Daily Prelims Notes 6 February 2025

Daily Prelims Notes

6 February 2025

1. Amid a delay in holding Census, vital reports on births and deaths pending since 2020

Sub: Polity

Sec: Constitution

Context: – The “Vital Statistics of India Based on the Civil Registration System” and “The Report on Medical Certification of Cause of Death” have not been released since 2020.

The annual “Crime in India” report by the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) for the year 2023 is yet to be released.

Delay in Census 2021

• The decadal Census exercise, initially scheduled for 2020-21, was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Further delays are attributed to persistent demands from Opposition parties for caste enumeration.

Importance of Vital Statistics

• The Civil Registration System (CRS) report compiles data on births, deaths, and stillbirths.
• These statistics are crucial for planning, monitoring, and evaluating programs related to primary healthcare, family planning, maternal and child health, and education.
• States submit their statistics to the Registrar-General of India.

Digital Registration of Births and Deaths

• The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Act, 2023 was enacted to ensure that all births and deaths occurring from October 1, 2023, are digitally registered through the Central portal crsorgi.gov.in.
• The Centre now has access to real-time data.

State-wise Publication of Vital Statistics

• Some States and Union Territories, including Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Delhi, Chandigarh, Mizoram, Goa, and Arunachal Pradesh, have published reports till 2022.
• The last available Vital Statistics report for Kerala was for 2021.
• Mizoram is the only State to have released the report for 2023.

Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Act, 2023

• This Act mandates that all births and deaths from October 1, 2023, must be digitally registered through the Central portal crsorgi.gov.in.
• The Act enables the real-time availability of birth and death data to the Centre and State governments.
• Digitally registered birth certificates will be used for admission to educational institutions, issuance of Aadhaar, driving licenses, voter IDs, and other official purposes.
• It eliminates the need for multiple documents by ensuring that a digital birth or death record serves as a single proof for all essential services.

About Census of India

• First Non-Synchronous Census (1872): Conducted during Governor-General Lord Mayo’s tenure, covering various regions at different times.
• First Synchronous Census (1881): Led by Census Commissioner W.C. Plowden, this was the first systematic and simultaneous census across British India
• The 2011 Census was the 15th National Census since 1871. It introduced the collection of biometric information for the first time and reported India’s population as approximately 1.21 billion.
• Legal Framework
  • Census of India Act, 1948: Enacted to provide the legal framework for conducting censuses in post-independence India. The Act does not mandate a specific date for conducting the census or a timeline for releasing the data

2. House panel seeks SOPs for timely completion of spiritual tourism projects

Sub: Schemes

Sec: Art and Culture

Context:

• The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism, and Culture has raised concerns over the slow progress of projects under the Spiritual Tourism Circuits and the PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) scheme.
• The committee has urged the government to establish clear-cut Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and to obtain prior clearances and approvals from relevant authorities for the timely completion of these projects.

Spiritual Tourism Circuits:

• The Spiritual Tourism Circuits are part of the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, launched by the Ministry of Tourism, aiming to promote spiritual and religious tourism across India.
• These circuits are designed to connect various pilgrimage sites and enhance the overall religious tourism experience in the country.
• The committee noted that five out of 23 Spiritual Circuits are yet to be completed, with two circuits in Kerala, Sabarimala –Erumeli – Pampa-Sannidhanam circuit and Sivagiri Sree Narayana Guru Ashram circuit being significantly delayed.

Swadesh Darshan Scheme:

• The Ministry of Tourism, under the Swadesh Darshan scheme is developing thematic circuits in the country in planned and prioritized manner.
• Under the scheme fifteen thematic circuits have been identified for development namely; North-East Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, Himalayan Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Desert Circuit, Tribal Circuit, Eco Circuit, Wildlife Circuit, Rural Circuit, Spiritual Circuit, Ramayana Circuit, Heritage Circuit, Sufi Circuit, and Tirthankara Circuit.

PRASHAD Scheme:

• The ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive’ (PRASAD) was launched by the Ministry of Tourism in the year 2014-15 with the objective of holistic development of identified pilgrimage destinations.
• The name of the scheme was changed from PRASAD to “National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)” in October 2017.
• Under the PRASHAD Scheme, several religious cities/sites in have been identified for development such as Amaravati and Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh), Kamakhya (Assam), Parasuram Kund (Lohit District, Arunachal Pradesh), Patna and Gaya (Bihar).

3. Fort William, Army’s Eastern HQ, renamed Vijay Durg

Sub: History

Sec: Modern History

Context:

• The headquarters of the Eastern Army Command in Kolkata, Fort William, has been renamed to Vijay Durg as part of an ongoing effort to eliminate colonial practices within the armed forces.
• The new name references a historic fort in Maharashtra that served as a naval base for the Marathas.
• Additionally, Kitchener House inside the fort has been renamed Manekshaw House, and the South gate is now Shivaji Gate.

About Fort William:

• Fort William, located on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River in Kolkata, has a rich history tied to both British colonialism and the rise of India as an independent nation.
• Originally built in 1696 by the British East India Company. The fort was a two-storied brick structure with projecting wings and was named “Fort William” in 1700 CE after King William III.
• After the Battle of Plassey, the original fort was deemed inadequate. Construction of the new Fort William began in 1758 under Robert Clive and finished in 1781.
• The fort served as a strategic military base for the British, protecting their commercial interests in Bengal, and played a pivotal role during key events like the Black Hole Tragedy of 1756.

Transformation over time:

• After the British victory at the Battle of Plassey in 1757, the original fort was replaced by a new, larger structure, completed by 1781.
• Over time, it became the headquarters for British India’s military operations. After India’s independence in 1947, the fort passed into the hands of the Indian Army, which made several modifications, including the addition of modern facilities.
• Today, it serves as the headquarters of the Eastern Command of the Indian Army and is off-limits to civilians.
• The Ball Tower, once part of a communication system, and the Vijay Smarak, a memorial to war martyrs, are notable features.

Recent Military Reforms:

• Naval Ensign: In September 2022, the Indian Navy adopted a new naval ensign, replacing the colonial-era design with one that features an octagonal design inspired by the seal of Chhatrapati Shivaji.
• Beating Retreat Ceremony: The government has replaced colonial musical compositions with Indian compositions during the Beating Retreat ceremony.

4. Why does Trump want to take over Gaza and could he do it?

Sub: IR

Sec: Places in news

Context:

• Donald Trump recently suggested that the U.S. could “take over” Gaza and resettle its population, an idea that has sparked widespread shock and condemnation.
• This proposal comes amid a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, as the future of Gaza is uncertain after 15 months of fighting, and two-thirds of Gaza’s buildings have been destroyed or damaged.
• The proposal is potentially undermining international consensus on a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.

Trump’s Proposal:

• Trump’s proposal is based on the idea that Gaza needs to be rebuilt, with millions of civilians sheltering in rubble.
• He suggests that Palestinians, especially those displaced by the conflict, should leave Gaza and be resettled elsewhere, possibly in neighbouring Arab nations like Egypt or Jordan.
• In his view, this could pave the way for Gaza to become a prosperous, American-controlled “Riviera of the Middle East”.

Controversy Surrounding the Proposal:

• Trump’s comments have been met with global outrage, particularly from Arab countries and Palestinian representatives.
• The idea of forcibly displacing Gaza’s population or encouraging them to leave is seen as a violation of international law and a denial of Palestinians’ attachment to the land, especially given the history of displacement from the creation of Israel in 1948.
• Many Palestinians view Gaza as an inseparable part of their land, and the suggestion that they should abandon it is seen as an amputation of their claims to a future Palestinian state.

Is a US takeover of Gaza Possible?

• Trump’s suggestion of a full US takeover of Gaza is legally problematic, as the US has no territorial claim to the region. Also, it is unclear how such an idea would be implemented.
• Any attempt to exert control over Gaza would likely lead to significant international resistance, from Palestinians, the neighbouring countries, and the broader international community.

What is the current status of Gaza:

• Gaza was occupied by Egypt for 19 years before it was seized by Israel in the 1967 Six Day War.
• It is still considered occupied by Israel under international law, which Israel disputes. It says the occupation ended in 2005, when it unilaterally dismantled Jewish settlements and pulled out its military.
• Most UN members recognise Gaza as part of a sovereign state of Palestine, though the US does not.