Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA):

GS Paper 2 Topics Covered: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.   Context: Key lawmakers continue to voice their support for a sanctions waiver for India for its purchase of the S-400 missile defence system from Russia.   What’s the issue? India is likely to begin taking …

Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA):

GS Paper 2 Topics Covered: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.   Context: India and the European Union (EU) are set to resume negotiations for a Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) by December.   Challenges ahead: Negotiators are still “quite far apart” due to what Europe perceives as …

Centre proposes stricter regulations for CWC:

GS Paper 2 Topics Covered: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.   Context: The Ministry of Women and Child Development has proposed the draft amendments to Juvenile Justice Model Rules, 2016. This follows the passage of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) …

How are Rajya Sabha members punished for misconduct in the House?

GS Paper 2 Topics Covered: Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.   Context: More than two months after eight Ministers, at a joint press conference, accused the Opposition of assaulting security officials on the last day of the monsoon session of Parliament, there has been no disciplinary action against …

Sabarmati Ashram revamp:

GS Paper 1: Topics Covered: The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors /contributions from different parts of the country.   Context: Mahatma Gandhi’s great-grandson Tushar Gandhi has moved the Gujarat High Court against the Gujarat government’s ₹1,200-crore plan to redevelop Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad.   Issues with the project: The redevelopment plan …