UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Synthetic Human Embryos: Science and Ethics

Apr 23, 2024

What are synthetic human embryos? Synthetic human embryos, also referred to as "embryo models," are structures created in a laboratory that resemble early-stage human embryos. They are not generated from the traditional fertilization of an egg by sperm but are instead developed from stem cells. Read More...

Bioink Basics

Apr 23, 2024

Bioink is a substance made from natural or synthetic polymers that are used for 3D printing of organ-like structures, which could revolutionize patient care and drug testing. These inks are designed to be biocompatible and support the growth of living cells, aiding in cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. ... Read More...

CSAT Practice

Apr 23, 2024

Question Consider the following matrix: Read More...

Natural Hydrogen and Its Discovery

Apr 23, 2024

1. What is natural hydrogen? Natural hydrogen refers to hydrogen that is produced through natural geological processes rather than manufactured industrially. It occurs in several environments and is often found seeping from the ground in specific geological settings. Read More...

CAVES:WORLD'S LARGEST, LONGEST, AND DEEPEST

Apr 23, 2024

1. What is the world’s largest cave by volume? Hang Son Doong in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Vietnam, is the largest cave by volume, measuring approximately 38.5 million cubic meters. It was discovered by a local logger in 1990 and contains its own underground rainforests and enormous cave formations. 2. Which cave holds the record for being the longes... Read More...

ANTARCTICA: BRUNT ICE SHELF CALVING EVENT

Apr 22, 2024

1. What is the Brunt Ice Shelf? The Brunt Ice Shelf is a large floating sheet of ice located on the eastern side of the Weddell Sea in Antarctica. It is adjacent to the Antarctic Peninsula, which is on the opposite side of the Weddell Sea. 2. What recently happened at the Brunt Ice Shelf? In January 2023, a significant sectio... Read More...

Northern Lights: Mysteries & Marvels

Apr 22, 2024

1. What are the Northern Lights? The Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis, are a natural light display in the Earth's sky, predominantly seen in high-latitude regions around the Arctic and Antarctic. They are caused by the interaction between the Earth's magnetic field and charged particles from the sun. 2. Where can you see the Northern Lights? ... Read More...

GIFT SEZ & IFSCA: Gujarat's Global Financial Hub

Apr 22, 2024

1. What is GIFT SEZ and its significance? Gujarat International Finance Tech-city (GIFT) SEZ is India's first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) under the Special Economic Zone Act of 2005. It is designed to be a global hub for financial... Read More...

Manual Scavenging in India:Laws and Rulings

Apr 22, 2024

What is manual scavenging? Manual scavenging is the practice where individuals manually clean, carry, dispose of, or handle human excreta from dry latrines and sewers. It's a dehumanizing practice that has been legally banned in India due to its severe health risks and violation of human dignity. What laws are in place to combat manual scavenging in India? India has enacted several law... Read More...

Global Public Goods

Apr 22, 2024

1. What are global public goods? Global public goods are resources that benefit all citizens of the world and are nonexcludable and nonrival, meaning no one can be prevented from using them, and their use by one individual does not diminish their availa... Read More...

SISUPALGARH ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE

Apr 22, 2024

What is Sisupalgarh, and why is it significant? Sisupalgarh is an ancient archaeological site located near Bhubaneswar, Odisha, believed to be a 2500-year-old walled city. It holds immense significance as it provides valuable insights into urban planning, architecture, and societal organization during ancient times in India. What are some key features of Sisupalgarh? Sisupalgarh is characterized by its square-shaped ... Read More...

Unlocking Justice: Plea Bargaining in Indian Law

Apr 22, 2024

What is Plea Bargaining? What does plea bargaining mean in the context of the Indian legal system? A plea bargain is a legal agreement in criminal law proceedings where the prosecutor offers concessions to the defendant in exchange for admission of a guilt to a lesser charge or fewer charges in return for the dismissal of other serious charges. Plea bargaining facilitates a quicker resolution of cases, reducing the burden on the court system. It also allows defendants to avoid the uncertainty o... Read More...

PANINI'S SANSKRIT GRAMMAR

Apr 22, 2024

Panini was an ancient scholar who created a detailed and systematic set of rules for Sanskrit grammar around 500 BCE through his work, "Ashtadhyayi." This text is one of the earliest known works on linguistics and grammar and is considered revolutionary for its time. What is the "Ashtadhyayi"? The "Ashtadhyayi" is Panini’s compilation of nearly 4,000 rules (sutras) that define the structure of... Read More...

Statute of Westminster 1931 and India

Apr 22, 2024

Q: What was the Statute of Westminster (1931)? A: A landmark British law that granted legislative independence to the self-governing Dominions within the British Empire (Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Irish Free State, and Newfoundland). Q: How did the Statute of Westminster change the relationship between Britain and its Dominions? A: It removed the following powers Britain previously held over Dominions: Read More...

THE MYTH OF TRAILOKYAVIJAYA AND ITS CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE

Apr 22, 2024

The narrative of Trailokyavijaya (TLV), detailed in the Buddhist text "Assembly of the Essence of All Buddhas" (Sarva-tathagata-tattva-sangraha), reflects a dynamic period of religious and cultural transformation in Monsoon Asia during the 7th-8th centuries CE. This era saw the intersection of various religious traditions and the rise of state-centric economies based on temple-centered activities and long-distance trade, supported by a mobile intellectual class and political elites invested in ritualistic expressions of power. Trailokyavijaya, a wrathf... Read More...