9 PM Current Affairs Brief – March 29, 2019

UGC bans distance learning degree programmes in agriculture The University Grants Commission (UGC) has prohibited imparting distance degree programmes in agriculture.The decision was taken by the UGC on the ground that a degree programme in agriculture is technical in nature as it requires practicals or laboratory courses. As per UGC Open and Distance Learning Regulations,2017… Continue reading UGC bans distance learning degree programmes in agriculture

Government defends move on Finance Act The Centre has told the Supreme Court that Finance Bill,2017 was certified as a Money Bill by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and judicial review of that decision cannot be done.The government argued that Article 122 of the Constitution states that the conduct of business and Proceedings of… Continue reading Government defends move on Finance Act

U.S. circulates draft resolution on Azhar in Security Council The US has circulated a draft resolution in the UN Security Council proposing to blacklist Jaish chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist.The move comes after UNSC 1267 Sanctions Committee had failed to designate Azhar as a terrorist after China placed a hold on a listing… Continue reading U.S. circulates draft resolution on Azhar in Security Council

SC to hear pleas on 10% economic quota on April 8 The Supreme Court has agreed to hear pleas which challenged the Constitution(103rd Amendment) Act on April 8. The Constitution (103rd Amendment) Act provides for 10% reservation in government jobs and educational institutions for the economically weaker section in the unreserved category. The Act amends… Continue reading SC to hear pleas on 10% economic quota on April 8

Boeing unveils changes to anti-stall system Boeing has announced a series of changes to the anti stall systems installed on its 737 Max aircraft which were linked to two fatal crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia.It also led to the grounding of these types of planes by airlines across the world. The anti-stall system – known… Continue reading Boeing unveils changes to anti-stall system

Data ownership, a bone of contention The E-commerce industry has expressed concerns over the draft E-commerce policy proposal that companies should share aggregate data with the government. Recently,Department of Industry and Internal Trade has released the draft National E-commerce Policy.The prime objective of the policy is to prepare and enable stakeholders to fully benefit from… Continue reading Data ownership, a bone of contention

Kolkata-Dhaka ship to set sail from today A regular river cruise will begin from 29thMarch between Kolkata and Dhaka. This is the first time in in the history India and Bangladesh. The cruise will take the Kolkata-Sunderbans route and, via protocol route and reach Bangladesh. Protocol routes are defined maritime navigational routes agreed upon by… Continue reading Kolkata-Dhaka ship to set sail from today

U.S. tracking space debris from India’s ASAT test In the backdrop of the success of Mission Shakti, an ASAT missile testing, the USA has said that India and USA would continue to pursue shared interests in space and scientific and technical cooperation. In 2016, USA had designated India uniquely as Major Defense Partner’. The USA… Continue reading U.S. tracking space debris from India’s ASAT test

Arun Jaitley says Article 35A is curbing J&K’s progress Union Finance Minister has said that Article 35A is constitutionally vulnerable and is an impediment to the economic development of Jammu and Kashmir. Article 35-A was incorporated in the Constitution in 1954 through Presidential order.It gives the Jammu and Kashmir Legislature a complete freedom to decide,who… Continue reading Arun Jaitley says Article 35A is curbing J&K’s progress

Humans can detect the earth’s magnetic fields A new study, published in the journal eNeuro, has claimed thathuman brain is unconsciously capable of detecting the Earth’s magnetic field. The study is in contrast to other studies which had showed that humans are not magnetically sensitive organisms. The sense which allows an organism to detect and respond to… Continue reading Humans can detect the earth’s magnetic fields

Movie won’t affect Ayodhya mediation: SC The Supreme Court has observed that a movie cannot affect the outcome of the mediation process in Ayodhya case. The observation comes in the backdrop of a petition that has urged the SC to stop the release of a film ‘Ram Ki Janmabhoomi’ as it may impact the mediation… Continue reading Movie won’t affect Ayodhya mediation: SC

Israel unveils world’s longest salt cave A research team from Israel has claimed that Malham Cave in the Negev Desert, Israel is the longest salt cave in the world. The cave is 10 kilometres long. The Malham Cave extends through Mount Sodom, Israel’s largest mountain to the southwest corner of the adjacent Dead Sea. The… Continue reading Israel unveils world’s longest salt cave

PM didn’t seek nod for TV address: EC The Election Commission has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had neither informed, nor sought any permission from, the EC for broadcast of his recent address to nation on the anti-Satellite missile test Mission Shakti. Opposition parties had alleged that the PM’s address was a violation of… Continue reading PM didn’t seek nod for TV address: EC

New loan pricing scheme may be put off The Reserve Bank of India(RBI) may extend the deadline for banks to shift to the new loan pricing regime which was scheduled to be implemented from April 1.This new external benchmark rate will be applicable for floating rate loans extended to individuals and small businesses. Earlier, Reserve… Continue reading New loan pricing scheme may be put off