Author: ForumIAS

Simply Put: Why India is on US currency monitoring list Context For the first time, it meets two of three criteria: significant bilateral surplus with US; and persistent intervention in forex markets What does the report say? India met two of the three criteria for the first time in this report — having a significant bilateral… Continue reading Simply Put: Why India is on US currency monitoring list

Slippery slick What has happened? After a sharp fall at the beginning of the year, oil prices have risen dramatically in recent weeks. The price of Brent crude has risen by around $10 since it touched a short-term low of around $62 in early February, hitting its highest mark since late 2014. Reason for high… Continue reading Slippery slick

Publish and perish? Context Making original research mandatory in medical institutions without building research infrastructure is unrealistic What has happened? In June 2017, the Medical Council of India (MCI) made publishing original research in indexed journals a prerequisite for appointments and promotions of teaching faculty in medical colleges. Recruitment, tenure and promotions are often linked… Continue reading Publish and perish?

Religion can’t bar a person from rendering own version of it: SC What has happened? It is a violation of secularism for a religion to bar a person from writing a book about it or portraying it through a painting, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud orally observed on Monday. Court observed A religion cannot be adamant that… Continue reading Religion can’t bar a person from rendering own version of it: SC

Towards a regional reset?  Context Bold moves to normalize ties with China and Pakistan will enhance India’s standing Flexibility with neighbors Resetting ties with China Peaceful resolution to Doklam standoff Indian government also toned down the planned celebrations marking the anniversary of the Dalai Lama’s arrival from Tibet New Delhi and Beijing have now embarked… Continue reading Towards a regional reset?

NGT asks Ministry to finalise national policy on forest fires What has happened? The National Green Tribunal has directed the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change to finalise the National Policy on Forest Fire within two weeks, after noting that forest fires generally occur in the month of April. Mute spectator The green panel… Continue reading NGT asks Ministry to finalise national policy on forest fires

‘Corporate debt, a drag on investment’ Context Policy action needed to tackle balance sheet vulnerabilities that pose a risk: IMF What has happened? The corporate debt overhang and associated banking sector credit quality concerns exert a drag on investment in India, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Tuesday, in an apparent reference to the… Continue reading ‘Corporate debt, a drag on investment’

‘India expected to grow at 7.4% in 2018’ What has happened? India is expected to grow at 7.4% in 2018 and 7.8% in 2019, leaving its nearest rival China behind respectively at 6.6% and 6.4% in the two years, the IMF said on Tuesday. World Economic Outlook report by IMF IMF foresees China to trail… Continue reading ‘India expected to grow at 7.4% in 2018’

Chasing the monsoon Context The forecast has enhanced the economic outlook, but India must conduct a water audit What has happened? The forecast of a normal monsoon has brought relief all around. For farmers, the India Meteorological Department’s estimate that rainfall during the summer, between June and September, will be 97% of the 50-year average… Continue reading Chasing the monsoon

No deficit of currency, more being printed: RBI What has happened? Amid the cash shortage reported from several parts of the country, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has assured that there is sufficient cash in the central bank’s vaults and in current chests, adding that the situation is being monitored closely. Printing ramped up… Continue reading No deficit of currency, more being printed: RBI