Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)
Context: The Union government is reassessing the concept of the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) leading to a delay in the appointment to the post. The post of CDS has also been lying vacant since the demise of Late. Gen. Bipin Rawat. Relevance: GS II- Polity […]
GatiShakti Sanchar Portal
Focus: GS II- Government policies and Interventions Why in News? The Union Minister for Communications, Electronics & IT recently launched the “GatiShakti Sanchar” portal. About GatiShakti Sanchar portal: This will provide a robust mechanism to achieve the goal of “Broadband for All” as envisaged in the National Digital Communication Policy-2. It aims to provide for Centralised Right of Way (RoW) […]
National Data & Analytics Platform (NDAP)
Focus: GS II- e-Governance Why in News? NITI Aayog has launched the NDAP for open public use. What is NDAP? The platform aims to democratize access to public government data by making data accessible, interoperable, interactive, and available on a user-friendly platform. It hosts foundational datasets from various government agencies, presents them coherently, and provides […]
Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana
Context In the financial year 2021-22, 90-lakh beneficiaries of the flagship welfare scheme, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), did not take refill gas cylinders. And over one crore beneficiaries got their refills only once. Relevance: GS-II: Social Justice and Governance (Welfare Schemes, Government Policies & Interventions) Dimensions of the Article: About Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana […]
On the Question of Notifying Minorities
Context: A public interest litigation (PIL) under the consideration of the Supreme Court of India challenges the power of the Centre to notify minority communities at a national level. Relevance: GS II- Polity and Governance Dimensions of the Article: Who is a minority and who decides that? What does the PIL argue? Constitutional Provisions Who […]
SC Puts ‘Colonial’ Sedition Law on Hold
Context: The Supreme Court suspended pending criminal trials and court proceedings under Section 124A (sedition) of the Indian Penal Code, while allowing the Union of India to reconsider the British-era law. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Constitution (Constitutional Provisions, Fundamental Rights), GS-II: Governance (Government Policies and Initiatives) Dimensions of the Article: What did the SC say? […]
Delhi HC Gives Split Verdict on Marital Rape
Context: A two-judge Bench of the Delhi High Court delivered a split verdict in a batch of petitions challenging the exception provided to marital rape in the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Relevance: GS-II: Social Justice (Issues related to Women, Government Policies and Initiatives), GS-II: Polity and Governance (Important Judgements and Committees) Dimensions of the Article: About […]
Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA)
Context: The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested four current and two former officials of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) division of the Union Home Ministry, along with eight others, for allegedly facilitating illegal clearances to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) under the Act, in lieu of bribes. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Governance (Government Policies & […]
MP Local Area Development Scheme
Context: At a time when MPs have been asking for an increase in the MP Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) fund, the Union Finance Ministry has ordered revised rules, under which the interest that the fund accrues will be deposited in the Consolidated Fund of India. Relevance: GS II- Government policies and Interventions, Welfare Schemes […]
PMJJBY, PMSBY and APY
Context: Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Atal Pension Yojana (APY) completed 7 years of providing social security net Relevance: GS II- Government policies and Interventions, Welfare Schemes Dimensions of the Article: Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) Atal Pension […]