Author: ForumIAS

PNB fraud: RBI starts special audit of public sector banks Context PNB Scam What has happened? RBI has initiated special audit of State-owned lenders with focus on trade financing activities, especially relating to issuance of letters of undertaking (LoUs) by them In addition, the RBI has asked all banks for details of the LoUs they… Continue reading PNB fraud: RBI starts special audit of public sector banks

India commits $1.4 billion for solar energy worldwide Context India on Sunday announced one of the world’s largest investment plans in solar energy at the Founding Conference of the International Solar Alliance (ISA). The $1.4 billion line of credit will cover 27 projects in 15 countries and boost the much-required financial power to the solar… Continue reading India commits $1.4 billion for solar energy worldwide

A welcome quietus The Supreme Court finally ends unjustified curbs on Hadiya’s personal freedom Supreme Court’s categorical ruling that the high court was wrong in invalidating a marriage under its writ jurisdiction constitutes a welcome end to the unjustified curtailment of her freedom of movement and her life choices. The verdict, for which detailed reasons… Continue reading A welcome quietus

Under a humane Constitution What is Passive euthnasia? The removal of life-support mechanisms from persons who, for the most part, have slipped into a persistent vegetative state in order to allow them to die in the natural course of things Practice of Passive Euthnasia upheld by the SC Case: In Common Cause v. Union of India… Continue reading Under a humane Constitution

‘Centre finalising Cauvery scheme’ Precedent of Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-1 There was also a precedent of the decision of the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal–I being implemented without any mechanism (The order of this Tribunal, popularly called Bachawat Award, was published in the gazette in May 1976) Implementation mechanisms available Two models — the Bhakra Beas… Continue reading ‘Centre finalising Cauvery scheme’

Saving Ghouta What happened? Under the deal, the Jaish al-Islam, the main rebel group, will evacuate militants linked to the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), formerly an al-Qaeda front, from Ghouta on the outskirts of Damascus Regime and Russian forces continue attack The regime’s argument was that it was seeking to liberate Eastern Ghouta from terrorist… Continue reading Saving Ghouta

A breakthrough and a gamble North Korea’s offer Promised to discuss giving up nuclear arsenal if it’s security is assured To hold off from missile or nuclear tests while talks are under way To accept that the annual U.S.-South Korea military exercises will continue Restrictions will continue on North Korea South Korea and the U.S.… Continue reading A breakthrough and a gamble

India’s arms imports from U.S. up by 550%: report Context Report on global arms sales by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Observations US is now India’s 2nd largest arm supplier: The U.S. recorded a blazing growth in its arms exports to India, recording over 550% growth in 2013-17 compared with the previous five… Continue reading India’s arms imports from U.S. up by 550%: report

IIP quickens to 7.5%, inflation softens Context Industrial activity accelerated in January to 7.5% on the back of strong manufacturing growth and a rebound in the consumer durables sector, according to official data released on Monday Other observations Inflation Retail inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), eased to 4.4% in February, following… Continue reading IIP quickens to 7.5%, inflation softens

Banks need better governance: IMF Context The recent instance of fraud in the banking sector has brought to the fore the issue related to governance in banks, especially public sector entities that need to put in place tighter controls and improve their balance sheets, according to a top official of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)… Continue reading Banks need better governance: IMF