UPSC Daily Current Affairs

India's First Multinational Air Exercise: Tarang Shakti-2024

Jun 20, 2024

Q: When will Tarang Shakti-2024 be held? A: August 2024 (in two phases) Q: Which countries will participate in the exercise? A: India, Australia, France, Germany, Japan, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States Q: Where will the exercise be held? A: Southern India (first phase) and western India (second phase) Q: What is th... Read More...

ILLEGAL SAND MINING IN INDIA: IMPACT AND CHALLENGES

Jun 20, 2024

Where is illegal sand mining prevalent? Illegal sand mining is widespread across India, particularly in states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh. Riverbeds, coastal areas, and agricultural lands are commonly targeted for sand extraction. Read More...

SHGs' Impact on Women's Socio-Economic Status in India

Jun 20, 2024

Introduction Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have been a significant tool in empowering women across India. These groups aim to enhance the economic and livelihood security of women, particularly in rural areas. The concept of SHGs was initiated by organizations like the Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) and has since evolved to become a strategic intervention for financial inclusion and socio-economic development. Key Findings Read More...

NEW CRIMINAL LAWS EFFECTIVE JULY 1

Jun 20, 2024

In a landmark move to reform the criminal justice system, three newly enacted laws—the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA)—will come into effect from July 1, 2024. These laws will replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and the Indian Evidence Act of 1872, respectively. Read More...

REGIONAL ECONOMIC IMBALANCES IN INDIA: REASONS & REMEDIES

Jun 20, 2024

Extent of Regional Economic Imbalances Regional economic imbalances in India are significant and persistent, marked by disparities in income, growth, and development across different states and regions. For instance, the per capita income in Maharashtra is approximately ₹215,000, while in Bihar it is around ₹40,000, highlighting a stark contrast. Reasons for Regional Economic Imbalances 1. Historical Factors: Colonial po... Read More...

SAROD: AN INSTRUMENT OF ELEGANCE AND DEPTH

Jun 20, 2024

ORIGINS AND HISTORY The sarod is a prominent stringed instrument in Indian classical music, known for its deep, resonant sound and intricate melodic capabilities. It is believed to have originated from the Afghan rubab and was transformed into its current form in India. DESIGN AND STRUCTURE The sarod has a fretless metal fingerboard, which allows for smooth glides and intricate note variations. It typically has four main strings used for melody, along ... Read More...

Predicting El Niño and La Niña with Bayesian CNNs (BCNN)

Jun 20, 2024

The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) in Hyderabad has introduced a new forecasting product using advanced technologies to predict El Niño and La Niña conditions up to 15 months in advance. This product, known as the Bayesian Convolutional Neural Network (BCNN), leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI), deep learning, and machine learning (ML) to enhance the accuracy of forecasts related to the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phases. Understanding ENSO ENSO is a c... Read More...

INDIA’S QUANTUM TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE

Jun 20, 2024

1. What is India’s quantum technology initiative about? India’s quantum technology initiative is a Rs 6,000 crore scheme aimed at advancing quantum computing and related technologies. It involves collaboration with IT firms and academic institutions to develop quantum software, hardware, and infrastructure. 2. Who are the key players involved in this initiative? Major IT services compan... Read More...

GSAT-N2 (GSAT-20):SIMPLIFIER

Jun 20, 2024

1. What is GSAT-N2? GSAT-N2, also known as GSAT-20, is a Ka-band high throughput communication satellite operated by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), a government company under the Department of Space. 2. What is the purpose of GSAT-N2? GSAT-N2 aims to enhance broadband services and in-flight connectivity (IFC) across India through its advanced satellite communication capabilities. 3. What are the key features of GSAT-N2? Read More...

Earth's Inner Core Slowing Down: What You Need to Know

Jun 20, 2024

Q: What is the Earth's inner core? A: The Earth's inner core is a solid iron-nickel sphere surrounded by the liquid iron-nickel outer core, roughly the size of the moon. Q: What has happened to the Earth's inner core recently? A: According to a new study, the Earth's inner core has been slowing down in relation to the surface of the planet since around 2010. Q: How did scientists determine the inner core... Read More...

Cultural Artifact Division Between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh

Jun 20, 2024

FAQs on Cultural Division Q: Why is the division of cultural objects between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh an issue? A: Ten years after the creation of Telangana, the division of antiquities, manuscripts, and cultural objects between the two states remains contentious due to historical and cultural significance. Q: What criteria are used for dividing heritage objects? A: The division is based on the provenance and time of ac... Read More...

Challenges of Beneficial Ownership in India's Growth

Jun 20, 2024

Foreign investments are crucial for India to achieve its goal of becoming a $5 trillion economy by 2025-26. However, certain regulatory hurdles must be addressed to attract these investments. The Amendment Challenge In 2020, an amendment to the Indian Foreign Exchange Management (Non-debt Instruments) Rules, 2019 (FEMA NDI), introduced a requirement for prior government approval for investments from neighboring countries or where the “beneficial owner” is from these countries. This was aimed at preventing opportun... Read More...

INDIA’S FEDERAL STRUCTURE AND COALITION GOVERNANCE

Jun 19, 2024

On June 4, 2024, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fell short of the majority mark in the Lok Sabha, necessitating reliance on its regional partners in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to form a government. This shift from a majoritarian approach to coalition governance presents an opportunity to rejuvenate India’s federal structure, which has faced numerous challenges over the past decade. Challenges to Federalism Centralization of Power Since 2014, there has been a persistent effort to curta... Read More...

RIGHT TO RECALL IN INDIA: AN OVERVIEW

Jun 19, 2024

The Right to Recall (RTR) is a legal provision in some states of India that allows citizens to remove or replace public servants holding posts such as Sarpanch, Mukhiya, Corporator, and Mayor in the government. This mechanism is primarily implemented at the Panchayat level but is also seen at the municipal level in certain states. States with Recall Laws at Panchayat Level The Right to Recall has been implemented at the Panchayat level in the following states: 1. Uttar Pradesh 2. Uttarakhand 3. Bi... Read More...

END OF US-SAUDI PETRODOLLAR PACT: IMPACTS AND IMPLICATIONS

Jun 19, 2024

The 50-year-old petrodollar agreement between the US and Saudi Arabia has expired, marking a significant change in global financial dynamics. This pact, established in the 1970s, has had far-reaching consequences for the global economy, particularly benefiting the US. Here’s an overview of what petrodollars are and the potential implications of this agreement’s end. Understanding Petrodollars Petrodollars are US dollars earned by oil-exporting countries through the sale of crude oil. This term emerged i... Read More...