Author: ForumIAS

World Bank projects 7.3 % growth in 2018 Context 2018 Global Economics Prospect released by the World Bank Observations made wrt India India’s growth rate in 2018 is projected to hit 7.3% and 7.5% in the next two years, according to the World Bank, which said the country has “enormous growth potential” compared to other… Continue reading World Bank projects 7.3 % growth in 2018

Centre opens arms to single brand retail FDI Context The Union government on Wednesday liberalised and simplified the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) regime in a host of sectors, including Single Brand Retail Trading (SBRT) What has happened? The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, gave its approval to a proposal permitting 100% FDI under the automatic route… Continue reading Centre opens arms to single brand retail FDI

How will homeless get Aadhaar Context The Supreme Court on Wednesday questioned the government’s version of Aadhaar as a unique identifier which will benefit the poor to access welfare services, asking how the lakhs of homeless people in the country will get an Aadhaar card without a permanent address State of homelessness in India The… Continue reading How will homeless get Aadhaar

PM, economists take stock of economy Context In a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, top economists and experts in the country stressed the need for creating new jobs, even as a NITI Aayog task force has found that the statistics on lack of employment may be “overrated”. The data will be released… Continue reading PM, economists take stock of economy

7 years’ jail for benami transactions Context The Income-Tax Department on Wednesday warned people to “keep away” from benami transactions, cautioning that violations under the newly enacted law invites criminal prosecution and rigorous imprisonment up to seven years Rigorous punitive measures Benamidar [in whose name benami property is standing], beneficiary [who actually paid consideration] and… Continue reading 7 years’ jail for benami transactions

Two tier shield for Aadhaar data Context In the wake of reports of an alleged breach of the Aadhaar database published in a newspaper last week, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has rolled out a new two-tier security process that will come into effect from June 1 What has been done? Aimed at… Continue reading Two tier shield for Aadhaar data

The map of rural deprivation  Context With the Union Budget to be presented on February 1, it is hoped that the Finance Minister will make a significantly higher allocation for investment in infrastructure. It is vital for addressing rural distress. The Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC) informed us that ‘landlessness and dependence on manual… Continue reading The map of rural deprivation 

In FDI push centre allows 49% foreign ownership in AI Context In FDI push, Centre allows 49% foreign ownership in AI. Easing of norms puts national carrier on par with other Indian airline companies In FDI push, Centre allows 49% foreign ownership in AI The Congress says foreign carriers cannot be allowed to take over Air India.… Continue reading In FDI push centre allows 49% foreign ownership in AI

Prescription for the future Context The National Medical Commission Bill has to be fine-tuned, especially in planning for rural health care The National Medical Commission Bill has to be fine-tuned, especially in planning for rural health care The National Medical Commission Bill, aimed at reforming Indian medical education and practice, is in trouble. After countrywide protests by… Continue reading Prescription for the future

Not a criminal act  Context Marriage is a civil contract — adultery or divorce should have only civil consequences Offence of theft and adultery similar There are striking similarities between the offence of ‘theft’ and ‘adultery’ under the Indian Penal Code. Encyclopedia of Diderot &d’Alembert, Vol. 1 (1751) also equated adultery with theft: “adultery is, after… Continue reading Not a criminal act