1.Bharat Literacy Mission
To support adult education/literacy as emphasized in NEP 2020 and SDG 4.6 (ensuring all youth and adults achieve literacy and numeracy by 2030), it is essential to define both Literacy and Comprehensive Literacy.
- Literacy: The ability to read, write, and compute with comprehension, i.e., to identify, understand, interpret, and create, along with critical life skills like digital and financial literacy.
- Comprehensive Literacy (equivalent to 100% literacy): Achieving 95% literacy in a State/UT, considered equivalent to being fully literate.
About Bharat Literacy Mission (BLM)
- Also known as ULLAS (Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society).
- Launched by the Ministry of Education, it is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
- Duration: FYs 2022-27 (5 years).
- Objective:
- Targets all non-literates aged 15 years and above, with a greater focus on females and educationally backward regions.
- Aims to educate 5 crore learners (1 crore per year) using the “Online Teaching, Learning, and Assessment System (OTLAS)” in collaboration with National Informatics Centre, NCERT, and NIOS.
- Implemented through volunteer teachers, students from schools, Higher Education Institutions, and Teacher Education Institutions.
- Aligns with the recommendations of NEP 2020.
Need: The absolute number of non-literates in the 15 years and above age group stands at 25.76 crore (Census 2011).
2. National Quantum Initiative (NQI)
The goal of the mission is to establish a quantum computer with a capacity of 20-50 qubits in the next three years, 50-100 qubits in the next five years, and 50-1000 qubits in the next 10 years.
- Initiatives: Four companies (under the Companies Act, 2013) and grants for start-ups will be established to achieve the objectives of NQI.
About NQI
- Aim: To scale up scientific and industrial R&D and create an innovative ecosystem in Quantum Technology.
- Implementing Agency: Department of Science & Technology under the Ministry of Science & Technology.
- Mission Duration: 2023 to 2031.
- Mission Objectives:
- Quantum Communication Network: Secure and high-bandwidth communication infrastructure spanning 2,000 kilometers, including inter-city quantum key distribution (QKD).
- Quantum Computing Power: Developing quantum computers with a processing capacity of 50-1,000 qubits. A qubit is a fundamental unit of information in quantum computing.
- Magnetometers and Atomic Clocks: For precision measurements.
- Quantum Materials Design: For cutting-edge device fabrication.
- Establishing Four Thematic Hubs: Focusing on Quantum Computing, Quantum Communication, Quantum Sensing & Metrology, and Quantum Materials & Devices.
Significance of NQI
- Developing an Innovation Ecosystem: By establishing thematic hubs that foster collaboration and expertise across diverse sectors.
- Applications: Impact on sectors like Healthcare, drug discovery, Finance, and Banking.
- Global Leadership: Through advancements in Secure Communication and Precision Measurement.
Challenges in NQI
- Inadequate Research Expenditure, Lack of Private Investment, Delays in Progress, Shortage of Skilled Workforce, Insufficient Infrastructure, etc.
3. World’s First mRNA-Based Lung Cancer Vaccine
The BNT116 vaccine is designed to treat non-small cell lung cancer, the most common type of lung cancer. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, accounting for approximately 1.8 million deaths annually.
Vaccine Technology
- Technology: Based on mRNA (messenger Ribonucleic Acid) technology, which is considered the next big phase in cancer treatment.
About mRNA Vaccine Technology
- Mechanism:
- It works by introducing a piece of mRNA that corresponds to a viral protein, typically a small part of a protein found on the virus’s outer membrane.
- mRNA is a genetic molecule that contains instructions directing cells to produce a protein using the cell’s natural machinery.
- This mRNA prompts cells to create viral proteins, triggering the immune system to produce antibodies and enhance immunity.
- For example, the mRNA vaccine for COVID-19 directed cells to produce copies of a protein on the coronavirus’s outer surface, known as the spike protein.
Benefits:
- Safer as it does not contain live or weakened viruses.
- Can be developed quickly, unlike traditional vaccines, which take months to produce by cultivating weakened forms of the virus.
