Author: ForumIAS

Reaching out to neighbours (TH Op)  Context As ASEAN celebrates 50, reflections on SAARC’s failed decades  SAARC: A Failure It has been unable to integrate the region through trade and connectivity and continues to be stuck in the quagmire of regional politics and rivalry and stagnates from historical distrust and old animosity Study in contrasts… Continue reading Reaching out to neighbours (TH Op)

Rohingya repatriation deal signed (TH)  Context Bangladesh to return 6,00,000 Muslim refugees to Myanmar; process expected to start in two months What Bangladesh and Myanmar have signed a memorandum of understanding on the return of Rohingya people who fled the Rakhine state in the wake of a military crackdown Points Rejected by Myanmar Bangladesh wanted… Continue reading Rohingya repatriation deal signed (TH)

 The new bipolarity in Asia (TH Op) Context Having one set of nations ranged against China is not going to be easy in the prevailing Circumstances Backdrop: The Dichotomy in the global order today S. President believes in a world governed by self-interest, with little room for shared responsibility, or lofty ideas about the spread… Continue reading  The new bipolarity in Asia (TH Op)

 Going universal (TH Op) Context Karnataka does well to finalise the road map to ensure universal health coverage What Karnataka’s move to amend the law governing private medical establishments is a logical step in its plan to provide universal health coverage in the State Basic components of Healthcare Reform Laying down standards Containing treatment costs… Continue reading  Going universal (TH Op)

Keeping TB away with a healthy diet Context Can a healthy diet stave off tuberculosis? The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) will monitor 2000 TB patients in Jharkhand and additionally ensure that they are well fed to determine the extent to which a good diet can influence tuberculosis treatment Other Objective Due to the… Continue reading Keeping TB away with a healthy diet

World’s smallest tape recorder built from bacteria Context Researchers have converted a natural bacterial immune system into the world’s smallest data recorder, laying the groundwork for a new class of technologies that use bacterial cells for everything from disease diagnosis to environmental monitoring CRISPR-Cas The Team created the microscopic data recorder by taking advantage of… Continue reading World’s smallest tape recorder built from bacteria

Sagardhwani retraces historic Indian Ocean expedition routes Context Marine acoustic research vessel INS Sagardhwani is riding a wave of history that charted the course of oceanographic research in the Indian Ocean. What Research to look at impact of monsoon and human activity on marine resources INS Sagardhwani The Kochi-based ship, operated by the Navy and equipped with… Continue reading Sagardhwani retraces historic Indian Ocean expedition routes

No proof required: Making RBI accountable Context The first year of operation of the Monetary Policy Committee has imposed considerable costs on the economy with very few benefits. What explains its decisions? Facts today The CPI inflation this fiscal year, at 2.7 per cent, is the lowest in the last 40 years, real policy rates are… Continue reading No proof required: Making RBI accountable

Centre to seek 20,000 MW of solar bids  Context 2,000 MW of wind power auction announced; solar manufacturing EoIs coming What The government is planning bids for a total of 20,000 MW of solar energy plants projects in this financial year, of which 3,600 MW have already been completed The Ministry is planning bids for… Continue reading Centre to seek 20,000 MW of solar bids 

S&P stands pat on its rating Context Standard & Poor’s (S&P) retained its BBB- rating for India’s sovereign with a ‘stable’ outlook, belying expectations that it may take a cue from rival Moody’s, which upgraded the country’s credit rating for the first time in 13 years Factors cited by S&P S&P cited India’s low per… Continue reading S&P stands pat on its rating