Author: ForumIAS

Rivers, floodplains, cities and farmers What has happened? Floodplains of rivers can provide a new source of water. They are a local, non-polluting, perennial and non-invasive source of water for urban centres. Our work and research on the Palla floodplain scheme which was launched by the Delhi Jal Board in 2016 is a tangible realisation… Continue reading Rivers, floodplains, cities and farmers

Kaziranga finds a dozen reasons to be happy Context Indian Rhino (one-horned Rhino) Scientific name: Rhinoceros unicornis What has happened? Kaziranga’s iconic one-horned rhino population has risen by 12 individuals. The latest headcount of the armour-plated herbivore in Assam’s world-famous reserve put the estimated number at 2,413 rhinos. This is an increase of a dozen over… Continue reading Kaziranga finds a dozen reasons to be happy

‘Monetary policy not apt to ensure financial stability’ What has happened? Monetary policy transmission improves if friction in the financial system diminishes, according to the findings of a study by the Development Research Group (DRG) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). DRG The DRG is constituted by the apex bank in its Department of… Continue reading ‘Monetary policy not apt to ensure financial stability’

Billed for change What has happened? The Union Cabinet this week approved six out of the dozens of changes to the contentious National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill that were suggested by a Parliamentary Standing Committee earlier this month. These changes address some of the loudest criticisms of the Bill. Changes approved by the Cabinet Final… Continue reading Billed for change

Pak. wants to inspect Indus projects What has happened? Pakistan has asked India to allow its officials to undertake a tour for inspecting Indian projects in the Indus river basin, which New Delhi said will be arranged in line with the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), according to government sources. PIC meeting Pakistan… Continue reading Pak. wants to inspect Indus projects

India, Pak. call truce over envoys What has happened? The protracted spat between India and Pakistan over harassment of respective diplomatic staff ended on Friday. Both sides will ensure safety of each other’s diplomats, families of diplomats and diplomatic premises Flurry of note verbales The exchange between the two countries became heated following daily incidents… Continue reading India, Pak. call truce over envoys

States told to identify ‘illegal’ immigrants What has happened? The Home Ministry has asked State governments to “capture the biographic and biometric particulars” of illegal immigrants and “restrict them to specified locations. Collect biometric particulars and restrict people to specified locations The letter without mentioning “Rohingya” has asked local authorities to identify those illegal immigrants… Continue reading States told to identify ‘illegal’ immigrants

After glitch, ISRO trying to restore link with GSAT-6A Context A day after GSAT-6A, the country’s newest communication satellite, went incommunicado in space, officials of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said on Sunday that they were working to restore the link with it Backdrop The spacecraft, launched on March 29, was meant to support… Continue reading After glitch, ISRO trying to restore link with GSAT-6A

Low-down on electric and hybrid vehicles Context Though the government seems to have dropped its plan to implement a comprehensive electric vehicle (EV) policy, it is still keen on shifting India’s petrol-diesel-based auto industry to electric What are the differences between electric and hybrid vehicles? The key difference between hybrid and all-EVs is in the… Continue reading Low-down on electric and hybrid vehicles

High hopes? Context Divestment of Air India (AI) What has happened? Government has decided to divest 76% of its stake in AI A 100% stake is being offered in its subsidiary Air India Express, and a 50% stake is on offer in its ground handling operations arm Other subsidiaries, such as Alliance Air, Hotel Corporation… Continue reading High hopes?