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GS 1
Social issues
Breaking addiction: (The Hindu, Editorials)
Lower nicotine content in UK cigarettes is an idea whose time has come.
Barriers to well-being: (The Hindu, Editorials)
The extent of society’s responsibility for child health care needs clarity.
Victim in the dock: (Indian Express, Editorial)
Supreme Court order saying the law on cruelty against women is misused is based on erroneous conclusions drawn from NCRB figures that don’t reveal the whole truth. It needs to be revisited.
GS 2
Government policies
Panel to draft data protection Bill, SC told:
Highlighting the need for a comprehensive law on data protection, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) informed a nine-judge Bench of the Supreme Court on Tuesday that the Centre has constituted a committee of experts, led by former Supreme Court judge, Justice B.N. Srikrishna, to identify “key data protection issues” and suggest a draft data protection Bill.
Ambiguities of Aadhaar: (Indian Express, Editorial)
Government’s position on right to privacy has been inconsistent.
A case for evidence-based healthcare policy: (Live Mint, Editorial)
The loftiness that elevates the government’s intentions proves to be a liability when applied to tactical issues.
India and neighbors
‘India and Bhutan are questioning the new normal’: (The Hindu, Editorials)
Only reciprocal withdrawal by India and China can ease the Doklam stand-off.
Mind the power gap: (Indian Express, Editorial)
The question is not about Chinese intentions. India must track surge in China’s economic, military capacities.
International groupings and agreements
For a nuclear-free world: (The Hindu, Editorials)
The adoption of the historic United Nations pact to ban nuclear weapons underscores a paradigm shift in the discourse on global disarmament.
Effects of developed and developing countries policies
Somalia signs pact on convicts:
Boost for joint anti-piracy operation.
GS 3
Indian Economy. Planning, Growth and Employment
With rates low, it is easier to buy than rent homes:
Lower interest rates and stagnant property prices, in combination with the interest subsidy under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), have markedly improved the economics for home buyers.
Manufacturing PMI at 47.9, records steepest contraction:
PMI survey data indicated that the introduction of the goods & services tax (GST) weighed heavily on the Indian manufacturing industry.
Cropping pattern, Agriculture, e-technology
The difficult economics of the Indian farmer: (Live Mint, Editorial)
Policy should focus not just on higher production but also on helping farmers manage risks.
Prelims Related News
Rising temperatures drive up farmer suicides in India:
Researchers say that a warmer climate reduces crop yields, aggravates distress.
