News: The long pending ban on single-use plastic seems set to come into effect on July 1. Read – All about single use plastic ban However, some of the companies, specifically producers of beverages where straws are integral to their products, are seeking more time. Why the demand to stay on ban on single-use plastic… Continue reading No single-use plastic
Category: 9 PM Daily Articles
A new global standard for AI ethics
News: Artificial Intelligence(AI) and AI algorithms despite having numerous benefits have certain inherent challenges. Contents1 What is Artificial Intelligence?2 What is the status of AI in India?3 What is the UNESCO’s AI Agreement?4 What are the issues associated with AI?5 What are the expected outcomes of UNESCO’s AI recommendation? What is Artificial Intelligence? Read here: Artificial Intelligence … Continue reading A new global standard for AI ethics
Analysing spectrum auction
News: Recently, Cabinet has approved the much-awaited airwave auction for ultra-fast mobile internet networks. With this, India is set to join the league of 5G-enabled nations. Contents1 What is 5G technology?2 What are the benefits of 5G technology?3 What is a Spectrum Auction?4 What are the key factors responsible for the Spectrum Auctions?5 What are the… Continue reading Analysing spectrum auction
NCERT’s textbook ‘rationalisation’ exercise raises questions of political intent, is at odds with progressive thrust of NEP
News: It is reported that the NCERT is going to introduce sweeping changes in social science textbooks for Classes VI to XII. It will involve deletion and modification of certain contents of the NCERT books The NCERT’s Rationale The changes are being introduced as a “rationalisation exercise”. This is aimed to reduce the curriculum load… Continue reading NCERT’s textbook ‘rationalisation’ exercise raises questions of political intent, is at odds with progressive thrust of NEP
India and Australia: Partners with shared interests and entwined
News: The Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Australia is going to make a visit to Japan and India. India-Australia relations In general (1) Both have a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership which is full of practical, and tangible actions. (2) Both hold annual leaders’ summits and biennial 2+2 talks involving foreign and defence ministers. (3)… Continue reading India and Australia: Partners with shared interests and entwined
A wish list for reform in India’s higher judiciary
News: There are rumours that the age of retirement of Supreme Court of India judges is to be increased to 67 years What should be the prioritized areas with respect to the reforms in the functioning of the Supreme Court of India? The disparity between the retirement ages of HC (62year) and SC judges(65year) should… Continue reading A wish list for reform in India’s higher judiciary
Sukanta Chaudhuri writes: Education plan for disbanded Agniveers is alarmingly vague
News: Recently, the government of India introduced a new recruitment scheme for the armed forces, Agnipath. What are the educational benefits provided to Agniveers? Two major plans have been mooted. First, those joining after Class X can proceed to a Class XII certificate through the National Institute of Open Schooling. Second, a special three-year degree programme… Continue reading Sukanta Chaudhuri writes: Education plan for disbanded Agniveers is alarmingly vague
The duality of India
Context: In the history of Independent India, the South India States have reacted to the policy moves by the Centre quite differently from their counterparts in north India. Contents1 How was the response of south India to the Centre’s major policy initiatives different from the response of north India?2 Why is the response from south India… Continue reading The duality of India
At the centre of job creation
Context: The government should re-establish its role as the principal employment generator. Moreover, with its announcement that 10 lakh government jobs will be provided over the next 18 months on a “mission mode”, the govt has sent the following message: – the creation of employment is indeed a problem and can no longer be hidden… Continue reading At the centre of job creation
Madan Sabnavis writes: The jobs puzzle
Context: While the government’s intent to add over a million jobs in the next 18 months is laudable, the task is audacious and challenging from both an administrative and financial point of view. Contents1 Important reports regarding employment2 Problems with the Unemployment data3 What is the situation wrt unemployment in India?4 Why Start-ups cannot be… Continue reading Madan Sabnavis writes: The jobs puzzle