4. Lateral Recruitment in Bureaucracy
Introduction India’s recent advertisement for lateral recruitment into the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for 45 posts without reservation has reignited the debate on balancing merit and social justice in civil services recruitment. The key issue is the underrepresentation of marginalized communities in decision-making bodies and how lateral recruitment could potentially exacerbate this disparity.
Understanding Lateral Recruitment and Representation Challenges
- Lateral Recruitment’s Potential:
- Lateral recruitment is intended to bring specialized expertise into civil services, enhancing the quality of policy formulation and implementation.
- Professionals from the private sector, academia, or NGOs can introduce innovative approaches to tackle complex governance issues.
- The government recognizes the need for such expertise, as highlighted in recommendations by various commissions, including the Second Administrative Reforms Commission and the NITI Aayog.
- Representation Challenges:
- Despite its benefits, lateral recruitment poses challenges in terms of representation, particularly for marginalized communities such as Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).
- These groups have historically been underrepresented in higher civil service positions, and the lack of reservation in lateral recruitment could perpetuate this trend.
- Marginalized communities often face systemic barriers, such as limited access to education and professional opportunities, which hinder their ability to compete for specialized roles.
Major Debates
- Merit vs. Reservation:
- The debate on merit versus reservation is central to the discussion on lateral recruitment. While merit-based selection is crucial for ensuring that talented individuals contribute to nation-building, it is equally important to recognize that equal opportunity does not guarantee equality due to varying starting points.
- Reservation ensures that marginalized communities are represented in decision-making bodies, democratizing the recruitment process and challenging the monopolization of power by dominant social groups.
- Without reservation, the already low representation of SCs and STs in higher bureaucratic positions could worsen, further marginalizing these communities.
- Effectiveness of Lateral Recruitment:
- Proponents argue that lateral recruitment can bring fresh perspectives and specialized knowledge, which are essential for modern governance.
- Critics, however, contend that without reservation, lateral recruitment could exclude marginalized groups from participating in decision-making processes, thus undermining social justice.
- Balancing Expertise and Social Justice:
- The challenge lies in finding a balance between the need for specialized expertise and the imperative of social justice. This involves ensuring that the recruitment process is both merit-based and inclusive.
- Integration with Traditional Bureaucracy:
- Lateral entrants may face challenges in integrating with traditional civil services, which operate under different norms, values, and career progression paths.
- Potential friction between lateral entrants and career bureaucrats could affect the smooth functioning of government departments.
Proposed Solutions for Balancing Expertise and Representation
- Targeted Capacity-Building Programs:
- Implementing capacity-building programs under initiatives like Mission Karmayogi can help develop the professional skills of marginalized communities, preparing them for specialized roles in civil services.
- Quotas for Lateral Recruitment:
- Reserving a percentage of lateral entry positions for qualified candidates from marginalized communities can ensure representation while maintaining the expertise required for governance.
- Mentorship Programs:
- Pairing laterally recruited experts with civil servants from marginalized communities can facilitate knowledge transfer, professional development, and career progression.
- Ongoing Evaluation and Reforms:
- Regular evaluation of the lateral recruitment program is essential to ensure it meets its objectives.
- The government should be open to reforms based on feedback from all stakeholders, including lateral entrants, career bureaucrats, and civil society.
Potential Drawbacks and Mitigation Strategies
- Perception of Compromised Merit:
- There may be a perception that introducing quotas in lateral recruitment compromises merit-based selection.
- This can be mitigated by implementing transparent selection processes and clearly communicating the dual objectives of expertise and representation.
- Resistance from Traditional Cadres:
- Resistance from traditional civil service cadres to lateral entrants can be addressed through sensitization programs that highlight the benefits of diverse perspectives in governance and policy-making.
International Best Practices
- Diversity and Inclusion: Countries like the United States and the United Kingdom have implemented diversity and inclusion policies in public service recruitment processes, ensuring that lateral recruitment reflects the population’s demographic diversity.
- Merit-Based Recruitment with Affirmative Action: Combining merit-based recruitment with affirmative action components, as seen in South Africa and Brazil, ensures that marginalized groups are represented in senior government positions while maintaining high standards of expertise.
- Transparent Recruitment Processes: Transparent and accountable recruitment processes, such as those in Canada’s public service, help balance the need for specialized skills with the principles of fairness and equality.