UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Range Shifting” and Peacocks: Climate Change

Oct 18, 2024

Range Shifting” and Peacocks: Climate Change 1. What is range shifting, and why are peacocks moving to higher altitudes? Range shifting refers to the movement of species to new habitats, often at higher altitudes or latitudes, as their original habitats become less suitable. Peacocks, which are typically found at 1,600 feet, have been observed at 6,500 feet in Uttarakhand, possibly due to changes in temperature and habitat conditions. 2. What role does climate change play in this shift? Climate change has led to warmer temperatures even at higher elevations, making these areas more suitable fo... Read More...

Sati:Legal Prohibition and Constitutional Safeguards for Women’s Dignity

Oct 18, 2024

Sati:Legal Prohibition and Constitutional Safeguards for Women’s Dignity 1. What is the Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987? The Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987, is a central legislation enacted after the Roop Kanwar incident in Rajasthan. This Act criminalizes the practice of Sati across India (excluding Jammu and Kashmir at the time of enactment). It overrides Exception 5 to Section 300 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which previously allowed voluntary death in certain cases, ensuring stricter penalties for attempts to commit or abet Sati. 2. What punishments are prescribed under the Commission of S... Read More...

Hurricane Helene & Milton:Why Are Hurricanes Getting More Intense

Oct 18, 2024

Hurricane Helene & Milton:Why Are Hurricanes Getting More Intense? 1. Why are hurricanes becoming more intense recently? Hurricanes are becoming more intense due to rising sea surface temperatures. Warmer oceans release more water vapor, providing additional energy that fuels the formation and intensification of storms. This is a direct result of climate change and global warming, which have been heating the oceans more rapidly in recent decades. 2. How does climate change impact hurricanes? Climate change amplifies the effects of hurricanes by increasing ocean temperatures and air moisture... Read More...

Sati: It’s Historical Practice in India

Oct 18, 2024

Sati: It’s Historical Practice in India 1. What is Sati, and how did it originate in India? Sati refers to the ancient practice where a Hindu widow would immolate herself on her husband’s funeral pyre, supposedly to accompany him into the afterlife. The origins of Sati are believed to date back to Brahmanical India, a few centuries before Christ, though the practice is not explicitly mentioned in Dharmashastras or Manusmriti. Some epigraphic evidence from the Gupta era and historical accounts of Jauhar by Rajput women in Chittor provide insights into its occurrence. 2. Who were key figures in the abolition of S... Read More...

National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal

Oct 18, 2024

National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal The National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) is an ambitious project under development near Lothal, an ancient maritime site in Gujarat, India. This complex aims to showcase India’s rich maritime history, from the Indus Valley Civilization to modern times. The complex is part of the Sagar Mala initiative, overseen by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways . Key Features of the NMHC 1. Museum and Galleries: The complex will include multiple galleries, with exhibits focusing on various eras of Indian maritime history, including the Harappan era, India&rsquo... Read More...

Living Planet Report and Living Planet Index Show 73% Decline

Oct 18, 2024

Living Planet Report and Living Planet Index Show 73% Decline What is the Living Planet Report? The Living Planet Report is a biennial publication by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) that assesses the health of the planet's wildlife populations and the threats they face. What is the Living Planet Index (LPI)? The LPI, provided by the Zoological Society of London, is a key indicator used in the report. It tracks the average population trends of thousands of vertebrate species (mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians) around the world. What does the 2024 L... Read More...

Fortified and Free: India's Rice Enrichment Program for a Healthier Nation

Oct 18, 2024

Fortified and Free: India's Rice Enrichment Program for a Healthier Nation What is fortified rice? Fortified rice is regular rice with a nutritional boost! It's made by adding essential micronutrients that are often missing in people's diets. Think of it as giving rice a vitamin pill. What micronutrients are added? The key micronutrients added to fortified rice are: Iron: Helps prevent anemia, which can cause fatigue and weakness. Folic Acid: Important for cell ... Read More...

