UPSC Daily Current Affairs

India's Economic Growth: Harnessing Labor and Human Capital

Jun 03, 2024

1. What is the 'Make in India' strategy? The 'Make in India' initiative, launched in 2014, aims to boost domestic manufacturing, attract foreign direct investment (FDI), and promote export-led growth. It focuses on sectors like industrial manufacturing, information technology, and digitalization. 2. Why has India struggled to reduce its trade deficit despite the 'Make in India' initiative? Several factors contribute to India's persistent ... Read More...

VOLCANIC ACTIVITY ON VENUS SIMPLIFIER

Jun 03, 2024

What is Venus? Venus is the second planet from the Sun in our solar system. It is similar in size and structure to Earth but has a very harsh environment with extremely high temperatures and pressures. What is volcanism? Volcanism refers to the eruption of molten rock (lava), ash, and gases from beneath a planet's surface. It plays a crucial role in shaping the planet's surface and atmosphere. Why is Ve... Read More...

RUDRAM-II MISSILE TEST SIMPLIFIER

Jun 03, 2024

What is the RudraM-II missile? RudraM-II is an indigenously developed solid-propelled air-to-surface missile designed to neutralize various enemy assets. When and where was the RudraM-II successfully tested? The RudraM-II missile was successfully flight-tested on May 29, 2024, off the coast of Odisha. Which platform was used for the RudraM-II missile test? The test was conducted f... Read More...

CHENAB BRIDGE

Jun 03, 2024

What is the Chenab Bridge? The Chenab Bridge is the world’s highest single-arch railway bridge, located over the Chenab river in Jammu and Kashmir, India. Read More...

WHY ZIMBABWE INTRODUCED THE NEW ZiG CURRENCY

Jun 03, 2024

WHAT IS ZiG? ZiG stands for "Zimbabwe Gold," the new gold-backed currency introduced by Zimbabwe to stabilize its economy. WHY WAS ZiG INTRODUCED? 1. Economic Crisis: Zimbabwe's economy has been in crisis for 25 years, with frequent currency issues and high inflation. The previous currency, the RTGS dollar, lost three-quarters of its value in a year. Annual inflation reached 55% in March... Read More...

SPICE EXPORTS and ETHYLENE OXIDE: SIMPLIFIER

Jun 01, 2024

CURRENT STATUS OF INDIAN SPICE EXPORTS India is a major player in the global spice market, exporting spices worth $4.4 billion in 2023-2024, marking a 12.3% increase from the previous financial year. Major exported spices include chilli, spice oils and oleoresins, curry powder and paste, cumin, mint products, cardamom, and pepper. Key markets for Indian spices are China, Bangladesh, West Asian countries, and the U.S. WHY ETHYLENE OXIDE IS USED FOR STERILISATION Ethylene Oxide (ETO) is used in India not as a pesticide but as a sterilis... Read More...

EUROPE’S AI CONVENTION SIMPLIFIER

Jun 01, 2024

WHAT IS EUROPE'S AI CONVENTION? Europe's AI convention, formally known as Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy, and Rule of Law, was adopted by Council of Europe (COE) on May 17, 2024. This convention aims to ensure AI activities align with human rights, democracy, and rule of law. WHAT IS A FRAMEWORK CONVENTION? Framework convention is a legally binding treaty that sets broad commitments and objectives. Specific targets and detail... Read More...

DAKHNI: SIMPLIFIER

Jun 01, 2024

WHAT IS DAKHNI? Dakhni is a language that shares the Perso-Arabic script with Urdu and Farsi. It is prevalent across the Deccan plateau, particularly in Hyderabad. Variants of Dakhni are spoken in Telangana, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. WHY IS DAKHNI SIGNIFICANT? Dakhni has historical and cultural significance. It has been a language of the common people since medieval times, with loan words from Telugu, Kannada, and Marathi. Sufis used Dakhni to ... Read More...

PRADHAN MANTRI JANMAN SIMPLIFIER

Jun 01, 2024

WHAT IS PM JANMAN? PM JANMAN (Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan) is a government initiative launched in November 2023 with a budget of ₹24,000 crore. It aims to improve the socio-economic conditions of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India. OBJECTIVES Provide safe housing, clean drinking water, and sanitation. Reach 4.90 lakh PVTG households by 2026. Ensure each household receives ₹2.39 lakh in three instalments for housing.... Read More...

THE SPECTRE OF NUCLEAR CONFLICT SIMPLIFIER

Jun 01, 2024

WHAT IS THE CURRENT NUCLEAR THREAT? The world is witnessing increased threats of nuclear conflict, with major powers like Russia and France engaging in rhetoric and actions that raise concerns about the use of nuclear weapons. WHY IS THIS ISSUE RESURFACING? Global Tensions: Ongoing conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine, have heightened fears of nuclear escalation. Weakening Nuclear Protocols: Russia's withdraw... Read More...

ASTRONOMICAL TRANSIENTS:SIMPLIFIER

Jun 01, 2024

WHAT IS AN ASTRONOMICAL TRANSIENT? An astronomical transient is any celestial object whose brightness changes rapidly over a short period. These objects are known for their violent and energetic phenomena. WHY ARE TRANSIENTS IMPORTANT? Astronomers study transients to understand the powerful processes behind their rapid brightness changes. This helps in understanding more stable astronomical events and the dynamics of the universe. EXAMPLES OF ASTRONOMI... Read More...

HEATWAVES SLOWING AND LASTING LONGER: SIMPLIFIER

Jun 01, 2024

WHAT IS HAPPENING? Heatwaves around the world are moving slower and lasting longer compared to previous decades. This change has significant impacts on human health, agriculture, and the environment. WHY ARE HEATWAVES SLOWING DOWN AND LASTING LONGER? Scientists found that the jet stream, a fast and narrow air current in the upper atmosphere, has become weaker. This weakening causes atmospheric waves to move more slowly, resulting in prolonged and sluggish heatwa... Read More...

THEATER COMMANDS IN THE INDIAN MILITARY SIMPLIFIER

Jun 01, 2024

What are theater commands? Theater commands are military structures where all forces (Army, Navy, Air Force) in a particular geographic area operate under a single commander. This unified command aims to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness in responding to security threats. Why is India implementing theater commands? India is moving towards theater commands to improve coordination and integration among its military branches. This approach ensures a more... Read More...

TRADE DEFICIT SIMPLIFIER WHAT IS A TRADE DEFICIT?

Jun 01, 2024

A trade deficit occurs when a country's imports exceed its exports. This means the country is buying more goods and services from other countries than it is selling to them. WHY DOES INDIA HAVE A TRADE DEFICIT WITH NINE OF ITS TOP TEN TRADING PARTNERS? India's trade deficit with countries like China, Russia, Singapore, and Korea is due to high import volumes of raw materials, machinery, electronics, and oil, which are essential for its economy. Despite efforts to boost exports, the value of imports continues to outstrip ... Read More...

BLOCKCHAIN IN INDIAN AGRICULTURE

Jun 01, 2024

What is Blockchain? Blockchain is a decentralized, distributed ledger technology that records transactions across multiple computers. It ensures that the recorded transactions cannot be altered retroactively, providing security, transparency, and trust. Key Features of Blockchain: • Decentralization: No single authority controls the data; it is distributed across multiple nodes. • Transparency: ... Read More...