Author: ForumIAS

RCEP: India hardens stand ahead of ASEAN summit Context In a sign that India’s Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations could slow further, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has taken a strong stand that the country should restrain itself from concluding any such pact from which it would not gain in the medium term What has happened? Ministry of External Affairs… Continue reading RCEP: India hardens stand ahead of ASEAN summit

SEBI raids brokers in data leak probe Context Raids by SEBI wrt alleged leak of sensitive financial information on social media What has happened? The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) raided 34 locations on Friday, aimed at members of a particular WhatsApp group, as part of a probe into alleged leak of sensitive… Continue reading SEBI raids brokers in data leak probe

Proud of India, says Palestinian envoy: Context Jerusalem issue News Palestinians are proud of India and India’s support to the cause of peace in West Asia, the Ambassador of Palestine said, hours after India voted in favour of a negotiated solution to the issue of Jerusalem Israeli ambassador’s reaction Israeli Ambassador Daniel Carmon reiterated his… Continue reading Proud of India, says Palestinian envoy:

A capital mistake: on UN resolution against US’ Jerusalem move: Context Jerusalem issue No tolerance for pressure The world witnessed in the past few days at the United Nations, on a resolution demanding that the U.S. rescind its recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, was an unprecedented display of the arrogance of power Never… Continue reading A capital mistake: on UN resolution against US’ Jerusalem move: 

‘India, China must go beyond bilateral ties’ Context The 20th round of Special Representative talks b/w India & China What was discussed? They discussed enhancing confidence-building measures and an “early settlement” of the boundary issue The talks were referred repeatedly to the consensus reached by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the subject of bettering ties… Continue reading ‘India, China must go beyond bilateral ties’

Publish first NRC draft for Assam by December 31: SC What has happened? The Supreme Court is standing firm by its order directing the government and the authorities to publish the first draft of National Register of Citizens (NRC) for Assam by December 31, 2017 Backdrop The Supreme Court is hearing a writ petition filed by Assam Public Works (APW) in July 2009 for identification… Continue reading Publish first NRC draft for Assam by December 31: SC

UPCOC Bill falters in Legislative Council Context UPCOC bill What has happened? The State government’s UPCOC Bill on Friday hit a roadblock in the Legislative Council where a determined Opposition stalled its passage. Following its rejection, the Council Chairman referred the Bill to a House panel for scrutiny Opposition in command Riding on its strength… Continue reading UPCOC Bill falters in Legislative Council

Who built the Indus Valley civilisation? Context Genetics is about to answer a question that has vexed historians for a century. Tony Joseph examines the range of possible answers and their implications Various theories There has been no shortage of informed and uninformed guesses about the identity of those who lived during Harappa & Mohenjo-Daro… Continue reading Who built the Indus Valley civilisation?

Missing the pulse: Context Farmers, like investors, need predictability and coherence in government policies What has happened? A 30% customs duty has been slapped on the import of Chana dal and Masoor dal  Why, this move? Cheap imports could hit farm incomes especially at a time when domestic production of pulses is at a record high and… Continue reading Missing the pulse:

The brain behind the deadline: ‘It was not Raja’: Context 2G scam verdict A Raja, not responsible The Special CBI Court that acquitted former Union Telecom Minister A. Raja has ruled that he was not responsible for either fixing a cut-off date for consideration of applications for Unified Access Services Licences or in altering a… Continue reading The brain behind the deadline: ‘It was not Raja’: