Context: Over the last few decades in India, there has been a massive government drive to push for universal enrolment, extending to secondary as well as primary school children. Successive Annual Status of Education Reports (ASER) have shown that this drive has been largely successful for both age groups, with high enrolment rates even during… Continue reading State of adolescent learning
Category: 9 PM Daily Articles
Amending the Weapons of Mass Destruction Act
Context: The Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Amendment Bill, 2022 was passed in the Lok Sabha recently. The Bill amends the WMD and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Act, 2005 which prohibits the unlawful manufacture, transport, or transfer of WMD (chemical, biological and nuclear weapons)… Continue reading Amending the Weapons of Mass Destruction Act
Red lines got blurred in our triage of mega risks
News: For last two years, India has been witnessing the fiscal and monetary expansion measures. Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has adopted a monetary policy. It aims to prioritize price-control or inflation in India. What is the meaning of shifting of red lines in the article? It refers to a situation when the… Continue reading Red lines got blurred in our triage of mega risks
Social media has a serious disinformation problem. But it can be fixed.
Context: Social media platforms have effectively supplanted traditional information networks in India. What are the benefits of social media? Democratizing access to information, fostering community, increasing citizen participation and reducing the distance between ordinary people and decision-makers. Why are there instances of misinformation on social media? Social media platforms have adopted design choices that have… Continue reading Social media has a serious disinformation problem. But it can be fixed.
India’s role in a disordered world
Context: Institutes of global governance are weakening. For instance, the climate crisis is unresolved, vaccines were hoarded by rich countries, and the World Trade Organization is struggling. How did the institutes of global governance emerge? After World War II, new institutions of global governance were established – the United Nations and the General Agreement on… Continue reading India’s role in a disordered world
Rethink the Bill
News: Recently, the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Bill, 2022 was passed by Parliament. The act has replaced the Identification of Prisoners Act 1920. How is the passed bill an intrusive and dangerous piece of legislation? It will lead to forcible collection of personal data, including biometric and genetic data. Therefore, it may violate the right to… Continue reading Rethink the Bill
Why central services cannot be exempted from reservation for disabled
News: Recently, the Department of Empowerment for Persons with Disabilities (Department) issued a notification. It exempts all categories of posts in the IPS, the Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli Police Service, the Indian Railway Protection Force Service, and the posts of combatant nature in the paramilitary… Continue reading Why central services cannot be exempted from reservation for disabled
Getting serious about supporting the care economy
News: Recently, the World has celebrated March 8 as International Women’s Day. This year, to commemorate International Women’s Day, the ILO brought out its new report titled, ‘Care at work: investing in care leave and services for a more gender-equal world of work”. What is Care economy? It includes care work, which encompasses direct activities… Continue reading Getting serious about supporting the care economy
Why the regulation of sanctions matters?
News: Recently, the western countries have mulled to increase the height of their economic sanctions on Russia. This has been because a series of suspected war crimes in the Ukrainian town of Bucha has been discovered. There are apprehensions that Russia may undertake new offensive measures in coming period. In this regard, the sanction regime has… Continue reading Why the regulation of sanctions matters?
Court must settle challenge to the electoral bonds scheme quickly. The sanctity of elections is at stake
News: Chief Justice of India N V Ramana has assured petitioners that the Supreme Court will take up for hearing a pending plea challenging the Electoral Bond Scheme, 2018. No date or any timeline has been specified, though. Two NGOs — Common Cause and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) — have challenged the scheme, alleging… Continue reading Court must settle challenge to the electoral bonds scheme quickly. The sanctity of elections is at stake
