8 March 2024

• Society: International Women's Day 2024 was observed with the theme "Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress." Indian institutions highlighted the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam and gender data from NFHS-5.
• Polity: Discussions around Section 153A IPC (promoting enmity between groups) surfaced, with the Supreme Court clarifying that the essential requirement is actual incitement of enmity.
• Economy: E-vehicle policy details from the Ministry of Heavy Industries drew attention, with companies qualifying for reduced import duty if they commit Rs 4,150 crore in domestic manufacturing.
• Environment: The push for ETHANOL 100 as a fuel was amplified by the Ministry of Petroleum after its launch at an IndianOil outlet, with India targeting 20 per cent ethanol blending by 2025-26.

GS area: Society, Government schemes

The UN theme for International Women's Day 2024 was "Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress." Key data points UPSC uses on this day:

• Female literacy: rose from 65.5 per cent (2011 Census) to approximately 71 per cent (NFHS-5, 2019-21).
• Maternal mortality ratio: fell from 254 per lakh live births in 2004-06 to 97 in 2018-20, approaching but not yet meeting the WHO target of 70.
• Sex ratio at birth: 929 females per 1,000 males (NFHS-5), an improvement from 919 in NFHS-4.
• Total Fertility Rate: 2.0 nationally (NFHS-5), below replacement level of 2.1. Southern states as low as 1.3.
• Gender Inequality Index (HDI 2023 report): India at rank 108 of 166 countries, improved from 122 in 2021.

Government schemes for women:

• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao: awareness campaign focused on declining child sex ratios and girl-child education.
• PM Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY): maternity benefit of Rs 5,000 for first live birth.
• Sukanya Samridhi Yojana: savings scheme for the girl child, with 8.2 per cent interest (highest among small savings schemes).

Static linkage: Society (gender, health), government schemes.

GS area: Economy (energy), Environment

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas launched ETHANOL 100 at an IndianOil retail outlet in Pune. This is a fuel blend comprising:

• 92 to 94 per cent ethanol
• 4 to 5 per cent motor spirit (petrol)
• 1.5 per cent co-solvent with higher saturated alcohols

Key facts:

• Greenhouse gas reduction: ETHANOL 100 reduces GHG emissions by approximately 63 per cent compared to petrol.
• National blending target: the National Policy on Biofuel 2018 sets a 20 per cent ethanol blending target (E20) for all petrol by 2025-26.
• Why not E100 everywhere: ordinary petrol engines cannot run on high-ethanol fuels. Flex-fuel vehicles that can switch between petrol and ethanol are needed.
• Sugarcane origin: most of India's fuel ethanol is produced from sugarcane molasses or sugarcane juice. The government has expanded the approved feedstock list to include foodgrains with surplus production.

Static linkage: Economy (energy, agriculture), environment.

GS area: Economy, Governance

The Ministry of Heavy Industries notified a new EV policy designed to attract global EV manufacturers to set up domestic production:

• Reduced import duty: eligible companies can import EVs at 15 per cent customs duty (down from 100 per cent) for a maximum of 40,000 units or for three years, whichever comes first.
• Eligibility condition: minimum committed investment of Rs 4,150 crore in domestic EV manufacturing within three years.
• Domestic Value Addition: 25 per cent within three years of investment, 50 per cent within five years.

Related schemes to revise alongside:

• FAME India Phase II (2019): demand-side subsidy for electric buses, two-wheelers and three-wheelers. Rs 10,000 crore outlay.
• PLI-Auto Scheme (2021): production-linked incentive for advanced automotive technology, including EV components.

Static linkage: Economy (manufacturing, energy), government schemes.

GS area: Polity (fundamental rights, criminal law)

The Supreme Court clarified the essential element of Section 153A of the Indian Penal Code: the provision requires that the accused's act must promote enmity between different religious, racial or linguistic groups or between castes, or prejudice public tranquillity. A mere statement with potential to cause offence is not sufficient.

Key data:

• Punishment: up to 3 years imprisonment and/or fine; elevated to 5 years if the act is committed in a place of worship or religious assembly.
• Prior sanction: prosecution under 153A requires prior government sanction.
• Conviction rate: 2 per cent (strikingly low given 1,804 cases registered in 2020).
• Trend: registrations increased roughly six-fold between 2014 and 2020.

Static linkage: Polity (fundamental rights, Article 19, criminal law).

• Sukanya Samridhi Yojana: scheme for the girl child under the Ministry of Women and Child Development. Minimum deposit Rs 250 per year, maximum Rs 1.5 lakh. Interest rate 8.2 per cent per annum (highest among small savings). Account matures 21 years from opening or on the girl's marriage after age 18.
• Cashless road accident treatment pilot: under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, accident victims can receive treatment worth up to Rs 1.5 lakh per person for a maximum of 7 days at any hospital. Claims are reimbursed from the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund using the AB PM-JAY package system.