The Anti-Corruption Working Group:

GS Paper 2: Topics Covered: Important International institutions, agencies and fora, their structure, mandate.   Context: The G20 Anti-corruption Working Group, which for the first time includes sport as a specificity within its mandate, has reached consensus on the draft high level principles on Preventing and Combating Corruption.   About ACWG: Established by G20 Leaders at …

International Energy Agency (IEA):

GS Paper 2: Topics Covered: Important International institutions, agencies and fora, their structure, mandate.   Context: The International Energy Agency (IEA) has invited India, the world’s third-largest energy consumer, to become its full-time member.   Implications: The proposal if accepted will require New Delhi to raise strategic oil reserves to 90 days requirement. India’s current strategic …

Pending RTI pleas:

GS Paper 2: Topics Covered: Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability.   Context: A report on the Performance of Information Commissions in India, 2021 was recently released.   Key findings: CIC has three vacancies left and has not functioned at its full strength of 10 Commissioners. There were delays in disposing of cases due to …

National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA):

GS Paper 2: Topics Covered: Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.   Context: Coming out strongly against certain recommendations made by NFRA, chartered accountants’ apex body ICAI has said the watchdog does not have jurisdiction over micro, small and medium companies.   Background: This observation comes less than two weeks after the National Financial Reporting …