Author: ForumIAS

Banks told to be vigilant on Aadhaar What has happened? The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has asked banks to provide Aadhaar-based onetime password (OTP) for opening of bank accounts only in the presence of the customer, in a banking outlet Effect on banks using Aadhaar based OTP authentication for account opening The direction… Continue reading Banks told to be vigilant on Aadhaar

New vehicle scrappage policy may need tinkering Context The new vehicle scrappage policy of the Centre is unlikely to have any significant impact on the automobile industry in terms of increased demand, according to rating agencies. The Draft Policy The policy, cleared by the Prime Minister’s Office and awaiting the approval of the GST Council,… Continue reading New vehicle scrappage policy may need tinkering

Set aside divestment proceeds for sick PSUs’ revival: panel What has happened? A Parliamentary panel has recommended the earmarking of a defined portion of proceeds from the divestment of State-owned enterprises for funding revival, restructuring and modernisation proposals of sick public sector undertakings (PSUs) that have the potential to turn around Divestment target The government… Continue reading Set aside divestment proceeds for sick PSUs’ revival: panel

Why do farmers go marching? Context Why are Indian farmers perpetually in revolt? The question has been raised by many after the recent farmers’ march to Mumbai and simmering rebellions across the States in recent years. Changing reasons for agricultural distress Earlier:  deficient monsoons, input shortages and low yields Now: surplus output and un-remunerative prices,… Continue reading Why do farmers go marching?

Exception makes the rule Context Apex court verdict will make the SC/ST Atrocities Act toothless, roll back social transformation Why the recent SC verdict will make the act toothless? Low arrest and conviction rate in such cases: According to the Ninth Annual Report of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes for 2015-16, rate of crime from… Continue reading Exception makes the rule

The need for ‘special’ attention Context Special courts are not a panacea for judicial efficiency What has happened? Last December, the Supreme Court greenlit the Centre’s proposal to set up 12 fast-track courts to adjudicate and speedily dispose of 1,581 cases against Members of Parliament and Legislative Assemblies. Apart from uncertainties about the adequacy of… Continue reading The need for ‘special’ attention

After the emergency Context Maldives Emergency Much more needs to be done The Maldivian government’s decision to lift the state of emergency after 45 days, just ahead of the expiry of its second self-imposed deadline, comes as cold comfort for those concerned about the turn of events in the islands over the past couple of… Continue reading After the emergency

Gene panel challenge What has happened? In Nalgonda district of Telangana, Sai Chaitanya, 21, has been waiting for advancement in Indian genetic research. He has Ichthyosis, a condition caused by the mutation of a single gene, which has led to the growth of fish-like scales on his skin. Like him, many others are virtually locked… Continue reading Gene panel challenge

South Asia, a fertile ground Context Expansion of ISIS What makes ISIS different from other jihadist groups? A proto-state It’s an insurgency as well as a proto-state at the same time. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, established a proto-state that at one point of time was as big as the United Kingdom, ruling over about 2 million… Continue reading South Asia, a fertile ground

The non-politics of outrage What has happened? We are witnessing mass outrage over certain actions or non-actions of Facebook (FB) and a British political consulting firm, Cambridge Analytica (CA), regarding the use of personal data for political messaging during the U.S. presidential elections. CA’s role is long known Now after a whistle-blower’s account and an… Continue reading The non-politics of outrage