Author: ForumIAS

Time for clarity Context: The agreements and events that followed the Doklam standoff still remain mystery What is in the news? On 28th August, 2017, the Centre had issued a statement on a mutual decision for Indian and Chinese troops to disengage and withdraw from the part of the Doklam plateau disputed between China and… Continue reading Time for clarity

A great American arms bazaar Context: U.S. President’s attempt to rework arms transfer policy provides for an opportunity for India What is the existing policy on arms sale in U.S.? Arms transfers by U.S. happen primarily through Foreign Military Sales, Direct Commercial Sales, and Foreign Military Financing These are controlled by stringent laws like Arms… Continue reading A great American arms bazaar

Fourth tiger estimation begins in AP  Context: The fourth All-India Tiger estimation began in the Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) on 22nd January 2018 What is the method used in the survey? An app, named, Monitoring System for Tigers-Intensive Protection and Ecological Status (M-StrIPES) is being used for the tiger estimation The new app is used… Continue reading Fourth tiger estimation begins in AP 

Detecting the change early on Context: A study by the researchers from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune, published in the Journal of Cell Science demonstrates how normal cells change into cancerous ones. What is the method used in the study? For the study, breast epithelial cells grown in 3D cultures… Continue reading Detecting the change early on

IMF raises global growth forecast, sees US tax boost  Context: The International Monetary Fund revised up its forecast for world economic growth in 2018 and 2019. What are the findings of the report? United States and China: Pointing to growth in the United States and China, the IMF forecast global growth to accelerate to 3.9%… Continue reading IMF raises global growth forecast, sees US tax boost 

Prabhu urges better India ASEAN connect Context: The government called for greater trade and investment engagement between India and the ten-member ASEAN bloc, especially in agriculture as well as minerals and ocean resources. What are the steps to be taken by India for a stronger Indo-ASEAN relation? There needs to be an easier movement of… Continue reading Prabhu urges better India ASEAN connect

Indians feel CEOs should be paid less Context: Oxfam’s report titled ‘Reward Work, Not Wealth’ found that the richest 1% in the world owns more wealth than the whole of the rest of humanity. 82% of all growth in global wealth in the last year went to the top 1%, while the bottom half of… Continue reading Indians feel CEOs should be paid less

Getting back on the democratic path Context: India and countries worldwide find existing governmental systems unable to cope with contemporary challenges or people’s expectations, some even with basic needs. Particularly alarming is the condition in democracies, where the ideals and concepts, the very essence of their being, are threatened. What are the roots of democracy?… Continue reading Getting back on the democratic path

The perilsous march of Hindistan Context: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor recently questioned in Lok Sabha the purpose of making Hindi an official language at the United Nations. The three-language policy: Parliament passed the Official Language Resolution in 1968, stipulating that a modern Indian language (MIL), preferably one of the southern languages, be studied in Hindi-speaking… Continue reading The perilsous march of Hindistan

Chelameswar calls for free judiciary Context: Justice J. Chelameswar, called for an independent judiciary, saying it was necessary for a liberal democracy. What is the measures to taken for a liberal demoracy? Firstly, for the survival of a liberal democracy, an impartial and independent judiciary is essential. Secondly, for the welfare of the country, a… Continue reading Chelameswar calls for free judiciary