THE CONTEXT: The concept and practice of gig economy has gained wide currency across the globe. In India, the entry of various food delivery apps, cab aggregators and others have revolutionized this segment of the economy. While they provide huge scope for freelance/part time jobs for India’s demographic dividend, the management practices of these platforms have raised concerns of labour exploitation. In this context, this write up examines how gig economy results in informalisation of labour on the one hand and provides freedom of work on the other.

Developing conceptual understanding

What is Gig economy?

• The gig economy is a job market which consists of short-term or part-time work done by people who are self-employed or on temporary contracts.
• Section 2(35) of the Code on Social Security 2020 defines a gig worker as a person who participates in a work arrangement and earns from such activities outside of a traditional employer-employee relationship
• As per the World Economic Forum, gig economy is defined by its focus on workforce participation and income generation via “gigs”, single projects or tasks for which a worker is hired.
• The term “gig” is a slang word for a job that lasts a specified period of time; it is typically used by musicians.
• Examples of gig employees in the workforce could include work arrangements such as freelancers, independent contractors, project-based workers and temporary or part-time hires.
• As there is no employer-employee relationship, the gig workers are not tied to any particular employer and therefore have greater flexibility in terms of the work they can choose and the hours they dedicate.
• Businesses have flexibility when they are not dependent on a set of employees for executing tasks, and additionally benefit from avoiding the cost of social security and fixed remuneration provided to employees.

What is platform work?

• Platform work means a work arrangement in which an organization or an individual uses online platforms to provide goods and services to consumers. For example, Uber, Ola, Zomato etc.
• The Code on Social Security 2021 defines platform work as a work arrangement outside the traditional employer-employee relationship in which organisations or individuals use an online platform to access other organisations or individuals to solve specific problems or to provide specific services in exchange for payment.
• Section 2(61) of the Code on Social Security defines a platform worker as someone engaged in or undertaking platform work.
• In general, platform workers are the most visible and vulnerable faces of the gig economy. The gig work includes platform work also and often these terms are used interchangeably. For the purpose of our discussion, we also take a similar approach.

What is meant by informalisation of labour?

• When the share of the informal workers in the total labour force increases, the situation is called informalisation of labour.
• It is a process of consistent decline in the percentage of formal sector labour force and consistent increase in the percentage of informal sector labour force in the economy.
• The Economic Survey of 2018-19, released in July 2019, said “almost 93%” of the total workforce is “informal”.

What is the meaning of formal and informal sector?

• It must be made very clear that there is no universally accepted definition of formal and informal or organised and unorganised sector in India (http://iamrindia.gov.in/writereaddata/UploadFile/org_unorg.pdfread for further information)
• In general, the informal sector of the economy is characterised by irregular and low income, precarious working conditions, no access to social safety nets, lack of legal safeguards etc.

Definition of labour force

• Persons who are either ‘working’ (employed) or ‘seeking or available for work’ (unemployed) or both during a major part of the reference period, constitute the labour force. In simple words persons who are employed and unemployed are included in labour force (15-60 in general).

Definition of workforce

• The Work force on the other hand includes only the employed and excludes the unemployed. People who are actually working are included in workforce. The difference between labour force and workforce is the total number of unemployed persons

How Gig Economy leads to informalisation?

Outside the purview of regulatory framework

• The gig economy is outside the ambit of almost all the regulations applicable to the other sectors of the economy. The formal sector employment has been a tightly regulated one and even the informal sector faces some regulation. There is near absence of regulation in the area of gig economy especially in the context of labour rights.

Unclear employment relationship

• In gig economy, the traditional employer and employee’s relationship is replaced by vague ideas of “partners, independent contractors and the like “. These companies call themselves as “aggregators and not employers” which provides escape route from the application of labour laws to them

Exploitative service conditions

• The remuneration and working conditions are arbitrarily set by the companies and workers often complain unwarranted deduction from their salaries. There exists no grievance mechanism to raise the concerns of the workers. For instance, a Swiggy delivery boy earlier received 50 rupees for an order which has been progressively reduced to 20(10 in some cases) rupees on weekdays.

Subjugation to algorithms

• The platform workers’ work life is controlled by the software application. It decides everything from when and where to onboard (log in), how much time is allowed for delivery, calculation of incentives and even imposition of penalty! The gig worker has no voice in deciding any of these aspects and the Application exerts total control over the workers.

Non existent social safety net

• None of the social security benefits available to the traditional workers are available to gig workers. Even the adhoc group insurance is available only on “on duty days’.  The workers are vulnerable to risks of accidents and many have lost lives during the course of their duties. The companies don’t even have any data on how many of its partners have succumbed to Covid 19 or were infected by the virus.

Demand and supply mismatch:

• when the labour supply is high and more disposable, the gig workers have no power to influence payment offerings, and freedom to choose becomes an illusion. In the interplay of demand and supply mechanisms, the gig workers always lose out. Thus, as platforms become more popular among gig workers, more of them join the pool, which leads to companies dictating the terms and conditions of work. The All India Gig Workers union has been protesting against the wage reduction by Swiggy but to no avail.

No scope for collective bargaining

• The problem lack of a formal relationship within the gig economy landscape is accentuated by lack of effective unionization of the workers. The temporary nature of work, disaggregated location of workers etc do not make it feasible for a collective airing of grievances. Even the recently formed Indian federation of App based Transport workers’ protests did not change the status quo.

Exercising control without accountability

• The companies claim that its workers are self-employed, and they can choose when and how long they wish to work. This is not true as for instance, Swiggy does not allow “home log in” and the worker has to reach a “hot zone” for log in. When a worker logs out or is irregular, then the frequency of the orders he receives is reduced. In other words, the companies exercise almost all the control of a traditional employer without commensurate responsibility to workers.

Gig Economy and the Freedom of work

Freedom of choice

• The employees have the freedom to choose from a host of firms operating in the sector. For instance, a delivery executive can choose Swiggy, Zomato or any other food delivery app. This choice is also available in the case of e- commerce companies or cab aggregators and others. This freedom to choose can help the workers to look for greener pastures.

Flexible working hours

• There are no mandatory working hours in these sectors and the worker is free to join in or out any time. This flexibility provides scope for control over one’s work which can be harnessed by those looking for part-time job like students, under employed etc.

No formal training required

• The gig economy generally does not demand any formal education, skills or formal training for carrying out these jobs. For instance, a smart phone and a bike is enough for getting work in food delivery apps (of course subject to company policies). Thus it provides great livelihood opportunities for the unskilled and semi-skilled.

Incentivisation of hard work

• The gig economy works on the principle of ‘the more you work, the more you earn’. This approach encourages those having the zeal for hard work by providing incentives on a par with the output of work. The scope for extra earning works as a great motivator.

Gender empowerment

• The technology based platforms enable women to be a part of workforce by virtue of their openness.
• Women could utilize the informal nature of the platforms especially factors like no restriction of time and place for their advantages. Studies indicate that women students and even housewives have been harnessing the opportunities for financial independence and supporting family during pandemic.

How to bring elements of formalization in Gig Economy?

Data on the size of the Gig workforce

• Any step towards addressing the issue of informalisation in gig economy require proper data on the size of the workforce. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour has criticized the labour ministry for its lackadaisical attitude relating to data collection. Data driven policy making and governance need to be the core of reforming the sector.

Legal interventions

• Regulation by the State of this sector without undermining its animal spirit is the need of hour. The Code on Social Security although defines the gig and platform workers, is silent on the aspect of regulation. A separate regulatory regime for gig sector can be brought which must balance the interest of both the companies and workers.

Providing concrete social safety measures

• The companies need to be persuaded to set up social security system for the workers. Alternatively, they can be legally mandated to contribute to the fund established by Centre or state governments.
• For instance, the Code on Social Security, 2020, mandate companies employing gig or on-demand workers, to allocate 1-2% of their annual turnover or 5% of the wages paid to gig workers.

Clarifying the relationship between company and the workers

• It is necessary to define clearly the nature of relation between these platform companies and the workers. Taking shelter under terms (partner etc) which have no legal basis will only lead to conflicts between workers and the companies and eventually impact the business prospects of the companies.

Learning from international judicial interventions

• In 2021, the UK Supreme Court ruled that Uber’s drivers were entitled to employee benefits; in 2018, the California Supreme Court specified a test for determining an employer-employee relationship, which effectively designated gig workers are employees.  Indian courts must take a leaf out of these progressive judicial interventions.

Unionization of the workers

• There is strength in numbers and the workers need to organize themselves to press for legitimate demands from the government and the companies. A federation of all gig workers must be established to work as a pressure group and a forum for constructive suggestions in improving the work culture and business practices.

Best practices of the state governments

• Karnataka govt is in the process of drafting a law to provide minimum wages and social security benefits to the gig workers. It also formed a company, inter alia, to promote gig economy companies. The Karnataka Digital Economy Mission, a company with 51% stake for the Industries aim to promote the gig economy through various facilitative measures. These type of positive interventions can be replicated in other states also.

WAY FORWARD

• The gig economy rides on the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of the business leaders. Light-touch regulation of the sector which focuses on enabling the companies to accommodate the concerns of the labour rather than coercing them need to be adopted.
• The huge success of the Initial Public Offerings of Swiggy and Zomato in Bombay Stock Exchange point out to the enthusiasm and trust of investors in the growth prospects of the sector. The listing of these companies means they have to disclose details of business practices under SEBI’sbusiness responsibility and sustainability reporting (BRSR) requirements. This may nudge/force the companies to address the concerns of forced labour as the employees are paid below minimum wages in many cases.
• Although the Social Security Code 2020 aims to provide social security benefits to the gig workers, these are not legally guaranteed. It means the benefits will be available to the workers as and when government formulates the schemes. It is high time the good intentions are translated into concrete actions. The Industry is also in line with this approach as in a recent report, ASSOCHAM had suggested that gig workers should be entitled to potable benefits.
• Neoliberal policies adopted by governments world over have put capital in high pedestal over labour. In India also the condition is not different as the race to attract private capital and investment have led to dilution of workers’ rights and their progressive informalisation. This is clearly visible in the context of the criticism of the four labour codes brought in by the government and the data provided by Periodic Labour Force Survey 19-20. Therefore, a Welfare State and Compassionate Capitalism must work in tandem for equitable distribution of surplus among the management and labour.

CONCLUSION

The Economic Survey 2020 has appreciated the role played by gig economy in terms of service delivery and provision of employment to the labour force in the pandemic period. This sector holds out huge promise especially in the context of governments’ push towards digital economy through Digital India. It is true that the freelance nature of the work and other attributes may not strictly fit into the traditional employer-employee matrix. But that does not mean the labour should be left for exploitation and suffer from poor working conditions. It is in the interest of all stakeholders; the promoters, management, workers, the shareholders the consumers and others that adequate concreate measures be adopted for a win situation for all.

INDIAN POLITY, GOVERNANCE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

1. ATAL PENSION YOJANA TOTAL ENROLMENTS CROSSED 3.30 CRORE

THE CONTEXT: Under the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) more than 28 lakh new APY accounts have been opened during current FY 2021-22. Overall, enrolments under APY has crossed 3.30 crore as on 25^th August 2021.

ABOUT APY

• The Atal Pension Yojana (APY) is a guaranteed pension scheme of Government of India and administered by PFRDA.
• The APY allows any Citizen of India between the age group of 18-40 years to join through the bank or post office branches where one has the savings bank account.
• Under the scheme, a subscriber would receive a minimum guaranteed pension of Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 5,000 per month, depending upon his contribution, from the age of 60 years.
• The same pension would be paid to the spouse of the subscriber and on the demise of both the subscriber and the spouse, the accumulated pension wealth as accumulated till age 60 of the subscriber is returned to the nominee.
• The scheme is distributed through 266 registered APY Service-Providers consisting of various categories of banks and Department of Posts.
• As this scheme is only available to applicants with a savings bank account, therefore, PFRDA regularly advises all banks to promote the scheme for its outreach to their existing and prospective customers.

Reference: PIB

2. ‘Y-BREAK’ YOGA PROTOCOL APPENVI

THE CONTEXT: Union Minister of Ayush launched the ‘Y-Break’ mobile application.

