February 3, 2024

Good morning. Every Saturday, we publish the results of polls from feature stories that were published the past week. We also give a brief overview of the topics that were discussed.

🗳️ POLL RESULTS – Week 160

🗓️ THE WEEK THAT WAS

Should states mandate job reservations for locals?

Daily | 29 January 2024

Over the past couple of years, several states have introduced reservations for locals. From their point of view, it’s a necessary step to safeguard the local population from an influx of migrants taking away good-paying jobs, especially from the private sector. However, some experts and economists aren’t happy with this trend. Could such a policy backfire for the states? Read more on this here.

Should pre-sanctioned credit lines be allowed on UPI?

Daily | 30 January 2024

What if the next step in the UPI journey is pre-sanctioned credit lines? You don’t need a credit card, just the UPI, and you don’t need to worry about paying for something immediately. The RBI had the same idea. Last year, it asked banks to begin providing pre-sanctioned credit lines on UPI. However, doesn’t this pose a risk to the banking and fintech ecosystem? We discuss it here.

Was the CJI right to visit temples and give interviews about it?

Daily | 31 January 2024

The current CJI, DY Chandrachud, has ruffled some feathers recently. Earlier this month, he visited some Hindu temples in Gujarat. Speaking to the press, he said he’s visiting states “inspired by the life and ideals of Mahatma Gandhi” to understand challenges faced by the judiciary and identify solutions. Given the timing of the visits and his interviews, did the CJI break norms or protocols? We unpack this here.

How is India faring as a manufacturing hub?

Daily | 1 February 2024

A lot is riding on India in the years ahead. We’ve outlined some lofty economic goals for ourselves. The government has recognised the importance of manufacturing. Make in India and Production Linked Incentives (PLIs) are policies directly aimed at bolstering the sector. Has that worked out well so far? Is India catching up with global competitive manufacturers? Find the debate here.

Are the new guidelines on coaching institutions the right approach?

Daily | 2 February 2024

Coaching institutions have become something of an industry all to themselves. There’s a lot of competition among schools and students. Parents feel the need to ensure their kid is in front of the line. It’s understandable. However, increasingly, a darker side of coaching institutes has emerged. The Education Ministry has taken notice and introduced guidelines. The question is, are they enough? More on this story here.