Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister
Context: The Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council (EAC) to the Prime Minister emphasized the need for a new poverty line at a data user conference organized by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) recently. Relevance: GS II: Polity and Governance About Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM): -Source: Indian Express
Bengaluru Proposes Increase in Solid Waste Management Cess
Context: Recently, Bengaluru has proposed increasing the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Cess to Rs. 100 per month for each household to address the high financial strain in the SWM process. Currently, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) charge about Rs. 30-50 per month for SWM services, which is often collected along with property tax. Relevance: GS II: […]
Unlawful Activities Prevention Act
Context: Recently, the Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) approved the prosecution of novelist Arundhati Roy for supposedly making provocative statements at a 2010 event that advocated Kashmiri separatism. This approval was granted under Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, of 1967. Relevance: GS II: Polity and Governance Dimensions of the Article: The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), […]
Background of the National Litigation Policy
Context: With an aim to reduce the burden of pending court cases in which the government is a party, the Union Ministry of Law and Justice approved the National Litigation Policy, which will now be sent to the Cabinet for approval. Relevance: GS II: Polity and Governance Dimensions of the Article: Background of the National […]
First Past The Post vs. Proportional Representation
Context: The results of the Lok Sabha elections were declared last week. The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has won 293 seats with a 43.3% vote share while the Opposition bloc INDIA (including Trinamool Congress) has secured 234 seats with a 41.6% vote share. Other regional parties and independents polled around 15% but ended up […]
Highest NOTA Votes Recorded in Indore Constituency
Context: Recently, the Lok Sabha elections in Indore, Madhya Pradesh saw a remarkable outcome, with the NOTA (None of the Above) option receiving over 2 lakh votes, making it the highest ever for NOTA in any constituency. Relevance: GS II: Polity and Governance Dimensions of the Article: What is NOTA in Indian Elections? Historical Background […]
Special Marriage Act (SMA) 1954
Context: The Madhya Pradesh High Court’s recent decision regarding the marriage of a Muslim man and a Hindu woman, registered under the Special Marriage Act (SMA), has attracted significant attention. The court dismissed the couple’s petition for protection and assistance in registering their marriage, citing incompatibility with personal laws. A ‘registered marriage’ under the SMA […]
What is Special Category Status (SCS)?
Context: With the General Elections throwing up a fractured mandate, Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) and Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party are set to play a key role in government formation at the Centre. Consequently, their past demands for special category status (SCS) for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, respectively, are back in focus. This development […]
Supreme Court of India’s Order on Advertising
Context: Recently, the Supreme Court of India has ordered that all advertisers/advertising agencies must submit a ‘Self-Declaration Certificate’ before publishing or broadcasting any advertisement. Relevance: GS II: Polity and Governance Supreme Court’s Order on Advertisements New Requirement Purpose Compliance and Guidelines Norms of Journalistic Conduct of the Press Council of India. Submission Process Record Keeping: Advertisers […]
NDA Wins Third Term but Requires Coalition
Context: The NDA has won a historic third term at the Centre, but the BJP fell short of the 272-seat majority, necessitating a coalition government. Previously, the BJP’s majority in the last two Lok Sabhas marked the first time since economic reforms began in 1991 that a single party had a majority mandate, which was […]