About India State of Forest Report 2021: Plantations, invasive species… what all India counts as ‘forest’

News: Forest Survey of India has recently released its reports which show an increase in forests by 2,261 square kilometres. But, various researchers and environmentalists do not agree with this claim. Contents1 What are the findings of the Forest Survey of India?2 What are the arguments presented by the environmentalists?3 How there are discrepancies in the… Continue reading About India State of Forest Report 2021: Plantations, invasive species… what all India counts as ‘forest’

India’s economy and the challenge of informality

News: This article says that fiscal policy efforts to formalize the economy are not enough in the case of India. There is a need for a coherent approach that focuses on the productivity of workers, efficiency, and overall economic growth.  What is the fiscal perspective of formalization? One, according to international financial institutions such as… Continue reading India’s economy and the challenge of informality

Political economy of regulatory reform

News: This article discusses the status of implementation of regulatory reforms announced in the last seven budgets. Contents1 Why financial regulatory reforms are needed?2 How budget announcements have focused on reforming regulatory structure?3 What is the implementation status of the above-mentioned reforms?4 What is the way forward? Why financial regulatory reforms are needed? Financial regulatory… Continue reading Political economy of regulatory reform

Fiscal policy must take centre-stage for a broad revival

News: The third wave of the pandemic is receding but the impact of the pandemic on the economy may last longer. However, response of the government in dealing with the pandemic-induced disruptions can change the scenario. This article discusses the need to reduce inequality and how fiscal measures can help in that. Why inequality is… Continue reading Fiscal policy must take centre-stage for a broad revival

Digital Services Act: No online targeting

News: The European Parliament has passed the Digital Services Act (DSA), which aim towards protecting the privacy of users. What is the earlier Data Protection Rule EU had? The EU already had the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which offers granular privacy protection to anybody (not only EU citizens). GDPR classified data about race, ethnicity, political opinions, religious… Continue reading Digital Services Act: No online targeting

Finding a way to share IAS officers

News: The Union Government proposal to amend IAS Cadre Rules has attracted the opposition of various states. What are the present rules for the deputation of cadre officers? Read here: Deputation of Cadre Officers and the Proposed Amendments – Explained, pointwise Why there is a decline in the number of officers who opt for central deputation?… Continue reading Finding a way to share IAS officers

Why Supreme Court’s order in Alapan Bandyopadhyay case is worrying

News: Recently Supreme Court set aside the Calcutta High Court ruling which cost the Central administrative channels decision in the Alapan Bandyopadhyay case. Contents1 What is the subject matter of the case?2 What is the scope of the High Court writ petition under article 226?3 How does CAT come under High Court jurisdiction?4 What are… Continue reading Why Supreme Court’s order in Alapan Bandyopadhyay case is worrying

India’s Ukraine ‘challenge’

News: The stand-off between Russia and Ukraine, China, and Taiwan has put several questions for India on how to respond to the development. How did the change in USA policy lead to a change in Russia and China policy? Russia and China seem to believe that the USA has diminished its economic and military capacity and… Continue reading India’s Ukraine ‘challenge’

Our broken system of environmental clearance

News  Environment Ministry’s move to rank state environmental impact assessment authorities based on their speed of environmental approval can have negative consequences for the environment.  What can be the negative consequences of this move?  Read here.  How has the EIA regime in India has evolved?  Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) started way back in 1994. Although… Continue reading Our broken system of environmental clearance

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