News: In 2021 and 2022, the present inflation rate in developed markets is much higher (8.5% in the US). Therefore, the central banks of developed markets (DM) like the US Fed, or the European Central Bank, or the Bank of England — all of them have chosen inflation targeting. It has generated debate on the… Continue reading Focus on CPI inflation
Category: 9 PM Daily Articles
Medicinal plants await good marketing
Context: Recently, the Ministry of AYUSH launched e-CHARAK, an electronic platform for interaction between various stakeholders in the medicinal plants sector. It will allow sale, purchase and sharing of material as well as know-how between different stakeholders. In this relation, medicinal plants sector has come under focus. The curative plants of significant commercial value are… Continue reading Medicinal plants await good marketing
A north pole for science and technology
News: This is the birth centenary year of Dr. Y. Nayudamma, Padma Shri recipient, noted scientist, former Director of the Central Leather Research Institute, Chennai and former Director-General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Humans have been propelled in the fields of science and technology since ancient civilisations. This has been due… Continue reading A north pole for science and technology
Confidentiality ring amendment could make antitrust disputes more opaque
News: Recently, the Director General of Competition Commission of India (CCI) has issued orders on the Amazon dispute. In this dispute, Amazon (the defendant) has decided to take the confidentiality route towards its submissions. The CCI has realised that disputes arising out of antitrust matters, also known as competition or cartelisation, require confidentiality. The… Continue reading Confidentiality ring amendment could make antitrust disputes more opaque
‘Dual-use’ learning
News: The University Grants Commission (UGC) proposal to allow undergraduate and postgraduate students to pursue two degrees simultaneously is a progressive step forward in the higher education sector. What are the potential benefits of this move? First, this policy will help high-school students who are often unsure of whether to pursue the sciences or humanities… Continue reading ‘Dual-use’ learning
A win for constitutional values in Pakistan and Kenya
News: The Supreme Court of Kenya has struck down the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) as unconstitutional. And The Supreme Court of Pakistan unanimously rejected the decision of the deputy speaker of parliament to disallow the no-confidence motion against the prime minister. It also rejected the follow-up decision of the president to dissolve the National Assembly.… Continue reading A win for constitutional values in Pakistan and Kenya
What are oil bonds, and to what extent do they tie the govt’s hands?
Context: The government has attracted criticism post a surge in retail prices of petrol, diesel, and other petroleum product. However, the Finance Minister has blamed the oil bonds issued by the predecessor government for the current price countered. How much fuel price is taxed? There are two components to the domestic retail price — the price… Continue reading What are oil bonds, and to what extent do they tie the govt’s hands?
Humans Decoded
Context: Scientists have completed the first full and seamless catalog of genetic instructions of humans. It’s expected that research will help to explain how every cell in a human body is created. It will help develop highly effective diagnostic tools and treatments for diseases. What is the background? Nobel Prize-winning Italian-American virologist Renato Dulbecco first… Continue reading Humans Decoded
Take two: The pursuit of two courses simultaneously in physical mode is problematic
News: Recently, the University Grants Commission(UGC) has issued guidelines to allow students to pursue two academic programmes simultaneously at higher education institutes(HEIs) recognised by it or statutory councils or the Government of India. About the Dual Degree Programme The notified guidelines will enable students to simultaneously pursue two academic programmes at multiple levels except for… Continue reading Take two: The pursuit of two courses simultaneously in physical mode is problematic
The food vaccine as right, more so for TB patients
Context: The nutrition of the individual is the most vital factor, in the prevention of tuberculosis, along with drugs. It is most unlikely that drugs alone can control TB with low nutritional status in a person. What are the learnings from History? There were no drugs for TB till the discovery of streptomycin in 1943.… Continue reading The food vaccine as right, more so for TB patients
