Misery index is a simple sum of a nation’s annual inflation rate and its unemployment rate. The higher the index, the more the misery felt by average citizens. The first Misery Index was constructed by economist Art Okun in the 1960s. The Index has been modified several times, first by Robert Barro of Harvard and… Continue reading Misery Index
Author: Luv Sharma
How India Got Her Top Guns
Context: In 1940/50s Indian Air Force (IAF) undertook air combat tactics and training through the Royal Air Force. Evolution of IAF Training In the post-independent India, The Indian Air Force (IAF) has sent pilots abroad (like the UK) to undergo the Pilot Attack Instructors (PAI) course. These pilots were required to pass on their knowledge… Continue reading How India Got Her Top Guns
India is not the fastest growing big economy
News: Recently, the Provisional Estimates of Annual National Income in 2021-22 was released. It showed that India’s GDP grew 8.7% in real terms and 19.5% in nominal terms (including inflation) which made India the fastest growing major economy in the world. What are the problematic areas in the present GDP estimation? As per data, Indian… Continue reading India is not the fastest growing big economy
What India is doing to tackle its water crisis?
Context: Although India has 16% of the world’s population, the country possesses only 4% of the world’s freshwater resources. India is water-stressed due to changing weather patterns and repeated droughts. But it looks like the country has finally got its act together and several measures are now in place to conserve and rejuvenate our water… Continue reading What India is doing to tackle its water crisis?
Explained: What is the environment index, and why has India questioned it?
News: The newly released Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2022, measured by Yale and Columbia universities, ranks India at the bottom position among 180 countries. The Environment Ministry has issued a rebuttal, saying the indicators used in the assessment are based on “unfounded assumptions”. What is the Environmental Performance Index (EPI)? The EPI is an international… Continue reading Explained: What is the environment index, and why has India questioned it?
Asia’s highland: Do better than Thais, fully decriminalise marijuana
News: Thailand recently became the first Asian nation to decriminalize marijuana for medical and industrial use. Details about Thailand’s move on Marijuana Thailand’s move means is that farmers will be able to grow the plant while entrepreneurs can sell cannabis-infused food, drinks and cosmetics. There are two caveats – – smoking pot in public will… Continue reading Asia’s highland: Do better than Thais, fully decriminalise marijuana
The gulf of sensitivity that India will have to cross
News: Over the past few days, the Islamic governments including the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has criticized the Indian state regarding remarks made on the Prophet Mohammad. Success of India’s Foreign Policy in this regard Some Islamic states have not been swayed by Pakistan’s consistent portrayal of the Indian Government as fascist and anti-Muslim.… Continue reading The gulf of sensitivity that India will have to cross
What IPEF offers India: Opportunities, tough negotiations
News: Recently, the US Administration launched the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) as its de facto foreign economic policy for Asia Features It empowers the US administration to shape rules across several critical pillars that will condition America’s economic engagement in the Indo-Pacific amid competing with the Chinese BRI. What is the importance of the IPEF? Overall… Continue reading What IPEF offers India: Opportunities, tough negotiations
CDS: Unsettled questions
News: The government has recently announced eligibility conditions for the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). There is a noticeable difference between the CDS the government wanted in 2019 and what it seems to want today. It is disconcerting that the government has modified the eligibility criteria for appointment as CDS so early in… Continue reading CDS: Unsettled questions
Avoiding the coal scarcity trap
News: In 2021, the Indian government gave instructions to generators to import coal while India was in the midst of a power crisis. It directed the power stations itself to import coal to the extent of 4% of their requirement and blend it with domestic coal. What are the causes of the power crisis? India… Continue reading Avoiding the coal scarcity trap
