Author: ForumIAS

Rupee is dancing to more tunes this year Context Menacing threats include rupee overvaluation, rising CAD, a retreat in capital flows and macroeconomic populism  What has happened? The Indian currency has been facing some selling pressure for the last 4-5 weeks, chiefly on the back of rising crude price. The rupee fell against the U.S.… Continue reading Rupee is dancing to more tunes this year

Continental ambition What has happened? The African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA) is a potential game changer for the world’s poorest region. The pact — signed by 44 of the 55-member African Union (AU) in March — seeks to create a single market in goods and services, free movement of persons and investment, and eventually… Continue reading Continental ambition

GST’s complicated Context The new compliance system and a proposal for cess on sugar send the wrong signals  GST Council meeting Council decided to introduce a new compliance system under which a single monthly GST return will have to be submitted by firms, barring a few exceptions. However, this will only be done in a… Continue reading GST’s complicated

Adult couple can live together, says SC What has happened? The top court held that live-in relationships were now even recognized by the legislature and they had found a place under the provisions of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 The case The observations came while the top court was hearing a… Continue reading Adult couple can live together, says SC

Panel for revamp of Indo-Nepal treaty What has happened? The final report of a bilateral committee — appointed to advise governments in Delhi and Kathmandu — is likely to suggest that the 1950 India-Nepal Peace and Friendship Treaty should be revised Will guide relations in the future The committee will finalise its report, which will… Continue reading Panel for revamp of Indo-Nepal treaty

‘Return of child to place of habitual residence may not be in best interest’ Context Concept of “Habitual Residence” questioned Pressure on India from US to accede to the Hague convention There is immense pressure on India from the U.S. to accede to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, which… Continue reading ‘Return of child to place of habitual residence may not be in best interest’

Separate NIA unit all set to probe funding pattern of Naxalites(The Hindu) Context Huge amounts paid to fund education of Maoist leaders’ kin’  What has happened? Following reports of Maoist leaders having amassed huge assets in property and cash, the Centre said a separate unit will be created in the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for… Continue reading Separate NIA unit all set to probe funding pattern of Naxalites

LSGIs may find the going tough Context Local self-government institutions (LSGIs) will find Plan implementation for 2018-19 a tough task under the new norms issued by the government on the allocation and utilisation of funds for spillover projects from 2017-18. Local bodies would have to provide funds Under the new norms, the local bodies will… Continue reading LSGIs may find the going tough

India gets $200 million loan for nutrition mission(The Hindu)  What has happened? India on Monday signed an agreement with the World Bank for a $200 million loan for implementing the National Nutrition Mission across 315 districts of the country.  National Nutrition mission Approved by the Union Cabinet last year, the mission aims at reaching 10… Continue reading India gets $200 million loan for nutrition mission

Rupee hits 15-month low; crosses 67/$(The Hindu) Context Oil prices hit $75 a barrel while Indian indices rise with support from bank, metal and media stocks What has happened? The rupee breached the psychological barrier of Rs. 67 against the dollar amid strong demand for the U.S. currency from importers, as crude oil rose to… Continue reading Rupee hits 15-month low; crosses 67/$(The Hindu)