News: The newly released Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2022, measured by Yale and Columbia universities, ranks India at the bottom position among 180 countries. The Environment Ministry has issued a rebuttal, saying the indicators used in the assessment are based on “unfounded assumptions”. What is the Environmental Performance Index (EPI)? The EPI is an international… Continue reading Explained: What is the environment index, and why has India questioned it?
Category: 9 PM Daily Articles
Asia’s highland: Do better than Thais, fully decriminalise marijuana
News: Thailand recently became the first Asian nation to decriminalize marijuana for medical and industrial use. Details about Thailand’s move on Marijuana Thailand’s move means is that farmers will be able to grow the plant while entrepreneurs can sell cannabis-infused food, drinks and cosmetics. There are two caveats – – smoking pot in public will… Continue reading Asia’s highland: Do better than Thais, fully decriminalise marijuana
The gulf of sensitivity that India will have to cross
News: Over the past few days, the Islamic governments including the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has criticized the Indian state regarding remarks made on the Prophet Mohammad. Success of India’s Foreign Policy in this regard Some Islamic states have not been swayed by Pakistan’s consistent portrayal of the Indian Government as fascist and anti-Muslim.… Continue reading The gulf of sensitivity that India will have to cross
What IPEF offers India: Opportunities, tough negotiations
News: Recently, the US Administration launched the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) as its de facto foreign economic policy for Asia Features It empowers the US administration to shape rules across several critical pillars that will condition America’s economic engagement in the Indo-Pacific amid competing with the Chinese BRI. What is the importance of the IPEF? Overall… Continue reading What IPEF offers India: Opportunities, tough negotiations
From Rajendra Prasad to Our Next Rashtrapati
Context: The election date for the post of India’s President has been announced by the Elections Commission. Now, it is to be seen, whether political parties will choose candidates who will be rubber stamps or defenders of the constitutional values of the country. Except for President APJ Abdul Kalam, all other Presidents of India have… Continue reading From Rajendra Prasad to Our Next Rashtrapati
CDS: Unsettled questions
News: The government has recently announced eligibility conditions for the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). There is a noticeable difference between the CDS the government wanted in 2019 and what it seems to want today. It is disconcerting that the government has modified the eligibility criteria for appointment as CDS so early in… Continue reading CDS: Unsettled questions
Avoiding the coal scarcity trap
News: In 2021, the Indian government gave instructions to generators to import coal while India was in the midst of a power crisis. It directed the power stations itself to import coal to the extent of 4% of their requirement and blend it with domestic coal. What are the causes of the power crisis? India… Continue reading Avoiding the coal scarcity trap
Fintech challenge is a fantasy
News: The government is poised to launch 75 digital banks soon. What will be launched are Digital Banking Units (DBUs). These are a new way of making available digital products of existing banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs). If one thinks that a sleek set of new banks is going to challenge traditional banks, one… Continue reading Fintech challenge is a fantasy
Web3 is the business model of a decentralized new virtual world
News: Practical examples of Web 3.0 proved that it is like going back to early human settlements, with all transactions happening peer-to-peer with easy mutual trust and locally minted currency. Blockchains provide the decentralized foundation of trust for this new old world, and Web 3.0 is the business model driving it. What is Web 3.0?… Continue reading Web3 is the business model of a decentralized new virtual world
Moderation’s broken but this isn’t the way to fix it
News: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology(MEITY) has released a fresh draft of the amendment to the Information Technology(IT) Rules 2021. What are the draft new amendments to the IT Rules,2021? Read here: Union Govt seeks fresh comments on Draft IT Rules What are the issues associated with the draft amendments? 1) State oversight of moderation… Continue reading Moderation’s broken but this isn’t the way to fix it
