UPSC Daily Current Affairs

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...

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...

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...

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...

Turning India's Aging Population into a "Silver Dividend

Oct 14, 2024

Turning India's Aging Population into a "Silver Dividend" Synopsis: India's elderly population is growing rapidly, presenting both challenges and opportunities. With rising healthcare costs and other needs, it's crucial to transform this "silver tsunami" into a "silver dividend." This involves a multi-pronged approach, including: Healthcare reform: Focusing on preventive care, tele-consultation, and mental health services tailored to the elderly. Social inclusion: Sensitizing communities and providing legal and peer support. ... Read More...

India's Nuclear Energy Sector: 2024-25 Budget & Private Participation -A New Chapter Begins

Oct 14, 2024

India's Nuclear Energy Sector: 2024-25 Budget & Private Participation -A New Chapter Begins The 2024-25 Union Budget announcement marked a significant shift in India's nuclear energy policy by proposing increased private sector participation. This move aims to accelerate the growth of nuclear power in India, contributing to the country's ambitious clean energy targets and its commitment to decarbonization. However, this new chapter also brings forth challenges and necessitates careful navigation of existing legal and regulatory frameworks. Key Takeaways from the Budget Announcement: Pr... Read More...

India's Agroforestry Revolution: Path to Climate Action and Farmer Prosperity

Oct 12, 2024

India's Agroforestry Revolution: Path to Climate Action and Farmer Prosperity Synopsis: India has huge potential to fight climate change and boost farmer incomes through agroforestry (growing trees on farms).Agroforestry can significantly increase India's carbon sink, which helps absorb CO2 from the atmosphere. However,current international rules for carbon credits often exclude Indian farmers because they typically have small farms and don't plant trees in a way that qualifies for these credits. Changing these rules to recognize the unique nature of Indian agriculture would unlock significant benefits for farmers and the environment... Read More...

Create in India": Fostering Creativity and Innovation -Simplifier

Oct 12, 2024

Create in India": Fostering Creativity and Innovation -Simplifier India is embarking on a mission to foster creativity and innovation with its "Create in India" initiative. This program,spearheaded by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, aims to empower creators and propel India's media and entertainment industry to new heights. FAQs 1. What is the "Create in India" initiative? "Create in India" is a program designed to promote talent and creativity across various sectors. It involves a series of challenges aimed at encouraging creators ... Read More...

Make in India @ 10:Hits and Misses

Oct 12, 2024

Make in India @ 10:Hits and Misses The Make in India initiative, launched in 2014, represents a bold vision to transform India into a global manufacturing hub. While the journey has encountered challenges, it's essential to recognize the significant strides made and the foundation laid for future success. Key Highlights: Attracting Global Investment: Make in India has successfully positioned India as an attractive destination for foreign investment in manufacturing. Major global companies have set up or expanded operations in India, bringing in capital, technology,&... Read More...

MAD Doctrine/Nuclear Deterrence/Balance of Terror & Russia

Oct 12, 2024

MAD Doctrine/Nuclear Deterrence/Balance of Terror & Russia 1. What is the MAD doctrine? MAD, or Mutually Assured Destruction, is a doctrine of military strategy and national security policy in which a full-scale use of nuclear weapons by two or more opposing sides would cause the complete annihilation of both the attacker and the defender. 2. How does nuclear deterrence work? Nuclear deterrence is based on the threat of using nuclear weapons as a means to deter adversaries from taking certain actions, especially military aggression. The effectiveness of nuclear deterrence relies heavily on the credibility of th... Read More...

Dark Matter Search and Neutrino Fog:Indian Involvement

Oct 12, 2024

Dark Matter Search and Neutrino Fog:Indian Involvement Synopsis: Scientists are searching for dark matter, an invisible substance that makes up most of the universe's mass. They're doing this by looking for signs of dark matter particles interacting with regular matter in detectors deep underground. Recent experiments haven't found dark matter yet, and the search is getting harder because of interference from neutrinos. FAQs: What is dark matter? Dark matter is an invisible substance that makes up about 85% of the matter in the universe. We can't see i... Read More...

THE NATIONAL PENSION SYSTEM (NPS)& RECENT CHANGES:BASICS

Oct 12, 2024

THE NATIONAL PENSION SYSTEM (NPS)& RECENT CHANGES:BASICS What is the National Pension System (NPS)? NPS is a government-backed retirement savings plan initiated in 2004 primarily for government employees. It has evolved into a voluntary system open to all Indian citizens, allowing them to save for retirement through regular contributions, which are then paid back as a pension upon retirement. Who can join NPS? Originally for government employees, NPS is now accessible to anyone working in India, whether in the public or private sectors. How does the government contribute t... Read More...

Permafrost Thaw in the Himalayas: Simplifier

Oct 12, 2024

Permafrost Thaw in the Himalayas: Simplifier A glaciologist from Kerala, S.N. Remya, is currently braving polar bears in the Arctic to study permafrost, aiming to understand the potential for climate change-induced disasters in the Himalayas. Her research focuses on the thawing of permafrost, a critical issue with far-reaching consequences. FAQs 1. What is permafrost? Permafrost is any ground (soil, rock, or sediment) that remains frozen for at least two consecutive years. It often contains large masses of ice within it. 2. Why is ... Read More...

NAMASTE Scheme and India's Sewer Workers: A Caste-Based Occupation -

Oct 12, 2024

NAMASTE Scheme and India's Sewer Workers: A Caste-Based Occupation - A recent survey of sewer and septic tank workers (SSWs) in India has revealed a stark reality: 92% of those engaged in this hazardous occupation belong to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), or Other Backward Classes (OBC).This finding highlights the persistence of caste-based occupational segregation and discrimination in India, despite legal prohibitions and efforts to eradicate manual scavenging. FAQs 1. What is the NAMASTE scheme? The NAMASTE (National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem) scheme is a ... Read More...