Bengal decision to make CM as Chancellor

Context: The time may have come to reconsider having Governors as university Chancellors. Contents1 What is the recent issue?2 Other instances of friction b/w Governor and state govt3 Why Governors hold the office of Chancellor?4 Way forward What is the recent issue? The West Bengal government recently decided to make the Chief Minister the Chancellor… Continue reading Bengal decision to make CM as Chancellor

Let’s redesign the process of pre-legislative consultation

Context: In 2014, India’s ministry of law and justice issued a policy on pre-legislative consultation. Contents1 Background2 Importance of Pre-Legislative Consultation3 Features of Indian policy4 What are the issues?5 Way Forward Background In 2012, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) issued a set of 12 recommendations on policymaking practices for member and non-member… Continue reading Let’s redesign the process of pre-legislative consultation

The weight of the GST Council ruling

News: Recently, the SC in Union of India Anr. vs Mohit Minerals Pvt. Ltd., ruled that the recommendations of the GST Council are not binding on either the Union or the States. Some States have rejoiced over the ruling. They believe that this has restored the autonomy of States to legislate on GST. Contents1 The SC’s… Continue reading The weight of the GST Council ruling

How best to interpret CMIE’s consumer survey findings

Context: Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) has been at the forefront of providing necessary data that provide information about the average Indian household. However, some discrepancies in the survey methodology brought the CMIE data under question. CMIE provided the surveys during lockdowns that helped to understand the scale of urban unemployment and distress migration… Continue reading How best to interpret CMIE’s consumer survey findings

Vivek Katju writes: Why India must engage Taliban

Relevance: India – Taliban relations, Engaging with Taliban Context: On June 2, the Ministry of External Affairs announced that a team led by J P Singh, Joint Secretary (PAI) is currently on a visit to Kabul to oversee the delivery operations of India’s humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. The government clarified that although the delegation would… Continue reading Vivek Katju writes: Why India must engage Taliban

The judiciary should have annual performance reports, too

News: In a rare exhibition of transparency, the Orissa High Court has published an annual report taking stock of its performance in a difficult year that marked by the resurgence of the pandemic. By subjecting itself to the scrutiny of the common citizen, the court has shown exceptional humility. Contents1 Details of the annual report2… Continue reading The judiciary should have annual performance reports, too

Explained: Why the Gulf matters for India

News: Recently, the ruling BJP suspended its national spokesperson and expelled its Delhi spokesperson Naveen Kumar Jindal, following comments they had made about Islam and the Prophet. The move came after three countries in the Gulf region had summoned the Indian ambassadors to their nations to register their protest, and demanded a public apology from… Continue reading Explained: Why the Gulf matters for India

Taking steps to ensure sex workers’ rights

News: Recently, the SC in Budhadev Karmaskar v. State of West Bengal & Ors, has given directions related to rights of the sex workers and their children. Contents1 About Sex Worker and Prostitution2 Six SC directions which the central government agreed to implement3 Four recommendations on which The Central Government has shown reservations4 Way Forward About… Continue reading Taking steps to ensure sex workers’ rights

The need for digital collaboration

News: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has simplified its approval process for local universities to collaborate with their counterparts abroad, to offer joint degrees, dual degrees, and twinning programmes. Contents1 Which Higher Education Institution (IHEI) are eligible for collaboration?2 Foreign Institutes3 Importance of ODL Programme in India4 Online Education5 Other disadvantages from the move6 Way… Continue reading The need for digital collaboration

A ‘silver’ moment to propel a Bay of Bengal dream

News: On June 6, the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) has completed 25 years Contents1 Background2 Importance of the Grouping3 Resurgence4 Key achievements5 What are the challenges? Background It was launched as a modest grouping of Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Thailand), with the acronym, BIST-EC as a result… Continue reading A ‘silver’ moment to propel a Bay of Bengal dream

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