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Critical Topics and Their Significance for the UPSC CSE Examination on January 31, 2025

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How can the feminisation of agriculture empower women?

For Preliminary Examination:  Periodic Labour Force Survey, Labour Force Participation rate

For Mains Examination: GS III - Indian Economy

Context:

Women contribute around 63 per cent of the agricultural labour force in India, yet they lack access to key resources such as land ownership, finance, and advanced farming technologies.

Read about:

Labor Force Participation Rates in India

 Periodic Labour Force Survey

Key takeaways:

• The participation of women in India’s workforce has fluctuated over the years. It reached a peak of 40.8% in 2004-05 but subsequently declined. However, since 2017, there has been a reversal of this trend, with female labour force participation (FLPR) witnessing an upward movement, particularly in the post-COVID period.
• The rural FLPR rose from 41.5% in 2022-23 to 47.6% in 2023-24, while the urban FLPR increased from 25.4% to 28% in the same timeframe.
• This surge can be attributed to the economic revival following the easing of pandemic-induced restrictions, which encouraged more women to seek employment. Additionally, economic hardships have compelled many women to enter the workforce to support their households.
• However, the growing presence of women in the workforce, particularly in paid employment, warrants closer analysis. The rise in FLPR has been primarily driven by an increase in self-employment among women, especially in the agricultural sector.
• State-level census data suggests that in regions where female workforce participation has grown, it is largely due to women taking on greater roles in agriculture.
• This trend underscores the limited availability of non-agricultural employment opportunities for rural women, keeping them largely engaged in farming-related activities.

Understanding Feminisation of Agriculture

• The increasing role of women in agriculture is commonly referred to as the feminisation of agriculture. This phenomenon is interpreted in two ways: first, as a rise in the proportion of agricultural work performed by women, including their responsibilities as small-scale cultivators or agricultural laborers.
• Second, it also encompasses women’s ownership, control, and participation in agricultural resources and decision-making processes, such as land ownership, crop selection, and input management.
• Several factors contribute to this shift. Structural changes in the Indian economy have led to a decline in agriculture’s share of GDP, with employment shifting towards the service sector.
• Additionally, rural economic distress has driven men to migrate in search of non-farm jobs, leaving women to take on increased responsibilities in agricultural work.
• Other contributing factors include declining agricultural productivity, rising input costs, climate change-related risks, and limited employment alternatives, which have prompted many rural men to seek livelihoods elsewhere. Consequently, women who remain in villages assume multiple roles, particularly in farming activities.

Gender Disparities in Land Ownership

• Despite their significant role in agriculture, female farmers often remain invisible in official records. The National Commission on Farmers (2005) observed that a growing number of women are engaged in agricultural tasks, with estimates suggesting that women perform nearly 80% of farm-related work and constitute over 42% of the agricultural workforce. According to the PLFS 2023-24 data, 76.95% of rural women are employed in agriculture.
• However, land ownership remains highly unequal. The Agriculture Census of 2015-16 revealed that although 73% of rural female workers are engaged in agriculture, only 11.72% of the total operated farmland is controlled by women. Furthermore, the land they do own tends to be small and marginal, reflecting deep-seated patterns of unequal land distribution.
• Women can acquire land through inheritance, purchase, gifts, or government allocations, yet systemic barriers limit their access. Financial constraints make it difficult for women to buy land, making inheritance a primary means of land acquisition. However, social norms and biases often hinder their ability to claim and control land.
• A case in point is the 2017 land distribution initiative in Uttar Pradesh. Under this program, 331 landless households in Mirzapur district received land titles—80 in Sirsi village and 251 in Karkad.
• Among these, only 7% of land titles were granted to single women, underscoring the persistent gender gap in land ownership. Research indicates that secure land rights are crucial for women’s economic independence and decision-making power, yet progress in this area remains slow

 Follow Up Question

Thirty people died and at least 60 were injured in a pre-dawn stampede Wednesday at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj

For Preliminary Examination:  Current events of national and international importance

For Mains Examination: General Studies III: Disaster and disaster management

Context:

Thirty people died and at least 60 were injured in a pre-dawn stampede Wednesday at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj where hundreds of thousands gathered to take a dip at the Sangam

Read about:

What is stampede

Is there any National Guide on Crowd Management in India?

Key takeaways:

• A stampede refers to a sudden, uncontrollable rush or surge of a crowd of people, often caused by panic or fear, leading to chaos and, in some cases, injury or death.
• Typically, stampedes occur in crowded or confined spaces where people are pushed or trampled over each other in an attempt to escape or reach something.
• Stampedes are most common during events like religious gatherings, festivals, sporting events, or concerts, where large numbers of people are gathered together.
• The risk of a stampede increases when there is insufficient crowd control, poor management of the event, or sudden disruptions that cause panic

How did the Incident Happen?

• The stampede occurred early on Wednesday, January 29, when unusually large crowds gathered at the riverbank for the ritual bath. This date, January 29, being Mauni Amavasya, is considered especially auspicious for taking a dip at the Kumbh Mela. According to PTI, around 10 crore pilgrims were expected to attend the Maha Kumbh on this single day.
• The tragedy unfolded shortly after 1:30 am, as people moved toward Sangam Nose, the land at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers, to perform the ritual bath on the auspicious day of Mauni Amavasya.
• The dead and injured were promptly transported to medical facilities within the Maha Kumbh grounds and nearby hospitals. The snan rituals were paused briefly but resumed by the afternoon. By evening, officials estimated that over 10 crore people had taken a ritual dip.
• Authorities attributed the stampede to the overwhelming crowd pressure at Sangam Nose, as well as the collapse of barricades along the designated route for the akharas on their way to the Amrit Snan.
• Eyewitnesses reported that the stampede occurred when people heading to the Sangam collided with those returning from it. Other accounts suggested that the barricades meant for the akharas were knocked down, leading to a surge of people rushing toward the Sangam Nose

India has developed national guidelines for crowd management, primarily to ensure safety and minimize risks during large gatherings or events. One key document is the "National Guidelines on Crowd Management" issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The guidelines focus on managing crowds during various types of public gatherings such as festivals, religious events, political rallies, and sporting events.

The main objectives of the guidelines include:

• Risk Assessment: Identifying potential risks and hazards associated with large crowds and their movements.
• Planning: Emphasizing the need for comprehensive planning before large events to ensure safety, health, and security.
• Training and Capacity Building: Ensuring that organizers, authorities, and emergency personnel are trained in crowd control, evacuation, and emergency procedures.
• Infrastructure and Crowd Flow: Designing appropriate infrastructure, including barriers, entry/exit points, and adequate signage, to maintain orderly movement and avoid congestion.
• Coordination: Establishing clear communication and coordination channels between different agencies such as the police, local authorities, and emergency response teams.

These guidelines aim to create a safe and controlled environment, ensuring that large gatherings do not lead to dangerous situations like stampedes, and that emergency measures can be implemented effectively if required.

Follow Up Question

1.Discuss the recent measures initiated in disaster management by the Government of India departing from the earlier reactive approach. (2020)

16-page form to priest certificate: Uttarakhand UCC rules for live-in

For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

For Mains Examination: GS II - Governance

Context:

A 16-page form that needs to be filled, Aadhaar-linked OTP, registration fee, a certificate from a religious leader that the couple is eligible to marry if they so wish, and details of previous relationships — these are among the rules prescribed by the Uttarakhand government for registration of live-in relationships under its Uniform Civil Code.

