Author: ForumIAS

Courting the rankings  Context: Reports of India moving into the top 100 in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business global ranking is credible. But there is a component that still has a dismal ranking and it is the one about “enforcing contracts”. The issue: In the World Bank report India’s ranking in the ‘enforcement… Continue reading Courting the rankings 

Vehicular pollution to hit generations: SC Context: The Supreme observed that vehicular pollution would have an impact not only on the present generation but also on the children yet to be born. Government enquiry: The government directed the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) to file an affidavit indicating the position as regards the… Continue reading Vehicular pollution to hit generations: SC

Making health insurance work  Context: The National Health Protection Scheme is disconnected from primary care. The previous government failed to implement the recommendations of the High-Level Expert Group on Universal Health Coverage (2011). The Union Budget 2018 resonate those recommendations with commitment to universal health coverage which includes: 1-       Strengthening of primary health care, linking… Continue reading Making health insurance work 

‘Services growth in Jan. fastest in three months’ Context: According to a survey, The Indian services sector remained in expansion mode in January, registering the fastest rise in activity in three months driven by a renewed increase in new business orders. Highlights of the Report: The Indian service sector continued to expand in January Also,… Continue reading ‘Services growth in Jan. fastest in three months’

Fearing cryptocurrencies  Context: Cryptocurrencies like bitcoin are not legal form of money in India. Why is  in news? In his Budget speech, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for the first time said that cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin are not legal forms of money in India and that the government would take steps to eliminate their use.… Continue reading Fearing cryptocurrencies 

For more equity: on long-term capital gains tax  Context: The Union Budget 2018-19 announced the reintroduction of the long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax for stock market investors. LTCC: The gains would be computed based on the share price on January 31 Long-term capital gains exceeding ₹1 lakh would be taxed at 10% without the benefit… Continue reading For more equity: on long-term capital gains tax 

U.S Energy Secretary to visit India  Context: U.S. Energy Secretary’s visit to India is scheduled in February Energy trade with US Energy trade had prominently featured in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first meeting with President Donald Trump in June 2017 India had placed a series of orders for American crude in the following months. Barack… Continue reading U.S Energy Secretary to visit India 

PM to lay foundation stone of temple in UAE  Context: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be laying foundation stone of temple in UAE What is in news? Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of a temple in Abu Dhabi during his visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) The UAE granted… Continue reading PM to lay foundation stone of temple in UAE 

Maldives government declares emergency Context: The Maldives government has declared a state of emergency for 15 days. What is the reason behind this declaration? The declaration of emergency came amid political crisis following a Supreme Court order last week to release Opposition leaders from prison. What is the impact? During this, certain rights will be… Continue reading Maldives government declares emergency

The anatomy of another riot  Context: A riot is no longer an act of production where the narrative focusses on causes. But an act of consumption where a variety of narratives create a quilt patch we call history. Kasganj riot: At first sight, the Kasganj riot is presented as an archetypal riot around a standard… Continue reading The anatomy of another riot