UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Microfinance Sector in India:Introduction

Aug 17, 2023

Q1: What is the microfinance sector? A1: The microfinance sector encompasses financial services, including loans, savings, and insurance, provided to low-income individuals and underserved communities who lack access to traditional banking services. Q2: How do microfinance institutions (MFIs) operate? A2: MFIs are organizations that offer small-scale financial services to marginalized populations. They utilize social collateral, such as community trust, to provide loans and promote entrepreneurship among women. Read More...

Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 vs Right to Information Act

Aug 17, 2023

Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 and Deemed Consent The Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 has generated considerable attention due to its potential impact on data privacy and regulation. The act introduces several significant changes compared to previous drafts, aiming to establish a robust framework for safeguarding personal data in India. Shift from Deemed Consent to Specific Legitimate Uses One major shift in the act is the move from deemed consent to specific legitimate uses of personal data. Unlike the previous dra... Read More...

Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023 (DPDP Bill)

Aug 17, 2023

"The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023 (DPDP Bill) presents several positive aspects in its approach to data privacy and protection" Elaborate. 1. Transition to Specific Legitimate Uses: The DPDP Bill moves away from the concept of deemed consent and focuses on specific legitimate uses of personal data. This approach ensures that data processing is more transparent and aligned with specific purposes, enhancing user privacy. 2. Elimination of "Public Interest" Clause: Unlike the previous draft, the DPDP... Read More...

Ethanol vs Food: The Trade Off

Aug 17, 2023

Q: What is the current situation regarding India's ethanol blending target? A: India aimed to achieve 20% ethanol blending in fuel by 2025 but is facing challenges in arranging sufficient feedstock, particularly food grains, for ethanol production. Q: Why has the supply of rice to ethanol-makers been halted? A: The Food Corporation of India (FCI) supplied 13 lakh tonnes of rice to ethanol-makers between December 2022 and June 2023, but halted further supplies from July to conserve stocks due to concerns about food security. ... Read More...

Goods & Services Tax (GST) and Its Share in the GDP

Aug 17, 2023

Q: What is the current status of GST's contribution to GDP? A: A Finance Ministry report indicates that GST's share in GDP has reached 3.1% in FY23, while personal income tax also stands at 3.1%. This indicates a significant role of GST in indirect taxes. Q: How do economists explain this trend? A: Economists attribute this trend to factors like consumption demand, compliance improvements, and the impact of inflation. The sustained increase in GST is seen as a result of transparent tax administration and economic growth. ... Read More...

Post Office Bill 2023

Aug 17, 2023

Q: What is the Post Office Bill 2023 proposing? A: The Post Office Bill 2023, introduced in the Rajya Sabha, aims to empower post office employees for national security interests. They can intercept, open, or detain items during transmission. Immunity from liability is provided to these employees, with conditions. Officers can deliver items suspected of duty evasion to customs authorities. The bill emphasizes the post office's exclusive privilege of issuing postage stamps and sets provisions for addressing standards and usage of postcodes. It repeals the Indian Post Office Act, 1898, adapting to the evolving functions of ... Read More...

Baloch Violence:India's Concerns

Aug 17, 2023

lochistan, a province in southwestern Pakistan, stem from several factors: Human Rights and Humanitarian Concerns: Reports of human rights abuses, including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, torture, and suppression of dissent, in Balochistan have raised humanitarian concerns. India, like other nations, is concerned about the well-being and rights of people affected by such violence and repression. Ethnic and Nationalist Movements: Balochistan has a history of ethnic and nationalist movements seeking greater autonomy or ev... Read More...

Balochistan Violence:causes and Effects

Aug 17, 2023

Q: What drives the insurgency in Balochistan? A: The insurgency's complexity stems from various factors. The primary driver is the Gwadar port project funded by China. While strategically crucial, it has marginalized Balochs from development, fostering resentment. Natural gas exploration, including the Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline, has led to targeted attacks on infrastructure due to federal exploitation. The influx of refugees and militants from the Afghan war has marginalized Balochs numerically and increased military presence, escalating tensions. Q: How does the Gwadar port ... Read More...

Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Ethnic Tensions: Case Studies from Global South

Aug 16, 2023

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has highlighted how ethnic tensions in host countries can escalate when massive capital flows from BRI projects are involved. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) case is illustrative, and similar dynamics can be observed in other BRI projects. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Pakistan and Balochistan: The CPEC, connecting China to Gwadar port in Balochistan, Pakistan, has exacerbated ethnic tensions. Balochistan, home to violent insurgencies, bears a disproportionate burden of CPEC projects. It provides land and resources but receives fewer benefits. The ... Read More...

Niger Coup,Strategic Importance and India

Aug 16, 2023

Niger holds significant strategic importance due to several factors: Security and Counterterrorism: Niger's location in the Sahel region, which is plagued by Islamist extremist groups like Boko Haram, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), and ISIS affiliates, makes it a crucial player in regional security efforts. The country collaborates with international partners to combat terrorism and prevent the spread of extremism across West Africa. Regional Stability: As a landlocked country sharing borders with multiple nations, including Libya, Chad, ... Read More...

Carbon Farming and India

Aug 16, 2023

Q: What is carbon farming and how does it contribute to sustainable agricultural management? A: Carbon farming, also known as carbon sequestration, is an agricultural management system designed to store more carbon in the land and reduce the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This practice is crucial for mitigating climate change. Agroforestry practices in India and sustainable forest management also aid in minimizing greenhouse gas emissions and accumulating carbon dioxide in wood. Q: How can agricultural producers practice carbon farming? Read More...

Indo Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and India

Aug 16, 2023

Q: What is the Indo Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF)? A: The Indo Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) is a regional initiative launched by US President Joe Biden, aiming to promote economic cooperation and trade among countries in the Indo-Pacific region. It seeks to counter China's influence in the region and establish new supply chains based on emerging technologies. Q: Who are the members of the IPEF? A: The IPEF includes 14 countries, mostly dynamic economic powers in the Indo-Pacific region. Notably, China and its three close allies fr... Read More...

Indian Agriculture and Carbon Credits

Aug 16, 2023

Q: What are carbon credits and their purpose? A: Carbon credits are permits equivalent to one tonne of carbon dioxide, allowing polluters to emit within a limit by purchasing credits. The invested funds support environmental projects to offset global warming. Q: How does carbon credit trading work in agriculture? A: The use of "Pusa bio-decomposer," developed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, prevents burning of agricultural waste, generating carbon credits. These credits are earned through emission reduction and can be ... Read More...

Gwadar: Chinese Engineers Attacked

Aug 16, 2023

Gwadar,Belt and Road Initiative and CPEC:India's Concerns In Gwadar, Pakistan, a convoy of Chinese engineers came under attack by the Baloch Liberation Army's Majeed Brigade, a militant group. The assailants used small arms and hand grenades, prompting swift response from Pakistani security forces. While no Chinese citizens were harmed, the incident underscores security challenges linked to China's investments in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The Chinese embassy demanded a thorough investigation and affirmed cooperation with Pakistan to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel and projects. This incid... Read More...

Indian National Army:The Turning Point: INA, Mutinies, and the British Exit from India

Aug 16, 2023

The British colonial rule in India faced a turning point when they publicly tried members of the Indian National Army (INA) at the Red Fort in Delhi from 1945-46, accusing them of waging war against the King-Emperor. These members included Col Prem Sahgal, Major Gen Shah Nawaz Khan, and Col Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon, who had served as officers in the British Indian Army. They had initially been taken as prisoners of war but later joined the INA to fight for India's liberation. The trial of these INA officers led to widespread disenchantment within the armed forces and among the public. The trial highlighted the... Read More...