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Indian Healthcare Sector

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Indian Healthcare Sector

This article deals with ‘Indian Healthcare Sector – for UPSC.’ This is part of our series on ‘Society’, which is an important pillar of the GS-1 syllabus. For more articles, you can click here.

Healthcare Data

Healthcare Expenditure

Global Burden of Disease Report (2018) by LANCET

Other Relevant Data

Doctor-Population Ratio	1:834 (against the WHO norm of 1:1000)
Number of Hospital Beds per 1000	0.7 (against the WHO norm of 3.5)

Political & Constitutional Angle

Health is under the State List. But there is debate regarding whether it should be moved to the Concurrent List, given that even after 70 years of independence, the state of Health in India is still poor. The Centre can only make model laws to which states can voluntarily subscribe.
Article 47 of the Indian Constitution (Directive Principle of State Policy) speaks about raising its people’s nutrition levels and living standards and improving public health as among its primary duties.
Article 21, i.e. Right to Life is Fundamental Right under the Indian Constitution.

Health and SDG

Sustainable Development Goals also talks about Health and SDG-3 aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well being for all at all ages.

Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Healthcare

Primary Healthcare

Primary Healthcare is the first level of contact between people & health system
It includes family planning, immunization, treatment of common diseases, health education etc.
In India, it is provided through a network of
- Primary Health Centres in Rural Areas
- Family Welfare Centres in Urban Areas

Secondary Healthcare

Secondary Healthcare denotes the second Tier of the health system.
It includes
- District Hospitals
- Community Health Centre (CHC) at Block Level

Tertiary Healthcare

Tertiary Healthcare denotes the third tier of the health system.
It provides specialized consultative care.
Tertiary Healthcare is provided through Medical Colleges & Medical Research Institutes.

Rural Healthcare System

State of Health Services in India

Health services in India need a booster shot, vouched by the following data.

Prominence of Private Sector: According to Economic Survey, out of 4% of expenditure on Healthcare in India, Public Sector accounts for just 1.15%
High Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OoPE): The OoPE in India is as high as 62% compared to the world average of 18%. High OoPE pushes 39 million people every year under the poverty line.
Indian Doctors are not willing to serve in Rural Areas due to various factors, such as a lack of adequate healthcare infrastructure and low opportunity for professional growth.
The dominance of the Medical Council of India has hindered the development of nurses and other health cadres.
Hesitancy/Ignorance of common people: Even after a person has TB symptoms, they delay visiting a doctor (for a minimum of 5.2 months, even in Delhi). As a result, their disease becomes worse, and they infect more people.

With the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat program, the strengthening of SCs and PHCs is being done by converting them into Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) in a phased manner to deliver comprehensive Primary Healthcare services through these Centres.

Health Schemes

1. National Health Mission

National Health Mission (NHM) is a flagship program of the Indian Government that aims to provide affordable, accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare to all citizens.
It is Core Scheme (60:40 Division)

National Rural Health Mission (NRHM)	In areas having a population below 50,000
National Urban Health Mission (NUHM)	In areas having a population above 50,000

2. Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)

The scheme aims to provide affordable generic medicines to the masses to reduce out-of-pocket expenses. These are made available through Jan Aushadhi Stores.

3. Rogi Kalyan Samiti

Rogi Kalyan Samiti is a registered society consisting of citizens of the area who act as trustees to manage hospital functions.
It acts as a check and increases the accountability of doctors.

4. Universal Immunization Program (UIP)

Under Indian Immunisation Program, Vaccine is given for 12 life-threatening diseases

National (11 Diseases)	1. Diphtheria 2. Pertussis (Whooping Cough) 3. Tetanus (DPT) 4. Polio 5. TB 6. Rotavirus Diarrhoea 7. Hepatitis B 8. Meningitis & Pneumonia caused by Haemophilus Influenza Type-B 9. Measles 10. Rubella 11. Pneumococcal Pneumonia (latest entry in 2021, earlier it was given in select districts of Himachal and Bihar)
Sub-National (1 Disease)	12. Japanese Encephalitis

5. Menstruation Health

Government is running following schemes for Menstruation Health.

Menstrual Hygiene for Adolescent Girls Scheme: To address the need for menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls residing in rural areas.
Project Stree Swabhiman (by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology)
Menstrual Hygiene Scheme (by Health Ministry as part of Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram. )
Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (by Ministry of Human Resource Development)

6. Drug Price Control Order

The Drug Price Control Order (DPCO) of India is a regulatory framework established by the government to control and regulate the prices of essential medicines in the country.
Schedule 1 of DPCO contains the List of Essential Medicines. Their price can’t be more than the ceiling price.

Public Health Policy, 2017

The previous policy was formulated in 2002. There was a need for a new policy because

15 years have passed, and new challenges have come up in the health sector.
At that time, Polio was a major problem. Now, WHO has declared India to be Polio Free.
That policy was keeping in view of Millennium Development Goals (MDG). Now, we are in the era of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
At that time, Communicable Diseases were a major problem. Now Non-Communicable Diseases have come into the scene.

Provisions of the National Health Policy, 2017

1. Finance

Presently, the government spends 1.15 % of GDP on healthcare. The target is to increase that to 2.5% of GDP by 2025.

2. Targets to be achieved

Increase the life expectancy from 67.5 to 70 by 2025.
Reduce premature mortality from Non-Communicable Diseases by 25 per cent by 2025.
Achieve the global 2020 HIV target (also termed 90:90:90)

3. Preventive and Curative Care

The policy will rely on Preventive as well as Curative Health Care (the 2002 Policy relied just on curative )

4. Focus on Primary Care

Policy advocates allocating two-thirds (or more) of resources to primary care.

5. Promote AYUSH

AYUSH will be promoted

6. Promote Make in India

Promote drugs and devices manufactured in the country.

Criticism

The policy has abandoned the idea of making health a right proposed under the Draft Health Policy. NHP (2017) speaks of an “assurance-based approach”.
Raising Government Expenditure to 2.5% of GDP till 2025 is too far-fetched given problem India is facing is serious. Along with that, no year wise plan of yearly incrementation is given. There is lesser hope that even this will be attained given the past experience that the health policy of 2002 had promised health expenditure of 2% of its GDP on Health by 2010
Governance issues are ignored: The policy is silent on whether health should be moved to the Concurrent list.
Professional issues are ignored, e.g., MCI issues and private practice by Govt doctors.

