Daily Articles & Editorials

Syllabus: GS-II Subject: Polity Topic: Elections and RPA Issue: Electoral Finance, Electoral Bonds There is a need to reform the electoral finance. Money and Elections: studies have revealed the direct and indirect influence of money on electoral politics. Lack of money can exclude candidates who belong to socio-economically weaker sections. Legal dichotomy: the law only […]

Syllabus: GS-II Subject: Polity Topic: Rights issues Issue: Right to Information The Supreme Court’s landmark ruling declaring Electoral Bonds unconstitutional has bolstered the Right to Information Act (RTI). Upholding voters’ rights, the SC emphasized transparency and accountability in political funding. However, the RTI regime faces challenges with vacancies, backlog, and non-compliance. The RTI needs revitalization

Syllabus: GS-II Subject: Polity Topic: Elections and RPA: Judiciary Issue: Electoral Bonds The Supreme Court declaration of the electoral bonds scheme unconstitutional, asserting democracy’s fundamental values is a historic moment. The Court highlighted concerns raised by institutions like the RBI and Election Commission of India about electoral bonds. The judgment underscores the importance of transparency

Syllabus: GS-II Subject: Polity Topic: Elections and RPA Issue: Electoral Bonds Anonymous donations of high value undermine electoral democracy and governance. They facilitate a quid pro quo culture involving donors and beneficiaries. On the verdict: the entire scheme violates the Constitution, especially the voters’ right to information. Arbitrary Act: the amendment to the Companies Act

Syllabus: GS-III Subject: Science and Technology Topic: Space Technology Issue: INSAT series satellites Context: the launch of INSAT-3DS. INSAT-3DS: ●       It is an exclusive meteorological satellite for enhanced meteorological observations and monitoring of land and ocean surfaces for weather forecasting and disaster warning. ●       It provides continuity of services to the existing in-orbit INSAT-3D and

Syllabus: GS-II Subject: International Relations Topic: India & Its neighbourhood. Issue: UPI Context: India’s Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Nepal’s Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) signed and exchanged Terms of Reference (ToR). Benefits: Integrates fast payment systems between the two countries. To facilitate cross-border remittances, enabling users to make instant, low-cost fund transfers. Deepening of

Syllabus: GS-II Subject: International Relations Topic: India’s relations with other countries. Issue: European FTA Context: India rejected the European FTA’s demand for ‘data exclusivity’. Synopsis: Data exclusivity shields innovator companies’ technical data from competitors. + Prelims Connect: ·         Generic Drugs: These are medications that contain the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs and are typically

Syllabus: GS-II Subject: Polity Topic: Elections and RPA Issue: Electoral Bonds Context: Supreme Court striked down electoral bonds scheme. Reasons Violated right to information and free speech. lacks transparency. Verdict: Details of donations to be provided to the Election Commission. Uncashed bonds to be refunded. Amendment to the Companies Act allowing corporate funding was also

Syllabus: GS-III Subject: Economy Topic: Inflation Issue: Inflation Why in news? Recession in Japan and United Kingdom (UK) Synopsis: The UK slipped into a shallow recession in the second half of 2023. It is considered it as a technical recession as two consecutive quarters recorded falling in output. But the small scale of declines suggests

Syllabus: GS-III Subject: Economy Topic: Trade and External sector Issue: Venezuela Oil Imports. Context: India became the top buyer of Venezuelan crude oil in December 2023 and January 2024 after a three-year break. Synopsis: Venezuela was one of the major crude oil supplier for India. This changed when the United States of America imposed sanctions