UPSC Daily Current Affairs

SIMPLIFIER: INDIA’S HIGH ALTITUDE PLATFORMS (HAPs)

May 29, 2024

Pseudo-satellite What are High Altitude Platforms (HAPs)? HAPs are unmanned aerial vehicles that fly at altitudes of 18-20 km above the Earth. They perform functions similar to satellites, such as surveillance, imaging, and telecommunications, but at a lower cost. Why are HAPs important? HAPs offer advantages like lower costs, dynamic payload swapping, and can complement satellite services. They are useful for teleco... Read More...

Gargantuan Iceberg A-83 Calves Off Antarctica: SIMPLIFIER

May 29, 2024

What happened? A massive iceberg, named A-83, roughly four times the size of New Delhi, broke off from the Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica on May 20, 2024. How big is the iceberg? The iceberg covers an area of 380 square kilometers. What caused this event? The iceberg calved due to prolonged weakening of the ice at the McDonald Ice Rumples and the extension of a large crack known as the... Read More...

SIMPLIFIER: HEAT STRESS IN INDIAN CITIES

May 29, 2024

What is the issue with heat stress in Indian cities? A study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) found that heat waves are becoming deadlier in major Indian cities due to rising temperatures, increasing humidity, and urban expansion. Cities are no longer cooling down at night as much as they used to. Which cities were analyzed in the study? The study analyzed data from six major cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru, over a pe... Read More...

Cheetah Extinction in India: A Deep Dive

May 29, 2024

Historical Decline Cheetahs, once abundant across India's grasslands, faced a steep decline due to various factors. Overhunting by royalty and British colonizers for sport, coupled with habitat loss due to agricultural expansion and deforestation, led to their dwindling numbers. The last three cheetahs were shot in 1948, and the species was declared officially extinct in India in 1952. Project Cheetah: Revival Efforts To restore this lost heritage,... Read More...

SIMPLIFIER: HIGGS BOSON (GOD PARTICLE) AND INDIA’S CONNECTION

May 29, 2024

What is the Higgs boson? The Higgs boson, often called the “God Particle,” is a fundamental particle discovered in 2012 at CERN. It is crucial for understanding why other particles have mass. Why is it called the “God Particle”? The nickname “God Particle” was popularized by the media and comes from a book by physicist Leon Lederman. It highlights the particle’s importance in the Standard Model of particle physics. Read More...

SIMPLIFIER: ISRO’S CULTURE OF INNOVATION

May 28, 2024

What is ISRO’s approach to innovation? ISRO fosters a culture of innovation by setting ambitious yet measurable targets, embracing diversity, maintaining a balance between big-picture thinking and attention to detail, and tolerating failure. How does ISRO handle targets and goals? ISRO works on ambitious missions under extreme cost pressures. Targets are set high but are specific and measurable, keeping the team focused and motivated. Read More...

Global Traditional Medicine Centre in India

May 28, 2024

1. What is the Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GCTM)? The GCTM is a knowledge center established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Jamnagar, Gujarat, India. It aims to promote traditional medicine research, innovation, and integration with modern healthcare systems worldwide. 2. Why was India chosen as the location for the GCTM? India has a rich heritage of traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Sowa-Rigpa. The ... Read More...

Sowa-Rigpa (Traditional Tibetan Medicine)

May 28, 2024

1. What is Sowa-Rigpa? Sowa-Rigpa, also known as Tibetan medicine, is a traditional healing system practiced for centuries in Tibet, the Himalayas, Mongolia, and parts of Russia, India, and China. It emphasizes a holistic approach to health, incorporating herbal formulas, dietary changes, lifestyle modifications, and spiritual practices. 2. What are the fundamental principles of Sowa-Rigpa? Sowa-Rigpa is based on the understanding of three primary energies or humors... Read More...

CLIMATE CHANGE AND POLLINATORS: AN INDIAN PERSPECTIVE

May 28, 2024

Understanding the Basics What is Climate Change? Read More...

AstroSat: India's First Space Telescope

May 28, 2024

1. What is AstroSat? AstroSat is India's first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory. It observes celestial objects in different wavelengths, including X-rays, ultraviolet, and visible light, providing a comprehensive understanding of space phenomena. 2. What makes AstroSat unique? AstroSat's unique feature is its ability to observe different wavelengths of light simultaneously using a single satellite.This versatility sets it apart from other spa... Read More...

AGRI-TECH REVOLUTION IN INDIAN FARMING

May 28, 2024

SOUTH-SOUTH COOPERATION IN AFRICA’S AGRICULTURAL SECTOR

May 28, 2024

The demand for engaging India through its agriculture-related experience, capacity building, investment, and partnership is high among smaller organizations and enterprises in Africa. Enhancing Agricultural Value Chains Exciting developments were discussed in Nairobi at the 11th Sankalp Africa summit on scaling agricultural innovation through South-South collaboration. Attendees from across Africa gathered to explore solutions for their communities, with a focus on the success of Indian models in various countries. Key Focus Areas Read More...

SUPERHEAVY ELEMENTS:SIMPLIFIER

May 28, 2024

At the far end of the periodic table lies a realm where the rules of chemistry and physics seem to blur. This region begins with rutherfordium (atomic number 104) and includes elements like dubnium, seaborgium, bohrium, and extends to the heaviest element ever created, oganesson (element 118). These superheavy elements are unique as they do not occur naturally on Earth. Instead, they are synthesized in laboratories under extreme conditions. NATURE OF SUPERHEAVY ELEMENTS The nuclei of superheavy elements are extremely unstable, containing many protons and neutrons t... Read More...

SECURITY EXCEPTIONS AND TRADE NORMS IN WTO REFORMS

May 28, 2024

The economic and technological rivalry between the United States and China has notably impacted global trade norms, leading to a reevaluation of security measures within trade regulations. The World Trade Organization (WTO) is facing challenges in balancing national security interests with the principles of free trade, particularly under the stipulations of Article 21 of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 (GATT), which allows for security exceptions. Introduction to the WTO and GATT The World Trade Organization (WTO) is an international body th... Read More...

Synapses: The Brain's Communication Network

May 28, 2024

What are synapses? Synapses are the tiny gaps between neurons, the brain's specialized cells. They act as bridges, allowing electrical and chemical signals to pass from one neuron to another. This transmission of signals is essential for everything we do, from thinking and feeling to moving and learning. How do synapses work? When an electrical signal reaches the end of a neuron, it triggers the release of chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitt... Read More...