Governance

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 …

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has permitted resident individuals to open Foreign Currency Accounts at International Financial Services Centres (IFSCs) in GIFT City, Gujarat, under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS). Details: Authorised Persons: These are entities authorised by the RBI, such as banks and designated FX dealers, to facilitate …

A stampede occurred during a religious gathering in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras district. What is a Stampede? A stampede is a “disruption of the orderly movement of crowds leading to injuries and fatalities,” often in response to a perceived danger, loss of physical space, or to attain something seen as gratifying. …

Context The first special session of the 18th Lok Sabha concluded amid disputes regarding the removal of remarks made by Opposition leaders in both Houses of Parliament. Expunction refers to the parliamentary procedure where specific remarks are removed from the official records. Rules Governing Expunction Article 105: Grants MPs the …

An explosion at a chemical reactor in Dombivli, Maharashtra, caused multiple fatalities and injuries. Frequent Industrial Accidents in Maharashtra: Reports indicate that industrial accidents have been alarmingly frequent in the years 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2023. Causes: Lack of Implementation of Relocation Plans: The Maharashtra government has failed to relocate …

Despite the efforts initiated by the 11th Finance Commission, financial devolution to urban areas remains inadequate. Municipalities suffer from poor fiscal health, and rapid urbanization without sufficient fiscal measures hinders development. Financial Devolution to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) India allocates only 0.5% of its GDP to ULBs, whereas countries like …

Context: On June 25, India marked fifty years since the imposition of the Emergency. During the 21-month period from 1975 to 1977, civil liberties were suspended, press freedom was curtailed, mass arrests were conducted, elections were cancelled, and rule by decree was enforced. Types of Emergencies in the Indian Constitution …

GS-3: Key Environmental Concerns in the Indian Himalayan Region, Recent Supreme Court Judgments Support Environmental Conservation Efforts, The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) is widely recognized as India’s “water tower” and a vital provider of essential ecosystem goods and services. Despite this critical understanding, there remains a significant disconnect between the …

The PESA Act 1996 was enacted to empower Scheduled Tribes by recognizing them as key political stakeholders. Historical Background: Tribal communities in India have faced marginalization and exclusion from mainstream political and economic systems. They have encountered challenges such as displacement, loss of land and resources, and cultural erosion. The …

To address peak power demand, the Indian government has allowed trading of surplus electricity generated from “linkage coal” in the country’s power markets. What is Coal Linkage? Coal linkages are agreements that guarantee a continuous supply of coal from mines to consumers such as power plants, steel, and cement industries. …

Context In the 2024 elections, 11 candidates have applied to verify the memory of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) units. The Supreme Court introduced this verification option for losing candidates (those placed second and third) in the Association for Democratic Reforms vs. Election Commission …

Unlocking Value in Infrastructure The NMP is a government initiative launched in the 2021-22 Union Budget to leverage private sector expertise for infrastructure development. It focuses on monetizing core government assets (roads, railways, power) through partnerships, not privatization (ownership transfer). Goals and Benefits: Generate Rs 6 lakh crore over four …

Context: The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahangara Palike’s (BBMP) proposal for a Solid Waste Management (SWM) Cess highlights the financial strain ULBs face in managing India’s burgeoning solid waste crisis. ULBs and SWM: The Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 authorize ULBs to levy user fees or SWM cess to recover costs associated …

Introduction: The GREAT Scheme is an initiative by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. It aims to boost innovation and entrepreneurship in the technical textiles sector. Objectives: Promote research and development: GREAT encourages scientists, technologists, and startups to translate their ideas into commercially viable products and technologies for technical …