Home and abroad: On PM Modi’s G-7 commitements and freedom of speech

News: PM of India attended the G7 annual summit meeting in Germany along with other special invitees from Argentina, Indonesia, Senegal, and South Africa. Most of the deliberations took aim at the twin challenges seen from Russia and China. Contents1 What economic initiatives were discussed?2 What other issues were discussed at the meeting?3 What was… Continue reading Home and abroad: On PM Modi’s G-7 commitements and freedom of speech

A road safety quartet and the road ahead

News: In spite of several years of policymaking to improve road safety, India remains among the worst-performing countries in this area. The persistently high annual death toll brings into question the country’s ability to meet Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.6, which aims to halve the fatalities and injuries from road traffic accidents by 2030. Meanwhile,… Continue reading A road safety quartet and the road ahead

The worrying slowdown in India’s fight against poverty

Context: A new poverty estimate has been released by SBI Research. Contents1 What do the findings of the recent estimates suggest?2 Data indicating a slowdown in poverty reduction3 What are the implications?4 Way forward What do the findings of the recent estimates suggest? As per SBI Research, Poverty in India declined to 17.9% in 2020-21,… Continue reading The worrying slowdown in India’s fight against poverty

Selfish rich inequality hypothesis: The selfishness and graft of the rich drive inequality 

News: In recent days, a ‘Selfish Rich Inequality Hypothesis’ has been proposed based on an analysis of the Gallup World Poll of 2018.  Contents1 What is the selfish rich inequality hypothesis?2 What are the causes of this selfish rich inequality? 3 What are the pieces of evidence in support of the selfish rich inequality hypothesis?4 What… Continue reading Selfish rich inequality hypothesis: The selfishness and graft of the rich drive inequality 

On reproductive rights, India’s MTP and Surrogacy Acts don’t go far enough

News: Recently, reproductive rights were overturned in the US through the Roe V. Wade judgment.  Bodily autonomy and reproductive rights must be viewed from legal, medical, and social lenses.    What are the challenges associated with MTP Act? The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act 2021: The act is in reality far from ideal.   (1)… Continue reading On reproductive rights, India’s MTP and Surrogacy Acts don’t go far enough

Amendment proposals for IT rules miss the main point

News: Recently, the Bombay and Madras high courts, ordered to stay the operation of the inter-ministerial appellate body that was to operate under the 2021 IT Rules. The body aims to monitor digital news publications and over-the-top (OTT) platforms. The court observed that this oversight mechanism threatens media independence or “rob the media of its… Continue reading Amendment proposals for IT rules miss the main point

Semiconductors: Heroes Of The New Digital World

News: The government has launched the Semicon India program to secure a semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem in India. It will make India self-reliant on key items such as semiconductors. Contents1 About the government initiative2 Decoding chips:3 What are the processes in the making of Semiconductors Device?4 Foundry Phase (only fabrication)5 Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT)… Continue reading Semiconductors: Heroes Of The New Digital World

Phased ban on plastics is welcome. Challenge will lie in enforcement, bringing in viable substitutes

News: The government has introduced rules to ban plastic in India in a phased manner. Now, the ban on the manufacture and use of several common use-and-throw plastic products will come into effect from 01 July 2022. Contents1 New Plastic Ban rules (To be banned in a phased manner)2 Some Success achieved by the state… Continue reading Phased ban on plastics is welcome. Challenge will lie in enforcement, bringing in viable substitutes

A direct approach to conservation

News: It has been found that India has not been able to mobilise private and public finance through Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES). This could have helped India achieve the 2030 agenda for sustainable development and the Paris Agreement on climate change. Contents1 What are the biodiversity finance measures that can enable biodiversity protection and… Continue reading A direct approach to conservation

Goods and Services Tax at five: The new regime’s journey so far

News: The Goods and Services Tax (GST) has completed its 5th year since its inception on 1 July 2017. Recently, The 47th meeting of the GST Council has also taken place. Contents1 What is the reason for introducing GST?2 What is the reason for multiple tax slabs under GST?3 What is the status of GST… Continue reading Goods and Services Tax at five: The new regime’s journey so far

Blog
Academy
Community