Author: ForumIAS

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 

Four SC judges air differences with CJI Misra  Context Press conference organised by 4 senior judges of Supreme Court on difference over CJI What has happened? Four senior judges of the Supreme Court held a press conference and publicly accused Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra of selectively assigning cases to judges of his choice… Continue reading Four SC judges air differences with CJI Misra 

Ties with India intact, says Israeli Ambassador  Context India-Israel bilateral relations-Israeli PM Netanyahu’s upcoming visit to New Delhi What has happened? Israel on Friday said that India’s vote at the United Nations General Assembly against the American recognition of Jerusalem as its capital would not affect its ties with India No effect on UNGN vote… Continue reading Ties with India intact, says Israeli Ambassador 

New U.S. sanctions won’t hit Chabahar port project, says Iran  Context Iran rejects worries over impact of new US sanctions on Chahbahar project No effect on Chahbahar project Striking a defiant note over possible new sanctions against Tehran, Iran’s Transport Minister Abbas Akhoundi has said the move will “isolate” the U.S., and rejected any worries… Continue reading New U.S. sanctions won’t hit Chabahar port project, says Iran 

India makes push for U.K. immigration reform Context Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu and Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju’s visit to UK Issues stressed Review of immigration policies relating to India, including on student visas and the extension of a visa system introduced for Chinese visitors to the U.K. Introduction of a two-year… Continue reading India makes push for U.K. immigration reform

A new weapon in the carbon fight Context It is not usual to think of soils in the context of climate change. Policy is usually focussed on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the electricity sector, transport and industry The Need There has been a renewed interest in understanding how soils can serve as a sink for… Continue reading A new weapon in the carbon fight

Problem of plenty  Context Agricultural policy should look to address the problem of severe price fluctuations Cycle of boom and bust There appears to be no end in sight to the cycle of boom and bust in the prices of agricultural goods Example: Potato prices as low as under a rupee, farmers in distress Last… Continue reading Problem of plenty 

Enabling a form of super surveillance  Context The Aadhaar project falls short in limiting biometrics collection to voluntary choice and in guaranteeing data protection Questions asked What really is Aadhaar all about? Is the machinery that supports it constitutionally sustainable? How does the creation of a central identity database affect the traditional relationship between the… Continue reading Enabling a form of super surveillance 

Wholesale inflation eases to 3-month low of 3.58% Context Wholesale price-based inflation (WPI) has cooled in December, 2017 to a three-month low of 3.58% thanks to the decline in prices of food items, according to data released on Monday by the Commerce and Industry Ministry. India Inc demands rate cut; wants petrol, diesel under GST… Continue reading Wholesale inflation eases to 3-month low of 3.58%