Synopsis: The Madhya Pradesh High Court’s decision to stay the Reserve Bank of India’s circular may delay the shift towards better governance in Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs). Introduction The RBI had in June this year said that Members of Parliament, Assemblies, municipal corporations, municipalities, or other local bodies could not hold the corner-room post, or be a… Continue reading Politics vs governance: on Urban Cooperative Banks
India’s presidency of the UNSC fortified our role in world affairs
Synopsis: With the month-long UNSC presidency, India showcased our role in world affairs. Introduction India has just concluded its presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for August. India managed to achieve almost all of what we set out for, and also successfully handled the expected and unexpected challenges that came our way. Initiatives… Continue reading India’s presidency of the UNSC fortified our role in world affairs
A questionable quota policy
Synopsis: Instead of providing reservations for government school students, the government should improve the quality of government schools. Introduction Recently, the Odisha government has proposed a 15% reservation for government school students in medical and engineering colleges. The aim is to reduce “inequity arising” from the lack of physical and economic access to coaching institutions.… Continue reading A questionable quota policy
Practice of reserving cadre posts for certain services is exclusionary, must be reconsidered
Synopsis: The cadre system, part of British legacy systems, needs to be reformed if we are working towards good governance. Introduction Recently, the Haryana government issued an order, appointing an IPS officer as principal secretary (transport) — a cadre post of the IAS. This opened up the debate of cadre posts in the Indian Administration… Continue reading Practice of reserving cadre posts for certain services is exclusionary, must be reconsidered
Ideas of propriety must not be used by courts to control and silence lawyers
Synopsis: The relationship between the bar and bench has gone from one of mutual respect and equality to the one between ruler and ruled. Introduction Propriety or conformity to established norms can be very dangerous. In the past, it led to evils like child marriage, slavery and the holocaust. Now this propriety has reached the Judiciary,… Continue reading Ideas of propriety must not be used by courts to control and silence lawyers
A reality check for higher education dreams
Synopsis: The proposed academic bank of credits, multiple entry-exit options will require infrastructure, manpower and budget that the Indian education system simply does not possess Introduction The article highlights the changes that are required in National Education Policy (NEP) to make our present education system more effective. What are the observations of the National Education… Continue reading A reality check for higher education dreams
The great immunity debate of vaccines vs infection antibodies
What is the news? Recent studies showed that immunity induced by Pfizer shot waned quickly. This led to comparisons between immunity induced by the vaccine shot and the immunity induced by COVID infection. The comparison between vaccine immunity and infection-induced immunity Doctors say that the immunity induced by the vaccine lasts longer. Doctors also say… Continue reading The great immunity debate of vaccines vs infection antibodies
Merchants, companies can’t store card data from Jan 1: RBI
What is the News? Reserve Bank of India(RBI) has directed that no entity or merchant, other than card issuers and card networks, should store card details — or card-on-file (CoF) — from January 1, 2022. Simultaneously, it has also extended the tokenisation of CoF by card issuers. Reasons for RBI’s Ban on Storing card data… Continue reading Merchants, companies can’t store card data from Jan 1: RBI
Panel set up to draft Bill on drugs, cosmetics and medical devices
What is the News? The Union government has constituted a committee for framing legislation regarding new drugs, cosmetics and medical devices. About the Committee Headed by: The committee is headed by Drugs Controller General of India V.G. Somani. Mandate: To undertake pre-legislative consultations and examine the present Drugs and Cosmetics Act,1940, examine previously framed Drugs… Continue reading Panel set up to draft Bill on drugs, cosmetics and medical devices
Banning Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) – Explained, pointwise
For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction A parliamentary standing committee on Home Affairs has urged the central government to block Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in India. The recommendations come months after the central government liberalized the Other Service Providers (OSPs) sector by recommending the official use of VPNs, to facilitate the remote working ability for India’s massive… Continue reading Banning Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) – Explained, pointwise
