Author: ForumIAS

Chance for peace: on US and North Korea’s relations Context: The U.S. should grab North Korea’s offer of talks, and enable an environment of trust What has happened? In a remarkable development that followed unprecedented meetings in Pyongyang, South Korea has said that North Korea has been willing to talk to US about giving up… Continue reading Chance for peace: on US and North Korea’s relations

Ringing in change, government style Context: All government employees in Samba district of Jammu & Kashmir have been directed to download the “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” ringtone on their Jio mobile numbers. Details: The order came from the office of Deputy Commissioner on February 23, who demanded that a compliance report be filed within 24… Continue reading Ringing in change, government style

Female foeticide a shame: Modi Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 8th March inaugurated the expanded “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” programme in Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu district. Details: Prime Minister also launched the National Nutrition Mission, aimed at improving nutrition levels of women and children and reducing low birth weight by 2% each year. Addressing the function… Continue reading Female foeticide a shame: Modi

Changing our stories Context: Sometime soon in 2018, India’s annual GDP will cross England ($2.6 trillion), but why it has taken 71 years for 1.2 billion people to cross the output of 66 million people? Explanation: India’s pathetic productivity is the result of economic stories which were circulated among us after 1947. Not all stories… Continue reading Changing our stories

Only about 50% of PAN cards linked to Aadhaar Context: The deadline to link PAN with Aadhaar is March 31 Introduction: As per the latest available information had so far been able to link only about 50% of the PAN cards issued to Aadhaar numbers. Share of private banks The private sector banks have about… Continue reading Only about 50% of PAN cards linked to Aadhaar

Right to avoid protracted pain Context: A five judge bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra,  in a landmark judgment legalised the right to die and approved ‘living will’ made by terminally-ill patients for passive euthanasia. Government arguments: “Suffering is a state of mind and a perception, which varies… Continue reading Right to avoid protracted pain

Rajasthan passes Bill to give death penalty for child rape Context: Rajasthan became the second State, after Madhya Pradesh, to pass a Bill providing for death penalty to those convicted of raping girls of 12 years and below. What has happened? The State Assembly passed the Bill seeking to amend the Indian Penal Code with… Continue reading Rajasthan passes Bill to give death penalty for child rape

SC upholds passive euthanasia Context: The Supreme Court has upheld passive euthanasia and the right to give advance medical directives or ‘Living Wills’ to smoothen the dying process as part of the fundamental right to live with dignity. More in news: A five-judge Constitution Bench, led by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra has recently… Continue reading SC upholds passive euthanasia

Trump hails ‘great progress’ on Korean nuclear crisis Context: U.S. President Donald Trump hailed “great progress” in attempts to resolve the Korean nuclear crisis after the White House said the President accepted an invitation from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for a face to face meeting. What has happened? The White House has portrayed the… Continue reading Trump hails ‘great progress’ on Korean nuclear crisis

Trade goes on Context: On 8th March, 11 Asia-Pacific countries, including Japan, Australia and Canada, signed the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership in Chile. About CPTPP: The CPTPP incorporates the original Trans-Pacific partnership (TPP) agreement, with suspension of a limited number of provisions, while still seeking to maintain the high standard of the… Continue reading Trade goes on