UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Tarapur Massacre

Mar 16, 2024

What was the Tarapur massacre? The Tarapur massacre was a tragic incident that took place in Tarapur town (now a subdivision) of Bihar’s Munger district on April 15, 1932. British police opened fire on a group of unarmed freedom fighters who had gathered to hoist the Indian National Flag, resulting in the death of 34 individuals. This event marked one of the bloodiest acts of colonial repression in India after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919. Why did the ... Read More...

COP4: Advancing Minamata Convention (2022)

Mar 16, 2024

1. What is the Minamata Convention on Mercury? The Minamata Convention is a global treaty established to protect human health and the environment from the harmful effects of mercury. This toxic heavy metal bioaccumulates in the food chain, posing a significant threat to wildlife and human populations, particularly those who consume large amounts of fish. The Convention outlines a series of measures to control mercury throughout its lifecycle, from mining and use in products to disposal. Read More...

Narmada River and Maikala Range

Mar 16, 2024

What is the Maikala Range? The Maikala Range is a prominent hill range located in central India, near Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh. It is known for being the source of the Narmada River, one of the major rivers in India. The range serves as a crucial watershed area and is characterized by its rich biodiversity and significant cultural and religious importance. Where does the Narmada River originate? The Narmada River originates from the Maikala Range near Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh. The river begins its journey from a small tank called Narmadakund at Amarkantak, marking the start of its we... Read More...

Pal-Dadhvav Massacre and Eki Movement

Mar 16, 2024

What is the Pal-Dadhvav Massacre? The Pal-Dadhvav massacre refers to a tragic event that occurred in the villages of Pal-Chitariya and Dadhvav in the Sabarkantha district, then part of the Idar state (now Gujarat), India. On March 7, 1922, a large group of villagers who had gathered on the banks of the river Heir as part of the Eki Movement were fired upon by forces under the orders of local rulers, resulting in numerous casualties. This event is remembered for the brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters advocating for social and economic rights. What was the Eki Movement? The Eki Movement w... Read More...

Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Powerplant

Mar 16, 2024

Where is it located? The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Powerplant is located in southeastern Ukraine on the banks of the Dnieper River, near the city of Enerhodar. What is its significance? The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Powerplant is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe and one of the ten largest in the world. It historically played a critical role in Ukraine's electricity generation. Is it operational? The plant has been under Russian control since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. While it currently is... Read More...

Gulf of Mannar, Palk Bay, and Dugong Conservation

Mar 16, 2024

What is the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay? The Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay are significant marine ecosystems located between the southeastern coast of India and the northwestern coast of Sri Lanka. These areas are rich in biodiversity and serve as critical habitats for a wide range of marine species, including coral reefs, mangroves, seagrasses, and various species of fish and marine mammals. Why is the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay important for dugong conservation? The Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay are important for dugong conservation due to the presence of extensive seagrass beds, which are th... Read More...

Government’s Focus on Battery Energy Storage

Mar 16, 2024

Battery Energy Storage System Scheme (BESS): The Indian government is promoting the BESS to meet the country’s renewable energy targets and manage peak power demands. The scheme aims for a large-scale storage capacity, supporting India’s net-zero target by ensuring energy security. Advantages of Battery Storage: Battery storage is essential for harnessing and efficiently utilizing renewable energy. It provides a solution to variability and ensures a stable energy supply, even during non-generation hours. Financial Aspects and Targets: The BESS scheme involves a significant financial outlay with target... Read More...

Modern slavery

Mar 15, 2024

It encompasses a range of exploitative practices that exist today, even though slavery is legally prohibited in every country in the world. It includes forced labor, debt bondage, forced marriage, human trafficking, and the worst forms of child labor. Individuals in modern slavery are deprived of their freedom, unable to leave because of threats, violence, coercion, deception, and abuse of power. Forms of Modern Slavery: 1. Forced Labor: Individuals are compelled to work against their will under threat of punishment. It’s prevalent in industries with little regulation, such as agriculture, construction, domestic w... Read More...

ISRO’s Reusable Launch Vehicle Pushpak

Mar 15, 2024

1. What is the Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) Pushpak? The RLV Pushpak is a winged technology demonstrator developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to explore and validate technologies essential for achieving a fully reusable launch vehicle. These technologies include hypersonic flight, autonomous landing, and powered cruise flight, among others. 2. Why is Pushpak significant for space exploration?... Read More...

Glass-Ceiling Index

Mar 15, 2024

The Economist’s Glass-Ceiling Index is a benchmarking tool created by “The Economist” magazine to gauge where women have the best and worst chances of equal treatment at work in countries across the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development). It incorporates various data points to create an overall ranking that reflects the opportunities and barriers women face in the workplace. Key factors included in the Glass-Ceiling Index are: 1. Higher education: The level of tertiary education among women. 2. Labor-force participation: Read More...

Inselbergs: An Overview

Mar 15, 2024

Inselbergs are a geological feature that have garnered significant interest within both the scientific community and among enthusiasts of natural landscapes. An "inselberg" is a term derived from the German words "Insel," meaning island, and "Berg," meaning mountain. It refers to a solitary hill or a lone mountain rising abruptly from a gently sloping or virtually level surrounding plain. Inselbergs are often found in arid and semi-arid regions and are characterized by their steep, often vertical sides and rounded, dome-like tops. Popularity and Significance 1. Geological Interest: Inselber... Read More...

2023 Human Development Report: Economic Inequality Reversal

Mar 14, 2024

For two decades, progress seemed to be made in reducing global economic inequalities. However, the latest findings from the United Nations 2023 Human Development Index (HDI) suggest a troubling reversal of this trend. Despite reaching a new high in the post-COVID-19 era, the 2023 Human Development Report highlights a widening gap between rich and poor nations, with the poorest half still struggling to recover to pre-pandemic levels. This development underscores a complex interplay of factors that demand a nuanced understanding and concerted global action. Key Takeaways from the 2023 Human Developme... Read More...

Snowmelt Irrigation in Ladakh

Mar 14, 2024

What is snowmelt irrigation and why is it important in Ladakh? Snowmelt irrigation involves the use of water from melting snow to irrigate crops. In Ladakh, almost 90% of farmers depend on this method for cultivating barley, wheat, and vegetables. It is crucial because it provides a sustainable and eco-friendly water source in an area with limited rainfall and challenging terrain. How does snowmelt irrigation work? During winter,... Read More...

India’s Progress in Human Development and Gender Equality 2024

Mar 14, 2024

India has made notable progress in the Human Development Index (HDI), ranking 134 out of 193 countries, according to the latest 2023/24 Human Development Report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). After experiencing a drop in 2021, India’s HDI value increased from 0.633 to 0.644 in 2022, placing it in the medium human development category. This improvement reflects positive developments across key HDI indicators, including life expectancy, education, and Gross National Income (GNI) per capita. Enhancements in Gender Equality India has also demonstrated significant strides in reducing gender inequality. Wi... Read More...

Gender Inequality Index (GII)

Mar 14, 2024

The Gender Inequality Index (GII) is a measure developed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to assess the extent of gender-based disparities in a country. It is a composite index that factors in women’s disadvantage in three important aspects: reproductive health, empowerment, and the labor market. The GII reflects inequality between women and men and highlights gaps in access to resources and opportunities for the genders. Key Features of the GII: • Reproductive Health: Measured by maternal mortality ratios and adolescent birth rates, reproductive health indicators reflect women’s acces... Read More...