UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Brics Expansion: New Members Lay Bricks in the Wall of Economic Diversity - Presented by SRIRAM's

Sep 08, 2023

GDP Share of New Brics Members: The six new members of the Brics group—Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)—will collectively contribute only 11% to the GDP of the emerging economies grouping. Saudi Arabia's Highest Contribution: Among the new members, Saudi Arabia's GDP contribution is the highest at 4%, followed by Argentina, the UAE, and Egypt at 2% each, Iran at 1%, and Ethiopia with negligible impact. Impact on Brics' Share in Global GDP and Populat... Read More...

Chandrayaan-3: How Successful?

Sep 08, 2023

The Takeaways 1. What significant achievements has Chandrayaan-3 accomplished? Chandrayaan-3, launched by ISRO, has achieved groundbreaking results. The Pragyan rover equipped with LIBS has identified elements like aluminium, sulphur, calcium, iron, and more on the lunar surface. The Vikram lander recorded a 'moonquake' and detected a super-thin layer of plasma in the moon's atmosphere, revealing unique lunar phenomena. 2. How does the discovery of elements contribute to our knowledge of the moon? Read More...

Farm Mechanisation and the Parliamentary Committee Report 2023

Sep 08, 2023

1. What is farm mechanisation? Farm mechanisation refers to the utilization of machinery and equipment in agricultural activities to enhance efficiency, reduce manual labor, and improve overall productivity. 2. How does farm mechanisation benefit farmers? Farm mechanisation offers several benefits to farmers, including increased operational speed, optimized resource utilization, improved crop yields, reduced labor costs, and enhanced livelihoods. 3. What is the recent parliamentary committee report a... Read More...

Supreme Court Committee on Prison Reforms Recommendations and Their Rationale:

Sep 08, 2023

The "Supreme Court Committee on Prison Reforms," established by the Supreme Court of India, was tasked with addressing the state of affairs in prisons across the country. The committee, headed by ex-judge Amitava Roy, was formed in compliance with a 2018 order from the Supreme Court. Its purpose was to study and recommend reforms related to various aspects of the prison system, including overcrowding, conditions of inmates, and other related issues. 1. Segregation of Inmates: Recommendation: Mandatory segregation of undertrials, convicts, and first-ti... Read More...

Mithun :A "Food Animal"

Sep 08, 2023

What is the recent development regarding the classification of mithun bovine? Starting from September 1, the mithun (Bos frontalis) bovine, primarily found in the Northeastern states of India, has been classified as a "food animal" by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. What implications does this classification have? The classification of mithun as a "food animal" holds several implications: Export Opportunities: This classification opens doors... Read More...

For and Against: ‘One Nation, One Election

Sep 08, 2023

Navin Chawla and SY Quraishi For: A HEAVY POLL TOLL? Navin B. Chawla, former Chief Election Commissioner, suggests that the idea of simultaneous elections for all levels of government is worth considering. He acknowledges the potential benefits of such a move, including substantial time and cost savings. However, Chawla emphasizes the importance of political consultation and consensus-building before implementing such a reform. Chawla highlights the Election Commission’s continuous engagement in conducting elections throughout th... Read More...

G20 Summit and Digital Public Infrastructures (DPIs)

Sep 08, 2023

1. What is the main issue surrounding DPIs at the G20 summit? Developed countries have shown resistance towards formalizing interoperable digital public infrastructures (DPIs) at the G20 summit due to concerns about data security and the potential threat to private payment networks. 2. What stance is India likely to take on DPIs? India may consider making interoperability a "long-term goal" in the Delhi declaration by the G20, given the absence of a consensus on DPIs among member countries. Read More...

AI

Sep 08, 2023

Sovereign AI and India's Socio Economic Challenges What is Sovereign AI Sovereign AI refers to a technology that a country controls end-to-end, including intellectual property. This ensures that a nation can run AI models using resources within its own borders and under its regulatory framework. Why sovereign AI? The main objective of having sovereign AI capability is for countries not to be reliant on external entities for data, intellectual property (IP), and cloud services. This is especially s... Read More...

Holding Simultaneous Elections: Merits and Demerits

Sep 08, 2023

Merits of Holding Simultaneous Elections: Developmental Continuity: Simultaneous elections can prevent developmental projects from stalling due to the imposition of the model code of conduct every time an election is held. Political Stability: It might prevent parties from being perpetually in campaign mode, thereby encouraging longer-term, more sustainable decision-making. Economic Efficiency: Conducting elections simultaneously can lead to considerable cost savings for both the... Read More...

Fiscal Impact of El Niño

Sep 08, 2023

What is El Niño? El Niño is a periodic climate phenomenon characterized by the warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. This warming can influence global weather patterns, including increased rainfall in some regions and drought in others. How does El Niño affect agriculture? El Niño can cause irregularities in weather patterns. For example, some agricultural areas may experience drought, leading to poor crop yields, while others might encounter excessive rainfall, resul... Read More...

G20 Summit and Digital Public Infrastructures (DPIs)

Sep 08, 2023

Indian Institutes of Management (Amendment) Bill, 2023

Sep 08, 2023

Recent Changes to the Autonomy of Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and Their Implications Background: In 2017, the IIM Autonomy Bill was passed, granting IIMs enhanced autonomy in functioning while receiving government funding. Current Controversy: The introduction of the Indian Institutes of Management (Amendment) Bill, 2023 has reignited debates about the autonomy of IIMs. Key Proposal: The bill designates the President as ... Read More...

Ethics and Integrity

Sep 08, 2023

Does Success Define Our Worth? The Many Layers Introduction: The world often equates success with worth. Be it in professional arenas, academics, or personal life, achievements often become yardsticks. But is success the sole determinant of a person's value? Let's delve deeper. Societal Paradigms: Public Perception: Society venerates successful figures. For instance, celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan or global entrepreneurs like Elon Musk are ce... Read More...

Ethics and Integrity

Sep 08, 2023

Gratitude: An Ethical Value Introduction: Gratitude, traditionally understood as the appreciation for received benefits, has been revered across cultures. Yet, its classification as an ethical value offers a profound perspective on human behavior and relationships. The Ethical Dimensions of Gratitude: Acknowledgment of Goodness: Gratitude requires one to recognize and appreciate the positive aspects of life, fostering an environment of positivity and ... Read More...

Ethics and Integrity

Sep 08, 2023

Means and Ends in Ethics: Norms and Exceptions Introduction: The "means and ends" dilemma has been a foundational concern in ethics. It explores whether the outcomes (ends) can justify the methods (means) used to achieve them. The Norm: Means Matter: Ethical Integrity: Adhering to ethical means ensures that the process remains just, irrespective of the outcome. Consistent Moral Framewo... Read More...