Author: ForumIAS

Section 66A once more:  Context An expert committee appointed by the government has proposed legislation to meet the challenge of hate speech online, by amending the Code of Criminal Procedure, the Indian Penal Code and the IT Act. The amendment can introduce stringent provisions, specifying punishment, to deal with cases of hate speech and use… Continue reading Section 66A once more: 

SC lifts veil on Collegium recommendations:  Context The Supreme Court Collegium headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra has resolved to go public with all its recommendations to the government on judicial appointments, transfers and elevations to the High Courts and Supreme Court. What are the new state of affairs? The recommendations will be… Continue reading SC lifts veil on Collegium recommendations: 

Law, faith, unreason:  Context: The Karnataka Prevention and Eradication of Inhuman Evil Practices and Black Magic Bill, 2017 has been approved by the State Cabinet and is likely to be introduced soon in the Assembly. The approval of the bill is definitely a step towards complete eradication of black magic and inhuman practices. What are… Continue reading Law, faith, unreason: 

In a first, gene therapy halts a fatal brain disease: Context: A new study indicates that gene therapy can hold off Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), a rare disorder, without side effects, but only if it is begun when the only signs of deterioration are changes in brain scans. The key to making the therapy work is human… Continue reading In a first, gene therapy halts a fatal brain disease:

Antibodies to treat a few genetic diseases: Context A team of researchers led by Prof. Arun Shukla from the Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur, seems to have found a way to treat the Inherited genetic diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and nephrogenic diabetes. What is Retinitis… Continue reading Antibodies to treat a few genetic diseases:

IISc team fabricates nanomaterial to treat Parkinson’s: Context The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru researchers have fabricated a metal oxide nanomaterial (Mn3O4) capable of mimicking all three major cellular antioxidant enzymes. It will help in controlling the level of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) inside cells. What purpose will it serve? The nanomaterial appears a… Continue reading IISc team fabricates nanomaterial to treat Parkinson’s:

The lowdown on GST pitfalls:  and The unintended consequences of GST:  Context The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is experiencing a number of teething issues resulting into governments taking measures to correct it. Problem of availing of input tax credits by exporters. The problem is that exporters have to wait an inordinate amount of time… Continue reading The lowdown on GST pitfalls:  and The unintended consequences of GST: 

Ukraine seeks Indian peacekeepers: Context Ukraine is urging India to take up greater global security role to help contain the conflict with Russia in the eastern part of the country. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin made a statement asking India to play a role in the peacekeeping mission which is to come up at the… Continue reading Ukraine seeks Indian peacekeepers:

16 balsam species found in 5 years in Arunachal: Context 16 new species of plants under the genus Impatiens, commonly referred to as balsam, have been discovered from Arunachal Pradesh since 2013. Botanists have found 55 species of balsam from the northeastern State, 16 of which are new discoveries to science. ‘Balsam’ Common names include… Continue reading 16 balsam species found in 5 years in Arunachal: 

India’s great leap into services:  Context: The emergence of e-commerce platform is an example of how digital revolution can lower transaction costs, increase productivity as well as make it more inclusive. India and China comparison: China and India are two of the fastest growing economies in the world. But they are following very different growth… Continue reading India’s great leap into services: