9 PM Current Affairs Brief – 17th November, 2017

In the database: on registration of marriages Context: In a move meant to push citizens to register their marriages and to curb cases of  NRI husbands abandoning Indian wives, the government will now build a centralized database for marriage registration. Introduction: Recently, the Supreme Court held that that sexual intercourse by a man with his… Continue reading In the database: on registration of marriages

Venkaiah for single media watchdog Context Self-regulation is not working and there is growing need for a single watchdog for the television and print media, Vice-President, Press Council of India, Venkaiah Naidu said on the occasion of National Press Day. The necessity of a watchdog There is need for a single watchdog body for both… Continue reading Venkaiah for single media watchdog

Anti-superstition Bill passed, with minor changes Context: The State Legislative Assembly recently passed the Karnataka Prevention and Eradication of Inhuman Evil Practices and Black Magic Bill, 2017, popularly known as the ‘anti-superstition’ Bill, with minor changes. Changes introduced in the Bill: Stamping of mudra on the body, a practice in the upper caste community (Madhwa… Continue reading Anti-superstition Bill passed, with minor changes

Overreach Context: It is an act of constitutional impropriety for the Governor of a State to review the work of government officials when an elected regime is in place. Why is it in news? Recently in news, by holding meetings in Coimbatore to review programmes, the Tamil Nadu Governor has left himself open to charges.… Continue reading Overreach

Is the Supreme Court facing an institutional crisis? Context: Presently, the Supreme Court is facing an institutional crisis on account of the most ferocious attack ever on the judiciary by the executive. Present crisis in Indian Judiciary: Corruption in the judiciary. The executive wants a judiciary that is beholden to it. Politicians and governments influence… Continue reading Is the Supreme Court facing an institutional crisis?

The ASEAN outreach Context: The Philippines has been the centre of attraction for the last few days with Manila hosting the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-India and East Asia summit. Introduction: Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined these meetings, underscoring India’s commitment to deepening ties with the ASEAN member states and the wider Indo-Pacific region… Continue reading The ASEAN outreach

An unsafe world Context Global instability from proliferation and weaponization may soon become a reality How is the nuclear armament threatening to humanity? The International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) task to balance the benefits of nuclear technology for human development against the irreversible risks to the planet’s survival has been increasing The world’s nuclear weapon… Continue reading An unsafe world

Coup de Grace Context Zimbabwe’s prolonged political crisis reached the boiling point earlier this month when President Robert Mugabe dismissed the Vice-President, Emmerson Mnangagwa. What happened? Armoured personnel carriers and troops were deployed onto roads leading towards Harare on Tuesday, a day after army chief General Constantino Chiwenga warned the military may intervene after Mugabe… Continue reading Coup de Grace

120 Indian signatories to scientists’ ecology warning Context: More than 120 Indian scientists are among the 15,364 scientists from 184 countries to endorse the second warning that the world’s scientists have issued to humanity. They say that if the current unsustainable ways of living is not mended, it could augur “widespread misery” and “catastrophic biodiversity… Continue reading 120 Indian signatories to scientists’ ecology warning

Centre doubles down on GST’s  gains for consumers Context: The Union Cabinet approved establishing the National Anti Profiteering Authority (NAA) under the Goods and Service Tax (GST) to ensure fair pricing. Introduction: The Centre notified the latest set of cuts in the rate of tax to be levied on a wide range of goods as… Continue reading Centre doubles down on GST’s  gains for consumers

Curb on exports of pulses lifted Context The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has abolished all restrictions on export of pulses to allow farmers to seek remunerative prices for their output. Why this step? India produced 23 million tonnes of pulses in 2016-17 and the government has set a target to produce 22.90 million tonnes… Continue reading Curb on exports of pulses lifted

How a split-second advantage can bring huge unfair gains at the NSE Context I-T has searched the premises of top former exchange officials as part of a multipronged investigation into how brokers got preferential access to the trading system. What is the controversy pertaining to the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and algorithmic trading? The NSE… Continue reading How a split-second advantage can bring huge unfair gains at the NSE

Indian Bank to seek bids for sale of NPAs worth Rs 1,100cr  Context The Chennai-based Indian Bank has decided to invite bids for sale of NPAs (non-performing assets) worth close to 1,100 crore. The sale NPA’s covering over 8,250 accounts will be sold and the sale is without any recourse to the bank. The bank… Continue reading Indian Bank to seek bids for sale of NPAs worth Rs 1,100cr