Simplifying UPSC IAS Preparation
Insights into Editorial: In political micro-targeting, the vulnerable Indian voter Context: In recent, there was a massive outcry against the hiring, by Indian political parties, of Cambridge Analytica, a data mining and analytics firm. The episode highlighted the need for regulating social media platforms by way of a comprehensive data protection law which takes issues …
Insights into Editorial: Why have LPG prices seen a sharp rise? Context: In recent, LPG prices, which are revised on a monthly basis, went up again. The rate for unsubsidised, 14.2 kg cylinders has risen by a steep Rs.144.50 in Delhi, at Rs.858.50. In January 2020, a non-subsidised LPG cylinder cost ₹714 in Delhi. In …
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Insights into Editorial: Choice and candidacy: On crime and politics Introduction: Criminalization of politics is a vital topic to be discussed in any democratic platform. This issue is on focus every now and then. The Government and the governance system’s credibility is questioned. Sometimes the government loses its legitimacy and authenticity due to the involvement …
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Insights into Editorial: Nutrition and the Budget’s fine print Context: In Recent, the Global Hunger Index, reported that India suffers from “serious” hunger, ranked 102 out of 117 countries, and that just a tenth of children between six to 23 months are fed a minimum acceptable diet. With the largest number of undernourished people in …
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Reservation as right: The Delhi model of education Introduction: Mahatma Gandhi secured the participation of thousands of households in the freedom struggle when he launched the civil disobedience movement. For every household today, rich or poor, education has the same relevance as salt did in 1930. This is seen in the resounding verdict given …
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Insights into Editorial: ‘Only 82 trafficking survivors awarded relief in last 8 years’ Context: Highlighting the poor status of compensation awarded to survivors of human trafficking in the country, response obtained through RTI queries from 25 States and seven Union Territories reveal that between March 2011 and April 2019 only 82 such victims were awarded …
Insights into Editorial: For a data firewall: On need for a data protection law Context: The report by a German cybersecurity firm that medical details of millions of Indian patients were leaked and are freely available on the Internet is worrying. The firm listed 1.02 million studies of Indian patients and 121 million medical images, …
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Insights into Editorial: Fashioning the framework of a New India Context: State of Indian Economy: 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 …
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Insights into Editorial: Course correction for the Speaker’s office Context: 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 in Keisham Meghachandra Singh vs. the Hon’ble Speaker Manipur Legislative Assembly & Ors. made a significant suggestion. The office …
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Insights into Editorial: Purifying water: On draft notification on RO systems Context: 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 Central government has drawn up plans to ban the …
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Insights into Editorial: What Brexit means for the EU and its partners Context: On January 31, 2020, the United Kingdom left the European Union. Britain has officially left the European Union (EU) and has become the first country to leave the 28-member bloc. Nevertheless, we have always respected the sovereign decision of 52% of the …
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Insights into Editorial: Growing wealth inequality doesn’t bode well for India’s future Context: The policy world has witnessed the ripples caused by Oxfam releasing its Annual Inequality Report ahead of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Every year, this report captures staggering increases in global wealth inequality over the years. This year, the report established …
Insights into Editorial: Changes in 1971 abortion law, and why India feels it necessary Context: The Union Cabinet cleared a long-pending change to the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 that raises the legally permissible limit for an abortion to 24 weeks from the current 20 weeks. The Union cabinet has done well to approve …
Insights into Editorial: Economic Survey 2020 takes a cue from China for creation of 8 crore jobs Context: Finance Minister tabled the Economic Survey 2019-20 in the Parliament after a joint address by President Ram Nath Kovind to both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Prepared by Chief Economic Advisor, the Economic Survey gives a review …
Insights into Editorial: Will Budget 2020 work in getting the Indian economy back on track? Context: Union Budget of India is the country’s comprehensive Annual Financial Statement. The Union Budget consists of a detailed account of the government’s finances, its revenues from various sources and expenditures to be incurred on different activities that it will …
Insights into Editorial: Crime and politics: on political candidates with criminal records Context: The Supreme Court has taken a timely decision by agreeing to hear a plea from the Election Commission of India (ECI) to direct political parties to not field candidates with criminal antecedents. The immediate provocation is the finding that 46% of Members …
Insights into Editorial: Black and grey: On terror funding and Pakistan Context: The deliberations, in Beijing, of the Asia-Pacific joint group of the global watchdog on terror financing and money laundering, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), gave Pakistan some encouraging news: that it had progressed in its efforts to avoid a blacklisting. A final …
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Insights into Editorial: Abolition politics: on A.P. Cabinet nod to abolish Legislative Council Context: The abolition and revival of the second chamber in State legislatures have become matters of political expediency. Andhra Pradesh is the latest State to favour the alteration of the status quo regarding the Upper House, in an Assembly resolution for its …
Insights into Editorial: The flawed spin to India’s cotton story Introduction: Bt Cotton is a genetically modified organism or genetically modified pest-resistant variety of cotton. Genetically Modified (GM) pest resistant Bt cotton hybrids have captured the Indian market since their introduction in 2002. These now cover over 95% of the area under cotton, with the …
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Insights into Editorial: Will the Budget suspend the FRBM’s fiscal deficit goals? Context: With revenue receipts lagging behind budget estimates and economic growth slowing sharply, there is a real risk of the Centre missing its fiscal deficit target this year. Finance Minister is set to present her second Union Budget on February 1, 2020. Fiscal …
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