Author: ForumIAS

Working on the app-based model:  Context: The Delhi High Court is hearing the issue on August 10 in response to a Delhi-based union’s petition which refutes the claims of two online cab service providers — as not being employers of drivers but only providers of work. Explanation: Drivers are put under control and supervision amounting… Continue reading Working on the app-based model: 

‘No takers for EVM Challenge’: Context The Election Commission told the Supreme Court on Wednesday that its ‘EVM Challenge’ had hardly any taker among the political parties. Can Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) get tempered? The Bench is considering the question whether Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) can be tampered with. The bench is looking into the… Continue reading ‘No takers for EVM Challenge’:

‘No war, no peace’ in Doklam: Context The Army has made no unusual movement or additional deployment in the Doklam area since the standoff began with China. Diplomatic efforts The comments come as diplomatic efforts continue to find a mutually acceptable solution to the face-off. There is a regular one for support and maintenance of… Continue reading ‘No war, no peace’ in Doklam:

Let’s not suspend disbelief:  Context: The CEO of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), Ajay Bhushan Pandey, responds to various criticisms of Aadhaar. Criticisms of Aadhaar: The UIDAI has little more control on the uses of Aadhaar than the Ministry of Rural Development has on the use of nuclear weapons It is mainly the… Continue reading Let’s not suspend disbelief: 

‘Babri Masjid not a Sunni property’: Context The Central Shia Waqf Board on Wednesday moved the Supreme Court challenging a 1946 trial court order ruling Babri Masjid to be a Sunni property. Petition filed The move came a day after the Board filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court laying its claim on the ownership… Continue reading ‘Babri Masjid not a Sunni property’:

It’s time to focus on the toxic air we breathe:  NITI Aayog’s draft energy policy ignores the health impacts of energy choices. Issues related to subsidies Context: On June 27, 2017, the Niti Aayog released the draft National Energy Policy. But the draft energy policy ignores the health impacts of energy choices Draft policy ignores… Continue reading It’s time to focus on the toxic air we breathe: 

GST and the remapping of India: Context: The Goods and Services Tax (GST) will unify the nation into a common economic market, obviating the need for goods to be taxed each time they cross a state border. New regime:  New tax regime could bring a shift in production and storage centres New tax regime could… Continue reading GST and the remapping of India:

Britain seeks investments from India in housing, realty sector ‘beyond London’: Introduction: The British government is seeking Indian investment to to support its drive to create more affordable housing across the country. The Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Greg Hands,  is keen on getting investment from India beyond London particularly in real estate,… Continue reading Britain seeks investments from India in housing, realty sector ‘beyond London’:

Amended Banking Regulation Bill gets elders’ nod: Context: Parliament passes bill empowering RBI to recover NPAs Introduction: The Rajya Sabha on Thursday passed the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, which empowers the Reserve Bank of India to issue instruction to the banks to act against major defaulters. Background: The bill, earlier passed by the Lok Sabha,… Continue reading Amended Banking Regulation Bill gets elders’ nod:

Note ban dents RBI income: Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Thursday announced that it will transfer Rs 30,659 crore as surplus to the government for the year ended June 2017, less than half the amount transferred last year. Introduction:  The RBI’s central board, which met on Thursday, approved the amount to be… Continue reading Note ban dents RBI income: