News: The National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS), which is meant to help the survivors in difficult circumstances, is losing its purpose now. About National Family Benefit Scheme 1) Launched in 1995 under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP). 2) Restricted to BPL families. 3) Rs. 20000 will be given as a lump sum assistance to… Continue reading National Family Benefit Scheme is in urgent need of revival
Tag: gs paper 2
Challenges in NIRF: Recast this apples-and-oranges ranking method
News: Ranking of state-run Higher Education Institutes (HEI) with centrally funded institutes (CFI) like IIT’s under the National Institute Ranking Framework (NIRF) is not a good step. What is National Institution Ranking Framework? Read here: National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) Why it is not a good step to rank both state-run HEI and CFI altogether? Allocation of… Continue reading Challenges in NIRF: Recast this apples-and-oranges ranking method
Human trafficking survivors identify gaps in draft Bill, seek community-based rehab
News: Indian Leadership Forum Against Trafficking (ILFAT), a forum set up in 2019 by trafficking survivors, has written to the Ministry of Women and Child Development to identify gaps in the Trafficking in Persons (Prevention, Care and Rehabilitation) draft Bill 2021, which is about to table in the Parliament. What are the changes demanded by the survivors?… Continue reading Human trafficking survivors identify gaps in draft Bill, seek community-based rehab
There’s a clear-eyed vision behind China’s maritime build-up
News: American surprise over a secret Chinese military base in the UAE port of Khalifa is unwarranted. About China’s maritime plan China in 2019 released Defence White Paper (DWP), declares overseas interests as a crucial part of China’s national interests. To address deficiencies in overseas operations and support, China builds far seas forces, develops overseas logistical… Continue reading There’s a clear-eyed vision behind China’s maritime build-up
What the latest NFHS data says about the New Welfarism
News: Recently released National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) shows remarkable improvement in New Welfarism. Must read: NFHS-5 and its findings – Explained, pointwise What is New Welfarism? According to the authors, New Welfarism does not prioritise the supply of public goods such as basic health and primary education as governments have done around the world historically. Instead,… Continue reading What the latest NFHS data says about the New Welfarism
Draft Data Protection Law: Privacy must be held as a fundamental right
News: Supreme Court declared the Right to Privacy as a fundamental right under Article 21. Considering this, Indian data protection law must be based on the principle that we own our personal data and only specified legal processes can deprive us of it. What are the recommendations by Joint Parliamentary Committee? Read here: What are… Continue reading Draft Data Protection Law: Privacy must be held as a fundamental right
Our National Education policy could yet rescue school students
News: On the recommendations of the Kothari Commission, the first National Education Policy was released in 1968. The government has again introduced the National Education Policy 2020, which aims to transform the basic architecture culture and approach of Indian education. Also read: National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: Implementation Plan for School Education How can the National Education… Continue reading Our National Education policy could yet rescue school students
On POCSO Act: Errors of judgment
News: The Allahabad High Court recently held that oral sex with a minor is not a case of ‘aggravated penetrative sexual assault’ under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. About Section 5 and 6 of the POCSO Act Section 5(m) of the Act clearly lays down that “whoever commits penetrative sexual assault… Continue reading On POCSO Act: Errors of judgment
BSF DG’s remark on demographic change to justify a wider berth in border areas is flawed, disturbing
News: Recently, the centre decided to extend the jurisdiction of the BSF to 50 km from 15 km in border states of Assam, Punjab and West Bengal. It was stated that the reason for extending the jurisdiction of BSF was to secure the three border states from the inflow of narcotics and weapon, infiltration by… Continue reading BSF DG’s remark on demographic change to justify a wider berth in border areas is flawed, disturbing
Why National Security Advisor’s advice to IPS probationers is worrying
News: Recently, the National Security Adviser addressed the IPS probationers at the passing-out parade at the National Police Academy, Hyderabad While addressing the IPS probationers, he made few statements. One, “People cannot feel safe and secure if law enforcers are weak, corrupt and partisan” Two, the implementation of laws is more important than their legislation.… Continue reading Why National Security Advisor’s advice to IPS probationers is worrying
