Content :

1. Does Article 21 include right to digital access?
2. Should NOTA be included in all elections compulsorily?
3. Gig workers’ meeting demands minimum wages, social security
4. ISRO set to launch earth observation satellite using PSLV rocket on Sunday
5. Unemployment at 5.1%, women labour force rises: PLFS data
6. Raising healthy hearts: reimagining school nutrition to tackle childhood hypertension

Does Article 21 include right to digital access?

Supreme Court’s Interpretation of Article 21

• The Supreme Court expanded Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty) to include the ‘right to digital access’.
• Emphasized that digital accessibility is a constitutional right, especially for persons with disabilities (PwDs).
• Based on principles of substantive equality, the Court mandated that digital KYC norms must be made accessible.

Relevance : GS 2(Fundamental Rights)

Digital KYC and Exclusion of PwDs

• Current KYC framework under the RBI’s 2016 Master Directions includes video-based verification (V-CIP) using:
  • Selfies, handwritten/digital signatures,
  • Reading on-screen codes,
  • OTP verification within 30 seconds.
• These processes exclude blind users, acid-attack survivors, and others with visual or facial impairments.

Legal Frameworks Supporting PwDs

• Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016:
  • Adopts a social-barrier approach to disability.
  • Section 42 mandates accessible media and universal-design for electronic systems.
• Constitutional backing:
  • Articles 14, 15, 21, and 38 provide for equality, non-discrimination, and dignified life.
  • Obligates the State to ensure equal access to digital public infrastructure.

Why is KYC Mandatory?

• Under the Prevention of Money-laundering Act, 2002, KYC is essential to:
  • Prevent illegal finance and money laundering.
  • Enable access to banking, SIM cards, insurance, pensions, DBT benefits, etc.

Challenges Faced by PwDs

• KYC systems lackaccessibility:
  • No screen-reader support for camera or lighting.
  • No audio instructions or feedback.
  • No support for thumb impressions (common for blind users).
  • Aadhaar-based systems often reject visually impaired users.
• PwDs often face rejection or forced in-person visits, violating their rights to digital access and dignity.

Key Supreme Court Rulings

• Rajive Raturi vs. Union of India (2024):
  • Affirmed that accessibility is central to Article 21.
  • Declared digital exclusion = rights violation.
• Previous interventions during COVID-19 and other public service rollouts also stressed digital inclusivity.

Wider Impact Beyond PwDs

• The SC noted that digitalinaccessibility affects:
  • Rural populations, senior citizens,
  • Economically weaker sections,
  • Linguistic minorities.
• Emphasized building inclusive digital infrastructure as a State obligation.

Should NOTA be included in all elections compulsorily?

Arguments in favour of compulsory inclusion of NOTA:

• Democratic expression: NOTA provides voters the right to reject all candidates, reinforcing democratic choice even when only one candidate is contesting.
• Protects secrecy: It enables voters to exercise dissent without compromising ballot secrecy, aligning with the SC’s 2013 judgment.
• Symbolic pressure: Even if NOTA doesn’t lead to re-election, its presence acts as a signal to political parties to nominate better candidates.
• Unopposed wins countered: Prevents automatic victory in uncontested seats and ensures voter agency is respected in such rare cases.
• No major administrative burden: As uncontested elections are rare (only 6 Lok Sabha instances since 1971), adding NOTA in such cases wouldn’t significantly burden the Election Commission.
• Supports electoral reform: Could pave the way for more meaningful electoral reforms, like re-election mandates if NOTA crosses a threshold.

Relevance : GS 2(Governance ,Elections )

Arguments against compulsory inclusion of NOTA:

• Low usage: Historical data shows NOTA consistently receives only ~1% of votes; thus, its practical influence is limited.
• Lacks legal impact: NOTA doesn’t currently lead to rejection or re-election; even if majority votes for it, the candidate still wins.
• Legislative roadblock: Mandating NOTA would require amending the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and Election Rules, 1961 — a process beyond EC’s domain.
• EC’s resistance: The Election Commission opposes mandatory NOTA in uncontested elections, citing rarity and legal constraints.
• Declining trend: States like Gujarat and Bihar saw higher initial NOTA use (2.48% in Bihar 2015), but the trend hasn’t grown significantly.

Statistical Insights:

• NOTA use in Lok Sabha:
  • 2014, 2019, 2024: Around 1% of total voters opted for NOTA.
• High State usage:
  • Bihar (2015): 2.48%
  • Gujarat (2017): 1.8%
• Uncontested elections: Only 9 cases since 1952; 6 in Lok Sabha since 1971.

Suggested Reforms:

• Re-election trigger: If NOTA exceeds a certain percentage, a re-election could be mandated.
• Minimum benchmark: Set a minimum vote threshold for candidates to be declared elected.
• Strengthen NOTA’s legal impact: Amend laws to give teeth to the NOTA option, making it more than symbolic.

Conclusion:

While NOTA currently holds symbolic power with limited practical consequence, compulsory inclusion — even in uncontested elections — enhances voter agency and democratic legitimacy. But to make it truly impactful, legislative backing and electoral reforms are essential.

Gig workers’ meeting demands minimum wages, social security

Key Demands Raised at the Roundtable

• Minimum wages/income: Based on logged-in hours, not just deliveries or rides completed.
• Social security policy: Urged the Central government to create a dedicated social security policy for online platform workers.
• Legal protections: Emphasized the need for formal legal recognition and safeguards for gig and platform workers.
• Tripartite Welfare Board:
  • Proposed at both State and Central levels.
  • To include representatives from workers, employers, and government.
• Objective: Build dialogue among stakeholders and influence policymaking for a fairer gig economy.

Relevance: GS 2(Social Justice) ,GS 3(Indian Economy)

Worker Testimonies: Harsh Realities

• Arbitrary termination: Worker IDs frequently blocked, often without cause or due process.
• Lack of grievance redressal: No formal mechanisms exist for resolving disputes.
• Hostile corporate behavior: Companies seen as insensitive and dictatorial.
• Union-busting tactics: Attempts to organise or protest are met with termination or suppression.
• Social stigma: Gig workers feel disrespected and unrecognized by society.

Economic Exploitation Issues

• Declining rate cards: Continuous reduction in pay rates despite rising costs.
• Unfair surcharge sharing: Companies do not equitably distribute surcharges paid by customers.
• No income stability: Earnings fluctuate heavily due to algorithmic control and unregulated practices.

 Policy Suggestions

• Legal classification: Clearly define gig workers under labour laws.
• Wage floor: Implement minimum wage standards across platforms.
• Universal social security: Cover gig workers under pension, health, insurance, and maternity benefits.
• Protect union rights: Recognize gig worker collectives and allow collective bargaining.

Conclusion:

The roundtable highlighted the urgent need for institutional reforms, legal recognition, and economic justice for gig workers — who form the backbone of the digital service economy but remain vulnerable and unprotected under current frameworks.

ISRO set to launch earth observation satellite using PSLV rocket on Sunday

PSLV-C61 / EOS-09 Launch

• Scheduled Launch: May 19, 2024, at 5:59 a.m. from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
• Mission Type: Earth Observation Satellite (EOS-09).
• Launch Vehicle: PSLV-C61 (ISRO’s 101st launch).
• Satellite Capability:
  • Equipped with C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR).
  • Provides high-resolution images.
  • Operational in all-weather and round-the-clock conditions.
• Strategic Importance: Enhances India’s surveillance and remote sensing capabilities, useful for applications like agriculture, forestry, disaster management, and border monitoring.

Relevance : GS 3(Science and Technology)

Chandrayaan-5 / LUPEX (Lunar Polar Exploration) Collaboration

• Joint Mission: ISRO (India) + JAXA (Japan).
• Purpose:
  • Explore lunar polar volatiles, particularly water ice.
  • Target: Permanently Shadowed Regions (PSRs) in the lunar South Pole.
• Legacy:
  • Follows Chandrayaan-1 (orbital), Chandrayaan-2 (orbiter + failed lander), Chandrayaan-3 (successful lander-rover), and upcoming Chandrayaan-4 (sample return).
  • Chandrayaan-5 = fifth lunar mission, first ISRO-JAXA full collaboration.

Mission Architecture

• Launch Vehicle: JAXA’s H3-24L rocket.
• Payload:
  • Lunar Lander: Developed by ISRO.
  • Lunar Rover: Developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), Japan.

• Scientific Instruments: To be provided by:
  • ISRO
  • JAXA
  • ESA (European Space Agency)
  • NASA
• Instruments will focus on exploration and in-situ analysis of volatiles (e.g., lunar water).

Technical Interface Meeting (TIM-3)

• Held on May 13–14, 2024, at ISRO HQ, Bengaluru.
• Attended by:
  • Senior officials and project teams from ISRO, JAXA, and MHI.
• Objective: To review and finalize technical collaborations and mission readiness for Chandrayaan-5.

