UPSC Daily Current Affairs

INVESTMENT STRATEGIES: INDIA-EFTA TRADE AGREEMENT

May 13, 2024

Frequently Asked Questions About Investment Lessons from the India-EFTA Trade Deal 1. What makes the India-EFTA Trade Agreement unique? Read More...

RAT-HOLE MINING IN MEGHALAYA

May 13, 2024

What is Rat-Hole Mining? Rat-hole mining is a method used primarily in the northeastern parts of India, like Meghalaya, where small tunnels are dug just large enough for a person to crawl through and extract coal. This form of mining is typically done manually by local workers. Causes of Rat-Hole Mining: 1. Economic Necessity: In re... Read More...

India's Defence: Achievements & Challenges in Self-Reliance

May 13, 2024

The Indian defence industry has seen significant reforms and progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership through initiatives like 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India). These initiatives aim to transform India from being the world’s largest arms importer to becoming a major exporter of defence equipment. Achievements of India’s Defence Industry: 1. Increase in Production and Exports: There has been a noticeable increase in dome... Read More...

VIBRANT VILLAGE PROGRAMME

May 13, 2024

1. What is the Vibrant Village Programme? The Vibrant Village Programme (VVP) is an initiative by the Indian government to improve connectivity and infrastructure in border villages along the China border. This includes the construction of roads and bridges to facilitate easier access and mobility. 2. Why was the VVP introduced? The VVP was introduced to p... Read More...

SOLAR STORMS AND THEIR EFFECTS

May 13, 2024

1. What is a solar storm? A solar storm occurs when the Sun emits a stream of charged particles into space, which can impact Earth. This phenomenon, often associated with periods of intense solar activity, includes events such as coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and solar flares. These storms are part of what scientists call space weather. 2. How do the Northern Lights occur? The Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, are caused by interactions b... Read More...

India's Concerns: China-Bangladesh Military Cooperation

May 13, 2024

1. Why is China-Bangladesh military cooperation of strategic concern to India? China's deepening military relationship with Bangladesh, characterized by arms sales, joint exercises, and strategic agreements, poses a direct challenge to India's influence in its immediate neighborhood. This cooperation is part of China's broader strategic ambitions in the Belt and Road Initiative, aiming to establish a significant presence in the Indian Ocean region. For India, this growing partnership represents a potential shif... Read More...

Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) INDIA

May 13, 2024

What is Kabil India? Kabil India, formally known as Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL), is a joint venture company formed by the Government of India. It involves three key government enterprises: National Aluminium Company Ltd. (NALCO), Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL), and Mineral Exploration & Consultancy Limited (MECL). The ownership is divided in a ratio of 40:30:30 among these entities. When was Kabil India incorporated? Kabil India was incorporat... Read More...

HIMALAYAN MAGPIES

May 13, 2024

1. What family do Himalayan magpies belong to? Himalayan magpies belong to the Corvidae family, which includes crows, jays, and ravens. This family is known for their intelligence, inquisitive nature, and vocal behavior. 2. Why are magpies associated with folklore? Magpies are often featured in folklore and myths as omens of fortune, both good and bad. For instance, an English rhyme suggests different numbers of magpies seen can predict different outcomes, from... Read More...

Solar Storm Sparks Rare Red Aurora in Ladakh

May 13, 2024

On May 11, 2024, a rare stable auroral red arc was observed in the skies over Ladakh at the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve, triggered by intense solar storms. This event was part of a broader occurrence of auroras across the northern hemisphere, linked to a series of strong solar flares from the sunspot AR13664. What is a Stable Auroral Red Arc (SAR)? A stable auroral red arc (SAR) is a type of aurora that appears as a steady red glow along the horizon. Unlike typical auroras, which are dynamic and const... Read More...

CAR T-CELL THERAPY

May 13, 2024

CAR T-cell therapy, or Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell therapy, is a form of immunotherapy that harnesses the body’s immune system to fight cancer. Here’s a simplified breakdown of how this therapy works and why it represents a significant advancement in cancer treatment: 1. What is CAR T-Cell Therapy? - Customized Treatment: CAR T-cell therapy involves reprogramming a patient’s T-cells (a type of white blood cell) ... Read More...

India's strategic port investments abroad

May 13, 2024

1. What is India's strategy with overseas port investments? India is adopting a strategy similar to China's earlier "string of pearls" by investing in strategic ports overseas. This is intended to enhance India's global strategic presence and maritime access. 2. Which countries has India invested in so far? India has secured investmen... Read More...

Granting legal ‘personhood’ to nature

May 11, 2024

What is the concept of granting legal ‘personhood’ to nature? The concept of granting legal ‘personhood’ to nature is an emerging idea that focuses on giving legal rights to nature. This concept allows persons to take legal action on behalf of natural ecosystems, as opposed to on behalf of people affected by environmental degradation. Ecosystems can become separate entities with their own agency, similar to other non-human entities such as charitable trusts and organizations. Read More...

Employment in India

May 11, 2024

Why has India’s economic growth rate slowed down in the last decade? India’s economic growth rate has slowed down due to three consecutive economic policy shocks which impacted job growth: the demonetisation of 86 per cent of India’s currency value in November 2016; the badly designed and poorly implemented national Goods and Services Tax in July 2017; and a very strict national lockdown after the COVID-19 pandemic struck in March 2020. What is needed for India to generate m... Read More...

Ancient Water Droplets in the Himalayas

May 11, 2024

Water droplets rapped in mineral deposits discovered in the Kumaon Himalayas: Q1: What did scientists discover in the Kumaon Himalayas? Scientists found water droplets trapped in mineral deposits that could be remnants of an ancient ocean dating back 600 million years. Q2: How could these water droplets help understand the evolution of complex life? The droplets could offer clues about th... Read More...

Bletchley Declaration on AI Safety (November 2023)

May 11, 2024

Q1: What is the Bletchley Declaration's core message? A1: The declaration calls for global collaboration to ensure Artificial Intelligence (AI) is developed and used safely, ethically, and for the benefit of all. Q2: Why is the international community concerned about AI safety? A2: AI's growing integration into daily life brings immense potential, but also risks like misuse, unintended consequences, and even catastrophic harm. Read More...