Category: Mains 2016 Initiative
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Unified Payment System
Context: It has been launched by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) with Reserve Bank of India’s vision of migrating towards a ‘cash-less’ and more digital society. What is UPI? UPI is a payment system that allows money transfer between any two bank accounts by using a Smartphone. It is based on the immediate payment service (IMPS) platform.…
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Mains 2016: Advancing the Budget Date
Context: The union government had decided to advance the budget presentation date by a month from the previous norm of end-February. The aim is that all spending authorities within the system, and those financially dependent on the Centre, be in a position to work out their activities with assured resources in the beginning of the year…
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Mains 2016: Uniform Civil Code : The Big Picture
Context: The Ministry of Law and Justice sent a communication to the Law Commission requesting it to examine and report on all issues pertaining to a Uniform Civil Code. What is UCC? Uniform civil code is the proposal to replace the personal laws based on the scriptures and customs of each major religious community…
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Mains 2016: Peace in Columbia
Context: A referendum was held recently in Colombia to ratify the peace process signed by the government of Colombia and FARC rebels. The Colombian people rejected the peace agreement by voting against it. Colombia, situated at the north west of South America, has a presidential form of government. Its president Juan Manuel Santos…
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Mains 2016: Pulse production in India : Challenges and Way forward
Introduction Pulses occupy a unique place in India’s nutritional food security as they are a major source of proteins. India is the largest producer, consumer and importer of pulses. However, there is a gap between potential and actual yield of pulses in India. The slow growth in pulses production is due to low growth in…
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Mains 2016: BREXIT and Globalization
Context: Britain’s exit (aka BREXIT) from European Union has sparked a debate centered on globalization. Globalization: Globalization is a process of interaction and integration among the people, companies, and governments of different nations, a process driven by international trade and investment and aided by information technology. Globalization has been going on for centuries. What has…
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Mains 2016 : Indian Railways: Issues and Reforms
Issues: 1. Severe capacity and resource constraints due to – a. Deeply discounted passenger rail fares, b. Under investment in railways, c. Expenditure on railways as a share of transport expenditure has fallen from 56% in 7th plan to 30% in 11th plan. 2. Confusion between social and commercial objectives(equity vs efficiency) – a.…
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Mains 2016 : South China Sea dispute and India
Context: China has rejected the ruling of an international tribunal at The Hague which says – China has no legal basis for its claims on the South China Sea. Background, The story so far: The SCS is a busy international waterway, one of the main arteries of global economy and trade. China claims more than…
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Mains 2016: Police (law and order) – Problems and Reforms: In a Nutshell
Police in India face multiple challenges in maintaining law and order like riots, terrorism, insurgency in north east and J&K, left wing extremism etc. Problems in Police (Law and Order in general): Problems related to general administration Poor enforcement of laws and general failure of administration; Large gap between aspirations of the people and opportunities…
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Mains 2016: 10 Years of Police Reforms – How far have we reached
Context: On September 22, 2006, the apex court passed an order in the case of Prakash Singh vs Union of India directing all states, Union territories and the Centre to bring in police reforms. Facts: The National Crime Records Bureau report says that Indiafaces a shortage of 0.5 million policemen. The current police strength is 1.73 million against…
