UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Legislative Privileges: Rao & Soren Verdicts

Apr 17, 2024

What is parliamentary immunity? Parliamentary immunity grants legal protections to members of Parliament (MPs) and members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs), shielding them from prosecution for actions performed as part of their official duties,... Read More...

Lesser Florican in India

Apr 16, 2024

What is the Lesser Florican? The Lesser Florican (Sypheotides indicus), often referred to as the likh or kharmore, is the smallest bustard and the sole member of the Sypheotides genus. It’s endemic to the Indian Subcontinent, where it lives in tall grasses and is well known for the males&... Read More...

India's Focus on Gir Cows under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission

Apr 16, 2024

Q: What is the Rashtriya Gokul Mission? A: It's an Indian government initiative aimed at improving the quality and productivity of indigenous cattle breeds. The mission focuses on research and development of high-quality semen, intended to increase female calf births and provide access to this semen for artificial insemination. Q: Why has the Gir cow breed become so dominant under this program? Read More...

SC Judgment: Climate Change & Indian Bustard

Apr 16, 2024

The Supreme Court of India has made a landmark judgment in a case titled M K Ranjitsinh & Ors versus Union of India & Ors. This case was about the protection of two critically endangered bird species, the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) and the Lesser Florican, both of which are listed under Part III of Schedule I of the Wild Lif... Read More...

AMU: Minority Institution Status

Apr 16, 2024

Background: The legal status of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) as a minority institution has been a contentious issue, challenged through various legal decisions over decades. The cornerstone of these challenges lies in the interpretation and application of Article 30 of the Indian Cons... Read More...

THE MARITIME CONTINENT

Apr 16, 2024

Q: What is the Maritime Continent? A: The Maritime Continent refers to a region situated between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, encompassing Indonesia, Borneo, New Guinea, the Philippine Islands, the Malay Peninsula, and the surrounding seas. This area is characterized by its numerous islands, mountainous landscapes, and shallow seas, playing a crucial role in the interaction between oceanic and land climates. Q: W... Read More...

Supreme Court: Jallikattu & Kambala Ruling

Apr 16, 2024

What was the Supreme Court's decision on Jallikattu and other similar animal sports? The Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of the state amendments made to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, by Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. These amendments allow the con... Read More...

SAND AND DUST STORMS AND THEIR IMPACT

Apr 16, 2024

Q: What causes sand and dust storms? A: Sand and dust storms are caused by strong and turbulent winds lifting small particles from the Earth's surface to great heights. About 75% of these emissions come from natural sources such as hyper-arid regions and dry ancient lake beds, while the remaining 25% are attributed to human activities like agriculture, land-use change, deforestation, and water diversion. Read More...

Ethics Committee in Parliament: Overview, Function, and Role

Apr 16, 2024

Background: The Ethics Committee is a vital parliamentary panel in the Lok Sabha, one of 36 such panels that operate throughout the year. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the ethical standards and integrity of Parliament. The Rajya Sabha established its Ethics Committee a year earl... Read More...

Sand and Dust Storms in India

Apr 16, 2024

What are sand and dust storms? Sand and dust storms are intense weather events characterized by strong winds that pick up large amounts of loose sand and dust particles from arid and semi-arid regions. These particles are then transported over long distances, reducing visibility and causing respiratory problems. Where and when do they occur in India? Sand ... Read More...

SOIL INORGANIC CARBON

Apr 16, 2024

1. What is soil inorganic carbon? • Soil inorganic carbon refers to carbon contained in the mineral component of soil, primarily in the form of carbonate minerals such as calcium carbonate. This form of carbon can also exist as trapped carbon dioxide within soil pores or dissolved in water. Read More...

Article 142: Marriage Breakdown

Apr 16, 2024

Article 142 grants the Supreme Court the authority to pass any decree or make any order necessary for doing "complete justice" in any case or matter pending before it. This broad power is intended to help the Court address issues that may not be fully resolved by existing laws or through ordinary legal procedures. Read More...

Cryosphere and Climate Change

Apr 16, 2024

Key Points The Cryosphere: Earth's frozen regions (ice sheets, sea ice, permafrost, glaciers, etc.) are highly sensitive to global temperature changes. ● Climate Change Impact: Even a 1.5°C rise will drastically melt glaciers, reduce sea ice, and thaw permafrost (releasing more greenhouse gases). ● Dire Consequences at 2°C: Tropical glaciers will disappear, and sea ice could become absent for months. Sea levels ... Read More...

Unified Payments Interface (UPI):Global Reach

Apr 16, 2024

What is UPI? UPI, or Unified Payments Interface, is a system that integrates multiple banking services and features under a single mobile application. It facilitates quick real-time transfer of funds between bank accounts on the mobile platform... Read More...

India's HCES 2023: Engel's & Bennet's Laws

Apr 16, 2024

The Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES 2023) highlights notable changes in how Indian households spend their money. Specifically, there's been a decrease in the amount of money spent on food relative to total income, with spending on food dropping to 46.4% in rural areas and 39.2% in urban areas. Traditionally, such trends are interpreted using Engel’s Law and Bennet’s Law, suggesting that as people earn more, they spend less of their income on food and more o... Read More...