UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Why Base Year Revision Matters for GDP and Economic Indicators

Jun 25, 2024

What is a Base Year? A base year is a reference year used for comparison in measuring economic data. It serves as a benchmark for calculating indices such as the Consumer Price Index (CPI), Index of Industrial Production (IIP), and Gross Domestic Product (GDP). By selecting a base year, statisticians ensure that economic indicators reflect changes over time, allowing for accurate assessment of growth, inflation, and other economic metrics. The Importance of Base Year Revision Read More...

The True Cost of India’s Railways: Struggle, Labor, and Injustice

Jun 25, 2024

The development of railways in India is often portrayed as a benevolent gift from the British colonial authorities. However, this narrative obscures the true cost borne by the Indian people. The railways were constructed not for the benefit of Indians, but to serve British economic interests, at a great expense to the Indian populace. The Exploitative Agreements In 1849, the British colonial Government of India signed a lopsided agreement with two railway companies—the East India Railway (EIR) and the Great I... Read More...

INDIA’S PROGRESS IN REDUCING POVERTY: AN ANALYSIS

Jun 25, 2024

India is reportedly on the verge of a significant milestone in its fight against extreme poverty. According to government statisticians and economists, the country has made remarkable progress over the past decade. This essay delves into the data and insights that underscore India’s near-victory over extreme poverty. A Closer Look at the Data Reduction in Extreme Poverty A decade ago, approximately 12% of India’s population lived on $1.90 per day or less, according to Purchasing Power Parity ... Read More...

SOUTH CHINA SEA DISPUTES

Jun 25, 2024

What is the South China Sea dispute about? The South China Sea dispute involves territorial and maritime claims by several countries, including China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. The area is rich in natural resources and holds strategic military importance. Why has the Philippines adopted a transparency policy? The Philippines has adopted a transparency policy to publicize China’s aggressive actions in the disputed waters. This stra... Read More...

HINDU KUSH HIMALAYAS: SNOW PERSISTENCE UPDATE

Jun 25, 2024

The Story So Far In 2024, the Ganga river basin in India experienced a record low in snow persistence, as reported by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). Similar declines were noted in the Brahmaputra and Indus basins, threatening water supplies for millions. This decline is seen as a direct impact of the accelerating climate crisis. What Is Snow Persistence? Snow persistence refers to the amount of time snow remains on the ... Read More...

AIR POLLUTION AND GLOBAL HEALTH

Jun 25, 2024

Air pollution has become a significant health crisis, contributing to the deaths of nearly 2,000 children every day. According to the U.S.-based Health Effects Institute, air pollution is now the second leading risk factor for early death globally. Key Findings: 1. Global Mortality: • Air pollution was linked to 8.1 million deaths in 2021, accounting for approximately 12% of all global fatalities. • It has surpassed tobacco use and poor diet, now only behind high blood pressure as the leading risk factor for early death. Read More...

NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES IN ASIA AND AFRICA

Jun 25, 2024

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) predominantly affect populations in the poorest parts of the world, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. Despite their significant impact, these diseases receive considerably less research funding compared to illnesses like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. Key Points 1. High Burden of NTDs: • In 2021, approximately 677 million people in India required treatment for NTDs such as dengue, chikungunya, and snakebite envenoming. •... Read More...

THE PROTEIN-FOLDING PROBLEM AND ITS APPLICATIONS

Jun 25, 2024

What Are Proteins? Proteins are essential molecules in our bodies that help with almost everything, from building tissues to fighting diseases. They are made up of long chains of building blocks called amino acids. What Is Protein Folding? Imagine a protein as a long string of beads (amino acids). To work properly, this string needs to fold into a specific 3D shape. This shape allows the protein to do its job in the body, like a key fitting into a lock. Read More...

AlphaFold: Revolutionizing Protein Structure Prediction

Jun 25, 2024

Proteins are crucial molecules in our bodies, performing various functions that are vital for life. They are made up of smaller building blocks called amino acids, which fold into specific shapes to become functional. Understanding how proteins fold into these shapes has been a complex puzzle for scientists. The Protein-Folding Problem Proteins start as long chains of amino acids and then fold into complex 3D structures to perform their functions. The process of how they fold is complicated and has been difficult ... Read More...

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF NALANDA UNIVERSITY

Jun 24, 2024

1. What is the historical significance of Nalanda University? Nalanda University, established in the 5th century, was one of the world’s first residential universities. It served as a major center for learning and attracted students from all over the world, making it a symbol of India’s rich academic heritage and cultural exchange. 2. When was the ancient Nalanda University established? The ancient Nalanda University was established in the 5th... Read More...

INDIA’S EFFORTS AGAINST SICKLE CELL DISEASE USING CRISPR-CAS9

Jun 24, 2024

1. What is India doing to combat sickle cell disease? India is developing gene therapy using the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool to treat sickle cell disease, a genetic blood disorder prevalent among Scheduled Tribes. This effort is part of a broader mission to eradicate the disease by 2047. 2. What progress has been made in developing gene therapy for sickle cell disease in India? Researchers at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) are makin... Read More...

Enhanced Collaboration on Critical Minerals: India and U.S. in iCET

Jun 24, 2024

India and the United States are advancing their strategic partnership to enhance cooperation on critical minerals, focusing on the supply chains of graphite, gallium, and germanium. This collaboration is part of the India-U.S. Initiative for Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) dialogue, chaired by the National Security Advisers of both countries. Key Objectives and Strategies 1. Bilateral Agreement: The U.S. Department of Commerce and India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Ministry of Mines a... Read More...

TIBET ISSUE AND RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

Jun 24, 2024

MARS: CAVES AND LAVA TUBES

Jun 24, 2024

Mars, often referred to as the Red Planet, holds intriguing features beneath its surface, including caves and lava tubes. These underground formations are of great interest for scientific exploration and potential future human habitation. Formation and Characteristics 1. Lava Tubes: These are formed by flowing lava that solidifies on the surface while the molten rock beneath continues to flow. Once the lava flow ceases, a hollow tube-like structure remains. 2. Caves: Martian caves can be formed by various geological ... Read More...

HOW DOES A BACTERIA BECOME A SUPERBUG?

Jun 24, 2024

UNDERSTANDING SUPERBUGS Bacteria that have acquired resistance to antibiotics are known as superbugs. This resistance arises from the overuse of antibiotics in humans and livestock. The more bacteria are exposed to antibiotics, the higher the chances they have to evolve resistance. WHERE DO WE USE ANTIBIOTICS AND HOW DOES IT AFFECT US? Antibiotics have been pivotal in revolutionizing public health since Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928. They prevent fatalities from diseases s... Read More...