UPSC Daily Current Affairs

SUKANYA SHANTHA V. UNION OF INDIA (2024):SUPREME COURT RULES AGAINST CASTE-BASED DISCRIMINATION IN PRISONS

Oct 15, 2024

SUKANYA SHANTHA V. UNION OF INDIA (2024):SUPREME COURT RULES AGAINST CASTE-BASED DISCRIMINATION IN PRISONS 1. What was the primary focus of the Supreme Court’s judgment in Sukanya Shantha v. Union of India (2024)? The Supreme Court's judgment focused on addressing caste-based discrimination within prisons. It declared that segregating prisoners based on caste hierarchy, assigning work according to caste, and treating inmates from de-notified tribes as habitual offenders violate fundamental human dignity and are unconstitutional. 2. What changes did the court direct regarding prison manuals? ... Read More...

Northeast Monsoon in India

Oct 15, 2024

Northeast Monsoon in India 1. What is the Northeast Monsoon? The northeast monsoon, occurring from October to December, marks a significant climatic phase for India, particularly affecting its southeastern coast. Unlike the more extensive southwest monsoon, this phenomenon is characterized by winds that reverse direction and blow from the northeast, gathering moisture from the Bay of Bengal and delivering it primarily to Tamil Nadu, coastal Andhra Pradesh, and parts of Kerala and Karnataka. 2. How does the Northeast Monsoon form? This monsoon's formation is influenced by several climatic shifts that... Read More...

KAKATIYA DYNASTY’S WATER MANAGEMENT AND ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING

Oct 15, 2024

KAKATIYA DYNASTY’S WATER MANAGEMENT AND ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING 1. Who were the Kakatiyas, and why are they known for their water management systems? The Kakatiya dynasty ruled parts of present-day Telangana and Andhra Pradesh from the 12th to the 14th century. They are best known for their contributions to sustainable water management through the construction of tanks, reservoirs, and stepwells. In an arid region with low rainfall, the Kakatiyas prioritized water conservation and irrigation, which helped support agriculture and urban development. 2. What were the key architectural features of the stepwells built by the Ka... Read More...

NAI TALIM-GANDHI’S EDUCATION POLICY AND NEP 2020

Oct 03, 2024

NAI TALIM-GANDHI’S EDUCATION POLICY AND NEP 2020 1. What was Gandhi’s approach to education? Gandhi emphasized Nai Talim, a holistic approach to education that combined intellectual, physical, and ethical development. He believed in education through crafts, where students would learn by doing productive work, integrating practical skills with academic subjects. His education model was rooted in self-reliance and community living, promoting values of equality, non-violence, and simplicity. 2. What are the key principles of Gandhi’s Nai Talim? • Basic Education: Read More...

BABA AMTE: THE CHAMPION OF PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM LEPROSY

Oct 15, 2024

BABA AMTE: THE CHAMPION OF PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM LEPROSY 1. Who was Baba Amte, and where was he born? Baba Amte, born Murlidhar Devidas Amte on December 26, 1914, was a renowned social activist and humanitarian, best known for his work with leprosy patients. He was born in Hinganghat, a city in the Wardha district of Maharashtra. Despite his privileged upbringing, he dedicated his life to serving marginalized communities. 2. What were the early influences that shaped Baba Amte’s social consciousness? Although he grew up in a wealthy family with colonial ties, Baba Amte was acutely aware of social inequality f... Read More...

ECOMARK RULES 2024: EVERYTHING THAT AN ASPIRANT SHOULD KNOW

Oct 15, 2024

ECOMARK RULES 2024: EVERYTHING THAT AN ASPIRANT SHOULD KNOW 1. What is Ecomark? Ecomark is a government-led certification for environmentally friendly products in India. It is part of the Ecomark Rules, 2024, recently notified by the Ministry of Environment, which define guidelines for labeling products that are less harmful to the environment. 2. Why is Ecomark important? Ecomark aims to promote the use of products that have a lower impact on the environment. It encourages sustainable consumption, resource efficiency, and supports the principles of LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment). The label also aims to reduce mi... Read More...

Greening’ of Antarctica and Arctic

Oct 15, 2024

Greening’ of Antarctica and Arctic 1. Why is vegetation spreading in Antarctica? Antarctica’s vegetation, mainly mosses, is expanding due to global warming, which has caused a significant rise in temperatures. Since 1986, the plant cover has increased dramatically as milder, wetter conditions allow mosses to thrive on the Antarctic Peninsula. 2. What has satellite data revealed about the Antarctic peninsula? Satellite data showed that the plant-covered area grew from less than 1 sq km in 1986 to almost 12 sq km by 2021. The most rapid expansion occurred after 2016, linked to the decreasing sea ice... Read More...

DEFAMATION LAWS IN INDIA:ARTICLE 19(1)(a)& ARTICLE 21

Oct 14, 2024

DEFAMATION LAWS IN INDIA:ARTICLE 19(1)(a)& ARTICLE 21 1. What is defamation in the context of Indian law? Defamation in Indian law is an act of damaging someone's reputation through false statements either spoken (slander) or written (libel). It is considered a criminal offense under sections 499 to 502 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860. 2. What are the key components required to establish defamation? To establish defamation, there must be: A false statement made to a third party. Intent or knowledge that the statement will likely harm the reputation of the person. Read More...

ASSAM's 'TEA TRIBES

Oct 14, 2024

ASSAM's 'TEA TRIBES' 1. Who are the 'tea tribes' of Assam? The 'tea tribes' in Assam consist of descendants from various tribal and caste groups who were brought as indentured laborers to work in tea estates during the British colonial period, specifically between 1860 and 1890. These communities primarily came from regions that are now part of Jharkhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh. Key tribes among them include the Santhal, Kurukh (Oraon), Munda, and Gond. 2. What is the current social status of the 'tea tribes'? Presently, the 'tea tribes' are classified as Ot... Read More...

Index of Core Industries (ICI):Contraction for the First Time in Years

Oct 14, 2024

Index of Core Industries (ICI):Contraction for the First Time in Years Synopsis: India's core industries, which are crucial for the economy, experienced a slowdown in August 2024. Output fell for most sectors, with overall production growth dropping to its lowest point in almost a decade. This slowdown is a concern, but it's important to remember that these industries don't all contribute equally to the overall index. FAQs: What are core industries? These are the basic industries essential for the economy, including coal,... Read More...

STATE FOOD SAFETY INDEX (SFSI) 2023-24: SIMPLIFIER

Oct 14, 2024

STATE FOOD SAFETY INDEX (SFSI) 2023-24: SIMPLIFIER 1. What is the State Food Safety Index (SFSI)? The State Food Safety Index (SFSI) is an annual benchmarking model developed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to evaluate and rank the performance of States and Union Territories (UTs) on key food safety parameters. It was introduced in 2019 to promote healthy competition and improve food safety standards across the country. 2. What are the parameters used to evaluate the states? States and UTs are evaluated on five parameters: 1. Human Resources and Institutional Data 2... Read More...

CYBER SLAVERY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA: INDIANS TRAPPED ABROAD – FAQs

Oct 14, 2024

CYBER SLAVERY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA: INDIANS TRAPPED ABROAD – FAQs 1. What is ‘cyber slavery’? ‘Cyber slavery’ refers to a modern form of exploitation where individuals are lured under false pretenses—often with promises of high-paying jobs abroad. Once they arrive in countries like Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, or Vietnam, their passports and travel documents are seized, and they are forced into illegal activities such as running online scams, cyber fraud, or cryptocurrency schemes. Victims are made to target others online, often through creating fake investment platforms or fraudulent websites. 2. ... Read More...

PUSA-2090: STUBBLE BURNING REDUCED WITH THIS RICE VARIETY

Oct 14, 2024

PUSA-2090: STUBBLE BURNING REDUCED WITH THIS RICE VARIETY 1. What Is Pusa-2090? Pusa-2090 is a new rice variety developed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI). It yields almost as much as the popular Pusa-44 variety but has the key advantage of maturing earlier, allowing farmers to harvest it by mid-October. This earlier harvest gives farmers more time to prepare their fields for the next crop, such as wheat, without the need for stubble burning. 2. Why Is Early Harvest Important? Early harvest is important because it provides farmers with extra time to clear the fields before sowing the next crop, ... Read More...

GLOBAL CAPABILITY CENTRES (GCCs): ALL THAT AN ASPIRANT SHOULD KNOW

Oct 14, 2024

GLOBAL CAPABILITY CENTRES (GCCs): ALL THAT AN ASPIRANT SHOULD KNOW 1. What Are Global Capability Centres (GCCs)? GCCs are strategic hubs established by multinational companies to manage high-value functions like research & development (R&D), product development, and global business operations. These centres are critical for driving innovation, offering operational efficiencies, and adding significant value to companies. 2. How Do GCCs Contribute to Employment in India? India hosts over 1,700 GCCs, employing nearly 1.9 million people across key cities such as Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad, and Chennai. These ce... Read More...

PARAM RUDRA SUPERCOMPUTERS AND HPC SYSTEM: SIMPLIFIER

Oct 14, 2024

PARAM RUDRA SUPERCOMPUTERS AND HPC SYSTEM: SIMPLIFIER 1. What is the PARAM Rudra Supercomputer? PARAM Rudra is an indigenously developed supercomputer, created under India’s National Supercomputing Mission (NSM). It is part of the “Make in India” initiative aimed at boosting the country’s scientific research and innovation capabilities. The supercomputer has been installed in Pune, Delhi, and Kolkata for advanced scientific research in various fields. 2. What is the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM)? The NSM is an initiative by the Indian government to develop and enhance the country&rsq... Read More...