Author: ForumIAS

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%

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: