Author: ForumIAS

More Than Toilets:  Context The prime minister’s flagship programme, the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), is progressing towards Gandhiji’s dream of a clean India with all its villages becoming Open Defecation Free (ODF). Three years of SBM Launched in October 2014 and scheduled to culminate by October 2, 2019, the 150th birth anniversary of Gandhiji, the… Continue reading More Than Toilets: 

No signs of Chinese build-up:  Context China echoed its demand that Indian troops should pull out from the Doklam plateau in Bhutan by pointing to Beijing’s concerns regarding the revamp of India’s border infrastructure. Explanation Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said that there would be “utter chaos” if Chinese troops entered Indian territory in… Continue reading No signs of Chinese build-up: 

The Doklam miscalculation:  Context The ongoing stand-off between Indian and Chinese soldiers in the Doklam tri-junction area looks like a calculated provocation, the underlying strategic motives as also the timing of this action, remain unclear. Is it a warning to India about its deepening US relationship; or a move to prise Bhutan out of the… Continue reading The Doklam miscalculation: 

Moss serves as a cheap pollution monitor: Context Delicate mosses found on rocks and trees in cities around the world can now be used to measure the impact of atmospheric change and could prove a low-cost way to monitor urban pollution, as per Japanese scientists. Explanation The “bio-indicator” retorts to pollution or drought-stress by changing… Continue reading Moss serves as a cheap pollution monitor:

Tax, in the bigger picture:  Context The national debate on GST is a case in point. GST has to be weighed upon a broader taxation policy perspective. The question of taxation policy as a whole India’s tax-GDP ratio is 18 per cent which compares miserably when with developed countries (between 30 per cent and 40… Continue reading Tax, in the bigger picture: 

‘GST may hit natural rubber prices hard’:  Context The lack of demand from micro and small industries due to ambiguity on Goods and Services Tax (GST), prices of natural rubber are likely to decline in the coming months. The dipping prices of rubber The price has dipped from Rs. 143 per kg in April this… Continue reading ‘GST may hit natural rubber prices hard’: 

New mechanism to spur PSB mergers: Context: The Cabinet approved ‘in-principle’ the constitution of an alternative mechanism, likely to be a ministerial group, that will oversee the proposals for mergers among banks. Explanation: As of today, there are 20 public sector banks plus the State Bank of India (SBI). Adding SBI’s five subsidiaries and Bharatiya… Continue reading New mechanism to spur PSB mergers:

The Trump discontinuity:  Context New Delhi wonder if Washington has the political will to carry through the promised pressure on Pakistan to stop hosting terror sanctuaries on its soil. What’s there for India in the bag? For Delhi, it is about seizing the opportunity opened up by Trump’s new policy to raise India’s profile in… Continue reading The Trump discontinuity: 

Two cheers for the Supreme Court: (The Hindu, Editorial)summary & Understanding context of SC ruling on triple talaq: Divorce rate of Muslim women is thrice that of men:  Context By a majority decision, instantaneous triple talaq is now invalid, a significant victory that is the result of many decades of struggle by the Muslim women’s… Continue reading Two cheers for the Supreme Court: (The Hindu, Editorial)summary & Understanding context of SC ruling on triple talaq: Divorce rate of Muslim women is thrice that of men: 

Why India fails to deliver health and education:  Context The tragic death of scores of children recently at the BRD Medical College hospital in Gorakhpur has reopened the discussion on India’s weak state capacity. India’s failure In the last 70 years, the Indian state has clearly failed at delivering quality education and public health to… Continue reading Why India fails to deliver health and education: