Ninth Schedule of Indian Constitution
read: [Burning Issue] SC judgement on Reservation not being a Fundamental Right
Distribution: yearly
GST on processed food items
A recent GST ruling sparked off the debate with the Authority for Advance Rulings (AAR, Karnataka Bench) suggesting parottas would be subject to a higher GST rate of 18 per cent as compared to roti. Try this question from CSP 2018: Q. Consider the following items: Cereal grains hulled Chicken eggs cooked Fish processed and… Continue reading GST on processed food items
AarogyaPath Platform for the Healthcare Supply Chain
AarogyaPath Platform has been recently launched to provide real-time availability of critical healthcare supplies. Possible prelims question: Q. The AarogyaPath platform recently seen in news is related to: Options: a) Tracking of COVID patients/ b) Emergency ambulances service/c) Supply-chain solutions of healthcare facilities/ d)E-com portal for generic medicines ⌠Aarogyapath platform The information platform named… Continue reading AarogyaPath Platform for the Healthcare Supply Chain
Digital surveillance for Covid could do more harm than good
Two issues are examined in detail in this article. The first is about the lack of legal framework in India. And the second which is related to the first is the deployment of technology and its benefit and issues it raises. The nature of private-friendly technology to track the disease is also elaborated. Disease surveillance… Continue reading Digital surveillance for Covid could do more harm than good
Tracking the epidemic
This article suggests the innovative indicators for the classification of areas. Also, the need for decentralisation of science and governance is stressed. So, how could decentralisation help? What should form the basis of indicators at the local level? Such questions are answered in this article. States are better placed to deliver on public health They… Continue reading Tracking the epidemic
MOOC can’t be the substitute for learning in the classroom
Massive open online courses (MOOC) could not be panacea for the problems education faces. It can’t be the replacement for the learning in the classrooms. This article highlights the issues with adoption of MOOC and why it can’t be the replacement for learning in the classrooms. UGC circular to adopt MOOC In the wake of… Continue reading MOOC can’t be the substitute for learning in the classroom
Sahakar Mitra Scheme
The Union Ministry for Agriculture has launched Sahakar Mitra: Scheme on Internship Programme (SIP). Note: Article 19 states that the Right to form co-operative societies is a Fundamental Right and DPSP Article 43-B provides for the promotion of co-operative societies. Sahakar Mitra Scheme The scheme is an initiative by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC),… Continue reading Sahakar Mitra Scheme
I-FLOWS: Mumbai Flood Management System
Integrated Flood Warning System for Mumbai (I-FLOWS Mumbai), a state-of-the-art flood warning system has been developed for the city. Practice question for mains: Q. Urban floods in India are consequences of unplanned urbanization in India. Discuss with references to the frequent annual floods in Mumbai. What is IFLOWS-Mumbai? IFLOWS is a monitoring and flood warning… Continue reading I-FLOWS: Mumbai Flood Management System
FSSAI Food Safety Index for 2019-20
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recently released its Food Safety report for 2019-20. Food safety has been in news this year quite frequent. Do make a note of following â Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), Red Octagon, Eat Right Movement, Food Safety Mitra etc. The Food Safety Index The index ranks… Continue reading FSSAI Food Safety Index for 2019-20
A case for quiet diplomacy to resolve standoff
Apart from the recent one, there had been several stand-offs between India and China over the border issue. The use of quiet diplomacy to diffuse the situation underlies all these stand-offs. However, politicisation of stand-off could make the situation difficult to resolve. This article explains the use of quiet diplomacy and problems posed by the… Continue reading A case for quiet diplomacy to resolve standoff
Migrants and COVID
In this Article, we highlight some facts about migration in India, summarize key relief measures announced by the government and directives issued by the Supreme Court for the migrant population in relation to the lockdown. Background India has been in lock down since March 25, 2020. During this time, the activities of production and… Continue reading Migrants and COVID
Reservation not fundamental right: SC refuses to hear pleas by TN parties
What did the Honâble Supreme Court rule? Article 16 (4) and 16 (4-A) are in the nature of enabling provisions, vesting a discretion on the State Government to consider providing reservations, if the circumstances so warrant. It is settled law that the State Government cannot be directed to provide reservations for appointments in public… Continue reading Reservation not fundamental right: SC refuses to hear pleas by TN parties
Guidelines for Import of Exotic Species
The Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC) has issued an advisory saying people importing âexotic live speciesâ will have to make a voluntary disclosure. Practice questions for mains: Q. What are Zoonotic Diseases? Discuss how the illicit trade in wildlife has resulted in the spread of zoonotic diseases of the scale of the… Continue reading Guidelines for Import of Exotic Species
National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) âIndia Rankings 2020â
The National Institute Ranking Framework (NIRF) ranking list has been released by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD). Practice question for mains: Q. What is NIRF? Discuss the parameters and methodology used in the ranking. Also, discuss its key features and limitations. About NIRF The NIRF is a methodology adopted by the Ministry of… Continue reading National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) âIndia Rankings 2020â
Nature Index, 2020
India has ranked twelfth, globally in science research output as per the recently-released Nature Index table 2020. The top five positions have gone to the United States of America, China, Germany, United Kingdom and Japan. Note: This nature index has nothing to do with nature conservation. It has only mentioned the rankings of research institutes… Continue reading Nature Index, 2020
Lonar Lake colour changes to pink
The colour of water in Maharashtraâs Lonar Lake, formed after a meteorite hit the Earth some 50,000 years ago, has changed to glaring. Make a note of all saltwater lakes in India. Few of them are Pulicat, Pangong Tso, Chilika, and Sambhar Lakes etc. About Lonar Lake Lonar Lake, also known as Lonar crater, is… Continue reading Lonar Lake colour changes to pink
Crisis of today should not blind us to the crisis of tomorrow
Covid-19 pandemic has overwhelmed the governments across the world. And the destruction caused by it would impact not only our present but the future as well. So, what this means to our climate future? First and foremost, it will leave the governments with less fund to invest for the greener outcomes. What would be the… Continue reading Crisis of today should not blind us to the crisis of tomorrow
Expanding the G7
There has been a call for expansion of G7 by the U.S. President. Against this backdrop, this article examines the historical background in which the group emerged. But a lot has changed since. So, it would be appropriate for G7 to adjust to the new reality. But what would be the focus of a new… Continue reading Expanding the G7
GM seeds: the debate, and a sowing agitation
In the current Kharif season, farmers would undertake mass sowing of GM seeds for maize, soybean, mustard brinjal and herbicide-tolerant (Ht) cotton, although these are not approved. Farmers had carried out a similar movement last year, too. Practice question for mains: Q. Indian agriculture is in a way, a victim of its own past success… Continue reading GM seeds: the debate, and a sowing agitation
LAC row: China reaches accord with India
China said that it had âreached an agreementâ with India on the ongoing tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), a day after India announced troops from both sides had begun a âpartial disengagementâ from some of the stand-off points. Practice question for mains: Q. âEarly settlement of the boundary question serves the fundamental… Continue reading LAC row: China reaches accord with India
