Author: ForumIAS

Publish first NRC draft for Assam by December 31: SC What has happened? The Supreme Court is standing firm by its order directing the government and the authorities to publish the first draft of National Register of Citizens (NRC) for Assam by December 31, 2017 Backdrop The Supreme Court is hearing a writ petition filed by Assam Public Works (APW) in July 2009 for identification… Continue reading Publish first NRC draft for Assam by December 31: SC

UPCOC Bill falters in Legislative Council Context UPCOC bill What has happened? The State government’s UPCOC Bill on Friday hit a roadblock in the Legislative Council where a determined Opposition stalled its passage. Following its rejection, the Council Chairman referred the Bill to a House panel for scrutiny Opposition in command Riding on its strength… Continue reading UPCOC Bill falters in Legislative Council

Who built the Indus Valley civilisation? Context Genetics is about to answer a question that has vexed historians for a century. Tony Joseph examines the range of possible answers and their implications Various theories There has been no shortage of informed and uninformed guesses about the identity of those who lived during Harappa & Mohenjo-Daro… Continue reading Who built the Indus Valley civilisation?

Missing the pulse: Context Farmers, like investors, need predictability and coherence in government policies What has happened? A 30% customs duty has been slapped on the import of Chana dal and Masoor dal  Why, this move? Cheap imports could hit farm incomes especially at a time when domestic production of pulses is at a record high and… Continue reading Missing the pulse:

The brain behind the deadline: ‘It was not Raja’: Context 2G scam verdict A Raja, not responsible The Special CBI Court that acquitted former Union Telecom Minister A. Raja has ruled that he was not responsible for either fixing a cut-off date for consideration of applications for Unified Access Services Licences or in altering a… Continue reading The brain behind the deadline: ‘It was not Raja’:

Storm brewing? Gujjars unhappy with 1% quota: Context Gujjars in Rajasthan are unhappy over the Bharatiya Janata Party government’s latest decision to grant them 1% reservation within the 50% ceiling mandated by the Supreme Court What has happened? At present, the overall reservation in the state stands at 49%. Along with Gujjars, nomadic communities Banjara,… Continue reading Storm brewing? Gujjars unhappy with 1% quota:

Defusing stress  Context RBI report underlines that the bad loan problem will get worse before it gets better. In long run, bank governance will be key Financial Stability Report The latest edition of the Financial Stability Report released by the RBI makes for grim reading. Worsening Asset Quality It has warned about the worsening asset… Continue reading Defusing stress 

Hitting the GST hurdle  Context Experience is the name the wise give to their mistakes. Through lessons learned from Modvat and later from VAT (which are also based on the same concept of tax credit, as in GST), it would be simple, even now, to gauge what GST would bring about.  Failure of Modvat &… Continue reading Hitting the GST hurdle 

WTO: nations arrive at a crossroads  Context ‘India will have to quickly forge a grand alliance to protect interests and prevent mayhem’ Trump poses problems According to multiple sources, the Trump administration reneged at the last minute on an earlier commitment by the U.S., and instead sought many onerous conditions — in proposed WTO norms… Continue reading WTO: nations arrive at a crossroads 

Panel exhorts centre to contain bank NPAs  Context Concerned over rising NPAs of banks, a Parliamentary panel asked the government to take urgent remedial measures to reduce the volume of stressed assets in the system and strengthen its vigilance mechanism. Says guidelines alone not working, urges strict follow up The Committee on Petition in its… Continue reading Panel exhorts centre to contain bank NPAs