UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Project Cheetah: One-Year Milestone

Sep 26, 2023

Introduction: Project Cheetah, a groundbreaking initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, celebrated its one-year anniversary on September 17, 2022. This remarkable project marked the first-ever intercontinental translocation of African cheetahs to India, specifically to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions Where were the African cheetahs brought as part of Project Cheetah? Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh. What has been a significan... Read More...

South China Sea Tensions

Sep 26, 2023

Dive into today's HinduHandout for more insights, and stay tuned for our upcoming book in November 2023 on IndiaAndTheWorld. KnowledgeIsPower What is the current situation in the South China Sea? The South China Sea is witnessing escalating tensions due to China's military presence in the region, particularly in disputed waters. How has China militarized the South China Sea? China has built and fortified military bases on artificial islands in the South China Sea. These bases include runways for fighter jets, radar domes, and warehouses for m... Read More...

Foreign Portfolio Investors(FPI) and Participatory Notes(PNs)

Sep 26, 2023

Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPI): Foreign Portfolio Investors, often represented as mutual funds or hedge funds, are entities that invest in the financial markets of a country. They typically buy and sell financial assets like stocks and bonds. FPIs are subject to regulations and may need to register with the country's regulatory authority. Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs): Alternative Investment Funds, including hedge funds, private equity funds, real estate investment trusts (REITs), and more, pool money from investors to invest in a wi... Read More...

India-Canada Trade Suspension

Sep 26, 2023

Why were trade negotiations suspended between India and Canada? Diplomatic Meeting: Trade negotiations were suspended following a diplomatic dispute between India and Canada. After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's return from the G20 meeting in New Delhi, Canada postponed a trade delegation's visit to India, which was set to discuss the Early Progress Trade Agreement (EPTA). How does this suspension affect the economic interests of both countries? Economic Graph: At least for now, the suspension of trade negotiations is unlikely to ... Read More...

Non-Fungible Tokens(NFTs)

Sep 26, 2023

What is an NFT? An NFT, or Non-Fungible Token, is a unique digital asset that represents ownership of a specific digital item, such as artwork, music, videos, or virtual collectibles. Unlike cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, each NFT is one-of-a-kind and cannot be exchanged on a one-to-one basis. How do NFTs work? NFTs use blockchain technology to verify and record ownership and provenance of digital assets. Each NFT has a unique identifier, and its ownership is recorded on a blockchain, making it tamper-proof and easily transferable. Read More...

UNESCO World Heritage Anticipated for Maratha Forts

Sep 26, 2023

In celebration of the 350th anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Coronation, Maharashtra eagerly anticipates the UNESCO World Heritage designation for a series of 14 Maratha forts that adorn the Western Ghats and the picturesque Konkan coast. The Western Ghats UNESCO Site The Western Ghats achieved UNESCO World Heritage status in 2012, covering a vast green hilly expanse spanning from South Gujarat to North Kerala, with substantial portions in Maharashtra and Karnataka. Iconic Maratha Forts These 14 forts, symbo... Read More...

Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)

Sep 26, 2023

What is an FPO? Primary producers, e.g., farmers, beekeepers, dairy farmers, etc. form it Aggregating efforts of individual farmers Registration under various legal provisions Benefits of FPOs: Economies of scale for better bargaining Bulk procurement and lower-margin sales Better prices for produce Challenges and Sustainability: Unrealistic expectations affect participation Lack of sound business planning hinders growth Stakeholder support boosts confidence Read More...

Benefits and Concerns of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Sep 26, 2023

Benefits: Enhanced Efficiency:AI applications like virtual assistants and automation tools streamline tasks, making daily life easier and more efficient. Advanced Applications: AI powers innovations like voice and facial recognition, language translation, and grammar correction, enriching user experiences. Deep Learning:Machines can now understand user moods and sentiments, thanks to deep learning algorithms, expanding AI's capabilities. Human-Like Behavior:AI aims to create intelligent... Read More...

Zonal Councils

Sep 26, 2023

Establishment of Zonal Councils Zonal Councils in India were established to promote inter-state cooperation and coordination among different regions of the country. They play a crucial role in addressing regional challenges, fostering dialogue, and facilitating conflict resolution. Here's more on when, how, and why they were set up: When Were Zonal Councils Established? Zonal Councils were set up in India in 1957, under the States Reorganization Act of 1956. This act aimed to reorganize the country's states and Union Territories along linguistic lines for administrative efficiency. Read More...

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in India

Sep 26, 2023

The promotion of women's entrepreneurship is a crucial pillar of India's G20 women-led development agenda. Studies suggest that if women's participation in the formal economy matched that of men, India's economy could grow by an additional 60% by 2025, adding $2.9 trillion. Currently, only about 14% of enterprises in India are led by women. Current Scenario According to the sixth economic census, women entrepreneurs make up 13.76% (approximately 8.05 million) of the total 58.5 million entrepreneurs in India. Although there has been growth in the number of w... Read More...

Fight Against Tuberculosis: UN's Ambitious Goals

Sep 26, 2023

UN's Declaration for TB Eradication World leaders at the United Nations General Assembly's high-level meeting on the fight against tuberculosis (TB) have approved a political declaration to advance efforts to end the disease by 2030. Ambitious Targets Ahead The document lays out ambitious new targets for the next five years, including reaching 90% of people with TB prevention and care services, providing social benefit packages to those with the disease, and licensing at least one new vaccine. Persisting Challe... Read More...

The Research and Analysis Wing (RAW): An Overview

Sep 26, 2023

Founding & History Established on September 21,1968 Context: Indo-China war of 1962 and India-Pakistan war of 1965 Mission Primary aim: Intelligence gathering and analysis Focus areas: National security and foreign affairs Scope of Operations Operates both within India and internationally Intelligence methods: Human Intelligence (HUMINT) Signal Intelligence (SIGINT) Open-Source Intelligen... Read More...

Stepwells in India: A Guide

Sep 26, 2023

Architectural Marvels Unique to India Known as 'baolis' or 'vavs' Serve as a testament to India's engineering and architectural prowess Functional Aspects Designed for groundwater access and storage Useful year-round Aesthetic and Cultural Significance Intricate carvings, arches, and chambers Spiritual and social hubs Associated with temples Community gathering spaces Historical Context Read More...

Basics on Uighurs: What The Aspirants Need to Know

Sep 26, 2023

Where They Live Location: Uighurs primarily live in China's Xinjiang region, located in the far west of the country. Their Demands Autonomy and Equality: They seek greater autonomy, preservation of their culture, and equal opportunities, especially amid the influx of Han Chinese in Xinjiang. Why China Fears Them Separatism: China fears the rise of separatist movements in Xinjiang, which they view as a threat to the country's territorial integrity. Read More...

Richness of Human Milk: What The Aspirants Need to Know

Sep 25, 2023

Introduction Human breast milk is not just food for babies; it's also like personalized medicine for them. This milk helps fine-tune the baby's genes for life. Myo-Inositol: The Special Ingredient Finding: A sugar-alcohol called myo-inositol is high in breast milk, especially during the first two weeks after birth. Why It Matters: This ingredient helps with brain development, making sure nerve cells connect properly. Science Backs It Up Finding: Yale researchers... Read More...