State of Education in India – Issues, Schemes and Acts

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State of Education in India – Issues, Schemes and Acts

This article deals with ‘ State of Education in India – Issues, Schemes and Acts – for UPSC.’ This is part of our series on ‘Society’, which is an important pillar of the GS-1 syllabus. For more articles, you can click here.

Sustainable Development Goals and Education

Apart from that, education has an equalising impact as it increases employability, thus helping the person escape poverty. Hence, imparting education is important for achieving other SGDs, like removing poverty and achieving gender equality.

Timeline

Data on Education

Pupil-Teacher Ratio: The Pupil-Teacher Ratio, i.e. Number of Students per Teacher, has been continuously improving from 34.0 in 2013 to 26.2 in 2022.

Gender Parity Index: It is the (No of Females / No of Males ) at any given level of education. Although gender disparity still prevails in higher education, it has improved substantially at primary levels through measures like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP).

Gross Enrolment Ratio: The Gross Enrolment ratio has been continuously increasing. In 2021-22, the Gross Enrolment Ratio at the Secondary level has increased to 79.6%.

Government Spending: Public spending on education is approx.—3.5% of GDP. But NEP 2020 aims to increase it to 6%.

Improving School Infrastructure: Basic facilities in the schools have been improving continuously, corroborated by the following data.

Improvement of School Infrastructure in India

But even after that, India has the largest number of illiterates worldwide (approx. 28 crores).

Issues with Primary Education

Reasons for Poor Learning Outcomes in Primary Education

Input focus approach, which focuses just on inputs (like school buildings, classrooms, water and sanitation facilities etc.) and not outputs (like learning outcomes).

Quality of teachers is low: Primary teaching is the least lucrative profession in India. Conversely, in Scandinavian Countries, teaching is the most lucrative profession. Even in its 12th Five Year Plan (2018-23), Bhutan has announced that teachers will provide salaries greater than civil servants of corresponding grades to attract talent to become teachers.

School Management Committees: School Management Committees (SMCs) consist of representatives from the local community, parents, teachers, and school management constituted under the provisions of the Right to Education (RTE) Act of 2009 to oversee the school’s finances, maintain infrastructure, and improving the quality of education. But SMCs are not working properly due to political interference, lack of participation in the meetings and inadequate funding.

No Detention Policy: The No Detention Policy was introduced in India in 2010 as part of the Right to Education Act. Under the No Detention Policy, students from classes 1 to 8 are not detained for failing to pass the annual exams. Instead, the policy required schools to conduct continuous and comprehensive evaluations (CCE) to assess students’ learning outcomes. But Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation System (CCES) is not introduced in letter and spirit due to the lack of training of teachers to implement it. Detention Policy has become problematic in the absence of CCES.

Overburdening of teachers with administrative responsibilities like election duties and government surveys

No Pre-School Facilities: A child’s interest in education starts from the early years. One cannot develop an interest in education at the age of 6. 3-year-old should be subjected to play-based learning.

Lack of funds due to low budgetary allocation. The government spends just 3.5% of its GDP on education.

Suggestions to improve Primary Education

Focus on Output: Use SEQI (School Education Quality Index) to measure the educational outputs (as recommended by Niti Ayog)
Teacher Education: More programs like Madan Mohan Malviya Teacher Training Program should be implemented. Moreover, proper training should be imparted to implement Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation System (CCES) properly.
The School Management Committees should be made to work properly.
Reducing political activism among teachers Article 171 (3c) guarantees teachers representation in state legislative councils, and it has turned many teachers into politicians. This provision needs to be scrapped.
Reap gains from the co-location of schools at all levels of schooling, which include
- Improved utilisation of physical infrastructure – classrooms, science labs, computers etc.
- Improve the transition rate and reduce the dropout ratio while transitioning from primary to secondary to senior secondary.
- Single schools for siblings facilitate safe transport.

Indexes about Primary Education

1. ASER Report, 2022

ASER (Annual Survey of Education Report) has been prepared and published by NGO named Pratham since 2006
It is an annual survey aimed at knowing the status of education and learning outcomes among children in India.

Significant findings from the latest ASER-2022 Report (released in 2023)

Overall enrolment: The school enrolment of children aged 6 to 14 has been above 95% for the past 15 years. Contrary to expectations, the enrolment ratio has increased from 97.2% in 2018 to 98.4% in 2022 despite the closure of schools due to the pandemic.
Paid private tuition classes: In a negative development, the number of Standard 1st to 8th students taking private tuition has increased from 26.4% (2018) to 30.5% (2022). It points towards the issue with the quantity and quality of teachers in the schools.
Foundational skills in reading and arithmetic (learning levels): Covid has negatively impacted the children’s learning outcomes. In both public and private schools, the reading and arithmetic ability has dropped to pre-2012 levels. E.g., only 25.9% of Class 3 students were able to do simple subtraction (which was 28.2% in 2018).

2. PISA Report, OECD

PISA, or Program for International Student Assessment, tests the Maths, Science and Reading abilities of 15 years old students.
PISA is an initiative of the OECD.
India decided to participate in the PISA in 2009 but was ranked at the bottom. Hence, India boycotted PISA since 2012, complaining about questions being set “out of context” with the Indian socio-cultural milieu. A decision was reached to join it again, but India didn’t participate in 2022 due to the impact of Covid on education.

3. SEQI, NITI Aayog

SEQI, or School Education Quality Index, is an initiative of NITI Aayog to rank States on education quality.
It has the following features
- Focus on outcomes (rather than inputs)
- Provide objective benchmarks
- Encourage state-led innovations to improve quality.
Currently, SEQI ranks the states based on 34 indicators, with the highest weightage given to learning outcomes.

National Education Policy, 2020

NEP 2020 was launched in July 2020 to lay strong foundations for the Atmanirbhar Bharat, transforming the education sector and making it more accessible, equitable, and inclusive. It aims to increase public spending on education to 6% of GDP. It has replaced the NEP 1986.

The main objectives of the policy are to:

Promote universal access to quality education.
Emphasize multilingualism and encourage students to learn in their mother tongues.
Equity and inclusiveness: NEP aims to reduce the disparities in the education system by making it inclusive and providing equal opportunities.
Encourage vocational education with a focus on preparing students for the job market
Strengthen the use of technology in teaching and learning.
Promote research and innovation with a focus on interdisciplinary research.
Improve teacher training and quality.
Ethics and human & constitutional values like empathy, democratic spirit, scientific temper etc., should be imbibed into students.

Issues with NEP 2020

Funding: NEP talks about spending 6% of GDP on education. But the policy does not elaborate on how to raise this fund.
Excessive stress on vocational education: Stress on vocational training from the preparatory stage, many fear, would lead to students from marginalized backgrounds dropping out early to take up jobs.
Multilingualism: With inter-state migration for employment, and India’s large diversity of languages, regional language will hobble some students’ learning.
Federal Setup: In a federal system like India, where education is a concurrent subject, any educational reform can be implemented only with support from the States.
Fear of coaching classes: The NEP suggests that admission to all higher education programmes should be based on standardized test scores conducted by the National Testing Authority. It may encourage coaching classes and rote memorization

Right to Education

RTE rests on 3 Pillars

Important Points to note from (Prelims Point of View)

It covers Private Institutions ( 25% of seats are to be reserved)
It doesn’t cover – Boarding Schools & Minority Institutions
Admission to age appropriation class
Nobody will get failed – No Retention Policy
Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) – Evaluation throughout the year

Evaluation of Working of RTE Act

To evaluate the working of the Right to Education Act, we have to look at the working of various features of the RTE Act and evaluate their impact and their shortcomings

1. 25% Reservation in Private Schools

Private schools to keep 25% of seats reserved for children belonging to the Economically Weaker Section (EWS)
But, there are lacunae.
- Children from EWS still struggle to find their seats in schools, as 18 states show zero schools implementing this provision.
- States have to notify per-child costs to pay the private schools=> only 14 states have notified per-child costs.
- Lack of awareness in ordinary people about provision.

2. No Detention Policy (Section 18)

Under the No Detention Policy, students from classes 1 to 8 are not detained for failing to pass the annual exams.
The rationale of the No Detention Policy: If children fail, chances of dropping out increase.

No Retention policy is also a failure because
- It led to a lack of motivation to study.
- Parents have become less concerned about child’s studies.
- When students are moved to a higher class without prerequisite knowledge, it leads to lower learning outcomes.

Problems are not in No Detention Policy but somewhere else. No Detention Policy wasn’t the alone provision of RTE. It was suggested as a package with a Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation System (CCES) & upgradation of educational infrastructure.

Hence, an amendment was made to No Detention Policy in 2019. RTE was amended with a provision that there will be regular examinations in the 5th and 8th standards. If the student fails, they will be granted an opportunity for re-examination within 2 months. If they again fail, then the school can hold back the children.

3. School Management Committees

School Management Committees (SMCs) consist of representatives from the local community, parents, teachers, and school management constituted under the provisions of the Right to Education (RTE) Act of 2009 to oversee the school’s finances, maintain infrastructure, and improve the quality of education. 75% of the members of this committee are Guardians of Students.
It was an innovative step as it made parents a stakeholder in school administration. But SMCs are not working properly due to political interference, lack of participation in the meetings and inadequate funding. Additionally, the majority of schools haven’t formed these Committees.

4. Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation System

Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation System (CCES) means individual assessment by teachers of both academic and co-academic areas throughout the year and accordingly devote time to students to raise in those areas where he is lacking. It aims to reduce the emphasis on rote learning and memorization.
Geeta Bukkal Committee & Yashpal Committee has favoured Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation System.
But there are problems in implementing this provision.
- There are not enough teachers in schools.
- Teachers are not trained to evaluate students using CCES.

5. Financial Crunch

It suffers because there is always a financial crunch
Even the Right to Education Act has no financial memorandum attached to it.

New Schemes

1. Sarva Siksha Abhiyaan (SSA)

Sarva Siksha Abhiyaan was started to implement the provisions of the Right to Education Act.
Sub-Programmes under Sarva Siksha Abhiyaan include:
- ‘Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat’ (PBBB)
- Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan (RAA)
- Vidyanjali
- Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas – in educationally backward blocks to promote girls’ education.
Apart from that, there is a provision of EGS (Education Guarantee Scheme) and AIE (Alternative Innovative Education) for out-of-school children in areas where constructing schools isn’t possible. Such children are provided non-formal education by the government.

2. Rashtriya Aavishkar Abhiyaan

Rashtriya Aavishkar Abhiyaan provides mentoring by institutes like IITs/ IIMs/ IISERs
The Aim is to motivate children of age group from 6-18 years in Science, Mathematics and Technology (STEM)

3. Vidyanjali Scheme

It is aimed at boosting the education system by delivering volunteer teachers (like NRIs, retired teachers, government officials, defence personnel, professionals, etc.) to government schools.
It will not replace the regular and professionally qualified teachers in government schools. The volunteer’s responsibility is towards the overall development of the child, not academics.

4. Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat

This program works on 2 Track approach

2.5 Hours X 200 Days = for Reading, Writing and Comprehension
1.5 Hours X 200 Days = for Mathematics

5. PM SHRI Scheme

PM SHRI, or Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India, aims to develop 14,500 schools as Model Schools in line with New National Educational Policy (2020). These schools will include old and new schools.
These schools will follow a holistic learning approach. Assessment in these schools will be based on the conceptual understanding of real-life situations.
Such schools will be equipped with modern infrastructure such as laboratories, gymnasiums, libraries etc.
These schools will emerge as exemplary schools over a period of time

6. National Curriculum Framework (NCF)

Under National Curriculum Framework (NCF), the 10+2 System will be replaced with the 5+3+3+4 System.

7. Nipun Bharat

Nipun Bharat, or National Mission on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN), aims to achieve universal FLN by 2026-27.
The Rationale of Mission: Foundational learning is the basis of all future learning for a child. Not achieving basic foundational skills of reading comprehension, writing and performing basic mathematics operations leaves the child unprepared for the complexities of the curriculum beyond grade 3.
The mission will target children from preschool to Grade 3 to acquire Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) skills. Children in Grades 4 and 5 who don’t possess the required FLN skills will be provided individual teacher guidance to acquire the necessary competencies.

8. Pilot project of Balvatika

Project Balvatika, also known as Preparatory Class, was launched in 49 Kendriya Vidyalayas in 2022 with the goal of developing students’ cognitive, affective, and psychomotor abilities as well as early reading and numeracy skills.

9. Mid-Day Meal Scheme

Under the provisions of the Scheme
- Class 1 to 8 students are given cooked food
- Coverage: Government schools, Government Aided, Madrasas
- The minimum content of 300 calories of energy & 8-12 grams of protein per day for a minimum of 200 days.
Accountability is ensured through Social Audit, food sampling, interactive voice response system (IVRS) etc.

10. Swayam Prabha (TV)

Swayam Prabha (TV) provides high-quality educational content through 32 DTH (direct-to-home) Television Channels.

11. National Academic Depository

It is the digital depository of academic awards and certificates.

Samagra Siksha Abhiyan

The government has decided to treat school education holistically without segmenting it into pre-school, primary, upper primary, secondary, and senior secondary levels.
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and Teacher Education (TE) are to be merged into a single scheme called Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan.
The step has been taken based on Anil Bordia’s committee to reform Sarva Siksha Abhiyaan.

Main provisions of the scheme

Pre-School: Strengthen pre-school education through greater convergence with the ICDS program
Integrated School: All the levels of schooling from pre-school to Class XII to be available in one place
Equity and Access: The school will be accessible within a specified distance.
Better curriculum
Use of ICT technologies and aids
Vocationalization of Education with the inclusion of practical subjects
Teacher training

Higher Education in India and Issues

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Higher Education in India and Issues

This article deals with ‘ Higher Education in India and Issues – for UPSC.’ This is part of our series on ‘Society’ which is important pillar of GS-1 syllabus . For more articles , you can click here .

Introduction

Since 27% of India’s population is in the 15-29 age bracket, India needs to invest in higher education to improve its quantity and quality to reap the demographic dividend. The Indian government has been doing this, corroborated by the increase in number of India’s premier educational institutions

	2014	2022
Medical College	387	648
IITs	16	23
IIMs	13	20
Universities	723	1113

The number of students enrolling in higher educational institutions has also increased, corroborated by the following data (for FY 2021).

Issues with Higher Education in India

Accessibility: The cost of education is high. As a result, the gross enrolment ratio for higher education is just 27% in India (compared to 47% in Brazil and 30% in China)
Lack of research funding in a higher educational institution is meagre by global standards.
Lack of faculty: Pupil to teacher ratio in the country, which currently stands at 30:1, needs to improve compared to the USA (12.5:1) and China (19.5:1)
Employability of pass-outs is a significant issue. The skills imparted to the graduates need to be updated.
Low Autonomy: Higher Education System is regulated by many bodies, thus reducing the autonomy of Universities.
Locational Disparities: There is regional disparity in college density (number of colleges per lakh eligible population) which varies from 7 in Bihar to 59 in Telangana
Quality: Quality of higher education is also an issue; only 3 Indian institutions feature in the top 200 world rankings of QS world university ranking.
Islands of excellence: The government has developed islands of river excellence in the form of IITs and IISc and allocates the majority of funds to these institutions. At the same time, state universities and colleges remain underfunded.

Schemes to improve Higher Education in India

1. Rashtriya Uchhattar Siksha Abhiyan (RUSA)

It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched in 2013.
RUSA aims to provide strategic funding to eligible state higher educational institutions so that they can improve their infrastructure.

2. Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA)

HEFA has been set up with a corpus of Rs 20,000 crore to augment research and related infrastructure.

3. National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)

NIRF is the National Ranking of Institutions started by the Government of India in 2016. Like Times and QS Ranking of International Universities, the Indian government has developed NIRF to rank Indian institutions based on parameters well suited for Indian conditions.
All education institutions are assessed on five parameters:
1. Teaching learning and resources
2. Graduation outcomes
3. Research and professional practices
4. Outreach and inclusivity,
5. Perception
The latest such report was released in 2022 (NIRF 2022 Ranking), and IIT Madras was ranked the best institution (overall), followed by IISc Bangalore.

4. Revitalization Infrastructure and Systems in Education (RISE)

Purpose: For investments in centrally funded institutions like IITs, Central Universities and other such institutes
Funding will be provided through HEFA

5. Uchchtar Siksha Kosh

Uchchtar Shiksha Kosh is a non-lapsable fund for the promotion and up gradation of higher education.

6. Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN)

Under GIAN Initiative, faculty from 38 countries like Russia, Japan etc., will deliver courses in Indian institutions like IIT, IIM etc.
Others can access on MOOCs platform

7. Impacting Research Innovation & Technology (IMPRINT)

It is a joint initiative of IIT and IISc to develop a research roadmap to solve major technological and engineering challenges.

8. Unnat Bharat Abhiyan

Unnat Bharat Abhiyan aims to enable higher educational institutions to work with the people of rural India in identifying development challenges and evolving appropriate solutions for accelerating sustainable growth.

9. Guidelines for Pursuing Two Academic Programs Simultaneously

Guidelines issued by UGC under which students can pursue two academic programs simultaneously.
The guidelines are in line with the National Educational Policy of 2020, which aims to promote creative combinations of multidisciplinary studies

10. Interest Subsidy on Education Loans

Under this scheme,
- No interest is charged from the student in the moratorium period (i.e. during the course period + one year after completion)
- No Collateral or Third Party Guarantee is required.
Eligibility: Students belonging to the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) with combined parental income lesser than Rs. 4.5 lakh annually.

