Current affairs 24th -29th June 2019
24th June, 2019
TOPIC- Inclusive growth and issues arising of it
Ans:
Introduction
Most women in India are involved not in paid employment but in unpaid work in their homes or communities. Such work is socially necessary but unsung and unrewarded — everything from cooking and cleaning to looking after the young, the old and the sick, to collecting fuel wood and water for households, to tending gardens and livestock, and so on.
Need to quantify value of women’s unpaid work
It is both good economics and good public policy to correctly measure women’s contribution to the economy.
Conclusion
We need to remember that empowerment cannot be found by simply rejecting the unpaid domestic work women have been shouldering for decades in favour of working outside the homes.
Reference: Hindustan Times
TOPIC- Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources
Ans:
Introduction
There is no doubt that the school education system is beset with huge problems. The learning outcomes have actually come down during the past decade despite enormous amount of investments. In this context, some experts have pointed out that the dismal performance of school education is not account of a policy gap. Rather, they argue that most of the actions relating to education lie in the states.
Is there a need for a national policy on education?
What can be done?
Conclusion
We need to learn from states like Rajasthan, Chattisgarh and Maharashtra, which have turned it around through some remarkable state-level interventions, both administrative and financial.
Reference: Hindustan Times
25th June, 2019
TOPIC- Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests
Ans:
Introduction
The tensions between Iran and the United States are escalating by the day. Experts monitoring the situation have said a potential US-Iran conflict would be catastrophic for the whole world including India.
How US-Iran war could hurt India?
Conclusion
The best course for India would be to back a process that leads to a negotiated settlement of the Iran issue.
Reference: Hindustan Times
TOPIC- Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these
Ans:
Introduction
The idea of holding elections simultaneously to Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies is recently in the news after it got a push from the Prime Minister. Simultaneous elections were held in India since 1951; then repeated in 1957, 1962 and 1967 but it was disturbed due to pre-mature dissolutions of Lok Sabha in 1970’s. The idea of holding simultaneous elections has various implications and various feasibility issues stand in the way.
Merits of this move
Demerits of the move
Feasibility issues and underlying constraints
Conclusion
The idea of simultaneous elections needs much more debate before becoming a reality. Given its challenges, it would be prudent to focus on pending basic electoral reforms for the time being.
Reference: Hindustan Times
26th June, 2019
TOPIC- Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections
Ans:
Introduction
There has been a recent rise in the number of the mass lynchings in the country. In this context, there has been a demand for an anti-lynching law.
Reasons for an increase in such instances
Need of an anti-lynching law
Conclusion
An anti lynching law alone cannot solve this issue unless mindset of people change, communalist ideology is eradicated, love and peace is spread, judiciary is made efficient and policing is made advance to tackle unrestricted unfiltered false news, propaganda on internet and communication devices.
Reference: The Hindu
TOPIC- Ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions
Ans:
Introduction
Recently, National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) released its report Prison Statistics 2016 which highlights the plight of prisons in India. The report raises a number of red flags signalling the rot in India’s prison system.
Issues facing the Indian prisons
Need for reforms
Conclusion
Prisons should have reformative approach rather than retributive one. Basic human rights of the prisoner should be protected and be given another chance to live a meaningful life. Financial assistance to NGOs working for the rehabilitation of prisoners and community-based alternatives to imprisonment for offenders convicted for relatively minor offences should be considered.
Reference: The Hindu
27th June, 2019
TOPIC- Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources
Ans:
Introduction
Teachers are the very linchpins of an education system. They are the primary channels through which learning is imparted to students in addition to shaping their outlook and behaviour. Given the enormous responsibility that they are entrusted with, it is tempting to apportion blame on them when learning outcomes do not match up to our expectations. However, teachers can excel only when provided with a strong support system.
Problems faced by teachers in the public education system in India
Way forward
Conclusion
The results so far from these initiatives have been more than encouraging and one hopes that based on these experiences, more states will critically examine ways in which they can support their teachers. Teachers are the front line workers of our education system. It is our responsibility to empower and enable them to attain the best possible learning outcomes in their classrooms.
Reference: Hindustan Times
TOPIC- Important International institutions, agencies and fora, their structure, mandate
Ans:
Introduction
India’s candidature for a non-permanent seat in the Security Council has been endorsed unanimously by the Asia Pacific group, which comprises 55 countries, including Pakistan.
The endorsement means that India has a “clean slate” candidature – that is there is no other contestant from the group – for the elections that will be held for five non-permanent members next year, for the 2021-22 term.
What is UNSC?
How are non-permanent members elected?
Reference: Indian Express
28th June, 2019
TOPIC- Important International institutions, agencies and fora– their structure, mandate
Ans:
Context
There has been much talk in recent days of Pakistan facing the possibility of being downgraded from the “grey list” to the “black list” of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
What is FATF?
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 on the initiative of the G7. It is a “policy-making body” which works to generate the necessary political will to bring about national legislative and regulatory reforms in various areas. The FATF Secretariat is housed at the OECD headquarters in Paris.
Objectives
The objectives of the FATF are to set standards and promote effective implementation of legal, regulatory and operational measures for combating money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.
Functions
The FATF monitors the progress of its members in implementing necessary measures, reviews money laundering and terrorist financing techniques and counter-measures and promotes the adoption and implementation of appropriate measures globally. In collaboration with other international stakeholders, the FATF works to identify national-level vulnerabilities with the aim of protecting the international financial system from misuse.
Reference: Hindustan Times
TOPIC- Challenges to internal security through social networking sites
Ans:
Introduction
The importance of social media is well known to all of us. It has proved helpful in many ways. However we cannot ignore the negative aspects of social media in our society. The threats posed by social media are turning out to be so serious and we need to think of ways to deal with it.
Threats posed by social media platforms
Why is it difficult to deal with them?
How to deal with it?
Conclusion
Internet and social media have helped us in many ways and they will continue to do so provided we use these social media platforms in a more responsible manner. Technological advancements are meant to take the society forward and we should never use these in such a way that we are pulled back.
29th June, 2019
TOPIC- Conservation
Ans:
Introduction
Groundwater is a critical resource whose sound management is absolutely necessary. Various reports have pointed out the alarming drop in groundwater levels across the country. The issue compels us to examine the root cause behind this shortage and suggest steps to deal with the issue.
Causes of water crisis
The water scarcity is mostly man made due to excess population growth and mismanagement of water resources. Some of the major reasons for water scarcity are:
Way forward
India’s priority must be:
Reference: The Hindu
TOPIC- Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests
Ans:
Introduction
Stalemate at the WTO negotiations, rising protectionism, regionalism and explorations for bilateral avenues indicate a crumpling global economic order. It is surprising that the initiative comes from those countries who were once the flag bearers of Washington Consensus.
In these circumstances it is pertinent that India along with other likeminded and similarly placed economies come out strongly in the support of multilateralism so as to avoid collapse of WTO and also hasten towards building an economically self sustained Asia.
Rising Protectionism in the West
What to be done by India and China
Way forward
India and China hold the key to the emerging global political economy. Joining the U.S. and other advanced economies in closing up will only lead to slower growth. The challenge for India and China, as the two fastest growing major economies, is to engage with each other and with other willing partner nations, particularly in the East Asia and the Pacific region (including advanced economies like Japan and Australia), to maintain openness and embrace globalisation. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is one forum where this engagement can happen. India can engage on free trade and free investment in other groups like the BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal) and BIMSTEC (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Thailand, Bhutan) and via these groups with the entire ASEAN region.