Editorials

CAN STATES REGULATE 'INDUSTRIAL ALCOHOL'  The Supreme Court, led by the Chief Justice of India (CJI), is examining a pivotal case involving a 9-judge Constitution Bench. The focus is on determining whether states possess the authority to regulate and levy excise duty on industrial alcohol.  Constitutional Framework:  State List (Entry 8):  Grants state governments the

TATA GROUP TO BUILD THE NATION’S FIRST FAB IN DHOLERA  Semiconductor chips play a pivotal role in modern technology, powering various electronic devices.   India's efforts in developing a robust semiconductor ecosystem aim to reduce import dependence and foster domestic manufacturing capabilities.  Semiconductor Chips:  Definition:  Semiconductor chips are tiny electronic devices made of semiconductor materials like

MASSIVE EARTHQUAKE HITS TAIWAN  Taiwan recently experienced a massive earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 on the Richter Scale, marking it as one of the most significant seismic events in the past 25 years.   The earthquake's impact was felt far beyond Taiwan, with Japan issuing a tsunami alert for the Ryukyu chain of islands.   

INDIA TO CONSIDER EXPANDING RELAXATION IN OCI CARD NORMS  India has been deliberating on extending the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) Card benefits to overseas Indians in Fiji and other nations, following the relaxation of rules for Suriname in 2023.   The OCI scheme is a pivotal initiative aimed at fostering stronger ties with the Indian

CANDIDATES HAVE A RIGHT TO PRIVACY FROM VOTERS: SC JUDGMENT  The Supreme Court of India recently delivered a significant judgement concerning the declaration of movable assets by candidates contesting elections.   The ruling touched upon the delicate balance between the right to privacy of the candidates and the voters' right to information.  Key Facts of the

DRYING RIVERS IN INDIA The Central Water Commission (CWC) has reported alarming water storage levels in several river basins, particularly in east-flowing rivers between Mahanadi and Pennar. This crisis poses significant challenges to India's water security, impacting agriculture, livelihoods, and the environment. Water Crisis in East-Flowing Rivers Basin Affected Rivers: 13 rivers, including Rushikulya, Bahuda,

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN INDIA Domestic violence remains a significant issue in India, affecting women from all backgrounds and perpetuating cycles of abuse and inequality. Despite legal frameworks in place, enforcement and eradication of domestic violence pose several challenges. Magnitude of Domestic Violence: Reports indicate that a significant percentage of ever-married women in India have experienced

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS The recent Supreme Court ruling on the Chandigarh mayoral election brings attention to the challenges faced by India's local urban body electoral processes. Despite robust national and state electoral systems, municipal elections often encounter issues with timely elections and smooth transitions of power. Legal Framework for Local Elections Constitutional Provisions: The State Election

COTTON CULTIVATION IN NORTH INDIA As the 2024-25 kharif cotton planting season approaches in North India, stakeholders anticipate a potential decline in cotton acreages due to various challenges. These challenges include severe pink bollworm (PBW) infestation, low prices for cotton, and rising labour costs. Pink Bollworm (PBW) Infestation About PBW: PBW, or Pectinophora gossypiella, is

TIANTONG PROJECT The Tiantong Project signifies China's strategic response to the evolving landscape of telecommunications, especially in remote and disaster-prone regions. It aims to enhance communication resilience, particularly in emergencies where traditional mobile connectivity may be disrupted. About the Tiantong Project: Initiative: A satellite communication system initiated by the Chinese government post the 2008 Sichuan

INDIA ALLOWS 'REVOCATION ORDER' FOR GOANS WITH PORTUGUESE CITIZENSHIP TO APPLY FOR OCI CARDS Recently, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a memorandum leading to the revocation of passports of more than 100 individuals from Goa who had acquired Portuguese citizenship. This move has significant implications for those involved and highlights the complexities surrounding

GLOBAL FOREST WATCH Global Forest Watch (GFW) provides crucial insights into global forest cover changes, emphasizing the environmental impact and regional trends. The latest data highlights significant tree cover loss in India, posing challenges for biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation. Key Findings from Global Forest Watch (GFW): Total Loss in India: India lost 2.33

MULTILATERAL DEVELOPMENT BANKS Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) are vital international financial institutions established to provide funding and expertise for economic and social development projects in developing countries. They play a crucial role in addressing global challenges and promoting sustainable development worldwide. Overview of MDBs: About: MDBs are formed and capitalized by multiple countries through pooled

RESERVATION FOR MUSLIMS IN ANDHRA PRADESH Religion-based reservation in India has been a topic of debate, particularly in states like Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, where quotas for Muslims have been proposed or implemented. This issue raises questions about the principles of equality, secularism, and social justice enshrined in the Indian Constitution. Background of Reservation for

ONLY 16% OF INDIAN STEM FACULTY MEMBERS ARE WOMEN In recent years, there has been growing concern about the significant gender gap in Indian STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) faculties. Despite strides made in education and professional fields, women remain vastly underrepresented in these critical areas. Understanding the reasons behind this gap and implementing

STUDY FINDS EVEN VULTURES IN PROTECTED AREAS NOT SAFE FROM TOXIC DRUGS Vultures, those majestic scavengers of the sky, play a vital role in maintaining the ecological balance of our planet. However, their populations in India, among other South Asian nations, have faced a perilous decline due to various factors, primarily the widespread use of

EVMS AND VVPATS IN INDIA The use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) systems has become a cornerstone of India's electoral process, revolutionizing the way elections are conducted in the country. The Supreme Court's recent decision in the Association of Democratic Reforms v. Election Commission of India Case, 2024,

STUDY WARNS OF ‘DECREASING TREND’ IN SOLAR RADIATION FOR ELECTRICITY IN INDIA A recent study conducted by scientists at the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has raised alarms regarding the declining trend in solar radiation availability across various regions in India. This decline in solar radiation poses significant challenges to India's ambitious goals of scaling up

HOW A ‘NEW’ JAPAN PROMISES TO TRANSFORM ASIAN GEOPOLITICS Japan's recent shift in its diplomatic posture marks a significant departure from its longstanding policy of post-war pacifism. This transformation has arisen due to a combination of external and internal factors, including China's rise, North Korea's threat, and uncertainties in US commitment. This shift is manifesting

INTERGOVERNMENTAL NEGOTIATION COMMITTEE ON PLASTIC POLLUTION  Plastic pollution has emerged as a global environmental crisis, with detrimental impacts on ecosystems, human health, and climate.   Recognizing the urgency of addressing this issue, the United Nations Environment Agency (UNEA) initiated negotiations for a global plastics treaty.   Despite significant efforts, the recent fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating

CURATIVE PETITION  The Supreme Court of India recently overturned its previous judgement in the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) vs Delhi Airport Metro Express Pvt. Ltd. (DAMEPL) case, 2021, through a curative petition.   This decision reverses an earlier arbitration award of nearly Rs 8,000 crore in favour of DAMEPL, a consortium led by Reliance Infrastructure

THE UN SECRETARY-GENERAL'S PANEL ON CRITICAL ENERGY TRANSITION MINERALS  The United Nations (UN) has established a panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals to develop global principles for the minerals value chain, aiming to ensure environmental and social standards and justice in the energy transition.   This initiative is crucial in the context of renewable energy technologies

HOW THE NEXT GOVERNMENT WILL PUSH ‘BALANCED FERTILISATION’  After the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the government is expected to prioritize balanced fertilization as a key policy goal to address issues in Indian agriculture. Despite efforts to regulate fertiliser consumption, urea usage has surged, highlighting the need for a more balanced approach.               Balanced