UPSC Daily Current Affairs

What is Zealandia?

Sep 29, 2023

Zealandia, also known as Te Riu-a-Maui, is a recently rediscovered continent that had gone unnoticed for nearly 375 years. It is a vast landmass, covering approximately 1.89 million square miles (4.9 million square kilometers), making it about six times the size of Madagascar. Zealandia is located mostly underwater, with only a few islands, resembling the geography of New Zealand. How was Zealandia rediscovered? Geologists and seismologists used data from dredged rock samples collected from the ocean floor to refine... Read More...

Diamond Trade & Russia-Ukraine Conflict: A Guide to Sanctions & Compliance

Sep 29, 2023

Key Players Global 7 Countries (G7): United States, Canada, France, Italy, Germany, UK, Japan Russia: Specifically, Alrosa (Russian state mining company) India: Firms in Surat Ukraine: National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) Diamond Industry Certification Bodies: Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Key Issues Russia's War on Ukraine Funding for War Diamond Trade as Funding Source Sanction... Read More...

Kidney Shortage and Exchange

Sep 29, 2023

Organ Donation The Issue Problem: India faces a severe shortage of kidneys for transplantation. With over 200,000 patients needing a kidney in 2022, only about 3.4% (7,500 transplants) were actually conducted. Underlying Causes: High prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) due to factors like diabetes, malnourishment, overcrowding, and poor sanitation. Regulatory hurdles restricting innovative kidney exchange methods such as swaps and chains. The Response... Read More...

Purana Qila, or the Old Fort

Sep 29, 2023

It symbolizes India's rich history and culture in several ways: Historical Layers: It represents over 2,500 years of continuous habitation, showcasing the dynastic changes that shaped India. Architectural Marvel: The fort's Mughal and Afghan architectural fusion stands as a testament to India's architectural diversity. Cultural Heritage: It reflects the amalgamation of Indian and Central Asian influences, showcasing India's multicultural roots. Historical Events: The fort witnessed pivotal moments in Indian history, from battles to shifts in ... Read More...

What are Self-Respect Marriages?

Sep 29, 2023

Definition: A self-respect marriage (often termed "Suyamariyathai" marriage in Tamil Nadu) is a union between two individuals that is devoid of religious rituals and ceremonies. Objective: To challenge traditional norms that uphold the caste system and patriarchal values. To grant both parties equal status in the marriage, emphasizing the partnership rather than roles defined by tradition. Features: No religious rituals or ceremonies. A simple declaration of marria... Read More...

Caring for the Old in India

Sep 29, 2023

Demographic Shift India's population above 60 is set to double from 14.9 crore in 2022 to 34.7 crore by 2050, mirroring global trends. Gender Disparities Women outnumber men in the elderly population and face greater economic vulnerabilities, especially given low labor force participation rates (24%). Regional Variations Southern states report a higher share of the elderly population compared to the national average, while northern states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh lag behind. Read More...

Caring for the Old in India

Sep 29, 2023

India-Canada Diplomatic Row over the Nijjar Case

Sep 29, 2023

Background and Allegations Tensions between India and Canada escalated following the killing of Canadian Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Canada alleges that Indian "government agents" were responsible, while India blames Khalistani extremism in Canada. Diplomatic Implications Both countries have expelled each other's diplomats. Trade talks are on hold, and India has suspended all visas to Canadians. International Pressure "Five Eyes" allies ... Read More...

Social Audit

Sep 29, 2023

What is Social Audit? A process where public records are scrutinized to verify the reported figures against actuals, focusing on transparency and accountability. Why is it Important? It helps in reducing corruption, improving governance, and ensuring efficient use of resources. How Does it Work? Independent social audit units flag instances of misappropriation, and it is then up to the State governments to recover the funds. The Law on Social Audit Read More...

Bhagavad Gita: The Practical Code of Life.

Sep 29, 2023

Humanistic Inspiration: The Gita encourages embracing humanistic values to dispel doubts and guide one back to divinity. Vedic Alignment: Recognized as Gitopanishad, the teachings align strictly with Vedic principles. Mindfulness: It advocates for mental purity as a practical guide for life. Timely Wisdom: Given when Arjuna was disheartened, it prompts us to "rise to the occasion" during tough times. Eternal Relevance: The teachings are universally applicable and continue to inspire across time. Path of Righteousness: It emphasizes adhere... Read More...

Language on Decline

Sep 29, 2023

What is the Toto Language? Toto is a Sino-Tibetan language primarily spoken by the Toto tribal community, a small group of around 1,600 people residing in parts of West Bengal near the Bhutan border. While the language has its own script developed in 2015, it is more commonly written in Bengali script due to its nascent stage and the community's familiarity with Bengali. Why Is Toto Declining? Dominance of Bengali and Hindi: The overwhelming presence of larger languages like Bengali and Hindi diminishes the growth and survival prospects of Toto. Read More...

Parliamentary Privileges and Immunities

Sep 29, 2023

Legal Basis: Article 105(2) of the Indian Constitution. Why Provided: To ensure MPs can perform legislative duties without undue external pressure. What They Include: Freedom of speech within the house, protection from arrest in civil cases, etc. Breach of Privilege Definition: Violation or compromise of the special rights granted to MPs. Examples: Obstructing an MP's attendance, unauthorized publication of expunged house proceedings. Legal Provisions: Uncodified, but guided by conventions and cu... Read More...

MS Swaminathan of Green Revolution Passes Away

Sep 29, 2023

Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan, hailed as the architect of India's Green Revolution, passed away at 98. His monumental contributions reshaped India's agricultural landscape, elevating the nation from a state of food insecurity to self-sufficiency. In the bleak mid-1960s, when India faced crippling drought and was heavily reliant on food imports, Swaminathan's groundbreaking work in wheat and rice genetics led to dramatic yield improvements. Collaborating with political figures like C. Subramaniam and Jagjivan Ram, he executed the Green Revolution, integrating chemical-biological technologies that re... Read More...

Food Inflation in India Today

Sep 29, 2023

What is food inflation, and why is it a concern? Food inflation refers to the increase in the prices of food items over time. It is a concern because rising food prices can significantly impact household budgets and lead to higher living costs for consumers. What has been the recent trend in food inflation in India? Food inflation in India has been on the rise, reaching a three-year high of 11.5% in July. Although it eased to 9.9% in August, prices of various food items have remained relatively high. What are some fact... Read More...

India-Russia Rupee Trade

Sep 29, 2023

What is the special Rupee Vostro account system? The special Rupee Vostro account system is a banking mechanism where one bank holds an account in a foreign currency on behalf of another bank. It helps the second bank provide services to its clients in overseas markets. When did the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduce the rupee trade mechanism? In July 2022, the RBI introduced the rupee trade mechanism to allow Indian traders to settle imports and exports in rupees, especially during Western sanctions on Russia. How much Russian i... Read More...