9 PM Current Affairs Brief – December 17, 2018

Cyclone Phethai to make landfall in Andhra Pradesh today News: Cyclone Phethai heading northward from the Bay of Bengal makes landfall in Andhra Pradesh Facts: Cyclonic storm Phethai has made a landfall at Katrenikona in Andhra Pradesh’s East Godavari district. This is the third cyclone to hit the state this year after Cyclone Daye and… Continue reading Cyclone Phethai to make landfall in Andhra Pradesh today

Direct benefit transfer scheme for TB patients makes slow progress News The direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme for Nikshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) has recorded slow progress since its introduction in April 2018. Important facts Only 4.69 lakh, only 26% of the 18 lakh registered TB patients across India have received cash transfer This is mainly… Continue reading Direct benefit transfer scheme for TB patients makes slow progress

In search of dream homes Article: The article discusses the issues with residential real estate sector in India and suggests measures to address the same. Analysis Issues with the housing market: Residential unit sales have dropped by around 40% from the average of 2013-14 to 2017. (Indian Express, 24Th March 2018). Further, the demand for… Continue reading In search of dream homes 

Mental illness: Act before it’s too late Article: The article discusses about the growing problem of depression among private sector employees in India Analysis What is depression and clinical depression? Depression is a mood disorder. It is commonly defined as a state of mind when people experience grief, loss of interest in activities they once… Continue reading Mental illness: Act before it’s too late

Navy to helm centre on maritime security News: The Navy to inaugurate the Information Fusion Centre (IFC) for the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Facts: Need of such Agreements: Such multilateral agreements are necessitated due to the large traffic in the Indian Ocean which cannot be entirely monitored by any one nation. To contain growing influence… Continue reading Navy to helm centre on maritime security

All is not lost: Dutch building artificial islands in a lake to bring wildlife back News: The Netherlands has come up with the ingenious solution of building a string of new islands in Markermeer Lake. Facts: The newly opened island, one of five created in the Markermeer as part of the Netherlands-based Marker Wadden rewilding… Continue reading All is not lost: Dutch building artificial islands in a lake to bring wildlife back

Soon, you can charge your electric car at homes, offices News: Government announced guidelines and standards for charging infrastructure for Electric Vehicles. Facts: According to new rules, owners of electric cars and scooters can charge them at their homes, with priority access to electricity from power utilities at the same power tariff New Guidelines No… Continue reading Soon, you can charge your electric car at homes, offices

Will Goods and Services Tax help in the doubling of farm income? News: Article discuss about impact of Goods and Services Tax regime on agriculture sector. Important Analysis: The agricultural sector continues to remain the largest contributing sector to the GDP with a share of 16%. The onset of GST has created national market for… Continue reading Will Goods and Services Tax help in the doubling of farm income?

Nations agree on Paris Treaty rulebook, but miles to go… News 196 countries at COP24, Katowice have agreed on rulebook to implement the 2015 Paris Agreement. Important facts The Paris Agreement’s “rule book” establishes the rules and processes needed to provide the operational guidance for fulfilling the ambition of the Paris Agreement. It includes details… Continue reading Nations agree on Paris Treaty rulebook, but miles to go…

India recorded 95 tiger deaths in 2018, 41 outside reserves News According to the National Tiger Conservation Authority’s (NTCA) records till December 15, 2018, there were 95 cases of tiger deaths in India Important Facts Out of 95, 41 cases of tiger deaths outside tiger reserves have been reported. Three States comprise 60% of tiger deaths.… Continue reading India recorded 95 tiger deaths in 2018, 41 outside reserves

Leopard deaths at five-year high, over a third poached News According to Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), India has recorded the highest leopard mortality in 2018 Important Facts According to 2016 Census, there were 12000 to 14000 leopards in India In 2018, 460 leopard deaths were recorded across India; a large section (34%) of… Continue reading Leopard deaths at five-year high, over a third poached