UPSC Daily Current Affairs

STICKY INFLATION

Jun 11, 2024

"India's Development: Manufacturing vs. Services

Jun 11, 2024

Viksit Bharat To achieve the goal of “Developed India” by 2047, the Indian government faces a crucial decision: whether to prioritize the manufacturing sector or the services sector. This debate involves balancing economic strategies to ensure sustainable growth, job creation, and poverty alleviation. MANUFACTURING SECTOR: Government Focus: &bul... Read More...

siRNA IN BIOTECHNOLOGY:

Jun 11, 2024

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) holds significant promise in the biotechnology industry. It plays a crucial role in the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway by degrading specific messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules, preventing them from being translated into proteins. This precise mechanism can potentially treat various diseases, including genetic disorders, cancers, and viral infectio... Read More...

INDIA’S EMPLOYMENT CHALLENGE

Jun 11, 2024

India faces significant challenges in addressing employment, particularly among its youth and agricultural sectors. EMPLOYMENT ISSUES: Read More...

BIOPHARMACEUTICAL ALLIANCE LAUNCHED BY INDIA, S. KOREA, US, JAPAN, EU

Jun 11, 2024

The Biopharmaceutical Alliance has been launched to address the drug supply shortages experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic. This alliance includes South Korea, India, the United States, Japan, and the European Union (EU). SIMPLIFIER:... Read More...

SIMPLIFIER: PRIMARY NUMBER PUZZLE

Jun 11, 2024

1. What is the Primary Number Puzzle? The Primary Number Puzzle is a mathematical exercise where you perform a series of arithmetic operations on any chosen number, and the final result will always be 5. Read More...

BHITARKANIKA MANGROVE FOREST: AN ECOLOGICAL TREASURE

Jun 11, 2024

Bhitarkanika Mangrove Forest, located in the northeastern part of Odisha, is a vibrant and ecologically significant region where the Brahmani and Baitarani rivers converge, creating a fertile delta. This area spans approximately 672 square kilometers and forms part of the Bhitarkanika National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary. UNIQUE FEATURES OF BHITARKANIKA Rich Biodiversity • Mangroves: The forest boasts over 55 species of mangroves, crucial for coastal protection and ... Read More...

EVAPOTRANSPIRATION: UNDERSTANDING WATER LOSS IN PLANTS

Jun 11, 2024

What is Evapotranspiration? Evapotranspiration is the process by which water is transferred from the land to the atmosphere. It combines two processes: evaporation from the soil and other surfaces, and transpiration from plants. This process is crucial for understanding how water is cycled through ecosystems and is a key factor in climate and agricultural studies. Everyday Examples: 1. Gardening: • When you water your garde... Read More...

AI AND GENE EDITING: TRANSFORMING BIOTECHNOLOGY

Jun 11, 2024

Basics of Gene Editing and AI: Gene editing is a technology that allows scientists to change an organism’s DNA. By editing genes, scientists can turn genes off, add new ones, or change the function of existing ones. AI (Artificial Intelligence) refers to computer systems designed to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, and decision-making. Everyday Examples: 1. Medical T... Read More...

TRISHNA: ISRO AND FRANCE’S CLIMATE SATELLITE

Jun 11, 2024

Trishna, short for Thermal InfraRed Imaging Satellite for High-resolution Natural resource Assessment, is a collaborative satellite mission between the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) and the French Space Agency CNES. Engineered to deliver high spatial and temporal resolution observations, Trishna aims to monitor Earth’s surface temperature, vegetation health, and water cycle dynamics. Key Features and Capabilities • High-Resolution Imaging: Trishna will provide high spatial ... Read More...

CLIMATE-RESILIENT IRRIGATION

Jun 11, 2024

Climate-resilient irrigation is a set of techniques and practices aimed at helping farmers adapt to climate change, conserve water and land, and increase their agricultural productivity. It involves methods that enhance water use efficiency, reduce dependence on rainfall, and mitigate the impacts of climate variability. Some of these techniques include: • Water Saving Irrigation (WSI): This technique can reduce water consumption and increase water productivity, helping overcome water scarcity and mitigate the negative effect... Read More...

CLIMATE CHANGE and AGRICULTURE YIELD IN INDIA

Jun 11, 2024

India is experiencing significant production fluctuations in key crops due to climate change. Recent research attributes over half of these fluctuations to climatic factors, affecting various crops differently. Rice: Rice production is positively influenced by relative humidity, with a 51% variation in production attributed to climate factors. The increase in relative humidity over the past three decades has positively impacted rice yields. Wheat: Wheat... Read More...

SEA LEVEL RISE: SIMPLIFIER

Jun 10, 2024

1. What is the primary cause of global sea level rise? • The primary cause of global sea level rise is the physical expansion of water as it warms. In recent decades, the contribution from meltwater flowing off Greenland and Antarctica has also become significant. 2. How much has the global sea level risen since 1880? • Global sea levels have risen by approximately 21cm to 24cm since 1880. 3. What are... Read More...

ARE WE FACING A MAN-MADE SIXTH MASS EXTINCTION?

Jun 10, 2024

One million of the world’s estimated 8 million species of plants and animals are threatened with extinction. Climate change statistics reveal a dire situation. Delhi has recorded India’s highest temperature at 52.3 degrees Celsius. In the past 170 years, 2.4 trillion tons of CO2 have been added to our atmosphere, half of this in the last 50 years. The extinction rate is nearly 1,000 times the natural rate. By mid-century, 30-50% of species on Earth may disappear. Nearly 27% of coral reefs are destroyed, and the US throws away enough plastic bottles weekly to encircle the Earth five times. Read More...

SIMPLIFIER: UNESCO’S STATE OF OCEAN REPORT 2024

Jun 10, 2024

WHAT ARE THE KEY FINDINGS OF THE UNESCO STATE OF OCEAN REPORT 2024? The report highlights significant gaps in research and data on ocean warming, deoxygenation, acidification, and sea level rise. It calls for the need for regular and comprehensive data to support efforts towards healthy and resilient oceans. WHY IS OCEAN WARMING A CONCERN? The upper 2,000 meters of the ocean have warmed at a rate of 0.32 ± 0.03 watt per square meter (W/m2) from 1960 to 2023, ... Read More...