UPSC Daily Current Affairs

LANDFILLS & SWACHH BHARAT MISSION:CHALLENGES AND PROGRESS

Oct 12, 2024

LANDFILLS & SWACHH BHARAT MISSION:CHALLENGES AND PROGRESS 1. What Are Landfills? Landfills are designated areas where waste is dumped and left to decompose over time. These sites often accumulate huge amounts of waste, including household trash, construction debris, and industrial refuse. Over time, this buildup can lead to environmental hazards like water contamination, air pollution, and soil degradation. In India, many cities have long-standing legacy landfills, which have collected waste for decades and require urgent remediation. 2. What Is the Swachh Bharat Mission’s Target for Landfills by 2026? 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...

INDIA’S PARTY SYSTEM: EVOLUTION, FOURTH PARTY SYSTEM, AND CURRENT TRENDS

Oct 12, 2024

INDIA’S PARTY SYSTEM: EVOLUTION, FOURTH PARTY SYSTEM, AND CURRENT TRENDS 1. What Is a Party System? A party system is basically the way different political parties in a country interact and compete with each other. It describes how many parties there are, how big they are, and how they work together or against each other to form governments and make policies. Some countries have a two-party system, where two major "teams" dominate, like in the US. Others have a multi-party system like in India. The party system shapes how a country's politics works, who gets elected, and what kind of policies are made. I... 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...

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...

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...

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...

PM Muft Bijli Solar Yojana (PMSY):India's Rooftop Solar Scheme (PMSY)

Oct 11, 2024

PM Muft Bijli Solar Yojana (PMSY):India's Rooftop Solar Scheme (PMSY) M Muft Bijli Solar Yojana (PMSY) scheme, with a massive budget of ₹75,000 crore, aims to install one crore rooftop solar (RTS) systems across India, marking a new chapter in the country's pursuit of clean and affordable energy. Here's a closer look at the PMSY through some frequently asked questions: 1. What exactly is the PM Muft Bijli Solar Yojana (PMSY)? The PMSY is a ambitious, centrally-funded scheme designed to accelerate the adoption of rooftop solar systems in India.It offers substantial subsidi... Read More...

Leptospirosis: Simplifier

Oct 11, 2024

Leptospirosis: Simplifier 1. What is leptospirosis? Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that can affect both humans and animals. 2. How do humans get infected? Humans get infected through contact with the urine of infected animals or a urine-contaminated environment (water, soil). 3. What are the symptoms? Symptoms can range from mild flu-like symptoms (fever, headache, muscle aches) to severe illness with liver and kidney damage. 4. How is it treated? Antibiotics are used to treat leptosp... Read More...

POCSO Act and Online Child Sexual Abuse: Supreme Court Widens Scope to Crack Down

Oct 11, 2024

POCSO Act and Online Child Sexual Abuse: Supreme Court Widens Scope to Crack Down What was the issue before the Supreme Court? Whether viewing, downloading, and storing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) online are offenses under the POCSO Act. What did the Madras High Court rule? The High Court ruled that only transmitting or publishing CSAM was an offense, not merely possessing or viewing it. How did the Supreme Court rule? The Supreme Court overturned the High Court's ruling, stating that possessing, viewing, and stor... Read More...

The Tirupati Laddu Controversy: Allegations of Adulteration

Oct 11, 2024

The Tirupati Laddu Controversy: Allegations of Adulteration The sacred offering of Tirupati laddus, a cherished prasadam for millions of devotees, has been shrouded in controversy following allegations of adulteration. Reports suggest that the ghee used in preparing these iconic sweets, traditionally sourced from cow milk, may have been compromised with cheaper fats, including those derived from beef and pigs. This revelation has sparked outrage and concern among devotees and religious groups, prompting a closer examination of the production process and testing methods. Unpacking the Controversy: Key Questions and ... Read More...

Operation AMRITH: Kerala's Fight Against Superbugs and Antibiotic Resistance - Critical Deep Dive

Oct 11, 2024

Operation AMRITH: Kerala's Fight Against Superbugs and Antibiotic Resistance - Critical Deep Dive Kerala is taking a pioneering step in combating antibiotic resistance with Operation AMRITH (Antimicrobial Resistance Mitigation and Optimization in Kerala). This program aims to curb antibiotic misuse and overuse, which contribute to the rise of drug-resistant "superbugs." Here's a deeper dive into Operation AMRITH: 1. What is Operation AMRITH? Operation AMRITH is Kerala's comprehensive program to tackle antibiotic resistance by regulating antibiotic use and prom... Read More...

CYCLONE CLASSIFICATION AND TYPES

Oct 11, 2024

CYCLONE CLASSIFICATION AND TYPES FAQs 1. How are cyclones classified based on wind speed? Cyclones are classified into five categories based on wind speed and the level of damage they cause: • Category 1: Wind speed of 120–150 km/h; causes minimal damage. • Category 2: Wind speed of 150–180 km/h; causes moderate damage. • Category 3: Wind speed of 180–210 km/h; causes extensive damage. • Category 4: Wind speed of 210–250 km/h; causes extreme damage. • Category 5: Wind spee... Read More...

Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act 2023:Simplifier

Oct 11, 2024

Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act 2023:Simplifier 1. What is the Jan Vishwas Act? The Jan Vishwas Act is a law passed in 2023 to decriminalize minor offenses and reduce the burden on businesses and citizens. 2. What does it do? It amends 42 existing laws across 19 different government departments, removing 183 provisions that previously imposed criminal penalties for minor offenses. 3. Why was it needed? The Act aims to improve ease of doing business, reduce litigation, and free up courts to focus on more serious offenses. It... Read More...

The Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary: Little Rann of Kutch - FAQs

Oct 11, 2024

The Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary: Little Rann of Kutch - FAQs The Little Rann of Kutch, a unique and harsh landscape in Gujarat, India, is home to the Indian wild ass sanctuary. This sanctuary protects the endangered Indian wild ass (Equus hemionus khur), locally known as "khur." Here's a closer look at this fascinating ecosystem and its challenges: FAQs 1. What is the Little Rann of Kutch? The Little Rann of Kutch is a vast salt marsh located in Gujarat, India. It's a harsh environment characterized by barren salt flats for most of the year,&n... Read More...