Author: ForumIAS

Pill talk(TH Ed) Context Article talks about the World Antibiotic Awareness Week, a World Health Organisation campaign to focus attention on antibiotic resistance What is AMR? Antibiotic drug resistance is developed in the micro-organisms. AMR is the ability of a microorganism such as bacteria, viruses etc., to render the anti-microbial such as antibiotics, antivirals and… Continue reading Pill talk(TH Ed)

In a first, air-launched BrahMos missile test-fired(TH) Context The missile was gravity dropped from the Su-30MKI from its fuselage, and the two-stage missile’s engine fired up and was propelled towards the intended target in the Bay of Bengal What has happened? In a milestone, a BrahMos supersonic cruise missile was fired successfully for the first time… Continue reading In a first, air-launched BrahMos missile test-fired(TH)

Far from keeping the world safe(TH Ed) Context Much more needs to be done by the international community to truly grapple with climate change What has happened? The 23rd meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP-23) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change concluded on November 17 in Bonn, Germany. Primary aim… Continue reading Far from keeping the world safe(TH Ed)

Call to make clinical trial data public(TH) Context ICMR makes it mandatory for companies, organisations to disclose outcomes News From April, companies and organisations that have registered for clinical trials in India will have to disclose the outcomes of their tests within a year of completing them Current situation Currently, all trials in India are… Continue reading Call to make clinical trial data public(TH)

Migratory birds start arriving in Chilika(TH) Context After a long flight of thousands of miles, not often punctuated by breaks, lakhs of migratory birds have made their way to the Chilika Lake, Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon Spots Major bird congregations have been spotted in the wetlands of the Nalabana Bird Sanctuary inside Chilika and… Continue reading Migratory birds start arriving in Chilika(TH)

Equal access to the Internet is under threat in US. What does this mean?(IE) Context Ajit V Pai, who was appointed to the FCC Chair by President Donald Trump this January has intended to “fire up the weed whacker and remove those rules that are holding back investment, innovation, and job creation” in telecommunications What has… Continue reading Equal access to the Internet is under threat in US. What does this mean?(IE)

A wilful negligence(IE) Context Governments have not acted on recommendations of committees on farmer welfare Committees on farmer suicides The central government constituted a series of high-powered committees on farmers’ suicides The Ramesh Chand Committee Report, March 2015: It recommended that The Minimum Support Price (MSP) should be calculated by computing farm labour at the… Continue reading A wilful negligence(IE)

Cabinet approves new finance panel (TH) Context Fifteenth Finance Commission will have its task cut out with the new tax system What has happened? The Union cabinet has approved constitution of the Fifteenth Finance Commission that will decide the formula for sharing of taxes between the Centre and states for five years starting April 1, 2020.… Continue reading Cabinet approves new finance panel (TH)

New direct tax law coming(TH) Context Panel, led by CBDT Member Arbind Modi, given 6 months to review IT Act 1961 What has happened? Government has constituted a task force under CBDT member Arbind Modi to review the country’s 56-year old Income Tax law and suggest a new law to replace it. Terms of reference… Continue reading New direct tax law coming(TH)

Time to change the House rules(TH Ed) Context Parliament and State legislatures need to meet more regularly Shorter winter session In the last few years, the winter session usually started in the third or fourth week of November and closed just before Christmas In 2013, the last winter session of the previous Lok Sabha started… Continue reading Time to change the House rules(TH Ed)