News: Recently, the Union Minister of State for Finance in a written reply to the Parliament ruled out setting up of a fiscal council, which was recommended by the FRBM Review Committee. It was reasoned that, there are institutions that already perform some or all of the proposed functions of the Fiscal Council. For example,… Continue reading Why India Needs A Fiscal Council
Tag: gs paper 2
Tuberculosis(TB): We can’t afford to neglect TB care
News: COVID-19 pandemic put health systems under great stress. The government announced a policy to bolster public health by pledging four new national virology institutes, nine new high containment laboratories and the National Institute of one health. Unfortunately, it did not address other infectious diseases like tuberculosis. Read here: COVID-19 reverses decades of progress in TB… Continue reading Tuberculosis(TB): We can’t afford to neglect TB care
Discretionary powers of the governor: Some Raj Bhavans are on the war path
News: There have been some incidents that show the friction between the delicate relationships of the constitutional head of state and the elected government. What were the incidents all about? Maharashtra: Governor refused to accept the date of election of the Speaker recommended by the State government. However, this refusal goes against the principle of constitutional… Continue reading Discretionary powers of the governor: Some Raj Bhavans are on the war path
Unchanged: On EWS quota income norm
News: Supreme Court has allowed the commencement of counselling for postgraduate medical admissions under All India Quota scheme. What is the background of the development? Read here: Income Criteria for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in India – Explained, pointwise What is the decision made by the Supreme Court? The court has upheld the 27% quota… Continue reading Unchanged: On EWS quota income norm
NFHS-5: Reading NHFS-5 data to understand India’s health, population outlook
News: The government of India recently released National Family Health Survey 5 (NFHS-5) data. The data shows some promising trends and some areas of concern. Read here: NFHS-5 and its findings – Explained, pointwise What are the findings of the National Family Health Survey 5? Read here: What does NFHS-5 data tell us about state of… Continue reading NFHS-5: Reading NHFS-5 data to understand India’s health, population outlook
Health Infrastructure: PM bats for health infra at district level
News: While putting vaccination for adolescents in “mission mode”, the Prime minister stressed the need to ensure adequate health infrastructure at the district level. Read more: How to fix India’s creaking health infrastructure? What steps should be adopted to improve health infrastructure amid Omicron? – Government should work towards Upgrading health infrastructure, testing capacity, availability… Continue reading Health Infrastructure: PM bats for health infra at district level
Control rather than Privacy
News: The Puttaswamy judgment and the Justice B.N. Srikrishna committee report led to the introduction of the Personal Data Protection Bill of 2019. The bill was sent to a joint parliamentary committee for further scrutiny, which has now submitted its report. Although there are some concerns regarding the same. What are the concerns regarding… Continue reading Control rather than Privacy
Suggestions to Improve the performance of BIS: BIS celebrates its 75th Anniversary
News: The Union Consumer Affairs Minister has addressed the 75th-anniversary event of the Bureau of Indian Standards(BIS). Click Here to Read about Bureau of Indian Standards(BIS) What are the key suggestions given by the Union Consumer Affairs Minister to Improve the performance of BIS? Firstly, BIS should move from the concept of 3S- Speed, Skill and… Continue reading Suggestions to Improve the performance of BIS: BIS celebrates its 75th Anniversary
Instability in Kazakhstan will resonate in regional geopolitics
News: Violent unrest has been taken in Kazakhstan after the increase in fuel prices. What are the reasons for the crisis in Kazakhstan? 1) Rise in LPG prices 2) Inflation 3) Unrest against the authoritarian government. Read more: India – Central Asia Relations – Explained, pointwise What are the consequences of the protest? – Killings of… Continue reading Instability in Kazakhstan will resonate in regional geopolitics
As parties get an EC raise, the high ambition and low reach of poll expense limits
News: Election Commission has raised the expenditure limit of candidates to Rs 95 lakh (up from Rs 70 lakh) each for Lok Sabha elections, and up to Rs 40 lakh (up from Rs 28 lakh) for Assembly polls. Similarly, for smaller states the new limit is Rs 28 lakh, up from Rs 20 lakh. What… Continue reading As parties get an EC raise, the high ambition and low reach of poll expense limits
