9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – September 22, 2017

The need for reforms in healthcare finance:  Context Health insurance seems to be a risky path for India’s long-term strategy for health financing. What is the issue? The Centre and state governments are experimenting with several new and exciting ideas in healthcare reforms. The issue, however, is a serious reform agenda for health financing. The… Continue reading The need for reforms in healthcare finance: 

The missing jobs:  Context: According to a recent report, less than 10% of the youth who had received training under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana have obtained placement offers (offers, not jobs). The Real Problem of Jobs: Jobs are not simply a function of the country’s workforce acquiring formal skills making them employable. More… Continue reading The missing jobs: 

Globalization is not ending, it’s changing:  Context Globalization isn’t ending, it’s changing. World is witnessing emergence of a new global economy, an economy without borders driven by digital rocket boosters. What is happening? Companies that have learnt to thrive in this increasingly connected world have built large global businesses at astonishing speeds. Economic nationalism and… Continue reading Globalization is not ending, it’s changing: 

The challenge of reforming the UN:  Context Reforming the UN is an important agenda for United States. India is trying to expend its diplomatic capital on finding a seat at UN Security Council. It will have to articulate new ways to make UN more effective and efficient. Trump Administration on UN reforms Trump pledged that… Continue reading The challenge of reforming the UN: 

Turn the page to a new chapter:  Context In September, the BRICS Summit witnessed an especially important meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This was the first after the Dong Lang (Doklam) stand-off. What are the expectations? An important consensus has been reached to improve mutual trust, focus on… Continue reading Turn the page to a new chapter: 

Leg-up for PM’s pet housing project:  Context: Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Housing for all (Urban) Why is it in the news? People purchasing a low-end house from a private developer will be eligible for financial help under the ‘Housing For All’ scheme of the Union government What is the importance of this announcement? Pradhan… Continue reading Leg-up for PM’s pet housing project: 

SC allows two minor rape survivors to abort foetuses:  Context: The Supreme Court recently permitted two minor rape survivors to medically terminate their pregnancies on the advice of the medical boards which examined them. Introduction: They had both passed the 20th week of pregnancy, until which the law allows abortion. The Bench, comprising Justices Amitava… Continue reading SC allows two minor rape survivors to abort foetuses: 

Is the Sardar Sarovar Dam boon or bane?: Context Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat on his 67th birthday. Addressing a public meeting after the event, PM Modi called the dam an engineering marvel. The River Narmada Narmada, the largest west flowing river in India & the fifth largest… Continue reading Is the Sardar Sarovar Dam boon or bane?:

The return of India’s super rich:  The trajectory of wealth concentration in the country, not just the levels of recently estimated inequality, is important. Context: High economic disparity among Indians What are the reasons for high economic disparities? A large informal labour force Turbulent capital markets Unequal access to education Employment and mobility of workforce… Continue reading The return of India’s super rich: 

Taper timetable:  Context: The conclusion of quantitative easing in the U.S. could affect investment flows into India Introduction: The U.S. Federal Reserve started is unprecedented programme of liquidity infusion through the purchase of asset-backed and Treasury securities in the wake of the global financial crisis. The Federal Reserve will throw its crisis-era stimulus programme into… Continue reading Taper timetable: 

Cabinet to soon take up $5 bn convention centre project:  Context: The Union Cabinet will soon take up the proposal for a “$5 billion worth world -class and state -of -the -art” Exhibition –cum-Convention Centre (ECC) in the national capital. Introduction: It will be the largest such facility in Asia once completed by 2021. The… Continue reading Cabinet to soon take up $5 bn convention centre project: