News: The finance ministry has excused itself from providing a projection of its fiscal consolidation plan. What is the issue? In the recent budget, the Union finance ministry committed to reducing the government’s fiscal deficit from 6.9 percent of gross domestic product or GDP in 2021-22 to 6.4 percent in 2022-23. Further, the deficit is… Continue reading Amending the FRBM Act
Regulation, not prohibition – on online skill gaming industry
News: The Karnataka High Court has delivered a judgment striking down major portions of the Karnataka Police (Amendment) Act, 2021. This law was introduced to ban online gambling and skill-based gaming platforms like rummy, poker, and fantasy sports that involved risking money on an uncertain event. Apart from Karnataka, Madras and Kerala High Court also struck… Continue reading Regulation, not prohibition – on online skill gaming industry
Data openness is good but its safe use is a must
News: The Government of India has released a policy document called “Draft India Data Accessibility & Use Policy 2022”. About the Draft India Data Accessibility & Use Policy, 2022 Read here: Draft India Data Accessibility & Use Policy, 2022: India’s draft data policy unlocks govt data for all, mulls monetization What are the challenges in allowing public… Continue reading Data openness is good but its safe use is a must
Kyiv, The World & US – On Ukraine crisis
News: Russia deployed its troops near Ukraine’s borders. This has raised several concerns about what steps will the world countries adapt if the situation gets worse. Read here: Russia – Ukraine crisis | Timeline What will be the consequences if Russia invades Ukraine territory? On Russia: US can impose CAATSA sanctions on Russia and put Russia out of… Continue reading Kyiv, The World & US – On Ukraine crisis
New CSR disclosure framework for companies: Onerous disclosures
News: Government has brought out a new disclosure framework for companies that requires a detailed level of reporting from FY21 within a prescribed format of its Corporate social responsibilities (CSR) activities. Companies need to submit these details to the Registrar of Companies. What does the government directive say? The disclosure requires some granular details.… Continue reading New CSR disclosure framework for companies: Onerous disclosures
On legally enforcing Fundamental Duties: Wrong call
News: Supreme court has been hearing a PIL that seeks to legally enforce fundamental duties. It has also issued notice to the centre and states for the same. Fundamental duties (Article 51A) are in the form of general directives to citizens to display some “ideal” conduct in their public lives. However, they are not justiciable… Continue reading On legally enforcing Fundamental Duties: Wrong call
9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – February 23rd, 2022
Dear Friends, We have initiated some changes in the 9 PM Brief and other postings related to Current affairs February 23rd. What we sought to do: Ensure that all relevant facts, data, and arguments from today’s newspaper are readily available to you. We have widened the sources to provide you with content that is more… Continue reading 9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – February 23rd, 2022
Trust and Loan – on Central loans to states
News: In the Union budget 2022-23, Finance Minister has provided for Rs. 1 lakh crore in loans to state governments to enable them to increase their capital expenditure. These loans will be interest free and repayable after 50 years. Why such an arrangement raises questions regarding Centre-state fiscal relations? One, the first and foremost issue… Continue reading Trust and Loan – on Central loans to states
Union Ministers jointly inaugurate “Vigyan Sarvatra Pujyate”
What is the News? The Union Minister of Science & Technology has inaugurated “Vigyan Sarvatra Pujyate” What is Vigyan Sarvatra Pujyate? Vigyan Sarvatra Pujyate is a week-long science festival. It aims to celebrate the essence and magnificence of our scientific achievements. Aim: To incorporate India’s science and scientific achievements in our cultural ethos and to… Continue reading Union Ministers jointly inaugurate “Vigyan Sarvatra Pujyate”
Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope(GMRT) and FRBs: Pune telescope helps make major breakthrough
Contents1 What is the News?2 What are Fast Radio Bursts(FRB)?3 What did the astronomers find out?4 What is the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope(GMRT)? What is the News? Astronomers of the National Center of Radio Astrophysics(NCRA-TIFR) in Pune and the University of California in the US have used the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope(GMRT) to map the… Continue reading Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope(GMRT) and FRBs: Pune telescope helps make major breakthrough
