Author: ForumIAS

Letting go of instant triple talaq:  Context: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), though its counsel Kapil Sibal, informed the Supreme Court that it was considering reforms and the gradual giving up of triple talaq but wanted time for it. Reforms mentioned: The board asking all qazis to advise the husbands, while finalizing… Continue reading Letting go of instant triple talaq: 

Dangers Of Complacency:  Context: The Doklam issue is by itself, as the external affairs minister said, not of any great significance and may settle down to face-to-face confrontation Background:  From the middle of the last month onward, India and China troops are arrayed face-to-face on the Doklam plateau  In June 2017 a military standoff occurred… Continue reading Dangers Of Complacency: 

Start-up funding may come under SEBI lens: Context: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is concerned with the manner in which start-ups are being funded through unregulated entities and is examining the manner in which alternative fund-raising platforms are crowd-funding ventures can be regulated to bring in transparency and regulatory oversight in such… Continue reading Start-up funding may come under SEBI lens:

Privacy and the ‘nothing to hide’ argument:  The argument wrongfully equates privacy with secrecy, even though the former is a distinct and much richer concept. Context: The argument, “I have got nothing to hide” wrongfully equates privacy with secrecy, even though the former is a distinct and much richer concept. The right to privacy includes… Continue reading Privacy and the ‘nothing to hide’ argument: 

‘100% monsoon quota this year’: Context: The India Meteorological Department had predicted that India would get ‘normal’ rain during the remaining months of the monsoon season. But India is likely to get 100% of its annual monsoon quota of 89 cm. Current Scenario: Rainfall had weakened over most of the country in the first week… Continue reading ‘100% monsoon quota this year’:

ISRO to develop full-fledged earth observation satellite: Context: A new set of future satellites called Hyperspectral Imaging Satellites is set to add a new dimension to the way India will be seen from about 600 km in space. Explanation: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) says it plans to launch a full-fledged niche earth observation… Continue reading ISRO to develop full-fledged earth observation satellite:

New therapy for brain degeneration: Context A single injection of a fragment of a life-extending protein hormone could improve cognition in those with neurodegenerative illnesses, according to new research. New findings The klotho protein was found to enhance cognitive and physical performance in ageing or impaired mice. The study was carried out by scientists at… Continue reading New therapy for brain degeneration:

The march from yesterday: Context: A global movement called March for Science was held in different places in the world in April this year and the Indian version was held in some cities on 9th August, 2017. Reason for the march: The call for this march in Indian cities had many problematic assertions. The march… Continue reading The march from yesterday:

Railways gets relief from GST cut on works contract: Context The Goods and Services Tax(GST) Council’s decision to roll back the increase in tax rate for government work contracts comes as a relief for the Indian Railways. Introduction: The government has fixed a goods and services tax (GST) rate of 12 per cent for work… Continue reading Railways gets relief from GST cut on works contract:

Net direct tax mop up increases 19.1% Context                             Personal income tax collection net of refunds rise 15.7%, net corporate tax 23.2%, official data show Introduction: Net direct tax collections up to July 2017 in the current financial year stood at Rs 1.90 lakh crore or 19.1% higher than in the corresponding period of the… Continue reading Net direct tax mop up increases 19.1%