Author: ForumIAS

PSUs biggest donors to Clean Ganga Fund News: Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) outdid their private sector peers in contributing to the Clean Ganga Fund (CGF) through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Important facts: 2. The State and Central government public sector units(PSU)s donated large funds for clean Ganga projects. 3. Around Rs 220 crore was donated… Continue reading PSUs biggest donors to Clean Ganga Fund

Lok Sabha passes anti-trafficking Bill News: Recently, the Lok Sabha passed the trafficking of persons (prevention, protection and rehabilitation) Bill, 2018. Important facts: 2.Key features of the Bill are given below The Bill lays down a stringent punishment of 10 years to life imprisonment for aggravated form of trafficking. Aggravated form of trafficking include: Buying… Continue reading Lok Sabha passes anti-trafficking Bill

West Bengal renames itself as ‘Bangla’ News: The West Bengal Assembly passed a resolution to change the name of the State. Important facts: 2. The proposal will change the name of the Sate as ‘Bangla’ in three languages- Bengali, English and Hindi. 3. In 2016, the Assembly passed a resolution to change the name to… Continue reading West Bengal renames itself as ‘Bangla’

India to give flash-flood warning to Asian nations News: The world metrological organistaion (WMO) designated India as a nodal centre for preparing flash-flood forecasts. Important facts: 2. It implies that India will have to develop a customized model that can issue advance warning of floods in Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand. 3. IMD would… Continue reading India to give flash-flood warning to Asian nations

Faculty numbers dip 2.34 lakh in 3 years News: According to the All India Survey on Higher Education Report 2017-18,  total number of faculty members in higher educational institutions in India has come down.   Important facts: 2. The All India Survey on Higher Education Report 2017-18 pointed out: Total number of teachers in higher… Continue reading Faculty numbers dip 2.34 lakh in 3 years

Has the Right to Information Act been weakened? News: Recently, the government has proposed to amend the RTI Act 2005. Important facts: 2. Nikhil Dey, founder member of the Mazdoor Kisan Shakit Sangathan has  put forward the following arguments in favour of amendment: The equivalence in salaries with the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) is not… Continue reading Has the Right to Information Act been weakened?

Modi meets Ramaphosa amid media row over visit News: Recently, PM Narendra Modi met South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on the sidelines of the BRICs summit in Johannesburg. Important facts: 2. Johannesburg sent official to resolve crisis with Indian side. 3. The crisis erupted after the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of  Johannesburg  started investigating charges… Continue reading Modi meets Ramaphosa amid media row over visit

Outbreak of peace News: Resolution of the Ethiopia-Eritrea dispute brings hope for stability and development Important facts: 2. Ethiopia recently decided to implement an earlier Peace Agreement with neighbouring Eritrea. 3. The agreement which intended to bring an end to a conflict triggered by Eritrea. It was signed in Algiers in December 2000. 4. Conflict… Continue reading Outbreak of peace

FASTags aim to quicken pace of journey through toll booths News: According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, FASTag users can experience ‘near’ non-stop movement at toll plazas on various national highways.   Important facts: 2. Earlier, the government has introduced the radio frequency identification device(RFID) based FASTag system for vehicles crossing toll… Continue reading FASTags aim to quicken pace of journey through toll booths

India plans to procure missile shield from U.S. News: India is in discussion with the U.S. to procure an advanced air defence system to defend the NCR from aerial attacks. Important facts: 2. The process of procuring the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System-II(NASAMS-II) has been initiated. 3. NASAMS-II The NASAMS was developed by Raytheon in… Continue reading India plans to procure missile shield from U.S.