Author: ForumIAS

Size of Contingency Fund: Where govt, RBI disagree: Context Centre was in talks with the RBI over the transfer of its surplus. The surplus sum transferred from earnings during 2016-17 was Rs 30,659 crore, less than half of the Rs 65,876 crore transferred the previous year. However, the government expected more. Part of the reason… Continue reading Size of Contingency Fund: Where govt, RBI disagree: 

Demonetisation: now a proven failure?: Context: Demonetization as a way to tackle black money. To what extent the demonetization was successful? It was thought that if cash was squeezed out, the black economy would be eliminated. Cash is only about 1% of the total black money estimated in the economy. Not even 0.01% of the… Continue reading Demonetisation: now a proven failure?: 

Social revolution in a JAM: Context There is a difference between equality in the digital space and empowering Indians in the bricks-and-mortar world. Introduction Just like GST (goods and services tax) created one tax, one market, one India, the PMJDY and the JAM revolution can link all Indians into one common financial, economic, and digital… Continue reading Social revolution in a JAM: 

Must restore banks’ health in months, if not weeks: RBI: Context Reserve Bank of India’s deputy governor Viral Acharya said a feasible plan was quickly needed to address the massive recapitalization requirements of public sector banks. What is the need of the plan? The central bank has been trying to restore the condition of these… Continue reading Must restore banks’ health in months, if not weeks: RBI: 

Debt, project delays worry Bhutan: Context: Recently, the Doklam stand-off brought a spotlight on India-Bhutan ties however there is need for greater focus on other issues like hydropower project construction. What is the role of Hydropower in Bhutan’s economy? Hydropower projects are critical for the Bhutanese economy. They have been at the core of Bhutan’s… Continue reading Debt, project delays worry Bhutan: 

Sun and sea water powers vegetable farms in Jordan: Context: Jordan , has launched a project to turn its sand dunes into farming land to produce food using sun and sea water. Introduction: King Abdullah II and Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon recently mark the official opening of the “Sahara Forest Project” near the southern port… Continue reading Sun and sea water powers vegetable farms in Jordan:

Scientists make fuel from oxygen in air: Scientists have found a way to produce methanol using oxygen in the air. Researchers from Cardiff University in the U.K. have discovered the process to produce methanol from methane through simple catalysis that allows methanol production at low temperatures using oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. What is Methanol: Methanol… Continue reading Scientists make fuel from oxygen in air:

India could embrace CO2 capture technology: Context: Technologies for capturing carbon dioxide. Introduction: India will explore the possibility of introducing technologies for capturing carbon dioxide emitted while burning coal and other fossil fuels. The International Energy Agency’s Green House Gas Research and Development initiative organizes the annual Post Combustion Carbon Conference. What are the areas… Continue reading India could embrace CO2 capture technology: 

All that data that Aadhaar captures: Context Recently, Supreme Court affirmed that privacy is fundamental right. This has cleared the much-debated privacy issue related to Aadhar. What is the issue? The fact of the matter is that Aadhaar, in its current form, is a major threat to the fundamental right to privacy. There is a… Continue reading All that data that Aadhaar captures: