Chhatrapati Shivaji’s Tiger Claws, Scheduled Castes (SC) List, Women’s Representation in India

(General Studies IV – Theory Section – Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration: Status and Problems; Ethical Concerns and Dilemmas in Government and Private Institutions; Laws, Rules, Regulations and Conscience as Sources of Ethical Guidance.)

• Probationary IAS officer Pooja Khedkar is under scrutiny for allegedly misusing her official position and submitting fake disability and caste certificates to clear the civil services exam.
• This incident raises significant ethical concerns about integrity, fairness, and the selection process’s credibility.

Ethical Issues Involved –

1. Fraud and Deception: The use of fake certificates to gain entry into the civil services constitutes fraud and deception. It undermines the trust in the system and the credibility of the selected candidates.
2. Unfair Advantage: Candidates using fraudulent means to claim reserved category benefits deprive genuinely deserving candidates of their rightful opportunities. This not only affects individual careers but also the broader social justice objectives of reservation policies.
3. Integrity and Trust: Civil servants are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity and honesty. Starting their careers with fraudulent activities questions their moral compass and raises doubts about their future conduct in public service.
4. Social Justice: The reservation system aims to provide equal opportunities to disadvantaged groups. Misuse of this system for personal gain violates the principles of social justice and equity.
5. Public Trust in Institutions: The integrity of the UPSC and the civil services is vital for public trust. Such incidents can erode confidence in these institutions and the fairness of their processes.
   

 Relevant Ethical Theories –

1. Deontological Ethics: This theory emphasizes duty and adherence to rules. From a deontological perspective, the actions of the candidates are unethical because they violate the rules and principles governing the selection process.
2. Utilitarianism: Utilitarianism focuses on the consequences of actions. The fraudulent actions result in harm to deserving candidates, reduce overall trust in the system, and potentially lead to less competent governance, thus failing to maximize overall happiness and well-being.
3. Virtue Ethics: Virtue ethics focuses on the character and virtues of individuals. Candidates who resort to fraud lack virtues such as honesty, integrity, and fairness, which are essential for good governance and public service.
4. Social Contract Theory: According to this theory, individuals agree to abide by certain rules for the benefit of society as a whole. By committing fraud, the candidates breach this social contract, undermining societal trust and cohesion.

Way Forward Based on Ethical Decision-Making –

1. Strengthening Verification Processes: Implement robust mechanisms for verifying documents and certificates submitted by candidates. This can include cross-checking with issuing authorities and using technology for authentication.
2. Strict Penalties for Fraud: Establish and enforce stringent penalties for those found guilty of submitting fraudulent documents. This will serve as a deterrent to others.
3. Promoting Ethical Awareness: Incorporate ethics and integrity training into the civil services examination and training process. Emphasize the importance of honesty and the long-term consequences of unethical behavior.
4. Transparent Recruitment Processes: Ensure transparency in the recruitment process by making procedures and criteria publicly accessible and clear. This helps build trust and reduces opportunities for fraud.
5. Support for Genuine Candidates: Provide additional support to candidates from reserved categories to ensure they can compete fairly. This can include preparatory programs, financial aid, and mentorship
6. Regular Audits and Reviews: Conduct regular audits and reviews of the selection process to identify and address any loopholes. Engage independent bodies to ensure impartial assessments.
   

The incident of civil servants using fraudulent documents to secure their positions highlights severe ethical issues related to fairness, integrity, and social justice. Addressing these issues requires a multi-faceted approach involving stricter verification processes, ethical training, and transparent recruitment practices. By fostering an environment that prioritizes ethical behaviour, the UPSC and other relevant institutions can help restore public trust and ensure that only deserving candidates serve in civil services.

• Amid controversy over its authenticity, the iconic Wagh Nakh (tiger claws) used by Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was brought to India from London.
• Subsequently, the dagger would arrive in Satara, Maharashtra and be encased in a bulletproof cover.
• The weapons from the Victoria and Albert Museum commemorate the 350th anniversary of Shivaji’s ascension to the throne (1674).
• It will be displayed at the Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum in Satara for seven months.
• The Culture Affairs Minister confirmed its use by Shivaji Maharaj.
• However, Maharashtra historian Indrajit Sawant claimed the original wagh nakh, used to kill Bijapur Sultanate general Afzal Khan in 1659, was already in Satara and that the artefact brought from London is a replica.
• The museum information does not confirm Shivaji Maharaj’s use of the artefact.
  

Dig Deeper: Get a chronological overview of Chhatrapati Shivaji’s political achievements like the Killing of Afzal Khan, Truce of Purandar, encounter with Shaista Khan, Agra Escape, ascension to throne, Dakshin Digvijay etc.

• The Prime Minister highlighted Nalanda’s enduring legacy during the inauguration of the new Nalanda University campus at Rajgir.
• Established around 427 CE by Gupta emperor Kumaragupta-I, Nalanda thrived with support from the Pala kings and Bodh Gaya’s Pithipatis, becoming a spiritual and academic hub.
• Nalanda’s illustrious faculty included Aryabhata, Harsha, Dharmapala, Nagarjuna, and Hiuen Tsang, who documented the rigorous admission tests during Harshavardhan’s reign in the 7th century.
• Its global reputation was affirmed in works like “A History of India” by Romila Thapar, noting ties between eastern Indian Buddhists and Southeast Asia.
• Nalanda’s decline is attributed to Bakhtiyar Khalji’s raids around 1200 CE, reducing its library to ashes, as noted by historians like Satish Chandra and Minhaj-i-Siraj.
• However, historian D.N. Jha contested this, arguing that Khalji targeted a different monastery.
• Namit Arora suggested most Buddhist sites were already abandoned or converted by the Turko-Persian invasions.
• The opening of the Rajgir campus aims to restore Nalanda’s glory. As an open book, Nalanda invites interpretation and conclusion, embodying the resilience of knowledge against time’s ravages.

Dig Deeper: Read about other famous Indian Educational centres in India.

• The Supreme Court ruled that States cannot alter the Scheduled Castes (SC) List notified under Article 341 of the Constitution.
• SC stated that any inclusion or exclusion of castes, races, or tribes must be done by Parliament, not by any other method.

• The Bihar government notification, based on the State Backward Classes Commission’s recommendation, aimed to merge the Extremely Backward Class (EBC) of Tanti-Tantwa with the Scheduled Caste of Pan/Sawasi, allowing Tanti-Tantwa to claim SC benefits.
• This decision aimed to extend SC benefits to the Tanti-Tantwa community and was upheld by the Patna High Court in 2017, but later challenged in the Supreme Court.

Dig Deeper: Read about the criteria for inclusion in the Scheduled Caste list.

• In the recent UK general elections, a record 263 women MPs (40%) were elected to the House of Commons. The South African National Assembly has 45% women representation, while the U.S. House of Representatives has 29%. Universal suffrage was first granted to women in New Zealand in 1893. The UK granted it in 1928, and the US in 1920.
• India granted women the right to vote in its first general elections in 1952.
• However, women’s representation in the Lok Sabha has been low, ranging from 5% to 10% until 2004.
• It increased to 12% in 2014 and currently stands at 14%.
• State Legislative Assemblies have a national average of 9%.
• The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments in 1992/1993 provided one-third reservation for women in panchayats and municipalities.
• Attempts to extend this reservation to the Lok Sabha and assemblies between 1996 and 2008 were unsuccessful.
  

Dig Deeper: Read about the Global Gender Gap Report.