Author: ForumIAS

Untrained teachers get 2 years to qualify: (The Hindu) Bills passed for Untrained teachers Context The Lok Sabha passed a Bill that offers untrained teachers teaching in schools’ time till March 31, 2019, to acquire B.El. Ed (Bachelor of Elementary Education) or D. El. Ed. (Diploma in Elementary Education) qualifications to hold their jobs as… Continue reading Untrained teachers get 2 years to qualify:

Digital trade games: (The Hindu, Editorial) (Global Digital Trade Paradigm at Proposed RCEP Treaty of ASEAN countries) Background: In order to broaden and deepen the engagement among ASEAN countries, the leaders of 16 participating countries established the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to enhance parties’ participation in economic development of the region. Recently, the negotiators… Continue reading Digital trade games:

Protection of personal data a right’: (The Hindu) (The 2016 case on protection of privacy) Context Petition held by students alleging that a Contract between Facebook and Whatsapp in 2016 was a violation of the citizens’ right to privacy. The issue The Bench is hearing a petition filed by students led by Karmanya Singh Sareen.… Continue reading Protection of personal data a right’:

SC: mentally retarded adult not a child: (The Hindu) (Biological age is that matters for SC) Context: The Indian Law considers a person’s age only through age not through mental age. This evaluation of age needs to be reconsidered as far as the mentally challenged ones are concerned. POCSO Child sexual abuse laws in India… Continue reading SC: mentally retarded adult not a child:

‘Major deficiencies in Army’s ammunition reserves’: (The Hindu) (Follow up audit on Ammunition Management in Army) Context The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has presented a bleak picture of the Army’s War Wastage Reserve (WWR) ammunition. The report tabled on Friday is a follow-up audit on the measures taken after the CAG’s earlier report on… Continue reading ‘Major deficiencies in Army’s ammunition reserves

Audit slams Railways on food quality: (The Hindu) Context A Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report tabled in Parliament has found severe deficiencies in the catering services of the Indian Railways. The result of Joint inspection There are deficiencies in respect of quality of food served were noticed. The food available to travelers are unsuitable… Continue reading Audit slams Railways on food quality:

Once hero, now ‘white elephant’: (Once a pride, INS Vagli lies unattended) Context: Decommissioned in 2010, the Russia-designed submarine INS Vagli currently lies idle at the Chennai port. She proudly served the Indian Navy and the nation for over 36 years. Introduction: The maritime heritage museum was expected to be displayed on a 30-acre stretch… Continue reading Once hero, now ‘white elephant’:

The RBI’s harsh prescription:  Context Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cited 12 accounts for reference under Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code and also mentioned that RBI will notify revised provisioning norms for cases accepted under the code. The RBI directives RBI has mandated banks to set aside at least 50% of the loan amount as probable… Continue reading The RBI’s harsh prescription: 

NITI Aayog: An institution to fix implementation issues:  Context: NITI Aayog is responsible of monitoring and evaluating government schemes but its performance is below par Introduction: In his last month’s radio address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appreciated the importance of constructive criticism in strengthening democracy and the government’s performance. Background: Governments in the past have… Continue reading NITI Aayog: An institution to fix implementation issues: 

Forum concerned at ‘secret’ RCEP talks: (RCEP mega FTA talk to be held in India) Context: Talks to forge a mega free trade agreement (FTA) encompassing Asia and Oceania will take place in India this week with countries striving for an early settlement of the accord, the government said on Sunday. Introduction: Civil society organizations… Continue reading Forum concerned at ‘secret’ RCEP talks: