One Year Since the Pegasus Spyware Revelations
Context: The Supreme Court will be hearing the case pertaining to the alleged use of the Pegasus spyware software later this month. Relevance: GS-III: Internal Security Challenges (Basics of Cyber Security; Role of media and social-networking sites in internal security challenges; Internal security challenges through communication networks), GS-II: Polity and Constitution (Constitutional Provisions, Fundamental Rights, […]
NITI Aayog’s India Innovation Index, 2022
Context: Karnataka has bagged the top rank in NITI Aayog’s India Innovation Index, 2022, which determines innovation capacities and ecosystems at the sub-national level. Relevance: GS II- Polity and Governance Dimensions of the Article: About India Innovation Index Highlights of India Innovation Index 2022 Report recommended measures About India Innovation Index NITI (National Institution for […]
India’s Law On Abortion
Context: Recently, A 25-year-old pregnant woman moved the Supreme Court seeking an abortion after the Delhi High Court declined her plea last week. The woman has also challenged Rule 3B of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Rules, 2003, which allows only some categories of women to seek termination of pregnancy between 20 and 24 weeks. […]
The Outrage Over the New National Emblem
Context: Prime Minister recently gave the nation a first glimpse of the national emblem atop the new Parliament House coming up as part of the Central Vista Project. The first look at the new 6.5 metre bronze emblem disappointed many with its alleged inaccuracies in depiction. Relevance: GS II- Polity and Governance Dimensions of the […]
Fundamental Duties of the Citizen
Context: The Supreme Court has allowed the Centre’s request for two months’ time to file a reply to a petition seeking the enforcement of fundamental duties of citizens, including patriotism and unity of nation, through “comprehensive, and well-defined laws”. Relevance: GS II- Polity (Indian Constitution) Dimensions of the Article: Details How were the fundamental duties […]
Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA)
Context: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has removed some crucial data from the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) website. The information removed includes the annual returns of NGOs and a list of NGOs whose licences have been cancelled. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Governance (Government Policies & Interventions, Non-Governmental Organisations -NGOs), GS-III: Indian Economy (External […]
About NITI Aayog
Focus: GS II- Polity and Governance Why in News? NITI Aayog welcomed Shri Parameswaran Iyer as NITI Aayog’s CEO. About NITI Aayog The NITI Aayog serves as the apex public policy think tank of the GoI. It was established in 2015, by the NDA government, to replace the Planning Commission which followed a top-down model. […]
New Guidelines To Prevent Unfair Trade Practices
Context: Recently, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) announced five guidelines to prevent unfair trade practices and to protect consumer interests regarding the levy of service charges in hotels and restaurants. The guidelines are in addition to the Centre’s 2017 guidelines which prohibit the levy of service charges on consumers by hotels and restaurants, and terms the charging […]
National Monuments Authority
Focus: GS II- Polity and Governance Why in News? NMA has recommended that Sankalp Bhumi Banyan tree campus in Vadodara, where Dr. Ambedkar had taken a resolve to eradicate untouchability on 23th September, 1917 be declared as Monument of National Importance. NMA has also recommended a place in Satara (Maharashtra) where B R Ambedkar received his […]
Hurt Sentiments, Hate Crimes and Punishment
Context There should be no tolerance for violence motivated by “hurt feelings” caused by hate speech. Recent incidences of persons being killed for offending sentiments in Udaipur (Rajasthan) and Amravati (Maharashtra) cast doubt on India’s secular foundation. Relevance GS Paper 2: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States pressure groups and formal/informal associations […]