CURRENT AFFAIRS – 13/03/2024

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 13/03/2024

Intra-group caste variances, equality and the Court’s gaze

(General Studies- Paper II)

Source : the Hindu

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In an upcoming landmark judgment, a seven-judge Bench of the Supreme Court of India is set to decide on a crucial legal question with far-reaching implications for affirmative action and reservations under the Constitution.

• The case, State of Punjab vs Davinder Singh, centers around the authority of State governments to make sub-classifications within the proportion prescribed for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in public employment recruitment.
• The core issue is whether regional units can carve out special allowances for certain groups deemed more backward, potentially encroaching on Parliament’s exclusive domain.

Key Highlights

• Intra-group Variances: Recognizing Development Disparities
  • Studies and data indicate that the SC and ST categories, though treated as homogenous, exhibit varying levels of development.
  • Some castes within these groups face more discrimination than others.
  • The question at hand is whether State governments should be empowered to recognize and address these intra-group variances.
  • The judgment in Davinder Singh is expected to provide clarity on whether such sub-classifications can be made to redress the disparities within the SC and ST communities.
• Historical Context: Circular in Punjab (1975)
  • The case’s roots trace back to a circular issued by the Government of Punjab in 1975.
  • This circular specified that 50% of the seats reserved for SCs in the State would be allocated to Balmikis and Mazhabi Sikhs, with the remaining half open to all other groups within the SC category.
  • However, in 2006, the Punjab and Haryana High Court invalidated this circular following the 2004 Supreme Court judgment in E.V. Chinnaiah vs State of Andhra Pradesh.
  • Anticipated Impact:
    • The forthcoming judgment in Davinder Singh is expected to offer much-needed clarity to a longstanding area of law concerning affirmative action and reservations.
    • By addressing the issue of intra-group variances and the power of State governments in sub-classification, the Supreme Court’s decision may reshape the legal landscape surrounding reservations and contribute to a more nuanced understanding of social justice in public employment.
  • Precedent: E.V. Chinnaiah vs State of Andhra Pradesh (2004)
    • The pivotal precedent in this matter is the 2004 judgment in E.V. Chinnaiah.
    • In this case, a five-judge Bench struck down the Andhra Pradesh Scheduled Castes (Rationalisation of Reservations) Act, 2000, asserting that it violated Article 341 of the Constitution.
    • The Andhra Pradesh law under scrutiny aimed to create four distinct categories from the President’s list of Scheduled Castes and granted each category a separate quota based on their inter se backwardness.
    • However, the Supreme Court, in the 2004 judgment in E.V. Chinnaiah vs State of Andhra Pradesh, held that the State government lacked the authority to modify the list.
    • According to Article 341 of the Constitution, this power rested solely with Parliament.
    • The Court emphasized the potential risks of allowing State governments to amend the list, as articulated by B.R. Ambedkar, highlighting concerns about the process being influenced by purely political considerations.
  • Persistent Efforts by Punjab Government
    • Despite the 1975 circular being struck down, the Government of Punjab persisted in its efforts.
    • It enacted a new law in 2006, the Punjab Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes (Reservation in Services) Act, which once again accorded first preference to Balmikis and Mazhabi Sikhs.
    • However, the High Court declared this law unconstitutional, reinforcing the principle that State governments lacked the authority to modify the presidential list.
  • Supreme Court Doubts Earlier Verdict
    • In August 2020, the Supreme Court, sitting on appeal over its decision in Chinnaiah, expressed doubt about the correctness of its earlier verdict.
    • This led to the formation of a seven-judge Bench for a fresh hearing on the raised issues.
    • The Court questioned the existing view, citing its judgment in IndraSawhney vs Union of India, a case arising from the Mandal Commission’s report.
    • In IndraSawhney, a nine-judge Bench had ruled that sub-classifications within socially and educationally backward classes (OBCs) for government services were permissible.
  • Examining Sub-classifications: IndraSawhney vs Union of India
    • The Supreme Court, drawing from IndraSawhney, highlighted the endorsement of Justice Chinnappa Reddy’s judgment in K.C. Vasanth Kumar & Another vs State Of Karnataka (1985).
    • Justice Reddy’s ruling emphasized that making sub-classifications could be justifiable based on the facts of each case.
    • He argued that a classification into backward classes and more backward classes could be necessary, particularly if there was a significant disparity between the two groups.
    • This approach aimed to prevent more advanced members of backward classes from disproportionately securing reserved seats, ensuring equitable representation for the more backward classes.
    • The Court, in revisiting these principles, signaled a potential shift in its stance on the permissibility of sub-classifications within reserved categories.
  • Constitutional Commitment to Equality
    • At the core of the ongoing legal discourse is the Constitution’s collective commitment to equality, as articulated in Articles 14 to 16.
    • These articles, when read together, embody a pledge to substantive equality.
    • This constitutional vision recognizes the historical discrimination individuals have faced based on their caste and underscores the imperative of considering group interests to ensure equal treatment.
    • Reservations, rather than conflicting with the fundamental notion of equality, are viewed as a means to advance and solidify the goal of substantive equality.
  • Constitutional Vision and Historical Wrongs
    • The Supreme Court, particularly since its 1975 judgment in State Of Kerala &Anr vs N.M. Thomas &Ors, has seemingly acknowledged that governments possess the authority not only to implement reservations but also to rectify historical injustices.
    • In this perspective, the government is not merely permitted but has a positive duty to ensure substantive equality.
    • If the Government of Punjab, based on its studies and findings in this case, determines that existing reservation measures have inadequately reached Balmikis and Mazhabi Sikhs, it is constitutionally obligated to rectify these measures.
  • Article 341 and Sub-classification
    • The Article 341, often seen as a potential barrier against sub-classification, would contradict the Constitution’s equality code.
    • The argument posits that if Article 341 is interpreted as prohibiting sub-classification, it would run counter to the overarching commitment to equality.
    • Moreover, a plain reading of Article 341 does not suggest such a prohibition.
    • Instead, it restricts State governments from modifying the President’s list of Scheduled Castes (SCs) but does not prevent them from implementing special measures for certain castes within this list.
    • Therefore, the castes not explicitly included or excluded will continue to be entitled to the general provisions of reservation within the state.
    • This interpretation emphasizes the compatibility of sub-classification with constitutional principles, challenging any perceived conflict with the equality mandate.
  • Nature of Punjab Law: Sub-classification Without Modification
    • The analysis of the Punjab law underscores that it does not modify the President’s list of Scheduled Castes (SCs).
    • Instead, it addresses inter se backwardness within that list by granting a greater degree of preference to Balmikis and Mazhabi Sikhs.
    • This form of sub-classification aligns with the Constitution’s established principle that reasonable classifications are permissible to achieve equality.
  • Constitutional Perspective:
    • When examining the SCs and STs, the understanding shifts from homogenous categories to comprising different castes with varying levels of development.
    • In this context, the evaluation of sub-classification becomes a matter of judging its merits.
    • The Supreme Court’s role is to scrutinize whether Balmikis and Mazhabi Sikhs are intelligibly distinguishable from other castes within the President’s list.
    • Additionally, the court must assess whether the preferential treatment granted to them, along with its extent, demonstrates a rational nexus with the broader objective of ensuring fair treatment under the law.

About Articles 14 to 16

• Article 14: Right to Equality:
  • Article 14 of the Indian Constitution enshrines the right to equality before the law and equal protection of the laws for all individuals within the territory of India.
  • It emphasizes that the state cannot discriminate against any person on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
  • This provision ensures that all individuals are treated equally by the law and have equal access to justice.
• Article 15: Prohibition of Discrimination:
  • Article 15 prohibits discrimination by the state against any citizen on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth, or any of them.
  • It also ensures that no citizen shall be subject to any disability, liability, restriction, or condition with regard to access to public places like shops, restaurants, hotels, and places of public entertainment.
  • Additionally, it prohibits discrimination in the use of public resources like wells, tanks, bathing ghats, roads, etc., that are maintained with state funds or dedicated to the use of the general public.
• Article 16: Equality of Opportunity in Public Employment:
  • Article 16 ensures equality of opportunity for all citizens in matters of employment or appointment to any office under the State.
  • It prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth, or residence.
  • The state is required to provide equal opportunities for employment to all citizens, ensuring a fair and unbiased selection process in public employment.

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How is nuclear waste generated?

(General Studies- Paper III0

Source : The Hindu

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India has recently achieved a significant milestone in its nuclear program by loading the core of its long-delayed prototype fast breeder reactor (PFBR), propelling it towards stage II of its three-stage nuclear initiative.

• This ambitious program aims to utilize uranium and plutonium in stage II and eventually tap into its abundant thorium reserves for nuclear power in stage III, offering a path towards energy independence.

Key Highlights

• Despite the strides in nuclear technology, the increased use of nuclear power poses a complex challenge: effective waste management.
• The disposal and containment of nuclear waste require careful consideration due to its hazardous nature and potential environmental consequences.
• Understanding Nuclear Waste: Fission Reaction Consequences
  • In a fission reactor, the nuclei of certain elements undergo bombardment by neutrons.
  • The absorption of a neutron by a nucleus destabilizes it, leading to fission and the release of energy along with the creation of different elements’ nuclei.
  • For instance, the fission of uranium-235 (U-235) produces barium-144, krypton-89, and three neutrons as “debris.”
  • If these debris elements cannot undergo further fission, they become nuclear waste.
  • Fuel loaded into a nuclear reactor becomes irradiated during the fission process and, eventually, must be removed.
  • At this stage, it is termed “spent fuel.”
  • This spent fuel encompasses radioactive fission products generated during energy production, as well as radioactive elements formed when uranium transforms into heavier elements through neutron absorption and subsequent radioactive decay.
• Challenges in Nuclear Waste Management
  • Nuclear waste is highly radioactive.
  • Proper storage facilities are essential to prevent leakage and contamination of the local environment.
  • The complexities of managing radioactive waste underscore the need for robust infrastructure and stringent protocols to safeguard against potential environmental and public health risks associated with nuclear energy production.
  • The primary challenge in nuclear waste management lies in handling spent fuel, which is both hot and radioactive.
  • Spent fuel requires underwater storage for several decades to cool sufficiently.
  • Once cooled, it can be transferred to dry casks for longer-term storage.
  • All countries with well-established nuclear power programs have amassed substantial inventories of spent fuel.
  • Examples include the U.S. with 69,682 tonnes (as of 2015), Canada with 54,000 tonnes (2016), and Russia with 21,362 tonnes (2014).
  • Storage Period and Radioactivity Levels
    • The duration of storage depends on the radioactivity levels, and it can extend to multiple millennia.
    • This necessitates isolation from human contact for periods longer than the existence of anatomically modern Homo sapiens on Earth.
  • Liquid Waste Treatment Facilities
    • Nuclear power plants feature liquid waste treatment facilities.
    • Small amounts of aqueous wastes containing short-lived radionuclides may be discharged into the environment, according to V. Tsyplenkov, a scientist at the International Agency for Atomic Energy (IAEA).
    • For example, Japan currently releases treated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean.
    • Other liquid wastes, depending on their hazard levels, can be treated through methods such as evaporation, chemical precipitation to yield sludge for storage, absorption on solid matrices, or incineration.
  • Handling Spent Fuel: Dry-Cask Storage and Geological Disposal
    • Once spent fuel has undergone at least a year of cooling in a spent-fuel pool, it can be transferred to dry-cask storage.
    • Here, it is placed within large steel cylinders, surrounded by an inert gas, and sealed.
    • These cylinders are then positioned inside larger steel or concrete chambers.
    • Additionally, some experts propose geological disposal, where waste is sealed in special containers and buried underground in materials like granite or clay.
    • While this offers long-term storage away from human activity, concerns exist about potential exposure if containers are disturbed.
    • Geological Disposal Challenges:
      • A 2015 paper in Nature Materials highlights challenges associated with geological disposal.
      • The act of emplacing waste affects fundamental properties of surrounding rock, creating a disturbed zone with increased fractures.
      • Pore waters may move in response to the thermal pulse generated by the decay of radionuclides, potentially impacting the integrity of the disposal site.
    • Reprocessing: Separating Fissile from Non-Fissile Material
      • Reprocessing involves chemically treating spent fuel to separate fissile material from non-fissile material.
      • While it offers higher fuel efficiency, reprocessing facilities demand specialized protections and personnel.
      • One drawback is the production of weapons-usable plutonium, with stringent regulations set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to prevent misuse.
    • Issues Associated with Nuclear Waste
      • Issues linked to nuclear waste management are multifaceted.
      • The case of the Asse II salt mine in Germany exemplifies public concerns about potential contamination of water resources.
      • Decontamination efforts are costly and time-consuming.
      • The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in the U.S., initially considered a model, experienced a 2014 accident releasing radioactive materials, revealing maintenance failures.
      • Uncertainties in Liquid Waste Treatment
        • Concerns also exist about uncertainties in treating liquid waste, particularly the effectiveness of vitrification plants at reprocessing facilities.
        • Questions arise regarding the amount of liquid waste, both high level and intermediate level, that is yet to undergo vitrification.
      • Costs of Nuclear Waste Management in the U.S.
        • In the U.S., the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 mandated funds from electricity generated by nuclear power to be directed to the Nuclear Waste Fund, intended to finance a geological disposal facility.
        • As of July 2018, the fund held $40 billion, facing criticism for not being utilized for its intended purpose.
        • Tsyplenkov’s 1993 article estimates waste management costs in a 1,000 MWe nuclear power plant, revealing that it contributes to about 10% of the total waste management expenses.
        • Approximately one-third is attributed to managing depleted uranium as waste, 24% to power plant operation waste, 15% to decommissioning, and the remaining 50% to the back end of the fuel cycle.
        • The ultimate cost imposed by waste management is estimated to be $1.6-7.1 per MWh of nuclear energy.
      • India’s Unique Situation and Reprocessing Challenges
        • In India’s case, it is pointed out that the vast majority of radioactivity in waste from pressurized heavy-water reactors of stage I cannot be used to fuel the prototype fast breeder reactor (PFBR).
        • Due to India’s practice of reprocessing spent fuel, fission products must be stored as liquid waste for some time, posing potential accident hazards.
        • The complexity of reprocessing and managing specific types of nuclear waste adds nuances to India’s nuclear waste management strategy.
      • India’s Approach to Nuclear Waste
        • India, as per a 2015 report from the International Panel on Fissile Materials (IPFM), operates reprocessing plants in Trombay, Tarapur, and Kalpakkam.
        • The Trombay facility processes 50 tonnes of heavy metal per year (tHM/y) of spent fuel from research reactors, producing plutonium for stage II reactors and nuclear weapons.
        • Tarapur houses two facilities, one of which reprocesses 100 tHM/y of fuel from some pressurized heavy water reactors (stage I), while the other, commissioned in 2011, has a capacity of 100 tHM/y.
        • The Kalpakkam facility processes 100 tHM/y.
        • In 2015, it was announed that wastes generated at nuclear power stations during operation, classified as low and intermediate activity level, are managed on-site.
        • These wastes undergo treatment and storage in on-site facilities, with surrounding areas monitored for radioactivity.
      • Challenges and Complications in India’s Waste Management
        • The IPFM report suggests that delays in the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) project indicate poor operation of reprocessing facilities in Tarapur and Kalpakkam, with a combined average capacity factor of around 15%.
        • This highlights potential complications when the PFBR becomes operational, as its spent fuel will have a different distribution of fission products and transuranic elements, introducing new challenges to India’s nuclear waste management strategy.

About India’s Nuclear Energy Programme

• India’s Nuclear Energy Programme is structured into three stages to achieve long-term energy security and independence by utilizing uranium and thorium reserves.
• The three stages are as follows:
  • First Stage: Involves natural uranium-fueled Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) to generate electricity and produce plutonium-239 as a byproduct.
  • Second Stage: Utilizes plutonium-based fuel in Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) to produce mixed-oxide fuel, which leads to the generation of more plutonium-239.
  • This stage aims to build up sufficient fissile material for the next stage.
  • Third Stage: Focuses on advanced nuclear power systems that use Thorium-232-U-233 fuel to generate power, leveraging India’s vast thorium reserves for long-term energy security.
• The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) is actively involved in indigenous Research and Development (R&D) activities to develop advanced nuclear power systems aligned with this three-stage nuclear power program.

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India was the top arms importer in 2019-2023

(General Studies- Paper III)

Source : The Hindu

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The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reports that for the period 2019-23, India stands as the world’s leading arms importer, experiencing a 4.7% increase compared to 2014-18.

• This contrasts with a substantial 94% rise in European countries’ arms imports between 2014-18 and 2019-23, notably influenced by the conflict in Ukraine.

Key Highlights

• Shift in Arms Suppliers for India
  • While Russia remains India’s primary arms supplier, accounting for 36% of imports, SIPRI notes that this is the first five-year period since 1960–64 where deliveries from Russia or the Soviet Union constituted less than half of India’s arms imports.
  • The report indicates a diversification in India’s sources of arms.
• India’s Defence Budget Allocation
  • India’s interim budget for the financial year 2024-25 allocates ₹6.2 lakh crore to the Defence Ministry, with a capital allocation of ₹1.72 lakh crore for new procurements, reflecting a 5.78% increase from the previous year’s budget estimates.
• Global Arms Import Trends
  • The report highlights that nine of the top 10 arms importers in 2019–23, including India, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, were located in Asia, Oceania, or the Middle East.
  • Ukraine emerges as the fourth-largest global arms importer after receiving transfers from over 30 states in 2022-23.
• Global Arms Export Landscape
  • The SIPRI report notes a 17% growth in arms exports by the United States between 2014–18 and 2019–23.
  • In contrast, Russia experienced a significant decline of more than half (-53%), while France emerged as the world’s second-largest arms supplier with a 47% increase in exports.
  • Five of the top 10 arms exporters witnessed decreases: China (-5.3%), Germany (-14%), U.K. (-14%), Spain (-3.3%), and Israel (-25%).
• Increased Arms Imports by European Countries from the U.S.
  • SIPRI’s report reveals that over half (55%) of arms imports by European countries in 2019–23 originated from the United States, a notable surge from 35% in the period 2014–18.
  • SIPRI Director Dan Smith notes that while Europe accounts for around a third of global arms exports, with a significant portion directed outside the region, the U.S. has expanded its global role as an arms supplier.
  • The U.S. has increased arms exports to a greater number of countries, aligning with its foreign policy objectives, amidst challenges to its economic and geopolitical dominance by emerging powers.
• France’s Role as the Second Largest Arms Supplier
  • France has emerged as the world’s second-largest arms supplier, with 42% of its arms exports directed to states in Asia and Oceania, while another 34% is targeted at the Middle East.
  • SIPRI’s report highlights India as the largest single recipient of French arms exports, constituting nearly 30% of the total.
  • The increase in French arms exports is attributed to the delivery of combat aircraft to countries like India, Qatar, and Egypt.
• Expectations for European Arms Imports
  • Pieter Wezeman, a senior researcher with the SIPRI arms transfers program, anticipates that European arms imports will remain high, given many high-value arms on order, including nearly 800 combat aircraft and combat helicopters.
  • The increased demand for air defense systems in Europe over the past two years is attributed to concerns related to Russia’s missile campaign against Ukraine.

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Govt. issues marketing code for pharmaceutical firms

(General Studies- Paper III)

Source : The Hindu

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The Department of Pharmaceuticals has released the Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) 2024, outlining specific regulations regarding drug-related marketing practices.

• This includes guidelines on the use of certain terms for drugs, restrictions on medical representatives’ tactics to secure interviews, and prohibiting payment for access to healthcare professionals.

Key Highlights

• Guidelines on Terms Usage and Inducements
  • The UCPMP 2024 emphasizes that the terms “safe” and “new” for drugs must adhere to specific rules.
  • Furthermore, it explicitly states that medical representatives should not employ inducements or subterfuge to secure interviews and must refrain from making payments, in any form, for access to healthcare professionals.
  • Engagement between the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare professionals for Continuing Medical Education (CME) is permitted but under well-defined, transparent, and verifiable guidelines.
  • The code strictly prohibits the conduct of such events in foreign locations.
• Restrictions on Financial Transactions and Gifts
  • The UCPMP mandates that pharmaceutical companies or their representatives cannot provide cash or monetary grants to healthcare professionals or their family members, under any circumstances.
  • Gifting by pharmaceutical companies or their agents, including distributors, wholesalers, and retailers, is strictly prohibited.
  • Additionally, no pecuniary advantages or benefits in kind can be offered to individuals qualified to prescribe or supply drugs.
  • Paid travel, hotel stays, and similar benefits should not be extended to healthcare professionals or their family members by pharmaceutical companies or their representatives unless the individual is a speaker for a CME or similar approved event.
• Implementation and Compliance Measures
  • The Department of Pharmaceuticals emphasizes strict compliance with the Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) 2024.
  • All associations are urged to establish an Ethics Committee for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices, create a dedicated UCPMP portal on their websites, and take necessary steps to ensure effective implementation of the code.
• Guidelines for Drug Promotion
  • The UCPMP outlines guidelines for drug promotion, emphasizing consistency with the terms of marketing approval.
  • It explicitly prohibits the promotion of a drug before receiving marketing approval from the competent authority authorizing its sale or distribution.
  • Claims regarding a drug’s usefulness must be based on up-to-date evaluations of all available evidence.
  • The code restricts the unqualified use of the term ‘safe’ and prohibits categorically stating that a medicine has no side effects, toxic hazards, or risk of addiction.
  • Additionally, the term ‘new’ should not describe any drug or therapeutic intervention generally available or promoted in India for over a year.
• Documentation and Complaint Procedures
  • All Indian pharmaceutical associations are required to upload the UCPMP on their websites, including detailed procedures for lodging complaints.
  • These complaint mechanisms will be linked to the UCPMP portal of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, promoting transparency and accountability in the implementation of the code.

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Khelo India: Perfect present, bright future

(General Studies- Paper II)

Source : The Hindu

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The Khelo India Games, recently concluded, have achieved resounding success.

• With 65% of the population below 35 years, sports is positioned as the ideal force to bring the diverse Indian populace together.
• The Khelo India mission, a cornerstone of this vision, not only aims for technical excellence but also embraces demographic diversity.

Key Highlights

• Creating Sports as a Viable Career Option
  • Recognizing sports as a serious career option for the youth, the government acknowledges the finite career span of athletes.
  • While athletes strive for excellence, the government’s recent notification ensures a tension-free existence for Khelo India medal winners, offering them job opportunities based on specific criteria.
• Innovations and Firsts in Khelo India Games
  • In the latest cycle of the Khelo India Games, several innovative approaches and firsts were introduced.
  • The Youth Games, aimed at spreading sports awareness and bolstering capacity-building, were held in the southern region for the first time.
  • Tamil Nadu’s multi-city approach garnered success, providing free and easy access to venues.
  • Additionally, the University Games took place across seven northeastern states, with Assam hosting 16 sports.
  • The government not only promotes Olympic disciplines but also focuses on indigenous sports like Yogasana, Gatka, Mallakhamba, Silambam, and Kalaripayattu, witnessing overwhelming participation.
  • For the first time, Ladakh hosted a portion of the Khelo India Winter Games in February, showcasing excellence in ice hockey and ice skating.
  • This initiative aims to instill confidence in states and union territories to host national events of significance, fostering sports development across the nation.
• Investment in Sports and Talent Identification
  • Over 300 sports infrastructure projects, totaling more than ₹3,000 crore, have been approved in 34 States/Union Territories, reflecting the prioritization of infrastructure enhancement.
  • Identifying and nurturing talent form the crux of the Khelo India movement.
  • A structured two-tier system comprising a Scouting Committee and a Developmental Panel is in place for talent selection and training.
  • Currently, approximately 2,800 athletes across 21 sports disciplines, including para sports, have been selected as Khelo India athletes through national championships, open selection trials, assessment camps, and Khelo India Games.
• Khelo India’s Impact on International Success
  • The Khelo India mission has played a pivotal role in India’s stellar performances on the global stage, contributing to notable achievements in the Olympics, World Championships, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games.
  • Since 2018, both the participation and medal haul of Khelo India athletes in international events have shown a significant upward trend.
  • In 2022, 495 Khelo India athletes secured an impressive total of 312 medals, marking a substantial increase from the 92 athletes who won 82 medals in 2018.
  • Notably, almost 63% of the participating athletes returned with a medal in 2022, highlighting the program’s efficacy in nurturing and developing sporting talent.
• Transition to Coaching Careers
  • The success of the Khelo India system extends beyond athletes to coaches, with many athletes choosing coaching as their career path.
  • In December 2022, several coaches were promoted to high-performance roles in the Sports Authority of India training centers and National Centers of Excellence, showcasing the program’s impact on coaching development.
• Equal Emphasis on Women in Sports
  • In adherence to the Olympic charter, Khelo India has placed a strong emphasis on gender equality in sports.
  • The ratio of male to female athletes in the four Khelo India Games this season was nearly 50:50.
  • The AsmitaKhelo India Women’s League, featuring 17 disciplines, has witnessed tremendous success, engaging over 63,000 women athletes in more than 520 competitions across 21 sports disciplines.
• Continued Development and Future Initiatives
  • The Khelo India mission sees development as an ongoing process, with continuous efforts to expand its footprint.
  • Khelo India is not just a program but an integral part of every Indian’s aspirations in the realm of sports, promising a future filled with even greater accomplishments.

About Khelo India

• Khelo India, also known as the National Programme for Development of Sports, is a government initiative aimed at enhancing India’s sports culture at the grassroots level.
• Launched in 2017-18 by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Khelo India focuses on talent identification, structured competitions, and infrastructure development to promote sports across the nation.
• Key Components and Initiatives:
  • Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCE):
    • These centers are established across India to provide basic facilities for sportspersons with potential.
    • Each center caters to three sporting disciplines, aiming to nurture talent and enhance performance.
  • Competitions:
    • Khelo India hosts various competitions like the Youth Games, University Games, Winter Games, and Para Games to engage athletes across different categories and promote inclusivity in sports.
  • Infrastructure Development:
    • The program aims to create sustainable physical and social infrastructure by utilizing existing sports facilities at various levels, including schools, universities, and other organizations.
    • It also focuses on establishing Khelo India Centers to strengthen the sports ecosystem at the grassroots level.
  • Financial Assistance:
    • Talented players identified in priority sports disciplines receive annual financial assistance of INR 5 lakh per annum for 8 years to support their training and development.
  • Inclusion of Traditional Games:
    • Khelo India emphasizes reviving traditional Indian games by incorporating them into events to preserve cultural heritage and promote diversity in sports.

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