UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Cybersecurity Challenges in India's Key Sectors: A Review of the First Half of 2023

Oct 14, 2023

In the first half of 2023, India faced a significant cybersecurity challenge with a high number of malware attacks affecting various sectors. Here's a breakdown of the affected sectors and key findings: SRIRAM’s Classroom: Elevate Your Learning! Government Sector: The government sector in India experienced a staggering 18,862 malware attacks. This indicates a severe threat to critical government infrastructure and data. Banking Sector: The banking sector also faced a substantial cybersecurity threat, with 15,514 malware attacks. Fi... Read More...

What is phenology and how does climate change impact it?

Oct 14, 2023

Phenology, the study of the timing of recurring life-cycle events in plants and animals, is a critical field in understanding how climate change affects our natural world. This scientific discipline investigates how environmental conditions, particularly climate-related factors like temperature, precipitation, and photoperiod (day length), influence the timing of events such as flowering, fruiting, migration, and hibernation. Climate change has emerged as a significant driver of phenological shifts. Rising temperatures and altered rainfall patterns are causing these events to occur earlier and earlier. For example, Japan's cherry ... Read More...

Intergenerational Justice in the Indian Context

Oct 14, 2023

Understanding the Concept: Intergenerational Justice implies the responsibility of each generation to ensure that its decisions and actions do not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Cultural Roots in India: Indian traditions and customs emphasize values like sustainability and conservation. Concepts like ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the world is one family) signify the interconnectedness of all beings and the duty to preserve for descendants. Environmental Balance: Read More...

Remote Voting for Migrants: Trust and Concerns

Oct 14, 2023

Overview: The Election Commission of India (ECI) proposed a Remote EVM (R-EVM) system to facilitate domestic migrant voting. A survey among Delhi's slum-dwelling migrants aimed to assess their trust in the R-EVM system. Key Findings: Migration Patterns: The majority of migrants in Delhi come from Uttar Pradesh (48%), followed by Bihar (22%), West Bengal (8%), and Rajasthan (7%). Employment opportunities (58%) and family-related reasons (18%) were the main drivers of migration. Duration of Stay: Around 61% of Delhi's... Read More...

Guardian Ministers: For Good District Governance in Maharashtra

Oct 14, 2023

Overview: Guardian ministers in Maharashtra play a pivotal role in overseeing district development and governance. They wield significant influence in their respective districts and are essential for local political dynamics. Key Points: Appointment of Guardian Ministers: Guardian ministers are appointed by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Their primary responsibility is to supervise and facilitate various aspects of district administration and development. Key Responsibilities: These ministers oversee the allocation and utilization of ... Read More...

UN Security Council Reform

Oct 14, 2023

What is the UN Security Council, and why is reform being discussed? The UN Security Council is a vital body responsible for maintaining international peace and security. Reform discussions aim to address the issue of its outdated structure, as it reflects the geopolitical realities of 1945, not today's world. Who are the five permanent members of the UN Security Council? The five permanent members, often referred to as the P5, are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. They have the privilege of veto power over Council resolutions. Read More...

Supreme Court Split on Woman's Right to Abort 26-Week Pregnancy

Oct 14, 2023

What is the legal and constitutional issue in question? The case revolves around a married woman's decision to abort her 26-week pregnancy and the conflict with the government's stance to protect the rights of the "unborn child." The legal debate centers on the woman's right to exercise her reproductive autonomy versus the state's responsibility to safeguard the interests of the fetus. What was the outcome of the Division Bench's deliberations? The Division Bench, consisting of Justices Hima Kohli and B.V. Nagarathna, was unable t... Read More...

India's Role in the Indian Ocean and the IORA Meeting

Oct 14, 2023

What is India's strategic interest in the Indian Ocean? India considers the Indian Ocean vital for global trade and aims to promote stability, security, and sustainable development in the region. What did External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasize at the IORA meeting? Mr. Jaishankar reaffirmed India's commitment to a free, open, and inclusive Indian Ocean. He also raised concerns about unsustainable debt,indiurect reference to China’s debt trap diplomacy. What role does India play in supporting countries in the ... Read More...

Operation Ajay: Evacuation of Indian Nationals from Israel

Oct 14, 2023

India initiates a major operation to bring back its citizens from conflict-hit Israel. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announces special chartered flights for evacuation, marking the second such effort this year. Operation Ajay follows the successful Operation Kaveri that rescued Indian citizens from Sudan earlier. Mr. Jaishankar expresses India's commitment to the safety and well-being of its nationals abroad. The Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv begins contacting registered Indian citizens for the first special flight departing on Thursday, with plans for subsequent flights. The evacuation comes ... Read More...

Understanding GLOF and Its Impact in Sikkim

Oct 13, 2023

What is GLOF? GLOF, or Glacial Lake Outburst Flood, is a phenomenon where a dam containing a glacial lake fails, resulting in a sudden and often catastrophic release of water. Formation of a Glacial Lake: Glacial lakes form when glaciers retreat, leaving depressions in the landscape. These depressions fill with meltwater from the glacier and rainfall, forming lakes that are often dammed by moraines (debris left behind by the glacier). Sikkim and GLOF: Sikkim, situated in the eastern Himalayan region, is ... Read More...

Moraines in India: Overview

Oct 13, 2023

What is a Moraine? Moraines are accumulations of dirt, rocks, and debris carried and deposited by a glacier. As the glacier moves, it picks up these materials and, upon retreating or melting, leaves them behind. Moraines in India: The Indian Himalayan region, a vast stretch of mountain ranges, is home to numerous glaciers. Consequently, there are several types of moraines here, including lateral, medial, terminal, and recessional moraines. Noteworthy Moraines: Lhonak Valley, Sikkim: The recent flo... Read More...

India: Strategic petroleum reserve program

Oct 13, 2023

What is India's strategic petroleum reserve program? A1: India's strategic petroleum reserve program involves creating underground storage facilities to store crude oil as a backup supply for emergencies or disruptions in the global oil market. Where are the existing SPR storage facilities located? A2: The existing SPR storage facilities are in two states: Vishakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, Mangaluru, and Padur in Karnataka. These facilities have a total capacity of 5.33 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT). When were the existing SPR... Read More...

Placer Sands in India

Oct 13, 2023

Placer sands, also known as placer deposits or placer minerals, are naturally occurring accumulations of heavy minerals, typically found in riverbeds, streambeds, beaches, and other sedimentary environments. These deposits form through the mechanical and chemical weathering of rocks, as well as the erosion, transportation, and deposition of mineral grains by moving water. Key characteristics of placer sands include: Heavy Minerals: Placer sands are known for containing heavy minerals, which are denser than most other minerals found in the same environment. Common heavy minerals found in... Read More...

Rare Earths in India

Oct 13, 2023

Rare Earth Resources in India: India has the fifth-largest rare earth resources globally. Indian resources have low-grade ore and radioactivity, making extraction complex. Heavy Rare Earth Elements (HREE) are not available in extractable quantities. Complex Value Chain: Rare earth extraction involves a complex value chain, including mining, beneficiation, extraction, separation, refining, and product applications. India lacks industrial-scale facilities for alloy and magnet production. Monazite Resource: ... Read More...

National Turmeric Board

Oct 13, 2023

What is the National Turmeric Board (NTB)? A1: The NTB is an organization set up by the Indian government to support and promote turmeric cultivation and its products in India. Who will lead the NTB? A2: The NTB will have a chairperson appointed by the central government, along with members from various government departments, state representatives, research institutions, turmeric farmers, and exporters. It will also have a secretary appointed by the Department of Commerce. What is the significance of the NTB for turmeric cultivatio... Read More...