News: Recently, India refused to condemn Russia’s military invasion, and decided to continue trade with Russia. It has abstained from voting on United Nations resolutions. In this context, a number of diplomats, officials, and ministers from across the globe visited India. This has raised India’s role in global politics. What are the ongoing challenges in… Continue reading Beijing’s move, India’s turn
Tag: gs paper 2
Fortifying nutrition
News: The government’s decision to supply fortified rice across the country in phases by 2024 is a welcome move to address malnutrition. At present, fortified rice is being supplied through the Targeted public Distribution System (TPDS) in one district each of 11 states under a pilot project running since 2019. Must Read: Food Fortification in… Continue reading Fortifying nutrition
A merger to better manage the Indian Railways
News: Recently, the government issued a Gazette notification regarding the creation of the Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS). It has been created after merging 8 out of 10 Group-A Indian Railway services, and marks a paradigm shift in the management of one of the world’s largest rail networks. What is the significance of this… Continue reading A merger to better manage the Indian Railways
When lack of data gets in the way of affirmative action
News: Recently, in two separate judgements, the Supreme Court (SC) of India has struck down the reservations that were awarded by the Maharashtra government and Tamil Nadu government. Both judgments identified the same problem – a lack of evidence-driven policymaking by the state govt for reservations. What observations have been made by the Supreme Court… Continue reading When lack of data gets in the way of affirmative action
A model struggling to deliver
Context: National Education Policy, 2020, envisions universalizing Early Childhood Care and Education through Anganwadis. However, the events linked to COVID-19 led to an abrupt halt in the progress. What are Anganwadi Centres (AWCs)? AWCs fall under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme. Preschool is one of the six services provided in this package. AWCs are… Continue reading A model struggling to deliver
The process of electing India’s President
Context: The tenure of the current President is set to end in July this year, which is also when the 16th Indian Presidential election will be held to elect his successor. How is the President elected? The Indian President is elected through an electoral college system, by proportional representation by a single transferable vote. The… Continue reading The process of electing India’s President
HOPS as a route to universal health care
Context: The basic idea of Universal Health Care (UHC) is that no one should be deprived of quality healthcare for the lack of ability to pay. In the Bhore Committee report of 1946, a case was made for India to create its own National Health Service (NHS) type health care system. How UHC can be… Continue reading HOPS as a route to universal health care
India and the U.K.: Crafting a new legacy
Context: India-UK relationship has been on an upward trajectory, exemplified by conclusion of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The agreement established a 2030 Roadmap of India-U.K. relations. What are the areas of cooperation between India and the U.K.? In her recent visit, the U.K. Foreign Secretary highlighted the importance of countering Russian aggression and developing ties between… Continue reading India and the U.K.: Crafting a new legacy
State of adolescent learning
Context: Over the last few decades in India, there has been a massive government drive to push for universal enrolment, extending to secondary as well as primary school children. Successive Annual Status of Education Reports (ASER) have shown that this drive has been largely successful for both age groups, with high enrolment rates even during… Continue reading State of adolescent learning
Amending the Weapons of Mass Destruction Act
Context: The Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Amendment Bill, 2022 was passed in the Lok Sabha recently. The Bill amends the WMD and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Act, 2005 which prohibits the unlawful manufacture, transport, or transfer of WMD (chemical, biological and nuclear weapons)… Continue reading Amending the Weapons of Mass Destruction Act
