Author: ForumIAS

India records marginal increase in forest cover Context: According to the biennial India State of Forest Report (SFR) 2017, India has recorded a marginal increase in forest cover. Findings of the Survey: According to the Survey, India has about 7, 08,273 square kilometres of forest, which is 21.53% of the geographic area of the country… Continue reading India records marginal increase in forest cover

Unending pain: On SBI’s Q3 loss Context: For the first time in almost 19 years, the State Bank of India reported a quarterly loss of ₹2,416 crore for the three months ended December, compared with a net profit of ₹2,610 crore in the year-earlier period. Reasons: The loss was the result of both a massive… Continue reading Unending pain: On SBI’s Q3 loss

India, Oman agree to isolate sponsors of terror Context: Recently, the External Affairs Ministry stated that India and Oman have agreed to isolate the sponsors of international terrorism. Battling Terrorism: The declaration on battling terrorism came at the end of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Oman Both the countries acknowledged that there was an… Continue reading India, Oman agree to isolate sponsors of terror

Expanding horizons Context: India’s ‘Look West’ Policy is evolving rapidly India-UAE Relationship: Trade and economic ties are becoming central to the India-UAE relationship. A landmark pact awarding a consortium of Indian oil companies a 10% stake in offshore oil concession will be the first Indian investment in the UAE’s upstream oil sector, transforming a traditional… Continue reading Expanding horizons

Rethinking trafficking Context: Last India protested against the release of a report, ‘Global estimates of modern slavery: forced labour and forced marriage’, a collaborative effort of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the Walk Free Foundation, and the International Organisation for Migration. Highlight of the report: The report estimated that there were 40.3 million “modern slaves”… Continue reading Rethinking trafficking

The jallikattu challenge Context: What must the Supreme Court do when a community’s right to cultural freedom comes into conflict with values of animal welfare? Tamil Nadu’s Amendment to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (PCA Act) The amendment discharges the practice of Jallikattu, which it defines with a sloppy lack of precision… Continue reading The jallikattu challenge

How to handle Big Data Context: There are infinite ways to analyse data but great caution must be exercised while handling large and complex data sets What is Big Data? Big data is a term used to denote data sets that are so large or complex that traditional data processing application software is inadequate to… Continue reading How to handle Big Data

Straw management now mandatory in Punjab Context: Straw management now mandatory in Punjab. Introduction: In order to check the dangerous trend of stubble burning, the Punjab government has decided to make use of Super Straw Management System while using the combine harvester machines mandatory for harvesting the paddy (rice) crop. The instructions have been issued… Continue reading Straw management now mandatory in Punjab

United India Insurance chief expects PSU insurers’ merger by March 2019 Context: At the National Insurance-ASSOCHAM Summit, Chairman of United India Insurance Co. Ltd. has said that the proposed merger of three public sector insurance firms may be completed by early 2019. Background: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in his Budget speech had proposed a merger… Continue reading United India Insurance chief expects PSU insurers’ merger by March 2019

Citi India prohibits use of its cards to buy bitcoins Context: Citi India announced its customers cannot use its credit and debit cards to purchase or trade in cryptocurrencies. The lender has informed its customers about the decision. This is the first instance that a bank in India has taken such a step. Rationale behind… Continue reading Citi India prohibits use of its cards to buy bitcoins