9 PM Current Affairs Brief – April 17th, 2018

Publish and perish? Context Making original research mandatory in medical institutions without building research infrastructure is unrealistic What has happened? In June 2017, the Medical Council of India (MCI) made publishing original research in indexed journals a prerequisite for appointments and promotions of teaching faculty in medical colleges. Recruitment, tenure and promotions are often linked… Continue reading Publish and perish?

Religion can’t bar a person from rendering own version of it: SC What has happened? It is a violation of secularism for a religion to bar a person from writing a book about it or portraying it through a painting, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud orally observed on Monday. Court observed A religion cannot be adamant that… Continue reading Religion can’t bar a person from rendering own version of it: SC

Towards a regional reset?  Context Bold moves to normalize ties with China and Pakistan will enhance India’s standing Flexibility with neighbors Resetting ties with China Peaceful resolution to Doklam standoff Indian government also toned down the planned celebrations marking the anniversary of the Dalai Lama’s arrival from Tibet New Delhi and Beijing have now embarked… Continue reading Towards a regional reset?

At home and in exile      Context We need to adequately plan for internal migration due to climate change  What has happened? In “Groundswell: Preparing for Internal Climate Migration”, a recent report by the World Bank, it is estimated that in Latin America, South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa over 143 million people would be forced… Continue reading At home and in exile     

It’s time to replace the UGC Act Context Replacing the UGC Act, 1956 Reforms initiated The HRD Ministry first saw the passage of the Indian Institutes of Management Bill, 2017, which will extend greater autonomy to the IIMs It followed this up with reforms in the rules and regulations of the University Grants Commission (UGC),… Continue reading It’s time to replace the UGC Act

India needs 8.1 million jobs a year, says WB What has happened? India needs to create 8.1 million jobs a year to maintain its employment rate, according to a World Bank report which projected the country’s growth to accelerate to 7.3% in the current financial year. It also projected the growth rate to increase further… Continue reading India needs 8.1 million jobs a year, says WB

Simply Put: Why India is on US currency monitoring list Context For the first time, it meets two of three criteria: significant bilateral surplus with US; and persistent intervention in forex markets What does the report say? India met two of the three criteria for the first time in this report — having a significant bilateral… Continue reading Simply Put: Why India is on US currency monitoring list

Slippery slick What has happened? After a sharp fall at the beginning of the year, oil prices have risen dramatically in recent weeks. The price of Brent crude has risen by around $10 since it touched a short-term low of around $62 in early February, hitting its highest mark since late 2014. Reason for high… Continue reading Slippery slick