ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES (EVMS) AND VOTER VERIFIABLE PAPER AUDIT TRAIL (VVPAT) The Supreme Court recently dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking the return of ballot papers over Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) systems. The court emphasized that EVMs are questioned mainly after electoral defeats and upheld their security
HIGH SEAS TREATY: A MILESTONE IN GLOBAL OCEAN GOVERNANCE The High Seas Treaty, formally known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, was signed by India in September 2024, representing a landmark step in international efforts to protect marine ecosystems. Developed under the framework of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the
NATIONAL MISSION ON NATURAL FARMING (NMNF) TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT: INDIAN EXPRESS The National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) is a new initiative launched by the Government of India to promote chemical-free and sustainable farming practices. What is Natural Farming? Natural farming is a chemical-free agricultural system that relies on inputs derived from livestock and plant
INDIANS NEED TO SHARE CONTRACEPTIVE RESPONSIBILITY TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN POLITY: THE HINDU India’s family planning program, launched in 1952, aimed to stabilize the population and improve maternal and child health. However, there has been a significant decline in male sterilization, or vasectomy, with only 0.3% of sterilizations being performed on men as per NFHS-4 and
EMPOWERING WOMEN IN GOVERNANCE: CHALLENGES AND REFORMS Women’s participation in governance is vital for achieving gender equality and strengthening democracy. However, despite constitutional provisions and progressive legislation, women leaders in India face numerous challenges that limit their autonomy and effectiveness. Recognizing this, the Supreme Court of India has called for structural reforms to empower women
INDIA'S GDP GROWTH AND THE WAY FORWARD TOPIC: (GS3) INDIAN ECONOMY: THE HINDU The recent GDP growth rate dropped significantly to 5.4% in the second quarter of 2024-25, compared to 6.7% in the previous quarter. This slowdown raises questions about the country's economic trajectory and the steps needed to reinvigorate growth. Reasons for GDP Slowdown
DEVELOPMENT OF ICONIC TOURIST CENTRES TO GLOBAL SCALE UNDER SASCI The Indian government is actively enhancing tourism by allocating ₹3,295 crore for developing 40 iconic tourist projects across 23 states under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme. This initiative aims to transform selected tourist destinations into globally recognized sites, boosting local
MGNREGA JOB CARD DELETIONS The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005, provides rural households with a legal guarantee of wage employment. However, recent data highlights a sharp increase in job card deletions, with over 5.53 crore cards removed in 2022-23. This raises concerns about transparency, workers' rights, and the effective implementation of
CITIZENS WITH DISABILITIES: ENSURING THEIR RIGHTS TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN POLITY: THE HINDU The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPWD Act) is a significant step toward empowering individuals with disabilities in India. Despite legal provisions, challenges remain in fully implementing the rights of persons with disabilities. Key Statistics 2011 Census: 2.21% of India's population
THE PLACES OF WORSHIP (SPECIAL PROVISIONS) ACT, 1991 The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, is a law enacted to maintain the religious character of places of worship as they stood on August 15, 1947. However, this Act has been a subject of controversy due to ongoing legal disputes challenging its provisions. One of
KASHMIRI AND CENTRAL ASIAN ARTISANS RECONNECT: A REVIVAL OF CULTURAL TIES After nearly 500 years, artisans from Kashmir and Central Asia reunited in Srinagar for a three-day craft exchange program. This event celebrated Srinagar's designation as a "World Craft City" by the World Crafts Council (WCC) and aimed to revive shared heritage and foster cross-border
REFLECTIONS ON BAKU’S NCQG OUTCOME TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT: THE HINDU With COP29 in Baku focusing on finance, the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) was expected to address the critical financial needs for climate action, especially for developing nations. However, the outcomes have left much to be desired. Importance of Climate Finance for Developing Countries Critical