Read about:

 Uniform Civil Code (UCC)

Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttarakhand

Key takeaways:

• The UCC Act, which was passed by the Uttarakhand state Assembly in February 2024, mandates that couples must register their live-in relationships with the government, both when entering and terminating such relationships.
• Non-compliance with the registration requirements can result in a jail sentence of up to six months. This law applies to residents of Uttarakhand, as well as Uttarakhand natives living in other parts of India. The rules, which took effect on January 2, detail the documentation required for registration, which can be done both online and offline.
• Rule 15 (3) in Chapter 5 specifies the information needed for the "Statement of Live-in Relationship", which must be submitted with a 16-page form (Form 3) by individuals already in or planning to enter a live-in relationship.
• The rules also require couples to provide proof that marriage between them is permissible if they fall within prohibited relationship degrees. To validate previous relationships, the rules demand details of prior marital or live-in relationships, with supporting documents like divorce decrees, annulments, death certificates of spouses, or proof of terminated live-in relationships. If the marriage was dissolved under customary practices, proof of such dissolution is needed.
• Under the UCC, the Registrar has the authority to issue a notice, either on their own or based on a complaint, requiring an individual to register their live-in relationship. The Registrar also conducts a summary inquiry into the documents’ authenticity. If either party is under 21, the Registrar must notify their legal guardian or parent.
• While the law asserts that registration is purely for record-keeping purposes, the rules require the Registrar to send the registrations to local police stations and mandate landlords to request either a provisional or final certificate of live-in relationship registration.
• The Seventh Schedule of the Constitution allows both the Centre and state legislatures to legislate on family law matters.
• The UCC applies to state residents who are in heterosexual relationships and identify as binary genders (male and female), thus excluding most LGBT persons.
• Borrowing heavily from secular laws like the Special Marriage Act, 1954, and The Indian Succession Act, 1925, the UCC repeals conflicting family laws – secular, personal, and customary – to the extent they are inconsistent with it.
• The Code defines live-in relationships as those resembling marriage between a man and a woman living together in the same household, with compulsory registration through a "statement of live-in relationship".
• Either party can terminate the live-in relationship by submitting a "statement of termination". Failing to register a live-in relationship within one month can result in up to three months in jail or a fine not exceeding Rs 10,000.
• The Registrar may ask the parties to submit the statement of live-in relationship, either through a notice or based on a third-party complaint.
• One progressive reform in the Code is the abolition of the "illegitimate child" concept. Currently, both secular and personal laws discriminate against children born out of wedlock, denying them equal rights.
• Though courts have extended certain rights, the stigma persists. Under the Uttarakhand UCC, children born in void or voidable marriages or live-in relationships are considered legitimate.

• Another significant feature of the Code is the abolition of the coparcenary system under Hindu personal law, as per the Hindu Succession Act, 1956. The coparcenary system, which allowed property to pass through four generations, is replaced with a system where all property is treated as individual property. This ensures uniformity in inheritance and intestate succession, regardless of religion

 Joint Committee on Waqf (Amendment) Bill has flagged several aspects of the proposed legislation

For Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance

For Mains Examination: General Studies II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Read about:

What is the meaning of ‘Waqf’?

What are the issues concerned with Waqf Board?

Key takeaways:

• Waqf refers to properties that are exclusively dedicated for religious or charitable purposes according to Islamic law, with any other use or sale being prohibited. Under the concept of Waqf, the ownership of the property is transferred from the individual making the Waqf to Allah, rendering it irrevocable.
• The person who establishes a Waqf for the benefit of others is called the 'Waqif'. Since Waqf properties are considered as belonging to Allah, a 'mutawalli' is appointed by the Waqif or an authorized body to manage or oversee the property.
• In India, the history of Waqf dates back to the early Delhi Sultanate, when Sultan Muizuddin Sam Ghaor dedicated two villages to the Jama Masjid of Multan, entrusting its administration to Shaikhul Islam.
• As Islamic dynasties flourished in India, the number of Waqf properties continued to increase. During the British Raj, a case was brought before the Privy Council in London challenging the validity of Waqf properties, with the British judges describing it as “a perpetuity of the worst and most pernicious kind.” However, this ruling was not accepted in India, and the Mussalman Waqf Validating Act of 1913 ensured the continuation of the institution.
• Regarding the issue of 'Waqf by user', which means that a property used as Waqf remains so, a committee has suggested that removing this provision from the legislation would not affect registered Waqfs in the absence of a Waqf deed.
• The committee recommended that the removal should apply only prospectively, and that existing Waqf properties registered under 'Waqf by user' should not be revisited, unless the property is under dispute or is government-owned.
• The Waqf Act of 1995 defines Waqf to include Waqf by user, stating that such properties do not cease to be Waqf simply because the user stops, regardless of the duration of the cessation.
• The proposed Bill tabled in Parliament in August aimed to exclude provisions related to 'Waqf by user', questioning the validity of properties without a formal Waqf deed. The committee, after considering tenant associations' concerns about long-term use of Waqf properties, emphasized the importance of addressing these issues with compassion while formulating lease rules.
• The committee also called for the Ministry of Minority Affairs to consider the concerns of Waqf tenants and introduce laws for long-term leases to safeguard their legitimate rights. Furthermore, the committee expressed the need to protect Scheduled Tribes and tribal lands by preventing their declaration as Waqf land, ensuring the protection of tribal and scheduled areas
• Regarding the issue of 'Waqf by user,' which refers to properties used as Waqf remaining as such, the committee is believed to have concluded that removing this provision from the legislation will not affect registered Waqf properties in the absence of a Waqf deed.
   
• The committee is understood to have proposed that the removal of ‘Waqf by user’ from the Waqf definition should be applied moving forward, ensuring that previously registered Waqf properties under this category are not revisited.
   
• However, the committee suggests that this clause should be contingent on the property not being involved in any disputes or being government-owned.
  The Waqf Act of 1995 defines Waqf to include ‘Waqf by user,’ but specifies that a Waqf will not lose its status solely due to cessation of its use, regardless of how long the use has stopped.
   
• When the proposed Bill was presented in Parliament last August, it aimed to remove provisions related to ‘Waqf by user,’ raising concerns about the legitimacy of Waqf properties without a valid Waqf deed.
   
• The committee, while acknowledging concerns raised by tenant associations regarding their long-standing association with Waqf properties, emphasized the importance of addressing these concerns thoughtfully when creating lease regulations.
   
• The panel has urged the Ministry of Minority Affairs to consider the welfare of Waqf tenants nationwide and implement laws that facilitate long-term leases to safeguard their rights.
   
• Additionally, the committee believes that protections should be extended to Scheduled Tribes and tribal lands under constitutional provisions. It has called on the Ministry of Minority Affairs to take legislative action to prevent the declaration of tribal lands as Waqf properties, ensuring the safeguarding of scheduled and tribal areas

Follow Up Question

1.Critically examine the implications of removing the 'Waqf by user' provision from the Waqf Act of 1995. Discuss the committee's recommendations on the future application of this provision, the protection of Waqf tenants' rights, and the safeguarding of tribal lands under constitutional provisions

Free Trade Agreement (FTA)

For preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

For Mains Examination: General Studies II: Impact of the policies and political dynamics of both developed and developing nations on India’s interests, as well as the Indian diaspora

Context:

Contrary to the narrative that India is being used as a dumping ground, it has maintained a surplus in finished goods trade with many FTA partners, including ASEAN countries

Read about:

What is Free Trade Agreement (FTA)?

Analyse India’s stance on Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) in recent years.

Key takeaways:

A Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is a pact between two or more countries or regions that aims to reduce or eliminate barriers to trade, such as tariffs, import quotas, and export restrictions. The goal of an FTA is to promote the exchange of goods and services by allowing for easier access to each other's markets. FTAs typically focus on increasing trade efficiency, enhancing economic cooperation, and fostering stronger political and economic ties between the participating countries. In addition to trade in goods, FTAs may also cover areas such as intellectual property, investment, and regulatory standards

Types of Free Trade Agreement

 Follow Up Question