UPSC Daily Current Affairs

VISHANU YUDH ABHYAS (VIRUS WAR EXERCISE): ASSESSING PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS IN INDIA

Sep 16, 2024

VISHANU YUDH ABHYAS (VIRUS WAR EXERCISE): ASSESSING PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS IN INDIA 1. What is the Vishanu Yudh Abhyas? Vishanu Yudh Abhyas, also known as ‘Virus War Exercise’, is a pioneering mock drill conducted in India to assess the nation’s readiness for pandemics. It was carried out from August 27 to August 31 in the Ajmer district of Rajasthan. 2. Under which initiative was this exercise conducted? The exercise operated under the National One Health Mission (NOHM), which is designed to evaluate the preparedness and responsiveness of the National Joint Outbrea... Read More...

PRESVU EYE DROPS: SIMPLIFIER

Sep 16, 2024

PRESVU EYE DROPS: SIMPLIFIER 1. What is PresVu, and what is its purpose? PresVu is a prescription eye drop developed by Entod Pharmaceuticals to reduce dependency on reading glasses for individuals affected by presbyopia. Presbyopia is a condition where the eyes gradually lose the ability to focus on nearby objects, commonly occurring around the age of 40. 2. How does PresVu work? The active ingredient in PresVu is pilocarpine, which works by contracting the iris muscles, controlling the pupil’s size. This enables the eyes to focus better on nearby objects, reducing the need f... Read More...

RISC-V CHIP TECHNOLOGY: FAQs

Sep 16, 2024

RISC-V CHIP TECHNOLOGY: FAQs 1. What is RISC-V technology? RISC-V (Reduced Instruction Set Computer-V) is an open-standard instruction set architecture (ISA) used for designing processors. Unlike proprietary ISAs, RISC-V is free and open to all, which allows developers to design custom processors without the need for licensing fees. It is widely adopted in fields like computing, mobile devices, artificial intelligence, and more. 2. What are the benefits of RISC-V over traditional chip architectures? RISC-V offers several advantages over traditional architectures like ARM and x86. Si... Read More...

DESIGN LINKED INCENTIVE (DLI) SCHEME: A FOCUS ON SEMICONDUCTOR DESIGN

Sep 16, 2024

DESIGN LINKED INCENTIVE (DLI) SCHEME: A FOCUS ON SEMICONDUCTOR DESIGN The Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme, launched by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), aims to create a vibrant ecosystem for semiconductor chip design in India. The scheme is a part of the broader effort to strengthen India’s semiconductor industry, which is essential for boosting the country’s technological self-reliance and reducing dependence on imports. Key Components of the DLI Scheme: 1. Chip Design Infrastructure Support: Under this component, the Centre for Devel... Read More...

INDIA’S FIRST TEAL CARBON STUDY ON WETLAND CONSERVATION

Sep 16, 2024

INDIA’S FIRST TEAL CARBON STUDY ON WETLAND CONSERVATION 1. What is teal carbon? Teal carbon refers to carbon stored in non-tidal freshwater wetlands, including carbon in vegetation, microbial biomass, and dissolved or particulate organic matter. It plays a significant role in regulating greenhouse gases. 2. Why is the Keoladeo National Park significant for this study? Keoladeo National Park (KNP) in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, was chosen for India’s first teal carbon study due to its rich freshwater wetlands, which serve as a critical ecosystem for evaluating teal carbon&rsquo... Read More...

CRONY CAPITALISM: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Sep 16, 2024

CRONY CAPITALISM: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 1. What is crony capitalism? Crony capitalism refers to an economic system where success in business depends on close relationships between business people and government officials. It may involve favoritism in the distribution of legal permits, government grants, special tax breaks, or other forms of state intervention. 2. How does crony capitalism manifest? In crony capitalism, businesses are often given undue advantages such as government contracts, protection from competition, and regulatory barriers that benefit certain companies at the expense of others and the gen... Read More...

RENT SEEKING: SIMPLIFIER

Sep 16, 2024

RENT SEEKING: SIMPLIFIER 1. What is rent seeking? Rent seeking involves seeking to increase one’s share of existing wealth without creating new wealth. This behavior typically involves using the government for one’s own economic gain through manipulation or exploitation of policies, regulations, or other governmental interventions. 2. How is rent seeking manifested in India? In India, rent seeking can manifest through various forms including corruption, lobbying for favorable laws or regulations, monopolistic practices, and using political influence to secure government contracts or subsidies. This ofte... Read More...

