Category: Featured Editorials

Context: It has been a year since Sharada Prasad Committee has submitted its recommendations on the improvement of Skill India Scheme. Background: 15th July, 2015: Skill India Scheme was launched on the occasion of the first-ever World Youth Skills Day. Two fold goals of Skill India Scheme: To meet employers’ needs of skills To prepare… Continue reading Skill India: needs urgent attention

Context: As recently confirmed by the Ministry of State for Environment, Forests and Climate Change, there has been a significant growth in Central compensatory afforestation fund (CAF). Background: March, 2018: Ministry of State for Environment, Forests and Climate Change has collected over Rs. 50,000 core in a Central compensatory afforestation fund (CAF). This money is… Continue reading Compensatory Afforestation Fund: flawed and unjust

Context: The Information & Broadcast Ministry has withdrawn its set of stringent measures to deal with fake news after the Prime Minister’s Office directed the same. Background: 2nd April, 2018: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has amended the guidelines for accreditation of journalists. 3rd April, 2018: Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry had withdrawn its… Continue reading I&B withdraws its amended guidelines for accreditation of journalists

Context: Within less than 48 hours, ISRO has lost contact with the GSAT-6A communication satellite. Background: Launched on: 29th March, 2018 The first orbit-raising operation of the satellite was successfully carried out by firing the satellite’s LAM (liquid apogee motor) engine: 30th March, 2018 Note:  This put the satellite in an oval orbit around the… Continue reading ISRO in tumult: lost contact with the GSAT-6A

Context: The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare recently provided an alarming report on the availability of doctors in Primary Health Centre(PHCs). Highlights of the report: Out of 25,650 primary health centers (PHCs) in the country, 15,700 (61.2%) function with one doctor each. As many as 1,974 (7.69%) PHCs do not have… Continue reading Primary health centers at stake: one doctor for most PHCs

News: The Lok Sabha has passed the Specific Relief (Amendment) Bill 2017, proposing to bring significant amendments to Specific Relief Act 1963. Specific Relief (Amendment) Bill, 2017: The Specific Relief (Amendment) Bill, 2017 was introduced in Lok Sabha by the Minister of Law and Justice, Mr. Ravi Shankar Prasad on December 22, 2017. The Bill… Continue reading The Specific Relief (Amendment) Bill 2017

Context: The Law Commission has recently sought views from the public and stakeholders on whether or not gambling and betting is morally justified in the Indian circumstances. Background: Gambling: Gambling is referred to as card games where high stakes are involved. Betting: Betting is referred to as casino games and putting a bet on an… Continue reading Legalization of gambling: a dicey affair

Context: The Karnataka State government has asked its department to implement the seniority list as directed by the Supreme Court. Background: 2017: The Supreme Court has invalidated a provision under the ‘Karnataka Determination of Seniority of the Government Servants Promoted on the Basis of Reservation (to the posts in the civil services of the State)… Continue reading Karnataka government implements SC’s Seniority list

Context: Supreme Court upholds choice of consenting adults to love and marriage as part of Fundamental rights. Key guidelines of SC : Logistic and Protection at wedding ‘Safe house’ to stay during the first year of marriage at a nominal change. State Government to issue directions to district police Chiefs. To warn the police station… Continue reading Honour killing in India

Context: The Delhi High Court has recently reinstated 20 (Aam Aadmi Party) AAP Memberof the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) earlier disqualified by Election Commission. Background: 2015: The AAP Government appointed 21 MLAs as Parliamentary secretaries. Appointed MLAs were challenged for holding office of profit. January 19th, 2018: Election Commission of India (ECI) recommended the AAP MLAs to… Continue reading Delhi High Court quashes verdict on 20 disqualified MLAs