Governance

Background: The Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY) was launched in 2015 to promote entrepreneurship by providing collateral-free micro-loans up to ₹10 lakh. Recent Changes: The Union Budget 2024 increased the loan ceiling to ₹20 lakh, specifically benefiting those under the Tarun category who had previously accessed MUDRA loans. Impact: The …

Context: The Government of India recently announced a significant recruitment drive for lateral entrants, addressing an “acute shortage” of IAS officers. Lateral entry allows experts from outside the traditional government structure to be appointed to mid and senior-level roles, bypassing the conventional UPSC examination process. This initiative aims to infuse …

Context: The underrepresentation of SC/ST and OBC officers in senior civil service roles underscores the prevailing dominance of upper castes within the bureaucracy. Challenges in Achieving Social Justice: Underrepresentation of SC/ST Officers: The limited presence of SC/ST officers in high-level government positions restricts their impact on policy-making. For example, only …

Context: Recent events in Maharashtra and Delhi have brought to light significant concerns regarding civil service aspirants. In Maharashtra, a trainee officer was discovered to have falsified documents, raising serious questions about the integrity of the selection process. Meanwhile, in Delhi, three aspirants tragically drowned, highlighting the immense pressure and …

Context (TH): SC Affirms States’ Right to Tax Mineral Lands. The Supreme Court clarified that the royalty paid by mining companies to the government is not considered a tax but a contractual payment. The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act of 1957 (MMDRA) governs the exploration, mining, and regulation …

Unemployment is defined as the condition of being without a job despite actively seeking employment and possessing the necessary qualifications, skills, and willingness to work. Types of Unemployment Frictional Unemployment: Temporary joblessness when individuals are between jobs or changing careers. Structural Unemployment: Occurs due to a mismatch between job seekers’ …

Context (IE) Over the past twenty years, maize production in India has seen a remarkable increase, transforming it into a green revolution driven by the private sector. Production has surged from 11.5 million tonnes in 2000 to over 35 million tonnes in 2024, with yields rising from 1.8 tonnes to …

A higher female labor force participation rate can significantly enhance family income and welfare, particularly in rural India. Women and Employment According to The India Employment Report (IER) 2024, the Female Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) in India is notably low compared to the global average (53.4%, 2019). The rate …

Concept The article examines critical reforms in NPS Lite aimed at including the informal sector in the National Pension Scheme. This is significant as workers in this sector typically lack access to benefits like provident funds or gratuity. National Pension System-Lite (NPS-Lite) Launched by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development …

Introduction of the Bill Karnataka has proposed the Draft Platform-based Gig Workers (Social Security & Welfare) Bill, following Rajasthan’s enactment of the Rajasthan Platform Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Act, 2023. The bill aims to address the social security and welfare needs of gig and platform workers. Context and …