India 3rd Highest Military Spender
Context: World military spending continued to grow in 2021, reaching a record $2.1 trillion despite the economic fallout of the pandemic, according to new data on global military spending published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Relevance: GS III- Indian Economy (Issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources) Dimensions of the Article: Top […]
States vs Centre on Selection of Vice-Chancellors
Context: Recently, The Tamil Nadu Assembly has adopted two Bills that seek to empower the government to appoint Vice-Chancellors (VCs) to 13 State universities under the aegis of the Higher Education Department by amending the respective Acts. Relevance: GS II- Polity and Governance Dimensions of the Article: Highlights of the two Bills Are other states […]
The Quarrel Over Kuril Islands
Context: Recently, Japan’s Diplomatic Bluebook for 2022 described the Kuril Islands (which Japan calls the Northern Territories and Russia as the South Kurils) as being under Russia’s “illegal occupation”. Relevance: GS II- International Relations Dimensions of the Article: What are the Kuril Islands/ Northern Territories? What lies behind the dispute? Attempts at resolution What next? […]
Formation and Promotion of 10,000 FPOs
Focus: GS III-Agriculture Why in News? Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has organized the National Conference of Cluster Based Business Organization’s (CBBOs), under the Central Sector Scheme of Formation and Promotion of 10,000 FPOs (Farmer Producer Organization). About the scheme: Nodal: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers welfare It is a Central Sector Scheme titled “Formation and Promotion […]
Malaria Facts
Focus: GS II- Health Why in News? Every year, 25th April is observed as ‘World Malaria Day’. This year’s theme is “Harness innovation to reduce the global malaria disease burden and save lives.” About Malaria The Malaria is a leading cause of human morbidity and mortality. Despite huge progress in tackling the disease, there are still […]
Why Reforming the System of Free Food is Necessary
Context The release of two new working papers, one from the World Bank and the other from the IMF, has led to a renewed debate on poverty in India. Relevance GS-III: Issues related to Direct and Indirect Farm Subsidies and Minimum Support Prices; Public Distribution System – Objectives, Functioning, Limitations, Revamping; Issues of Buffer Stocks […]
Carbon Pricing
Context: Recently, Pennsylvania becomes the first major fossil fuel-producing state in the US to adopt a carbon pricing policy to address climate change. It joins 11 states where coal, oil and natural gas power plants must buy credits for every ton of carbon dioxide they emit. Relevance: GS III- Environment and Ecology Dimensions of the […]
Understanding the Olga Tellis Judgment
Context: A 37-year-old Constitution Bench judgment of the Supreme Court which held that pavement dwellers are different from trespassers. This may become a game-changer in the Jahangirpuri case. Relevance: GS I- Indian Society (Urbanization, Their Problems & Remedies) Dimensions of the Article: What is the Olga Tellis judgment? What led to the judgment? What were […]
GO 111
Context: Environmentalists and activists are criticising the Telangana government for withdrawing an over 25-year-old government order protecting the historic Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar reservoirs in Hyderabad, which they say will destroy the fragile surrounding ecosystem. Relevance: GS III- Environment and Ecology Dimensions of the Article: About GO111 When and why were these reservoirs constructed? Government’s stand […]
Phone Tapping
Context: Recently, a political leader claimed that the Centre is protecting an Indian Police Service officer who is facing a First Information Report (FIR) in Mumbai and is being probed for allegedly tapping the phones. Relevance: GS II- Government Policies and Interventions, Transparency and Accountability Dimensions of the Article: What is Phone tapping How are phones tapped in India? […]