Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA)
Context: A committee constituted by the Union Home Ministry in December to study the withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, or AFSPA, from Nagaland, slated to submit a report within 45 days as claimed by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, is yet to conclude its findings. The panel was formed in the wake of […]
Integrated Command and Control Centres
Context: During a two-day Smart Cities Conference in Surat, Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister that 80 Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCCs), an integral component of the Smart Cities Mission, have already been set up, while the remaining 20 would be completed by August 15 this year. Relevance: GS II- Government Policies and Interventions Dimensions […]
Niti Aayog’s Draft Battery Swapping Policy
Context: Government think-tank Niti Aayog has prepared a draft battery swapping policy, under which it has proposed offering incentives to electric vehicles (EVs) with swappable batteries, subsidies to companies manufacturing swappable batteries, a new battery-as-a-service business model, and standards for interoperable batteries, among other measures. Relevance: GS II- Government policies and Interventions Dimensions of the Article: […]
UGC Regulations for Collaboration Between Indian and Foreign Universities
Context: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has simplified the procedure for enabling academic collaborations between Indian and foreign higher educational institutions to offer joint degrees, dual degrees and twinning programmes. Relevance: GS II- Government policies and Interventions Dimensions of the Article: What has the UGC proposed? How do the new regulations differ from that of […]
Upholding the Right to Repair
Context Apple recently announced that consumers will have the right to purchase spare components of their products, following an order of the Federal Trade Commission of the United States, which directs manufacturers to remedy unfair anti-competitive practice and asks them to make sure that consumers can make repairs, either themselves or by a third-party agency. […]
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
Context: Recently, the Maharashtra government has developed a Migration Tracking System (MTS) application to map the movement of migrant workers to maintain the continuity of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) like nutrition supply, immunisation and health check-up etc. Relevance: GS II- Government policies and Interventions Dimensions of the Article: About Migration Tracking System Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) […]
The War’s Many Victims
Context Beyond Ukraine’s borders, far beyond the media spotlight, the war has launched a silent assault on the developing world. This crisis could throw up to 1.7 billion people — over one-fifth of humanity — into poverty, destitution and hunger on a scale not seen in decades. Relevance GS-II: Effect of Policies and Politics of […]
E-DAR Portal
Context: Recently, The e-DAR portal was created by the Ministry of Roads, Transport and Highways (MoRTH) (e-Detailed Accident Report). Relevance: GS II- Government policies and Intervention Dimension of the Article: About E-DAR portal How does it work? Why is this action being taken? About E-DAR portal It was created in collaboration with insurance companies to […]
Hate Speech Is Violent In Itself and Must Be Called Out
Context Hate speech is at the root of many forms of violence that are being perpetrated and has become one of the biggest challenges to the rule of law and to our democratic conscience. Relevance GS-II: Important Aspects of Governance, Transparency and Accountability, E-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; Citizens Charters, Transparency & Accountability and institutional […]
Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition & Development) Act, 1957 [CBA Act]
Focus: GS II- Government policies and Interventions Why in News? Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister has approved the policy for use of land acquired under the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition & Development) Act, 1957 [CBA Act]. The policy provides for utilisation of such land for the purpose of development and setting up of […]