GS2

Kerala Assembly rejects motion for Speaker’s removal

Context: The Kerala Assembly rejected a motion moved by the Opposition seeking the removal of Speaker P. Sreeramakrishnan. There are allegations about his role in the diplomatic channel gold smuggling case and reckless expenditure in the various activities by the Legislature Secretariat. The House can remove the Speaker through a resolution passed by... .Read more

Updated on 22 January, 2021 GS2 Polity

Privacy and surveillance: On WhatsApp user policy change

Context: WhatsApp has announced that it is delaying implementation of the new privacy policy till May 2021, as the company wants users to understand the new terms and then agree. Background: Earlier this month, WhatsApp updated its privacy policy and asked users to agree to the changes before February 8. Facebook Inc., which also owns ... .Read more

Updated on 22 January, 2021 GS2 Polity

India's Vaccine Diplomacy In South Asia Pushes Back Against China

Context: India will give millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccine to South Asian countries in the next few weeks, drawing praise from its neighbours and pushing back against China's dominating presence in the region. Free shipments of AstraZeneca’s vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, the world's biggest producer of vaccines... .Read more

Updated on 22 January, 2021 GS2

The role and responsibilities of the US Vice President: Comparing with India

Context: Recently, Kamala Harris was sworn in as the 49th vice president of the US. More on the news: Kamala Harris made history after becoming the first woman to hold the country’s second-highest office. While Harris has not been assigned a specific portfolio as of now, she will serve as a governing partner to Biden on his top priorit... .Read more

Updated on 22 January, 2021 GS2 Polity

SC dismisses plea seeking review of Aadhaar judgement

Context: In a 4:1 judgement, the Supreme Court dismissed review petitions challenging its 2018 verdict upholding the constitutionality of the Aadhaar Act. The review petition had argued that the Aadhaar Act clearly did not fall within the ambit of Article 110 (1) of the Constitution, which restricted Money Bills to certain specific fields only. Di... .Read more

Updated on 21 January, 2021 GS2 Polity

The pardoning powers of President: Comparing US and India.

Context: The President of the USA Donald Trump has recently pardoned his former chief strategist, just hours before he leaves the White House. More on the news: Recently, Trump has pardoned 73 people and commuted the sentences of 70 others. Extent of the US President’s power to pardon: Constitutional mandate: The US President ha... .Read more

Updated on 21 January, 2021 GS2 Polity