UPSC Daily Current Affairs

NABARD's Social Bonds

Sep 30, 2023

What Are Social Bonds? Social bonds are financial instruments issued by governments, corporations, or international organizations to raise capital specifically for projects that will have a positive social impact. The funds raised are designated for social causes such as healthcare, education, poverty alleviation, and environmental sustainability. NABARD's Inaugural Social Bonds Step 1: Issuer Q1: Who issued the social bonds? A1: The National Bank for Agric... Read More...

The fall of Nagorno-Karabakh

Sep 30, 2023

Understanding the Fall of Nagorno-Karabakh and Its Impact on the Armenian Diaspora Q1: What is Nagorno-Karabakh? Answer: Nagorno-Karabakh is a landlocked region in the South Caucasus, internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but historically home to an ethnic Armenian majority. Q2: What Happened Recently? Answer: Azerbaijan's military launched a swift offensive, recapturing Nagorno-Karabakh and leading to the exodus of its majority Armenian population. Read More...

India's Vanishing Grasslands: A Lifeline for Endangered Species and Ecosystems

Sep 30, 2023

The Geographic Tapestry: A Closer Look at India's Five Key Grasslands Banni, Gujarat: Located in the Kutch District, Banni is one of Asia's largest grasslands. It's a unique salt-tolerant ecosystem hosting the endangered Indian Wild Ass. Shola, Western Ghats: Nestled in the mountain ranges of the Western Ghats, Shola grasslands are interspersed with forests. These are vital for endemic species like the Nilgiri Tahr. Thar Desert, Rajasthan and Gujarat: Not just sand du... Read More...

Hycean" worlds:Unlocking Cosmic Mysteries: The Quest for Alien Life Revitalized by Exoplanet K2-18b's Atmospheric Clues

Sep 30, 2023

The Dawn of a New Cosmic Era: The James Webb Space Telescope Launched in 2021, the James Webb Space Telescope has revolutionized our hunt for extraterrestrial life. One of its landmark observations is the exoplanet K2-18b, situated 120 light-years from Earth, encircling the star K2. Reading the Atmospheric Code: Gaseous Footprints Data from K2-18b's atmosphere have unveiled traces of carbon dioxide and methane, substances generally linked to life, though not irrefutable evidence. The Dimethyl Sul... Read More...

Multilateral Development Banks: Challenges in Global Development

Sep 30, 2023

Understanding MDBs: Catalysts for Global Progress Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) are financial powerhouses that offer both monetary aid and technical know-how to countries for diverse development ventures. These institutions, like the World Bank and regional development banks, are pivotal in promoting economic growth, poverty alleviation, and tackling universal issues like climate change. How MDBs Make an Impact 1 Financial Backing: MDBs open up fiscal avenues, providing loans and grants for infrastructure, education, h... Read More...

IMEC and Geopolitical Routes Shape US-China Rivalry

Sep 30, 2023

1: The IMEC Blueprint: America's Counterplay to China's BRI In the volatile landscape of global geopolitics, land routes have evolved into chess pieces in the rivalry between superpowers Read More...

MS Swaminathan:A Tribute

Sep 30, 2023

1. Introduction Prof MS Swaminathan, India's eminent agricultural scientist and the driving force behind the Green Revolution, passed away at the age of 98. 2. Legacy and Transformative Contributions Swaminathan's legacy extends beyond grain production. He introduced scientific rigor to Indian agriculture and established pioneering institutions. 3. Distinguished Career Throughout his career, Swaminathan held key positions, including Director of IARI, Director General of ICAR, and Director General of IRRI i... Read More...

What is Zealandia?

Sep 29, 2023

Zealandia, also known as Te Riu-a-Maui, is a recently rediscovered continent that had gone unnoticed for nearly 375 years. It is a vast landmass, covering approximately 1.89 million square miles (4.9 million square kilometers), making it about six times the size of Madagascar. Zealandia is located mostly underwater, with only a few islands, resembling the geography of New Zealand. How was Zealandia rediscovered? Geologists and seismologists used data from dredged rock samples collected from the ocean floor to refine... Read More...

Diamond Trade & Russia-Ukraine Conflict: A Guide to Sanctions & Compliance

Sep 29, 2023

Key Players Global 7 Countries (G7): United States, Canada, France, Italy, Germany, UK, Japan Russia: Specifically, Alrosa (Russian state mining company) India: Firms in Surat Ukraine: National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) Diamond Industry Certification Bodies: Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Key Issues Russia's War on Ukraine Funding for War Diamond Trade as Funding Source Sanction... Read More...

Kidney Shortage and Exchange

Sep 29, 2023

Organ Donation The Issue Problem: India faces a severe shortage of kidneys for transplantation. With over 200,000 patients needing a kidney in 2022, only about 3.4% (7,500 transplants) were actually conducted. Underlying Causes: High prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) due to factors like diabetes, malnourishment, overcrowding, and poor sanitation. Regulatory hurdles restricting innovative kidney exchange methods such as swaps and chains. The Response... Read More...

Purana Qila, or the Old Fort

Sep 29, 2023

It symbolizes India's rich history and culture in several ways: Historical Layers: It represents over 2,500 years of continuous habitation, showcasing the dynastic changes that shaped India. Architectural Marvel: The fort's Mughal and Afghan architectural fusion stands as a testament to India's architectural diversity. Cultural Heritage: It reflects the amalgamation of Indian and Central Asian influences, showcasing India's multicultural roots. Historical Events: The fort witnessed pivotal moments in Indian history, from battles to shifts in ... Read More...

What are Self-Respect Marriages?

Sep 29, 2023

Definition: A self-respect marriage (often termed "Suyamariyathai" marriage in Tamil Nadu) is a union between two individuals that is devoid of religious rituals and ceremonies. Objective: To challenge traditional norms that uphold the caste system and patriarchal values. To grant both parties equal status in the marriage, emphasizing the partnership rather than roles defined by tradition. Features: No religious rituals or ceremonies. A simple declaration of marria... Read More...

Caring for the Old in India

Sep 29, 2023

Demographic Shift India's population above 60 is set to double from 14.9 crore in 2022 to 34.7 crore by 2050, mirroring global trends. Gender Disparities Women outnumber men in the elderly population and face greater economic vulnerabilities, especially given low labor force participation rates (24%). Regional Variations Southern states report a higher share of the elderly population compared to the national average, while northern states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh lag behind. Read More...

India-Canada Diplomatic Row over the Nijjar Case

Sep 29, 2023

Background and Allegations Tensions between India and Canada escalated following the killing of Canadian Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Canada alleges that Indian "government agents" were responsible, while India blames Khalistani extremism in Canada. Diplomatic Implications Both countries have expelled each other's diplomats. Trade talks are on hold, and India has suspended all visas to Canadians. International Pressure "Five Eyes" allies ... Read More...

Social Audit

Sep 29, 2023

What is Social Audit? A process where public records are scrutinized to verify the reported figures against actuals, focusing on transparency and accountability. Why is it Important? It helps in reducing corruption, improving governance, and ensuring efficient use of resources. How Does it Work? Independent social audit units flag instances of misappropriation, and it is then up to the State governments to recover the funds. The Law on Social Audit Read More...