UPSC Daily Current Affairs

PESA Act: Empowering Tribal Autonomy

Nov 18, 2023

What is PESA? PESA, or the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, is a law in India that empowers tribal communities in Scheduled Areas to self-govern with their traditional Gram Sabhas. Significance of PESA: The Act holds great significance as it recognizes tribal self-governance, aiming to preserve and uphold tribal authority and customs, while integrating them into the formal governance framework. Tribal Protection Under PESA: PESA protects tribal rights over land, prevents land alienatio... Read More...

Asset Monetisation: Unlocking Capital for Infrastructure Development

Nov 18, 2023

What is Asset Monetisation? Asset Monetisation is a process where the government converts underused or underutilized assets into revenue-generating entities. This involves leasing assets like roads, ports, and airports to private entities for a defined period, allowing them to operate and maintain these assets. Why is Asset Monetisation Important for India? Asset Monetisation is key to unlocking the value of public infrastructure investments. It's crucial for India's goal of becoming a US$ 5 trillion economy by 2025, especially in the wake of the Covid-19 pan... Read More...

IBC: Personal Guarantees and Insolvency in India

Nov 18, 2023

What is the significance of the Supreme Court’s judgment on personal guarantees? The Supreme Court’s judgment has reinforced the obligations of personal guarantors under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), which means creditors can have a better chance of recovering debts due to personal guarantees. How does this judgment affect the recovery of bad debts? It improves the ability of creditors to enforce personal guarantees without legal battles, potentially speeding up the recovery of bad debts. What was the Supreme... Read More...

Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and the DESH Bill: Understanding the Reforms

Nov 18, 2023

What is an SEZ? A Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is a designated area in a country that is subject to unique economic regulations that differ from other areas in the same country. SEZs are intended to attract foreign investment, boost exports, and create jobs by offering more liberal economic laws. Why is reform needed? Reforms are needed to adapt to the evolving economic landscape, address the changing needs of trade and industry, and ensure that SEZs remain competitive and efficient in the global market. This includes simplifying business operations, providing better ... Read More...

India's Rare Earth Minerals Initiative

Nov 18, 2023

What is the focus of India's rare earth minerals initiative? The initiative is centered on Research and Development (R&D) to enhance mining technologies, aiming for sustainable and strategic extraction of critical minerals like lithium, nickel, and tungsten. Which minerals are targeted in India's strategic minerals initiative? The focus is on securing critical minerals, particularly lithium, nickel, and tungsten, essential for modern technologies and industries. How is the private sector involved in the initiative? ... Read More...

Cryptocurrency and Conflict Funding:

Nov 18, 2023

Geopolitics Funding Hamas The New Financial Warfare: Digital currencies revolutionize funding streams for Hamas, with significant contributions originating from Iran. Digital Shift: A strategic turn to cryptocurrency facilitates less traceable funding, complicating regulatory oversight. Global Implications: The transition to digital funding reflects broader geopolitical dynamics and the evolving nature of conflict finance. Read More...

Scams and Moral Issues: An Indian Perspective

Nov 18, 2023

What is a Scam? A scam is a deceptive scheme or trick used to cheat someone out of something valuable, typically for personal gain. Scams involve manipulation, false promises, or misrepresentation of facts to exploit the victim. Moral Issues in Scams: 1. Dishonesty: Fundamental to scams is the act of lying or misrepresenting the truth. 2. Exploitation: Scammers often exploit vulnerabilities, whether it’s a lack of knowledge, desperation, or trust. 3. Theft: Scams essentially involve stealing - be it money, information, or property.... Read More...

Forest Conservation Amendment Act 2023

Nov 18, 2023

1. Aims to Address Climate Change and Deforestation Objective: The amendment is primarily designed to tackle climate change and deforestation issues. Methods: It focuses on effective management and afforestation, intending to improve forest conservation while also considering the economic potential of these lands. 2. Economic Utilization of Forests Key Change: The amendment facilitates the economic exploitation of forests by adjusting the legal framework. Scope: It limits the applicability of the forest law to areas defined under the 192... Read More...

Gaza War and Israel's Debt Increase

Nov 18, 2023

Israel has raised a significant amount of debt since the latest conflict with Hamas militants. The recent data indicates the following key points: Total Debt Raised: Israel has accumulated approximately 30 billion shekels, which equates to around $7.8 billion in debt since the start of the recent war with Hamas militants. Dollar-Denominated Debt: A notable portion of this debt, amounting to 16 billion shekels, is in the form of dollar-denominated debt. This portion was raised through issuances in international markets. Budget Deficit Increase: In the context of this debt raise, it's important t... Read More...

Euclid Space Telescope's Exploration of the Dark Universe

Nov 18, 2023

What is the Euclid Space Telescope? Euclid is a space telescope launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) with NASA as a partner. Its mission is to explore dark matter and dark energy, which are believed to constitute about 95% of the universe. What are the first images from Euclid? The first images include the Horsehead Nebula and span four areas of the universe. They showcase the telescope's capability to observe billions of galaxies, some as far as 10 billion light-years away. What did the images reveal? Read More...

Delhi's Air Pollution Crisis: A Post-Deepavali Analysis

Nov 17, 2023

Context: Delhi, the capital city of India, has been reported as the most polluted city in the world following the Deepavali celebrations, according to a survey by Swiss air purifier company IQAir. Key Points: Air Quality Index (AQI): Delhi recorded an AQI of 287, the highest globally, surpassing Lahore (Pakistan) and other Indian cities like Mumbai and Kolkata. Measurement Criteria: The AQI is based on the U.S. methodology and measures PM 2.5 levels, which are detrimental to respiratory health. Impact of Firecrackers: Despite a ban on firecrackers in... Read More...

Geopolitics: Myanmar-Mizoram Border

Nov 17, 2023

The Myanmar-Mizoram border region is a significant geopolitical area due to several factors: Strategic Location: The border lies in a strategically important location in Southeast Asia, connecting India to Myanmar and further to other Southeast Asian countries. This makes it a crucial point for India's "Act East" policy, aimed at strengthening ties with its eastern neighbors. Ethnic Ties: The border areas are inhabited by ethnically similar tribes on both sides, such as the Chin in Myanmar and the Mizo in India. These cross-border ethnic ties often influence local politics and social dynamics. Read More...

97th Amendment Act, 2011: Promoting Cooperative Societies

Nov 17, 2023

Introduction: The 97th Amendment Act, 2011, was a significant legislative step in India, aimed at promoting cooperative societies. This amendment introduced comprehensive provisions in the Constitution to support the formation and efficient management of cooperative societies. Key Features: Insertion of Part IX B: New Constitutional Part: A complete Part IX B was added to the Constitution, detailing the formation, administration, and regulation of cooperative societies. Article 43B - State's Role: Read More...

Sixteenth Amendment Act, 1963: Context and Provisions

Nov 17, 2023

Background: The Sixteenth Amendment Act of 1963 was a response to the recommendations of the Committee on National Integration and Regionalism, appointed by the National Integration Council. This committee suggested amending Article 19 of the Indian Constitution to empower the Union Government to uphold the nation's integrity and sovereignty. Key Provisions: Amendments to Article 19: Empowering the Union Government: The amendment inserted "sovereignty and integrity of India" in clauses (2), (3), and (4) of Article 19. This a... Read More...

First Amendment to the Indian Constitution and Article 19

Nov 17, 2023

Context of the Amendment: The First Amendment to the Indian Constitution, enacted in 1951, was a significant step in refining and defining the scope of fundamental rights, particularly those related to freedom of speech and expression, and the right to practice any profession or carry on any occupation, trade, or business. Key Changes in Article 19: Article 19(1)(a) - Freedom of Speech and Expression: Original Provisions: Included restrictions like 'security of state', 'decency or morality', 'contempt of court', and 'defamati... Read More...