News: In recent years, Canada, Australia, and the UK have merged their independent aid ministries with their foreign ministries. Germany and other countries are also considering such a merger. Contents1 What are the reasons behind the merger?2 About the types of aid3 What is the impact of framing aid to fulfil national objectives?4 Does the… Continue reading About the foreign aids: Imagine: The common good
Tag: gs paper 2
Suspension of 12 MPs for entire Winter Session is worrying
News: 12 Rajya Sabha MPs have been suspended for the remainder of the session for bringing disorder in the house. What are the suspension rules of the Rajya Sabha? Read here: Suspension rules of RS Why the present suspension is a cause of concern? Sub Rule 2 of Rule 256 clearly indicates that the matter of… Continue reading Suspension of 12 MPs for entire Winter Session is worrying
School education: Children and schooling in the post covid 19 era
News: The pandemic has exposed the limits of the Nation’s capacity to look after the collective needs of children. It proved that society and state ignored the conditions under which family copes with the demand of childhood. What was the impact of the Covid pandemic on children? Right to education and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan created… Continue reading School education: Children and schooling in the post covid 19 era
India-Germany relations: After 16 years
News: Recently, Olaf Scholz has been sworn in as chancellor of Germany, ending the 16-year tenure of Angela Merkel. Contents1 About Germany’s political system2 What are the policies adopted during Angela Merkel’s term in Germany?3 What are the consequences faced by Germany in phasing-out Nuclear power?4 Why does India need to pay attention to the… Continue reading India-Germany relations: After 16 years
Pavlovian responses like travel restrictions won’t stop omicron
News– Discovery of a new coronavirus variant in South Africa, called Omicron, has led to countries once again restricting or entirely eliminating the freedom to travel. Why these knee-jerk reactions like travel bans are not effective? 1) Virus is well on its way to becoming endemic at many places. 2) Also there appears no need to lock away one country when this virus is already on multiple… Continue reading Pavlovian responses like travel restrictions won’t stop omicron
A better NJAC: Politicians are right on the collegium. But can their solution rise above politics, that’s the question
News: A demand for introducing National Judicial Appointments Commission has been resurfaced in Lok Sabha. What is National Judicial Appointments Commission? Read here: National Judicial Appointments Commission Why did the demand for NJAC arise? Supporters of collegium cite executive overreach and suspicious government interest in judicial appointments in the 1970s. But after the first and second judges’… Continue reading A better NJAC: Politicians are right on the collegium. But can their solution rise above politics, that’s the question
India-Russia Relations: Russia, a legacy relationship with limitations
News: Recently, 21st India – Russia Annual summit took place. The summit highlighted the “all-weather” partnership between India and Russia. Must read: Recent developments in India-Russia Relations – Explained, pointwise Contents1 What are the challenges associated with India-Russia relations?2 About the dynamics of India-Russia Trade3 How did US parallel rivalries with China and Russia have complicated… Continue reading India-Russia Relations: Russia, a legacy relationship with limitations
Don’t ignore context of NFHS data
News: The NFHS data evolved much from the Demographic and Health Survey and became a well-structured one. Must read: NFHS-5 and its findings – Explained, pointwise What are the challenges associated with NFHS? Read here: The nine lives of India’s National Family Health Survey Why the challenges against NFHS are wrong? According to the author,… Continue reading Don’t ignore context of NFHS data
Repealing AFSPA will not weaken, only strengthen Constitution
News: The death of 14 civilians in Nagaland by the security forces raised the long-pending demand for repealing the AFSPA in the region. What is AFSPA? Why demand for repeal of AFSPA is justified? Read here: Explained: AFSPA and the Northeast The repeal of AFSPA is necessary not just for restoring constitutional sanity, but also as a… Continue reading Repealing AFSPA will not weaken, only strengthen Constitution
Low tobacco tax, poor health
News: The absence of an increase in tax on tobacco products post-GST has impacted revenue and could worsen public health Contents1 What is the status of tobacco consumption in India?2 How is the government dealing with tobacco and associated products?3 How does the lack of tax increase impact health targets and government revenue?4 What should the… Continue reading Low tobacco tax, poor health
