News: Recently, Olaf Scholz has been sworn in as chancellor of Germany, ending the 16-year tenure of Angela Merkel. About Germany’s political system The political system of Germany is known for its continuity. The post-War German republic has had just nine chancellors, including Mr Scholz. For the past 40 years, just three individuals have occupied… Continue reading India-Germany relations: After 16 years
Tag: gs paper 2
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 What are the challenges associated with India-Russia relations? 1. There is little organic, people-to-people content to the relationship, 2. India-Russia bilateral trade is around U.S.$10 billion,… 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 What is the status of tobacco consumption in India? India is the second-largest consumer of tobacco in the world, with 28.6% of adults above 15 years and 8.5% of students aged 13-15 years use tobacco in… Continue reading Low tobacco tax, poor health
High LPG prices are scorching the air pollution fight
News– How Removal of LPG subsidy and subsequent Price rise is affecting the air pollution and its wider acceptance in low income and rural households. As Per the India residential energy survey (IRES), LPG has now replaced biomass as the most common cooking fuel. Nearly 85 percent of Indian households have an LPG connection Compared to only 30 percent a decade… Continue reading High LPG prices are scorching the air pollution fight
Women in the post-pandemic workplace
News: Indian economy is sustained after the shocks of demonetization, GST, and now covid. These economic disruptions have a lot of impact on women’s employment status in the workplace. What do the stats say about women participation in the workforce? By 2019, India’s Female Labour Participation Rate (FLPR) had dropped to 20.3%, from the already low… Continue reading Women in the post-pandemic workplace
Order those jabs: India needs plenty more vaccines & vax-makers need advance notice. GoI take heed
News: Serum Institute is signalling that their Covishield production will be reduced by half as no new purchase orders are coming from the Government of India. Why there is a need to continue the vaccination process? – Indian Medical Association has demanded a booster dose for healthcare workers, amid concerns of a drop in the… Continue reading Order those jabs: India needs plenty more vaccines & vax-makers need advance notice. GoI take heed
