UPSC Daily Current Affairs

All Vie for the Cup: Indias World Cup Challenge

Oct 05, 2023

As cricket's grandest spectacle, the ICC World Cup, prepares for launch at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium, India, the host nation, shoulders great expectations. The defending champions, England, and the 2019 runners-up, New Zealand, will clash in the inaugural fixture. The 13th edition of the World Cup promises frenetic action across diverse venues in India, concluding with the final in Ahmedabad on November 19. Mumbai and Kolkata, traditional cricketing powerhouses, now play second fiddle to Ahmedabad, reflecting India's evolving cricket landscape, a blend of commercial influence and political pr... Read More...

Bihar Caste Survey

Oct 05, 2023

Janhit Abhiyan vs. Union of India 2022 10% EWS Quota: Key Issues Summary: The Supreme Court's recent decision to uphold the 10% reservation for economically weaker sections (EWS) of the general category has raised several crucial legal and constitutional questions. The judgment, passed by a 3:2 majority, addressed various issues, including the breach of the 50% reservation ceiling, exclusion of SC/ST/OBCs from EWS provisions, and the reservation extended to private schools. Here is a summary of the key issues and the Court's positions: Read More...

Idital:Tribal Painting

Oct 05, 2023

Idital: Traditional Tribal Mural Artistry of Odisha's Saura Community In Odisha, particularly in the Rayagada district, various tribal communities have a rich tradition of mural painting known as "Idital." These paintings are a unique form of expression that use rice powder on a background of red oxide. Here are some important tribes in Odisha known for their Idital paintings: Saura Tribe: The article mentions the Saura community as the creators of Idital paintings. They are the primary artists known for these traditional tribal murals. The Saura ... Read More...

Nobel Prize in Physics 2023

Oct 05, 2023

1. Nobel Prize in Physics: Pierre Agostini of France, Ferenc Krausz of Hungary and Austria, and Anne L’Huillier of France and Sweden have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for their groundbreaking research using ultra-quick light flashes to study electrons inside atoms and molecules. 2. Attosecond Physics: The laureates' technique involves measuring pulses in attoseconds, an incredibly short unit of time, allowing them to observe extremely rapid movements and changes that were previously impossible to track. Attosecond physics has potential applications in electr... Read More...

Purchasing Managers' Index

Oct 05, 2023

What is PMI (Purchasing Managers' Index)? PMI stands for Purchasing Managers' Index. It is an economic indicator used to gauge the health and performance of a country's manufacturing sector. PMI provides insights into various aspects of manufacturing activity, including new orders, production levels, employment, and supplier deliveries. Who compiles PMI? PMI is typically compiled and published by independent research firms or organizations. In this specific case, the S&P Global India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Ind... Read More...

India's Act Far East Policy and Vladivostok-Chennai Sea Route

Oct 05, 2023

1. What is India's Act Far East Policy? India's Act Far East Policy is a strategic approach aimed at enhancing economic and trade ties, connectivity, and cooperation with the Far East region of Russia. It seeks to strengthen India's engagement with countries in the Far East, including the development of trade routes and partnerships for mutual economic benefits. 2. What is the Vladivostok-Chennai sea route? The Vladivostok-Chennai sea route is a maritime trade route that connects the Indian port of Chennai with the Russian port of ... Read More...

WTO Public Stockholding Subsidies

Oct 05, 2023

1. What is the issue regarding public stockholding subsidies at the WTO? The issue revolves around developing nations' demand for a permanent solution for public stockholding subsidies. These subsidies are used to support food security programs, and developing countries, including India, have been seeking changes to existing WTO rules to provide greater flexibility in implementing these subsidies. 2. What is the stance of the European Union (EU) on this issue? The EU has expressed its readiness to negotiate on the issue of public stockhold... Read More...

Triumph of Justice: Vachathi's Struggle Against State Violence

Oct 04, 2023

The Madras High Court's recent verdict on the Vachathi case, Tamil Nadu, is a historic milestone. It exposed the dark reality that large-scale state-sponsored repression cannot occur without complicity from higher government levels. In 1992, Vachathi witnessed brutality as around 300 uniformed officials descended on the village under the pretext of finding smuggled sandalwood. Shockingly, this led to the rape of eighteen women, illegal confinement of 90 women, 28 children, and 15 men, and other atrocities. One significant issue was the absence of "command responsibility" in India's criminal justice system, resulting in a lengthy tr... Read More...

Shot in the Arm: Nobel for mRNA Vaccine Pioneers

Oct 04, 2023

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for 2023 went to Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman, and it's no surprise. Their groundbreaking work paved the way for effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19, saving lives and preventing hospitalizations. This Nobel recognition aligns perfectly with the award's mission to honor discoveries that benefit humanity the most. This Nobel is also a celebration of women in science, with Katalin Karikó being one of only 13 women ever to receive the Nobel Prize in Medicine out of 225 total recipients. The broader context here is that only 62 women have won any Nobel Prize compared to 894 men. Read More...

All Vie for the Cup: India's World Cup Challenge

Oct 04, 2023

Bihar Caste Survey

Oct 04, 2023

Idital:Tribal Painting

Oct 04, 2023

Andhra Pradesh Guaranteed Pension System

Oct 04, 2023

What is the Andhra Pension System? The Andhra Pradesh Guaranteed Pension System (GPS) is a hybrid model combining features of both the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and the New Pension Scheme (NPS) introduced in 2004. How is it different from the previous systems? Unlike the exclusive models of OPS or NPS, GPS blends elements of both. It guarantees government employees a monthly pension amounting to 50% of their last-drawn salary, inclusive of dearness allowance relief. When was it introduced? The Andhra Prad... Read More...

IMEC vs BRI: The New Global Trade Corridors

Oct 04, 2023

#ConnectTheDotsWithSRIRAM's# Background Indian PM, US President, and Saudi Crown Prince announce IMEC at G20 summit in Delhi. Seen as counter to China’s BRI. Scale BRI is much larger, with over $1 trillion in investments and 150+ country partnerships. IMEC is still in planning. US Interests No direct material benefit but strengthens diplomatic ties and counters China’s influence. Economic Impact IMEC cou... Read More...

Household Savings In India Today:RBI Report

Oct 04, 2023

The state of household savings in India presents contrasting narratives, one optimistic and the other pessimistic. Here's a breakdown of the key points for each perspective: Optimistic Claim: There is evidence of a shift from financial savings to physical assets among households post-COVID. The construction sector has seen significant growth, with housing loans and loans for education and vehicles experiencing substantial increases. The composition of household savings has changed, with physical assets accounting for nearly 60% of total net savings, while the share o... Read More...