Author: ForumIAS

India must seize the chance : US Context First public address by American envoy to India Kenneth Juster What did he say? Hub for US Business in Indo-pacific: India is a “leading power” in the Indo-Pacific and should gear up to become an alternative manufacturing destination to China to attract U.S. business Number of US companies are… Continue reading India must seize the chance : US

Towards stability Context A month after the Left Alliance secured a decisive victory in Nepal’s parliamentary elections, a government is yet to be formed in Kathmandu Alliance Left alliance includes the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre). Why the delay? Due to procedural issues, viz., The Upper House, or… Continue reading Towards stability

India confirms NSAs met in Bangkok Context The National Security Advisers (NSAs) of India and Pakistan met on December 26 in Bangkok, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Thursday Backdrop It was part of the mechanism to hold Pakistan accountable for the terrorism that emanates from its territory Issue raised by India India raised the… Continue reading India confirms NSAs met in Bangkok

Rights in the age of big data  Context Data protection legislation should be about protecting people, not innovation Many concerns Concerns are being voiced this month in several Indian cities by members of the public, civil society groups, academic experts and technologists, think tanks, industry associations and technology companies to a committee headed by Justice… Continue reading Rights in the age of big data 

ISRO workhorse PSLV-C40 puts 31 satellites in space  Context Focus on building capacity to meet country’s needs What The 42nd Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), PSLV-C40, was launched successfully on Friday by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from the First Launch Pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota and it placed… Continue reading ISRO workhorse PSLV-C40 puts 31 satellites in space 

Inflation quickens to 5.21% on food costs  Context December retail inflation hits 17-month high What Inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index accelerated to a 17-month high of 5.21% in December, from November’s 4.88% as food, housing and fuel costs continued to strengthen. RBI Response Economists said quickening retail inflation would likely lead the… Continue reading Inflation quickens to 5.21% on food costs 

Industrial output expands 8.4%, pace at 25-month high  Context Strong performances in manufacturing, construction, and consumer non-durables sectors and government spending help spur November IIP What Industrial output growth quickened in November to a 25-month high of 8.4% bolstered by strong performances in the manufacturing, construction, and consumer non-durables sectors, official data show CPI for… Continue reading Industrial output expands 8.4%, pace at 25-month high 

Passports will not carry address, parents’ names  Context Orange jacket for ‘emigration check required’ passports What The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday announced that new passports will soon be printed without the names of parents and the home address of the applicant Earlier declaration The statement came even as it was declared that the… Continue reading Passports will not carry address, parents’ names 

Odisha seeks GI tag for Kandhamal turmeric  Context The golden yellow spice is known for its medicinal value What The Odisha government has applied for a GI tag on Kandhamal haladi (turmeric variety). Medicinal Value The golden yellow spice, named after the district where it is produced, has been cultivated since time immemorial and is… Continue reading Odisha seeks GI tag for Kandhamal turmeric 

Just 4.9% of higher edu teachers are Muslim  Context Recently released All India Survey on Higher Education for 2016-17 Survey results Lower Muslim representation: At 4.9%, Muslim representation among teachers in higher educational institutions in India is much lower than the community’s proportion in India’s population (14.2%) The representation of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled… Continue reading Just 4.9% of higher edu teachers are Muslim