UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Kanheri caves

Oct 07, 2023

The Kanheri Caves are a group of caves and rock-cut monuments located within the Sanjay Gandhi National Park in the Borivali region of Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Here's a brief overview of the Kanheri Caves: Kanheri Caves Overview: Ancient Buddhist Site: The Kanheri Caves are primarily known as an ancient Buddhist learning center and are closely associated with the growth and development of Buddhism in Western India. Time Period: The caves date back to the 1st century BCE and were used as Bu... Read More...

Project Udbhav: Reviving Ancient Wisdom for Modern Defense

Oct 07, 2023

• Origin and Collaboration: 'Project Udbhav' is an initiative by the Shimla-based Army Training Command and Delhi's renowned United Service Institution of India, the foremost defence and security think-tank in India . • Core Objective: At the heart of 'Project Udbhav' is the study of revered Indian classics, viewed as reservoirs of native knowledge . • Focal Texts: The initiative lays special focus on three time-honored texts: Kautilya's Arthashastra, Kamandaka's Nitisara... Read More...

Invasive Species Conocarpus Plant Ban in Gujarat

Oct 07, 2023

1. What decision did the Gujarat government recently make about the Conocarpus plant? • The Gujarat government banned the fast-growing decorative exotic species of the Conocarpus plant. 2. Why did the Gujarat government ban the Conocarpus plant? • Conocarpus pollen can cause asthma and cough. • Its roots can damage underground pipelines and telecom wires. • It's a water guzzler and an invasive species that can overpower ind... Read More...

Talakadu Excavations

Oct 07, 2023

1. Where is Talakadu located? • Talakadu is situated on the banks of the Cauvery in the Mysuru district. 2. What significant historical period is associated with Talakadu? • Its history spans from the days of the Western Gangas, from the 4th to 10th centuries CE, down to the Wadiyars' modern times. 3. What did the excavations at Talakadu reveal? • The excavations provided evidence of a culture and human habitation during the Neolithic A... Read More...

Green Hydrogen Economy

Oct 07, 2023

1. What is the source of grey hydrogen? • Grey hydrogen is derived from natural gas through steam methane reforming (SMR). 2. How does green hydrogen differ from grey hydrogen regarding CO2 emissions? • The carbon dioxide generated in grey hydrogen production is not captured. In contrast, green hydrogen, produced through renewable sources, does not emit CO2. 3. Why is green hydrogen considered a potential game-changer for a low-carbon economy? &... Read More...

Standard Model of Particle Physics: A Brief Overview

Oct 07, 2023

Framework: The Standard Model is the theoretical foundation for understanding the fundamental particles and forces of the universe. 1. Fundamental Particles: • Quarks: Six types (up, down, charm, strange, top, bottom) that combine to form protons and neutrons. • Leptons: Six types, including the electron, muon, tau, and their neutrinos. Electrons orbit atomic nuclei, while neutrinos rarely interact with other matter. ... Read More...

Mineral Security Partnership (MSP)

Oct 07, 2023

India & the Global Mineral Supply Chains: Key Takeaways 1. US-led MSP: PM Modi announces India's participation in the US-led Mineral Security Partnership (MSP) aimed at supporting critical mineral supply chains. It's a multi-country platform emphasizing collaboration around mineral production, processing, and recycling. 2. EV and Minerals: India's focus on Electric Vehicles (EV) production necessitates a robust supply of critical minerals, essential for battery production. Critical minerals, such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, are ... Read More...

India’s Lithium Reserves and Its Implications

Oct 06, 2023

Where have lithium reserves been discovered in India? The National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) found large reserves of lithium in Jharkhand’s Koderma and Giridih. Exploration is ongoing in East Singhbum and Hazaribagh. A Geological Survey of India (GSI) study also pointed to potential reserves in the Gawan block in Giridih and Pihra belt area in Koderma. Why is lithium important? ithium is vital for manufacturing electric batteries, which power Electric Vehicles (EVs). With the rise of EVs globally, lithium, often referred to as the “cosmic&rd... Read More...

