UPSC Daily Current Affairs

TOP 10 COUNTRIES WITH THE MOST GOLD RESERVES IN 2024

Jun 07, 2024

As of Q1 2024, according to the World Gold Council, the following are the top 10 countries with the largest gold reserves. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently repatriated 100 tonnes of its gold reserves from the United Kingdom, leading to a balanced distribution of its gold holdings between domestic and international storage. 1. United States • Gold Reserves: 8,133.46 tonnes • Gold Reserve Value: $579,050.15 million 2. Germany Read More...

DISCOVERY OF BURIAL URNS AT ADICHANALLUR

Jun 07, 2024

SIGNIFICANT ARCHAEOLOGICAL FIND Burial urns dated to 1400 BCE have been discovered at the megalithic site of Adichanallur, located on the banks of the Thamirabarani River. This significant find offers a glimpse into ... Read More...

ENERGY POVERTY INDEX FOR INDIA

Jun 07, 2024

What is the Household Energy Poverty Index (HEPI)? The Household Energy Poverty Index (HEPI) is a measure used to assess the extent of energy poverty among households in India. It is constructed using a multi-dimensional framework that includes 15 key energy indicators. These indicators cover various aspects of energy access and affordability, providing a comprehensive picture of energy poverty. Causes of Energy Poverty 1. Lack of Access to Modern Ene... Read More...

HOW RBI MANAGES ITS GOLD RESERVES

Jun 07, 2024

Overview of RBI’s Gold Holdings As of March 31, 2024, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) holds a total of 822.10 metric tonnes of gold, up from 794.63 metric tonnes the previous year. The value of these gold reserves stands at $52.67 billion, part of the total foreign exchange reserves which amount to $646.41 billion. Composition of Gold Reserves The RBI’s gold holdings are categorized as follows: • Gold as backing for note... Read More...

STATUS OF THE GREAT INDIAN BUSTARD POPULATION

Jun 07, 2024

RECENT SURVEY AND FINDINGS The Rajasthan Forest Department recently conducted its annual waterhole survey in Jaisalmer district and counted 64 Great Indian Bustards (GIBs). This count has generated excitement and raised questions about the effectiveness of current conservation efforts. WATERHOLE METHOD FOR POPULATION COUNT The waterhole method involves counting animals visiting a water body over a continuous 24-hour period during peak summer. This direct counting method is cost-effective and provides immediate results,... Read More...

INDIAN SEMICONDUCTOR SECTOR : POTENTIAL for JOBS

Jun 06, 2024

Overview India’s semiconductor sector is poised for significant growth, with projections indicating the creation of around 10 lakh jobs over the next five years. This surge in employment is driven by the increasing global demand for semiconductors, particularly for applications in AI, IoT, and advanced technologies. Growing Demand and Job Creation As AI usage continues to rise globally, the demand for cutting-edge semiconductors also increases to... Read More...

Demystifying Comparative Advantage in International Trade

Jun 06, 2024

Introduction to Comparative Advantage For nearly two centuries, the principle of comparative advantage has been a cornerstone of economists’ understanding of international trade, explaining why trade occurs and how it benefits participating countries. Despite its long history, the concept, first introduced by political economist David Ricardo, is often misunderstood. Defining Comparative Advantage Comparative advantage explains that a country sho... Read More...

IMPACTS OF ARCTIC ICE LOSS ON GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT

Jun 06, 2024

Melting Polar Ice Caps Global warming is causing significant melting of polar ice caps, particularly in the Arctic. The Arctic sea ice is disappearing at nearly 13% per decade, with a 95% decline in the oldest and thickest ice over the past 30 years. If current emission trends continue, the Arctic could be ice-free in the summer by 2040. This loss has far-reaching global consequences. Key Impacts of Arctic Ice Loss 1. Temperature ... Read More...

Preserving India's Grasslands: Challenges and Solutions

Jun 06, 2024

Overview of Grasslands From the lofty Himalayas to the montane Shola forests of the Western Ghats, and from the arid Thar Desert to the fertile floodplains in the east, grasslands once covered nearly two-thirds of India. These ecosystems, dominated by grasses with scattered woody plants, are rich in biodiversity, hosting 260 to 500 endemic species, many discovered in the last two decades. They are home to rare birds like the Great Indian bustard and animals like the one-horned rhinoceros and swamp deer, supporting pastoral communities that ... Read More...

INDIA'S DEFENSE EXPORTS: AIMING FOR THE TOP 10

Jun 06, 2024

Introduction India, traditionally one of the largest weapons importers, is now striving to join the ranks of the world's top defense exporters. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh recently announced that India's defense exports crossed ₹21,000 crores ($2.63 billion) for the first time. India's strategy includes leveraging its 'Big Weapons' such as the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, BrahMos Missile, Light Combat Helicopters, Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launch System (MLRS), and Akash Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM). Growth of Defe... Read More...

Understanding India's Grasslands: Decline, Causes, and Conservation

Jun 06, 2024

India reported a significant loss of grasslands between 2005 and 2015, highlighting a 31% reduction. The area under grasslands reduced from 18 million hectares (mha) to 12.3 mha, severely impacting states like Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh. This decline, presented by the Union government at the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) during the 14th Conference of Parties (COP), has brought attention to the various factors driving this loss and the urgent need for conservation efforts. What Are Grasslands? Read More...

CLIMATE CHANGE & MENTAL HEALTH: IMPACT OF EXTREME HEAT

Jun 06, 2024

Introduction Extreme heat, driven by climate change, is not just a physical health concern but also significantly impacts mental health. This is particularly relevant for countries like India, where heat wave... Read More...

ENDANGERED GREATER ADJUTANT STORKS: CONSERVATION IN ASSAM

Jun 06, 2024

Hargila Introduction to Greater Adjutant Storks The Greater Adjutant Stork, locally known as “Hargila” in Assam, is an endangered species of stork primarily found in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. This large bird is known for its distinct appearance, with a long neck, large bill, and a prominent gular pouch. Habitat and Distribution Greater Adjutant Storks are usually found in wetlands, agricu... Read More...

OCEANS AND CLIMATE: IMPACT ON INDIA AND SOUTH ASIA

Jun 06, 2024

Introduction The Earth’s climate is experiencing unprecedented changes, and the oceans are emerging as a likely candidate for a new mystery feedback affecting global temperatures. Since the start of the industr... Read More...

CHANDRA X-RAY OBSERVATORY

Jun 06, 2024

Introduction to Chandra X-ray Observatory The Chandra X-ray Observatory is a space telescope launched by NASA in 1999 to detect X-rays emitted by high-energy events in the universe. These X-rays, which cannot be seen with the naked eye, help astronomers study phenomena like black holes, supernovae, and the formation and death of stars. The telescope is named after the Nobel Prize-winning Indian astrophysicist Read More...