Author: ForumIAS

Cause for caution, not gloom  Context: The Economic Survey volume II cautions policymakers of  a possible deflationary cycle. Growth rate: On the growth rate, while adhering to the forecast in Volume 1 for real GDP growth rate of 6.75%-7.5% this year, it suggests that the balance of risk has shifted to the downward side of… Continue reading Cause for caution, not gloom 

Bengal not for central recruitment of judiciary Context: The West Bengal government on 18th August, 2017 advised the Supreme Court against evolving a central selection mechanism for appointing judicial officers in State subordinate judicial services, saying it is against the principle of federalism practiced in Indian democracy. Explanation: Government officials advised the SC not to… Continue reading Bengal not for central recruitment of judiciary

A healthy partnership (Indian Express, editorial) Strengthening of public health services must go along with leveraging of private sector resources. Context: Strengthening of the country’s public health services must go along with private sector resources. Need for the Public and Private health care partnership: Community Health Centres report a 65 per cent vacancy rate of… Continue reading A healthy partnership (Indian Express, editorial)

Neighbours wary as Doklam crisis drags on Context From Nepal to the Philippines, countries in South and South-East Asia are keenly observing the Doklam crisis, wary of taking sides, but also keeping a close eye on subtle power shifts that the unfolding crisis embroiling China and India may reveal. Different sides taken by different countries… Continue reading Neighbours wary as Doklam crisis drags on

NHRC issues notice on Rohingyas Context The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday issued a notice to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs over the calculated deportation of about 40,000 Rohingya immigrants from Myanmar, asking for a detailed report within four weeks. The observation of NHRC The government’s plan to deport the Rohingyas by… Continue reading NHRC issues notice on Rohingyas

No data from China on Brahmaputra this year Context The Ministry of External Affairs said under an agreement, China has committed to share annual hydrological data with India but the same has not been shared this year. Sharing of hydrological data There exists a mechanism named India-China Expert-Level mechanism started in 2006 to share hydrological… Continue reading No data from China on Brahmaputra this year

Artificial intelligence imperils India Inc. jobs Context The software, ‘driving’ the cart, had been developed by Infosys together with IIT-Delhi. The vehicle can be used on a pre-determined route. Information about the vehicle This is an example of building the autonomous systems in the cart to teach our employees to build autonomous driving technology. Technology… Continue reading Artificial intelligence imperils India Inc. jobs

Goa’s Ganpati festival: ecological concerns linger Context: Goa tops the chat in banning plaster of Paris idols. Explanation: ]Unlike in olden times when idols were made of clay, today’s Ganeshas are usually gypsum plaster, calcinated hemihydrated calcium sulphate, more commonly known as plaster of Paris (PoP). Aside from the base material, the bright paints and… Continue reading Goa’s Ganpati festival: ecological concerns linger

Railway Board member sent on leave Context The Railway Ministry sent three top officials on leave, suspended four local level officials and transferred another official after prima facie finding lapses in the maintenance work that led to the derailment of the Puri-Haridwar Utkal Express in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday and claimed at least 24 lives.… Continue reading Railway Board member sent on leave