T.N. and NEET: Stopping short of social justice
Context: The Tamil Nadu Assembly has passed a Bill to dispense with the National Entrance cum Eligibility Test (NEET) and allow admission to medical courses based on Class 12 marks to “ensure social justice”. Relevance: GS-II: Social Justice and Governance (Issues related to Education, Government Policies and Initiatives), GS-II: Polity and Governance (Centre-State Relations) Dimensions […]
India, Nepal: Flood management cannot be watered down
Context: Over the years, many of Bihar’s districts have been facing serious challenges with recurrent and massive flooding. Even in 2021 it has been a double whammy — of flooding and the novel coronavirus pandemic. Relevance: GS-III: Disaster and Management (Natural and Anthropogenic Disasters, Disaster Management in India), GS-I: Geography (Important Geophysical phenomena), GS-II: International […]
A disease surveillance system, for the future
Context: In 1854, when a deadly outbreak of cholera affected London, John Snow (1813-1858), a British doctor and epidemiologist, used the health statistics and death registration data to say that cholera was a waterborne, contagious disease – resulting in the effective control of the cholera outbreak. Hence, in the backdrop of the Covid-19 Pandemic, we […]
When global firms disengage, employment suffers
Context: The most recent labour statistics, for August 2021, released by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) shows that the unemployment rate has increased from around 7% in July to 8.3% for August 2021. In absolute terms, around 2 million jobs were lost in one month. Relevance: GS-I: Indian Society (Population and its associated […]
Sea level rise is certain
Context: The recently published Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Assessment Report from Working Group I — ‘Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis’ — is a clarion call for climate action. It provides one of the most expansive scientific reviews on the science and impacts of climate change. Relevance: GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Climate […]
On Census: What counts is seldom counted?
Context: This is the first time that India has not conducted its decadal Census since the exercise began and yet India is busy debating the caste census. Relevance: GS-I: Indian Society (Population and its associated issues, Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India), GS-II: Governance (Government Initiatives and Policies) Dimensions of the Article: About […]
The end of the doing business rankings
Context: The World Bank Group has decided to discontinue publication of its ‘Doing Business’ rankings of country business climates under its ‘Doing Business’ report after findings of data irregularities and ethical concerns in the 2018 and 2020 reports. Relevance: GS-III: Indian Economy (Growth and Development of Indian Economy, Inclusive Growth, International Institutions and their reports) […]
Holding transnational corporations accountable
Context: Given the enormous power that transnational corporations (TNCs) wield, questions about their accountability have arisen often. There have been many instances where the misconduct of TNCs has come to light such as the corruption scandal involving Siemens in Germany. Relevance: GS-III: Indian Economy Dimensions of the Article: Issue regarding TNCs Background on holding TNCs […]
Auto Industry and Drone Industry PLI Scheme explained
Context: The Union government has approved a Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Auto Industry and Drone Industry with a budgetary outlay of Rs. 26,058 crore. Relevance: GS-III: Industry and Infrastructure (Industrial Growth, Industrial Revolution), GS-III: Indian Economy (Growth and Development of Indian Economy) Dimensions of the Article: PLI Scheme for Auto Industry PLI Scheme […]
GST Council’s latest decision explained
Context: The GST Council met in Lucknow on 17th September 2021, the first physical meeting in nearly two years, to take key decisions. Relevance: GS-II: Social Justice (Government Interventions and Policies, Issues arising out of the design and implementation of Government Policies) Dimensions of the Article: What are the key decisions made by GST Council? […]