Context: National Education Policy, 2020, envisions universalizing Early Childhood Care and Education through Anganwadis. However, the events linked to COVID-19 led to an abrupt halt in the progress. What are Anganwadi Centres (AWCs)? AWCs fall under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme. Preschool is one of the six services provided in this package. AWCs are… Continue reading A model struggling to deliver
Category: 9 PM Daily Articles
The process of electing India’s President
Context: The tenure of the current President is set to end in July this year, which is also when the 16th Indian Presidential election will be held to elect his successor. How is the President elected? The Indian President is elected through an electoral college system, by proportional representation by a single transferable vote. The… Continue reading The process of electing India’s President
HOPS as a route to universal health care
Context: The basic idea of Universal Health Care (UHC) is that no one should be deprived of quality healthcare for the lack of ability to pay. In the Bhore Committee report of 1946, a case was made for India to create its own National Health Service (NHS) type health care system. How UHC can be… Continue reading HOPS as a route to universal health care
The importance of addressing duty anomalies in trade deals
Context: India has long suffered the anomaly of imported raw material being taxed more than the finished product. Economists call it the inverted duty structure. A range of free trade agreements (FTAs) in the past have not helped. Are the new ones any better? What is the main issue with the inverted duty structure? Makes… Continue reading The importance of addressing duty anomalies in trade deals
Cleaning India’s air: What is the report card so far?
Context: An analysis of various steps taken by the government in this regard shows that much more needs to be done. What is the present situation wrt the problem of air pollution in India? Some 22 of the 30 most polluted cities in the world are in India according to the World Air Quality Report,… Continue reading Cleaning India’s air: What is the report card so far?
Poverty estimates are a shot in the dark
Context: The government, which earlier used to conduct Consumption Expenditure Surveys (CES) and update poverty lines, has not released any data on this lately. The last consumption survey of 2017-18 was junked. Based on the leaked estimates of consumption expenditure from that survey, it was reported that poverty increased from 31% in 2011-12 to 35%… Continue reading Poverty estimates are a shot in the dark
A greener, safer future for Indian cities
Context: The IPCC’s latest report shows how smart urban planning can mitigate the effects of climate change. What is the need for smart urban planning in India? India is witnessing one of the largest urban growth spurts in history. By the time India turns 100, nearly half the population will be living in urban areas,… Continue reading A greener, safer future for Indian cities
In pandemic shock, critical lessons for MSMEs
Context: MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) are critical for achieving the overall objectives of economic development. During the pandemic, MSME was the worst hit sector. The sector is still struggling. MSMEs are a significant contributor in terms of industrial output, employment generation, and exports. This sector is trying to recover from the effects of… Continue reading In pandemic shock, critical lessons for MSMEs
India-US ties: The scope for literal common space
News: India’s 2+2 dialogue on strategic cooperation with the US has resumed. After India’s abstentions from 11 votes on the issue of Ukraine at the United Nations, and the shift of the US’s emphasis from QUAD to AUKUS, the present dialogue is very important. It will clear all the doubts related to India-US relations.… Continue reading India-US ties: The scope for literal common space
India and the U.K.: Crafting a new legacy
Context: India-UK relationship has been on an upward trajectory, exemplified by conclusion of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The agreement established a 2030 Roadmap of India-U.K. relations. What are the areas of cooperation between India and the U.K.? In her recent visit, the U.K. Foreign Secretary highlighted the importance of countering Russian aggression and developing ties between… Continue reading India and the U.K.: Crafting a new legacy
