Author: ForumIAS

Seeking a managed exit Article Rakesh Sood, former ambassador, discusses the current geopolitical scenario in Afghanistan. Important Analysis Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani was on a day-long visit to India on September 19. It was a low key visit with no announcements because of the growing sense of uncertainty that prevails in Afghanistan. India reiterated its… Continue reading Seeking a managed exit

India calls off New York meeting with Pakistan News India called off the proposed foreign minister-level talks with Pakistan in New York on the sidelines United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Meeting was proposed by pakistan at the call of constructive engagement from indian side Important facts What was the proposed agenda of the talks? Finalization… Continue reading India calls off New York meeting with Pakistan

US continues to warn India of sanctions over missile defence deal with Russia News Trump administration has warned India of  US sanctions if it continues with big ticket arm purchases like S-400 missile defence system from Russia. Important Facts Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act of  2017(CAATSA): It is a US federal law that is… Continue reading US continues to warn India of sanctions over missile defence deal with Russia

Make filing false affidavit a corrupt practice, EC tells Law Ministry News The Election Commission (EC) has asked the law ministry to consider the filing of false affidavit as a corrupt practice under the electoral law. Important facts Present norms of filing affidavit A candidate contesting an election is required to file an affidavit called… Continue reading Make filing false affidavit a corrupt practice, EC tells Law Ministry

PT FACTS Assam researchers develop low-cost filter to remove arsenic from drinking water Source of Arsenic Naturally in rocks and soil, water, air, plants, and animals, volcanic activity, the erosion of rocks and minerals, and forest fires Anthropogenic occurrence by Agrochemicals, wood preservatives, industrial sources, mineral processing, acid mine drainage, burning of fossil fuels etc… Continue reading PT FACTS

Saving Cauvery’s cradle Article: Professor Bopaiah Biddanda discusses the ecological implications of the proposed development of multiple railway tracks in the critical Cauvery river basin in Kodagu district, Karnataka Important analysis: Cauvery River: The Cauvery River originates in Karnataka’s Kodagu district, flows into Tamil Nadu, and reaches the Bay of Bengal at Poompuhar. The total… Continue reading Saving Cauvery’s cradle

India looks to buy Israeli missiles News A deal to procure the Spike anti-tank guided missiles from Israel has been brought before the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) for approval. Important Facts Spike anti-tank guided missile: It is a third generation fire and forget anti-tank guided missile. It is developed and designed by an Israeli Company.… Continue reading India looks to buy Israeli missiles

Decoding Total Expense Ratio (TER) of mutual funds News SEBI has recently asked mutual funds to reduce their TER or Total Expense Ratio. What is Mutual Fund? A mutual fund is a professionally managed investment fund that pools money from many investors to purchase securities. What is Total Expense Ratio (TER)? The asset management companies… Continue reading Decoding Total Expense Ratio (TER) of mutual funds

Citizen science initiative helps save hornbills News A citizen science initiative named The Hornbill Watch has been documenting and providing valuable inputs for the conservation of Hornbills in India Important facts: Hornbills in India: India has nine hornbill species-Indian Grey Hornbill (endemic to India), the Malabar Grey Hornbill (endemic to the Western Ghats), Malabar Pied… Continue reading Citizen science initiative helps save hornbills

What caused the floods in Kerala? News: A study published in Hydrology and Earth System Sciences Discussion has identified a combination factors which led to the 2018 Kerala Flood Disaster Important Facts: Factors contributing to Kerala Flood Disaster  Above normal summer (May-August) rainfall: In 2018, summer rainfall in Kerala has been 2,290 mm (53% above… Continue reading What caused the floods in Kerala?