9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – October 9, 2017

Mapping the not-so-normal monsoon:  Context The retreating south-west monsoon for 2017 has turned out to be normal for the second consecutive year. But there are various grey factors attached to the normal monsoon this year. What is considered normal rainfall? Indian Meteorological Department deems a season ‘normal’ if the all-India quantum of rain falls within… Continue reading Mapping the not-so-normal monsoon: 

Navigating a changing world:  Context: The 14th edition of India-EU Summit held recently in New Delhi on October 6. Introduction: The EU was represented by President of the European Council, and President of the European Commission. While the India was represented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The summit marked the 55th anniversary since the establishment… Continue reading Navigating a changing world: 

China swears by 1890 treaty with Britain:  Context Recently defence minister Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman’s had made first high-level visit to Nathu la post after the 73-day standoff at Dokalam which ended on August 28 following a mutual agreement. Nathu La Nathu La is a mountain pass in the Himalayas. It connects the Indian state of… Continue reading China swears by 1890 treaty with Britain: 

Why flagship BPL health insurance scheme is in rather poor health:  Context: Even after eight years it was launched, Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana remains futile and unproductive. What is Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana? The RSBY, the health insurance scheme for BPL (Below Poverty Line) families was launched for the workers in the unorganized sector in… Continue reading Why flagship BPL health insurance scheme is in rather poor health: 

16 balsam species found in 5 years in Arunachal: Context 16 new species of plants under the genus Impatiens, commonly referred to as balsam, have been discovered from Arunachal Pradesh since 2013. Botanists have found 55 species of balsam from the northeastern State, 16 of which are new discoveries to science. ‘Balsam’ Common names include… Continue reading 16 balsam species found in 5 years in Arunachal: 

India’s great leap into services:  Context: The emergence of e-commerce platform is an example of how digital revolution can lower transaction costs, increase productivity as well as make it more inclusive. India and China comparison: China and India are two of the fastest growing economies in the world. But they are following very different growth… Continue reading India’s great leap into services: 

Moving towards better corporate governance:  Context: 21-member Committee on corporate governance headed by banker Uday Kotak has submitted its report to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). Introduction: The SEBI Panel recommendations on corporate governance will enhance transparency and effectiveness in the way boards of listed companies function. The panel was constituted by… Continue reading Moving towards better corporate governance: 

Resources aplenty, no jobs:  Context The inevitable widespread adoption of next generation technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence etc  indicates a future of mass unemployment, and concentration of wealth in the hands of a few enterprises capable of providing minuscule job openings. Some facts Five high-technology firms find themselves among the list of the top… Continue reading Resources aplenty, no jobs: 

Course correction: (The Hindu, Editorial)(sonya) & A better GST: (Indian Express, Editorial) Context The risk-taking nature among Indian businessmen seems to weaken to the point due to the introduction of new Goods and Services Tax (GST) where new investment project announcements during July-September were the lowest for any quarter in over 13 years. What alterations… Continue reading Course correction: (The Hindu, Editorial)(sonya) & A better GST: (Indian Express, Editorial)

It’s time for bold economic thinking:  Context Despite India’s rapid economic growth and forex reserves more than $400 billion, the state of the economy has been described to be ‘sinking’ What is the present economic scenario? India’s oil imports in FY13 was $164 billion and by FY17 it was only $83 billion, lowering the current… Continue reading It’s time for bold economic thinking: