Author: ForumIAS

Of new ecosystems and more competition: Context Instead of adding skills and services in-house, companies are proactively partnering with other organizations What is happening? There is a fundamental shift in industry today of ecosystems, rather than individual firms, competing with each other. Companies are looking outside their organizations to acquire skills and capabilities rather than… Continue reading Of new ecosystems and more competition:

What stimulus?:  Context: Ways to revive the Indian economy Why there is an expectation of a fiscal stimulus amongst a large section of industry and economists? There is no sign of revival in corporate investment or exports There is a slow-down in private consumption due to jobless scenario What should the government do? The government… Continue reading What stimulus?: 

New foray into the great game:  Context: The question of a larger Indian role in securing Afghanistan is expected to figure prominently in the talks between the visiting US Defense Secretary James Mattis and the Indian leadership. Introduction: The visit of Mattis is likely to give a concrete shape on expanding India-US security cooperation in… Continue reading New foray into the great game: 

Case for a fiscal push:  Context Policies should focus on recapitalizing banks, giving incentives to sectors like telecom and housing, and alleviating the disruption caused by demonetization and GST. Need for a counter-cyclical fiscal policy Any talk of a fiscal stimulus is sure to make the purist amongst economists raise a red flag. Even policy-makers… Continue reading Case for a fiscal push: 

India, S. Korea to upgrade FTA at ‘earliest’:   Context: There is low utilisation of the FTA by India due to the complicated provisions in the India-South Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and South Korea’s regulations. What are the complications? Going by the FTA, Indian English language teachers should be getting opportunities to teach in primary… Continue reading India, S. Korea to upgrade FTA at ‘earliest’:

‘Intervention, rethinking needed to stir demand’: Context The current economic scenario of slow growth and decreasing exports suggests measures to be taken by the government to push investments and demand in the economy. What is the Current economic scenario? Subdued growth Slowdown in exports Slowdown in job creation Slow Global recovery All this call for… Continue reading ‘Intervention, rethinking needed to stir demand’:

Database soon of savings schemes linked with Aadhaar: Context Recently meeting chaired by cabinet Secretariat  to discuss the “interoperability of savings schemes” and linking them to Aadhaar. What government is planning? The Cabinet Secretariat is keen on a central database of government and private sector employees who have subscribed to the general provident fund (GPF),… Continue reading Database soon of savings schemes linked with Aadhaar:

What should an agricultural export promotion policy focus on?:   Context: The government will soon announce a policy aimed at boosting farm exports said newly appointed commerce minister Suresh Prabhu. Introduction: India’s agricultural trade surplus recorded a more than ten-fold increase between 1991-92 and 2013-14. Mr Prabhu, also underlined the need to eliminate restrictions in agriculture… Continue reading What should an agricultural export promotion policy focus on?:  

Solving food challenges with more research:  Context The article discusses the importance of scientific research for food production and the need for empowerment of women in agriculture. Brief overview The capacity to produce enough quality food is falling behind human numbers. Food production in the region must keep pace, even as environment sustainability and economic… Continue reading Solving food challenges with more research: 

India’s refining capacity expansion lags behind growth in fuel demand: Context: The slow-pace growth of India’s refining capacity What is the current scenario? Growth in demand for oil products rising faster than refining capacity added There is no major expansion of refinery capacity except few brownfield projects India is a net importer of LPG, a… Continue reading India’s refining capacity expansion lags behind growth in fuel demand: