UPSC Daily Current Affairs

AEGIS Experiment Explained

Feb 23, 2024

What is AEGIS? AEGIS stands for Antihydrogen Experiment: Gravity, Interferometry, Spectroscopy. It is a research collaboration aimed at studying the properties of antihydrogen, particularly its interaction with gravity, and other fundamental constants of physics. What are the goals of AEGIS? The primary goal of AEGIS is to measure the Earth's gravitational acceleration on antihydrogen. By doing so, researchers can test the Weak Equivalence Principle, a cornerstone of the General Theory of Relativity, for antimatter. How does AEG... Read More...

FDI in India’s Space Sector

Feb 23, 2024

1. What prompted the Indian government to open its space sector to private and foreign investments? The Indian government recognized the need to innovate and grow its space economy beyond the capabilities of national agencies alone. By opening the sector to private companies and foreign direct investments (FDI), the government aims to leverage private sector agility in identifying market opportunities, enhancing technological advancements, and stimulating economic growth within the space industry. 2. What are the key reforms and policies introduced to support private participation in the space s... Read More...

Eradicating Guinea Worm Disease

Feb 23, 2024

1. What is Guinea worm disease? Guinea worm disease, or dracunculiasis, is caused by the parasite Dracunculus medinensis. It is contracted when people consume water contaminated with larvae. The disease is characterized by a painful blister and ulcer through which the worm emerges from the body, typically affecting the legs and feet. 2. How close is the world to eradicating Guinea worm disease? The world has made significant progress, with cases dropping from over 3.5 million in the 1980s to just six reported cases in 2023. This puts the global community on the brink... Read More...

ASHA Workers’

Feb 23, 2024

1. Who are ASHA workers and what role do they play in the healthcare system? ASHA workers, or Accredited Social Health Activists, are community health workers under the National Health Mission of India. They serve as a bridge between the community and the healthcare system, focusing on maternal and child health, vaccination programs, and basic sanitation and hygiene education. Their role is pivotal in enhancing the outreach of healthcare services to rural and underserved areas. 2. What challenges do ASHA workers face in their daily duties? ASHA workers face multiple ... Read More...

Paruveta Festival Celebrated in Andhra Pradesh’s Ahobilam

Feb 23, 2024

The Paruveta Festival is a significant cultural and religious event celebrated with great fervor in Ahobilam, located in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. This festival is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology and is dedicated to Lord Narasimha, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. Ahobilam is renowned for its nine temples dedicated to Lord Narasimha, making it a pivotal site for devotees. Key Aspects of the Paruveta Festival: Celebration of Lord Narasimha: The festival commemorates the hunting expedition of Lord Narasimha, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. It reflects the legend of Lord Narasimha protecting his devotee Prahlada an... Read More...

India’s FDI Policy Liberalization in the Space Sector

Feb 22, 2024

The Indian government has made a strategic move to liberalize the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy in the space sector, signaling a shift towards greater private sector involvement and international collaboration. This change in policy introduces a tiered approach to FDI, allowing different levels of foreign investment across various space-related activities without requiring government approval. Key Points of the FDI Policy Amendment: 100% FDI in Satellite Component Manufacturing: Foreign investors can now fully own satellite component manufacturing entities without seeking government approval. 74% FDI in... Read More...

Diamond Rain on Uranus: A Fascinating Phenomenon

Feb 22, 2024

The concept of “diamond rain” on Uranus is a fascinating and complex phenomenon. Due to the extreme pressures and temperatures inside Uranus, it’s theorized that deep within the planet, carbon atoms are crushed under intense pressure and heat, transforming them into diamonds. These diamonds are thought to form about 5,000 miles below the surface of Uranus. Here’s a simplified explanation of how it happens: Intense Pressure and Heat: Uranus has a very thick and hot atmosphere made mostly of hydrogen and helium. As you go deeper, the pressure and temperature increase a lot. Carbon to Diamon... Read More...

