9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – September 8, 2017

NASA captures images of strong solar flares: Context Recently, NASA recorded two high-intensity solar flares. What are the features of these solar flares? Out of the two flares, the second one was more intense The flares were recorded since start of the sun cycle in December 2008 The category of such solar flares is called… Continue reading NASA captures images of strong solar flares:

U.S. backs sale of fighters to India: Context Trump Administration (or, United States) has supported the sale of F-18 and F-16 fighter planes to India. What is the issue? Trump is in principle against companies relocating facilities abroad. S. lawmakers have been enthusiastic supporters of proposals to sell these fighters to India. They are now… Continue reading U.S. backs sale of fighters to India:

Size of Contingency Fund: Where govt, RBI disagree: Context Centre was in talks with the RBI over the transfer of its surplus. The surplus sum transferred from earnings during 2016-17 was Rs 30,659 crore, less than half of the Rs 65,876 crore transferred the previous year. However, the government expected more. Part of the reason… Continue reading Size of Contingency Fund: Where govt, RBI disagree: 

Demonetisation: now a proven failure?: Context: Demonetization as a way to tackle black money. To what extent the demonetization was successful? It was thought that if cash was squeezed out, the black economy would be eliminated. Cash is only about 1% of the total black money estimated in the economy. Not even 0.01% of the… Continue reading Demonetisation: now a proven failure?: 

Social revolution in a JAM: Context There is a difference between equality in the digital space and empowering Indians in the bricks-and-mortar world. Introduction Just like GST (goods and services tax) created one tax, one market, one India, the PMJDY and the JAM revolution can link all Indians into one common financial, economic, and digital… Continue reading Social revolution in a JAM: 

Must restore banks’ health in months, if not weeks: RBI: Context Reserve Bank of India’s deputy governor Viral Acharya said a feasible plan was quickly needed to address the massive recapitalization requirements of public sector banks. What is the need of the plan? The central bank has been trying to restore the condition of these… Continue reading Must restore banks’ health in months, if not weeks: RBI: 

Debt, project delays worry Bhutan: Context: Recently, the Doklam stand-off brought a spotlight on India-Bhutan ties however there is need for greater focus on other issues like hydropower project construction. What is the role of Hydropower in Bhutan’s economy? Hydropower projects are critical for the Bhutanese economy. They have been at the core of Bhutan’s… Continue reading Debt, project delays worry Bhutan: