Context The 2019 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences was awarded to three economists for their pioneering research into the use of experimental approaches to fight global poverty. The new Nobel laureates are considered to be instrumental in using randomized controlled trials to test the effectiveness of various policy interventions to alleviate poverty. Why have Banerjee,… Continue reading [Burning Issue] Randomized Controlled Trial and This Year’s Nobel Prize In Economics

Context PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping recently held an informal summit in the ancient coastal town of Mamallapuram or Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu. The two countries convened their first Informal Summit in central China’s Wuhan in April 2018, where they exchanged views on issues of global and bilateral significance. Irrespective of the rhetoric… Continue reading [Burning Issue] Modi-Xi Informal Summit at Mamallapuram

Context Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina was in Delhi for a four day visit to address the World Economic Forum India summit and has signed series of agreement on various matters. However bilateral relations between the two have witnessed unprecedented tensions over the last few years owing to certain issues. An Overview India’s links with Bangladesh… Continue reading [Burning Issue] India-Bangladesh Relations in recent times

Plastic ban delayed A blanket ban though would not take place, contrary to expectations that were raised after the PM mentioned of single-use plastics in his August 15th India would phase out single-use plastics by 2022, PM Modi announced at the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in Ahmedabad on October 2, 2019. Single Use… Continue reading [Burning Issue] Ban on Single Use Plastics

Introduction Modern space research in India is traced to the 1920s, when scientist S. K. Mitra conducted a series of experiments leading to the sounding of the ionosphere by applying ground-based radio methods in Kolkata. Later, Indian scientists like C.V. Raman and Meghnad Saha contributed to scientific principles applicable in space sciences. However, it was… Continue reading [Burning Issue] India’s Space Programme

Context Despite the Russia-India-China triangle reconciling on a shared vision and responsibility for the future of Eurasia, watchfulness resurfaces behind the curtains. Unveiling the Russian edition of India’s ‘Look East, Act East’ policy, PM Modi pledged to extend a $1 billion Line of Credit to Russia’s Far East region (RFE). History of the duo The… Continue reading [Burning Issue] India-Russia Relations

Context The Centre announced a mega amalgamation plan, the third in a row, that merged ten public sector banks into four larger entities. With these series of mergers, the number of state-owned banks is down to 12 from 27. Bank Merger A merger is simply the combining of two business entities to form a larger… Continue reading [Burning Issue] Merger of Public Sector Bank