UPSC Daily Current Affairs

India joins UN high seas treaty.

Jul 11, 2024

Overview of the High Seas Treaty India is poised to sign the global ‘High Seas Treaty,’ formally known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement. This international treaty, under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), is designed to address the growing concerns regarding the protection and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in the high seas, areas beyond any nation’s jurisdiction. Key Features of the BBNJ Agreement • Sustainable Use of Ma... Read More...

CLIMATE CHANGE and HURRICANE BERYL’S INTENSIFICATION

Jul 10, 2024

What is a Hurricane? • Hurricanes are tropical storms that form over warm ocean waters near the equator. Read More...

SOUTH CHINA TENSIONS

Jul 10, 2024

What is the significance of the “two-plus-two” meeting between the Philippines and Japan? The “two-plus-two” meeting involves the defense and foreign ministers of the Philippines and Japan discussing security... Read More...

WORLD BANK COUNTRY CLASSIFICATIONS

Jul 10, 2024

1. Q: What are the World Bank's main income group classifications for countries? A: The World Bank classifies countries into four main income groups: Low-income economies, Lower-middle-income economies, Upper-middle-income economies, and High-income economies. 2. Q: How does the World Bank determine these classifications? A: The World Bank uses Gross National Income (GNI) per capita as the main criterion for classifying economies. GNI can be broadly equated with GD... Read More...

Rural Consumption in India today

Jul 10, 2024

1. Q: How is rural growth in India currently performing compared to urban growth? A: In the second quarter of 2024 (April-June), rural growth overtook urban growth, a trend expected to continue for the rest of the year. 2. Q: What factors influence rural demand in India? A: Rural demand is influenced by factors such as monsoon, harvest, minimum support price offered by the government to farmers, and non-farm income through schemes like the Prime Minister Rozgar Yojana. Read More...

REGENERATIVE BRAKING IN ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Jul 10, 2024

What Is Braking? Braking is the process by which a vehicle slows down by removing its kinetic energy. Different braking systems handle this energy in various ways: 1. Disc Brakes: Use friction to convert kinetic energy into heat. 2. Induction Brakes: Use magnetic fields to slow down the vehicle by converting kinetic energy into electrical currents and heat. Regenerative Braking Regener... Read More...

India's classical languages

Jul 10, 2024

1. What are India's classical languages? Currently, six languages have been declared as classical languages in India: Tamil, Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Odia. 2. What criteria must a language meet to be considered classical? To be declared a classical language, a language must meet the following criteria: - High antiquity of its early texts/recorded history over 1500-2000 years - A body of ancient literature/texts considered valuable heritage by gene... Read More...

RUN-OFF ELECTIONS: OVERVIEW AND EXAMPLES

Jul 10, 2024

What is a run-off election? A run-off election is a second round of voting held when no candidate receives the required majority of votes in the initial election. When are run-off elections typically held? Run-off elections are usually held a few weeks after the initial election, allowing time for preparation and campaigning. Why are run-off elections used? Run-off election... Read More...

SAMAR: Advancing Manufacturing Assessment and Rating System

Jul 10, 2024

The SAMAR certification program measures the maturity and competence of defense manufacturing enterprises in India. Developed by the Quality Council of India (QCI) and the DRDO, the program aims to promote excellence and innovation in the manufacturing sector, contributing to India’s self-reliance in defense manufacturing. What is SAMAR? SAMAR stands for System for Advance Manufacturing Assessment and Rating. It is a certification program designed to assess the maturity and competence of defense manufacturing enterp... Read More...

WATER SCARCITY AND THE BURDEN ON WOMEN IN INDIA

Jul 10, 2024

Fetching drinking water is a grueling daily routine for millions of women in India. Every day, women walk miles, balancing plastic or earthen pots on their heads and carrying buckets to manage the household water stock. Why is fetching water a daily struggle for women in India? Women often travel long distances to reach the nearest reliable water sources, which can take four to five hours each day. The water is usually dirty, requiring additional effort to make it usable. Read More...

RESPONSIBLE QUANTUM TECHNOLOGIES MOVEMENT

Jul 10, 2024

The movement for responsible quantum technologies aims to harness the benefits of quantum science and technology (S&T) while ensuring public trust and mitigating risks. With the United Nations designating 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ), there is increased focus on this emerging field. GLOBAL INVESTMENT AND IMPACT Quantum S&T is becoming a significant part of government strategies and private sector investments. According to estimates, sectors such as automotive, chemi... Read More...

GREEN DEPOSIT SCHEME

Jul 10, 2024

What Is the Green Deposit Scheme? The Green Deposit Scheme, introduced by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in June 2023, is a financial product where fixed deposits are earmarked for green projects and activities. These deposits aim to support climate risk mitigation, adaptation, and resilience, as well as other environmental objectives. Why Was the Green Deposit Scheme Introduced? The scheme was introduced to mobilize domestic savings for climate action, ... Read More...

DIGITAL BHARAT NIDHI

Jul 10, 2024

What Is Digital Bharat Nidhi? Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) is an initiative by the Indian government aimed at enhancing telecom connectivity in rural and underserved areas. It replaces the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) and seeks to provide better access to telecommunication services through various funding mechanisms. How Will Digital Bharat Nidhi Work? The DBN will operate under guidelines issued by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). The funds collected will support universal service thr... Read More...

INFORMAL SECTOR ENTERPRISES IN INDIA: TRENDS

Jul 10, 2024

What Are Informal Sector Enterprises? Informal sector enterprises are businesses that operate without formal registration or regulation by the government. They are often small-scale operations and include street vendors, small retail shops, and home-based businesses. Why Are Informal Sector Enterprises Important? Informal sector enterprises play a crucial role in the economy by providing employment opportunities and contributing to the livelihoods of many... Read More...

CLIMATE-PROOFING CITIES

Jul 10, 2024

What Is Climate-Proofing? Climate-proofing refers to making cities resilient to the impacts of climate change through various measures such as improved infrastructure, policies, and governance to handle extreme weather conditions like floods, heatwaves, and storms. Why Is Climate-Proofing Important? Climate-proofing is essential to protect cities from the adverse effects of climate change, ensuring the safety and well-being of their inhabitants, maintaini... Read More...