UPSC Daily Current Affairs

THE EVOLUTION OF INDIA’S MIDDLE CLASS

May 22, 2024

India’s middle class first emerged in the early 19th century, driven by British policies that created a small, educated, upper caste, English-speaking Indian elite. However, it became a significant economic force in the 21st century, drawing global attention for its consumption potential. Today, India’s middle class is multifaceted, with economic growth since the 2000s fostering the rise of both an established and an emerging middle class. Read More...

ICC: Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu and Hamas Leaders

May 22, 2024

The International Criminal Court (ICC) serves as a permanent international tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands, established under the Rome Statute in 2002. Its mandate is to prosecute individuals for the gravest offenses to the international community: genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression. Recent Developments: The ICC's prosecutor has recently sought arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and key Hamas leaders, citing allegations of war crimes and crimes agai... Read More...

SRIRAM'S CIVIL SERVICES UPDATE: THE HINDU TODAY

May 22, 2024

1. UNDERSTANDING THE ICC AND THE PLEA FOR WARRANTS AGAINST NETANYAHU AND HAMAS LEADERS The International Criminal Court (ICC) is an international tribunal that prosecutes serious international crimes. Recent developments involve the ICC prosecutor seeking arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and several Hamas leaders, alleging their involvement in war crimes and crimes against humanity. The charges against these figures are severe and relate to ongoing conflicts involving Israel and Palestine. Read More...

MANGALYAAN-2 : INDIA SET TO LAND ON MARS

May 22, 2024

What is Mangalyaan-2? Mangalyaan-2 is India's ambitious space mission aimed at landing a rover and a helicopter on Mars. Following the successful orbit insertion of Mangalyaan-1, this mission marks India's first attempt to land on the Martian surface. Which countries have successfully landed on Mars before India? Before India, only the United States and China have achieved successful landings on Mars. These missions have involved deploying rovers and, in the... Read More...

Exploring Mars: Human Settlement Prospects

May 22, 2024

Why Explore Mars? Exploration of Mars serves multiple scientific and existential purposes. It offers insights into the formation and evolution of planets, potentially revealing whether Mars once harbored life. Understanding Mars' past environments, which might have been suitable for life, provides crucial data on planetary evolution and climate change. Can We Live on Mars? Living on Mars presents formidable challenges due to its harsh environment. Mar... Read More...

Bose-Einstein condensate

May 22, 2024

1. What is a Bose-Einstein Condensate (BEC)? A Bose-Einstein condensate is an exotic state of matter that occurs at extremely low temperatures, close to absolute zero. In this state, a group of atoms is cooled to near absolute zero, causing them to occupy the same space and quantum state, essentially behaving as a single quantum entity. 2. How is a Bose-Einstein Condensate created? BECs are created by cooling a dilute gas of bos... Read More...

STEM EDUCATION IN INDIA

May 22, 2024

1. What is STEM education? STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It encompasses a broad spectrum of disciplines vital for understanding and solving modern-world problems. 2. Why is STEM education important? STEM education is crucial for preparing students for careers in various industries, fostering critical thinking, and promoting innovation. It helps address global challenges like climate change, healthcare innovation, and ... Read More...

The Mystery of Venus’s Missing Water: A New Discovery Unveils Clues

May 22, 2024

More than four billion years ago, Venus had enough water to cover its surface with an ocean 3 km deep. Today, the planet only has enough for an ocean 3 cm deep. Scientists have been able to account for much of the water Venus lost over time, but not all of it. A recent study by a team of U.S. scientists may have made a crucial breakthrough in solving this mystery. The Water Loss Puzzle Venus is currently 100,000 times drier than Earth, an anomaly that demands an explanation. Is Venus abno... Read More...

INDIA’S STRATEGIC POSITION IN THE NEW GREAT GAME

May 22, 2024

Simplifier 1. What was the original Great Game? The original Great Game was a geopolitical struggle in the mid-1800s between the Russian Empire and the British, French, and Ottoman Empires over control of Central Asia. 2. How has the Russia-Ukraine war influenced a new Great Game? The Russia-Ukraine war has triggered a new Great Game with different actors and motives, primarily involving the US, China, and Russia. ... Read More...

DEEP STATE: PAKISTAN AND CHINA EXAMPLES

May 22, 2024

Simplifier 1. What is a deep state? A deep state refers to a hidden or clandestine network of power operating independently of a nation’s elected leadership, often consisting of influential members from various sectors such as the military, intelligence agencies, and bureaucracy. 2. How is the deep state manifested in Pakistan? In Pakistan, the deep state is often associated with the military and the Inter-Services Intell... Read More...

BIODIVERSITY LOSS AND DISEASE OUTBREAKS

May 22, 2024

INTRODUCTION Human-caused environmental changes, such as biodiversity loss, climate change, habitat change, and pollution, are significantly increasing the risk and severity of disease outbreaks. This conclusion is based on a large-scale analysis of nearly 1,000 scientific studies, highlighting the close relationship between human activity and public health. KEY FINDINGS 1. Biod... Read More...

RISING CHINA-INDIA TENSIONS FUEL DRONE DEPLOYMENT ALONG LAC

May 22, 2024

CHINA'S TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS China has showcased its advanced military technology, including the machine-gun-toting "robodog," during the China-Cambodia wargames. This exercise, known as "Golden Dragon," involved around 2,000 troops and featured live fire exercises, anti-terrorism training, and humanitarian drills. The robodogs, equipped with remote-controlled capabilities and machine guns, were a highlight, demonstrating China's technological advancements in military r... Read More...

RUSSIA-CHINA RELATIONS

May 22, 2024

1. What are the main areas of cooperation between Russia and China? - Russia and China cooperate primarily in strategic, military, and economic sectors. This includes joint military exercises, political support in international forums, and significant trade relations, particularly in energy. 2. How do Russia and China benefit from their partnership? - Russ... Read More...

The outcomes of President Vladimir Putin's visit to Beijing 2024 May

May 22, 2024

The outcomes of President Vladimir Putin's visit to Beijing are significant, reflecting the current depth and future intentions of the Russia-China relationship. Here are the key results from this visit: 1. Strengthened Military Cooperation: The visit resulted in commitments to tighten military ties, with plans to expand the scale and complexity of joint military exercises. This enhances the strategic partnership, providing a unified front against perceived external threats. Read More...

RURAL INDIA: AN ECONOMIC GROWTH ENGINE

May 22, 2024

India's rural areas are emerging as significant contributors to economic growth. More than half of the value addition in the manufacturing sector now originates from rural regions, with approximately two-thirds of rural income derived from non-farm activities. This shift is a powerful driver for India's economic development, aiming for double-digit growth rates and a more balanced land distribution. Key Insights: Read More...