UPSC Daily Current Affairs

HORTICULTURE PRODUCTION IN INDIA FOR 2023-24:ANALYSIS

Oct 03, 2024

HORTICULTURE PRODUCTION IN INDIA FOR 2023-24:ANALYSIS Horticulture output in India for the year 2023-24 has seen a slight decline of 0.65%, totaling 353.19 million tonnes according to the government’s third advance estimate. Despite this marginal overall decrease, fruit production has experienced a growth of 2.29%, reaching 112.73 million tonnes. This increase in fruit output has been propelled by significant gains in the production of key fruits such as mango, banana, lime/lemon, grapes, and custard apple. On the other hand, vegetable production was recorded at 205.8 million tonnes. Notably, the production of tomatoes, cabbage, and caulifl... Read More...

Secularism: India and the USA

Oct 03, 2024

Secularism: India and the USA India and the United States both uphold secular principles, but they differ in their approach and implementation. India as a Secular State Constitutional Mandate: The Indian Constitution explicitly declares India as a secular state, enshrined in its Preamble. The term "secular" was added through the 42nd Amendment in 1976, emphasizing the state's commitment to religious neutrality. Positive Secularism: India's secularism is often described as "positive secularism," implying that the state activel... Read More...

GINGEE FORT PROPOSED FOR UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE

Oct 03, 2024

GINGEE FORT PROPOSED FOR UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE 1. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF GINGEE FORT? Gingee Fort, known as the “Troy of the East,” is one of the most significant forts in Tamil Nadu. Built on three hillocks—Rajagiri, Krishnagiri, and Chandragiri—the fort has witnessed the rise and fall of various empires, including the Vijayanagar Nayaks, Marathas, Mughals, French, and British, making it a testament to India’s diverse historical legacy. 2. WHY HAS GINGEE FORT BEEN PROPOSED/NOMINATED FOR UNESCO’S WORLD HERITAGE SITE TAG? Gingee Fort has been nominat... Read More...

SOORYA ROCKET: INDIA’S NEXT GENERATION LAUNCH VEHICLE

Oct 03, 2024

SOORYA ROCKET: INDIA’S NEXT GENERATION LAUNCH VEHICLE FAQs 1. What is the Soorya Rocket? The Soorya Rocket, officially known as the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), is a three-stage, partially reusable launch vehicle currently under development by ISRO. It aims to replace existing launch systems like PSLV, GSLV, and LVM3. 2. How tall will the Soorya Rocket be compared to other landmarks? The Soorya Rocket will stand 93 meters tall, making it almost 21 meters taller than the iconic Qutab Minar. 3. What is the budget allocated for the development of t... Read More...

ADJUSTED GROSS REVENUE (AGR) :SIMPLIFIER

Oct 02, 2024

ADJUSTED GROSS REVENUE (AGR) :SIMPLIFIER 1. What is Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR)? Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) is the total revenue earned by telecom companies, including all revenue streams, such as call charges, internet services, and non-core activities like rent, sale of handsets, and other assets. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in India requires telecom companies to pay a percentage of their AGR as license fees and spectrum usage charges. 2. What is the rationale behind AGR? The government uses AGR as a basis to calculate the fees that telecom operators must pay for... Read More...

Criticality in Nuclear Reactors:Simplifier

Oct 02, 2024

Criticality in Nuclear Reactors:Simplifier 1. What is criticality in the context of nuclear reactors? Criticality refers to the state in a nuclear reactor where the nuclear fission chain reaction is self-sustaining. This means that each fission event releases enough neutrons to trigger subsequent fissions, maintaining a steady rate of nuclear reactions. 2. Why is achieving criticality important for a nuclear reactor? Achieving criticality is essential for a nuclear reactor to generate power. Once criticality is reached, the controlled chain reaction produces ... Read More...

Tribal Development: Western and Non-Western Perspectives

Oct 02, 2024

Tribal Development: Western and Non-Western Perspectives The Criminal Tribes Act of 1871 was a discriminatory law enacted by the British in India. It labeled entire communities as "born criminals," subjecting them to strict surveillance and restrictions. This unjust law perpetuated social stigma and discrimination against these communities, even after its repeal in 1952. What is the difference between a Western and non-Western approach to studying tribal issues? Western Approach: Often rooted in colonialism, this approach might view tribal communities through a ... Read More...

IT Rules 2023 and the Bombay High Court's Decision

Oct 02, 2024

IT Rules 2023 and the Bombay High Court's Decision Could you explain the purpose of the IT Rules 2023? The IT Rules 2023 were designed to regulate digital platforms in India, ensuring they adhere to standards that prevent the spread of misinformation and manage digital ethics. Which platforms were within the scope of the IT Rules 2023? The rules applied to all digital and social media platforms operating within India. Can you outline some key features of the IT Rules 2023? Key features included the establishment of a Fact... Read More...

INCOME DISPARITIES AMONG STATES IN INDIA:SIMPLIFIER

Oct 02, 2024

INCOME DISPARITIES AMONG STATES IN INDIA:SIMPLIFIER 1. What Are the Causes of Regional Income Disparities in India? • Historical Development Patterns: Developed states like Maharashtra and Gujarat benefited early from industrialization, creating a significant income gap with states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. For example, in 2023-24, Maharashtra’s per capita income was over 3.5 times higher than Bihar’s. • Agricultural Dependence: States like Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh rely heavily on agriculture, which contributes less to GDP compared to industry and services... Read More...

ANCIENT INDIA’S GLOBAL IMPACT: A HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

Oct 02, 2024

ANCIENT INDIA’S GLOBAL IMPACT: A HISTORICAL OVERVIEW 1. How Did Ancient India Influence Global Trade? • Ancient India was at the crossroads of major trade routes, including the Silk Road and maritime routes in the Indian Ocean. India’s exports included spices, cotton textiles, pearls, and medicinal herbs, highly sought after by global markets. Notably, ancient Indian ports like Muziris and Barbarikon served as significant hubs, linking India to the Roman Empire, Southeast Asia, and East Africa. 2. What Were the Major Scientific Contributions of Ancient India? • India was a center of learning, ... Read More...

BORDER ADJUSTMENT TAX (BAT): STEEL INDUSTRY& WTO

Oct 02, 2024

BORDER ADJUSTMENT TAX (BAT): STEEL INDUSTRY& WTO 1. What is the Border Adjustment Tax (BAT)? The Border Adjustment Tax (BAT) is a tax on imports designed to ensure fair competition between local and foreign products. It applies the same domestic taxes to imports at the border, leveling the playing field by making imported goods subject to the same tax burdens as locally produced ones. BAT helps protect domestic industries, like steel, by raising the price of imported goods that may otherwise benefit from lower production costs abroad. 2. How is the steel industry affected by cheap imports? Read More...

Heavy Water in India: What, Why, and Where

Oct 02, 2024

Heavy Water in India: What, Why, and Where What is Heavy Water? Heavy water, also known as deuterium oxide (D2O), is a form of water where the hydrogen atoms are replaced with deuterium, a heavier isotope of hydrogen. This seemingly minor change significantly alters the properties of water, making heavy water crucial for certain applications, particularly in nuclear reactors. Why is Heavy Water Used in Nuclear Reactors? Heavy water plays a pivotal role in certain types of nuclear reactors, specifically Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs), as a modera... Read More...

India's largest blast furnace @Tata Steel's Kalinganagar plant, Odisha

Oct 02, 2024

India's largest blast furnace @Tata Steel's Kalinganagar plant, Odisha India's largest blast furnace, recently commissioned at Tata Steel's Kalinganagar plant, Odisha,is a significant step in expanding domestic steel production capacity. Blast Furnace: What is a blast furnace? A blast furnace is a large, vertical, cylindrical furnace used in the ironmaking process to extract iron from its ore. It operates on the principle of chemical reduction, where carbon monoxide, produced by the combustion of coke (a form of coal), reacts with iron ... Read More...

AMAZON RIVER DRYING: CAUSES AND IMPACTS OF THE SEVERE DROUGHT

Oct 02, 2024

AMAZON RIVER DRYING: CAUSES AND IMPACTS OF THE SEVERE DROUGHT 1. What Is the Amazon River and Why Is It Important? • The Amazon River is the largest river in the world by volume, flowing through South America and covering over 7,000 kilometers. It originates in the Peruvian Andes at an elevation of 5,598 meters and makes its way through the Amazon rainforest, ultimately emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. The river is known for its vast size, which varies with the seasons; it spans 4 to 5 kilometers wide during the dry season and can swell up to 50 kilometers during the wet season. The Amazon River plays a crucial role in the global ecosystem, suppor... Read More...

INTERNATIONAL BIG CAT ALLIANCE:INDIA JOINS-SIMPLIFIER

Oct 02, 2024

INTERNATIONAL BIG CAT ALLIANCE:INDIA JOINS-SIMPLIFIER 1. What Is the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)? The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) is a multi-country and multi-agency coalition launched on April 9, 2023, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to commemorate 50 years of India’s Project Tiger. It aims to secure the future of seven big cat species—tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar, and cheetah—through international cooperation and conservation efforts. 2. What Are the Key Objectives of the IBCA? • Big Cat Conservation: To protec... Read More...