UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Cryptocurrency and Conflict Funding:

Nov 18, 2023

Geopolitics Funding Hamas The New Financial Warfare: Digital currencies revolutionize funding streams for Hamas, with significant contributions originating from Iran. Digital Shift: A strategic turn to cryptocurrency facilitates less traceable funding, complicating regulatory oversight. Global Implications: The transition to digital funding reflects broader geopolitical dynamics and the evolving nature of conflict finance. Read More...

India's Rare Earth Minerals Initiative

Nov 18, 2023

What is the focus of India's rare earth minerals initiative? The initiative is centered on Research and Development (R&D) to enhance mining technologies, aiming for sustainable and strategic extraction of critical minerals like lithium, nickel, and tungsten. Which minerals are targeted in India's strategic minerals initiative? The focus is on securing critical minerals, particularly lithium, nickel, and tungsten, essential for modern technologies and industries. How is the private sector involved in the initiative? ... Read More...

Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and the DESH Bill: Understanding the Reforms

Nov 18, 2023

What is an SEZ? A Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is a designated area in a country that is subject to unique economic regulations that differ from other areas in the same country. SEZs are intended to attract foreign investment, boost exports, and create jobs by offering more liberal economic laws. Why is reform needed? Reforms are needed to adapt to the evolving economic landscape, address the changing needs of trade and industry, and ensure that SEZs remain competitive and efficient in the global market. This includes simplifying business operations, providing better ... Read More...

IBC: Personal Guarantees and Insolvency in India

Nov 18, 2023

What is the significance of the Supreme Court’s judgment on personal guarantees? The Supreme Court’s judgment has reinforced the obligations of personal guarantors under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), which means creditors can have a better chance of recovering debts due to personal guarantees. How does this judgment affect the recovery of bad debts? It improves the ability of creditors to enforce personal guarantees without legal battles, potentially speeding up the recovery of bad debts. What was the Supreme... Read More...

Asset Monetisation: Unlocking Capital for Infrastructure Development

Nov 18, 2023

What is Asset Monetisation? Asset Monetisation is a process where the government converts underused or underutilized assets into revenue-generating entities. This involves leasing assets like roads, ports, and airports to private entities for a defined period, allowing them to operate and maintain these assets. Why is Asset Monetisation Important for India? Asset Monetisation is key to unlocking the value of public infrastructure investments. It's crucial for India's goal of becoming a US$ 5 trillion economy by 2025, especially in the wake of the Covid-19 pan... Read More...

PESA Act: Empowering Tribal Autonomy

Nov 18, 2023

What is PESA? PESA, or the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, is a law in India that empowers tribal communities in Scheduled Areas to self-govern with their traditional Gram Sabhas. Significance of PESA: The Act holds great significance as it recognizes tribal self-governance, aiming to preserve and uphold tribal authority and customs, while integrating them into the formal governance framework. Tribal Protection Under PESA: PESA protects tribal rights over land, prevents land alienatio... Read More...

The New 'Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar' Awards Framework

Nov 18, 2023

Introduction to RVP: The 'Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar' (RVP) is a revamped award system in India aimed at recognizing excellence in science and technology across various domains. It reflects a modern understanding of scientific practice and strives to represent the aspirations of the scientific community. Benefits of RVP: The RVP awards aim to: Celebrate a broader range of scientific achievements, including technology-led innovations. Foster collaborative and cross-disciplinary research by including team awards. Read More...

India's Digital Public Infrastructure and Global Impact

Nov 18, 2023

What is Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)? DPI refers to the shared digital systems that a country uses to drive development, inclusion, innovation, trust, competition, and to uphold human rights and freedoms. How has India utilized DPI? India has successfully issued digital identities to nearly all its citizens, granting access to various services and integrating individuals into the digital economy. What has India achieved during its G-20 presidency regarding DPI? India led the initiative to create a... Read More...

Qatar Death Row Case and India's Diplomatic Options

Nov 18, 2023

What happened to the Indian Navy officers in Qatar? A Qatari court sentenced eight former Indian Navy officers to the death penalty, which has brought significant international and diplomatic attention to the case. Why were the officers detained? They were detained for allegations related to espionage while working for Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services, a firm serving Qatar’s defence and security agencies. Has India been in a similar situation before? Yes, India has dealt with case... Read More...

Electric Batteries and Their Function

Nov 18, 2023

What is the primary function of an electric battery? Electric batteries store and release electrical energy, which they acquire by converting other forms of energy. They are crucial for powering a wide array of devices without the need for direct electrical connections. How did the concept of the electric battery come about? The electric battery's concept emerged from experiments with electrochemical cells in the 18th and 19th centuries, where scientists like Luigi Galvani and Alessandro Volta discovered the generation of electric currents through chemical reacti... Read More...

Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)

Nov 18, 2023

What is the CSTO? The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) is a military alliance in Eurasia, established in 2002. It evolved from the Collective Security Treaty (CST), signed in 1992. Members include Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. Purpose of the CSTO? The CSTO aims to enhance regional security, focusing on defense against external threats, countering terrorism, and ensuring collective military support among member states. How does the CSTO function? The CSTO ... Read More...

Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in India

Nov 17, 2023

What is a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF)? A GLOF is a catastrophic flooding event that occurs when the dam containing a glacial lake fails. This can happen due to various triggers, such as avalanches, earthquakes, or the melting of the ice dam, leading to the sudden release of large volumes of water. How many people in India are at risk from GLOFs? Approximately three million people in India are at risk from GLOFs. This accounts for a significant portion of the global population exposed to such risks. What has caused the increas... Read More...

Burden of Fungal Diseases in India

Nov 17, 2023

Basics of Fungal Diseases: Fungal diseases are infections caused by fungi, a kingdom of organisms distinct from bacteria, viruses, and animals. These diseases can range from mild skin conditions to severe infections that affect the lungs, brain, or bloodstream. Fungal Disease Burden in India: Key Insights Prevalence: A significant portion of India’s population is affected by serious fungal diseases. A comprehensive review estimated that around 57 million people in India may suffer from these conditions. Types of Infections: Common f... Read More...

Plastic Debris in Oceans: Causes, Dangers and Solutions

Nov 17, 2023

Plastic Debris in Oceans: Causes, Dangers and SolutionsCauses of Plastic Debris in Oceans 1. Overuse of Single-Use Plastics: Daily Consumption:The widespread use of single-use plastic items like bags, bottles, straws, and packaging materials is a major contributor. These items are often discarded after one use and not properly disposed of. 2. Inadequate Waste Management: Lack of Recycling: In many areas, especially in developing countries, recycling facilities are inadequate, leading to more plastics being dumped... Read More...

Importance of Bees in Ecosystems and Agriculture

Nov 17, 2023

1. Pollination: Crucial for Plant Reproduction:Bees are vital pollinators. They transfer pollen between flowering plants, helping them to produce fruits and seeds. This process is essential for the reproduction of many plant species. 2. Biodiversity Support: Maintaining Ecosystem Health: By aiding in plant reproduction, bees contribute to the maintenance and growth of a wide variety of plant life, supporting biodiversity within ecosystems. 3. Food Production: Critical for Agriculture: Read More...