UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Jitiya Festival -Jivitputrika Vrat

Oct 10, 2024

Jitiya Festival -Jivitputrika Vrat 1. What is Jitiya? Jitiya, also known as Jivitputrika Vrat, is a three-day Hindu festival primarily observed by mothers in regions like Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. It is dedicated to the well-being and longevity of their children. 2. When is Jitiya celebrated in 2024? In 2024, Jitiya is observed from September 25th to 27th. 3. What is the significance of Jitiya? Jitiya revolves around the legend of Jimutavahana, who sacrificed himself to save the lives of young snakes. It symbolizes... Read More...

INDIA:DUAL CITIZENSHIP AND THE OCI CARD

Oct 10, 2024

INDIA:DUAL CITIZENSHIP AND THE OCI CARD 1. DOES INDIA ALLOW DUAL CITIZENSHIP? No, India does not permit dual citizenship. The Indian Constitution and the Citizenship Act, 1955, prohibit holding Indian citizenship and foreign citizenship simultaneously. However, India offers the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status to certain individuals of Indian origin, which provides some benefits without granting full citizenship rights. 2. WHAT IS AN OCI CARD? An Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card allows foreign citizens of Indian origin to live, work, and travel in India without requiring a visa. It serves ... Read More...

LOTHAL DOCKYARD and NAL CORRIDOR:NEW INSIGHTS INTO HARAPPAN MARITIME TRADE

Oct 10, 2024

LOTHAL DOCKYARD and NAL CORRIDOR:NEW INSIGHTS INTO HARAPPAN MARITIME TRADE 1. Where Is Lothal Located and What Is Its Historical Significance? Lothal is located about 30 km inland from the Gulf of Khambhat on India’s western coast in Gujarat. It was a major port city during the Harappan period (2600 BCE to 1900 BCE) and played a crucial role in trade and commerce, connecting various Harappan production and distribution centres along the Gulf of Kachchh and the Rann of Kachchh. 2. What Evidence Supports the Dockyard Theory at Lothal? Recent studies published in the Journal of Archaeological Science ... Read More...

GREAT NICOBAR ISLAND :INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES and DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

Oct 10, 2024

GREAT NICOBAR ISLAND :INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES and DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS FAQs 1. What is the major development project planned for Great Nicobar Island? A massive infrastructure and tourism project worth INR 750 million (US$8.9 billion) has been approved, aiming to develop ports, airports, power plants, and residential townships on Great Nicobar Island. 2. Which Indigenous communities live on Great Nicobar Island? The island is home to the Shompen and Nicobarese communities. The Shompen, a particularly vulnerable tribal group, live in seclusion in the inland forests, while the Nicobares... Read More...

World Rabies Day:September 28

Oct 10, 2024

World Rabies Day:September 28 Synopsis: World Rabies Day serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing fight against rabies. Despite medical advancements, the disease continues to pose a threat, as highlighted by the tragic death of a young boy in Kerala. This day commemorates Louis Pasteur, whose pioneering work led to the first rabies vaccine. Historically, rabies was shrouded in misconceptions, but Pasteur's breakthrough paved the way for modern prevention and treatment methods. India, in particular, faces a significant burden of rabies, predominantly from dog bites. A "One Health" approach involving coll... Read More...

TACKLING AIR POLLUTION IN INDIA

Oct 10, 2024

TACKLING AIR POLLUTION IN INDIA 1. What Are the Main Causes of Air Pollution in India? Air pollution in India is caused by a mix of factors, including: • Vehicular Emissions: The growing number of vehicles contributes significantly to urban air pollution. • Industrial Activities: Factories and power plants release pollutants, including particulate matter and toxic gases. • Agricultural Burning: Stubble burning, especially in northern India, contributes heavily to seasonal pollution. • Construction Dust: Ongo... Read More...

WOMEN-LED DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA: INITIATIVES AND IMPACT

Oct 10, 2024

WOMEN-LED DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA: INITIATIVES AND IMPACT 1. WHAT IS WOMEN-LED DEVELOPMENT? Women-led development is a concept that emphasizes including women as active participants in the economic, social, and political progress of a country. It focuses on empowering women not just as beneficiaries but also as decision-makers, planners, and key contributors to development. 2. HOW DOES WOMEN-LED DEVELOPMENT DIFFER FROM WOMEN-CENTRIC DEVELOPMENT? While women-centric development targets women as primary beneficiaries of various programs, women-led development actively involves women in decision-making an... Read More...

MERCHANT BANKS AND INVESTMENT BANKS: UNDERSTANDING THEIR ROLES

Oct 09, 2024

MERCHANT BANKS AND INVESTMENT BANKS: UNDERSTANDING THEIR ROLES FAQs 1. What Are Merchant Banks and Investment Banks? Both merchant banks and investment banks provide financial services to companies, including raising capital, advising on mergers and acquisitions, and managing investments. They serve businesses rather than individual customers, focusing on corporate finance and strategic advisory. 2. Are Merchant Banks and Investment Banks the Same? Yes, in many ways, merchant banks and investment banks operate similarly, offering overlapping services. In countries like the UK, they a... Read More...

AIR QUALITY INDEX (AQI)

Oct 09, 2024

AIR QUALITY INDEX (AQI) What is the Air Quality Index (AQI)? The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a system used to measure and report the quality of the air in a specific area. It quantifies levels of air pollution. Higher AQI values correlate with greater levels of air pollution and a higher potential for adverse health effects. Which pollutants are measured in the AQI? AQI measurements consider concentrations of eight major pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), ozone (O3), sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), lead (Pb), and ammonia (NH3). Read More...

ALPINE GLACIERS:CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF MELTING

Oct 09, 2024

ALPINE GLACIERS:CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF MELTING 1. Causes of Melting Glaciers • Global Warming: The primary cause of glacier melting is the rise in global temperatures due to increased greenhouse gas emissions from human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes. • Climate Change: Shifts in climate patterns, including hotter summers and warmer winters, accelerate glacier melt, especially in sensitive mountain regions like the Alps. • Black Carbon Deposits: Soot and dust from pollution settl... Read More...

Matsya-6000 and Samudrayaan Mission

Oct 09, 2024

Matsya-6000 and Samudrayaan Mission 1. What is Matsya-6000, and how does it relate to Samudrayaan? Matsya-6000 is a cutting-edge manned submersible, a key component of India's ambitious Samudrayaan Mission. The mission aims to send a crew of three to the depths of the ocean, up to 6000 meters, to conduct scientific exploration and research. Matsya-6000 is the vehicle designed to make this deep-sea journey possible. 2. What is the significance of the upcoming wet test for Matsya-6000? The wet test is a crucial step in the development of Matsya-6000 and the Samudrayaan Mission. It... Read More...

ASSAM ACCORD:CLAUSE 6

Oct 09, 2024

ASSAM ACCORD:CLAUSE 6 KEY ISSUES AND IMPLEMENTATION 1. What Is the Assam Accord? The Assam Accord is a historic agreement signed in 1985 between the Government of India and the leaders of the Assam Movement, led by the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU). The accord ended a six-year-long agitation in Assam against the illegal influx of migrants into the state. It laid down several measures to protect the cultural, social, and economic rights of the indigenous Assamese people, including the identification and deportation of illegal migrants. 2. What Is Clause 6 of the Assam Accord? Read More...

INDO-MYANMAR BORDER-PHYSICAL AND SMART FENCING

Oct 09, 2024

INDO-MYANMAR BORDER-PHYSICAL AND SMART FENCING The Government of India has proposed a 1,643 km-long border fence along the India-Myanmar border, integrating physical and smart fencing measures. This initiative aims to strengthen border security, curtail illegal activities, and manage cross-border movements effectively. The Assam Rifles, responsible for guarding the India-Myanmar border, will play a key role in implementing this security measure by establishing border outposts and utilizing advanced surveillance technology. 1. What Is the Indo-Myanmar Border Fencing Project? The Indo-Myanmar Border Fencing Project involves the construction... Read More...

Demographic Winter:FAQs

Oct 09, 2024

Demographic Winter:FAQs What is demographic winter? Demographic winter refers to the phenomenon of declining birth rates and potential population decline, particularly in developed countries. It describes a situation where the number of births is insufficient to maintain or grow the population, potentially leading to various economic and social challenges. Which countries are most affected by demographic winter? Countries most affected by demographic winter tend to be developed nations with low fertility rates. Some examples include: - Japan - South Korea - I... Read More...

OVERSEAS CITIZEN OF INDIA (OCI):CHANGES IN THEIR PRIVILEGES 2024

Oct 09, 2024

OVERSEAS CITIZEN OF INDIA (OCI):CHANGES IN THEIR PRIVILEGES 2024 DEFINITION OF OCI AND NRI Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) are individuals of Indian origin who, or whose parents or grandparents, were once citizens of India but are no longer so. They hold foreign citizenship but maintain close ties to India. For example, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris is an OCI since her mother was an Indian citizen. In contrast, a Non-Resident Indian (NRI) is still a citizen of India but resides abroad for work, education, or other purposes. 1. WHAT ARE THE NEW RULES AFFECTING OCIS? The recent rules h... Read More...