UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Neelakurinji: Symbolic Shrub of Western Ghats

Apr 18, 2024

What is Neelakurinji, and what is the significance of its flowering cycle? Neelakurinji (genus Strobilanthes) is a group of flowering shrubs endemic to India's Western Ghats. It is renowned for its distinctive blue-purple blooms and infrequent flowering cycles that can range from one to 16 ... Read More...

Fentanyl and Its Precursors: US-China Cooperation

Apr 18, 2024

What is fentanyl? Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid primarily used for pain relief in medical settings. It's significantly stronger than morphine. Read More...

STROMATOLITES IN INDIA

Apr 18, 2024

WHAT ARE STROMATOLITES? Stromatolites are layered rock-like structures created by the activity of microbes, mainly cyanobacteria ("blue-green algae"). Read More...

India's Future Space Station: Bharatiya Antariksh Station

Apr 18, 2024

1. What is the Bharatiya Antariksh Station? • Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) is India’s planned space station, which ISRO aims to establish by 2035. The station will be assembled in phases, with its architecture including multiple modules necessary for long-term space operations. 2. How will the Bharatiya Antariksh Station be assembled? • The assembly of BAS will occur in a phased manner, involving the launch and integration of various modules... Read More...

Delhi Durbars

Apr 18, 2024

Three Delhi Durbars were held in 1877, 1903, and 1911. These grand events were ceremonies held in Delhi, India, to mark the coronation of the British monarchs as Emperors or Empresses of India. Each Durbar had specific reasons and historical contexts: Read More...

Shola Forests in the Nilgiris and Western Ghats

Apr 18, 2024

1. What are Shola forests? Shola forests are tropical montane forests found in the higher elevations of the Western Ghats in South India, particularly prominent in the Nilgiris, Anamalai, and Palani hill ranges. These forests are characterized by dense patches of trees interspersed with open gr... Read More...

Climate Change:1.5°C Global Warming Target

Apr 18, 2024

Understanding the 1.5°C Target and Its Significance for India What is the 1.5°C target? Read More...

Coastal Commons in India: Role and Importance

Apr 18, 2024

1. What are coastal commons? Coastal commons refer to natural areas along coastlines that are accessible and beneficial to local communities. These areas include diverse ecosystems like sandy shores, mangroves, mudflats, and salt marshes. Coastal commons are important for the livelihoods of com... Read More...

Cover Crops in India: Regenerative Agriculture

Apr 18, 2024

What are cover crops? Cover crops are plants grown primarily to manage soil erosion, soil fertility, soil quality, water, weeds, pests, diseases, biodiversity, and wildlife in an agroecosystem. They are typically not harvested for commercial use but are left on the field to improve the health a... Read More...

Understanding the Himalayan Climate Risk Index

Apr 18, 2024

What is the Himalayan Climate Risk Index? ⇒ A tool developed by IIT-M researchers to assess how different districts in the Himalayas are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Read More...

FRA at 15: Successes, Failures, Suggestions

Apr 18, 2024

What is the Forest Rights Act (FRA)? A law passed in India in 2006 recognizing the historical rights of forest-dwelling communities, including Scheduled Tribes, over forest land and resources. What types of rights does the FRA recognize? Individual Forest Rights (IFR): Include rights to self-cultivation, habitation, and access to resources within... Read More...

Prosopis Juliflora,Banni's Grasslands and Local Communities

Apr 18, 2024

1. What is the significance of the Banni grasslands in Gujarat? The Banni grasslands, located in the Kachchh region of Gujarat, are one of Asia’s largest and finest grasslands. Historically, they have been a crucial source of edible grasses and plants for the local communities, supporting a diverse range of flora and fauna. 2. How has Prosopis juliflora affected the Banni grasslands? Prosopis juliflora, an inva... Read More...

Himalayan Bird Movements: Climate Conservation

Apr 18, 2024

1. What are the main findings of the study on Himalayan birds' elevational movements? The study, which analyzed eBird checklists from 2011 to 2022, discovered that about 65% of 302 observed bird species in the eastern and western Himalayas move downslope during the winter, while 5-10% move upslope. The findings emphasize that birds making the greatest elevational shifts typically have the narrowest thermal regimes, indicating that they are adapted to a relatively narrow range of temperatures.... Read More...

Cerrado Biome of Brazil

Apr 18, 2024

The Basics What is the Cerrado? The Cerrado is a vast tropical savanna ecoregion in Brazil. It's characterized by a mix of grasslands, twisted trees, and shrublands. Where does the name "Cerrado" come from? It's a Portuguese word meaning "closed" or "dense," likely referring to the... Read More...

Caatinga Biome of Brazil

Apr 18, 2024

The Basics What is the Caatinga? The Caatinga is a semi-arid biome located in northeastern Brazil. It's characterized by dry forests, thorny shrubs, and cacti. Where does the name "Caatinga" come from? It originates from the Tupi language, meaning "white forest" in reference to the landscape'... Read More...