The Draft Telecom Bill
Context The Union government has released a draft of ‘The Indian Telecommunication Bill, 2022,’ in which several significant changes are proposed. These modifications include provisions for waiving dues for financially stressed operators and bringing over-the-top platforms (such as WhatsApp, Zoom, and Netflix) under the purview of telecom services. Relevance GS Paper – 2: Government Policies […]
Approach To The Death Penalty
Context The Supreme Court recently referred issues concerning procedural norms for imposing the death penalty to a larger Bench. The intervention is viewed as a significant step toward closing gaps in the way trial courts award the death penalty. This current trajectory of judicial thought will reaffirm the fundamentals of the rarest of rare principles […]
Live Streaming of SC Proceedings
Context: The Supreme Court in a full court decided to live stream its proceedings in crucial Constitution Bench cases. The decision comes nearly four years after a plea was made in the interest of transparency. Relevance: GS II: Government policies and Intervention Dimensions of the Article: Recommended by A-G Live streaming in HCs What happens […]
Semiconductor PLI: 50% of Project Cost Cleared
Context Changes to the Rs 76,000-crore semiconductor Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme were recently approved by the Union Cabinet. The PLI scheme incentivizes businesses to improve their domestic manufacturing. The PLI schemes are carried out by the relevant Ministries/Departments. PLI Schemes for 13 industries were announced in the Union Budget 2021-22. Later, the textile industry […]
About SPARSH Initiative
Focus: GS II: Government policies and Intervention Why in News? The Defence Accounts Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today with Bank of Baroda and HDFC Bank, to onboard them as Service Centres under the System for Pension Administration (Raksha) (SPARSH) initiative, across more than 14,000 branches throughout India. About SPARSH SPARSH is an initiative […]
Convergence Module Between AIF, PMFME & PMKSY
Focus: GS II: Government policies and Intervention Why in News? As part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Union Ministers launched the convergence module between the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) scheme of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Pradhan Mantri Micro Food Enterprises Upgradation Scheme (PMFME) and Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) of the […]
About PM CARES Fund
Focus: GS II: Government policies and Intervention Why in News? Prime Minister chaired a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the PM CARES Fund About PM CARES – Fund The Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM CARES Fund) was created on 28 March 2020, following the COVID-19 pandemic in […]
Controversy Over NAAC’s System
Context: The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), which carries out quality checks or assessments of Indian Higher-level Educational Institutions (HEIs), courted controversy recently over the rating of the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda and allegations of bribery in the process. Relevance: GS II: Education, Government policies and Interventions Dimensions of the Article: What is […]
A Economically Weaker Sections Quota
Context: The 10% quota for economically weaker sections (EWS) of society does not erode the rights of the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes or the Other Backward Classes, Attorney-General of India submitted before a Constitution Bench led by Chief Justice of India. Relevance: GS II: Government policies and Interventions Dimensions of the Article: EWS quota: […]
Hijab Case and Doctrine of Essential Practices
Context A two-judge Bench of the Supreme Court of India is currently hearing arguments on the correctness of a Karnataka High Court judgement that upheld the ban on students wearing the hijab in Karnataka. This is concerning because it requires judges to engage in not only legal analysis but also theological study, which a legal […]