Digital Space and Democracy

Important excerpts from The Hindu (with inputs): Some data – ‘Global Disinformation Order’ – a study by Oxford University shows evidence of organised social media manipulation campaigns that have taken place in 70 countries, up from 48 countries in 2018 and 28 countries in 2017. In each country, there is at least one political party … Continue reading Digital Space and Democracy

India-China – IR dimensions.

Important excerpts from The Hindu (with inputs): China-India relations assume “global and strategic significance” beyond just the bilateral dimension. Only two major developing countries with a population of over one billion and important representatives of emerging economies, China-India relations transcend the bilateral dimension and assume global and strategic significance. General Issues: China and India continue … Continue reading India-China – IR dimensions.

Media and Fake News

Important Excerpts from The Hindu articles: Madras HC has held that social media platforms can be held accountable for the spread of fake news through their platform; fake news can have psychological impact on the masses and can lead to unrest. There is a need to monitor the digital space to study the organised manipulation … Continue reading Media and Fake News

Nutrition

Important Excerpts from The Hindu articles: National Nutrition Mission - September, 2019 is being observed as ‘Poshan Maah’ (nutrition month) across the country to ensure mobilisation at the grassroots level to achieve the targets laid down under the ‘Poshan Abhiyaan’ or the National Nutrition Mission (NNM). Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018, the … Continue reading Nutrition

Citizenship Amendment Bill

Important Excerpts from The Hindu articles (with inputs): The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 was passed by the Lok Sabha in January this year but lapsed as it was not tabled in the Rajya Sabha. It had proposed to amend the original Citizenship Act of 1955. The Bill had mandated that those who cross the border … Continue reading Citizenship Amendment Bill

Co-operative Banks.

Important Excerpts from The Hindu articles (with inputs): In late September 2019, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed restrictions on withdrawals from the Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank, one of the largest urban cooperative lenders. Cooperative banks came directly under the RBI’s radar in 1966 but faced the problem of dual regulation. The … Continue reading Co-operative Banks.

Political Interference in Institutions

Important Excerpts from The Hindu articles (with inputs): Institutions are important, yet are persistently neglected in the planning process. A market-centred economic model necessitates creating and sustaining credible institutions that further the efficiency of market mechanism. Given the possibility of ‘market failures’, such institutions assume a larger role in the economy in shaping expectations and … Continue reading Political Interference in Institutions

Foreign Direct Investment

Important Excerpts (with inputs): https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/the-brick-and-mortar-of-fdi-20/article29587738.ece The world has undergone a structural change with the emergence of Internet Multinational Companies (MNCs) such as Microsoft, Google, Facebook and Twitter that are based on ‘winner-takes-all’ platform business models. This leads to the concentration of resources in the hands of a few. This situation demands a policy response. Why China … Continue reading Foreign Direct Investment

Hydro-Electricity.

Important excerpts from articles (with inputs) - https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/after-years-of-hydro-push-arunachal-begins-scrapping-dam-projects/article29422880.ece Arunanchal Pradesh government has begun scrapping hydro-power projects for non-performance. The government terminated 22 projects worth 3,800 MW while another 46 projects worth 8,000 MW had been served notices. Community-managed mini hydroelectric projects as have gained prominence in north-east (Arunachal Pradesh) can be the way ahead. Over … Continue reading Hydro-Electricity.

Mains’19 – Essay – Banking Sector