9 PM Current Affairs Brief – January 22, 2018

Profit and loss Context: The disqualification of AAP MLAs for holding office of profit AAP’s stand: The party claims it was denied a hearing and alleges political motives behind the action. It has questioned the timing of the decision, just ahead of the Chief Election Commissioner’s retirement. Regardless of the charge of political malice, the… Continue reading Profit and loss

Capacity building for primary health care Context: The National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill,2017 attempts to ensure an adequate supply of quality medical practitioners by revamping the medical education system in India. How does the NMC attempts to ensure adequate supply of quality medical practitioners? NMC bill has a provision for a bridge course to enable… Continue reading Capacity building for primary health care

Disqualification of AAP MLAs approved Context: President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday accepted the recommendation of the Election Commission to disqualify the 20 MLAs of the Aam Aadmi Party(AAP), the ruling party in the national capital, for holding office of profit. What’s the issue? The controversy started in 2015, when the AAP came to power… Continue reading Disqualification of AAP MLAs approved

Time for clarity Context: The agreements and events that followed the Doklam standoff still remain mystery What is in the news? On 28th August, 2017, the Centre had issued a statement on a mutual decision for Indian and Chinese troops to disengage and withdraw from the part of the Doklam plateau disputed between China and… Continue reading Time for clarity

A great American arms bazaar Context: U.S. President’s attempt to rework arms transfer policy provides for an opportunity for India What is the existing policy on arms sale in U.S.? Arms transfers by U.S. happen primarily through Foreign Military Sales, Direct Commercial Sales, and Foreign Military Financing These are controlled by stringent laws like Arms… Continue reading A great American arms bazaar

New ‘tattoos’ lets your control objects remotely  Context: Scientists have developed ultra thin electronic skin tattoos that can help control virtual and physical objects with mere hand gestures Introduction: The extremely thin, almost invisible foil that sticks to the palm of the hand like a second skin, have sensors which provide people with a “sixth… Continue reading New ‘tattoos’ lets your control objects remotely 

‘Develop a U.S.-style online platform to sell bad loans’  Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has called for putting in place an online trading platform on the lines of the system in the U.S., to sell distressed assets to ensure more transparency and better price-discovery. Rationale behind this decision: Such a platform could help… Continue reading ‘Develop a U.S.-style online platform to sell bad loans’ 

Flawed fiscal policy favours the affluent Context The top 1% income earners received 6% of the total income in the early 1980s; it went up to 15% in 2000 and today stands at 22%. Data from India’s Income Tax department showed that 59,830 individuals reported gross total income more than ₹1 crore. Over 30,500 individuals… Continue reading Flawed fiscal policy favours the affluent

A misleading story of job creation Context: India does not create 55 lakh new jobs every year, as claimed by a new report Introduction: The report titled “Towards a Payroll Reporting in India” authored by the Group Chief Economic Adviser of the State Bank of India and a professor from the Indian Institute of Management… Continue reading A misleading story of job creation

O.P. Rawat to head poll panel Context: The Union Law Ministry on Sunday appointed senior most Election Commissioner Om Prakash Rawat as the next Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). Introduction: Former Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa was appointed as Election Commissioner to fill the vacancy created by Mr. Rawat’s elevation. Mr Rawat will oversee elections in Tripura,… Continue reading O.P. Rawat to head poll panel