Malaria Vaccine

Oct 06, 2023

Features of the Vaccine: The vaccine, known as R21/Matrix-M, was developed using US firm Novavax's adjuvant technology. An adjuvant is a substance added to enhance the immune response of a vaccine. This vaccine has demonstrated effectiveness in various settings, from regions with high seasonal malaria transmission to those with year-round transmission. While the efficacy of three doses declined after a year, a booster shot restored its effectiveness. One of its significant advantages is its cost, with a price tag of $2-4 per dose, making it comparable to other childhood vaccines and facilitating rapid scale-up a... Read More...

NITI Aayog Report on India's Gig and Platform Economy (2022)

Oct 06, 2023

The NITI Aayog's report on India's Gig and Platform Economy for 2022 estimated that, during the fiscal year 2020-2021, 77 lakh workers were engaged in the gig economy. This workforce constituted 2.6% of the non-agricultural workforce or 1.5% of the total workforce in India. Future Projections: The report anticipates significant growth in the gig workforce, with projections indicating an expansion to 2.35 crore workers by 2029-30. They are expected to comprise 6.7% of the non-agricultural workforce or 4.1% of the total livelihood in India by 2029-30. Read More...

Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

Oct 06, 2023

What is the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)? The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is an initiative by the European Union aimed at placing a price on carbon. It is designed to level the playing field by promoting cleaner industrial processes. Its primary purpose is to motivate cleaner production, but it also entails detailed documentation requirements for exporters. Why is there concern about the CBAM’s impact on developing nations? The CBAM carries undertones of neo-colonialism.While designed to promote environmental responsibility, it... Read More...

Managing Inflation Expectations: A Key to Economic Stability

Oct 06, 2023

Inflation Expectations: It reflects what the public anticipates regarding future inflation rates. Achieving a Soft Landing: An economic slowdown that avoids triggering a recession. The Connection: Trust in Monetary Policy: Actions taken by the Central Bank to control inflation. • Trust in these actions prevents panic-driven price hikes. Consumer Behavior: Stable expectations result in consistent spending patterns. • This prevents panic-buying or delayi... Read More...

The Ban on Conocarpus Plants in Gujarat: What You Need to Know

Oct 06, 2023

What recent decision did the Gujarat government make concerning Conocarpus plants? The Gujarat government has imposed a ban on the cultivation of the fast-growing exotic Conocarpus plant. Why did the Gujarat government decide to ban Conocarpus plants? The ban was initiated due to several reasons: Conocarpus pollen can trigger asthma and coughing. The plant's roots pose a threat to underground pipelines and telecom wires. Conocarpus is a water-intensive species and an invasive one that can outcompete native plant... Read More...

Exploring Jupiter's Moon, Europa, and NASA's Remarkable Findings

Oct 06, 2023

What groundbreaking discovery did NASA make concerning Jupiter's moon, Europa? NASA scientists have uncovered compelling evidence that Europa conceals a vast saltwater ocean beneath its icy surface, holding twice the amount of water found in Earth's oceans. Which space missions and powerful telescopes contributed to the study of Europa? The exploration of Europa was made possible by NASA's Galileo spacecraft, Hubble Space Telescope, Juno spacecraft, and the cutting-edge Webb Telescope. What captivating glimpse did NASA s... Read More...

The Impact of the Bihar Caste Survey

Oct 06, 2023

What does the Bihar Caste-based Survey 2022 reveal? The survey indicates that nearly 63% of Bihar's population consists of extremely backward classes (EBCs) and other backward classes (OBCs), making them the largest caste group in the state. How did this survey come about? The Bihar legislature passed resolutions in 2019 and 2020 in favor of a caste census. However, when the Union government decided not to conduct a caste-wise census, Bihar initiated its own survey in 2022, allocating Rs.500 crore for the effort. The survey involved documenting details of ... Read More...