[ Context: A few days ago, Prime Minister said that several Opposition-ruled states did not heed the Centre’s call to lower taxes on petrol and diesel. While several chief ministers contradicted the PM, the situation is particularly challenging for both the Centre and states as revenue from fuel taxes accounts for a sizeable share of… Continue reading Calibrated, coordinated action is needed by Centre & states to address the issue of high fuel prices
Author: Luv Sharma
Explained: Shah Faesal will return to IAS; what are the rules for resignation and reinstatement of an officer?
News: IAS officer Shah Faesal, who resigned in 2019, has been reinstated by the central government. What is the process by which an IAS officer can resign, or be put back in service? What rules govern these actions? The first Kashmiri to top the Civil Services Examination (2010 batch), Faesal’s resignation, in January 2019, had… Continue reading Explained: Shah Faesal will return to IAS; what are the rules for resignation and reinstatement of an officer?
India’s e-belt and road initiative for digital diplomacy
News: In recent times, India has discovered that its homegrown digital solutions have furthered its development agenda. Moreover, it’s also argued that these digital solutions can also support India in widening its diplomatic efforts. Contents1 India’s digitization journey2 How can India leverage its digital solutions in the form of digital diplomacy? 3 What are the key… Continue reading India’s e-belt and road initiative for digital diplomacy
India’s EU ties could pay off well if we take a discerning approach
News: On 25 April, India and the European Union (EU) issued a joint press release on the launch of an EU- India Trade and Technology Council. What is the significance? The Council will promote cooperation between both jurisdictions on issues that lie at the intersection of trade, trusted technology and security. It will augment avenues… Continue reading India’s EU ties could pay off well if we take a discerning approach
The march of folly
Context: At present, Russian invasion of Ukraine is facing a lot of criticism from the international community. It seems Russia is not going to win the war. This is going to be very similar to the Russian and US failures in Afghanistan, and their failed interventions in West Asia. Contents1 Why is Russia not going… Continue reading The march of folly
Instant justice is not the way of a civilised society
News: Recently, there have been bulldozing of residential or commercial dwellings of people. This incident has raised eyebrows over the criminal justice system and the menace of “Instant Justice” in the case of Indian society. Contents1 Trends in the criminal justice system 2 Why criminal justice system has evolved over time? 3 What are the issues in… Continue reading Instant justice is not the way of a civilised society
Revisiting death penalty jurisprudence
News: On April 22, In Irfan vs State of Madhya Pradesh Case, the Supreme Court decided to critically examine the routine and abrupt way in which trial judges often impose the death penalty on convicts. This is a significant development that can radically alter India’s death penalty jurisprudence relating to the crime, the criminal, and the punishment., … Continue reading Revisiting death penalty jurisprudence
Denied & discouraged: Why youths not looking for jobs can be a crisis for India
Context: In March 2022, India’s labour participation rate (LPR) fell to 39.5% from 39.9% in February, according to a report by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE). This is lower than the rate during the country’s second COVID-19 wave in June 2021, when it was 39.6%. Labour participation rate is a measure of the… Continue reading Denied & discouraged: Why youths not looking for jobs can be a crisis for India
How to shock-proof India’s power sector
Context: In October last year, India witnessed significant power shortages due to low inventory of coal at the power plants. After seven months, reports of coal-shortage induced power outages across states have surfaced. States like Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat have asked industries to reduce consumption to manage the power deficit. How can the Indian power… Continue reading How to shock-proof India’s power sector
Are freebies affecting the economic growth of India?
Context: In an address delivered at the Delhi School of Economics recently, N.K. Singh, the chairperson of the 15th Finance Commission, warned about how the race to provide freebies to voters could be a “quick path to fiscal disaster”. He also noted that freebies could be harmful for the long-term economic growth of the country,… Continue reading Are freebies affecting the economic growth of India?
