Category: Featured Editorials

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

Context: The Union Cabinet approved the launch of National Nutrition Mission with a target to reduce malnutrition and low weight by 2% each year. Introduction: The mission will be jointly launched by the ministries of WCD, Health and Family Welfare and Water Resources, together with NITI Aayog. Benefits of National Nutrition Mission: More than 10… Continue reading India’s struggle against malnutrition

Context: More than three crores of Indians live in the foreign countries, having cross border matrimonial relationships. Impact on Children from break down of cross border marriages: When such a kind of diverse family unit breaks down, children (sometimes babies) suffer, as they are dragged into international legal battle between their parents. Children from such… Continue reading Cross border marriages and its impact on Children

Context: The Union government is seriously considering the 273rd Report of the Law Commission, which has recommended that India ratify the United Nations Convention against Torture and pass a law to prevent torture and punish its perpetrators. Introduction: The recommendation of the Commission, headed by former Supreme Court Judge Justice B.S. Chauhan, will now work… Continue reading India‘s baby step to prevent custodial tortures

Context: The Centre will soon announce peace agreement with NSCN (IM) either before Christmas or assembly election due in February. By far, talks with at least five or six Naga groups could not fix any conclusion. Why is it in news? It has been ages since the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) has been… Continue reading Centre soon to announce peace agreement with NSCN (IM)

Context The recent case of kidnapping using a voice-over-internet service running from a mobile phone and a string of digits in cyberspace highlights the danger of darknet where criminals are using digital crypto currency. What are the major issues? The absence of physical contact to exchange the ransom makes it impossible to use surveillance against… Continue reading Black money reborn as Crypto currency

Context: Home Minister Rajnath Singh will chair a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Inter-State Council (ISC) to discuss the recommendations made by the Punchhi Commission on Centre-State relations. Introduction: The meeting would examine the Punchhi Commission’s report and discuss significant issues, including the role of Governors, Centrally-sponsored schemes and financial transfers from the… Continue reading Standing Committee on Centre-State relations

Context: In a landmark initiative, Centre has promulgated the Indian Forest (Amendment) Ordinance, 2017 to exempt bamboo grown in non-forest areas from definition of tree, thereby dispensing with the requirement of felling/transit permit for its economic use. Introduction: After President Ramnath Kovind signed an ordinance amending the Forest Act, the Bamboo has ceased to be… Continue reading Bamboo not a ‘tree’ any more

Context Government sets up a task force to draft a new direct tax law that aims widening the tax base, improving compliance and ease of doing business; panel to submit the report in 6 months What is the Income-tax Act, 1961? The Income-tax Act, 1961 is the charging Statute of Income Tax in India. It provides for… Continue reading Income Tax Act set for revamp