Ban Lifted on Public Servants’ Participation in RSS Activities
Context: Recently, the Indian government lifted a longstanding ban preventing public servants from participating in Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activities. This decision, issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), removed references to the RSS from official memorandums dating back to 1966, 1970, and 1980. Relevance: GS II: Polity and Governance Dimensions of the […]
Rising Demand for Separate Bhil Pradesh State
Context: Recently, there has been a growing demand for the formation of a separate Bhil state, “Bhil Pradesh,” in Rajasthan and neighbouring states. Relevance: GS II: Polity and Governance Dimensions of the Article: Bhills: An Overview Background: Cultural and Religious Practices: Demand for Bhil Pradesh Historical Context: Proposed Area: Reasons for Demand: Criticisms: Regions Demanding […]
National Flag Day 2024
Context: India’s National Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the Indian national flag on 22nd July 1947, by the Constituent Assembly, a few days before the country attained Independence from the British on 15th August 1947. Relevance: GS II: Polity and Governance Dimensions of the Article: National Flag Day Historical Context Resolution and Design Major Laws Governing the National Flag […]
Madhya Pradesh’s Requirement for CBI Consent
Context: The Government of Madhya Pradesh has announced that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will now require written consent from the state government to initiate any inquiry against state officials. This decision follows a trend where several states have withdrawn general consent for CBI investigations, sparking discussions on the necessity of new legislation to […]
Reconstitution of NITI Aayog
Context: The Centre has reconstituted the NITI Aayog, incorporating 15 union ministers, including members from NDA allies and four full-time members, into the government think-tank. This reconstitution follows recent changes in the council of ministers, reflecting a renewed focus on policy-making and strategic planning. Relevance: GS II: Polity and Governance Dimensions of the Article: About […]
Supreme Court Overturns Foreigners’ Tribunal Decision in Assam
Context: The Supreme Court has declared Md Rahim Ali, a resident of Assam, a citizen of India, overturning a decision made by the state’s Foreigners’ Tribunal (FT). The FT had earlier declared Ali a foreigner due to minor discrepancies in spellings and dates within his documents, accusing him of entering India illegally on or after […]
Supreme Court’s Landmark Ruling on PwDs in Media
Context: In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court issued comprehensive guidelines to prevent stereotyping and discrimination against persons with disabilities (PwDs) in visual media, including films and documentaries. The guidelines were issued while hearing a plea to ban the film “Aaankh Micholi” for its derogatory portrayal of PwDs. However, the SC declined to interfere with […]
Delhi Urban Land and Immovable Property Records Bill 2024
Context: The Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry (MoHUA) is working on a law – the Delhi Urban Land and Immovable Property Records Bill 2024, that would bring all urban land and building records in the national capital under a single Authority. Relevance: GS II Polity and Governance Dimensions of the Article: Major Impediments in […]
Draft Digital Competition Bill
Context: In February 2023, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) established the Committee on Digital Competition Law (CDCL) to consider the need for a specific law governing competition in digital markets. After extensive discussions, the CDCL determined that the existing Competition Act, 2002, which operates on an ex-post framework (addressing issues after they arise), should […]
Importance of Census for Addressing Discrimination
Context: Peter Drucker’s quote, “Only what gets measured gets managed,” underscores the need for collecting data on group identities to effectively tackle discrimination. This is crucial for informed policymaking and fostering inclusive development. For instance, the lack of racial data in Germany’s census puts Black communities at a disadvantage. In response, the Afrozensus survey initiated […]