India’s Commitment to Disability Rights
Syllabus: GS1/ Society
Context
- The International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is observed annually on December 3.
- Aim – to promote the rights and well-being of people with disabilities.
- Theme 2025: “Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress.”
India’s Commitment to Disability Rights
- Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006) was adopted to ensure equal opportunity for PwDs.
- According to Census 2011, there are 2.68 crore persons with disabilities in India which constitute 21 percent of the total population.
Constitutional Provisions
- Article 21: Guarantees the right to life and personal liberty, which includes the right to live with dignity.
- Article 41 (DPSP): Right to work, education, and public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness, and disability.
- Seventh Schedule: The subject of “relief of the disabled and unemployable” is listed under the state list, giving state governments jurisdiction over these matters.
India’s Legal and Policy Framework for Disability Rights
- The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 was enacted replacing the Persons with Disabilities Act of 1995.
- India, as a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), is committed to building an accessible and inclusive society.
Government Initiatives and Schemes
- Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign): Launched in 2015, the Campaign addresses long-standing barriers faced by persons with disabilities.
- The Divyangjan Card, also known as the E-Ticketing Photo Identity Card (EPICS), is a railway identity card for people with disabilities that allows them to get concessions on train travel.
- The Unique ID for Persons with Disabilities project is being implemented to create a national database of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs)
- PM-DAKSH – It is a one-stop hub connecting persons with disabilities, training institutes, employers, and job aggregators under the national skill & employment ecosystem.
- Promotion of Indian Sign Language (ISL): The Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC), set up in 2015 under DEPwD, serves as the nodal institution for advancing ISL across India.
- In 2024, Government launched PM e-vidya Channel 31 on DTH, exclusively dedicated to ISL training for hearing-impaired students, special educators, and interpreters.
Jiyo Parsi Scheme
Syllabus: GS1/ Society, GS2/ Social Justice
Context
- The Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA), organised a comprehensive Advocacy and Outreach Workshop in Mumbai to promote the Jiyo Parsi Scheme.
Parsi Community in India
- According to the 2011 Census of India, the Parsi population in the country was 57,264.
- This represented a significant decrease of approximately 22% from the 2001 census figure of 69,601.
Jiyo Parsi Scheme
- Launched in – 2013-14
- Objective – to reverse the declining trend of Parsi population by adopting a scientific protocol and structured interventions.
The scheme has three components:
- Medical Assistance: Provides financial aid for infertility treatments such as IVF, ICSI, surrogacy, and post-conception care.
- Advocacy: Provides for counselling of couples with fertility issues
- Health of the Community: Offers monthly financial support to Parsi couples with children as well as to dependent elderly members.
Jal Jeevan Mission
Syllabus:GS2/Governance
In News
- Uttar Pradesh reported the highest number of complaints and constituted about 84% of the total complaints received over financial irregularities and poor quality of work under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)
- Launched in – 2019
- Objective – to provide Functional Household Tap Connections
- Significance – to ensure 55 litres per capita per day of safe drinking water to all rural households by 2024.
- However, due to implementation challenges, the deadline has now been extended to 2028.
- Nodal Ministry – Ministry of Jal Shakti.
- Financing – Central sponsored scheme
Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs)
Syllabus: GS3/ Economy
In News
- RBI’s 2025 list confirms that State Bank of India, HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank continue as Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D‑SIBs).
Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs)
- D-SIBs are banks considered “too big to fail.”
- Their collapse can trigger system-wide financial instability, so they are placed under special regulation and higher supervision.
- Concept introduced globally after the 2008 Global Financial Crisis.
- Based on Basel-III guidelines, RBI released the D-SIB framework in 2014, it identifies banks based on: Size (Total exposures), interconnectedness, substitutability (difficulty of replacing services) & complexity.
Navy’s new category in Indian Maritime Doctrine 2025
ಭಾರತೀಯ ಕಡಲ ಸಿದ್ಧಾಂತ 2025
Syllabus: GS3/Defence
In News
- The Indian Navy’s Maritime Doctrine 2025, released by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Tripathi.
Indian Maritime Doctrine
- It is a foundational document guiding the Indian Navy in protecting India’s sovereignty, securing trade routes.
- It acts as the “first responder in the maritime domain” in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond..
- It was First released in 2004, revised in 2009 and amended in 2015.
Key Highlights of the Indian Maritime Doctrine 2025
- The 2025 edition reflects major shifts in the geopolitical environment and India’s strategic outlook, focusing on modern security challenges and national development goals.
- Formal Recognition of “No-War, No-Peace”: For the first time, the doctrine formally recognizes the “no-war, no-peace” category as a distinct operational phase between peace and full-scale war.
- Emphasis on Jointness and Integration: The doctrine prioritizes interoperability and integration across the Army, Navy, and Air Force,
- It aligns with national visions such as Viksit Bharat 2047, Sagarmala, PM Gati Shakti, Maritime India Vision 2030, Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 and MAHASAGAR.
Additional Information –
- Viksit Bharat 2047 (Developed India by 2047): India’s vision to become a developed nation by its 100th year of independence, focusing on economic, social, and environmental progress.
- Sagarmala Programme: A flagship program to modernize ports, develop coastal communities, and create efficient logistics, reducing costs and boosting trade.
- PM Gati Shakti: A national master plan for integrated, multimodal connectivity (rail, road, ports, waterways, aviation) to create efficient economic corridors.
- Maritime India Vision 2030 (MIV 2030): A roadmap for the maritime sector to enhance capacity, modernize ports, boost shipbuilding, and promote cruise tourism by 2030.
- Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047: Extends MIV 2030, aiming for India to be a global maritime hub by 2047, focusing on new mega-ports, shipbuilding clusters, and green port development (Harit Sagar).
- MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions): An overarching vision and doctrine promoting comprehensive maritime security, economic growth, and environmental sustainability in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
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