9 PM Current Affairs Brief – March 18, 2019

Migration in Bengal delta driven by livelihood issues, gender disparity A study titled “Deltas, Vulnerability and Climate Change: Migration and Adaptation (DECMA)” has stated that economic reasons are the major cause for migration in the Indian Bengal Delta. The Indian Bengal Delta comprises the Indian part of the trans-boundary Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna delta. It comprises of two… Continue reading Migration in Bengal delta driven by livelihood issues, gender disparity

Forest fire at Attappady peak dies down A major forest fire that had broken out at two locations of Malleswara peak of Attappady Reserve Forest, Palakkad district, Kerala has subsided. The State government has sought the help of the Air Force to put out the fire at Attappadi, Agali and Bhavani forest ranges. Malleswara peak… Continue reading Forest fire at Attappady peak dies down

Pollution: 6 States told to submit action plan The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed Assam, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Nagaland governments to submit their action plans to tackle air pollution. NGT has further warned that if action plans are not executed within the specified timeline, the defaulting states will be liable to pay… Continue reading Pollution: 6 States told to submit action plan

58 dead as flash floods hit Indonesia’s Papua A number of people have died in Indonesia’s eastern Papua province due to flash flood. The flash flood was triggered by torrential rain. In Indonesia, floods are common during the rainy season which extends from October to April. Flood is a rising and overflowing of a body… Continue reading 58 dead as flash floods hit Indonesia’s Papua

President of India presents Padma Awards Indian President Ram Nath Kovind has recently presented the Padma Awards 2019. The Padma Awards are one of the highest civilian honours of India. The awards are announced annually on the eve of Republic Day. The Awards are given in three categories viz. a) Padma Vibhushan, b) Padma Bhushan… Continue reading President of India presents Padma Awards

Sea trials of ocean surveillance ship evoke good response The sea trials of India’s missile tracking ocean surveillance ship for Indian navy has received great response. The missile tracking ship VC 11184 has been built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL).It has the capacity to carry 300-strong crew with hi-tech gadgets and communication equipment.It is powered… Continue reading Sea trials of ocean surveillance ship evoke good response

MCI amends controversial rule on disabled doctors Medical Council of India (MCI) has released guidelines which has allowed students with locomotor disability of above 80% are to be admitted into post graduate degrees like MD and MS.Earlier,MCI had allowed only candidates with less than 80% locomotor disability of the lower limbs to study medicine. A… Continue reading MCI amends controversial rule on disabled doctors

New hydro policy to help meet renewables target Recently,Union Cabinet had approved a new hydroelectric policy aimed at boosting the sector.According to the new policy,large hydro projects will also be designated as renewable energy projects. Earlier,only smaller projects of less than 25 MW in capacity were categorised as renewable energy projects and were eligible for… Continue reading New hydro policy to help meet renewables target

Pinaki Chandra Ghose set to be India’s first Lokpal The selection panel led by Prime minister is likely to name Retired Supreme Court judge Pinaki Chandra Ghose as India’s first Lokpal,the anti-corruption ombudsman. An ombudsman is an official, usually appointed by government, who investigates complaints (usually lodged by private citizens) against businesses, financial institutions or… Continue reading Pinaki Chandra Ghose set to be India’s first Lokpal

Second Scorpene submarine ready for induction Indian Navy is ready to induct INS Khanderi.It is the second of six planned Scorpene-class submarines.INS Khanderi is named after Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji’s island fort Khanderi. Scorpene class submarines is a class of diesel-electric submarine being built under Project-75 by Mazgaon Docks Limited (MDL) with technology transfer from… Continue reading Second Scorpene submarine ready for induction

Balakot air strikes: When key naval assets were put on alert During the India-Pakistan tensions following the Pulwama terror attack, the Indian Navy had deployed INS Vikramaditya and nuclear submarines in the north Arabian Sea as a strategic deterrent against Pakistan. The warships were deployed from the Theatre Level Operation Readiness Exercise(TROPEX 19) which was… Continue reading Balakot air strikes: When key naval assets were put on alert