Author: ForumIAS

Comprehensive screening for newborns in Kerala soon News: Kerala is set to introduce Comprehensive Newborn Screening (CNS) programme Important Facts: Present Initiatives: Newborns are screened in public sector facilities for inherent metabolic disorders (blood test) and hearing deficit (OAE- Oto Acoustic Emissions test). Hridyam programme introduced- The programme aims at early detection and management of… Continue reading Comprehensive screening for newborns in Kerala soon

Insolvency Code: What’s new? News: Recently, the President of India approved the promulgation of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy code (Amendment) Ordinance 2018 Important Facts: Recent Changes: Inclusion of home-buyers in the category of financial creditors Homebuyers (either as an individual or group) can initiate insolvency proceedings against errant builders Homebuyers shall have the right to… Continue reading Insolvency Code: What’s new?

Draw the line for Speakers and Governors Article: 1- Kapil Sibal, Rajya Sabha MP, analyse the misuse of powers by the governors and speakers. Important Analysis 2- Issues raised by him for Governor: Misuse of discretionary power by governor Recent examples: Karnataka, Goa, Manipur and Meghalaya are examples of political venality initiated by Governors’ actions. Governors… Continue reading Draw the line for Speakers and Governors

Government opens doors to lateral entry News: The Department of personnel and training has announced “lateral recruitment” to senior positions in Government of India. Important News: The government has invited individual with outstanding quality from Private Sector Companies, Consultancy Organizations, and International/Multinational Organizations to join the government at the joint secretary level at the Centre.… Continue reading Government opens doors to lateral entry

SCO calls for Global front to fight terror groups News: In the recently held Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Qingdao, China, the member states resolved to combat terrorism, extremism and separatism Important facts The SCO is an international grouping which comprises of 8 countries: China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, China… Continue reading SCO calls for Global front to fight terror groups

To the brink and back Article Rajaraman, emeritus professor of Physics, JNU discussed how the U.S. and North Korea agreed to talks after being close to military action last year. Important Analysis North Korea pulled out of the Non-Proliferation Treaty in 2003 and intensified its nuclear programme. This led to sanctions by UN. But North… Continue reading To the brink and back

India re-defines its regional role Article: According to Zorawara Dualat Singh, a fellow at the Centre for Policy Research, analyses change in approach of India’s foreign policy. Important Analysis: 2. Author observe that in last few year India’s foreign policy is tilted towards US, but PM recent speech at Singapore and  SCO indicate reorientation of… Continue reading India re-defines its regional role

The Story of two ceasefires Article: Happymon Jacob, Associate professor , Jawaharlal Nehru University, analyse the need for negotiations, political concessions and soft power vis-a vis J&K and Pakistan. Important Analysis: India and Pakistan witnessing ceasefire violence on the border. Impacts of ceasefire violation: Damage to civilians habitats Military casualty rates going up. Increasing number… Continue reading The Story of two ceasefires

India to host first BIMSTEC war games in September News: 1-India will host the first military exercise of the BIMSTEC(Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) group. Important facts: 2-Theme: Counter-terrorism in semi-urban terrain and cordon and search, and each side will bring in some 30 soldiers. 3-BIMSTEC countries held a disaster management… Continue reading India to host first BIMSTEC war games in September

ISRO offers battery technology to firms News: Recently, the ISRO has issued RFQ for technology-transfer of the lithium-ion cell to Indian industries. Important facts: The transfer of technology to competent Indian industries will take place on a non-exclusive basis for use in automobiles for a one-time fee of Rs 1 crore. Li-ion batteries have large… Continue reading ISRO offers battery technology to firms