Social Issues Current Affairs

The replacement of MGNREGA with the VB-GRAM G Act has weakened the rural right-to-work framework; restoring a meaningful right to work through adequate funding, living wages and stronger local institutions would advance constitutional aims while also supporting rural demand and economic growth

Politics must move from profiting from demographic change to sensitively managing and navigating its consequences

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (UNCERD) has raised concerns over hate speech, hate crimes, citizenship policies, and the treatment of minorities in India. The committee made several recommendations, while the Indian government rejected what it called “sweeping generalisations” in the findings.

Over Rs 53 lakh crore has been transferred through Direct Benefit Transfer to beneficiaries. Nearly 33 crore women now hold Jan Dhan accounts, enhancing financial inclusion. The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana has completed twelve years of successful operation. This initiative provides basic banking access and financial security to millions. Banking outlets now reach nearly every village, improving accessibility for all.

A Supreme Court judgment ensures rehabilitation as a right of the victim and the right to live with ‘dignity’ means not to be treated as a commodity

MEA’s response comes after the UN Committee raised concerns regarding reports alleging “large-scale violations” by law enforcement personnel against ethnic and ethno-religious populations

India’s youth crisis is about the absence of jobs, not just examination reform

The Union government has noted that the implementation of this judgment will lead to a cascade of litigation from previous years’ candidates of not just civil service examination but also all other aspects of government recruitment

India’s total fertility rate has fallen to 1.9, below replacement level, even as the working-age population remains dominant. The country may confront ageing at a lower income level than China did. Economists say the next two decades are critical for creating jobs, improving skills, expanding care infrastructure and raising productivity.

“The Radhakrishnan Committee has correctly said it is a systemic problem which needs institutionalisation, which is the most important part of it. This process on paper everything is good. But then one exam happens and by the time the second exam happens it is a new picture all together,” the Bench said

The 40 questions notified by the RG&CCI include include 13 new data fields that were not part of the Census 2011 questionnaire

This is the first time caste will be enumerated in Independent India, other than that of Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Caste

The AIADMK, PMK, DMDK and BJP opposed the resolution, while other parties, including the DMK, supported it

NITI Aayog suggests a dedicated policy framework for India's growing ageing population. It calls for regulating the caregiving ecosystem and setting essential caregiving standards. The report proposes financial incentives and entrepreneurship opportunities for caregivers to boost scalability. It also recommends introducing care leave for employees supporting dependent parents. Establishing a National Caregiving Council will provide institutional leadership and coordination.

There needs to be a universal civil code applicable to all Indians, irrespective of faith, gender and sexual orientation

The petition sought the compulsory registration of Muslim marriages and divorces with State authorities to prevent the secret subsequent marriages

Moving beyond digital enrolment to portable, universal protection is essential to safeguard India’s vast informal workforce

Protests rocked both Houses on Wednesday, as the Opposition demanded discussions and accountability on the police brutality during the Jantar Mantar protests leading to brief adjournments