UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Organ Shortage,Organ Donation and Laws in India

Aug 08, 2023

1.What is the current situation of organ shortage in India? There is a significant shortage of organs for transplant in India, with over three lakh patients waiting for organ transplants. 2.How has the number of organ donors changed over the years? Between 2014 and 2022, the number of donors (including cadavers) increased from 6,916 to 16,041. 3.Why is there a need to improve the cadaver donation rate? Cadaver donations are essential to meet the growing demand ... Read More...

ONGC Videsh Upgraded to a 'Navratna'

Aug 08, 2023

Oil India Ltd (OIL) Upgraded to Maharatna status Q1: What is the significance of ONGC Videsh being upgraded to a 'Navratna' CPSE? A: The upgrade to 'Navratna' status means that ONGC Videsh will have more autonomy in terms of investment, setting up joint ventures, and making other financial decisions. It will enjoy greater operational and financial freedom within the framework of a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE). Q2: How many Navratna companies does India currently have? A: Ind... Read More...

India Soft Power Projection and Cultural Diplomacy

Aug 08, 2023

1. What is soft power projection? Soft power projection refers to the use of non-coercive and persuasive means by a country to enhance its influence and attract others towards its values, culture, and policies. It involves utilizing cultural, educational, and diplomatic resources to shape the perceptions and opinions of people in other countries. 2. What is cultural diplomacy? Cultural diplomacy is a form of public diplomacy that focuses on promoting a country's culture, arts, heritage, and language as a means to foster understanding and b... Read More...

Increase in Cost of Vegetarian Thali in July 2023

Aug 08, 2023

Thalinomics 1. What caused the surge in the cost of preparing a vegetarian thali in July 2023? The cost of preparing a vegetarian thali at home increased by 28% in July 2023 compared to the previous month. This surge was primarily due to the significant jump in prices of vegetables and spices, particularly tomatoes, onions, and potatoes. The rising prices of these essential ingredients contributed to the higher overall cost of the thali. 2. How much did the cost of a vegetable thali rise in July 2023? Read More...

Gyan Vapi and GPR technology

Aug 08, 2023

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) technology in its ongoing scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. GPR technology involves sending electromagnetic waves below the ground to detect anomalies like bricks, sand, stone, and metals. It helps experts study and analyze the data recorded on a monitor to determine if any structure is buried beneath the mosque and understand the nature of that structure. However, it is important to use GPR technology under expert supervision to ensure accurate results and interpretations. GPR technology plays a crucial role in the survey as it aids in i... Read More...

Food Inflation

Aug 08, 2023

Concepts and Trends in India Food inflation refers to the rate at which food prices are increasing over a specific period of time. It is a crucial economic indicator that measures the change in the cost of food items in a basket of goods and services. Food inflation is often closely monitored by policymakers, economists, and the public because it directly affects the cost of living for households and can have significant implications for overall economic stability. FAQs about Food Inflation: 1. What causes food inflation? Read More...

Drug Abuse

Aug 08, 2023

1.What August 2023 report about drug abuse in India? The recent report by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment is titled "Drug abuse among young persons: Problems and solutions." It highlights the fast spread of drug addiction among adults, young adults, and children in India. 2.What are the alarming findings of the report? The report expresses shock over the widespread drug abuse among children aged 10-17 years. It mentions that opioids, sedatives, and inhalants are prevalent among children in vario... Read More...

Cheetah reintroduction project

Aug 08, 2023

Q: What is the cheetah reintroduction project? A: The cheetah reintroduction project aims to bring back cheetahs, an endangered species of big cats, to a specific location, in this case, Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, India. The project is designed to create a suitable habitat for cheetahs and release them into the wild to help increase their population and conserve the species. Q: Why is Kuno National Park chosen for the project? A: Kuno National Park is chosen for the project because it provides a suitable environment and ecosystem fo... Read More...

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Benisagar village in Jharkhand

Aug 08, 2023

1. What has been excavated by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) from Benisagar village in Jharkhand? The ASI has excavated hundreds of artefacts, including sculptures, stone figures, and a stone seal with a Brahmi inscription in Sanskrit. 2. What does the archaeological evidence suggest about the inhabitation of Benisagar? The archaeological evidence suggests that Benisagar was inhabited continuously from the fifth century A.D. to the 16th-17th century A.D. 3. Why was Benisagar included in the... Read More...

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

Aug 07, 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...

Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)

Aug 07, 2023

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has been a pioneer in the development of ESG reporting in India. In 2012, SEBI introduced the Business Responsibility Report (BRR) as a mandatory ESG reporting framework for the top 100 listed companies in India by market capitalization. The BRR was a significant step forward in the development of ESG reporting in India, but it had some limitations in terms of its scope and depth. In 2021, SEBI released the Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR) as a new and improved Environmental, social, and corporate governan... Read More...

Drug Safety and Quality

Aug 07, 2023

Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for Pharma Companies in India Q1: What is Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)? A1: Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) is a set of quality assurance and control guidelines that ensure pharmaceutical products are consistently produced and controlled to meet the required quality standards. Q2: Why is the Indian government requiring pharma companies to obtain a GMP certificate? A2: The Indian government has mandated the GMP certificate to ensure the production of high-qua... Read More...

E-invoicing under GST

Aug 07, 2023

Q: What is e-invoicing under the Goods and Services Tax (GST)? A: E-invoicing under GST is a system where taxpayers generate invoices electronically on a government portal. It was initially introduced for taxpayers with an annual turnover of over Rs 500 crore from October 1, 2020. Q: What is the recent change in the threshold for mandatory e-invoicing? A: Starting from August 1, 2023, the Union government has extended e-invoicing to taxpayers whose aggregate turnover in any preceding financial year is Rs 5 crore or more. Previously, the thresh... Read More...

Direct Listing of Indian Companies in GIFT City

Aug 07, 2023

What is GIFT City? Answer: GIFT City (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City) is India's first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), located in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. It is a designated area that offers a business-friendly environment for financial services and related activities. What is the recent development regarding listing in GIFT City? Answer: The Finance Minister announced that Indian companies will soon be allowed to directly list on overseas exchanges and the exchanges located in GIFT IFSC (International Financial Servic... Read More...

Mediation Bill 2021

Aug 07, 2023

1. What does the Mediation Bill, 2021 aim to achieve? Answer: The Mediation Bill, 2021 aims to promote and encourage the use of mediation as an alternative method for resolving civil or commercial disputes, with the objective of reducing the burden on courts and facilitating faster and cost-effective resolution of disputes. 2. What is the maximum time limit for completing mediation proceedings under the bill? Answer: The bill halves the maximum time for completing mediation proceedings from the current duration to 180 days, making the proces... Read More...