RBI's Climate Risk Data Hub: RB-CRIS

Oct 18, 2024

RBI's Climate Risk Data Hub: RB-CRIS FAQs What is climate risk? Climate risk refers to the potential negative impacts of climate change on businesses, the economy, and the environment. This includes things like extreme weather events (floods, droughts, heatwaves), rising sea levels, and changes in agricultural yields. Why is climate risk data important? Assessing vulnerability: Helps businesses and financial institutions understand how vulnerable they are to climate change impacts. Making informed decisions: Allows for bet... Read More...

GENERAL ESSAY:IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD

Oct 18, 2024

GENERAL ESSAY:IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD The African proverb “It takes a village to raise a child” captures the idea that the upbringing of a child is not solely the responsibility of parents but involves the community’s collective support and care. This African proverb speaks to the fundamental role that the broader society plays in fostering the growth, development, and well-being of children. In modern contexts, this saying is more relevant than ever, as the complexities of raising children have increased with societal changes, technological advancements, and diverse family structures. This discussion explores the meaning of the phrase, its implic... Read More...

India's Mental Health Crisis: The Price of Progress

Oct 18, 2024

India's Mental Health Crisis: The Price of Progress? Beyond Materialism: Rethinking the "Good Life" for Mental Well-being in India What is the current state of mental health in India? India is facing a surge in mental health disorders. According to The Lancet Psychiatry Commission, over 197 million people in India suffer from conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. This indicates a significant public health challenge. What are the factors contributing to this mental health crisis? Socio-political climate: The pressur... Read More...

Act East Policy: One Decade- India Strengthens Ties with ASEAN Amid Regional Challenges

Oct 18, 2024

Act East Policy: One Decade- India Strengthens Ties with ASEAN Amid Regional Challenges What is the Act East Policy? It's India's strategy to build stronger political, economic, and cultural ties with countries in Southeast Asia.It goes beyond Asean and embraces Australia,New Zealand,South Korea and Japan.Strategic relations are an important part of it. It was launched in 2014, building on the earlier "Look East Policy." Why is the Act East Policy important for India? Economic growth: Southeast Asia is a dynamic region with growing economies. Stronger ties can... Read More...

Food Inflation and Farmers’ Incomes:Explaining the Gap

Oct 18, 2024

Food Inflation and Farmers’ Incomes:Explaining the Gap 1. Why do farmers receive lower returns for vegetables like tomato, onion, and potato? Farmers cultivating TOP (Tomato, Onion, Potato) crops receive a smaller share of the consumer price, ranging from 31% to 43%. A significant portion of the price paid by consumers is absorbed by middlemen and retailers. Factors like seasonal price volatility, lack of adequate storage facilities, and reliance on intermediaries further reduce the income of these farmers. 2. How do dairy and poultry farmers fare in comparison? Dairy and poultry farmers get a... Read More...

Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and Deforestation Rules (EUDR): India and EU

Oct 18, 2024

Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and Deforestation Rules (EUDR): India and EU What is the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)? CBAM is a carbon tariff imposed by the EU on imports of carbon-intensive goods like cement, steel, and aluminum. It aims to prevent "carbon leakage," where companies relocate production to countries with less stringent climate policies to avoid carbon costs within the EU. How does CBAM work? Targets carbon-intensive imports: Focuses on goods like cement, steel, aluminum, fertilizers, electricity, and hydrogen. Read More...

Classical language:The New Criteria 2024

Oct 17, 2024

Classical language:The New Criteria 2024 What is a classical language? A classical language is an official language of India that meets certain criteria set by the government. These languages are typically ancient, have a rich literary tradition, and are considered to be valuable heritage by generations of speakers. What are the criteria for a language to be declared classical? The criteria have evolved over time. Initially, a language needed to have: High antiquity: Early texts and recorded history over 1500-2000 years. Ancient literature:... Read More...

Reserve Bank of India and Currency Swap Facility for SAARC

Oct 17, 2024

Reserve Bank of India and Currency Swap Facility for SAARC Currency Swaps A central bank currency swap involves one central bank providing its currency to another in exchange for the second bank's currency. This swap includes an agreement to reverse the transaction later.Imagine the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) wants to lend a helping hand to Sri Lanka, whose currency is the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). They decide to do a currency swap: Exchange: The RBI gives Sri Lanka's central bank a certain amount of Indian Rupees (INR), say ₹100 crore. In return, Sri Lanka gives the RBI an equival... Read More...