What is the News? The Rocket-Propelled Grenade(RPG) attack on the Punjab Police’s Intelligence headquarters in Mohali has brought the weapon into focus. What is a Rocket Propelled Grenade(RPG)? Rocket-Propelled Grenade(RPG) is a weapon of Soviet origin and its initials stand for Rucknoy Peotivotankovvy Granaromyot which roughly translated means a handheld anti-tank grenade launcher. It is… Continue reading Explained: What is the Rocket-Propelled Grenade, used in attack on Punjab Police Intelligence HQ in Mohali?
Powering up after the power crisis shock
News: India is currently going through a power crisis. Consequentially, the government has cancelled passenger trains to allow the Indian Railways to transport more coal to power plants. In addition, the directives have been issued to use more imported coal to tide over the supply shortfall. Contents1 Structure of India’s power sector 2 How did the… Continue reading Powering up after the power crisis shock
The reasons behind the slow disinvestment pace
Context: The government aims to earn ₹65,000 crore through the sale of its stakes in various central public sector enterprises (CPSEs) in FY23. However, privatization is still on the slow track. Contents1 What is the Centre’s disinvestment plan?2 What is responsible for these delays?3 How important is disinvestment?4 Has the Govt met its disinvestment targets?… Continue reading The reasons behind the slow disinvestment pace
It is time for our corporate sector to work on export performance
Context: In fiscal year 2021-22, India’s exports did rather well. They were nearly $420 billion, raising hopes that India was putting behind it a decade of export under-performance. For India to be a $5 trillion economy by 2024-25, we need to export at least $1 trillion worth of goods and services, as exports contribute around… Continue reading It is time for our corporate sector to work on export performance
Double down on efforts to end internet poverty
Context: Lack of digital access today is no small measure of deprivation. The internet is not just a basic necessity, but has become fundamental to civic and economic life. What is the situation wrt digital connectivity in India? As per studies, little under half the country’s population are active on the internet, but users in… Continue reading Double down on efforts to end internet poverty
Explained: Behind low wheat procurement
News: From an all-time high last year, procurement of wheat is set to hit a 15-year low this season, falling below existing stocks for the first time. What has led to this, and will it impact availability? What are the reasons for the fall in procurement? There are two main reasons: 1) Rise in Export… Continue reading Explained: Behind low wheat procurement
A democratic and strategic dissonance in India-German ties
News: Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited three European nations Europe at a critical time, shaped by the ongoing Ukraine war. India also attended the sixth biennial India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC). This was of critical importance for ‘long-standing bilateral commercial ties and the ‘Strategic Partnership between India and Germany. Convergence of interests The assertive China… Continue reading A democratic and strategic dissonance in India-German ties
The importance of emigrants
News: Recently, the Indian government proposed a new Emigration Bill in 2021. The bill will provide a comprehensive data set for the efficient management of Indian migrants. It proposes to integrate emigration management and streamline the welfare of Indian emigrant workers. Provisions of the Emigration Bill The bill proposes to modify the system of Emigration… Continue reading The importance of emigrants
How India is empowering women through policy
Context: The union government has brought into reality the maxim of sarvajana hitaya, sarvajana sukhaya (for the good of all, for the happiness of all), especially in the context of the women section of society. Measures taken by the government – The incumbent government has adopted a system-wide gendered lens to inform policy praxis. –… Continue reading How India is empowering women through policy
Centre’s plan to relook at sedition law is welcome but Supreme Court must take the review process to its logical conclusion
News: The government has expressed its views to shed colonial baggage after 75 years since independence, and has told the Supreme Court that it would re-examine the provision. About Sedition law The provision (Section 124A) of the Indian Penal Code was incorporated in its current form in the penal code (IPC) in 1898, nearly… Continue reading Centre’s plan to relook at sedition law is welcome but Supreme Court must take the review process to its logical conclusion
