UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Pal-Dadhvav Massacre and Eki Movement

Mar 16, 2024

What is the Pal-Dadhvav Massacre? The Pal-Dadhvav massacre refers to a tragic event that occurred in the villages of Pal-Chitariya and Dadhvav in the Sabarkantha district, then part of the Idar state (now Gujarat), India. On March 7, 1922, a large group of villagers who had gathered on the banks of the river Heir as part of the Eki Movement were fired upon by forces under the orders of local rulers, resulting in numerous casualties. This event is remembered for the brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters advocating for social and economic rights. What was the Eki Movement? The Eki Movement w... Read More...

Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Powerplant

Mar 16, 2024

Where is it located? The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Powerplant is located in southeastern Ukraine on the banks of the Dnieper River, near the city of Enerhodar. What is its significance? The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Powerplant is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe and one of the ten largest in the world. It historically played a critical role in Ukraine's electricity generation. Is it operational? The plant has been under Russian control since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. While it currently is... Read More...

Gulf of Mannar, Palk Bay, and Dugong Conservation

Mar 16, 2024

What is the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay? The Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay are significant marine ecosystems located between the southeastern coast of India and the northwestern coast of Sri Lanka. These areas are rich in biodiversity and serve as critical habitats for a wide range of marine species, including coral reefs, mangroves, seagrasses, and various species of fish and marine mammals. Why is the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay important for dugong conservation? The Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay are important for dugong conservation due to the presence of extensive seagrass beds, which are th... Read More...

Government’s Focus on Battery Energy Storage

Mar 16, 2024

Battery Energy Storage System Scheme (BESS): The Indian government is promoting the BESS to meet the country’s renewable energy targets and manage peak power demands. The scheme aims for a large-scale storage capacity, supporting India’s net-zero target by ensuring energy security. Advantages of Battery Storage: Battery storage is essential for harnessing and efficiently utilizing renewable energy. It provides a solution to variability and ensures a stable energy supply, even during non-generation hours. Financial Aspects and Targets: The BESS scheme involves a significant financial outlay with target... Read More...

Modern slavery

Mar 15, 2024

It encompasses a range of exploitative practices that exist today, even though slavery is legally prohibited in every country in the world. It includes forced labor, debt bondage, forced marriage, human trafficking, and the worst forms of child labor. Individuals in modern slavery are deprived of their freedom, unable to leave because of threats, violence, coercion, deception, and abuse of power. Forms of Modern Slavery: 1. Forced Labor: Individuals are compelled to work against their will under threat of punishment. It’s prevalent in industries with little regulation, such as agriculture, construction, domestic w... Read More...

ISRO’s Reusable Launch Vehicle Pushpak

Mar 15, 2024

1. What is the Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) Pushpak? The RLV Pushpak is a winged technology demonstrator developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to explore and validate technologies essential for achieving a fully reusable launch vehicle. These technologies include hypersonic flight, autonomous landing, and powered cruise flight, among others. 2. Why is Pushpak significant for space exploration?... Read More...

Glass-Ceiling Index

Mar 15, 2024

The Economist’s Glass-Ceiling Index is a benchmarking tool created by “The Economist” magazine to gauge where women have the best and worst chances of equal treatment at work in countries across the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development). It incorporates various data points to create an overall ranking that reflects the opportunities and barriers women face in the workplace. Key factors included in the Glass-Ceiling Index are: 1. Higher education: The level of tertiary education among women. 2. Labor-force participation: Read More...

Inselbergs: An Overview

Mar 15, 2024

Inselbergs are a geological feature that have garnered significant interest within both the scientific community and among enthusiasts of natural landscapes. An "inselberg" is a term derived from the German words "Insel," meaning island, and "Berg," meaning mountain. It refers to a solitary hill or a lone mountain rising abruptly from a gently sloping or virtually level surrounding plain. Inselbergs are often found in arid and semi-arid regions and are characterized by their steep, often vertical sides and rounded, dome-like tops. Popularity and Significance 1. Geological Interest: Inselber... Read More...

2023 Human Development Report: Economic Inequality Reversal

Mar 14, 2024

For two decades, progress seemed to be made in reducing global economic inequalities. However, the latest findings from the United Nations 2023 Human Development Index (HDI) suggest a troubling reversal of this trend. Despite reaching a new high in the post-COVID-19 era, the 2023 Human Development Report highlights a widening gap between rich and poor nations, with the poorest half still struggling to recover to pre-pandemic levels. This development underscores a complex interplay of factors that demand a nuanced understanding and concerted global action. Key Takeaways from the 2023 Human Developme... Read More...

Snowmelt Irrigation in Ladakh

Mar 14, 2024

What is snowmelt irrigation and why is it important in Ladakh? Snowmelt irrigation involves the use of water from melting snow to irrigate crops. In Ladakh, almost 90% of farmers depend on this method for cultivating barley, wheat, and vegetables. It is crucial because it provides a sustainable and eco-friendly water source in an area with limited rainfall and challenging terrain. How does snowmelt irrigation work? During winter,... Read More...

India’s Progress in Human Development and Gender Equality 2024

Mar 14, 2024

India has made notable progress in the Human Development Index (HDI), ranking 134 out of 193 countries, according to the latest 2023/24 Human Development Report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). After experiencing a drop in 2021, India’s HDI value increased from 0.633 to 0.644 in 2022, placing it in the medium human development category. This improvement reflects positive developments across key HDI indicators, including life expectancy, education, and Gross National Income (GNI) per capita. Enhancements in Gender Equality India has also demonstrated significant strides in reducing gender inequality. Wi... Read More...

Gender Inequality Index (GII)

Mar 14, 2024

The Gender Inequality Index (GII) is a measure developed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to assess the extent of gender-based disparities in a country. It is a composite index that factors in women’s disadvantage in three important aspects: reproductive health, empowerment, and the labor market. The GII reflects inequality between women and men and highlights gaps in access to resources and opportunities for the genders. Key Features of the GII: • Reproductive Health: Measured by maternal mortality ratios and adolescent birth rates, reproductive health indicators reflect women’s acces... Read More...

Tamil Nadu's Coral Reef Conservation: Policy Imperative

Mar 14, 2024

Coral reefs, the marine world’s rainforests, face numerous threats along the Tamil Nadu coast, notably in the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Bay. These ecosystems are crucial for ecological balance and economic prosperity, providing habitat, sustenance, and protection for a diverse array of marine life and supporting local communities. However, recent studies highlight a significant decline in coral cover due to both climatic and anthropogenic pressures. This situation underscores the urgent need for a robust conservation strategy, leading to the Tamil Nadu government’s initiative to formulate a comprehensive conservation and management policy. This policy aims to safeguard ... Read More...

Ancient Site of Agroha: An Overview

Mar 14, 2024

Location The ancient site of Agroha is located in the village of Agroha, within the Tehsil-Adampur, in the district of Hisar. Read More...

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Survey Explained

Mar 14, 2024

The Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey is a non-invasive geophysical method used to investigate the subsurface. This technique employs radar pulses to image the subsurface features. It is widely utilized in various fields such as archaeology, geology, environmental studies, and civil engineering for detecting and mapping underground structures, utilities, and anomalies. How GPR Works: GPR works by sending high-frequency radio waves (typically from 10 MHz to 2.6 GHz) into the ground through a transducer (antenna). When these waves encounter material boundaries with different electrical properties, a portion of... Read More...