UPSC Daily Current Affairs

India and Critical Minerals & Minerals Security Partnership (MSP)

Aug 04, 2023

What is the significance of the Critical Minerals List released by the Government of India? The Critical Minerals List is a comprehensive compilation of 30 minerals that are essential for various industrial sectors such as defence, agriculture, energy, pharmaceuticals, and telecom. The list helps prioritize the exploration and mining of these critical minerals to ensure self-reliance and security in the domain of mineral resources. Does India have these critical minerals? With a few exceptions such as copper, gallium , graphite, cadmiu... Read More...

India and UAE Local Currency Trade

Aug 03, 2023

During the fifth visit of PM Modi to the UAE last week, the two countries signed an agreement to trade in local currencies. What is it? The trade of local currencies between India and the UAE refers to the exchange of Indian Rupees (INR) and Emirati Dirhams (AED) in bilateral trade and transactions between the two countries. (Iska Matlab Indians imports ke liye Rupees use kar sakte hain aur UAE residents Dirham use kar sakte hai thereby overcoming the need for international currencies like US dollar for trade) This practice allows businesses an... Read More...

Right to Silence

Aug 03, 2023

What is the right to silence? The right to silence means that if someone is accused of a crime, they have the right to remain silent and not answer questions or provide information that could be used against them in a court of law. It is based on the fundamental principle that no person can be compelled to be a witness against themselves.(Iska purpose hai ki sabko ek fair trial mile)It ensure a fair trial. Does the Constitution of India provide for it? Yes. Under Article 20(3) of the Constitution of India, a person accused of an offense cannot... Read More...

Goa Civil Code

Aug 03, 2023

What is a uniform civil code? A Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is a set of fair and equal laws that apply to all citizens, regardless of their religion or personal beliefs in matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption.It means that all people, regardless of their faith, will follow the same rules. The idea behind a Uniform Civil Code is to ensure that no one feels discriminated against and denied justice based on their religion. It promotes a sense of harmony and equality in a diverse society like India. However, UCC is a sensitive matter as it deals with matters close to one's ... Read More...

Sportswomen of India Today

Aug 03, 2023

Women's sports are seeing quite a revolution in India. At the turn of the millennium, something unprecedented happened — an elusive Olympic medal was won by an Indian woman for the first time when Karnam Malleswari won a bronze at the 2000 Sydney Olympics in weightlifting. Since then, Mary Kom and Saina Nehwal in London 2012, PV Sindhu and Sakshi Malik in Rio 2016 and Mirabai Chanu, PV Sindhu and Lovlina Borgohain in Tokyo have brought Olympic success to the country. So,what is the significance of the success of Indian sportswomen today? Indian sportsw... Read More...

Superconductivity at Room Temperature South Korea Claims Breakthrough

Aug 02, 2023

Why are we talking about it? A team of physicists from South Korea has announced the creation of a new room-temperature superconductor. The material, which is called LK-99, is made up of a modified form of lead apatite. It has been shown to conduct electricity with zero resistance at temperatures of up to 150 degrees Celsius, which is well above room temperature. The discovery of LK-99 is a major breakthrough in the field of superconductivity. What is a superconductor? Regular conductors, li... Read More...

Israel's Judicial Reforms and Controversy

Aug 02, 2023

Changes to Israel's legal system are aimed at limiting the powers of the Supreme Court and reshaping the process of selecting judges. Main provisions of the legislative reforms are as follows: ☛ Limiting Supreme Court's Powers: It limits the Supreme Court's ability to rule against decisions made by the legislature and the executive.The Knesset (Israeli parliament) would have the authority to override Supreme Court decisions with a simple majority. This move is aimed at reducing judicial oversight and increasing the influence of the elected branches of government. ☛ Restricting Review of Basic Law... Read More...

Reservation Benefits for Transgender Persons in India

Aug 02, 2023

1. What is the recent development regarding reservation benefits for transgender persons in India? The Central government has informed the Supreme Court that there is no separate reservation provided exclusively for transgender persons in education or employment. 2. Can transgender persons avail of any reservation benefits? Yes, transgender persons can avail of reservation benefits if they belong to existing categories, which include Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Socially and Educat... Read More...

India's Proposal for UN Counter-Terrorism Sanctions Regime and China's Double Standards

Aug 02, 2023

Q.What is India's proposal regarding UN counter-terrorism sanctions regime within BRICS? India has proposed that BRICS nations should jointly prepare a list of terrorists and their proxies under the UN counter-terrorism sanctions regime. The objective is to ensure a fair and unbiased approach to countering terrorism within BRICS countries and avoid the use of double standards in dealing with terrorist entities. Q.How has China responded to the proposal? China's response to previous... Read More...

BRICS Summit and Expansion

Aug 01, 2023

Q. What is BRICS, and who are its member countries? BRICS stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. These five countries are part of an association that aims to promote cooperation and collaboration in various areas, including economics, finance, culture, and geopolitics. Q. When and where is the 15th BRICS Summit taking place? The 15th BRICS Summit is scheduled to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from August 22 to 24. Russian President Vladimir Putin will participat... Read More...

Decline in Sex Ratio at Birth in India: Trends

Aug 01, 2023

Q. What is the recent trend in India's sex ratio at birth? The sex ratio at birth in India has shown a decline in 13 states and Union Territories (UTs) in the last three years, as per the Centre's reply in the Lok Sabha. This includes states like Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh. Q. What does the declining sex ratio at birth indicate about Indian society? The declining sex ratio at birth indicates a deeply ingrained societal preference for male children and a bias against ... Read More...

Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization (Amendment) Bill, 2023

Aug 01, 2023

Q1: What is the J&K Reorganization (Amendment) Bill, 2023? A: The J&K Reorganization (Amendment) Bill, 2023 is a proposed amendment to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019. The Bill offers reservation of 9 seats in the Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly for Scheduled Tribes (STs) for the first time. It seeks to complete the process of reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir, where assembly elections are long due. It aims to increase the strength of the legislative assembly of the union territory to 114 from 107.It aims to reserve three seats in the J&K assembly for nom... Read More...

Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023

Aug 01, 2023

Q: What is The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023? A: The Jan Vishwas Bill is a legislative proposal that seeks to decriminalize minor offenses in 42 central acts related to various sectors, including environment, agriculture, media, industry, trade, and publication. The objective of the bill is to reduce the burden of compliance and promote ease of living and doing business in India. It replaces criminal penalties with monetary fines for certain offenses to provide relief to small businesses, shopkeepers, hawkers, and owners of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSME... Read More...

Nuclear families comprise half of Indian households in 2022. Implications of India having 50% of its families as nuclear:

Jul 31, 2023

The implications are multi pronged as given below: Changing Social Fabric: The rise of nuclear families signifies a transformation in the traditional social fabric of India. With fewer extended family members living together, there may be a shift in the dynamics of family relationships, support systems, and intergenerational interactions. Demographic Trends: The prevalence of nuclear families can influence India's demographic trends. Smaller family sizes may lead to slower population growth and changes in fertility rates, impacting the country's overall population dynamics. Read More...

Chabahar ,International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and India

Jul 31, 2023

1. What is the India-Iran Chabahar deal? The India-Iran Chabahar deal aims to develop and operate the Chabahar Port in Iran. Chabahar Port is a strategically located port in the Gulf of Oman, and India seeks to utilize it as a gateway to access landlocked Afghanistan and Central Asian markets. 2. When was the deal initiated? India Ports Global Ltd (IPGL) and Arya Banader of Iran signed a contract to develop the Chabahar Port in 2016. 3. What is the current status... Read More...