It’s time to flatten the pandemic stereotyping
Why in news? “Super Spreader” means an individual who transmits infection to many others than is typical It emerged in the context of the research on transmission of a wide range of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, Ebola, and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which shows that 80% of the infections in a population are […]
challenge of schooling India’s offline millions
Why in news? A whopping 1.6 billion young people, or about 90% of the world’s student population, were shut out of school and university due to measures to contain covid-19 in the month of April. Education emergency 9.7 million children are affected by school closures and face the risk of never going back to class, […]
Enabling people to govern themselves
Why in news? The health and economic crisis as a result of COVID 19 pandemic has revealed the inadequacies of the governance structures at various levels. Besides the siloed approach towards economic, social and environmental issues has resulted in breakdown of one system while revamping the other. Issues with current governance structures Flawed Design The […]
CENTRE URGES SC AGAINST DIRECT RELIEF IN SCAM CASES
Focus: GS-II Governance Why in news? The Union government filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court suggesting there was a trend of people accused in high-value economic offences approaching the Supreme Court directly — instead of an appropriate court — to get protection from arrest. Details In 44 such instances where economic offenders had approached […]
HOW TO RESOLVE INDIVIDUAL DATA PRIVACY COMPLAINTS?
Focus: GS-II Governance Why in news? The current version of the draft Personal Data Protection (PDP) Bill is being reviewed by a Joint Parliamentary Committee. Personal Data Protection Bill 2019 The Personal Data Protection Bill 2019 (PDP Bill 2019) is being analyzed by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) in consultation with experts and stakeholders. The […]
OWNING UP TO CRIMINALISATION IN POLITICS
Focus: GS-II Governance Introduction A February 2020 Supreme Court judgment on criminalisation in politics may have far-reaching consequences for Indian democracy, as it will first be implemented in the coming Bihar elections in October 2020. Court’s directives Earlier Orders Earlier orders state that Each candidate shall submit a sworn affidavit giving financial details and criminal […]
UGC: SAFETY NORMS DRAWN UP FOR UNIVERSITY EXAMS
Focus: GS-II Governance Why in news? HRD Ministry sends guidelines to NTA, UGC and AICTE as the Centre wants universities to take to safeguard students taking examinations physically. Details of Measures Two-meters space between examination desks; Disinfection of walls, floors and doors; Thermometers and sanitisers at all entry and exit points; Students having symptoms such […]
THE SOCIAL CONTRACT NEEDS TO BE REWRITTEN
Focus: GS-II Governance Introduction Professor H.L.A. Hart once said, “freedom (the absence of coercion) can be valueless to those victims of unrestricted competition too poor to make use of it; so, it will be pedantic to point out to them that even though they are starving they are free”. Social Contract Theory and Democracy There […]
POSTAL BALLOTS: EXPLAINED
Focus: GS-II Governance Why in news? The Election Commission has announced that it will allow those above the age of 65 as well as those under home or institutional quarantine to vote using postal ballots during the Bihar elections. What is Postal Voting? Postal Voting is a facility for a set of voters, through which […]
RE-ENFRANCHISE THE FORGOTTEN VOTER
Focus: GS-II Governance Introduction In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has made it possible for senior citizens above the age of 65 to vote by postal ballot, given that they are at greater risk from exposure to the novel coronavirus. Hitherto, this option was available only to disabled citizens […]