Category: 9 PM Daily Articles

Synopsis: This article elucidates why patents cannot be granted to artificial intelligence (AI) programs. Introduction In April 2020, the South African patent office granted a patent to an artificial intelligence (AI) program called DABUS (‘Device for the Autonomous Bootstrapping of Unified Sentience). DABUS used fractal geometry to come up with a better design for food… Continue reading The awkward grant of patents to artificial intelligence

Synopsis: Adjusted for land holding, the Punjab farmer is doing poorly, and the culprit is paddy. By shifting from rice to maize and diversifying to fruits and vegetables, farmers in Punjab and Haryana can earn more, while practicing sustainable farming. Contents1 What are key findings of the latest Situation Assessment Survey (SAS) of agri households?2… Continue reading How Punjab can shine again with nutritional security and climate-friendly agriculture

Synopsis: The RCTs that have swept economics and won Nobel recognition remain rather unreliable in comparison with clinical trials. We should be sceptical about the policy conclusions of randomized control trials used in economics and social sciences. Introduction Randomized Clinical Trials have revolutionized medicine and led to many life-saving treatments, drugs and vaccines. But, we… Continue reading The perils of natural experiments and randomized controlled trials

Synopsis: Governments must focus on lowering prices and reducing regulatory constraints rather than focusing on ease of doing business. Contents1 Introduction2 What are the efforts made by India in improving ease of doing business?3 Why India should focus on cost of doing business?4 What is the way forward? Introduction Recently, the IMF’s executive board expressed… Continue reading Cost of Doing Business

Synopsis: The proposal to introduce a Deshbhakti curriculum for patriotism needs to be carefully analyzed. Contents1 Introduction2 What is nationalism, and why does India need it?3 What are the risks of hyper-nationalism?4 On what should the government focus more on? Introduction Recently New Delhi government announced a proposal to introduce a curriculum for patriotism for… Continue reading Our children don’t need a ‘deshbhakti’ curriculum

Synopsis: With political will, Kerala and Tamil Nadu can overcome hurdles to renew the Parambikulam Aliyar Project agreement. Contents1 What is Parambikulam Aliyar Project?2 What is the issue?3 What does a closer look at the project hydrology reveals?4 What is the way forward? What is Parambikulam Aliyar Project? It provides for the diversion of 30.5… Continue reading Clearing the air on water: On Parambikulam Aliyar Project

Synopsis: Three-fourths of India’s top regulators are retired government officers. This trend must change. Contents1 Introduction2 What is the composition of regulatory bodies?3 What are the problems associated with regulatory bodies?4 What should the government do? Introduction Regulatory bodies are government bodies set up to supervise different sectors of the economy. While most of the… Continue reading Regulatory capture of a different kind

Synopsis: The Farmers’ agitation must overcome not only the momentary challenge caused by the Singhu killing but the larger challenge of becoming a robust movement. Contents1 Introduction2 What are the risks involved when an agitation transforms into a movement?3 How can long-drawn agitations and movements-in-the-making ensure that they do not fall into this trap of… Continue reading The challenge that lies before the farmers’ agitation

Synopsis: Migrants in India faces multiple challenges. So, India urgently needs an inter-state migration council. Contents1 Introduction2 Some previous acts against migrants3 What is the problem faced by migrants?4 What is the way forward? Introduction With incidents of killing migrants in Kashmir to poor handling of migrants during covid and recently introduced nativist laws reflects… Continue reading Migrants Keep India Moving

Synopsis: India–China border issue has a historical and geopolitical context that needs to be understood in its entirety. Contents0.1 Introduction1 What was the Indian stand and Indian position?2 How did Indian diplomacy fail in this matter?3 What was the Chinese strategy?4 How China was able to complicate the matter for India? Introduction At the time… Continue reading The perils of an unresolved boundary