UPSC Daily Current Affairs

MUGHAL RULERS' BORROWING FROM CHRISTIANITY

May 31, 2024

Q: How did Mughal rulers incorporate Christian themes into their art? A: Mughal rulers incorporated Christian themes by depicting biblical scenes and figures, inspired by European paintings and prints brought to India by Jesuit missionaries and traders. Q: Which Mughal emperor was most influenced by Christian art? A: Emperor Akbar was notably influenced by Christian art. He invited Jesuit priests to his court, and their religious artworks significantly impacted Mughal paintings. Read More...

Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect

May 31, 2024

Urbanization has significantly impacted the climate in Indian cities, leading to nearly 60% more night-time warming compared to their surrounding non-urban areas. This was revealed in a study conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar, which analyzed over 140 prominent Indian cities. The research highlights that urban areas, with their concrete and asphalt surfaces, trap heat during the day and release it at night, causing higher night-time temperatures—a phenomenon known as the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. Key Findings Read More...

HALLOWEEN CRACK AND ICEBERG CALVING ON THE BRUNT ICE SHELF

May 31, 2024

What is Halloween Crack? The Halloween Crack is a significant rift in the Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica. It was first identified on October 31, 2016, which is why it was named the Halloween Crack. This crack runs from an area known as the McDonald Ice Rumples, where the underside of the floating ice sheet is grounded on the shallow seabed. This grounding slows the flow of ice and creates fractures on the ice surface. Recent Calving Event Recently, a large ice... Read More...

SEAWEED: AN EMERGING RESOURCE IN INDIA

May 31, 2024

Seaweed, a versatile and valuable marine resource, is gaining significant attention in India due to its potential in various sectors such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, food, and biofuels. Found along the vast coastline of the country, seaweed cultivation and harvesting present numerous opportunities for economic growth, environmental sustainability, and nutritional enhancement. Benefits and Uses of Seaweed 1. Agriculture: Seaweed extracts are used as bio-fertilizers and soil conditioners, enhanc... Read More...

THE MEKONG REGION GEOPOLITICS: INDIA

May 31, 2024

The Mekong region, also known as the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), encompasses the area surrounding the Mekong River, which flows through six countries: China, Myanmar (Burma), Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. This region is home to a rich cultural heritage, diverse ecosystems, and a population of over 300 million people. The Mekong River is vital to the region’s economy, supporting agriculture, fisheries, and transportation. Notable Features of the Mekong Region: • Biodiverse Ecosystems: Read More...

THE GREAT HIMALAYAN TRAGEDY

May 31, 2024

WARNING BELLS IN THE MOUNTAINS: Char Dham Yatra Chota Char Dham is a significant Hindu pilgrimage circuit in Uttarakhand, India, comprising four sites: 1. Gangotri 2. Yamunotri 3. Kedarnath 4. Badrinath (also part of the longer Char Dham) These sites are important destinations for Hindu devotees, and the circuit is considered a sacred journey. The Alarm bells The ... Read More...

Future Healthcare: Predictive, Preventive, Personalized Medicine

May 31, 2024

THE PROMISE OF EARLY PREDICTION AND TREATMENT The rapidly advancing field of Predictive, Preventive, and Personalised Medicine (PPPM) is revolutionizing healthcare by focusing on the early detection and tailored treatment of diseases. This approach is shifting the medical paradigm from reactive to proactive care, ensuring better health outcomes and improved quality of life. BENEFITS OF PPPM Traditionally, medicine has been reactive, treating illnesses ... Read More...

SIMPLIFIER: SYNTHETIC APERTURE RADAR:ISRO

May 31, 2024

Introduction: Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is a technique for producing high-resolution images using a radar system. It operates in any weather and at any time, using longer wavelengths to see through clouds. How SAR Works: SAR emits an electromagnetic signal towards a surface and records the backscattered signal. The image resolution improves by synthesizing a virtual large antenna from a smaller physical antenna, allowing fine detail observation. Read More...

UNDERSTANDING CREDIT RATINGS AND OUTLOOKS

May 31, 2024

What are Credit Ratings? Credit ratings are evaluations provided by rating agencies to assess the creditworthiness of a borrower, be it a country, corporation, or financial instrument. These ratings help investors understand the risk associated with lending money or investing in securities. Higher ratings indicate lower risk, while lower ratings suggest higher risk. Prominent credit rating agencies include Standard & Poor’s (S&P), Moody’s, and Fitch Ratings. Rating ... Read More...

FALLING FERTILITY RATES: A GLOBAL CHALLENGE

May 31, 2024

What is the demographic transition? The demographic transition is a theory that describes the shift from high birth and death rates to lower birth and death rates as a country develops economically. Initially, mortality rates fall due to improvements in health and sanitation, leading to population growth. Eventually, birth rates decline as societies become more developed, resulting in a more stable population. How have fertility rates changed globally? Fertility rat... Read More...

India's Top 10 Endangered Species: 2024

May 31, 2024

As we mark National Endangered Species Day today, it is crucial to recognize and act on the urgent need to protect endangered species in India. Here are the top 10 endangered species that are facing the threat of extinction and urgently need our protection. 1. Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus indicus) - Endangered Asian elephants, the largest land mammals in Asia, are culturally significant and play a crucial role in forest and grassland ecosystems. Their population has declined due to habitat fragmentation, human-wildlife conflicts,... Read More...

Birds of Nannaj, Maharashtra: Shrinking Grasslands Study

May 31, 2024

Q1: What specialist birds are declining in the Nannaj grasslands? A1: The specialist birds declining in the Nannaj grasslands include the great Indian bustard, red-necked falcon, and great grey shrike. Q2: Why has the great Indian bustard lost its seasonality in Nannaj? A2: The great Indian bustard has lost its seasonality due to near-local extinction, which is consistent with country-wide population declines. Read More...

HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA IN INDIA

May 31, 2024

Rapid Increase in Liver Cancers Among Indian Women Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of liver cancer, starting in the main type of liver cell called hepatocytes. A recent study found that liver cancers are increasing more rapidly among Indian women than men. The review, published in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hepatology, also identifies Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala, and Goa as new hotspots for HCC. SIMPLIFIER Read More...

India's Juvenile Justice: Structure, Strengths, Weaknesses

May 31, 2024

Legal Structure: - The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 - CrPC ( Criminal Procedure Code) - IPC (Indian Penal Code) Strengths: 1. Specialized approach: The JJ Act recognizes the need for a separate justice system for children, acknowledging their vulnerability and need for protection. 2. Rehabilitation focus: The Act emphasizes rehabilitation and reintegration of... Read More...

Consent and Compensation: Scarlett Johansson vs OpenAI

May 31, 2024

Background: On May 13th, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, announced GPT-4o, a new AI model that can interact with humans using voice, camera, and text. Key Issues: • Voice Imitation Example: Scarlett Johansson, a well-known actress, claimed her voice was used without her permission in the AI model Sky. • Compensation and Credit: There are no clear rules on how to pay or credit people when AI uses the... Read More...