UPSC Daily Current Affairs

FDI in India

Sep 14, 2023

SRIRAM's IAS: Your Path to Mastering Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) India has seen a decade of robust FDI inflows, primarily from Mauritius and Singapore. FDI inflows decreased from $58.77 billion in FY22 to $46.03 billion in FY23. Importance of FDI: FDI is essential for stimulating domestic industries, fostering growth, and enhancing global competitiveness. Sector-Specific Analysis: Over 90% of FDI targets non-manufacturing sectors. Read More...

From T+1 to T+One Hour:SEBI

Sep 14, 2023

Mechanics and Significance What is Sebi’s proposal regarding trade settlement? Sebi, the market regulator in India, is proposing to shorten the trade settlement cycle. Currently, trades are settled in T+1, which means one day after the trade. The new proposal aims to settle trades within just one hour of execution. When is Sebi planning to implement this change? Sebi plans to implement the one-hour trade settlement cycle starting in March 2024 if everything goes according to plan.... Read More...

E-Way Bill Surge: Full View

Sep 14, 2023

In August, E-way bill generation reached a record high of 9.34 crore , surpassing the previous high of 9.09 crore in March. This surge is attributed to companies dispatching higher volumes , mainly to meet festival demands . The rising number of registered taxpayers and improved compliance are contributing to the increase in E-way bills. This rise can impact GST revenue collection positively, as evidenced by past trends. While higher E-way bill generation is a positive sign for the economy , other factors like consumer spending , investment, and government policies also influence economic conditions. Additionall... Read More...

Sebi's Game-Changing Move: Revolutionizing Trade Settlement in India with One-Hour Cycles

Sep 14, 2023

What is Sebi’s proposal regarding trade settlement? Sebi, the market regulator in India, is proposing to shorten the trade settlement cycle. Currently, trades are settled in T+1, which means one day after the trade. The new proposal aims to settle trades within just one hour of execution. When is Sebi planning to implement this change? Sebi plans to implement the one-hour trade settlement cycle starting in March 2024 if everything goes according to plan. How does this change compare to other countri... Read More...

India,US and Apples

Sep 14, 2023

Explore the juicy details behind India's decision on apple imports and how it's shaping the market with SRIRAM's : Biting into Trade Dynamics. India's Decision to Remove Additional Duty on US Products Why did India remove additional duty on US products? India removed additional "retaliatory" duty on eight US products, including apples and walnuts , as part of a mutually agreed solution reached at the World Trade Organization (WTO). This solution aims to resolve trade disputes between India and the US. What was the impact of t... Read More...

Retail Inflation in India

Sep 14, 2023

Is India Estimating Retail Inflation Accurately? Why did retail price inflation increase in July? Retail price inflation in July was influenced by the outdated weightage assigned to food and beverage items in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which is based on data from 2011-12. How does the weightage in the CPI affect inflation rates? The weightage assigned to different categories in the CPI can impact the overall inflation rate. When certain categories like food and beverages have a higher wei... Read More...

Middle Powers in World Politics :India-centric View

Sep 14, 2023

What is a middle power? A middle power refers to a nation that holds a position between smaller or less influential states and larger superpowers in the international arena. India is considered a middle power due to its significant regional influence, growing economy, and diplomatic capabilities. Which countries, besides India, are middle powers, and why does India hold this status? Besides India, countries like Germany, Japan, Canada, Brazil, South Africa, Turkey, and Indonesia are consider... Read More...

Pearl Millet: Adapting to Climate Change

Sep 14, 2023

What is pearl millet? Pearl millet is one of the oldest crops globally, belonging to the millet family. It's highly esteemed for its nutritional value and adaptability to arid regions. Why is pearl millet significant? Pearl millet plays a vital role in food security, particularly in semi-arid areas. It's drought-tolerant, making it resilient to challenging climate conditions. What challenges does pearl millet face? Climate change and sh... Read More...

Rythu Bharosa Kendralu (RBKs): For UPSC Aspirants

Sep 14, 2023

Rythu Bharosa Kendralu (RBKs) have become integral to Andhra Pradesh's agricultural landscape with 10,778 established across the state. These institutions cater to diverse farming needs, from soil testing to extension services . In the months from April to June, RBKs collected a record-breaking 1.94 lakh soil samples for testing, demonstrating their commitment to soil health . Additionally, 21,731 agricultural graduates have been employed in villages to provide essential guidance . RBKs also employ technology, such as 'e crop,' for crop monitoring , en... Read More...

Inside Kota's Academic Pressure Cooker: Balancing Academics and Well-being

Sep 14, 2023

Introduction: In the bustling city of Kota, Rajasthan, thousands of students converge each year to prepare for two of India's toughest academic tests: the Indian Institute of Technology-Joint Entrance Examination (IIT-JEE) and the pre-medical National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). This annual influx of aspirants contributes significantly to Kota's economy, generating around 5,000 crore per year . The High-Stress Environment: Read More...

irola variant of the coronavirus

Sep 14, 2023

What is known about the Pirola variant of the coronavirus? The Pirola variant, officially designated as BA.2.86, is one of seven SARS-CoV-2 variants being monitored by the World Health Organization (WHO). It was first reported in Denmark in late July and officially designated as a new variant under monitoring by WHO in mid-August. As the virus continues to evolve, WHO emphasizes the importance of countries strengthening surveillance, sequencing, and reporting of variants. What is the point of concern with this variant? Read More...

Lothal and the `Stitched Ship`

Sep 14, 2023

The discovery of the "stitched ship" at Lothal is a significant archaeological find that dates back to the early 20th century. It was unearthed during archaeological excavations conducted at the site of Lothal in Gujarat, India, by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Here is a detailed account of this discovery and its historical importance: Background: Lothal is an ancient archaeological site located in Gujarat, India. The archaeological excavations at Lothal took place in the 1950s and were led by R.S. Bisht, an archaeologist... Read More...

UPI Lite X,Offline Payments and the Near Field Communications Technology

Sep 14, 2023

Introduction Launch of UPI Lite X for offline transactions by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). Aims to address a market that encompasses personal consumption expenditures not spent digitally, estimated at $2 trillion. Enhancements in technology and the 5G rollout are poised to foster the digital payments ecosystem. Historical Context Digital transactions witnessed single-digit growth before 2010. Demonetization and the pandemic have boosted digital transactions; from 2... Read More...

India,US and WTO

Sep 13, 2023

India's Import Duty Reduction on Food Items Why is India reducing import duties on certain food items? India has agreed to reduce import duties on some fresh and processed food items as part of a dispute settlement with the United States at the World Trade Organization (WTO). This decision follows negotiations between India and the US. Which food items will have reduced import duties? The reduced import duties will apply to frozen turkey, frozen duck, fresh/frozen/dried/processed blueberries, and cranberries. Currently, these items attract... Read More...

India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)

Sep 13, 2023

Introduction On the sidelines,during the G20 summit in New Delhi, the ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) was announced, which is a bold step towards fostering enhanced connectivity and economic partnerships spanning India, the Middle East, and Europe. Objective Counter to BRI: The corridor serves as a counter to the extensive Belt and Road Initiative spearheaded by China, thereby forging a new pathway that could be termed as a “new spice route” by analysts. Strengthening Connections: The strategic ini... Read More...