Author: ForumIAS

GST ties Bengal’s traditional weavers in knots:  Context: The weavers in Bengal are facing severe inconveniences due to the confusion surrounding GST. Explanation: With the confusion on whether GST would be levied on their Tannt saris, business for weavers in Bengal has almost stopped over the past month. However, five per cent GST has been… Continue reading GST ties Bengal’s traditional weavers in knots: 

Doklam’s unintended consequence:  Context If China makes no room for compromise, India will be forced to think about coping with its power, burying illusions of Asian solidarity. The eventual outcome Whatever the eventual outcome in Doklam, the current stand-off is bound to significantly alter Indian perceptions of China. For one, the political goodwill in India… Continue reading Doklam’s unintended consequence: 

Planes missing, fruits to India rot in Kabul:  Context: Weeks after the India-Afghanistan air corridor trade project was launched, the project has run into rough weather. Explanation: The matters got worse when tonnes of fresh fruits, including apricots and melons, were left rotting at the Kabul airport. The flight chartered by Afghanistan’s national carrier, Ariana… Continue reading Planes missing, fruits to India rot in Kabul: 

ASEAN, 50 years on:  Context The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) can look back with optimism on its incremental record on regional integration on the 50th anniversary of its founding on 8th August. The policy of non-interference The original policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of member states was noteworthy. But over the… Continue reading ASEAN, 50 years on: 

Letting go of instant triple talaq:  Context: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), though its counsel Kapil Sibal, informed the Supreme Court that it was considering reforms and the gradual giving up of triple talaq but wanted time for it. Reforms mentioned: The board asking all qazis to advise the husbands, while finalizing… Continue reading Letting go of instant triple talaq: 

Dangers Of Complacency:  Context: The Doklam issue is by itself, as the external affairs minister said, not of any great significance and may settle down to face-to-face confrontation Background:  From the middle of the last month onward, India and China troops are arrayed face-to-face on the Doklam plateau  In June 2017 a military standoff occurred… Continue reading Dangers Of Complacency: 

Start-up funding may come under SEBI lens: Context: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is concerned with the manner in which start-ups are being funded through unregulated entities and is examining the manner in which alternative fund-raising platforms are crowd-funding ventures can be regulated to bring in transparency and regulatory oversight in such… Continue reading Start-up funding may come under SEBI lens:

Privacy and the ‘nothing to hide’ argument:  The argument wrongfully equates privacy with secrecy, even though the former is a distinct and much richer concept. Context: The argument, “I have got nothing to hide” wrongfully equates privacy with secrecy, even though the former is a distinct and much richer concept. The right to privacy includes… Continue reading Privacy and the ‘nothing to hide’ argument: 

‘100% monsoon quota this year’: Context: The India Meteorological Department had predicted that India would get ‘normal’ rain during the remaining months of the monsoon season. But India is likely to get 100% of its annual monsoon quota of 89 cm. Current Scenario: Rainfall had weakened over most of the country in the first week… Continue reading ‘100% monsoon quota this year’:

ISRO to develop full-fledged earth observation satellite: Context: A new set of future satellites called Hyperspectral Imaging Satellites is set to add a new dimension to the way India will be seen from about 600 km in space. Explanation: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) says it plans to launch a full-fledged niche earth observation… Continue reading ISRO to develop full-fledged earth observation satellite: