Today’s Topics :

Aadhar card

Golden Tiger

The women before us

Higher education enrollment

Aadhar card
• New Aadhaar cards and PDF versions include a disclaimer
stating they are "a proof of identity, not of citizenship or date of
birth."

• This explicit statement signals to government departments and

organizations not to misuse Aadhaar for citizenship or date of
birth verification.

• Acknowledges that Aadhaar has never been proof of citizenship,

as foreign nationals living in India for 180 days are eligible for it.

• Aimed at preventing government departments from accepting

Aadhaar for purposes reserved for citizens or adults.
Election Commission and Date of Birth:
• The Election Commission of India has accepted Aadhaar as proof of
date of birth for voter enrollment.
• New clarifications challenge such allowances by emphasizing
Aadhaar's limitation in verifying citizenship and date of birth.

Offline Authentication Warning:

• Aadhaar cards now include a warning that offline authentication

should be done by scanning the QR code on the reverse side or using
an XML file issued by UIDAI.

• This emphasizes secure and authorized methods for validating

Aadhaar information.
Election Commission and Date of Birth:
• Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) issued a
circular on January 16, removing Aadhaar from the list of
acceptable documents as proof of date of birth.

• EPFO's decision reflects a shift in recognizing Aadhaar's

limitations in certain verification processes.
2018 memorandum
• This invalidity of Aadhaar for use in determining the date of birth
and citizenship has been the case for years — the Ministry of
Electronics and Information Technology clarified in a 2018
memorandum that Aadhaar is “per se… not a proof of date of
birth”, as the date of birth is based on a different document given
by applicants.

• A Bombay High Court judgment last year that emphasised this was
cited in a December 2023 circular that UIDAI issued, which
reminded organisations of the fact.

• But now the warning is imprinted on the face of all Aadhaar cards
and digital copies issued to all Indian residents.
2018 memorandum
• This new warning initially only mentioned last year that it was
not a proof of citizenship, but now clarifies that Aadhaar is not a
proof of date of birth too.

• The 12-digit ID is a proof of uniqueness and residence, but

different government agencies accept it — often on a stand-
alone basis — for any citizen establishing their identity.
PRELIMS: Aadhaar Card
• Aadhaar, a 12-digit identification number, was launched
on 1st January 2013. It is issued by the Unique
Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) as proof of
identity and address anywhere in the country.
• This unique Aadhaar number is assigned to each
individual and remains valid for their entire lifetime.
• Residents can use the Aadhaar number to access
various services provided by banks, obtain mobile
phone connections, and avail of government and non-
government services.
• The Aadhaar system verifies the identity of individuals
based on both demographic and biometric information.
• Importantly, Aadhaar is a voluntary service, allowing
residents to benefit from it without the need for existing
documentation.
PRELIMS: Various applications of Aadhaar
• Aadhaar-enabled Payment System (AEPS): Aadhaar-based biometric
authentication is employed in AEPS for various transactions,
including cash withdrawal, balance inquiries, and remittances.

• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): Aadhaar plays a pivotal role in DBT by

facilitating the direct transfer of government benefits such as LPG
subsidies, pensions, and scholarships to the linked bank accounts.

• Jan Dhan Yojana: Aadhaar authentication is integral to the Jan Dhan

Yojana, ensuring the identification of beneficiaries and facilitating the
opening of bank accounts as part of this financial inclusion initiative.
PRELIMS: Various applications of Aadhaar
• Public Distribution System (PDS): The utilization of Aadhaar
ensures the authentication of beneficiaries in the Public
Distribution System, guaranteeing that they receive their entitled
ration.

• Pension: Aadhaar is employed for the authentication of

pensioners, ensuring a streamlined process to disburse pension
entitlements directly to the beneficiaries.

• Passport: Aadhaar serves as a crucial document for proving

identity and address when individuals apply for passports,
streamlining the verification process.
PRELIMS: Various applications of Aadhaar
• JAM Trinity: The JAM Trinity comprises Jan Dhan Yojana,
Aadhaar, and Mobile number, collectively forming a platform
for financial inclusion and direct benefit transfer, as initiated
by the Indian government.

• Linking with Voter ID: In accordance with the Election Laws

(Amendment) Act, 2021, the Election Commission of India has
mandated the linking of Aadhaar with Voter ID cards,
enhancing the authentication and verification process in the
electoral system.
MAINS: Limitations and concerns related to Aadhaar
• Biometric Authentication Challenges: The use of iris and fingerprint
scans for biometric authentication, intended for accuracy, falls short
in some cases, leading to repetitive and time-consuming processes
for individuals.

• Unverified Demographic Information: Demographic details on

Aadhaar cards, particularly age (date of birth), often lack verification,
raising concerns about the reliability of the information.

• Security Risks and Data Breaches: Instances of data breaches and

unauthorized access to the Aadhaar database pose significant
security risks, prompting concerns about the overall integrity of the
system.
MAINS: Limitations and concerns related to Aadhaar
• Residency Confirmation Absent: There is no established process to
confirm that Aadhaar holders are 'Residents' as defined in the
Aadhaar Act, introducing ambiguity in the verification process.

• Transparency Issues with Private Entities: Private entities in India

often mandate Aadhaar, but there is a lack of transparency regarding
how these entities secure and maintain the privacy of the shared data.

• Social Benefit Exclusions: Linking welfare benefits to Aadhaar has

led to arbitrary exclusions if recipients fail to comply with linkage
instructions promptly, potentially depriving individuals of crucial
social benefits.
MAINS: Limitations and concerns related to Aadhaar
• Privacy Concerns and Data Leaks: The Aadhaar database containing
sensitive personal information has faced privacy concerns due to
instances of data breaches and leaks, with government agencies
inadvertently releasing Aadhaar data on public platforms.

• Aadhaar Metadata Storage Limitations: While the Aadhaar Act initially

allowed data storage for five years, a Supreme Court ruling restricts
the storage of Aadhaar metadata to only six months.

• Compulsory Aadhaar Requirement: Instances of the government

mandating Aadhaar for accessing benefits or public services raise
concerns about the potential exclusion of individuals who may not
possess Aadhaar.
MAINS: Limitations and concerns related to Aadhaar
• Challenges for Vulnerable Populations: The Aadhaar registration
process presents difficulties for laborers and the poor, often with
undefined fingerprints from manual labor, as well as elderly
individuals facing issues with dry hands or weak iris scans.

• Informed Consent Absence: There is a lack of mechanisms for

obtaining informed consent regarding the utilization of Aadhaar data,
raising ethical concerns about the handling of personal information.

• No Exit Option from UIDAI Database: Currently, there is no provision

for individuals to voluntarily exit the UIDAI database, limiting control
over personal data retention.
MAINS: Supreme court on constitutional validity of Aadhaar
• In a landmark 2018 judgment, the Supreme Court, through
a constitution bench, affirmed the constitutional validity of
The Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other
Subsidies, Benefits, and Services) Act 2016.

• The Court concluded that the architecture and regulations

governing Aadhaar do not establish a surveillance state,
thereby addressing concerns related to privacy invasion.
MAINS: Supreme court on constitutional validity of Aadhaar
• By evaluating the Aadhaar Act in light of privacy considerations,
the Supreme Court determined that the legislation met the
criteria set forth in privacy rulings, ensuring the reasonableness
of any intrusion on privacy.

• The Court supported the decision of the Lok Sabha Speaker to

categorize the Aadhaar Act as a Money Bill, affirming the
constitutional validity of this classification.

• Doctrine of Proportionality in Government Services: Upholding

the use of Aadhaar for government services, the Supreme Court
applied the doctrine of proportionality, emphasizing a balanced
and reasonable approach in its application.
MAINS: Supreme court on constitutional validity of Aadhaar
• The Supreme Court upheld the requirement of linking Aadhaar to
PAN (Permanent Account Number) and mandated the
submission of Aadhaar information during the filing of income-
tax returns, reinforcing the integration of these identification
systems.

• Parental Consent for Child Registration: The Aadhaar Act

necessitates obtaining the consent of parents or guardians for
the registration of children, emphasizing the importance of
parental authorization in the enrollment process under Aadhaar.
Golden Tiger
News:
• Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma shared a photograph of a
golden tiger on National Tourism Day (January 25).

• The image, captured by wildlife photographer Gaurav Ramnarayanan in

Kaziranga National Park, has intrigued nature enthusiasts.
Multiple Golden Tigers in Kaziranga:
• While it's believed that more than one tiger with a golden coat
exists in Kaziranga, the exact count is unknown.

• Professor Uma Ramakrishnan and her team from the National

Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bengaluru, are conducting
a study on the golden phenotype of tigers in Kaziranga.

• The golden appearance is attributed to a genetic variant or

mutation, resulting in the absence of black color and slightly faded
orange.
• The study involves analyzing scat samples to understand the
genetic basis of the golden phenotype in Kaziranga tigers.

• The golden tiger's unique appearance is characterized by the

absence of black color and a slightly faded orange hue.
PRELIMS: About BLACK (Melanistic) Tigers
• Recently Govt informed the Rajya Sabha that there are 10
black tigers (melanistic tigers) in India.

• And they are exclusively found in Odisha's Similipal tiger

reserve.
• According to the 2022 cycle of the
All India Tiger Estimation,
Similipal Tiger Reserve recorded a
total of 16 tigers, with 10 of them
being melanistic.
PRELIMS: About BLACK (Melanistic) Tigers
• Melanistic tigers, a.k.a black tigers, have a genetic condition
known as melanism, which results in a dark coat color
caused by an increased amount of dark pigments.
• In Similipal, about 60% of tigers carry this mutant gene, likely
due to geographic isolation and generations of inbreeding.
• Tigers in the Similipal Tiger Reserve form an isolated
population in eastern India, with very minimal gene flow
between them and other tiger populations.
PRELIMS: About Melanistic Tigers
• Black Tigers are not a separate species or subspecies
• Their rare coloration comes from a single mutation in the
Taqpep gene, causing pseudo melanism.

• This mutation results in an abnormally dark or black coat

pattern in tigers and isn't indicative of a distinct tiger species.

• The isolation of these tigers and inbreeding increases the risk

of extinction for this population, as such factors can weaken
genetic diversity and resilience over time, making them more
vulnerable to environmental changes or diseases.
The women before us
• The 75th Republic Day of India marks a significant milestone
in the country's journey towards becoming a republic.

• The references to justice, liberty, and equality in the

Preamble of the Constitution were a nod of
acknowledgement to the aspirations of freedom fighters and
social reformers.

• The feminist movements in pre-independent India played a

crucial role in ensuring women’s rights were guaranteed in
the Constitution. Sadly, their role in forging the republic
remains underappreciated.
Women’s Indian Association (WIA):
• The most glaring example is the case of the right to vote. It is
often claimed that women were “granted” this right at the same
time as men.

• This is misleading and ignores the concerted efforts of women

activists.

• One of the first official calls for enfranchising women was made
in 1917 when a delegation of women activists presented a
memorandum of demands to Edwin Montagu and Lord
Chelmsford, who had been tasked to formulate a scheme of self-
governance for India.
Women’s Indian Association (WIA):
• In the same year (1917), the Women’s Indian Association (WIA)
was established to address socio-economic challenges faced by
women.

• WIA became the first national body advocating for female

suffrage.

• In 1918, WIA and others intensified their advocacy, travelling to

Britain to garner support for their causes.

• Sarojini Naidu took the women’s rights issue to the Congress

party, moving resolutions for women’s enfranchisement at
Congress sessions in Bijapur and Bombay.
• The first victory came with the enactment of the Government of
India Act 1919 that allowed provincial legislatures to enfranchise
women.

• In 1921, Madras became the first province to grant women the

right to vote, followed by Bombay and the United Provinces.

• The enfranchisement Bill was defeated in the Bengal Legislative

Council.

• Suffragists led by the Bangiya Nari Samaj organised massive

awareness campaigns for four years, leading to the passage of
the Bill in 1925.
• Women leaders did not let up after the initial success.

• The right to vote, while monumental, was conditional upon

ownership of property, income, and other statuses which
excluded a sizeable number of women.

• Further, women still did not have a right to sit in legislative

bodies.
• The Nehru Report, a draft Constitution, prepared by an All Parties
Conference in 1929 called for equal civic rights for all citizens. Britain was
not keen on expanding this right.

• To galvanise international support, a delegation led by Rajkumari Amrit

Kaur and Shareefa Hamid Ali travelled to London, and then Geneva to
petition the League of Nations.

• The Government of India Act 1935 expanded the right to vote and paved the
way for women in public offices.

• Several women contested the 1936-37 elections and joined provincial

governments.
• Women leaders created widespread acceptance for the idea of a universal
adult franchise.
• Their activism extended to social and personal spheres.

• In 1927, several women-led organisations joined hands to form the

All India Women’s Conference (AIWC). Initially, AIWC focussed on
women’s education.

• Later, it pushed for outlawing child marriage, raising the age of

consent, and banning polygamy.

• AIWC believed that women’s emancipation was not possible

without reforming the various religious laws (personal codes).
Indian Woman’s Charter of Rights and Duties (1945-46):
• In 1945-46, the AIWC adopted the Indian Woman’s Charter of Rights
and Duties. The charter demanded equality in all spheres.

• It specifically made a case for women’s economic empowerment and

highlighted the need to formally recognise the value of domestic
work.

• The charter advocated wholesale reforms to the personal codes,

demanding the freedom to divorce, and equal property and
inheritance rights.

• Some of these demands found their way into the Hindu Code Bill and
were enacted a decade later.
Post-Partition Reservations and Communal Divisions:
• In the aftermath of Partition, a key issue was the reservations of seats on
religious grounds.

• In the Constituent Assembly, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur (a Christian) and Begum

Qudsia Aizaz Rasul (a Muslim) made passionate appeals to do away with
any special privileges.

• Eventually reservation was limited to the Scheduled Castes and Tribes.

• AIWC had been against separate electorates and believed that reservation
deepened communal divisions — they even argued against women’s
reservation.

• These issues caused a rift within the AIWC reflecting the diverse
worldviews within the women’s movement.
Writer Says :
• The framers of our Constitution were no strangers to the diversity of
thought.

• The Constitution was envisioned as a living document, allowing future

governments to mould the republic as per the contingencies of the time.

• In the last 70 years, feminists have strived to advance the rights of

women leading to the enactment of various laws, policies, and
Constitutional amendments.

• The groundwork was laid by the women who came much before us.

• This 75th Republic Day is an opportune moment for us to honour and

acknowledge their contributions. Lest we forget.
PRELIMS: This Republic Day was All About Women
PRELIMS: This Republic Day was All About Women
PRELIMS: This Republic Day was All About Women
PRELIMS: This Republic Day was All About Women
Higher education enrollment
• Enrolment increased to nearly 4.33 crore in 2021-22 from 4.14
crore in the previous academic session.

• A significant rise of around 91 lakh enrolments from 3.42 crore

in 2014-15.

• Overall female enrolment increased to 2.07 crore in 2021-22

from 2.01 crore in 2020-21.

• An increase of around 50 lakh in female enrolment from 1.57

crore in 2014-15.
• Female Ph.D. enrolment doubled to 0.99 lakh in 2021-22
from 0.48 lakh in 2014-15.

Science Stream Enrolment:

• In 2021-22, 57.2 lakh students enrolled in the science
stream at various levels.
• Female students (29.8 lakh) outnumbered male students
(27.4 lakh) in the science stream.
• Enrolment of ST students rose to 27.1 lakh in 2021-22 from
16.41 lakh in 2014-15 (65.2% increase).

• Total student enrolment in northeast States increased to

12.02 lakh in 2021-22 from 9.36 lakh in 2014-15.

• Female enrolment in northeast States (6.07 lakh) surpassed

male enrolment (5.95 lakh).

• OBC student enrolment saw a 45% increase in 2021-22 (1.63

crore) from 2014-15 (1.13 crore).
Discipline-wise Enrolment:

• 78.9% of total students enrolled in undergraduate level

courses.

• Among undergraduate disciplines, enrolment is highest in

arts (34.2%), followed by science (14.8%), commerce (13.3%),
and engineering & technology (11.8%).
Postgraduate and Ph.D. Enrolment:

• 12.1% of total students enrolled in postgraduate courses.

• Postgraduate enrolment highest in social science (21.1%),

followed by science (14.7%).

• Ph.D. enrolment increased by 81.2% to 2.12 lakh in 2021-22

compared to 1.17 lakh in 2014-15.
About All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE):

• It is conducted by the Ministry of Education since 2011.

• Coverage: It covers all higher educational institutions located in
Indian Territory and imparting higher education in the country.

Objectives:
• To identify and capture all the institutions of higher learning in
the country.
• Collect the data from all the higher education institutions on
various aspects of higher education.
• The survey collects detailed information on different parameters
such as student enrollment, teacher’s data, infrastructural
information, financial information etc.