ON THE FRONT FOOT
Why in news? The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) decided at a meeting to keep the interest rates unchanged in the wake of a rise in inflation, but emphasised that there would be space for rate reduction The introduction of one- and three-year term repos at policy rate of 5.15% […]
ELECTRIC VEHICLE ECOSYSTEM’S TAKING SOLID SHAPE IN INDIA
The number of electric cars grew by about 300% in the last decade The absolute number is only around 4,000 electric cars on Indian roads, which is just about 0.1% of close to 3.5 million cars sold in the last year India is a market that provides a tremendous opportunity in the EV space Government […]
THE WORLD MUST ACT AGAINST THE THREAT OF AUTONOMOUS WEAPONS
We are fast approaching a pivotal moment in the global arms race for Lethal Autonomous Weapons (LAWs) Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning will disrupt the way things are being done right now Major countries and technology companies all over the world are developing LAWs capable of acquiring, identifying and engaging targets without any meaningful […]
COURSE CORRECTION FOR THE SPEAKER’S OFFICE
Why in news? Recently, the Supreme Court of India while adjudicating upon the matter relating to the disqualification of MLAs in the Manipur Legislative Assembly under the Tenth Schedule made a significant suggestion. It recommended that Parliament should rethink as to whether disqualification petitions ought to be entrusted to a Speaker as a quasi-judicial authority when […]
FASHIONING THE FRAMEWORK OF A NEW INDIA
Why in news? The Indian economy is going through a severe crisis: a slowdown as well as a structural crisis. In the words of the former Chief Economic Adviser, Arvind Subramanian, it is headed towards the ICU. Almost all sectors of the economy are in decline: the rate of growth of the national GDP has […]
PURIFYING WATER: ON DRAFT NOTIFICATION ON RO SYSTEMS
The Environment Ministry’s draft notification to regulate the use of membrane-based water purification systems primarily concerns the manufacturers of reverse osmosis (RO) water filters but effectively bars domestic users from installing RO systems The association of water filter manufacturers challenged this order and the litigation led to this pan-India notification, where the intent is to conserve water […]
A NUTRITION RICH INDIA CAN DO MORE, AND DO IT BETTER
Context: The wasting of millions of young children, owing to malnutrition, is a key imbalance Details: The next decade is going to be decisive to irrevocably rid ourselves of deficiencies One critical imbalance to eliminate is that of inequalities of opportunity Due to malnutrition- we are wasting of millions of our young children and the inability […]
NAVY TO THE RESCUE
Why in news? India sent an amphibious warship, INS Airavat, to Madagascar in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) to help in rescue efforts after the island nation was hit by a cyclone. As part of Operation Vanilla, the Navy delivered clothing, food and medicines, and also provided diving and communication assistance for evacuation More examples In March […]
A CASE OF A MARITIME PRESENCE ADRIFT
Why in news? The International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations agency tasked with regulating shipping, mandated that merchant ships should not burn fuel with sulphur content greater than 0.5% beginning January 1. Prior to the mandate by IMO, there was 3.5% of Sulphur in the fuel It was said to damage the vessels and even causing […]
CONTINUITY AND FISCAL FOLLOW THROUGH: 15TH FINANCE COMMISSION’S INTERNIM REPORT
Why in news? The appointment of the Fifteenth Finance Commission by the President of India under Article 280 of the Constitution was notified on November 27, 2017. It was required to submit the report by October 30, 2019 for five years for the period 2020-21 to 2024-25 Notifications were issued first, on July 27 extending […]