UPSC Daily Current Affairs

India's Top 10 Endangered Species: 2024

May 31, 2024

As we mark National Endangered Species Day today, it is crucial to recognize and act on the urgent need to protect endangered species in India. Here are the top 10 endangered species that are facing the threat of extinction and urgently need our protection. 1. Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus indicus) - Endangered Asian elephants, the largest land mammals in Asia, are culturally significant and play a crucial role in forest and grassland ecosystems. Their population has declined due to habitat fragmentation, human-wildlife conflicts,... Read More...

Birds of Nannaj, Maharashtra: Shrinking Grasslands Study

May 31, 2024

Q1: What specialist birds are declining in the Nannaj grasslands? A1: The specialist birds declining in the Nannaj grasslands include the great Indian bustard, red-necked falcon, and great grey shrike. Q2: Why has the great Indian bustard lost its seasonality in Nannaj? A2: The great Indian bustard has lost its seasonality due to near-local extinction, which is consistent with country-wide population declines. Read More...

HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA IN INDIA

May 31, 2024

Rapid Increase in Liver Cancers Among Indian Women Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of liver cancer, starting in the main type of liver cell called hepatocytes. A recent study found that liver cancers are increasing more rapidly among Indian women than men. The review, published in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hepatology, also identifies Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala, and Goa as new hotspots for HCC. SIMPLIFIER Read More...

India's Juvenile Justice: Structure, Strengths, Weaknesses

May 31, 2024

Legal Structure: - The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 - CrPC ( Criminal Procedure Code) - IPC (Indian Penal Code) Strengths: 1. Specialized approach: The JJ Act recognizes the need for a separate justice system for children, acknowledging their vulnerability and need for protection. 2. Rehabilitation focus: The Act emphasizes rehabilitation and reintegration of... Read More...

Consent and Compensation: Scarlett Johansson vs OpenAI

May 31, 2024

Background: On May 13th, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, announced GPT-4o, a new AI model that can interact with humans using voice, camera, and text. Key Issues: • Voice Imitation Example: Scarlett Johansson, a well-known actress, claimed her voice was used without her permission in the AI model Sky. • Compensation and Credit: There are no clear rules on how to pay or credit people when AI uses the... Read More...

NEW BASE YEAR FOR CPI AND IIP SET TO 2022-23

May 30, 2024

What is a Base Year? A base year is a reference year used for comparative analysis in economic studies. It serves as a benchmark for measuring changes in economic indicators, such as price levels (CPI) and industrial production (IIP... Read More...

COMPARISON : ICJ AND ICC

May 30, 2024

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FDI VS FPI – WHICH ONE IS BETTER?

May 30, 2024

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COST INFLATION INDEX FOR FY25

May 30, 2024

The Income Tax Department has announced the Cost Inflation Index (CII) for the financial year 2024-25 (FY25) at 363. The CII is a critical tool used for computing long-term capital gains on the sale of assets, such as immovable property, securities, and jewelry, by adjusting the purchase price to reflect current inflation. UNDERSTANDING THE COST INFLATION INDEX (CII) The CII is based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of the preceding year. It adjusts the purchase price of assets to account for inflation, ensuring that taxpaye... Read More...

WIPO TREATY:THE SIGNIFICANCE for INDIA AND THE GLOBAL SOUTH

May 30, 2024

On May 24, 2024, a historic treaty was concluded at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) headquarters in Geneva, marking a significant achievement for India and the Global South. This treaty focuses on the protection of genetic resources (GRs) and associated traditional knowledge (ATK), providing a robust safeguard against their misappropriation by developed countries and multinational corporations. KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TREATY 1. Protection of Genetic Resources and Traditional Knowledge: The t... Read More...

NATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING AUTHORITY (NFRA)

May 30, 2024

What Is NFRA? • The National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) is an independent regulator overseeing the auditing profession and Indian Accounting Standards. • It was established under the Companies Act 2013 and began operations in October 2018. Responsibilities: • Recommending accounting and auditing policies and standards in India. • Investigating auditors and audit firms. • Imposing ... Read More...

ISRO:LVM3 COMMERCIALISATION INITIATIVE

May 30, 2024

What Is LVM3? • LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-III) is ISRO’s most powerful rocket, used in Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3 missions. • It can carry up to 4-tonne satellites to geostationary orbit and 8-tonne satellites to lower earth orbits. What Is the Commercialisation Plan? • ISRO’s commercial arm, New Space India Limited (NSIL), has invited private firms to manufacture LVM3. • The collaboration will last ... Read More...

GAPING GILL CAVE SYSTEM

May 30, 2024

What Is Gaping Gill? • Gaping Gill is one of the longest and most complex cave systems in the UK, located in the Yorkshire Dales near Ingleborough. • The main shaft is about 365 feet (111 meters) deep, equivalent to the height of St Paul’s Cathedral. What Is Happening This Weekend? • The Bradford Pothole Club is offering the public a chance to be winched down into the cave system from May 25 to 31. &bul... Read More...

WTO AND US–CHINA CLEAN ENERGY DISPUTE

May 30, 2024

What Is the US–China Clean Energy Dispute? • The dispute involves competition between the United States and China in the clean energy sector. • China challenged the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) at the World Trade Organization (WTO). Why Is This Important? • Both the US and China are leading economies and major investors in clean energy. • Their competition impacts global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emi... Read More...

LOAM SOIL:SIMPLIFIER

May 30, 2024

Loam soil is considered the ideal soil type for gardening and agriculture due to its balanced texture and nutrient content. Here’s a comprehensive look at its characteristics, benefits, and uses. Characteristics of Loam Soil: • Composition: Loam soil is a mixture of approximately 40% sand, 40% silt, and 20% clay. • Texture: It has a crumbly texture that retains moisture while allowing good drainage. • Nu... Read More...