UPSC Daily Current Affairs

The EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism: India's Position and Response

Dec 08, 2023

Q: What is the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)? The European Union's CBAM is a policy designed to impose a carbon price on certain imported goods to prevent carbon leakage and encourage cleaner production. It effectively acts as a carbon tax on imports like iron, steel, cement, aluminium, fertilisers, and electricity. Q: When will the CBAM take effect, and what are its preliminary actions? The full effect of the CBAM is set for January 1, 2026. However, starting October 1 of the current year, there are provisions that companies in c... Read More...

India's Refugee Challenge

Dec 08, 2023

Northeast India's Refugee Situation and Policy Responses Q: What is the current refugee situation in Northeast India? Northeast India is witnessing an influx of refugees from Myanmar, with the state of Mizoram receiving a significant number due to its proximity to the Myanmar border. This has put a strain on local resources and called for a nuanced refugee policy. Q: How has Mizoram responded to the refugee crisis? Local civil society and church groups in Mizoram have stepped in to assist, showcasing the region's cultu... Read More...

Women's Participation in Indian Elections: An Overview

Dec 08, 2023

Q: What notable achievement did women in Rajasthan accomplish in recent elections? Women in Rajasthan have consistently turned out in higher numbers than men in the recent assembly elections, reversing a trend and showcasing increased political engagement among women. Q: How has women's voter turnout changed over time in India? The gender gap in turnout has significantly reduced from 17 percentage points in 1962 to less than 1.5 percentage points, with women surpassing men in voter turnout in many states as of 2019. Q: What is t... Read More...

Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)

Dec 08, 2023

India’s Journey to Universal Health Care Q: What does the inauguration of the 10,000th 'Jan Aushadhi Kendra' signify for India’s health care system? It signifies a major milestone for the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), reflecting the Indian government's dedication to making health care more accessible by offering generic medicines at significantly lower prices compared to branded drugs. Q: How does the 'Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana' aim to alleviate health care costs for Indian fam... Read More...

India’s Defence Exports and LCA Tejas

Dec 08, 2023

What is the current status of India’s defence exports? India’s defence exports have achieved a significant milestone, recording an all-time high of nearly Rs. 16,000 crore in FY 2022-23. This marks a substantial increase from Rs. 686 crore in FY 2013-14, demonstrating a 23-fold growth. Which countries are showing interest in India’s indigenous light combat aircraft Tejas? Talks are in progress with six countries including Argentina, the Philippines, and Nigeria, among others, showing interest in the Tejas aircraft. Read More...

Humanoid robots

Dec 08, 2023

Humanoid robots, designed to resemble and mimic human actions, are used in various sectors for different applications. Here are some of the uses: 1. Healthcare: They assist in patient care, rehabilitation, and therapy sessions. 2. Education: Humanoid robots can serve as interactive teaching aids, helping with language learning and special education. 3. Customer Service: They are employed in reception areas of hotels, airports, and public service offices to interact with customers and provide information. 4. Entertainment: Robots like ASIMO or those at theme parks serve as ente... Read More...

Humanoid Robots and Surgical Robots: Global and Indian Context

Dec 08, 2023

Humanoid Robots 1. What are humanoid robots? Humanoid robots are advanced robots designed to resemble and mimic human form and behavior, often equipped with AI to perform various tasks. 2. Do we really need humanoid robots? The necessity of humanoid robots varies by application. They can be beneficial in research, education, caregiving, and entertainment, but their practicality in everyday use is still under scrutiny. 3. Are there successful examples of humanoid robots? Read More...

UN Secretary-General’s Invocation of Article 99 for Gaza Ceasefire

Dec 08, 2023

What is Article 99 of the UN Charter? Answer: Article 99 of the United Nations Charter empowers the Secretary-General to bring to the attention of the Security Council any matter which, in their opinion, may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security. Why did UN Secretary-General António Guterres invoke Article 99 recently? Answer: António Guterres invoked Article 99 due to the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, aiming to push the UN Security Council to call for a humanitarian ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Read More...

Analysis of UPSC Civil Services Examination Results (2017-2021)

Dec 08, 2023

Overview: Data from the Ministry of Personnel reveals a significant trend in the academic backgrounds of candidates who cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination (Mains) between 2017 and 2021. Key Findings: 1. Dominance of Engineering Graduates: Approximately 63% (2,783 out of 4,371) of the successful candidates were from the engineering stream. This indicates a strong representation of engineering graduates in the civil services. 2. Representation of Other Streams: Humanities: 1,033 candidat... Read More...

Understanding the UK-Rwanda Asylum Plan

Dec 08, 2023

What is the UK-Rwanda Asylum Plan? The plan, officially known as the UK and Rwanda Migration and Economic Development Partnership, is an immigration policy proposed in 2022 by the British government. It involves relocating identified illegal immigrants or asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing, asylum, and resettlement. Successful asylum claimants would remain in Rwanda without the option to return to the UK. How Did the Plan Progress Initially? The first flight under this plan was legally approved and scheduled for mid-2022. However, a last-minute intervention by t... Read More...

UK’s New Rwanda Asylum Legislation

Dec 08, 2023

Context: The UK government’s proposed legislation regarding the deportation of asylum seekers to Rwanda is stirring significant legal and political controversy. This follows a Supreme Court ruling that deemed Rwanda unsafe for asylum seekers based on its flawed asylum system. Key Highlights of the Legislation: 1. Rwanda Declared ‘Conclusively’ Safe: The bill asks Parliament to declare Rwanda as definitively safe, prohibiting British judges from challenging this declaration. It aims to prevent courts from assessin... Read More...

ISRO’s Ambitious Space Mission Schedule for 2024

Dec 08, 2023

Overview: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has an extensive lineup of space missions planned for 2024. This includes a mix of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) missions, Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) launches, and a commercial mission involving the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3). Key Highlights: 1. PSLV Missions: ISRO has scheduled six PSLV missions. These missions will deploy various types of satellites, including a space science satellite, an Earth observation satellite, two technology demonstrati... Read More...

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)

Dec 07, 2023

CCS is a technology aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to the mitigation of climate change. It involves three main steps: 1. Capture: The process starts with capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) produced by industrial activities, such as burning fossil fuels in power generation or other industrial processes like cement production. 2. Transport: Once captured, the CO2 is compressed and transported via pipelines, trucks, or ships to a suitable storage site. 3. Storage: The CO2 is then injected into underground geological formations, such as depleted oil and gas fields or deep saline aquifer formations, wh... Read More...

India:Vistara’s Commercial Flight with Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Dec 07, 2023

Q: What milestone did Vistara achieve with its recent flight? A: Vistara operated India’s first commercial domestic flight using a blend of 17% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and 83% conventional jet fuel on a new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner from Delhi to Mumbai. Q: How does the use of SAF impact carbon emissions? A: The use of SAF in Vistara’s commercial flight reduced carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 4,500kg, contributing to a more environmentally friendly aviation sector. Q: Have other Indian carriers conducted ... Read More...

FAQs on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

Dec 07, 2023

Q: What is Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)? A: SAF is a cleaner alternative to conventional jet fuels, derived from sustainable resources such as cooking oils, plant oils, municipal waste, and agricultural residues. Its use can significantly reduce carbon emissions from air travel. Q: How does SAF contribute to cleaner transport? A: By reducing the reliance on fossil fuels, SAF helps lower the carbon footprint of the aviation sector, which is crucial for achieving global climate targets and improving air quality. Q: What progress ha... Read More...