Author: ForumIAS

Nil GST on fabrics not feasible’:(Aftermath of GST) Context: The government ruled out cutting tax rates for the textiles sector, saying a zero per cent GST on fabrics will break the input tax credit chain for the domestic industry and make imported items cheaper. Introduction: Organised traders and unorganized sellers in the textiles sector have… Continue reading Nil GST on fabrics not feasible’:

The need for lateral entry in civil services: ( (Proposal for middle-rung lateral entry in ministries) Context The Prime Minister Office (PMO) has instructed the department of personnel and training to prepare a proposal for middle-rung lateral entry in ministries dealing with the economy and infrastructure. The need for lateral entry. It is both a… Continue reading The need for lateral entry in civil services:

No common ground on the Doklam plateau: (The Hindu, Editorial) (The Cartographic aggression of China) Context China’s current claims over the Doklam plateau can be seen as an instance of cartographic aggression, which China often engages in. China’s action China may have temporarily halted its road construction programme, but it appears determined to hold on… Continue reading No common ground on the Doklam plateau:

Onus is on India to avoid escalation of conflict: China (China asks India to withdraw their troops) Context China on Tuesday renewed a call for India to withdraw its troops immediately from the disputed Doklam plateau in the Himalayan mountains. China speaks The given demand follows a report that Chinese forces recently held live firing… Continue reading Onus is on India to avoid escalation of conflict: China

Australia for ‘peaceful’ end to standoff: Context The ongoing India-China standoff in Doklam on the Sikkim-Bhutan-Tibet trijunction, now into its second month. Arguably it is the worst crisis between the two Asian giants ever since they fought a war in 1962. Current Scenario Both sides are sticking to their respectively stated “maximalist” position and asking… Continue reading Australia for ‘peaceful’ end to standoff:

Aadhaar: 9-judge Bench to consider whether privacy is a basic right:  (Nine- Judge Constitution Bench to hear Aadhaar petitions) Context: The Supreme Court decided to set up a nine-judge bench to decide whether right to privacy can be declared as a fundamental right under the Indian Constitution Introduction: A nine- judge Bench of the Supreme… Continue reading Aadhaar: 9-judge Bench to consider whether privacy is a basic right:

India hit by 34 ransomware attacks (CERT-In has advised remedial steps to contain damage) Context: A total of 34 incidents of infections from the two global ransomware attacks, WannaCry and Petya, were reported to the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) by organizations and individuals in the country. Introduction: WannaCry and Petya infected thousands of… Continue reading India hit by 34 ransomware attacks

Think beyond loan waivers:  (Farmer’s jeopardy – need to read between the lines) Context: The farmer’s distress in India needs to be addressed with a firm and concrete solution than farm loan waivers. Demerits of Indian Agriculture: Indian agriculture is characterised by low scale and low productivity. More than half of the area under cultivation does… Continue reading Think beyond loan waivers:

‘Banks may need to forgo Rs. 2.4 lakh crore’: (60% haircut needed to settle 50 large stressed assets with Rs 4 lakh cr debt: Crisil) Context: Banks may have to take a haircut of 60 per cent, worth ₹2.4 lakh crore, to settle 50 large stressed assets with debt of ₹4 lakh crore, according to… Continue reading ‘Banks may need to forgo Rs. 2.4 lakh crore’: