ForumIAS announcing GS Foundation Program for UPSC CSE 2025-26 from 19 April. Click Here for more information.
ForumIAS Answer Writing Focus Group (AWFG) for Mains 2024 commencing from 24th June 2024. The Entrance Test for the program will be held on 28th April 2024 at 9 AM. To know more about the program visit: https://forumias.com/blog/awfg2024
GS: 1
Society and women related issues:
26-week maternity leave for women contract employees
In a significant verdict, the Kerala High Court has ruled that women contract employees working in government funded projects are entitled to 26 weeks of maternity leave as applicable to women employees under the service rules.
GS: 2
International relations:
A move to equivalence(The Hindu Opinion)
After the agreement with France, India must hold bilateral talks for degree recognition with other countries.
Situation not ripe for pilgrimage, Pakistan told(The Hindu)
Prevailing circumstances are not suitable for pilgrimage between India and Pakistan, official sources said on Monday after Islamabad accused Delhi of denying visas to pilgrims who wanted to attend the annual festivities at the world famous sufi shrine of Ajmer.
U.S. wants India on board to ease Rohingya crisis(The Hindu)
Amid growing worries about the coming monsoon that could flood a third of the main Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazaar in Bangladesh Washington has offered to partner with New Delhi on joint efforts to assist Bangladesh.
Treaty that backfired?(The Hindu Opinion)
The Shimla Agreement of 1972 was expected to be a milestone in India-Pakistan relations, for not only did it rend Pakistan asunder, but India also held 93,000 prisoners of war (POWs) who could constitute a major bargaining chip with Pakistan.
Indian Constitution and Polity:
Protesting MPs again stall debate on no-trust motion(The Hindu)
The Lok Sabha could not take up the two no-confidence motions against the NDA government yet again on Monday, and was adjourned by Speaker Sumitra Mahajan for the day minutes after noon.
First step in a long journey(The Hindu Opinion)
The National Medical Commission Bill seeks to make structural changes in an exploitative health-care system
Centre plans law on online hate speech(The Hindu)
Moving a step ahead towards framing a distinct law for online “hate speech,” the Home Ministry has written to the Law Commission to prepare a draft law. The provisions will deal with offensive messages sent through social media and online messaging applications.
Govt apathy towards construction workers puts Shakespearean tragedy to shame: SC(The Hindu)
For millions of construction workers, mostly women and children, there is no social or economic justice to be given, the Supreme Court lamented in a 57-page judgment delivered on Monday.
GS: 3
Economy:
Time to move beyond subsidies(The Hindu Opinion)
India’s export promotion schemes face an uncertain future after the United States Trade Representative (USTR) decided to challenge their legality in the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Taxman cometh for the military(The Hindu)
Reeling under an insufficient budgetary allocation for modernisation, the military has a new financial challenge: the Goods and Services Tax. A recent report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence says the tax will result in an additional burden of ₹5,000 crore on the Army alone.
SEBI for phased roll-out of governance norms(The Hindu)
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) plans to introduce new corporate governance norms as proposed by the Kotak Committee, in a phased manner for listed entities, with only the bigger companies required to comply in the initial phase as opposed to all the listed companies.
‘PSB recap: open offer not needed’(The Hindu)
Markets regulator SEBI on Monday exempted the central government from making an open offer for the shareholders of Punjab National Bank, Canara Bank and four other state-owned lenders following capital infusion.
‘U.S. supports WTO, wants some reforms in functioning(The Hindu)
Against the backdrop of U.S. President Donald Trump calling the World Trade Organisation a “disaster” for the U.S., WTO Director General Roberto Azevedo has said that the U.S. has been very clear on its support to organization, but wanted some upgrades and reforms in its functioning.
Internal security:
To be fighting fit(The Hindu Opinion)
The government must order a comprehensive strategic review of the future threats to India.
Environment:
Bending the rules — on nod for Neutrino project(The Hindu Opinion)
The Neutrino Observatory is important, but it must get all environmental clearances
Yesterday’s current affairs material by Forum IAS
7 PM Editorial: Iranian President’s visit to India: an opportunity to review bilateral ties
