According to the Registrar General of India’s (RGI) Sample Registration System Statistical Report 2020, Uttarakhand has the worst (844) sex ratio (number of females per 1,000 males) at birth in the country and Kerala has the best (974). According to the recently released report, India has achieved a significant milestone in further lowering child mortality… Continue reading Sample Registration System

The Central Government has directed the States and Union Territories to carry out the social audit of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme in every district by November 30th.   What is the ‘Mid-Day Meal’ scheme? The Mid-Day Meal Scheme was started in India on 15th August 1995 as ‘National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education… Continue reading Mid-Day Meal Scheme

In a significant milestone, India has achieved landmark achievement in further reduction of child mortality rates.   Details – As per the Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report 2020 released by Registrar General of India (RGI), the country has been witnessing a progressive reduction in IMR, U5MR and NMR since 2014 towards achieving the Sustainable… Continue reading Child Mortality Rate

Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre, an autonomous body under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, celebrated ‘Sign Language Day’.   About the IDSL – International Day of Sign Languages (IDSL) is celebrated annually across the world on 23 September. This year’s theme was “Sign Language Unite Us.” Objective of this day… Continue reading International Day of Sign Languages

With the aim of eradicating child marriage, Nayagarh, a tiny Odisha district, has adopted a unique initiative by scrupulously recording information on all adolescent girls in the district.   What is it? From birth registration date to Aadhaar number, from family details to skill training, information of 48,642 adolescent girls can be found in registers… Continue reading Aliva Programme

Several petitions are pending before the Supreme Court seeking Scheduled Caste (SC) reservation benefits for Dalits who converted to Christianity or Islam. The Supreme Court has asked the Centre to clarify its stand on this matter.   Details – The Centre is likely to soon decide on setting up a national commission to study the… Continue reading SC Quota

District Disability Rehabilitation centres (DDRCs) were recently inaugurated by the Union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment.   Details – District Disability Rehabilitation centres (DDRC) spread across the country are providing effective rehabilitation services to the persons with disabilities for last two decades. These centres are run jointly by District Management Team headed by DM/Collector… Continue reading District Disability Rehabilitation Centre

Following the enactment of Juvenile Justice Amendment Act, 2021, the Government of India recently notified the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection Amendment) Model Amendment Rules 2022. The recently amended rules for implementing the Juvenile Justice Act, prohibit anyone associated with an organisation receiving foreign funds from serving on Child Welfare Committees.   Details – The… Continue reading Child Welfare Panel

The Union Cabinet has approved the addition of four tribes to the list of Scheduled Tribes.   Details – The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Modi approved the inclusion of tribes of five states in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category. Among the states whose tribes have been included in the list are Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh,… Continue reading Addition of four-tribes in ST List

The Ministry of Women and Child Development has written to State governments, asking them to immediately implement the revised adoption rules requiring adoption orders to be passed by District Magistrates (DMs) instead of courts with effect from September 1.   Details – The instructions come despite concerns raised over jurisdiction of DMs in civil matters… Continue reading Adoption rules