UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Range Shifting” and Peacocks: Climate Change

Oct 18, 2024

Range Shifting” and Peacocks: Climate Change 1. What is range shifting, and why are peacocks moving to higher altitudes? Range shifting refers to the movement of species to new habitats, often at higher altitudes or latitudes, as their original habitats become less suitable. Peacocks, which are typically found at 1,600 feet, have been observed at 6,500 feet in Uttarakhand, possibly due to changes in temperature and habitat conditions. 2. What role does climate change play in this shift? Climate change has led to warmer temperatures even at higher elevations, making these areas more suitable fo... Read More...

ARIKAMEDU: ANCIENT INDO-ROMAN TRADE HUB

Oct 17, 2024

ARIKAMEDU: ANCIENT INDO-ROMAN TRADE HUB 1. What is Arikamedu and why is it important? Arikamedu is an ancient port city located near Puducherry on India’s southeastern coast. It is historically significant for its role in Indo-Roman trade, which thrived from 300 BCE to the 18th century. Archaeological excavations have uncovered evidence of Roman artifacts, pottery, and material culture, solidifying Arikamedu as an important commercial hub in maritime trade. 2. Who first excavated Arikamedu, and what was discovered? The first major excavation of Arikamedu was conducted by Mortimer Wheeler in 1945, who identifi... Read More...

Lake Restoration:Need and the Challenges

Oct 17, 2024

Lake Restoration:Need and the Challenges FAQs What is lake restoration? Lake restoration aims to improve the health of a lake harmed by pollution or other factors. It involves cleaning up pollutants, restoring habitats, and managing water levels to create a healthy ecosystem. Why is lake restoration important? Lakes provide us with clean water, habitats for wildlife, flood control, and recreation. Restoring them improves water quality, supports biodiversity, and enhances our quality of life. What are the challenges in lake restoration? Read More...

Sovereign Credit Ratings and India’s Concerns:Simplifier

Oct 17, 2024

Sovereign Credit Ratings and India’s Concerns:Simplifier 1. What is a sovereign credit rating? A sovereign credit rating is an independent assessment of a country’s ability to meet its debt obligations. It provides investors with insights into the risks associated with lending to a particular country. Higher ratings indicate a lower risk of default, while lower ratings suggest a higher risk. 2. Which agencies provide sovereign credit ratings? The major agencies that provide sovereign credit ratings are often referred to as the “Big Three”: • S&P Global... Read More...

Ambros and Ruvkun 2024:Nobel Prize for Discovery of MicroRNAs: A New Dimension in Gene Regulation

Oct 17, 2024

Ambros and Ruvkun 2024:Nobel Prize for Discovery of MicroRNAs: A New Dimension in Gene Regulation The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2024 was awarded to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their groundbreaking discovery of microRNAs, tiny molecules that revolutionized our understanding of gene regulation. This prestigious award highlights the significance of their work and its impact on various fields of biology and medicine. MicroRNAs: Tiny Molecules with a Big Role in Gene Regulation Ambros and Ruvkun's research unveiled a previously unknown mechanism for controlling gene activity. They found that microRNAs, a cla... Read More...

INDIA’S EMERGENCE AS A SEMICONDUCTOR POWER: AN OVERVIEW

Oct 17, 2024

INDIA’S EMERGENCE AS A SEMICONDUCTOR POWER: AN OVERVIEW 1. Why is India entering the semiconductor production market? India aims to become a leader in the semiconductor industry, understanding its importance for technological and economic advancement. The country seeks to build on its IT expertise and attract foreign investments. 2. Which major companies are investing in India’s semiconductor industry? Leading companies like AMD, Nvidia, and Micron have shown interest in producing chips in India. Additionally, Apple has been assembling products in Indian factories, contributing to industrial growth. Read More...

Gaza Conflict:One Year

Oct 17, 2024

Gaza Conflict:One Year 1. What triggered the recent conflict in Gaza? The recent conflict was triggered on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a large-scale assault on Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking hostages. This led to a significant military response from Israel, resulting in airstrikes in Gaza and a broader escalation of hostilities. 2. How many casualties have occurred in the conflict? As of the latest reports, around 41,870 Palestinians have been killed, while 1,400 Israelis have died in the ongoing conflict. The humanitarian crisis has worsened, with nearly the entire populati... Read More...

