Kuki Tribe

Context: Manipur Chief Minister has said that the state government may consider setting up a committee to discuss the Scheduled Tribe status of Kukis in the state. Background: The Manipur conflict, initiated in early May, originated from a High Court directive suggesting the examination of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the Meitei community. This proposal faced opposition from th

Swachh Survekshan 2023

Context: The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu conferred Swachh Survekshan awards 2023 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi hosted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).  News: 13 awardees received felicitations under categories of Clean Cities, Cleanest Cantonment, SafaiMitra Suraksha, Ganga Towns and Best Performing State were given away. This year the cleanest

Swachh Survekshan

Context: For the seventh year in a row, Indore has been ranked as the cleanest city in India under the Central government’s annual Swachh Survekshan Awards 2023, announced on Thursday (January 11). Background: When the Awards first began in 2016, Indore ranked at number 25. Swachh Survekshan: It was initiated in 2016 and constitutes the world's largest urban sanita

Civil society under siege, in India

Context: The article discusses the threats faced by India’s civic space, particularly organizations fighting against communalism. Emphasizes the importance of protecting constitutional freedoms. Key highlights: Constitutional liberties face challenges within India's diverse and lively civil society. Groups actively combating communalism encounter intense assaults, impacting th

Rise in child marriages in West Bengal

Context: A recent study on child marriage in India published in the Lancet noted the overall decrease in child marriage across the country but pointed out that four States, mainly Bihar (16.7%), West Bengal (15.2%), Uttar Pradesh (12.5%), and Maharashtra (8.2%) accounted for more than half of the total headcount burden of child marriages in girls. Key findings: The pap

India’s stubborn income poverty problem

Context: Declining multidimensional poverty is good news but income poverty, which has remained defiantly high for the last five years, must be fixed. Progressing Indian economy: NSO estimates GDP growth at 7.3%, Sensex crosses 72,000, and foreign exchange reserves exceed $620 billion. Inflation contained within RBI's desired band of 4 plus/minus 2 percent. India has achieved a re

Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956

Context: The Kerala High Court has expanded the definition of 'procure' in Section 5 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956, to encompass individuals seeking the services of prostitutes. Understanding the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956: The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act (ITP), 1956, is aimed at curbing the commercialization of vices and the trafficking of females. W

An ambitious push for values, ethics in higher education

Context: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has been issuing regulations, guidelines and directives at break neck speed that some of the important ones miss drawing the attention of the higher education community. One such guideline is Mulya Pravah 2.0, a modified version of Mulya Pravah, which was notified in 2019.  Issues Associated with Higher Education System: Unethical Conduct:

Janaushadhi Kendras

Context: With the expansion of Janaushadhi Kendra to more than 10,000 centers the pharma companies are facing losses.  Generic Medicines and Their Impact on the Pharmaceutical Industry: The increasing prevalence of generic medicines is negatively affecting the growth of the domestic pharmaceutical market valued at Rs 1.9 lakh crore. Janaushadhi Kendra: Janaushadhi Kendras a

Ministry of Minority Affairs - Year review

The Ministry was carved out of Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment in 2006. Objective- To ensure a more focused approach towards issues relating to the notified minority communities - Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Sikhs, Parsis and Jain. As per Census 2011, around 19.3% of the population belongs to minorities. Mandate- To formulate, coordinate, evaluate and review the over