Author: ForumIAS

Banks face $3 bn write-off from PNB scam Context: The ₹12,700 crore Letters of Undertaking (LoU) fraud at the Punjab National Bank (PNB) could punch a bigger hole in India’s banking system. Introduction: The closure of Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi’s jewellery businesses by investigative agencies, is likely to result in another ₹8,000 crore of… Continue reading Banks face $3 bn write-off from PNB scam

‘CJI-led Bench to resolve conflict over judgments Context: Amid a conflict over “judicial discipline” within the Supreme Court in connection with certain land acquisition cases, a five-judge Bench led by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra sets to resolve the conflict. Background: 2014: In 2014, three judges of the Supreme Court had ruled that the… Continue reading ‘CJI-led Bench to resolve conflict over judgments

It is time to have a debate on proportional representation, says ex-CEC S.Y. Quraishi Context: Various electoral reforms are currently being debated, from improving transparency in party funding to holding simultaneous elections. Electoral bonds:   Electoral bonds, as announced by the Union Finance Minister, hold the promise of making political funding transparent, which has been a… Continue reading It is time to have a debate on proportional representation, says ex-CEC S.Y. Quraishi

‘Fix or nix’ Iran deal, Netanyahu tells Trump Context: The singular focus of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s five-day tour of the United States has been Iran. More in news: U.S has a deadline till May to decide whether to impose nuclear sanctions on Iran again. If he chooses to impose sanctions, the deal will… Continue reading ‘Fix or nix’ Iran deal, Netanyahu tells Trump

‘Emergency will improve security’ Context: The emergency imposed in Sri Lanka is the first time in seven years that the country has resorted to such a measure. Background: 1915: The tension between the majority Sinhalese and minority Muslims, who currently account for nearly 9% of the country’s population, has a long history. The first major… Continue reading ‘Emergency will improve security’

Populist wave: on the Italian elections Context: As Italians reject the mainstream parties, EU integration could take a hit What has happened? In the recently held national elections, Italians have supported populist parties that were once considered fringe The most likely result of the national election seemed either a win by the centre-right coalition headed… Continue reading Populist wave: on the Italian elections

Make the neighbourhood first again Context: In the present time, India’s connect with its South Asian neighbours is weaker than it has been for a very long time. What are the reasons for which India’s present state of relation with its South Asian neighbors is weaker than it has been? SAARC not in ideal terms… Continue reading Make the neighbourhood first again

Sri Lanka declares state of emergency for 10 days after anti-Muslim attacks in Kandy Context: On 6th March, 2018, Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency for 10 days, to curb heightening violence targeting the island’s Muslim minority. What has happened? Riots were triggered by the death of a 41-year-old man from the majority Sinhalese… Continue reading Sri Lanka declares state of emergency for 10 days after anti-Muslim attacks in Kandy

‘Child marriages decline in India’ Context: According to UNICEF India has seen a sharp decline in child marriages over the last ten years with 27% of girls getting married before their 18th birthday as against 47%, a decade ago Details: The decline in child marriage in India has contributed significantly to a global decline in… Continue reading ‘Child marriages decline in India’

Our toasters are brave Context: Today, the “Internet of Things” (IoT), the term coined by Peter T. Lewis in 1985, is threatening to take control of the planet. Background: Interestingly, one of the first IoTs is perhaps what John Romkey created — a toaster that could be turned on and off over the Internet for… Continue reading Our toasters are brave