Source: TOI Relevance: India’s Electric Vehicle (EV) policy Synopsis: An EV policy that is biased towards a premature transition to EVs can have unintended consequences. A look at the consequences and a way forward. Background Around 81% of the 18.6 million vehicles sold in 2020 were two-wheelers. Hence, the transition from an industry dominated by… Continue reading EVs are the future but a premature transition through bad policy is undesirable
Wheat, rice lost in transit in last 4 years could have fed 82.30 million Indians for a month
Source: Down to Earth Relevance: Issues with Public Distribution System (PDS) Synopsis: Findings and recommendations of the Standing Committee report on Food, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (2020-2021) on India’s food storage and transit infrastructure, and the Decentralized Procurement Scheme (DCP). Findings On Transit and storage infra Wastage and pilferage loss: In the last four… Continue reading Wheat, rice lost in transit in last 4 years could have fed 82.30 million Indians for a month
Bad loans: Prevention is better than cure
Source: Business Standard Relevance: Issues related to banking sector in India Synopsis: In managing the bad loan problem, IBC should be the last resort for banks. Context The Standing Committee of Parliament attached to the Ministry of Finance has taken stock of The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code and made suggestions for improvement. Different models of… Continue reading Bad loans: Prevention is better than cure
Why funding sports is an Olympian hurdle?
Source: Live Mint Relevance: Issues related to Development of Sports in India Synopsis: India’s spending on sports other than cricket is rising steadily, but still a lot needs to be done to bridge the gap. Issues with sports dev in India 1]. Insufficient Financial support from Government The Union budget outlay on sports is classified… Continue reading Why funding sports is an Olympian hurdle?
Start up and Stand Tall (On India’s start-up ecosystem)
Source: Indian Express Relevance: Demographic dividend and role of start-ups in Indian economy Synopsis: India@75 is on the height of change and, it needs a golden era of global entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation for India@100. Context While India has historically and culturally been an entrepreneurially-driven nation, the last decade-and-a-half has witnessed a significant change in… Continue reading Start up and Stand Tall (On India’s start-up ecosystem)
Reserves: The RARE model in India
Source: Business Standard Relevance: Foreign Exchange reserves in India and issues related to it Synopsis: India should do away with the prevailing RARE model of reserves in a phased manner. Context The foreign exchange reserves in India are close to $620 billion. Recently, a parliamentary panel and the Union Minister Nitin Gadkari observed that the Reserve Bank… Continue reading Reserves: The RARE model in India
Beating plastic pollution (On plastic waste management rules)
Source: The Hindu Relevance: Issue of Plastic waste management Synopsis: Effective implementation of New Plastic Waste Management Amendment rules offers a solution to address plastic pollution Context Central government on 12th of August notified The Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules which acknowledges the gravity of pollution caused by plastic articles of everyday use. The decisions… Continue reading Beating plastic pollution (On plastic waste management rules)
India’s climate mitigation plans face a threat as Earth warms
Source: Business standard Relevance: Implications of climate change on the renewable energy sector in India. Synopsis: Threats posed by climate to India’s renewable energy sector and possible solutions. Context India recently renewed its target for renewable energy installation to 450 GW by 2040 from earlier 175 GW by 2022. But this plan is threatened by… Continue reading India’s climate mitigation plans face a threat as Earth warms
The message from the IPCC report
Source: The Hindu, Livemint Relevance: Fighting the climate-change crisis Synopsis: In light of the recent IPCC 6th Assessment Report, measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change and the ways to prevent further damage to our environment are discussed. What needs to be done? Focusing on definite cumulative emission targets, keeping equity and historical responsibility… Continue reading The message from the IPCC report
India to recalibrate air quality norms next year
Source: Times of India What is the news? India is likely to have new national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) in 2022, which will consist of more pollutants including ultra fine particulate matter of less than PM2.5. CPCB has awarded the work of updating NAAQS to the IIT Kanpur led team of experts. The team… Continue reading India to recalibrate air quality norms next year
