News: In recently-concluded state elections, the farmer’s movement and the repeal of the three farm laws that passed in 2020 were referred to during the political discourse in some parts of the electoral landscape. In Punjab, a group of farm protestors who contested elections failed to register their presence. In Uttar Pradesh, the agitation failed… Continue reading The effect of farm sector changes on agrarian movements in India
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Technology can make policing better — and also more dangerous
News: On March 11, the NCRB Foundation Day, the union home minister said that the second phase of the Inter-operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) Project is going to be completed by the year 2026. Features & advantages of ICJS The system will include artificial intelligence, fingerprint systems and other tools of predictive policing. For example,… Continue reading Technology can make policing better — and also more dangerous
Phasing out coal-based plants: The way forward
Context: The world including India is making plans to decarbonise in context of the looming threat of climate change Contents1 Challenges in achieving 500GW non-fossil fuel generation capacity by 20302 Status of Coal based power sector in India 3 How to phase out India’s coal-based plants to decarbonise the power sector? 4 Challenges in decommissioning of coal… Continue reading Phasing out coal-based plants: The way forward
Global uncertainties, India’s growth prospects
News: On February 28, 2022, the National Statistical Office (NSO) released India’s GDP data for Quarter 3 of 2021-22. The NSO also released Second Advance Estimates (SAE) for Fiscal Year 2021-22. Contents1 India’s Growth performance 2 What are the challenges for economic recovery amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainties? 3 Challenges in bearing burden of increased oil prices 4 What… Continue reading Global uncertainties, India’s growth prospects
Green Bonds, digital currency hold promise
Context: The Budget had two major announcements pertaining to the issuance of sovereign green bonds and a central bank digital currency. These two launches will be a joint effort between the government and the RBI. What are Sovereign Green Bonds? It will be a part of the government’s borrowing program. The government undertakes borrowing to… Continue reading Green Bonds, digital currency hold promise
It may be time to revive Keynes’ idea of a global reserve currency
Context: The US has weaponized its financial power to pressurize Russia to withdraw from Ukraine. The result of sanctions is that Russia cannot access around half of its foreign exchange reserves. This has led to discussion that other countries will try to diversify their reserves away from the US dollar. Why is the US Dollar… Continue reading It may be time to revive Keynes’ idea of a global reserve currency
A blow to equitable access to essential medicines
News: In October 2020, India and South Africa tabled a proposal in the World Trade Organization (WTO) seeking temporary waiver from Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). This was to ensure availability of affordable vaccines, medicines and other medical products. What are the reasons for such demand? This was based on the contention… Continue reading A blow to equitable access to essential medicines
Recycling heat generated by datacentres
News: Microsoft has partnered with Fortum, Finnish energy company to launch the world’s largest scheme to provide heat to homes, services and business in Finland with waste heat. Heat would be sourced from a new data centre region that Microsoft has planned to build in the Helsinki metropolitan area in Finland. Contents1 How will this… Continue reading Recycling heat generated by datacentres
World Water Day: Are we ready for the thirsty future?
News: Notwithstanding, water scarcity and river pollution, we are making things worse for the conservation of the valuable resource. Contents1 What is Water Scarcity? 2 Situation wrt Water Scarcity 3 What are the factors behind increasing water scarcity? 4 Why is it important to tackle the water crisis? 5 What is the way forward? What is Water Scarcity? Water… Continue reading World Water Day: Are we ready for the thirsty future?
Ask the right questions for Ease of Doing Business 2.0
News: In her budget speech, Finance Minister expressed the government’s resolve to launch Ease of Doing Business 2.0 and Ease of Living programmes. She highlighted that in recent years, over 25,000 compliance requirements were reduced and 1,486 Union laws repealed. Has the reduction of compliance requirements impacted Ease of Doing Business in India? It is… Continue reading Ask the right questions for Ease of Doing Business 2.0
