National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)    
Indian Peafowl    
Curbing Fake News    
CAA - Citizenship Amendment Act 2019    

1.    National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)
About Launch:
•    Initiated by the Government:
o    Approved by the Ministry of Education (formerly the Ministry of Human Resource Development) in September 2015.
o    First-ever government effort to rank Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in India.
o    Compulsory Participation: Made mandatory for all government-run educational institutions in 2018.
Assessment on Five Parameters:
•    Teaching, Learning and Resources (TLR)
•    Research and Professional Practice (RP)
•    Graduation Outcomes (GO)
•    Outreach and Inclusivity (OI)
•    Peer Perception Categories:
•    NIRF ranks the best institutions across 11 categories:
o    Overall national ranking
o    Universities
o    Engineering
o    College
o    Medical
o    Management
o    Pharmacy
o    Law
o    Architecture
o    Dental
o    Research

Reason for Launch:
•    Addressing Subjectivity:
o    Launched due to the perceived subjectivity in global ranking systems like QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education World University Ranking.
•    Focus on Indian HEIs:
o     NIRF currently focuses solely on ranking Indian HEIs, unlike Shanghai Rankings, which were international from the start.
•    Future Aspirations:
o    Long-term plan is to evolve NIRF into an international league table.

Prelims Question
Question: With reference to the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), consider the following statements:
1.    NIRF ranks higher education institutions in India across five parameters, including Teaching, Learning and Resources.
2.    Participation in NIRF rankings is compulsory for all government-run educational institutions in India.
3.    NIRF was launched by the Ministry of Human Resource Development in 2018.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A)    1 and 2 only
B)    2 and 3 only
C)    1 and 3 only
D)    1, 2, and 3
Answer: A) 1 and 2 only
 

Mains Question
Question: Discuss the significance of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) in improving the quality of higher education in India. How does NIRF address the challenges posed by global ranking systems such as the QS World University Rankings?

2. Indian Peafowl
About
General Information:
•    Peafowl: Collective name for peacocks (male) and peahens (female).
•    National Bird of India: The Indian Peacock.
•    Scientific Name: Pavo cristatus.
•    Family: Phasianidae (includes pheasants, jungle fowl, partridge, quail).
Species:
•    Indian Peacock (Blue Peafowl): Native to India and Sri Lanka.
•    Green or Javanese Peacock (Pavo muticus): Found from Myanmar to Java.
Habitat
Geographical Distribution:
•    Native Regions: India, parts of Pakistan, Sri Lanka.
•    In India: Predominantly in Kerala, with suitable habitats in central, southeast, and northwest parts of the state.
•    Habitat Preference: Forest edges, cultivated areas, and human settlements.
Climate Adaptation:

•    Climate Indicator: Growing populations indicate climate change, thriving in dry conditions.
Concerns
Human-Wildlife Conflict:
•    Impact on Agriculture: Peafowls pose a threat to paddy farmers, leading to conflicts.
•    Habitat Invasion: Agriculture expansion and deforestation cause other species to encroach on human territories.
Protection Status
IUCN Red List:
•    Status: Least Concern
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972:
•    Schedule: Schedule-I
National Bird of India
Adoption Date:
•    Officially Adopted: 1 February 1963.
Cultural Significance:
•    Symbolism: The peacock is deeply embedded in Indian culture, mythology, and religion.
•    Religious Association: The peacock is depicted as the vehicle of Lord Indra and is associated with Lord Murugan in Hinduism.
Facts about the National Bird for UPSC
Key Facts:
•    Distribution: The Indian Peacock is widely distributed across India.
•    Cultural and Ecological Importance: Recognized for its cultural significance and ecological role.
•    Historical Significance: Connected with the Maurya dynasty, linked to peacock tamers.

•    Conservation Status: Listed as "Least Concern" by the IUCN Red List, indicating a stable population.

Prelims Question
Question: With reference to the Indian Peafowl, consider the following statements:
1.     The Indian Peacock is the national bird of India and is protected under Schedule-I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
2.    Peafowls are primarily carnivorous and prefer high-elevation habitats.
3.    The Indian Peacock was officially adopted as the national bird in 1963.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A)    1 only
B)    1 and 3 only
C)    2 and 3 only
D)    1, 2, and 3
Answer: B) 1 and 3 only
Mains Question
Question: Discuss the cultural and ecological significance of the Indian Peafowl as India's national bird. How do conservation efforts and legal protections ensure the survival of this species in the face of habitat challenges?

3. Curbing Fake News
Context
•    Emerging Social Evil: Fake news has become a significant issue in the age of the internet.
•    Recent Incident: A fake video of a migrant worker being attacked in

Tamil Nadu was widely spread, raising concerns.
•    Government’s Stance: The Tamil Nadu government emphasized that spreading such rumors is harmful to national integrity.
•    Rising Cases: In 2020, cases under Section 505 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) related to fake news increased by 214% (NCRB).
Challenges in Curbing Fake News in India
Low Digital Literacy
•    Widespread Issue: India’s digital literacy rate remains low, making it easier for fake news to spread.
•    Digital Divide: According to the India Inequality Report 2022, around 70% of the population has poor or no connectivity to digital services, with minimal access among the poorest households.
Political Use
•    Manipulation During Elections: Fake news is often used for political purposes, particularly during elections, to manipulate public opinion.
Limited Fact-Checking Infrastructure
•    Insufficient Resources: Fact- checking organizations in India are limited, small, and often underfunded.
Lack of Penalties
•    Weak Deterrence: There are no strict penalties for spreading fake news, making it difficult to deter such activities.
Initiatives to Curb Fake News
 

Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021
•    Content Removal: Requires social media platforms to remove content deemed false by the Press
Information Bureau’s (PIB) fact- check unit.
IT Act 2008
•     Section 66D: Regulates offences related to electronic communication, including punishing those spreading fake news via electronic means.
Disaster Management Act 2005
•    Regulation During Crises: Along with the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897, this act regulates the spread of fake news that may cause panic, especially during emergencies like COVID-19.
Indian Penal Code of 1860
•    Accountability: Regulates fake news that incites violence or defames individuals, holding perpetrators accountable.
Way Forward
Promote Media Literacy
•    Critical Education: Education on verifying sources, fact-checking, and differentiating reliable news is essential.
Strengthen Laws
•    Robust Enforcement: Existing laws need stronger enforcement and updates to address the evolving online media landscape.
Encourage Responsible Journalism
•    Ethical Standards: Journalists should adhere to ethical standards,

and media organizations should promote responsible reporting.
Social Media Platforms’ Role
•    Proactive Measures: Social media companies need to use AI tools to identify and remove fake news, working closely with fact-checking organizations.
Support Fact-Checking Organizations
•    Government and Media Support: These organizations play a critical role in verifying news stories and educating the public about fake news.
Encourage Responsible Social Media Use
•    Individual Responsibility: Users should avoid sharing unverified news and critically evaluate the content they see online.

Prelims Question
Question: With reference to the challenges in curbing fake news in India, consider the following statements:
1.    The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, require social media platforms to remove content that has been fact- checked and deemed false by the Press Information Bureau.
2.    Section 66D of the IT Act 2008 is used to penalize individuals spreading fake news through electronic communication.
3.    The Disaster Management Act, 2005, does not cover the regulation of fake news during emergencies.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
 

A)    1 and 2 only
B)    2 and 3 only
C)    1 and 3 only
D)    1, 2, and 3
Answer: A) 1 and 2 only
Mains Question
Question: Discuss the challenges posed by fake news in India and critically analyze the effectiveness of existing legal frameworks and government initiatives to curb its spread. What further measures can be adopted to strengthen the fight against fake news?

4.    CAA - Citizenship Amendment Act 2019
About
Introduction:
•    Ministry of Home Affairs Report: The MHA has clarified that the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019 is a compassionate and ameliorative legislation that does not deprive any Indian citizen of their citizenship.
•    Objective: The CAA aims to grant citizenship to migrants from Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, or Christian communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, or Pakistan. The Act was notified on 12th December 2019 and came into force on 10th January 2020.
•    Protests: The legislation led to widespread protests across the country.
Associated Concerns with CAA
Targeting a Particular Community:

•    Apprehensions: Concerns exist that the CAA, in conjunction with a nationwide National Register of Citizens (NRC), may benefit non- Muslims excluded from the proposed citizens' register, while excluded Muslims will have to prove their citizenship.
Issues in the North-East:
•    Contradiction with Assam Accord: The CAA contradicts the Assam Accord of 1985, which mandates the deportation of illegal migrants, irrespective of religion, entering from Bangladesh after 25th March 1971.
•    Demographic Impact: An estimated 20 million illegal Bangladeshi migrants in Assam have significantly altered the state's demography and strained its resources and economy.
Against Fundamental Rights:
•    Violation of Article 14: Critics argue that the CAA violates Article 14 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to equality for both citizens and foreigners, and goes against the principle of secularism enshrined in the preamble.
Discriminatory in Nature:
•    Exclusion of Other Refugees: The Act does not cover other refugee groups in India, such as Tamils from Sri Lanka and Hindu Rohingyas from Myanmar.
Difficulty in Administration:
•    Challenges in Differentiation: It will be challenging for the government to distinguish between illegal migrants and those genuinely persecuted.
 

Hampering Bilateral Ties:
•    Impact on Relations: The Act highlights religious oppression in the three neighboring countries, which could strain India’s bilateral relations with them.
MHA Clarification
Not Applicable on Indian Citizens:
•     Clarification: The CAA does not apply to Indian citizens and does not take away or abridge the rights of any Indian citizen.
Unchanged Legal Process:
•    Citizenship Act 1955: The existing legal process for acquiring Indian citizenship remains unchanged. Legal migrants from any religion or country will continue to acquire Indian citizenship by fulfilling the eligibility conditions as provided in the Citizenship Act, 1955.

UPSC Question Formulation
Prelims Question
Question: With reference to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019, consider the following statements:
1.    The CAA grants Indian citizenship to migrants belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, or Christian communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
2.    The CAA is applicable to both Indian citizens and foreign nationals residing in India.
3.    The CAA contradicts the Assam Accord of 1985 regarding the deportation of illegal migrants.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?