Author: ForumIAS

2017 was the second or third warmest year Context Last year was the second or third warmest on record behind 2016, and the hottest without an extra dose of heat caused by an El Niño event in the Pacific Ocean, the United Nations (UN) said on Thursday. Average temperatures were 1.1°C above pre-industrial levels Average… Continue reading 2017 was the second or third warmest year

Disaster warning system for Odisha by March  Context The Early Warning Dissemination System (EWDS), a project that aims at establishing a fool-proof communication system to disseminate disaster warning up to the community level, is expected to be commissioned by this March It will alert a vast population along coast through loud sirens from towers installed… Continue reading Disaster warning system for Odisha by March 

Aadhaar contradicts the role of the state  Context The Aadhaar scheme contradicts the role of the state as the custodian of the citizens’ fundamental right of privacy. A duty is cast on the government and its agencies to protect the citizen’s crucial personal data from commercial exploitation by private corporates, petitioners challenging the scheme submitted in the… Continue reading Aadhaar contradicts the role of the state 

GST rates on 29 goods, 53 services cut  Context The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council has reduced the rates on 29 goods and 53 categories of services, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said following the Council’s meeting on Thursday. GST Council also mulls approaches to ease the burden of filing returns in order to boost… Continue reading GST rates on 29 goods, 53 services cut 

Bitcoins rally may be over  Context Bitcoin, the popular digital currency whose meteoric rise in price last year surprised many of its critics, has lost almost half its market value in just the last month. The price of bitcoin dropped from its lifetime high of over $19,300 in mid-December to below $9,300 on Wednesday and… Continue reading Bitcoins rally may be over 

Duel duty Context The state cannot choose between protecting freedom of expression and preserving law and order. It has a duty to do both. This is the core message of the Supreme Court order staying the notifications and decisions of four States to prohibit the screening of the film Padmaavat, and directing them to ensure that law and… Continue reading Duel duty

Should the four SC judges have dissented publicly   Context An unprecedented event took place on January 12 when the four senior-most judges of the Supreme Court, after the Chief Justice of India (CJI), held a press conference, issued a statement, and also answered questions from the media. Justice J. Chelameswar, at whose residence the press… Continue reading Should the four SC judges have dissented publicly 

Electoral bonds won’t solve all issues:Joti  Context Electoral bonds will not solve all problems pertaining to transparency in political funding, Chief Election Commissioner A K Joti said today, but hoped that it will be a step in the “right direction” News Electoral bonds will not solve all problems pertaining to transparency in political funding, Chief… Continue reading Electoral bonds won’t solve all issues:Joti

Supreme Court stays ban on screening of Padmaavat Context The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the notifications and orders passed by certain States to prohibit the exhibition of the Censor Board certified movie, Padmaavat, saying the court’s “conscience is shocked” that the States have guillotined creative rights Court’s directions Court ordered all States to ensure that… Continue reading Supreme Court stays ban on screening of Padmaavat

Tibetan leader cautions India   Context Views of the president of Central Tibetan Administration in India Occasion He expressed his views while announcing upcoming events to mark the 60th anniversary of the arrival of the Dalai Lama and Tibetans in India. He announced that the Tibetan community in India will hold a major inter-religious event in New… Continue reading Tibetan leader cautions India