Strategic & Scientific Significance

• Earth Observation (EOS-09):
  • Strengthens India’s disaster preparedness, resource mapping, and border security.
• Chandrayaan-5/LUPEX:
  • Key step in deep space collaboration.
  • Advances global understanding of lunar water, crucial for future sustainable lunar habitation and deep space missions.

Unemployment at 5.1%, women labour force rises: PLFS data

Relevance : GS 3(Indian Economy)

Key Data from PLFS (April 2025, CWS Method)

• Unemployment Rate (UR):
  • Overall (15+ years): 5.1%
  • Male UR: 5.2%
  • Female UR: 5.0%
  • Rural UR (all ages): 4.5%
  • Urban UR (all ages): 6.5%
  • Urban Female UR (15–29 years): 23.7% (alarming youth unemployment)

• Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) (15+ years):
  • Overall: 55.6%
  • Rural Areas: 58.0%
  • Urban Areas: 50.7%

• Worker Population Ratio (WPR) (15+ years):
  • Rural Areas: 55.4%
  • Urban Areas: 47.4%
  • Overall: 52.8%

New Features of Revamped PLFS

• First Monthly Bulletin issued (previously quarterly/annual).
• Covers employment data for rural areas monthly — a methodological improvement.
• Expanded household sample size for more accurate representation.
• Aims to capture seasonality and short-term labour market trends.

Women’s Labour Participation

• Slight increase in women’s participation, especially in rural areas.
• Yet, youth urban female unemployment (23.7%) shows deep structural issues.
• Indicates lack of adequate skilled job opportunities and barriers to women’s sustained employment in urban settings.

Expert Commentary: Dr. Sridhar Kundu

• Praises monthly tracking initiative as a positive institutional reform.
• Criticisms of PLFS:
  • Lacks data on labour market-oriented schemes like MGNREGA.
  • Does not cover wage trends across sectors and sub-sectors.
  • No concrete roadmap for addressing skilled vs. unskilled employment dynamics.

Policy Implications

• Need to bridge rural-urban employment gap (rural UR: 4.5%, urban UR: 6.5%).
• Address high female youth unemployment with targeted skilling and job creation.
• Revamp PLFS to include:
  • Wage data
  • MGNREGA impact assessment
  • Sector-wise job quality metrics.
• Better data-driven labour policy formulation required.

Raising healthy hearts: reimagining school nutrition to tackle childhood hypertension

Context : Rising Concern: Childhood Hypertension in India

• Hypertension is no longer an adult-only issue — Indian children increasingly show elevated blood pressure.
• CNNS (2016–18): 7.3% adolescents hypertensive; urban rate even higher at 9.1%.
• NFHS-5: 12% of teenagers (15–19 years) have elevated blood pressure.
• Implication: Early intervention is critical — the disease often goes unnoticed until adolescence or adulthood.

Relevance : GS 2(Health ,Social Issues )

Primary Causes of the Trend

• Unhealthy diets: Processed and packaged snacks, high in salt and low in nutrition.
• Salt intake in adolescents: 8+ grams/day, almost double the WHO adult limit.
• Lifestyle changes:
  • Reduced physical activity.
  • Indoor and online-based routines.
• Food addiction cycle: Early preference for hyper-palatable foods → reduced acceptance of healthier options → long-term habits.

Role of PM POSHAN (Mid-Day Meal Scheme)

• World’s largest school meal programme:
  • Covers 120 million children in 1.27 million+ schools (as of 2025).
• Current strength: Provides basic nutrition.
• Opportunity: Transform meals into tools for habit formation and food literacy.

Proposed Reform Directions

• Reimagine PM POSHAN as a “food literacy engine”.
• Integrate:
  • Regional menus using local, fresh produce.
  • Nutrition education embedded in curriculum.
  • Student participation in food prep, planning, and serving.

International Models to Emulate

• Japan’s ShoKuiku model:
  • Children plan meals, learn about nutrition, serve food to peers.
  • Leads to lower obesity and healthier eating culture.
• Vietnam’s adaptation:
  • Ministry of Education + Ajinomoto = improved school meals with ShoKuiku philosophy.

Policy Takeaways & Recommendations

• Shift from calorie-centric to behavior-centric nutrition policies.
• Make PM POSHAN a platform for:
  • Early intervention against NCDs (like hypertension).
  • Changing food environments in schools.
• Build structured food education as part of national nutrition strategy.