UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Assessing Climate Risk in the Himalayas: A New Index and its Significance

Mar 12, 2024

This FAQ section delves into a new climate risk index developed by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M). This innovative tool assesses climate change vulnerability across various districts within the Himalayas. Unpacking the Risk Index: Three Pillars for Understanding Vulnerability The index takes a multifaceted approach, considering three crucial components of climate risk: Hazard: This dimension focuses on the likelihood and intensity of extreme weather events. Floods, droughts, earthquakes, and other natural disasters are all factored in, with historical data and future projections informing th... Read More...

Agni-V Missile Test

Mar 12, 2024

1. What is the significance of the Agni-V missile test? The successful test of the Agni-V missile, equipped with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology, marks a significant advancement in India’s strategic defense capabilities. It enhances nuclear deterrence by enabling a single missile to deliver multiple warheads across different targets, significantly expanding India’s strategic reach and precision. 2. How does Agni-V compare to India’s previous missiles? Agni-V is an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM... Read More...

Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)

Mar 12, 2024

1. What is the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)? The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is a modification to the Citizenship Act of 1955, enacted to provide a fast-track path to Indian citizenship for persecuted minorities (Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians) from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh who entered India on or before December 31, 2014. The act aims to protect those who have fled religious persecution in their home countries. 2... Read More...

Gene Editing 101: Fixing the Code of Life

Mar 12, 2024

Imagine a tiny blueprint that holds the instructions for building your entire body. That blueprint is your DNA, and gene editing is a new technology that allows scientists to snip, insert, or replace parts of this code directly within living things! Why Edit Genes? Sometimes, mistakes creep into our DNA, typos in the code of life. These errors can lead to diseases like heart disease, cystic fibrosis, or even some cancers. Gene editing offers a way to potentially: Fix those mistakes: By editing the faulty genes, scientists hope to preven... Read More...

PRASHAD Scheme: Progress and Challenges

Mar 12, 2024

The Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) scheme, initiated by the Ministry of Tourism in 2014, aims at enhancing infrastructure and facilities at key religious and heritage sites across India. Despite its broad objectives and the sanctioning of 46 projects over the past decade, the scheme has encountered significant delays, with less than half of these projects completed within the planned timeline. Key Insights from the PRASHAD Scheme: 1. Scope and Objective: Launched with the intent to augment infrastructure at pilgrimage ... Read More...

Trading with India in Rupee

Mar 12, 2024

1. What does trading with India in Rupees mean? Trading with India in Rupees refers to the process where international transactions with India are conducted in Indian Rupees (INR), instead of traditionally dominant currencies like the US Dollar or Euro. This approach simplifies trade by eliminating currency conversion steps and potentially reduces transaction costs. 2. Which countries have shown interest in trading with India in Rupees? Countries including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, nations from the ... Read More...

Trading with India in Rupee

Mar 12, 2024

Election Commission of India's Initiatives to Leverage AI Responsibly

Mar 12, 2024

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has been proactive in adopting measures to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) positively while mitigating its negative impacts on the electoral process. Recognizing the dual-edged nature of AI in elections, the ECI's initiatives reflect a balanced approach towards technology utilization and regulation. One of the key steps taken by the ECI is the engagement with leading technology firms, including OpenAI, to develop strategies for combating AI-driven misinformation and enhancing the security of the electoral process. This collaboration aims to identify potential vulnerabilities in the election ecosystem... Read More...

Connectome: Mapping the Brain’s Complex Network

Mar 12, 2024

1. What is a connectome? A connectome is an extensive map of the neural connections in the brain. It’s like a wiring diagram showing how billions of neurons (brain cells) interact with each other through synapses, which are the points where neurons connect to send and receive signals. 2. How does the connectome help in understanding the brain? The connectome provides a detailed overview of the brain’s intricate network, helping scientists understand how different parts of the brain communicate. This understanding is crucial for grasping how we perform complex activities, think, l... Read More...

New Highway Tolling System in India

Mar 12, 2024

What’s Happening? India plans to introduce a new toll collection system on highways using satellite navigation before the 2024 elections. This system aims to charge drivers based on the exact distance they travel on the highway. How Does It Work? • Satellite Navigation: The system relies on global navigation satellites, including India’s GAGAN, to pinpoint the location of vehicles with an accuracy of about 10 meters. Read More...

J. Robert Oppenheimer

Mar 12, 2024

Who was J. Robert Oppenheimer? J. Robert Oppenheimer was an American theoretical physicist and the scientific director of the Manhattan Project, the World War II project that developed the first nuclear weapons. He is often called the “father of the atomic bomb” for his role in the project. What was the Manhattan Project? The Manhattan Project was a research and development undertaking during World War II that produced the first nuclear weapons. It was led by the United States with the support of the United Kingdom and Canada. Oppenheimer was appointed as the scient... Read More...

Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023

Mar 12, 2024

Objective: The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, regulates the processing of digital personal data to protect individual rights while allowing for lawful data processing. Salient Features: 1. Data Protection Framework: Read More...

The legal status of cryptocurrencies in India

Mar 12, 2024

It has been a topic of considerable debate and regulatory scrutiny. Cryptocurrencies are not illegal in India, meaning individuals can buy, hold, and trade cryptocurrencies. However, the Indian government and regulatory bodies have expressed concerns over the risks associated with cryptocurrencies and have been working towards establishing a regulatory framework. Regulatory Developments: 1. Supreme Court Ruling (2020): The Supreme Court of India lifted the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) ban on cryptocurrency transactions. The RBI had initially imposed restrictions that prevented banks and financial instituti... Read More...

Bitcoin’s Surge to New Heights

Mar 12, 2024

Why Did Bitcoin’s Price Soar? Bitcoin’s recent price surge to a new all-time high of $69,170.63 is attributed to several factors: • Market Recovery: The market is bouncing back from previous lows, notably after the crypto crash following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the collapse of significant cryptocurrencies and platforms in 2022. • Regulatory Changes: The U.S. SEC’s approval of the first spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for Bitcoin signaled a more open regulatory environment, attracting traditional investors to the crypto market. • Bitcoin... Read More...

Introduction to Cryptocurrency

Mar 12, 2024

Cryptocurrency represents a groundbreaking development in the financial world, a digital or virtual form of currency that uses cryptography for security, making it difficult to counterfeit. Unlike traditional currencies issued by governments (fiat currencies), cryptocurrencies operate on decentralized platforms based on blockchain technology—a distributed ledger enforced by a disparate network of computers. Key Features of Cryptocurrency: • Decentralization: Most cryptocurrencies operate on technology called blockchain, a distributed ledger that records all transactions ac... Read More...