Social Justice Digital Explorer

1.1.1: Defining Social Justice

• Absolute vs. Relative Justice.
• Distributive, Procedural, and Corrective Justice.
• Dimensions: Economic, Social, Political, Cultural.
• Key principles: Equality, Equity, Liberty, Dignity, Non-discrimination.
• Relevance: Prelims (definitions, principles); Mains (philosophical underpinnings, debates on what constitutes justice).

1.1.2: Historical Evolution of Social Justice Thought

• Ancient Indian thought (Dharma, Nyaya, Arthashastra).
• Medieval period (Bhakti-Sufi movements, Guru Nanak).
• Colonial impact & rise of reform movements (Raja Rammohan Roy, Jyotiba Phule, Savitribai Phule, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Swami Vivekananda, Dayanand Saraswati).
• Modern Indian context (Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Ram Manohar Lohia, Jayaprakash Narayan).
• Global perspectives (John Rawls' Theory of Justice, Amartya Sen's Capability Approach, Dworkin's Equality of Resources).
• Relevance: Prelims (key figures, movements); Mains (historical context, evolution of state's role, comparative analysis of theories).

1.1.3: Constitutional Vision of Social Justice in India

• Preamble: Justice (Social, Economic, Political), Equality, Liberty, Fraternity.
• Fundamental Rights (Part III): Articles 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 23, 24, 29, 30.
• Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV): Articles 38, 39, 39A, 41, 42, 43, 46, 47.
• Fundamental Duties (Part IVA): Promoting harmony, renouncing derogatory practices (Art 51A).
• Constitutional Amendments: Key amendments impacting social justice.
• Judicial Interpretation: Landmark judgments by Supreme Court.
• Relevance: Prelims (Articles, Amendments, landmark cases); Mains (Constitutional philosophy, role of judiciary, tension between FRs & DPSPs).

1.2.1: Economic Inequality

• Income & Wealth Distribution: Trends in India (Gini coefficient, wealth concentration, Oxfam reports).
• Poverty: Absolute vs. Relative Poverty.
• Consumption Patterns: Disparities.
• Labour Market Inequalities: Wage gaps, job security, working conditions, Gig Economy.
• Access to Resources: Land ownership, credit, financial services.
• Relevance: Prelims (data, indices, reports); Mains (causes, consequences, policy responses, inclusive growth debates).

1.2.2: Social Inequality

• Caste-based Discrimination: Historical context, contemporary manifestations, caste census debate.
• Gender Inequality: Patriarchy, violence, economic participation, political representation, unpaid care work.
• Religious Discrimination: Communalism, hate speech, challenges to freedom of religion.
• Regional Disparities: Rural-urban divide, inter-state/intra-state inequalities.
• Disability: Accessibility, education, employment, social inclusion, stigma.
• Age: Challenges faced by children and elderly.
• Other Marginalized Groups: LGBTQ+, Manual Scavengers, Nomadic Tribes, DNTs, Migrant Workers, etc.
• Intersectionality: How different forms of inequality combine.
• Relevance: Prelims (specific legal protections, statistics); Mains (root causes, societal impacts, effectiveness of policies, intersectional analysis).

1.2.3: Digital Divide and its implications

• Access Gap: Rural-urban, gender, income, geographical disparities.
• Usage Gap: Digital literacy, affordability, relevance of content.
• Impacts: Exclusion from digital services, employment, public discourse.
• Government Initiatives: Digital India, BharatNet, PM-WANI, e-governance platforms.
• Relevance: Prelims (schemes, statistics); Mains (challenges, policy solutions, role of technology in social justice).

2.1.1: Definition and Measurement of Poverty

• Conceptual Distinction: Absolute vs. Relative Poverty, Transient vs. Chronic Poverty.
• Historical Evolution of Poverty Lines in India (Naoroji, Alagh, Lakdawala, Tendulkar, Rangarajan).
• Poverty Estimation Methods: HCR, Poverty Gap Index, Sen Index.
• Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI): Global MPI, National MPI (NITI Aayog).
• Relevance: Prelims (committees, MPI dimensions); Mains (critiques of methods, MPI as holistic measure).

2.1.2: Causes of Poverty in India

• Economic Factors: Low agricultural productivity, unemployment, informalisation.
• Social Factors: Caste system, gender discrimination, illiteracy, population growth.
• Institutional Factors: Land reforms, inadequate public services, corruption.
• Structural Factors: Unequal distribution of assets, regional disparities, climate change.
• Relevance: Mains (analytical understanding of complex causes, interlinkages).

2.1.3: Government Initiatives & Schemes to Combat Poverty

• Employment Generation: MGNREGA, PM SVANidhi, PMEGP, DAY-NRLM, PMKVY.
• Housing & Basic Amenities: PMAY, SBM, JJM, Saubhagya.
• Direct Income Transfers & Social Security: PM-KISAN, PMGKY, NSAP.
• Financial Inclusion: PM Jan Dhan Yojana, PMMY, Stand-Up India.
• Urban Poverty Alleviation: DAY-NULM.
• Relevance: Prelims (schemes); Mains (evaluation, challenges, effectiveness).

2.1.4: Challenges in Poverty Alleviation & Way Forward

• Implementation Gaps: Leakages, targeting errors, corruption.
• Sustainability: Ensuring long-term impact.
• Demographic Dividend, Climate Change, Informal Sector challenges.
• Way Forward: UBI debate, strengthening public services, skill development.
• Relevance: Mains (critical analysis, policy recommendations, future strategies).

2.2.1: Dimensions of Hunger & Malnutrition

• Food Security: Availability, Access, Utilization, Stability.
• Types of Malnutrition: Undernutrition (Wasting, Stunting, Underweight), Micronutrient Deficiencies, Overnutrition.
• Severity Scales: MAM, SAM.
• Relevance: Prelims (definitions, types); Mains (complex nature of malnutrition, double burden).

2.2.2: Causes & Consequences of Hunger & Malnutrition

• Causes: Poverty, food inflation, poor access, lack of safe water & sanitation, gender inequality.
• Consequences: Impaired development, increased disease susceptibility, reduced productivity.
• Relevance: Mains (root causes, socio-economic impacts).

2.2.3: Government Schemes for Food Security & Nutrition

• National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013.
• Public Distribution System (PDS), One Nation One Ration Card.
• Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS).
• Mid-Day Meal Scheme (PM POSHAN).
• POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission).
• Food Fortification, Anaemia Mukt Bharat.
• Relevance: Prelims (Act, schemes); Mains (evaluation, challenges, convergence).

2.2.4: Global & National Indices and India's performance

• Global Hunger Index (GHI): Indicators, India's ranking.
• National Family Health Survey (NFHS): Key health and nutrition indicators.
• FAO Reports: State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI).
• Relevance: Prelims (GHI indicators, rank); Mains (analysis of India's performance, policy implications).

3.1.1: Structure & Evolution of Healthcare Delivery

• Levels of Care: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary.
• Public vs. Private Healthcare: Dominance, implications.
• Traditional Medicine (AYUSH): Integration.
• Evolution of Health Policies: Bhore, Mudaliar, Alma Ata, National Health Policies.
• Relevance: Prelims (structure, policies); Mains (challenges, private sector regulation).

3.1.2: Health Indicators & Disparities

• Demographic & Epidemiological Indicators: IMR, MMR, TFR, Life Expectancy, Disease Burden.
• Disparities: Rural-urban, gender, socio-economic, regional.
• Access & Quality: Availability, human resources, quality of care, OOP Expenditure.
• Relevance: Prelims (data); Mains (analysis of disparities, impact).

3.1.3: Government Schemes & Policies for Health

• National Health Mission (NHM): NRHM, NUHM, ASHA, JSSK, RBSK.
• Ayushman Bharat: PMJAY, Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs).
• National Health Policy 2017.
• Disease-Specific Programs: NTEP, NACO, NPCDCS, NMHP.
• Vaccination & Immunization: Mission Indradhanush, UIP.
• Relevance: Prelims (schemes); Mains (evaluation, challenges, financing).

3.1.4: Challenges & Reforms in Healthcare Financing and Access

• Underfunding, High OOP Expenditure.
• Human Resource Shortages, Infrastructure Deficit.
• Quality of Care, Accessibility, Ethical Concerns.
• Reforms & Way Forward: UHC, PPPs, digital health, One Health approach.
• Relevance: Mains (systemic issues, policy solutions, multi-stakeholder approach).

4.1.1: Right to Education (RTE) Act 2009

• Provisions: Free education, 25% reservation, norms, no detention (amendment).
• Impact: Enrollment, infrastructure, challenges (learning outcomes, teacher quality).
• Relevance: Prelims (provisions); Mains (evaluation, gaps).

4.1.2: Challenges in Primary, Secondary, and Higher Education

• Primary Education: Enrollment vs. Retention, learning outcomes (ASER), FLN.
• Secondary Education: Transition rates, vocational gap, dropout rates.
• Higher Education: Access (GER), equity, quality, employability, funding.
• Vocational Education & Skill Development: Demand-supply mismatch.
• Relevance: Mains (in-depth analysis of systemic issues).

4.1.3: Government Schemes & Policies for Education

• Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA & RMSA integration).
• National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: Pillars, Reforms (5+3+3+4, ECCE, FLN, NRF).
• Mid-Day Meal Scheme (PM POSHAN).
• Schemes for Girls' Education: Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, KGBV.
• Higher Education Schemes: RUSA, HEFA. Scholarship Schemes.
• Relevance: Prelims (NEP 2020, schemes); Mains (NEP's potential, implementation).

4.1.4: Digital Education & Addressing the Digital Divide

• Rise of Ed-Tech: Opportunities and challenges.
• Government Platforms: SWAYAM, DIKSHA, NDLI.
• Bridging the Digital Divide: Connectivity, device access, digital literacy.
• Relevance: Prelims (platforms); Mains (equity concerns, future of learning).

5.1.1: Historical Disadvantage & Constitutional Safeguards

• Constitutional Provisions: Art 17, 46, 330, 332, 335, 338, 338A, Fifth & Sixth Schedules.

5.1.2: Social, Economic, and Political Empowerment Initiatives

• Reservation Policy. Protection against Atrocities Act. FRA, PESA. SCP/TSP, TRIFED.

5.1.3: Contemporary Issues faced by SCs/STs

• Atrocities, Land Alienation, Access to Education/Employment, Health, Poverty, PVTGs.

5.2.1: Gender Inequality & Patriarchy

• Manifestations: Sex ratio, violence, child marriage, wage gap, political underrepresentation.

5.2.2: Legal & Policy Frameworks for Women's Empowerment

• Legal Protections: Domestic Violence Act, Sexual Harassment Act, Dowry Prohibition Act, MTP Act. Schemes: BBBP, MSK, OSCs, PMMVY.

5.2.3: Women's participation in economy & politics

• LFPR, Unpaid Care Work, Entrepreneurship, Political Representation, Role of SHGs.

5.3.1: Child Rights & Vulnerabilities

• Child Labour, Trafficking, Abuse, Marriage, Health, Education.

5.3.2: Legal & Policy Frameworks

• Constitutional Provisions (Art 21A, 24, 39f). POCSO Act, JJ Act, Child Labour Act. Mission Vatsalya, NCPCR.

5.4.1: Challenges faced by Elderly & Persons with Disabilities

• Elderly: Financial insecurity, health, isolation. PwDs: Accessibility, discrimination, stigma.

5.4.2: Government Initiatives & Policies

• Elderly: Senior Citizens Act, IGNOAPS, RVY. PwDs: RPwD Act 2016, ADIP, DDRS, AIC, UDID.

5.5.1: LGBTQ+ Community

• Legal Landscape: Navtej Johar, NALSA, Transgender Persons Act. Social Acceptance.

5.5.2: Manual Scavengers

• Prohibition Act 2013, Rehabilitation.

5.5.3: Migrant Workers

• Issues, Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act, Social security.

6.1.1: Good Governance & its impact on social justice

• Principles (Transparency, Accountability, Participation). RTI, Citizen's Charters.

6.1.2: PPPs & CSR in social sector

• Role of PPPs. CSR under Companies Act 2013.

6.1.3: Role of NGOs / Civil Society in Social Justice

• Functions: Advocacy, service delivery, monitoring. Challenges (Funding, FCRA).

6.2.1: Classification & Objectives of Welfare Schemes

• Categorization: Social Security, Livelihood, Health, Education, etc.

6.2.2: Challenges in Implementation & Monitoring

• Targeting Errors, Leakages, Lack of Awareness, Last-Mile Delivery.

6.2.3: Technology & Transparency in Welfare Delivery

• DBT, JAM Trinity, E-governance. Social Audits. Aadhaar.

7.1.1: SDGs and their relevance to India

• Overview of 2030 Agenda. Direct Linkages to Social Justice (SDG 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 16). India's Progress (NITI Aayog SDG India Index).

7.1.2: Global efforts in poverty eradication, health, education, etc.

• UN Conventions (UDHR, ICESCR, CRC, CEDAW, CRPD). Role of International Bodies (UNDP, WHO, UNICEF, FAO, ILO, World Bank). Global Reports. Climate Justice.