UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Understanding Ponzi Schemes

Aug 09, 2023

Odisha Fraudster 1. What is a Ponzi scheme? A Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent investment scheme where returns are paid to earlier investors using the capital from newer investors, rather than from actual profit earned. The scheme relies on the constant influx of new investments to sustain itself. 2. How do Ponzi schemes operate? Ponzi schemes typically promise high returns with little or no risk to investors. These schemes often use attractive marketing tactics to lure individuals by emphasizing consiste... Read More...

Aditya L1

Aug 09, 2023

Curtain Raiser Aditya-L1 is tentatively scheduled for August 26 .Aditya L1 is an exciting Indian space mission to study the Sun. The spacecraft will be placed in a special orbit around the Sun, called the Lagrange point 1 (L1), which is about 1.5 million kilometers away from Earth. This unique position allows the spacecraft to continuously observe the Sun without any interruptions. Aditya L1 carries seven special tools, called payloads, to study different parts of the Sun. These tools will help scientists understand the Sun's upper atmosphere and its outermost layer... Read More...

Curbing Film and Digital Piracy

Aug 09, 2023

Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023 1. What is the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023? The Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023 is a legislative proposal that amends the existing Cinematograph Act of 1952. The bill introduces several changes to the Act to address issues related to film certification and film piracy. 2. What are the key provisions of the Bill? The key provisions of the Bill include the introduction of new age-based film certification categories ("UA 7+", "UA 13+"... Read More...

Drug Abuse in India

Aug 09, 2023

1. What is yesterday’s report about drug abuse in India? The recent report by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment is titled "Drug abuse among young persons: Problems and solutions." It highlights the fast spread of drug addiction among adults, young adults, and children in India. 2. What are the alarming findings of the report? The report expresses shock over the widespread drug abuse among children aged 10-17 years. It mentions that opioids, sedatives, and inhalants are prevalent among childr... Read More...

National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023:Contents and Constitutionality

Aug 09, 2023

Q: What is the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023? A: The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, is a proposed legislation introduced by the Union Government of India to nullify the effect of the Supreme Court's judgment in Government of NCT of Delhi v. Union of India. The bill seeks to give primacy to the Lieutenant Governor (LG) in matters related to the transfer and postings of civil servants serving the Delhi Government. Q: What was the Supreme Court's judgment in the Government of NCT of Delhi v. U... Read More...

Supreme Court Stay on Rahul Gandhi's Conviction for 'Modi' Remark

Aug 09, 2023

Q: What criminal defamation case is Rahul Gandhi involved in? A: Rahul Gandhi faced a criminal defamation case for his 'Modi' surname remark allegedly made at a political rally in Karnataka in 2019. Q: What did the Supreme Court do in response to Rahul Gandhi's conviction? A: The Supreme Court stayed Rahul Gandhi's conviction in the criminal defamation case. A three-judge Bench headed by Justice B.R. Gavai issued the stay order. Q: Why was the conviction stayed? Read More...

Yenadi Tribe in Andhra Pradesh

Aug 09, 2023

Q: Who are the Yenadis, and what are the living conditions like for this tribe in Andhra Pradesh? A: The Yenadis, also known as Yanadi, are a Scheduled Tribe living in extreme conditions of poverty and social exclusion in Andhra Pradesh. They have a nomadic way of life, which makes it difficult for governments to reach out to the community with help and support. Q: Where is the village Telaprolu Cheruvu Katta located, and what are some challenges faced by the Yenadi community in this area? A: Telaprolu Cheruvu Katta is a village in Krishna dis... Read More...

Parliamentary Panel on Civil Service Recruitment

Aug 09, 2023

Q&A 1. What is the concern raised by the parliamentary panel about civil service recruitment? The panel is concerned about the higher number of engineers being selected as civil servants, leading to a loss of exceptional doctors and engineers from specialized fields. 2. What percentage of candidates selected in recent years have technical or medical backgrounds? Over 70% of candidates selected in recent years through the UPSC Civil Services Exam had technical or medical backgrounds. ... Read More...

Chandrayaan-3 successfully entered lunar orbit

Aug 09, 2023

Note on Lander and Rover India's third unmanned mission to the Moon, Chandrayaan-3, successfully entered lunar orbit after a thruster firing maneuver carried out from the Bengaluru-based ISRO Telemetry, Tracking, and Command Network (ISTRAC). The propulsion module will undergo a series of orbit reductions until it settles into an orbit 100 km above the lunar surface. On the sixth orbit, the module will release the lander, which carries the rover, to attempt a soft-landing near the Moon's south pole on August 23. The mission's primary goal is to achieve a soft-landing, making India the first country to do ... Read More...

BharatNet Project and Digital Divide

Aug 09, 2023

1. What is BharatNet? BharatNet is the government's ambitious project aimed at providing last-mile optical fiber-based connectivity to homes in all 6.4 lakh villages in India. It is one of the biggest rural telecom projects in the world and aims to bridge the digital divide by ensuring internet connectivity reaches remote areas. 2. How much funding has been approved for BharatNet? The Union Cabinet has approved funding of ₹1,39,579 crore for scaling up the BharatNet project. This funding will be used to provide connectivity to the remain... Read More...

Clouded leopard in India

Aug 09, 2023

1. What is the clouded leopard, and where is it found? The clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) is a cat species known for its cloud-like spots on its hide. It is found in various parts of Asia, including mainland India, from central Nepal to peninsular Malaysia, and the Sunda islands. 2. How is the clouded leopard unique compared to other cat species? The clouded leopard is often likened to the Ice Age saber-tooth due to having the largest canines in proportion to its skull size among all cat species. It also has rotating rear ankles that enab... Read More...

Peace conference on the Ukraine Conflict

Aug 09, 2023

India's Position on Ukraine 1. What is the purpose of the peace conference? The peace conference aims to discuss and find a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. It seeks to bring together representatives from various countries to engage in dialogue and cooperation for resolving the conflict peacefully. 2. Who organized the peace conference? The peace conference on the Ukraine conflict was organized by Saudi Prime Minister and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman. It took... Read More...

Telangana Governor:Veto Powers and Power of Sending Messages

Aug 09, 2023

1. What is a Suspensive Veto? A Suspensive Veto is the following: When the Governor uses a suspensive veto, the bill is returned to the legislature for repassage. If the legislature passes the bill again with or without amendments, and it is presented to the Governor, then the Governor is bound to give their assent. 2. What is a Pocket Veto? A Pocket Veto is another type of veto power used by the Governor. In a pocket veto, the Governor does not explicitly reject or approve the bill passed by the state legislature. Instead, the Governor retain... Read More...

Urban Infrastructure Development Fund

Aug 08, 2023

For Tier 2 & 3 Cities: 1. What is the Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UIDF)? UIDF aims to supplement efforts of the State Governments/UTs for urban infrastructure development work implemented through Public/State Agencies, Municipal Corporations, Urban Local Bodies in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities by providing a stable and predictable source of financing.Simple terms:UIDF is a fund of Rs 10,000 crore operationalized by the central government for creating infrastructure in tier-2 and tier-3 cities in India. 2. Which cities are covered ... Read More...

The Amazon Rainforest - Importance, Threats, and Solutions

Aug 08, 2023

1. What is the size of the Amazon rainforest, and how many countries does it span? The Amazon rainforest is twice the size of India and spans across eight countries and one territory.The Amazon rainforest is a vast biome that spans across eight countries in South America: Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname. Additionally, it includes French Guiana, which is an overseas territory of France. 2. What is a biome? A biome refers to a large geographic region characterized by a distinct climate, vegetation, and w... Read More...