UPSC Daily Current Affairs

LIFE EXPECTANCY AND RADICAL LIFE EXTENSION: Q&A

Oct 23, 2024

LIFE EXPECTANCY AND RADICAL LIFE EXTENSION: Q&A 1. What is life expectancy, and how is it calculated? • Life expectancy refers to the average number of years a newborn is expected to live based on current age-specific mortality rates. It is calculated using life tables, which assess mortality data to estimate survival rates across various age groups. 2. What is the concept of radical life extension? • Radical life extension refers to a dramatic increase in life expectancy, defined as an annual increase of 0.3 years or more. It suggests that humans could live significantly longer than the current life ... Read More...

Steel Imports Surge: A Challenge for the Indian Steel Industry

Oct 23, 2024

Steel Imports Surge: A Challenge for the Indian Steel Industry What is an import surge? An import surge is a sudden and significant increase in imports of a particular product into a country. It's like a flood of foreign goods entering the market. What is happening with steel imports in India? India is experiencing a surge in steel imports, particularly from China, Vietnam, Japan, and Korea. This is putting pressure on the domestic steel industry, affecting their profits and potentially impacting jobs. Why is this happening? Several factors are cont... Read More...

Neutrino Hunters:JUNO and INO

Oct 23, 2024

Neutrino Hunters:JUNO and INO Deep inside a mountain in China, scientists are building a huge sphere to catch tiny particles called neutrinos. These particles are so small that they can pass through almost anything, even the entire Earth! Why Catch Neutrinos? Neutrinos can tell us about the beginning of the universe, the Sun, and even what's inside the Earth. By studying them, we can learn more about how everything works. How Does it Work? The sphere is filled with a special liquid that lights up when neutrinos pass through it. Thousands of sensors will detect these tiny f... Read More...

India-UAE Trade Deal: Import Surge and "Rules of Origin" Concerns

Oct 23, 2024

India-UAE Trade Deal: Import Surge and "Rules of Origin" Concerns What is the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)? The CEPA is a free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that came into effect in May 2022. It aims to boost trade and investment between the two countries by reducing tariffs and other barriers. What is the issue with imports from the UAE? India has raised concerns about a surge in imports of certain products from the UAE, including silver products, platinum alloy, and dry dates. India believes this su... Read More...

Climate Change Hits Poor Farmers Hardest,FAO Report 2024:Simplifier

Oct 23, 2024

Climate Change Hits Poor Farmers Hardest,FAO Report 2024:Simplifier A new report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reveals that climate change disproportionately impacts poor households, particularly those reliant on agriculture. The report, "The Unjust Climate," highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions to protect vulnerable farmers in India and globally. Key Findings: Income Loss: Poor households lose a significant portion of their income due to climate stressors like heat stress and floods, exceeding losses experienced by wealthier households. ... Read More...

New Drug" Status for Antibiotics: India's Fight Against Superbugs

Oct 23, 2024

New Drug" Status for Antibiotics: India's Fight Against Superbugs The Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) has proposed classifying all antibiotics as "new drugs" under the New Drugs and Clinical Trial (NDCT) Rules, 2019. This move aims to curb the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in India. What is Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)? AMR occurs when microbes like bacteria, viruses, and fungi evolve to resist the effects of medications designed to kill them. This makes infections harder to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness, and death. Why is the ... Read More...

The RNA Revolution: Rewriting the Rules of Medicine and Biology

Oct 23, 2024

The RNA Revolution: Rewriting the Rules of Medicine and Biology Growing Importance of RNA in Biology The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, awarded to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their discovery of microRNA (miRNA), underscores the critical role of RNA in regulating gene expression and its potential for future medical applications. What is microRNA (miRNA)? miRNA is a tiny RNA molecule that acts like a "dimmer switch" for genes. It binds to messenger RNA (mRNA), which carries genetic instructions for making proteins, and either blocks protein production or marks the mRNA for... Read More...

QUANTUM COMPUTING, AI,& IoT:CYBERSECURITY CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS

Oct 23, 2024

QUANTUM COMPUTING, AI,& IoT:CYBERSECURITY CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS Emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and the Internet of Things, offer substantial benefits but also introduce significant cybersecurity risks. A report from the World Economic Forum emphasizes the need for a shift towards “resilience by design” in cyber defenses to handle these new threats effectively. 1. Expanded Attack Surface: The proliferation of connected devices, expected to reach 75 billion by 2025, enlarges the potential for cyberattacks. This calls for enhanced security measures to manage the expanding attack... Read More...

Greenwashing:New Rules to Protect Indian Consumers and the Planet

Oct 23, 2024

Greenwashing:New Rules to Protect Indian Consumers and the Planet Government is taking action against misleading environmental claims by businesses with new guidelines aimed at curbing "greenwashing" and protecting consumers. The move seeks to ensure that eco-friendly marketing is backed by verifiable evidence and transparent disclosures. FAQs Q1: What is greenwashing, and why is it a concern? A1: Greenwashing refers to deceptive marketing practices where companies exaggerate or misrepresent the environmental benefits of their products or services. It misleads consumers into be... Read More...

Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for Rabi Crops: Ensuring Fair Returns for Farmers

Oct 23, 2024

Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for Rabi Crops: Ensuring Fair Returns for Farmers The Indian government has announced an increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for six rabi (winter-sown) crops for the marketing season 2025-26. This move aims to ensure remunerative prices for farmers and encourage crop diversification. What is MSP? MSP is the minimum price at which the government purchases crops from farmers. It acts as a safety net, ensuring that farmers receive a fair price for their produce even when market prices are low. Key Highlights of the MSP Hike: Wheat: Read More...

Battle of Walong: 1962 Sino-Indian War

Oct 23, 2024

Battle of Walong: 1962 Sino-Indian War The Indian Army is commemorating the 62nd anniversary of the Battle of Walong, a pivotal moment in the 1962 Sino-Indian War. This month-long commemoration honors the bravery and sacrifice of Indian soldiers who defended the nation's eastern frontier against a formidable Chinese offensive. What was the Battle of Walong? The Battle of Walong took place in November 1962 in the easternmost region of Arunachal Pradesh. Despite being vastly outnumbered and outgunned, Indian troops held off the Chinese advance for 27 days, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. This heroic defense showc... Read More...

BABA SIDDIQUE: BONE OSSIFICATION TEST FOR AGE DETERMINATION

Oct 23, 2024

BABA SIDDIQUE: BONE OSSIFICATION TEST FOR AGE DETERMINATION 1. What is a bone ossification test? • A bone ossification test determines the age of a person by assessing the development and fusion of bones. It is typically used to estimate an individual’s age when birth records are unavailable or disputed, as seen in the Baba Siddique murder case. 2. How does the bone ossification test determine age? • The test analyzes the fusion of bones, particularly in the hands, wrists, and long bones. Based on the bone development stage, it provides an estimated age range, though not a precise figure. Read More...

Color-Coded Weather Alerts of India Meteorological Department (IMD)

Oct 23, 2024

Color-Coded Weather Alerts of India Meteorological Department (IMD) What are IMD's color-coded weather alerts? The India Meteorological Department (IMD) uses color codes to warn people about different weather events and how serious they might be. Think of it like a traffic light system for weather: green means go (no worries), yellow means be careful, orange means get ready, and red means take action! What kind of weather events do these alerts cover? These alerts cover a wide range of weather, including: Rain: Heavy rainfall, floods Read More...

OPEN RAN AND VIRTUALISED RAN (vRAN): TRANSFORMING TELECOM TECHNOLOGY

Oct 22, 2024

OPEN RAN AND VIRTUALISED RAN (vRAN): TRANSFORMING TELECOM TECHNOLOGY WHAT IS OPEN RAN TECHNOLOGY? Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) is an innovative approach that allows telecom operators to build their networks using hardware and software from different vendors. Unlike traditional Radio Access Network (RAN) systems, which are proprietary and controlled by a single vendor, Open RAN decouples hardware and software. This enables greater flexibility, cost savings, and interoperability between different components of the telecom infrastructure. WHY IS OPEN RAN IMPORTANT? 1. Cost Reduction: Read More...

MALABAR TREE TOAD(MTT) - A BIOINDICATOR

Oct 22, 2024

MALABAR TREE TOAD(MTT) - A BIOINDICATOR 1. What is the Malabar Tree Toad (MTT)? • The Malabar Tree Toad (MTT) is an arboreal amphibian species endemic to India’s Western Ghats. It is unique in its ability to climb trees and dwell in arboreal habitats, unlike other ground-dwelling toads. MTT is the only species in the genus Pedostibes. 2. Why is the Malabar Tree Toad important? • MTT is a key species in the Western Ghats ecosystem, which is a global biodiversity hotspot. It helps in controlling insect populations and plays a role in maintaining the ecological balance. Being sensitive to environm... Read More...