1. India and a case for strategic autonomy (Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8) Topic: GS2 – International Relations Context In July 2024, India’s Prime Minister visited Russia amid ongoing Western concerns over India’s strategic autonomy and relationship with Russia. The U.S. expressed dissatisfaction, highlighting tensions in India-U.S. relations due…
1. Intergenerational equity as tax devolution criterion (Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8) Topic: GS3 – Indian Economy – Issues relating to mobilisation of resources. Context The Finance Commission revisits the horizontal distribution of Union tax revenue every five years, prioritising intragenerational equity, which can lead to intergenerational inequity. High-income…
1. Centralised examinations have not aced the test (Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8) Topic: GS2 – Governance – Government Policies – Issues arising out of their design & implementation. Context The National Testing Agency (NTA) was established in 2017 by the Indian government to conduct electronic mode entrance examinations…
1. ‘Big brother’ to ‘Brother’, a Nepal-India reset (Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8) Topic: GS2 – International Relations – Bilateral Relations Context India-Nepal relations have faced significant challenges since 2015 due to constitutional disagreements and a blockade by India. The new leadership in both countries presents an opportunity to…
1. The problem with the Karnataka gig workers Bill (Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8) Topic: GS2 – Governance Context Karnataka introduced the draft Karnataka Platform-based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2024, aiming to provide social security for gig workers. Similar to Rajasthan’s 2023 Act, it follows a…
1. The PDS impact on household expenditure (Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 6) Topic: GS2 – Governance – Government Policies Context The Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES): 2022-23 examines the impact of India’s Public Distribution System (PDS) on household spending patterns. It includes imputed values of free items received, providing…
1. Breaking the taboo around men’s reproductive health (Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8) Topic: GS2 – Social Justice – Health Context The article discusses the urgent need to address male infertility, a significant yet often overlooked aspect of reproductive health. Highlighting the prevalence, causes, and treatment options, it underscores…
1. India’s demographic journey of hits and misses (Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8) Topic: GS1 – Indian Society – Population and associated issues. Context The article highlights India’s demographic journey and progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) amidst challenges such as population ageing, health disparities, and income inequality….
1. A Budget that drives growth with stability (Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8) Topic: GS3 – Indian Economy Context The 2024-25 Budget aims to sustain India’s GDP growth at 7%-7.5%, focusing on domestic drivers amidst global economic slowdown. It prioritises reducing the fiscal deficit to 3% of GDP, enhancing…
1. Indigenous HPV vaccine, the rhetoric and the reality (Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8) Topic: GS2 – Social Justice – Health Context The controversy over HPV vaccination in India questions its efficacy in preventing cervical cancer amidst declining global trends. The introduction of the indigenous ‘Cervavac’ by the Serum…