Tag: gs paper 3

‘Plants adapt by their fragrances — these enrich the environment and our lives

Context: Plants express their needs through the release of aromatic chemicals. They emit fragrances for both attraction and protection. What is the significance of various fragrances emitted by the plants? For protection, a certain fragrance is released when a leaf is crushed or when someone walks on grass. This is sharp and green, called ‘green… Continue reading ‘Plants adapt by their fragrances — these enrich the environment and our lives

Evaluating the arsenal

News: The Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Indian Army are assessing procurement of another 100-200 mobile SP howitzers. The additional 200 guns would equip 10 medium artillery regiments. Historical trends (1) Medieval Times In 1526, Babur defeated the Sultan of Delhi, Ibrahim Lodhi and won the First Battle of Panipat. Babur was able to… Continue reading Evaluating the arsenal

States should focus on the quality of public expenditure

News: States were guaranteed bi-monthly compensation for any loss of revenue in the first 5 years of GST implementation from 1 July 2017. The 5-year period will end on 30 June and there is a growing demand from many states to extend the GST compensation mechanism beyond that. Given this uncertainty over the extension of… Continue reading States should focus on the quality of public expenditure

Asset monetisation

News: The Union government’s asset monetisation plan seems to be facing resistance from government departments and public sector enterprises (PSEs). The government’s target of mobilising Rs 1.62 trillion in the current fiscal year would thus become difficult to achieve. Contents1 What is the progress of Asset monetisation plan?2 Why are PSEs reluctant to monetise their… Continue reading Asset monetisation

A ban on wheat exports was the country’s least damaging option

Context: The Indian export ban on wheat in mid-May drew much negative attention. The ban was on private sector wheat exports, leaving open government-to-government contracts. The widespread criticism of the ban was misplaced. Contents1 Details about the wheat export ban and related issues2 Why the criticism of the wheat export ban is unwarranted?3 How have… Continue reading A ban on wheat exports was the country’s least damaging option

Price Of Wrong Price Strategy

News: India is now facing a dual problem of low growth and high inflation at the time when India is facing a historic opportunity to use exports to boost India’s GDP growth. Historic Opportunities Two large countries China and Russia are reducing their presence on the international trade landscape, providing opportunities to India: – China,… Continue reading Price Of Wrong Price Strategy

Improve governance before divesting

News: In the last few decades, the government has realised that the public sector enterprises (PSEs) should not be present in many of the sectors of the economy. Therefore, they need to exit. What are the issues in the functioning of the PSEs? The listed PSEs perform worse than their sectoral peers on the stock… Continue reading Improve governance before divesting

Inflation demands fiscal action more than a monetary one

News: Recently, Inflation in India has been on an upward path Status of Inflation Wholesale price index inflation stands at 15% and consumer price inflation is nearly at 8%. About the monetary policy system in India In 2015, India introduced the ‘channel system’, in contrast with the ‘floor system’ of the US. The policy rate… Continue reading Inflation demands fiscal action more than a monetary one

Opinion: The Digital India transformation

News: Recently, the Prime Minister of India expressed his idea of India that “every Indian must have a smartphone in his hand and every field must be covered by a drone”. About the Digital India Mission The Digital India was launched on July 1, 2015. Digital India is a transformative programme to deliver the objectives of… Continue reading Opinion: The Digital India transformation

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