News: The United Nations Special Envoy for Food Systems Summit, has called for an unprecedented focus on food systems — food and agriculture — by ensuring that COP27 (in Egypt) has a dedicated focus on this. There is a need to reimagine our food systems, which requires us to look at food systems through the… Continue reading COP27, in Egypt, must focus on food systems
‘More women than men’ an overestimate, say experts; demand further evidence
News: The latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data shows that there are 1,020 women for every 1,000 men in India. But experts question the validity of data. Must read: NFHS-5 and its findings – Explained, pointwise What are the expert’s opinions? Firstly, the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), an autonomous organisation of the… Continue reading ‘More women than men’ an overestimate, say experts; demand further evidence
Issue of Bail: Relief to Sudha Bharadwaj is welcome. Prolonged imprisonment of other Bhima Koregaon accused must also be questioned
News: Bombay High Court granted bail to lawyer-activist Sudha Bharadwaj, an accused in the Elgar Parishad case. Reasons behind the delay in bail, and what is the High Court’s observation on it? Under the Bhima Koregaon/Elgar Parishad case, the state opposed all bail pleas of the accused, even if some of them were ailing. Even the Bombay… Continue reading Issue of Bail: Relief to Sudha Bharadwaj is welcome. Prolonged imprisonment of other Bhima Koregaon accused must also be questioned
National Family Benefit Scheme is in urgent need of revival
News: The National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS), which is meant to help the survivors in difficult circumstances, is losing its purpose now. About National Family Benefit Scheme 1) Launched in 1995 under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP). 2) Restricted to BPL families. 3) Rs. 20000 will be given as a lump sum assistance to… Continue reading National Family Benefit Scheme is in urgent need of revival
Challenges in NIRF: Recast this apples-and-oranges ranking method
News: Ranking of state-run Higher Education Institutes (HEI) with centrally funded institutes (CFI) like IIT’s under the National Institute Ranking Framework (NIRF) is not a good step. What is National Institution Ranking Framework? Read here: National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) Why it is not a good step to rank both state-run HEI and CFI altogether? Allocation of… Continue reading Challenges in NIRF: Recast this apples-and-oranges ranking method
9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – December 4th, 2021
Dear Friends We have initiated some changes in the 9 PM Brief and other postings related to current affairs. 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 than enough and… Continue reading 9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – December 4th, 2021
Plea in Delhi HC opposes legalisation of same-sex marriages under Hindu Marriage Act
What is the news? A plea, by an NGO, before the Delhi High Court, has sought that same-sex marriages should not be permitted under the Hindu Marriage Act. Background: The plea comes at a time when at least eight petitions seeking legalisation of same-sex marriages in India under the Hindu Marriage Act (HMA), the Special… Continue reading Plea in Delhi HC opposes legalisation of same-sex marriages under Hindu Marriage Act
Strategy to adopt blockchain into govt systems released
What is the news? The Ministry of electronics and IT (MeitY) has released a national strategy on blockchain for adopting the technology in government systems, especially for e-governance services. What are the key features of national strategy on blockchain? It identifies 44 potential areas of using the technology and lays out the broad framework of… Continue reading Strategy to adopt blockchain into govt systems released
India finalises cooperation plan to revive Covid-hit Sri Lanka economy
What is the news? India and Sri Lanka have agreed to a four-pronged package comprising initiatives on food and energy security to help mitigate Sri Lanka’s economic crisis. What is the four-pronged package that has been finalised between India & Sri Lanka? 1). Urgent food and health security package that includes an extension of a… Continue reading India finalises cooperation plan to revive Covid-hit Sri Lanka economy
The tech holes that ensure that crypto can never be effectively banned
News: Experts have stated that it is not possible to enforce an effective ban on cryptocurrency in a foolproof manner. Why banning Cryptocurrency is not possible? Peer to Peer networks: Users can always transact using peer-to-peer networks. This is exactly what happened in India post RBI’s restrictions on Indian banks in 2018. Defi platforms: Users… Continue reading The tech holes that ensure that crypto can never be effectively banned
