UPSC Daily Current Affairs

GLOBAL CORAL BLEACHING EVENTS

Jun 13, 2024

Q: What is a global coral bleaching event? A: It is a widespread phenomenon where corals expel the algae living within their tissues due to environmental stress, primarily from rising ocean temperatures. This causes corals to lose their color and become vulnerable to disease and death. Q: Why is this the fourth global bleaching event? A: Scientists have identified three previous events: 1998, 2010, and 2014-2017. The current event, declared in 2023, marks the fourth time such wides... Read More...

CLIMATE CHANGE:WORLD’S OCEANS ARE CHANGING COLOR

Jun 13, 2024

Climate change is causing the world’s oceans to change color, with 56% of the global sea surface affected over the last 20 years. This change, mapped by satellites, is largely due to shifts in the amount of plankton and other organic materials in the water. While the color change is not visible to the naked eye, it indicates significant environmental impacts. Key Points 1. Emergence of Green Waters: • Low-latitude regions near the equator are turning greener. • This is due... Read More...

UNITED STATES HUB-AND-SPOKE ALLIANCE SYSTEM

Jun 13, 2024

The hub-and-spoke alliance system, also known as the San Francisco System, is a network of bilateral alliances between the United States and other countries in the Asia-Pacific region. In this system, the United States acts as the “hub,” and the other countries are the “spokes.” The alliances involve political, military, and economic commitments. Bilateral vs. Multilateral Alliances The hub-and-spoke system is different from multilateral alliances like NATO. Here’s the hub-and-spokes alliance sys... Read More...

Indian Ocean: A climate game-changer

Jun 13, 2024

Q: How is the Indian Ocean affected by climate change? A: The Indian Ocean is warming faster than any other ocean, with temperatures rising by 1°C since 1880. Q: What are the consequences of a warming Indian Ocean? A: Warmer waters lead to more intense cyclones, sea-level rise, ocean acidification, and changes in monsoon patterns. Q: How does the Indian Ocean influence global climate patterns? A: The Ind... Read More...

Preserving Indian Traditions with GI Tags Amid Climate Change

Jun 13, 2024

What is a Geographical Indication (GI) tag? A GI tag is a form of intellectual property protection for products that have a specific geographical origin and possess unique characteristics inherent to that location. It helps in preventing misuse of traditional knowledge and provides economic benefits to local communities. Examples of GI-tagged products in India: • Darjeeling Tea: Known for its unique flavor, grown in Darjeeling, West Bengal. • Kanchip... Read More...

SIMPLIFIER: LIFE WITH NEURALINK

Jun 13, 2024

What is Neuralink? Neuralink is an intracortical brain-computer interface (BCI) developed to facilitate communication between the brain and external devices. It consists of 64 superfine threads with 1,024 electrodes that are implanted in the brain’s motor cortex. How does Neuralink work? The electrodes in the Neuralink device transmit compressed neural data via Bluetooth. An algorithm tailored to the user’s unique neural patterns translates t... Read More...

SIMPLIFIER: AGNIVEER SCHEME

Jun 13, 2024

What is the Agniveer Scheme? The Agniveer scheme, introduced in June 2022, recruits youth between 17.5 to 21 years for a four-year service in the armed forces. After four years, they receive a certificate and a ‘Seva Nidhi’ of Rs 11.71 lakh. Only 25% are retained for longer service. What are the main criticisms of the Agniveer scheme? Critics argue that: • 75% of recruits do not receive long-term ben... Read More...

Parliamentary Control Over Public Finance in India:Explainer

Jun 13, 2024

In India, Parliament plays a crucial role in overseeing the government's financial activities. This control is exercised through a combination of constitutional provisions, statutory mechanisms, and parliamentary committees. This multifaceted approach ensures transparency, accountability, and efficient utilization of public funds. Let's delve into the various instruments of parliamentary control over public finance: Constitutional Mechanisms: Money Bill and Financial Bills Read More...

Understanding the Committee on Estimates

Jun 13, 2024

Q: What is the Committee on Estimates? A: The Committee on Estimates is a parliamentary committee consisting of 30 Lok Sabha members, elected annually, that examines the estimates of government expenditure to suggest economies, improvements, and administrative reforms. Q: Who appoints the Chairman of the Committee on Estimates? A: The Speaker of the Lok Sabha appoints the Chairman from among the committee members. ... Read More...

Public Accounts Committee (PAC):

Jun 13, 2024

Q: What is the Public Accounts Committee (PAC)? A: The PAC is the oldest parliamentary committee in India, established in 1921 to examine government accounts and expenditure. Q: Who chairs the PAC? A: The PAC is chaired by a member of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, a convention established in 1967. Q: How is the PAC constituted? A: The PAC consists of 22 members: 15 from Lok... Read More...

Essentials of India's Financial Funds: CFI, PAI, and CFI

Jun 13, 2024

Q: What is the Consolidated Fund of India (CFI)? A: The CFI is the primary government account where all revenues, loans, and repayments received by the Union government are deposited. It's like the government's main bank account. Q: What types of revenues are included in the CFI? A: The CFI includes all tax revenues (personal income tax, corporate tax, customs, excise duties) and non-tax revenues (license fees, RBI dividends, profits from public sector under... Read More...

Understanding Grants in Indian Parliamentary Process

Jun 13, 2024

Demands for Grants: ● These are requests for funds presented by each ministry or department to the Lok Sabha for approval. ● Generally, one demand is presented per ministry, but larger ministries may have multiple demands. ● Each demand outlines the total funds required for various types of expenditures, including revenue, capital, grants to states/UTs, and loans. ● They are introduced in the Lok Sabha on the prior recommendation of the President of India.They are to be p... Read More...

Money Bill, as specified in Article 110 of the Indian Constitution:

Jun 12, 2024

(b) The regulation of borrowing: This refers to laws governing how the Indian government can borrow money,including issuing bonds or taking loans from domestic or international sources. It also covers any guarantees the government might provide for such borrowings. (c) The custody of funds: This includes laws concerning the management and control of the Consolidated Fund of India (the primary government account) and the Contingency Fund (for urgent, unforeseen expenditures). It covers deposits, withdrawals, and overall safeguarding of these funds. Read More...

NITI Aayog: Advancing India's Development Agenda

Jun 12, 2024

Q: What is NITI Aayog? A: NITI Aayog, which stands for National Institution for Transforming India, is the premier policy think tank of the Government of India. It was established in 2015, replacing the Planning Commission. Q: Why was NITI Aayog formed? A: NITI Aayog was formed to better align with the needs of a modern, market-driven economy. It emphasizes cooperative federalism, giving states greater autonomy and recognizing their diverse needs. Read More...

Monetary Policy :Simplifier

Jun 12, 2024

Q: What is the primary objective of monetary policy? A: The primary objective of monetary policy is to maintain price stability, which means keeping inflation low and stable.High inflation erodes the value of money and disproportionately affects the poor. Q: How does monetary policy influence economic growth? A: Monetary policy can influence economic growth by adjusting interest rates. Lowering interest rates makes borrowing cheaper, encouraging businesses to i... Read More...