Context: Western powers have slapped sanctions on Russia. These sanctions sting because of the US dollar’s dominance across the global economy and finance. Contents1 How important is dollar in present global trade?2 What are the other factors against the dollar dominated economy?3 Chinese renminbi as an alternative4 What does the future hold? How important is… Continue reading Back the greenback: Grumblings about dollar dominance aren’t new
Tag: gs paper 3
Time to bid goodbye to AFSPA
News: Recently, the Home Ministry has decided to considerably reduce the number of “disturbed areas” under the AFSPA in three States. To fulfil that, the April 1st order significantly reduced disturbed areas in Nagaland, Assam and Manipur. Though it is a welcome step, the government does not consider repealing the AFSPA. About AFSPA Read here:… Continue reading Time to bid goodbye to AFSPA
Making groundwater visible
News: The theme of this year’s World Water Day (March 22) was ‘Groundwater: Making the Invisible Visible’. Benefits of groundwater: Groundwater plays an important role in water and sanitation systems, agriculture, industry, ecosystems, and climate change adaptation, as it: Reduces the risk of temporary water shortages especially in arid and semiarid regions. Has high storage… Continue reading Making groundwater visible
Renewable energy has a tariff problem. Here’s how to fix it
Context: India has stated its target of having a renewable generating capacity of 450-500 GW by 2030. Therefore, there is a need to create a proper environment and ensure adequate returns to invite fresh investments into renewable generation. In this regard, it is important to look at tariff structure for renewables. What are the two… Continue reading Renewable energy has a tariff problem. Here’s how to fix it
How the Delhi model for EV chargers is worthy of emulation
News: With advancements in technology, the governments across the world are focusing on the Electric Vehicles. Similarly, Delhi government has adopted a new model for development of public charging infrastructure. What have been the issues in the EV segment? There has been a slow pace in setting up large-scale public charging infrastructure or stations. Central… Continue reading How the Delhi model for EV chargers is worthy of emulation
Centre does well to withdraw AFSPA from many districts in the Northeast. It must carry on working in this direction
News: The main task before the Central govt, after the partial withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers (AFSPA) Act from Assam, Manipur and Nagaland, is to slowly restore the primacy of the civilian administration in the areas still under AFSPA. It’s a process that needs great patience, negotiation and accommodation. Must Read: Explained: AFSPA… Continue reading Centre does well to withdraw AFSPA from many districts in the Northeast. It must carry on working in this direction
Testing times for PLI schemes: Covid-related delays put firms in pressure
News: The government had launched the PLI schemes for 15 sectors. However, various companies across IT hardware, telecom products and mobile devices have failed to achieve their investment target and meet their production targets. They missed the deadlines for the first year ended on March 31. What are the benefits of the PLI Scheme? Growth… Continue reading Testing times for PLI schemes: Covid-related delays put firms in pressure
This is a criminal attack on privacy
News: Recently, the Criminal procedure (Identification) Bill 2022 was introduced in the parliament by the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs. The Bill aims to replace the Identification of Prisoners Act 1920 that has been in need of amendment for several decades. What has been proposed in the bill? The definition of measurements has been… Continue reading This is a criminal attack on privacy
Opening up procurement
News: Recently, the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was signed between India and the United Arab Emirates last month. Further, such a free trade agreement is also going to be signed between India and Australia. What are the provisions in the India-UAE trade deal? The deal provides for harmonisation in the regulatory system. It also… Continue reading Opening up procurement
Thinking hard on AI
News: Recently, two Indian researchers wrote an unpublished paper “Artificial Intelligence and the armed forces: Legal and ethical concerns”. This has led to the resurgence of a debate on Artificial Intelligence (AI) based arms and weapon system. In 1950, Alan Turing in a paper titled “Computing Machinery and Intelligence”, considered the question: “Can machines… Continue reading Thinking hard on AI
