TABLE OF CONTENT

GS- 1  Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) and SEHER Program

Syllabus - GS-1 Society, Women Empowerment

GS-3 PPP Model

Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) and SEHER Program

Overview:

• Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP): A public-private partnership (PPP) platform incubated at NITI Aayog.
• Objective: Empowering women entrepreneurs by providing various resources and support mechanisms.
• PPP Model: WEP exemplifies a collaborative effort between the government and private sector to foster women's entrepreneurship.

SEHER Program:

• Introduction:
  • A credit education program launched by WEP in collaboration with TransUnion CIBIL.
  • Aim: To enhance financial literacy and business skills among women entrepreneurs, thereby improving their access to financial tools for business growth.

Key Features:

1. Financial Literacy:
   • Provides comprehensive content to educate women on financial management and credit access.
   • Emphasizes the importance of understanding credit scores and financial planning.
2. Business Skills:
   • Offers training in essential business skills required for running and expanding a business.
   • Focuses on strategic planning, marketing, and operational management.
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3. Financing Women Collaborative (FWC):
   • SEHER is a part of the FWC initiative under WEP.
   • Objective: To accelerate access to finance for women entrepreneurs, addressing the financial barriers they face.
   • Significance: It is the first initiative of its kind aimed specifically at enhancing financial inclusion for women-led businesses.

Importance of PPP Model:

Public-Private Partnership: WEP leverages the strengths of both the public and private sectors.

Government Role: Provides policy support, infrastructure, and regulatory framework.

• Private Sector Role: Brings in expertise, resources, and innovative financial products tailored for women entrepreneurs.
• Advantages:
  • Resource Mobilization: Combines resources from multiple stakeholders, ensuring comprehensive support for women entrepreneurs.
  • Innovation and Efficiency: Private sector involvement leads to innovative solutions and efficient service delivery.
  • Scalability: PPP model allows for scalable interventions that can reach a larger number of beneficiaries.

Current Scenario and Need:

• Current Credit Access:
  • Only 7% of overall outstanding loans to MSMEs are directed to women-led businesses.
• Need for Improvement:
  • There is a significant need to improve credit access for women entrepreneurs to promote economic inclusion and empowerment.
  • SEHER program addresses this gap by providing targeted financial education and business support.

Conclusion:

• The SEHER program, under the Women Entrepreneurship Platform, exemplifies the effective use of a public-private partnership model to empower women entrepreneurs. By enhancing financial literacy and business skills, SEHER aims to improve access to credit for women-led businesses, thereby fostering economic growth and gender equality in entrepreneurship.

TOPIC- 2 Education in India: Recent Discussions on Shifting it Back to the State List

Context - Recent paper leak incidents and nationwide protests have sparked discussions about moving Education in India back to the State List of the Indian Constitution.

Historical Background

• British Rule & Government of India Act, 1935:
  • Established a Federal Structure, distributing legislative subjects between the Federal Legislature (Union) and Provinces (States).
  • Education was placed under the Provincial List.
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• Post-Independence:
  • Education continued under the ‘State List’.
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  • Emergency Period & Swaran Singh Committee:
    • Recommended shifting ‘Education’ to the Concurrent List to facilitate all-India policies.
    • Led to the 42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976) moving education from the State List to the Concurrent List.
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• 44th Constitutional Amendment (1978):
  • Attempted by the Janata Party to revert education to the State List, but failed to pass in the Rajya Sabha
  • .

Key Constitutional Provisions

• Seventh Schedule (Article 246):
  • Defines the distribution of powers between the Union and State governments.
  • Ensures clear division to prevent overlapping legislation.
  • Union law prevails in case of conflict on a Concurrent subject.
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• Three Lists:
  • Union List: Subjects exclusively under Union jurisdiction (e.g., defense, foreign affairs).
  • State List: Subjects exclusively under State jurisdiction (e.g., police, public health).
  • Concurrent List: Subjects where both Union and States can legislate (e.g., criminal law, education).
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Education-Related Articles

• Article 15: Prohibits discrimination in educational institutions.
• Article 21A: Guarantees free and compulsory education for children aged 6-14.
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• Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP):
  • Article 41: Ensures equal educational opportunities.
  • Article 45: Endeavours to provide free and compulsory education for children up to 14.
  • Article 46: Promotes education for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and marginalized sections.

• Fundamental Duties (Article 51A):
  • Article 51A(j): Strive for excellence in education.
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• Language and Education:
  • Article 350A: Right to mother tongue instruction at primary level.
  • Article 29: Protects cultural and educational rights of minorities.
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• Autonomy of Educational Institutions:
  • Article 30: Rights of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions.
  • Article 32: Enforcement of fundamental educational rights.
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• Role of the State:
  • Article 41: Securing the right to education.
  • Article 44: Promotion of a uniform civil code impacting educational personal laws.
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Arguments for Education in the Concurrent List

• Uniform Education Policy: Ensures consistent educational standards nationwide.
• Improvement in Standards: Centralized policies can elevate education quality.
• Synergy: Enhances collaboration between central and state governments for better educational outcomes.
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Arguments Against the Concurrent List of Education

• Diversity: India's vast diversity makes a uniform approach impractical.
• Corruption and Professionalism: Centralization hasn’t fully addressed corruption or professionalism issues.
• Conflict and Repugnancy: Dual authority can lead to conflicts; Article 254 resolves inconsistencies.
• Complexity: Overlapping laws create confusion.
• Uniformity vs. Diversity: Striking a balance between uniform policies and state-specific needs is challenging.
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International Practices

• United States: State and local governments manage education, with federal oversight on financial aid and equal access.
• Canada: Provinces have complete control over education policies.
• Germany: Education is managed by the landers (states).
• South Africa: Dual national departments for schools and higher education, with provincial implementation.
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Conclusion and Way Forward

• Balance centralization and decentralization, considering regional variations.
• National Education Policy (2020): Focuses on holistic development, multilingualism, flexible curriculum, technology integration, and professional education.
• Address challenges like access, equity, quality of education, teacher training, dropout rates, and skill development.
• Hybrid approach: Some aspects in the Concurrent List, others delegated to States for a balanced and effective education system.
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MAINS QUESTION - Critically analyze the historical shifts in the legislative responsibility for education in India from the State List to the Concurrent List. Discuss the arguments for and against keeping education in the Concurrent List, considering India's diverse socio-cultural landscape. In your opinion, what would be the most effective approach to manage education in India? (250 words)

TOPIC- 2 NTA

CONTEXT : The National Testing Agency will conduct a retest for CUET-UG candidates from July 15 to 19 if any grievance raisedby them about the conduct of the exam is found to be correct. 

ABOUT NTA

• The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts entrance exams for admissions and fellowships to institutes of higher education in India.
• Established in 2017, NTA has become one of the largest competitive exam testing agencies globally.

 Background and Mandate

• Registered under the Indian Societies Registration Act, 1860.
• Aims to create a scientific exam system at par with global standards.
• Relieves CBSE, AICTE, and other bodies from exam-conducting responsibilities.

Key Functions of NTA:

1. Conducting Examinations: NTA is responsible for conducting various national-level entrance examinations including:
   • Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main
   • National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) UG
   • Common Management Admission Test (CMAT)
   • Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test (GPAT)
   • UGC National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET)
   • Delhi University Entrance Test (DUET)
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2.Research and Analysis: NTA conducts research to develop and adopt standard practices in assessment, evaluation, and education.

3. Quality Control: Ensures the integrity, fairness, and credibility of examinations by implementing strict measures and modern technology.

4. Digitalization: Promotes the use of digital technology in examinations to enhance accessibility and efficiency.

Recent Developments and News:

1.  
2. Digital Initiatives:
   • NTA has implemented various digital tools to streamline the examination process, including online application forms, computer-based tests (CBTs), and digital evaluation.
   • Introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning to detect malpractices and ensure the integrity of the examination process.
3. NEET UG 2024:
   • The NEET UG 2024 is scheduled to be held in May. The application process will begin in January 2024.
   • NTA has introduced new measures to ensure safe and fair examinations, including biometric verification and enhanced security protocols at exam centers.
4. JEE Main 2024:
   • The JEE Main 2024 will be conducted in two sessions: January and April.
   • NTA has revised the syllabus and examination pattern to align with the new education policy.
5. Implementation of CUET:
   • The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) was introduced for undergraduate admissions to central universities. The first edition was successfully conducted in 2022.
   • CUET has standardized the admission process across central universities, ensuring uniformity and transparency.

1. Accessibility Initiatives:
   • NTA has made significant efforts to make examinations accessible to students from remote and rural areas by increasing the number of examination centers and providing free practice tests and study materials online.
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2. Grievance Redressal Mechanism:
   • NTA has set up a robust grievance redressal mechanism to address the concerns and issues faced by candidates, ensuring timely resolution and support.
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Challenges and Future Plans:

1. Technological Upgradation:
   • NTA is continuously working on upgrading its technological infrastructure to handle the increasing number of candidates and ensure seamless conduct of examinations.
   • Plans to integrate more advanced AI and data analytics tools to enhance the examination process.
2. Inclusivity and Accessibility:
   • NTA aims to make its exams more inclusive by providing special provisions for differently-abled candidates and those from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
   • Expanding the reach of NTA’s initiatives to ensure that students from all parts of the country have access to the necessary resources and support.
3. International Collaborations:
   • Exploring collaborations with international educational assessment bodies to adopt best practices and improve the standards of assessments.
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Conclusion: The National Testing Agency (NTA) plays a crucial role in standardizing and streamlining the examination process for higher education in India. With its focus on technology, transparency, and inclusivity, NTA is set to revolutionize the assessment landscape in the country, ensuring that merit and fairness are upheld in the admission process.