9 PM Current Affairs Brief – 7th December, 2017

Universal health coverage is the best prescription  Context UHC provides the framework in which the issues of access, quality and cost can be integrated Major issues Three major issues are involved when we assess health care: Access Quality Cost Each of these needs to be addressed with clarity, and not in isolation UHC Solutions have… Continue reading Universal health coverage is the best prescription 

Recognise the technology constraints  Context White paper of Justice BN Krishna committee Missing from the white paper Author states that an understanding of the many technologies that come together currently to protect data in India is missing from the white paper More than 80% of Indian smartphone users today rely on Google’s Android operating system.… Continue reading Recognise the technology constraints 

Caste in stone  Context Centre’s initiative on inter-caste marriages is welcome, revives a question: Why are they so few in number? Author’s contention Author states that, the Centre’s decision on the eve of Babasaheb Ambedkar Mahaparinirvan Divas to lift the income ceiling on its scheme that provides Rs 2.5 lakh to every inter-caste couple —… Continue reading Caste in stone 

Courts can turn down child repatriation, says Supreme Court  Context For welfare of the child, Indian courts can deny repatriation of children involved in cross-border parental abduction, says the Supreme Court What has happened? A Supreme Court judgment delivered accords courts in India unlimited discretion to determine which parent should have the custody of minor children involved… Continue reading Courts can turn down child repatriation, says Supreme Court 

Simply Put: What US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital means  Context Jerusalem is in ways emblematic of the Israel-Palestine conflict itself. At its heart lies the tussle over who gets to control the ancient city that is sacred to Jews, Muslims and Christians What is the big deal about Jerusalem? Jerusalem is in ways emblematic… Continue reading Simply Put: What US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital means 

Back India’s entry into NSG, China told  Context Panel to decide the country’s membership to the Wassenaar Arrangement today News Russia is speaking to China at “all levels” for India’s membership at the Nuclear Suppliers Group, and hopes that India will win membership to the Wassenaar Arrangement, another multilateral technology regime India has applied to, Russia’s deputy… Continue reading Back India’s entry into NSG, China told 

Island hopping  Context The announcement of a free trade agreement between the Maldives and China is another sign of Beijing’s success in its outreach in South Asia Author’s contention The announcement of a free trade agreement between the Maldives and China is another sign of Beijing’s success in its outreach in South Asia Ramping up its business… Continue reading Island hopping 

Let us be realistic about the UNSC  Context If a permanent Security Council seat is unavailable, India must not spurn other proposals on the table Author’s contention Author states that the recent victory at International Court of Justice (ICJ) should not be interpreted in a way as to raise hopes of a permanent seat in… Continue reading Let us be realistic about the UNSC 

Jerusalem is Israel’s capital:U.S.  Context Latest development on Palestine issue What has happened? U.S. President Donald Trump reversed decades of policy and recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, despite warnings from around the world that the gesture will further drive a wedge between Israel and the Palestinians. Plans to move embassy US administration would also… Continue reading Jerusalem is Israel’s capital:U.S. 

Solar Alliance comes into existence  Context India’s global initiative, the International Solar Alliance (ISA) What has happened? India’s global initiative, the International Solar Alliance (ISA) that aims at increasing solar energy deployment in member countries, came into legal, independent existence ISA Indian initiative: The ISA is an Indian initiative, jointly launched by Indian PM and the President of… Continue reading Solar Alliance comes into existence 

PSU banks : reform with recap   Context The proposed recapitalisation of public sector banks What has happened? The proposed recapitalisation of public sector banks will include a package of reforms, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Urjit Patel said, adding that the finance ministry would release the details in the coming days Backdrop The Centre… Continue reading PSU banks : reform with recap  

‘India must tap changing trends in manufacturing’  Context India needs to consider bringing out appropriate policies soon to help its companies use their success in Information Technology and Information Technology-enabled Services to take advantage of the growing trend of “servicification” of manufacturing 2017 report titled ‘Trouble in the Making? The Future of Manufacturing-Led Development’. Competition… Continue reading ‘India must tap changing trends in manufacturing’ 

Unable to see the bamboo for the trees  Context Deregulating bamboo production does not address the issue of building a transparently governed forest sector Author’s contention Author states that governments everywhere tend to look for quick-fixes, overlooking complexities and ignoring the big picture. The move by the Centre to “de-regulate” bamboo production by amending the… Continue reading Unable to see the bamboo for the trees 

Unwavering caution — on RBI holding repo rate  Context The RBI’s decision to hold rates reflects its expectations of faster inflation  Price stability: Main criteria For the Reserve Bank of India there is just one economic indicator that dominates its policymaking calculus: price stability What has happened? The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has opted yet… Continue reading Unwavering caution — on RBI holding repo rate 

At the same rate  Context RBI signal: Policy support to growth can be discounted for now. Government must ease path for private investment What has happened? Reserve Bank of India has decided keep key policy rates unchanged Decision of Monetary Policy Committee The Monetary Policy Committee chose to maintain a “neutral” policy stance, projecting a relatively… Continue reading At the same rate