UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Abel Prize: Recognizing Excellence in Mathematics

Mar 27, 2024

The Abel Prize, often regarded as the Nobel Prize for mathematicians, has been awarded in 2024 to French mathematician Michael Talagrand. This prestigious award acknowledges his significant contributions to probability theory and functional analysis, with profound applications in mathematical physics and statistics. The prize is a celebration of excellence in the mathematical sciences, a field that, unlike others, was not included in Alfred Nobel’s original set of Nobel Prizes. Awarded annually by the King of Norway, the Abel... Read More...

Operation Sankalp and the Houthi Threat

Mar 27, 2024

1. What is Operation Sankalp? Operation Sankalp is a maritime security operation conducted by the Indian Navy in the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). It aims to protect merchant vessels and ensure maritime security against piracy, drone attacks, and threats from non-state actors, including the Houthi rebels. 2. Why was Operation Sankalp initiated? The operation was initiated in response to increasing ma... Read More...

Unpaid Domestic Work in India

Mar 27, 2024

1. What constitutes unpaid domestic work? Unpaid domestic work includes a wide range of activities carried out within the household, such as food preparation, cleaning, maintenance, care of children and the elderly, shopping for the household, and transporting goods or people within the family context. 2. How does the unpaid domestic workload differ between men and women in India? In India, women undertake unpaid domestic chores... Read More...

Preservation Challenges for India’s Monuments

Mar 27, 2024

What are the main factors causing the disappearance of India’s monuments? 1. Urbanization and Illegal Development: The encroachment and sometimes demolition of heritage sites for new construction projects due to rapid urban expansion. 2. Insufficient Funding and Staffing: Limited resources available to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) affect its ability to manage and preserve historical sites. 3. Outdated Conservation Methods: Reliance on traditional techni... Read More...

Sustainable Agriculture: IPM in India

Mar 27, 2024

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) represents a cornerstone of sustainable farming practices in India, emphasizing a holistic approach to pest control. This method is instrumental in reducing health and environmental risks while enhancing agricultural productivity. As of 2024, the global market size for IPM solutions is valued at $142 billion, underscoring the widespread adoption and significance of these practices. Core Principles of IPM IPM is based on a set of principles designed to manage p... Read More...

Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K)

Mar 27, 2024

ISIS:Islamic State’s Resurgence and Security Implications 1. What is the Islamic State (IS)? Read More...

Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) Challenges and Milestones

Mar 27, 2024

The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), initiated by the United States in May 2022, represents a significant effort to establish a comprehensive economic engagement with countries in the Indo-Pacific region. The framework aims to address a variety of economic challenges and opportunities through four pillars: supply chains, clean economy, fair economy, and trade. However, as the recent virtual IPEF ministers’ meeting in Thailand highlighted, there are substantial challenges in fully concluding and implementing the framework, especially ahead of the US presidential election in November. Read More...

Sea Ice: Crucial Climate Player and its Impact on India

Mar 27, 2024

Climate Change and the Global Water Crisis

Mar 27, 2024

The nexus between climate change and water scarcity is reshaping the global landscape, underscoring an urgent need for adaptive strategies and sustainable management of water resources. As climate change accelerates, its impact on the planet’s water systems becomes increasingly profound, manifesting in altered precipitation patterns, more frequent and intense droughts, and a general exacerbation of water-related challenges. Impact on Rainfall and Water Availability: Climate change disrupts the globa... Read More...

Usha Mehta and Her Secret Radio in 1942

Mar 27, 2024

Usha Mehta (1920-2000) was a prominent Indian freedom fighter who played a significant role during the Indian independence movement, notably for her involvement in setting up an underground radio station in 1942. This initiative was a part of the Quit India Movement, a mass protest demanding an end to British rule in India. Background of the Quit India Movement: The Quit India Movement was launched in August 1942 by Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress. It was a civil disobedience mov... Read More...

Climate Change and Drinking Water Crisis: Indian Experience

Mar 27, 2024

Climate change is exacerbating the water crisis in India, a country that is home to over a billion people. As temperatures rise, precipitation patterns change, and extreme weather events become more frequent, India’s water sources are under significant stress. Here are some examples that highlight the impact of climate change on drinking water availability in India: 1. Shrinking Glaciers in the Himalayas: • The Himalayas, which are the source of major rivers such as the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Indus, are experiencing... Read More...

Shift from US Dollar Dominance to Alternative Reserve Currencies

Mar 26, 2024

1. Why is the US dollar’s dominance in global reserves declining? The US dollar’s share of global foreign-exchange reserves is decreasing due to several factors. These include the relative economic decline of the US, the utilization of the dollar in imposing sanctions, the rise of alternative currencies like the euro and Chinese renminbi, and geopolitical tensions that push countries to seek alternatives to reduce dependency on the dollar. 2. What are alternative reserve currencies? Read More...

Neural Brain Implants and the Future of Neuroscience

Mar 26, 2024

1. What are neural brain implants? Neural brain implants are devices that can be placed inside the human brain to interface directly with neural circuits. These devices aim to enhance cognitive functions, help in recovering lost motor skills, or assist in addressing neurological impairments. They represent a convergence of neuroscience and advanced technology, aiming to extend human capabilities beyond natural limits. 2. How could neural brain implants change... Read More...

DRDO Rustom UAV

Mar 26, 2024

1. What is the DRDO Rustom? The Rustom is a Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. It’s designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations. 2. What are the capabilities of the Rustom UAV? The Rustom UAV can fly at an altitude of up to 28,000 feet, has an endu... Read More...

India’s Indigenous MALE Drone: Drishti 10 Starliner

Mar 26, 2024

1. What is the Drishti 10 Starliner? The Drishti 10 Starliner is an indigenous Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) developed for the Indian Navy by Adani Defence and Aerospace, with technology transfer from Israeli defense firm Elbit Systems. It is designed to enhance India’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, especially in the Indian Ocean region. 2. What are the capabilities of the Drishti 10 Starliner? Read More...