News: The government is poised to launch 75 digital banks soon. What will be launched are Digital Banking Units (DBUs). These are a new way of making available digital products of existing banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs). If one thinks that a sleek set of new banks is going to challenge traditional banks, one… Continue reading Fintech challenge is a fantasy
Author: Luv Sharma
Is the ban on wheat exports good policy?
News: Over the last month, the government has banned the export of wheat and imposed quantitative restrictions on outbound sugar shipments. The wheat export ban came within days of a push to enhance India’s wheat supplies to the rest of the world after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The government has argued that farmers have not… Continue reading Is the ban on wheat exports good policy?
Global hunger calls for a collective action
News: In a statement, the United Nations’ Secretary General, said that: Global hunger levels are at a new high. In just two years, the number of severely food insecure people has doubled from 135 million to 276 million. The present situation is pointing towards a global food shortage. It may push millions of people into… Continue reading Global hunger calls for a collective action
Gagan Deep Sharma writes: Celebrating Indian universities’ rise in global rankings
News: In the recently announced QS World Universities Rankings 2023, Indian higher educational institutions have done their best to date. Seven universities have made a grand entry this year, while 17 universities ascended and 17 others stood unwavering on their previous year’s position as the world’s top higher educational institutions. The 20% increase in new entrants… Continue reading Gagan Deep Sharma writes: Celebrating Indian universities’ rise in global rankings
Ties reset: On India-Iran relations
News: Iranian Foreign Minister’s first visit to India recently has many implications for bilateral relations, but it is the multilateral context and timing that stand out. Why the visit holds significance? This is the first visit by a member of the 57-member Organisation for Islamic Cooperation, which took offence to comments made in India on… Continue reading Ties reset: On India-Iran relations
An enduring agreement bridging India-Pakistan ties
News: Recently, the 118th meeting of the Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) comprising the Indus Commissioners of India and Pakistan was held on May 30-31, 2022 in New Delhi, Contents1 About the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT)2 About Treaty3 What are the challenges in implementation of the treaty?4 Achievements of the TWT5 Way Forward About the Indus… Continue reading An enduring agreement bridging India-Pakistan ties
The Jal Jeevan and Swachh Bharat Missions are combining to improve people’s well-being
News: The government has launched Swachh Bharat Mission Phase-2. It will focus on plastic waste management, biodegradable solid waste management, grey water management and faecal sludge management. Contents1 About Schemes2 The Concept of Convergence3 Agenda of Swachh Bharat Mission’s Phase 24 Achievements of SBA-2 So Far5 Way Forward About Schemes The Swachh Bharat Mission: It… Continue reading The Jal Jeevan and Swachh Bharat Missions are combining to improve people’s well-being
International trade remains important
News: In 2022, international trade is being impacted by a continuing global pandemic, a European war, widespread economic sanctions, supply chains disruptions and sudden national bans and caps on exports of essential commodities. Global Trade The World Trade Organization (WTO) estimates that global goods trade has expanded by about 40 times (in terms of volume)… Continue reading International trade remains important
No more lost votes: EC’s pilot on remote voting for migrants is a big plus for democracy. Aim for 2024 full rollout
News: Democracy becomes meaningful and equitable when every citizen has a fair chance to cast a vote. Hence, the Election Commission move to conduct a pilot project to explore the possibility of remote voting for migrant workers is a big plus for electoral democracy. Why remote voting provision is significant? Internal migrants will benefit: Not… Continue reading No more lost votes: EC’s pilot on remote voting for migrants is a big plus for democracy. Aim for 2024 full rollout
K. Sujatha Rao writes: Healthcare in India is ailing. Here is how to fix it
Context: The pandemic experience has shown that India needs to make public health a central focus. Covid has also shifted the policy dialogue from health budgets and medical colleges towards much-needed and badly-delayed institutional reform. It is heartening to note that the Ministry of Health has issued guidelines to states to establish a public health… Continue reading K. Sujatha Rao writes: Healthcare in India is ailing. Here is how to fix it
