Author: ForumIAS

Much must change in Kerala Article Pulapre Balakrishnan Professor of Economics of Ashoka University, talks about the manmade causes of Kerala floods, and suggest measures to bring resilience. Important Analysis Man Made Causes of floods Kerala witnessed widespread deforestation, rampant construction and indiscriminate quarrying which has triggered landslides and also obstructed water channels. Large scale… Continue reading Much must change in Kerala

Law to protect HIV/AIDS patients take effect News Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017 has been notified by government, to be brought in force. Important facts In India, 0.26% of the people, between the age group of 15 and 49 years, are HIV positive. 21 lakh people in… Continue reading Law to protect HIV/AIDS patients take effect

Number of people suffering from hunger increasing, UN report News: UN  has released report, “The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World” to highlight undernutrition and hunger in the world. Important Facts: 2. The report has been jointly prepared by UN International Fund for Agricultural Development, World Food Programme, World Health Organisation and… Continue reading Number of people suffering from hunger increasing, UN report

How localization of data will affect firms, consumers News: RBI directed payment firms to submit fortnightly updates on the progress made on storing data in India. Payment Firms: Enterprises which handle transactions from digital payment systems to promote cashless mode of money transfer, e.g. by credit and debit cards. Important Facts: 2. Recently released  draft… Continue reading How localization of data will affect firms, consumers

Avoidable suspense News SEBI board will meet to give final shape to FPI regulations. Important Facts 2. Total portfolio investment in Indian Market is estimated at $450 billion. 3. Asset Managers Roundtable of India  (AMRI) warned that SEBI circular disqualifies $75 billion of portfolio investment. Background 4. On April 10th, SEBI in a circular issued… Continue reading Avoidable suspense

India’s first missile tracking ship is readying for sea trials News India’s first nuclear missile tracking ship is ready for sea trials. Important Facts 2. India’s secretive nuclear missile tracking ship, which will become part of missile shield. 3. It is undergoing harbour trials, which has been completed in less than five years and is… Continue reading India’s first missile tracking ship is readying for sea trials

Small loans could turn bad: Rajan News Raghuram Rajan reports on NPA (non-performing asset) to parliament estimate committee Definition: A non-performing asset (NPA) is a loan or advance for which the principal or interest payment remained overdue for a period of 90 days.  Issue Concern regarding NPA of public sector bank that has increased from… Continue reading Small loans could turn bad: Rajan

Nepal reset News: 1.Nepal decided to stay away from multilateral Military Exercise (MILEX – 2018) proposed during BIMSTEC Summit. Important Facts: 2.Multilateral exercise was proposed by Indian PM during BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) summit in Kathmandu last month. 3.Nepal’s denial to participate in MILEX signals its reluctance ,… Continue reading Nepal reset

Combining cooperation with competition News 1.A two day informal summit between Indian Prime Minister and Chinese President took place in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in April 2018, has to be seen in the wider development in the backdrop of Indo-Pacific region Important facts 2.India and China are able to manage their differences as… Continue reading Combining cooperation with competition

Cabinet decision:Sops for more ethanol output from sugarcane News Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has taken a decision to provide incentives for the production of ethanol from sugar cane. Important Facts In India, ethanol is mainly produced from sugarcane molasses by fermentation process Since ethanol is produced from plants that harness the power of… Continue reading Cabinet decision:Sops for more ethanol output from sugarcane