News: 12 Rajya Sabha MPs have been suspended for the remainder of the session for bringing disorder in the house. What are the suspension rules of the Rajya Sabha? Read here: Suspension rules of RS Why the present suspension is a cause of concern? Sub Rule 2 of Rule 256 clearly indicates that the matter of… Continue reading Suspension of 12 MPs for entire Winter Session is worrying
Category: 9 PM Daily Articles
School education: Children and schooling in the post covid 19 era
News: The pandemic has exposed the limits of the Nation’s capacity to look after the collective needs of children. It proved that society and state ignored the conditions under which family copes with the demand of childhood. What was the impact of the Covid pandemic on children? Right to education and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan created… Continue reading School education: Children and schooling in the post covid 19 era
India-Germany relations: After 16 years
News: Recently, Olaf Scholz has been sworn in as chancellor of Germany, ending the 16-year tenure of Angela Merkel. About Germany’s political system The political system of Germany is known for its continuity. The post-War German republic has had just nine chancellors, including Mr Scholz. For the past 40 years, just three individuals have occupied… Continue reading India-Germany relations: After 16 years
Pavlovian responses like travel restrictions won’t stop omicron
News– Discovery of a new coronavirus variant in South Africa, called Omicron, has led to countries once again restricting or entirely eliminating the freedom to travel. Why these knee-jerk reactions like travel bans are not effective? 1) Virus is well on its way to becoming endemic at many places. 2) Also there appears no need to lock away one country when this virus is already on multiple… Continue reading Pavlovian responses like travel restrictions won’t stop omicron
Covid impact on what we may call a relevant market
News– All-India Mobile Retailers’ Association recently threatened to approach the Competition Commission of India (CCI) against Chinese phone-maker Xiaomi’s alleged bias in favour of online marketplaces over offline retailers. Recently Supreme court allowed CCI to go ahead with an investigation against e-commerce players Flipkart and Amazon. In all these cases terms like Relevant market, dominant position occurs recurrently. India’s Competition Act,… Continue reading Covid impact on what we may call a relevant market
India-Russia Relations: Russia, a legacy relationship with limitations
News: Recently, 21st India – Russia Annual summit took place. The summit highlighted the “all-weather” partnership between India and Russia. Must read: Recent developments in India-Russia Relations – Explained, pointwise What are the challenges associated with India-Russia relations? 1. There is little organic, people-to-people content to the relationship, 2. India-Russia bilateral trade is around U.S.$10 billion,… Continue reading India-Russia Relations: Russia, a legacy relationship with limitations
Don’t ignore context of NFHS data
News: The NFHS data evolved much from the Demographic and Health Survey and became a well-structured one. Must read: NFHS-5 and its findings – Explained, pointwise What are the challenges associated with NFHS? Read here: The nine lives of India’s National Family Health Survey Why the challenges against NFHS are wrong? According to the author,… Continue reading Don’t ignore context of NFHS data
Repealing AFSPA will not weaken, only strengthen Constitution
News: The death of 14 civilians in Nagaland by the security forces raised the long-pending demand for repealing the AFSPA in the region. What is AFSPA? Why demand for repeal of AFSPA is justified? Read here: Explained: AFSPA and the Northeast The repeal of AFSPA is necessary not just for restoring constitutional sanity, but also as a… Continue reading Repealing AFSPA will not weaken, only strengthen Constitution
Low tobacco tax, poor health
News: The absence of an increase in tax on tobacco products post-GST has impacted revenue and could worsen public health What is the status of tobacco consumption in India? India is the second-largest consumer of tobacco in the world, with 28.6% of adults above 15 years and 8.5% of students aged 13-15 years use tobacco in… Continue reading Low tobacco tax, poor health
RBI must tackle surplus liquidity on way to policy normalisation
News: Recently, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted to maintain status quo on policy rates. Some of the key decisions that were taken at the recent the Monetary Policy Committee meeting are – – The repo rate is maintained at 4% and the reverse repo rate at 3.35%. – Forecasts of FY22 GDP growth and… Continue reading RBI must tackle surplus liquidity on way to policy normalisation
