UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Jan Aushadhi Kendras and Generic Medicines

Aug 28, 2023

1. What are Jan Aushadhi Kendras? Jan Aushadhi Kendras are outlets that provide affordable generic medicines to consumers. They were initiated to make quality medicines accessible at lower prices. 2. What is the objective of Jan Aushadhi Kendras? The primary objective of Jan Aushadhi Kendras is to supply less expensive, generic drugs to consumers and promote the use of affordable alternatives to branded medicines. 3. What are generic medicines? Generic medicine... Read More...

Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)

Aug 28, 2023

1. What is the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)? The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) refers to the swing in sea-surface temperatures from warm to cool in the Indian Ocean basin to the south of Sri Lanka. 2. What does a positive IOD event indicate? A positive IOD event occurs when sea-surface temperatures are warmer in the western side of the Indian Ocean basin. It can impact weather patterns and has been associated with boosting the performance of India's South-West monsoon. 3. How is the IOD index measured? Read More...

India's Skill Development Initiatives:Critical Perspective

Aug 28, 2023

Q1: What is the 'Skill India Mission'? A1: The 'Skill India Mission' is an initiative launched by the Indian government on July 15, 2015, aimed at enhancing the nation's skill development efforts. It focuses on transforming the country's labor-based economy into a skill-based one by imparting relevant training to the workforce. Q2: How has India progressed in skill development? A2: Over the years, India has taken steps to accelerate skill development. Initiatives like the Atal Innovation Mission and Incubation Centre we... Read More...

Pre-Lily Thomas , Lily Thomas and Lok Prahari :Disqualification of Sitting legislators

Aug 28, 2023

Section 8(4) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 - Pre Lily Thomas Case Disqualification Provisions for Sitting Legislators and Others:om The provisions of Section 8(4) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, before the Lily Thomas case, introduced a notable distinction between sitting legislators and other citizens in terms of disqualification: Disqualification Criteria for Conviction: Citizens convicted of an offense and sentenced to imprisonment for a minimum duration of two years would fa... Read More...

India's Transition to Trading in Rupees Instead of Dollars

Aug 28, 2023

Q: What recent development involves India trading with the UAE in Indian Rupees instead of US Dollars? A: India recently took a significant step by conducting trade with the UAE in Indian Rupees instead of US Dollars. This involved Indian Oil Corp purchasing oil from the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company using Indian Rupees. Q: Why did India make this move to trade in Rupees? A: India's move to trade in Rupees is driven by the desire to reduce its dependence on the US Dollar and increase the use of its own currency for international trade. Th... Read More...

EPFO Payroll Data

Aug 28, 2023

Q: What is the EPFO? A: The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is a government agency in India responsible for managing the social security funds of employees in the organized sector. It administers the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF), which is a retirement savings scheme for workers. Q: What is the EPF? A: The Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) is a savings scheme established under the EPF and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952. It is designed to provide financial security to employees after their retirement. Both employee... Read More...

Polygamy,Doctrine of Essential Religious Practice and Constitution of India

Aug 28, 2023

Q: What is the legal background related to the legislative authority regarding marriage? A: As per the Indian Constitution, both the Union and States hold the power to legislate on specific subjects. Marriage falls under the Concurrent List, granting both levels of government the ability to create laws related to it. Q: What is the Doctrine of Repugnancy? A: The Doctrine of Repugnancy, found in Article 254 of the Constitution, stipulates that if a state law contradicts a central law, the state law will be invalidated unless it has prior approv... Read More...

G20 Pandemic Fund and India

Aug 28, 2023

Q: What is the purpose of the G20 Pandemic Fund? A: The G20 Pandemic Fund aims to enhance pandemic prevention and response in countries, particularly those with lower incomes. Q: How much funding did India receive from the fund? A: India's Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying received approval for a $25 million proposal from the G20 Pandemic Fund. Q: What is the focus of India's approved proposal? A: India's proposal centers on strengthening ... Read More...

India's Foreign Trade 2023 H1(January-June):Goods and Services

Aug 28, 2023

Q: What is the total foreign trade value of India during the first half of 2023? A: The total foreign trade value of India during the first half of 2023 exceeded $800 billion. Q: How did exports of goods and services perform during this period? A: Exports of goods and services increased by 1.5% to $385.4 billion from January to June, compared to the same period in 2022. Q: What about imports during this period? A: Imports experienced a decline of 5.9%, reaching... Read More...

Lasalgaon,Asia's largest onion market

Aug 28, 2023

Q1: What is the significance of Lasalgaon? Lasalgaon holds the distinction of being Asia's largest onion market, playing a pivotal role in onion trading and distribution across the region. Q2: What recent development has occurred in Lasalgaon's onion market? Currently, an indefinite strike is underway in Lasalgaon's onion market, with traders suspending onion auctions in protest against the imposition of a 40% duty on onion exports by the government. Q3: Why are onion traders partic... Read More...

The Tax Base Expansion and the Zero Tax Payers

Aug 28, 2023

Introduction of New Income Tax Regime: Over the past four years, India has undertaken reforms in its personal income tax structure to achieve two key goals: broaden the tax base and simplify tax compliance for taxpayers. These reforms involve the implementation of a new income tax rebate scheme, adjustments to exemption and deduction policies, and the introduction of wider slab rates. Increase in Zero-Tax Filers: The number of income tax filers has risen from 6.47 crore in 2019-20 to 7.40 crore in 2022-23. Simultaneously, the proportion of zero-tax filers has notably increased, surging from constit... Read More...

India has 881.25 Million Internet Subscribers :Digital Inclusion

Aug 28, 2023

Macro-level implications: Digital Inclusion: The increase in internet subscribers to 881.25 million indicates continued efforts towards digital inclusion and connectivity across the country. A growing number of individuals and households are gaining access to online services and information. Mobile Dominance: The significant number of wireless internet subscribers (847.31 million) highlights the dominance of mobile devices as the primary means of accessing the internet. Mobile connectivity is playing a crucial role in bridging the digital divide and prov... Read More...

Beijing Consensus `Broken`

Aug 26, 2023

Understanding China's Economic Challenges and the "Beijing Consensus" 1. What is the "Beijing consensus" in relation to China's economic growth? The "Beijing consensus" refers to China's approach to economic development, characterized by state-led investment and infrastructure projects as drivers of growth. This strategy has been pivotal in China's rapid economic expansion over the past four decades. 2. Why is the "Beijing consensus" now considered "broken"? Read More...

Incremental Cash Reserve Ratio (I-CRR) and Bond Yields

Aug 26, 2023

The Incremental Cash Reserve Ratio (I-CRR) is a monetary policy tool used by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to manage liquidity in the banking system. The Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) is the portion of a bank's deposits that it must maintain with the central bank in the form of cash reserves. This requirement helps the central bank regulate the money supply in the economy. The I-CRR is an extension of the regular CRR, but it applies to the incremental increase in a bank's net demand and time liabilities (NDTL) within a specific period. NDTL refers to the total deposits held by a bank that are subject to res... Read More...

India and ASEAN to Conclude FTA Review by 2025

Aug 26, 2023

India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have reached an agreement to conclude the review of their existing free-trade agreement (FTA) in goods by the year 2025. The FTA between India and the 10-nation ASEAN bloc was implemented 13 years ago, and Indian businesses have long advocated for its review. Highlights of the Agreement: The decision to review the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA), signed in 2009, was a central theme at the 20th ASEAN-India Economic Ministers' meeting held in Semarang, Indonesia. An AITIGA joint committee meeti... Read More...