Author: ForumIAS

Turtle with punk hairdo on endangered species list What has happened? Boasting a green, punk hairdo and the unusual ability to breathe through its backside, an Australian turtle has become famous overnight — but not only for its eccentricity.  Found in: Mary River, Queensland, Australia Scientific Name: Elusor macrurus Status: Latest creature to join the… Continue reading Turtle with punk hairdo on endangered species list

FRDI Bill: Banks’ loss is Postal dept.’s gain? What has happened? The Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance (FRDI) Bill, 2017, seems to have a positive impact on the Postal department, if the increase in the total deposits in post offices across the Andhra Pradesh Circle in the last two years is any indication. Switching to… Continue reading FRDI Bill: Banks’ loss is Postal dept.’s gain?

Preventing accidents Context The government had promised to address road safety issue but it has not been able to do so as the requisite amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act have not yet been passed Apathy of the governments Safety black spots on roads that were identified on the basis of fatal accidents between 2011… Continue reading Preventing accidents

SC to examine plea on ‘master of roster’ issue What has happened? The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to examine a petition filed by former Union Law Minister Shanti Bhushan to declare that the authority of the Chief Justice of India as “master of roster” should not be reduced to an absolute, singular and arbitrary… Continue reading SC to examine plea on ‘master of roster’ issue

Office-of-profit case: EC to hear AAP MLAs on May 17 What has happened? Pursuant to a Delhi High Court order setting aside the disqualification of 20 Aam Aadmi Party MLAs last month, the Election Commission will on May 17 resume an “oral hearing” on office-of-profit allegations against them. Notification quashed On March 23, the High… Continue reading Office-of-profit case: EC to hear AAP MLAs on May 17

India, U.K. in talks over education What has happened? India and the United Kingdom (U.K.) were holding talks to seal an agreement on mutual recognition of educational qualifications, London’s envoy said here on Friday Background Upcoming CHOGM meet in London Recognizing Masters Degrees of UK in India The one-year masters degrees given by the UK… Continue reading India, U.K. in talks over education

Reimagining governance  What has happened? The 115 Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) conceived by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is radical not because this is the first time that a government in India has focussed on India’s most backward districts but because the exercise envisages a serious re-imagination of government and governance, and deepens cooperative federalism. Target… Continue reading Reimagining governance 

‘NPAs, high debt level to ebb in 6-9 months’  Context Twin balance sheet problem refers to the stress on balance sheets of banks due to non-performing assets (NPAs) or bad loans on the one hand, and heavily indebted corporates on the other. “Our own assessment is that it would take another six to nine months… Continue reading ‘NPAs, high debt level to ebb in 6-9 months’

Modi’s visit could see pacts on migrants, Ayurveda centre Context CHOGM meeting & Indian PM’s bilateral visit to the U.K. Issues to be discussed at CHOGM Explore ways of raising intra-Commonwealth trade from around $525 billion in 2015 to around $700 billion by 2020 Bilateral visit A memorandum of understanding on the return of illegal… Continue reading Modi’s visit could see pacts on migrants, Ayurveda centre

What demonetisation did to tax collections Context Effect of Demonetisation Demonetisation’s effect on tax collections Net collections have increased by 17.1% in the just concluded fiscal year, to Rs. 9.95 lakh crore. In FY15 and FY16, India’s direct tax kitty witnessed growth of just 8.9% and 6.9%. But seen from a historical perspective, a 14%… Continue reading What demonetisation did to tax collections