9 PM Current Affairs Brief – May 21st, 2018

A just and equal code Uniform civil code Article: The author Mohammed Ayoob, Professor Emeritus of International Relations, Michigan State University, is of the opinion that Muslim Indians should accept a uniform civil code that promotes gender justice and social equality. Analysis: Background: From the 18th century onwards, British judges decided cases involving Muslims based… Continue reading A just and equal code

Making sense of the Wuhan reset India china Article MK Narayan, former National Security Advisor has analysed the India- China relation in the context of resent informal summit in Wuhan. Important Analysis The wisdom of holding an informal summit when other avenues of diplomacy are available is debatable. Reason to choose Wuhan Wuhan is symbolic… Continue reading Making sense of the Wuhan reset

What’s roiling the rupee Rupee depreciation; value of rupee News: Rupee now figures among the worst-performing Asian currencies. It slides over 6% against the U.S. dollar since the beginning of 2018. Important facts: In 2013, rupee slides more than 20% in 3 months from May to August, due to bond buying programme of U.S Federal… Continue reading What’s roiling the rupee

India gears up for AI-driven wars Artificial intelligence; defence projects News: The government has initiated to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the operational preparedness of the armed forces. Note: Artificial intelligence (AI) is a term for simulated intelligence in machines. These machines are programmed to “think” like a human and mimic the way a… Continue reading India gears up for AI-driven wars

PMO seeks change in UPSC allocation UPSC; civil services reform News: The Prime Minister Office has asked to examine if service allocation/cadre allocation to probationers selected for civil service examination can be made after the foundation course. Important fact: PMO has asked to examine the feasibility of giving due weightage to the performance in the… Continue reading PMO seeks change in UPSC allocation

Foreign investors cold to residency scheme Foreign investment; permanent residency status scheme News: No foreigners applied under the Permanent Residency Status (PRS) scheme since its inception in 2016. Important facts: PRS in 2016 intended to boost its “Make in India” policy. Features of Permanent Residency Status (PRS) Permanent Residency Status (PRS) promises facilities for foreign… Continue reading Foreign investors cold to residency scheme

Census 2021 may have 2,231 new census towns: study Census; urbanization News: According to a recent study by Centre for Policy Research (CPR), 2231 villages are likely to be declared census towns for the Census 2021 Important Facts: Census towns are settlements with the following characteristics: A minimum population of 5000, b. Atleast 75% of… Continue reading Census 2021 may have 2,231 new census towns: study

A high-tech tiger census in Andhra Pradesh Environment; tiger census News: Recently, the 3rdphase of 4th All-India Tiger Estimation (AITE) began in Nallamala forest of Andhra Pradesh Important facts: Recently, there have been indications that tigers have also spread to the region south of the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) in the forest up to the Penna… Continue reading A high-tech tiger census in Andhra Pradesh

Two Nipah virus deaths confirmed in Kozhikode Health; News: The Health Department of Kozhikode district has confirmed Nipah virus (NiV) infection for the first time in the State. Important facts: The National Virology Institute, Pune has confirmed the Presence of the zoonotic virus in the blood sample of died person. Nipah virus (NiV) infection cause… Continue reading Two Nipah virus deaths confirmed in Kozhikode