Author: ForumIAS

Slowing down:  Context: India’s GDP growth tumbled to 5.7% in the  first quarter, April to June of this fiscal, , is the slowest in 13 quarters. Introduction: Data released by the Ministry of Statistics show that GDP slowed to 5.7% in the quarter ended June 30, from 7.9% in the corresponding period a year ago.… Continue reading Slowing down: 

Unending slowdown: Context India‘s economy continues to decelerate with the government’s estimate for first-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) pegging growth at a 13-quarter low of 5.7% in April-June. Reasons behind the protracted slowdown A slide of five straight quarters from 9.1% in March 2016 is many and varied. With little doubt the demonetization exercise combined… Continue reading Unending slowdown:

‘India’s growth will rebound to 7%-7.5%’: Context: The new Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog Rajiv Kumar is hopeful that India’s economy will expand at 7%-7.5% in the current quarter after declining for five consecutive quarters. Introduction He also categorically dismissed any link between the slowdown in growth and demonetisation. As per official data released on Thursday,… Continue reading ‘India’s growth will rebound to 7%-7.5%’:

Switzerland for early India-EFTA pact:  Context The early conclusion of the proposed Free Trade Agreement(FTA) between India and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) as well as an investment protection framework would boost economic ties between the two sides, said Switzerland President Doris Leuthard on Friday. Who all are members of EFTA? EFTA members include Switzerland,… Continue reading Switzerland for early India-EFTA pact:

To clear the path ahead:  Context The latest ruling on instant talaq completely and unconditionally invalidates talaq-e-bid’and renders it bad in law. The Koranic procedure of talaq is the only way by which a Muslim husband will be able to divorce his wife from now on. Achievement from the judgement The biggest achievement of Justices… Continue reading To clear the path ahead: 

SC to hear Rohingya plea for help: (The Hindu) Recently, the National Human Rights Commission issued notice to the government on the proposed deportation plan. Context: The Supreme Court on 1st September, 2017 agreed to hear an urgent plea made by two Rohingya Muslim immigrants. The plea is against the government’s proposed move to deport… Continue reading SC to hear Rohingya plea for help:

Planets orbiting TRAPPIST-1 may have water: Context: According to scientists, the Earth-sized planets orbiting the ultracool TRAPPIST-1 dwarf star 40 light-years away may have substantial amounts of water and could be habitable. Introduction: An international team of astronomers used the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope to estimate whether there might be water on the seven planets… Continue reading Planets orbiting TRAPPIST-1 may have water:

Air pollution throws shade on India’s solar success Context: According to experts, air pollution is diminishing India’s capacity to harness power from the sun, undermining billions being invested in renewables as the energy-hungry giant emerges as a solar superpower. Introduction: New research has found the smog and dust that sickens millions across India every year… Continue reading Air pollution throws shade on India’s solar success

Voting for man-made disasters:  Context The root cause of man-made disasters in August is the conscious errors of omission and commission by the state Tragic month of this year The month of August was a disaster-filled month for India. Dozens of infant deaths in a government-run hospital in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, frenzied rioting after a… Continue reading Voting for man-made disasters: 

Economy outlook still cloudy:  Context: The government move to published economic data for the April to June quarter of this year needs a look Introduction:  The real growth of GDP, after removing the impact of inflation, was only 5.7%, much lower than expected. For the past six consecutive quarters, the growth rate has gone down… Continue reading Economy outlook still cloudy: