The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar was recently presented for the first time in 2024 by the President of India, highlighting distinguished contributions in the field of science and technology. This new set of awards was introduced by the government after the scrapping of previous science awards, aiming to recognize and encourage excellence across various domains of scientific research.

Categories and Recipients:

• Vigyan Ratna:
• Awarded for lifetime achievements and notable contributions to science and technology.
• This year, it was awarded to Prof. Govindarajan Padmanabhan, a pioneer in molecular biology and biotechnology research in India.
• Vigyan Shri:
• Recognizes distinguished contributions in any field of science and technology.
• It was awarded to 13 scientists for path-breaking research in their respective domains.
• Vigyan Yuva - Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB):
• Recognizes young scientists for exceptional contributions to science and technology.
• 18 scientists were honored this year for contributions in areas such as warming of the Indian Ocean, the development of indigenous 5G base stations, and precision tests of quantum mechanics.
• Vigyan Team:
• Awarded to a team of three or more scientists who have made exceptional contributions while working together in any scientific field.
• This year, the award was presented to the Chandrayaan-3 team for the successful landing of the lander near the moon's south pole.

These awards are part of the government's initiative to further promote scientific research and recognize those who have made significant contributions to India’s scientific advancements.

Why in the News?

The Government of India has launched a revised Model Skill Loan Scheme to enhance access to skill development courses, addressing financial barriers faced by students and candidates.

Key Features of the Scheme

• Background: This revised scheme replaces the earlier Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme for Skill Development (CCFSSD), initiated in 2015, which aimed to provide credit for skill development aligned with National Occupational Standards.
• Objective: The scheme focuses on making advanced-level skill courses more accessible, especially for deserving students who may find the financial burden significant.
• Loan Amount: The maximum eligible loan has been increased from ₹1.5 lakh to ₹7.5 lakh.
• Lending Institutions: Initially restricted to Indian Banks’ Association member banks, the updated scheme now allows Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs), and Small Finance Banks (SFBs) to offer loans.
• Credit Guarantee: Loans will be backed by a 75% guarantee against defaults, providing additional security for lending institutions.

Need for Skill Development

• Employability: Despite a decline in youth unemployment from 17.8% in 2017-18 to 10% in 2022-23, the need for skill development remains critical.
• Changing Job Market: According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), 23% of jobs are expected to change in the next five years, necessitating new skill acquisition.
• Technological Advancements: The fastest-growing jobs will be in areas like AI, machine learning, and sustainability, highlighting the need for relevant skills.
• Demographic Dividend: Harnessing India's youth potential is essential for economic productivity and job creation.

Challenges in Skill Development

• Public Perception: Vocational training is often viewed as a fallback option, leading to a stigma around skill development.
• Apprenticeship Ecosystem: There are significant gaps in coordination between educational institutions and industries, impacting the effectiveness of training.
• Skill Mismatch: A large portion of youth (4.4% formally trained and 16.6% informally) lack adequate vocational training, leading to employment mismatches.
• Other Barriers: Issues such as inadequate mentorship, access to finance, and geographic disparities in training availability hinder skill development.

Government Initiatives

• Skill India Mission (SIM): Promotes skill development through various schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) and Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS).
• Skill India Digital Hub: A platform that integrates access to skilling, credit, and employment through advanced technologies.
• National Skill Development Council (NSDC): A key player in public-private partnerships for skill training.
• Skill Impact Bond: An initiative to attract private funding for skill development, focusing on outcomes.
• National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS): Encourages apprenticeship as a viable route for skill acquisition.

Way Forward

• Seamless Learning Pathways: Create integrated educational pathways linking basic education, technical training, and lifelong learning.
• Holistic Policy Integration: Align skill development with broader policies on labor, technology, and regional development.
• Industry-Education Collaboration: Enhance dialogue between employers and educational institutions to ensure skills taught match workforce needs.
• Global Best Practices: Adopt successful international models, like Germany's dual vocational training system, to enhance training quality.
• Inclusive Training Access: Expand training programs to rural and marginalized groups to boost economic participation.
• Implementation of Recommendations: Consider recommendations from committees, such as creating dedicated vocational education systems and ensuring upward mobility for students through advanced qualifications.

This revised Model Skill Loan Scheme reflects a comprehensive effort to enhance skill development in India, supporting economic growth and addressing employment challenges effectively.

Experts are advocating for the recognition of Aquatic Deoxygenation (AD) as a new planetary boundary, highlighting the critical decline in oxygen content in oceanic and coastal waters.

Understanding Aquatic Deoxygenation (AD)

• Definition: AD refers to the overall decline in the oxygen content of water bodies, occurring when oxygen consumption exceeds oxygen replenishment.

Current Status of Aquatic Deoxygenation

• Oceans: Since the 1960s, approximately 2% of oxygen in the oceans has been lost. More than 500 low-oxygen sites have been identified in coastal waters.
• Lakes and Reservoirs: Oxygen levels in lakes have decreased by 5.5%, while reservoirs have experienced a more significant decline of 18.6% since 1980.

Causes of Aquatic Deoxygenation

• Global Warming:
• Rising temperatures lead to decreased solubility of oxygen in water.
• Warm surface layers in the ocean inhibit the mixing of oxygen into deeper waters, contributing to low oxygen levels in the deep sea.
• Eutrophication:
• Nutrient over-enrichment from anthropogenic sources (e.g., fertilizers from agriculture) results in algal blooms, which subsequently increase oxygen consumption when the algae decompose.

Impacts on Ecosystems

• Dead Zones: Areas of hypoxia (low oxygen) can create "dead zones," where aquatic life struggles to survive.
• Habitat Compression: Reduced habitat quality and quantity for fisheries leads to diminished biomass and species loss.
• Climate Regulation: AD affects the regulation of Earth's climate, as microbiotic processes in low-oxygen areas produce greenhouse gases.
• Marine Food Web Changes: Increased predation risk and factors like ocean acidification disrupt marine food webs.

Planetary Boundaries Framework

• Definition: Planetary boundaries are limits on the impacts of human activities on the Earth system. Exceeding these boundaries risks the environment's ability to self-regulate.
• Recognized Boundaries: There are nine planetary boundaries, including climate change, ocean acidification, land use change, and biodiversity loss.

Conclusion

Recognizing Aquatic Deoxygenation as a new planetary boundary is vital for addressing the ecological crisis stemming from human activities. Acknowledging and mitigating the factors contributing to AD can help preserve marine ecosystems, maintain biodiversity, and support climate regulation, ultimately safeguarding the health of our planet.

What is Article 311?

Article 311 of the Indian Constitution lays down the procedures and safeguards that must be adhered to before a government employee can be dismissed, removed, or reduced in rank. It serves to protect civil servants from arbitrary actions by the government.

Grounds for Dismissal

• Employee Efficiency: Dismissal may occur if an employee's performance or conduct is found to be unsatisfactory or detrimental to the effective functioning of the government.
• Employee Conduct: Dismissal can also be based on involvement in acts of corruption, bribery, fraud, or any offense involving moral turpitude.

This article ensures that any action taken against government employees follows the principles of natural justice, thereby providing a fair process. Notably, Article 311 does not apply to military personnel, who are governed by their own disciplinary regulations.

Protections Under Article 311

• The protections include safeguards against dismissal, removal, or reduction in rank. However, actions such as suspension or transfer are not covered under Article 311.

Exceptions to Article 311

Certain situations allow for bypassing the procedures outlined in Article 311:

• Security of the State: If an employee’s actions pose a threat to national security, the President or Governor can take immediate action without holding an inquiry. This is particularly relevant in cases involving terrorism or espionage.
• Efficiency in Public Service: The inquiry process can be dispensed with if it is deemed necessary for maintaining the security or efficiency of public service.
• Probationary Employees: Employees on probation may be dismissed or removed without the need for an inquiry.
• Judicial Review: Employees who feel aggrieved by such actions may seek judicial remedies, which can include reinstatement or back wages.
• Criminal Conviction: If a civil servant has been convicted by a court of law, the requirement for an inquiry can be waived, as the conviction itself justifies dismissal or removal.

Judicial Interpretation

In the landmark case Union of India v. Tulsiram Patel (1985), the Supreme Court emphasized the balance between the safeguards provided by Article 311 and the necessity for national security and public interest, allowing for exceptions when appropriate.

Procedural Safeguards Under Article 311

Overview Article 311 of the Indian Constitution provides essential procedural safeguards for government employees, ensuring that dismissals, removals, or reductions in rank are not arbitrary. These safeguards are fundamental to upholding the principles of natural justice.

Key Safeguards

• Informing the Employee:
• No government employee can be dismissed, removed, or demoted without being informed of the specific charges against them.
• The employee must be given a reasonable opportunity to defend themselves against these charges.
• Internal Appeal Mechanisms:
• Employees have the right to appeal to higher authorities within their department or the government if they feel aggrieved by the actions taken against them.
• Authority for Action:
• Only the authority that appointed the civil servant, or an equivalent authority, can dismiss or demote them. This ensures accountability and proper oversight.

Procedure for Disciplinary Action

• Formulation of Charges:
• The competent authority must frame clear and justifiable charges, detailing the allegations and grounds for disciplinary action.
• Opportunity to be Heard:
• The employee must be given a chance to respond to the charges and present their defense.
• Impartial Inquiry:
• An impartial inquiry must be conducted by a competent authority. The employee should have the right to present their case and cross-examine any witnesses or evidence against them.
• Inquiry Report:
• A report must be prepared after the inquiry, taking into account all evidence and submissions made during the process.
• Final Decision:
• The competent authority must make a final decision based on the inquiry report, ensuring it is fair, reasonable, and aligned with the principles of natural justice. The outcome must be communicated to the employee.

Related Supreme Court Judgments

• Shamsher Singh v. State of Punjab (1974):
• Clarified that while the Governor (or President) has the power to dismiss a civil servant, this action must comply with the due process outlined in Article 311.
• K.S. Subramanian v. Union of India (1988):
• Held that the doctrine of "office held at the pleasure of the President" does not apply to cases covered by Article 311.
• Dr. V.R. Sanal Kumar v. Union of India & Ors (2023):
• Reiterated that inquiry proceedings can be dispensed with if the President or Governor deems it not expedient to hold such an inquiry in the interest of state security.

Conclusion

The procedural safeguards under Article 311 play a crucial role in protecting the rights of civil servants. By requiring a thorough inquiry and allowing for defense, these safeguards promote fairness and accountability in disciplinary actions. Judicial oversight ensures that even in exceptional cases where inquiries may be bypassed, the powers granted are not misused, thereby upholding the principles of natural justice and constitutional fairness.