UPSC Daily Current Affairs

PASTORALISM IN INDIA and CLIMATE CHANGE

May 29, 2024

CONTEXT Pastoralism, an ancient yet dynamic livelihood system, involves the migratory herding of livestock. Despite its historical and contemporary importance, it is often misunderstood and overlooked. Far from being an outdated practice, pastoralism offers a multifaceted production system that contributes significantly to the economy, culture, and environmental sustainability. From providing essential goods like milk, meat, fiber, and hides to offering employment opportunities and environmental benefits such as carbon sequestration and biodiv... Read More...

James Webb Space Telescope:

May 29, 2024

What is the James Webb Space Telescope? The James Webb Space Telescope, also called Webb or JWST, is a space-based observatory, optimized for infrared wavelengths, which complements and extends the discoveries of the Hubble Space Telescope. What are the most exciting things we will learn? We will learn about the era of our universe’s history when galaxies began to form. We will learn how galaxies got supermassive black holes in their centers. We will see insid... Read More...

Ross Ice Shelf

May 29, 2024

*Q: What is the Ross Ice Shelf?* A: The Ross Ice Shelf is the largest ice shelf in Antarctica, roughly the size of France. Read More...

INDIA-US SPACE COLLABORATION

May 29, 2024

Strengthening Ties in Space Sector Strengthening ties between India and the US in the space sector has the potential to lead to large-scale missions to the Moon and even a joint lunar observatory in the future. These... Read More...

THE ICJ AND THE ICC:DIFFERENCES

May 29, 2024

Introduction The International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC) are key institutions in the international legal framework, both located in The Hague. They play distinct roles in promoting internation... Read More...

GROUND RADAR SURVEY SIMPLIFIER: BHOJSHALA COMPLEX-

May 29, 2024

Mhow, Madhya Pradesh What is happening at the Bhojshala Complex? The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is conducting a survey at the Bhojshala / Kamal Maulana mosque compound in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, to identify buried structures using ground penetrating radar (GPR). What is ground penetrating radar (GPR)? GPR is a technology that uses radar pulses to image the subsurface. It help... Read More...

QUAD AND SQUAD: THEIR ROLES IN REGIONAL SECURITY

May 29, 2024

Emergence of the ‘Squad’ Following the successful US-Japan-Philippines trilateral summit and joint maritime patrols in the South China Sea, a new group called the ‘Squad’ has formed. This group, consisting of... Read More...

SIMPLIFIER: INDIA’S HIGH ALTITUDE PLATFORMS (HAPs)

May 29, 2024

Pseudo-satellite What are High Altitude Platforms (HAPs)? HAPs are unmanned aerial vehicles that fly at altitudes of 18-20 km above the Earth. They perform functions similar to satellites, such as surveillance, imaging, and telecommunications, but at a lower cost. Why are HAPs important? HAPs offer advantages like lower costs, dynamic payload swapping, and can complement satellite services. They are useful for teleco... Read More...

Gargantuan Iceberg A-83 Calves Off Antarctica: SIMPLIFIER

May 29, 2024

What happened? A massive iceberg, named A-83, roughly four times the size of New Delhi, broke off from the Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica on May 20, 2024. How big is the iceberg? The iceberg covers an area of 380 square kilometers. What caused this event? The iceberg calved due to prolonged weakening of the ice at the McDonald Ice Rumples and the extension of a large crack known as the... Read More...

SIMPLIFIER: HEAT STRESS IN INDIAN CITIES

May 29, 2024

What is the issue with heat stress in Indian cities? A study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) found that heat waves are becoming deadlier in major Indian cities due to rising temperatures, increasing humidity, and urban expansion. Cities are no longer cooling down at night as much as they used to. Which cities were analyzed in the study? The study analyzed data from six major cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru, over a pe... Read More...

Cheetah Extinction in India: A Deep Dive

May 29, 2024

Historical Decline Cheetahs, once abundant across India's grasslands, faced a steep decline due to various factors. Overhunting by royalty and British colonizers for sport, coupled with habitat loss due to agricultural expansion and deforestation, led to their dwindling numbers. The last three cheetahs were shot in 1948, and the species was declared officially extinct in India in 1952. Project Cheetah: Revival Efforts To restore this lost heritage,... Read More...

SIMPLIFIER: HIGGS BOSON (GOD PARTICLE) AND INDIA’S CONNECTION

May 29, 2024

What is the Higgs boson? The Higgs boson, often called the “God Particle,” is a fundamental particle discovered in 2012 at CERN. It is crucial for understanding why other particles have mass. Why is it called the “God Particle”? The nickname “God Particle” was popularized by the media and comes from a book by physicist Leon Lederman. It highlights the particle’s importance in the Standard Model of particle physics. Read More...

SIMPLIFIER: ISRO’S CULTURE OF INNOVATION

May 28, 2024

What is ISRO’s approach to innovation? ISRO fosters a culture of innovation by setting ambitious yet measurable targets, embracing diversity, maintaining a balance between big-picture thinking and attention to detail, and tolerating failure. How does ISRO handle targets and goals? ISRO works on ambitious missions under extreme cost pressures. Targets are set high but are specific and measurable, keeping the team focused and motivated. Read More...

Global Traditional Medicine Centre in India

May 28, 2024

1. What is the Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GCTM)? The GCTM is a knowledge center established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Jamnagar, Gujarat, India. It aims to promote traditional medicine research, innovation, and integration with modern healthcare systems worldwide. 2. Why was India chosen as the location for the GCTM? India has a rich heritage of traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Sowa-Rigpa. The ... Read More...

Sowa-Rigpa (Traditional Tibetan Medicine)

May 28, 2024

1. What is Sowa-Rigpa? Sowa-Rigpa, also known as Tibetan medicine, is a traditional healing system practiced for centuries in Tibet, the Himalayas, Mongolia, and parts of Russia, India, and China. It emphasizes a holistic approach to health, incorporating herbal formulas, dietary changes, lifestyle modifications, and spiritual practices. 2. What are the fundamental principles of Sowa-Rigpa? Sowa-Rigpa is based on the understanding of three primary energies or humors... Read More...