Current Affairs for Govt Exams

World War I had left behind trail of devastation in Europe, with more than 8.5 million lives lost and the European economy in ruin. At the Paris Peace Conference that ended the War, the leaders of the world felt an urgent need to provide a forum for resolving international disputes, and to promote spirit of internationalism. As a result, the League of Nations (LoN) was formed in 1920 to stop wars as well as to promote disarmament. Achievements of League of Nations   ● City of Vilna, which in 1920 was occupied by Russia, was returned to Poland after LoN's involvement.   ● It also resolved a dispute between Germany and Poland over upper Silesia in 1921.   ● LoN also successfully resolved issues involving smaller nations on many occasions, including between Finland and Sweden over Aaland Island in 1920, a border argument between Albania and Greece, disputes between Hungary and Rumania etc. Failures of League of Nation   ● When it came to issue involving bigger powe...

The 73rd amendment Act, 1992 has given practical shape to the Directive Principles of State Policy by constitutionalizing the local governance through establishment of Panchayati Raj in India, which transformed the representative democracy into a participatory one. Its salient features are:      ● Three tier system: In every state, the panchayat will be at three levels i.e, village, intermediate and district level.   ● Gram Sabha: Village assembly comprises of all registered voters in the area of a panchayat and serves as the foundation of Panchayati Raj. The powers and functions of a Gram Sabha are determined by the respective state legislatures.   ● Election of representatives: All members at all levels are directly elected by people. The chairperson of panchayat at village level is elected as per provisions of the state legislature and chairperson of panchayat at remaining two tiers are elected indirectly by and from amongst elected members.   ● Reservations: There is propo...

Sub-categorization of OBCs seeks to divide the central OBC list into sub-groups in accordance with their socio-economic parameters in order to arrive at a correct perspective on the social status of different OBC population in the country. To this end,  the Union govenrment has constituted a Commission under article 340 of the Constitution to examine the issue of sub-categorization of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs). Significance for sub-categorization   ● Equitable distribution of benefits: The exercise of sub-categorization will help sub-categories within the central OBC list apportion the 27% reservation benefit in proportion to their share in the OBC population. Sub-categorization of OBC population essentially reduces the eligible population, thereby helping in equitable distribution of reservation benefits.   ● Identification of right beneficiaries:While the OBC population constitutes 44% of the population, the reservation policies extended to them are limited in s...