Author: ForumIAS

A great betrayal  Context State impunity continues for acts of torture. Lawmakers and court have not stepped up to their duty Backdrop On February 19, 2016 Ashwani Kumar, a senior advocate and former Union minister of law, filed a petition before the Supreme Court of India to ensure a standalone law compliant with the UN… Continue reading A great betrayal 

What does the FRDI Bill do for you?  Context Recently, a bill tabled in Parliament in August — the Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance (FRDI) Bill 2017 — has been making news due to its controversial ‘bail-in’ clauses However, important as that clause may be, the other provisions of the Bill are equally so: What… Continue reading What does the FRDI Bill do for you? 

Does privacy outlive death, asks SC Context The Supreme Court has thrown open the floor for debate on whether an individual’s fundamental right to privacy subsists after death. The question rose in a challenge raised against a Madras High Court order to produce the Aadhaar data records of the late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa for verification… Continue reading Does privacy outlive death, asks SC

Next Door Nepal: Virtues of soft power  Context Beijing finds a binding thread in Buddhism as India pursues hard diplomacy What is soft diplomacy? Typically, it’s a term that refers to attempts to engage directly with the public in round-about ways Author’s contention: A weakening soft diplomacy In first few paragraphs, author has tried to bring… Continue reading Next Door Nepal: Virtues of soft power 

A game of chicken in the Korean Peninsula  Context On North Korea, the world is way past tactical solutions. Only a comprehensive diplomatic solution will work Event N Korea has successfully tested a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in a “breakthrough” that puts the U.S. mainland within the range of its nuclear weapons whose warheads… Continue reading A game of chicken in the Korean Peninsula 

Govt. sets up NIC-CERT centre to detect, prevent cyberattacks What has happened? The Centre on Monday unveiled the NIC-CERT centre that would monitor and help in early detection and mitigation of cyber-attacks on government networks NIC network All communications between government departments — Centre, State and district, as well as interactions between the government and… Continue reading Govt. sets up NIC-CERT centre to detect, prevent cyberattacks

Manipur beefs up security along border: Context Following directives from the Union Home Ministry, the Manipur government has beefed up security measures along border areas to check infiltration of illegal migrants from Bangladesh and the Rohingya from Myanmar New police stations Manipur government have opened a police station at Kotha, near the Manipur-Myanmar border New police stations have been… Continue reading Manipur beefs up security along border:

ISRO developing a compact launcher for small satellites Context A low-cost small satellite launcher could be the next item on the menu of the Indian Space Research Organisation What has been done? ISRO could soon have a low cost small satellite launcher which will be able to put satellites of up to 500-600 kg in orbits close to the Earth Benefits… Continue reading ISRO developing a compact launcher for small satellites

For clean air, India needs a policy leap  Context The way to curb pollution is to tax carbon. Only then will households look for greener substitutes Implication of air pollution Author mentions about two studies that indicate the implications of air pollution Lancet study: A report of the Lancet Commission on pollution and health states that around 19 lakh people die… Continue reading For clean air, India needs a policy leap 

Endosulfan: SC issues notice to Kerala govt.: Context SC’s notice on a petition filed by Endosulfan victims What has happened? The Supreme Court has issued notice on a contempt of court petition filed by Endosulfan victims of Kerala for not complying with a January 2017 order of the court to disburse the entire compensation to… Continue reading Endosulfan: SC issues notice to Kerala govt.: