Author: ForumIAS

The road to partnership:  Context: The US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, has drawn attention to an enduring paradox that marks the relationship between India and America. Two paradoxes: One such paradox is about the gap between expert expectations and actual outcomes. The relationship remains very below potential. Neither side has taken full advantage of… Continue reading The road to partnership: 

The gown and the Bench:  Context The Supreme Court has laid down guidelines for designating lawyers in the Supreme Court and High Courts as senior advocates How are lawyers designated a senior lawyer? Applications for designation is submitted to the Designation Committee, which examine the same and give its views to the Supreme Court. The… Continue reading The gown and the Bench: 

Colonial Rajasthan:  Context: Rajasthan’s legislative assembly was adjourned yesterday amidst an uproar caused by the government’s attempts to convert the “Criminal Laws (Rajasthan Amendment) Ordinance, 2017” into law. Introduction: The ordinance was promulgated by the governor of Rajasthan last month, shields public servants from being investigated by the police on charges of corruption, unless the… Continue reading Colonial Rajasthan: 

Why make a show of patriotism: SC judge:  Context The apex court recently observed that people don’t have to stand up at a cinema hall to be perceived as patriotic. ‘Forced’ patriotism: Patriotism is a very personal sentiment and an individual’s right to express it in his/her own way is ingrained in the constitutional right… Continue reading Why make a show of patriotism: SC judge: 

Has hunger increased in India in recent years?: Context: The Washington-based International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) has ranked India at the 100th position among 119 countries in its 2017 Global Hunger Index (GHI) rankings. These findings have created an impression that the prevalence of hunger has increased in India in recent years. On what… Continue reading Has hunger increased in India in recent years?:

Shedding light on Saubhagya: Context: The Government of India has launched the Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana, or Saubhagya Scheme. What is Saubhagya scheme? The Saubhagya scheme was launched on September 25th, 2017. The scheme will provide electricity connections to over 40 million families in rural and urban areas by December 2018. What… Continue reading Shedding light on Saubhagya: 

₹5.35 lakh crore for new road project: Context: The Centre announced road construction, called BharatMala Pariyojana, in a bid to encourage the economy as private investment remains moribund. What is the Bharatmala project? Bharatmala is a name given to road and highways project of Government of India. The total investment for the Bharatmala plan is… Continue reading ₹5.35 lakh crore for new road project:

The argument against a fiscal stimulus package for the Indian economy: (Live Mint, Editorial) Context It is believed by many economists that unless structural problems like bad loans are fixed, quick-fix solutions such as a fiscal stimulus package are not likely to raise growth rates What is a ‘Stimulus Package’ A ‘stimulus’ is an attempt… Continue reading The argument against a fiscal stimulus package for the Indian economy: (Live Mint, Editorial)

We can’t let the India-Pakistan relationship be hostage to dispute: Context Former Ambassador of Pakistan to the U.S. Husain Haqqani has launched South Asians Against Terrorism and for Human Rights (SAATH), condemning the “widening circle of repression” and  is trying to address mainstream extremist and terrorist organizations in Pakistan. What is SAATH? South Asians Against… Continue reading We can’t let the India-Pakistan relationship be hostage to dispute:

New U.S. policy is a ‘game-changer’, says Ashraf Ghani Context India and Afghanistan deliberated on regional counter-terror efforts and emphasized on enhancing New Delhi’s defence assistance to Kabul during a day-long working visit by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to India. Mr Ghani  also praised the new United States (U.S) strategy  calling it a ‘game –… Continue reading New U.S. policy is a ‘game-changer’, says Ashraf Ghani