Author: ForumIAS

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: 

The cold facts:  Context: Ever since the influenza virus known as H1N1 ushered in India on 2009 pandemic, outbreaks have been an annual occurrence. But India’s surveillance systems are poor and underestimate the influenza burden substantially. How accurate are these official figures in India? The problem with these official figures is that they only capture… Continue reading The cold facts: 

GST: Disruptive but developmental:  Context GST is a regime that is bringing about changes in the national value system. What are the achievements of GST Council? The big unqualified win is the emergence of the GST Council as India’s first federal institution; genuinely federal and fully functional. In the last 70 years, despite repeated efforts,… Continue reading GST: Disruptive but developmental: 

‘India’s main challenge will be finding jobs amid automation’:  Context: India’s major challenge will be to find jobs for its working-age population, according to the chairman of U.K. based Institute for New Economic Thinkings, Lord Adair Tuner. Introduction: India’s working age population is forecast to increase from about 740 million to 1.3 billion by 2050.… Continue reading ‘India’s main challenge will be finding jobs amid automation’:

Strategy to revitalize PPPs in India:  Context India’s infrastructure deficit continues to persist despite the relative catch-up in recent years. What is the need of the hour? The Asian Development Bank, in its report titled “Meeting Asia’s Infrastructure Needs”, has estimated that $4.36 trillion is needed to fix India’s infrastructure deficit by 2030. That demands… Continue reading Strategy to revitalize PPPs in India: 

Recovery in energy demand not abiding’: Context There is a need for sustained energy demand recovery which is still absent What is the current scenario? The recent up-trend in electricity demand growth has led to a marginal improvement in the all India thermal PLF (plant load factor or capacity utilisation) to 59.9% for the first… Continue reading Recovery in energy demand not abiding’:

Awaiting police reforms:  Context Strong public opinion can move the political class in India to implement the 2006 Supreme Court directives. Background The Indian Police Foundation was inaugurated to mount pressure on State governments to implement the directions of the Supreme Court on police reforms (Prakash Singh v. Union of India). The court in 2006… Continue reading Awaiting police reforms: