9 PM Current Affairs Brief – January 31, 2019

Mercury plunges after artic chills sweep America News An Arctic front plunged into the Washington region of USA, bringing very cold temperatures Important facts Cause: A swirl of arctic air broke away from the polar vortex that usually encircles the North Pole and moved south towards America Polar Vortex: The polar vortex is a large… Continue reading Mercury plunges after artic chills sweep America

Stormy weather awaits India in 2019 International relation News: Global events signal a Stormy weather year in 2019 with unexpected outcomes for India. Facts: International events: There is global leadership vacuum around the world and the rules governing international order are being diluted. The trade war and hegemony between US on one side and China… Continue reading Stormy weather awaits India in 2019

Land acquisition: Centre seeks Constitution Bench Polity News: Supreme Court Chief Justice agreed to set up a Constitution Bench for expeditious disposal of issues relating to amendments in the Land Acquisition Act. Facts: The 2013 Act mandates that 70% of the affected land owners should consent to the acquisition of land for a public private… Continue reading Land acquisition: Centre seeks Constitution Bench

Government hikes stipends for research scholars; unacceptable, say students News The Union government has hiked the Junior Research Fellowship — to ₹31,000 a person, nearly 20% increase from the existing ₹25,000. Important facts The Senior Research Fellowships (SRF), which are given to research students two years into their doctoral studies, had been hiked to ₹35,000… Continue reading Government hikes stipends for research scholars; unacceptable, say students

States may have to fund for MGNREGA wages Welfare schemes News According to the Centre, the states may have to fund MGNREGA wages. Important facts Financial issues The financial statement of MGNREGA scheme shows that as on January 30, 19 States and Union Territories had liabilities. Nationally, the scheme has a negative net balance of… Continue reading States may have to fund for MGNREGA wages

Supreme Court introduces new case listing norms to cut down oral mentioning before CJI polity News The Supreme Court has published new rules on how fresh cases will be listed. Important facts Rationale behind the new rules: To cut down on the daily ritual of advocates orally mentioning new and important cases before the Chief… Continue reading Supreme Court introduces new case listing norms to cut down oral mentioning before CJI

ISRO sets up Centre for Gaganyaan space mission SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY News: Gearing up for its maiden manned space mission ‘Gaganyaan’, ISRO unveiled its Human Space Flight Centre. Facts: Gearing up for its maiden manned space mission ‘Gaganyaan’, ISRO unveiled its Human Space Flight Centre in Bengaluru at ISRO Headquarter campus. The human spaceflight programme… Continue reading ISRO sets up Centre for Gaganyaan space mission

Delay in release of official statistics has dire consequences for addressing job crisis economy News: The article discusses the effect of delay in release of official statistics by the government. Facts: India had built a robust statistical system despite having a large informal economy and many forms of economic activity not captured by conventional measures.… Continue reading Delay in release of official statistics has dire consequences for addressing job crisis