Author: ForumIAS

Can banking recover? Context: The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI’s) attempt to purge the banking system of bad loans has begun to resemble the spring-cleaning of a long-neglected kitchen cupboard. NPA: Indian banks recognise a loan as an NPA if its interest or principal repayments are overdue for more than 90 days. Statistics of Gross… Continue reading Can banking recover?

States can relax highway liquor ban Context: The Supreme Court gave the State governments the discretion to decide, on facts, whether areas covered by local self-governing bodies or areas proximate to municipal pockets should be exempted from the court’s nationwide prohibition on sale of liquor within 500 metres along the highways. Background: On July 11,… Continue reading States can relax highway liquor ban

Statute Bench to solve conflict in Supreme Court Context: Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra formed a five-judge Constitution Bench, to resolve the conflict between two three-judge Benches of the Supreme Court, which has again brought to the fore the simmering tensions within the court. Tinkering with judicial discipline: Trouble started when Justice Kurian Joseph,… Continue reading Statute Bench to solve conflict in Supreme Court

Judicial appointments in a flux Context: The retirement of Chief Justices of various High Courts just within a few days of their appointments as Chief Justices, reveal that judicial appointments in the High Courts remain in a constant state of flux. Details: Chief Justices of various High Courts and several SC judges will retire this… Continue reading Judicial appointments in a flux

Centre may enact law against fugitives Context: The Union government may consider enacting the Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill to confiscate assets of those who flee the country and refuse to return after committing frauds in excess of Rs. 100 crore. Significance: Such a law assumes significance as major bank frauds have come to light. Examples:… Continue reading Centre may enact law against fugitives

Regulating the future Context: Alan Turing speculated in 1950 that around the turn of the century, it would be possible to make computers that matched the capacity of human brains, packing in about a billion neurons. Why is in news? Alan Turning predicted that if these machines were pitted against a human interrogator in what… Continue reading Regulating the future

Justin Trudeau’s discovery of India Context: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tried hard to expand his understanding of India and foster closer India-Canada relations. Khalistan controversy: The Canadian delegation should have avoided the controversy concerning the Khalistan movement, but it was self-inflicted. It stemmed from the ruling Liberal Party’s soft approach on extremist and separatist… Continue reading Justin Trudeau’s discovery of India

New India needs women as equal partners, says Modi Context: In the 41st edition of his Mann Ki Baat radio broadcast on 25th February, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stressed the need to have women as equal partners in the development of the country. Details: Apart from women’s rights, Prime Minister Modi spoke at length… Continue reading New India needs women as equal partners, says Modi

In a record, more than 4 lakh olive ridleys nest at Rushikulya Context: With 4,28,083 mother olive ridley turtles, the endangered species has created an all-time record of mass nesting at the Rushikulya rookery coast in the Ganjam district of Odisha this year. Background: With 3,65,000 nests, olive ridley turtles had created a record of… Continue reading In a record, more than 4 lakh olive ridleys nest at Rushikulya

Q3 GDP growth likely 6.9%, best in 2017, says poll Context: According to a Reuters poll, India’s economy grew at its fastest pace in a year in the October-December quarter as consumers, businesses and the government stepped up spending. Details: Gross domestic product (GDP) grew 6.9% in the October-December quarter from a year earlier In… Continue reading Q3 GDP growth likely 6.9%, best in 2017, says poll