Author: ForumIAS

The Story of two ceasefires Article: Happymon Jacob, Associate professor , Jawaharlal Nehru University, analyse the need for negotiations, political concessions and soft power vis-a vis J&K and Pakistan. Important Analysis: India and Pakistan witnessing ceasefire violence on the border. Impacts of ceasefire violation: Damage to civilians habitats Military casualty rates going up. Increasing number… Continue reading The Story of two ceasefires

India to host first BIMSTEC war games in September News: 1-India will host the first military exercise of the BIMSTEC(Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) group. Important facts: 2-Theme: Counter-terrorism in semi-urban terrain and cordon and search, and each side will bring in some 30 soldiers. 3-BIMSTEC countries held a disaster management… Continue reading India to host first BIMSTEC war games in September

ISRO offers battery technology to firms News: Recently, the ISRO has issued RFQ for technology-transfer of the lithium-ion cell to Indian industries. Important facts: The transfer of technology to competent Indian industries will take place on a non-exclusive basis for use in automobiles for a one-time fee of Rs 1 crore. Li-ion batteries have large… Continue reading ISRO offers battery technology to firms

When Artificial Intelligence goes psycho News: Recently, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has created an artificial intelligence (AI) system named “Norman”. Important facts: Norman is the first AI to show psychopathic tendencies The AI has been named after Norman Bates from Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho. The aim behind creating Norman was to explain the potential dangers… Continue reading When Artificial Intelligence goes psycho

A Plastic Charter Article: Researcher Meghna Shenoy highlights the issues with plastic waste management in India Important Analysis: Steps taken to control plastic waste: Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 Calls for a ban on plastic bags below a 50-micron thickness Phasing out (within 2 years) of manufacture and sale of non-recyclable multi-layered plastic (example: chips… Continue reading A Plastic Charter

Age well: attitudes matter in a greying world News: WHO and Orb Media research about the old population and its various implications. Important Facts: World Health Organization finding says that 60% of people across 57 countries had negative views of old age. According to population trends by 2050 nearly one out of five people in… Continue reading Age well: attitudes matter in a greying world

RBI blames PNB board for fraud News: In written reply to parliamentary standing committee of finance, RBI blames PNB board of directors for nirav modi fraud. Important facts: RBI has  pointed out that Nirav Modi loan allocation is the failure of “three lines of defence” of banking system. Three lines of defence First the officer… Continue reading RBI blames PNB board for fraud

Trump-Kim Meet ends with promise News: At the recent Singapore Summit, USA and North Korea has signed a joint statement Important facts: Key highlights of the joint statement: Commitment to establish U.S.–DPRK relations USA-DPRK collective efforts to build a lasting and stable peace regime on the Korean Peninsula Reaffirming the Panmunjom Declaration, the DPRK has committed… Continue reading Trump-Kim Meet ends with promise

National Dam Safety Authority in the works News 1-The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for introduction of Dam Safety Bill, 2018 in the Parliament. Important facts: 2-Key features of the Bill Provides for proper surveillance, inspection, operation and maintenance of all specified dams in the country to ensure their safe functioning. Provides for constitution… Continue reading National Dam Safety Authority in the works

Cleaning up balance sheets News: 1-The government has revived the idea of setting up an asset reconstruction or asset management company, a sort of ‘bad bank’ first mooted by Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramanian last year. Important facts: 2-Bad Bank Bad bank purchase those assets from public sectors bank that has no salvage value they… Continue reading Cleaning up balance sheets