UPSC Daily Current Affairs

2023:The Warmest Year

Oct 12, 2023

Global Temperature Rise Pre-Industrial Era Benchmark: The average global temperature between 1850-1900 serves as the baseline for measuring temperature changes. Record Highs: 2023 is on track to become the warmest year ever recorded, with temperatures nearing 1.4°C above the pre-industrial era average. Monthly Records September 2023: The average surface air temperature was 16.38°C, which is 0.93°C higher than the September average between 1991 and 2020. It was also 0.5°C warmer than the previous record set in Septem... Read More...

Caste Atrocities in Tamil Nadu

Oct 12, 2023

The issue of caste atrocities in Tamil Nadu has recently come under scrutiny, prompting responses from high-ranking state officials. Despite some progress, recent incidents highlight the deeply entrenched problem of caste discrimination. The state's history of social justice struggles and current political dynamics make this a complex issue requiring multi-faceted solutions. Sociological Perspective From a sociological standpoint, the issue of caste atrocities in Tamil Nadu is a manifestation of deeply rooted social hierarchies that have been perpetuated over generations. The... Read More...

Impact of Maldives' Democratic Evolution on India

Oct 12, 2023

Why is the Maldives' recent election significant for India? A1: The election signifies the strengthening of democracy in the Maldives, a stable democratic environment is beneficial for India's long-term regional interests. What are the Maldives' foreign policy options concerning India? A2: The new administration could either revert to the 'India Out' policy, continue the 'India First' policy, or balance relations between key partners like China and India. How can India strengthen regional diplomacy with t... Read More...

Why do rainbows look like arcs in the sky?

Oct 12, 2023

Rainbows appear as arcs because of the interaction between sunlight and raindrops.When sunlight hits a raindrop , the light bends and splits into different colors. This process is called refraction. Each color emerges at a specific angle, forming a circle. However, the ground usually hides the bottom half, so we see an arc. The sun's position also affects the rainbow's visibility. If the sun is high️, the rainbow appears lower. In special cases, like from a mountain or hot-air balloon, you might see a full-circle rainbow. Read More...

Changes in Cyclone Formation Since the 1990s:Warm Arctic, Cold Eurasian' (WACE)

Oct 12, 2023

What does the study say about cyclone formation? A: The study suggests that there was a significant change in the potential for cyclones to form over the Arabian Sea in the late 1990s. This change may be linked to global warming and shifts in climate patterns like the 'Warm Arctic, Cold Eurasian' (WACE) pattern. What is cyclogenesis? A: Cyclogenesis is the process that leads to the formation of cyclones. It depends on various factors like sea surface temperature, wind changes, and ocean heat content. What is WACE? Read More...

ISRO's Second Spaceport in Tamil Nadu

Oct 12, 2023

What is ISRO's Second Spaceport? The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning to set up its second spaceport at Kulasekarapattinam in Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu. This spaceport will be exclusively dedicated to Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLVs) developed by the private sector. What is an SSLV? An SSLV (Small Satellite Launch Vehicle) is a 3-stage launch vehicle capable of launching satellites weighing approximately 500kg into a 500-km planar orbit. Who is overseeing the project? Read More...

Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA)

Oct 12, 2023

What is ASHA? Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) are community health workers instituted by the government of India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as part of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). What Do They Do? ASHAs serve as a bridge between the healthcare system and rural communities. They are responsible for promoting healthcare awareness, providing basic medical services, and facilitating access to healthcare facilities. Who Can Become an ASHA? Typically, ASHAs are women who... Read More...

Supreme Court Hearing on Electoral Bonds Case

Oct 12, 2023

What's the Case About? The Supreme Court of India has set October 31 for hearing petitions that challenge the electoral bonds scheme. The scheme allows for anonymous donations to political parties. Who Are the Parties Involved? The Chief Justice of India, D.Y. Chandrachud, will preside over the case. Advocate Prashant Bhushan represents the petitioner-NGO Association for Democratic Reforms. What Are the Main Issues? The court will focus on two main issues: The legality of anonymous don... Read More...

Stubborn Inflation - Meaning

Oct 11, 2023

Stubborn inflation refers to a prolonged period of high inflation that remains unresponsive to standard economic interventions. Causes of Stubborn Inflation: Cost-Push Inflation: Rising costs of production, like wages and raw materials, lead to increased prices for consumers. Demand-Pull Inflation: When demand for goods and services exceeds their supply. Built-In Inflation: Resulting from a wage-price spiral where workers demand higher wages and, if they get those wages, businesses then raise their prices to cover the higher wage costs. ... Read More...

Systemic barriers to gender equality

Oct 11, 2023

In the context of India, systemic barriers have historically hindered women from fully participating in various societal, economic, and political roles. Here are some key barriers: Sociocultural Norms: Patriarchy: A deep-rooted patriarchal system often prioritizes male members in decision-making, limiting women’s agency. Education: Preference is sometimes given to male children over female children for education due to financial constraints or societal norms. Economic Barriers: Workplace Discriminati... Read More...

The Kibbutz: A Unique Social Experiment

Oct 11, 2023

Introduction: The kibbutz is a form of communal living that originated in Israel. These settlements, often found in rural locations, embody collective ownership and operation of the means of production and consumption. Historical Background: Early 20th Century: The first kibbutzim were established by Jewish immigrants, inspired by socialist ideals and the desire to create a new form of Jewish settlement. Primarily agricultural: Kibbutzim focused on farming, with members working together in shared fields. Read More...

History of Navratri in Maharashtra

Oct 11, 2023

What was the significance of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s invite to the Ganesh utsav in 1927? Ambedkar’s invitation to speak during Ganesh utsav at Dadar faced opposition from upper-caste Hindus due to his Dalit background. This exemplified the caste prejudices prevalent at the time. How did Ganesh utsav become popular in Maharashtra? Promoted by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak after the 1894-95 communal riots, Ganesh utsav gained immense popularity, replacing Muharram as the dominant festival. How did Navratri emerge as a form... Read More...

Green Energy Goals at COP 26 and India’s Ambitions

Oct 11, 2023

What did Prime Minister Narendra Modi announce at COP 26? PM Modi presented the ‘panchamrita’ - a five-pronged strategy highlighting India’s commitment by 2030 to reduce carbon emissions and adopt cleaner energy pathways, culminating in being a net-zero emitter by 2070. What challenges face India’s shift from coal-driven energy? Given India’s dependency on coal, meeting these ambitious targets entails a significant policy and infrastructural overhaul, especially in scaling up non-fossil fuel energies. W... Read More...

Key Insights from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Report

Oct 11, 2023

The unemployment rate decreased to 3.1% in 2022-23 from 4.1% in 2021-22. Rural unemployment fell to 2.4% while urban unemployment reduced to 5.4% in 2022-23. Rural women experienced a lower unemployment rate (1.8%) compared to rural men (2.7%). In urban areas, however, females faced higher unemployment (7.5%) than males (4.7%). The unemployment rate, calculated based on the “usual status” for persons aged 15 years and above, has seen a decline for five consecutive years since the survey’s initiation in 2017. The labour force participation rate (LFPR) showed growth, reaching 57.9% in 202... Read More...

India-Middle East-Europe Corridor

Oct 11, 2023

Introduction to IMEE Corridor: It stands for India-Middle East-Europe Corridor. Originating from Mumbai, goods will be shipped to Dubai, then railed to Haifa Port in Israel, and finally shipped to Piraeus in Greece, then transported to Hamburg, Germany. Type of Corridor: Initially a logistics corridor, the vision is to transform it into an economic corridor, enhancing trade among all participating countries. Comparison with China’s BRI: China’s Belt-and-Road Initiative (BRI) was vast and prom... Read More...