Vulnerable Sections

Model Answer

Transgender students in India face significant barriers in accessing education, which contribute to their low literacy rates. As per the 2011 census, the literacy rate among transgender individuals stands at only 57.06%, much lower than the national average of 74.04%. The following are the key challenges:

1. Binary School Model:
   Most schools in India operate under a binary gender model that assumes students can only be male or female. This system creates challenges for transgender students, who may not fit into the prescribed gender categories. Examples include gender-specific uniforms, seating arrangements, and restrooms, which leave transgender students marginalized.
2. Nomenclature and Pronouns:
   The use of gendered pronouns and names further alienates transgender students. Terms like “third gender” reinforce societal hierarchies and stigmatize transgender individuals.
3. Bullying and Harassment:
   Lack of awareness about gender identity results in bullying, harassment, and discrimination, often from both students and teachers. This creates a hostile learning environment that leads to high dropout rates, with 58% of transgender individuals in Kerala reporting school dropout.
4. Inadequate Support for Gender Non-Conforming Students:
   Transgender students who come out during their education or undergo gender affirmation face numerous challenges, including difficulties in changing names and gender on official documents, accessing gender-neutral housing, and facing resistance from institutions.

Measures to Address the Challenges

Revise the Binary Model:

Schools should adopt a more inclusive, flexible approach, creating gender-neutral infrastructure and eliminating practices like gender-specific uniforms or seating arrangements.

Curricular Reforms:

Schools should include transgender individuals’ achievements and contributions in the curriculum to promote acceptance and understanding. For example, Dr. Manabi Bandopadhyay, India’s first transgender college principal, could be highlighted.

Sensitization and Support Programs:

Introducing sensitization programs and creating support groups can foster empathy among students and staff. The ‘Breaking Barriers’ program in Delhi could serve as a model.

Inculcation of Self-Esteem:

Motivational speakers and community role models should be involved to boost the self-esteem and confidence of transgender students.

Gender Auditing of Schools:

Regular audits to ensure gender equality, with specific focus on transgender inclusion, should be conducted.By implementing these measures, India can create a more inclusive and supportive educational environment for transgender students.

Model Answer

Climate change exacerbates existing social inequalities, particularly for caste-based marginalized groups in India, such as Dalits and Adivasis. The following points highlight how these communities are disproportionately affected:

1. Impact on Agricultural Dependence

• Landless Dalit Farmers: A significant number of Dalits depend on agriculture, but due to their lack of land ownership, they are highly vulnerable during natural disasters. As per the 2011 Census, about 71% of Dalits work as farm laborers, while only 9% of cultivable land is owned by them, leaving them without insurance or resources to recover from climate-induced agricultural disruptions.
  • Fact: The IPCC AR6 report highlighted that vulnerable communities in India, including Dalits, suffer disproportionately from climate change impacts like floods and droughts.

2. Discrimination During Rescue and Relief

• Exclusion from Aid: Dalits often face discrimination during disaster relief operations, leading to insufficient support. For instance, after the Krishna floods of 2009, studies showed that Dalits were marginalized during rescue and relief activities.
  • Fact: Discrimination during relief efforts exacerbates their vulnerability to climate-induced disasters, further entrenching socio-economic disparities.

3. Limited Access to Public Resources

• Water Shortage and Caste-Based Exclusion: Caste-based discrimination results in marginalized groups, especially Dalit women, being denied access to vital resources like water. 48% of villages report Dalit women being denied access to water sources during climate crises.
  • Fact: According to the Asia-Pacific Forum for Sustainable Development, caste-based exclusion persists in times of scarcity, worsening the impact of climate change on these communities.

4. Caste-Based Sanitation Work

• Increased Demand for Sanitation Work: Caste-based divisions often force marginalized communities into sanitation work, particularly the Safai Karamcharis, many of whom are Dalits. With rising floods and blocked drains due to climate change, demand for this work increases, further perpetuating their socio-economic marginalization.
  • Fact: 95-98% of Safai Karamcharis are Dalits, predominantly women, according to the Safai Karamchari Andolan.

5. Vulnerability to Violence

• Increased Risk for Dalit Women: As climate change exacerbates water scarcity and droughts, Dalit women and girls often travel longer distances to collect water and fodder, exposing them to sexual and physical violence.
  • Fact: National Crime Records Bureau data reveals that ten Dalit women and girls are raped every day in India, further highlighting their vulnerability.

6. Living in Vulnerable Areas

• Exclusion from Mainstream Infrastructure: Dalits typically reside in areas on the periphery of villages, lacking access to essential infrastructure like drainage systems, drinking water, and flood barriers. This makes them more exposed to climate risks like floods and droughts.
  • Fact: Their social exclusion results in worse outcomes during climate-induced disasters.

Conclusion

Climate change compounds the challenges faced by caste-based marginalized groups in India, exposing them to heightened vulnerabilities in terms of access to resources, health, safety, and economic opportunities. Addressing these challenges requires specific policies that integrate the socio-economic realities of these communities into climate adaptation strategies.

Model Answer

The Prime Minister Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme, introduced to support street vendors with collateral-free working capital loans, has achieved notable successes in advancing social justice and equity. However, several challenges persist in ensuring its optimal impact.

Achievements of the Scheme

1. Inclusive Entrepreneurship
   • The scheme has significantly contributed to reducing socio-economic disparities.
   • According to an SBI Research Report, 75% of beneficiaries belong to non-general categories, reflecting its inclusivity.
2. Relief from Predatory Lending
   • Vendors previously reliant on informal lenders with exorbitant interest rates now have access to affordable credit through PM SVANidhi.
3. Gender Equity
   • Women constitute 43% of beneficiaries, showcasing the scheme’s role in empowering female entrepreneurs and addressing gender disparities.
4. Digital Inclusion
   • The scheme has improved the adoption of digital transactions among street vendors.
   • For instance, loans given to Jan Dhan beneficiaries increased digital transactions for 9.5% of users who previously conducted fewer than 10 transactions.

Challenges in Implementation

1. Banking Hurdles
   • Migrant vendors face difficulties in obtaining loans due to lack of documents, with banks often demanding unnecessary paperwork.
2. Cumbersome ULB Process
   • Obtaining a vending certificate or Letter of Recommendation from Urban Local Bodies is time-consuming and bureaucratic.
3. Lack of Awareness
   • Awareness about the scheme remains low, with 52% of street vendors in a study unaware of its benefits.
4. Limited Benefits for Minorities
   • Only 9% of loans have been disbursed to vendors from minority communities, indicating gaps in equitable access.

Conclusion

The PM SVANidhi scheme has made significant strides in fostering social justice by empowering marginalized and gendered groups. However, addressing the challenges of accessibility, awareness, and equitable outreach is crucial to ensure that its benefits reach all street vendors effectively. Simplifying processes and enhancing targeted outreach can further bolster its impact.

Model Answer

Ensuring Police Accountability in India

In India, the police are frequently criticized for human rights violations, highlighting the challenges in ensuring their accountability. Despite existing mechanisms like The Police Act, 1861, and oversight bodies, issues persist, with rising cases of abuse of power and custodial deaths.

Challenges:

1. Recommendatory Nature of Independent Bodies: Bodies like the NHRC are limited by their recommendatory powers, hindering effective enforcement against police misconduct.
2. Non-Implementation of Judicial Guidelines: Absence of monitoring mechanisms for Supreme Court directives results in lax enforcement of regulations on police conduct, such as those from the Prakash Singh judgment.
3. Process-Oriented Complexities: Hierarchical constraints under The Police Act, 1861, impede accountability enforcement, with senior officers often unable to hold subordinates responsible due to time constraints and complexities.
4. Political Interference: Political meddling erodes police leadership authority, fostering undisciplined behavior and external influence-seeking within the force, weakening accountability mechanisms.
5. Lack of Citizen Involvement: Despite legal provisions for citizen oversight through writ petitions and PILs, lack of awareness and high costs deter citizens from holding the police accountable effectively.

Measures to Strengthen Accountability:

1. Restructuring Laws: Revising IPC, CrPC, and The Police Act, 1861, in line with democratic values is vital for effective policing in India.
2. Technological Integration: Implementing CCTV surveillance in police stations, as suggested in the Paramvir Singh Saini case, can enhance monitoring and accountability.
3. Implementation of Prakash Singh Guidelines: Enforcing SC directives on State Security Commissions and Police Complaints Authorities is crucial for enhancing oversight.
4. Reducing Power Concentration: Dividing police functions into distinct areas as proposed by the Second ARC can streamline accountability processes.
5. Revamped Police Training: Enhancing training to focus on human rights and social justice can mitigate instances of police brutality and misconduct.

By implementing these measures and upholding international human rights standards, India can work towards a more transparent and accountable police force that respects the rights of all citizens.

Model Answer

Socio-Economic Benefits of Women Entrepreneurship in India

Women entrepreneurship contributes significantly to India’s socio-economic development. The economic benefits include:

1. Higher Economic Growth: Women’s participation in employment and entrepreneurship can increase India’s GDP by $0.7 trillion by 2.
2. 2025Job Creation: Female entrepreneurs have the potential to create 150-170 million jobs in India by 2030 .
3. Per Capita Income: Higher Female Labour Force Participation boosts family income, contributing to an improved per capita income for the nation .
4. Women-Cenions: As women entrepreneurs focus on products that cater to female needs, they can help fill the gap in industries where male-led ventures dominate, leading to more inclusive solutions .

On the social front, the include

1. Balanced Regional Development: Women entrepreneurs often set up businesses in backward areas, contributing to regional economic development by utilizing government subsidies and resources .
2. Female Empowerment: Entrep helps women gain financial independence and break societal gender barriers .
3. Reduced Gender Gap: Women entreprearrows the gender compensation gap, dismantles the glass ceiling, and fosters a more inclusive corporate culture .
4. Improved Human Capital: Women tend to invesducation and health of their families, improving the overall human capital of the nation .

*Key Challenges Hindering Growth of Women Entrepreneurship

Despite the growing momentum, several barriers hinder women entrepreneurs:

1. Lack of Financial Support: Over 90% of women entrepreneurs rely on informal channels for finance as they struggle to access formal, collateral-free loans .
2. Social and Cultural Barriers: Gendered expectations limit womity and force them to juggle business with caregiving roles, restricting their entrepreneurial potential .
3. Limited Networking Opportunities: Women often lack access to essential mentors, and investors, which are crucial for business growth .
4. Technological Barriers: Many women face technological constraints that limit th to digital platforms, customers, and resources .
5. Gender Bias: Market discrimination against women hinders their ability to secure contracg, or customers, further exacerbated by a patriarchal workforce .

Despite these challenges, the rise of supportive government schemes and an evolving start-up ecosystem ihat India is moving towards achieving the target of 25% women entrepreneurs by 2025 .