9 PM Current Affairs Brief – May 28th, 2018

Braille-enabled signboards to be used during Maheshtala bypoll News: Election Commission of India  for the first time will start the use of Braille-enabled signboardsfor visually challenged voters in the upcoming Maheshtala Assembly by-election in West Bengal. Important Facts: The initiative of Braille-enabled signboards was part of the drive to make elections more accessible to persons with… Continue reading Braille-enabled signboards to be used during Maheshtala bypoll

Women’s health crucial to combat stunting: study News: A study by International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) highlights the impact of women’s health on stunting of children. Important Facts: The study analysed data from National Family Health Survey (NHFS) – IV There are 63 million stunted children in India In May 2018, the prevalence of… Continue reading Women’s health crucial to combat stunting: study

Wife has the right to know husband’s salary details, rules Madhya Pradesh High Court News: The Madhya Pradesh high court has ruled that wife has the right to know about the details of husband salary. Important Facts: The petition was filled by Sunita jain who has sought a higher maintenance amount from her estranged husband… Continue reading Wife has the right to know husband’s salary details, rules Madhya Pradesh High Court

Ireland’s vote for choice News: In recent referendum, 66.4% of Ireland voters voted to repeal the constitutional block on abortions. Important facts Abortion in Ireland is prohibited according to eighth amendment introduced in 1983. It grants an unborn child and the woman carrying it an equal right to life. In 2013,  abortions in Ireland have been… Continue reading Ireland’s vote for choice

US-North Korea:A Deal that can be done. Article: Zorawar Daulet Singh ,Fellow at the Center for Policy Research, New Delhi analyses the issue of cancellation of  US-North Korea summit Important Analysis: Mr Trump’s foreign policy has been erratic and inconsistent.Trump has cancelled a June 12th Summit meeting with North Korea. The US National Security System… Continue reading US-North Korea:A Deal that can be done.

Political parties under RTI: Election Commission contradicts CIC directive News: The Election Commission has recently ordered that National Political parties are out of the purview of the RTI Act which is contrary to central information commission directives. Important Facts: Vihar Dhurve has filled a RTI about the details of donations collected by six national parties… Continue reading Political parties under RTI: Election Commission contradicts CIC directive

Economic push needed News: 1.Political analysts feel that India must help in the development of Sri Lanka’s Tamil Majority North and Eastern Provinces. Important Facts: Political settlement is seen as the key to the problem faced by Sri Lanka’s North and Easter provinces.It includes Greater devolution of powers to provinces and Merger of the Northern… Continue reading Economic push needed

India protests Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan order News: Pakistan has proposed to integrate Gilgit-Baltistan(disputed) region into federal structure of Pakistan by granting it provincial status. Important Facts: The executive order from Pakistan’s Prime Minister proposes to begin legislative, judicial and administrative measures to integrate Gilgit-Baltistan with the rest of the federal structure of Pakistan. India summoned the… Continue reading India protests Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan order

SEBI MF order spurs changes to schemes News: Mutual fund houses to make changes in their Scheme according to directive from SEBI regarding categorisation and rationalisation of mutual fund schemes. Important Facts: 2. SEBI had issued a directive regarding categorization and rationalization of mutual fund schemes. It defined five categories in which all schemes can… Continue reading SEBI MF order spurs changes to schemes

CAs excluded from fair valuation of start-up News: The Department of Income Tax has given the task of fair valuation of start ups exclusively to Merchant banks. Important Facts: The Income Tax Department has excluded chartered accountants (CAs) from assessing the fair valuation of start-ups. The decision to exclude CAs from assessing the fair valuation… Continue reading CAs excluded from fair valuation of start-up

Blockchain being used in banking, contracts News: With the advent of blockchain technology, companies and banks are able to increase their operational efficiency. Important facts: Trade finance involves complex documentation processes, high transaction costs, high settlement times and low authenticity rates with physical documents. As a result, a bank’s customer needs to face delays, high… Continue reading Blockchain being used in banking, contracts

Decoding Europe’s New Data Protection Law News: European Union’s General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) poses a serious challenge for Indian IT companies Important Facts: GDPR aims to protect EU citizens from data breaches It was approved by EU Parliament in April 2016 and came to effect in May 25, 2018 The GDPR provides for a… Continue reading Decoding Europe’s New Data Protection Law

A year on, UDAN is yet to soar News: UDAN scheme has recently completed one year. Important facts: The UDAN (Regional Connectivity Scheme) was launched in 2016 aims to develop the regional aviation market and provide connectivity to un-served and under-served airports of the country through revival of existing air-strips and airports. Current status of… Continue reading A year on, UDAN is yet to soar

Ayushman Bharat: a health scheme that should not fail Article: Sujatha Rao, former Union Secretary, MHFW, presents her views on the implementation of Ayushman Bharat. Important analysis: Health policies have two objectives: To enhance the health of the population and Reduce the financial risk for those accessing treatment. Success of health policies are measured by:… Continue reading Ayushman Bharat: a health scheme that should not fail

Farmers urged to go for barter system during bandh News: Farmers organizations is planning to adopt barter systemduring the upcoming village shutdownacross the country. Important Facts: Farmers’ organizations across the country have called a 10-day ‘gaon bandh’ (village shutdown) from June 1. The Kisan Ekta Manch and the Kisan Maha Sangh an umbrella body have requested the… Continue reading Farmers urged to go for barter system during bandh

A Blow to Civil Service Ideals Article: Ashok, a retired IAS officer observes that government’s recent proposal for allocation of civil services and cadres violates the law Important analysis: The Civil service Examination (CSE)is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). It is conducted every year in two stages: a preliminary examination and then… Continue reading A Blow to Civil Service Ideals