Category: 9 PM Daily Articles

News: Digital divide is not the only reason behind the educational divide, there are socio-economic reasons also. The covid-induced online education system has highlighted the divide between the digital haves and have-nots, which is a reflection of economic inequality. The distribution of smartphones and laptops to children to bridge the digital divide will not solve… Continue reading Digital divide in education can’t be bridged by laptops and smartphones alone

News: Increase in formalisation is not a consequence of micro and small informal firms transitioning to formality. A recent study by SBI estimates that the share of the informal economy has fallen to a mere one-fifth of GDP — a figure comparable to many advanced economies. However, the supposed formalisation that happened during the pandemic… Continue reading Understanding why the informal sector really shrank during the pandemic

Glasgow Climate Pact. News: At the recently concluded COP26, India not only made new climate commitments, but also stood up to argue for its right to continue burning coal in the short to medium run. The Indian delegation of negotiators eventually won the right for India to keep using coal for a while longer than… Continue reading India saved itself from dubious demands at the Glasgow climate change meet

News: Recently, India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and the United States have decided to launch a new quadrilateral economic forum. The technology dimension of this partnership promises a far greater potential for collaboration. Must read: Quadrilateral economic forum and India – Explained, pointwise Contents1 How the Quad countries are collaborating with each other on Technology?2… Continue reading A collaborative tech vision for US, UAE, Israel and India

News: During a virtual summit between US President and the Chinese President, both nations have decided to nudge their relations towards greater engagement and expanded cooperation. Contents1 What are the recent initiatives by US and China to mitigate tensions?2 What are the reasons behind the US’s policy shift?3 What are the challenges in China-US relations?4… Continue reading What Biden-Xi summit presages for the future

News: Indian navy aims to become a 170-warship force from its current strength of 130 warships over the next decade. What is the significance of India’s naval plan?  Firstly, there is a high possibility that the most consequential strategic battles of this century will be played out on the high seas. Secondly, China’s agressiveness in… Continue reading Naval Ambition

News: Global Climate Risk Index has many fault lines hence, effective methods to manage climate change are needed. Global Climate Risk Index” (GCRI), published annually by GermanWatch, ranks 180 countries based on the impact of extreme weather events and associated socio-economic data from 2000-2019. It aims to forewarn countries about the possibility of more frequent… Continue reading Wide fault lines within the Global Climate Risk Index

News: Economists view trade openness as one of the most critical elements in a country’s development policy. Why India should review its trade protectionist policies? The principle of comparative advantage: Freeing up trade moves a country towards specialization in products. This encourages the country to move towards products with low output costs and move away… Continue reading Why We Must Trade Freely

News: Recently, the Supreme Court collegium recommended the transfer of the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court to the Meghalaya High Court. Read more: There’s a need for transparency in transfer of judges What are the questions raised by the transfer? Read here: A routine matter or a punishment post? What does the Memorandum of Procedure for… Continue reading Transfer as punishment

News: Gujarat civic bodies recently targeted street vendors selling non-vegetarian food on unreasonable grounds. In another incidence, Haryana’s local actions enforced a ban on meat shops during festivals despite no state-level directions on the issue. What is the issue?  Ahmedabad civic body’s town planning committee announced a drive against non-vegetarian street food vendors on the complaints… Continue reading Targeting food: Gujarat civic bodies’ unjustifiable action on vendors selling non-veg fare must be rolled back