Author: ForumIAS

 Parliament Winter session: Bill to grant NCBC constitutional status to be re-introduced in Lok Sabha (IE) Context Granting of constitutional status to NCBC What has happened? Following the impasse over the Bill to grant constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) in the last session of Parliament, the Union government is set to… Continue reading  Parliament Winter session: Bill to grant NCBC constitutional status to be re-introduced in Lok Sabha (IE)

 ‘IBC ordinance will affect pending suits’ (TH) Context Concerns regarding changes introduced in IBC code What are the concerns? Disruption: Changes will cause disruption in pending proceedings because earlier the resolution plan had to qualify for consideration. Now, the bidder has also to qualify If the total time of 270 days has lapsed in these cases… Continue reading  ‘IBC ordinance will affect pending suits’ (TH)

President’s nod for bankruptcy ordinance (TH) Context Introduction of a new section to IBC What has happened? President has given his assent to the Ordinance approved by the Union Cabinet to amend the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) to strengthen the regime What does the ordinance aims at? Safeguards: The Ordinance aims at putting in… Continue reading President’s nod for bankruptcy ordinance (TH)

The wind in India’s sails (IE) Context India has, since 1998, signed “strategic partnership” agreements with 30 countries and organisations, ranging from Afghanistan and ASEAN to Uzbekistan and UAE What does the term ‘strategic’ means in international relations? The term “strategic” in international relations implies a convergence of interests in areas of security, economics and foreign… Continue reading The wind in India’s sails (IE)

Quad confusion (TH Op)  Context More than 10 days after the Quadrilateral meeting, or ‘Quad’, involving secretary-level officials of India, Japan, Australia and the U.S., the dust is yet to settle on just what was decided among them What The differences in statements show that the countries lack a common aim Four separate statements A… Continue reading Quad confusion (TH Op) 

Reaching out to neighbours (TH Op)  Context As ASEAN celebrates 50, reflections on SAARC’s failed decades  SAARC: A Failure It has been unable to integrate the region through trade and connectivity and continues to be stuck in the quagmire of regional politics and rivalry and stagnates from historical distrust and old animosity Study in contrasts… Continue reading Reaching out to neighbours (TH Op)

Rohingya repatriation deal signed (TH)  Context Bangladesh to return 6,00,000 Muslim refugees to Myanmar; process expected to start in two months What Bangladesh and Myanmar have signed a memorandum of understanding on the return of Rohingya people who fled the Rakhine state in the wake of a military crackdown Points Rejected by Myanmar Bangladesh wanted… Continue reading Rohingya repatriation deal signed (TH)

 The new bipolarity in Asia (TH Op) Context Having one set of nations ranged against China is not going to be easy in the prevailing Circumstances Backdrop: The Dichotomy in the global order today S. President believes in a world governed by self-interest, with little room for shared responsibility, or lofty ideas about the spread… Continue reading  The new bipolarity in Asia (TH Op)

 Going universal (TH Op) Context Karnataka does well to finalise the road map to ensure universal health coverage What Karnataka’s move to amend the law governing private medical establishments is a logical step in its plan to provide universal health coverage in the State Basic components of Healthcare Reform Laying down standards Containing treatment costs… Continue reading  Going universal (TH Op)

Keeping TB away with a healthy diet Context Can a healthy diet stave off tuberculosis? The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) will monitor 2000 TB patients in Jharkhand and additionally ensure that they are well fed to determine the extent to which a good diet can influence tuberculosis treatment Other Objective Due to the… Continue reading Keeping TB away with a healthy diet