UPSC Daily Current Affairs

National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023:Contents and Constitutionality

Aug 09, 2023

Q: What is the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023? A: The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, is a proposed legislation introduced by the Union Government of India to nullify the effect of the Supreme Court's judgment in Government of NCT of Delhi v. Union of India. The bill seeks to give primacy to the Lieutenant Governor (LG) in matters related to the transfer and postings of civil servants serving the Delhi Government. Q: What was the Supreme Court's judgment in the Government of NCT of Delhi v. U... Read More...

Supreme Court Stay on Rahul Gandhi's Conviction for 'Modi' Remark

Aug 09, 2023

Q: What criminal defamation case is Rahul Gandhi involved in? A: Rahul Gandhi faced a criminal defamation case for his 'Modi' surname remark allegedly made at a political rally in Karnataka in 2019. Q: What did the Supreme Court do in response to Rahul Gandhi's conviction? A: The Supreme Court stayed Rahul Gandhi's conviction in the criminal defamation case. A three-judge Bench headed by Justice B.R. Gavai issued the stay order. Q: Why was the conviction stayed? Read More...

Yenadi Tribe in Andhra Pradesh

Aug 09, 2023

Q: Who are the Yenadis, and what are the living conditions like for this tribe in Andhra Pradesh? A: The Yenadis, also known as Yanadi, are a Scheduled Tribe living in extreme conditions of poverty and social exclusion in Andhra Pradesh. They have a nomadic way of life, which makes it difficult for governments to reach out to the community with help and support. Q: Where is the village Telaprolu Cheruvu Katta located, and what are some challenges faced by the Yenadi community in this area? A: Telaprolu Cheruvu Katta is a village in Krishna dis... Read More...

Parliamentary Panel on Civil Service Recruitment

Aug 09, 2023

Q&A 1. What is the concern raised by the parliamentary panel about civil service recruitment? The panel is concerned about the higher number of engineers being selected as civil servants, leading to a loss of exceptional doctors and engineers from specialized fields. 2. What percentage of candidates selected in recent years have technical or medical backgrounds? Over 70% of candidates selected in recent years through the UPSC Civil Services Exam had technical or medical backgrounds. ... Read More...

Chandrayaan-3 successfully entered lunar orbit

Aug 09, 2023

Note on Lander and Rover India's third unmanned mission to the Moon, Chandrayaan-3, successfully entered lunar orbit after a thruster firing maneuver carried out from the Bengaluru-based ISRO Telemetry, Tracking, and Command Network (ISTRAC). The propulsion module will undergo a series of orbit reductions until it settles into an orbit 100 km above the lunar surface. On the sixth orbit, the module will release the lander, which carries the rover, to attempt a soft-landing near the Moon's south pole on August 23. The mission's primary goal is to achieve a soft-landing, making India the first country to do ... Read More...

BharatNet Project and Digital Divide

Aug 09, 2023

1. What is BharatNet? BharatNet is the government's ambitious project aimed at providing last-mile optical fiber-based connectivity to homes in all 6.4 lakh villages in India. It is one of the biggest rural telecom projects in the world and aims to bridge the digital divide by ensuring internet connectivity reaches remote areas. 2. How much funding has been approved for BharatNet? The Union Cabinet has approved funding of ₹1,39,579 crore for scaling up the BharatNet project. This funding will be used to provide connectivity to the remain... Read More...

Clouded leopard in India

Aug 09, 2023

1. What is the clouded leopard, and where is it found? The clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) is a cat species known for its cloud-like spots on its hide. It is found in various parts of Asia, including mainland India, from central Nepal to peninsular Malaysia, and the Sunda islands. 2. How is the clouded leopard unique compared to other cat species? The clouded leopard is often likened to the Ice Age saber-tooth due to having the largest canines in proportion to its skull size among all cat species. It also has rotating rear ankles that enab... Read More...

Peace conference on the Ukraine Conflict

Aug 09, 2023

India's Position on Ukraine 1. What is the purpose of the peace conference? The peace conference aims to discuss and find a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. It seeks to bring together representatives from various countries to engage in dialogue and cooperation for resolving the conflict peacefully. 2. Who organized the peace conference? The peace conference on the Ukraine conflict was organized by Saudi Prime Minister and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman. It took... Read More...

Telangana Governor:Veto Powers and Power of Sending Messages

Aug 09, 2023

1. What is a Suspensive Veto? A Suspensive Veto is the following: When the Governor uses a suspensive veto, the bill is returned to the legislature for repassage. If the legislature passes the bill again with or without amendments, and it is presented to the Governor, then the Governor is bound to give their assent. 2. What is a Pocket Veto? A Pocket Veto is another type of veto power used by the Governor. In a pocket veto, the Governor does not explicitly reject or approve the bill passed by the state legislature. Instead, the Governor retain... Read More...

Urban Infrastructure Development Fund

Aug 08, 2023

For Tier 2 & 3 Cities: 1. What is the Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UIDF)? UIDF aims to supplement efforts of the State Governments/UTs for urban infrastructure development work implemented through Public/State Agencies, Municipal Corporations, Urban Local Bodies in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities by providing a stable and predictable source of financing.Simple terms:UIDF is a fund of Rs 10,000 crore operationalized by the central government for creating infrastructure in tier-2 and tier-3 cities in India. 2. Which cities are covered ... Read More...

The Amazon Rainforest - Importance, Threats, and Solutions

Aug 08, 2023

1. What is the size of the Amazon rainforest, and how many countries does it span? The Amazon rainforest is twice the size of India and spans across eight countries and one territory.The Amazon rainforest is a vast biome that spans across eight countries in South America: Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname. Additionally, it includes French Guiana, which is an overseas territory of France. 2. What is a biome? A biome refers to a large geographic region characterized by a distinct climate, vegetation, and w... Read More...

Short Duration Varieties of Rice and Stubble Burning Reduction

Aug 08, 2023

1. What are short duration varieties of rice? Short duration varieties of rice are rice cultivars that have a shorter growth cycle and maturity period compared to traditional varieties. These varieties reach maturity and are ready for harvest in a relatively shorter span of time. 2. How does the use of short duration rice varieties impact stubble burning? Short duration rice varieties mature earlier and produce less residual crop stubble after harvest. This reduction in stubble minimizes the need for burning to clear fields for the next crop. ... Read More...

QR Code Convenience and Concerns

Aug 08, 2023

QR codes offer various conveniences for citizens, including faster ticketing, access to information, and feedback mechanisms. However, it is essential to address security and inclusivity concerns to ensure the effective and safe implementation of QR code technology in various services across cities. 1. What is the QR code-based ticketing system in the Delhi Metro? The QR code-based ticketing system in the Delhi Metro allows passengers to buy tickets online and scan the QR code on their mobile phones at the automatic fare collection (AFC) gate for entry without the need to stand... Read More...

Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI) for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing and IT Hardware

Aug 08, 2023

1. What is the objective of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing? The PLI scheme aims to boost domestic manufacturing and attract large investments in the electronics sector, specifically mobile phone manufacturing and specified electronic components, including Assembly, Testing, Marking, and Packaging (ATMP) units. It seeks to create a level playing field for the domestic electronics hardware manufacturing sector, promote self-reliance, and position India as a global hub for Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM). 2. Wha... Read More...

Parliamentary panel says reduce the minimum age for contesting elections in India

Aug 08, 2023

Q:What does the parliamentary panel propose regarding the minimum age for contesting elections in India? A: The parliamentary panel suggests reducing the minimum age required to run in national elections, particularly Assembly elections, from 25 to 18 years. Q: How is the current minimum age requirement for standing in Assembly and Lok Sabha elections different from the voting age in India? A: The current minimum age to stand for Assembly and Lok Sabha elections is 25 years, while the voting age is 18 years. Read More...