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Dear Reader,
The imbroglio over leaks and improprieties in the unified national exams, leading to suspense on the recently conducted NEET-UG and the postponement or cancellation of the UGC-NET and CSIR-NET, continues to raise hackles and could figure prominently in the ongoing Parliament session.
Be that as it may, The Reporter's Collective highlights a related issue of the multiplicity of exams across the country, particularly for various mid-and-junior-level government non-gazetted posts. This multiplicity imposes financial burdens and mental stress on aspirants, who have to fill out numerous application forms and appear for multiple examinations conducted by different agencies at different times for similar posts.
To address these challenges faced by an estimated three crore aspirants, the Union government announced in February 2020 the establishment of a National Recruitment Agency (NRA) to conduct a common eligibility test for shortlisting candidates. However, four years later, the NRA has yet to conduct a single test, remains unstaffed, and there is nothing in sight on the ground.
The controversies on the exams also raise the larger question of the crisis in youth employment in India. Over ten million youths are estimated to be unemployed, and a report by the Centre for Monitoring the Indian Economy puts the youth unemployment rate (between ages 15 and 24) at a "shockingly high" 45.4%.
Article 14 reports that despite GDP growth, jobs have not kept pace with the relentless number of aspirants entering the market every year. This has been excerbated by the skills on offer, which may not be in sync with what the job market demands and, therefore, the aspirants are less than 'job ready'. Initiatives like the Skill India mission have not yet made the impact that they had been touted to make, and there is a danger of India's 'demographic dividend' being squandered.
When it comes to investor confidence, India's quest to be seen as 'arbitration-friendly' has led to both legislative and judicial efforts to align with global standards. India's Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud has emphasised the shift towards arbitration as the preferred method for commercial disputes. However, recent Apex Court decisions and a new government memorandum have raised concerns about the consistency of India's pro-arbitration messaging.
The Supreme Court Observer analyses the developments to explain why these could impact investor confidence and the perception of arbitration's finality and reliability in India.
'HaritaKarmaSena', formed in 2013 under the Harita Kerala Mission, aims to make Kerala waste-free, generate jobs, and promote waste management awareness. Tasks include waste collection, transportation, processing, and recycling, with fees charged for the services. In 2021, it earned a not-so-insignificant Rs 6.59 crore.
However, as the Keraleeyam Masika reports, the emergence of the 'green army' has disrupted the sector. This has led to protests and strikes by long-standing workers, particularly the Garbage Workers Union, an organisation of workers in the Kochi Municipal Council. They allege reduced wages and working conditions, with little response from authorities to their entreaties.
For more such stories from the grantees this week, please read on.
Warmly,
Sunil Rajshekhar
IPSMF
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