Author: ForumIAS

Petrol, diesel should come under GST: Context To include or not to include petrol and diesel under GST What is the issue? Though the prices of petrol and diesel are being revised on a daily basis, in the last two months prices of the petrol and diesel has seen a spike of Rs.7.3 per litre.… Continue reading Petrol, diesel should come under GST: 

The case for alliance: Context: Rise of China and uncertainty over America’s role in Asia has brought Japan and India closer Introduction: Japan has come closest to being India’s natural ally in Asia The emerging Asian dynamic, suggests that Delhi and Tokyo must necessarily draw closer. Growing concerns: Rapid rise of China and the other… Continue reading The case for alliance: 

Income limit raised for creamy layer: Context The ‘creamy layer’ ceiling for OBC reservation has been raised to Rs. 8 lakh per year. What is the new decision? The decision is to raise the income limit from Rs. 6 lakh to Rs. 8 lakh per annum for determining the creamy layer among the Other Backward… Continue reading Income limit raised for creamy layer: 

Neolithic pot of joy promises to shine light on prehistory in Kashmir, beyond: Context? 4,000-year-old pot has been excavated in the Haigam area of Sopore in Kashmir and  is the first piece of Neolithic pottery in Kashmir that has been found entirely intact. Before this,  only stone tools, pieces of pottery, and some human remains… Continue reading Neolithic pot of joy promises to shine light on prehistory in Kashmir, beyond: 

Projecting soft power: How India is restoring cultural symbols beyond its shores: Context: India has been increasingly undertaking projects across Asia to restore places of cultural importance. Recently, PM Modi visited the historic Ananda temple in Bagan, Myanmar, whose structural conservation and chemical preservation work has been carries out by the Archaeological survey of India.… Continue reading Projecting soft power: How India is restoring cultural symbols beyond its shores: 

ISRO to be back with launches in Nov.-Dec.: Context The PSLV-C39 mission of August 31 failed to release a back-up navigation satellite into space. What is PSLV? The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, commonly known by its abbreviation PSLV, is an expendable launch system developed and operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It was… Continue reading ISRO to be back with launches in Nov.-Dec.:

Country of a chosen few:  Context: The paper by Thomas Piketty and Lucas Chancel, ‘Indian Income Inequality 1922-2014 — From British Raj to Billionaire Raj?’ has shown that income inequality in India is at its highest level since 1922. How far has India been successful to achieve inclusive growth? During the period 1980-2014, the share… Continue reading Country of a chosen few: 

Exports climb 10.3% reversing 5-month slowdown :  Context: Ways to a sustainable growth of Indian export Introduction: India’s merchandise exports grew 10.3% year-on-year to $23.8 billion in August, reversing a declining trend witnessed for five straight months. What has caused the growth? The growth was driven mainly by engineering goods, petroleum products and chemicals Improvement… Continue reading Exports climb 10.3% reversing 5-month slowdown : 

Understanding the slowdown:  Context: Causes responsible for the slowdown of Indian economy What are the issues? There is a slowdown in Indian economy The GDP has lost momentum The reasons of slowdown are being explained as beyond the government’s control; that are deficient rains, the sluggish world economy, recent demonetization in the economy and Goods… Continue reading Understanding the slowdown: 

Three isn’t a crowd: Context China was the looming presence in this year’s India-Japan Special Strategic and Global partnership summit. What are the issues concerning China? “Toward a Free, Open and Prosperous Indo-Pacific”, the title of the joint statement, gave away the common concern weighing down both countries. India went into the summit fresh from… Continue reading Three isn’t a crowd: