9 PM Current Affairs Brief – February 8th, 2018

Khap menace Context: It is not the first time that the Supreme Court is impelled to remind khap panchayats and the society at large that they have no business interfering in the life choices of individuals regarding marriage and love. Supreme Court’s latest observations: The court’s latest observations are that khap panchayats should not act… Continue reading Khap menace

What’s wrong with one identity, asks SC Context: Aadhaar becomes the sole record by which a person can establish his identity. But questions have been raised on this theory of “one identity for one nation”. The argument: It has been argumented Government cannot reduce a citizen to just one identity, there is much more than… Continue reading What’s wrong with one identity, asks SC

Drama on the high seas, 30 years ago Context: In 1988, India intervened in the political crisis of Maldives to prevent an attempted against the then president Gayoom What was ‘Operation Cactus’? 30 years ago, in 1988, an intervention by the Indian armed forces  which was codenamed ‘Operation Cactus’ had crushed an attempted coup on… Continue reading Drama on the high seas, 30 years ago

Indian immigration conundrum  Context: The recent President Donald Trump harsh rhetoric on securing America’s borders, not only through the southern border wall with Mexico, but also stricter enforcement of controls over legal migration has created much disturbance among the Indian-Americans. The issue: Migration is the engine that powers the globally aspirational Indian of today. Historically,… Continue reading Indian immigration conundrum 

Sushma takes part in Saudi festival Context: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on 7th February participated in the national festival of Saudi Arabia and held bilateral discussions with the Saudi royals. About the Festival: Al Janadria is the national cultural festival of Saudi Arabia The festival began in 1985 under the patronage of the ruling… Continue reading Sushma takes part in Saudi festival

NGT seeks report on rainwater harvesting Context: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) recently directed the Delhi government to submit within three weeks a report on the number of flyovers here having rainwater harvesting systems. Why is in news? The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by Mehrauli resident Vinod Kumar Jain who sought directions to… Continue reading NGT seeks report on rainwater harvesting

Air pollution behind poor lung capacity among kids: study Context: A report released by the Hazards Centre revealed that air pollution is behind poor lung capacity among children in Delhi About the Study: Particulate matter pollution was monitored over 15 different locations in Delhi The study was conducted for more than three months in a… Continue reading Air pollution behind poor lung capacity among kids: study

Biologics, patents and drug prices  Context: The global sales of the world’s best-selling prescription drug, Humira, continue to grow even after the expiry of the patent over its main ingredient, Adalimumab, a biologic used for the treatment of arthritis. Background: By 2020, AbbVie Inc, makers of Humira, expects its sales to touch $21 billion —… Continue reading Biologics, patents and drug prices 

India successfully test-fires nuclear capable Prithvi-II Context: India successfully test-fires its indigenously developed nuclear capable Prithvi-II missile as part of a user trial by the Army from a test range in Odisha About Prithvi-II: It was the surface- to-surface missile, with a strike range of 350 km. It was carried out from a mobile launcher… Continue reading India successfully test-fires nuclear capable Prithvi-II

In inflation’s shadow Context: The RBI has stressed the need for vigilance on price stability amid inflationary risks What has happened?  RBI has held the policy repo rate at 6% citing risks of inflation. In December, The RBI had made a projection for inflation in the range of 4.3-4.7% in the six months through March… Continue reading In inflation’s shadow

The formal-informal divide Context: There is an investment slowdown in India, which is delaying a fully fledged recovery in the economy. The fall is so severe that it has more than offset the government’s macroeconomic stimulus of increased public investments. Reasons for the slowdown: The private investments slowdown is statistically visible chiefly in the informal… Continue reading The formal-informal divide

Ujjwala Yojana to benefit eight crore women now  Context: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the increase in the target for the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, meant to provide cooking-gas connections to rural women, to eight crore from the earlier five crore. The deadline for achieving the target is 2020. The Cabinet also approved an… Continue reading Ujjwala Yojana to benefit eight crore women now 

RBI holds rates on inflation risk Context: The Reserve Bank of India’s monetary policy committee on Wednesday decided to maintain status quo on the policy repo rate as it saw inflationary pressure building up in the economy. Key rates unchanged: The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) was headed by RBI Governor Urjit Patel The repo rate… Continue reading RBI holds rates on inflation risk