UPSC Daily Current Affairs

WINDS Project: Hyperlocal Weather Revolution in India

Feb 12, 2024

WINDS Project: Revolutionizing Hyperlocal Weather Forecasting in India” The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, has launched the Weather Information Network and Data System (WINDS), a groundbreaking initiative set to transform India’s approach to weather forecasting. This ambitious project aims to generate comprehensive, long-term, hyperlocal weather data, addressing the critical need for enhanced weather prediction accuracy across the country’s diverse climatic zones. Key Highlights of the WINDS Initiative: Read More...

Ensuring Child Safety Online: FAQs

Feb 12, 2024

What are the primary concerns for children's safety online? Online environments pose significant risks to children, including exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, sexual harassment, and abuse. The immersive nature of emerging technologies like the Metaverse can intensify these experiences. Additionally, the collection of vast amounts of personal data threatens children's privacy and security. How do tech companies contribute to the problem? Tech companies have been criticized for not designing platforms with children's safety in mind. The lac... Read More...

Exploring the "Road to Heaven" to Dholavira, Gujarat

Feb 12, 2024

What is the significance of the Khavda-Khadir road? The Khavda-Khadir road is a newly opened 31.9 km stretch that provides direct access to the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Dholavira, situated on the island of Khadir in Gujarat. This road is significant for reducing the travel distance from Bhuj to Dholavira, facilitating easier and quicker access to one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in India, known for its Harappan civilization remains. Why is Dholavira important? Dholavira is one of the most prominent archaeological sites in India, showcasing the urb... Read More...

High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS): A Beginner's Guide

Feb 12, 2024

Introduction to HAPS: The concept of High Altitude Pseudo Satellites (HAPS) brings a revolutionary approach to aerial surveillance and communication technologies. Unlike conventional drones, HAPS operate in the stratosphere, far above commercial flight paths, and can remain airborne for extended periods, thanks to solar energy and battery systems. Successful Test by CSIRNAL: The CSIRNational Aerospace Laboratories (CSIRNAL), based in India, has made significant progress in this domain by successfully testing a prototype of HAPS at Challakere, Karnataka. This event marks a crucial step forward in d... Read More...

National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)

Feb 12, 2024

What is the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)? The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) is an initiative by the Indian government launched in 2019, aimed at reducing particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) levels by 20-30% in 131 designated ‘non-attainment’ cities across India by 2024, relative to 2017 levels. It focuses on comprehensive air quality management through city-specific action plans. Why has NCAP struggled to reduce pollution levels? ublic, which ranks air pollution low on priority lists. Entrenched Industry Practices: Industries contributin... Read More...

Bhutan’s “Gelephu Mindfulness City

Feb 12, 2024

1. What is the Gelephu Mindfulness City? Gelephu Mindfulness City is a planned urban development in Bhutan, aiming to cover 1,000 square kilometers near the town of Gelephu along Bhutan’s southern border with India. It’s designed to be an economic hub and a gateway for tourists, embodying Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness philosophy by prioritizing economic development and personal well-being. 2. Where will Gelephu Mindfulness City be located? The city will be built near Gelephu, an important border town in southern Bhutan, serving as a crossing poi... Read More...

‘Patna Declaration’ for Bird Conservation

Feb 10, 2024

1. What is the ‘Patna Declaration’? The ‘Patna Declaration’ is a significant initiative by the Bihar government, formulated in collaboration with the Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (DEFCC) and the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), India. It aims to bolster bird conservation efforts and tackle the challenges of illegal hunting, taking, and trade of migratory birds in the South Asian region. 2. Why was the ‘Patna Declaration’ created? The declaration was created to address the pressing issue of illegal hunt... Read More...

Central Asian Flyway (CAF) and East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF)

Feb 10, 2024

Central Asian Flyway (CAF): Geographic Scope: The CAF covers a large continental area of Eurasia between the Arctic and Indian Oceans and encompasses several important bird breeding areas in the northern regions, with wintering sites located mainly in the Indian subcontinent. It includes 30 countries. Key Species: The flyway is crucial for numerous waterbirds, including several species of ducks, geese, swans, waders, gulls, and cranes, many of which are dependent on wetlands for their migratory stopovers and wintering. Conservation Challenges: Habitat loss and degradation, illegal hunting, and climate change are... Read More...

India-Saudi Arabia Joint Military Exercise: Sada Tanseeq

Feb 09, 2024

Q1: What is Sada Tanseeq? A1: Sada Tanseeq is the first joint military exercise between the Indian Army and the Royal Saudi Land Force, aimed at enhancing interoperability and understanding of operational procedures under UN mandates. Q2: Where was the exercise held? A2: The exercise took place at the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Jaipur, India. Q3: How long did the exercise last? A3: Sada Tanseeq lasted for 12 days. Q4: What were the main objectives of Sada Tanseeq? Read More...

Understanding Long COVID: Symptoms, Causes, and Management

Feb 09, 2024

Long COVID, or Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), represents a complex condition where individuals experience persistent symptoms weeks or months after initially recovering from a COVID-19 infection. This condition can affect anyone who has had COVID-19, irrespective of the infection’s initial severity, including those with mild or even asymptomatic cases. The symptoms of long COVID are wide-ranging and multisystemic. Common manifestations include fatigue, shortness of breath, “brain fog,” chest pain, joint pain, a persistent cough, and heart palpitations. Psychological or neurological issues such as depression, a... Read More...

White Paper on Economic Performance

Feb 09, 2024

1. What is the purpose of the white paper presented by the Finance Minister? The white paper aims to analyze the Indian economy’s performance over the past ten years, comparing the current government’s tenure to the previous one. It focuses on reforms, growth, and fiscal health. 2. What are some key economic indicators highlighted in the white paper? Key indicators include nominal GDP growth rate, real GDP growth rate, and fiscal deficit as a percentage of GDP, comparing the UPA and NDA years. 3. What does the white paper critic... Read More...

IPCC Synthesis Report

Feb 09, 2024

1. What exactly is the IPCC Synthesis Report, and what does it cover? The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Synthesis Report is a comprehensive summary of the latest and most significant climate change data. It encapsulates the key findings from the individual reports of the three IPCC Working Groups, covering the scientific basis of climate change, its impacts and future risks, and strategies for mitigation and adaptation. 2. Why is the Synthesis Report considered critical for global climate policy? The Synthesis Report is pivotal because it distills ... Read More...

Architectural Evolution of Vijayanagara Empire

Feb 09, 2024

The Vijayanagara Empire, once a bastion of South Indian power, is celebrated for its innovative architectural synthesis. It stands as a testament to the cultural and artistic renaissance that took place in India during the 15th century. The empire absorbed and reinterpreted elements from the preceding Chola and Chalukya dynasties, leading to the creation of a distinctive Vijayanagara style of architecture. The Deccan as a Cultural Melting Pot The Deccan plateau, characterized by its linguistic diversity, has been a center of cultural exchange. In the early medieval period, regional dynasties like the Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas... Read More...

Carbon Markets

Feb 08, 2024

1. What are carbon markets? Carbon markets are systems that allow countries or companies to buy or sell credits for greenhouse gas emissions. One credit typically allows the holder to emit one ton of carbon dioxide or an equivalent amount of other greenhouse gases. 2. Why are carbon markets important? Carbon markets are important because they put a price on carbon emissions, incentivizing companies and countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. This can help meet global targets for limiting climate change. 3. How do carbon ... Read More...

ISRO’s MARBLE Mission to Mars

Feb 08, 2024

1. What is MARBLE? MARBLE (MARTian Boundary Layer Explorer) is a groundbreaking initiative by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) that involves a Mars rotorcraft, essentially a drone designed to explore the Martian boundary layer and gather high-resolution vertical profiles of the planet’s atmosphere. 2. Why is MARBLE considered a game-changer for Martian science? MARBLE is seen as a game-changer because it is designed to perform a “landing, driving, and flying” trifecta on Mars, a unique approach that combines the capabilities of a lander... Read More...