Author: ForumIAS

Maldives declines invitation for MILAN exercises Context: Maldives has declined an invitation to join the MILAN series of multilateral exercises hosted by Indian in March at Andaman and Nicobar. The Indo- Pacific Maritime Dialogue recently organized by Indian Navy and the National Maritime Foundation jointly. About MILAN: MILAN is a congregation of littoral navies conducted… Continue reading Maldives declines invitation for MILAN exercises

Going grey: on Pakistan and the FATF watch list Context: The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) that monitors countries on action taken against terror-financing and money-laundering has decided to place Pakistan back on its watch list, or “greylist”, from June, 2018. Why the decision has been taken? The decision is both appropriate and overdue. The… Continue reading Going grey: on Pakistan and the FATF watch list

Haryana cabinet nod to death penalty for rape of victim aged 12 or less Context: Haryana Chief Minister, who had expressed anguish and concern over recent incidents of rape, had said that provisions of “harsher punishment for rape” were required in the state. What has happened? The Haryana government has given its nod to a… Continue reading Haryana cabinet nod to death penalty for rape of victim aged 12 or less

Into priesthood: on training Dalits to become priests Context: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the independent trust which manages the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, had taken a unique decision to train Dalit and tribal youth in the procedures of performing temple rituals and practices.   It is in this context we need to… Continue reading Into priesthood: on training Dalits to become priests

Fifty years of TERLS Context: India’s commitment to the peaceful use of outer space has been a constant In news To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the dedication of Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) to the UN, which fell on February 2, 2018, ISRO has honoured former employees of TERLS who had contributed to… Continue reading Fifty years of TERLS

Rs. 9,435-crore arms purchases to get rolling Context: The Defence Acquisition council (DAC) has given approval for various procurement proposals at an estimated cost of about Rs. 9,435 crore Details: It includes purchases of 41,000 light machine guns (LMG) and over 3.5 lakh close quarter battle (CQB) carbines for the three services. The small arms… Continue reading Rs. 9,435-crore arms purchases to get rolling

Core sector growth accelerates to 6.7% in January Context:  Growth in the country’s core sector accelerated to 6.7% in January, 2018 from 3.4% a year ago. Introduction: The growth in eight core sectors, which comprise 40.27% of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), was 4.2% in December and 7.4%… Continue reading Core sector growth accelerates to 6.7% in January

Manufacturing sector growth falls to 4-month low in Feb.: PMI Context: India’s manufacturing sector activity fell to a four-month low in February, as factory output and new business orders rose at a slower pace, according to a monthly survey. Nikkei India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI): The Nikkei India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) fell… Continue reading Manufacturing sector growth falls to 4-month low in Feb.: PMI

Rupee weakens as dollar demand rises after fraud Context:  A marked increase in demand for dollars has been pushing the rupee lower in recent sessions as banks exercise increased caution over issuing buyer’s credit, letter of credit (LC) and similar instruments for trade finance in the wake of the fraud uncovered at Punjab National Bank… Continue reading Rupee weakens as dollar demand rises after fraud