Category: Featured Editorials

Context: There has been a long dispute over the constitutional validity of Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code, under which men can be prosecuted for adultery. The Supreme Court has recently admitted a petition to drop adultery as a criminal offence from the statute book. What is adultery? Adultery is a voluntary consensual relationship… Continue reading SC’s petition to drop adultery as a criminal offence

Context: Australia and India recently discussed the need to maintain the Asia-Pacific region as a “free” and “open” zone under the ‘2+2’ dialogue model which includes the foreign and defence secretaries of both sides. What is the Asia-Pacific region? The Asia Pacific Region is an immense region, covering some 8 billion hectares of land area,… Continue reading India and Australia’s 2+2 dialogue

Context: The law machinery world over is increasingly relying on DNA forensics to solve crime, whereas India is lagging behind in adoption. It is time to take a serious look at how this technology, that has become crucial in establishing both guilt and innocence. What is DNA? DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the hereditary material… Continue reading DNA investigation: where does India lags?

Context: The Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance Bill, 2017, has been red-flagged because of its“bail-in” clause (clause 52 of the draft legislation). What is the FRDI Bill about? The FRDI Bill is part of a larger, more comprehensive approach by the Centre towards systematic resolution of all financial firms. The Bill comes together with the Insolvency… Continue reading FRDI’s “bail-in” clause creates apprehension

Context: The Right to Education quota for the 2018–19 is set to have an expansion in number of schools. What is in news? The State government is planning to ensure that aided schools too start reserving seats for students from weaker sections in the neighbourhood. What is the objective of the expansion? The expansion aims… Continue reading Right to Education is set to expand its horizon

Context: Recently, Janata Dal United leader Sharad Yadav, was disqualified from the Rajya Sabha  along with party colleague Ali Anwar. Introduction: Terming his disqualification from Rajya Sabha as unfair and a conspiracy hatched by Nitish Kumar and the BJP, Sharad Yadav on Thursday said he would challenge it in the court. The grounds for disqualification… Continue reading Anti-Defection Law in India

Context: The Central government has decided to pay Rs 2.5 lakh to couples in which either the bride or the bridegroom is a Dalit. What are the recent orders? Earlier, the scheme (‘Dr Ambedkar scheme for social Integration through inter caste marriage) was meant for couples whose income was below Rs 5 lakh per annum. But… Continue reading Centre offers a helping hand to every inter-caste marriage with a Dalit

Context: Uttar Pradesh accounted for 9.5% of total crimes reported in the country, while Delhi reported the highest crime rate (974.9) for the year 2016, according to the latest data released by the National Crime Records Bureau. Highlights of the data: There was an increase of 2.6% in crimes in 2016 compared to the previous year,… Continue reading NCRB crime report: an accurate picture?

Context: The Election Commission of India (EC) has favored simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha and Assembly polls. But considering the two sides of the same coin, there is an array of argument as to whether elections are to be conducted simultaneously or not. What is ‘One Nation, One Election’? ‘One Nation, One Election’ is the method of… Continue reading ‘One Nation, One Election’: feasible for India?

Context: Cyclones are a common natural phenomenon in the Indian coast particularly in the east. But cyclone Ockhi is the latest powerful cyclone and is unlike the other recent ones. What is a cyclone? Cyclonerefers to any spinning storm that rotates around a low-pressure center. The low-pressure center is also referred to as the ‘eye’… Continue reading Mighty Ockhi: creates havoc in the country