Institutions of Eminence

In 2018, the Government constituted a panel headed by N Gopalaswami to identify the top 20 best higher education institutions (10 public and 10 private). The aim was to promote the development of world-class educational institutions.
These Institutions of Eminence include

Benefits

UGC (Institutions of Eminence Deemed to be Universities) Regulations 2017 will govern all such institutions. These regulations will override all other UGC regulations.
Institutions of Eminence will enjoy administrative and financial autonomy in a wide range of matters, including faculty and staff salaries, student fees, course offerings etc.
Institutions of Eminence will get financial assistance up to Rs. 1000 Crore over the period of five years to enhance their research and academic capabilities.
The status of Institutions of Eminence would bring a greater reputation, attracting greater funding and increased collaborations with world-class universities.

Features of such institutions

Preferably multidisciplinary and have both teaching and research focus
Apart from the regular courses, it should also offer various interdisciplinary courses.
The institution has a good mix of domestic and foreign students.
Transparent merit-based selection in admissions
The faculty-student ratio should not be less than 1:10 after three years of declaration.
It should have student amenities comparable with that of globally reputed institutions.
The institution should have a reasonably large owned campus with adequate space for expansion.

Safety of Women at Workplace

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Last Updated: Jan 2025 (Safety of Women at Workplace)

Safety of Women at Workplace

This article deals with ‘ Safety of Women at Workplace .’ This is part of our series on ‘Society’ which is an important pillar of the GS-1 syllabus. For more articles, you can click here.

Introduction

In India, women face several challenges regarding safety in the workplace. These challenges include

In 2024, Women Trainee Doctor in Kolkata was brutally raped and killed while she was on a break after a long shift at her workplace (i.e. Hospital)

In 2018, under the #MeToo Campaign, a large number of women came forward to share their old experiences of harassment in the workplace by men in power.

Impacts

The lack of woman’s safety in the workplace has the following impacts

Decreased Female Labour Participation Rate: According to NSSO Data, Women’s workforce participation has reduced to 25% (one of the lowest in the world).
Increased absenteeism and turnover: When women don’t feel safe at a particular workplace, they take excessive leaves and are forced to change jobs regularly, leading to increased absenteeism and higher turnover.
Impact on Mental Health of Women: The women who suffer from harassment and abuse at the workplace face mental health issues such as depression, anxiety etc.
Damage to the reputation of country and companies: The reputation of companies and countries who face the allegation of women’s unsafety at work is negatively impacted.

Initiatives taken so far

Vishakha Guidelines by Supreme Court in 1997.
Protection of Women from Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act based on Vishakha Judgement.
She Box Portal to enable woman employees to file harassment complaints at the workplace.

Case Study of Bhanwari Devi

Bhanwari Devi was a Saathin in Rajasthan with the job of raising consciousness in her village about child marriage, dowry etc. Men of the dominant caste resented her efforts wrt Child Marriage, and she was brutally gang-raped. NGO named Vishakha filed a Case in Supreme Court culminating in Vishakha Guidelines.

Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act, 2012

Provisions of the Act

It defines sexual harassment as laid down by Supreme Court in the Vishakha case.
It puts the legal responsibility on the employer to provide a safe & conducive environment for the woman worker.
It is applicable to all workplaces i.e. governmental, private and non-profit organizations.
Provision of forming an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) or, in case of an unorganized sector, forming a 5-member Local Complaint Committee under the supervision of the District Collector.
Those who don’t comply with the act’s provisions will be fined up to Rs 50,000.

Limitations of the Act

Till 2015, 36% of Indian companies had not constituted ICC.
Non-inclusion of the armed forces and all paramilitary forces within its purview
If a complaint is found to be “malicious”, the woman is liable for punishment. It discourages the victims.
The limited time period of 90 days to file a complaint
Provide security to only women and not men.
Punishment for misconduct is as per the service rules of the employer ( if it exists) or else as per the rules of the act. The Act is, however, silent on the situation where employers’ service rule contains less stringent punishment provisions.

Maternity Leave in India

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Last Update: Jan 2025 (Maternity Leave in India)

Maternity Leave in India

This article deals with ‘ Maternity Leave in India .’ This is part of our series on ‘Society’ which is an important pillar of the GS-1 syllabus. For more articles, you can click here.

Introduction

Maternity leave is a period of break from work given to a mother before and after the birth of her child. It aims to provide a period for the mother to recover from childbirth and bond with the newborn child.

Although the provisions vary in different countries, mothers are paid a certain portion of their salary or unemployment benefits during this period.

Present Situation of Maternity Leave in India

Article 42

Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) directs the state to provide Maternity leave.

Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act,2016

A women employee who has worked in the same place for at least 160 days in the 12 months preceding her delivery is eligible for maternity benefits.
Women employees can go on leave for 26 weeks — during which they are paid 100 per cent of their salary (earlier, it was 12 weeks)
12 weeks of paid leave to mothers adopting or having a child through surrogacy
However, the amendment to the Act doesn’t cover a vast majority of the women workforce employed in the informal sector in India. (According to the planning commission, over 93 per cent of the women workforce in India are employed in the informal sector)
All establishments with 30 women workers or 50 total workers should provide crèche facilities for their employees, either at the premises or within half a kilometer
The entitlement applies only to the first two children. For the third child, the maternity leave entitlement will only be 12 weeks.

Why Maternity Leave is required?

Post-natal leave must be increased owing to factors such as
1. An increasing number of late marriages
2. Increase in Caesarean births.
3. Urbanization and transition towards the nuclear family structure => Hence, nobody is at home to take care of the newborn child.
International studies have established a direct link between greater maternity leave duration and lower infant mortality rates.

How women suffer in its absence?

In the absence of maternity leave, women have to face dismissals.
In a fast and competitive world, women are delaying pregnancy owing to very less maternity leave & getting pregnant at 35+ age which has increased the proportion of genetically defective children.
According to experts, with anaemia still affecting a large number of Indian women and with lifestyles changing and increasingly stressful jobs, at least six months are needed to ensure better recovery for the mother and the nutritional health of the child.

What more needs to be done?

More than 93% of working women are in the informal sector, where these maternal benefits don’t extend. Policy to include these women in Maternity Leave benefits should be thought upon.
Implementing maternity benefits is a real challenge. Concerns have already been voiced that such laws and rules will only prevent employers from hiring women or push more women workers into informal contracts.
Singapore way: Women in the city-state get 16 weeks of maternity leave, with the employer paying for eight weeks and the next eight reimbursed to the employer by the government. In India, this could be a way to avoid a collision with the private sector and ensure that women don’t have to bear the brunt of a move that may be unpopular with their employers.
It should be extended to paternity leave as well. Companies like Facebook are giving 4 months of paternity leave across world offices, and developed nations like Sweden, Iceland, Norway, Portugal, and Germany are also providing this. It will enhance the idea of equally shared parenting fast.

Side Topic: Paternity Leave

Paternity leave is a period of break from work given to a father after the birth or adoption of a child. It aims to provide a period for the fathers to bond with their new child and support their partner during the postpartum period.
Central Government Employees can avail of 15-day paternity leave for the first two children.
There is no legal provision regarding paternity leave by private companies. But some private companies offer such leaves. E.g.,
1. Zomato gives 26 months of paternity leave.
2. Ikea gives 26 months of paternity leave.
3. BCCI gives Paternity leave if players demand it.

Old Age

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Last Updated: Jan 2025 (Old Age)

Old Age

This article deals with ‘Old Age’. This is part of our series on ‘Society’ which is an important pillar of the GS-1 syllabus. For more articles, you can click here.

Introduction

Due to the demographic transition through which India is passing through, India will witness a population explosion of senior citizens. Elders (aged 60 years and above) constitute
- Presently = 8% of Indian population.
- 2041 = 16 % of Indian population

Reason for increased %age of old age
- Longer life expectancy due to better health facilities
- Decline in fertility: This, coupled with a reduced birth rate have led to an increase in India’s population of senior citizens.
Elderly persons in society face a number of problems due to lack of family support, social security, health etc.

Elders in Traditional Indian Families

Caring for the aged has always been a part of the Indian tradition.
In large joint families, senior members used to be head of the families enjoyed the centre stage and were loved and respected by all children and grandchildren.
Hence, the institution of Joint Family ensured peaceful living in old age with all dignity and respect.

But with changing structure of family due to various factors, old age people have become vulnerable to various insecurities.

Challenges of the Ageing Population

Change in Family Structures

Due to the changing family structure from Joint to Nuclear Family, the elderly have become more vulnerable.

Ageism

Prejudices faced by old age people due to their age. People in family starts to feel that they are burden on the family without any economic benefit

Burden on Economy

The decline in the labour force.
The decline in savings and consumption.
The higher burden on the government for geriatric care.

Financial Insecurity

Most elderly are not covered by a pension system or any other social security net.

Weak Geriatric Care System

Old Age homes are in bad shape.
Geriatric Specialists in India are lesser than required.

No Psychological Support

Elders suffer verbal abuse, emotional abuse, neglect & disrespect.

Feminisation of Ageing

The sex ratio of the elderly is increasing (1,033 in 2011).

Ruralization of the Elderly

According to Census-2011, 71% of the elderly live in rural India. It is difficult to provide quality geriatric care in villages

Empty Nest Syndrome

Generally, next-generation had to migrate in search of a better future leaving old age persons alone.

Digital Illiteracy

Digital illiteracy acts as a great hindrance in times when every service is getting digitalized.

Steps to uplift Old Age

Constitutional Provision

Article 41 (DPSP): It has provision regarding public assistance in case of unemployment, old age, disablement etc.

Legal Provisions

Maintenance & Welfare of Parents and Senior citizens Act,2007:
- It has the provision of Legal obligation for children to provide maintenance to the senior citizens.
- It also obligates state governments to establish old age homes in every district.

Government Schemes

Integrated Programme for Older Persons (IPOP): It is implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice.
National Social Assistance Program (NSoAP): NSoAP has a component of Assistance to Old Age.
Pension Schemes: There are two pension schemes
- Indira Gandhi Old Age Pension Scheme
- Atal Pension Yojana
Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana: It provides physical aids and assisted-living devices for Senior citizens belonging to the BPL category.
Reservation of seats and concessions in the road, rail and air transport.
National Council for Senior Citizens has been set up to suggest policy changes for the elderly.

State Specific Schemes

Delhi Police has a dedicated cell for old age.

NGOs

Various NGOs are also working for old age persons like HelpAge India.

International Obligations

India is also a signatory of the Kathmandu Declaration of 2016, which focuses on the special needs of the elderly population in the region.

Analysis of Schemes

Low level of awareness and utilization about these schemes.
Gender differentials: Women face greater vulnerabilities and isolation in old age. However, government schemes often ignore this factor.
Lack of Geriatric care human resources: More than 10 million caregivers need to address the needs of the elderly population and a massive training programme to create a competent human resource.

Disabled Persons

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Last Updated: Jan 2025 (Disabled Persons)

Disabled Persons

This article deals with ‘Disabled Persons ’. This is part of our series on ‘Society’ which is an important pillar of the GS-1 syllabus. For more articles, you can click here.

Introduction

These people told the world that it is not the disability but one’s ability that counts.

Disability in India

Persons with Disability Act recognises 21 types of disabilities like

Blindness
Low vision
Leprosy cured
Hearing impairment
Locomotor disability
Mental retardation
Mental illness
Acid Attack victims
Dwarfism

2011 Census says 2.21% of the Indian population is disabled (which is an underestimation).

Issues with Disables

Disability is not measured correctly in India. Census depends on self-reporting of disability, and many don’t report owing to social stigma.
India looks at disability from a medical or pathological angle only. Most developed countries look from a social angle.
Lack of Institutional and Infrastructural Support for the disabled in India.
- Lack of schools for disabled
- Physical infrastructure is not disabled-friendly.
Under the new GST regime, almost all disability aids and appliances are to be taxed at the rate of 5% or 12%.
Employment: Private sector is reluctant to employ the disabled.
Inaccessible Infrastructure: Physical accessibility in buildings, transportation, access to services etc., remains a challenge for the physically disabled.
Attitudinal Barriers: Persons with disability face stereotypes, stigma, prejudice and discrimination, hindering opportunities for social integration and perpetuating a cycle of exclusion.

Initiatives for the Persons with Disability

1. Constitutional Provisions for Disables

Fundamental Rights

Article 19 : Freedom to move and express oneself.
Article 21 : Right to live with dignity.

Directive Principles of the State Policy

Article 41: It calls for public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement etc.

2. Rights of Person with Disability Act, 2016

The act was brought to fulfil obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) ratified by India in 2007.

Provisions

Types of disabilities have been increased from existing 7 to 21, including Acid Attack Victims, Dwarfism, etc
Reservation in government jobs has increased from 3% to 4%.
Every disabled child in age group 6 and 18 years has the right to free education.
Ensure accessibility in public buildings (both Government and private).
Special Courts for handling cases concerning violation of rights of PwDs.

Benefits

Right based approach: This will help to move the discourse away from charity.
Broader coverage: The list of disabilities is expanded from 7 to 21.
Provides reservation and hence will help in Socio-Economic development.

Criticism

Reservation: Reservation was 5% in the 2014 proposed bill but reduced to 4% in this act.
There is no provision regarding insurance companies that they cant charge higher premiums from Disabled persons.

3. Sugamya Bharat Abhiyaan (Accessible India Campaign )

Sugamya Bharat Abhiyaan is aimed at creating a barrier-free environment for the disabled.
The scheme draws inspiration from United Nations Convention on Rights for Persons with Disabilities (2007) and Incheon Strategy.
The campaign targets three separate verticals for
- Equality in Accessing built-up environment (i.e. Disable friendly buildings)
- Equality in Accessing Information and Communication
- Equality in Accessing Transportation

4. Organizations for Disables

National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation

It promotes economic empowerment of Persons with Disability (divyangs) through skill training and self-employment ventures by extending loans.

Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO)

ALIMCO is a Mini Ratna company (PSU) that manufactures artificial aids and appliances for the Persons with Disability.

5. Mental Healthcare Act, 2017

The act defines “mental illness” in line with the UN Convention on Rights of Person with Disability.
The right to confidentiality has been given to persons with mental illness.
Central Mental Health Authority and State Mental Health Authority has been set up to register psychologists, mental health nurses etc.
Suicide has been decriminalised (IPC Section 309) & presumed to be suffering from mental illness.
It has prohibited electro-convulsive therapy without the use of muscle relaxants and anaesthesia.

6. Marrakech Treaty and Blind

Under Marrakech Treaty, copyrights don’t apply if the book is reproduced for the visually challenged.
India has ratified this treaty in 2014.
India has launched Sugamya Pustkalya in line with the treaty.

Minorities

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Last Updated: Jan 2025 (Minorities)

Minorities

This article deals with ‘Minorities ’. This is part of our series on ‘Society’ which is an important pillar of the GS-1 syllabus. For more articles, you can click here.

Why do Minorities need protection?

In democratic politics, it is always possible to convert a numerical majority into political power through elections. It makes minorities politically vulnerable.
State Machinery, mainly under the majority community, can suppress religious or cultural institutions of minorities.
In the Constitutional Assembly debates, Ambedkar described the minorities are an explosive force that, if erupts, can blow up the whole fabric of the state. The history of Europe bears ample and appalling testimony to this fact.

Sachar Committee Recommendations

Main Recommendations

Set up an Equal Opportunity Commission
The delimitation procedure should not reserve constituencies with a high minority population for Scheduled Castes.
Increase employment share of Muslims
Work out mechanisms to link madrasas with the school board.
Recognise degrees from madrasas for eligibility in defence, civil and banking examinations.

Population of different Religious Groups

The population of various religious groups in India is as follows.

Although the Muslim population has increased, but the reason is low socio-economic development. Sachar Committee estimated that Muslims’ proportion will rise from 18% to 21% by 2101 under different scenarios.

States with the highest percentage of Muslims include J&K (67%), Assam (30.9%), West Bengal (25.2%), and Kerala (24.7%).

School Education of Minorities

The educational Status of Muslims is marginally higher than SC/ST.

Contrary to the common belief that a large number of Muslim children attend madrasas for primary education, only 4% of Muslim children among the school-going age go to madrasas.
Instead, many Muslim children are enrolled in Maktabs, which provide supplementary religious education to children enrolled in public schools.

Job Share

Job Share of Muslims in any government job is not near their population proportion

Schemes for Minorities

USTAAD

USTAAD Scheme is used for skilling minority artisans.
The scheme primarily focuses on arts like Kashmiri embroidery, Bengali jardosi, Sikh phulkari embroidery, Buddhist Thangka paintings etc.

Nai Manzil

Nai Manzil is used for skilling the Madrassa passouts with skills such as computer education, English speaking etc. so that they can join the mainstream.

Udaan

Udaan Scheme is used for skilling J&K youth.

Sikho aur Kamao

Under the scheme, a person belonging to Minority Community can get computer knowledge, tailoring skills etc. from Private institutions and the Government to reimburse that institution.

Nai Roshini Yojana

Nai Roshini Scheme is used for generating Leadership among Minority Women.

Garib Nawaz Skill Development Centres

Under the scheme, the Skill Development Centres will be established in 100 districts.
Employment-oriented skill development courses of short term (2 to 6 months) in fields such as mobile and laptop repairing, security housekeeping training, etc., will be given to minority students.

Jiyo Parsi

Jiyo Parsi is a scheme focussed on Parsi Community.
Need of the Scheme: The population of the Parsi community in India declined by 50% in the last 60 years.
Objective: To increase the Total Fertility Rate of the Parsi community.

LGBT

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Last Updated: Jan 2025 (LGBT)

LGBT

This article deals with ‘LGBT ’. This is part of our series on ‘Society’ which is an important pillar of the GS-1 syllabus. For more articles, you can click here.

What constitutes LGBT?

Problems faced by the LGBT community

Intolerance, discrimination and harassment are faced by them in society, including at home and schools.
Marginalization in a society where heterosexuality is the only accepted norm.
LGBT face continuous harassment at the workplace, and they can’t express their sexual orientation at the workplace.
They face barriers to healthcare and housing.

Impact of above problems on LGBT community

They tend to drop out of school and leave home and family.
They are unable to find regular jobs.
They become prone to drug abuse and suicide.
They are prone to sexual diseases such as HIV.

Issue 1: Section 377 of IPC

Whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal, shall be punished with imprisonment for life and shall be liable to fine.

