Author: ForumIAS

Centre pings rating agencies on economy in upgrade push:  Context The finance ministry has begun interacting with global rating agencies through teleconferences and e-mails on a more regular basis to give clarifications and updates regarding the economy. This is done so to convey India’s pitch for a sovereign rating upgrade better. India on FDI India… Continue reading Centre pings rating agencies on economy in upgrade push: 

A half-done reform:  Context: The government has informed Parliament about its decision to completely do away with the subsidy offered to cooking gas used for household purposes. Introduction: Recently, public sector oil companies were authorized to incrementally hike the “effective price” of LPG cylinders until the entire subsidy is wiped off by March next year.… Continue reading A half-done reform: 

Delhi reports ‘good’ air quality: Context: According to a report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), for the first time in two years, Delhi has seen two days of ‘good’ air quality in July, 2017. Explanation: The classifications are made depending on a part of 6-grade, color-coded Air Quality Index (AQI) that the government… Continue reading Delhi reports ‘good’ air quality:

Red light for Spanish racer’s dream run:  Context:  Despite a successful trail, the train from Spain that could have drastically shortened the duration of a journey appears to have come to a halt. The government is unable to move forward on its plan to rope in Spanish locomotive firm Talgo. The issue: A series of… Continue reading Red light for Spanish racer’s dream run: 

Is India a good neighbour?:  Context India’s foreign policy of late has come under sharp public scrutiny especially the direction in which it is moving. There is no single yardstick to measure foreign policy successes and failures but the absence of crises is broadly viewed as a sound criterion. Sour relations India shares an extremely… Continue reading Is India a good neighbour?: 

It’s time to enact an anti-lynching law: Context: With escalating numbers of lynching cases, the country needs a concrete anti-lynching law devoid of socio-political loopholes. The Act against lynching: The The National Campaign Against Mob Lynching’s (NCAML) draft Protection from Lynching Act, 2017 defines, for the first time in Indian legal history, the terms ‘lynching’,… Continue reading It’s time to enact an anti-lynching law:

The Iran question:  Context Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip to Israel last month was labelled as de-hyphenating the traditional vector of Israel-Palestine in Indian strategic thinking in West Asia, without damaging relations with Arab states. The final say on this balancing, however, will be determined by Iran. Seen from a new prism The relative quiet… Continue reading The Iran question: 

ISRO set to launch satellite with corrected clocks: Context: Indian Space Research Organisation will soon launch a replacement navigation satellite fitted with corrected atomic clocks to make up for the satellite, IRNSS-1A, which failed in mid 2016. Explanation: The upcoming IRNSS-1H will be sent up towards the end of August. Its launch became urgent after… Continue reading ISRO set to launch satellite with corrected clocks:

Centre starts ETF for PSUs, lenders: Context: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday announced the introduction of Bharat 22, a new exchange traded fund (ETF) comprising 22 stocks including Centre Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs), public sector banks (PSBs), and Specified Undertakings of the Unit Trust of India(SUUTI). Introduction: Arun Jaitley said that the ETF will… Continue reading Centre starts ETF for PSUs, lenders:

India still talking to China, says MEA: Context The Indian government maintained to not comment on “operational details”, but continued to affirm that “war is not an option” despite rising tensions. Maintaining silence on claims by the Chinese government India is maintaining its silence on claims by the Chinese government that India has reduced troop… Continue reading India still talking to China, says MEA: