Content:

1. India Skills Report Ranks Kerala Among Top States for Employability in India

2. Ayush Visa and e-Ayush Visa

3. PM POSHAN: Centre to Bear Additional Cost of ₹425.62 Cr. Due to Food Inflation

4. New Scheme to Triple Those with Access to Top Journals

5. Saurashtra Fossils Say Early Humans Didn’t Stick to Coast as They Migrated

6. Behind the Great Indian Internet Shutdown

 India Skills Report ranks Kerala among top States for employability in India

Context : Kerala maintains an employability rate of 71%, ranking fifth after Maharashtra, Delhi, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.

Relevance: GS 3(Employment)

• It is among the top States favoured for employment, along with Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh.

Youth Employability:

• In the 22-25 age group, Kerala’s employability rate is an impressive 87.47%, placing it among the top States.

• For experienced professionals (26-29 years), Kerala ranks highest with an employability rate of 68.82%.

Female Employability:

• Kerala is particularly preferred by female job aspirants and ranks third for female employability opportunities.

Overall Employability in India:

• Nationwide, 54.81% of assessed youth were found to have the required skills for employment.

• The study surveyed 6.50 lakh youths via the Global Employability Test conducted by Wheebox and its partners.

Contributors to Kerala’s Success:

• High literacy rates and robust educational infrastructure.

• A skilled youth workforce contributing to a strong talent pool.

 Ayush Visa and e-Ayush Visa

Context :

• 123 regular Ayush visas were issued.

• 221 e-Ayush visas and 17 e-Ayush attendant visas were issued till December 4, 2024.

Relevance: GS 2 (Health)

Ayush Visa:

• A separate category of Ayush Visa was introduced to facilitate foreign visitors seeking treatment under the Ayush system of medicine in India.

Four Sub-Categories:

• Ayush Visa: For those seeking therapeutic care and wellness treatment in accredited hospitals or wellness centers.

• Ayush Attendant Visa: For an attendant accompanying a foreigner on an Ayush Visa.

• e-Ayush Visa: An online visa option for Ayush treatment seekers.

• e-Ayush Attendant Visa: An online visa for attendants accompanying patients on e-Ayush Visas.

• These visas are aimed at promoting the Ayush system of medicine to international patients.

PM POSHAN: Centre to Bear Additional Cost of ₹425.62 cr. Due To Food Inflation

Context: Centre to bear ₹425.62 crore for inflation-induced food material costs in 2024-25 under the PM POSHAN Scheme.

Relevance: GS 2( Schemes)

• Material cost for pulses, vegetables, and oil increased by 13.7%: ₹6.19 for primary/Balvatika students and ₹9.29 for upper primary students.

• Inflation rates (6.45% for 2022-23 and 6.74% for 2023-24) considered for the cost revision.

• New rates applicable across all States and Union Territories; flexibility for higher contributions.

• Centre covers 100% of foodgrain cost and transportation (approx. ₹9,000 crore subsidy annually).

• PM POSHAN Scheme provides hot cooked meals to 11.7 crore students in Balvatika and Classes 1 to 8 across 10.24 lakh government and government-aided schools in India.

• The scheme ensures one hot cooked meal per day, contributing to better health and nutrition among children.

New Scheme To Triple Those With Access To Top Journals

Overview: One Nation, One Subscription (ONOS) scheme aims to expand access to top research journals to State-affiliated colleges and individual students across India.

Relevance: GS 2(Education, Governance)

• The scheme will more than triple the number of entities able to access research papers from leading publishers.

• Increased journal availability: The number of journals accessible will increase by 62%, covering 95% of published research.

• Phased implementation: ONOS will begin on January 1, 2025, covering all States and government institutions. A review in 2027 will include private universities and colleges.

• Financial implications: The scheme will double the Centre’s annual spend on subscriptions, from ₹1,000-1,500 crore to ₹6,000 crore (2025-2027).

• Article Processing Charges (APC) Fund: A ₹150 crore fund will support researchers in paying APCs to make their work freely accessible.

• Implementation through INFLIBNET: The Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET) will coordinate subscriptions across over 6,300 institutions, benefiting approximately 1.8 crore students, faculty, and researchers.

• Accessibility: Students and faculty can register to access research papers remotely, even when away from campus.

• Broad impact: The scheme aims to reduce the knowledge gap and democratize access to high-quality research across all educational institutions in India.

Saurashtra Fossils Say Early Humans Didn’t Stick To Coast As They Migrated

Context : Discrepancy in coastal migration theory of early humans

Relevance: GS 3(Science)

• Coastal migration theory suggests that early human populations predominantly migrated along coastlines, using maritime routes to spread across the world, exploiting rich coastal resources.

• Although genetic studies support the coastal dispersion of early humans, archaeological evidence from Saurashtra, India, shows otherwise.

• Middle Palaeolithic sites: All Palaeolithic sites in India, including those in Saurashtra, are inland, contradicting the coastal migration theory.

• Tools and artefacts: Study in Saurashtra reveals tools made from chert, jasper, and other stones dating back to 56,000–48,000 years ago, indicating inland movement.

• Relative dating method: Use of relative dating suggests artefacts are from the Middle Palaeolithic age, without evidence of Late Palaeolithic coastal tools.

• Landmass connections: Researchers noted that during the Middle Palaeolithic, Saurashtra was connected to other regions, making it a landmass away from the coast.

• Lack of marine evidence: No evidence of marine resources like fish or shellfish use in these early human settlements suggests no coastal habitation.

• Challenges in proving coastal migration: Debate remains due to the absence of securely dated coastal sites and submergence of potential sites due to rising sea levels.

• Broader understanding: The study prompts a reevaluation of human dispersal patterns, emphasizing inland routes over coastal ones for migration across India.

Behind the Great Indian Internet Shutdown

Context: India is referred to as the “world’s Internet shutdown capital” due to frequent instances of Internet suspension.

Relevance: GS 2(Governance), GS 3( Internal Security)

Supreme Court Ruling:

• In Anuradha Bhasin vs Union of India (2020), the Supreme Court recognized the Internet as a fundamental right under the Indian Constitution.

• The ruling stated that any restriction on Internet access must be temporary, lawful, necessary, and proportionate, and subject to judicial review.

Government Compliance Issues:

• Non-compliance: States often fail to follow Supreme Court guidelines, with shutdown orders not being promptly published, hindering judicial review.

• Statutory Gaps:  2020 amendments to the Telecom Suspension Rules did not mandate the publication or periodic review of shutdown orders, weakening enforcement.

Impact of Internet Shutdowns:

• Economic Loss: In 2020, $2.8 billion was lost due to 129 instances of Internet suspension, affecting over 10 million individuals.

• Disruption to Daily Life: Shutdowns disrupt education, healthcare, livelihoods, and access to information, highlighting the Internet’s role in modern life.

• Psychological, Social, and Journalistic Harm: Limitation of access leads to significant social and psychological impacts, affecting news dissemination, communication, and emergency help-seeking.

• Socio-economic Disparities: Mobile data restrictions disproportionately affect lower socio-economic classes, as the majority of users rely on mobile data rather than broadband.

Call for Reform:

• Increased Compliance: Emphasize adherence to Supreme Court guidelines to prevent arbitrary shutdowns, ensuring transparency and accountability.

• Statutory Support: Advocate for statutory recognition of Supreme Court directions to ensure government compliance.

• Limitations: Internet shutdowns should be rare and only in clear public emergencies to avoid stifling protests or dissent.