Tag: times of india

Context: The Russia-Ukraine conflict caught India unprepared, like in the case of Chinese incursions in Eastern Ladakh two years ago. It has also put it into an uncomfortable defensive posture. Has India’s position changed on Russia-Ukraine conflict? India’s position on the war has shifted considerably in the past couple of months as Russia’s actions and… Continue reading Recalibrating the India-US relationship

News: India and Australia have recently signed a trade agreement called the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement or IndAusECTA. What does this mean? This deal will eliminate tariffs on more than 85% of Australian goods entering India and almost all of Indian goods entering Australia. Australian exports to India of sheep meat, wool, coal,… Continue reading A trade deal that will create jobs

News: CAG presented its performance audit of Aadhaar’s regulator, Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). The audit covered its mature phase, from 2014-15 to 2018-19. CAG’s audit portrays an unsatisfactory picture of the systems and processes in UIDAI. How does the UIDAI function? UIDAI operates Aadhar through a layer of subcontractors. So, when an applicant’s… Continue reading Safeguard Aadhar: CAG’s audit of UIDAI reveals worrisome laxity. It needs to improve fast

News: The GoI has given a renewed push to decriminalize minor offenses. It has the potential to clog courts, promote ease of doing business and relieve citizens fighting criminal cases for non-serious violations. Example – In 2020 provisions of the Companies Act were decriminalized. Examples of laws causing high pendency: Section 138 of Negotiable Instruments… Continue reading Big headache: Minor offences majorly clog courts and harass individuals and businesses. Decriminalise them

News: Recently, India has opened its airspace for international travel for the first time since the outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020 after a period of two-year. The sector is going to witness rebound due to easing in the covid-led disruptions, and simultaneously, due to important reform measures undertaken by the government.  What are the expected… Continue reading Up & Up: Airports, Pilots, Passengers, Cargo, Drones 

Context: Recently, the Indian Administrative Services (IAS) has come under severe criticism from different quarters, including from several senior retired IAS officers. Therefore, it demands both constructive criticism and introspection for the improvement in the premier institution of the Indian bureaucracy.  Contents1 What are the problems the IAS is facing? 2 Why the IAS has not… Continue reading Has IAS Failed The Nation? Not Really 

News: Meeting the net-zero carbon emissions pledge by 2070 requires an overhaul of both the logistics and electricity sectors to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. So far the solar energy sector has received much attention when it comes to India’s transition to renewables, but without nuclear energy, India won’t be able to fulfil its pledge.… Continue reading Atom-Nirbhar India: Nuclear energy is critical for the future. The civil liability clause deters foreign participation

News: Recently, India and Australia established a free trade agreement (FTA) for both goods and services between the two nations. It is known as The Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA).  Contents1 What are the World Trade Organisation rules on FTAs in goods?  2 What has been proposed in the India-Australia FTA? 3 What are the challenges? 4… Continue reading Oz Is Just the Start 

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