News: Recently, a report was released by the Parliamentary Standing Committee which draws a comparison of India’s defence sector spending on research and development with the US and other countries. What are the findings of the report? According to the report, India spends too little on research and development (R&D) in the defence sector. The… Continue reading Rethinking innovation in defence
Author: Luv Sharma
Free India from the grip of regulations and compliances
News: Recently, a report titled as “Jailed for Doing Business” was released by Observer Research Foundation (ORF) which referred to the laws and regulations regime in India – first ‘Impediments to Growth’. In addition, India’s Prime Minister used the occasion of the 15th Civil Services Day to point towards excellence in public administration What are… Continue reading Free India from the grip of regulations and compliances
India, Europe and the Russian complication
News: Recently, Emmanuel Macron was re-elected as the President of France. This comes amid the geopolitical waves being witnessed in Europe. The Ukraine war has persuaded Delhi to recalibrate its great power relations. For the first time since independence, India’s interests are now aligning with those of Europe as both can help reshape Eurasia as… Continue reading India, Europe and the Russian complication
The goal of an energy-secure South Asia
Context: The electricity generation in South Asia has risen exponentially. Recently, Bhutan, the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have achieved 100% electrification in the last two years. However, the status of electrification in India, Afghanistan, and Pakistan is 94.4%, 97.7% and 73.91% respectively. Contents1 What are the divergences in the electricity policies of South Asian… Continue reading The goal of an energy-secure South Asia
On EU’s Digital Services Act: Responsible content
News: Recently, the European Union (EU) has approved landmark legislation known as the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). What are the issues with social media platforms? They are being used for spreading disinformation and hate speech to influence elections, racist violence etc. The major problem lies in revenue models of the social media platforms. They… Continue reading On EU’s Digital Services Act: Responsible content
Niti Aayog’s battery swapping policy provides direction, but lacks a constructive roadmap
Context: The Niti Aayog released the first draft of the Battery Swapping Policy 2022 on April 21, 2022, to improve interoperability and push for faster adoption of electric vehicles (EV) in the two-wheeler and three-wheeler segment. Why the battery swapping segment if significant? This segment has competitive prices compared to others. Further, it also constitutes… Continue reading Niti Aayog’s battery swapping policy provides direction, but lacks a constructive roadmap
On Gati Shakti Mission: Plugging the infra gaps
Context: Ever since it was announced by the prime minister in October 2021, the Gati Shakti mission has been billed as one of the most transformational projects in the country. Successfully planning and executing large scale infrastructure projects in India have always been a nightmare, leading to significant cost and time overruns. Gati Shakti is… Continue reading On Gati Shakti Mission: Plugging the infra gaps
Retire judges later: Constitutional court judges are being pensioned off too early. Their services are badly needed
Context: With seven Supreme Court judges retiring this year and over a third of sanctioned high court judges posts lying vacant, Parliament should urgently consider increasing the retirement ages of SC and HC judges from 65 and 62 respectively. Scarce judicial resources are constantly expended in finding suitable candidates for these top constitutional positions. And… Continue reading Retire judges later: Constitutional court judges are being pensioned off too early. Their services are badly needed
How Indonesia’s ban on palm oil exports will hurt us
Context: The abrupt ban on palm oil exports by Indonesia, its biggest exporter, is expected to impact household economics globally. Palm oil is among the world’s most-used cooking oils, and India’s dependence on Indonesia is expected to deal a supply-side shock. Must Read: Explained: Indonesia’s palm oil crisis, and its implications for India How will… Continue reading How Indonesia’s ban on palm oil exports will hurt us
States vs Centre on selection of Vice-Chancellors: rules, friction
News: The Tamil Nadu Assembly recently passed two Bills that seek to transfer the Governor’s power in appointing Vice-Chancellors of 13 state universities to the state government. As per the state govt, the Bills were required as the Governor was disregarding the state government’s opinion on the appointments of VCs, an argument also made by… Continue reading States vs Centre on selection of Vice-Chancellors: rules, friction
