Author: ForumIAS

Not a prescription for the poor Context: The National Health Protection Scheme (NHPS) is being hailed as the biggest takeaway for the aam aadmi in this year’s Budget. Problems: The Budget promised to provide insurance coverage to an estimated 50 crore poor beneficiaries through the NHPS. There are two problems with this claim. Old scheme:… Continue reading Not a prescription for the poor

How did system allow PNB fraud, asks CVC Context: The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), India’s apex body for checking corruption in the government, has summoned senior officials from the Reserve Bank of India, the Finance Ministry, along with the Chief Vigilance Officer of Punjab National Bank (PNB), early next week to assess how the ₹11,500… Continue reading How did system allow PNB fraud, asks CVC

‘Show source of income to contest polls’ Context: In a landmark judgement in poll reforms, the SC on Friday has ruled that politicians, their spouses and associates must declare their sources of income, along with their assets, in order to qualify for contesting elections. Details: The judgment, authored by Justice Chelameswar has observed that manifold… Continue reading ‘Show source of income to contest polls’

Guards get modern weapons to fight poaching Context: In a major initiative for wildlife protection, the forest guards in Assam were given modern weapons to check poaching of rhinos, tigers and other wild animals. What is in news? Altogether 74 rhinos have been killed by poachers since 2015 and 316 poachers arrested during 2015-17. Thus,… Continue reading Guards get modern weapons to fight poaching

Cryptoassets: regulation in the air? Context: Despite repeated cautions by the Reserve Bank of India and the Finance Ministry about the risks associated with investing in cryptocurrencies ,  and their illegality when used as actual currency, the crypto-industry is still pretty enthusiastic about India and maintains that even the government’s negative stance has been exaggerated.… Continue reading Cryptoassets: regulation in the air?

Slowly, but surely, AI use is rising across industries Context: Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been subjected to debates including concerns around machines overtaking, or even replacing, the human workforce. Expanding boundaries through Artificial Intelligence(AI): According to the IDC Cognitive User Adoption Survey (2017), an overwhelming majority of Indian organisations (nearly 70%) — have either adopted… Continue reading Slowly, but surely, AI use is rising across industries

Virgin group, State govt. enter agreement to build hyperloop Context: High-speed transportation system will connect Mumbai and Pune Details: The Virgin Group has signed an ‘intent agreement’ with the Maharashtra government to build a hyperloop transportation system between Mumbai and Pune. The hyperloop is expected to reduce travel time between the cities to 20 minutes,… Continue reading Virgin group, State govt. enter agreement to build hyperloop

Banks to knock at RBI’s door on PNB impasse Context: Banks are planning to approach the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to break the impasse with the fraud-hit Punjab National Bank (PNB), which is declining to pay them the dues till investigations into the ₹11,500-crore LoU scam. Introduction: All the banks first tried to convince… Continue reading Banks to knock at RBI’s door on PNB impasse

Keeping the economy humming Context: There is a need to improve the private investment cycle and the banking system needs to be fixed Concerns Highlighted by Former RBI Governors and former Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission:  The economy is performing below potential. The private investment rate has fallen from 33-34% of the GDP to… Continue reading Keeping the economy humming

We have pushed infra projects, says PM Context: Recently, Prime Minister Modi unveiled the foundation plaque at the ground breaking ceremony for the Navi Mumbai International Airport Details: Recently, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the Magnetic Maharashtra investment summit He unveiled the foundation plaque at the ground breaking ceremony for the Navi Mumbai International Airport He… Continue reading We have pushed infra projects, says PM