Context: Lack of digital access today is no small measure of deprivation. The internet is not just a basic necessity, but has become fundamental to civic and economic life. What is the situation wrt digital connectivity in India? As per studies, little under half the country’s population are active on the internet, but users in… Continue reading Double down on efforts to end internet poverty
Author: Luv Sharma
Explained: Behind low wheat procurement
News: From an all-time high last year, procurement of wheat is set to hit a 15-year low this season, falling below existing stocks for the first time. What has led to this, and will it impact availability? What are the reasons for the fall in procurement? There are two main reasons: 1) Rise in Export… Continue reading Explained: Behind low wheat procurement
A democratic and strategic dissonance in India-German ties
News: Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited three European nations Europe at a critical time, shaped by the ongoing Ukraine war. India also attended the sixth biennial India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC). This was of critical importance for ‘long-standing bilateral commercial ties and the ‘Strategic Partnership between India and Germany. Convergence of interests The assertive China… Continue reading A democratic and strategic dissonance in India-German ties
The importance of emigrants
News: Recently, the Indian government proposed a new Emigration Bill in 2021. The bill will provide a comprehensive data set for the efficient management of Indian migrants. It proposes to integrate emigration management and streamline the welfare of Indian emigrant workers. Provisions of the Emigration Bill The bill proposes to modify the system of Emigration… Continue reading The importance of emigrants
How India is empowering women through policy
Context: The union government has brought into reality the maxim of sarvajana hitaya, sarvajana sukhaya (for the good of all, for the happiness of all), especially in the context of the women section of society. Measures taken by the government – The incumbent government has adopted a system-wide gendered lens to inform policy praxis. –… Continue reading How India is empowering women through policy
Centre’s plan to relook at sedition law is welcome but Supreme Court must take the review process to its logical conclusion
News: The government has expressed its views to shed colonial baggage after 75 years since independence, and has told the Supreme Court that it would re-examine the provision. About Sedition law The provision (Section 124A) of the Indian Penal Code was incorporated in its current form in the penal code (IPC) in 1898, nearly… Continue reading Centre’s plan to relook at sedition law is welcome but Supreme Court must take the review process to its logical conclusion
The multiple crises in Indian universities
What are some indications of the worsening state of India’s universities? Spending on higher education (as a % of government expenditure) has stagnated at 1.3-1.5% since 2012. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education continues to push higher education institutions to increase their intake capacity by 25% (in a push to implement the 10% quota for economically… Continue reading The multiple crises in Indian universities
On Delimitation in J&K: Beyond the boundary
Context: Political considerations instead of constitutional proprieties appear to have influenced the delimitation of the Assembly and parliamentary constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) by the fifth Delimitation Commission. The commission submitted its recommendations recently. Under what provisions the fifth Delimitation Commission was set up? In setting up the fifth Delimitation Commission, the govt invoked… Continue reading On Delimitation in J&K: Beyond the boundary
How Indian banking has changed over the last decade
Context: Over the last decade, the nature of commercial banking in India has changed a lot. This has taken new form in various ways. What changes have taken place in commercial banking in India? (1) Industry vs Retail lending: Commercial banks in India broadly carry out four different kinds of lending: agricultural, industrial, services and… Continue reading How Indian banking has changed over the last decade
How to tackle food inflation – and how not to
News: Recently, The RBI raised the repo rate by 40 basis points (bps) and the cash reserve ratio (CRR) by 50 bps aimed to control inflation. Why has the repo rate and CRR rate been increased in India? Domestic Food Inflation India is seeing high food inflation in wheat, edible oils, maize etc. Global Food… Continue reading How to tackle food inflation – and how not to
