UPSC Daily Current Affairs

THE APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS

Apr 26, 2024

What are the Appalachian Mountains? The Appalachian Mountains, often simply called the Appalachians, are an extensive mountain range that spans the eastern part of North America, from Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada to Alabama in the United States. They are among the oldest mountain ranges in the world. How were the Appalachian Mountains formed? Read More...

Vardhaman Mahaveer: The Founder of Jainism

Apr 26, 2024

1. Was Vardhaman Mahaveer the founder of Jainism? No, Mahaveer was not the founder of Jainism but a reformer of the existing Jain teachings that were earlier propagated by Parshwanath, the 23rd Tirthankara. He played a crucial role in revitalizing and reshaping the religion into what it is known today. 2. What are the core teachings of Vardhaman Mahaveer? Mahaveer’s teac... Read More...

COLUMNAR BASALT FORMATIONS

Apr 26, 2024

What are columnar basalts? Columnar basalts are unique geological formations consisting of tall, hexagonal columns formed from cooling and cracking of basaltic lava. These columns are typically uniform in size and are vertically oriented. How are columnar basalts formed? These formations occur when basaltic lava flow cools and contracts. As th... Read More...

MONETARY POLICY TRANSMISSION

Apr 26, 2024

1. What is monetary policy transmission? Monetary policy transmission refers to the process by which monetary policy decisions (like changes in interest rates or reserve requirements) affect the economy and price levels. This includes influencing variables such as investment, consumption, employment, and inflation through various channels like bank lending, asset prices, and exchange rates. 2. What is the policy repo rate? The policy repo rate is the interes... Read More...

WHY NASA IS ESTABLISHING A TIME ZONE ON THE MOON

Apr 26, 2024

NASA’s initiative to establish a standard time zone on the moon, named Coordinated Lunar Time (CLT), is driven by practical needs for space exploration and operations. The United States Office of Science and Technology Policy has directed this effort to aid missions on the lunar surface and in cislunar space—the area within the moon’s orbit. ► Purpose and Necessity of a Lunar Time Zone The development of a... Read More...

GLYCEMIC INDEX OF DIETS

Apr 26, 2024

1. What is the Glycemic Index (GI)? The Glycemic Index is a system that ranks foods based on how quickly they raise blood glucose levels. Foods are scored on a scale from 0 to 100. High GI foods score over 70 and lead to quicker spikes in blood sugar, whereas low GI foods score under 55 and result in a slower release of glucose into the bloodstream. 2. What is Glycemic Load (GL)? Read More...

Solar Flares: Sun Explosions and Earthly Impact

Apr 26, 2024

What is a solar flare? A solar flare is a significant explosion on the Sun, caused by the sudden release of energy from twisted magnetic fields, typically found above sunspots. This explosion heats solar material to millions of degrees and generates a burst of radiation across the electromagnetic spectrum, including radio waves, X-rays, and gamma rays. How are solar flares classified?... Read More...

Soil Microbiomes: Good, Bad, and the Need for Protection

Apr 26, 2024

What are soil microbiomes? Soil microbiomes consist of communities of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and archaea, that inhabit the soil. These microbiomes are essential for maintaining environmental stability and supporting terrestrial life. How do soil microbiomes benefit the environment? Soil microbiomes contribute to several critical ecosyst... Read More...

China's Major Cities Are Sinking: Key Causes and Impacts

Apr 26, 2024

1. Why are many of China’s major cities sinking? The sinking, or subsidence, of land in China’s major cities is primarily due to groundwater depletion. Other factors include the weight of urban structures, transport systems, and underground mining activities. 2. Which areas in China are most affected by subsidence? Subsidence is impacting both coastal and inland cities across C... Read More...

Priyamvada Natarajan: Astrophysicist on TIME's 100 List

Apr 26, 2024

1. What is gravitational lensing? Gravitational lensing is a phenomenon where the gravity of a massive object, like a galaxy or a black hole, bends the path of light passing near it. This effect can magnify and distort the light from objects behind it, helping astronomers study very distant and faint celestial bodies. 2. How do black holes form? Black holes traditionally were thought to form f... Read More...

Gukesh Dommaraju: Chess Prodigy and FIDE Winner

Apr 26, 2024

Gukesh Dommaraju is considered the next big star of chess for several reasons: 1. Youngest Winner of FIDE Candidates Tournament: At the age of 17, Gukesh became the youngest ever to win the prestigious FIDE Candidates Tournament in 2024. This tournament is one of the toughest in the chess world, and winning it is a significant achievement. 2. Second Indian Winner: Gukesh is only the second Indian, after Viswanathan Ana... Read More...

Mission ISHAN: India's Unified Airspace Management

Apr 26, 2024

What is Mission ISHAN? Mission ISHAN refers to the Indian Single Sky Harmonized Air Traffic Management system. It is a strategic initiative to unify India’s four regional airspaces into a single managed airspace, controlled from Nagpur. This will help streamline operations across the entire country. How will Mission ISHAN benefit airlines and passengers? Read More...

ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA: EVOLUTION AND ROLE

Apr 26, 2024

1. What is the Election Commission of India (ECI)? The ECI is a constitutional body established on January 25, 1950, tasked with administering election processes in India. It ensures free and fair elections for the Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and various other elections mandated by the Constitution. 2. How has the ECI evolved since the first general election? Read More...

GREEN CREDIT PROGRAMME (GCP): Explained

Apr 26, 2024

1. What is the Green Credit Programme? The Green Credit Programme (GCP) is a market-based initiative launched by India’s Environment Ministry in October 2023 as part of Mission Life. It aims to promote sustainability by incentivizing voluntary environmental conservation efforts such as afforestation, water conservation, air pollution control, waste management, and mangrove conservation. Participants, including individuals, organizations, and companies, can earn &lsquo... Read More...

INDIA-MAURITIUS: AGALÉGA ISLAND

Apr 26, 2024

What is Agaléga Island's significance in the India-Mauritius relationship? Agaléga Island, a remote part of Mauritius, has gained strategic importance due to its location in the Indian Ocean. The island serves as a focal point for India-Mauritius collaboration, aiming to enhance maritime capabilities and infrastructural development. This partnership underscores the strong ties and mutual strategic interests between India and Mauritius. Read More...