Author: ForumIAS

PM affirms India’s ‘strategic autonomy’ News PM Narendra Modi affirms strategic Autonomy as India’s foreign principle at ‘Shangri-La Dialogue’ in Singapore. Important Facts ‘Shangri-La Dialogue’ is organised by London-based think-tank IISS and hosted by Singapore. It is attended by Defence Ministers from the Asia-Pacific region each year PM Modi is the first Indian PM to… Continue reading PM affirms India’s ‘strategic autonomy’

The democracy project in Bangladesh- Transformation Index 2018 Article: Subir bhaumik, a former BBC bureau chief for East and Northeast India, has analysed the Transformation Index 2018 report which ranked Bangladesh as autocratic nation.  Important Analysis “Transformation Index 2018 (BTI)” released by Germany’s Bertelsmann Foundation has rated Bangladesh at 58 out of 129 developing nations… Continue reading The democracy project in Bangladesh- Transformation Index 2018

Singapore a strategic partner, says PM Modi News: Indian Prime Minister recently visited Singapore and deepens its economic and defence ties with the nation. Important facts: Singapore is the last leg of PM Modi’s three-nation tour (Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore). Major takeaways from the visit: The two countries signed eight agreements. An implementation agreement was… Continue reading Singapore a strategic partner, says PM Modi

Centre notifies Cauvery Water Management Authority News: The central government has issued a notification for the Cauvery Water Management Authority following Supreme Court order. Important Facts: About Cauvery management control authority. The chairman of the authority will be appointed by the Central government. He/She must be of the rank of secretary or additional secretary or… Continue reading Centre notifies Cauvery Water Management Authority

U.S. will veto UN draft on Palestinians News The U.S. will veto a UN draft resolution calling for the protection of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank Important Facts Kuwait call for an international protection mission for the Palestinians as protests turned violent on the Gaza border. US consider Kuwait draft  as a “grossly… Continue reading U.S. will veto UN draft on Palestinians

What’s driving the GDP revival? News : The Indian economy is at a golden phase. The economy grew at  7.7% in the January-March quarter, 2018. Important facts 2. The FY2016-17 saw two major changes in the Indian economy, namely, Demonetization and Goods and Service Tax (GST). The Indian economy has balanced itself considerably well. 3.… Continue reading What’s driving the GDP revival?

More breast cancer patients can skip chemo, says study News: 70% women with breast cancer can now safely skip chemotherapy after their tumours have been removed. Important facts: 2. The chemotherapy can be skipped by women with early-stage breast cancer and an intermediate risk of cancer recurrence when they are treated with hormone therapy. 3.… Continue reading More breast cancer patients can skip chemo, says study

Govt. mulls GST hike for farmers’ welfare fund News: GoM proposes to rise 1% GST as an alternative to sugar cess that had proposed earlier. Important facts: 2. Rise in GST will helps to finance farmers welfare fund. 3. The states can use the amount to to fulfill the needs of all farmers as against the… Continue reading Govt. mulls GST hike for farmers’ welfare fund

Odhisa beach is Asia’s first to get ‘Blue Flag’ tag News: The Chandrabhaga beach on the Konark coast of Odhisa is set to become Asia’s first beach with a ‘Blue Flag’ Certification Important Facts: 2. About Blue Flag Tag: Blue Flag tag is given to environmental- friendly, clean beaches which are equipped with amenities of… Continue reading Odhisa beach is Asia’s first to get ‘Blue Flag’ tag

Agni-5 successfully Test-fired News: Recently, Agni-V was successfully test-fired off the Odisha coast Important Facts: 2. The missile was launched from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Dr Abdul Kalam Island (Wheeler Island) in the Bay of Bengal 3. This was the sixth trial of the state-of-the-art Agni-5; second in its pre-induction configuration 4. Agni-V… Continue reading Agni-5 successfully Test-fired