UPSC Daily Current Affairs

China's Presence in Sri Lanka:Shi Yan 6

Aug 30, 2023

1. Why has China requested permission for its research vessel to dock in Sri Lanka? China has requested permission for its research vessel, the Shi Yan 6, to dock in Sri Lanka to conduct oceanography, marine geology, and marine ecology tests. This request is part of China's broader maritime interests and its focus on maritime infrastructure development under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). 2. What concerns does India have regarding Chinese vessels in the region? India is concerned about the presence of Chinese vessels, especially those... Read More...

15th BRICS Summit Johannesburg Declaration 2023

Aug 30, 2023

Brics Summit in Johannesburg - Key Points: • The Brics summit took place in Johannesburg, where leaders discussed global economic, financial, and political issues. • The summit was chaired by President Cyril Ramaphosa. • The leaders in attendance were Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from Brazil, Vladimir Putin from Russia, Narendra Modi from India, and Xi Jinping from China. Putin participated virtually. • This was the first in-person summit since the C... Read More...

Brics Expansion: Geoeconomics and Geopolitics

Aug 30, 2023

The expansion of the Brics group, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, to include six new members—Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Argentina, the UAE, and Ethiopia—holds significant implications for both geoeconomics and geopolitics on the global stage. Geoeconomics: Diverse Economic Landscapes: The addition of these new members expands the Brics group's economic diversity, ranging from major oil producers like Saudi Arabia to developing economies like Ethiopia. This diversification could potentially lead to increased trade and i... Read More...

Niger Crisis and Geopolitics:Analysed

Aug 30, 2023

1. What is the recent crisis in Niger about? The recent crisis in Niger involves an "extra-constitutional attempt to seize power," characterized by a military takeover that removed the democratically elected president from office. 2. How have western countries reacted to the crisis? Different western countries have responded differently. French President Emmanuel Macron referred to it as a "perfectly illegitimate coup d'état," whereas the U.S. State Department avoided using the term "coup" and engaged i... Read More...

China's Global Development Initiative (GDI): A New World Order?

Aug 30, 2023

1. What is the Global Development Initiative (GDI)? The GDI is a proposal introduced by China's leader, Xi Jinping, aimed at promoting development, reducing poverty, and enhancing health in the developing world. It is part of China's broader strategy to establish an alternative world order to challenge the dominance of the US-led West. 2. What are the other initiatives introduced by Xi? In addition to the GDI, Xi Jinping has put forward the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilisation Initiative. These initiatives collectivel... Read More...

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR):Antibiotic Overuse in Food Supply Chains

Aug 30, 2023

1. What are antibiotics? Antibiotics are medications used to treat bacterial infections in both humans and animals. They work by either killing bacteria or inhibiting their growth. 2. What is antibiotic overuse? Antibiotic overuse refers to the excessive use of antibiotics, often when they are not necessary for treating infections. This can occur in human medicine and in agriculture, particularly in the context of raising animals for food. 3. Why is antibiotic overuse a concern? Read More...

Gulf States' Shifting Global Strategies

Aug 30, 2023

1. What is the recent focus of Gulf states like Saudi Arabia and the UAE in terms of global relationships? Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are increasingly turning their focus towards building ties with Asian powers, including China and India, and diversifying their international relationships beyond their traditional alliances. 2. Why are Gulf states looking towards Asia? Gulf states are seeking new growth opportunities and partnerships in Asia due to shifting trade patterns, economic diversification goals, and advancement... Read More...

Sovereign Wealth Funds

Aug 30, 2023

1. What is a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF)? A Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) is a state-owned investment fund that accumulates and manages financial assets, such as foreign exchange reserves on behalf of a country's government. 2. What is the Purpose of a Sovereign Wealth Fund? The primary purpose of a Sovereign Wealth Fund is to preserve and grow a country's wealth for future generations. These funds often aim to diversify a nation's revenue sources, stabilize its economy, and provide a financial cushion during times of economic uncert... Read More...

Growth-Inflation Trade Off: Soft Landing and Hard Landing

Aug 30, 2023

1. What is the Growth-Inflation Trade Off? The Growth-Inflation Trade Off refers to the relationship between economic growth and inflation. When an economy experiences high growth, it can also lead to higher inflation. Balancing these two factors is a challenge for policymakers. 2. What is a Soft Landing? A Soft Landing is an economic scenario where the economy transitions smoothly from a period of high growth to a more sustainable and stable growth rate. In this situation, inflation remains under control, and the risk of economic overheating ... Read More...

BRICS Summit Johannesburg Declaration

Aug 30, 2023

1. What is the BRICS Summit Johannesburg Declaration? The Johannesburg Declaration is a statement made by the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa during the BRICS Summit. It highlights their shared views and commitments on important global issues. 2. What did the Declaration say about terrorism? The Declaration condemns terrorism in all forms and says that terrorism should not be linked to any religion, nationality, civilization, or ethnic group. The leaders are committed to working together to prevent and counter terrori... Read More...

Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant Water Release:Clarified

Aug 30, 2023

Imagine a big building that makes electricity using a special kind of energy called nuclear energy. This building is called the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, and it's in Japan. Now, sometimes, this kind of plant creates something called "radioactive water." This water needs to be carefully taken care of because it has some stuff in it that can be harmful to nature. But here's the thing: the plant has too much of this water, and they need to make space for it to keep the place safe. So, they decided to release this water into the nearby ocean, but they're doing it in a very careful ... Read More...

Reits and InvITs:Sebi Changes

Aug 30, 2023

Q: What are Reits and InvITs? A: Reits (Real Estate Investment Trusts) and InvITs (Infrastructure Investment Trusts) are investment vehicles that pool funds from investors to invest in real estate and infrastructure projects, respectively. They operate similarly to mutual funds but focus on these specific asset classes. Q: How do Reits and InvITs function? A: Reits invest in income-generating real estate properties, such as office parks and shopping malls. InvITs invest in infrastructure projects like transportation, energy, and communication.... Read More...

Green Hydrogen:Concepts and Prospects

Aug 30, 2023

Q: What is green hydrogen? A: Green hydrogen is produced through electrolysis, using renewable energy sources like wind or solar power to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. It's considered environmentally friendly as it emits no greenhouse gases during production or combustion. Q: Why is green hydrogen significant? A: Green hydrogen has the potential to replace fossil fuels in various sectors, contributing to decarbonization and reducing carbon emissions. It can be used as a clean fuel for industries, transportation, and energy storage.... Read More...

School Exam Reforms: Shaping Holistic Education

Aug 30, 2023

Q: What's the focus of the New Curriculum Framework (NCF)? A: The NCF, aligned with the New Education Policy (NEP) of 2020, aims to address long-standing gaps in the school education system and adopt global best practices. Q: What are the shortcomings of the current assessment framework? A: The current system promotes rote learning and relies heavily on annual exam performance, neglecting holistic development. Board exams for classes X and XII have become stressful for students. Q: How does the n... Read More...

Managing Dams: Ensuring Safety and Preparedness Dam Safety Act, 2021

Aug 30, 2023

Q: What's the current concern regarding dam management? A: Recent floods in Punjab, caused by excess water release from Bhakra and Pong dams due to heavy rain in Himachal Pradesh, have raised questions about water discharge timing and regulation. The spotlight is on the Dam Safety Act, 2021, which aims to prevent dam failure-related disasters. Q: What does the Dam Safety Act entail? A: The Act mandates surveillance, inspection, operation, and maintenance of dams to ensure safe functioning. Dam owners, often state governments and public sec... Read More...