Government Policy

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 …

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: India’s Defence Space Agency (DSA) has launched “Antariksha Abhyas – 2024,” the first dedicated military exercise aimed at preparing India for space-based warfare and defense. This initiative marks a significant step towards integrating space capabilities within India’s military operations, underlining space as a crucial area in defense strategy. Key …

Background India has called for a review and possible modification of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), reflecting evolving regional and environmental challenges. Indus Waters Treaty: A Diplomatic Achievement Success in Transboundary Cooperation: The IWT is one of the few examples of successful transboundary water-sharing agreements despite decades of tension. India’s …

The PM-Vidyalaxmi Scheme, a recently approved central sector initiative, aims to support students pursuing higher education. Scheme Features Eligibility: The scheme is open to students gaining admission in institutions listed within the top 100 of the NIRF rankings (overall, category-specific, and domain-specific). Collateral-Free Loans: Students can avail themselves of education …

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 …

Context (TH): Private universities in India are rapidly advancing in global rankings, surpassing public institutions through deliberate internationalization strategies and a heightened emphasis on research output. Internationalization of Higher Education incorporates a global outlook into teaching, learning, and research, promoting graduates who are culturally aware and globally proficient. Key Findings …

Context: AFSPA has recently been extended in four districts of Assam, following disturbances related to the situation in Bangladesh. History of AFSPA British Ordinance of 1942: This ordinance was first introduced by the British during World War II to suppress the Indian independence movement. Initial Implementation (1958): It was first …

Context: India’s elderly population (those aged 60 and above) is expanding rapidly. In 2023, there are 149 million elderly individuals, making up 10.5% of the total population. By 2050, this figure is projected to reach 347 million, or 20.8% of the population. Challenges of an Ageing Population Increasing Dependency Ratio: …

Context: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released the 7th consecutive edition of “EnviStats India 2024: Environment Accounts,” aligned with the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) Framework. Findings From 2000 to 2023, the number of Total Protected Areas saw an increase of approximately 72%, while the area …

Context: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has recently clarified rumors regarding additional restrictions on OCI cardholders, emphasizing that there are no new limitations being imposed. Who is an OCI? An Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) is a foreign national who holds a passport from another country and is not …

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 (TH): The Ministry of Education has provided a definition for ‘literacy’ and ‘full literacy’ as part of its efforts to enhance adult literacy through the New India Literacy Programme (NILP). New India Literacy Programme (NILP): A five-year initiative (2022-27) that aims to enroll 1 crore learners over the age …

Context: Recently, the Supreme Court of India declined a request to remove a Ryles tube from a patient in a vegetative state, even though the 2018 judgment on passive euthanasia permits the withdrawal of life support in terminal cases. Understanding Euthanasia: Euthanasia, also known as mercy killing, refers to intentionally …