Context In an attempt to attract investments in coal mining, the Union Cabinet approved the promulgation of Mineral Laws (Amendment) Ordinance 2020. With this India has opened up the coal sector completely for commercial mining for all local and global firms after easing restrictions on end-use and prior experience in auctions. The move is sought… Continue reading [Burning Issue] The Mineral Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020

Context Freedom of religion in India is a fundamental right guaranteed by Article 25-28 of the Constitution of India. The Supreme Court in a recent judgement has held that the state is well within its rights to introduce a regulatory regime in the “national interest” to provide minority educational institutions with well-qualified teachers in order… Continue reading [Burning Issue] Regulation of Minority Institutions

    Context Major General Qassem Soleimani, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander was killed in a US strike near Baghdad International airport. One of the most popular figures in Iran, Soleimani was known as the most powerful general in the Middle East and has been repeatedly touted as a possible presidential candidate. He was the… Continue reading [Burning Issue] Killing of General Qassem Soleimani and its global implications

Continued ….   Comparison with 2017 report The 2019 survey has found an increase of 5,188 sq km in total forest and tree cover in the country. Tree and forest cover together made up 24.56% (8,07,276 sq km) of India’s area. In the last assessment it was 24.39%. The nation’s tree and forest cover has… Continue reading [Burning Issue] India State of Forest Report 2019 : Part-II

Context Forests play an extremely important role in ensuring ecological balance and existence of life on the earth. However, rampant cutting of trees and thinning of forests has been taking place in the country due to activities related to development and infrastructure building, emphasise the environmental experts. Thus, in a bid to keep up the… Continue reading [Burning Issue] India State of Forest Report 2019 : Part-I

Context The Anti-Maritime Piracy Bill, 2019 was introduced in Lok Sabha by the Ministry of External Affairs, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar this month. The Bill provides for prevention of maritime piracy and prosecution of persons for such piracy-related crimes.  It provides for stringent punishment, including the death penalty, for those involved in piracy at sea. Why… Continue reading [Burning Issue] The Anti-Maritime Piracy Bill, 2019

Context The 25th annual talks under the UNFCCC referred to as the Conference of Parties (COP) ended in Madrid. The countries party to the Paris Agreement failed to agree on various important aspects regarding climate change like: rules and procedures to govern a global carbon market finance for losses caused by extreme weather events on… Continue reading [Burning Issue] Outcome of the Madrid Climate Talks

Context The Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) became law after receiving the President’s assent following a bruising debate in Parliament. Since then, Assam has been in the throes of violence with its capital under indefinite curfew, and Army and paramilitary columns rolling across multiple towns. The protest has also rocked various colleges and university campuses across… Continue reading [Burning Issue] Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019

Context The Parliament has passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019, with the Rajya Sabha approving it by a voice vote. The Lok Sabha had already passed the bill in December 2018. Why need such a bill? Transgender individuals in India often face stigma and systematic exclusion in education and employment. As a… Continue reading [Burning Issue] Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill

Context In the biggest privatization drive, the Union Cabinet has approved sale of the government’s stake to cut shareholding in select public sector firms below 51% to boost revenue collections that have been hit by slowing economy. These CPSE’s include blue-chip oil firm Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) and on-land… Continue reading [Burning Issue] Strategic Disinvestment of Central Public Sector Enterprises

Context From December 1, lanes on NH toll plazas across India has started accepting toll only through FASTag. One hybrid lane will continue to accept cash in addition to being tag-enabled. What is ‘FASTag’? FASTags are stickers that are affixed to the windscreen of vehicles and use Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to enable digital,… Continue reading [Burning Issue] Implementation of FASTags

Context Labour and Employment Ministry has introduced the Labour Code on Industrial Relations bill in the Lok Sabha. As part of labour reform initiatives, the labour ministry has decided to amalgamate 44 labour laws into four codes—on wages, industrial relations, social security and safety, health and working conditions. The industrial relations code is the third… Continue reading [Burning Issue] Labour Code on Industrial Relations

Context   Recently Gotabaya Rajapaksa was elected as new President of Sri Lanka. This election was based on security issues that emerged after a suicide bombing attack claimed by Islamic State on Easter Sunday this year. As Gotabaya settles into office and visits India end of this week, on the 29th, the Indian government would… Continue reading [Burning Issue] Presidential Elections in Sri Lanka and India- Sri Lanka relations in recent times

  Context The 11th summit of the BRICS grouping comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa was held in Brasilia last week. Pitted as a counterweight to G7, the combine of developed economies, BRICS represents the world’s top emerging economies and claims to serve as a bridge between the developed and developing world. Questions… Continue reading [Burning Issue] Relevance of BRICS in the changing global order

Context In a unanimous judgment, a bench headed by CJI Ranjan Gogoi asked the Centre to formulate a scheme within three months and set up a trust to manage the property and construct a temple. Centre had acquired the entire 67.73 acres of land including the 2.77 acre of the disputed Ramjanmabhumi-Babri Masjid premises in… Continue reading [Burning Issue] The Ram Janmabhoomi Verdict