Author: ForumIAS

Mapping illness  Context: In 2013, a World Bank report, The Global Burden of Disease, Generating Evidence, Guiding Policy-South Asia, suggested that India was going through an epidemiological transition. Introduction: Major national surveys, such as the National Family Health Survey and the Annual Health Survey, have provided valuable data on key health indicators, and several states… Continue reading Mapping illness 

120 Indian signatories to scientists’ ecology warning Context: More than 120 Indian scientists are among the 15,364 scientists from 184 countries to endorse the second warning that the world’s scientists have issued to humanity. They say that if the current unsustainable ways of living is not mended, it could augur “widespread misery” and “catastrophic biodiversity… Continue reading 120 Indian signatories to scientists’ ecology warning

Centre doubles down on GST’s  gains for consumers Context: The Union Cabinet approved establishing the National Anti Profiteering Authority (NAA) under the Goods and Service Tax (GST) to ensure fair pricing. Introduction: The Centre notified the latest set of cuts in the rate of tax to be levied on a wide range of goods as… Continue reading Centre doubles down on GST’s  gains for consumers

Curb on exports of pulses lifted Context The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has abolished all restrictions on export of pulses to allow farmers to seek remunerative prices for their output. Why this step? India produced 23 million tonnes of pulses in 2016-17 and the government has set a target to produce 22.90 million tonnes… Continue reading Curb on exports of pulses lifted

How a split-second advantage can bring huge unfair gains at the NSE Context I-T has searched the premises of top former exchange officials as part of a multipronged investigation into how brokers got preferential access to the trading system. What is the controversy pertaining to the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and algorithmic trading? The NSE… Continue reading How a split-second advantage can bring huge unfair gains at the NSE

Indian Bank to seek bids for sale of NPAs worth Rs 1,100cr  Context The Chennai-based Indian Bank has decided to invite bids for sale of NPAs (non-performing assets) worth close to 1,100 crore. The sale NPA’s covering over 8,250 accounts will be sold and the sale is without any recourse to the bank. The bank… Continue reading Indian Bank to seek bids for sale of NPAs worth Rs 1,100cr 

Venkaiah for single media watchdog Context Self-regulation is not working and there is growing need for a single watchdog for the television and print media, Vice-President, Press Council of India, Venkaiah Naidu said on the occasion of National Press Day. The necessity of a watchdog There is need for a single watchdog body for both… Continue reading Venkaiah for single media watchdog

Anti-superstition Bill passed, with minor changes Context: The State Legislative Assembly recently passed the Karnataka Prevention and Eradication of Inhuman Evil Practices and Black Magic Bill, 2017, popularly known as the ‘anti-superstition’ Bill, with minor changes. Changes introduced in the Bill: Stamping of mudra on the body, a practice in the upper caste community (Madhwa… Continue reading Anti-superstition Bill passed, with minor changes

Overreach Context: It is an act of constitutional impropriety for the Governor of a State to review the work of government officials when an elected regime is in place. Why is it in news? Recently in news, by holding meetings in Coimbatore to review programmes, the Tamil Nadu Governor has left himself open to charges.… Continue reading Overreach

Is the Supreme Court facing an institutional crisis? Context: Presently, the Supreme Court is facing an institutional crisis on account of the most ferocious attack ever on the judiciary by the executive. Present crisis in Indian Judiciary: Corruption in the judiciary. The executive wants a judiciary that is beholden to it. Politicians and governments influence… Continue reading Is the Supreme Court facing an institutional crisis?