UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Hurricane Milton & Climate Change

Oct 21, 2024

Hurricane Milton & Climate Change 1. What made Hurricane Milton unusual? • Hurricane Milton intensified rapidly from a Category 1 storm to a Category 5 hurricane (wind speeds of over 252 km/h) in just 12 hours. This quick transformation, from October 6 to 7, and its landfall as a Category 3 storm, is highly rare. The storm also dropped more than 45.72 cm of rain on St. Petersburg, Florida, which represents a more than 1-in-100-year rainfall event. 2. How severe was the impact of Hurricane Milton? • The storm killed at least 12 people in eastern Florida, destroyed homes, knocked out power to more ... Read More...

Supreme Court Clarifies Abetment to Suicide Law: Protecting Families and Employers

Oct 19, 2024

Supreme Court Clarifies Abetment to Suicide Law: Protecting Families and Employers Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)/Section 108 in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). What is abetment to suicide? Abetment to suicide means intentionally encouraging or assisting someone to take their own life. In India, it's a crime under Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), now replaced by Section 108 in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). What did the Supreme Court clarify? The Supreme Court clarified that simply having a connection to someone who died by suicide, or even ha... Read More...

Middle-Income Trap: India's Path to High-Income Status

Oct 19, 2024

Middle-Income Trap: India's Path to High-Income Status What is the middle-income trap? The middle-income trap is a phenomenon where countries experience a slowdown in economic growth after reaching middle-income status, hindering their progress towards becoming high-income economies. How are middle-income economies categorized? The World Bank categorizes middle-income economies into four sub-groups: Lower-middle income: Countries with a Gross National Income (GNI) per capita between $1,086 and $4,255. Middle-mi... Read More...

Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS):Union Budget 2024-2025

Oct 19, 2024

Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS):Union Budget 2024-2025 1. What is the Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS)? • The PMIS is an initiative introduced as part of the Union Budget 2024-2025, with a budget allocation of ₹1.48 lakh crore towards education, employment, and skill development. It aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry needs by offering internships that equip young professionals with industry-relevant skills, enhancing their employability. 2. What is the primary goal of PMIS? • The primary objective of PMIS is to create a skilled and adaptable workforce by offerin... Read More...

HOW QUANTUM COMPUTERS BEAT CLASSICAL SUPERCOMPUTERS

Oct 19, 2024

HOW QUANTUM COMPUTERS BEAT CLASSICAL SUPERCOMPUTERS 1. What makes quantum computers different from classical computers? Quantum computers use qubits, which can exist in multiple states simultaneously, unlike classical bits that are either 0 or 1. This enables them to perform certain calculations with far fewer resources than classical computers. 2. What is quantum advantage? Quantum advantage occurs when a quantum computer solves a problem significantly faster than the best classical supercomputer. Google achieved this with their Sycamore processor in 2019 using a task called random circuit sampling (RCS). Read More...

INDIA-MALDIVES DIPLOMATIC RESET:PRESIDENT MUIZZU VISIT OCTOBER 2024

Oct 19, 2024

INDIA-MALDIVES DIPLOMATIC RESET:PRESIDENT MUIZZU VISIT OCTOBER 2024 1. What is the background of the diplomatic tension between India and Maldives? Relations between India and Maldives have historically been close, but tensions arose when Mohamed Muizzu took office in November 2023. Running on an ‘India Out’ platform, he criticized the presence of Indian military personnel in the Maldives. This, coupled with statements by junior Maldivian ministers against Indian leaders, strained the bilateral relationship. 2. How has President Muizzu’s stance changed since taking office? Initially advocating for... Read More...

Tele MANAS: India's Digital Lifeline for Mental Health

Oct 19, 2024

Tele MANAS: India's Digital Lifeline for Mental Health What is Tele MANAS? Tele MANAS stands for Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States. It's a 24/7, free tele-mental health service launched by the Indian government in 2022. Think of it as a mental health helpline that's available anytime, anywhere in India. Read More...

India’s Act East Policy at 10 Years:Progress and the Path Ahead

Oct 19, 2024

India’s Act East Policy at 10 Years:Progress and the Path Ahead Overview of the Act East Policy (AEP) • Introduction: The Act East Policy (AEP) was launched in 2014 as an enhanced version of the Look East Policy (LEP). It focuses on expanding India’s engagement with Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific region through strategic, economic, and cultural cooperation. • Evolution: The shift from LEP to AEP marked a transition from a primarily economic focus to a more comprehensive approach, integrating security cooperation, regional connectivity, and institutional engagement.... Read More...

21st INDIA-ASEAN SUMMIT: ENHANCING DIGITAL AND STRATEGIC COLLABORATIONS

Oct 19, 2024

21st INDIA-ASEAN SUMMIT: ENHANCING DIGITAL AND STRATEGIC COLLABORATIONS 1. What were the key outcomes of the 21st India-ASEAN summit? The summit culminated in a joint declaration to explore cross-border linkages between payment systems of ASEAN countries and India, leveraging digital solutions. This initiative aims to facilitate smoother transactions and economic exchanges between the regions. 2. How will India contribute to the ASEAN nations through digital public infrastructure? India plans to share its experiences and expertise in digital public infrastructure, particularly systems like Aadhaar a... Read More...

ISAIAH BERLIN,POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE FREEDOM: INDIAN CONTEXT

Oct 19, 2024

ISAIAH BERLIN,POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE FREEDOM: INDIAN CONTEXT Isaiah Berlin’s exploration of freedom introduced a significant distinction between “positive freedom” and “negative freedom.” This conceptual framework offers a way to understand the complexities and conflicts inherent in the concept of freedom itself, especially when applied to diverse societal contexts such as India. 1. What is Negative Freedom? Negative freedom refers to the absence of obstacles, barriers, or constraints. In this sense, an individual is free if no one is interfering with their actions. Berlin posited that this form of freedom is ... Read More...

SYNTHETIC MEDICAL IMAGES: BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES

Oct 19, 2024

SYNTHETIC MEDICAL IMAGES: BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES 1. What are synthetic medical images and how are they created? Synthetic medical images are generated by artificial intelligence (AI) using techniques such as generative adversarial networks (GANs), diffusion models, and variational autoencoders (VAEs). These AI methods create realistic images of medical scans without using actual patient data, effectively mimicking traditional imaging like MRI, CT scans, or X-rays based on learned data models. 2. Why are synthetic medical images significant in healthcare? These images address the shortage of high-qu... Read More...

NATIONAL AGRICULTURE CODE (NAC): GOVERNMENT’S INITIATIVE FOR STANDARDIZATION

Oct 19, 2024

NATIONAL AGRICULTURE CODE (NAC): GOVERNMENT’S INITIATIVE FOR STANDARDIZATION 1. What is the National Agriculture Code (NAC)? The NAC is a new standard being formulated by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). It aims to create a comprehensive set of guidelines for various agricultural practices. Similar to the National Building Code and National Electrical Code, it seeks to bring standardization to agriculture. 2. Why is there a need for the NAC? Currently, not all aspects of agriculture are covered under existing standards, especially in areas like fertilization, pesticide use, and irrigation. The NAC aims t... Read More...

HIGHWAY HUMSAFAR POLICY

Oct 19, 2024

HIGHWAY HUMSAFAR POLICY India’s highway network, while extensive and pivotal for national connectivity, has often lagged in providing satisfactory roadside facilities. The Humsafar policy, introduced by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, led by Nitin Gadkari, addresses this issue directly. Launched on October 8, the policy aims to revolutionize the traveler experience with the addition of 950 new roadside stops. 1. What is the Humsafar policy? • The Humsafar policy is a strategic initiative to enhance the quality of services available to travelers on India’s national highways. By establishing high-standa... Read More...

Nihon Hidankyo Wins 2024 Nobel Peace Prize for Nuclear Disarmament Advocacy

Oct 19, 2024

Nihon Hidankyo Wins 2024 Nobel Peace Prize for Nuclear Disarmament Advocacy What is Nihon Hidankyo? Nihon Hidankyo (日本被団協) is a Japanese organization officially called the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations. It is a grassroots movement of atomic bomb survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The survivors are also known as Hibakusha (被爆者). Why did Nihon Hidankyo win the Nobel Peace Prize? The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize to Nihon Hidankyo "for its efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons and for demons... Read More...

Basu Bari's Bonedi Bari Durga Puja:300 Years of Faith

Oct 19, 2024

Basu Bari's Bonedi Bari Durga Puja:300 Years of Faith What is the Basu Bari Puja? The Basu Bari Puja is a historic Durga Puja celebration held in Sarisha, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal. It's a "bonedi bari" puja, meaning it's a traditional Durga Puja celebrated by a zamindar (landlord) family. How old is this puja? The Basu Bari Puja is 307 years old, having been started in 1717. This makes it one of the oldest Durga Pujas in the region. What is Durga Puja? Durga Puja is a major Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of Goddes... Read More...