UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Microfinance and women

Nov 20, 2023

Basics of Microfinance 1. Microfinance: It’s a type of banking service provided to unemployed or low-income individuals or groups who lack access to traditional financial services. 2. Objective: The goal is to provide these groups with small capital to establish businesses, increase income, and improve living standards. Growth in Microfinance 1. Client Base Expansion: By adding new clients, typically microfinance institutions (MFIs) can grow their outreach and support more small-scale entrepreneurs and businesses. 2. Portfolio Grow... Read More...

A 70-Hour Workweek: The Debate on Increasing Working Hours

Nov 20, 2023

Context: The national debate in India about extending working hours, influenced by global trends and the example of countries like China and South Korea, is gaining momentum. However, this approach might not be the most effective for enhancing productivity. Key Points: • Historical Shift: Earlier, the focus was on reducing work hours globally, with countries like France and Germany now having around 1,500 hours annually. • India’s Current Scenario: Indian workers already rank high globally in weekly work hours, with an average of 47.7 hours. • Produc... Read More...

National Digital University: A Forward Leap in Education

Nov 20, 2023

The upcoming launch of India’s first National Digital University (NDU) marks a significant stride in the country’s educational landscape. Rooted in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the NDU aims to revolutionize the traditional academic framework with digital technology. Key Aspects: Blended Learning Model: The NDU will integrate digital technologies into conventional classroom settings, adopting a blended learning approach. Expanding Access: This digital institution will open doors to a vast number of students, offering courses by esteemed educators globally.... Read More...

Biden-Xi Meeting at APEC 2023

Nov 20, 2023

What was the context of the Biden-Xi meeting? The meeting, held during the APEC summit at San Francisco , was a crucial engagement between the US and China’s leaders after escalating tensions. It aimed to address global challenges and bilateral issues in a strained relationship. What were the key outcomes? Agreements were reached on resuming military communications, drug control cooperation, and dialogues on AI safety. Additionally, commitments were made to increase flights and cultural exchanges between the two nations. How d... Read More...

Impact of Climate Change on Diseases and Health

Nov 20, 2023

Q1: How does rising temperature affect disease patterns? A1: Elevated temperatures can expand the range of vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue by increasing the habitats suitable for vectors such as mosquitoes. Heat can also exacerbate chronic conditions such as heart disease. Q2: What is the link between climate change and water-borne diseases? A2: Climate change increases the risk of water-borne diseases through flooding and contamination of water supplies, leading to outbreaks of cholera and other gastrointestinal infections. Read More...

US-China Relations and Impact on India

Nov 20, 2023

Q: What is the ‘G-2’ and how does it relate to US-China relations? A: ‘G-2’ is an informal term for a bilateral relationship between the United States and China, emphasizing their role as the two most influential superpowers in global affairs. It does not imply a formal alliance but rather the idea that these two countries have significant sway in addressing global challenges. Q: What are the main points of contention between the US and China? A: Major issues include trade imbalances, intellectual property rights, technology and cybersecurity,... Read More...

Legal Position of Adultery in India

Nov 20, 2023

Q: What was the legal status of adultery in India prior to 2018? A: Before 2018, adultery was a criminal offense under Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code, punishable by up to five years in prison, but it only applied to men. Q: How did the Supreme Court of India rule on adultery in 2018? A: In 2018, the Supreme Court decriminalized adultery, stating that the law was unconstitutional as it discriminated against women and treated them as property. Q: What are the current discussions about adultery law in India? Read More...

Sustainable Agriculture in India

Nov 20, 2023

Q: Why does India need to re-examine its agricultural policy? A: To address current national imperatives, mitigate climate change impacts, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and make agriculture less water-intensive. Q: What is the impact of climate change on agriculture? A: Climate change can lead to increased frequency of extreme weather events, impacting water resources, reducing crop yields, and affecting food security. Q: How can farming become more sustainable? A: By adopting practices like crop dive... Read More...

PM Kisan Bhai: Empowering Small Farmers

Nov 20, 2023

Overview The Indian government is contemplating the PM Kisan Bhai scheme, a lifeline for small-scale farmers to enhance their income by providing better control over when to sell their produce. Warehousing Rental Subsidy Under this part of the scheme, the government proposes to subsidize the cost of storing crops. For instance, if a farmer can’t get a good price for their potatoes right after harvest, they can use a warehouse to store them until prices improve. Prompt Repayment Incentive Farmers wh... Read More...

Foundations of India’s National Character

Nov 20, 2023

Crafting Collective Resilience India’s identity is a tapestry woven through historical struggles like the freedom movement and the resilience shown in facing modern-day challenges. Growth Meets Civic Responsibility India’s leaps in development and higher education spotlight the need for these advancements to nurture better citizenship and uphold public ethics. The Rule of Law and Its Perception The casual approach to rule-following in some areas has led to challenges in law enforcement and a ... Read More...

Renewable Energy Supply Chains

Nov 20, 2023

What are the challenges in renewable energy supply chains? Renewable energy supply chains face challenges such as concentration of critical mineral mining, geopolitical risks, and the need for technological innovation in clean energy sectors. Why is global cooperation important in renewable energy supply chains? Global cooperation is crucial to address choke-points in the supply chain, foster technological advancements, and ensure a steady and diversified supply of critical minerals. What role do critical minerals play in renewable ... Read More...

Euclid Space Telescope's Exploration of the Dark Universe

Nov 18, 2023

What is the Euclid Space Telescope? Euclid is a space telescope launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) with NASA as a partner. Its mission is to explore dark matter and dark energy, which are believed to constitute about 95% of the universe. What are the first images from Euclid? The first images include the Horsehead Nebula and span four areas of the universe. They showcase the telescope's capability to observe billions of galaxies, some as far as 10 billion light-years away. What did the images reveal? Read More...

Gaza War and Israel's Debt Increase

Nov 18, 2023

Israel has raised a significant amount of debt since the latest conflict with Hamas militants. The recent data indicates the following key points: Total Debt Raised: Israel has accumulated approximately 30 billion shekels, which equates to around $7.8 billion in debt since the start of the recent war with Hamas militants. Dollar-Denominated Debt: A notable portion of this debt, amounting to 16 billion shekels, is in the form of dollar-denominated debt. This portion was raised through issuances in international markets. Budget Deficit Increase: In the context of this debt raise, it's important t... Read More...

Forest Conservation Amendment Act 2023

Nov 18, 2023

1. Aims to Address Climate Change and Deforestation Objective: The amendment is primarily designed to tackle climate change and deforestation issues. Methods: It focuses on effective management and afforestation, intending to improve forest conservation while also considering the economic potential of these lands. 2. Economic Utilization of Forests Key Change: The amendment facilitates the economic exploitation of forests by adjusting the legal framework. Scope: It limits the applicability of the forest law to areas defined under the 192... Read More...

Scams and Moral Issues: An Indian Perspective

Nov 18, 2023

What is a Scam? A scam is a deceptive scheme or trick used to cheat someone out of something valuable, typically for personal gain. Scams involve manipulation, false promises, or misrepresentation of facts to exploit the victim. Moral Issues in Scams: 1. Dishonesty: Fundamental to scams is the act of lying or misrepresenting the truth. 2. Exploitation: Scammers often exploit vulnerabilities, whether it’s a lack of knowledge, desperation, or trust. 3. Theft: Scams essentially involve stealing - be it money, information, or property.... Read More...