Author: ForumIAS

Credit tangle Context Aftermath of PNB fraud What has happened? In the wake of PNB fraud, RBI has decided to ban instruments like Letters of Undertaking (LoU) as well as letters of comfort issued by bankers to businesses for international transactions. It should be noted that LoUs are among the most popular instruments to secure… Continue reading Credit tangle

Is active euthanasia the next step? Context The right declared in ‘Common Cause’ extends to active euthanasia in certain circumstances The observation If passive euthanasia is a guaranteed fundamental right, a rigid “active” versus “passive” euthanasia distinction (APD) is analytically unsustainable The problem It may unjustly deny a recognised fundamental right to those who need… Continue reading Is active euthanasia the next step?

CoA curtails powers of BCCI officials What happened? The Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA), steered by Vinod Rai issued fresh directives that conveyed to BCCI acting president C. K. Khanna, acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary and treasurer Anirudh Chaudhry that their role would henceforth be very limited in the matter of running the day-to-day administration.… Continue reading CoA curtails powers of BCCI officials

The strategy of conflict Context India-Pakistan Kashmir dispute: Violence at the border increasing What has happened? More than 633 ceasefire violations (CFVs) by Pakistan have been reported by New Delhi Pakistan reported 415 CFVs by India which have claimed 20 civilian lives The calibre of weapons used on the border have also graduated from short-range… Continue reading The strategy of conflict

Arresting the drift Context India-Russia ties:India needs to re-engage with its ally Russia, which is getting closer to China and Pakistan Russia growing closer with Pakistan Russia signalling its support for Pakistan’s candidature to the Nuclear Suppliers Group. Joint military exercises between Russia and Pakistan, of the kind held in October 2017, are another major… Continue reading Arresting the drift

U.S. announces expanded sanctions against Russians What has happened? The U.S. slapped sanctions on 19 Russian individuals and five groups, including Moscow’s intelligence services, for meddling in the 2016 U.S. election and malicious cyber attacks Additional sanctions in the future There would be additional sanctions against Russian government officials and oligarchs “for their destabilising activities”.… Continue reading U.S. announces expanded sanctions against Russians

Pakistan asks its envoy to return for ‘consultations’ Context Alleged maltreatment of Pakistani diplomats in India What has happened? Pakistan on Thursday asked its envoy to return for “consultations” amid growing bilateral tensions over alleged harassment of its diplomats in India Cause of concern While the consultations are not unusual, the fact that the Pakistan… Continue reading Pakistan asks its envoy to return for ‘consultations’

Haryana Assembly okays death penalty for child rape What has happened? The Haryana Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed a Bill which provides for death penalty to those found guilty of raping girls aged 12 years or less. Third State to do so After Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, Haryana has become the third State where the… Continue reading Haryana Assembly okays death penalty for child rape

The long fight against TB Context Fight against TB What is the rate of incidence of TB in India? The incidence rate of tuberculosis (TB) in India is estimated at 200-300 cases per 100,000 population per year. As a comparison, in Western Europe it is five per 100,000 per year Situation in India India’s estimated annual TB… Continue reading The long fight against TB

Grounding of aircraft won’t hit services: Jayant Sinha Context Indigo and GoAir cancellations of close to 630 domestic flights this month Backdrop Recently some concerns had been raised in the media regarding grounding of aircraft with specified neo engines and resultant cancellations of flights Government’s response Government stated that The capacity impacted by this measure,… Continue reading Grounding of aircraft won’t hit services: Jayant Sinha