News: The Supreme Court has given a ruling on a commercial dispute, the Union of India versus Mohit Minerals, over the levy of the integrated goods and services tax (GST) on ocean freight charges paid by importers. It has triggered a nationwide debate. About the Judgment The judgment is virtually a recitation from the Article 279A (4)… Continue reading Storm in a GST cup
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National Assessment Survey lays out post-Covid challenges. Teacher- and student-centred approaches are needed
News: A study commissioned by the Centre, the National Assessment Survey (NAS), details the magnitude of the learning crisis during the pandemic across the country. Conducted in November 2021 among students of more than one lakh schools in 720 districts, the NAS shows a sharp dip in the performance of students in almost all subjects… Continue reading National Assessment Survey lays out post-Covid challenges. Teacher- and student-centred approaches are needed
Who wields the power to pardon?
News: The Supreme Court has ordered to release A.G. Perarivalan, one of the seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. This has brought into limelight the Governor’s powers of pardon or remission under Article 161 of the Constitution of India. Supreme Court’s Observation The SC ruled that a Governor is bound by the State… Continue reading Who wields the power to pardon?
Gyanvapi and the principle of non-retrogression
News: Recently, the Gyanvapi-Vishwanath dispute has come up in Varanasi and the Shahi Idgah mosque has come up in Mathura in which the petitions are seeking the removal of the mosque and exclusive ownership of the property. What are the relevant legal statutes? The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act clearly prohibits altering its status… Continue reading Gyanvapi and the principle of non-retrogression
Sighting the finishing line in measles-rubella elimination
News: The COVID-19 pandemic stole two years from the MR Elimination programme. The MR elimination target has been re-set to 2023. About measles-rubella (MR) Program It is a program for providing immunisation to children from 5 to 15 years. It is being implemented as a school-based vaccination programme and is being conducted in all States.… Continue reading Sighting the finishing line in measles-rubella elimination
Diversifying plates for girls
News: The National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-5 data (2019-20) has shown an increase in anaemia among adolescent girls by 5% when compared to National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-4. About nutrition requirement In the adolescence phase of life, both boys and girls demand a lot of nutrition intake. As girls face more physiological demands, thus they… Continue reading Diversifying plates for girls
India is a nation of meat-eaters — they are mostly men
News: According to the NFHS-5 data, a staggering 83.4% of men and 70.6% of women in the 15-49 age group are non-vegetarian. Thus, the NFHS does not support a contention that India is primarily a vegetarian nation. Statistics in the NFHS-5 (A) Consumption of non-vegetarian food The percentage of the vegetarian population has declined by… Continue reading India is a nation of meat-eaters — they are mostly men
India must shift the discourse on abortion rights
News: Recently, two women public health practitioners who have studied and worked in India and the United States have voiced their solidarity with women in both countries for their abortion rights.. The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 (“MTP Act”) regulates the abortion practices in India. Abortion Statistics Global According to the WHO, 6 out… Continue reading India must shift the discourse on abortion rights
The Indo-Pacific economic bloc offers India a new opportunity
News: Recently, the US launched the Indo Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) at the Quad meeting in Tokyo. Significance of IPEF In General Geopolitical: All its members (the US, India, Japan, Australia, South Korea and 8 other East Asian countries), share worries about China’s muscular nationalism and expansionist ambitions. Therefore, this gives the group a distinct… Continue reading The Indo-Pacific economic bloc offers India a new opportunity
Serving those who serve: On WHO honour for ASHA workers
News: World Health Organization recognized the immense contribution of India’s ASHA (accredited social health activists) workers by according them the Global Health Leader award. This has given due recognition to the efforts of the workers at the very bottom of the hierarchy. Why were ASHA workers awarded? The ASHAs were honoured for their crucial role… Continue reading Serving those who serve: On WHO honour for ASHA workers
