News: India has imposed ban on wheat import amid the global food crisis. What are the reasons behind the export ban by the government? First, this year India’s wheat output is around 6.5% less than the previous year. Second, the hottest March in 122 years has stunted grain formation. Last year, a kilogram of Indian… Continue reading India can’t feed the world with a major chapaati crisis at home
Universal basic income plan faces implementation issues
News: Practical challenges in implementation have come in the way of rolling out a universal basic income scheme proposed by experts and mooted in the 2016-17 Economic Survey, an official privy to the government discussions said. Background Universal basic income has often come before on the radar of policymakers as a means of support for… Continue reading Universal basic income plan faces implementation issues
Making sense of the GST bonanza
News: There has been a remarkable upswing in GST collections in recent months. In fact, collections touched a record high of Rs 1.67 lakh crore in April. What are the reasons behind an inc in the GST collections? First, the sharp rise in inflation has played a significant role. After all, as output turnover increases,… Continue reading Making sense of the GST bonanza
You can’t fight a pandemic without IP: Intellectual property rights were vital in producing life-saving Covid vaccines
News: Recent data from ‘Our World in Data’ suggest Covid-19 related infection around the world and India is waning. Hospitalisations and deaths are very low. Vaccines must take great credit for keeping Covid largely out of the headlines after two years. There are now 10 Covid-19 vaccines recommended by the WHO, and over 60 vaccine… Continue reading You can’t fight a pandemic without IP: Intellectual property rights were vital in producing life-saving Covid vaccines
National Assessment Survey lays out post-Covid challenges. Teacher- and student-centred approaches are needed
News: A study commissioned by the Centre, the National Assessment Survey (NAS), details the magnitude of the learning crisis during the pandemic across the country. Conducted in November 2021 among students of more than one lakh schools in 720 districts, the NAS shows a sharp dip in the performance of students in almost all subjects… Continue reading National Assessment Survey lays out post-Covid challenges. Teacher- and student-centred approaches are needed
Who wields the power to pardon?
News: The Supreme Court has ordered to release A.G. Perarivalan, one of the seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. This has brought into limelight the Governor’s powers of pardon or remission under Article 161 of the Constitution of India. Supreme Court’s Observation The SC ruled that a Governor is bound by the State… Continue reading Who wields the power to pardon?
Gyanvapi and the principle of non-retrogression
News: Recently, the Gyanvapi-Vishwanath dispute has come up in Varanasi and the Shahi Idgah mosque has come up in Mathura in which the petitions are seeking the removal of the mosque and exclusive ownership of the property. What are the relevant legal statutes? The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act clearly prohibits altering its status… Continue reading Gyanvapi and the principle of non-retrogression
Sighting the finishing line in measles-rubella elimination
News: The COVID-19 pandemic stole two years from the MR Elimination programme. The MR elimination target has been re-set to 2023. About measles-rubella (MR) Program It is a program for providing immunisation to children from 5 to 15 years. It is being implemented as a school-based vaccination programme and is being conducted in all States.… Continue reading Sighting the finishing line in measles-rubella elimination
The Supreme Court’s Judgment on GST – Explained, pointwise
For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction The Supreme Court in the adjudication of the Union of India vs Mohit Minerals Pvt Ltd. case, has ruled that the recommendations of the GST Council are not binding on either the Union or the State Governments. While the Union Government has said that the SC’s Judgment on GST does… Continue reading The Supreme Court’s Judgment on GST – Explained, pointwise
[UPSC Interview 2021] – Transcript #230 : M Sathiyavathy Board, Geography Optional, Uttarakhand Home State
Date of Interview: 10th May Board: M Sathiyavathy Hobby: standup Optional: Geography Home state: Uttarakhand To view all IAS Interview Transcripts 2021, visit this page Chairman Standup comedian recently arrested Why arrested Is Indian society becoming intolerant in recent times Twitter- how will govt. Control absolute free speech Social media regulations Member 1 Allahabad, importance (… Continue reading [UPSC Interview 2021] – Transcript #230 : M Sathiyavathy Board, Geography Optional, Uttarakhand Home State