TALIBAN’S MORALITY LAW: IMPACT ON WOMEN’S RIGHTS

Sep 16, 2024

TALIBAN’S MORALITY LAW: IMPACT ON WOMEN’S RIGHTS 1. What is the Taliban’s new “morality law”? The Taliban’s morality law, recently enacted by the Ministry of Propagation of Virtue, is a formal set of restrictions targeting women and other groups in Afghanistan. It mandates that women must cover their entire bodies, avoid any appearance in public without male guardians, and prohibits women from being seen, heard, or mixing with men in public spaces. The law also includes provisions that restrict LGBTQ rights and various minority groups. 2. How are women being affected by the morality law? Read More...

NAXALISM IN INDIA: ON DECLINE

Sep 16, 2024

NAXALISM IN INDIA: ON DECLINE 1. What is Naxalism, and how did it originate? Naxalism, also referred to as Maoism, is a communist insurgency that began in 1967 in the Naxalbari village of West Bengal, where peasants revolted against local landlords. The movement was inspired by Maoist ideologies, advocating for armed revolution to overthrow the state. It spread across rural and tribal areas in states like Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Andhra Pradesh, where marginalised communities faced exploitation and poor living conditions. 2. Why did Naxalism grow in certain regions of India? Naxalism gained momentum in r... Read More...

INDIA-MALDIVES RELATIONS: STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE AND RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

Sep 16, 2024

INDIA-MALDIVES RELATIONS: STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE AND RECENT DEVELOPMENTS 1. What is the historical context of India-Maldives relations? India and the Maldives share a deep historical and cultural relationship, marked by mutual cooperation in areas like trade, tourism, and defence. India has consistently supported the Maldives in times of need, such as providing military assistance during political unrest (Operation Cactus in 1988) and offering financial aid during economic crises. India is one of the Maldives’ most significant partners, helping in sectors like healthcare, education, and infrastructure. 2. Why is the Maldives... Read More...

CYBORGS AND NEURALINK:MERGING MAN AND MACHINE

Sep 16, 2024

CYBORGS AND NEURALINK:MERGING MAN AND MACHINE 1. What Are Cyborgs in Today’s World? Cyborgs refer to individuals who integrate technology into their bodies to enhance or restore physical or sensory functions. Today, advanced prosthetics, implants, and sensory enhancement devices are increasingly blurring the line between human and machine. People with cochlear implants to restore hearing or robotic prosthetics controlled by neural signals are prime examples of modern-day cyborgs. 2. What Is Neuralink’s Vision? Neuralink, founded by Elon Musk, aims to develop brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) that... Read More...

NSE EMERGE & BSE SME:SME EXCHANGES AND THEIR IMPACT ON SMALL BUSINESSES

Sep 16, 2024

NSE EMERGE & BSE SME:SME EXCHANGES AND THEIR IMPACT ON SMALL BUSINESSES What are NSE Emerge and BSE SME? NSE Emerge and BSE SME are platforms provided by the National Stock Exchange and Bombay Stock Exchange, respectively. These platforms are tailored for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in India, allowing them to list their shares without a traditional Initial Public Offering (IPO). This facilitates easier access to capital markets, helping SMEs connect with a broader investor base. Why are more SMEs choosing to list on these platforms? SMEs are opting for these platforms due to the simpler list... Read More...

TECHNICAL TEXTILES:SIMPLIFIER

Sep 16, 2024

TECHNICAL TEXTILES:SIMPLIFIER What are technical textiles? Technical textiles are materials and products manufactured primarily for their technical and performance properties rather than aesthetic or decorative characteristics. They are used in various applications across industries such as automotive, medical, agriculture, construction, and protective clothing. What drives the growth of technical textiles in India? The growth is propelled by increasing demand in sectors like healthcare, automotive, and infrastructure. Government initiatives such as the National Technical Textiles Mission and PLI Scheme... Read More...

HEAT WAVES IN SOUTHWEST INDIA: CAUSES AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

Sep 16, 2024

HEAT WAVES IN SOUTHWEST INDIA: CAUSES AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES CAUSES OF HEAT WAVES IN SOUTHWEST INDIA 1. El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO): ENSO influences temperature and weather patterns through its warm (El Niño) and cool (La Niña) phases, altering monsoon dynamics and leading to increased temperatures in Southwest India during El Niño years, while La Niña can indirectly contribute to unusual local heat conditions. 2. Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO): The PDO, which shifts between warm and cool ocean te... Read More...

PACIFIC DECADAL OSCILLATION (PDO) AND ITS IMPACT ON SOUTHWEST INDIA

Sep 14, 2024

PACIFIC DECADAL OSCILLATION (PDO) AND ITS IMPACT ON SOUTHWEST INDIA 1. What is the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO)? The Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) is a long-term oceanographic phenomenon marked by widespread temperature anomalies in the Pacific Ocean. It alternates between positive (warm) and negative (cool) phases, typically over a period of 20 to 30 years. These phases are defined by sea surface temperature variations primarily in the North Pacific, but the effects extend globally. 2. How does the PDO influence global climate systems? The PDO influences global climate by ... Read More...