Current Affairs 26 April 2022

CONTENTS

1. The quarrel over Kuril Islands
2. India 3rd highest military spender
3. States vs Centre on selection of Vice-Chancellors
4. Anti-Defection Law

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:

1. What are the Kuril Islands/ Northern Territories?
2. What lies behind the dispute?
3. Attempts at resolution
4. What next?

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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:

1. Top defence spenders in 2021
2. India’s defence expenditure
3. About SIPRI

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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:

1. Highlights of the two Bills
2. Are other states trying to curtail the Governor’s role in appointing VCs?
3. What is at the root of the differences?
4. What is the UGC’s role in this?

Click Here To Read More:  States vs Centre on Selection of Vice-Chancellors

Anti-Defection Law

Context:

Recently, the Vice-President has said that the time has come to amend the anti-defection legislation in the country to plug existing loopholes.

Relevance:

GS-II: Polity and Constitution (Constitutional Provisions, Legislature and Elections, Executive, Separation of Powers)

Dimensions of the Article:

1. What is Defection?
2. 10^th Schedule of the Indian Constitution (Anti-Defection Law)
3. When do the Legislators face risk of disqualification?
4. Issues with having an Anti-defection law

Click Here To Read More: Anti-Defection Law