UPSC Daily Current Affairs

New Academic Credit System

Jan 11, 2024

What is the New Academic Credit System under the New Education Policy 2020? The new system allows students to choose their course combinations and earn credits across different institutions, offering a modular approach to higher education. How does the National Credit Bank (NCB) feature in this system? NCB plays a pivotal role in tracking and validating credits earned by students, which can be redeemed at any institution affiliated with the system, thus supporting inter-institutional credit transfer. What are the potential challenge... Read More...

India’s Engagement with the SKA Telescope

Jan 11, 2024

What is the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) project? The SKA project is an international effort to build the world’s largest radio telescope, which will have a total collecting area of approximately one square kilometer. This global initiative aims to provide unprecedented insights into the universe through radio astronomy. How does full membership benefit India? As a full member, India will have significant input into the project’s scientific and strategic decisions. It will ensure Indian scientists have access to the telescope for research, potentially lea... Read More...

Aditya-L1 Mission and Solar Study

Jan 11, 2024

1. What is the Aditya-L1 mission? Aditya-L1 is India’s first mission to study the Sun, aiming to observe the solar atmosphere and gather data on solar phenomena like flares and coronal mass ejections. 2. Why study the Sun? Understanding the Sun is crucial because it is the primary energy source for Earth, affecting space weather, climate, and satellite operations. Studying the Sun helps us to anticipate and mitigate the effects of solar activity on Earth. 3. What will Aditya-L1 observe? The mission... Read More...

UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)

Jan 11, 2024

1. What is the essence of the CEPA between UAE and India? The CEPA is a strategic trade agreement aimed at bolstering economic cooperation, increasing market access, and reducing tariffs between the UAE and India. 2. What are the fundamental advantages of the CEPA for both nations? The agreement provides expanded market opportunities, reduced trade barriers, and enhanced collaboration in various sectors including technology, culture, and investment. 3. How does the CEPA facilitate trade between the two countries? Read More...

Red Sea Attacks and Impact on Indian Trade

Jan 11, 2024

1. What is the Red Sea’s significance for Indian trade? The Red Sea is a vital maritime route for India’s imports and exports, particularly for oil and other essential commodities. 2. How have recent attacks affected this trade route? The attacks have increased the risk for shipping, leading to rerouted vessels, higher insurance premiums, and elevated shipping costs. 3. What items in Indian trade are most affected? The trade of oil and petroleum products, along with other goods typically tran... Read More...

Global Terrorism Trends

Jan 11, 2024

1. What is the ‘next cycle of global terror’ and its implications? The next cycle of global terror refers to an anticipated phase in terrorist activity marked by enhanced use of digital platforms for radicalization, recruitment, and execution of terrorist operations. It implies a shift towards more decentralized and technologically savvy methods of conducting terror activities, with a potential increase in both scale and sophistication. 2. How did the events of 9/11 redefine global terrorism? The events of 9/11 demonstrated the capability of terrorist gro... Read More...

Jal Jeevan MissionJal Jeevan Mission

Jan 11, 2024

1. What is the Jal Jeevan Mission? It’s a national initiative aimed at providing safe and accessible drinking water to all households, with a particular focus on rural areas. 2. How does the Jal Jeevan Mission plan to achieve its goal? The mission adopts a community-based approach involving local communities in planning, implementation, and management of water supply systems. 3. What are some key features of the Jal Jeevan Mission? The mission includes strategies tailored to different geographical ... Read More...

Indian Navy Acquires First MALE Drone

Jan 11, 2024

Drone Introduction: Indian Navy receives first Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drone, ‘Drishti 10 StarLiner’. Manufacture: Made by Adani Defence and Aerospace with Israeli Elbit, in Hyderabad. Drone Features: 36-hour endurance, 450 kg payload, satellite connectivity. Deployment: To be used in naval maritime operations from Porbandar. Procurement Mechanism: Acquired under emergency procurement, bypassing bureaucratic procedures. Indigenous Content: 70% indigenous, aiming for higher localization. Future Plans: Military eyeing around 150 MALE drones. Read More...

Kai Chutney: Odisha’s Culinary Delight

Jan 10, 2024

Geographical Indication Tag: Kai chutney, made with red weaver ants (Oecophylla smaragdina), received a Geographical Indication tag. Origin: Commonly consumed in Mayurbhanj district, Odisha. Habitat: Red weaver ants inhabit the verdant forests of Mayurbhanj, including the Similipal forests. Ant Characteristics: Known for potent stings causing skin blisters. Culinary Transformation: Locals turn these stinging ants into a spicy condiment, ‘Kai chutney’. Nutritional Value: High in proteins, calcium, zinc, vitamin B-12. Health Benefits: Boosts immune system, ... Read More...

Vijayaraghavan Committee: DRDO Revamp

Jan 10, 2024

Vijayaraghavan Committee on DRDO Revamp: Charting a New Course for India's Defence Research The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in India is undergoing a significant transformation as outlined by a high-powered committee led by Prof. K. VijayRaghavan. This committee's mandate is to redirect DRDO's focus towards the development of high-end technologies for future warfare. Key Recommendations and Developments: Research Focus: DRDO should concentrate exclusively on research and development, stepping away from prototype development and technology demonstrations. Read More...

Delisting of Firms from Stock Markets in India

Jan 10, 2024

1. What is Delisting in the Stock Market? Delisting is the process of removal or withdrawal of a company’s stock from a stock exchange, ending its public trading. 2. Which Companies Typically Choose to Delist? Companies opting for delisting can be both profit-making and loss-making, and may include those undergoing restructuring, mergers, shifting to private ownership, or facing financial challenges. 3. Common Reasons for Delisting: Reasons vary from financial downturns, strategic business shifts, ... Read More...

Explaining Debt Market and Bloomberg EM Index Inclusion

Jan 10, 2024

1. What is Happening with India's Debt Market? India is set to be included in the Bloomberg Emerging Market (EM) Index, which is expected to attract more foreign investments into the country’s debt market in 2024. 2. What is the Bloomberg EM Index? It's an index that tracks the performance of local currency bonds from emerging markets. Inclusion in this index makes a country's bonds more visible and attractive to international investors. 3. Impact of Inclusion in the Index: This inclusi... Read More...

Stocktake: Project Tiger at 50 Years

Jan 10, 2024

Project Tiger, initiated in 1973, marks its 50th year with a complex legacy of conservation success and socio-ecological challenges. 1. Project Tiger's Growth: Evolved from 9 tiger reserves in 1973 to 54 across India by 2022. Expanded from covering 9,115 sq. km to 78,135.956 sq. km. 2. Tiger Population Increase: Significant rise in tiger numbers, with latest estimates indicating between 3,167 and 3,925 tigers in India. 3. Policy Shifts: The Wildlife (Protection) Act (WLPA) of 1972 and the Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006 were instrumental in reshaping tiger conservation and the rights of forest-dwellers. The... Read More...

Critical Analysis of Gandhi's Concept of Ram Rajya

Jan 10, 2024

Mahatma Gandhi's idea of "Ram Rajya" is a significant aspect of his socio-political philosophy. It warrants a critical analysis in both its historical context and contemporary relevance: 1. Conceptual Understanding: Ram Rajya symbolizes an ideal state of governance for Gandhi, inspired by the rule of Lord Rama in the ancient Indian epic, Ramayana. It represents a state where justice, morality, and the welfare of the people are paramount. 2. Ethical and Moral Governance: Gandhi envisioned a society governed by ethical and moral principles rather than mere laws. Th... Read More...

Understanding Ramcharita Manas

Jan 10, 2024

Ramcharita Manas, an epic poem in Awadhi language, is composed by the 16th-century Indian bhakti poet Tulsidas. It is a retelling of the Sanskrit epic Ramayana, based on the life and deeds of Lord Rama, a revered Hindu deity. Here are key aspects of Ramcharita Manas: 1. Structure: The poem is divided into seven parts or Kandas, each detailing different phases of Lord Rama's life. 2. Language and Style: Written in Awadhi, a dialect of Hindi, it is composed in a poetic form known as Chaupai and Doha. 3. Religious and Cultural Significance: It is not just a literary masterpiece but also holds immense religious and cul... Read More...