ANALYSIS

• The five-minute Yoga protocol, especially designed for working professionals to de-stress, refresh and re-focus at their workplace to increase their productivity, consists of Asanas, Pranayam and Dhyana.
• The Yoga protocol in the Y-Break application comprises of a few simple Yogic practices as follows:
• Tadasana- Urdhva-hastottanasana- Tadasana
• Skandha chakra- Uttanamandukasana– Kati Chakrasana
• Ardhachakrasana, PrasaritaPadottanasana- Deep Breathing
• Nadishodhana Pranayama
• Bhramari Pranayama- Dhyana

Reference: The Hindu

ENVIRONMENT, GEOGRAPHY AND AGRICULTURE

3. UBREATHE LIFE

THE CONTEXT: IIT Ropar’s startup company introduces World’s first ‘Plant based’ smart air-purifier “Ubreathe Life” Technology uses living, breathing plants for the filtration of contaminants.

ANALYSIS:

• IIT Ropar’s startup company, Urban Air Laboratory that has developed the product claims it to be world’s first, state-of-the art ‘Smart Bio-Filter’ that can make breathing fresh.
• It has been incubated at IIT Ropar, which is a designated iHub – AWaDH (Agriculture and Water Technology Development Hub) by the Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India.
• The technology works through the air-purifying natural leafy plant. The room-air interacts with leaves and goes to the soil-root zone where maximum pollutants are purified.
• The novel technology used in this product is ‘Urban Munnar Effect’ along with patent pending “Breathing Roots” to exponentially amplify the phytoremediation process of the plants. Phytoremediation is a process by which plants effectively remove pollutants from the air.
• ‘Ubreathe Life’ effectively improves indoor air quality by removing particulate, gaseous and biological contaminants while increasing the oxygen levels in the indoor space through specific plants, UV disinfection and a stack of Pre-filter, Charcoal filter and HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter fitted in a specially designed wooden box.
• There is a centrifugal fan which creates a suction pressure inside the purifier, and releases purified air, formed at the roots, through the outlet in 360degree direction. The specific plants tested for air-purification include Peace Lily, Snake Plant, Spider plant etc. and all have given good results in purifying indoor-air.
• According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report the indoor air spaces are five times more polluted than outdoor air space.

Reference: PIB

4. LADAKH ADOPTS STATE ANIMAL AND BIRD

CONTEXT: Ladakh adopted two endangered species, snow leopard (Panther unica) and black-necked crane (Grus nicricollis), as State animal and State bird.

SNOW LEOPARDS (PANTHERA UNCIA)

• Also known as the ounce.
• Habitat:  Native to the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia.  Alpine and subalpine zones at elevations from 3,000 to 4,500 m (9,800 to 14,800 ft), ranging from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tibetan Plateau, to southern Siberia, Mongolia, and western China.
• In India: found in Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh.
• Threats: poaching and habitat destruction following infrastructural developments IUCN status: Vulnerable (In 2017, IUCN had downgraded conservation status of snow leopard from “endangered” to “vulnerable”)

BLACK-NECKED CRANE

• Only found in Ladakh region, it was the State bird of J&K before August 5, 2019.
• Black-necked cranes, considered loyal couples, are only found in Ladakh’s Changthang region.
• IUCN status: Near Threatened
• CITES: Appendix-I

Reference: The Hindu

INDIAN SECURITY

5. HIGH HONOUR FOR NAVAL AVIATION

THE CONTEXT:  President will award the President’s Colour to Indian Naval Aviation at a ceremonial parade to be held at INS Hansa, Goa, on September 6. The President’s Colour is the highest honour bestowed on a military unit in recognition of its exceptional service to the nation.

ABOUT NAVAL AVIATION

• Naval Aviation came into being with acquisition of the first Sealand aircraft on January 13, 1951 and the commissioning of INS Garuda, the first Naval Air Station, on May 11, 1953.
• The Navy was the first among the armed forces to be awarded the President’s Colour on May 27, 1951 by then President Rajendra Prasad.
• The Navy heralded the beginning of carrier aviation with the induction of INS Vikrant in 1957 and integral Sea Hawk and Alize Squadrons subsequently.
• INS Vikrant with its aircraft played a crucial role in the liberation of Goa in 1961 and again in the 1971 Indo-Pak war, where its presence on the Eastern seaboard proved decisive.
• Navy inducted its second carrier INS Viraat along with Sea Harrier aircraft in the mid-1980s and Naval Aviation was further strengthened with arrival of MiG 29K fighters on INS Vikramaditya in the last decade.

Reference: The Hindu

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

7. EXERCISE ZAPAD 2021

THE CONTEXT:  A contingent of 200 Indian Army personnel will participate in the multinational Exercise ZAPAD 2021 being held at Nizhniy, Russia from September 3 to 16.

ANALYSIS:

• ZAPAD 2021 is one of the theatre level exercises of Russian armed forces and will focus primarily on operations against terrorists.
• The NAGA Battalion group participating in the exercise will feature an all arms combined task force. The exercise aims to enhance military and strategic ties amongst the participating nations while they plan and execute this exercise.
• In all, 17 countries have been invited by Russia for the exercise. Of these nine are Participating countries which include Mongolia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Serbia, Russia, India and Belarus.
• The other eight countries are Observers which include Pakistan, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Uzbekistan and Sri Lanka.
• The Indian Contingent has been put through a strenuous training schedule which encompasses all facets of conventional operations including mechanised, airborne and heliborne, counter terrorism, combat conditioning and firing.

Reference: The Hindu

8. INDIA’S PRESIDENCY OF UNSC ENDS WITH ‘SUBSTANTIVE’ OUTCOMES

THE CONTEXT: India’s month-long Presidency of the powerful United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has ended with ‘substantive’ outcomes on key global issues including a strong resolution on the situation in Afghanistan, which demanded that the Afghan territory not be used to threaten any country or shelter terrorists.

ANALYSIS:

• India, currently serving a two-year term as a non-permanent member of the 15-nation Security Council, assumed the rotating Presidency of the UN body for the month of August.
• The Presidency ended with the first resolution on the situation in Afghanistan, following the takeover of Kabul by the Taliban.
• India began its Presidency with a high-level signature event on maritime security presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with Mr. Tirumurti describing it as “path-breaking” in many ways since this was the first time the Prime Minister of India chaired the Security Council.
• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar chaired the two other signature events – on Peacekeeping and Technology on August 18 and the briefing on ISIL/Da’esh on August 19.
• Following the August 19 ministerial-level briefing on ISIL/Da’esh, the Council unanimously issued a press statement that reiterated that they condemn in the strongest terms all instances of terrorism and noted with concern that ISIL (Da’esh) could regain the ability to launch or orchestrate international terrorist attacks.
• Under India’s presidency, the Council successfully steered the discussions on various peace and security issues that are on its agenda, including Afghanistan, Myanmar, Syria, Yemen, and the Middle East Peace Process.
• Several UN member states tweeted to express gratitude to India for its leadership of the Council during the month.

Reference: The Hindu

9. SRI LANKA DECLARES ECONOMIC EMERGENCY

THE CONTEXT: Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has declared an economic emergency to contain soaring inflation after a steep fall in the value of the country’s currency caused a spike in food prices.

ANALYSIS:

• President Rajapaksa on Tuesday declared the state of emergency under the public security ordinance to prevent the hoarding of essential items, including rice and sugar.
• The government has appointed a former army general as commissioner of essential services, who will have the power to seize food stocks held by traders and retailers and regulate their prices.
• The military will oversee the action which gives power to officials to ensure that essential items, including rice and sugar, are sold at government-guaranteed prices or prices based on import costs at customs and prevent hiding of.
• The emergency move followed sharp price rises for sugar, rice, onions and potatoes, while long queues have formed outside stores because of shortages of milk powder, kerosene oil and cooking gas.
• The wide-ranging measure is also aimed at recovering credit owed to State banks by importers.
• The Sri Lankan rupee has fallen by 7.5% against the US dollar this year.
• The Central Bank of Sri Lanka recently increased interest rates in a bid to shore up the local currency.
• Sri Lanka, a net importer of food and other commodities, is witnessing a surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths which has hit tourism, one of its main foreign currency earners.
• Partly as a result of the slump in tourist numbers, Sri Lanka’s economy shrank by a record 3.6% last year. The country is currently under a 16-day curfew until Monday because of a jump in COVID-19 cases.

Reference: The Hindu

10. CHINA’S NEW MARITIME LAW

THE CONTEXT: From Sept.1, China’s new maritime rules designed to control the entry of foreign vessels in what Beijing calls “Chinese territorial waters” take effect. The move is expected to have far-reaching consequences for passage of vessels, both commercial and military, in the disputed South China Sea, East China Sea and Taiwan Strait, and is likely to escalate the existing tension with the US and its neighbours in the region.

ANALYSIS:

• Foreign vessels, both military and commercial, will be henceforth required to submit to Chinese supervision in “Chinese territorial waters,” as per the new law.
• Operators of submersibles, nuclear vessels, ships carrying radioactive materials and ships carrying bulk oil, chemicals, liquefied gas and other toxic and harmful substances are required to report their detailed information upon their visits to Chinese territorial waters.
• Endanger the maritime traffic safety of China will be required to report their name, call sign, current position and next port of call and estimated time of arrival. The name of shipborne dangerous goods and cargo deadweight will also be required.
• The South China Sea, which lies between China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam, is of great economic importance globally. Nearly one-third of the world’s shipping passes through its lanes, and the waters house numerous important fisheries.
• It is also a critical route for India, both militarily and commercially. The South China Sea plays a vital role in facilitating India’s trade with Japan, South Korea and ASEAN countries, and assists in the efficient procurement of energy supplies.
• The Ministry of External Affairs estimates that more than 55% of India’s trade passes through the South China Sea and Malacca Straits. India is also involved in oil and gas exploration in offshore blocks in the margins of the Sea, which has led to standoffs with Chinese authorities.
• The waters around China are hotly contested. Under a “nine-dash line” map, China claims most of the South China Sea as its sovereign territory. This claim is contested by its neighbours in the region and by the United States, which, though it has no claim in the Sea, backs the smaller nations in the fight against Chinese overreach.
• Currently, international maritime activities are governed by an international agreement called the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) of which China, India and over a hundred other countries are signatories (the US, significantly, is not).
• Accordingly, states have the right to implement territorial rights up to 12 nautical miles into the sea. The UNCLOS also states that all vessels have the right of “innocent passage” through this region – China’s new law violates this.
• As the law comes into effect, several questions remain. For one, it is unclear how China intends to implement the regulation. The US, which routinely holds naval exercises in the region, is unlikely to abide by Beijing’s law. It also remains to be seen how the rest of the UNCLOS signatories react to this challenge to the agreement.

Reference: Indian express

Q1. Consider the following statements about ZAPAD 2021:

1. It is bilateral exercise between India and Russia.
2. It is held at Nizhniy, Russia .
3. The city is located on the bank of Volga river.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

ANSWER FOR SEPTEMBER 01, 2021 PRELIMS PRACTICE QUESTIONS (REFER RELEVANT ARTICLE)

Answer: a)

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct: SAARC was established with signing of SAARC Charter in Dhaka in 1985.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: Its secretariat is in Kathmandu, Nepal.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: Eight members- Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

1. Taste the joy of working on the self READ MORE
2. It’s all in the mind READ MORE

1. Weather disasters killed 2 million in last 50 years, UN agency says READ MORE
2. Weather Disasters Becoming More Frequent and Costly, UN Agency Says READ MORE

1. Foundational Learning as an art READ MORE
2. The prognosis for school reopenings: A model shows that a rise in cases in children could occur, but in-person schooling can proceed with caution READ MORE

1. The prognosis for school reopenings: A model shows that a rise in cases in children could occur, but in-person schooling can proceed with caution READ MORE
2. Better policing, please: Court observations on investigations in Delhi riots should be required reading for all major police forces READ MORE
3. Now That the SC Has 9 New Judges, Who’s Responsible for Their Belated Elevation? READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Atal Pension Yojana total enrolments crossed 3.30 crore READ MORE
2. Maha govt. to amend cooperative societies act READ MORE
3. Allahabad HC judge to Centre: Make cow national animal READ MORE
4. IIT Ropar’s startup company introduces world’s first plant based smart air-purifier ‘Ubreathe Life’ READ MORE
5. LS Speaker inaugurates outreach programme for PRI empowerment in J&K READ MORE
6. Sri Lanka declares economic emergency to contain food prices as forex crisis worsens READ MORE  
7. Ladakh adopts State animal and bird READ MORE

Main Exam

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. The prognosis for school reopenings: A model shows that a rise in cases in children could occur, but in-person schooling can proceed with caution READ MORE
2. Better policing, please: Court observations on investigations in Delhi riots should be required reading for all major police forces READ MORE
3. Now That the SC Has 9 New Judges, Who’s Responsible for Their Belated Elevation? READ MORE

SOCIAL JUSTICE AND SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Foundational Learning as an art READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Explained: Why China’s new maritime law might spike tensions in South China Sea READ MORE
2. India made its UNSC presidency count READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Fleeting cheer: On GDP growth and consumption demand READ MORE
2. Enforcing contracts key to ‘ease of business’ READ MORE
3. FDI inflows into India: Mobility as a metaphor READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Weather disasters killed 2 million in last 50 years, UN agency says READ MORE
2. Weather Disasters Becoming More Frequent and Costly, UN Agency Says READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Taste the joy of working on the self READ MORE
2. It’s all in the mind READ MORE

Questions for MAIN exam

1. ‘As Police investigation is the first step of criminal justice; India deserves and needs better policing to ensure justice to its citizens’. Comment on the statements in the light of recent developments.
2. While the gig economy provides huge scope for choice and freedom of work, it also leads to informalisation of labour. Comment.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Talk low, talk slow and don’t say too much.
• The Afghan takeover by the militia is a threat not only to the region but also to India since Nepal is a trusted, though porous, border.
• Fiscal measures should ensure overall consumption demand does not weaken.
• Policymakers must remain laser-focused on expediting vaccination coverage and taking fiscal measures to ensure overall consumption demand does not weaken any further.
• Progress on this front will go a long way in attracting foreign investments in the evolving geopolitical situation.
• A return to democracy, civil governance and peace is a priority for Afghanistan but the elimination of terror is the priority for South Asia in particular.
• The NEP 2020 recommends a paradigm shift in the current education system and teachers by using innovative pedagogies to stimulate critical thinking, creativity and curiosity amongst the children shall play a vital role in the reformatory process.
• The swift clearance of the appointment of nine judges by the SC Collegium and the Union government, soon after Justice R.F. Nariman’s retirement, makes one wonder whether he is the fall guy for the inordinate delay in their elevation.
• Hate crimes as a product of intolerance, ideological dominance and prejudice ought not to be tolerated; lest it results in a reign of terror. Extrajudicial elements and non-State actors cannot be allowed to take the place of law or the law enforcing agency.

50-WORD TALK

• During the two years in the UNSC, the presidency gives an opportunity for focusing on critical issues beyond the regular work of the Security Council. Such special efforts draw attention to India’s role and interests. India has grasped the opportunity well and brought public visibility to issues of importance.
• Q1 GDP growth is good but nothing to be ecstatic about. This is below pre-pandemic levels, and that was a slowdown-hit economy. Consumer confidence remains low and India Inc doesn’t share the optimism of the government or RBI. As RBI Governor says, “we are not yet out of the woods”.
• Indian envoy’s meeting with Taliban leader in Doha is prudent and pragmatic. Its discomfort with the new regime in Kabul notwithstanding, New Delhi cannot just remain a silent bystander. There are critical geopolitical interests to nurture in the region. The ‘wait and watch’ mode shouldn’t become an excuse for inaction.

Things to Remember:

• For prelims-related news try to understand the context of the news and relate with its concepts so that it will be easier for you to answer (or eliminate) from given options.
• Whenever any international place will be in news, you should do map work (marking those areas in maps and also exploring other geographical locations nearby including mountains, rivers, etc. same applies to the national places.)
• For economy-related news (banking, agriculture, etc.) you should focus on terms and how these are related to various economic aspects, for example, if inflation has been mentioned, try to relate with prevailing price rises, shortage of essential supplies, banking rates, etc.
• For main exam-related topics, you should focus on the various dimensions of the given topic, the most important topics which occur frequently and are important from the mains point of view will be covered in ED.
• Try to use the given content in your answer. Regular use of this content will bring more enrichment to your writing.

[WpProQuiz 36]