Introduction source Five Central Asian states have significant disagreements among themselves, and development trajectories have increasingly diverged since the end of the Soviet Union. Kazakhstan is a stable, relatively open middle-income country, whereas Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are impoverished, chaotic, and poised on the verge of state failure. Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan—with significant human and industrial […]
Brief History of Kingdom Of Nepal Gorkha rule After decades of rivalry between the medieval kingdoms, modern Nepal was reunified in the latter half of the 18th century, when Prithvi Narayan Shah, the ruler of the small principality of Gorkha, formed a unified country from a number of independent hill states. Prithvi Narayan Shah dedicated himself at an early age […]
India & the Oceans Backgrounder It is analytically sensible to divide Australia’s links to post-Independence India into four phases: The first corresponds to the years immediately surrounding Indian Independence when Labour Party was in power in Australia. The second period is the Menzies Years, The third may be regared as the post 1971 re-discovery of […]
Here’s what we are going the explain in this writeup: The Backstory What is the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)? What does India need to do to get in? Does joining the MTCR make getting missile technology easier? Does the MTCR actually stop the spread of missile technology? Are there any sanctions for breaking MTCR […]
Mega regional trade deals are in vogue in an otherwise fragile global economy. In an environment of falling aggregate demand, these trade deals are seen as a means to insulate economies from market uncertainties. Three important mega regional’s are currently under negotiation: the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership of Asia and the Pacific (RCEP), the Trans-Pacific […]
What is the TPP? Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is a trade agreement between several Pacific Rim countries concerning a variety of matters of economic policy. The aims of the TPP include the lowering of barriers to trade in goods and services, reducing tariffs to zero by 2015. In addition, the TPP hopes to promote investment […]
Finally democracy triumphed in Myanmar. Can India leverage its democratic institutions to further cement its relationship with ‘the land of golden pagodas’?
What are Pacific Island Nations (PINs)? These are 14 island countries in Pacific Ocean – Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu These countries range in land area from the largest Papua New Guinea (461,700 sq km) to the smallest Nauru […]
India becomes a permanent member at SCO. What next?
Timeline of EU source 19 April 1951: European Coal and Steel Community Treaty signed by Germany, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Belgium and Netherlands. May 1952: European Defence Community (EDC) Treaty. August 1954: France rejects the EDC treaty. 25 March 1957: Treaties of Rome signed: creates Common Market / European Economic Community (EEC) and European Atomic Energy […]
Indo-Russian revamped relationship – Get in speed with the latest developments.
In the context of 21st Century, among all the bilateral relations, Indo-Japan relations have all the potential to transcend this era into an ‘Asian century’. This relationship, which incorporates no dispute- ideological, cultural or territorial, was embarked upon in 6th century A.D. when Bhuddhism was introduced in Japan. Direct exchange in modern times commenced only […]
India and the African countries are in news lately, however the ties between the two regions date back to the ancient civilizations. Along with geographical proximity, there are factors such as the cultural connect, colonial past and development hurdles that are more or less common to both and thus bring each other much closer. […]
The conference seeks to achieve a legally binding and universal agreement on climate, from all the nations of the world.
Forging an agreement in Paris will take bold leadership. The people of the world look to the leaders of great powers to protect our planet before it’s too late for us.
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is an international financial institution proposed by China. AIIB is regarded as a rival for the IMF, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) which the AIIB says are dominated by developed countries like the USA and Japan. In this Article We will explain everything about AIIB and also why India has joined it and […]
WEST ASIA India’s relations with the West Asian countries are historical since the independence. India has interests in economic, political, security and strategic fields with the West Asian nations. India’s west Asia policy For decades, India was a passive player in West Asia-a beneficiary of good relationships with multiple actors. Historically, India’s West Asia policy […]
The euphoria generated by the 2008 Indo-US nuclear deal and the NSG waiver has been tempered as a result of later developments. The road to finalising nuclear power plant projects is filled with obstacles and potholes, including public opposition to nuclear plant sites, liability issues, and nuclear safety concerns, as highlighted by the Fukushima disaster.
#VikasKaBudget
What has happened? A referendum – a vote in which everyone of voting age can take part was held to decide whether the UK should leave or remain in the European Union and Leave won. <what is the difference b/s referendum and plebiscite?> What is this UK, Britain, Ireland, Republic? What’s going on? Is Scotland […]
Want to know how the Syrian Civil War broke out ? We know what you people will think now – It is not possible to visit the war-torn country at the moment. Why not! Come on let us travel to Syria through this article.
Why in news? Background Importance of South China Sea What is the case about? Are Chinese claims valid? What next? India’s involvement in issue Further role by India Why in news? The Permanent Court of Arbitration at Hague has declared that China cannot claim any historic rights over islands in the South China sea. The […]
In Feb 2012, two Italian Marines on board an oil tanker had opened fire on a fishing boat and killed two fishermen. The issue has since then been a tussle between the two Government.
The 19th Amendment (19A) to the Constitution of Sri Lanka was passed by the 225-member Sri Lankan Parliament with 215 voting in favor. It is the most revolutionary reform ever applied to the Constitution of Sri Lanka since JR Jayawardene became the first Executive President of Sri Lanka in 1978.
What happens next?
The chaos in Yemen has, in the last few days, gone from bad to much, much worse. Here’s a guide to the basics of what’s going on.
Ending Tareekh pe Tareekh Syndrome
CAN NCA BE THE PANACEA TO JUDICIAL PENDENCY?
NJAC: A Triumphant Verdict
Importance for Exams Mains : Understand the issue, why is it not resolved yet. Steps taken this year. why they are expected to yield better results compared to the past. Prelims : Make a note of the institutional framework(composition, functions,etc) involved : Provisions of Art. 262, ISWD Act, CRA, CMC, CSC and the newly proposed CRMB. […]
source Should Delhi be given statehood? Why in news? Background What is the present status of Delhi? Arguments favoring statehood in Delhi Why not to give statehood? The way ahead Why in news? Recently Supreme Court has sought more clarity on the scope and boundaries of the relationship between the Delhi government and the Centre […]
Get to know the historic evolution of these powers vis-a-vis daily news.
What is ‘Special Category’ status? What benefits do states having ‘Special Category’ status enjoy? Who accords the category status to state and how? Which states held Special category status? Lacunas in the working of Special Category status Why the status has been removed? Way ahead now What is ‘Special Category’ status? ‘Special category’ status is […]
The MCI has been in the news for the wrong reasons as the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health in its 92nd report came down heavily on various aspects of the functioning of MCI. British medical Journal also had suggested radical revamp of the MCI. This articles focuses on the medical education governance in India. source […]
Will Aadhar enable better targeting of subsidies or will it create an Orwellian surveillance apparatus?
Importance for the exams Mains – Understand the problems with the existing water management institutions. How a new institutional framework tries to address these, its criticism. Prelims – All the bodies involved, their structure, composition – CWC, CGWB and the proposed NWC. In News Mihir Shah Committee recommendations on institutional reforms are being considered by the govt. The […]
Shailesh Nayak Committee has recently relaxed norms under coastal regulation zones. It has proposed for allowing housing infrastructure and slum redevelopment activities, tourism, ports and harbor and fisheries-related activities in coastal regulation zone. source CRZs have been in news at times. Objections have been raised various times to broad the scope of activities that are […]
Let’s see the issue of liquor prohibition in states from various dimensions.
Empowering the girl child
The mission seeks to eliminate open defecation, eradicate manual Scavenging, modern and scientific municipal solid waste management. It also seeks to effect behavioral change regarding healthy sanitation practices, to generate awareness about sanitation and its linkage with public health.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a proposed set of targets relating to future international development. They will replace the Millennium Development Goals, as they expire at the end of 2015.
In India, education is in the concurrent list, where federal states and the central government share responsibilities. Until recently, legislations in higher education prohibited profit making in the sector. Higher education was defined as a not-for-profit sector.
The UGC under the Department of Higher Education in the MHRD acts as the coordinator as well as prescriber of standards for education in the country.
All that you need to know about India & WTO’s solar panel dispute
You may be wondering, why developing countries like India are pressing for completion of Doha Development Round. Let’s connect the dots for you on all that you need to know wrt WTO!
Importance for Exams Mains : This year is special because India holds chair of the BRICS Summit from February to December. Though the exact outcome of all the Conferences, Meeting, MoUs, Declarations leading to the main Summit is not important, the themes being discussed are independently very important. Prelims : All the declarations(Jaipur, Udaipur, etc), places(Khajuraho) where meetings were […]
Pakistan profile – Timeline A chronology of key events: source Muhammed Ali Jinnah – founding father of Pakistan Born in Karachi, 1876 Pakistan’s first head of state until his death in 1948 Screening the life of Jinnah 1906 – Muslim League founded as forum for Indian Muslim separatism. 1940 – Muslim League endorses idea of separate nation […]
Introduction On 1 April, 1950, India became the first non-socialist bloc country to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. Prime Minister Nehru visited China in October 1954. While, the India- China border conflict in 1962 was a serious setback to ties; Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s landmark visit in 1988 began a […]
India’s links with Bangladesh are civilisational, cultural, social and economic. There is much that unites the two countries – a shared history and common heritage, linguistic and cultural ties, passion for music, literature and the arts. The two nations were strong allies during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. However, they developed different Cold War alliances in the late […]
source Importance for exams: Mains: Understanding the pros and cons of promoting a single language in a multilingual India. Drawing parallels from events around the globe on similar issue Prelims: Constitutional provisions related to the issue Context: NDA Govt has come under severe criticism in the past for its efforts to promote Hindi and making […]
What is citizenship? What does constitution say about citizenship? Special rights enjoyed by citizens Legislations in this regard Termination of citizenship What are OCI and PIO? Merger of OCI and PIO Other changes to citizenship provisions Legislation to give citizenship to minorities Bill to amend citizenship act, 1955 What is citizenship? Citizenship is the status of […]
Should a colonial era legislation that has the potential to chill free speech be allowed to remain on the statute book? Revisit a short summary of one of the most misused section of colonial era.
Do We Want Uniform Civil Code in India?
Jallikattu is a bull taming sport played in Tamil Nadu as a part of Pongal celebrations on Mattu Pongal day. Jallikattu is derived from the words ‘calli’ (coins) and ‘kattu’ (tie), which means a bundle of coins is tied to the bull’s horns. In older times, the tamer sought to remove this bundle from the animal’s head […]
The death penalty is eminently fallible, yet irrevocably final. It operates in a system that is highly fragile and open to manipulation and mistakes. The exercise of mercy powers under Article 72/161 has also failed in acting as the final bulwark against miscarriage of justice arising from arbitrary, unfair or wrongful exercise of death penalty. Let’s map a story on what is going on in India.
The right of privacy is well established in international law. The core privacy principle in modern law may be found in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Besides this, philosophers and ethicists have described privacy as an indispensable characteristic of personal freedom.
Amid the debate on the archaic sedition law that should have no place in democratic India, President called for the thorough revision of the IPC 1860 to meet the needs of the 21st century. Let’s see why is it so necessary to amend the code.
Significant provisions and scope of the bill.
Last year, a much publicised leaked report by the Intelligence Bureau (IB) warned us that several NGOs, including Greenpeace India, were having a detrimental effect on India’s economic development. What does it mean? What’s the background story and milestone developments in this news segment?
Has 2 departments under it – Dept. of Rural Development and Dept. of Land Resources. National level schemes under them – Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) for rural roads development, Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) rural emploment and for rural housing, Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) & Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP).
PM Modi recently advocated for simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. This has set off the debate over the long pending electoral reforms in the country.
A brisk walk down the memory lane to understand the origins of OROP and the major milestones in its evolution.
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employee Guarantee Scheme is an Indian labour law and social security measure that aims to guarantee the ‘right to work’. It has generated more rural employment than any other government scheme or private initiative in the history of independent India. At the same time, it has also generated a great deal of controversy over its merits and demerits.
What are the key points of Lodha committee report? Analysing the report under various dimensions.
The Aayog seeks to evolve a shared vision of national development priorities sectors and strategies with the active involvement of States in the light of national objectives
In the corridors of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), growing frustration is evident against NGT. Some call it a “power-hungry institution” that has failed the purpose for which it was created. But does NGT need to be reined in or do we need to give it more powers? How has it fared on various counts?
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