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UPSC Current Affairs

UPSC Current Affairs

UPSC Daily Current Affairs :: SRIRAM's IAS

Bennu,the Asteroid

Sep 28, 2023
Bennu, officially known as 101955 Bennu, is a remarkable celestial body in our solar system. This asteroid follows an orbit around the sun, completing it every 436 days, and it periodically comes relatively close to Earth, making a close approach once every six years. However, what makes Bennu particularly fascinating is its composition and potential significance. Characteristics of Bennu: Carbonaceous Asteroid: Bennu belongs to the category of carbonaceous asteroids, which are rich in carbon and organic compounds. These types of asteroids are considered to be relics from the ear... Read More...

Joshimath Landsubsidence

Sep 28, 2023
Editorial Backstory: The year started with alarming reports of the temple town of Joshimath in Uttarakhand facing geological risks, partially attributed to the Tapovan Vishnugad power project. The situation led to a crisis, prompting evacuations. Various institutions were commissioned to study the risks, but their findings were initially withheld from the public. The High Court intervened, pushing for transparency. These reports highlight the widespread non-compliance with building codes and the inherent geological risks of the region. There is an urgent need for susta... Read More...

Norman Borlaug and Swati Nayak

Sep 28, 2023
Game-Changing' Seeds with Multiple Tolerance What is the focus of Dr. Swati Nayak's research? Dr. Nayak focuses on creating climate-resilient, high-yielding, and nutritious rice varieties. She recently won the Norman Borlaug Field Award for her contributions. What innovations has she brought in seed development? She has been concentrating on developing high-yield inbreeds from old seed varieties that are also climate-resilient and rich in micronutrients. Is her work localized or has i... Read More...

Swavlamban 2.0

Sep 28, 2023
"Swavlamban" is a term that signifies self-reliance or self-sufficiency in Hindi. In the context of the Indian Navy, "Swavlamban 2.0" is an updated indigenization roadmap aimed at fostering self-reliance in technological capabilities. The initiative looks to both showcase the Navy's achievements in developing new technologies and outline the course for future developments.   The concept behind this initiative began as part of a broader national strategy to reduce dependence on foreign technologies and promote domestic innovation. It aligns with efforts to involve Micro,... Read More...

Sarna Code

Sep 28, 2023
The Sarna Code refers to the religious and cultural practices of certain tribal communities who are nature worshippers. These communities revere natural elements like trees, mountains, and forests and have religious practices distinct from mainstream religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, and Jainism. Recently, there has been a push for the official recognition of the Sarna code to protect the constitutional rights and unique religious identity of these tribes, particularly in the context of discussions around a Uniform Civil Code in India.   The code gained prominence when a resolution was pass... Read More...

India’s Elderly Population Projected to Double to 20% by 2050: UNFPA Report:All Round Analysis

Sep 28, 2023
Key Highlights: Demographic Change: The elderly population in India is projected to double to over 20% by 2050. By 2046, it will likely surpass the population of children up to age 15. Economic Challenges: Over 40% of the elderly belong to the poorest wealth quintile, with 18.7% living without income. Age Demographics: The population of people aged 80 and above will grow by around 279% from 2022 to 2050. Gender Differences: The life expectancy of women at the age of 60 and 80 is generally higher than men. This varies by state and region. Ge... Read More...

Bihar's Second Tiger ReserveBihar's Second Tiger Reserve

Sep 28, 2023
Location: Kaimur district, Bihar. Involved Authorities: State Forest Department, National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). Timeline: By the end of this year or early 2024. Status: In-principle approval from NTCA obtained in July; awaiting formal approval. Tiger Stats: Current tiger population in Valmiki Tiger Reserve is 54, up from 31 in 2018. Geography: Kaimur district features hills and plains, flanked by Karmanasa and Durgavati rivers. Green Cover: The district has the highest green cover in the state at 34%. Read More...

