9 PM Current Affairs Brief – March 13th, 2018

The cost of education Context Fee regulation of the Private schools by balancing their autonomy and their public welfare function Right to freedom: The issue of fee regulation finds itself at the intersection of constitutionally protected freedoms enjoyed by private schools and the need for making quality education affordable and accessible Private schools claim: The… Continue reading The cost of education

SC seeks data on child sex abusers Context As an eight-month-old rape survivor from Delhi battles for her life at the AIIMS, the Supreme Court on Monday ordered a nationwide inquiry into how many child sex abusers had actually been punished What happened? A three-judge Bench, led by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, ordered… Continue reading SC seeks data on child sex abusers

Artefacts of ‘pre-Iron Age’ excavated in Odisha Context Archaeological Survey of India, which has been excavating a mound at Jalalpur village of Odisha’s Cuttack district, has now come across stone and bone tools believed to be of early Iron Age. ASI discovery in Jalalpur includes stone tools, potteries The discovery includes faunal remains, carbonised grains… Continue reading Artefacts of ‘pre-Iron Age’ excavated in Odisha

SC admits plea on lawmaker-lawyers Context The Supreme Court on Monday admitted a PIL petition to ban MPs and MLAs from doubling up as lawyers What does the petition say? The writ petition said “They also utilise their position as MPs/MLAs to be visible in the public domain, including on television where they give interviews… Continue reading SC admits plea on lawmaker-lawyers

Ineffective and arbitrary Context The amendments to the Indian Penal Code passed by Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh introducing the death penalty as a possible punishment for the rape of a girl below the age of 12 years is a perfect example of lawmaking that is as thick on rhetoric as it is thin on empirical… Continue reading Ineffective and arbitrary

Noted positive remarks by India, says China Context China on Monday stepped up the ongoing messaging between Beijing and New Delhi, highlighting a steady improvement in their post-Doklam ties Centre had spoken of developing bilateral relations To a question during his routine briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said that China had noted “positive remarks… Continue reading Noted positive remarks by India, says China

S-400 deal may be finalised by March 31 Context India and Russia could be just weeks away from signing one of the biggest defence deals between the two sides in recent history, said two senior defence sources this week S-400 Triumf The contract negotiations for the purchase of the S-400 Triumf long range air defence… Continue reading S-400 deal may be finalised by March 31

U.K. fumes at French offer to Indian students Context French President Emmanuel Macron’s overtures to India during his four-day visit have hit a raw nerve in Britain, particularly as he sought to reach out to Indian students, encouraging them to study in France. Post-Brexit stand on issue unclear British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson took to… Continue reading U.K. fumes at French offer to Indian students 

Always a rule-maker Context The inaugural International Solar Alliance (ISA) summit underlines India’s place in the new world order. Global equitable sustainable development, which is the basis of the ISA, suggests a ‘third’ way to the inequality and environmental damage characterising the current U.S. and China-led models. US and China weakening multilateral rules There is… Continue reading Always a rule-maker

Indo-French harmony: on President Macron’s visit to India Context PM Modi and President Macron deepen ties to work around global uncertainties French President’s visit Joint Vision Statement:  The Joint Vision Statement on the Indian Ocean Region is clearly aimed at countering China’s growing presence in the region. Climate Change cooperation: The International Solar Alliance, recommitment… Continue reading Indo-French harmony: on President Macron’s visit to India 

India’s arms imports from U.S. up by 550%: report Context Report on global arms sales by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Observations US is now India’s 2nd largest arm supplier: The U.S. recorded a blazing growth in its arms exports to India, recording over 550% growth in 2013-17 compared with the previous five… Continue reading India’s arms imports from U.S. up by 550%: report

IIP quickens to 7.5%, inflation softens Context Industrial activity accelerated in January to 7.5% on the back of strong manufacturing growth and a rebound in the consumer durables sector, according to official data released on Monday Other observations Inflation Retail inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), eased to 4.4% in February, following… Continue reading IIP quickens to 7.5%, inflation softens

Banks need better governance: IMF Context The recent instance of fraud in the banking sector has brought to the fore the issue related to governance in banks, especially public sector entities that need to put in place tighter controls and improve their balance sheets, according to a top official of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)… Continue reading Banks need better governance: IMF

Not by fear alone Context The GST (goods and services tax) Council chaired by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has decided to stick to the prescriptions of the group of ministers on the rollout of the e-way bills system What is happening? Starting April 1, all inter-State movement of goods above the value of Rs. 50,000… Continue reading Not by fear alone