Author: ForumIAS

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: 

‘Trade-distorting farm subsidies must go’: Context India and China jointly submitted a proposal to the World Trade Organization (WTO) calling for the exclusion of the most trade-distorting form of farm subsidies by the developed countries. Why such proposal? The proposal is a prerequisite for consideration of other reforms in domestic support negotiations. Importance of the… Continue reading ‘Trade-distorting farm subsidies must go’:

India, U.S. eye states to boost trade ties: Context India and the U.S. are working on establishing a state-level engagement mechanism to widen and deepen bilateral trade and investment ties. State Engagement Task force’ (SET) The U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC), will disclose within a fortnight a ‘State Engagement Task force’ (SET) ensuring American and Indian… Continue reading India, U.S. eye states to boost trade ties: