UPSC Daily Current Affairs

PM SVANidhi

Oct 27, 2023

SRIRAM’s Micro-Credit Empowerment The Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme is a micro-credit initiative aimed at urban street vendors, offering collateral-free working capital loans up to Rs.50,000. As of now, over 70 lakh loans have been disbursed, benefiting more than 53 lakh street vendors, with a total value exceeding Rs.9,100 crore. This scheme not only empowers these entrepreneurs economically but also encourages timely repayments through incentives like a 7 percent interest subsidy and cashback for digital transactions, up to Rs.1,200 per year. Furthermore, the PM... Read More...

Understanding Arbitration: A Comprehensive Q &A"

Oct 27, 2023

Q1: What is arbitration, and how does it differ from traditional court litigation? A1: Arbitration is an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) method that doesn’t require court involvement in the selection of arbitrators or the issuance of awards. It differs from court litigation as it relies on mutual consent, where parties agree to resolve their disputes outside of court through an arbitrator. Q2: What are the key issues driving the adoption of arbitration in India? A2: The adoption of arbitration in India is driven by the massive backlog of cases in th... Read More...

Indian Economy

Oct 27, 2023

Understanding Rural Demand and Influences 1. What is rural demand? Rural demand refers to the consumption of goods and services by residents living in rural areas or villages. It encompasses the buying behavior and spending patterns of people in rural regions, including their purchases of essential and non-essential items. 2. What factors influence rural demand? Several factors can influence rural demand, including: Crop Output: The agricultural sector plays a significant role in rural economies. Crop outp... Read More...

National Cooperative Export Limited (NCEL)

Oct 27, 2023

Q1: What is the National Cooperative Export Limited (NCEL), and what is its primary objective? A: The NCEL is India’s first multi-state cooperative society for exports. Its primary objective is to promote the country’s organic products and share half of its returns with farmers. It aims to provide a global platform for organic products. Q2: How will the NCEL boost overseas shipments of organic produce? A: The NCEL will extend various services to enhance market linkages and supply chains for exports. It will connect relevant ministries and Indian embassies... Read More...

India’s Web3 Sector and Economy

Oct 27, 2023

1. What is the potential economic contribution of India’s Web3 sector by 2032? India’s Web3 sector could contribute $1.1 trillion to the economy over the next 10 years, as per the Bharat Web3 Association report. 2. How many Web3 startups are there in India, and how many are unicorns? India is home to over 900 Web3 startups, with five achieving unicorn status by 2023. 3. How much funding have Web3 startups in India raised in recent years? Web3 startups in India secured $1.3 billion in funding ... Read More...

Securing India’s Food Future Amidst Climate Change and Challenges

Oct 27, 2023

1. How is climate change affecting Indian agriculture? Climate change leads to rising temperatures and altered rainfall patterns, impacting agricultural yields. 2. What challenges does water scarcity pose to food security in India? Water scarcity threatens the availability of water for agriculture, particularly in rainfed farming regions. 3. What are the economic impacts of the climate crisis on Indian agriculture? The climate crisis affects trade, profitability, pricing, supply, and demand in the agricu... Read More...

War on Hamas and the Middleast Geoeconomics

Oct 27, 2023

Q1: What is the “new” Middle East, and how did it emerge? A1: The “new” Middle East refers to a shift in the region’s dynamics, emphasizing geoeconomics and economic cooperation over historical political tensions. It gained momentum in 2020 with initiatives like the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between the UAE, Bahrain, and Israel. Q2: What is the impact of the recent Hamas-Israel crisis on the “new” Middle East? A2: The crisis has the potential to disrupt the region’s focus on geoeconomics and eco... Read More...

Egg Freezing and Women: A Sociological Perspective

Oct 27, 2023

Introduction Egg freezing, medically known as oocyte cryopreservation, has gained prominence as a reproductive technology. From a sociological standpoint, it raises various questions and considerations regarding women’s choices, societal expectations, and gender dynamics. Key Sociological Aspects: 1. Fertility and Age Societal norms often pressure women to balance career and family, which can lead to delayed childbearing. Egg freezing offers women the potential to extend their fertility window, chal... Read More...

