Author: ForumIAS

EC launches app to report electoral malpractice News: Recently, the Election Commission of India has launched an Android- based mobile application named ‘cVigil’. Important facts: 2. The application was launched for citizens to share cases of malpractices of political parties when the Model code of conduct is in force. 3. The application, whose Beta version… Continue reading EC launches app to report electoral malpractice

Take action to stop spread of fake news, govt. tells WhatsApp News: Recently, the cases of lynchings across the country over fake messages on WhatsAPP have been reported. Important facts: 2. Instances of lynchings have been reported from States like Assam, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tripura, and West Bengal. 3. Instances have been reported by mobs provoked… Continue reading Take action to stop spread of fake news, govt. tells WhatsApp

Consult UPSC for selecting police chiefs, SC tells States News: The Supreme Court has issued directives to be followed by States while appointing the Director General of Police (DGP).   Important facts: 2. The apex court restrained state governments from appointing director general of police without first consulting UPSC. 3. The State concerned has to… Continue reading Consult UPSC for selecting police chiefs, SC tells States

Cosmic rays from star system may reach earth News: Eta Carinae, most luminous and massive stellar system within 10,000 light-years is accelerating particles to high energies. Important facts: 2. Some of these particles may reach the earth as cosmic rays. 3. According to Astronomers, cosmic rays with energies greater than one billion electron volts (eV)… Continue reading Cosmic rays from star system may reach earth

MSP for paddy hiked by Rs. 200 News: The Union cabinet has increased the Minimum Support Prices(MSP) for kharif crops. Important facts: 2. The decision was taken by the Cabinet Committee on economic affairs headed by PM Narendra Modi. 3. The MSP were announced for 14 commodities. 4. The government has increased MSP so that… Continue reading MSP for paddy hiked by Rs. 200

Freedom from being ‘India-locked’ Article: Sujeev Shakya, Secretary General of the Himalayan Consensus Institute, analyse that it is high time for India to redefine its engagement with Nepal rather than continue to be reactive. Important Analysis: 2. Nepal’s Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oil’s visited to China last month. 3. The visit had much significance because:… Continue reading Freedom from being ‘India-locked’

EC launches Braille-enabled Voter IDs News: Recently, the Election Commission launched voter identity cards with Braille label. Important facts: 2. It was done to ensure greater participation of persons with visual impairment in the electoral process 3. The Commission also unveiled a strategic framework on “Accessible Elections” with representatives of the Central government, political parties,… Continue reading EC launches Braille-enabled Voter IDs

Opening up to the world Article: Philip G. Altbach, research professor, through this article highlighting the major challenges in India’s higher education system. Important Analysis: 2. Earlier, Colleges and universities have been restricted from deep institutional collaborations. 3. Little emphasis was given on attracting international students. 4. Only 47,575 international students study in India compared… Continue reading Opening up to the world

HEFA to allot Rs. 1 lakh crore for education News: Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the proposal to expand the capital base of Higher Education Funding Agency (HEFA). Important fact: 2. The Cabinet permitted the HEFA to mobilize Rs 1 lakh crore to meet the infrastructure needs of the institutions. 3. The CCEA has also… Continue reading HEFA to allot Rs. 1 lakh crore for education

Union Cabinet clears DNA profiling Bill News:  The Union Cabinet’s  green signal to DNA profiling Bill. Important facts: 2. DNA profiling Bill and its key features: 3. Originally proposed in 2007, the drafting of the Bill began in 2012 by the Department of biotechnology of the Ministry of Science and Technology. 4. The Proposed Bill… Continue reading Union Cabinet clears DNA profiling Bill