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 …
Read More »Russia’s ‘High Income’ Status Despite Sanctions
Context: The World Bank has elevated Russia from an ‘upper-middle income’ to a ‘high-income’ country, a classification it last held in 2014. Russia’s Economic Resilience Global Rankings: Russia is 72nd in per-capita GNI and 53rd in purchasing power parity worldwide. GDP Growth: In 2023, Russia saw a 3.6% increase in …
Read More »National Emergency in India
On June 25, 2024, India marked fifty years since the National Emergency (1975-1977), a period characterized by the suspension of civil liberties, restricted press freedom, widespread arrests, and postponed elections. The Aftermath of the National Emergency in India (1975) Political Transformation The 1977 elections saw four major opposition parties merge …
Read More »Identity Politics in India- policies, national and social impact
What is Identity Politics? Identity politics refers to political strategies that focus on the interests and perspectives of specific social groups based on shared characteristics like caste, religion, language, gender, or ethnicity. These groups mobilize and advocate for policies that address historical injustices, promote cultural recognition, and achieve social and …
Read More »Alwar peasant movement and the Neemuchana massacre.
Social Fabric of Alwar State: Relation between Court and the Rajputs Hereditary Rule: Alwar, like other Rajput states, functioned with a hereditary monarchy. The Maharaja held significant power, but not absolute. Rajput Privileges: Rajputs enjoyed land grants, held military positions, and wielded influence in the court. This created a social …
Read More »NOTA and its Consequences
Why was the NOTA Option Introduced, and Its Consequences GS2 : About NOTA and its consequences with respect to the Voters Right to Secrecy, Implications of Large Number of Votes to NOTA Option, etc. The BJP’s Shankar Lalwani has won in Indore with a massive 10.09 lakh margin, receiving 12,26,751 …
Read More »Judicial Appointments: Political Neutrality in Global Perspective
GS Paper 2 : Mains: Issues with Collegium system, Global Examples of appointing Judges Recently, a retiring Calcutta High Court judge revealed that he has always been a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Timeline for changes in Political Ideology in Judicial Appointments in India Historical Context Pre-1970s: Political …
Read More »Basic Structure Doctrine of Indian Judiciary
Basic Structure The Basic Structure Doctrine is a cornerstone principle established by the Indian Judiciary to ensure the inviolability of the fundamental character of the Indian Constitution. This doctrine acts as a shield against attempts to radically alter the Constitution’s core tenets through amendments. Evolution of the Basic Structure Doctrine. …
Read More »Industrial Alcohol -Centre and State Laws for its Regulation
Concept : Industrial alcohol, unlike alcoholic beverages, is not meant for human consumption (denatured). It finds applications in various sectors, including manufacturing pharmaceuticals, disinfectants, chemicals, and even biofuels. Constitutional Framework: State List (Entry 8): Entry 8 in the State List grants states authority over intoxicating liquor legislation, including production, possession, …
Read More »UNHRC – Council for Preventing Human Rights Violations
Concept: The UNHRC is a subsidiary body of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) responsible for promoting and protecting human rights worldwide. It was established in 2006, replacing the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR), with the aim of addressing the shortcomings of its predecessor and enhancing the …
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