Context: Article describes the views of Prof Oommen and Dr BR Ambedkar in constructing a Bharat. Prof Oommen is a eminent sociologist and former president of the International Sociological Association. What are the views of Prof Oommen? Principal challenges to the evolution of a nation lie in minimising disparity, eradicating discrimination, and avoiding alienation. He… Continue reading From Bharat to India
Tag: gs paper 2
Regulators don’t need constitutional status
Context: Should Indian regulatory agencies be given constitutional status? It is argued that Indian regulatory agencies are often unable to withstand political pressure from the elected government of the day, which affects the way they perform their functions. So, granting them constitutional sanctity would “restore symmetry” between regulatory agencies and the elected government. Though tempting,… Continue reading Regulators don’t need constitutional status
This food regulator needs to step up to the plate
Context: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is expected to issue a draft regulation for labels on front of food packets that will inform consumers if a product is high in salt, sugar and fat. It is expected to propose a system under which stars will be assigned to a product. The… Continue reading This food regulator needs to step up to the plate
Measuring the change: On socio-economic surveys
Context: Findings of the 5th edition of the National Family Health Survey were made public last year, providing some key insights into changes underway in Indian society. India should invest more to enhance the reliability of various socio-economic surveys. What are some key findings of the NFHS 5? Findings of the survey throw light on… Continue reading Measuring the change: On socio-economic surveys
A democratic and strategic dissonance in India-German ties
News: Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited three European nations Europe at a critical time, shaped by the ongoing Ukraine war. India also attended the sixth biennial India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC). This was of critical importance for ‘long-standing bilateral commercial ties and the ‘Strategic Partnership between India and Germany. Convergence of interests The assertive China… Continue reading A democratic and strategic dissonance in India-German ties
The importance of emigrants
News: Recently, the Indian government proposed a new Emigration Bill in 2021. The bill will provide a comprehensive data set for the efficient management of Indian migrants. It proposes to integrate emigration management and streamline the welfare of Indian emigrant workers. Provisions of the Emigration Bill The bill proposes to modify the system of Emigration… Continue reading The importance of emigrants
How India is empowering women through policy
Context: The union government has brought into reality the maxim of sarvajana hitaya, sarvajana sukhaya (for the good of all, for the happiness of all), especially in the context of the women section of society. Measures taken by the government – The incumbent government has adopted a system-wide gendered lens to inform policy praxis. –… Continue reading How India is empowering women through policy
Centre’s plan to relook at sedition law is welcome but Supreme Court must take the review process to its logical conclusion
News: The government has expressed its views to shed colonial baggage after 75 years since independence, and has told the Supreme Court that it would re-examine the provision. About Sedition law The provision (Section 124A) of the Indian Penal Code was incorporated in its current form in the penal code (IPC) in 1898, nearly… Continue reading Centre’s plan to relook at sedition law is welcome but Supreme Court must take the review process to its logical conclusion
The multiple crises in Indian universities
What are some indications of the worsening state of India’s universities? Spending on higher education (as a % of government expenditure) has stagnated at 1.3-1.5% since 2012. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education continues to push higher education institutions to increase their intake capacity by 25% (in a push to implement the 10% quota for economically… Continue reading The multiple crises in Indian universities
On Delimitation in J&K: Beyond the boundary
Context: Political considerations instead of constitutional proprieties appear to have influenced the delimitation of the Assembly and parliamentary constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) by the fifth Delimitation Commission. The commission submitted its recommendations recently. Under what provisions the fifth Delimitation Commission was set up? In setting up the fifth Delimitation Commission, the govt invoked… Continue reading On Delimitation in J&K: Beyond the boundary
