Prelims Pinpointer
Boston Brahmins
Why in News: Recent controversy arose when a US political figure misused the term “Brahmins,” confusing Indian caste hierarchies with the American elite group known as the Boston Brahmins. This sparked discussions on cultural sensitivity and historical context.
Origin
- Term coined by Oliver Wendell Holmes in 1861.
- Refers to Boston’s wealthy, Protestant elite families of the 19th–early 20th century.
- Descendants of English colonisers who consolidated power through trade, education, and marriage alliances.
Social & Cultural Characteristics
- Modeled lifestyle on English aristocracy.
- Valued education, arts, culture (founded Harvard, Choate, Phillips Exeter).
- Distinctive “Boston accent” and preppy fashion.
- Endogamous marriages to maintain exclusivity.
Political & Social Influence
- Dominant in Boston’s politics and society.
- Advocated abolitionism but resisted inclusion of African Americans and immigrants.
- Opposed large-scale immigration (especially Irish Catholics).
Notable Members & Legacy
- John Adams, John Quincy Adams, F.D. Roosevelt (Presidents).
- T.S. Eliot (poet).
- Legacy: contributions to education, literature, and politics, but also perpetuation of social divisions.
Comparison with Indian Brahmins
- Indian Brahmins: Traditionally priestly caste with religious authority.
- Boston Brahmins: Symbolic use of “Brahmin” to indicate cultural and social dominance, not caste.
Contemporary Relevance
- Illustrates how elites preserve power through cultural capital and networks.
- Misuse of the term can fuel stereotypes and controversies.
- Highlights need for cultural sensitivity in global political discourse.
IIT-Madras tops NIRF Rankings 2025
Why in News: For the 7th consecutive year, IIT-Madras ranked No. 1 overall in NIRF 2025.Also retained best engineering college position for the 10th straight year.
More in News
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan criticised the ‘peer perception’ parameter (10% weightage) as creating bias against government-funded/state institutions.
About NIRF
- Launched in 2015 by Ministry of Education.
- Ranks higher education institutions annually across multiple categories.
Current parameters for “overall” ranking:
- Teaching, learning & resources
- Research & professional practice
- Graduation outcomes
- Outreach & inclusivity
- Peer perception (10%)
Highlights of 2025 Rankings
Top 100 overall institutions:
- 24 State universities
- 22 private deemed universities
- 19 IITs + IISc
- 9 private universities
- 8 NITs
- 7 Central universities
- 5 medical institutions
- 4 IISERs
- 1 college & Indian Agricultural Research Institute
Category-wise leaders:
- Universities: IISc Bengaluru (10th year in a row)
- Research Institutions: IISc Bengaluru (5th consecutive year)
- Management: IIM Ahmedabad (6th year)
- Medical: AIIMS Delhi (8th year)
- Dental: AIIMS Delhi (1st year on top)
Future Outlook
Minister suggested inclusion of new parameters like:
- Number of entrepreneurs created by institutions
- More data-driven methodologies
- Wider institutional coverage
Zero GST on Individual Health & Life Insurance
Why in News: GST Council reduced GST on individual life & health insurance policies from 18% to 0%.Effective from 22nd September 2025, coinciding with rollout of streamlined two-rate GST structure.Aimed at improving affordability and penetration of insurance in India.
Key Highlights
Applies to:
- Individual life insurance (pure protection + unit-linked).
- Individual health insurance (family floater + senior citizen plans).
- Reinsurance of these policies (tax neutrality maintained).
Excludes:
- Group insurance (employer-sponsored) → will continue to attract 18% GST with no ITC for employers.
Industry impact:
- Boosts affordability & penetration among first-time buyers & underserved households.
- Expected to drive higher renewals, customer loyalty, and wider financial inclusion.
- Insurers lose access to Input Tax Credit (ITC) → could affect profitability.
Industry Reactions
- Apollo Healthco: Makes health protection a right, not privilege.
- Star Health: Reform to reshape insurance landscape.
- Poly Medicure: Direct benefit to patients; improves affordability.
Static Info
- GST Council: Constitutional body under Article 279A.
- Formed by the President, chaired by the Union Finance Minister.
- Members: Union Minister of State (Finance) + State Finance/Tax Ministers.
- Decides rates, exemptions, thresholds, and model laws.
- GST Structure (before reform): Multiple slabs – 0%, 5%, 12%, 18%, 28%.
- Insurance previously under 18% slab.
- Insurance penetration in India: Around 4% of GDP (2023), below global average of ~7%.
- Healthcare inflation in India: ~14% annually, among the highest in Asia.
Significance
- Encourages wider adoption of insurance in India, especially households struggling with rising medical costs.
- Progressive tax rationalisation → supports Ayushman Bharat & goal of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
- Balances affordability for families vs profitability concerns for insurers.
Vulture Network
Why in News: Assam-based We Foundation India, in collaboration with Gauhati University’s Department of Zoology, launched India’s first vulture conservation portal – Vulture Network.
About Vulture Network
- Type: Cloud-based portal.
- Aim: Build a network of individuals engaged in vulture conservation.
- Supporters: Assam Bird Monitoring Network, LASA Foundation, Suraksha Samitee, Bihongo Bondhu, local conservationists.
Purpose:
- Compile scientific information.
- Spread awareness in local languages (starting with Assamese).
- Provide freely downloadable outreach materials.
- Focus: Threats such as carcass poisoning, harmful veterinary drugs (diclofenac, NSAIDs), negative social perceptions, shrinking habitats, toxic food sources.
- Special emphasis: Conservation of Slender-billed Vulture (~800 mature individuals left).
Awareness Day
- Linked to International Vulture Awareness Day – observed on first Saturday of September.
Context
- Vultures are silently disappearing due to NSAID poisoning (esp. diclofenac) and habitat loss.
- Conservation is critical for ecological balance as they are natural scavengers.
Foreigners Act, 2025
Why in News: Govt notified Rules and Orders under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 (effective from 1st September 2025). Consolidates multiple older Acts into a single legal framework for entry, stay, and exit of foreigners.
Consolidation of Acts
Merged Acts:
- Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920
- Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939
- Foreigners Act, 1946
- Immigration (Carrier’s Liability) Act, 2000
Key Features of the New Act
- Immigration Posts: Only designated posts for foreigners to legally enter/exit India.
- Registration: Foreigners must register with designated FRRO/FRO authorities; exemptions for certain categories.
- Electronic Records: Digital facilitation for accommodation providers, hospitals, universities to create database.
- Graduated Fines / Compounding System: Penalties for overstay, non-registration, violation of visa terms.
Exemptions & Special Provisions
- Diplomatic / official passport holders: Visa waiver under agreements.
- Military personnel: Visiting for humanitarian exercises/events exempted by govt notification.
- Sri Lankan Tamil refugees: Registered before January 5, 2015, covered.
- Tibetan refugees: Protected if entered before 31 Dec 2014, though new registration rules apply.
- Citizens of Nepal & Bhutan: Exempt from visa at designated entry points.
Citizenship Link
- CAA 2019 beneficiaries (Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan) eligible for Indian citizenship if entered before 31 Dec 2014.
Enforcement Mechanisms
- Central Govt powers: May amend, cancel, issue special/general directions.
- Penalties: Up to ₹50,000 for violations.
- Blacklisting / deportation: Stronger measures for offenders.
Likely Impact
- Streamlined & modernised immigration framework.
- Better digital surveillance and coordination.
- Stronger enforcement with reduced loopholes.
