Author: ForumIAS

Why India needs a bullet train:  Context This visionary Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) project (popularly known as the bullet train project) will herald a new era of safety, speed and service and help the Indian Railways craft a pathway to becoming a global leader in scale, technology and skill. Why is this project a… Continue reading Why India needs a bullet train: 

Firm signal on bullet train project: Context Focus of Japanese PM’s visit is likely to be bilateral talks on security and joint inauguration of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project This will be the fourth annual summit between them. What is the purpose of the visit? The focus of Mr.Abe’s visit is likely to be the… Continue reading Firm signal on bullet train project:

Why no country wants Rohingya, why it’s so difficult to deport them:  Context: The worsening Rohingya crisis in Myanmar Issues: After a terrorist attack by the Rohingya radical groups, in which several members of Myanmar security forces lost their lives, Myanmar has resorted to military operations against the Rohingya in its Rakhine state There has… Continue reading Why no country wants Rohingya, why it’s so difficult to deport them: 

The picture after Doklam:  Context The standoff between India and China in Doklam has been a learning experience for India. Why Doklam episode is so distinct in nature? It was the first time that India deployed troops — even in the hundreds — on the Chinese border after a third party asked for help. Second,… Continue reading The picture after Doklam: 

No plan yet to deport Rohingya: Context States have been asked only to identify ‘illegal’ immigrants so far and act as per procedure What is the united nation’s opinion? United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein has asked India to not carry out collective expulsions where they risk torture or other… Continue reading No plan yet to deport Rohingya:

Addressing India’s income inequality:  Context: Thomas Piketty and Lucas Cancel in their new paper “Indian Income Inequality 1922-2014: From British Raj to Billionaire Raj” has shown that income inequality in India at present is at its highest level since the creation of the Indian Income Tax Act in 1922 How is the recent data published… Continue reading Addressing India’s income inequality: 

M-777 gun suffers damage during test: Context An M-777 ultralight howitzer from the U.S. was damaged during field testing in Pokhran on September 2. How did this happen? During the firing, the projectile which was the fifth of the series exited the barrel in multiple pieces. The gun was manufactured by BAE Systems of the… Continue reading M-777 gun suffers damage during test:

Huge relief to Sivakasi fireworks makers as SC modifies ban order:  Context The Supreme Court on Tuesday modified its ban on the sale of firecrackers in the National Capital Region (NCR) as the step was too radical The apex court lifted its suspension of valid permanent licenses in the NCR, which included the entire National… Continue reading Huge relief to Sivakasi fireworks makers as SC modifies ban order: 

Towards a new financial resolution regime:  Context Recently introduced Financial and Resolution and Deposit Insurance Bill, 2017 is seen as an effective and updated mechanism for resolving bankruptcy in financial firms. The Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance Bill 2017, or FRDI Bill, is a positive affirmation of the lessons learned during the global financial crisis… Continue reading Towards a new financial resolution regime: 

Time for course correction: Context Central Statistics Office (CSO) released the estimates of the gross domestic product (GDP) for the first quarter (April – June) of 2017-18 and the growth rate has fallen below 6%. What are the significant figures? In Q1 of 2017-18, GDP grew by 5.7% whereas the economy grew at 7.1% in… Continue reading Time for course correction: