Status of Muslims in India: Key Findings of a New Report
Why in News?
A new report, Rethinking Affirmative Action for Muslims in Contemporary India, has been released, assessing the government’s policies for Muslim communities and proposing a seven-point roadmap for the future. This is the first comprehensive policy document on this subject in a decade.
Key Points
1. Evolution of Affirmative Action for Muslims
- The UPA government initiated minority-centric policies, including the Prime Minister’s 15-Point Program for Minorities (2006).
- The Sachar Committee (2006) and Ranganath Misra Commission (2007) identified Muslims as a marginalized community.
- The Post Sachar Evaluation Committee (2013-14) reviewed implementation but noted limited progress.
- Post-2014, the NDA government shifted towards inclusive development rather than specific Muslim-targeted policies.
2. Approach of the New Report
The report evaluates affirmative action for Muslims under four themes:
- The ‘Charitable State’ – Examines how the state’s role in social welfare has evolved.
- Policy Framework & NITI Aayog Reports – Assesses policy changes affecting Muslim communities.
- Educational & Economic Status – Analyzes official data on Muslim socio-economic conditions.
- Community Perceptions – Uses CSDS-Lokniti data to study Muslim expectations and concerns.
3. Educational Status of Muslims
- School Education – Muslim children are least likely to continue beyond primary education.
- Higher Education – Muslim youth participation is lowest among all socio-religious groups.
- Professional Courses – Fewer Muslims enroll in technical and management programs compared to SCs, OBCs, and upper-caste Hindus.
4. Economic & Employment Status
- Job Market – Muslims face material deprivation and limited upward mobility.
- Regular Salaried Jobs – Higher education helps but does not bridge the gap in white-collar jobs.
- Consumption & Asset Ownership – Muslims lag behind most other disadvantaged groups.
5. Recommendations for the Future
The report suggests two key principles:
- Secularization of Social Policy – Moving beyond religion-based affirmative action.
- Positive Muslim Cultural Identity – Encouraging non-discriminatory representation.
Seven Key Recommendations:
- No religion-based quotas; instead, a secular sub-categorization of OBCs.
- Include Dalit Muslims & Dalit Christians in the Scheduled Caste category.
- Re-evaluate the 50% reservation cap to accommodate new backward communities.
- Integrate Aspirational District Programme (TADP) with Minority Concentration Districts (MCDs) for local-level empowerment.
- Target Muslim-dominated occupations with tailored policies.
- Engage the private sector in Muslim community development.
- Strengthen Muslim self-help groups & charities to enhance access to welfare programs.
AI Basics: Understanding Neural Networks and Their Significance
Why in News?
With the rapid advancements in AI, understanding fundamental concepts like neural networks has become essential. Neural networks form the backbone of modern AI systems, enabling them to process data and make decisions with minimal human intervention.
Key Points
1. What are Neural Networks?
- Neural networks, or Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), are a subset of Machine Learning (ML) that mimic how the human brain processes information.
- They consist of interconnected nodes (neurons) that process and transmit data, much like biological neurons.
- The concept traces back to the 1950s, with Frank Rosenblatt’s perceptron, which laid the foundation for modern neural networks.
2. How Do Neural Networks Work?
- Neural networks are structured in three main layers:
- Input Layer – Receives raw data.
- Hidden Layers – Process and transform input data using weighted connections.
- Output Layer – Produces the final prediction or classification.
- Each neuron processes inputs using assigned weights and a threshold, determining whether to activate and pass the data forward.
3. Why Are Neural Networks Significant?
- Neural networks enable AI systems to learn patterns and make complex decisions without explicit programming.
- They play a crucial role in image recognition, language processing, medical diagnostics, and financial forecasting.
- They help AI models understand context and meaning, improving responses to queries and decision-making processes.
PM Modi Chairs His First National Board for Wildlife Meeting
Why in News?
On March 3, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired his first-ever meeting of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) at Gir National Park. This was the first full-body NBWL meeting in over a decade, the last being held in 2012 under then-PM Manmohan Singh. The meeting reviewed key wildlife conservation programs and announced new initiatives.
Key Points
1. What is the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)?
- Established in 2003 by amending The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
- Apex body for wildlife conservation policy and protected area management.
- Headed by the Prime Minister as the ex officio chairperson.
- Consists of 47 members, including government officials, MPs, conservationists, and NGO representatives.
- Has a standing committee that appraises development projects impacting wildlife habitats.
2. Key Decisions Taken in Modi’s NBWL Meeting
- New Conservation Initiatives: Focus on gharials and the Great Indian Bustard.
- Expansion of Existing Projects: Project Cheetah and Project Lion to be scaled up.
- Wildlife Protection Review: Assessment of flagship conservation programs.
3. Why Has the NBWL Faced Criticism?
- Clearance of development projects in eco-sensitive zones, such as:
- Ken-Betwa River Linking Project: Impacting Panna Tiger Reserve.
- Oil Exploration in Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary: Threatening endangered species.
- Denotification of Galathea Bay Sanctuary: Affecting leatherback sea turtles.
- Allegations of dilution of powers since 2014, reducing independent conservationist representation.
- Standing committee functioning without the required number of independent experts.
4. Historical Background of the NBWL
- Predecessor: Indian Board for Wildlife (IBWL) established in 1952.
- First Chairman: Sri Jayachamaraja Wadiyar of Mysore.
- Major Contributions:
- 1972: Wild Life Protection Act passed.
- 1973: Launch of Project Tiger.
- 1983: Adoption of the National Wildlife Action Plan.
- Leadership:
- Indira Gandhi played a key role in strengthening wildlife protection.
- Manmohan Singh’s tenure saw the formation of the Tiger Task Force in 2005.
5. Significance of the Meeting
- Marks a renewed focus on wildlife conservation at the highest level.
- Addresses the long gap in full-body meetings of the NBWL.
- Potential shift in balancing conservation priorities with development projects.
