HIV/AIDS VULNERABLE GROUPS PETITION GLOBAL FUND
Focus: GS-II Social Justice Why in news? Deprived of sources of livelihood during the pandemic, sex workers, transpersons, gay and bi-sexual men, drug users and people living with HIV/AIDS have petitioned the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFATM) protesting against being ignored by government and multilateral agencies in coronavirus (COVID-19) related emergency relief […]
HOUSE PANEL: SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER FOR MIGRANT WORKERS
Focus: GS-II Social Justice Why in news? The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour has recommended that the government introduce a social security number for migrant workers, especially those working in the unorganised sectors which are beyond the purview of the labour laws. The Rationale Behind the recommendation Such a number is essential to avert situations […]
CHINA REPEATS CLAIM ON BHUTAN’S EAST
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? China said that it has offered Bhutan a “package solution” to its boundary dispute, reviving a reference to its 1996 proposal for a territory swap to give Bhutan the disputed areas in its north in exchange for the disputed western areas, including Doklam. Forcing a Border Settlement? The […]
INDIA CLOSE TO LIMITED TRADE DEAL WITH U.S.
Focus: GS-III Indian Economy, GS-II International Relations Why in news? India and the U.S. have “almost” finalised a limited trade deal, Commerce Minister said. Details Commerce Minister also reiterated what both countries have declared earlier — that the longer-term plan is to work towards a comprehensive trade deal. As an intermediate step between the imminent […]
FALL IN HOSPITALISATIONS IN 2017-18
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology Why in news? Latest survey on the state of India’s health by the National Statistical Office shows that – Fewer Indians reported ailments or required hospitalization in 2017-18 as compared to 2014. Details The NSO Survey shows that the number of Indians reporting ailments dropped by more than 2% points […]
MONSOON FURY IN 8 STATES: DEPLOYMENT OF NDRF TEAMS
Focus: GS-III Disaster Managment Why in news? The monsoon has unleashed its fury in eight states causing more than 470 deaths due to floods and landslides, with the highest toll being recorded in West Bengal, Assam and Gujarat. Details The calamity of Floods and Landslides in 8 states has resulted in deployment of at least […]
GOVT TO REVAMP FTA STRATEGY TO ENSURE ECONOMIC BENEFITS
Focus: GS-III Indian Economy Why in news? Discussions have begun at the highest level leading the deliberations on a revamped strategy on Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), coinciding the External Affair’s minister’s statement that FTAs haven’t helped India build capacity. Details The government is recalibrating its strategy on entering into free trade agreements (FTAs) in a […]
WHY ARE RE-PURPOSED MEDICINES EXPENSIVE?
Focus: GS-III Indian Economy Why in news? Clinical trials with re-purposed antivirals and biologicals have been approved in different geographical settings and these medicines are believed to have some potential in shortening the recovery time in COVID-19 patients. Recently, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) issued approval to manufacture and market Favipiravir tablets for […]
THE COVID-19 FISCAL RESPONSE AND INDIA’S STANDING
Focus: GS-III Indian Economy Introduction Before the announcement of the Atmanirbhar Bharat package, India lagged significantly behind comparable developing countries that are similar in GDP per capita, state capacity, and structure of the labour force. For example, the total Atmanirbhar package is billed at 10% of GDP, but others have estimated that the new fiscal […]
OVERCOME THE MALAISE OF DEFECTION
Focus: GS-II Governance Introduction Supreme Court (SC) judgments say it is, as do the elaborate parliamentary debates preceding the anti-defection law enacted in 1985. How are the Defectors taking Advantage of loopholes? First, if the ruling party wants to prolong itself in office with support from other parties’ legislators acting against their own parties, individual […]