UPSC Daily Current Affairs

BUGYALS: HIMALAYAN ALPINE MEADOWS

Jun 06, 2024

The Himalayan alpine meadows, known as bugyals, are biodiversity hotspots housing several endemic species of plants and animals. Biodiversity and Significance Bugyals, starting at 3000 meters above sea level, extend up to 4500 meters where the snowline begins. These meadows span the west to east Himalayan mountain range and are home to various endemic species like Indian aconite, spikenard muskroot, and the caterpillar fungus cordyceps. Many of these species are critically endangered and hold significant medicinal and economi... Read More...

INDIAN OCEAN DIPOLE AND ITS IMPACT ON INDIA

Jun 06, 2024

What is the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)? The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is a climate phenomenon characterized by the difference in sea surface temperatures between two regions of the Indian Ocean: the western Indian Ocean (near the coast of Africa) and the eastern Indian Ocean (near Indonesia). It has three phases: positive, negative, and neutral. Phases of the IOD • Positive IOD: Warmer sea surface temperatures in the western Indian Ocean and cooler temperatures in the e... Read More...

ENSO NEUTRALITY: “LA NADA” SIMPLIFIER

Jun 06, 2024

What is ENSO? The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a natural climate cycle characterized by periodic variations in sea surface temperatures and atmospheric conditions in the tropical Pacific Ocean. ENSO has three phases... Read More...

MADDEN JULIAN OSCILLATION AND ITS IMPACT ON INDIA’S MONSOON

Jun 06, 2024

Introduction to Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) The Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) is a moving pattern of unusual rainfall near the equator. It moves eastward, causing changes in rainfall over large areas. This pattern, which lasts between 30-60 days, significantly affects global weather, including monsoons and tropical storms. Behavior of the MJO The MJO is a key factor in tropical weather changes. It involves large patterns in atmospheric circulation and heavy rain, moving slowly east through the Indian and Pacific ... Read More...

ASTROSAT DISCOVERS UNUSUAL BEHAVIOR AROUND BLACK HOLE

Jun 06, 2024

Introduction AstroSat, India’s first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory, has made a significant discovery regarding the black hole binary source Swift J1727.8-1613. A collaborative team of astrophysic... Read More...

ADVANCE MEDICAL DIRECTIVES and PASSIVE EUTHANASIA

Jun 05, 2024

What is a living will? A living will is a written document that specifies a person’s wishes regarding medical treatment in circumstances where they are no longer able to make decisions for themselves. Who was the first person in Goa to register a living will? Justice M S Sonak of the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court was the first person to register a living will in Goa. When was the living will registered? Read More...

SOIL MICROORGANISMS

Jun 05, 2024

DEFINITION AND TYPES Soil microorganisms are tiny living organisms in the soil, essential for maintaining soil health and fertility. They include: 1. Bacteria: Single-celled organisms that decompose organic matter, fix nitrogen, and enhance soil structure. 2. Fungi: Decompose complex organic materials, form symbiotic relationships with plants (mycorrhizae), and improve nutrient uptake. 3. Actinomycetes: Bacteria-like organisms that decompose tough plant material... Read More...

ISRO’S “PRAVAHA”:SIMPLIFIER

Jun 05, 2024

WHAT IS “PRAVAHA”? “PraVaHa” is a special software developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to help scientists and engineers design and analyze how air flows around rockets, airplanes, and other vehicles that travel through the atmosphere. It stands for “Parallel RANS Solver for Aerospace Vehicle Aero-thermo-dynamic Analysis”. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? When rockets or spacecraft travel through the Earth’s atmosp... Read More...

INDIA’S UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE FORTS

Jun 05, 2024

RED FORT, DELHI Built in 1638 by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, the Red Fort symbolizes India’s rich Mughal heritage. This grand fort, made of red sandstone, served as the main residence of the Mughal emperors for nearly 200 years. It is renowned for its massive walls, the Diwan-i-Aam (Hall of Public Audience), Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience), and stunning architecture reflecting a fusion of Persian, Timurid, and Indian influences. AGRA FORT, UTTAR PRADESH... Read More...

EARTH’S SHIFTING MAGNETIC POLES:SIMPLIFIER

Jun 05, 2024

WHAT CAUSES THE SHIFTING OF EARTH’S MAGNETIC POLES? The movement of Earth’s molten core generates the magnetic field. Changes in the internal forces within the core cause gradual shifts in the poles’ location and intensity. HOW FAST IS THE NORTH MAGNETIC POLE MOVING? Since the 1990s, the North Magnetic Pole has been moving from Canada towards Siberia at a rate of about 55 kilometers per year. Recent estimates indicate the rate has slowed to approxi... Read More...

FERN BREAKS RECORD FOR MOST DNA

Jun 05, 2024

RECORD-BREAKING DISCOVERY A fern named Tmesipteris oblanceolate has entered the record books for having more DNA than any other living thing. Found in New Caledonia, this tiny plant’s genome, if unraveled, would stretch to about 100 meters. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE Scientists from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, describe it as an extraordinary discovery. The fern’s genome size is 160 billion base pairs, which is 50 times more than the human genome. Th... Read More...

QUANTUM ENTANGLEMENT: MECHANISM AND SIGNIFICANCE SIMPLIFIER

Jun 05, 2024

WHAT IS QUANTUM ENTANGLEMENT? Quantum entanglement is a phenomenon where two or more particles become interconnected in such a way that the state of one particle instantly influences the state of the other, regardless of the distance separating them. This connection occurs through a process called quantum superposition. HOW DOES IT WORK? 1. Entanglement Creation: • Entanglement occurs when particles interact in a specific way, such a... Read More...

KAZA SUMMIT IN ZAMBIA:TRANSNATIONAL CONSERVATION EFFORTS

Jun 05, 2024

SIMPLIFIER 1. What is the KAZA-TFCA? The Kavango-Zambezi (KAZA) Trans-Frontier Conservation Area (TFCA) is the world’s largest transnational conservation initiative, spanning 520,000 square kilometers across Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It aims to conserve biodiversity and promote nature-based tourism for economic growth. 2. What is the purpose of the KAZA Summit? The KAZA Summit, held in Livingstone, Zambia, gath... Read More...

BASIN-WIDE CONSERVATION OF GANGETIC DOLPHINS

Jun 05, 2024

SIMPLIFIER 1. What is the significance of the Gangetic dolphin? Read More...

UTTARAKHAND’S SHRINKING APPLE ORCHARDS

Jun 05, 2024

SIMPLIFIER 1. What is happening to Uttarakhand’s apple orchards? Uttarakhand’s apple orchards are shrinking due to the impacts of climate change, which has led to a significant decline in the yield of major fruit crops. 2. What fruits were previously abundant in Uttarakhand? Uttarakhand was once a leading producer of pear, peach, plum, apricot, and high-quality apples. 3. What... Read More...