Practice Questions – The Union Cabinet has recently decided to approve strategic disinvestment of the government’s shareholding in few public sector enterprises. In light of the current economic scenario, discuss the challenges which such a disinvestment process would face. – 200 words. What do you understand by the term ‘disinvestment’ and what are its advantages? … Continue reading Disinvestment
Compulsory Voting
Practice Question - Why has the debate on the requirement of the implementation of 'compulsory voting' has resurfaced in India? Describe the challenges in the implementation of such a scheme. - 250 words. What is compulsory voting? Compulsory voting is a system in which citizens are required by law to vote in elections or at … Continue reading Compulsory Voting
Crisis in the Arab World
Image Source - Trend News Agency Practice Question - The 'Arab World' today is in a complete state of disarray. Do you agree? Give reasons. - 250 words. What was the impact of the “Arab Spring” on the Arab world? The Arab Spring was a series of anti-government protests, uprisings, and armed rebellions that spread … Continue reading Crisis in the Arab World
Electoral Bonds
What are Electoral Bonds (EBs)? This is a bearer instrument in the nature of a Promissory Note that is payable to the bearer on demand and is interest-free. According to the official notification, electoral bonds can be purchased by any citizen of India - singly or along with other individuals - or a body incorporated … Continue reading Electoral Bonds
AI IN INDIA.
Summary – The Hindu – AI superpower or client nation. Author: Parminder Jeet Singh Google’s CEO compares AI (artificial intelligence) with fire and electricity in terms of their role in human civilisation. AI systems are set to transform our economic, social and political organisation. How AI works: Unlike most industrial technologies, AI does not develop … Continue reading AI IN INDIA.
Prison Reforms
The Supreme Court of India recently acknowledged that the more than a century-old system of prisons in India needs reforms. In pursuance, the Supreme Court formed a committee on prison reforms headed by former Supreme Court judge, Justice Amitava Roy. Data: With an average occupancy rate of 115% of their capacity, Indian jails continue to remain … Continue reading Prison Reforms
Cyber-Security
Why in news? - "On October 30, multiple Indian media publications revealed that a spyware called Pegasus (made by an Israeli firm, NSO) was used to compromise phones of multiple activists, journalists and lawyers. The phones were reportedly compromised by using vulnerability in WhatsApp which allowed the Pegasus spyware software to be installed in a … Continue reading Cyber-Security
India-Saudi Arabia Relations
PM Narendra Modi visited Saudi Arabia in October, 2019. Politically, New Delhi and Riyadh acknowledged each other’s core interests and accommodated them. PM Modi also delivered the keynote address of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) forum also dubbed as the 'Davos in the Desert'. A number of developments took place during the visit and the … Continue reading India-Saudi Arabia Relations
Attracting Foreign Investments
There is a need to clearly define the focus areas which could Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, agriculture and food logistics, Liquefied Natural Gas production and distribution, warehousing, and e-auto rickshaws. There is a need for political stability in states as policy predictability is essential for attracting investments. Constant improvement of human resource can lead … Continue reading Attracting Foreign Investments
Ayodhya Dispute – Challenges
Multiplicity of parties and plaints. Questions whether the parties are representative of their respective religious communities. Repeated failure of the mediation efforts. The apprehension of communal disharmony and violence. The volume of text supporting the claims of the parties (15 sealed trunks containing over 30,000 pages). Language of the supporting documents (e.g. Awadhi, Persian, Sanskrit) … Continue reading Ayodhya Dispute – Challenges
POINT IAS 