Synopsis: The tiny Central American nation of El Salvador has embarked on an interesting experiment by recognizing bitcoin as legal tender. This is proving painful for many of its citizens, but it’s a useful “pilot” project for larger economies that are contemplating about this new asset class. Introduction El Salvador has a population of 6.5 million and… Continue reading El Salvador’s crypto foray offers a cautionary tale for other countries
Author: Luv Sharma
Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Mission – Explained, pointwise
For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction Almost a year after it was implemented, on a pilot basis in six Union Territories, Prime Minister launched the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission for the entire country on 27th Sep 21. The mission aims to provide digital health IDs for all Indian citizens to help hospitals, insurance firms, and citizens access… Continue reading Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Mission – Explained, pointwise
A jobs problem: Labour data in India is lagged and patchy. But supply-demand mismatch is still clear
What is the news? Recently, GOI unveiled a quarterly report on employment for April-June, which estimates the labour demand of nine handpicked non-farm sectors by surveying establishments with 10 people or more. What has been the job market trend in India? India’s economy has been slowing down since 2017-18. Three successive years of dropping GDP… Continue reading A jobs problem: Labour data in India is lagged and patchy. But supply-demand mismatch is still clear
Lockdowns slowed green energy push
What is the news? As per the report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), the lockdowns slowed renewable energy installations in the country. India aims to install 175 gigawatts (GW) of green energy by 2022 and 450 GW by 2030. But only 7 GW of such capacity was added in the financial year 2020-21. What… Continue reading Lockdowns slowed green energy push
Tackling the Maoists: On left-wing extremism
What is the news? In a recent meeting, Union home minister noted that the geographical influence of the Maoists has reduced from 96 districts in 10 States in 2010 to 41 now. Two major Naxalite groups got merged into the proscribed Communist Party of India (Maoist). The organization is limited to the remote and densely forested terrains of central and east-central India. … Continue reading Tackling the Maoists: On left-wing extremism
Red menace: Despite successes, taking out the Maoist core will require smart security-cum-development strategy
What is the news? Recently, a meeting took place which was chaired by the Union home minister. This meeting highlighted the declining incidence of Maoist violence in the country. It marked an 82% decline in a decade. Also, over the same decade Maoist influence has shrunk from 96 to 53 districts, with ultras most active in just 25 districts… Continue reading Red menace: Despite successes, taking out the Maoist core will require smart security-cum-development strategy
High water: on growing challenge from tropical cyclones
Synopsis: Tropical cyclones laden with moisture and accumulated energy pose a growing challenge, as they have the propensity to inflict heavy damage to lives and property. The welcome concern for public health and economic security must lead to stronger institutional responses to natural disasters too. Why cyclonic storms over northern Indian Ocean have a severe… Continue reading High water: on growing challenge from tropical cyclones
The growing strategic importance of outer space
Synopsis: India is looking to bolster outer space cooperation with US and other QUAD members. Many reforms have also been initiated towards this direction. But, the growing strategic salience of outer space demands substantive national policy action in India. Introduction Technological progress in the last two decades has also “produced” new domains for human activity.… Continue reading The growing strategic importance of outer space
Explained: What is dark energy, and have scientists finally detected it?
What is the news? Last week, an international team of researchers made the first putative direct detection of dark energy. What is XENON1T experiment? The XENON1T experiment is the world’s most sensitive dark matter experiment and was operated deep underground at the INFN Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso in Italy. In this experiment scientists noticed certain unexpected results. As per them, dark… Continue reading Explained: What is dark energy, and have scientists finally detected it?
An institution’s right to govt. aid is not a fundamental right: SC
What is the news? As per a recent judgement of the Supreme Court, the right of an institution, whether run by a majority or minority community, to get government aid is not a fundamental right. Both have to equally follow the rules and conditions of the aid. The judgement came in an appeal filed by… Continue reading An institution’s right to govt. aid is not a fundamental right: SC
