9 PM Current Affairs Brief – October 31th, 2018

The unifier of modern India News: The Statue of Unity has been inaugurated in Surat in commemoration to the “Iron Man of India” Sardar Vallabhai Patel on his 143rd birth anniversary. Important Facts: Sardar Patel served as the first home minister of independent India. He is credited with integrating the more than 500 disparate princely… Continue reading The unifier of modern India

‘Birthright citizenship has to end’  News: USA President Trump plans to sign an executive order that would remove the right to citizenship for babies of non-citizens and unauthorized immigrants born on U.S. soil. Important Facts: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security put the number of foreigners without legal status in the U.S. at a little… Continue reading ‘Birthright citizenship has to end’ 

Statehood sought for Assam’s Barak Valley News: As the National Register of Citizens (NRC) is being updated to detect the illegal immigrants, some student organisations in southern Assam’s Barak Valley are advocating for separate statehood for the valley. Important Facts: About Barak Valley: Barak Valley is comprised of three districts namely Cachar, Hailakandi and Karimganj… Continue reading Statehood sought for Assam’s Barak Valley

Universities and patents News: The article discusses about the patent regime in India and creating entrepreneurial ecosystem in Universities in India. Important Facts: Recent issue: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked all universities in India to set up Intellectual Property (IP) Centres, in its biggest push to create entrepreneurial universities. How Patents benefit universities:… Continue reading Universities and patents

India invites Italy for defence production News: On the first visit of Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte tenure, India invited Italy to participate in the defence sector under the “Make in India” scheme. Important Facts: Highlights of Joint Statement: A mutual agreement to counter terrorist financing and state sponsors of terrorism. A clear reference to… Continue reading India invites Italy for defence production

How Centre’s ‘board game’ fuelled the feud with RBI News: The simmering tensions between the Reserve Bank of India and the Centre found spectacular release recently through a public speech by Deputy Governor Viral Acharya. Important Facts: A certain amount of creative tension is systemically in-built between Reserve Bank of India and Centre given their… Continue reading How Centre’s ‘board game’ fuelled the feud with RBI

India among nations that face grave danger to soil biodiversity: WWF News: World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) released its Living Planet Report 2018 titled “ A warning sign from our planet: Nature needs life support” Important Facts: The Global Soil Biodiversity Atlas was also prepared by the WWF along with the report. Key Findings… Continue reading India among nations that face grave danger to soil biodiversity: WWF