Author: ForumIAS

The rise and rise of Xi Jinpings Context The 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China showcased the primacy of President Xi Jinping. The event focused on his vision and his status thus, restoring its global leadership role on full display. Significant importance of Me. Xi ruling While this self-elevation, Mr. Xi will… Continue reading The rise and rise of Xi Jinpings

‘Article 35A is not part of the Constitution of India’:  Context: Article 35A, is being contested in the Supreme Court through a number of petitions that it “is not part of the Indian Constitution”. What is the argument? There is an argument projected that the President has no powers to amend the Constitution. But the… Continue reading ‘Article 35A is not part of the Constitution of India’: 

The Japanese pivot:  Context Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has become staunch supporter of Donald Trump deepening their ties with Trump’s first official trip to Asia from November 5 – 17 to Japan. Significance of the visit It will underscore the close alliance between Japan and the U.S. at a time of shifting geopolitical sands… Continue reading The Japanese pivot: 

Unsafe boilers:  Context: The recent boiler explosion at NTPC’s Unchahar power plant in Rae Bareli brings up the importance of inspections and protocols for hazardous industrial operations. It has cost at least 32 lives and caused severe injuries to many of the personnel. Explanation: High pressure boilers are hazardous pieces of equipment, which are strictly… Continue reading Unsafe boilers: 

A welfare test for Aadhaar: Context The Aadhaar ecosystem needs to pass a stringent welfare test much more crucially than the privacy test. What is the significance of UIDAI? The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is a statutory authority established under the provisions of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits… Continue reading A welfare test for Aadhaar:

IIT Guwahati uses superhydrophobic cotton to remove oil – spill Context A team of Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati has removing up to 95% of oil-spill of different densities, light and heavy oils, repetitively at least 100 times using super hydrophobic (extremely water repelling) medical cotton. What was the experiment? The… Continue reading IIT Guwahati uses superhydrophobic cotton to remove oil – spill

India’s homegrown Nirbhay cruise missile ready for fifth trial Context The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) post two consecutive failures is all geared up for a fresh experimental trial of India’s first home-grown subsonic cruise missile Nirbhay scheduled for the next week, November 7 to 9. Preparation underway Hectic preparations are underway at the… Continue reading India’s homegrown Nirbhay cruise missile ready for fifth trial

Rajasthan’s Nindar, where farmers launched a desperate protest against land acquisition Context To protest against land acquisition by the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) for a housing project at Nindar, farmers performed an unusual demonstration by digging pits and trenches and buried themselves waist – deep in the earth. Peasants’ plight. The unique protest generated immense… Continue reading Rajasthan’s Nindar, where farmers launched a desperate protest against land acquisition

Abandoned cows: MP panel seeks penalty Context A state government committee has recommended on anti – cow slaughter that the existing law should be amended to include provisions to penalise owners who abandon their cattle. The new provision for stray cattle: The Madhya Pradesh Gauvansh Vadh Pratishedh Adhiniyam, the state anti-cow slaughter law has stringent… Continue reading Abandoned cows: MP panel seeks penalty

Marooned once more   Context Chennai’s meeting with the northeast monsoon resulted into all-round relief since the water fortunes of more than eight million residents of the metropolitan region depend on this weather system. What are the issues? The larger issue of how the city deals with flood and drought cycles remains unaddressed. Chennai is… Continue reading Marooned once more