Author: ForumIAS

Articles Of Faith:  Supreme Court’s places of worship ruling betrays a selective reading of constitutional provisions. Context: Supreme Court judgment in State of Gujarat v Islamic Relief Committee. SC observed that a “substantial part of taxpayers’ money cannot be granted for repairing religious structures”. The Case: Under appeal before the apex court was the Gujarat… Continue reading Articles Of Faith: 

50 years before Doklam, there was Nathu La: Recalling a very different standoff:  Brief background Around five years after the 1962 war, India and China had clashed militarily, a conflict the Chinese rarely talk about. It took place at Nathu La, not far to the northwest of the Doklam plateau. More than 300 Chinese were… Continue reading 50 years before Doklam, there was Nathu La: Recalling a very different standoff: 

Deciphering China’s trade deceptions:  Context Recently, China accused India of starting a trade war when the latter decided to extend anti-dumping duty on 93 products imported from China for another five years. China and WTO Until the 1970s, China’s economy was managed by the communist government and was kept closed from other economies. China became… Continue reading Deciphering China’s trade deceptions: 

Embrace the Rohingya:  Context  Centre needs to re-think its deportation policy as Rohingyas face a grave threat in Myanmar Governments decision against all immigrants including 14,000 Rohingya is sought to be justified on the grounds that They are “susceptible” to recruitment by “terror” groups They “not only infringe on the rights of Indian citizens but… Continue reading Embrace the Rohingya: 

Stung India slams ‘inaccurate’ UN reports: Context: India terms the UN Human Rights Council’s report on Human Right violation in India selective. What is the report all about? The United Nations Human Right Council has released report on the status of Human Rights in 40 countries. What has been said about India? India is being… Continue reading Stung India slams ‘inaccurate’ UN reports:

‘Cooling off’ period in Hindu divorce can go: SC:  Context Hindu couples who have mutually agreed to separate need not wait anymore for the mandatory “cooling off” period of six months before divorce, the Supreme Court held on Tuesday. Why was cooling period mandatory previously? Previously, once a couple moves to a court of law… Continue reading ‘Cooling off’ period in Hindu divorce can go: SC: 

India has ‘narrow’ pool of mustard varieties, say agricultural scientists: Context: National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) has said that India has a narrow pool of mustard varieties. What was the earlier argument? Critics of GM crops had put forward the argument that India is the centre of origin and diversity of mustard It was… Continue reading India has ‘narrow’ pool of mustard varieties, say agricultural scientists: 

Inglorious uncertainty: Context: India has experienced an economic slowdown to 5.7% What is the issue? India needs to grow at least 7 to 8 per cent a year. However, for the last 6years it has not crossed that average. Several indices like private investment, index of industrial production are also disappointing. However, the present government… Continue reading Inglorious uncertainty: 

TRAI chief calls for zero cost for digital transactions: Context: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Chairman R.S. Sharma emphasised on the need for a speedy solution to issues of data ownership and privacy. Introduction: Sharma on Wednesday suggested removal of costs related with digital payments such as merchant discount rate (MDR) for promoting digital… Continue reading TRAI chief calls for zero cost for digital transactions: 

RBI is not comfortable with bitcoins: Context: Bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies Why was it in the news? The RBI’s executive director termed non-fiat cryptocurrency as a private cryptocurrency. A group of people (user) who are looking at fiat cryptocurrencies. The RBI is studying the aspect of issuing a digital currency in place of the physical… Continue reading RBI is not comfortable with bitcoins: