UPSC Daily Current Affairs

DECLINE OF WORLD’S RANGELANDS: WHY IT MATTERS

May 27, 2024

ABOUT HALF OF THE WORLD’S RANGELANDS ARE DEGRADED A recent report by the United Nations Convention on Combating Desertification (UNCCD) has highlighted the alarming degradation of rangelands across the globe. These natural or semi-natural ecosystems, vital for livestock and wild animals, cover over half of Earth’s terrestrial surface area, including about 1.21 million square kilometers in India. Key Findings... Read More...

The Collapse of Empires: Climate, Pandemics, Migration

May 27, 2024

How did environmental stress contribute to the fall of the Gupta Empire? The Gupta Empire faced environmental stress from volcanic eruptions around 536 CE, leading to catastrophic global cooling. This caused longer winters, failing harvests, and stressed revenue systems. The resulting reduced immunity caused pandemics, and migration and wars disrupted trade, contributing to the empire’s collapse. What role did climate change play in the collapse of the Chola Empire? Read More...

CHINA’S SOUTH CHINA SEA STRATEGY AND PHILIPPINE RESISTANCE

May 27, 2024

What is the Second Thomas Shoal and why is it significant? The Second Thomas Shoal is a contested area in the South China Sea, central to the dispute between China and the Philippines. It has become a flashpoint due to China’s strategic activities and efforts to assert control through ‘grey zone’ tactics. What are ‘grey zone’ activities? ‘Grey zone’ activities refer to covert, non-military tactics used to achieve strategic g... Read More...

INDIA’S ROADMAP TO NET ZERO EMISSIONS

May 27, 2024

India views the journey to net zero as a significant opportunity for infrastructure development and employment over the next 50 years. However, the growing carbon footprint is a concern, with emissions expected to peak between 2040 and 2045. To reach net zero emissions by 2070, India must implement substantial changes in its economy, including: 1. Increasing Renewable Energy: • Solar and wind installations need to increase 70-fold. • Building infrastructure to support green hydrogen produ... Read More...

AI AGENTS: A NEW ERA OF INTERACTIVE INTELLIGENCE

May 27, 2024

What Are AI Agents? AI agents are advanced AI systems capable of engaging in real-time, multi-modal interactions with humans. Unlike traditional voice assistants like Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant, AI agents can process and respond to a variety of inputs, including voice, images, and environmental sensors. This capability allows for more natural and immersive interactions. Key Features and Capabilities: • Multimodal Interaction: AI agents ca... Read More...

SRIRAM'S CIVIL SERVICES UPDATE: THE HINDU TODAY

May 27, 2024

1. United Nations General Assembly Vote on Palestine - The UN General Assembly voted in favor of Palestine's bid to become a full UN member. The resolution received strong support, urging the Security Council to consider Palestine’s membership favorably. 2. India's Support for Two-State Solution at the United Nations - India reaffirmed its commitment to a Two-State solution at the UN, supp... Read More...

BIMSTEC CHARTER AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE

May 27, 2024

What is BIMSTEC? The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a regional organization established in 1997. It includes seven member countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Thailand, Myanmar, and India. The organization aims to foster technical and economic cooperation among its members. Read More...

FORM 17C DATA DEBATE

May 27, 2024

Background: The Supreme Court is set to hear a petition seeking the Election Commission of India (ECI) to upload polling station-wise voter turnout data on its website within 48 hours of the conclusion of each phase of the Lok Sabha elections. This request comes amidst concerns over discrepancies in voter turnout data. Why Publish Form 17C Data? For... Read More...

China-Russia Relationship: Implications for India's Strategy

May 27, 2024

Background: Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin have a strong and growing partnership, highlighted during their summit in Beijing in May 2024. Their relationship is described as having "no limits" and is significant not just for them, but for the entire world, including India. Read More...

Demystifying Form 17C: Understanding its Role in Elections

May 27, 2024

What is Form 17C? Form 17C is a document used in Indian elections to record the number of votes cast at each polling station. Purpose: - Vote Counting: It provides an official account of the votes recorded in each Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). - Verification: Helps in verifying and cross-checking t... Read More...

Financial Crimes in Cambodia & Neighbors

May 24, 2024

What are Financial Crimes? Financial crimes refer to illegal acts committed with the intent of obtaining a financial gain. These crimes can be perpetrated by individuals, groups, or organized crime syndicates and typically involve fraud, theft, or deception. Common types of financial crimes include: 1. Digital Arrest Scams: Fraudsters falsely claim that the victim’s digital activities have led to an arrest warrant, demanding payment to ... Read More...

UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY VOTE ON PALESTINE

May 24, 2024

1. What was the recent UNGA vote about? The UN General Assembly (UNGA) voted overwhelmingly in favor of supporting Palestine’s bid to become a full UN member. The resolution, which received 143 votes in favor including India , 9 against (including the US and Israel), and 25 abstentions, recognizes Palestine as qualified to join the UN and recommends that the UN Security Council reconsider the matter favorably. 2. What are the implications of this resolutio... Read More...

DU BOIS AND HIS VISION OF DEMOCRACY

May 24, 2024

W.E.B. Du Bois, a prominent African American sociologist, historian, and civil rights activist, had a profound vision of democracy that extended beyond mere political structures. Du Bois envisioned a democracy deeply rooted in equality, justice, and the full participation of all individuals, regardless of race or class. Key Elements of Du Bois’s Vision of Democracy: 1. Equality: Du Bois emphasized the need for genuine equality, where all citizens, particularly African Americans, would have equal opportunities and rights. He believed t... Read More...

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR INDUSTRIAL WORKERS (CPI-IW)

May 24, 2024

Introduction to CPI-IW: The Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) measures the relative changes in retail prices of a fixed basket of goods and services consumed by industrial workers. This index is crucial for regulating wages and dearness allowance for millions of workers and employees in India. It also helps in measuring inflation and formulating policies. History and Base Years: - 1944 to 1949: Initial compilation of CPI-IW. - 1949 to 1960: Revised bas... Read More...

RBI'S DIVIDEND TO THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA:SIMPLIFIER

May 24, 2024

Understanding the Dividend: A dividend is a portion of a company's or organization's profits distributed to its shareholders. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), which functions as the central bank of the country, also generates profits (surplus)from various operations and distributes a portion of these profits as a dividend to the Government of India. How RBI Makes a Profit: The RBI makes profits through several channels: 1. Interest... Read More...