Synopsis: Given the economic and military strength of China, QUAD needs to adopt a collaborative approach to handle the emerging threats. Introduction Over the past few decades, asymmetric globalization favoured China. It allowed Beijing to attain power. Beijing is now using that power to undermine liberal democratic values around the world. Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QSD)… Continue reading A bubbles of Trust approach

Synopsis: The strict provisions of the SC/ST act are designed to protect the dignity of marginalized sections of society. But can a compromise be allowed under special circumstances? Introduction A recent case from Madhya Pradesh where a property dispute, essentially civil in nature, led to a casteist slur between the two parties. The two parties… Continue reading Can quash SC/ST Act cases if ‘civil’ offence: Top Court

Synopsis: Greening of the poles must be a top priority for the upcoming COP26 meeting Introduction Researchers at NASA, using 29 years of data from Landsat satellites, have observed extensive greening around Alaska and Canada, which were snow-covered lands. For the past several decades, the Arctic has been warming twice as quickly as the rest of… Continue reading COP 26: Greening of polar ice should top agenda; here’s why

Synopsis: Information sharing could reform our bureaucracy and raise efficiency in infrastructure creation through use of Gati Shakti plan. Introduction Gati Shakti besides being a master plan for infrastructure creation, is also the solution to the problem of information-sharing between ministries and government departments at the Centre. It is a software element in the government’s… Continue reading Gati Shakti can spur behavioural changes for superior governance

Synopsis: The increasing arms race has forced India to not just prioritize economic growth but keep pace on evolving technology in the defence sphere. Introduction Suddenly, the world finds itself at the beginning of a new military space race with China, the US and to a less extent Russia as the main participants. It has… Continue reading 2021: A hypersonic space odyssey that we must brace for

Synopsis: While low-productivity services will continue to employ the majority of the country’s workforce, there is no clear-cut policy path to improve the productivity of workers in these sectors. Introduction It is known that productivity is the key to economic prosperity. But the policy solutions needed to raise the productivity of service workers remains one… Continue reading India’s productivity challenge is especially steep in-service sectors

Synopsis: The new land border law of China has its ramifications for India and therefore steps are needed to be taken by India. Introduction People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) passed a new law for strengthening China’s border security management, will go into effect by January 1, 2022. Operationally, it enjoins the Chinese military to carry… Continue reading China’s Border Law: The Why, What & What Next

Synopsis: Implementing UN resolution on cannabis can help sort out some issues and has its own benefits. Introduction The recent zeal of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in dealing with possession of cannabis in India and on the other hand, India’s voting with the majority in the UN to remove cannabis and cannabis resin from… Continue reading Heady reform: On cannabis use

Synopsis: Address regulatory gaps for digital gold. What is the issue? Recently, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) issued an advisory, forbidding registered investment advisers from engaging in unregulated activities such as providing platforms for dealing in unregulated products, or otherwise facilitating such trades. While assets like cryptocurrencies and non-fungible token (NFT) do… Continue reading Clear regulations: On digital gold