Author: ForumIAS

Powerful challenge: Context 2017 witnessed electrification of nearly 14,500 villages but the problem of power connection taints this achievement. What are the challenges? The government’s record is sullied by the fact that reportedly more than a fourth of the households in the “electrified villages” do not have a power connection. How to tackle the problem… Continue reading Powerful challenge: 

The cost of electricity: Context: How can electricity be made affordable, reliable and secure What are the levels of the cost of electricity? The cost of electricity can be divided into plant-level costs, grid-level costs, and other costs Plant-level costs consist of capital, operation and maintenance, and fuelling cost For nuclear power plants, capital cost… Continue reading The cost of electricity: 

Tackling the economic slowdown: Brief Overview In the background of a slowdown in economic growth for five consecutive years, the author of this article makes a case for greater public investments in infrastructure. Why is growth important The government needs tax revenues to supply public goods and services. These tax revenues depend upon national income.… Continue reading Tackling the economic slowdown: 

Premium trains run with empty seats: Context Railway minister piyush goyal announce reviewing of flexi fares scheme by public transporter About Flexi fare scheme Came into effect on september 2016 First 10% of the seat is booked at the regular fare. thereafter , the fare increases by 10% with every 10% of the seats booked… Continue reading Premium trains run with empty seats: 

India and Djibouti’s geopolitical scrum: Context Indian President Ram Nath Kovind’s first visit abroad to Djibouti and Ethiopia suggests India’s realization of geopolitical significance of a region, the Horn of Africa. Who all are the constituents of the Horn? The four different states constituting the Horn —   Somalia,   Ethiopia,   Eritrea and  … Continue reading India and Djibouti’s geopolitical scrum: 

Justice Rohini to head sub-categorisation panel: Context President Ram Nath Kovind appointed a commission to examine the sub-categorisation of other backward classes(OBC) to ensure that more backward among the communities can access the benefits of reservation About Sub-categorisation panel It is a 5 member panel headed by retired Chief justice of Delhi high court G.Rohini… Continue reading Justice Rohini to head sub-categorisation panel: 

Drosophila melanogaster: The story of the little pest and the famed prize: Context: Nobel Prize for medicine awarded for insights into internal biological clock. Introduction: The 108th Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine has been awarded to a trio of American scientists for their discoveries on the molecular mechanisms controlling circadian rhythms. The prize shared… Continue reading Drosophila melanogaster: The story of the little pest and the famed prize:

Nobel prize in Physics, 2017: Detectors of ripples in space-time: Context Nobel Physics Prize 2017 has been awarded to 3 scientists for discoveries in gravitational waves.   Last year, Nobel Foundation honoured theoretical work in the topology of matter, ignoring the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (Ligo), which had detected gravitational waves 12 months before the… Continue reading Nobel prize in Physics, 2017: Detectors of ripples in space-time:

U.S. trio wins physics Nobel for gravitational waves: Phenomenon was predicted by Einstein a century ago as part of his theory. Context The 2017 Nobel Physics Prize was divided, one half awarded to Rainer Weiss, the other half jointly to Barry C. Barish and Kip S. Thorne They were awarded for decisive contributions to the… Continue reading U.S. trio wins physics Nobel for gravitational waves:

A theory is validated, revelations are promised: ‘Indian Ligo’ rolls:  Context ‘Indian Ligo’ would become operational in 2024. Detection of gravitational waves The detection of gravitational waves came as a fundamental discovery. The detection of gravitational waves by the US-based Ligo (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory) detectors was an experimental validation of an existing theory. Background… Continue reading A theory is validated, revelations are promised: ‘Indian Ligo’ rolls: