Author: ForumIAS

New Pattern Of Urban Terror:  Context: After the sniper attack, which recently took a heavy toll of innocent lives in Las Vegas, India too must prepare for a changing security threat and challenge. What is lone-wolf attack or terrorism? A lone wolf, lone-wolf terrorist, or lone actor, is someone who prepares and commits violent acts… Continue reading New Pattern Of Urban Terror: 

The wrong options:  Context GST and Demonetisation are not the structural reforms that will boost the economy What is GST? GST is an indirect destination based tax levied on the supply of goods and services. GST Law has replaced many indirect tax laws that previously existed in India. Benefits Level playing field for small traders… Continue reading The wrong options: 

GIFT City bourses to offer oil contracts: Context The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has allowed exchanges established in GIFT City to introduce crude oil futures contracts, trading in which is set to commence later this month. What is the GIFT City? GIFT is conceptualized as a global financial and IT services hub,… Continue reading GIFT City bourses to offer oil contracts:

India, U.K. to firm up defence links: Context India and Britain  meet focuses on concrete measures to take forward their defence partnership by next year. The meeting of the two leaders is widely expected to take place at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in London in April 2018. Talks of co-operation India’s Defence Secretary… Continue reading India, U.K. to firm up defence links:

Passive euthanasia already a law: Context: The government is finalising a draft law on passive euthanasia called ‘The Management of Patients With Terminal Illness – Withdrawal of Medical Life Support Bill’. This bill is under review by  the Law Commission of India and recommends that life support can be withdrawn for patients in persistent vegetative… Continue reading Passive euthanasia already a law:

Fixing healthcare:  Context: More than 60 per cent of the population cannot afford private healthcare because of the following reasons: Private health service routinely excludes a large poor population, overcharges and reduces many to penury. Private healthcare is often without regulation and even tenuous attempts at implementing the Clinical Establishment Act have not been made.… Continue reading Fixing healthcare: 

Common gene variants for skin tone found: Context A study of nearly 300 people living in different parts of India found that nine single-base variants (single-nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs) account for 31% variation in the color of the skin. What are single-nucleotide polymorphisms? Single nucleotide polymorphisms, frequently called SNPs (pronounced “snips”), are the most common… Continue reading Common gene variants for skin tone found:

Pondicherry shark may have become extinct, fear scientists: Context: Three marine species, the Pondicherry Shark, the Red Sea Torpedo and the Tentacled Butterfly Ray might have become possibly extinct in the waters of the Arabian Seas Region (ASR). Scientists are also worried about the possible disappearance of other species from the region even before they… Continue reading Pondicherry shark may have become extinct, fear scientists:

A ‘regulatory lab’ for financial inclusion:  Context: In a recent report, the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) household finance committee found the average Indian household keeps just 5% of its wealth in financial assets. Introduction: Most is held in real estate and gold. In times of emergency, half of households turn to family, friends and… Continue reading A ‘regulatory lab’ for financial inclusion: 

A less perilous world: Context: The 2017 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. Introduction: This year’s Peace prize to ICAN (International campaign to Abolish Weapons) comes    at a time when the threat posed by nuclear weapons has been all too evident in the global crisis triggered by… Continue reading A less perilous world: