Context: Expected foreign policy changes that Joe Biden will bring to India-U.S. relations if he wins the presidential elections. What are the changes expected? On Afghan policy: In September 2009, Joseph Biden who was the then vice president of Obama’s administration was tasked with building an alternative plan to Afghanistan, to present to U.S. Generals who… Continue reading Foreign policy changes in Joe Biden’s administration
Author: ForumIAS
The Indo-Pacific journey
The Rise of the Indo-Pacific Context: The Indo-Pacific region is crucial in Indian foreign policy. Where do we geographically place the Indo-Pacific? India has used ‘indo-pacific’ in joint statements with a series of partner countries, including the United States, Australia, France, Indonesia, Japan, and of course the United Kingdom. The Ministry has recently set up an Indo-Pacific Division… Continue reading The Indo-Pacific journey
Guidelines for matrimonial cases
Context – The Supreme Court has laid down the guidelines for payment of maintenance in matrimonial cases. What are the impacts of early marriage? Health issues – Girls are married off early and bear children long before they should. This triggers a state of poor maternal health and is one of the root causes of high levels… Continue reading Guidelines for matrimonial cases
GST levy on mobility aids
Context: The GST levy on mobility aids places a prohibitive burden on the ability of disabled citizens to lead a dignified life Background Recently, in Nipun Malhotra vs. Union of India case the Supreme Court of India heard brief arguments on the constitutional validity of the levy of Goods and Services Tax (GST) on mobility aids used… Continue reading GST levy on mobility aids
Pandemic has worsened gender inequality in India, says Oxfam
News: Oxfam has released a report titled worsened gender inequality Report 2020 — On Women’s Back”. Facts: About the report: The report is based on data and responses collected from urban and rural women in New Delhi and Rajasthan in the past year. Key Takeaways: Covid-19 induced inequality: The onset of the covid-19 pandemic may… Continue reading Pandemic has worsened gender inequality in India, says Oxfam
Fast radio bursts detected in the Milky Way for the first time
News: Intense pulses of radio waves known as fast radio bursts (FRB) have been found in the Milky Way for the first time. Facts: What are Fast Radio Bursts(FRB): These are bright bursts of radio waves (radio waves can be produced by astronomical objects with changing magnetic fields) whose durations lie in the millisecond-scale,… Continue reading Fast radio bursts detected in the Milky Way for the first time
Brown carbon ‘tarballs’ found in Himalayan atmosphere
News: Study has found that nearly 28% of particles collected from the air samples from a research station in the Himalaya-Tibetan Plateau were tarballs. Facts: Tarballs: They are small light-absorbing, carbonaceous particles formed from Brown Carbon due to burning of biomass or fossil fuels that deposit on snow and ice. Where did Tarballs come… Continue reading Brown carbon ‘tarballs’ found in Himalayan atmosphere
Vice President launches ‘International Satavadhanam’ event
News:During the International Satavadhanam program, the Vice President has observed that ‘avadhanam’ as a literary feat has greatly contributed to the Telugu language’s glorious tradition. Facts: Avadhānaṃ: It is a literary performance popular from the very ancient days in India. Origin: It originated as a Sanskrit literary process and is revived by poets in… Continue reading Vice President launches ‘International Satavadhanam’ event
4th High-Level Meeting of the OPEC-India Dialogue
News: The OPEC Secretariat hosted the 4th High-Level Meeting of the OPEC-India Dialogue via videoconference. Facts: Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries(OPEC): It is a permanent, intergovernmental Organization created at the Baghdad Conference in 1960 by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. Aim: To manage the supply of oil in an effort to… Continue reading 4th High-Level Meeting of the OPEC-India Dialogue
STPI invests ₹400 cr. in office, connectivity infra
News: Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) is investing up to ₹400 crore in setting up office and connectivity infrastructure across several cities offering small technology firms a ‘plug-and-play’ facility. Facts: STPI: It is an Autonomous Society set up in 1991 under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). Aim: To encourage, promote… Continue reading STPI invests ₹400 cr. in office, connectivity infra
