Author: ForumIAS

Ministerial group to oversee disinvestment:  Context: The Union Cabinet has mandated a panel led by finance minister Arun Jaitley to oversee, accelerate strategic disinvestments in CPSEs Introduction The Cabinet on Wednesday empowered a ministerial group led by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to decide on details of strategic disinvestment of public sector firms.  The Cabinet Committee… Continue reading Ministerial group to oversee disinvestment: 

Naming a right:  Context: The nine-judge Bench determining whether a fundamental right to privacy exists will definitively shape the evolution of our Constitution. What is at stake is nothing less than the terms of a fundamental relationship between citizens of a constitutional democracy and the state. Explanation: A right to privacy embraces a wide range… Continue reading Naming a right: 

The private route:  Context NITI Aayog’s recent proposal for the partial privatization of district-level government hospitals has been criticized for commercializing health care. The proposal Under the proposal, private hospitals will be allowed to bid for 30-year leases that give them control over portions of government hospitals dedicated to treating non-communicable diseases. Critics maintain that… Continue reading The private route: 

Beyond the lament: & The health checklist: Context In the light of the recent deaths of several children over a short period in Gorakhpur, the country demands for equity in access to doctors, diagnostics and medicines in rural India. Explanation: The weak nature of rural India’s health systems and the extraordinary patient load on a… Continue reading Beyond the lament: & The health checklist:

Ancient species of giant sloth discovered: Mexican scientists have discovered the fossilised remains of a previously unknown species of giant sloth that lived 10,000 years ago and died at the bottom of a sinkhole. Context: Mexican scientists have discovered the fossilised remains of a previously unknown species of giant sloth that lived 10,000 years ago… Continue reading Ancient species of giant sloth discovered:

Army to get six Apache helicopters: Context: The Indian Army on 17th August, 2017 got a step closer to having its own dedicated fleet of attack helicopters, with the Defence Ministry approving the purchase of six AH-64 Apache attack helicopters from the U.S. Key facts about the purchase: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared total… Continue reading Army to get six Apache helicopters:

E-toll lane on all national highways from Sept. 1: All toll plazas on national highways will have electronic toll collection facility with at least one lane dedicated to vehicles with electronic tag device, known as FASTags. Context: All toll plazas on national highways of India will have electronic toll collection facility with at least one… Continue reading E-toll lane on all national highways from Sept. 1:

Don’t be cautious, RBI:  Context The Reserve Bank of India’s decision to lower the repo rate was a move in the right direction. Importance of repo rate? The repo rate is the interest rate at which banks can borrow money from RBI for short durations. It stands to reason that, if this is lowered, banks… Continue reading Don’t be cautious, RBI: 

That sinking feeling:  Context Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day address, spoke triumphantly about how demonetization drove Rs. 3 lakh crore of unaccounted money into the banking system. Result of the survey The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is still counting old notes, and unaccounted money cases are ongoing. Thus, this number is… Continue reading That sinking feeling: 

Use coal while economical, says CEA:  Context: Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subharmanian said on Thursday, India should leverage its coal assets while it is still economical to do so before ramping up its renewable energy capacity. Introduction:   The country should still have coal as a major fuel and avoid getting distracted by the global debate… Continue reading Use coal while economical, says CEA: