Author: ForumIAS

Data shows new tax regime widely adopted Context The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is one of the biggest tax reforms in India. Though only a few weeks old, the latest tax is now firmly embedded in the millions of transactions happening all over the country every day, since the historic first of July, 2017,… Continue reading Data shows new tax regime widely adopted

BRO gets more financial powers Context The Defence Ministry has deputized administrative and financial powers right up to the level of Chief Engineer and task force commander to improve the efficacy of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and speed up works. Bringing in the transformational change The aim is to bring in transformational changes in… Continue reading BRO gets more financial powers

India to raise visa issue in trade policy meet Context The Centre will be raising Indian industry’s concerns over the U.S. visa ‘curbs’ and the ‘delay’ in inking a bilateral social security pact (or totalization agreement) during the India-U.S. Trade Policy Forum (TPF) meeting likely in October. Expectations from the TPF meeting In the TPF… Continue reading India to raise visa issue in trade policy meet

Patriot games at Attari-Wagah Context Over the past 70 years, the display of respective nationalisms at the border has become far more aggressive, dramatic, and hateful. The well-choreographed hurling of the slogans “Bharat Mata ki Jai” and “Jio jio Pakistan” at each other not only reduces the India-Pakistan relationship to a juvenile shouting match but,… Continue reading Patriot games at Attari-Wagah

SC bats for personal liberty Context The Supreme Court (SC) while granting bail to former Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) chairman Rakesh Kumar Paul in a case of alleged corruption said that Personal liberty cannot be bargained at the altar of what the state may perceive as justice. The default bail A three-judge Bench headed… Continue reading SC bats for personal liberty

Ghantasala to get 70-ft Buddha statue Context Decks have been cleared for the construction of a Rs. 1.5-crore project to develop Ghantasala village in Krishna district as one of the prime Buddhist tourist spots in the State. The new tourist spot The new facility will be themed on the Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha. The major… Continue reading Ghantasala to get 70-ft Buddha statue

Drones on a mission to restore Myanmar’s mangrove cover: Context Drones are turning into a savior for the fast-dwindling mangroves in Myanmar’s low-lying Ayeyarwady Delta, ravaged by decades of deforestation and conversion of land for agriculture and aquaculture. Losing Mangroves Mangroves protect coastlines in the face of storms and rising sea levels, absorb carbon from… Continue reading Drones on a mission to restore Myanmar’s mangrove cover:

China to relaunch one of world’s fastest bullet trains: Context After cutting back the speed of the Beijing to Shanghai bullet train following a deadly crash, China is set to relaunch it again. The world’s fastest bullet train New generation trains will service the route starting next month, making the 1,250-km journey from the capital… Continue reading China to relaunch one of world’s fastest bullet trains:

Navy gets amphibious landing craft: Context The second Landing Craft Utility L52 of Mk-IV class, an amphibious ship to transport combat equipment and troops of the Navy, designed and built by Garden Reach Ship Builders, was commissioned at Port Blair on Monday. Explanation These ships would be based in the Andaman and Nicobar Command and… Continue reading Navy gets amphibious landing craft:

Triple talaq lost staunchest support:  Context The Supreme Court has seen a climbdown in the position of Muslim bodies, from affirming that the practice helps separated couples to “move on” effortlessly to filing finally an affidavit that Muslim men who resort to instant talaq will be socially boycotted. The past two years of litigation over… Continue reading Triple talaq lost staunchest support: