Author: ForumIAS

Conferring eminence News: Raising the quality of higher education should be priority of the government Important facts: In its report on higher education for the Twelfth plan, the erstwhile Planning Commission identified expansion, inclusion, and excellence as three pillars for growth. The government had the theme of excellence in its 2016 annual budget, with a… Continue reading Conferring eminence

Survey launched to rank States on rural cleanliness News: The Centre has launched the SwacchSurvekshanGrameen, 2018, a nationwide survey of rural India. Important facts: The survey will rank the cleanest and dirtiest States and districts on the basis of qualitative and quantitative evaluations. Around 6, 980 villages across 698 districts will survey. The SwachhSurvekshanGrameen award… Continue reading Survey launched to rank States on rural cleanliness

DNA profiles won’t be kept permanently News: India’s proposed DNA data bank (used during crime investigations) will not permanently store details of people. Important facts: In criminal cases, till the case is solved the DNA profile will remain in the bank. However, DNA details will be removed after judicial orders. These things will be specified… Continue reading DNA profiles won’t be kept permanently

In tightrope walk, India schedules talks with Iran and U.S. News: India’s tough situation vis-à-vis its relations with Iran and the U.S. Important facts: Regarding Meeting Ahead of the first set of U.S. sanctions on Iran, the Indian government is planning to hold talks with Iranian and American officials. This would be the first face-to-face… Continue reading In tightrope walk, India schedules talks with Iran and U.S.

In knotty problems News: The jute industry faces a number of issues which hinder it from reaping benefit from plastic bans across different states in India Important facts: Major issues with jute cultivation and jute industry: Decrease in quality of raw jute Continuous decrease in land under jute cultivation- according to Union Textile Ministry, there… Continue reading In knotty problems

Domestic tech security firms get priority in govt. purchases News: Recently, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has notified that it will give priority to locally produced cyber-security products where intellectual property rights are owned by companies or start-ups incorporated or registered in India Important Facts: In India, IP Registration is not mandatory. However,… Continue reading Domestic tech security firms get priority in govt. purchases

Be cautious in shifting to DBT, RBI tells States News: Recently, The RBI has advised the states to be cautious that are planning to shift to cash transfers Important facts: At present, three UTs- Puducherry, Chandigarh and urban areas of Dadra and Nagar Haveli are implementing the mode of cash transfer However, Puducherry has approached… Continue reading Be cautious in shifting to DBT, RBI tells States

Flying into trouble: Harriers decline as grasslands disappear News: According to a recent study, there has been a decline in population of Harrier birds at their roosting sites in India Important facts: The harrier bird is a migratory raptor species. The Harrier birds in winter migrate from Central Asia to the grasslands in the Indian… Continue reading Flying into trouble: Harriers decline as grasslands disappear

Golden jackal faces threat in its habitat News: According to recent study, habitat destruction of golden jackals has led to man-animal conflict in Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh Important facts: The conservation status of golden jackals is ‘least concerned’. The animal preys on wild crabs and fish The study shows that due to destruction of mangrove… Continue reading Golden jackal faces threat in its habitat

A helping hand for Indian universities Article C. Raj kumar of OP Jindal University observes that corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding shoulding be made available for universities in India. Important Analysis The companies Act, 20113 introduced the Corporate Social Responsibility. According to ministry of corporate Affairs in data, in 2015-16 out 5097 companies only 3118… Continue reading A helping hand for Indian universities