Author: ForumIAS

New J&K surrender policy to target local militants Context The Army and the J&K Police, in a joint appeal asked all local militants to give up arms and assured them “full cooperation” to join the mainstream under the fresh surrender policy framed by the government as over 130 local militants are still active in the… Continue reading New J&K surrender policy to target local militants

Making caste slur on SC/ST over phone an offence, says SC Context The Supreme Court (SC) has ruled that using casteist remarks over phone in a public place against the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe category will amounts to criminal offence, warranting a jail of a maximum five years. What was the case? The SC… Continue reading Making caste slur on SC/ST over phone an offence, says SC

SC lets kin join terminally-ill Ukrainian prisoner Context: The Supreme Court allowed a prayer by a terminally-ill Ukranian prisoner in Chennai that his fundamental right to life includes the right to die with dignity in the company of family members. Introduction: A Bench led by Chief Justice of India  Dipak Misra has allowed the wife… Continue reading SC lets kin join terminally-ill Ukrainian prisoner

Pacific oceans’ 11 Context The US abandoned the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) following the Paris accord and Iran nuclear deal have raised suspicions about American commitment to well-negotiated treaties What led to the formation of the CPTPP? The United States solely contributed 60% of the combined Gross Domestic Product of the 12 members of the… Continue reading Pacific oceans’ 11

Next Door Nepal: Whose dam is it, anyway? Context: The Nepal government recently decided to annul the 1200-MW Budhi Gandaki Hydro project contract awarded to the Chinese firm Gejuwa, citing lack of transparency. Introduction: The annulment of the contract three weeks prior to the formation of the new government, expectedly, has triggered a debate. In… Continue reading Next Door Nepal: Whose dam is it, anyway?

Beyond the News- Tejas and beyond: How short the IAF is of fighters, what options it has now Context IAF is well short of the strength required to face up to a two-front threat. To be prepared for a two-front collusive threat, from China and Pakistan, is the government’s mandate for the IAF. What is… Continue reading Beyond the News- Tejas and beyond: How short the IAF is of fighters, what options it has now

Mullaperiyar: T.N. moves SC against parking project Context: The southern bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) gave green signal to Kerala’s proposal of a mega car parking project in the water spread area of the Mullaperiyar dam. But the Tamil Nadu government raised a strong opposition against the decision. What is the project? The… Continue reading Mullaperiyar: T.N. moves SC against parking project

An app to get tiger count right Context In the forthcoming All-India Tiger Estimation, the authorities have planned to eliminate the process of manual recording of signs of the carnivore and other habitat details. Field data collection for tiger listing is set to go digital in order to reduce human error and provide more reliable… Continue reading An app to get tiger count right

A fine balance Context The GST’s anti-profiteering body must not become a tool of harassment About the National Anti-Profiteering Authority The National Anti-Profiteering Authority is empowered to crack down on firms that fail to pass on the ‘benefits’ of the tax regime to consumers. The authority can order businesses to reduce product prices or refund… Continue reading A fine balance