Freebies vs. Fiscal Responsibility: A Balancing Act

Oct 27, 2023

In India, the debate over providing freebies and maintaining fiscal responsibility has been a crucial issue. Let’s delve into this topic while adhering to your request for simplicity and rigor. Freebies in Indian Context Freebies often refer to government initiatives that offer goods or services to citizens at little or no cost. These can include free healthcare services, education, or even direct cash transfers. Such measures are typically aimed at improving the standard of living and reducing poverty. Fiscal Responsibility Challenges Read More...

Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and India

Oct 27, 2023

Q1: What is CBAM? A1: CBAM stands for Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, a policy proposed by the European Union (EU) to impose a carbon tax on certain imports into the EU. Q2: Why is CBAM Introduced? A2: CBAM is introduced to address carbon leakage, where industries move to regions with lax environmental regulations, leading to higher global emissions. It ensures that imports into the EU meet the EU’s climate goals. Q3: When Does CBAM Start? A3: CBAM is scheduled to take effect from January 1, 20... Read More...

The Purple Economy: Transforming Care Work for a Sustainable Future

Oct 26, 2023

Redefining Economics with Care: The Purple Economy, also known as the care economy, draws its name from feminist movements. It presents a fresh economic vision, emphasizing the significance of care work, women’s empowerment, and autonomy in driving economies, societal well-being, and life sustainability. Diverse Aspects of Care Work: Care work encompasses two key components—direct, personal, and relational care activities (e.g., nursing an ill partner) and indirect care activities (e.g., cooking and cleaning). It includes both paid roles like nurses, childminders, and domestic workers and unpaid work provided... Read More...

Purple Revolution

Oct 26, 2023

The Lavender Revolution: A Special Project in Jammu and Kashmir Why Lavender Matters In the pretty landscapes of Jammu and Kashmir, something interesting is happening. Local farmers are growing lavender, a fragrant and colorful plant, on the hillsides. Scientists from the CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine are also involved. Discovering Lavender’s Benefits Lavender oil is known for its calming and stress-relieving qualities. People like its nice smell and use it in perfumes and cosmetics. Scienti... Read More...

Challenges to Quality of Life in Indian Cities

Oct 26, 2023

Fueled by migration and development, Indian cities are in a constant state of change, presenting unique challenges to urban governance systems. In a recent report by Janaagraha, systemic gaps affecting the quality of life in cities have come to light. Lack of Long-term Planning Growing cities require robust, long-term plans to ensure quality services and sustainable infrastructure. Surprisingly, 39% of India’s capital cities lack active spatial plans, with only nine having comprehensive plans to address key urban needs. Smaller cities face particular challenges in this regard. Read More...

Critical Review: Samuel Huntington’s “Clash of Civilizations”

Oct 26, 2023

Samuel Huntington’s “Clash of Civilizations” thesis argues that future conflicts will be driven primarily by cultural and religious identities, replacing ideological and economic factors. Huntington divides the world into various ‘civilizations’ and posits that interaction between these groups will be fraught with tension and conflict. Oversimplification and Stereotyping:One of the most common criticisms is that Huntington’s model oversimplifies complex identities and cultures into monolithic blocks, fostering stereotypes. In reality, civilizations are diverse and contain mult... Read More...

Arctic Warming: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions

Oct 26, 2023

Why is the Arctic Warming Faster? The phenomenon known as Arctic Amplification is a major factor. Reduced ice cover means less reflection of sunlight, causing the ocean to absorb more heat. Additionally, trapped methane from melting permafrost contributes to the greenhouse effect. What Are the Global Implications? 1. Sea-Level Rise: Melting ice contributes to rising sea levels, endangering coastal communities. 2. Extreme Weather: Altered wind patterns could lead to extreme weather conditions worldwide. 3. Biodiversity Lo... Read More...