Women's Reservation Bill and Gender Equality

Sep 28, 2023
Q: What does the Women's Reservation Bill entail? Answer: The Women's Reservation Bill, recently passed in Parliament, provides one-third reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies. Q: Why is women's representation in politics important? Answer: Women's representation is vital for inclusive governance. Currently, India ranks 141 out of 193 countries in terms of women's participation in Parliament. Q: How has reservation for women in local elections affected governance? Read More...

Financial Action Task Force (FATF)

Sep 28, 2023
What is FATF? The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an intergovernmental organization founded in 1989 with the mission to combat money laundering and terrorist financing globally. Comprising 37 member states, the FATF sets international standards aimed at preventing illegal activities in the financial sector. It achieves its objectives by issuing recommendations that serve as globally endorsed standards. These recommendations guide the national authorities in implementing legal, regulatory, and operational measures to battle money laundering, terrorist financing, and other financial threats. ... Read More...

WTO and India’s Non-rice Export Ban:

Sep 28, 2023
What is WTO? Q: What is the World Trade Organization (WTO)?   A: The WTO is an international organization that regulates trade between countries. It provides a forum for trade negotiations and dispute resolution among its members. WTO Rules on Export Bans Q: What are the WTO rules regarding export bans?   A: Under WTO rules, export bans should only be temporary and should not discriminate between trading partners. These bans must be reported to the WTO and be subject to scrutiny by other member states. Read More...

Angel Tax and Its Modifications in India

Sep 27, 2023
Q: What is Angel Tax? A: Angel tax is a tax levied on the investment made into startups at a premium over their fair market value. The tax is typically paid by the startup. Q: Why is it Imposed? A: The tax is imposed to curb money laundering and to regulate the flow of investment into startups. It aims to ensure that the capital being invested is genuine and not a means to convert black money into white. Q: Who Does It Affect? A: It primarily affects startups and their investors, especially... Read More...

Saudi Arabia,Palestinian Issue and Israel

Sep 27, 2023
Q: What Happened? A: Saudi Arabia sent a delegation to the occupied West Bank for the first time in three decades. The delegation was led by Nayef al-Sudairi, the Saudi non-resident Ambassador to the Palestinian territories. This comes amid U.S.-brokered talks between Saudi Arabia and Israel to potentially normalize relations. Q: Why is This Significant? A: This is the first visit by a Saudi delegation to the West Bank since the 1993 Oslo Accords, which were designed to resolve the Israel-Palestinian conflict. The visit is also significant becaus... Read More...

US Government Crisis

Sep 27, 2023
What is a Government Shutdown? A government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to fund the federal government. Essential services may continue, but many government activities halt and federal employees are furloughed. The Legal Framework Constitutional Requirement: The U.S. Constitution requires Congress to pass laws to fund the government. Appropriations Bills: These are the specific laws that allocate money for different parts of the government. Debt Ceiling: This is the upper limit set by Congress on the a... Read More...

Antarctic Sea Ice Hits Record Low

Sep 27, 2023
Q: What is the current status of Antarctic sea ice? A: According to U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC), Antarctic sea ice reached a record low surface area of 16.96 million square kilometers on September 10, 2023, at its winter maximum. Q: How significant is this low? A: This is the lowest sea ice maximum in the recorded history from 1979 to 2023. It is 1.03 million square kilometers smaller than the previous record. Q: What is the winter maximum? A: Sea ice in Antarctica typica... Read More...

Nepal-China Relations: A Balancing Act Between Development and Security

Sep 27, 2023
The recent interactions between Nepal and China as described suggest a multi-layered relationship characterized by both cautious engagement and cooperative undertakings. Below are some key points to consider: Economic Cooperation Infrastructure Development: Both countries are keen on developing cross-border connectivity projects, including railways and ports. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is an overarching framework for these endeavors. Feasibility Studies: Progress has been made in studying the feasibility of various infrastructure projects, including ... Read More...