UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Coastal Harmony: Balancing Ecology, Livelihoods, Sustainability

Mar 06, 2024

Coastal Commons: Balancing Livelihoods, Ecology, and Development Coastal commons, the dynamic interface between land and sea, encompass a diverse array of geographical features, including sandy shores, mangroves, mudflats, and reefs. These regions are not merely scenic landscapes; they are crucial ecosystems teeming with life, supporting a multitude of species and playing a vital role in the environmental and economic well-being of coastal communities. Ecological Significance Coastal commons are sanctuaries for a rich tapestry of marine and terrestrial flora and fauna. The... Read More...

Navigating the High Seas: Governance Challenges and the BBNJ Treaty

Mar 06, 2024

1. What are the high seas? The high seas are defined as all parts of the ocean that are not included in the exclusive economic zone, territorial sea, or internal waters of any country, nor in the archipelagic waters of an archipelagic country. They represent areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). 2. How much of the ocean do the high seas cover? The high seas account for about 64% of the ocean's surface and are considered one of the most biologically productive areas, hosting a significant portion of marine life. Read More...

France: Right to Abortion as a Constitutional Right

Mar 06, 2024

Q: Did France recently make abortion a constitutional right? A: Yes, in February 2024, France became the first country in the world to enshrine a woman's right to abortion in its constitution. Q: Why did France make this change? A: There were a few reasons: The U.S. Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022 sparked concern in France about potential future restrictions on abortion access. Public opinion in France overwhelmi... Read More...

India-EFTA Free Trade Agreement

Mar 05, 2024

What is the proposed free trade agreement between India and EFTA? The proposed agreement between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries—Switzerland, Finland, Norway, and Liechtenstein—aims to enhance trade and investment flows. The pact includes commitments of $100 billion investments from EFTA into India over the next 15 years, expected to generate approximately one million jobs. Why is this FTA significant for India? This FTA is notable because it is the first time India has secured commitments on investment and employment from partner nations within a f... Read More...

HPV Vaccine and Its Role in Preventing Cancers

Mar 05, 2024

What is the HPV vaccine, and which cancers can it prevent? The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is designed to prevent infections caused by specific strains of HPV known to cause several types of cancers. This vaccine can help prevent six types of cancers: cervical, vulvar, vaginal, anal, throat, and penile cancers. Five of these cancers primarily affect women. Why is the HPV vaccine particularly important for women? Cervical cancer, caused by HPV, is the fourth most common cancer among women globall... Read More...

Russia-North Korea Relations and Its Implications

Mar 05, 2024

1. What has led to the quick transformation of Russia-North Korea ties? The transformation has been fueled by Russia’s increased international isolation following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and North Korea’s strategic pivot towards enhancing its diplomatic and military ties with Moscow. High-level visits and exchanges between the two nations have significantly contributed to this rapid deepening of relations. 2. What are the main areas of collaboration between Russia and North Korea? The collaboration spans several areas, including military and arms supply, economic and infr... Read More...

Uttarakhand’s Law for Damage Recovery

Mar 05, 2024

1. What is the purpose of the new Ordinance in Uttarakhand? The Ordinance aims to recover the cost of damages to public property during riots and protests directly from those involved. It seeks to ensure accountability and deter future instances of unrest by imposing financial penalties on the perpetrators. 2. How will the cost of damages be assessed? The government has established a special tribunal tasked with assessing the cost of damages incurred during riots and protests. This tribunal will determine the financial ... Read More...

Star Dunes: Global Insights and India’s Perspective

Mar 05, 2024

Star dunes, with their unique star-shaped morphology characterized by multiple arms radiating from a central peak, are fascinating natural formations resulting from the action of multi-directional wind regimes. These dunes are not only geomorphologically significant but also play a crucial role in desert ecosystems, offering insights into climate patterns, sediment transport, and landscape evolution. Understanding star dunes encompasses a broad range of disciplines, including geomorphology, climate science, and environmental conservation, highlighting the complex interplay between Earth’s surface and atmospheric processes. Read More...

Geological hydrogen

Mar 05, 2024

Geological hydrogen, also known as natural hydrogen, white hydrogen, or gold hydrogen, is hydrogen gas found trapped underground. Unlike its industrial counterpart, it forms naturally through various geological processes, making it a potentially viable clean energy source. Here's a deeper dive into its formation: Serpentinization: This process occurs when water interacts with ultramafic rocks in the Earth's mantle, triggering a reaction that releases hydrogen gas. Imagine superheated water encountering specific rock formations under immense pressure and temperature – that's the recipe for serpentinizat... Read More...

Supreme Court’s Directive on Medical Procedure Rates

Mar 05, 2024

What prompted the Supreme Court to issue a directive on medical procedure rates? The Supreme Court issued the directive in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the NGO Veterans Forum for Transparency in Public Life, highlighting discrepancies in medical treatment costs between private and state-run hospitals and the government’s failure to implement the Clinical Establishment (Central Government) Rules. What are the Clinical Establishment (Central Government) Rules? The Clinical Establishment (Central Government) Rules, established in 2012, ... Read More...

Establishment of India’s First National Dolphin Research Centre

Mar 05, 2024

India has inaugurated its first National Dolphin Research Centre (NDRC) in Patna, Bihar, marking a significant milestone in the conservation of the endangered Gangetic river dolphin. Situated near the Ganges River, the NDRC aims to serve as a hub for scientific research and conservation efforts focused on this freshwater mammal. Key Highlights: Location and Inauguration: The NDRC is strategically located near the Ganga River in Patna, Bihar, and was inaugurated on March 4, 2024, by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Research and Conservation Efforts: The c... Read More...

India's Largest Floating Solar Power Project

Mar 05, 2024

What is the capacity of India's largest floating solar power project? The largest floating solar power project in India has a capacity of 100 MW. Where is India's largest floating solar power project located? It is located at NTPC-Ramagundam in Telangana. What is the total commercial operation of floating solar capacity in the Southern Region of India as of the project's commissioning? Following the project's commissioning, the total commercial operation of floating solar capacity in the Southe... Read More...

Geo-fencing in MGNREGS Attendance: Challenges and Concerns

Mar 05, 2024

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), aimed at enhancing livelihood security in rural areas, has recently incorporated a geo-fencing feature to ensure transparency in its online attendance system. This initiative, part of the National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS), mandates workers to mark their attendance within a 10-metre radius of a pre-identified geo-tagged location at the worksite. This change, while intended to enhance system integrity, has raised operational challenges, particularly in projects that span large areas or involve linear developments such as road or canal maintenance. States like... Read More...

Understanding 'Asian Values': Complexities, Influences, and Criticisms

Mar 05, 2024

The concept of "Asian values" is a complex and contested one, used to describe a set of cultural commonalities found in Asian societies, particularly those in East and Southeast Asia. It's important to understand this concept with its nuances and criticisms. Core Values: Collectivism: This stands in contrast to Western individualism, emphasizing the needs of the group (family, community, nation) over individual desires. This can manifest in strong family ties, a sense of social responsibility, and prioritizing group harmony. Confucian influences: Read More...

Understanding the Recent Surge in Global Temperatures:2024

Mar 05, 2024

The recent years have marked significant milestones in the context of global warming, with 2023 being the warmest year recorded since global temperature data collection began in 1850. This alarming trend continued into 2024, witnessing the warmest January on record. The primary driver behind this unprecedented warming is human-induced global warming, further intensified by natural phenomena like El Niño. Breakdown of Recent Temperature Records 2023 as the Warmest Year: The global average temperature reached 14.98°C, surpassing the pre-industrial average by 1.48°C, making it the warme... Read More...