UPSC Daily Current Affairs

India-UAE: Local Currency Trade

Aug 18, 2023

What significant trade agreement was signed between India and the UAE? A: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on trade in national currencies was signed between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This agreement aimed to facilitate trade transactions using the local currencies of both countries. Q: What was the outcome of the MoU implementation? A: As a result of the MoU, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) successfully conducted the... Read More...

Internal Security:Challenges and Solutions Bird's Eye View

Aug 18, 2023

Internal security challenges refer to threats, risks, and conflicts that arise within a country's borders and pose a potential danger to its stability, governance, and societal well-being. These challenges can take various forms, ranging from insurgency and terrorism to communal violence, organized crime, cyber threats, and more. Addressing internal security challenges is crucial for maintaining law and order, protecting citizens' rights, and upholding the sovereignty of a nation. Here are some common types of internal security challenges and approaches to dealing with them: &... Read More...

Floating Solar Plants: Harnessing Solar Energy on Water Bodies

Aug 18, 2023

Floating Solar Plants (FSPs) are innovative solar power installations that are set up on water bodies such as reservoirs, ponds, lakes, and even the sea. Unlike traditional solar installations that are mounted on the ground, FSPs float on the surface of water, tapping into the vast potential of water surfaces to generate renewable energy. These installations offer a unique approach to overcoming some of the challenges associated with land acquisition and maximizing the efficiency of solar energy generation. FSPs utilize solar photovoltaic (PV) panels mounted on floating platforms that are anchored to the water b... Read More...

Super-Bright Sunlight

Aug 18, 2023

Introduction: Scientists have been baffled by a phenomenon discovered at the HAWC observatory in Mexico. The observatory observed an excess of high-energy gamma rays from the sun over six years, leaving researchers puzzled and seeking explanations. Cosmic Ray Stream: Cosmic rays, energetic particles from space, constantly bombard Earth, but the atmosphere and magnetic field shield us from their impact. These rays are known to originate from massive stars' explosive deaths and the centers of galaxies. Read More...

Bihar's Caste-Based Survey,Patna High Court Upholds : Constitutional Aspects Explained

Aug 18, 2023

Reversal of Ruling: The Patna High Court has overturned its earlier stay on Bihar's caste-based survey, deeming it valid. The survey's purpose is to collect caste-related data for holistic state development. Privacy Considerations Addressed: The court applied the Puttaswamy case's triple-requirement test to address privacy concerns. It stressed that fundamental rights can be restricted if it serves the state's legitimate interests and is proportionate and reasonable. Security Measures Recognized: Read More...

India's Defence Exports and Self-Reliance:Resounding Success

Aug 18, 2023

1. What is India's vision for defence exports and self-reliance? Under the leadership of the Indian government, India aims to enhance its defence exports and achieve self-reliance in the defence sector. The goal is to raise annual defence exports to USD 5 billion by 2024-25. 2. What measures has the Indian government taken to promote defence exports? The Indian Ministry of Defence has implemented several measures, including allocating a significant portion of the defence capital budget for domestic procurements, imposing import embargoes, ... Read More...

MQ-9B Predator Drones :Significance of Acquisition by India

Aug 18, 2023

1. What are the MQ-9B Predator Drones? The MQ-9B Predator drones are advanced Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) designed for high-altitude, long-endurance operations. They are developed by the US defense firm General Atomics and are known for their intelligence, surveillance, and target acquisition capabilities. 2. What is the significance of India's acquisition of these drones? India's acquisition of 31 MQ-9B Predator drones holds several significant implications: 1. Enhan... Read More...

Sanhita Bills:Criminal Law Reform

Aug 18, 2023

Pros: Decolonization: The replacement of colonial-era laws with new ones reflects a commitment to decolonization and asserting India's sovereignty in the legal realm. It aligns with the government's efforts to remove vestiges of colonial rule from the country's legal framework. Opportunity for Modernization: The introduction of new laws provides an opportunity to modernize and update the criminal justice system. This can address shortcomings and inefficiencies in the existing laws, making them more relevant to contemporary challenges and technological ... Read More...

India's Global Initiatives in Climate Resilience:G20

Aug 18, 2023

FAQ: International Solar Alliance, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, and Global Biofuels Alliance 1. What are the key climate action outreach bodies led by India? India has taken a proactive role in global climate action by leading and creating three significant initiatives: the International Solar Alliance (ISA), the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and the upcoming Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA). 2. What is the purpose of the International Solar Alliance (ISA)? Read More...

ISRO:Aditya-L1, A Curtain Raiser

Aug 18, 2023

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up for a significant space mission called Aditya-L1, which aims to study the Sun. Here are the key details about the mission: 1. Purpose of the Mission: Aditya-L1 is India's first space-based observatory designed to study the Sun. The mission's objective is to enhance our understanding of various solar activities and their effects on space weather. 2. Satellite Preparation: The satellite, Aditya-L1, has been developed at the U R Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru, Indi... Read More...

Rs.83 for 1 USD:Why?

Aug 18, 2023

The recent decline in the Indian rupee's value against the US dollar, reaching a 10-month low at 82.95 per dollar, can be attributed to several key factors: 1. Strengthening Dollar Index: The dollar index, which measures the strength of the US dollar against major global currencies, rose to a month-high of 103. A stronger dollar typically leads to weaker currencies in other countries, including the Indian rupee. 2. Rising US Bond Yields: The yield on the 10-year US treasury bond increased to 4.18%, signaling higher returns on US government... Read More...

Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Bill, 2023

Aug 18, 2023

1. What is the Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Bill, 2023? The Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Bill, 2023 is a significant piece of legislation passed in the Indian Parliament. It aims to establish a theatre-based command and control architecture for the Indian armed forces by allowing the creation of inter-services organisations. 2. What is the current structure of India's armed forces? Currently, India's armed forces, including the Army, Air Force, and Navy, operate as sep... Read More...

Rajya Sabha

Aug 17, 2023

Rule 267 vs Rule 176: Understanding the Differences In the midst of tensions between the Centre and the Opposition over discussing the Manipur crisis during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, two specific rules of procedure, Rule 267 and Rule 176, have come into focus. These rules play a crucial role in regulating the conduct of business and facilitating discussions in the Rajya Sabha. Rule 267: Rule 267 allows for the suspension of rules on the day's agenda to initiate a debate on an urgent matter. This suspension is carried out with the ... Read More...

Deflation and China

Aug 17, 2023

What is Deflation and Its Implications: Explained Deflation is a prolonged and widespread decline in the general price levels of goods and services within an economy. It stands in contrast to inflation, where prices rise over time. This phenomenon has garnered attention, especially in the context of China, where it has sparked concerns about its potential impact on global economic stability. Here's an explanation of deflation and its implications: Deflation Defined Deflation is characterized by a persistent decrease in the prices of goods ... Read More...

Remittances to India at $112.5 billion

Aug 17, 2023

What are remittances? Remittances are monetary transfers made by individuals living or working abroad to their home countries. These transfers serve as a lifeline for families and communities back home and are often sent to support loved ones' financial needs and improve their quality of life. How do remittances work? Migrant workers, who have moved to other countries for employment or other reasons, send a portion of their earnings back to their families in their home countries. These funds are typically sent through formal channels such ... Read More...