Course of Things

1870	IPC came to force
2009	Naz foundation case: Delhi High Court declared Section 377 to be unconstitutional. It was held that Section 377 violated Articles 21 & 14 of the Indian constitution.
2013	– Suresh Kumar Kaushal case – Supreme Court reversed the previous judgement of Delhi High Court & held the validity of Section 377. – Supreme Court left it on Parliament to change it. Supreme Court’s judgement in the Suresh Kumar Kaushal vs NAZ Foundation Case was equalled by experts with the Dred Scott case(1857), where the US Supreme Court denied the right of equality to negros.
2014	NALSA vs Union of India: Supreme Court recognised the third gender status for transgender people. Also directed the state to provide affirmative action to the LGBT community.
2018	Navtej Singh Johar v/s Union of India, 2018 case declared Section 377 of IPC as unconstitutional. – Discrimination based on ‘carnal intercourse against the order of nature‘ is arbitrary and cannot be used as classification criteria for the purpose of legislative protection under the right to equality. – Constitutional morality privileges over social or majoritarian morality.

Arguments to scrap 377

1. Cultural Aspect

It is based on Victorian Era Morality, where sex without intent to produce a child was considered a sin.
Books like Kamasutra, Mrichchhakatikam etc., shows that it isn’t part of Hindu culture. Hindu texts are not just open to homosexuality but treat gender as a fluid concept—for example, Lord Shiva’s depiction as Ardhnarishwara, i.e. half man & half woman.

2. Constitutional Aspect

It infringes upon fundamental rights like

Right to Equality
Right to Expression (sexual Expression)
Right to Privacy (Part of Right to life after Justice Puttaswamy Judgement)

3. International Situation

United States, Britain (from where we introduced this law in India) & Nepal (other Hindu nations) etc., have recognised LGBT rights.

4. Health Aspect

It has led to the criminalisation of homosexuality as harassment by law enforcement agencies drives the LGBT community underground and increases the risk of HIV among the LGBT community.

5. Biological Aspect

It is not against the order of nature.
Homophilia is found in 450 species.

NALSA vs Union of India, 2015

The Supreme Court declared that

Transgender people to be recognised as a ‘Third Gender.’
Gave them the right to self-identification of gender as male, female or third gender.
Transgender people are socially and economically backward classes; they should be granted reservations in admissions to educational institutions and jobs.

Issue 2: Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019

Provisions of the Act

Definition of Transgender: Transgender means a person whose gender does not match the gender assigned to a person at birth.
Prohibition of denial of service to transgender people.
Right of residence: Transgenders have the right to reside in their household.
Welfare measures like rehabilitation, vocational training etc., should be provided to the transgender by the government.
District Magistrate has been authorized to issue a Certificate of identity to transgenders.
Offences and Penalties: Provision of imprisonment between 6 months and 2 years, and fine.
National Council for Transgender persons (NCT) to be constituted to advise the central government wrt transgender persons.

Critical Appraisal of the Act

In the NALSA v. Union of India judgment, the Supreme Court gave Transgenders the right to self-identify their gender as male, female or transgender. But the act doesn’t allow self-recognition of gender as male or female. It only provides for identity certificates as ‘transgender’. Ireland, Argentina and Denmark allow the transgender community to self-determine gender
Supreme Court in NALSA Case provided for 2% reservation. But the act does not have the provision of reservation.
It does not give positive rights such as the Rights of transgenders to the inheritance of property.

Manual Scavengers

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Last Updated: Jan 2025 (Manual Scavengers)

Manual Scavengers

This article deals with ‘ Manual Scavengers ’. This is part of our series on ‘Society’ which is an important pillar of the GS-1 syllabus. For more articles, you can click here.

Introduction

Manual Scavengers are mostly Scheduled Castes (Balmiki caste) involved in manually removing the human excrement from the dry toilets of higher-caste families.

Issues with Manual Scavenging

In 1901, Mahatma Gandhi termed manual scavenging a national shame.
They gave low life expectancy. Unhygienic work makes them vulnerable to various infections. A large number of them die while cleaning excreta.
They have low wage payments and no financial security.
Lack of Human Dignity: The Manual Scavengers suffer due to a lack of dignity as people treat them badly due to their association with dirty work.

Their numbers

The number of manual scavengers in India was 13,384 in 2018.
Data from 2018 to 2023 reveals that over 400 people died while cleaning septic tanks and sewers.

Initiatives already taken

1. Legal Measures

1.1 Manual Scavengers (Prohibition and Rehabilitation) Act,2013

A “manual scavenger” is defined as a person engaged in manually cleaning human excreta in an insanitary latrine or an open drain, or on a railway track.
If anyone employs a manual scavenger or constructs an insanitary latrine, he can face imprisonment up to one year or a fine of Rs 50,000 or both.
Each occupier of an unsanitary latrine is responsible for demolishing it at his own cost.
Responsibility to identify Manual Scavenger is with the Local Government.
Tasks the government to rehabilitate them in other jobs after training.

1.2 National Commission for Safai Karamchari

Giving recommendations to the Government regarding specific programmes for the welfare of Safai Karamcharis.
Monitor implementation of Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013.
Enquire into complaints regarding contravention of the Act.

2. Judicial Support

In 2014, Supreme court

Manual Scavenging has to be ended.
Directed the centre & states to rehabilitate the scavengers.

3. Technology use

The government has installed bio-digesters at public places, especially in the railways.

4. Swachh Bharat

The scheme has a provision to construct the flush toilets and penalize the dry toilet pit construction.

5. Other Initiatives

Rashtriya Garima Abhiyaan: It is a national campaign to eradicate manual scavenging and rehabilitate the Manual Scavengers.
Valmiki Malin Awas Yojana: To provide housing to the Safai Karamcharis.
National Scheme for Rehabilitation of Scavengers: To provide training & rehabilitate them.

Why we aren’t able to stop it till now

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: Currently, Rs. 12,000 is given to build a latrine. But latrines of poor quality requiring regular cleaning is built with such a low budget.
The term is not defined properly as if protective gear is used; then government don’t count it as manual scavenging.
Western toilets are used in India. But they require more water which is scarce in villages. It compels people to go for a dry toilet.