News: There has been friction between center and state over the lack of compensation cess. What is GST? It is a “consumption-based destination tax”, which means that the revenue will go to the state in which the goods/services are consumed. What are the steps that can be initiated by the state to cover the financial loss?… Continue reading A combative federalism
A chance to support growth, fiscal consolidation
News: Recently, the National Statistical Office (NSO) released the first advance national accounts estimates for 2021-22. What are the growth prospects for India? IMF and OECD forecasts have indicated growth rates at 8.5% and 8.1%, respectively, for 2022-23. However, these are optimistic as the base effects characterizing 2021-22 are limited. However, India may expect real… Continue reading A chance to support growth, fiscal consolidation
Climate change for practical people
News: Due to lack of availability of data there is a reasonable chance that impact of climate change is not measured accurately and to confront the climate problem we need to think more strategically. What is current scenario of climate change? Climate scientists warn that an increase in the global average temperature of more than… Continue reading Climate change for practical people
Poverty, Wellbeing, Hunger: Where Do We Stand?
News: Recently, there have been comments that hunger in India has increased, based on the GHI 2021 report that showed a decline in India’s ranking to 101 from 95 in 2020. This article examines the question – how best to measure poverty? It also stresses that poverty based on consumption is still important and there… Continue reading Poverty, Wellbeing, Hunger: Where Do We Stand?
Can inequality be solved or is it a natural human state?
News: Recently, Oxfam revealed that India’s richest 10% had 45% of Indian wealth, while the bottom half had only 6%. This article says, even if inequality is a natural consequence, it is evil. There is no need to declare it as sacred. Also, money can never be the correct measure of inequality. Is inequality a… Continue reading Can inequality be solved or is it a natural human state?
False dichotomy: On merit versus reservation
News: Recently, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of extending reservation to OBCs in All India quota (AIQ) of seats in admission to undergraduate and postgraduate medical and dental courses. What is All India Quota? It is a quota that has been implemented since 1986. It is envisaged as a domicile-free quota to access medical… Continue reading False dichotomy: On merit versus reservation
Budgeting for the education emergency
News: Less resource allocation is seen in the education sector. What is the public resource allocation in the education sector? In the 2021-22 Budget, it was seen that the Centre’s allocation for the Education Department was slashed compared to the previous year. Delhi and eight major states reduced or just about maintained their budget allocation for… Continue reading Budgeting for the education emergency
Side by Side
News Indian government’s recent move to shift the Amar Jawan Jyoti from its location under India Gate to the National War Memorial (NWM) faced some protest. Why some people are regarding the current place as inappropriate? Read here. What are these arguments in favor of moving the flame to National war memorial? NWM houses the names of all the… Continue reading Side by Side
“India emerges as largest exporters of cucumber and gherkins in the world”
What is the news? India has emerged as the largest exporter of gherkins in the world. What are gherkins? Pickling cucumber is globally referred as gherkins or cornichons. Gherkins are exported under two categories — cucumbers and gherkins, which are prepared and preserved by vinegar or acetic acid and cucumbers and gherkins, which are provisionally preserved. How was… Continue reading “India emerges as largest exporters of cucumber and gherkins in the world”
Buoyant exports but unfavorable trade balance: Why there is a dichotomy
What is the News? India’s exports have risen sharply in this fiscal year. However, India’s imports have also risen sharply during the same period, leading to a sharp uptick in India’s fiscal deficit. How have Indian Exports and Imports performed in the Fiscal Year 2021-22? Exports India’s exports between April and December 2021 has reached… Continue reading Buoyant exports but unfavorable trade balance: Why there is a dichotomy
