Author: ForumIAS

Can India and China use BRICS to build a house?:  Context India and China have managed to metaphorically avoid stepping on another land line in Doklam plateau, at the tri-junction of India. This September 3, the two Asian giants’ is going to take a step in the right direction when prime minister Narendra Modi meets… Continue reading Can India and China use BRICS to build a house?: 

Lessons from Doklam: Context Several significant questions remain unanswered about the terms and conditions of the resolution of the Sino-Indian military stand-off at Doklam, it provides New Delhi and Beijing an opportunity to reflect over what went wrong and rejig this important bilateral relationship. The upcoming visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to China to… Continue reading Lessons from Doklam:

With Doklam standoff resolved, PM to visit China:  Context India announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be paying a three-day visit to China, even as Bhutan welcomed the diplomatic end of the border crisis. Statement by The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) MEA announced that Mr. Modi’s visit to China for the BRICS summit… Continue reading With Doklam standoff resolved, PM to visit China: 

Navy to get advanced choppers: Context The Indian Navy is looking to add to its fleet dedicated helicopters for ‘Special Operations’. Of the 123 Naval Multi-Role Helicopters (NMRH) to be procured, 33 will be dedicated variants for Special Operations. Why government is procuring these helicopters Helicopters would be used for training Marine Commandos (MARCOS) and… Continue reading Navy to get advanced choppers:

Higher GST cess on luxury cars, SUVs gets Cabinet nod:  Context There are chances that Luxury cars and SUVs become more expensive with the Union Cabinet approving an ordinance to raise the maximum compensation cess. The cess can be levied over and above the 28% GST on such cars, from 15 % to 25%. An… Continue reading Higher GST cess on luxury cars, SUVs gets Cabinet nod: 

99% of demonetised notes returned, says RBI report:  Context The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) annual report finally revealed that around Rs. 15.28 lakh crore of the high-value currency that was demonetized in November was returned to the central bank. Special Bank-Notes The estimated value of SBNs [specified bank notes] received as on June 30,… Continue reading 99% of demonetised notes returned, says RBI report: 

Rainbow of possibilities:  Context The Right to Privacy (RTP) judgment is a victory for queer persons as it opens out the realm of possibilities for queer rights under the law. Rulings like RTP certainly will strengthen the case for the Constitution Benchthat is scheduled to sit and decide on the Koushal case. Section 377 and… Continue reading Rainbow of possibilities: 

Marital rape a crime in many countries, an exception in many more:  Context The central government had filed an affidavit in Delhi High Court, arguing that marital rape should not be criminalized, on the ground that it may “destabilize the institution of marriage”. The issue of Marital immunity Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code… Continue reading Marital rape a crime in many countries, an exception in many more: 

Managing embankments:  Context Life had come to a standstill in the Ganga-Brahmaputra flood plains with large tracts of land reeling under floods.    Consequences of flood The flood has resulted into submerged houses, broken bridges, and wasted railway tracks. The fury of the waters in the Kishanganj and Katihar districts of Bihar had cut off… Continue reading Managing embankments: 

As ISRO launch fails, glitch in space waits for fix:  Context ISRO declared the IRNSS-1H launch a failure after a heat shield failed to separate, preventing the satellite from being deployed in space by PSLV-C39, the launch vehicle. What went wrong? The performance of PSLV-C39 went to plan up to the point when the satellite… Continue reading As ISRO launch fails, glitch in space waits for fix: