Exam Points
Total cases under Foreigners Act/Passport Act in 2023 were 2,290.
10,786 farmers and agricultural workers lost their lives to suicide in 2023.
Crimes against children showed a 9.2% increase over 2022 figures.
Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) have been net sellers in the Indian stock market for three consecutive months as of late 2024. In September 2024 alone, FPIs withdrew ₹23,885 crore. Analysts attribute this trend to disproportionately high valuations of Indian stocks, dull corporate earnings, and global uncertainties such as US tariff policies. Furthermore, there is a notable shift of funds towards the Chinese market, which is seen as having more attractive valuations. The weakening rupee against the dollar has also reduced the attractiveness of dollar returns from Indian equities, leading to cautious sentiment among global fund managers.
FPIs have pulled out approximately ₹1.54 lakh crore from Indian equities between January and September 2025.
High valuations and stagnant corporate earnings have made Indian stocks less attractive compared to emerging peers like China.
Global emerging market managers have cut India's allocation to 16.7%, the lowest since late 2023.
Exam Points
FPIs withdrew ₹23,885 crore in September 2024.
India's allocation in GEM (Global Emerging Market) funds fell to 16.7% from a peak of 21%.
As of August 2025, global funds held $390 billion in Indian assets.
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