Gaza War – One Year On and Its Global Dimensions

Oct 17, 2024

Gaza War – One Year On and Its Global Dimensions 1. What triggered the Gaza War in October 2023? The conflict erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Israel, resulting in over 1,200 Israeli deaths and the capture of hostages. This led to a significant military response from Israel, targeting Hamas positions in Gaza through airstrikes, followed by ground operations. The war escalated into a full-scale conflict with severe casualties and displacement on both sides. 2. How many casualties and displacements have occurred in Gaza over the past year? As of October 202... Read More...

Classical language:The New Criteria 2024

Oct 17, 2024

Classical language:The New Criteria 2024 What is a classical language? A classical language is an official language of India that meets certain criteria set by the government. These languages are typically ancient, have a rich literary tradition, and are considered to be valuable heritage by generations of speakers. What are the criteria for a language to be declared classical? The criteria have evolved over time. Initially, a language needed to have: High antiquity: Early texts and recorded history over 1500-2000 years. Ancient literature:... Read More...

Nobel Physics Prize for AI Pioneers: Hopfield and Hinton's Neural Networks Revolutionize Machine Learning

Oct 17, 2024

Nobel Physics Prize for AI Pioneers: Hopfield and Hinton's Neural Networks Revolutionize Machine Learning FAQs Who won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics? John J. Hopfield and Geoffrey E. Hinton won the prize for their groundbreaking work on artificial neural networks, the foundation of modern artificial intelligence (AI). What are artificial neural networks? Artificial neural networks are computer systems inspired by the human brain. They consist of interconnected nodes (like brain cells) that can learn to recognize patterns and make decisio... Read More...

Maharashtra's "Ladki Bahin" Scheme: Populism vs. Prudence

Oct 17, 2024

Maharashtra's "Ladki Bahin" Scheme: Populism vs. Prudence What is the Ladki Bahin scheme? Maharashtra's ‘Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana,’ launched in August , 2024, provides Rs 1,500 monthly to eligible women aged 21-65 with household incomes under Rs 2.5 lakh, boosting economic security.To qualify for this assistance, women must be permanent residents of MaharashtraIt's a new cash transfer scheme. What benefits are expected from Maharashtra's 'Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana'? This scheme offers several potential benefits: For Women: Read More...

Dry Ports in India

Oct 17, 2024

Dry Ports in India What is a dry port? A dry port (also known as an inland container depot or ICD) is an inland intermodal terminal directly connected by road or rail to a seaport. It acts as a hub for handling, temporary storage, and customs clearance of import and export cargo. Essentially, it brings the services of a seaport to an inland location. Why are dry ports important for India? Reduce congestion at seaports: By shifting some of the cargo handling and customs clearance inland, dry ports help alleviate congestion at major seaports like Mumbai's Jawaharlal Nehru Port or ... Read More...

THE SUDANESE CIVIL WAR - UPDATE,2024 OCTOBER

Oct 17, 2024

THE SUDANESE CIVIL WAR - UPDATE,2024 OCTOBER 1. What initiated the civil war in Sudan? The civil war in Sudan erupted from a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), two major military factions, each led by influential commanders. The conflict has expanded from Khartoum to other regions, deepening ethnic divisions and violence. 2. What has been the role of ethnic tensions in the war? Ethnic tensions have significantly intensified the conflict. The war has evolved along ethnic lines, with Arab and non-Arab militias aligning with either the RSF or the SAF, lea... Read More...

Reserve Bank of India and Currency Swap Facility for SAARC

Oct 17, 2024

Reserve Bank of India and Currency Swap Facility for SAARC Currency Swaps A central bank currency swap involves one central bank providing its currency to another in exchange for the second bank's currency. This swap includes an agreement to reverse the transaction later.Imagine the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) wants to lend a helping hand to Sri Lanka, whose currency is the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). They decide to do a currency swap: Exchange: The RBI gives Sri Lanka's central bank a certain amount of Indian Rupees (INR), say ₹100 crore. In return, Sri Lanka gives the RBI an equival... Read More...

Center of Excellence for Traditional Medicine,Jamnagar,Gujarat:India's Gift to the World

Oct 17, 2024

Center of Excellence for Traditional Medicine,Jamnagar,Gujarat:India's Gift to the World India pledged over $300 million to the World Health Organization (WHO) for its core work from 2025 to 2028. This makes India the largest contributor in Southeast Asia.The majority of India's contribution ($250 million) will go towards establishing a Centre of Excellence for Traditional Medicine. What is the Centre of Excellence for Traditional Medicine? It's a new global center being established in Jamnagar, Gujarat, India, with major funding from India and the World Health Organization (WHO). It will focus on promoting the s... Read More...