UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Perovskite Photovoltaics: Fundamentals

May 03, 2024

1. What are perovskites? Perovskites are a class of materials with a specific crystal structure, named after the mineral perovskite (calcium titanium oxide). For photovoltaics, the term refers to a broad range of materials sharing the same basic structure, often including organic and inorganic components. 2. Why are perovskites exciting for solar cells? ● High Efficiency: Perovskite solar cells have achieved incredible progress in rec... Read More...

Green Chemistry and Engineering

May 03, 2024

1. What are the core principles guiding green chemistry and engineering? ● Waste Prevention: Design processes that generate minimal waste. ● Atom Economy: Utilize processes that incorporate as much of the starting materials into the final product as possible. ● Less Hazardous Synthesis: Employ less toxic chemicals in procedures. ● Safer Solvents & Auxiliaries: Opt for eco-friendly sol... Read More...

Biomass Waste Management in India

May 03, 2024

1. What is biomass waste? ● Examples: Crop residues like rice straw, sugarcane bagasse, cotton stalks, wood chips, food waste, animal manure. 2. Why is biomass waste management a challenge in India? ● Open-field burning of crop residues is common, causing air pollution. ● Lack of organized waste collection systems, especially in rural areas. 3. What are the benefits of effe... Read More...

Mitochondria: Beyond Energy Production

May 03, 2024

Mitochondria are often referred to as the "powerhouses" of eukaryotic cells, responsible for generating most of the cell's ATP. However, their functions extend far beyond energy production, playing critical roles in various cellular processes. Here, we'll delve into 12 essential functions of mitochondria, simplifying each and providing examples: 1. Apoptosis: Mitochondria trigger programmed cell death by releasing cytochrome c, essential for eliminating damaged cells. Example: Cancer therapy target... Read More...

Preserving the Amazon: Health Benefits & Pathogen Protection

May 03, 2024

The preservation of the Amazon Rainforest is crucial not only for environmental conservation but also for human health. The Amazon serves as a significant reservoir of biodiversity, which is essential for ecological balance. This balance is pivotal for various services that the forest provides, including: - Air purification: The Amazon absorbs carbon dioxide, produces oxygen, and removes pollutants from the air, improving air quality and human health. - Clima... Read More...

Women and Environmental Equality and Justice

May 03, 2024

Addressing gender equality in the context of environmental justice in India involves recognizing the unique socio-economic conditions and cultural contexts. Here’s how gender equality can support environmental justice efforts across the nation: *Prompt:* Addressing gender equality in the context of environmental justice in India involves recognizing the unique socio-economic conditions and cultural contexts. Here’s how gender equality can support environmental justice efforts across the nation: Read More...

India’s maiden winter scientific Arctic expedition

May 03, 2024

1. What is the purpose of India's winter scientific Arctic expedition? The purpose of India's first winter scientific Arctic expedition is to conduct unique scientific observations during the polar nights in the Arctic. This period features no sunlight for nearly 24 hours and sub-zero temperatures. Research conducted during this time aims to enhance understanding of various phenomena such as climate change, space weather, and ocean circulation dynamics, which are pivotal for predicting weather patterns... Read More...

The Plastic-Eating Bacteria

May 03, 2024

1. What percentage of plastic ever made has been recycled? Only 9% of the plastic ever made has been recycled. Most plastic ends up in landfills or pollutes our waterways. 2. How much plastic enters t... Read More...

Shahpurkandi Dam: Basics

May 03, 2024

Overview The Shahpurkandi Dam Project is a multipurpose venture on the Ravi River in Punjab, near the Jammu and Kashmir border. It includes a dam and two hydropower plants for irrigation, energy production, and flood control. Construction - Began in 1995 - Completed recently (after nearly three decades) - Delays due to funding issues and disputes between Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir Specification... Read More...

Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) in India

May 03, 2024

Q1: What is Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS)? A1: CCUS is a technology aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from sources like power plants and industrial processes, then reusing or storing it permanently. Q2: How does CCUS work? A2: CCUS works in three steps: Capture (capturing CO2 at its emission source), Utilisation (reusing captured CO2 in various industries), and Storage (storing ca... Read More...

India Protests Chinese Road Construction in Shaksgam Valley

May 03, 2024

1. What is the Shaksgam Valley? Shaksgam Valley is a region in the northern part of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) that borders the Siachen Glacier. It was ceded to China by Pakistan in 1963 through the China-Pakistan Boundary Agreement, which India has never recognized as legitimate. Read More...

Detection of Atomic Hydrogen in Distant Galaxies Using GMRT

May 03, 2024

1. What is the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT)? The GMRT, located in Pune, India, is a low-frequency radio telescope designed to investigate a wide range of astrophysical phenomena. It extends from local solar systems to the edge of the observable universe. Read More...

P vs NP Problem and Its Impact on Healthcare

May 03, 2024

The P vs NP problem is a fundamental issue in computer science that questions whether every problem whose solution can be quickly verified by a computer can also be quickly solved by a computer. This conundrum has profound implications across various fields, including healthcare, where solving complex issues such as scheduling, disease treatment, and drug resistance could be transformed. Read More...

Liquid Nitrogen in Foods - Safety and Regulations

May 03, 2024

What is liquid nitrogen? Liquid nitrogen is a cryogenic fluid that rapidly freezes anything it comes into contact with. It is nitrogen in a liquid state at an extremely low temperature of -196 degrees Celsius (-321 degrees Fahrenheit). Read More...

PMJAY: Structure, Functions, and Improvements.

May 03, 2024

What is PMJAY? The Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) is a critical component of India's Ayushman Bharat initiative, launched in 2018 to move towards universal health coverage. This scheme aims to provide a health insurance cover of ?5 lakh per family per year, targeting over 12 crore families that represent the bottom 40% of India’s population. The ... Read More...