9 PM Current Affairs Brief – July 3rd, 2018

Reforming higher education Article: Amitabha Bhattacharya, Professor, Michigan State University, discuss the major reforms needed in higher education and designing the successor regime to the UGC. Important Analysis: 2. The draft Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) Bill put in public domain now. 3. The HECI will replace University Grant Commission (UGC). 4. The new… Continue reading Reforming higher education

Intellectual Property rules amended News: The Union Ministry of Finance has amended Intellectual Property rules. Important facts: 2. The rules were amended to revoke the power vested with Customs authorities to seize imported products based on complaints of patent infringement. 3. Recently, the Ministry made two amendments to the Intellectual Property Rights (Imported Goods) Enforcement… Continue reading Intellectual Property rules amended

SC seeks steps for appointing Lokpal News: The Supreme Court asked the government to take immediate steps for the appointment of Lokpal. Important facts: 2. The centre asked the government to file an affidavit, detailing the steps it would take for the appointment of Lokpal, the anti-graft ombudsman. 3. The next hearing for the case… Continue reading SC seeks steps for appointing Lokpal

NRC breather: court pushes deadline by a month News: The Supreme Court extended deadline for publication of final draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) for Assam by a month. Important facts: 2.The deadline extended from 30 June to 30 July on account of floods in three districts in State. 3.The deadline extension was… Continue reading NRC breather: court pushes deadline by a month

SC rejects plea to shut Kudankulam power plant News: The Supreme Court extended time period for creating away-from reactor (AFR) facility. Important facts: 2. The apex court allows the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd(NPCIL) an extension of time till April 30, 2022, to build AFR facility to store spent nuclear fuel from the Kudankulam power… Continue reading SC rejects plea to shut Kudankulam power plant

Cauvery authority directs Karnataka to release water News: The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) directed Karnataka to release water to Tamil Nadu and other states. Important facts: 2.The decision was taken in CWMA’s first meeting held in New Delhi, with representatives from Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry. 3.The meeting was held because Karnataka decided… Continue reading Cauvery authority directs Karnataka to release water

One year after News: Recently, the Goods and Services Tax(GST) has completed its first anniversary. Important facts: 2. GST was launched on 1st July, 2017. 3. There are many implementation issues related to GST such as: The IT functioning of the Goods and Service Tax Network (GSTN)has not been satisfactory. The structure of the tax rate… Continue reading One year after

China aims to outstrip NASA with super-powerful rocket News: China is working on a super-powerful rocket that would be capable of delivering heavier payloads into low orbit than NASA. Important facts: 2. By 2030, the Long March-9 rocket under development will be able to carry 140 tonnes into low-Earth orbit 3. This compares to the… Continue reading China aims to outstrip NASA with super-powerful rocket