9 PM Current Affairs Brief – March 1st, 2018

Halving the syllabus, squaring knowledge Context: Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar claimed that the school syllabus needed trimming; he’d also bring back the system of “detention and examinations” in lower classes that the previous United Progressive Alliance government had done away with. Background: Delhi’s Education Minister, Manish Sisodia said in 2015 that schools’ syllabus… Continue reading Halving the syllabus, squaring knowledge

Against human rights Context: Rule of law is the fundamental principle of governance of any civilised liberal democracy but  the Uttar Pradesh government looks somewhat determined to disregard the first principles of the criminal justice system. More in news: Police encounters have become routine in U.P. In December, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had introduced in… Continue reading Against human rights

An ode to a dying language Context:  India is one of the great repositories of languages. Death of a culture The death of a language in particular has a particular poignancy. Newspapers often report the death of a last tribal speaker, scarcely mentioning the death of a culture that preceded it. There is a hypocrisy… Continue reading An ode to a dying language

E-way bills redux: next step for GST Council Context: The group of ministers assessing technology issues related to the Goods and Services Tax regime has proposed rolling out on April 1 the e-way bill system. What is the purpose of the e-way bill system? To track inter-State movement of goods above the value of ₹50,000… Continue reading E-way bills redux: next step for GST Council

United by a common purpose Context: The Constitution Bench in the land acquisition case must show us that the court still respects rules of precedent Provision in Land Act: A provision in the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (LARR Act) is being replaced the Land Acquisition… Continue reading United by a common purpose

Pharma promotions tax exempt: tribunal Context: A recent decision of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal’s Pune bench allowing pharmaceutical companies to account for their spending on doctors as a deductible expenditure has sparked off a fresh debate on ethics. More in news: Since the companies are out of the purview of the Medical Council of… Continue reading Pharma promotions tax exempt: tribunal

Anti-Muslim violence in Ampara sparks concern Context: Sri Lanka’s Leader of Opposition R. Sampanthan, condemned the recent anti-Muslim attacks in the Ampara district of Eastern Province and sought “stern action” against the culprits. Why is it in news? His comments come in the wake of an attack on a mosque and several Muslim-run shops late… Continue reading Anti-Muslim violence in Ampara sparks concern

Pakistan ‘not’ on black list, confirms it will be on FATF grey list in June Context: Pakistan confirmed that it will be on the grey list of Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF) in June but disputed claims of being put on a black list. More in news: The lead Ministry for dealing… Continue reading Pakistan ‘not’ on black list, confirms it will be on FATF grey list in June

Ghani ready for talks with Taliban Context: Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has unveiled a plan to open peace talks with the Taliban What has happened? Afghan president has disclosed the framework at the Kabul Process, a regional conference focussed on bringing peace to the country He has called for a truce, after which the Taliban… Continue reading Ghani ready for talks with Taliban

India denies Canada view on Atwal Context: India has denied Canada’s view on Atwal What has happened? The External Affairs Ministry has dismissed a “conspiracy theory” that the Canada-based Khalistan activist Jaspal Atwal’s visit to India was facilitated by “rogue Indian officials”. Background: The Ministry’s statement has come after Mr. Trudeau had expressed in public… Continue reading India denies Canada view on Atwal

Fifty years of TERLS Context: India’s commitment to the peaceful use of outer space has been a constant In news To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the dedication of Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) to the UN, which fell on February 2, 2018, ISRO has honoured former employees of TERLS who had contributed to… Continue reading Fifty years of TERLS

Rs. 9,435-crore arms purchases to get rolling Context: The Defence Acquisition council (DAC) has given approval for various procurement proposals at an estimated cost of about Rs. 9,435 crore Details: It includes purchases of 41,000 light machine guns (LMG) and over 3.5 lakh close quarter battle (CQB) carbines for the three services. The small arms… Continue reading Rs. 9,435-crore arms purchases to get rolling

Core sector growth accelerates to 6.7% in January Context:  Growth in the country’s core sector accelerated to 6.7% in January, 2018 from 3.4% a year ago. Introduction: The growth in eight core sectors, which comprise 40.27% of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), was 4.2% in December and 7.4%… Continue reading Core sector growth accelerates to 6.7% in January

Fiscal deficit overshoots full-year revised estimate in Jan Context:  India’s fiscal deficit touched Rs 6.77 lakh crore at the end of January, 113.7 per cent of the target for the entire fiscal, on account of higher expenditure. Fiscal deficit: The fiscal deficit, reflection of government borrowings to meet revenue-expenditure gap, was 113.7 per cent in… Continue reading Fiscal deficit overshoots full-year revised estimate in Jan

Manufacturing sector growth falls to 4-month low in Feb.: PMI Context: India’s manufacturing sector activity fell to a four-month low in February, as factory output and new business orders rose at a slower pace, according to a monthly survey. Nikkei India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI): The Nikkei India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) fell… Continue reading Manufacturing sector growth falls to 4-month low in Feb.: PMI

Rupee weakens as dollar demand rises after fraud Context:  A marked increase in demand for dollars has been pushing the rupee lower in recent sessions as banks exercise increased caution over issuing buyer’s credit, letter of credit (LC) and similar instruments for trade finance in the wake of the fraud uncovered at Punjab National Bank… Continue reading Rupee weakens as dollar demand rises after fraud

GDP surges in third quarter Context: According to official data, the GDP growth has accelerated in the third quarter from the preceding ones in 2017-18 Details: GDP growth in the third quarter of financial year 2017-18 was 7.2% Growth in GDP was at 6.5% in the second quarter of the current financial year. Growth in… Continue reading GDP surges in third quarter