Governance

Context The Rajya Sabha recently approved the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024, aiming to enhance efficiency in oil and gas exploration across India. Rationale for the Bill Addressing Energy Needs: Aims to bridge the gap between domestic oil and gas production and consumption. Improving Business Environment: Modernizes outdated …

Context: The Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, launched on December 3, 2015, coinciding with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, recently marked nine years of progress. The initiative aims to create a barrier-free environment for Divyangjans (Persons with Disabilities) across the country. Implementing Agency: Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities …

A recent report on Indian prisons highlights the potential of electronic tracking as a strategy to address overcrowding, with jails operating at 131.4% capacity as of December 2022. Notably, 75.8% of inmates were undertrials, underscoring the urgent need for alternative solutions. Benefits of Electronic Tracking Prison Decongestion: By allowing undertrials …

Context: The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana in Maharashtra, launched four months before elections, offers ₹1,500 monthly financial aid to poor women. This has sparked debates about whether such Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes amount to voter bribery or genuine welfare measures. Key Features of Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana …

The global trend towards de-dollarisation refers to the efforts by various countries to reduce their reliance on the US dollar in international trade and finance. This editorial, based on the article Why ‘De-Dollarisation’ is Imminent, explores the causes and consequences of this shift, with a particular focus on the role …

Context: The recent COP29 summit in Baku concluded with a lackluster agreement on climate finance, raising serious concerns about the trajectory of global climate negotiations. Challenges in Climate Negotiations Insufficient Financial Commitments Developed countries have pledged only $300 billion annually until 2035, which falls significantly short of the estimated $1 …

Context (TH): At COP29, activists and experts called for holding fossil fuel-exporting nations accountable for emissions generated abroad, particularly in developing countries. This issue has gained global attention as the environmental impact of fossil fuel exports is increasingly recognized in climate negotiations. Advantages of Fossil-Fuel Exports Economic Growth: Fossil fuel …

Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) have signed an agreement aimed at promoting the use of local currencies—the Indian Rupee (INR) and the Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR)—in cross-border transactions. About Cross-Border Payments (CBPs) Cross-border payments involve financial transactions where the payer and the recipient …

Context: The Supreme Court and the Union Government have prioritized the issue of undertrial prisoners, introducing measures like Section 479 of the BNSS, 2023, to address the growing concerns effectively. State of Undertrial Prisoners in India High Proportion of Undertrials: As per NCRB’s Prison Statistics India 2022, 75.8% of incarcerated …

Overview: The Ministry of Jal Shakti launched the “Bhu-Neer” portal at the concluding ceremony of India Water Week 2024. It has been developed by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA), in partnership with the National Informatics Centre (NIC), with the goal of enhancing groundwater regulation across the country. Key Features …

Context The Government is considering revisiting the Safe Harbour provisions under Section 79 of the IT Act to create a more balanced and accountable digital ecosystem, in line with India’s “Viksit Bharat 2047” vision. Safe Harbour Clause Section 79 of the IT Act, 2000, offers intermediaries like social media platforms …

Context (TH) Despite a global consensus on combating climate change, fossil fuel subsidies persist as a major hurdle for governments. By making fossil fuels cheaper, these subsidies encourage their continued use, ultimately undermining global climate objectives. Global Scope of Fossil Fuel Subsidies OECD Estimates: Approximately $1.5 trillion annually (2022). IMF …

Context: India’s governance has been revolutionized through advancements in Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). Concurrently, the Council of Europe has introduced a groundbreaking AI treaty to uphold human rights and democratic principles. Key Trends Driving AI Integration in Governance Expanding Digital Footprint: With over 900 million Indians online, the number is …

Context: The CEO of Niti Aayog recently suggested that India should reconsider its decision not to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), especially in light of changing global trade dynamics and new opportunities. Background: In 2019, India decided not to join the RCEP, a trade agreement covering 30% of …

Context: New initiatives aim to improve the quality of the Indian workforce in Saudi Arabia, supporting economic collaboration and labor reforms. Importance of Saudi Arabia to India Historic Partnership: India and Saudi Arabia established relations in 1947, building on long-standing economic, diplomatic, and cultural ties. Indian Expatriate Community: Over 2.7 …