9 PM Current Affairs Brief – October 21, 2017

Unravelling of the IRAN Deal  Context U.S. President Donald Trump recently refused to certify the Iranian nuclear agreement with Iran and six other major world powers. What is the significance of Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)? The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is an international agreement on the nuclear program of Iran on… Continue reading Unravelling of the IRAN Deal 

A day in Delhi for Ghani and Tillerson  Context: Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani will visit India on October 24. Introduction: The visit by President Ghani comes within days of a visit to Kabul by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and recent Taliban attack on the Afghan National Army base in Kandahar province that killed more… Continue reading A day in Delhi for Ghani and Tillerson 

Govt permits banks to sell more small savings schemes like NSCs, MIS Context The govt allows banks, including top 3 private lenders, to accept deposits under small savings schemes like national saving certificates (NSCs), Recurring deposits and Monthly income scheme (MIS). Until now, these small savings schemes were sold through post offices About notification According… Continue reading Govt permits banks to sell more small savings schemes like NSCs, MIS

Govt planning liberal norms for electric vehicle charging stations Context Government is set to put in place liberal rules for charging stations to power electric vehicles, seeking to facilitate rapid expansion of the infrastructure needed to support its ambition of an all-electric fleet on Indian roads by 2030. Liberal proposal The norms under preparation will… Continue reading Govt planning liberal norms for electric vehicle charging stations

All major ports to get LDB services  Context: The Logistics Data Bank’s (LDB) services will soon be extended to all major ports in India. Introduction: The discussions in this regard have begun between the Government and the Indian Port Association (IPA). The IPA is the apex body for India’s major ports under the shipping ministry’s… Continue reading All major ports to get LDB services 

U.S.Starts anti-dumping probe into PTFE resin from India  Context: The U.S. has initiated anti-dumping duty investigations against import of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) resin from India and China. Why the step has been taken? Anti-dumping measures are taken to ensure fair trade and provide a level-playing field to the domestic industry. They are not a measure to… Continue reading U.S.Starts anti-dumping probe into PTFE resin from India 

Centre pushes for cash free campuses(Digital economy/cashless economy Context: Public, private institutions to be within digital ambit Introduction: The Ministry of Human Resource Development aims to make financial transactions completely digital in all higher education institutions. In this regard, the Human Resource Development Minister is likely to write to the heads of all institutions to… Continue reading Centre pushes for cash free campuses(Digital economy/cashless economy

Government plans to boost rural employment Context: After an array of suicidal cases of the farmers in India, the Rural Development Ministry is in the midst of examining proposals that promises to leapfrog job creation for the rural youth. What are the causes of rural unemployment in India? According to the report, Rural Agricultural Commission,… Continue reading Government plans to boost rural employment

Most pollution linked deaths occurs in India  Context: Reports of the Lancet Commission on pollution and health concluded that deaths in India occur mostly because of pollution. Pollution in the context of India: a report: With 2.51 million deaths in 2015, India has been ranked No. 1 in pollution related deaths, according to a report… Continue reading Most pollution linked deaths occurs in India