Explanation of Uranus’s Sideways Spin

Feb 22, 2024

Uranus’s spin is often described as “sideways” because, unlike other planets that spin like tops, Uranus rolls along its orbit like a ball. Here’s a breakdown of what this means: Lengthy Seasons: Just like Earth has summer and winter, Uranus also has seasons. But because of its sideways spin, each season lasts 21 years. So, if you lived near Uranus’s poles, you would see the sun continuously for 21 years, and then it would be night for the next 21 years. Odd Weather: This unusual way of spinning creates very weird weather. It can get extremely windy and the temperatures can change dramatically, much more... Read More...

Article 6 of the Paris Agreement

Feb 22, 2024

What is Article 6 of the Paris Agreement? Article 6 of the Paris Agreement establishes a framework for countries to cooperate in achieving their climate targets. It aims to facilitate the implementation of carbon market mechanisms and collaborative strategies that promote sustainable development in alignment with their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Why is Article 6 significant? Article 6 is pivotal as it allows for innovative and flexible approaches to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It enables countries to work together through mechanisms that can l... Read More...

Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA)

Feb 22, 2024

What is the Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA)? The Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA) is an international coalition of nine countries, including India, formed to facilitate collaboration on river management and urban waterways conservation. The alliance focuses on knowledge exchange, capacity development, high-level advocacy, and bilateral interactions among member cities to enhance the management and rejuvenation of urban rivers. Which countries are members of the GRCA? The GRCA comprises nine countries: India, Denmark, Cambodia, Japan, Bhutan, Australia, Netherl... Read More...

Katabatic Winds

Feb 22, 2024

What are katabatic winds? Katabatic winds are cold, dense winds that flow downhill from higher elevations to lower areas. They are driven by the force of gravity and occur when the air at high elevations cools, becomes denser, and then moves down the slope. How do katabatic winds form? Katabatic winds form when air near the surface of high elevations cools rapidly, usually during the night or in colder seasons. This cooling makes the air denser and heavier than the air at lower elevations, causing it to flow downhill due to gravity. Read More...

Anand Marriage Act Overview

Feb 22, 2024

The Anand Marriage Act, originally passed in 1909, is a legal act in India specifically designed for the Sikh community. This act was enacted to provide a separate legal recognition for Sikh marriages, differentiating them from Hindu marriages. Before this act, Sikh marriages were registered under the Hindu Marriage Act, but the Sikh community sought distinct recognition of their marriage rituals, particularly the Anand Karaj ceremony. Key Features of the Anand Marriage Act: Legal Recognition of Sikh Marriages: The act officially recognizes Sikh marriage ceremonies, known as Anand Karaj, as a valid form of marriage. Read More...

India's First Winter Scientific Expedition to the Arctic

Feb 22, 2024

What is the purpose of India's first winter scientific expedition to the Arctic? The expedition aims to conduct unique scientific observations during the Arctic's polar nights, focusing on climate change, space weather, sea-ice and ocean circulation dynamics, ecosystem adaptations, and their impact on global weather patterns, including monsoons. When was the expedition flagged off, and who flagged it off? The expedition was flagged off on December 18, 2023, by the Honourable Union Minister, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Sh Kiren Rijiju, from the MoES hea... Read More...

Green Hydrogen in India's Transport: Sustainable Future

Feb 22, 2024

Green Hydrogen in India’s Transport Sector: A Step Towards Sustainable Future India is making strides towards incorporating green hydrogen as a fuel for vehicles, marking a significant shift towards sustainable transportation. The government, recognizing the potential of green hydrogen in reducing carbon emissions, has initiated pilot projects to evaluate its feasibility for cars, buses, and trucks. This move is not only aimed at technical validation but also at understanding the economic viability and operational challenges in diverse Indian conditions. Viability and Implementation of Green Hydrogen ... Read More...

Gharial Conservation

Feb 22, 2024

What is a Gharial? The Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) is a large freshwater crocodilian native to the Indian subcontinent. It is distinguished by its long, narrow snout and a bulbous growth at the end of the snout in mature males, known as a ghara. The species is primarily piscivorous, making it an expert fish catcher, and is recognized for being the most aquatic of all crocodilian species. Why are Gharials Endangered? Gharials are critically endangered due to a combination of factors: Habitat Destruction: The construction of dams and barrages, r... Read More...