UPSC Daily Current Affairs

India:Licences for Import of Laptops: In Defence

Aug 10, 2023

In June 2020, India implemented import restrictions on pneumatic tyres for vehicles in line with WTO's Import Licensing Procedures Agreement. Now, three years later,in mid-2023, India is using the same WTO rules to limit imports, this time targeting personal computers, laptops, and tablets. The new regulations require companies to obtain licenses from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade for importing these items. India has used such measures to boost domestic manufacturing. This approach is not unique to India; other countries have also employed similar strategies. The Trade Minister, while defending the move, emphasized that if other countries seek a... Read More...

Chinese Economy Struggling, Exports Drop:Reasons

Aug 10, 2023

China's economic challenges persist as its exports faced a third consecutive monthly decline in July, with overseas shipments dropping by 14.5% and imports contracting by 12.4% compared to the previous year. This trend reflects weakened global demand and domestic pressures that are impacting China's economic recovery. Falling consumer confidence and subdued domestic demand have contributed to the decline in imports. The drop in imports is also influenced by falling commodity prices. China's efforts to stimulate growth through targeted policies, including encouraging household spending and supporting specific sectors like electric cars and light ind... Read More...

Ukraine:India's Role in the Jeddah Peace Meet

Aug 10, 2023

The recent peace summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, convened on Ukraine and attended by over 40 countries, marks a significant shift in global power dynamics. The summit aimed to find a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine crisis and provided a platform for India to offer its unique perspective on the matter. Recognition of India's Diplomatic Influence Shift in Hosting: The choice of Saudi Arabia as the host, rather than a Western nation, highlighted the kingdom's expanding clout in the region. This elevation is further fueled by Saudi Arabia's recent peace effort... Read More...

Consumer Confidence

Aug 10, 2023

Understanding Consumer Confidence: Factors Influencing Low or High Confidence Consumer confidence, which reflects the public's outlook on economic conditions, is influenced by various factors. A recent study conducted by Home Credit India sheds light on the financial habits and sentiments of low-income consumers in urban and semi-urban centers, providing insights into the reasons behind their optimism. Income Expectations: A Key Driver Income Anticipation: Low-income consumers in urban and semi-urban areas are remarkably opt... Read More...

RBI Data Localisation Rules

Aug 10, 2023

1. What are RBI Data Localisation Rules? RBI Data Localisation Rules require certain categories of sensitive personal and financial data to be stored and processed within the borders of India, and not transferred or processed internationally. 2. Why Did RBI Introduce Data Localisation Rules? RBI introduced data localisation rules to enhance the security and privacy of sensitive financial and personal data. The rules aim to prevent unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential misuse of such information by ensuring it remains within India&#... Read More...

India:Blue Economy and Seafood Exports

Aug 10, 2023

1. What is the current status of India's seafood exports? India exported 17,35,286 tonnes of seafood worth ₹63,969 crore in the fiscal year 2022-23. The major contributor to these exports is shrimp, which accounted for 11.84 lakh tonnes and ₹43,135 crore in export value. 2. What is India's goal for seafood exports by 2025? India aims to increase its seafood export earnings to $15 billion by 2025, up from $7.76 billion in the fiscal year 2021-22. 3. How does India rank in shrimp exports? Read More...

India's Drone Thrust

Aug 10, 2023

1: Introduction 1.1 What is the history of drone technology development? Drone technology has its origins in military applications and dates back to the 19th century. The earliest recorded use was in 1849 when unmanned balloons loaded with explosives were used for an attempted attack on Venice. Over the years, drones have evolved and found applications in defense, surveillance, and reconnaissance. 1.2 How has drone technology evolved in recent years? While initially developed for military purposes, dr... Read More...

Gaddar: A Revolutionary Artist's Legacy

Aug 10, 2023

Introduction Gaddar (1949-2023), a prominent Dalit Telugu revolutionary poet, singer, and folk performer, left an indelible mark on Indian cultural and political history. Known for his evocative songs and performances, Gaddar used popular culture to ignite a mass movement against oppression and to transform ideology into song. His commitment to revolutionary cultural politics and his unique persona made him a significant figure in the Telangana statehood movement. Revolutionary Cultural Icon 1. Mass Mov... 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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...