Author: ForumIAS

Govt. unveils 2.1 lakh crore bank recapitalisation plan Context: Govt. unveils details of recapitalisation plan for public sector banks Introduction: The government has moved proposal to infuse additional grant of Rs 88,139 crore – Rs 80,000 crore through Recap Bonds and Rs 8,139 crore as budgetary support – for 2018 under the public sector banks… Continue reading Govt. unveils 2.1 lakh crore bank recapitalisation plan

Capital adequacy ratio to rise 44bps  Context: Capital adequacy ratio will go up by 44 bps. Introduction: The state-run banks that will receive capital from the government will use it to meet provisioning requirement for accounts that facing bankruptcy proceedings. This was mandated by the banking regulator, State Bank of India (SBI)- the country’s largest… Continue reading Capital adequacy ratio to rise 44bps 

UDAN to link 73 airports, helipads  Context: The Centre on Wednesday said 73 underserved and unserved airports and helipads would be connected under the phase 2 of the regional connectivity scheme UDAN. Target: The scheme will provide around 26.5 lakh seats per annum that will be covered with [an] airfare cap of ₹2,500/hr of flying.… Continue reading UDAN to link 73 airports, helipads 

Will biometrics help fight crimes, asks Supreme Court Context: The Supreme Court on Wednesday questioned the argument put forth by petitioners in Aadhaar cases that collection of personal information of citizens by the state would lead to totalitarianism. Court’s argument: Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, one of the five judges of the Constitution Bench led by Chief… Continue reading Will biometrics help fight crimes, asks Supreme Court

New Delhi brims with ‘Look east’ vibes  Context: India celebrates the 25th year commemorative summit of the ASEAN-India dialogue partnership on 25th January, 2017. Security issues in the Indo-Pacific will be the focus of discussions. What are the highlights of the summit? The ASEAN-India discussions will focus on the “three Cs of connectivity, commerce and… Continue reading New Delhi brims with ‘Look east’ vibes 

The arc to Southeast Asia  Context: India will host heads of 10 nations of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for the Republic Day celebrations to boost India’s ties with Southeast Asia. Where does India lack to strengthen the India-ASEAN relationship? India’s capacity to provide development assistance, market access and security guarantees remains limited.… Continue reading The arc to Southeast Asia 

Afghanistan, on a slow fuse  Context: The attack by the Taliban gunmen at the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul depicts the deteriorating security environment in Afghanistan. The siege at the hotel lasted more than 12 hours and claimed 22 victims, including 14 foreigners, before the gunmen were neutralised. What is the present day scenario of Afghanistan?… Continue reading Afghanistan, on a slow fuse 

Padma Vibhushan for Ilaiyaraaja  Context President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday approved the award of 85 Padma awards. The list of those honored includes music composer-director Ilaiyaraaja conferred with a Padma Vibhushan and sports  M.S. Dhoni and Pankaj Advani honored with Padma Bhushan Dhoni gets Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri for Gond artist Bhajju Shyam President… Continue reading Padma Vibhushan for Ilaiyaraaja 

World Bank’s Romer quits after Chile affair  Context Paul Romer stepped down as the World Bank’s chief economist on Wednesday after he came under fire for saying that Chile’s rankings in a closely watched Doing Business report may have been deliberately skewed under socialist President Michelle Bachelet Global search for new chief economist Mr. Jim said the… Continue reading World Bank’s Romer quits after Chile affair 

The grounding of Air India  Context Having announced its decision to sell Air India, the government is making arrangements to do so. The move itself has come after multiple efforts by successive governments to resurrect the national airline. Though there has been news of it finally turning in an operating profit under a determined CEO,… Continue reading The grounding of Air India