Author: ForumIAS

Halving the syllabus, squaring knowledge Context: Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar claimed that the school syllabus needed trimming; he’d also bring back the system of “detention and examinations” in lower classes that the previous United Progressive Alliance government had done away with. Background: Delhi’s Education Minister, Manish Sisodia said in 2015 that schools’ syllabus… Continue reading Halving the syllabus, squaring knowledge

Staying ahead of the double helix Context: The Delhi High Court recently ruled against discrimination in health insurance by United India Insurance Company involving a person with a heart condition which was perceived to be a genetic disorder. Court ruling:  The court held, “Discrimination in health insurance against individuals based on their genetic disposition or… Continue reading Staying ahead of the double helix

‘Effective regulation need of the hour in banking sector’ Context: Today, the banking sector needs effective regulation and supervision and not increased privatisation, as per the  group of prominent economists Bank scams: The Punjab National Bank scam involved the second largest public sector bank. The reason was inadequate and faulty regulation and monitoring of the… Continue reading ‘Effective regulation need of the hour in banking sector’

‘Present laws adequate to deal with defaulters’ Context: Cabinet approves Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill to deal with those escaping overseas to evade law. National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA): The Cabinet has also approved the establishment of National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA), which will act as an independent regulator for the auditing profession which was one… Continue reading ‘Present laws adequate to deal with defaulters’

Fear of forfeiture Context: The proposed law to seize the wealth of economic offenders is a welcome measure. Shortcomings of the Previous Laws Legal provisions to confiscate the assets of offenders already exist, but these are regarded as somewhat inadequate. From the provision in the Code of Criminal Procedure for attachment of the property of… Continue reading Fear of forfeiture

Ministry denies vendetta against Prasar Bharati Context: The Prasar Bharati is bound by the government’s general financial rules and must sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Information & Broadcasting Ministry on financial targets and timelines for activities to use grants in a financial year, the Ministry said. Why in news? The Ministry’s statement… Continue reading Ministry denies vendetta against Prasar Bharati

KRMB panel allows AP to draw 9 tmc ft water for irrigation Context: Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) has allowed Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to avail 33 tmcft of Krishna waters till the March-end for meeting immediate irrigation needs. Details: The KRMB has allowed Andhra Pradesh to utilise 9 tmcft and Telangana 24 tmcft water… Continue reading KRMB panel allows AP to draw 9 tmc ft water for irrigation

‘Gwadar, Chabahar not comparable’ Context: Former Union Minister Manish Tewari has said that Gwadar port and Chabahar port could not be compared. Points of Differences: The development of the Chabahar port in Iran is a commercial enterprise, On the other hand, development of the Gwadar port in Pakistan by China is a strategic-military enterprise with… Continue reading ‘Gwadar, Chabahar not comparable’

India to help build nuclear plant in Bangladesh Context India, Bangladesh and Russia have signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the construction of the Rooppur nuclear power plant in Bangladesh. Introduction: The MoU was signed in Moscow by the Department of Atomic Energy of India, the Ministry of Science and Technology… Continue reading India to help build nuclear plant in Bangladesh

Plea to raise minimum age for marriage Context: A petition to raise the minimum age for marriage has been filed in the Supreme Court Details According to petitioner advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay “fertility depends on the age of marriage’’. Therefore, it is necessary to raise the minimum age for marriage for men and women to… Continue reading Plea to raise minimum age for marriage